PAKISTAN NEWS

 Islamabad, 30 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has stressed the need to translate the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s shared vision into practical cooperation and tangible outcomes. Addressing the National Coordinators of SCO Member States, along with senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an open, inclusive and constructive chairmanship guided by the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development. He highlighted Pakistan’s chairmanship theme, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity,” an...

Lahore, 30 September, 2026 (Nosheen): The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs has unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing a new legal framework for Christian marriages in Punjab. The bill seeks to replace the Christian Marriage Act 1872 and set the minimum marriage age at 18 for both men and women. Under the proposed legislation, both parties to a marriage would be required to be Christian, while formal procedures including written notice and publication would also be introduced. The bill further proposes mandatory registration of Christian marriages with Union Councils and NADRA and allows marriages to be solemnised in all registered churches by authorised pastors, clergy or government-appointed marriage registrars. At least t...

Swat, 30 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Protesters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand Division have announced the second phase of their protest movement against taxes, including a possible closure of the Swat Motorway from September 7. According to sources, residents protesting against taxes took to the streets in Swat and announced that no utility bills would be paid during the second phase of their campaign. The protesters said the demonstrations would continue until their demands are accepted and warned that the Swat Motorway could also be closed as part of the next phase of the protest.

 Islamabad, 30 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed a ceremony in Islamabad to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, diplomats and other distinguished guests. The Prime Minister highlighted the longstanding friendship and close cooperation between Pakistan and China and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in various fields

 Islamabad, 29 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif posed for a group photograph with Chief Executive Officer of the London Stock Exchange, David Schwimmer, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, and other members of the Pakistani delegation during an important engagement aimed at highlighting Pakistan's economic potential and strengthening financial cooperation with international institutions. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Pakistan's economic outlook, investment opportunities, financial market development, and prospects for enhanced engagement with global financial institutions. The presence of senior Pakistani officials alongside the London Stock Exchange CEO reflected Pakistan's continued effort...

Lahore, 29 September, 2026 (Nosheen): The Punjab Home Department has imposed a 30-day ban on outdoor drone flights across the province under Section 144, citing security concerns. Under the notification, drones will not be permitted for outdoor use during the restriction period, while limited use of small drones for covering events inside halls and marquees will be allowed, with event organisers responsible for ensuring their safe operation. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been exempted from the restriction. The Home Department has also established district-level Safe Drone Usage Committees to issue written permissions for approved drone operations. The committees will consider requests for drone use related to agriculture, irrigation and research activities. Drone operation...

Rawalpindi, 29 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Traffic police have registered a case at New Town Police Station following an incident in which a citizen and a motorcyclist were dragged by a car on Murree Road, with police disclosing further details. According to police, the incident occurred at around 11:30pm on Friday, and the person seen on the vehicle’s windshield was not the motorcycle owner. Police said the driver of a black car hit a white car from behind, after which the white car owner attempted to stop the offending vehicle. The black car driver allegedly tried to run him over, prompting the white car owner to jump onto the bonnet to save his life and later hold onto the windshield when the vehicle did not stop. Police said the driver continued driving and dragged a motorcycle that cam...

 Islamabad, 29 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that the party has no option but to stage a protest, announcing that it will hold a long march on October 4. Speaking to Dunya News, Barrister Gohar said PTI was a peaceful political party and would exercise its constitutional and legal rights during the protest. He said the party was not coming to Islamabad to create chaos, adding that its demands included proper treatment and the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said he was unaware of any contacts between the party and the government, stating that, to his knowledge, no back-channel negotiations were taking place. Salman Akram Raja added that Imran Khan had authorised...

 Quetta, 29 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Security forces have killed seven militants in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to security sources. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, five militants linked to “Fitna al-Hindustan” were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Bara. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, while their hideouts were also destroyed during the operation, the sources said. In Balochistan’s Chagai district, security forces conducted an operation in the Naukcha area under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 and killed two militants, according to the sources. The militants had allegedly set fire to an empty water bowser in Naukcha and attempted to escape, prompting security forces to respond immediately. The two militants ...

 Islamabad, 29 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to return to Pakistan today (Tuesday) after completing a two-week visit to the United Kingdom and the United States. The prime minister departed Islamabad on September 16, travelling first to London before proceeding to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). His address at the UNGA was a key engagement during the visit, where he highlighted Pakistan’s position on regional security, water rights, global conflicts and the need for diplomatic efforts to promote peace. According to a source in the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif arrived in London from New York a few days ago and was expected to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday morning. He was accom...