News Archives for Latest - 2026-05-23

Sindh

‘Clever and street-smart’: Police say Anmol did not employ anyone permanently

The senior police official revealed that Pinky’s associates supplied cocaine to customers through 35 riders across the country.

Updated 24 May, 2026 01:25am

Traders’ coalition demands turnover tax be reduced to 0.5pc

Representatives also demanded special tax exemptions for the terror-hit provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Published 23 May, 2026 10:03pm

France bans Israeli security minister Ben-Gvir from country

Ban follows a video posted by Ben-Gvir showing his heavy-handed treatment of foreign activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla.

Published 23 May, 2026 09:03pm

Sindh

Saad Edhi arrives in Karachi after release from illegal Israeli detention

A large number of supporters and family members gathered at the airport to welcome the humanitarian activist.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:37pm

Hasan Raheem's older fans aren't very familiar with his music, but they loved his wedding

The singer has developed an unexpected fanbase of Pakistani aunties who loved his wedding content.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:23pm

Middle East

Haj pilgrim numbers surpass 2025 arrivals despite Middle East war

Regional airlines have worked to restore their operational capacity after weeks of airspace closures owing to airstrikes in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.

Published 23 May, 2026 05:43pm

Congressional report details losses of 42 US aircraft in Iran campaign

The report warns that losses may reveal growing risks for US aircraft operating in heavily contested airspace.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:51pm

Balochistan

Balochistan CTD kills 4 alleged terrorists in Pishin operation

CTD official says operation was launched in Surkhab refugee camp area after receiving information of terrorist presence.

Published 23 May, 2026 05:38pm

Punjab

Punjab CTD arrests 13 suspected terrorists in province-wide crackdown

The operations were conducted in Lahore, Jhang, Sahiwal, Jhelum, Chiniot, Mandi Bahauddin, and Mianwali.

Published 23 May, 2026 05:25pm

KP & FATA

KP announces four Eid holidays from May 26 to 29

Punjab government announces three Eid holidays from May 26 to May 28 in line with the federal government’s Eid holiday schedule.

Updated 23 May, 2026 10:21pm

Branded Content

Mirchawala’s launches exclusive ACCA degree pathway with University of Greenwich, London

Mirchawala’s ACCA students can now earn a globally recognised online Bachelor’s degree from the University of Greenwich after completing 9 ACCA papers.

Published 23 May, 2026 04:29pm

Talha Anjum believes Nadia Khan must have learned not to treat people the way she treated him on her show

Who can forget the host's charged interview with the rapper after he hoisted an Indian flag at a concert in Nepal?

Published 23 May, 2026 04:25pm

Mutiny on the TRG bounty

Captain Zia Chishti survives coup attempt in court.

Published 23 May, 2026 03:51pm

Hussain Rehar on dressing Sanam Saeed and bringing Pakistani fashion to Cannes

Insights from the designer as well as the organiser who made it possible for Rehar and Saeed to be there.

Published 23 May, 2026 03:29pm

Pope Leo decries 'dizzying' profits earned by companies that pollute

Urges world to “reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence”.

Published 23 May, 2026 02:54pm

Punjab

Inquiry panel at Multan hospital finds 9 doctors, officials at fault for surgery conducted sans HIV screening

Punjab govt suspends 7 medics after they were found to have violated protocols during surgery on HIV-positive patient.

Published 23 May, 2026 02:04pm

Sanam Saeed says Pakistanis need to claim their place in the world and she's ready to help them do it

The actor is fresh off the heels of her stunning debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

Published 23 May, 2026 01:52pm

ICT

Pakistan steps up airport screening amid Ebola outbreak in Africa

Health ministry says Ebola virus outbreak limited to African countries; risk to Pakistan extremely low.

Published 23 May, 2026 01:23pm

KP & FATA

3 children killed in roof collapse in KP's Charsadda

Rescue officials say the roof of a home suddenly caved in, trapping five members of a family under the debris.

Published 23 May, 2026 01:04pm

Saleem Mairaj wants young actors to stop chasing marketing and start chasing the craft of acting

Whether commanding the stage or electrifying the screen in a gritty digital series, his journey is a testament to the enduring power of pure craft.

Published 23 May, 2026 12:50pm

Middle East

'A long-term strategic failure': Three months in, is Trump losing the war on Iran?

Doubts are growing that Trump can translate the US military’s tactical successes into an outcome he can frame convincingly as a geopolitical win.

Published 23 May, 2026 11:39am

China coal mine blast kills at least 90, more missing

Rescuers still searching “intensively” for 9 missing; Xi calls for thorough investigations into incident.

Updated 23 May, 2026 05:24pm

South Asia

Rubio meets Modi, renewing ties with India after US-China summit

Modi affirms India, US “will continue to work closely for the global good”.

Updated 23 May, 2026 06:12pm

ICT

Passengers safely evacuated after Metro bus catches fire in Pindi

Following the incident, the bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been suspended.

Updated 23 May, 2026 11:20am

Elon Musk's SpaceX carries out mostly successful Starship test flight

Musk applauds his team calling the flight "epic"; the spacecraft carried out a maneuver that saw it flip upright and reignite its engines for control, despite one being out of commission.

Updated 23 May, 2026 03:04pm

PM Shehbaz lands in Hangzhou, kicking off 4-day China visit

In Hangzhou, premier will attend a B2B conference, meet CEOs and visit Alibaba Group HQ.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:14pm

The argument for making small and medium enterprises bankable in Pakistan

The very conditions that would make an SME bankable are those that it cannot afford to meet — precisely because it is not bankable.

Published 23 May, 2026 08:24am

Why Pakistan's climate action cannot be separated from development planning

To build climate resilience, reducing vulnerability must form the core of our development agenda.

Published 23 May, 2026 08:17am

Editorial: The upcoming budget appears to be another exercise in balancing numbers than reviving growth

The stabilisation achieved through painful growth compression steps could have been used as a platform for structural reforms.

Published 23 May, 2026 08:12am

New policy announced under which green card seekers must leave US first

Applicants already in the US on temporary visas will generally be expected to pursue green cards through consular processing overseen by the US Department of State.

Published 23 May, 2026 07:31am

How will Pakistan achieve a 30pc shift to electric vehicles and at whose expense?

Stakeholders hold differing views on which technologies to prioritise, how to protect the domestic industry, and what role the state should play in building charging infrastructure.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:56am

Middle East

‘Big guns’ descend on Tehran as US-Iran talks enter decisive phase

Rubio says US in constant contact with Field Marshal Munir as the latter arrives in Iran; notes "some progress" made but insists more work needed.

Published 23 May, 2026 07:20am

Dar to advance diplomatic push for US-Iran de-escalation at UNSC moot

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also been invited to participate, although Tehran has yet to formally confirm his attendance.

Published 23 May, 2026 07:14am

ICT

Meet opposition's demands or face budget boycott, Achakzai tells govt

Opposition seeks medical treatment, visitation rights for Imran Khan; treasury benches criticised for poor attendance in lower house.

Published 23 May, 2026 07:08am

KP & FATA

Compensation payment to remaining Tirah IDPs starts

Elders meet inspector general of Frontier Corps, KP chief secretary and Peshawar commissioner.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:08am

KP & FATA

New KP ministers assigned portfolios

Shafiullah Jan has been allotted the portfolio of information and public relations.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:15am

KP & FATA

High court rejects pleas against outsourcing of govt hospitals in KP

Court says it has limited powers to interfere in govt’s policy matters; petitioners claim move aimed at privatising hospitals

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:10am

KP & FATA

Policeman martyred in Bara attack in KP

Police say unidentified gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on Akkakhel Shah, killing him on the spot; no one has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:25am

ICT

AJK govt upgrades Garhi Dupatta to tehsil status

Garhi Dupatta is a sprawling town situated about 25 kilometres south of Muzaffarabad on both banks of the Jhelum River.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:08am

ICT

Traders want simplified tax system for retailers, real estate, agriculture sectors

Say a one-page tax return form in Urdu should be introduced for traders.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:08am

ICT

Journalists’ convention wants review of media laws contrary to Article 19

Participants formally reject Peca amendments, terming them "draconian".

Published 23 May, 2026 06:08am

ICT

Dozens of kiosks gutted in Rawat market

The fire erupted abruptly in one of the kiosks and strong gusts of wind spread it to lines of kiosks at Kallar Syedan road at the junction of Rawat bus bay.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:27am

Punjab

Rs50,000 fine in Punjab for illegal offal disposal on Eid

Punjab CM orders strict enforcement of the restriction on sale of sacrificial animals at non-designated places.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:44am

Punjab

2 women linked to Pinky sent on judicial remand in Lahore

According to the prosecution, the two women are allegedly part of Anmol Pinky’s network.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:41am

Punjab

Lahore housing scam main accused held in UAE

At least 295 people were affected by the fraud scheme on Raiwind Road

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:46am

Punjab

Surgery ‘sans HIV screening report’: Senior registrar among 10 Nishtar medics suspended in Multan

Health dept invokes Peeda Act against those found guilty in probe.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:39am

Sindh

Police reluctant to book suspect for damaging heritage site in Hyderabad

Registration of FIR requested by the deputy director of the culture department.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:50am

Sindh

Sindh Assembly hails 75 years of Pak-China friendship

Opposition and treasury lawmakers unanimously adopt resolution, terming ties between Islamabad and Beijing historic; house approves bill to give provincial govt complete control over JPMC, NICH.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:00am

Sindh

Unlike Centre, Sindh announces four Eid holidays

Provincial govt includes the third day of Eidul Azha in its holiday schedule.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:33am

Sindh

Excise inspector among eight held over kidnap charges in Karachi

SSP Zubair Shaikh says that the Brigade police arrested Inspector Hamid and seven others when they were on their way to receive ransom from a citizen.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:27am

Middle East

Hormuz closure piles misery on stranded sailors

More than 20,000 sailors are stuck on around 2,000 vessels in the Gulf, lacking adequate supplies of food and fresh water.

Updated 23 May, 2026 08:07am

International

France’s youngest prime minister to run for president

Gabriel Attal joins a crowded field of candidates, including 55-year-old Edouard Philippe and hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon, 74.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:55am

South Asia

Thousands clash with police in Bangladesh over alleged child rape

Crowds surround the police vehicle and attempt to seize the suspect, prompting officials to deploy reinforcements and fire tear gas.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:08am

Football

Tuchel gambles on chemistry as England squad raises eyebrows

Thomas Tuchel has shown no compulsion to select on the basis of reputations and that is evident as he unveiled his 26 names at Wembley.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:59am

Sport

FIFA World Cup to generate unprecedented cash and CO2

Research shows that the event will “produce the largest carbon footprint in the history of international sport”.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:52am

South Asia

Indian duo die on Mount Everest

“They fell ill while descending at high altitude,” director at Pioneer Adventures tells AFP.

Updated 23 May, 2026 09:44am

Business

Bears snap recovery journey on profit-taking

After a three-session recovery drive, the Pakistan Stock Exchange comes under intense selling pressure as investors take profits.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:12am

Business

Weekly inflation hits 14.47pc

Notable increase recorded in the prices of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, mutton, beef and powdered milk.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:07am

Business

Cotton crisis spurs import surge

Pakistan faces a $1.2bn bill as domestic output hits a four-decade low.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:07am

Balochistan

Three mutilated bodies found in Chagai

According to hospital authorities, the bodies were in such a severely disfigured condition that immediate identification was not possible.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:07am

Balochistan

Trucks carrying coal from Harnai torched on highway

SHO kidnapped from Ziarat; ASF officer abducted in Kalat.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:51am

ICT

FCC orders annual update of seniority lists in all govt bodies

Holds that authorities must review and update seniority lists every January.

Published 23 May, 2026 06:07am

ICT

PM grants four-year extension to Intelligence Bureau chief

The extension comes at a time when the government is grappling with trouble on multiple fronts, including economic stabilisation and counter-terrorism operations.

Updated 23 May, 2026 07:36am

National