BALOCHISTAN: Security forces carried out intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts, killing 41 Indian-backed terrorists, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted on January 29 after credible intelligence reports about terrorist hideouts in the areas. The ISPR said that 30 terrorists were neutralised in Harnai, while 11 were killed in Panjgur. During the operations, security forces also destroyed terrorist safe havens, significantly disrupting their operational capacity. In Panjgur, security personnel recovered cash looted from a bank, along with a large cache of weapons…
Author: Web Desk2
Pakistan is set to introduce major reforms in its national identification system as the government moves to gradually replace fingerprint-based verification with modern facial recognition technology. Officials say the shift is aimed at strengthening citizen identity security and reducing financial fraud, after multiple cases emerged in recent years involving fake or cloned fingerprints, particularly in SIM issuance and banking transactions. The proposal was discussed on January 29, 2026, during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior, where lawmakers were briefed on the planned reforms. Why the change is being made For years, NADRA’s biometric fingerprint system has…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a reduction in electricity prices for the industrial sector, aiming to support exporters and boost economic activity. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony held in honor of leading exporters and prominent business figures, where the prime minister distributed awards to individuals for their contributions to the national economy. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and several federal ministers were also present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said the government had successfully steered Pakistan away from default through consistent economic measures and negotiations with international financial institutions, particularly the…
LAHORE: Pakistan registered a strong start to the T20I series after defeating Australia by 22 runs in the first T20 match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Monday. Chasing a target of 169 runs, Australia could only manage 146/8 in 20 overs, falling short despite a fighting knock by Cameron Green (36). Other Australian batters failed to build momentum. Travis Head scored 23, Matt Renshaw 15, Josh Philippe 12, while the remaining batters were dismissed cheaply. Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz claimed one wicket each,…
NDMA issues alert for Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Balochistan; temperature likely to drop sharply ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a new spell of rain and snowfall in different parts of the country from January 31 to February 3, issuing warnings for northern and upper regions. According to the PMD, rain and snowfall are expected in northern Balochistan and northern areas during the period. Other parts of the country may also receive rain. The Met Office said that from January 31 to February 3, several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to experience rain and snowfall.…
Sarah Mullally becomes 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide LONDON: In a historic development, the Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, ending a centuries-old tradition. The formal ceremony was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where Mullally was officially confirmed during an ancient and traditional process known as the “Confirmation of Election.” The event is both a legal and religious ritual, after which the Archbishop formally assumes office. During the ceremony, Sarah Mullally took an oath of loyalty in front of a senior bishop who attended…
Renowned Pakistani actor and comedian Ahmed Ali Butt has strongly criticized Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, saying that respect is often not reciprocated by some Indian artists. Speaking on his YouTube podcast, Butt said Javed Akhtar is among those Indian figures who, in his view, have lost their artistic credibility and now contribute more to controversy than to art. He recalled that Javed Akhtar had visited Pakistan last year, where he was received with warm hospitality and respect. However, Butt said Akhtar later made statements against Pakistan, which he described as disappointing. Ahmed Ali Butt remarked that he has…
Faisalabad: Concerns over monkeypox are growing in Faisalabad after two more suspected patients were shifted to an isolation ward during the past 24 hours, health officials confirmed on Wednesday. According to hospital authorities, the patients — a housewife and a factory worker — developed symptoms and were first brought to the medical emergency before being transferred to the isolation ward as a precautionary measure. Health officials said the risk of monkeypox in the city is increasing, with 18 cases reported so far. Of these, one patient has died during treatment, while the remaining patients are currently under medical care. Hospital…
Lahore: The body of a 10-month-old girl, who had fallen into an open sewer near Data Darbar, has been recovered, rescue officials confirmed on Tuesday. According to Rescue 1122, the body of Rida Fatima was found in a sewer line near Outfall Road, hours after she accidentally fell into an uncovered manhole along with her mother. Earlier, the body of the child’s mother had already been recovered from the sewer. Following the tragic incident, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took strict notice of what she termed administrative negligence and ordered immediate action against those responsible. The chief minister, upon returning…
Gold prices in Pakistan surged to historic highs, with the price of 24-carat gold per tola nearing Rs600,000 for the first time ever, reflecting a sharp rally in global markets. According to market sources, the price of 24-carat gold rose by a record Rs21,200 per tola to reach Rs572,862, the highest level in the country’s history. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold increased by Rs18,175, climbing to a record Rs491,136 in the local market. Silver prices also followed the upward trend, with the price of one tola of silver rising by Rs264 to hit an all-time high of…
