News Archives for Latest - 2026-04-18

12 countries, including Pakistan, condemn Israel’s move to appoint envoy to Somaliland

Joint statement says move “considered a flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 11:55pm

At least 6 killed after gunman opens fire in Ukrainian capital

“The attacker in Kyiv who opened fire on civilians has been eliminated,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

Updated 19 Apr, 2026 12:00am

Pope Leo downplays feud with Trump, says ‘not in my interest’ to debate him

Says reporting about comments he has made so far during his Africa tour “has not been accurate in all its aspects”.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 10:32pm

SBP says govt has paid $2bn to UAE

Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate return of a $3.5bn loan; the funds were part of external financing support extended in 2019 to help stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 09:42pm

Sindh

Mob torches water tanker after it runs over, kills motorcyclist in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar

SHO says the driver managed to flee from the scene.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 09:16pm

ICT

Bushra Bibi moves IHC seeking to suspend sentence in £190m corruption case on medical grounds

Development comes after Bushra Bibi underwent an eye surgery at a Rawalpindi hospital, according to jail authorities.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 08:25pm

South Asia

New Delhi summons Iranian envoy after Indian-flagged tankers shot at near Strait of Hormuz

Conveys India's "deep concern", urges Iranian envoy to “resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships".

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 10:03pm

ICT

After BBC exposé, ex-SAPM on health voices alarm at uptick in HIV cases in Pakistan

Dr Zafar Mirza demands an audit of global health funding received by Pakistan.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 07:39pm

Venezuela’s Machado says has ‘no regrets’ about gifting Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

“There is a leader in the world, a head of state in the world who risked the lives of his country’s citizens for Venezuela’s freedom,” she says.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:17pm

Why is India reluctant to play the role of peace-broker in major conflicts?

New Delhi has created a perception gap between its stated ambitions and its actual strategic conduct.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 05:51pm

Sindh

Karachi policeman dies after being hit by alleged smugglers’ vehicle during checking

Truck driver, bus driver arrested after traffic accidents claim lives of 2 women.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:12pm

Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt discuss ‘evolving regional dynamics’

According to the Foreign Office, the ministers reaffirmed the "vital role of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting peace, stability and shared prosperity".

Published 18 Apr, 2026 04:44pm

Netizens call for boycott as Apple TV set to stream series on arrest, rescue of Israeli soldier

The series is produced by a company involved with controversial US spy thriller Homeland.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 03:55pm

Trump says UFO review uncovered ‘interesting’ documents

US president has said he has not seen evidence of aliens and remains uncertain about their existence.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 03:38pm

White House hosts ‘productive’ visit with Anthropic CEO

Trump’s chief of staff, US treasury secretary meet with Dario Amodei, marking departure from the rift earlier this year when Anthropic was labelled a "risk".

Published 18 Apr, 2026 02:46pm

PIA begins pre-Haj operations, to transport over 55,000 pilgrims

A PIA spokesperson said that under the government Haj scheme, 49,000 pilgrims will travel.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 04:53pm

Israel using security as a pretext to acquire ‘more land’: Turkiye’s FM Fidan

At Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Fidan says it is “an onward occupation and expansionism” from the Palestinian lands and now towards Lebanon and Syria.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 02:50pm

US renews Russian oil waiver after pressure from countries dealing with Iran war price shocks

Replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excludes transactions involving Iran, Cuba and North Korea.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 01:57pm

Ali Gul Pir, Roma Riaz and Naina Black tackle colourism on Nida Yasir’s show

Fitness coach Muhammad Ahmed and psychologist Rana Hira also appeared on the episode of Good Morning Pakistan.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 01:35pm

PM Shehbaz discusses global, regional issues during tri-nation tour

The prime minister’s four-day tour comprised visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, where he met with their top leaders.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 05:33pm

Cricket

Sarfaraz named Pakistan’s Test coach for Bangladesh series in May

Shan Masood will continue as captain; two Tests set to be played from May 8 to 12 and May 16 to 20.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 12:42pm

Review: Hasan Raheem’s ‘Bewajah’ is food for a music lover’s soul

The song's production is as beautifully complex as the poetry it uses.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 12:30pm

Aurangzeb holds ‘productive’ meeting with US Treasury officials, discusses avenues for energy, mineral cooperation

Finance minister also meets with AIIB President Zou Jiayi, appreciates bank's robust engagement in Pakistan.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 12:24pm

CDF Munir concludes 3-day Iran visit, discusses sustainable regional peace: ISPR

CDF underscores need for "dialogue, de-escalation, and peaceful resolution of outstanding issues through sustained diplomatic engagements".

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 02:31pm

Lebanese lives torn apart as Israel ceasefire loomed

Deadly Israeli strikes were reported up to the final few minutes before the midnight Thursday deadline agreed upon by the two governments.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 11:30am

Tom Cruise to return for Top Gun 3

Maverick's back. Over.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 11:26am

The Iran war has revealed Trump’s pressure point: the economy

With the clock ticking on a two-week ceasefire, it remains to be seen whether a president who embraces unpredictability will reach a deal that meets his war goals.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 02:20pm

Why Trump’s gambit to lash out against the Pope did not get the response he wanted

America’s far right is shaping apocalyptic narratives.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 09:43am

Iran reimposes control over Strait of Hormuz as ships report gunfire

“With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:20pm

Ordinary Pakistanis are being made to pay for the state’s failure to tax its elite constituents

The absence of fiscal buffers is illustrated by the still-narrow and weak tax revenue base.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 09:34am

Editorial: The current crisis underscores the structural vulnerability of our power sector to external geopolitical shocks

Frequent price volatility in global energy markets demonstrates the need to shift towards solar energy as a viable solution to Pakistan’s energy woes.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 09:18am

Front Page

FCC upholds ban on book imports from certain countries

Rules govt can limit trade with India, Israel on security, foreign policy grounds.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:34am

Front Page

Tragedy averted as 125 ferried to safety from Mangla Dam

They were returning around 8pm when a severe thunderstorm, accompanied by torrential rain and strong winds, struck the area.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:28am

Front Page

Diesel price cut by Rs32 a litre, petrol unchanged

petrol prices were kept unchanged at Rs366.58 per litre.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:22am

Front Page

Hormuz ‘fully open’ but US keeps Iran blockade intact

Trump expects deal to be finalised "in a day or two"; Asserts Lebanon conflict separate from Hormuz deal; Iran insists Hormuz opening linked to Lebanon ceasefire.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:16am

KP & FATA

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists factions agree on merger in Peshawar

Constituted a six-member committee to finalise the process and its modalities.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:26am

Balochistan

CM Bugti terms Barkhan’s uplift top priority

Describing it as his “second home” after Dera Bugti.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:15am

Balochistan

Public Accounts Committee recoups Rs6bn amid recovery drive in Balochistan

Balochistan Assembly’s committee initiates recoveries totaling over Rs20bn; says audit review of 252 paras found Rs49bn.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:12am

Balochistan

Balochistan police chief pays tribute to fallen heroes

Says 1,139 personnel have lost their lives in line of duty.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:15am

Balochistan

NAB reclaims over 1m acres of land in Balochistan

During the first quarter of 2026, it recovered a further 51,576 acres of illegally occupied land, valued at Rs36.54 billion.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:15am

National

IOM says 13,000 crossed into Pakistan from Iran during war

Taftan-Mirjaveh and Gabd-Kumb-Rimdan border crossings see a daily average of 296 people.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:04am

National

Police intensify combing operation against terrorists after Chilas attack; 15 held

Action follows ambush on police team returning from anti-poppy operation; IGP says mission aimed at eliminating drug cultivation.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:00am

ICT

Most-wanted trafficker held in FIA crackdown

Accused has direct links with other most-wanted human smugglers/traffickers reportedly operating from Tehran.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:07am

National

Global peasant day marked by nationwide protests

PKRC General Secretary Riffat Maqsood says the current government’s two years in power had been extremely harmful for farmers.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:15am

Sindh

Sharjeel inaugurates Sukkur-Shikarpur Peoples Bus Service

Two hundred free Pink Scooties distributed among female students, women workers.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:06am

Sindh

Three sanitation workers die after inhaling toxic fumes in Surjani

Area SHO Sohail Khaskheli says that three private sanitation workers were hired by a local government official for cleaning of a gutter line in Sector 36-A.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:56am

Sindh

Karachi records dramatic increase in paediatric HIV cases

159 patients admitted to three city hospitals this year.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:52am

Sindh

Three suspected terrorists held in CTD raid in Karachi

The suspects were also involved in sharing social media posts of terrorist groups and “anti-Pakistan Indian channels”.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:04am

Sindh

Terrorism case registered after TTP claims responsibility for policeman’s killing in Manghopir

Investigators are probing the case from all possible angles, says Karachi police chief.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:59am

Middle East

More than 38,000 girls, women killed in Gaza conflict, UN agency says

Nearly a million women and girls have been repeatedly displaced during the conflict.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 10:08am

International

Kremlin accuses Europe of growing involvement in Ukraine war

Ukraine seeking to reduce Russia’s earnings from the energy price surge amid the war in the Middle East.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:05am

International

Record number of Rohingya died at sea last year, UNHCR says

The dangerous sea crossings have continued this year, with more than 2,800 Rohingya embarking on such journeys up until April 13.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:05am

Football

Pakistan end FIFA Series with defeat to hosts Ivory Coast

The defeat meant Pakistan ended the tournament with one win, two losses, and a third-place finish in the four-team group.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Cricket

Qalandars woes deepen as Rossouw, Usman reignite Gladiators’ campaign

In the fifth over, Hasan whipped a fuller ball off Charith Asalanka over long-on for six with terrific timing.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:39am

Cricket

Tickner claims four wickets as NZ beat Bangladesh in first ODI

Foxcroft’s aggressive 59 off 58 balls and Nathan Smith’s unbeaten 21 provided late impetus to the New Zealand innings.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business

Jam Kamal, EU envoy review GSP+ facility

Discuss strengthening economic relations, with a particular focus on the upcoming Pakistan-EU Business Forum scheduled to be held on April 28-29.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business

Dollar slips below Rs279 after 3 years

Country was on the verge of default but recovered after the IMF programme and support from China.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business

Industry awaits drop in war-risk surcharges

Hormuz reopening seen easing supply chains.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business

Basmati exports defy war jolt

Rice sector expert hopes that basmati exports are now well placed to surpass last year’s total of 808,000 tonnes.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Business

Oil tumbles 11pc as supply fears ease

Both Brent and WTI fall below $90 per barrel following Tehran’s announcement.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:23am

Business

Fuel, food drive weekly inflation to 12.16pc

The inflation outlook will now hinge on the outcome of the expected deal between the United States and Iran in the coming week.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 06:04am

Back Page

Pakistan escorted Iran negotiators home amid Israel concerns

Sources say Islamabad deployed some two dozen jets for mission.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:48am

Back Page

US cloud dominance risks European security: report

Vital digital services could be subject to American "kill switch", European powers fear.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:53am

Back Page

Pakistan seeks early approval of next IMF tranche

“We hope the situation will improve, but hope is not a strategy, and that’s why we had planned for everything,” says finance minister.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 07:39am

Punjab

Green buffer zones made compulsory for industrial areas

Punjab Environment Protection Agency bans unauthorised tree cutting under new regulatory framework.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:25am

Punjab

Free Google certification courses for students in Punjab

The chief minister also approved the provision of electric bus facilities for college students.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:20am

Punjab

15 buffaloes electrocuted in Nankana Sahib district canal

Buffaloes were taking bath in the canal when low intensity lines crossing over the canal snapped and fell into the canal.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:19am

Punjab

20 police posts abolished, six at hospitals made facilitation centres in Lahore

Move comes after complaints of high-handedness against police officials.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:10am

Punjab

Girl riding scooty robbed of phone, dragged on road in Lahore

She was driving the scooty outside her home when the unidentified man snatched her cell.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:16am

Islamabad

Gilgit-Baltistan gears up for legislative assembly elections as canvassing gains momentum

Period for hearing and deciding appeals has been fixed from May 2, 2026, to May 9, 2026.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:49am

ICT

Efficient resolution of tax disputes critical to boost public confidence: CJP Yahya Afridi

Says National Judicial Policy Making Committee provides an effective institutional platform for coordinated reform efforts.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:43am

ICT

Small Dam Organisation directed to accelerate work on Daducha Dam project

Officials says the completion deadline for the project was set for the year 2029 but it was likely to complete before that.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:37am

ICT

Capital admin readjusts market closure timings in Islamabad

It is notified that all shops, markets and shopping malls shall be closed at 8pm throughout the week including on Saturday and Sunday.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:40am

ICT

Campaign launched to remove illegal guards’ cabins from outside houses in Islamabad

Security enhanced in Islamabad ahead of expected US-Iran talks.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 08:31am

KP & FATA

Body formed to probe Haripur gas pipeline blast as victims laid to rest

Muqam announces compensation for families of deceased, injured.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 09:37am

KP & FATA

Hayatabad Medical Complex performs record cornea transplants in single day

So far, 700 people have undergone free cornea transplants.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 10:01am

KP & FATA

Security at University of Peshawar being enhanced

Officials says that advanced scanners will be installed at the university and the entry and exit system will be upgraded to meet international standards.

Published 18 Apr, 2026 04:08am

KP & FATA