PAKISTAN NEWS

 ISLAMABAD, 17 August, 2026 (Ghufran) – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed all institutions working under the Ministry of Interior to prepare comprehensive two-year transformation plans aimed at modernising their operations and improving public services. Chairing a high-level meeting of heads of subsidiary institutions, Naqvi stressed stronger coordination, communication and cooperation among departments. He also directed officials to adopt comprehensive measures for data security and cybersecurity and provide full support and resources to newly established institutions, including the Land Port Authority. Naqvi said all institutions should become autonomous, modern and public-friendly, with improved facilities and quality services for citizens. He directed officials t...

ISLAMABAD, 17 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja) – The August 10 medical report of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been submitted to the Supreme Court, detailing his medical condition and examinations. The report states that Khan’s anxiety level was recorded at three-plus, while his blood pressure was 140/80 and pulse rate was 54 beats per minute. His ECG was normal, while an echocardiogram showed a slight E-to-A reversal. The medical board, comprising specialists in ophthalmology, cardiology and medicine, recommended that Khan take a one-hour daily walk and participate in relaxation activities to help manage anxiety. The board also advised providing him with newspapers, magazines, television access and study books, while recommending longer meetings with his family and spou...

ISLAMABAD, 17 August, 2026 (Nosheen) – Preparations for holding local government elections in Punjab have entered the final phase, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned the provincial government to finalize the polling date.According to sources, an important decision regarding the polling date is expected to be taken during a meeting between the ECP and the Punjab government scheduled for August 20.All necessary arrangements for the local government elections, including delimitation of constituencies, have reportedly been completed. Following the finalization of the polling date, the formal election schedule is also expected to be announced.The meeting between the Election Commission and the Punjab government is being viewed as an important development toward conducting...

PESHAWAR, 17 August, 2026(Kamran Raja): Four judges on Monday took oath as permanent judges of the Peshawar High Court (PHC).The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Peshawar High Court, where Chief Justice SM Atiique Shah administered the oath to the newly appointed permanent judges.The judges who took oath included Justice Farah Jamshed, Justice Sabitullah, Justice Inam Khan and Justice Aurangzeb Khan. Following the ceremony, all four formally assumed their responsibilities as permanent judges of the high court.A large number of high court judges, judicial officers and lawyers attended the ceremony. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhail and Additional Attorney General Sanaullah were also present.Peshawar High Court Bar President Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, members of th...

BEIJING, 16 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistani blockbuster film The Legend of Maula Jatt has won two prestigious awards at the seventh Jackie Chan International Action Film Week in China.Directed by Bilal Lashari, the film received the Special Jury Award and the Best Art Direction Award at the closing ceremony of the event.Lashari announced the achievement on Instagram, describing the recognition alongside films such as Mortal Kombat 2 and The Furious as an “incredible” moment.The director said he received the awards on an outdoor stage amid heavy rain. Recalling the ceremony, he said he was completely drenched by the time he reached the microphone, while a stranger held an umbrella for him. Lashari said the Best Art Direction Award was particularly meaningful because it recognised the...

MELBOURNE, 16 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan’s squash player Sana Bahadur has won a squash tournament held in Melbourne, defeating Australian player Rachael Grinham in the final. Representing Pakistan at the event, Sana produced an impressive performance in the final to beat Grinham 3-1 and claim the title. The tournament, held in Melbourne, carried a total prize purse of $3,000. Sana’s victory further strengthens Pakistan’s presence on the international squash circuit and marks another notable achievement for Pakistani players competing in Australia.

QUETTA, 16 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Women politicians in Balochistan have strongly condemned alleged attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) against civilians, women and children, calling for an end to terrorism and violence in the province.Addressing a press conference alongside Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola and Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Chief Minister’s Adviser Meena Majeed Baloch said militants allegedly entered a house and killed 50-year-old Bibi Hanifa and her 17-year-old daughter.Meena Majeed Baloch said militants affiliated with what she described as “Fitna al-Hindustan” were targeting civilians, women and children. She said the government would continue efforts to eliminate terrorism from Balochistan and promote peace, dev...

QUETTA, 16 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Balochistan has recorded a significant improvement in children’s immunization coverage, with the latest independent third-party verification survey showing a substantial rise in the number of children receiving the complete course of routine vaccinations. According to the Third-Party Verification of Immunization Coverage Survey (TPVICS) Round 3, 2026, conducted under the supervision of Aga Khan University Pakistan, the proportion of fully immunized children in Balochistan increased from 38 percent to 56.6 percent. The survey also recorded a 20.3 percentage-point decline in zero-dose children, referring to children who have never received any routine vaccination.The improvement is being viewed as an important achievement in reaching children who remain...

ISLAMABAD, 16 August, 2026 (Ghufran): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to the security forces for successfully conducting an intelligence-based operation (IBO) against terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan in Khuzdar.In their separate statements, the President and Prime Minister said that the timely action and successful execution of the operation reflected the professional skills, expertise and operational capabilities of Pakistan’s security forces.They said the entire nation stood united with the security forces in the fight against terrorism and remained committed to eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country.Earlier, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation against terrorists affiliated ...