News Archives for Latest - 2026-03-25

Petroleum dealers postpone strike in light of Middle East conflict

"We have postponed the strike, keeping in view the hardships consumers will face if the war escalates and leads to a supply chain crisis of petroleum products,” PPDA chairman says.

Updated 26 Mar, 2026 12:54am

Imran’s son Kasim raises father’s case at UNHRC, decries his treatment in jail

“We cannot stand by as his health deteriorates and he is kept away from us," he says.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 10:55pm

Trump names Nvidia, Meta chiefs to science and tech council

The council is expected to play a key role in shaping Washington’s response to intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 09:39pm

ICT

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council says 10 universities offering unrecognised postgraduate programmes

Warns that students enrolled with these institutes will not be registered with the medical accreditation body.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 08:42pm

KP & FATA

2 ‘most-wanted terrorists’ killed in Tank operation: CTD

2 Kalashnikovs, along with six magazines and cartridges and two bandoliers, were found in possession of slain terrorists, CTD says.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:50pm

Ex-Google executive Matt Brittin named new BBC boss

“This is a moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity," new BBC boss says.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:06pm

ICT

PM Shehbaz, Bilawal discuss regional situation, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for peace

Bilawal appreciates federal government’s policies and measures to address potential challenges arising from the ongoing conflict.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:48pm

Why gold has fallen despite heightened global tensions

Uncertainty around the Middle East conflict has prompted investors to rapidly sell off assets to raise cash and offset losses elsewhere.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:20pm

Pakistan has conveyed US proposal; Turkiye or Pakistan could host talks, senior Iranian official says

Malaysian PM welcomes Pakistan’s "timely and constructive offer" to host US-Iran talks; Iran's ambassador to Pakistan says there have been no talks between Washington or Tehran.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:49pm

ICT

PM Shehbaz tells authorities to expedite export of surplus food items to Gulf countries

Special committee has approved 40 food items for exporting to Gulf countries amid the current regional situation, meeting told.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 05:08pm

South Asia

War-linked power crunch pushes Sri Lanka to 4-day week

Sri Lanka has already raised fuel prices by a third since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran; About half of its electricity is generated by coal and diesel.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 05:22pm

ICT

Mobile app-based fuel quota system finalised for motorcycles, rickshaws amid global oil crisis

The government will now take a final decision whether the scheme should extend to small cars or remain restricted to two- and three-wheelers.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:48pm

Pakistan’s cities to account for most heat-related deaths by 2050

CIL research says low- and middle-income countries to account for 90pc of premature deaths due to heat.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:31pm

For those tired of tikkas, here are some dishes to grill up at your next barbecue

Barbecues don't have to be dominated by mutton and lamb kebabs.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:29pm

Exotic pet trade thrives in China despite welfare concerns

Throngs of people attend annual pet fair, which features meerkats, sugar gliders, patterned snakes and spotted geckos.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:18pm

Edmond de Rothschild Paris offices raided in Epstein-linked probe into diplomat

The name of Fabrice Aidan, a middle-ranking French diplomat appeared in more than 200 documents released by the US Justice Department.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:12pm

Artemis II — Nasa’s historic Moon mission set for lift-off

Three men, 1 woman prepare for a fly-by mission dubbed Artemis II, much as Apollo 8 did in 1968.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 03:04pm

Sindh

MQM-P calls for revisiting proposed 28th Amendment, transforming ‘feudal democracy into participatory democracy’

“Local governments need authority to manage their own districts; otherwise, internal instability will be exploited by external threats,” says Mustafa Kamal.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 03:32pm

Sindh

PMD forecasts rain in Karachi tomorrow, more showers across Sindh this week

Karachi may also see rainfall over weekened; Met Office cautions against damage to structures such as electrical poles, solar panels.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 01:50pm

From Golimar to Gurumandir — hidden within names of Karachi’s areas is rich history

Karachi’s history is not only preserved in archives and museums. It lives in the names of its neighbourhoods, each reflecting an episode in the city’s long and layered past.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 01:12pm

Govt announces optional multi-tariff time of use mechanism for industrial consumers

Fixed charges to be determined based on Maximum Demand Indicators (MDI), expected to be relatively higher than variable energy charges.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 01:00pm

Netflix is remaking 13 Going on 30 with Jennifer Garner as executive producer

Emily Bader and Logan Lerman have been cast as the lead actors in the rom-com.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 12:50pm

FO condemns harsh sentences awarded to Kashmiri leader Asiya Andrabi, associates by Delhi court

Says sentencing raises "serious concerns" about due process, judicial independence, adherence to international human rights obligations.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 11:50am

Middle East

PM Shehbaz hails Saudi Arabia’s ‘restraint’, stresses urgent need for de-escalation of ongoing Iran war

Premier says he briefed the Saudi crown prince on call on “Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts for regional peace and stability”.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 12:30pm

Punjab

Railways minister says Tezgam Express derailment likely due to ‘mechanical and human error’

Minister expresses satisfaction with rescue operation; train dispatched to Karachi in five-coach configuration.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 12:10pm

Pakistan’s mediation offer reflects growing diplomatic confidence, Capitol Hill symposium told

Pakistan’s unique geostrategic location gives it importance at both regional and global levels, says the country's envoy.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 12:48pm

Structural constraints limiting the expansion of formal housing finance in Pakistan

Pakistan faces a substantial economy housing shortfall, estimated at 10m units, with an annual addition of around 350,000 units.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 10:05am

Pakistan’s role as messenger in the US-Iran conflict should not be overstretched

There cannot be any meaningful talks under the shadow of war.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 09:58am

Editorial: There must be an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East if any potential talks are to succeed

It seems that a mix of incompetence and arrogance has been guiding the American war effort.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 09:38am

US reportedly sends peace plan as Iran opens Strait of Hormuz to ‘non-hostile’ oil vessels

Trump says he has sent a plan and that it “all starts with they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 03:23pm

Competitive power market era begins as legal process completed for electricity auction

Nepra declares CMOD, enabling auction of 800MW after decades of reform delays.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 08:21am

Cricket

Players vow to deliver despite empty stands in PSL 11

The decision was taken in line with the government’s austerity measures prompted by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 10:22am

Cricket

IPL’s Bengaluru to keep 11 seats empty in honour of stampede dead

Eleven supporters aged between 14 and 29 died in a stampede outside the stadium in June after RCB won the IPL for the first time.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:59am

Tennis

Sinner, Sabalenka march on in Miami as more seeds crash out

Sabalenka is aiming to become only the fifth woman to complete the Indian Wells-Miami double after Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:53am

International

India worried over growing use of cheap weight loss drugs

Sales in India have grown tenfold in five years to $153 million this year and are projected to soar to over half a billion dollars by 2030.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:13am

International

In world first, antimatter taken on test drive at CERN

Moving antimatter particles about is a major challenge — one that has now seemingly been overcome.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:30am

International

Mammals cannot be cloned infinitely, mice study discovers

All mice in 58th generation die shortly after birth as harmful genetic mutations build up over generations of cloning.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:07am

International

7 women, 13 children among 70 dead in attack on Sudan hospital

Over 500 civilians killed in drone strikes this year, says UN.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:19am

Business

Pakistan’s non-textile exports shrink 17pc

Proceeds dip to $8.25bn in July-February FY26.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 07:14am

Business

$20m withdrawn from govt bonds in a single day

Foreign investors are in a state of panic and keen to leave the region.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:39am

Front Page

Govt may have to ‘unfreeze’ fuel prices amid global surge

Targeted subsidy for two-, three-wheelers on the anvil; jet fuel, kerosene prices rise quietly, but dramatically.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:34am

Front Page

US mulls sending elite airborne troops to Middle East

Energy infrastructure attacked as Israel claims "large wave of strikes" on Isfahan, other areas.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:44am

Front Page

Islamabad offers to host US-Iran climbdown effort

Insiders say Washington asked Pakistan to host negotiations; groundwork laid in weeks of "hectic diplomacy".

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:27am

Back Page

US-Israel war on Iran may increase food prices worldwide: UN

Coordinated world action sought to stabilise markets, maintain open trade routes and cushion people from rising cost of living.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:03am

Back Page

Freak storms to hit war-ravaged Middle East

Weather system developing over Mediterranean may be ‘supercharged’ by jet stream, causing winds up to 60mph.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:57am

Back Page

Pakistan joins UNSC in denouncing illegal Israeli settlements

Tel Aviv envoy "hogs the mic"ahead of stakeout; vows not to participate in Iran peace talks until "objectives achieved".

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 07:52am

Balochistan

Three killed, five injured in tribal clash in Quetta

“Both groups have an old enmity over control of tube- wells,” police says.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:34am

Balochistan

Lasbela assured of resolution of issues

Members of the group informed the minister of the problems the area people are facing, including construction of a Basic Health Unit.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

Balochistan

Achakzai calls for national government to deal with regional crisis

Urges UN to convene conference with Pakistan and Afghanistan; KP chief minister alleges PTI mandate "stolen" in Balochistan.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:27am

National

Supreme Court affirms right to preliminary hearing before framing of contempt charge

Sets aside Sindh High Court contempt proceedings for ignoring mandatory safeguards.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:18am

National

GB tour operators look towards China to offset war impact

Govt urged to allow Chinese tourists to enter via Khunjerab.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:14am

National

Railways earns Rs1bn in a week from passenger trains

Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi termed the performance a result of positive policies and effective administrative measures, and congratulates the management.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

National

Border trade with Iran carries on despite Middle East war

Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief says prices of Iranian fuel have risen, even along coastal belt, due to reduced supply.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:09am

KP & FATA

JUI leader Abdul Haleem passes away in Tank

Mr Khan was regarded as a close associate of JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and remained active in local politics for many years.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

KP & FATA

Peshawar High Court directs Afghan artists to approach govt for visas

PHC disposes of their plea against deportation

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:44am

KP & FATA

Three killed in attack on tribal leader’s family in South Waziristan

Gunmen kill govt school headmaster in Dera.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

KP & FATA

Three of family die on road in D.I. Khan

The police said that Kaleemullah, along with his family, was travelling on the motorcycle.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

KP & FATA

PDMA issues flash flood alert as KP expects heavy rain

PDMA has forecast rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in most districts of the province from March 25 to 30.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

ICT

Family of Karachi couple killed in Neelum Valley accident gets compensation

The tragic accident occurred on August 18 last year near Shundaas in the upper belt of Neelum Valley.

Published 25 Mar, 2026 06:56am

ICT

Over 140 Pakistanis die every day from TB, says WHO

Pakistan ranks fifth globally for tuberculosis burden, with 669,000 affected and 51,000 dying annually.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:30am

ICT

Assets acquired during marriage subject to equitable distribution: Islamabad high court

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasises that there should be no bias in favour of a “money earner” over a “home maker” or “child carer” when dividing marital assets.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:27am

ICT

Federal Board postpones matric exams in Gulf countries due to Middle East crisis

Board to postpone forthcoming SSC annual exam in Iran, Kuwait, UAE and Bahrain.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:23am

ICT

Youth drowns in lake of private housing society in Rawalpindi

The complaint said there was no protective wall or any other safety measures around the lake which was a violation of government rules.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:41am

Punjab

Rahim Yar Khan district witnesses cotton-to-cane shift

Cotton acreage plummets; Sindh overtakes Punjab in output; six sugar mills operative, another being set up.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:55am

Punjab

Libyan boat tragedy : Human trafficker handed down 19-year rigorous imprisonment, Rs1.3m fine

The judge ordered that in case of default on fine payment, the convict will serve an additional four-month term.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:51am

Punjab

Rs3bn adult cardiac surgery programme approved in Lahore

Nine public, 15 private hospitals designated in phase-I.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:41am

Punjab

Free medicines being delivered to TB patients in Punjab

The CM said the provincial government was providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities, including medicines and PCR tests, at public hospitals.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:47am

Punjab

Train derailment leaves 26 injured in Bahawalpur

Seven bogies of Karachi-bound Tezgam derail, five overturn; nine passengers land in hospital, 17 provided first aid; one passenger.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 08:36am

Sindh

Fresh studies trace Mohenjo Daro’s urban roots to 3300 BC

Radiocarbon dating of objects done in US; excavation reveals more facts, says expert.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:15am

Sindh

Bilawal meets Sherry Rehman, offers condolences

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah also visited Ms Rehman’s residence.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:20am

Sindh

Muttahida urges PPP to initiate talks to strengthen local govt system

Ali Khurshidi calls for collective strategy to improve LG framework under Article 140-A; slams PTI, JI for "political compromise" over Karachi.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:07am

Sindh

K-Electric told to pay Rs50.6m to heirs of two men who died from electrocution during rains

Elderly man, 41-year-old son lost their lives 20 years ago after stepping into accumulated rainwater.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:04am

Sindh

Absentee officials earn CM’s ire during visit to Sindh Secretariat

The chief minister emphasised that staff should perform their duties diligently, arrive at the office on time, and focus on their work.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 09:13am

South Asia

Clerics from Pakistan, Afghanistan appeal to authorities to extend pause in fighting till Eidul Azha

They have made the appeal in a joint statement, highlighting the need for peace during Haj.

Updated 25 Mar, 2026 12:48pm

Wednesday, March 25, 2026