PAKISTAN NEWS

ISLAMABAD, 19 August, 2026(Kamran Raja): Islamabad Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for citizens as heavy rain continues across the federal capital, urging motorists and motorcyclists to exercise maximum caution while travelling on roads. Citizens have been advised to drive cars and motorcycles at reduced speeds during rainfall and maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. Drivers should use fog lights during rain and remain within their designated lanes. The traffic police further directed motorists to use side mirrors and indicators properly and ensure that seat belts are fastened at all times while driving. Motorcyclists have been advised to travel in the extreme left lane and wear helmets at all times for their safety. Officers of the Islamabad Traffic Police are presen...

 KARACHI, 18 August 2026 (Nosheen) — Pakistani actress Ayeza Khan has rejected rumours that she has separated from her husband, actor Danish Taimoor, describing reports of their alleged divorce as false. Ayeza, one of Pakistan’s prominent television actresses, recently attracted public attention after sharing photographs on social media featuring a noticeably different style and choice of outfits.Speculation about trouble in the couple’s marriage began after Ayeza did not attend the premiere of the final episode of Danish Taimoor’s drama Humraahi. Social media users also noticed that some photographs featuring Ayeza and her husband had been removed or edited from her Instagram account.These developments fuelled speculation that the couple could be heading towards separation, with ...

MOSCOW, 18 August 2026(Ghufran) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to protest Tokyo’s condemnation of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, a Pacific archipelago controlled by Russia but claimed by both countries.Putin visited Iturup, one of the four southernmost islands of the chain, last week. Japan refers to the island as Etorofu and calls the four southern islands the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan in the final days of World War II, and the territorial dispute has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty to end their wartime hostilities.apanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described Putin’s visit as incompatible with Japan’s position on the Northern Territor...

ISLAMABAD, 18 August 2026 (Kamran Raja) — A nine-member delegation of Google, led by Mr. Wilson White, Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. H.E. Ms. Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Islamabad, also accompanied the delegation. Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was undergoing a major digital transformation of governance, including the digitization of the economy. He shared the government’s vision of “Digital Nation Pakistan” and informed the delegation that several initiatives aimed at developing the national digital ecosystem were at an advanced stage of implementation.The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to upgrading IT infrastructure a...

ISLAMABAD, August 18, 2026 (Ghufran): Russian Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Mr. Albert Khorev called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad today.During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated the positive momentum in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia and stressed the importance of continued cooperation in key areas. He also emphasized the need for sustained high-level exchanges to further strengthen Pakistan-Russia relations.Regional developments also figured prominently in the discussion. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar underscored Pakistan’s consistent position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way forward for resolving differences and promoting regional peace and stability.

ISLAMABAD, 18 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Heavy rainfall lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, prompting authorities to impose a rain emergency and step up measures to deal with possible flooding and other weather-related emergencies.According to the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the water level in Nullah Lai reached 10.5 feet at Katarian and 8.5 feet at Gawalmandi.Shamsabad received the highest rainfall in Rawalpindi, with 116 millimetres recorded so far. WASA teams and heavy machinery have been deployed in low-lying areas to prevent water accumulation and respond to emergencies.Heavy machinery has also been positioned at Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass and low-lying stretches along Murree Road.Authorities have similarly deployed machinery in vulne...

RAWALPINDI, 18 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan has rejected an Indian documentary portraying Operation Sindoor, accusing New Delhi of attempting to rewrite the events of last year’s conflict and present a favourable account of its military actions. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said India had failed to acknowledge what Pakistan described as its defeat and was instead attempting to give the operation a “desired colour” through an emotional and cinematic narrative.The ISPR said the documentary was an attempt to distort facts and relied on a film-style presentation rather than the operational record of the conflict.Questioning India’s stated justification for Operation Sindoor, the military’s media wing said the alleged perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack wer...

QUETTA, 18 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Security forces have killed nine terrorists during intelligence-based operations in several areas of Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, according to security sources.The largest operation was conducted in the mountainous area between Ziarat and Harnai following an intelligence tip-off. Security forces surrounded a terrorist hideout and launched an effective assault, resulting in the deaths of eight militants. The hideout was also destroyed during the operation, the sources said.In another operation in Surab district, one militant was killed in the Hajika village area. Security forces established an effective cordon between Dasht-e-Katai and Hajika after detecting the movement of the militants.Security sources said ammunition, magazines, hand...

ISLAMABAD, 18 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all arrangements for the upcoming Hajj are completed on time and that the best possible facilities are provided to Pakistani pilgrims. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him on preparations and progress regarding arrangements for the upcoming Hajj. The federal minister also briefed the prime minister on matters related to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the steps being taken by the ministry. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for effective arrangements and the provision of quality facilities for Pakistani pilgrims throughout the Hajj operation. He directed the relevant authorities...

اسلام آباد، 18 اگست، 2026 (نوشین): وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے متعلقہ حکام کو ہدایت کی ہے کہ آئندہ حج کے لیے تمام انتظامات بروقت مکمل کیے جائیں اور پاکستانی عازمین حج کو بہترین ممکنہ سہولیات فراہم کی جائیں۔وفاقی وزیر مذہبی امور سردار محمد یوسف نے وزیراعظم شہباز شریف سے ملاقات کی اور انہیں آئندہ حج کے حوالے سے تیاریوں اور انتظامات میں پیش رفت پر بریفنگ دی۔ وفاقی وزیر نے وزیراعظم کو وزارت مذہبی امور سے متعلق امور اور وزارت کی جانب سے کیے جانے والے اقدامات سے بھی آگاہ کیا۔ وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے حج آپریشن کے دوران پاکستانی عازمین حج کے لیے مؤثر انتظامات اور معیاری سہولیات کی فراہمی کی ضرورت پر زور دیا۔انہوں نے متعلقہ حکام کو ہدایت کی کہ تمام ضروری تیاریاں مقررہ وقت کے اندر مکمل کی جائیں تاکہ عازمین حج آسانی اور کسی غیر ضروری دشواری کے بغیر اپنے مذہبی فرائض ادا کر سکیں۔...