Lahore 1 News – Latest Pakistan & World News, Sports, Business & Politics

Rainfall, strong cold spell expected in Karachi from tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:31:00 +0000

Moisture from Arabian Sea strengthening westerly weather system expected in port city, says weatherman

Light to moderate rainfall is expected in the port city from tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon through to the evening, a meteorological analyst said on Wednesday.

The weatherman told Geo News that that a westerly weather system is currently being strengthened by moisture coming in from the Arabian Sea, which is likely to influence weather conditions in the city.

Under the influence of this system, Karachi may receive rainfall ranging between 8 and 20 millimetres tomorrow. The developing system could bring noticeable changes in temperature and overall weather patterns across the city as well.

Moreover, from Friday onwards, cold and fast-moving winds from Quetta are expected to blow across Karachi. The weatherman said that the speed of these winds could reach between 40 and 45 kilometres per hour, which may further intensify the feeling of cold in the city.

According to the forecast, the intensity of cold weather in Karachi is expected to remain higher than usual until Sunday. Residents are likely to experience lower temperatures along with strong winds over the next few days.

The meteorological analyst has also warned that another western weather system is expected to affect the country between January 27 and 28. This system could once again influence weather conditions in Karachi and other parts of the country.

Locked exits, panic and desperate calls for help: Survivors tell of mall fire horror

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:29:00 +0000

Dozens of people are still missing after Gul Plaza caught fire on Saturday evening

Muhammed Amin is beside himself with grief and despair.

His brother, Naveed Memon, was inside Gul Plaza when a massive fire ripped through the densely-packed shopping centre in Pakistan's commercial capital, Karachi.

Like dozens of others, he still hasn't been found.

"What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces?" asks Amin.

"My nieces are crying for their father - they are asking me why he is late to come home. What should I tell them? How can I tell them that their father is gone?"

Housing an estimated 1,200 shops across a basement, mezzanine and three floors, Gul Plaza was a wholesale market that offered a wide range of cheaply-priced products, including wedding wear, toys, decorations, bed sheets, artificial flowers and baby clothes. The city's residents would frequent it in droves, particularly ahead of festivals, weddings and other important occasions.

What started the fire is still unknown.

But witnesses say the speed at which it spread, a lack of working fire exits and the density of shoppers and stalls crammed into the building exacerbated the disaster.

Rehan Faisal, who owned a bedsheet shop, said that he was able to escape because his shop was located near one of the exits - he broke down the door to get out.

He said that although his staff had heard there was a fire in one part of the market, they had initially not worried because it was located some distance away from them.

"No-one knew it would spread so much," Faisal added, saying it only took about "five to seven minutes" for everything to "burn before our eyes".

Shoiab, 19, who worked at a decorations shop, said he first heard about the fire on a lower floor at around 22:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday night.

"Many customers and shopkeepers were coming up... and saying there was a fire downstairs. I was just beginning to comprehend the situation when the shop owner told me to lock up and get out," he told BBC Urdu.

"Then suddenly everything was covered with smoke - we couldn't see anything and there was panic and confusion everywhere. People were just running here and there. I knew some ways to get out of the plaza. But the first exit I tried was locked and the crowds were too dense for me to go the other way."

With the facility due to close soon, most of the gates of the shopping centre were locked. Senior police official Syed Asad Raza told Reuters news agency that all but three of the centre's 16 exits were locked.

Shoiab was among the luckier ones. He fainted amid the smoke, but someone - he doesn't know who - pulled him out of the building to safety.

Another colleague who was trying to escape with him is still missing.

The confirmed death toll from the fire currently stands at 27, but more than 70 are still missing and the unstable structure of the still smouldering building is making it difficult for rescue officials to go inside and assess the full extent of the disaster.

Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh, a senior rescue official, told BBC Urdu that rescue efforts were being slowed further because the structure of the building had been so severely damaged that it was at risk of completely collapsing at any time. He added that many bodies were unrecognisable and they would need to conduct forensic examinations to confirm the exact number of deaths.

Meanwhile crowds of people looking for their loved ones have gathered around the building, desperate for any news.

Muhammad Qaiser told the BBC that his wife, sister and daughter-in-law were among the missing. "They had said that they were going to the market. The last contact with them was at 20:00 when it was discovered that a fire had broken out. We do not know what happened to them."

Qaiser said that officials were unable to help them, describing how his family had been told to visit both the burns centre and the morgue at different times.

Another resident, Haroon, said that three of his brothers had been inside the building. Two managed to escape but one was still missing.

"My brother called our parents from inside the plaza asking them to save him. He also called his friends and appealed to them, but no one could save him," he said.

The survivor, Shoaib, is also still at the building hoping for news of his cousin, Faizan, who worked at a different shop.

"Every morning, I used to go to work and back with my cousin. Now I don't feel like going back home without him. I'm waiting for him to be pulled out of the building alive," he said, adding that his phone was ringing all the time because Faizan's family keep asking if he had any news.

"I have no answers for them."

As the searches continue, anger is growing.

On Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered around the building calling for accountability.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who arrived on the scene nearly 24 hours after the fire broke out, was met with jeers.

Muhammed Arif, whose nephew is among the missing, says that the relief work did not start on time and that "precious lives could have been saved".

Many residents and politicians have echoed the sentiment that rescue officials took long to get to the building.

Faisal said that it took a long time for the fire brigade to arrive, "while the ambulances, which weren't even needed at that moment - had already reached".

News agency Reuters quoted rescue services as saying that authorities only received the first emergency call at 22:38 on Saturday, reporting that ground-floor shops were on fire. By the time firefighters arrived, the flames had already spread to the upper floors, engulfing much of the building.

Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of the southern province of Sindh, which includes Karachi, has promised an investigation into the fire and response time.

And lawmakers from across the political spectrum on Tuesday condemned the fire and called for sweeping reforms in building safety, emergency response and urban governance, as the House debated an adjournment motion on the tragedy.

The prime minister is among those who have offered condolences and promised action.

But for those gathered at the ruins of Gul Plaza, this is little consolation.

"This is the third time in a while that a building has caught fire in the Saddar area of Karachi," said Muhammed Arif.

"How long will this continue to happen and how many more people must die?"

Questions raised over enforcement of court ban after trees felled on Lahore campus

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:23:00 +0000

Among the felled trees were reportedly fruit-bearing mango and jambolan varieties

Despite an explicit prohibition by the Lahore High Court against cutting trees, serious allegations of unchecked tree-felling at Punjab University have sparked public anger, student-led criticism online, and a formal inquiry by the university authorities, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, the controversy dates back to the partial collapse of the western boundary wall near the Shaikh Zayed Islamic Centre several months ago, following heavy winds and rainfall, which damaged several trees. According to an application submitted by the Shajar Dost Community, the university's engineering department later recommended removing dozens of trees lining the wall.

The application alleges that a private contractor began cutting trees, and the activity continued aggressively over the weekend, when the campus was closed. As a result, trees were reportedly felled and removed without resistance or student awareness, raising suspicions about the timing of the operation.

The community further claimed that no public tender for the tree-cutting contract was advertised in print media or on the university's official website, terming the entire process unlawful. It is alleged that the contract was awarded for PKR 550,000 without informing the auction committee and that nearly 60 trees had already been cut down.

Among the felled trees were reportedly fruit-bearing mango and jambolan varieties, adding that the group has demanded a transparent and independent inquiry.

The issue rapidly gained traction on social media, where students, environmental activists, and citizens shared images and videos from the site. Many accused the university administration of disregarding court orders and destroying vital green cover in an already polluted city. Online campaigns called the incident "environmental negligence" and demanded accountability and immediate reforestation, as highlighted by Dawn.

Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali Shah stated that tree-cutting would not be tolerated under any circumstances. However, a university spokesperson said the Shaikh Zayed Islamic Centre, an autonomous unit within the university, had initiated the cutting without informing the central administration.

Security staff intervened after receiving a report and seized a tractor-trolley carrying logs. The spokesperson added that even if some trees were dry, legal procedures were ignored, as reported by Dawn.

Israeli PM Netanyahu agrees to join Trump's Board of Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:20:00 +0000

Israel's prime minister will be given a renewable three-year term on the new Board of Peace

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

A statement from his office said Netanyahu would become a member of the board "which is to be comprised of world leaders".

The board was originally thought to be aimed at helping end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction. But its proposed charter does not mention the Palestinian territory and appears to be designed to supplant functions of the UN.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have also agreed to join, as have Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Vietnam. Many others have expressed reservations.

It is not clear how many countries have been invited to join Trump's new body -Canada, Russia, Turkey and the UK are among them, but have not yet publicly responded.

Norway has said it will not join because the current proposal "raises a number of questions", while France and Sweden have indicated they will do the same.

According to a copy of the charter leaked to the media, member states will be given a renewable three-year term, but they can secure a permanent place if they contribute $1bn (£740m) of funding to the board.

The document says the Board of Peace will be "an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict". It will "undertake such peace-building functions in accordance with international law", it adds.

Trump will be the chairman but also "separately serve" as representative of the US. A US official has said the chairmanship can be held by Trump "until he resigns it", but that a future US president may choose a new representative.

As chairman, he will have "exclusive authority to create, modify or dissolve subsidiary entities as necessary or appropriate to fulfil the Board of Peace's mission", according to the document.

He will also select "leaders of global stature" to serve two-year terms on an Executive Board that will help deliver the mission of the Board of Peace, US officials say.

Last Friday, the White House named the seven members of the founding Executive Board. They included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as former British prime minister Tony Blair.

Trump also named Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, as the Board of Peace's representative on the ground in Gaza during phase two of Trump's peace plan, which should see the reconstruction and demilitarisation of the territory, including the disarmament of Hamas, as well as a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Mladenov will act as a link with a Palestinian technocratic government which will "oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilisation of daily life".

A separate Gaza Executive Board will help support the technocratic government, according to the White House.

Witkoff, Kushner, Blair, Rowan, Mladenov will serve on it with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari strategic affairs minister Ali al-Thawadi, UAE minister of state for international co-operation Reem al-Hashimy, billionaire Israeli real estate developer Yakir Gabay, and Sigrid Kaag, a Dutch politician and UN special co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process.

On Saturday, Netanyahu's office said the Gaza Executive Board's composition "was not co-ordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy".

Israeli media said the decision to include representatives of Turkey and Qatar - which both helped broker the ceasefire that took effect in October, along with Egypt and the US - had happened "over Israel's head".

Under phase one of the peace plan, Hamas and Israel agreed to the ceasefire, an exchange of living and dead Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and a surge in deliveries of humanitarian aid.

Phase two faces major challenges, with Hamas having previously refused to give up its weapons without the creation of an independent Palestinian state, and Israel having not committed to fully withdrawing from Gaza.

The ceasefire is also fragile. More than 460 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since it came into force, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, while the Israeli military says three of its soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period.

The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Israel responded to the attack by launching a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 71,550 people have been killed, according to the territory's health ministry.

Govt allows re-export of transit cargo

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:42:00 +0000

Of the stranded containers, around 3,000 originate from Malaysia and contain palm oil intended for edible use in Afghanistan.—Reuters/file

ISLAMABAD: The government has allowed the re-export of transit cargo stuck at Pakistani ports to save Afghan importers from rising demurrage charges.

At a time when there is no indication that the border with Afghanistan will reopen soon, importers engaged in Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) have requested that the Ministry of Commerce grant a one-time waiver for the re-export of over 6,500 containers stuck at Karachi ports, as they are incurring rising demurrage charges.

The need for re-export arose after the border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed on Oct 11, 2025 leading to a near-complete halt of bilateral trade and movement of transit cargo.

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have deteriorated amid tensions over the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). After successive rounds, Pakistan declared the talks effectively over on Nov 7, after which Afghanistan suspended trade ties. Pakistan had already closed its border following the October clashes.

Over 6,500 containers stuck at Karachi ports since closure of Pak-Afghan border in October

“Yes, we have issued letters to individual importers who are approaching the ministry to re-export their cargo,” an official at the Ministry of Commerce told Dawn on Tuesday. The official added that the commerce minister had the power to grant a one-time exemption.

Interestingly, the commerce ministry has not officially announced the decision but has begun issuing letters to intended importers who approached the ministry for re-export permission.

The largest number of stranded containers — approximately 3,000 — originates from Malaysia and contains palm oil intended for edible use in Afghanistan. “We have already issued letters to most palm oil importers to re-export their containers,” the official said. But he declined to specify the exact number of palm oil containers approved for re-export.

Re-export is subject to approval from the Ministry of Commerce on a case-by-case basis.

A customs official told Dawn that the number of containers stranded at the Chaman and Torkham borders was not big, ranging between 600 and 700.

Instead, the bulk of transit cargo was stuck at the two ports in Karachi.

Envoys’ plea to Islamabad

The cargos, sourced mostly from China and Vietnam, are currently stranded at Karachi, the official said. He added that the ambassadors of these countries had approached the government to seek approval for re-export.

Following these consultations, the government has decided to allow all importers to re-export their cargo from Karachi.

This move offers Afghan importers an opportunity to use alternative ports or routes to transport their goods to the Afghan market.

This decision, according to the official, will allow importers to use other ports for the transportation of their goods to Afghanistan.

On Dec 3, Islamabad allowed clearing of consignments imported on humanitarian grounds. In the first phase, 143 containers carrying such goods were given permission for transit at Chaman and Torkham.

A breakdown shows that 67 of the containers carried assistance from the World Food Programme, 74 were loaded with supplies for children donated by Unicef, and two containers had healthcare and family support items from another UN agency.

According to the customs official, since the Taliban government has barred the entry of these containers, none had crossed the border for the past three months.

The volume of Afghan imports transiting through Pakistan has declined sharply over the past two years falling to $2.4 billion in FY24 from $6.7bn in FY23, and dropping further to $1.01bn in FY25.

With the current suspension of trade, industry estimates suggest the figure could slip below the $1bn mark during the current fiscal, deepening the shift in Afghanistan’s import routes and suppliers.

PIA partners with Canadian, UK rail networks to offer 'air-to-rail travel'

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:40:00 +0000

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane prepares to take-off at Alama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. — Reuters/File

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has entered into an "air-to-rail" partnership with leading rail services in Canada and the United Kingdom to facilitate passengers travelling to Toronto as well as destinations in the UK, the national flag carrier said on Tuesday.

Under the new arrangement, PIA passengers will be able to continue their journey to final destinations by train on a single ticket after completing their air travel, eliminating the need for separate rail bookings.

In the press release, the national carrier said that passengers arriving in Toronto will be able to connect to eight major cities across Canada through the airline’s partner rail service.

Similarly, passengers flying to London and Manchester will have access to more than 50 cities across the UK via rail.

The PIA further said the booking process has been made simple and convenient, allowing passengers to reserve rail tickets alongside their air tickets through PIA booking offices, registered travel agents, the airline’s official website, and its mobile application.

The national carrier resumed flight operations to the UK last year in October, more than five years after a ban over a fake pilot licence scandal was lifted in July. PIA had previously estimated an annual revenue loss of around 40 billion rupees ($144 million) due to the ban.

Later in December 2025, the Arif Habib Corporation Limited-led consortium acquired a 75% majority stake in PIA with the highest bid of Rs135 billion in an auction held for the privatisation process of the national flag carrier.

This second attempt at privatisation succeeded where a previous effort a year ago failed, largely due to improved operational conditions — including the recent lifting of EU and UK flight bans that was imposed after the airline’s deadly Airbus A320 crash in Karachi in 2020 that killed 97 people — which significantly enhanced the airline’s market value and appeal to private investors.

Lahore Zoo to remain open after dark from next month

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:37:00 +0000

Image shows an aerial view of the Lahore Zoo

LAHORE: Lahorites will be offered a thrilling experience at the Lahore Zoo as its doors will be open for visitors at night too from the next month, and they will also be entertained with live music performances and puppet shows on weekends.

Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department Director General Mobeen Elahi told Dawn on Sunday that Lahore Zoo was going to introduce night zoo visits, most probably from February.

He said certain sections of the zoo will be opened for the visitors at night, including lion enclosures, Reptile House, fish aquariumand Hologram Zoo. During the night hours, ambiance lighting will be illuminating the food court, lake, trees and the hill located inside the zoo, he added.

He said the children visiting the night zoo will also be entertained by puppet shows.

Mr Elahi said the zoo food court would be revamped and later outsourced to some international food chain, while bids from local food vendors have also been invited through a tendering process.

He said the night zoo will remain open to visitors till 9pm, except Saturdays and Sundays, when the entry ticket will be costlier as puppet shows and live music performances will be held on weekends.

To a question about the night zoo activities’ impact on the zoo animals, as they might be stressed because of the noise and lighting, Mr Elahi said that keeping this in view, only certain sections of the zoo housing nocturnal animals would be opened after dark.

To another question about the affordability of zoo visit for the public, given the introduction of tickets of varying amounts for different facilities, the director general said that the entry fee was just Rs100, and visitors could roam the entire zoo by paying this amount.

He said the night zoo ticket prices, especially for weekends, is yet to be determined by the wildlife department.

Currently, besides the Rs100 per person entry fee, different facilities such as hologram zoo, reptile house and fish aquarium have additional tickets.

Sources say that the concept of the night zoo has been taken from Singapore zoo.

Good news for private employees in Pakistan as court orders major relief

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:32:00 +0000

EOBI will disburse approximately Rs 10 billion per month for pensions.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court has ordered the provision of old-age pension to employees of private institutions and directed the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) to pay monthly pensions to all petitioners, ARY News reported.

According to reports, the court ruled that private employees who have completed 14 and a half years of service, even if less than 15 years, are eligible for a pension. It clarified that six months or more of service will be counted as one full year under the law.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Ameenuddin Khan issued the verdict, dismissing all appeals filed by EOBI. The court upheld the Lahore High Court’s decisions of 2024 and 2025, declaring them correct and stating that there was no scope for interference.

The Federal Constitutional Court declared that the schedule is an integral part of the law and that EOBI’s 2022 circular cannot affect employees’ legal right to pension.

The court observed that denying a pension through a strict interpretation of welfare laws amounts to injustice. It further ruled that employees with more than 14 and a half years of service will be treated as having completed 15 years.

The court also ruled that the principle of rounding off will apply in pension matters.

EOBI pensioners to receive 15pc increase

On August 30, 2025, the federal cabinet approved a 15 percent increase in the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensions.

According to a statement issued here, pensioners will start receiving payments, including arrears from September 1.

EOBI will disburse approximately Rs 10 billion per month for pensions.

The statement read that with the increase, pensioners with long service records will now be eligible to receive monthly pensions exceeding Rs 30,000.

Meanwhile, a committee has been formed to induct workers from the informal sector, domestic employees, and agricultural labourers in the EOBI scheme.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that the federal government is committed to the welfare and social protection of the labour class.

Under EOBI Scheme, insured persons are entitled to avail benefit like, old-age pension (on the event of retirement), invalidity pension (In case of permanent disability), old-age grant (an insured person attained superannuation age, but does not posses the minimum threshold for pension) survivor’s pension (in case an insured person is expired).

Pension Rates:

Minimum Rs. 10,000

Maximum as per formula

FM Aurangzeb says some firms left Pakistan due to high taxes, energy costs

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:29:00 +0000

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb addresses an event on January 14

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday acknowledged that some multinational companies have left Pakistan due to “high taxes and energy costs”, but called on them to revise their business models, aligning them with the “modern world”.

During the past few years, multiple MNCs have shut down their operations in Pakistan, including Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Shell, Microsoft, Uber and Yamaha.

He made the remarks while addressing the Pakistan Policy Dialogue, hosted by Policy Research & Advisory Council (PRAC), in Islamabad.

The minister, in his address, talked about the exodus of multinational companies from the country, stating, “There are firms that are leaving Pakistan, which is true, and we must acknowledge if the taxation is high, energy cost is high, or financing cost, those have been real issues”.

However, the minister continued: “But it takes two to tango [..] if you are wedged into your business models from the last 50 years, it is not going to work in the modern world”.

Citing Nestle and Unilever as examples of MNCs successfully operating in Pakistan, he said, “If Nestle and Unilever can do local sourcing, which keeps their margins high, they are now able to export, which is why they continue operating here.”

The minister also shared that in the last 18 months, “20 new foreign investors had entered the country”.

Talking about the government’s privatisation efforts regarding State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), he said that 24 SOEs have been handed over to the Privatisation Commission.

He elaborated that the losses suffered due to SOEs were a “huge gap” and expressed hope that the amount saved by the national exchequer could be put to a much better use going forward.

The finance czar recalled that the government had to close down the Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), “not because 1,000-5,000 people were employed there, but because of the subsidies that the government was providing them”.

“More importantly, it was the corruption built into those subsidies that was the real cost to the exchequer,” the finance minister maintained.

“By June this year, all government payments are going to go through digital channels,“ said Aurangzeb while referring to the government’s digitisation efforts.

Speaking about tariff reforms, the minister said that Regulatory Duty (RD), Customs Duty (CD) and Additional Customs Duty (ACDs) will be phased out in five years.

“This is to bring our intermediary and raw material costs down so we can take it towards an export-led discussion,” Aurangzeb said.

He held that this was being done for the first time in the country‘s history, stressing that it could be Pakistan’s “East Asia moment”.

The finance minister further said that the protection given to industries had led to a decline in competition.

“If we are to take this forward [..] and move toward export orientation, we have to start from somewhere,“ he said.

The finance minister also spoke of debt servicing, and termed it the “single largest expense item” for the country.

He outlined plans to modernise the debt management office, stressing the need for “having proper investor relations, a front office, a middle office, a back office so we can take it forward professionally”.

“Past year, we saved roughly Rs850bn in terms of debt servicing,” the finance minister said, expressing hope to achieve similar results this year.

The minister further said that the government planned to issue Panda Bonds “in the next couple of weeks if all goes well”.

In his address, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to bring crypto into the “regulatory environment”.

“We have billions of dollars in discussion of trading volumes [..] activity which is happening at this volume has to be brought into a regulatory environment.”

In October 2025, American multinational corporation Procter & Gamble announced that it was winding down its manufacturing and commercial activities in Pakistan.

The MNC said that it will rely on third-party distributors to continue to serve customers in the country.

In September last year, Yamaha Motor Pakistan Ltd (YMPL) also announced the discontinuation of its motorcycle assembly operations.

The decision came as part of a change in the company’s business strategy.

In the same year, Careem suspended its ride-hailing operations in Pakistan after nearly a decade in the industry.

Analysts suggest that the reasons for the shift are often varied, including restructuring at the company’s end, growing competition from local companies, and security conditions, among others

4 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Kalat: ISPR

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:24:00 +0000

In this file photo, Pakistan Army soldiers stand guard as people receive relief goods from the army in Bannu on July 2, 2014. — Reuters

Four terrorists were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan‘s Kalat district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on January 12 (Monday) security forces conducted an IBO on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Hindustan.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

During the operation, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, it said, adding that four terrorists were killed after an “intense fire exchange”.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the statement added.

It stated that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area. It added that the counterterrorism campaign by security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces on the operation.

In his statement posted by state broadcaster PTV on X, PM Shehbaz said security forces were achieving notable successes in their fight against terrorism under Azm-e-Istehkam.

“The whole nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in the fight against terrorism,“ he said, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا ضلع قلات میں فتنتہ الہندوستان کے دہشت گردوں کے خلاف کاروائی پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کو خراج تحسین@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/IjjfjIwKUL
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 13, 2026

Despite record militant deaths, Pakistan saw a sharp escalation in militant violence in 2025, with terrorist attacks rising by 34 per cent and terrorism-related fatalities increasing by 21 per cent year on year, according to a report released by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies.

In a press conference last week, the Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry shared that law enforcement agencies of Pakistan — including the army, police, Federal Constabulary, and intelligence agencies — conducted a total of 75,175 IBOs in 2025.

Breaking it down, he said 14,658 operations were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 58,778 in Balochistan, and 1,739 in other regions of Pakistan.

He added that 5,397 terror incidents took place in Pakistan in 2025, of which 3,811 were reported from KP (71pc), 1,557 from Balochistan (29pc), and 29 from other areas.

Calf strain delays Roos veteran's pre-season prep

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:19:00 +0000

Aidan Corr marks the ball during round 11, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

VETERAN North Melbourne defender Aidan Corr is facing a delayed start to the season after suffering a calf strain.

The 31-year-old is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks with the moderate-grade strain, casting a shadow over his availability for the Kangaroos’ pre-season match simulation against Melbourne in mid-February and their 2026 AAMI Community Series game against Collingwood on March 1.

"We'll program a more graduated return to group training for Aidan given both the grade of strain and his history of calf injuries," North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said.

Former Demon Charlie Spargo remains in non-contact training as he rehabilitates a shoulder issue.

Spargo, who crossed to the Roos during trade period, will have to tick off structure and function tests before making a return to main training, which the club is hopeful will be in late February.

Ruck Callum Coleman-Jones’ pre-season has also been interrupted, with a minor calf strain keeping him out of main training for another one to two weeks.

Coleman-Jones picked up the injury during a "high-loading conditioning session" over the summer break.

"Callum's recovered well and is progressing through his running reload phase since returning to the club," White said.

"The plan is to build out his football function and running intensity over the next 1-2 weeks and then reintegrate into main group skills again.”

Jackson Archer is set for surgery in two weeks after rupturing his ACL on Monday.

Pakistan's Sameer Minhas sets sights on more than one trophy at U-19 World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:06:00 +0000

Sameer Minhas has been in great form for Pakistan Under-19 in recent months

Perhaps no Pakistan cricketer carries as much cultural cache in this moment as their Under-19 opener Sameer Minhas. A waifish 19-year-old, Minhas has spent the last month becoming a household name among Pakistan's cricket-crazed public, and established himself as their great hope at the U-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

He's in extraordinarily good form and is among the hottest tickets in the tournament. In the recent tri-series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, he scored two centuries, as well as 56 and 48, finishing as the Player of the Tournament and its highest scorer. This sequence came after his stunning showing at the Youth Asia Cup, where his form culminated in the best innings of a young career - a 113-ball 172 against India in the final, as Pakistan romped to a 191-run win.

In the first warm-up game at the World Cup against the USA, Minhas was retired out on 74, his form showing no signs of abating. And his goal is clear.

"We're aiming to win the World Cup," Minhas told the PCB website. "Our practice is going well and we have clarity in our mind about this. We've set up camps for the last five or six months, the same guys. Our unity and bonding is great, which put us in good stead during the Asia Cup."

During the tournament, Minhas - who calls AB de Villiers his favourite player - watched footage of himself to internalise the belief he could carry it into the biggest games.

"Against India, the plan was to play my natural game," he said about his hundred in the final. "We were encouraged to play fearless but not careless cricket. We started with a couple of boundaries from Hamza, and the great start put the opposition under pressure. We didn't imagine our welcome back home would be so grand, but we were very happy people came to meet and congratulate us. We won our first Asia Cup U-19 title. It was great fun and we really enjoyed it.

"The celebrations didn't stop for a couple of days, both at the ground and at the hotel. I never thought about breaking records, I just wanted to contribute to the team. The ball was coming onto the bat, and I was being positive without making any rash decisions. My shots were going through the gaps. I got to fifty pretty quickly and then I began thinking about a hundred, but I wasn't thinking about breaking records."

If the surname sounds familiar, it's because his brother, Arafat, is already an international cricketer. He made his debut for Pakistan at 19 during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, before playing a T20I for Pakistan in Zimbabwe.

"My brother Arafat has represented Pakistan, and watching that was inspiring. He enjoys himself and gives his all in the field, and I was keen to learn from him."

While his brother's skillset is vastly different from Sameer's - Arafat is a slow left-arm bowler - the two cut their teeth on the wet tiles of their family home, gently encouraged by a watchful dad who saw how serious - and skilled - his sons were.

We used to play at home, street and gully cricket. My brother and I would water tiles and play tape-ball cricket in our home. When dad saw we enjoyed our cricket, he encouraged us to play with a hard ball. My brother began playing with it, and then, I did.

"I represented U-13 from Multan, and then South Punjab, and we got to the final. We got to U-16 - where I played with my brother, where I did well. When I got into the U-19, I didn't have a great first year, but this year I scored over 400 runs, and I was named in the Pakistan Under-19 squad.

"Because I started at the grassroots level, I learned my technique and the basics well."

Those basics are holding him in good stead as he gears up for the biggest tournament in his brief career. In Pakistan, where every upcoming talent is only valued as a function of what value they can provide to the senior men's side, a breakout performance at this World Cup will soon set tongues wagging about a senior call-up. As such, this might represent Minhas' last chance to play a tournament unfiltered from the overbearing lens of that gaze.

However, this does not stop him from making public how high he's set the bar for himself: "The personal goal I have at the World Cup is to be Player of the Tournament, like I was at the Asia Cup and the Zimbabwe series. We've adapted to conditions here well. The team is very balanced, we bat deep, and we've got many bowling options.

"We are confident."

Trump vows 'very strong action' if Iran executes protesters

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:54:00 +0000

Trump vows 'very strong action' if Iran executes protesters

President Donald Trump has said the US will take "very strong action" against Iran if it executes protesters, as rights groups say more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.

Relatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was detained last week, have told BBC Persian that he is due to be executed on Wednesday.

A representative from the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights also told the BBC that they had "never witnessed a case move so quickly".

Speaking to the BBC's US partner CBS News, Trump said of potential executions: "If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing."

Soltani's relative told BBC Persian that an Iranian court had issued a death sentence "in an extremely rapid process, within just two days".

Awyar Shekhi, a representative of Hengaw, said that the case demonstrated that the Iranian government is "using every tactic they know to suppress people and spread fear".

An Iranian official told Reuters that 2,000 people had been killed, but that "terrorists" were to blame.

Trump earlier said he planned to attend a meeting at the White House on Tuesday night to discuss the situation in Iran, pledging to get "accurate numbers" on the death toll from the protests.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said that it had so far confirmed the killing of 2,403 protesters, as well as 12 children, despite an internet blackout. Nearly 150 people affiliated with the government have also been killed, the group said.

"The killing looks like it's significant, but we don't know yet for certain," Trump told reporters while returning to the White House.

Once he has the numbers, he said, "we'll act accordingly.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Iranian authorities would "pay a big price" for the killings, and urged people to "keep protesting".

"I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!," he added, using the acronym for a US-based Iranian opposition slogan, "Make Iran Great Again".

Trump has been weighing military and other options in response to the crackdown, having already announced 25% tariffs on any country trading with Iran.

Iran's government has responded by accusing the US of seeking to "manufacture a pretext for military intervention", warning that "this playbook has failed before".

The protests, which have reportedly spread to 180 cities and towns in all 31 provinces, were sparked by anger over the collapse of the Iranian currency and soaring cost of living.

They quickly widened into demands for political change and became one of the most serious challenges to the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Demonstrations escalated significantly last Thursday and were met with deadly force by authorities, masked by a near total shutdown of the internet and communication services.

More than 18,434 protesters have been arrested during the unrest, according to HRANA.

It is difficult to gauge the true scale of bloodshed because, like other international news organisations, the BBC is not able to report from inside the country.

However, videos posted online on Sunday showed people searching for the bodies of their loved ones at the Kahrizak Forensic Centre in Tehran. The BBC counted at least 180 shrouded bodies and body bags in the footage.

Around 50 bodies were visible in another video from the facility shared on Monday.

"My friend went there [Kahrizak] to look for his brother, and he forgot his own sorrow," an activist told BBC Persian on Monday.

"They piled up bodies from every neighbourhood, like Saadatabad, Naziabad, Sattarkhan. So you go to your address pile and search there. You don't know a fraction of the level of violence that's been used."

Hospitals in the capital have also reportedly been overwhelmed by the number of casualties.

Prof Shahram Kordasti, an Iranian oncologist based in London, told the BBC's Newsday programme on Tuesday that the last message he had received from a colleague in Tehran said: "In most hospitals, it's like a warzone. We are short of supplies, short of blood."

Other doctors at "two to three hospitals" had also said they had treated hundreds of injured or dead people, he added.

An Iranian living in Rasht, near the Caspian Sea coast, described the city as unrecognisable. "Everywhere is burnt with fire," they said.

The UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged Iranian authorities to halt all forms of violence and repression against peaceful protesters immediately, his office said.

He added that the labelling of protesters as "terrorists" to justify violence was unacceptable and that it was "extremely worrying" to see statements from Iranian officials indicating the possibility of the death penalty being used against protesters through expedited trials.

Iran's Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on Monday that those involved in the unrest would be "dealt with seriously and severely". And prosecutors have said some will be charged with "enmity against God", a national security offence that carries the death penalty.

Türk also demanded that Iranian authorities restore full access to the internet and other communication services.

Some international calls from Iran went through on Tuesday, but the internet shutdown has now passed 132 hours, according to monitor NetBlocks.

One person living near Tehran with access via the Starlink satellite service told BBC Persian that there were "checkpoints in every block", where cars and the phones of their occupants were being inspected by security forces.

New videos of protests in recent days have also emerged, with BBC Persian verifying those filmed in the central city of Arak and the western cities of Tabriz, Urmia and Khorramabad.

In the footage from Khorramabad, gunfire can be heard during clashes between security forces and protesters, some of whom are throwing stones.

The protesters chant slogans "Death to the dictator" - a reference to Ayatollah Khamenei - and "Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace" - referring to the late monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was overthrown in the 1979 revolution and whose son Reza lives in exile.

Sri Lanka level series after winning rain-hit 3rd T20I despite Salman's 12-ball 45

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:21:00 +0000

Player of the match and series – Wanindu Hasranga de Silva (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka levelled the three-match T20I series after they registered a 14-run victory on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method (DLS), while defending their 160-run total in a 12-hour rain-hit fixture here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday night.

Pakistan had won the first T20I by six wickets, while the second game was washed out without a ball bowled due to persistent rain.

In pursuit of the 161-run target, Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha blazed a 12-ball 45 clubbing five fours and three sixes after walking in to bat in the second over following Sahibzada Farhan’s early departure.

Salman and Saim Ayub’s 51-run stand for the second wicket came off just 14 balls with the latter only contributing five runs off two balls in the alliance. Sri Lanka then landed three blows in a space of seven balls in 4th and 5th over to reduce the visitors to 67-4, requiring 92 off last seven overs.

At this juncture, Mohammad Nawaz (28, 15b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and debutant Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (26, 15b, 1x4, 1x6) – who became 125th player for Pakistan in T20Is - stitched a much-needed 49-run partnership off 26 balls.

Player of the match Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice in the 10th over following his double strike in 5th over to again curtail Pakistan’s advance this time removing Nafay and Shadab Khan. Faheem Ashraf’s consecutive boundaries and Shadab’s six in the third last over brought down the equation to 30 needed off 12.

Pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga delivered impressive penultimate and last over, respectively to only give Pakistan 15 runs in the last 12 balls as Sri Lanka got over the line. Apart from Hasaranga’s four wickets, Pathirana bagged two and Malinga dismissed one batter.

Earlier, Sri Lanka were helped to 160-6 in the allotted 12 overs with skipper Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage playing blitzy knocks as they shared a 15-ball 52-run stand after Sri Lanka were 102-5 in 9.1 overs.

Dasun’s knock of 34 comprised of five sixes and came off just nine balls, while Liyanage remained unbeaten for 22 off eight balls hitting three fours and a solitary six.

At the beginning of Sri Lanka’s innings, Naseem removed Pathum Nissanka for a two-ball duck in the first over but then all the incoming batters contributed valuable runs to push their team past 100-run mark in nine overs.

Kusal Mendis scored 30 off 16 balls hitting two fours and as many sixes as opening batter Kamil Mishara departed for an eight-ball 20 with the help of three fours and one six. Dhananjaya de Silva hit four fours in his 15-ball stay taking 22 runs, while Charith Asalanka fetched his team 21 off 13 balls hitting one four and a six.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr picked up three wickets, while Faheem, Naseem and Nawaz plucked one scalp each.

Scores in brief:

3rd T20I – Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 14 runs (DLS) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium

Sri Lanka 160-6, 12 overs (Dasun Shanaka 34, Kusal Mendis 30, Janith Liyanage 22 not out, Dhananjaya de Silva 22, Charith Asalanka 21, Kamil Mishara 20; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 3-54)

Pakistan 146-8, 20 overs (Salman Ali Agha 45, Mohammad Nawaz 28, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 26; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-35, Matheesha Pathirana 2-34)

Player of the match and series – Wanindu Hasranga de Silva (Sri Lanka)

Series results:

7 January – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

9 January – Match abandoned without a ball bowled

11 January – Sri Lanka won by 14 runs (DLS)

State Bank awaits cabinet approval for printing new currency notes

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:19:00 +0000

Senior Printing Manager Amir Shams said that discussions have taken place between the State Bank and the Security Printing Corporation regarding the printing of the new currency

The State Bank is awaiting government approval for the final design for the printing of new currency notes.

According to the Security Printing Corporation, the new currency will be produced with modern security features, but the designs have not yet been finalized. Printing the new currency is expected to take at least two months, although the modern machinery required is already in place.

Senior Printing Manager Amir Shams said that discussions have taken place between the State Bank and the Security Printing Corporation regarding the printing of the new currency.

The designs may be released gradually or all at once, and this matter is still under consideration at the State Bank. The bank may provide a timeline for the printing of the new currency later this year, he added.

The bank sources stated that the order for printing the new designs will only be issued after cabinet approval. The shortlisted designs have already been sent to the government, and the issuance of the new currency could be possible by year’s end once the cabinet gives its approval.

Bannu CTD kills two terrorists in IBO

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:17:00 +0000

Arms and ammunition recovered from the slain terrorists. — CTD

PESHAWAR: During ongoing operations against militants in Bannu, the Counter-Terrorism Department’s Bannu region, in coordination with local police, carried out a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO), killing two terrorists.

According to police, the operation was conducted within the jurisdiction of Mirakhel Police Station on Jhandokhel Road near Shagi Machankhel.

Acting on credible intelligence, CTD Bannu’s Special Weapons and Tactics teams, along with Bannu Police, cordoned off the area and launched the operation. During the action, the terrorists opened fire, prompting effective retaliatory fire by the police and CTD personnel.

Following an exchange of fire, two terrorists were found dead during a search operation. They were identified as Suhail Khan alias Sangri and Ismail alias Usman.

Police stated that both terrorists were involved in attacks on Sheikh Landik and Fateh Khel police check posts, in which eight police constables were injured. They were also involved in attacks on security forces’ convoys and an IED attack on the under-construction Rescue 1122 building.

Weapons and ammunition recovered from the slain terrorists included two Kalashnikov rifles, one pistol, multiple rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, two mobile phones, two national identity cards, and a card belonging to the proscribed TTP.

Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, along with the Additional IG CTD, commended the Bannu Police and CTD SWAT teams for the successful operation.

The IGP KP stated that intelligence-based targeted operations will continue uninterrupted across the province until terrorism is completely eliminated.

In a separate incident, militants launched an attack on the Nala Kasho police checkpost, using light and heavy weapons.

However, the attack was foiled after retaliatory action by police personnel.

As soon as information about the attack was received, police contingents from Domel and Town Police Station, along with other security forces, immediately reached the site of the incident.

Despite record militant deaths, Pakistan saw a sharp escalation in militant violence in 2025, with terrorist attacks rising by 34 per cent and terrorism-related fatalities increasing by 21 per cent year on year. As many as 699 terrorist attacks were recorded countrywide during 2025, according to the “Pakistan Security Report 2025” report released by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).

This violence claimed at least 1,034 lives and left 1,366 injured, underscoring a rising trajectory of militancy that has persisted since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Fact check: Did Ellyse Perry propose to Babar Azam on one knee? The truth behind viral photo

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:12:00 +0000

Did Perry propose to Babar Azam? [Source: @DileepBalasiya/x.com]

A bizarre viral image claiming that Australian star, Ellyse Perry, proposed to Babar Azam has been circulating all over social media, and it has taken the internet by storm. The photo was shared online a couple of days ago, where Perry kneeled down and proposed to Pakistan batter Babar in front of a live audience.

This viral photo made the fans excited, especially in Pakistan, but is the image real? Did Perry really propose to Babar in front of the spectators?

The reality of image showcasing Perry's proposal to Babar

The viral image that spread like wildfire showcases Ellyse Perry down on her knees, with a ring in hand, and a smiling Babar looking at the Australian superstar. The photo garnered millions of views within an hour as fans started to speculate about a potential relationship between the two cricketers.

BREAKING NEWS 🚨

- Ellyse Perry has proposed Babar Azam during BBL, Babar accepts the proposal. pic.twitter.com/xxK5sZaVgo
— Kshitij Xtra (@Kshitij_Xtra) January 8, 2026

However, after careful observation, the fans were eventually left disappointed as it was clearly AI-generated, and interestingly, at the time the photo went viral, Perry was not even in Australia, as the player was in New Zealand, taking part in Super Smash.

Unnatural lighting on the face, a mismatched crowd, and Perry’s face clearly pixelated - pointed towards an AI-generated image designed for going viral amongst the cricket fanatics.

Perry playing in Super Smash, Babar taking part in BBL

During the time the photo went viral, both Perry and Babar were in different countries as the Australian cricketer was representing the Wellington Women in Super Smash, while Babar was taking part in the BBL 2025-26, playing for the Sixers.

Perry was set to take part in the WPL 2026 season, representing the RCB side, but she pulled out of the event at the last moment due to personal reasons. Babar, on the other hand is playing in the BBL to get his T20 mojo back before the World Cup.

Babar's poor BBL season for Sydney Sixers

Babar was signed by the Sixers as the franchise hoped for a solid performance from the Pakistan player. However, things went downhill right from match one as his strike-rate came under scrutiny.

In 8 matches in the BBL, Babar has racked up 154 runs, including two fifties, but the biggest issue has been his strike rate, which lingers around at just 104.05, which is one of the worst in the ongoing tournament. Babar was urged to work on his strike rate in the BBL, but he has failed to rectify his mistakes.

Six cops killed as IED explosion targets police vehicle in northwestern Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:44:00 +0000

Police vehicle is damagaed in a blast in Pakistan’s northwestern Tank district on January 12, 2026. (Tahir Khan/X)

PESHAWAR: Six cops were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that targeted a police vehicle in Pakistan’s northwestern Tank district on Monday, a police official said as Islamabad struggles to contain surging militant attacks in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The IED explosion targeted an armored police vehicle on the Gomal-Jutta Road near the Kot Wali Canal area, Tank police spokesperson Younas Khan said. The blast killed an inspector, an additional sub-inspector, the driver of the vehicle and three members of the police’s elite force personnel.

“The armored police vehicle was completely damaged in the explosion,” Khan said.

He said senior police officials, including District Police Officer (DPO) Tank Shabbir Hussain Shah reached the site of the blast to collect evidence and carry out an operation in the nearby rugged terrain.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident, directing authorities to carry out an investigation into the incident.

“The terrorists responsible for this attack will be brought to their logical end at the earliest,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi praised police for their sacrifices against militancy, vowing to bring all those involved in the incident to justice.

“Anti-peace elements would not succeed in their nefarious designs by targeting the police force,” Afridi said as per a statement released from his office.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant outfit has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest attacks targeting law enforcement personnel in KP in the past. The TTP has frequently targeted convoys of security forces, police stations and check-posts besides kidnapping government officials in the region.

Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil to armed outfits such as the TTP. It has also alleged that India backs militant groupswho carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi have consistently denied this.

Egyptian teenage sensations Orfi, Zakaria clinch Karachi Open squash titles

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:39:00 +0000

Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt reacts during the final against compatriot Aly Abou Eleinen at the Rich Venus Karachi Open at DA Creek Club on Sunday. — Photo via PSA

World junior champions Amina Orfi and Mohamad Zakaria cemented their status as one of the best squash players as they clinched the championship title at the Karachi Open on Sunday in front of a packed court that cheered on the two Egyptian teenagers on their path to victory.

World number three Orfi was up against Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, who she demolished 3-0 to take an expected victory with a scoreline of 11-8, 11-2, 11-7.

“The final is never an easy match,” the 18-year-old said after her 38-minute match that saw her win her fourth title of the season.

“Me and Siva have played several times this season, I know how dangerous she is; I just have to prepare in this sport very well.

“Thanks to the fans for supporting us, they’ve built the atmosphere and it made me happy to see the crowd here today cheering for both of us,” Orfi said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PSA Squash Tour (@psasquashtour)

Her compatriots stayed true to saving the best for last as Zakaria and Aly Abou Eleinen put on a show for the crowd in a dazzling 100-minute match.

The first game saw Eleinen prevail 11-9 after a series of minutes-long rallies that saw the two slipping on their own sweat.

Zakaria was trailing Eleinen 7-3 in the second game but finally found his rhythm and won 11-9 against his 26-year-old opponent, despite a break in play for a cut on his knee to be attended to by courtside medics.

Victory belonged to Zakaria in the third game as well – or so he thought. He had removed his protective eyewear and exited the court but Eleinen had already called for a player review that proved inconclusive. The two were neck-and-neck in the lengthy game that lasted 27 minutes before Eleinen switched gears and won 14-12 in a brutal, high-quality rally that delighted the crowd on Sunday evening.

Both players seemed tired by the time the fourth game rolled around, but Zakaria took the game 11-7 to level the score 2-2.

Eleinen was cramping up in the fifth game that saw Zakaria pull ahead, but not before hitting three costly errors. He nevertheless finished strong to seal his victory 11-7, not once, but twice. Another player review from Eleinen at the final point saw the referee shushing the crowd that cheered for Zakaria’s championship win.

The seconds ticked by, Zakaria had already dropped his racket and glasses to the floor and was waiting for a verdict when the referee upheld his decision that saw Zakaria win the biggest title of his career so far.

“I made it to the fifth game and I wasn’t tired, so I’m most impressed with my physical side this time because I’ve worked really hard on it,” Zakaria said after the match.

“I just won my first gold level event at 18 so I’m over the moon,” the ginger-haired teenager said to applause from the crowd.

“I grew up playing with Aly in Alexandria, so this was a proud moment for us to be playing a major final together,” Zakaria said.

Speaking to Dawn after the final, Eleinen echoed the same sentiment of Zakaria, “who I consider my younger brother.

“I’m eight years older but we grew up together and it’s amazing to see him doing so well,” Eleinen said of the teenager, who achieved his career-best ranking of 11 just last month.

“We always dreamed of playing major finals together, and today is hopefully a good step towards more battles that people can enjoy, and I’m sure people back home are proud of us.”

Likely Date Revealed for Release of New Currency Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:32:00 +0000

Once cabinet approval is given, the printing process will take at least two months.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has completed preparatory work for issuing newly designed Pakistani Rupee (PKR) currency notes and is awaiting approval from the federal cabinet to proceed.

According to the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC), the new notes will feature modern and enhanced security features. The final designs have yet to be formally received for printing, reported a news daily.

Once cabinet approval is given, the printing process will take at least two months.

Senior Manager Printing Amir Shams said consultations have been held between the SBP and PSPC regarding the printing of the new currency. He said the central bank is still considering whether the new designs will be issued in phases or whether notes of all denominations will be introduced simultaneously. SBP will announce its official printing schedule later this year.

If the cabinet approves, the new currency notes will most likely be released later this year.

Lahore anti-encroachment drive draws flak over damage to green belts

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:28:00 +0000

Tiwana stated that protecting trees must be treated as a core public priority.

A major anti-encroachment campaign launched by the Punjab government in Lahore has triggered widespread alarm after residents and environmental groups accused authorities of damaging green belts and historic landscapes in the process.

While the government claims the operation will revive the city's heritage and ease traffic congestion, activists stated that the measures are instead dismantling Lahore's ecological and cultural character, The Express Tribune reported.

According to The Express Tribune, the drive involves clearing roads, markets, pavements and areas around heritage sites to "restore the city to its original form."

However, critics said the large-scale removal of trees and disruption of decades-old green spaces have overshadowed the campaign's intended purpose.

Imrana Tiwana, who leads the Lahore Bachao Movement, warned that the city, often described as the "City of Gardens", has lost nearly three-quarters of its tree cover in just 10 years, largely due to unregulated construction and ill-planned development.

She stated that Lahore's pollution levels have become life-threatening, with the city ranking among the most polluted in the world, and residents' life expectancy has shrunk by nearly eight years.

With the city's green cover now at around a mere 5 per cent, far below the global average, Tiwana stated that protecting trees must be treated as a core public priority.

Tiwana noted that Lahore Bachao, along with HRCP, architects and the Ravi Bachao network, has filed a court petition against indiscriminate tree cutting, especially in locations such as Nasir Bagh.

Courts, she said, have already emphasised the constitutional right to clean air and ordered the safeguarding of more than 800 parks.

She stated that development should be redirected to non-green areas, accompanied by expanded tree-planting programmes and reduced vehicular pressure, The Express Tribune reported.

Government representatives, however, maintained that eliminating illegal encroachments is essential for reviving Lahore's original identity.

They argued that road-widening, parking projects and infrastructure upgrades will improve mobility and business activity across the city.

Yet proposals such as parking plazas at Nasir Bagh and Tollinton Market, restoration plans at Lahore Railway Station and a canal-side train service have raised fears that more trees will be cut,

Meghan Trainor's husband adds new layer to mom group drama after wife

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:08:00 +0000

Meghan Trainor's husband reacts to mom group drama after wife's shade

Meghan Trainor’s husband, Daryl Sabara, seems to have a surprising response to the Ashley Tisdale mom group fiasco, as he shared a neutral opinion.

The 33-year-old actor cleared the air by saying, “No drama over here, just trying to keep the kids happy,” soon after Trainor herself appeared to mock Tisdale in a TikTok video.

The Spy Kids star even expressed concern for the High School Musical star, after her essay in The Cut went viral, which detailed her experience of alienation in a group of fellow moms.

“I don’t really know what’s going on. I hope she’s okay though,” Sabara told TMZ on Thursday, January 8.

This comes after the singer shared a video clip on TikTok with the text, “Me finding out about the apparent mom group drama,” which showed her sitting at a desk while her song, Still Don’t Care played in the background.

Trainor concluded her shady response with three tea emojis in the caption.

The Made You Look hitmaker is not the only alleged mom involved in the mom group drama, but Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff are also among Tisdale’s former friends, whom she recently unfollowed

Pakistani Fast Bowler Breaks BBL Record

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:05:00 +0000

He is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 15 wickets in 8 innings.

Pakistan’s fiery fast bowler Haris Rauf etched his name into Big Bash League (BBL) history during the Melbourne derby, becoming the quickest bowler to reach 50 wickets in the tournament.

Haris Rauf brought up the landmark in the ongoing clash between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars, with his 50th BBL scalp coming against Jake Fraser-McGurk. He later struck again to remove Will Sutherland, pushing his overall tally to 51 wickets in 30 matches.

The previous benchmark for the fastest bowler to 50 BBL wickets belonged to John Hastings, who reached the mark in 38 matches.

Bowling for the Stars, Rauf returned figures of 2 for 31 from four overs, providing key breakthroughs as the Renegades tried to build momentum.

He is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 15 wickets in 8 innings.

On the other side, Renegades wicketkeeper-batter and Haris Rauf’s teammate, Mohammad Rizwan, could not make a major impact with the bat, falling for 21 off 20 balls after being dismissed by Stars captain Marcus Stoinis.

At the innings break, the Renegades had posted 166/7 in 20 overs, setting the Stars a target to chase as they look to secure a derby win.

2-week-long Pakistan, US joint military exercise commences

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:02:00 +0000

The 13th Pakistan-US bilateral joint military exercise — ‘Inspired Gambit 2026’ — kicked off on Friday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa‘s Pabbi district. — Photo courtesy ISPR

The 13th Pakistan-US bilateral joint military exercise — ‘Inspired Gambit 2026’ — has kicked off with a focus on counterterrorism, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that the two-week-long exercise — which began on Friday and is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi — will focus on the “counterterrorism domain, involving professional contingents from the armies of Pakistan and the US”.

Officials from both sides attended the opening ceremony, it added.

“The exercise is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability through the sharing of counterterrorism experiences, while further refining tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for effective CT operations,” the statement said.

“Emphasis is being laid on marksmanship skills during urban warfare, as well as on understanding each other’s operational doctrines and best practices,” it added.

The military’s media wing termed the exercise of “vital importance“, stressing its role in “addressing evolving security challenges, improving professional military standards, and strengthening the capacity of both forces to operate in complex counter-terrorism environments”.

“‘Inspired Gambit 2026’ reflects the continued commitment of Pakistan and the US towards collaborative efforts for peace and stability,” ISPR added.

Correction: This story previously stated incorrectly that the drill was being held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Pabbi tehsil. It is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, near Kharian. The error is regretted.

Sialkot to announce logo and name of franchise president today

noreply@blogger.com (Lahore 1 News Channel) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:56:00 +0000

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (left) is seen with Kamil Khan, the co-owner of the newly awarded Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise from Sialkot. — X@13kamilkhan/File

Kamil Khan, the co-owner of the newly awarded Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise from Sialkot, has said the team entered the auction with a clear vision and ambitious plans for the future.

Sialkot became the eighth team in the PSL earlier this month after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awarded the franchise to OZ Developers owned by Hamza Majeed in a high-profile auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

The league will expand from six to eight teams for the 2026 season, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

Speaking in Lahore, Khan said the franchise would officially announce its team logo and the name of its president today. He noted that the franchise management is keen to build a competitive squad by attracting some of the world’s best players for the upcoming PSL season.

“Our aim is to bring top international talent to the Sialkot team,” Khan said. “At the same time, we will rely on a strong local coaching staff to develop our players and represent the region with pride.”

The Sialkot co-owner also expressed confidence that PSL matches would continue to draw large crowds, regardless of where the fixtures are held.

“Wherever the PSL is played, the fans will turn up,” he said. “The league has grown into a major attraction for cricket lovers across the country.”

Khan said he was particularly looking forward to Sialkot’s matches against Lahore Qalandars, describing the rivalry as both competitive and friendly.

“The match against Lahore Qalandars will be enjoyable. We are rivals on the field, but we are also friends,” he added.

He praised the PSL platform for helping Pakistani cricket grow, stressing, “The PSL will move forward and become even stronger.”

He also noted that key decisions about the franchise would be finalised in consultations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“Everything will be finalised in coordination with the PCB,” he said.

The Sialkot franchise, the latest addition to the PSL, is expected to bring fresh energy to the tournament.