News Archives for Latest - 2026-03-01

With the Gulf lighting up, oil emerges as Pakistan’s biggest economic risk

Even if the US-Iran conflict lasts only a few days and does not turn into a prolonged war, heightened regional risk can weigh on financial flows.

Updated 02 Mar, 2026 12:31am

Cricket

Samson’s 97 puts India into T20 World Cup semi-final against England

Co-hosts knock out West Indies with a five-wicket win in Kolkata.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 10:49pm

Oil jumps 10pc on Iran conflict and could spike to $100 a barrel, analysts say

“While the military attacks are themselves supportive for oil prices, the key factor here is the closing of the Strait of Hormuz,” says Ajay Parmar.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 10:06pm

Fact check: Viral image of Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body in airstrike’s rubble is AI-generated

Multiple users and accounts on social media were sharing an alleged image of Khamenei’s body under the rubble after he was assassinated in air strikes by the United States and Israel. However, the image is AI-generated.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:50pm

Charred motorcycles and the smell of gunpowder — Recounting the protest outside the US consulate in Karachi

Spent casings of tear gas shells littered the road outside the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 09:05pm

Explainer: How Iran will choose a new supreme leader after Khamenei

The Assembly of Experts, an influential body of jurists and clerics, is tasked with selecting Iran’s highest political and religious authority.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:04pm

PM Shehbaz voices concern at violation of international law after Iranian supreme leader’s assassination

"It is an age-old convention that the heads of state/government should not be targeted," he says.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 11:19pm

Cricket

South Africa beat plucky Zimbabwe ahead of New Zealand semi-final

Dewald Brevis hits 42 off 18 balls as the Proteas reach 154-5 in 17.5 overs.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 06:24pm

PM Shehbaz chairs meeting reviewing Pakistan’s security situation, regional environment

Postpones visit to Russia, citing regional and internal situation.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:52pm

Foreign Office activates crisis management unit, advises Pakistani nationals in Gulf region to exercise ‘utmost caution’

Tells nationals to remain indoors where possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly adhere to the instructions and advisories issued by the respective host governments.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 04:27pm

Cricket

Pakistan’s failure to reach T20 World Cup semi-final: It’s time to get rid of deadwood

Pakistan do unearth talented new cricketers, but the problem is that the development of these cricketers is failing.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 04:08pm

Cricket

Pakistan cricket’s lack of T20 evolution exposed by World Cup exit

The insistence in sticking with the out-of-sorts Babar Azam did nothing to help the team’s shaky batting.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 03:51pm

Top Featured

The US and Israel struck Iran despite headway in negotiations. What is the endgame here?

As it is with most asymmetric conflicts, Iran wins if it doesn’t lose, and the US loses if it doesn’t win.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 01:37pm

Iftar, Sehri timings for Ramazan 11/12

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

Published 01 Mar, 2026 01:28pm

Branded Content

Looking for the best spring mattress in Pakistan? Here’s why Hotel Grandiose stands out

The Hotel Grandiose by Celeste is designed around structure, balance and long-term performance.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 12:06pm

Sindh

10 dead in Karachi, 2 in Islamabad as protests erupt countrywide following Iran supreme leader’s assassination

Sindh govt forms JIT on Karachi incident; crowd outside Lahore's US Consulate dispersed; curfew in Skardu after protests in GB; rallies held in KP.

Updated 02 Mar, 2026 12:50am

Islamabad police personnel on leave ordered to report on duty in view of of security situation

A police officer said that no leave will be granted till further notice, only in case of a special emergency situation.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 10:40am

How all three immediate expectations from the BoP’s first meeting have fallen short

Pakistan has taken a prudent position.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 09:48am

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq is a clear indication of the growing divide between Pakistan and Afghanistan

It may be hard for many to grasp the argument that Pakistan has taken a turn away from institutionalised radicalism.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 09:38am

Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination: A new chapter for Iran, a region at a crossroads

During the transition phase, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is likely to play a decisive role in managing the affair.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 12:57pm

Editorial: The new Israeli-American aggression against Iran may create a maelstrom across the Middle East and beyond

For Iran’s rulers, this is the third time they have been double-crossed by US President Donald Trump.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 09:25am

Pakistan maintains delicate balancing act in UNSC meeting on Iran

Ambassador Ahmad made clear that Pakistan’s concern extends beyond any single capital.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 03:41pm

All signs point to protracted conflict in the Persian Gulf

Endurance, not spectacle, appears to be the guiding principle for Iranian leaders.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 08:28am

Middle East

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei assassinated in US-Israel strikes

State media says attack that claimed Khamenei's life "occurred in the early hours of Saturday"; 40 days of mourning and seven days of public holidays announced in Iran.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:54am

International

Dramatic changes observed in one of universe’s biggest stars

The star had been classified as an extreme red supergiant but rapidly became a yellow hypergiant.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:47am

International

Judge tells US government not to terrorise refugees

Court upends the promise of a 1980 law that says refugees “be given a chance at a new beginning in safety”.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:26am

International

Russia weighs halt to talks unless Ukraine cedes territory

Zelensky says will issue fresh directives to Ukraine’s negotiating team at the talks.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:32am

Business

FBR misses collection target by Rs429bn in eight months

Records 11pc YoY rise to Rs8.121tr; income, sales tax collection falls.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:57am

Business

Mixed 2025 for food giants amid economic strain

Companies remain cautiously optimistic for 2026, focusing on brand investment, operational efficiency.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:06am

Business

Middle East war to hamper Pakistan’s external trade

Remittances likely to decline during Ramazan.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:14am

Business

IMF discusses economic outlook with multinationals

Foreign investors seek ‘super tax’ abolition.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:19am

Balochistan

Two bullet-riddled bodies found in Kech

Bodies taken into custody, moved to Turbat District Hospital.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:03am

Balochistan

Opposition walks out of Balochistan PA over new divisions, districts

Raisani opposes inclusion of Kachhi district in Sibi division and Mastung in Quetta division.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:03am

National

40pc people see Pakistan’s progress on right track: report

Although economic concerns remain the most worrying, their intensity has fallen sharply across all indicators since the first quarter of 2024.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 08:58am

National

AJK court moved over delay in presidential election

The Speaker is required to perform the functions of the president and ensure that an election to the office is held within 30 days of the vacancy.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:01am

National

Early hearing pleas to go before SC’s principal seat

CJP says separate petitions must for case transfer, urgent hearing.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:03am

KP & FATA

Crackdown on illegal Afghans intensified across KP

The action came on the heels of border clashes between the two countries.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:28am

KP & FATA

Century-old Bara irrigation system awaits repairs

Farmers fear serious financial problems over delayed action.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:25am

KP & FATA

Two cops, six civilians injured in attacks on Peshawar police installations

High alert declared in capital as officials fear surge in militant activities.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:02am

Islamabad

IHC rejects accused’s plea in Sana Yousaf murder case

Dismissing the petition, the court observes that in case of further delay, the accused may be provided legal representation at state expense.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:44am

Islamabad

Crackdown on illegal Afghan nationals intensified in Islamabad amid heightened security

Managements of bus terminals have been asked to obtain security-related NOCs.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:36am

Punjab

Lawmaker’s open letter calls for debate on CCD functioning

MPA Waqas Mahmood says HRCP’s report on CCD encounters deserves serious parliamentary consideration.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:21am

Punjab

Hamid Khan group wins top Lahore High Court Bar Association slot ‘amid rigging charges’

According to results announced by the election board, Babar Murtaza secured 6,234 votes to win the presidential slot.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:23am

Punjab

Punjab govt shuts colonial-era printing press, leaves 300 employees in limbo

Top officials reticent about move; press used to print gazette notifications, patwaris’ registers; machines lie abandoned.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:18am

Sindh

Sindh earns billions in royalties but Thar yet to be transformed

Energy secretary concedes no formal mechanism devised yet for specific utilisation of royalties from Thar coal.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:09am

Sindh

Murad approves Rs5bn to make sewage treatment facility functional

Plant to process water from the Malir River basin and will include a 22-kilometre interceptor for sewage collection.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:02am

Sindh

KMC, Rescue 1122 under fire for failing to extinguish Gul Plaza blaze

Civil Defence official testifies power shutdown, closed exits and lack of emergency lighting hampered evacuation.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:03am

Football

Liverpool hit five past West Ham, Brentford edge Burnley

Defeat deals another blow to the Hammers’ hopes of survival as they remain two points adrift of safety.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:02am

Cricket

Sammy draws on 2016 triumph for WI clash with India

Although Sunday's clash is nominally a Super Eights game, it is in reality a straight shootout.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 07:02am

Cricket

SA coach looks to ‘maintain intensity’ against Zimbabwe

The 2024 runners-up have already secured a semi-final place ahead of their match in New Delhi on Sunday.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 10:48am

Back Page

22 killed in cash-packed military plane crash in Bolivia

28 injured as hospitals launch emergency blood donation drive.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 08:10am

Back Page

India opens its first chip assembly facility

The plant will convert advanced semiconductor wafers from Micron’s global network into finished memory and storage products.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 08:04am

Back Page

PIA joins worldwide rush to halt Gulf flights amid war

Airspace shut over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan; Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, 24 other airlines ground flights.

Updated 01 Mar, 2026 07:58am

Front Page

Cricket

Pakistan ‘have underperformed’ says Salman Agha after T20 World Cup exit

“We are out of the semis due to our failure in decision-making in pressure situations," he says; adds that he will not make an immediate call on whether to stand down as captain.

Published 01 Mar, 2026 12:01am

Sunday, March 1, 2026