News Archives for Latest - 2026-06-23

Fifa Worldcup

Last one the best one? How Messi keeps doing it at FIFA World Cup

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi’s teammate at the 2006 World Cup, has built an ecosystem around Messi to allow his captain to do his thing.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 12:51am

ICT

PTI rails against Adiala jail admin after another meeting with Imran denied

Party accuses jail officials of misleading court on power of attorney for ex-premier, his spouse.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 12:49am

Victims of 2024 Kenya police violence say compensation promise a 'smokescreen'

A compensation panel says it has started the first 348 payouts, including 115 fatalities whose families have received around $28,000 each.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 01:12am

ICT

ECP summons KP, Islamabad officials on July 1 over delay in local govt polls data

Neither the notifications for UCs nor the maps have been provided to the election commission so far.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:25pm

Punjab

Sargodha police arrest 4 suspects in 7-year-old girl's murder case

Prime suspect accused of trying to rape the girl before killing her; he has been remanded in CCD custody for six days.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 07:50pm

Filmmaking unions against removal of advance tax on 'imported' content pending stakeholder consultations

UPA, ACT and DGP demand development of a National Creative Economic Policy.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:21pm

Sindh

KGTL plans up to $100m more investment in Karachi port after cargo surge from Iran war

The conflict has created a new opportunity for Pakistan to act as a transshipment hub, as cargo was rerouted through Karachi for onward shipment to other destinations.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 06:46pm

Sindh

Every monsoon, thousands of seashells wash up on Karachi's shores. Here's why

Is it climate change or nature's spectacle? The science and fishermen tell a more layered story.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 06:14pm

Middle East

Israel's 'deliberate targeting' of children part of ongoing Gaza genocide: UN probe

UN report says Israel is responsible for causing a “severe orphan crisis”; inquiry concludes over 20,000 children killed “as direct result of hostilities in Gaza” during first two years of Israeli assault.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 05:45pm

40 drown in France as people seek relief from Europe's heatwave

Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain also swelter in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 01:59am

AJK govt rules out 'blanket amnesty' for proscribed JAAC leaders

Fazl ready to mediate, urges JAAC to postpone sit-in; PM Rathore says protesters showed "zero flexibility".

Published 23 Jun, 2026 05:43pm

Google's DeepMind, film studio A24 sign research deal to develop AI for filmmaking

Deal includes Google investing $75 million in the studio.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 03:51pm

Philippines rethinks school safety after rare shooting kills 3

“We need to fast-track preparedness, not only for natural disasters but also for human-induced, crime-related incidents," says a senior official.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 02:39pm

NA passes budget for FY2026-27 following opposition walkout

Opposition walks out as Speaker Sadiq responds to Mehmood Khan Achakzai's criticism of him; opposition leader also accuses govt of “clipping the wings” of the judiciary and “trampling the Constitution”.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 05:10pm

Football

Diaspora World Cup champions diversity over division

Scouting and recruiting dual-national players has become vital to achieving success on the global stage.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 01:13pm

Mamya Shajaffar, Arslan Butt reach 'amicable' settlement over 'workplace harassment' dispute

Settlement agreement states it is not to be treated as admission of wrongdoing by either party.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 01:03pm

Five Eyes spy alliance warns AI can outpace cybersecurity norms 'in months, not years'

Says AI “lowers barriers for malicious actors and increases the speed and complexity of attacks”.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 12:37pm

Middle East

Dar says US-Iran talks in Switzerland could have happened earlier if not for Israel's attacks on Lebanon

Says Strait of Hormuz should be restored to pre-conflict status, which “means no fee and no toll at all”.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 01:35pm

Football

Algeria rally to eliminate FIFA World Cup debutants Jordan in 2-1 win

The victory puts Algeria level with Austria on three points in Group J, while ensuring defending champions Argentina will go through to the next round.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 11:58am

North Korea's Kim Jong ‌Un says country will exercise its position as nuclear state

Accuses the US ⁠and South Korea of making the security situation on the Korean Peninsula more dangerous by steadily upgrading their combined nuclear posture.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 11:55am

South Asia

Indian startup head Kunal Shah appointed as new WhatsApp boss

“He brings the kind of builder mentality and global perspective that will serve him well in running the world’s biggest messaging app," says Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 11:42am

Sindh

Sindh govt to bear medical expenses of injured persons after car rams into tent outside Imambargah in Karachi

Letters written to Aga Khan Hospital and South City Hospital; hospitals told to submit bills to the government.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 11:22am

Middle East

Why undoing the 'tangled nest' of Iran sanctions won't be easy or quick for the US

Removing the remaining sanctions — if it happens — will represent a stark change in US policy toward the Middle East.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 10:47am

'Hands of friendship': Iran president calls for new regional security structure among Muslim nations

Pezeshkian meets PM Shehbaz, President Zardari during Islamabad trip; discusses "peace initiatives" with CDF Munir; FM Araghchi also on visit.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 10:51am

KP & FATA

Disgruntled PTI lawmakers flay govt for rejecting their proposals for KP's budget

Disgruntled PTI lawmakers have criticised their own government for deleting developmental projects and allocating meagre funds for uplift schemes in their constituencies.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 09:45am

Punjab

Opposition raises questions over legality of Punjab budget

Takes up issue of 313 unapproved schemes, block allocations.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 09:06am

Weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt wins double gold despite injury, doping rivals

“My dream is to win a gold medal in a major tournament, be it in weightlifting or powerlifting," he says.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:05pm

Sindh

Sindh cannot be turned into a scapegoat for federal inefficiency, says ex-governor Mohammad Zubair

Opposition leaders back Sindh’s stance on NFC; warn of mass movement against projects affecting province’s water share.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 10:03am

Sindh

Pakistan Navy, Coast Guards intercept major drug shipment near Gwadar

The value of seized drugs is estimated at around $215 million in the international market.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:42am

Sport

Wyndham Clark edges Burns to win second US Open title

“I played some ugly golf the last two days, but my putter and short game kept me in it,” he says.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:22am

Cricket

England pick uncapped James Coles for India T20s

Coles is part of an expanded 17-strong squad for the five-match series, which begins in Durham on July 1.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:26am

International

2 kids found dead in car as heatwave blasts Europe

The number of people exposed to heat stress worldwide has risen over the last 50 years due to climate change, according to a study.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:23am

International

Interstellar comet likely far older than Solar System, say astronomers

The comet 3I/ATLAS is just the third visitor from beyond our Solar System that humanity has ever observed.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:22am

Comparisons between Indira Gandhi’s Emergency and Modi's 12 years in power

A growing view sees the Modi era of “an undeclared emergency” as manifestly more stifling than the short-lived curbs on civil liberties Mrs Gandhi had imposed.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:17am

Middle East

Israel holding bodies of two teens killed in West Bank

Official Palestinian news agency identifies the two killed as Reda Sami Awad, 15, and Arafat Ismail Awad, 19.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:15am

Was more than negligence at play in the passage of the controversial telecom bill by the National Assembly?

Once the telecom bill caught the media’s attention, everyone started evading responsibility.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:11am

Editorial: The govt has repeated its intent to broaden the tax base so often that it has lost its meaning

What value do such words have when policies are drafted to offer the untaxed real estate and retail sectors yet another way around the system.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 08:04am

International

Myanmar army killed over 700 civilians in six months: UN

A fresh UN report covering the period from last August says credible sources had verified “a minimum of 702 civilian deaths” over that time.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:55am

Column

A budget to forget

Clearly, progress isn’t a goal to pursue for our rulers.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 02:02pm

National

Justice Munib Akhtar takes oath as acting CJP

Justice Akhtar will act as chief justice of the Supreme Court during the period Justice Afridi remains abroad.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:22am

National

Judicial Service Tribunal to hear grievances of around 30 judges today

Judicial officers question process thru which juniors were promoted over them, challenge supersession and "adverse"confidential reports.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:16am

National

JAAC protesters to announce next moves today

AJK administration rules out entry into curfew-hit Rawalakot.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:11am

National

SC upholds life term for man convicted of killing parents

Parricide threatens stability of family life across society, observes three-judge bench.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:29am

National

Reply sought over inquiry against former NCCIA officer

PM Shehbaz ordered departmental action against him after revelations of alleged misconduct by NCCIA officials.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:27am

NA panel proposes 30 changes to Finance Bill, including instalment-based tax on imported mobile phones

Digital monitoring mandatory for manufacturers; tax stamps, barcodes required for goods clearance.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:25am

Balochistan

Two bodies found in Mastung

In another incident, a bomb exploded near a bridge on the N-25 National Highway in the Surab area, causing minor damage to the bridge structure.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:25am

Front Page

Headway in Swiss talks as US allows Iran to sell its oil

Pakistan, Qatar say agreement reached on a "roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days"; Tehran, Washington agree to establish communication lines on Hormuz.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:24am

Fifa Worldcup

Two-goal Haaland fires Norway into World Cup last-32

Norway have lost only once in their last 18 matches and will take on France in a compelling battle for top spot in the group on Friday.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:20am

FY27 budget approval in final stages as grants finalised

Lawmakers slam interior ministry for "poor performance"over law and order disruptions; opposition moves 587 cut motions over two days, all rejected.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:19am

KP & FATA

MPA seeks return plan for Tirah IDPs

Threatens to take the displaced families back to the valley if authorities fail to announce a return plan for them in two weeks.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:09am

KP & FATA

Minister announces compensation for slain Sikh couple

Provincial minister for religious and minority affairs announces Rs4m for the worship place and Rs1m each for the families of the deceased.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 10:00am

KP & FATA

PHC’s reform initiatives to address challenges in judicial system

The reform initiatives seek to address systemic challenges within the criminal and civil justice systems while safeguarding constitutional rights and promoting the rule of law.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:50am

KP & FATA

KP to digitise all payments to govt by Sept 1

Official says new mode of payments will increase revenue by 70pc.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:35am

KP & FATA

Police station targeted with quadcopter in KP's Lakki Marwat

Official says policemen deployed at the building remained unhurt; police launch a search in the surrounding mountainous area for terrorists.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:38am

ICT

Govt urged to integrate climate strategies into budgetary planning

Danish ambassador to Pakistan says climate and environmental concerns could no longer be addressed in isolation and must become part of mainstream economic and political decision-making.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

ICT

Experts urge protection of Margalla Hills National Park

Speakers at a webinar examine ongoing debates regarding permissible structures and activities within the national park, including restaurants, tourism facilities and other developments.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

ICT

FIA books Capital Development Authority officials for alleged land fraud

FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle registers cases against deputy director and dealing assistant for illegally issuing No Demarcation Certificates for a farmhouse which was already under litigation since 2022.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:07am

ICT

Bus terminals in Islamabad closed ahead of Iranian president’s arrival

Over a thousand police personnel, along with paramilitary troops, including Rangers, are being deployed in and around the Red Zone and important buildings.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 07:59am

ICT

Master plan revision remains stalled as Islamabad grows rapidly

Experts urge government to prioritise long-delayed update as city faces planning, housing and environmental challenges.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

ICT

18-year-old thalassemia patient becomes Attock deputy commissioner for a day

“I want to fight my illness with bravery, and I want to show other children like me that we are not weak — we are fighters with dreams,” says Muneeba Maqsood.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:04am

Punjab

Youth shot dead over mobile phone video in Gujrat

Police registered a case and arrested three of the four nominated suspects.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:18am

Lahore

Syed Babar Ali and Sardar Harcharan Singh Brar : A lifelong school friendship that transcended borders, faiths

Babar Ali joined Aitchison College in 1934 at the age of seven, and Harcharan Brar joined in 1937 at the age of 15 years.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:29am

Punjab

Cases against people seeking remedy from courts won’t be tolerated: LHC

Chief Justice Neelum questions the CPO about the dates of the court order and the registration of the FIR.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

Punjab

Shopkeepers fined for profiteering, hoarding in Lahore

Action was taken against 45 outlets found involved in serious violations related to prices and quality standards.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:15am

Punjab

NCCIA nabs three men impersonating bankers in Lahore

They allegedly deceived victims into sharing sensitive information, including bank account details, ATM card information, and other confidential data.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:13am

Sindh

Hafiz Naeem criticises PPP over lack of implementation on minimum wage

Says most families can’t meet basic needs even on Rs43,000 per month.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

Sindh

Breathing in Karachi comes with a warning as air quality deteriorates

Experts say city’s air quality index has far exceeded WHO limits; calls for urgent action to tackle the environmental issues threatening human survival.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:54am

Sindh

Muttahida, PPP lawmakers nearly come to blows as Sindh Assembly session descends into chaos

Senior minister Sharjeel restrained from confronting opposition MPA; MQM-P stages walkout after demand to expunge colleague’s speech.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 09:05am

Business

Stocks extend losses on profit-taking

PSX comes under renewed selling pressure amid looming uncertainty over ongoing peace talks, which unsettled equity investors.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

Business

Govt borrows Rs4.9tr from banks

The borrowing amount reflects increased spending despite the massive growth in tax revenues over the past three years.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 07:08am

KP & FATA

Peshawar-Torkham motorway project may be revamped

World Bank-funded scheme faces cost overruns; Southern Link Road dropped as cost surges to nearly Rs130bn.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 07:32am

Back Page

China joins India, Iran as key security officials gather at BRICS

Russia, South Africa, Brazil round out summit presence; India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Iranian official Ghadir Nezamipour.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 07:46am

Back Page

Taliban govt detains aid workers over ‘beard length’

The staff detained were working near the Islam Qala border crossing for organisations that cooperate with the United Nations.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:00am

Back Page

Diplomats scramble as doubts persist over Lebanon truce

US, Qatari officials engage Lebanese president, discuss creation of "deconfliction cell".

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 08:06am

Front Page

PTI bigwigs Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja eye meeting with Imran

Adiala superintendent claims counsel deliberately avoided collecting signed "power of attorney" document, accuses them of "misleading"court.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 07:35am

Fifa Worldcup

Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq at World Cup after two-hour storm delay

Kylian Mbappe moved to 16 World Cup goals in his career, two behind Lionel Messi.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 06:13am

Football

Magic Messi makes FIFA World Cup history to send Argentina into last 32

The 38-year-old becomes the leading scorer in the showpiece's history as he smashes a brace against Austria.

Updated 23 Jun, 2026 01:40am

Kashmir parliamentary committee chairman requests meeting with Achakzai to discuss AJK situation

Achakzai to discuss the issue with opposition parties and make a collective decision regarding the meeting, TTAP spokesperson says.

Published 23 Jun, 2026 12:07am

Tuesday, June 23, 2026