News Archives for Latest - 2026-05-13

Balochistan

Major among five soldiers martyred during operation in Balochistan’s Barkhan: ISPR

Seven terrorists were killed by security forces; weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from them, the military’s media wing says.

Updated 14 May, 2026 12:36pm

'No indication' Andes strain of hantavirus has mutated: EU agency

“Due to the long incubation period, it is still possible that more cases among the passengers who are now actually in quarantine will occur,” ECDC director says.

Published 13 May, 2026 11:40pm

PTI defends MNA Iqbal Afridi’s son over asylum move, assails govt’s ‘oppression’

Afridi’s 28-year-old son does not carry a diplomatic passport, PTI central information secretary says.

Updated 14 May, 2026 12:04am

IHC rules high courts can assume jurisdiction in cases of promotion assessments

Court sets aside CSB’s supersession and deferment of promotions for bureaucrats, officers; directs that cases be considered afresh.

Published 13 May, 2026 10:14pm

Pakistan, WHO launch Prime Minister's Hepatitis C Elimination Programme

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal says Rs67 billion has been allocated to combat the public health challenge.

Published 13 May, 2026 09:22pm

Reform UK talking to watchdog over $7 million gift to leader Farage

Opponents say funding from billionaire demonstrates gulf between Farage's image as man of the people and his dependence on wealthy donors.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:48pm

Gunshots fired in standoff at Philippine Senate over presence of ICC suspect

Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa has sought protective custody in the senate building since Monday to avoid arrest.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:07pm

Cambridge confirms leak of AS-level Mathematics paper, postpones upcoming exam as 'precautionary step'

Country director says board working to understand extent of the leak, pursuing several legal routes to "punish those responsible".

Published 13 May, 2026 07:48pm

Punjab

Heavy rain, hailstorm lash Lahore, inundating low-lying areas

Lakshmi Chowk received the highest rainfall in the city, recording 95 millimetres.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:28pm

ICT

ECP warns of hearing if prerequisites for Islamabad local govt polls not met

Commission further warns that the matter may also be taken up with the federal government; CEC says polls required under Article 140(A) of the Constitution.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:16pm

Iran war to cast a shadow on Brics foreign ministers meeting in Delhi

Abbas Araghchi and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov expected to attend the gathering, which will run through May 14–15.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:09pm

Don't mention the war: Tucson prepares to welcome Team Iran for World Cup

“We're just excited to host them here, and we're going to give them a positive experience,” says director of the Kino Sports Complex.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:05pm

PM Shehbaz to undertake official three-day China visit: DPM Dar

DPM Dar says the premier will visit China from May 23 to May 26, where he will also attend a B2B forum.

Published 13 May, 2026 06:24pm

Modest gains in GDP, per capita income indicate recovery in output, government says

Country’s economy is expected to grow by 3.70pc in current fiscal year, a revision from earlier projections of 4pc.

Published 13 May, 2026 05:20pm

Zhalay Sarhadi wants to know why people think it's okay to start killing animals when it suits them

The actor is outraged over reports of dog culling in Lahore.

Published 13 May, 2026 05:10pm

Punjab

Punjab CM Office denies RTI requests seeking details of Maryam's tours and vehicles, luxury jet acquired by govt

PIO's response to a lawyer's request for details about vehicles in Maryam's use and her tours cites the provision of “legitimate exception”.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:14pm

KP & FATA

Flydubai suspends flights to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar till Oct due to 'operational issues'

Flight operations from and to Karachi will continue as usual, the low-cost airline says.

Updated 13 May, 2026 10:17pm

Sindh

Sindh announces summer vacation for schools from June 1-July 31

Punjab as already announced 3-month-long summer vacation for schools.

Published 13 May, 2026 04:01pm

ICT

Khawaja Asif says KP now on 'same page' as Centre in fight against terrorism

“Whether it is the eastern border or the western, the enemy is the same; there is no difference between Delhi and Kabul at the moment,” Asif remarked.

Updated 13 May, 2026 03:43pm

Modi cuts motorcade size to save fuel amid mounting economic pressure

Modi, who gets the highest level of personal security in the country, had around a dozen vehicles in his motorcade before the cut.

Published 13 May, 2026 02:40pm

Cricket

'Don't understand it, but it looks fun': Cricket bowls Japan over

Japan is warming up for the Asian Games by hosting its first cricket event, the East Asia-Pacific qualifiers for the 2028 men’s T20 World Cup.

Published 13 May, 2026 02:13pm

Protests and jeers mark Israeli participation at Eurovision 2026

Five countries have already boycotted the contest over Israel's presence.

Published 13 May, 2026 02:09pm

Sindh

Karachi police get 3-day physical remand of alleged cocaine queenpin Anmol alias Pinky

“The perusal of the remand order shows that the learned judicial magistrate has not given proper reasons for remanding the accused in judicial custody," judge says.

Updated 13 May, 2026 02:40pm

Putin hails Russia's test launch of new Sarmat nuclear missile, calls it 'most powerful'

Says Russia will deploy Sarmat for “combat duty” by the end of this year; move comes months after New START pact with US expired.

Published 13 May, 2026 01:31pm

Indian arrogance shot down alongside planes during last year's military conflict, Tarar says

Says "our dominance in aerial battle" was proven to the world.

Updated 13 May, 2026 02:40pm

ICT

Naqvi says land-grabbing mafia, illegal constructions to be completely eradicated from Islamabad

Interior ministry meeting reviews suggestions to set up sewage treatment plants at Rawal Dam; briefed on plans for new Convention Centre.

Published 13 May, 2026 01:04pm

Finance minister discusses budget preparations with visiting IMF mission

IMF mission appreciates govt's continued commitment to prudent economic management and reform implementation, finance ministry says.

Published 13 May, 2026 12:49pm

President Zardari approves Sitara-i-Shujaat for citizen who sacrified his life while averting suicide attack

The approval was granted by the president on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Updated 13 May, 2026 03:00pm

Pakistan's first rap reality show, Rap Icon Pakistan, releases teaser with judges Talha Anjum, Bohemia

The show is set to release on May 24 on YouTube.

Published 13 May, 2026 11:52am

US to impose visa curbs on 13 people linked to Indian firm over prescription pills laced with fentanyl

State Dept says company generated revenue through trafficking in fentanyl, which Trump has designated as a “weapon of mass destruction”.

Published 13 May, 2026 11:35am

PCOS has been renamed in the hopes of improving diagnoses and medical care

Researchers and medical professionals believe Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome or PMOS is more reflective of the condition.

Published 13 May, 2026 11:27am

South Asia

Poor planning fuels Bangladesh contraceptive crisis

Condoms, oral pills, emergency contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices and injectables are unavailable at around a third of the country’s 64 districts, according to government figures for May.

Published 13 May, 2026 11:17am

Actor Demi Moore says fighting AI is a losing battle

She spoke ahead of the opening of the Cannes Film Festival.

Published 13 May, 2026 10:32am

South Asia

India hikes gold, silver duties to protect sliding rupee

Prime Minister Modi had already appealed days ago to the public to avoid buying gold for a year as the rupee's year-long slide against the dollar has worsened during the Iran war.

Published 13 May, 2026 10:23am

SBP says it has received $1.3bn tranche from IMF

Says the amount will be reflected in the country’s foreign exchange reserves for the week ending on May 15.

Published 13 May, 2026 09:39am

KP & FATA

Controversy surfaces over outsourcing of Pedo hydropower projects

Officials reach out to govt over "external interference and pressure on key offices".

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:44am

KP & FATA

Man dies, several hurt as heavy rain wreaks havoc in Lower Kohistan

Floodwater sweeps away two vehicles; four shops hit by landslide.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:54am

KP & FATA

LEAs stopped from deporting Afghan brothers seeking asylum in Canada

Petitioners claim they worked with US forces and may face persecution in Afghanistan.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:31am

ICT

Pakistan Airport Authority to construct Islamabad’s tallest building

PAA owns a 9,000 square yard plot in Blue Area, where it plans to construct a multi-storey high-rise office-cum aviation complex.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:15am

ICT

Minister asks IBCC to contact Cambridge over fresh paper leak claims

"We see a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of exams," says Cambridge country director

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:04am

ICT

Senate body briefed on National Accountability Bureau’s achievements

Lawmakers visit bureau’s headquarters to review its performance.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:31am

ICT

Nepra tasked to probe IPPs performance, payments amid surging electricity costs

Parliamentary panel wants halt to reported appointments of principal accounting officers from the private sector.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:12am

Punjab

CM Maryam nominates man who averted suicide attack in Attock for ‘highest civil award’

Muhammad Liaqat Ali had laid down his life to prevent an attack potentially targeting a police post in Attock's Jand tehsil.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:10am

Punjab

Senior citizens hit by ‘systematic delays, CTO office-field staff rifts’ in Lahore

Confusion over medical certificates verification causes delays at licencing centres; spox defends strict licence checks.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:17am

Punjab

ATC declares Saad Rizvi, 23 others proclaimed offenders

Perpetual arrest warrants for absconding TLP leaders also issued after police said the suspects had gone into hiding to avoid arrest.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:19am

Punjab

Five ‘human traffickers’ arrested in Gujranwala

They were allegedly involved in defrauding people on the pretext of sending them abroad, receiving at least Rs8.6 million from different complainants.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:28am

Punjab

Four killed, three injured as ‘encounters’ continue in central, south Punjab

Three suspects were killed during two encounters in the Wazirabad and Noshehra Virkan areas.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:23am

Punjab

Dog culling drive continues despite Lahore High Court orders

Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, district admin deny reports of culling, claiming stray dogs are being shifted outside city.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:25am

Adiala jail official submits report to IHC on Imran, Bushra meetings

IHC seeks detailed arguments on a petition seeking meetings between former first lady Bushra Bibi and her family members, personal doctors.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:02am

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal warns unchecked population growth can become ‘social bomb’

Proposes incentives under NFC for provinces managing population growth; projections say population can reach 389.9m by 2050 even under a slow-decline scenario.

Published 13 May, 2026 08:00am

How to bridge the gap in perception between the rulers and the ruled

It is all about reaching out and being honest with one another in spite of existing differences.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:53am

The Iran war has dramatically altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East

A prolonged conflict will have far-reaching implications for regional geopolitics, sharpening the divisions among Gulf countries that are directly affected by the tensions.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:40am

Editorial: Global suffering continues as uncertainty over the fate of the war in the Middle East refuses to dissipate

Every day that passes without clarity on how and when the war will end introduces fresh intensity to the uncertainty roiling global markets and adds to the economic turmoil the world must bear because of it.

Published 13 May, 2026 07:29am

Business

Textile sector eyes $5bn boost

Leading industry exporters meet the finance minister, submit a presentation as part of the textile sector's unified recommendations for the upcoming budget.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:42am

Business

Oil prices rise as hopes of peace dwindle

Brent crude futures gain $3.10 to $107.31 a barrel; US West Texas Intermediate futures up $3.56 at $101.63.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:25am

Business

Geopolitical fears drag index below 170,000

Rising oil prices and fragile sentiment trigger profit-taking; analysts say investor sentiment fragile amid "persistent geopolitical tensions".

Published 13 May, 2026 06:33am

Business

Auto sales double on cheap financing

Sales of cars, vans, pickups and sport utility vehicles record robust year-on-year growth of 107pc.

Published 13 May, 2026 06:33am

Business

Govt opposes KE’s Rs60bn backdated claims

Nepra says KE's petition regarding end-of-term adjustments within the approved multi-year tariff framework for the control period 2017-23.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:19am

Sindh

Sindh CM forms ministerial team to complete Benazir flyover within seven weeks

Started in 2018, work on the Hyderabad project remained stalled due to litigation, other issues.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:10am

Sindh

Sindh High Court dismisses plea against felling old trees, demolishing animal enclosures in zoo

Petitioner argues that the cutting of old and mature trees has resulted in adverse environmental consequences, affecting the ecological balance of the zoo.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:06am

Sindh

PTI resolution to pay homage to May 12 victims rejected

Sindh Assembly unanimously passes resolution against honour killings.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:57am

Sindh

Teachers, employees urge Sindh govt to launch probe into financial irregularities at Karachi University

Exam boycott at varsity enters eighth day as protest over non-payment of dues continues.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:01am

Sindh

ADB to provide $1bn for Karachi Circular Railway revival

Bank promises an initial $10 million for preparatory work such as design review, operational planning, institutional arrangements and financing models.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:48am

International

Trump goes on social media conspiracy posting spree

The intense outburst on Truth Social comes amid growing public scrutiny of the 79-year-old president’s health.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:51am

International

Japan crisp packs to go colourless due to Iran war crunch

Calbee is swapping its signature orange-and-yellow packets for black and white.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:56am

International

FBI quizzes CIA staffers in probe against ex-chief of spy agency

Prosecutors are examining whether John Brennan made a false statement to Congress in 2023 while discussing an intelligence assessment that looked at Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Published 13 May, 2026 05:43am

International

Backlash as EU invites Taliban for migrant return talks

“This does not by any means constitute a recognition,” says European Commission spokesman.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:23am

International

Afghanistan detains two TV journalists

Information ministry says their case is under investigation.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:09am

Cricket

Ton-up Ayesha dazzles as Pakistan rout Zimbabwe in first T20

Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled throughout, with skipper Nomvelo Sibanda conceding 59 runs in her four overs despite claiming two wickets.

Published 13 May, 2026 05:43am

Cricket

Wilting against Bangladesh no good omen for Pakistan

Test cricket demands unshakable technique and focus backed by endurance.

Updated 14 May, 2026 11:50am

Football

Tottenham relegation fears remain after draw with Leeds

Tottenham responded with Richarlison scuffing one good chance straight at keeper Karl Darlow and Palhinha then lifted a shot over the bar.

Updated 13 May, 2026 09:41am

Balochistan

Two workers killed, five injured in Pasni clash

The clash occurs between Pakistan Coast Guards personnel and workers in the Machin Kapar area of Pasni, near the Pakistan–Iran border.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:41am

Balochistan

CM Bugti orders modernisation of training institutions in Balochistan

Calls technical education "urgent requirement" amid limited govt jobs; Balochistan chief secretary, PM’s aide discuss steps to curb polio.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:30am

Balochistan

Dozens of undocumented Afghans held in Balochistan

FIA says the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal human smuggling and undocumented cross-border movement in the region.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:34am

ICT

Islamabad lawyers unhappy as JCP decision dims elevation prospects

The controversy began after the JCP approved the transfer of three judges and ruled that the resulting vacant seats would not be treated as fresh vacancies.

Updated 13 May, 2026 08:24am

Back Page

Trump expects ‘big, fat hug’ from Xi amid tense agenda

US expected to press China on de-escalation efforts with Tehran; Taiwan, tariffs and rare earths to dominate talks.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:43am

Back Page

Full Epstein files put on display in New York

David Garrett, one of the creators behind the project, believes “there needs to be real public outcry” about how the Trump administration has handled the document release.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:37am

Back Page

Russia, Ukraine resume strikes as truce expires

Kremlin says too early to talk about "specifics" after Putin says war "heading to an end".

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:33am

Front Page

PM orders uninterrupted supply of fertiliser to safeguard food security

Asks ministries to explore alternative fertiliser imports from Central Asia; says waste-to-energy projects can reduce fuel imports, carbon footprint.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:18am

Front Page

Fuel levy yields lowest fiscal deficit in nearly three decades

Gap shrinks to Rs856bn, or 0.7pc of GDP, during July-March; provincial surpluses, higher PDL collections, lower debt servicing drive improvement.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:10am

Front Page

Iran war costs soar past $29bn as truce teeters

Before taking off on long-awaited China trip, Trump vows to "win peacefully or otherwise"; Tehran expands Hormuz control as EU mulls post-war naval mission.

Updated 13 May, 2026 07:29am

Wednesday, May 13, 2026