News Archives for Latest - 2026-07-17

Govt increases petrol price by Rs5.44, diesel by Rs31.05 per litre for next 3 days

Following the increase, the price of petrol stands at Rs316.15 per litre and that of HSD at Rs354.35; Petroleum Division says new rates to take effect from July 18.

Updated 18 Jul, 2026 07:21am

Fifa Worldcup

Messi eyes glorious farewell as Spain, Argentina clash in World Cup final

US President Donald Trump will be among a star-studded crowd of just over 80,000 spectators at the MetLife Stadium.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:53pm

France blocks access to online prediction platform Polymarket

The regulator said visits to Polymarket from French internet addresses continued to rise despite a ban on transactions, reaching 578,751 last month.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:13pm

Sanaullah says JUI-F chief's remarks against martyrs were 'inappropriate', but unintended

“JUI-F workers will not hesitate to march on Islamabad if the party orders them to do so,” says party's KP chief.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 10:42pm

Cricket

'A great innings comes to an end': Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets at 34.03 runs each.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 09:26pm

Security guard killed in attack on former AJK PM Tanveer Ilyas's convoy in Poonch district

Tanveer Ilyas remained unharmed; alleges banned JAAC behind the attack.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:23pm

Fifa Worldcup

In Lamine Yamal's old neighbourhood, World Cup final against Messi brings pride

Yamal, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and mother from Equatorial Guinea, has never forgotten his roots.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:11pm

Govt to fix fuel prices daily due to renewed hostilities in Persian Gulf: petroleum minister

Decision is part of the government’s move to make the system of deciding fuel prices more transparent, says Malik.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 10:46pm

Pakistan chairs 12th SCO meeting of heads of border services: FO

Meeting participants assessed the situation along the international borders of SCO member states.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:06pm

Study finds AI use in trial courts results in over 6pc more cases resolved annually

Research observes that increase does not appear to mean reduced quality; sustained engagement depends strongly on targeted training.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 06:32pm

Aamir Khan denies his character in 3 Idiots is based on educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk

Wangchuk is currently on a widely-publicised hunger strike to demand the resignation of the Indian education minister.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 06:11pm

Islamabad ATC initiates proclamation proceedings against KP CM Afridi, others for failing to appear in court

The court adjourned further proceedings in the case until September 9.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 06:03pm

What is new Labour leader Andy Burnham's policy approach for Britain?

The former Greater Manchester mayor has been appointed leader of the governing Labour Party.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 05:28pm

Power companies seek Rs1.20 per unit fuel cost adjustment for August

Major increase in fuel cost due to nearly doubled price of RLNG, resulting in a fuel cost of Rs35 per unit compared to Rs16 in June last year.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 07:08pm

Andy Burnham elected new Labour leader, now set to be UK PM

Burnham said he had not yet decided who would serve in his cabinet but his team of senior ministers would reflect all parts of the Labour Party.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 05:54pm

Security of Chinese in Pakistan 'paramount for us', says PM Shehbaz

"We will leave no stone unturned to provide them with the best possible security," he says at Pakistan-China B2B investment conference.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 05:26pm

Cricket

Sri Lanka arrests Indian co-owner of T20 league team over match-fixing suspicion

Police say the suspect, Manjot Kalra, was arrested at a hotel in Colombo as he was “about to pay” a player 9.5m rupees.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 04:07pm

Branded Content

SkyPorter launches in Pakistan: A traveller-powered way to send items anywhere

SkyPorter is the travel-powered delivery platform that connects people who need to send items across borders with travellers who have spare luggage space.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 07:38pm

Lahore

Foreign women's abduction, rape case: Lahore court sends 4 suspects on 14-day judicial remand

Suspects are accused of kidnapping the two women, demanding $1.5 million in ransom and sexually assaulting them during captivity.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 03:09pm

This is why model Vaneeza Ahmad thinks parents should talk to their kids about periods and puberty

She said she told her daughters about human anatomy when they were around seven years old.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 02:45pm

China's Moonshot unveils world's 'largest' open AI model, Kimi K3, closing in on US rivals

2.8-trillion-parameter model designed for frontier intelligence; Kimi K3 outperforms leading US models, company says.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 02:13pm

Israeli media says crocodile-filled moats could surround prisons holding Palestinians

According to reports, Israel's environmental protection minister has signed an order reclassifying crocodiles, allowing govt bodies to keep them under specified conditions.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 02:07pm

Cricket

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz sanctioned for breaching ICC's anti-doping code

“Nawaz admitted to the offence and demonstrated that the substance had been used out-of-competition, in a manner unrelated to sport performance,” ICC says.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 02:31pm

Anniqa Meraj will be Pakistan's first contestant at the Miss World pageant

The 24-year-old has been crowned Miss World Pakistan 2026 and will head to Vietnam in August to represent the country.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 01:28pm

PMD forecasts widespread rain, thunderstorms across country until July 25

Says "westerly disturbance" also expected to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday; most parts of Sindh likely to remain hot and humid.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 02:27pm

Families of crew aboard crashed K2 Airways cargo plane push for international help to find black boxes

Aviation experts say finding the black boxes would require a costly underwater search likely to need foreign assistance.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 01:01pm

South Asia

India launches its first hydrogen-powered train in clean energy push

Powered by a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, the 10-coach train runs along an 89-kilometre route; official says pilot project cost around $12m.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 12:31pm

Oil rises on intensifying US-Iran hostilities, threat of Red Sea closure

“The potential threat of the Red Sea becoming another major supply disruption point is further complicating the global oil outlook,” says analyst.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 12:29pm

BTS fans declare biryani and karahi are Pakistani after V asks if they'll make some for him if he visits

The K-pop star was responding to a Pakistani fan's post on Weverse.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 12:18pm

KP & FATA

Security forces kill 24 terrorists in KP's Bannu, adjoining areas: ISPR

Military's media wing says operations carried out against backdrop of "surge" in terrorist activities targeting police, incidents of suicide bombings.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 01:50pm

Dr Bahu and the anatomy of control

This isn't a show about villains and victims — it's about a family engineered to serve one man’s ego, who slowly learn to dismantle it from within.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:47am

Xi pitches China as leader of new global AI order, challenging US dominance

Xi urges countries to “seize the rare and historic opportunity” of open-source AI; FO says Pakistan supports inclusive and equitable global AI governance.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:38am

China and Pakistan call on US, Iran to resume talks, cease hostilities

Statement by Beijing's foreign ministry says Dar and China's Wang Yi express "concern over deterioration of current situation".

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:33am

SpaceX abruptly scrubs Starship test flight

Company head Elon Musk says some engines "didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort".

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:01am

Andy Burnham to be made UK Labour leader on way to becoming prime minister

He is scheduled to become the UK prime minister on Monday after he is elected the Labour Party leader today.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 10:57am

Truth Social to sell trading firms 'fastest' access to Trump's posts

The product, called “Truth API,” will deliver posts from the 10 most influential accounts to customers at a significantly faster pace than a regular push notification on the Truth Social platform.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 10:25am

Finance minister to visit Washington for trade, tariff talks with US

The talks are expected to cover tariffs, market access, investment opportunities and broader economic cooperation.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 10:04am

ICT

Islamabad court rejects post-arrest bail pleas of suspected placenta traders

The prosecutor states that more than 1,000 human placentas had been recovered during the raid; says all four accused were arrested on the spot.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 09:14am

Middle East

Iran launches fresh attacks on American facilities in Gulf after sixth consecutive day of US strikes

US military says it completed another night of strikes on Iran “to further degrade Iranian military capabilities”; Iran says it attacked US facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 02:38pm

London Mayor Sadiq Khan appointed to House of Lords

The appointment would allow Keir Starmer’s successor to give Khan a ministerial portfolio when he names his new govt next week, though no such role has been confirmed.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:31am

Trump revives sweeping election fraud claims ahead of US midterms, accuses China of meddling

Urges lawmakers to adopt new restrictions on voting, despite scant appetite for the measures even within his own Republican Party; China terms Trump's claims "pure fabrications".

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 12:44pm

Veteran businessman Arif Habib says capital markets key to economic growth

Notes that the Pakistan Stock Exchange has delivered an average annual return of around 22pc over the past 22 years.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:17am

FCC issues guidelines to protect children's property rights

FCC sets aside LHC judgement, restores revisional court’s order; directs courts to identify minor parties at outset of proceedings.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:17am

FO says Rochdale grooming gang ringleader’s deportation has ‘nothing to do’ with Pakistan

FO spokesperson says the ringleader’s “heinous crimes demand serious introspection rather than the quest to search for extraneous causes”.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:06am

Balochistan

CM Bugti vows tougher action as Operation Shaban continues in Balochistan

Reviews province’s security situation at Hardening of the State Conference; officials reaffirm united strategy to strengthen state’s writ.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:59am

PPP, PML-N step up efforts to engage with AJK protesters ahead of polls

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif is due in Mirpur tomorrow, where he is expected to address an election rally.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:51am

Senate panel presses for staff honorariums equivalent to five months’ salaries

Orders Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues to clear dues within a week.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:45am

What really matters for young people applying to the job market

It is the quality of learning that determines how ready a candidate is for the job market.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:45am

GB Assembly passes unanimous resolution calling for provisional provincial status

Urges the federal government to implement the recommendations so that residents can elect their representatives to the National Assembly and secure representation at the national level.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:43am

The centre-periphery divide in Pakistan is as acute as any of the major structural crises that afflict us

Underlying the centre-periphery divide is a model of colonial statecraft that sees all ordinary people as subjects to be ruled by carrot and stick.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:39am

Football

‘For the Malvinas, for Diego!’ FIFA World Cup glee takes over in Argentina

The semi-final of the World Cup was loaded with symbolism for many Argentine fans, given that the country lost the Falklands War to England over what Argentines call the Malvinas in 1982.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:12am

Football

England not cursed, says Thomas Tuchel after yet another heartbreak

“I love to see these things in a football matter and not through football curses,” Tuchel says.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:09am

Editorial: Every govt vows to transform the agriculture sector but few are willing to undertake reforms for achieving that aim

With industry struggling and exports stagnating, agriculture remains one of the few sectors capable of driving inclusive growth.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:29am

Sport

Coventry can learn from Infantino on handling Trump: ex-IOC executives

Coventry, the former Zimbabwean swimmer has been in charge for just over a year, is yet to meet Trump.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:17am

Punjab

Authorities going ‘extra mile’ in the absence of flood data amid India’s suspension of Indus Waters Treaty

Officials having to rely on "less credible sources" in the absence of river flow information from India; action to clear Ravi riverbed of "temporary encroachments" on the cards.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:19am

KP & FATA

KP health dept asks medical teaching institutions to respond to external audit’s observations

Minister to examine audit report in meeting today.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:32am

KP & FATA

KP revenue dept to develop encroachment alert system

The dept decides to digitise govt land records and develop a real-time encroachment alert system.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:37am

KP & FATA

KP CM aide terms petroleum levy as ‘assault’ on provincial rights

Says PDL was meant to fund petroleum projects but is being used to generate revenue.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:24am

KP & FATA

Policeman, woman killed for ‘honour’ in Upper Kohistan

DPO says police have registered a case against the nominated suspects.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:05am

KP & FATA

Fazl’s patriotism can’t be questioned: Shafi Jan

Says the news conferences against the JUI-F chief should now end.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:42am

ICT

Unregistered drug factory sealed in Islamabad

Officials say the factory was producing veterinary drugs on a large scale without registration or approval from relevant authorities.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:58am

ICT

Streetlight wires stolen from Islamabad's F-9 Park

Thieves have stolen the wires worth a million rupees; a case has been registered at the Margalla police station.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:03am

ICT

Capital Development Authority proposes increase in water charges amid mounting scarcity

Civic agency also plans to raise sewerage charges; claims current rates recover only 20pc of actual cost.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:50am

ICT

Tomato, onion prices soar in Pindi amid supply concerns

Tomatoes reach Rs300 per kg and onions Rs120 per kg in the retail market.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:01am

Punjab

Punjab CM inaugurates school in Sahiwal

Housing society’s wall collapses due to CM’s copter air pressure; CM announces that NSSE campuses will be established in 300 tehsils across Punjab.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:59am

Punjab

Private airline makes Bahawalpur airport operative again

South Air will operate flights on the Karachi-Bahawalpur-Islamabad route three times a week.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:41am

Punjab

SHO among three held for not filing rape case in Multan

A case under section 155c of the PPC was registered against three police officials who were also arrested.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:03am

Punjab

FIA arrests 11 for human trafficking in Gujrat

The spokesperson says seven suspects, including three POs, were arrested by the Gujranwala FIA circle, whereas three suspects were arrested by the FIA Sialkot circle.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:05am

Punjab

Housing schemes encroach half of Kashmir state property in Lahore

Jammu and Kashmir has 2,325 acres land in Lahore, 1,057 acres in Narowal and 906 acres in Sheikhupura.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:27am

Punjab

Decline in management, healthcare delivery: Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore on verge of closure

Report says 18 out of the total 36 depts admitted no patient in June

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:55am

Middle East

Jewish families move into new West Bank settlement

More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:01am

International

Trump suspends teleprompter operator over betting allegations

White House says that Gabriel Perez allegedly made more than $100,000 in bets about specific words or phrases that would appear in the president’s speeches.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:43am

International

Canada’s wildfire smoke blankets US midwest, northeast

Detroit had the worst air quality of any city in the world, with a reading of 600.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:01am

South Asia

Bangladesh arrests suspect in Ziaur Rahman's murder after 4 decades

A retired military officer went into hiding immediately after Rahman was killed; police chief says the alleged assassin "explained his role" to them.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:30am

Business

SBP reserves fall $1.2bn

The central bank says external debt servicing slashed the foreign exchange reserves to $17.228bn ending the week on July 10.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:21am

Business

Gulf war triggers investment outflow from Pakistan

Bahrain withdraws $30m from bonds in first 10 days of FY27; SBP says no forex inflow during first 10 days of current fiscal year.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 07:34am

Business

Food import bill jumps to $9.1bn on higher sugar, edible oil purchases in FY26

Raw food exports fall 29pc to $5bn, widening trade gap; exports of fruits and vegetables decline sharply.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 07:27am

Business

Fish export data sparks confusion

Maritime affairs minister claims country's exports of fish reach a record $568m in FY26, while the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows the exports stand at $482m.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:01am

National

Abdul Aleem visits Jalalpur Pirwala section of motorway

Instruct the officials to accelerate the pace of work and ensure that all ongoing development projects were completed without delay.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:29am

Balochistan

Jaffarabad farmers warn of water demo

Warns that the prolonged water shortage had severely affected agriculture in the area, with crops drying up and thousands of farmers suffering heavy financial losses

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:01am

National

ECP asks PM Shehbaz to intervene for sake of LG polls in cantonments

Term of 42 cantonment boards expired on April 11; delimitation process already completed.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:20am

Balochistan

Doctors end Balochistan strike, resume OPD services at hospitals

The doctors had gone on strike following an acid attack on a female doctor, Dr Mahnoor Nasar, on June 5 by a lift operator at the hospital.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:26am

Front Page

Uniform policy for free e-SIM transfer in the works

Senate panel asks PTA to explore alternative mechanism for SIM registration; regulator says "visible 5G coverage" expected by year-end.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 07:29am

Sindh

Over 172,000 tonnes of wheat recovered from hoarders, Sindh CM told

There’s no immediate shortage of wheat in province, CM Murad assures people.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:45am

Sindh

Process of undoing 18th Amendment had begun immediately after it was passed in 2010, moot told

Afrasiab Khattak claims fresh NFC award has not been issued for 15 years because it would see Punjab’s share reduced.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:43am

Sindh

Nadra-linked digital identity planned for students in Sindh

Education minister says that enrolment records, attendance, academic performance, examination history and school transfers will be maintained under a single digital profile.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:50am

Sindh

Enraged mob lynches suspected robber in Karachi

During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects was allegedly wounded by a shot fired by his own accomplice, while another was overpowered by the people and beaten.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:52am

Sindh

Land fraud creeps into city centres as plot records face Karachi Development Authority scrutiny

Committee formed to probe allegations surrounding eight plots worth over Rs1bn; officials say forgery and ownership disputes undermine public confidence in official land records, necessitate inquiry.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 08:35am

KP & FATA