PAKISTAN NEWS

 ISLAMABAD, 13 September 2026 (Ghufran): The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has conditionally approved the Integrated System Plan (ISP) 2025-2035, envisaging an investment of $58 billion in Pakistan’s power generation and transmission sectors over the next 11 years. According to NEPRA, the plan proposes adding 26,045 megawatts (MW) of new generation capacity, including 17,485 MW of committed capacity and 8,560 MW of optimized capacity, while 2,577 MW of old generation capacity is proposed for retirement. The country’s total installed generation capacity is expected to reach 62,657 MW by 2035, with the plan also including 8,120 MW of net-metering capacity. More than $47 billion is expected to be required for additional power generation projects, while $10.65 b...

KARACHI, 13 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): Two suspected terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in separate operations conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Sindh Rangers and federal intelligence agencies in Karachi on Saturday. In the first operation near Jamali Bridge on the Superhighway, a suspected terrorist identified as Sajid Ali was killed in an exchange of fire with law enforcement personnel. In a separate operation in the Sher Shah area, another suspected terrorist, identified as Zia-ur-Rehman, was killed during an encounter with security personnel. According to officials, a hand grenade and other weapons were recovered from Zia-ur-Rehman’s possession. Officials said he was allegedly involved in the targeted killing of securit...

QUETTA, 13 September 2026 (Nosheen): The Balochistan government has imposed a ban on events and organisational activities in all government colleges across the province. According to orders issued from Quetta, the ban applies to all government boys’ and girls’ colleges, as well as postgraduate, degree and intermediate colleges. Under the orders, no organisation or group will be allowed to hold any event or conduct organisational activity without prior approval from the competent authority. Principals of all government colleges have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the orders.

PESHAWAR, 13 September 2026 (Ghufran): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has strongly criticised the federal government over repeated increases in petroleum prices and the rising national debt, saying the burden of economic policies is ultimately being passed on to the people. Addressing a provincial cabinet meeting, the chief minister termed the continuous increase in petroleum product prices extremely regrettable, saying the impact was being felt most severely by the poor and middle class. He said inflation had made life increasingly difficult for poor, middle-class and white-collar segments of society, with many people struggling to afford basic necessities and even two meals a day. Criticising the federal government’s economic policies, Afridi said repeated increases in p...

لاہور، 13 ستمبر 2026 (نوشین): پنجاب حکومت نے امن و امان برقرار رکھنے اور شہریوں کی جان و مال کے تحفظ کے لیے صوبے بھر میں 13 سے 17 ستمبر تک دفعہ 144 نافذ کردی ہے۔ سرکاری نوٹیفکیشن کے مطابق محکمہ داخلہ پنجاب کو قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں اور انٹیلی جنس ایجنسیوں کی جانب سے انتہائی حساس رپورٹس موصول ہوئی تھیں، جن میں کالعدم دہشت گرد تنظیموں کی جانب سے عوامی اجتماعات اور ریلیوں کو ممکنہ طور پر نشانہ بنانے کی منصوبہ بندی کی نشاندہی کی گئی تھی۔ نوٹیفکیشن کے تحت عوامی مقامات، سڑکوں اور کھلی جگہوں پر پانچ یا اس سے زائد افراد کے اجتماع پر پابندی عائد کردی گئی ہے، جبکہ جلوس، عوامی اجتماعات، دھرنے اور مظاہرے بھی ممنوع ہوں گے۔ عوامی مقامات پر ہر قسم کے اسلحے کی نمائش اور اسے لے کر چلنے پر بھی پابندی ہوگی۔ غیر قانونی اجتماعات، ریلیوں یا مظاہروں میں شرکت کے لیے لوگوں کو اکسانے یا ترغیب دینے والے افراد ک...

LAHORE, 13 September, 2026 (Nosheen): The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from September 13 to 17 to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of life and property, according to an official notification. The Punjab Home Department said it had received highly sensitive reports from law enforcement and intelligence agencies indicating that banned terrorist organisations were allegedly planning attacks on public gatherings and rallies. Under the notification, gatherings of five or more people at public places, roads and open spaces have been prohibited, while processions, public meetings, sit-ins and demonstrations will also remain banned during the restriction period. The carrying and display of all types of weapons at public places has also been prohibited. ...

KHUNJERAB, 12 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): The first snowfall of the year has covered the mountains of Khunjerab in a white blanket, further enhancing the natural beauty of the scenic Khunjerab border region. The snowfall has intensified the cold weather in the area, while domestic and foreign tourists have begun enjoying the picturesque winter scenery. Visitors captured breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains and surrounding landscapes on their cameras, adding to the attraction of the popular tourist destination.

ISLAMABAD, 12 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): Islamabad Police have safely recovered a foreign national who was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from Sector G-8 for a ransom of US$100,000, following a swift and effective operation. Taking immediate notice of the incident, SSP Operations Islamabad Qazi Ali Raza formed special police teams under the supervision of SP City Muhammad Khurram Ashraf, which conducted an intelligence-based operation using modern technical resources and human intelligence and safely recovered the abducted foreign national from the limits of Sihala Police Station. Police also arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping and recovered three vehicles used in the crime, stolen cash and mobile phones from their possession. The suspects had also allegedly rob...

ISLAMABAD, 12 September 2026 (Ghufran): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a telephone conversation with Field Marshal Asim Munir amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and ongoing regional developments. According to Reuters, a Pakistani security official said the two discussed Tehran’s dispute with Washington, the possibility of reviving diplomatic efforts and returning to negotiations, as well as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The official said the conversation also covered the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday evening to discuss the escalating tensions and growing insecurity in the region. According to Ira...

 MURIDKE, 12 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former municipal chairman Sheikh Shabbir was killed in an assassination attack in Muridke. According to police, unidentified assailants opened fire on a vehicle on the Grand Trunk Road before fleeing the scene. Sources said Sheikh Shabbir was travelling from Muridke to Lahore when the attack took place. Further details regarding the incident and the identities of the attackers are awaited.