News Archives for Latest - 2026-01-24

Federal cabinet gave the nod for joining Trump-led Board of Peace: PM

“We signed with the hope that there will be peace in Gaza, that Palestinians will receive the respect they deserve, and that Gaza will be reconstructed,” he says.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 10:59pm

Federal agents fatally shoot second person in Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown

Minnesota governor condemns incident; Department of Homeland Security says man was armed with a handgun.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:51pm

Pakistan Navy evacuates Sri Lankan national needing medical attention 1,500km off coast

The Sri Lankan national was on board an Indonesian-flagged merchant vessel.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 09:11pm

Punjab

Local govts continue to be neglected despite crucial role in strengthening grassroots politics: Khawaja Asif

Says the failure to institutionalise local bodies is “a political failure on our part”.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 08:24pm

Trump threatens Canada with 100pc tariff over possible deal with China

“China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” he says.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 07:58pm

Snow, heavy rain kill 61 in three days in Afghanistan

Around 110 people have been injured, while 458 houses have been either partially or fully destroyed.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 07:39pm

‘Legal system in Pakistan is dead’: Condemnations pour in after Imaan, Hadi sentenced in social media posts case

“This decision is contrary to the fundamental principles of judicial independence," says TTAP.

Updated 31 Jan, 2026 11:26am

This is your sign to stop overthinking dinner and make dhokli ka saalan

It looks intimidating, cooks easily and tastes like you tried much harder than you did.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 05:45pm

Pakistan, US to take joint action against fraudulent visa networks

US Charge de’ Affaires Natalie Baker calls on interior minister; Naqvi says zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against “agent mafia”.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 05:12pm

Scotland to replace Bangladesh at T20 World Cup, ICC announces

Says decision made in the absence of “any credible or verifiable security threat” to the Bangladesh national team in India.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:20pm

Middle East

Iran FM thanks Pakistan for ‘strong support’ at UN Human Rights Council

Pakistan, others voted against now-adopted resolution extending mandate of International Fact-Finding Mission.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 04:32pm

French designer Jacquemus just announced his first ambassador — his grandmother

Aww.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 03:35pm

Top Featured

Imaan-Hadi arrest and a state at war with dissent

The misuse of power is a betrayal of the state’s responsibility. And this conduct reflects a deliberate strategy of intimidation designed to silence voices that hold state power accountable.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 03:20pm

Day after dramatic arrest, Imaan and Hadi handed jail sentence in controversial social media posts case

Already imprisoned at Adiala jail, the duo have been sentenced to total of 17 years in prison on multiple offences under Peca.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 09:16pm

China says top military official under investigation for ‘serious violations of discipline’

Case against senior vice chairman of Central Military Commission and another high-ranking official marks latest push in anti-corruption drive.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 02:55pm

Bollywood critic Kamaal Rashid Khan arrested in Mumbai for reportedly firing at residential building

KRK allegedly admitted to discharging two rounds from his licensed firearm, an official told Indian media.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 02:13pm

Ukraine, Russia to hold second day of direct talks on US plan

Emirates meeting begins as thousands of people in Kyiv without heating in sub-zero temperatures due to Russian strikes.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 01:52pm

Sindh

Mercury may drop to single digits in Karachi over weekend: PMD

Minimum temperature expected to drop to 7–9°C on Sunday as westerly wave approaches western parts of the country.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 01:39pm

KP & FATA

Over 1,500 people rescued after heavy snowfall in KP’s Tirah Valley; rescue operations continue

Citizens advised to avoid travel to Murree; expressway still closed.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 02:55pm

Sindh

MQM-P urges PM Shehbaz to form high-level inquiry commission to probe ‘negligence’ in Gul Plaza incident

Farooq Sattar says CM Murad is diverting attention away from the incident and demands that top officials of various departments be included in the commission.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 03:21pm

Europe and India seek closer ties with ‘mother of all deals’

Pact to be a major win for Brussels and New Delhi as both seek to open up new markets in the face of US tariffs and Chinese export controls.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 01:45pm

Gul Plaza inferno came after ignored warnings, delayed response

Several shopkeepers said the losses have scarred the market's tightly knit community.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 12:45pm

Panels on literature as resistance and child marriage in Pakistan held at Lahore’s ThinkFest

Author Mohammed Hanif spoke on journalism and writing fiction while international academics discussed marriage legislation.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 12:15pm

Documentary on Ali Sadpara and John Snorri’s final K2 climb earns praise at Sundance

The Last First: Winter K2 unpacks how K2’s deadliest winter exposed the clash between legacy climbers, influencer culture and commercial expeditions.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 11:58am

Sindh

‘Outcome of negligence and carelessness’: Karachi police register FIR of Gul Plaza inferno

Police blame lack of firefighting equipment and “no reasonable arrangements” in the case of an emergency for the tragedy.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 06:46pm

SBP cancels another exchange firm’s licence over regulatory violations

At least three exchange companies lost licences in 2025.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 09:47am

Iran will treat any attack as ‘all-out war against us,’ says senior Iran official

Two European airlines have suspended flights to cities in the Middle East, while a US aircraft carrier strike group and other assets are set to arrive in the region in the coming days.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 01:59pm

What the mountains can teach us about climate resilience and environmental policy

The land that is now Pakistan once possessed a functioning climate civilisation of its own.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 09:15am

Striking a balance between politics and effective governance

One emotive issue or the other has been the decisive factor in elections.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 09:06am

Editorial: Instead of unwisely making Karachi a federal territory, more responsive local government is needed

It would not be wrong to say that all parties, including the MQM and PPP, are responsible for the city’s plight.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 08:54am

World spends $30 destroying nature for every $1 spent protecting it, UNEP report finds

UNEP report says total nature-negative finance flows reached $7.3tr in 2023.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 08:31am

KP & FATA

Nine dead as snow blankets northern parts of the country

KKH, other major roads blocked; more rain, snow expected from Sunday.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 07:17am

KP & FATA

Tehreek-i-Insaf government consented to Tirah operation, claims PML-N

Dr Ibadullah accuses provincial govt of ‘effectively facilitating, supporting’ terrorists.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:01am

KP & FATA

KP government to install water meters, replace rusted pipelines in major cities

Officials say move meant to manage ‘non-revenue’ water.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:02am

KP & FATA

Terrorism can’t be eliminated through military actions alone: Aimal

ANP leader calls for return of displaced people to their homes.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:58am

Islamabad

Pindi buildings given 15 days to install external staircases

Wasa asked to ensure provision of hydrants in all major markets.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:40am

Islamabad

PML-N questions AJK govt’s direction, rules out poll delay

Says available space "has not been effectively utilised due to unclear priorities".

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:03am

Islamabad

Peira issues notices to over 1,000 private schools

Says schools were granted registration with direction to ensure availability of missing facilities.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:51am

Punjab

Privatisation secretary told to decide objections in pleas against PIA sell-off

Lawyer states constitutional condition not followed by the government.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:30am

Punjab

Azma files defamation suit against PA Opposition leader

Alleges that leader made baseless and fabricated accusations against her.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:34am

Punjab

Maryam finalises plans for holding safe Basant

SOPs’ violators to be punished with up to five-year jail term and Rs5 million fine.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:25am

Sindh

LUMHS syndicate asked to submit names of pro-VC candidates in court

SHC to guide competent authority on fairness in row between retired and incumbent office-holders.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:03am

Sindh

KU conference stresses integrated solutions to tackle environmental challenges

Conference jointly organised by KU's Department of Engineering and Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP).

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:28am

Sindh

10 permanent judges of SHC sworn in

SHC Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput administers oath.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:03am

Karachi

Deploy cold paraphernalia, dust off woollies, bring yakhni, winter is here!

Roads deserted; hoodies won’t do; no tea at open dhabas; geysers off; stay indoors!

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:34am

International

Xi assures Lula of China’s support in ‘turbulent’ times

Follows Lula's criticism of US attack on Venezuela in an opinion piece in the New York Times.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:11am

International

Hasina alleges Bangladesh elections will not be free

Speech is likely to further aggravate ties between New Delhi and Dhaka, which have soured since her ouster.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:05am

International

Europeans among 150 IS detainees transferred from Syria to Iraq

Iraqi security official says 150 detainees “all leaders of the IS, and some of the most notorious criminals”.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 10:01am

Sport

Ferrari unveil 2026 car with Hamilton ready for ‘massive challenge’

Coming up is next week’s Barcelona shakedown, when the new cars will test away from the media, followed by back-to-back tests in Bahrain in February.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:40am

Sport

Indian captain Yadav regains form in big win against NZ

Suryakumar hammered an unbeaten 82 after Kishan’s blistering 76 as India chased down a target of 209 with 28 balls to spare.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 11:29am

Sport

Australia thrash Sri Lanka, BD make U-19 World Cup Super Six

In their final Group ‘A’ fixture, Australia skittled Sri Lanka for a paltry 58, with William Byrom leading the attack with a five-wicket haul.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:03am

Business

Pakistan’s critical minerals need value addition to boost exports

ICMA says $8tr wealth can drive sustainable economic growth.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 09:51am

Business

Gold surges to Rs514,662/tola

Rising global rates under pressure as investors pile into the yellow metal as safe-haven.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

Business

SBP governor warns of complex cyber threats

Says strategy coming soon to curb growing risks.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

Business

Oil rises 3pc as US sends ‘armada’ to Iran

Both benchmarks at their highest since January 14 and set for weekly gains of over 2.5pc.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 09:41am

Business

Weekly inflation rises on costly flour, pulses

Price of meat has been steadily rising over the past few weeks.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

Business

PSX scales fresh peak above 189,000

AHL says FFC alone added 1,514 points to the index, driven largely by split-related speculation.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

Balochistan

Ehsan Shah quits BNP-M, revives his own party

Says party's revival will restore his earlier political position; no personal grievance against Sardar Akhtar Mengal.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 08:39am

National

Unesco urges seat at table for youth in education policy

Notes only one-third countries have formal youth bodies on education.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 08:25am

Balochistan

Balochistan CM Bugti terms mineral resources collective property

Says unlawful activities have deprived province of its true revenue potential.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 08:34am

National

Tirah residents ‘waiting in line’ to be displaced

Inclement weather not the only hurdle, as authorities struggle to facilitate smooth registration and movement of those who have left homes.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 05:09pm

National

SC upholds tribunal order restoring sessions judge

Three-judge bench sets aside former SHC chief justice’s petition.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

National

Pakistan, Somalia agree to boost security ties

Somalia's interior minister expresses hope that visit will expand bilateral relations between the two countries.

Published 24 Jan, 2026 06:02am

Back Page

Around 200 Pakistani students stuck in Afghanistan seek to return

FO spokesperson says Pakistani embassy in Kabul remains in contact with Pakistani community, offering assistance to those who approach it.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 07:29am

Back Page

Israel wants more Palestinians ‘leaving Gaza’

Also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near border, sources say.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 07:51am

Back Page

Call to frame climate change messages in ‘people-friendly terms’

Speakers at Thinkfest warn weak budgets, poor water control undermining climate action.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 07:45am

Back Page

War in Gaza weakened Arab states, emboldened Israel, says Vali Nasr

Scholar notes Pakistan currently enjoying ‘diplomatic honeymoon’ with Washington, which won’t last for long.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 07:37am

Back Page

Russia, Ukraine face off in UAE talks

No sign of compromise as Zelensky terms Donbas dispute ‘key question’.

Updated 24 Jan, 2026 07:48am

Saturday, January 24, 2026