News Archives for Latest - 2025-12-30

Punjab

Imran’s sisters, PTI protesters again met with water cannons during sit-in outside Adiala jail

PTI says Aleema arrested, taken to Chakri and then later released; visuals on social media show her raising her fist in the air while being driven away in a police van.

Updated 31 Dec, 2025 07:32am

Pakistan inks climate resilience initiatives with Asian Development Bank

The two projects are the $180.5m Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project and the $124m Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 10:03pm

PM Shehbaz meets UAE president in Rahim Yar Khan, pledges to ‘elevate’ bilateral ties

PM, Emirati president discuss ways to enhance cooperation in a wide range of sectors, such as IT, energy, minerals and defence cooperation.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:51pm

KP & FATA

South Waziristan residents welcome snowfall and rain as winter sets in

Recent snowfall and rainfall expected to halt the continuous decline in the groundwater table, says Irrigation Department official.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 08:02pm

US warns Indians of ‘significant criminal penalties’ for illegal migration

"The Trump Administration is committed to ending illegal immigration to the United States and protecting our nation’s borders and our citizens,” embassy says.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:25pm

Soaring prices spark Australia gold rush for new generation of fortune hunters

Hobbyists have flocked to 19th-century gold rush towns like Ballarat, which helped make Australia one of the world’s top three gold producers.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:21pm

Sindh

Karachi mayor urges people to avoid politicisation after child drowns in open manhole

Says cover was not missing, but had been removed and kept on the side; calls on people to address the "issue on merit rather than politicising it".

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:13pm

Shaheen Shah Afridi to return home after knee injury cuts short BBL stint

The left-armer suffered a cartilage injury while fielding during Heat’s last-over victory against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 05:30pm

Dar, Saudi counterpart discuss ‘current regional situation and recent developments’: FO

Dar expresses satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Islamabad and Riyadh during the exchange.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 05:20pm

Punjab

Azma Bokhari stages walkout from Punjab Assembly in solidarity with journalists over ‘ill-treatment’ during KP CM visit

Minister says she is being accused of "planting journalists" during KP CM's visit; intends to file a defamation suit.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 04:54pm

Malcolm in the Middle returns for four-episode miniseries 19 years after original series ended

The trailer for the new show dropped on Monday, with many of the original cast members reprising their roles.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 04:44pm

Pakistan’s first year on the UN Security Council: diplomacy tested in turbulent times

Rather than confining itself to routine multilateral work, Islamabad’s mission in New York was repeatedly called upon to translate principle into pressure and moral clarity into policy engagement.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 04:42pm

Punjab

Election tribunal dismisses Yasmin Rashid’s challenge to Nawaz’s NA-130 win in 2024 polls

PTI leader's plea dismissed on technical grounds, failure to comply with requirements under Election Act, 2017 for filing election petition.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 04:35pm

Injured Archer included in England T20 World Cup squad but no place for Smith

Josh Tongue called up to T20 squad for first time in a 15-man party to be captained by Harry Brook.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 03:29pm

PIA to resume flights to London from March after 6-year hiatus

Airline to operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London from March 29.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 02:23pm

KP & FATA

In meeting with interior minister, KP governor says Centre’s cooperation vital for eliminating terrorism in province

“Joint and coordinated action is needed to eliminate terrorism,” he says.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 02:33pm

The race to find Formula 1’s first-ever woman champion

A special test day in October in Nottingham aimed to address a major gender gap in F1, one of the flashiest of sports.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 01:32pm

Arif Habib sees PIA privatisation creating more jobs in airline

Says number of airline staff is "reasonable"; confirms Fauji Fertiliser to be a shareholder of PIA.

Updated 12 Jun, 2026 12:27pm

2025 might not have been the year for big-budget drama serials, but smaller story-led dramas thrived

Our dramas are reaching growing audiences across Bangladesh, the Arab world, India, Europe and North America.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 12:54pm

Middle East

UAE says it is withdrawing its remaining forces in Yemen ‘voluntarily’ after tensions flare with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia says the separatist STC is “a threat to the Kingdom's national security, as well as to security and stability in the Republic of Yemen and the region”.

Updated 31 Dec, 2025 12:20am

Beyoncé is now the world’s fifth billionaire musician, Forbes confirms

It should cost a billion to look this good, she sang in ‘Pure/Honey’. Now, it does.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 12:38pm

Obituary: Ali Baba Taj, the Hazara poet who believed in Quetta till the very end

He was known in the city's literary circles, having spent his entire life contributing to the worlds of poetry and academia.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 12:18pm

Turkiye detains 110 suspects in operation targeting Islamic State after deadly clash

Police carry out raids on 114 addresses in Istanbul and two other provinces.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 01:01pm

Everything that defined 2025 for Team Images

The music, movies, memes and moments that we were obsessed with this year.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 11:27am

France split over how to honour French film legend and far-right supporter Brigitte Bardot

The film star courted controversy and convictions later in life.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 11:27am

Australian police say Bondi Beach mass shooting suspects ‘acted alone’, were not part of terrorist cell

“There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out the attack," official says.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 11:10am

George Clooney and his family are now French citizens

Clooney owns an estate in Italy’s picturesque Lake Como region, purchased in 2002, and he and Amal bought a historic manor in England.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 10:40am

PM Shehbaz condemns reported targeting of Russian President Putin’s residence, calls it ‘heinous act’

"Such a heinous act constitutes a grave threat to peace, security and stability, particularly at a time when efforts aimed at peace are underway," he says.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 02:01pm

At UNSC, countries voice concern at possible forced displacement of Palestinians following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Pakistan says move “deeply troubling” against the backdrop of previous references to the region being a “destination for the deportation of Palestinian people, especially from Gaza”.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:47am

What will 2026 bring for Pakistan’s economy?

If the chatter in Islamabad is to be believed, the concerns about the economy are real.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 09:12am

Editorial: The state needs to rethink its overall approach to counterterrorism efforts in the new year

Pakistan cannot afford to lose such a high number of security personnel and civilians in terrorist attacks.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 08:59am

South Asia

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80 after prolonged illness

Khaleda had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems; Bangladesh declares three-day state mourning; PM Shehbaz calls her a "committed friend of Pakistan".

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 12:00pm

Column

Christmas in a strife-torn world

Practised cynicism was in evidence on Christmas Day at the highest level of government in India.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:29am

KP & FATA

Hospital director of Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital unlikely to get extension

According to sources, aauthorities have decided not to grant extension to hospital director for another five-year term.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:00am

KP & FATA

Daily wagers, porters in state of despair as Torkham border remains shut

With the immediate solution to the border security and terrorism-related issues not in sight, most of these labourers are understood to be looking for jobs in Punjab and Sindh.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:45am

KP & FATA

5 ‘hired assassins’ killed in Peshawar encounter

Police say the gang is responsible for 31 targeted killings across Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Darra Adamkhel.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:51am

Sindh

After Punjab, Afridi to tour Sindh, Balochistan to spur PTI’s street movement

CM tells cabinet that funding denial by Centre has badly hit uplift projects in tribal districts.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:48am

Islamabad

Parliamentary panel directs FGEHA to speed up housing projects

Takes serious notice of delays in all FGEHA projects, noting that these delays are increasing the financial burden on both the allottees and the authority.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:26am

Islamabad

Pak-Afghan trade disruptions fuel regional instability: experts

Uncertainty, rather than cost alone, has emerged as the most damaging factor.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:12am

Islamabad

NOC made mandatory for digging roads for uplift work in Pindi

Divisional Commissioner Amir Khattak directs that all schemes be identified on maps and shared with the departments concerned.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:37am

Islamabad

Justice Khalid sworn in as Azad Kashmir SC judge

Oath administered by AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:34am

Punjab

Passenger rush prompts PR to review Lahore-Narowal-Sialkot operations

Revival of Shehsawar train being considered.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:55am

Punjab

Nine dead, 30 injured in smog-related accidents in Punjab

Rescue 1122 conducts operations in locations including Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Okara.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:49am

Punjab

MPA shocks treasury: Punjab’s literacy rate below Afghanistan’s

Parliamentary secretary denies claim; session adjourned over quorum.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:44am

Punjab

Partial strike as Punjab Bar Council wants CM to retract anti-judiciary remarks

SJC urged to conduct independent inquiry into matter.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 10:07am

Sindh

SHC grants pre-arrest bail to suspect in underage marriage case

The assistant prosecutor general opposed the bail application on the grounds that the girl was underage.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 10:04am

Sindh

Law enforcers in Karachi thwart plot to use ‘radicalised schoolgirl for suicide bombing’

Sindh home minister says girl from Balochistan detained during routine checking on city's outskirts; alleges outlawed BLA brainwashed her.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:40am

Sindh

Sindh govt plans province-wide survey of heritage buildings

Officials say the survey will enable the provincial government to take more effective conservation measures.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 09:55am

International

Opium poppy ban has hit Afghan farmers hard: UN

Says the ban has slashed poppy production overall to just 10,200 hectares this year, “one of the lowest levels ever recorded” in Afghanistan.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:31am

International

Trump says US hit ‘drug boat loading facility’ in Venezuela

It was not immediately clear which part of the US government acted and what target was hit.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:03am

International

US pledges $2bn for UN aid work with ‘adapt, shrink or die’ warning

Instead of handing funds to individual agencies, the United States will funnel its contributions through the UN aid agency OCHA.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:16am

South Asia

Indian navy sails into history with wooden ship

“This voyage reconnects the past with the present,” Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan says.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:20am

International

UN visit to Sudan region finds traumatised civilians in unsafe conditions

Civilians shelter in abandoned buildings and makeshift tents without water or sanitation, the UN aid coordinator says.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:21am

Sport

Ex-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua injured in Nigeria highway crash that killed two

Police say wreck occurred around 11am in the town of Makun along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 11:39am

Business

SBP rolls out ‘shock covering’ measures for banks

New guidelines aim to strengthen risk management as climate threats intensify.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:45am

Business

Govt prioritises critical power projects

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal directs relevant ministries to finalise a prioritised list of the most critical power projects for the next three years.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:33am

Business

FBR seals two sugar mills over tax law violation

Reaffirms that all enforcement actions are being carried out strictly in accordance with the law, ensuring due process and transparency.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:52am

Business

3-year SME sector business plan readied

Plan finalised during meeting chaired by SAPM Haroon Akhtar; to be presented to the prime minister in the coming days for approval and implementation at the national level.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:51am

Business

PSX hits new peak on UAE investment hopes

Benchmark KSE-100 index tops 173,000.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:58am

Balochistan

BEF decries lack of transparency in Balochistan investment

Balochistan Economic Forum President Sardar Shoukat Popalzai says development without inclusion creates mistrust.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:33am

Balochistan

Balochistan govt employees observe pen-down strike

Offices across the province remain non-functional as employees suspend work to press for the acceptance of their demands.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:23am

Balochistan

Girls school in Loralai resumes functioning after ombudsman’s intervention

A complainant had alleged that the transfer of a teacher had rendered the school non-functional.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:33am

Balochistan

Sarfraz Bugti assumes role as chief of Bugti tribes

The position is the highest rank within the Bugti tribe after Nawab Aali Bugti, who heads all six Bugti clans.

Published 30 Dec, 2025 06:33am

Back Page

3 Turkish police officers, six IS militants killed in shootout

Nine security personnel wounded in standoff near Sea of Marmara; pre-dawn raids hit more than 100 locations across 15 provinces.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:20am

Back Page

Afghan Taliban visit Bangladesh ahead of elections

Religious parties eye resurgence in February polls.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:30am

Back Page

Shopkeepers in Tehran shut stores over economic conditions

Price fluctuations paralyse sales of some imported goods.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:20am

Back Page

Netanyahu, Trump meet to discuss next phase of Gaza plan

American president warns Washington may strike again if Iran is rebuilding nuclear programme.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 08:08am

Front Page

Telecom industry demands rational spectrum auction policy

Companies say it must reflect sector’s "economic realities", urge federal cabinet to prioritise long-term benefits over short-term revenue; Zong, Huawei test high-capacity backhaul ahead of 5G rollout.

Updated 30 Dec, 2025 07:36am

South Asia