News Archives for Latest - 2026-02-18

Ahead of inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Asif says recognition of Israel ‘not on the cards at all’

Says Pakistan has supported the cause of Palestine on countless international forums; says India waging proxy war against Pakistan.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 11:39pm

Cricket

T20 World Cup: India tune up for Super Eights with hard-fought win over the Dutch

Netherlands fall short of 17 runs while chasing a gigantic 193-run target.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 10:41pm

Punjab

No Basant celebrations before February 2027, says Punjab information minister

Says next year's festivities to be “bigger and better".

Published 18 Feb, 2026 10:11pm

PTA says 5G spectrum auction to be held on March 10

Says sale likely to fetch between $300-$700 million; rollout of 5G services to take between three to six months.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 11:47pm

Cricket

Our goal? Win T20 World Cup, says Shadab as Pakistan into Super Eights

“We didn’t take this game lightly after so much talk about one match against India,” he says.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 09:22pm

Middle East

UAE president reemerges in video with US senator after rumours about health

US Senator Lindsey Graham says he met the UAE president for an hour-and-a-half.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 08:28pm

Supreme Court grants journalist Sohrab Barkat bail in Peca case

Barkat has been accused of spreading misinformation against state institutions.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 08:03pm

Imaan, Hadi’s appeals against conviction in controversial social media posts case fixed for hearing

IHC's Justice Muhammad Asif will hear the appeals on Thursday.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 07:46pm

Football

UEFA opens probe into ‘discriminatory behaviour’ towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid forward accuses Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during Champions League match.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:10pm

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to face questioning at youth addiction trial in US court

California woman who started using Instagram and YouTube as a child alleges the apps fueled her depression.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:05pm

Middle East

First Ramazan after ceasefire brings flicker of joy in devastated Gaza

“Today, I can barely prepare a main dish and a side dish. Everything is expensive," says Nivin Ahmed, who lives in a tent in Al-Mawasi.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 05:44pm

South Asia

Google to build new subsea connections from India in AI push

Says it will build “three subsea paths connecting India to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia”.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 05:38pm

‘I’ve stopped calling myself a celebrity’: Sarwat Gilani on industry jealousy and empowering women

The star said 'nobody' celebrated the success of her show Churails.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 05:35pm

Sindh

Citizens stage protest outside Karachi Press Club against killing of suspect during CTD raid

Deceased's father terms it a “fake encounter” and an “extra-judicial killing”.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 05:30pm

Ramazan moon sighted; holy month to begin in Pakistan on Thursday

Announcement made by Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Abdul Khabir Azad; moon also sighted in Bangladesh, India.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:58pm

Middle East

US to stop Iran’s nuclear arms ambitions ‘one way or the other’: energy secretary

Says US President Donald Trump “believes firmly we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran”.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 04:52pm

Govt says no power or gas loadshedding during Sehr, Iftar

“Even economic loadshedding in areas with high-loss feeders will be restricted at the time of Sehr and Iftar,” Leghari says.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:10pm

Miley Cyrus returns for Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special on March 24

The beloved show, which launched the singer's music career, ran from 2006 to 2011.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 03:05pm

Cricket

South Africa sink UAE to cap unblemished group campaign

Restrict UAE to a below-par 122-6 after electing to field under an overcast sky.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 03:03pm

Sahibzada Farhan’s ton leads Pakistan to imposing victory against Namibia in crucial T20 World Cup fixture

Pakistan seal spot in Super Eight; Green Shirts put up second highest total of 199 in their T20 World Cup history.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:17pm

6 refreshing drinks you can make at home this Ramazan

These recipes make delicious and nourishing drinks that offer a perfect balance of energy, sweetness and comfort.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 01:46pm

Punjab

Lahore court convicts man for assaulting wife, mother-in-law

Model criminal court finds accused guilty under Section 354 of PPC; says minor inconsistencies in testimony do not invalidate core allegations.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 01:33pm

10,000 Pakistani children are diagnosed with cancer annually, but less than half receive proper treatment

While childhood cancer survival rates exceed 80 per cent in wealthy nations, they plummet below 30pc in Pakistan.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 03:41pm

South Asia

India tells university to leave AI summit after presenting Chinese robot as its own, sources say

University representative says they have yet to receive any communication about being kicked out from the event.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 06:17pm

The Ala Khutah project allows visitors retrace the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madina

The journey starts at the historic Cave of Thawr and ends at the Quba Mosque.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 12:50pm

TTAP calls off Parliament House sit-in but insists on personal physicians’ access to Imran Khan

Notes "minor improvement" in his eye vision; SC again denies Latif Khosa meeting with Imran; KP CM announces "Free Imran Khan Force".

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 03:46pm

South Asia

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman names cabinet after election win

Rahman appoints himself as defence minister; Amir Khasru from Khaleda Zia's cabinet returns to finance ministry; Dar felicitates counterpart Khalilur Rahman.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 04:09pm

Ayesha Muzaffar’s The Haunting of Dr Rahim-ud-Din Shamsi and Other Unsettling Tales will delight horror fans

Her prose is simple and crisp, and the rapid and engrossing pace of her writing in this riveting collection of novellas is impressive.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 12:11pm

Cricketer Hassan Ali and his wife Samiya have welcomed a baby boy!

He shared the happy news on Instagram.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 11:30am

Two officials martyred in militant attack on police station, customs office in Dera Ismail Khan

Police said the attackers also fired at passenger buses travelling on the CPEC route; customs vehicle set ablaze.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 11:52am

Balochistan

14 suspected militants killed during CTD operations in Quetta, Barkhan

Six gunmen killed, 3 personnel injured in Quetta action; arms and ammunition recovered in both locations.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 12:58pm

Global leaders, parliamentarians send well-wishes for a ‘blessed and peaceful’ Ramazan

Wishes pour in from politicians and parliamentarians from US, Canada, UK and Australia.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 02:18pm

Middle East

Israeli police arrest Al-Aqsa Mosque imam ahead of Ramazan

Hamas urges Arab, Islamic nations to "take urgent action to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque from the danger of Judaization".

Published 18 Feb, 2026 10:32am

Hockey

Pakistan Sports Board, hockey federation trade blame after Pro League mismanagement in Australia

Green Shirts returned to Lahore late Tuesday night after suffering defeats in all their matches against Germany and hosts Australia.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 10:29am

Ukraine war talks to resume in Geneva as US signals progress

Two previous rounds of negotiations between the two sides in Abu Dhabi failed to yield a breakthrough.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 10:18am

Punjab

Another girl student dies by suicide at medical university in Lahore

Succumbs to injuries after major neurosurgery.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 09:15am

Industrialists challenge power data as discos seek 43-paise hike

Industrialists question accuracy of stats as Discos seek 43 paise per unit hike.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 07:28am

International

UN body condemns attacks on Albanese

The Italian lawyer, denies making the remarks, and an AI-manipulated video was found to be the source of the allegations.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:17am

International

Annular solar eclipse seen over Antarctica

There will be another annular eclipse on Feb 6, 2027, and it will be visible over larger swaths of South America and Africa.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:04am

International

India’s AI summit overshadowed by mismanagement, chaos

IT minister urges big tech to operate within country’s constitutional framework.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:59am

International

Swiss broadcaster pulls Olympic commentary critical of Israeli athlete

The commentator, Stefan Renna, says Edelman had supported the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza,

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:26am

International

Moscow, Kyiv meet for talks after fresh attacks

Ukrainian negotiator says security, humanitarian issues on the agenda.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:49am

KP & FATA

Major roads in DI Khan, Abbottabad reopen after four days

Police action likely as PTI workers refuse to end protest on motorway.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 10:40am

KP & FATA

Two FC officials injured in attack on Bannu checkpost

The attackers had planted explosive material in a motorcycle parked near the main gate of the police station says police officials.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

KP & FATA

Winter festival concludes in Bumburet Valley

Athletes from across the valley braved the freezing temperatures to compete in traditional games that have defined Kalash culture for centuries.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Islamabad

ECP reserves verdict in code violation case against KP chief minister

ECP lawyer says threatening the election staff means threatening the Election Commission.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:44am

Islamabad

National Assembly passes 59 bills in second parliamentary year: report

House achieved remarkable progress in lawmaking, oversight and institutional strengthening, says NA Secretariat report.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:53am

Islamabad

Traders’ protest causes hours-long gridlock in Rawalpindi

Association president says govt has made it impossible for traders to do business.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:37am

Punjab

Durrani raps Zardari for remarks about Imran

Says statement "undermines the political struggle and courage of Pakistani women".

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Punjab

PPP warns PTI of tit-for-tat response for maligning its leaders

Accuses PTI of unleashing wave of online abuse against PPP leadership.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:27am

Sindh

Sindh Assembly calls for end to gas loadshedding during Ramazan

House rejects PTI resolution seeking 14-year age relaxation for govt jobs.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 12:04pm

Sindh

Four dead as six vehicles veer off slippery M-9

Vehicles skidded off the road in an accident involving a passenger bus, two trailers, a van, a fully loaded dumper truck and a Mazda says police.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:35am

Sindh

Robbery case cracked as gold worth Rs300m recovered

Police describes it one of the biggest robberies in the history of Karachi, committed in a “Hollywood filmi-style”.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Cricket

New Zealand reach Super Eight despite Samra century

Group leaders South Africa had already advanced to the Super Eights after a hat-trick of wins.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Business

Large industry output rises 4.8pc in July-December

The food group posted a 0.58pc increase in July-December FY26 on a YoY basis.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Business

Textile exports show slight revival in January

The export proceeds from the sector recorded a negative growth since October.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:32am

Business

Robust demand fuels auto loans

Auto financing has been struggling to beat the peak of Rs368bn recorded in June 2022.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:36am

Business

Current account swings to $121m surplus in January

Seven-month balance remains in red as deficit tops $1bn.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:18am

National

IHC judge refuses to hear Najaf Hameed’s case

Court directs case file be sent to chief justice for formation of a new bench.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Balochistan

Balochistan govt unveils Ramazan package

328,000 deserving families across the province to receive special assistance.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

National

Rail staff’s strike disrupts operations in Rawalpindi

Employees protest non-payment of travel, health allowances.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:50am

National

Net-metering changes worry lawmakers

Parliamentarians voice apprehensions over rapid finalisation of regulation and limited stakeholder consultation.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:46am

National

AI adoption in public sector to take time, moot told

Strong local cloud presence essential as data sovereignty, AI sovereignty fast becoming matters of national security, says Huawei official.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 08:35am

National

Uproar in AJK Assembly over ministers’ absence

Heated exchanges witnessed over allocations for roads, newspaper ads, etc.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

National

Pre-arrest bail of Imran extended in five cases

Former prime minister unable to be produced before court through video link.

Published 18 Feb, 2026 06:19am

Back Page

New Mexico to launch probe into notorious Epstein ranch

Hillary accuses Trump of orchestrating ‘cover-up’; Los Angeles mayor calls for 2028 Olympics chief to resign.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:58am

Back Page

Nearly 100 states, 3 blocs slam West Bank ‘annexation’

Nations from Algeria to Zimbabwe, Arab League, OIC and EU take issue with unilateral decisions aimed at expanding unlawful Israeli presence.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 09:27am

Front Page

‘Board of Peace’ meeting to test Pakistan’s balancing act

PM Shehbaz arrives in Washington today to attend Trump-led moot; summit to focus on Gaza ceasefire, $5bn US pledge and board's institutional design.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 07:39am

Front Page

IMF team due on Feb 26th for review, budget talks

Pakistan has met almost all quantitative performance criteria for end-December 2025 but lags behind in indicative targets, structural benchmarks.

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 10:14am

Punjab

Punjab officials tight-lipped amid claims of provincial govt purchasing luxury aircraft for ‘VIP transport’

Claims circulating on social media that Punjab govt has "acquired a new, 2019-manufactured Gulfstream GVII-G500 aircraft".

Updated 18 Feb, 2026 01:07am

Wednesday, February 18, 2026