News Archives for Latest - 2026-10-21

US envoy to meet Putin after 'positive' talks with Zelensky

Steve Witkoff's planned meeting with the Russian president will include Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, participating virtually.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 01:40pm

Arooj Aftab says musicians are entitled to compensation if their work has been used to train AI

This comes as Spotify completes a year of cracking down on AI-generated music on its platform.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 01:08pm

ECP orders fresh schedule for Islamabad local government polls

The ECP directed its office to expedite all necessary steps to ensure the timely completion of the electoral process in Islamabad.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 12:36pm

ICT

PM Shehbaz vows to strengthen Maldives ties for 'all time to come'; 20 MoUs signed

Both sides agree to enhance bilateral trade to $200m in 2 years; premier briefs Muizzu on Kashmir dispute, IWT issue.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 01:33pm

Football regulator has absolute power to force club owners to sell, says Kogan

Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator, said it would assess the conduct of owners and senior club officials against its own tests and had the authority to remove an owner if they failed to meet them.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 12:00pm

Shami not giving up hope of India return

The 36-year-old, whose career has been disrupted by leg issues, told reporters on Tuesday he would never lose hope of returning to the international arena.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 11:56am

Sooryavanshi told to be patient by captain Iyer ahead of NZ series

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi made his international debut for India in July but has been used sparingly against top opponents despite his glittering Indian Premier League form.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 11:38am

Profit rates on National Savings schemes increased from Oct 21

The profit rates on Behbood Savings Certificates, Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts and Shuhada Family Welfare Accounts have been raised to 12.96pc from 12.72pc.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 11:22am

Sarmad Khoosat wishes there were royalties as his drama Humsafar gets Spanish release

Earlier, Mahira Khan also raised her voice to call for royalties.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 10:28am

South Asia

Fear as Indians struggle to prove voting rights

The Election Commission of India denies wrongdoing and says the revision complies with the law.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 10:05am

Punjab

Man accused of running over Multan teenager killed in alleged CCD encounter

Suspect allegedly escaped from police custody while on a three-day physical remand.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 10:24am

ICT

Visa fraud suspect in student’s suicide case killed in firing by ‘accomplices’, Islamabad police claim

Police say a brother and cousins of the accused were already in jail, while cases of Rs8.5 million fraud were registered against them with the City Police Station, Mansehra.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:39am

Punjab

Bahawalpur police files case against woman after brother-in-law's alleged rape attempt

She has appealed to the chief minister and the Bahawalpur district police officer to register a case on her complaint and arrest the suspect.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 08:57am

France’s unrest offers lessons on the cost of neglecting education and public welfare

Echoes of 1968 have been discerned in the events in Franc

Published 21 Oct, 2026 08:49am

Will a parliament that has endorsed emergency rule in KP also rubber-stamp such a move, even if it further curtails its own powers?

The ruling coalition is bound to pay a heavy political price for its undemocratic actions.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:58am

Editorial: Missing PTI lawmakers must be brought before courts and allowed to defend themselves

Some lawmakers have reportedly been in detention since before Oct 11.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 08:32am

KP & FATA

13 measles cases recorded in South Waziristan

The health department urges the relevant authorities to improve healthcare services and ensure the availability of essential medical facilities at the hospital.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:16am

KP & FATA

Bear injures man in Balakot

wildlife department’s sub-divisional officer says black bear sneaked into the populated area from the nearby alpine forest and injured a resident.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:20am

KP & FATA

SC issues notices to KP IG prisons, ACS for not complying with its order

Summons them for explaining their position about early release of prisoner from jail.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:14am

KP & FATA

Swabi girl dies after assault, two arrested

DPO says the victim was given a toxic substance, which worsened her condition, and she died during treatment at the hospital.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:06am

KP & FATA

Mine owners seek lifting of explosives ban in KP

Says that allegations against the department had created uncertainty among investors.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:10am

ICT

Rehabilitation work on nine Rawalpindi roads to begin by Oct end

The Punjab Highways Department will rehabilitate the roads within the limits of the civic body.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

ICT

Senate committee reviews proposed changes to General Cosmetics Bill

Industry representatives complain about difficulties due to counterfeit products.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:53am

ICT

Civil judge injured after allegedly being attacked by advocate in Rawalpindi

An FIR was registered against the suspect under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Civil Lines police station.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:03am

Punjab

Hybrid seed can take wheat production to 98 maunds per acre: University of Agriculture Faisalabad VC

UAF and a private agricultural research company have joined hands to develop and commercialise hybrid wheat in Pakistan.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:06am

Punjab

Punjab Assembly body summons senior officers in gymkhana land controversy

Calls Lahore Gymkhana a colonial relic, an example of elite capture; compares ‘the concession’ with action against common people.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:46am

Punjab

Interior ministry asked to report on ‘missing’ TLP leaders by Lahore High Court

The petition filed by Sarwat Fatima, a leader of the banned party, challenged the alleged detention of the Rizvi brothers and seeking their recovery.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:09am

Punjab

Fesco CEO, sons booked for alleged Rs320m tax evasion

Taxes allegedly evaded during the years 2025 and 2026 were converted into assets through gifts and property purchases in the names of the CEO’s sons.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:02am

Sindh

27 Dow University employees sacked over fake degrees, PAC told

Official says verification of academic credentials of 3,400 employees still pending.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

Sindh

Sindh cabinet reduces SPSC exam passing marks to 33pc

Raises upper age limit for candidates appearing in competitive exams to 33 years; okays plan to increase property tax collection.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

Sindh

Medical fraternity condemns ‘harassment’, registration of FIRs against doctors

PMA representatives say doctors may be forced to refuse critical cases if threatened with murder charges, arrests.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:17am

Sindh

Karachi hospital sealed for negligence after infant contracts mpox

The infant reportedly contracted the infection after circumcision was performed using contaminated scissors at Ibne Hassan Hospital in Malir 15.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 09:14am

Sindh

Railways SHO gets interim bail in KMC director assault case

Court grants him interim bail against a surety of Rs30,000, directing the police to produce the case file in court on Oct 23.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

International

Drone attack by Sudan’s army kills 53 in disputed region

Authorities in Abyei district said the strike hit Amiet market on Monday.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

International

Trump urges Ukraine to make deal to end war with Russia

US envoy Steve Witkoff meets Zelensky in Norway, will travel to Moscow today.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

International

Meta’s board signals ‘recurring’ failures in oversight of election content

Global affairs officer Joel Kaplan to leave company after 15 years.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 07:54am

International

Landmark biodiversity fund collapses with just $7,085 raised

It is a sluggish start for a fund intended as a showcase for innovative financing that charges companies profiting from the use of genetic data derived from nature.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 07:58am

International

French PM accuses radicals of forging ‘insurrectionary plan’

Italy to send 500 troops to Milan after clashes.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:05am

International

Sikh referendum in Canada draws 23,000 votes, expands campaign against Modi

The non-binding exercise was part of Sikhs for Justice's international campaign for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:02am

Business

PSX extends losses for second session

Index sheds 814 points amid oil, political concerns.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 07:47am

Business

BYD to rely on imports initially, Hubco says

The long-term objective is to localise up to 80 per cent of the vehicle, which should improve cost competitiveness and reduce reliance on imports.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 07:45am

Business

IMF urges Pakistan to move beyond fiscal targets

Jihad Azour calls for broader, more predictable tax system.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

Business

LPG hits record Rs600 a kg amid shortages

Domestic cylinder price surges to Rs7,200 from Rs3,350.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

Business

Fertiliser availability for Rabi reviewed

Urea consumption during Rabi 2026-27 estimated at around 3,596,000 tonnes based on provincial demand, up from 3,563,000 tonnes in the previous Rabi.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

Business

Draft auto policy sent to cabinet

PM ‘okays’ five-year roadmap; policy targets $6bn exports, tariff cuts by 2031; proposes 1pc sales tax on EVs.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

Balochistan

10 bodies found across four districts of Balochistan

Four bodies were found in Pasni. One of them was identified as that of a missing student of the University of Gwadar.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:25am

Balochistan

Brother of Balochistan CM’s aide abducted in Kech

According to an official, four unidentified armed men riding two motorcycles intercepted Aurangzeb Majeed in Baloch Abad, his village, and took him away at gunpoint to an undisclosed location.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:22am

Balochistan

Balochistan says Rs14bn spent to counter terrorism

Insists 18 laws enacted, 17 institutions set up under security plans; officials claim 60,000 operations conducted, 1,100 terrorists killed.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

National

State of deceased’s eyes not proof of ‘unwitnessed’ death: SC

Court dismisses petitions challenging double-murder convictions; Verdict explains that closing eyes of a corpse is ‘religious’ custom, not legal duty.

Published 21 Oct, 2026 07:04am

National

GB cabinet okays Rs220m for Skardu Cadet College

Preparations begin to conduct long-delayed LG polls on Dec 5.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:15am

National

NA sets aside day’s agenda to allow general debate

PPP legislators oppose proposed relocation of PPL HQ from Karachi to Islamabad;MNAs from Punjab complain about rising costs of DAP fertiliser, urea and agricultural machinery.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:07am

Back Page

Hegseth discusses Iran with Netanyahu in unannounced visit

Israeli PM celebrates Trump’s endorsement ahead of next week’s election.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 08:01am

South Asia

Pakistan warns India against attempt to alter strategic balance

NCA adviser Khalid Kidwai reminds India of Pakistan’s Full Spectrum Deterrence policy; says Pakistan never has and never will accept strategic imbalances to be induced in South Asia.

Updated 21 Oct, 2026 07:53am

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