News Archives for Latest - 2026-01-18

Ayaz Sadiq-led parliamentary delegation to undertake official visit to China from Jan 19 to 21

Visit to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

Updated 19 Jan, 2026 12:29am

KP & FATA

At least 6, including women and children, killed as gunmen open ‘indiscriminate fire’ in KP’s Karak: officials

Police spokesperson says suspect was apprehended moments after the incident.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 11:34pm

Gul Plaza fire leaves Karachi families counting hours, clinging to ‘final messages’

Firefighters were able to douse the blaze after 24 hours; six dead, more than 50 people missing.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:27pm

In pictures: Shops reduced to rubble, families concerned as rescuers fight Karachi’s Gul Plaza blaze

Scenes from the site showed fire tenders, water tankers and ambulances sprawling MA Jinnah Road, where worried families had gathered in search of their loved ones.

Updated 19 Jan, 2026 02:08pm

KP & FATA

Policeman martyred by unknown assailants riding a motorcycle in KP’s Bannu district

The martyred official, identified as Iqbal, was in his native village of Akhund Mamma Khel when he was shot, according to the police.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 08:19pm

Sindh

TTAP demands ‘independent probe’ into Feb 8 elections, punishment for those responsible for alleged rigging under Article 6

Opposition alliance demands transparent polls under a new election commission.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 09:50pm

Iran considers ‘gradually’ restoring internet after shutdown

Government officials say calm has been restored, with schools reopening on Sunday

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 07:51pm

KP & FATA

Unknown assailants blow up another key bridge in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali, cutting off access and sparking anger

Residents have demanded urgent reconstruction of the bridge on an emergency basis and improved long-term security arrangements.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 07:49pm

Middle East

Trump invites PM Shehbaz to join Gaza ‘Board of Peace’: FO

“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza,” says FO.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 09:36pm

Dutch foreign minister calls Trump’s Greenland tariff threat ‘blackmail’

“It's blackmail what he's doing ... and it's not necessary. It doesn't help the alliance (Nato) and it also doesn't help Greenland,” says David van Weel.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 03:18pm

Middle East

Israel PM holds coalition meeting after objecting to Gaza advisory panel formed by White House

Media reports say leaders of Israel's ruling coalition were to examine the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which also includes Turkey.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 02:02pm

Smoker’s corner: Doctrine dioramas

Pakistan’s national ‘doctrine’ has continued to mutate according to the whims of those in power, thus resulting in an often erratic and haphazard approach to strategy-building.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 12:47pm

Punjab

Student solidarity marches to be held country-wide on Feb 12 over suicides, other problems

Students Collective central general secretary says students suffering from alienation, severe distress due to rising university fees, constant humiliation, harassment.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 11:33am

US has put off strikes for now, but the Iranian regime has some serious thinking to do over the coming weeks

Pakistan can heave a sigh of relief that no further destabilisation has happened on the country’s western borders.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 10:39am

Editorial: Trump acquiring Nobel medal akin to holding a friend’s Oscar in a selfie and captioning it ‘great night’

Trump has chosen to keep the medal, and although it is a symbolic prize, it implies responsibility.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 10:25am

Editorial: Trump’s Gaza plan — a temporary fix at best, and a cover for permanent Israeli occupation at worst

There are genuine fears that the foreign-led Board of Peace — in true colonial fashion — will be making the actual decisions that matter, seeking to protect Israel’s interests over all else.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 10:18am

Govt borrows Rs1.19tr in first half of current fiscal year

Despite additional liquidity, the government is borrowing heavily from banks.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 10:00am

Public shows cautious optimism about economy in ICMA survey

56.9 per cent of respondents in ICMA survey expect economic improvement in 2026 while 43.1pc anticipate stability.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 09:55am

Basmati boom propels Pakistan past Vietnam to emerge as world’s 3rd-largest rice exporter in December

Pakistan’s rice exports recorded a strong rebound in December 2025, registering a 14 per cent month-on-month increase compared to November.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 04:35pm

Petroleum minister invites global stakeholders to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in April

At Riyadh moot, he emphasises that Pakistan possesses vast and diverse mineral potential, offering significant opportunities for global partnerships.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 09:44am

Sindh

Collection of levy on gas supply to industrial captive power plants with retrospective effect unlawful, SHC rules

Court declares levy unenforceable without notified rate.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 09:40am

Balochistan

Balochistan’s security, development reviewed at 21st meeting of State Defence Conference

Special focus was placed on anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 09:31am

Balochistan

UC chairman killed in clash in Balochistan’s Jhal Magsi

Tribal elder lost his life in exchange of fire between two clans of the Magsi tribe while his two children were injured.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 09:16am

PM Shehbaz urged to intervene over ’violations’ of AJK accord signed between Centre and Joint Awami Action Committee

JAAC accuses govt of repeatedly violating agreement signed after deadly protests; travel restrictions continue to affect youth seeking jobs abroad.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 08:48am

Column

Resistance network in Iran

The recent internal resistance has emboldened separatist elements in Arab and Kurdish regions.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 10:29am

Business

Exploration firms protest Rs1.5tr gas dues

SNGPL owes Rs718bn and SSGCL Rs730bn up to September 2025.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 07:13am

Front Page

40 samples test positive for poliovirus in December

127 sewage samples from 87 districts were tested for the presence of poliovirus in December, says official.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 07:06am

KP & FATA

Low snowfall leaves Gilgit-Baltistan mountains bare

Experts warn "snow drought" could worsen flood risk downstream; environmental protection agency director says region’s fragile ecosystem being disturbed by climate change and environmental degradation.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 08:07am

Back Page

US judge reins in federal agents in Minnesota

Restricts federal agents from interfering with peaceful protesters in Minnesota, ordering immigration agents to dial back aggressive tactics.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:55am

Back Page

Trump threatens allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

Duties start at 10pc on eight nations from Feb 1 and could rise to 25pc in June; penalties to remain until deal is complete.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 07:57am

KP & FATA

Centre, KP at odds over markhor hunting permits

Wildlife dept insists permit restriction encroachment on its domain will discourage hunters.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 12:02pm

KP & FATA

Construction firm’s machinery torched in Bannu

Reports say 20 to 25 terrorists stormed the camp in the Dwa Manzi area late at night.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:41am

KP & FATA

Four terrorists killed as banned outfits clash in Tirah

Sources say the clash occurred between armed affiliates of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Jamaatul Ahrar after they developed differences over the distribution of money earned from illegal drugs.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:41am

Islamabad

Two cloth merchants kidnapped, robbed of over Rs7 million in Islamabad

A case has been registered at the Kirpa police station.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:19am

Islamabad

Seven critically burnt in van fire in Faisalabad

Rescuers say van was on its way from Jaranwala to Faisalabad and a short circuit caused the fire.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:16am

Islamabad

Experts warn elite capture, unchecked development eroding Islamabad’s green spaces

Dr Zafar Mirza strongly condemns tree-cutting in Islamabad, terming it a brutal act against nature and a direct assault on public health and environmental sustainability.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 07:57pm

Punjab

Man arrested in Okara for making wife drink chemical

Police have registered a case.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:54am

Punjab

CTD foils major terror plot, arrests RAW operative in Lahore

Takes 49 suspects in custody in other activities in a month-long operation.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:56am

Sindh

Talk of Gen Z bringing about change in the world is quite overrated, moot told

State of global politics reviewed in PIIA seminar.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:40am

Sindh

103 people in Sindh lose battle against mosquito-borne diseases in 2025

Contrary to official figures of 33 deaths from dengue and malaria, data from four major hospitals in Karachi and Hyderabad paint.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 12:15pm

Sindh

21 Burns Road eateries sealed in Karachi for occupying footpaths

Official says restaurants and other food shops have been sealed because they had placed their furniture on the walkways.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 12:21pm

International

Damascus takes control of more territory, seizes two oil fields

Decree declares Kurdish a ‘national language’ of Syria.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:40am

International

UN chief warns ‘powerful forces’ harming global ties

Says 2025 has been a “profoundly challenging year for international cooperation and the values of the UN”.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:40am

International

Paracetamol in pregnancy is safe, says study

President Trump claimed last year the painkiller could be linked to autism in children if taken during pregnancy.

Updated 18 Jan, 2026 11:02am

International

Taliban contest UN report on malnourished women, children

World Food Programme’s Afghanistan director said this week that 5m women and children would experience life-threatening malnutrition in a worsening crisis.

Published 18 Jan, 2026 06:40am

Sport