News Archives for Latest - 2026-02-26

Live

44 Afghan Taliban operatives killed, 2 Pakistan security personnel martyred during ongoing border clashes: Attaullah Tarar

"Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors”, says information ministry.

Updated 27 Feb, 2026 01:25am

Cricket

Calls for heads to roll after feeble Sri Lanka T20 World Cup exit

“Most teams have moved on with the times playing T20 cricket, but we have stagnated and made little progress," former captain Marvan Atapattu says.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 08:47pm

Fire breaks out at factory in Karachi’s SITE

Sindh CM seeks audit report.

Updated 27 Feb, 2026 01:21am

A day after ordering a recount, ECP again notifies PPP’s Ali Hassan Zehri as winner of 2024 polls in Hub

Meanwhile, IHC has issued an order saying that ECP's Feb 25 order for recounting of votes shall remain suspended.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 08:26pm

US seeks deal to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear arsenal

Any deal would also have to require thorough accounting for Iran’s stock of enriched uranium.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 08:09pm

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure — Pakistani sculptor turns scrap into colossal metal artworks

Artist Ehtisham Jadoon's work primarily focuses on crafting giants, beasts and powerful forms, which he describes as a reflection of aggression.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:21pm

Balochistan

Security forces kill 10 terrorists in Balochistan’s Zhob: ISPR

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area,” ISPR says.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:59pm

TTAP decides to give ‘positive response’ to any offer of talks by the government

Opposition leaders warn that "criminal negligence" with Imran’s health will further aggravate country’s political crisis.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:49pm

Strikes in Afghanistan carried out to ensure safety of Pakistani citizens, prevent imminent terrorist attacks: FO

“We exercised utmost caution to prevent any harm to civilians,” FO spokesperson says; adds that strikes were "proportional, based on careful planning with necessary due diligence".

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 10:30pm

3 European countries, Pakistan agree on promoting legal pathways to counter illegal migration: Naqvi

Naqvi holds meeting in Rome with ministers of Italy, Greece and Spain; interior ministry says criminals involved in "serious offences" will be repatriated from Europe to Pakistan to face legal proceedings.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 06:07pm

Cricket

Unbeaten South Africa thrash West Indies in T20 World Cup statement win

South Africa are the only unbeaten side in the tournament, having also dismantled pre-tournament favourite India by 76 runs in the Super Eights.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 05:51pm

India, Israel to push free trade pact, boost defence cooperation: Modi

Says Tel Aviv and New Delhi agree there is “no place for terrorism in the world”; holds "fruitful" talks with president.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 06:26pm

Breathe Pakistan partners with Alertli to strengthen citizen-led climate reporting

The collaboration will enable citizens to report climate-related incidents in real time.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 05:15pm

Editorial: Airports regain control, but travellers pay the price in chaos

The past few months had been a nightmare, with passengers travelling abroad from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad routinely complaining of long queues, repeated questioning by security personnel, and extremely long waits for immigration clearance.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 04:44pm

Punjab

Punjab CM launches e-taxi scheme, says initiative part of efforts for establishing ‘e-mobility ecosystem’

1,100 taxis to be provided at subsidised rates under the scheme; 30pc quota reserved for women.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 04:36pm

IT secretary denies reports about shutdown of internet ‘firewall’ ahead of 5G spectrum auction

Says the PTA's Web Monitoring System is "fully functional"; PTA chairman says the word firewall is a colloquial term used for the authority's Web Monitoring System.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:07pm

Middle East

Dar lands in Saudi Arabia for OIC moot on Israel’s annexation of West Bank areas

Over 90 states — including the 8-nation Muslim bloc — and EU have slammed Tel Aviv’s move to declare large areas of West Bank as "state land".

Published 26 Feb, 2026 03:51pm

Cricket

‘Street smart’ New Zealand can topple England to make T20 World Cup semis: coach

A win for New Zealand in Friday's Super Eights clash in Colombo will see them top Group 2 and join the already-qualified England in the final four.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 03:32pm

Rupee shows range-bound movement against key currencies

Currency rates on February 26 indicate the rupee remains within February’s observed ranges against major global and regional currencies.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 03:15pm

IHC to hear Imran, Bushra’s pleas for sentence suspensions in £190m graft case on March 11

Justice Dogar-led bench dismisses Barrister Safdar's request to fix hearing next week; RO objections on similar petition in Toshakhana 2.0 case removed.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 03:24pm

Japan births fall for 10th straight year

Under pressure from the “Japanese first” Sanseito party, the right-wing Takaichi has vowed tougher measures on immigration.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 01:40pm

Concerns about Imran’s health echo across UK Parliament

Minister rejects calls for a blanket cut in aid, arguing that UK assistance to Pakistan served British interests in areas such as climate cooperation and counter-terrorism.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 01:54pm

These two recipes bring the tastes of Arabia straight to your dining table

Arab cuisine is light, healthy and steeped in history and these dishes are certainly no exception.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 12:28pm

Sindh

Karachi ATC frames charges against Armaghan, co-accused Sheraz in Mustafa Amir murder case

Both deny charges; court summons witnesses, adjourns hearing until March 12.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 12:24pm

KP & FATA

North Waziristan school building damaged in suspected drone strike

No casualties reported; panic and fear triggered among residents.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 12:14pm

Iftar, Sehri timings for Ramazan 8/9

Timings for today’s Iftar and the next Sehri for Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

Updated 27 Feb, 2026 10:21am

Gold gains on softer dollar; Iran-US talks in focus

Iran and the US are scheduled to hold the latest round of talks in Geneva on Thursday aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute and averting US strikes on Iran following a large-scale military buildup.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 11:59am

Bears weaken grip on bourse as KSE-100 advances over 4,200 points

Market shrugs off selling pressure over the last few sessions to recover some lost ground in Thursday trading.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 02:36pm

Munawer Ali Syed’s art speaks to Karachi’s urban wound

The artist's solo exhibition at Chawkandi Art Gallery, Solastalgia, comprised of 22 works that oscillated between beauty and menace.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 11:46am

KP & FATA

Two brothers serving in Bannu police abducted from mosque, killed by militants

The third brother remains missing, and law enforcers are conducting raids to recover him.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 01:08pm

Tourette’s activist John Davidson explains involuntary outburst at BAFTAs, apologises to presenters

He revealed that though BAFTA had claimed that any swearing would be edited out of the final broadcast, it was not.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 11:08am

Middle East

Iran, US hold talks in Geneva in push to avert war

Ahead of the talks, Iran’s president insisted the country was not “at all” seeking a nuclear weapon.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 06:12pm

US arrests ex-Air Force pilot for training Chinese military

Gerald Brown accused of having “conspired with foreign nationals to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force”.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 10:47am

KP & FATA

Local administration imposes Section 144, 12-hour daily curfew in South Waziristan

Officials said in a statement that residents have been instructed to stop their vehicles at least 50 metres before approaching security forces.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 01:23pm

Punjab

Treasury takes flak for Punjab government’s luxury jet purchase

Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi terms acquisition unnecessary amid economic challenges being faced by the country.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 09:48am

The state elite are oblivious to the economic burden they place on the people they pretend to rule

We pay for their failures, and they give themselves pay raises instead.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 02:54pm

Qaiser Sheikh highlights need for regulatory clarity to attract investment

Minister stresses need for structural reforms, competitiveness.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 08:01am

US Department of Justice withheld Epstein files with abuse allegations against Trump, NPR finds

NPR report says key records were catalogued but never released; include over 50 pages of FBI interviews with a female victim.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:49am

Auto assemblers fear market distortion after duty decision on range-extended electric vehicles

Seek review of HS code for range-extended electric vehicles.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:38am

IS-Khorasan considered a ‘bigger threat’, ‘more entrenched’ than TTP

Investigators say terrorist cell that carried out Islamabad Imambargah attack included "fully radicalised" women.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:36am

International

Gates admits association with Epstein was a mistake

“I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities,” he says.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:18am

International

Merz hails China ties as Berlin seeks reset with Beijing

“We want Chinese investment in Germany,” says Merz.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:14am

International

California’s governor publishes memoir as he weighs presidential run

Travis Ridout, a political science professor at Washington State University, says book tours “give potential candidates a way to campaign without really admitting that they are campaigning.”

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:32am

International

Gaza firm to build UAE-funded housing compound

It appears to signal an aim to begin reconstruction without waiting for Israel to withdraw from Gaza.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:25am

International

Israeli settlers burn tents, vehicles in West Bank

UN has documented 86 instances of violence from Feb 3 to 16, leading to displacement of 146 Palestinians.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:27am

Business

Power sector bleeds Rs1tr annually

Nepra report highlights crippling T&D losses and unpaid bills.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 07:44am

Business

NBP posts record Rs86bn profit in 2025

Profit after tax increased 220pc, translating into earnings per share of Rs40.4 compared to Rs12.6 a year earlier.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:13am

Business

Exports to US rise 3.47pc

Textile and clothing drive growth in North American trade.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:04am

National

Public Accounts Committee raps NBP over failure to recover public funds

Orders recovery action; notes Karachi, Lahore, Quetta top zones with least recoveries.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 08:18am

KP & FATA

KP govt to enforce law for protection of healthcare workers, patients

Rules being framed for the Act passed in 2020.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:31am

KP & FATA

KP-Punjab highway reopens after security clearance

Traffic restored once security clearance completed and necessary checks carried out.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:37am

KP & FATA

Govt response sought to plea against Tirah evacuation

Court orders to club petition with other related cases.

Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:05am

Islamabad

NA body wants early character, police verification for expats

The committee received mission reports from CWAs covering Italy, Spain and Greece.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:55am

Islamabad

‘No Child Left Behind’ campaign launched to enrol all out-of-school children

Three-year drive focuses on mapping, double shifts, ALPs and data monitoring.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:50am

Islamabad

Several coaches, locomotive of Greenline Express derail in Rawalpindi

DS says cause of derailment was apparently ‘weak track’ located close to Bakery Chowk.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 12:27pm

Punjab

Lahore High Court asks about NCCIA process to counter anti-judiciary content

LHC told 200 online links, 79 social media accounts identified, notices to 34 users sent.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 10:08am

Punjab

Afghan medical students in Bahawalpur allowed to complete education

Visas of 12 QAMC students found invalid.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 10:04am

Sindh

Rs7bn to be distributed among 1,000 affected Gul Plaza traders after cabinet green-light

KCCI has estimated compensation amount after cross-checking documents, bank accounts, and tax returns of fire-hit shopkeepers.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:36am

Sindh

Sindh approaches ADB for revival of Karachi Circular Railway

CM Murad seeks ‘financial and technical’ support from Asian Development Bank for KCR.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:28am

Sindh

PM meets Sindh CM Murad, assures all-out help for uplift projects

The prime minister says the federal government will extend all possible support to ensure early completion of projects in Sindh.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:59am

Football

Arctic underdogs Bodo/Glimt topple Champions League giants in ‘fairytale’

Having already beaten Inter at home 3-1, the Scandinavians edged the Italians 2-1 at the iconic San Siro on Tuesday to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Updated 26 Feb, 2026 11:05am

Hockey