News Archives for Latest - 2026-05-03

Sindh

With a week left for Aurat March in Karachi, organisers say NOC yet to be issued

Aurat March organisers say they have sent a letter to Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, seeking help for NOC issuance.

Published 03 May, 2026 11:27pm

Middle East

Israel court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists; lawyers say pair subjected to 'severe physical abuse'

No formal charges have been filed against the two, rights group says.

Published 03 May, 2026 09:50pm

ADB announces $70bn initiative to boost cross-border electricity trade, increase broadband access in Asia-Pacific

Aims to integrate about 20 gigawatts of renewable energy across borders, improve electricity access for ‌200 ⁠million people by 2035.

Published 03 May, 2026 09:06pm

Middle East

Iran reviewing US response to 14-point plan; Trump says Washington having 'very positive' discussions with Tehran

Trump says ongoing discussions with Tehran could “lead to something very positive for all”; Iran Guards have said Washington faces a choice between an “impossible” military operation and a “bad deal”.

Updated 04 May, 2026 02:55am

KP & FATA

2 men, including social activist, killed in separate attacks in KP's Bajaur

Attackers fired shots at social activist Malik Ziaur Rehman near his house; second victim killed in IED blast.

Updated 04 May, 2026 12:31am

Cricket

Peshawar Zalmi beat Hyderabad Kingsmen by 5 wickets, lift PSL trophy a second time

Aaron Hardie named player of the match for his four-wicket haul and unbeaten 50.

Updated 04 May, 2026 01:03am

Middle East

Israel approves plan to buy F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from Lockheed, Boeing

The deal is a first step in a $119bn plan to bolster Israel's military and “strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security", says ministerial committee.

Published 03 May, 2026 06:31pm

PM Shehbaz calls on Nawaz, discusses political situation in country, steps taken for peace in Middle East

Premier takes Nawaz into confidence regarding oil prices in international market and the steps taken to “provide relief” to the people, PMO statement says.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:48pm

Opec+ agrees third oil output quota hike since Hormuz closure

Move designed to show the group is ready to raise supplies once Middle East war stops and signals that Opec+ is pressing on with a business-as-usual approach despite UAE exit, analysts say.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:13pm

Sindh

Sharjeel Memon says BRT Red Line 'very tough' project, asserts no delay from Sindh govt

Minister terms traffic hardships due to the project as "bitter pill to achieve something big"; Sindh CM reviews work on BRT, Shahrah-i-Bhutto.

Updated 03 May, 2026 04:33pm

Heat by design: Can cities be cooled without air conditioning?

Conventional urban planning doesn't take into account heat pockets or natural cooling systems. Climate sensitive urban planning, however, incorporates nature as a fundamental element of urban living.

Published 03 May, 2026 02:02pm

KP & FATA

Policeman gunned down near his home in KP's Lakki Marwat

DPO spokesman says terrorists targeted Constable Irfanullah who had come to his native village on leave.

Published 03 May, 2026 02:02pm

US Secretary of State Rubio to visit Vatican, Rome after Trump's row with Pope

Rubio, who is a Catholic, is expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian foreign minister.

Published 03 May, 2026 01:41pm

A world of cultures comes alive at embassy fair in Washington

A steady stream of rickshaw rides added a playful rhythm to the Pakistan embassy grounds, with equally vivid chapters unfolding elsewhere.

Published 03 May, 2026 01:32pm

Sajid Sadpara summits world’s 5th highest mountain Makalu without supplemental oxygen

Mount Makalu in Nepal marks the 10th summit of his mission to summit all 14 “eight-thousanders” in the world sans supplementary oxygen.

Updated 03 May, 2026 04:00pm

Hockey

For Pakistan's hockey team, the main focus is qualifying for LA2028 Olympics

Head coach stays upbeat ahead of this year’s World Cup.

Published 03 May, 2026 12:44pm

President, PM renew resolve to protect journalistic freedom, stress credible reporting

PM Shehbaz notes it is the "responsibility of every journalist to uphold professional ethics by countering propaganda, fake news".

Published 03 May, 2026 12:17pm

Japan contains one of its biggest wildfires in decades after 11-day battle

Hundreds of firefighters and more than 1,000 military personnel deployed; affected area is almost five times the size of New York City’s Central Park.

Published 03 May, 2026 11:22am

Smokers' Corner: Western legacy media might be suffering from 'institutional inertia'

Western legacy media's inability to recalibrate reveals deeper institutional inertia that risks rendering it irrelevant.

Published 03 May, 2026 10:34am

Punjab

Lahore CTD arrests YouTuber Saad bin Riaz for allegedly ‘recruiting individuals for al-Qaeda’

According to FIR, the arrest was made on April 27 during a search operation near GPO Chowk on Mall Road.

Published 03 May, 2026 10:00am

Cricket

PSL 11 final — an opportunity for Pakistan cricket to rise again

Sunday evening will be a new start, another chance for the ones running the show to pull up their socks, clean the mess, and give back to cricket.

Published 03 May, 2026 09:36am

Pakistan is no longer dealing with a single-dimensional terrorist threat

Instead, it faces a layered contest involving cross-border sanctuaries, retaliatory strikes, and an expanding information war.

Published 03 May, 2026 08:55am

The state should move towards confidence-building measures with media, opposition, and in fact, all citizens

There is no democracy without accountability of power — and how is accountability possible if one is punished for speaking up?

Published 03 May, 2026 08:49am

Editorial: The slow strangulation of independent media is an existential crisis for democracy itself

A public that abandons its press abandons its last organised defence against the unchecked ambitions of power.

Published 03 May, 2026 08:17am

Foreign investors exit T-bills amid war in Middle East

Mideast war drives 94pc outflow from treasury bills.

Published 03 May, 2026 08:12am

International

Takaichi vows more effort to keep Asia ‘free and open’

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian accuses Tokyo of “stirring up confrontation between camps”.

Published 03 May, 2026 07:49am

International

China rejects US sanctions on refineries over Iran oil links

Washington believes import by Beijing of oil generates billions of dollars in revenue for Tehran.

Updated 03 May, 2026 09:36am

International

British premier hints at banning some pro-Palestinian marches

Labour leader Starmer is under pressure to act after a spate of antisemitic incidents.

Updated 03 May, 2026 09:40am

Punjab

Temporary mechanical rides banned in Punjab's public parks on Eidul Azha

Spokesperson says permanently-installed rides will be allowed only after submission of a valid fitness certificate.

Updated 03 May, 2026 09:53am

Punjab

LHC orders pension benefits for doctor, sets aside Centre’s decision

Judge observes that the authorities cannot take advantage of their own lapses in failing to regularise an employee.

Published 03 May, 2026 07:38am

Punjab

Concept-based learning to replace rote memorisation in Punjab schools

Pectaa to initially introduce curriculum changes in grades I to V.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:02am

Business

Oil spike threatens Pakistan’s economic growth

Analysts say inflation may exceed 11pc, CAD could rise above $8bn; GDP expansion may slow to 2.5-3.0pc in FY27.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:07am

Business

Spirit Airlines shuts down globally

Spirit had been in bankruptcy since August 2025 — its second in less than a year — and the White House had been considering a bailout.

Published 03 May, 2026 07:21am

Business

Govt pushes real estate investment trusts framework reform

Aurangzeb stresses a coordinated, outcome-oriented reform approach focused on actionable steps within existing institutional frameworks.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:19am

Business

Industry opposes Sui Southern Gas Company’s tariff hike petition

Warns effective increase may reach 286pc with accumulated shortfalls.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:22am

Business

Banks favour govt papers over loans

Investments hit Rs39.1tr, IDR at 104.3pc as private lending stays weak.

Published 03 May, 2026 07:19am

Business

Aurangzeb calls for cyber resilience drive

Urges coordinated action across financial sector.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:27am

ICT

IHC rejects Hubco’s petition against FBR notice

Petition challenged a show-cause notice issued by FBR, reinforcing the tax authority’s jurisdiction in the matter.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:54am

Balochistan

Three killed in separate incidents across Balochistan

Vendor stabbed over an unripe watermelon.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:54am

Balochistan

Balochistan CM Bugti pledges support to journalists

Says free and responsible media essential for democracy.

Updated 03 May, 2026 09:01am

Balochistan

JUI-F threatens protests over seminary raids in Balochistan

JUI-F provincial chief says that a province-wide shutter-down strike and protest demonstrations would take place on May 6.

Updated 03 May, 2026 09:04am

National

Opposition steps up criticism of govt over economy, press freedom

PTI slams "double-digit inflation"; blames high petrol price for deepening public hardship; accuses rulers of hiding "incompetence" behind global factors.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:56am

Punjab

With 19 seats empty, Lahore High Court moves to appoint more judges

Court has 41 judges against sanctioned strength of 60; several law officers, advocates already interviewed as caseload mounts.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:50am

Balochistan

Four terrorists killed in Gwadar operation

Two security personnel martyred during two-hour gun battle; separate landmine blast in Duki injures two security men.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:54am

Sindh

FIA seizes 2bn Iranian rials in Karachi raid

Haul equivalent to around half a million Pakistani rupees at open market rates.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:54am

National

Govt urged to formalise 40m digital asset users

PVARA chief says blockchain can enhance efficiency of remittance inflows.

Updated 03 May, 2026 08:44am

KP & FATA

Governor Kundi rules out immediate govt change in KP

Kundi dismisses the speculation over Gandapur's return, saying such expectations were unrealistic.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:41am

KP & FATA

Bar councils oppose transfer of high court judges as ‘punitive measure’

The Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee of the country’s urgres that all bar council transfers should happen on a rotational basis.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:39am

KP & FATA

Kohistan depts on alert ahead of monsoon rains

DC Kohistan directs all departments to remain vigilant and utilise their full resources.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:53am

KP & FATA

Bodies of drowned siblings untraced for four days in Kaghan

Sameer, 8, and his sister Fatima, 6, had come from Balakot to visit their grandparents when they slipped from a rocky slope and fell into Kunhar River.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:27am

KP & FATA

Foreign team performs 55 free paediatric heart surgeries at Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital

18-member medical team included two paediatric cardiac surgeons and as many cardiologists.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:31am

ICT

Bahria Town residents in Rawalpindi protest against absence of ‘basic amenities’

Protesters urge Malik Riaz and Bahria Town Private Limited to relinquish control.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:29am

Punjab

Ancient Dharmarajika Stupa in Taxila echoes with Dhamma sermon after 1,500 years

Monks perform religious rituals and deliver a Dhamma sermon at one of the most significant Buddhist heritage sites associated with Emperor Ashoka.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:38am

ICT

PPP Human Rights Cell urges review of Peca to align it with constitutional freedoms

Farhatullah Babar says severity of sentences given to Imaan and Hadi and the circumstances surrounding it are deeply troubling.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:27am

ICT

Rain with windstorm cools twin cities

Dark clouds overpower the sun, and gusty winds bring down the temperature in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:53am

ICT

Delay in Krishna Temple reconstruction irks Hindu community in Rawalpindi

Punjab minister for minority affairs visits Rawalpindi, directs temple’s reconstruction be completed as soon as possible.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:06am

ICT

Capital police chief dissatisfied with security arrangements at worship places

IG visited several worship places to check and review security measures during Friday prayers.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:10am

Sindh

Man who threatened to bomb US consulate in Karachi granted bail

Court notes that, on a tentative assessment, it appeared that “no concrete" evidence has yet been brought on record against the accused.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:10am

Sindh

Theft incidents rampant in Hawkesbay’s Media Town in Karachi

Two electric poles installed by the Sindh government in Journalists Society, better known as Media Town, have been stolen.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:15am

Sindh

Speed limit on Karachi's Sharea Faisal raised to 70km/hr for cars, bikes

Speed limit for heavy transport vehicles/public service vehicles (HTV/PSV) will remain 30 kilometres per hour.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:05am

Sindh

Govt urged to declare national health emergency over rising HIV cases

Experts say Pakistan’s weak health infrastructure and low funding are fuelling preventable HIV infections.

Updated 03 May, 2026 10:02am

Sindh

Coordination needed to ensure stable power supply in Karachi: mayor

Mayor Wahab meets CEO KE, holds detailed discussions on electricity transmission, affordable energy.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:53am

Football

West Ham’s defeat gives Spurs hope of survival in EPL

Newcastle United ease any lingering fears of being drawn into the relegation battle with a 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:53am

Cricket

My only plan was to bowl all yorkers, says Hunain Shah

Shadab says they need to improve bowling, particularly in death overs.

Updated 03 May, 2026 11:11am

Cricket

Zalmi look to outsmart rejuvenated Kingsmen in PSL title clash

According to Babar, there was no room for his team to show complacency against Kingsmen.

Updated 03 May, 2026 11:05am

Back Page

Germany takes US troop drawdown in stride but deterrence gaps remain

German minister says move should spur Europeans as Pentagon announces withdrawal of 5,000 troops.

Updated 03 May, 2026 07:59am

Front Page

Bin Laden nearly slipped out of Abbottabad: CIA report

Al Qaeda leader had agreed in writing to relocate by September 2011; two brothers sheltering him sought separation, citing exhaustion.

Updated 03 May, 2026 07:52am

Front Page

PMD warns of Glof risk as rains, landslides batter GB

KKH, Astore valley road temporarily blocked; heavy rain, thunderstorms also expected in KP.

Published 03 May, 2026 05:53am

KP & FATA

Islamabad judges’ transfer challenged in Peshawar High Court

Petition seeks that the transfer be declared un-Islamic, unconstitutional and illegal, along with the relevant articles of the Constitution.

Updated 03 May, 2026 07:42am

Middle East

Iran says ball in US court on war or diplomacy

Iranian military warns renewed hostilities with Washington "likely"; Trump boasts of Hormuz blockade, says "we are like pirates".

Updated 03 May, 2026 07:35am

Sunday, May 3, 2026