PAKISTAN NEWS

 ISLAMABAD, 26 August 2026 (Kamran Raja) — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has suspended and removed Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri from his post following the tragic fire at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review the PIMS fire incident. Expressing strong displeasure over the performance of the relevant officials, the prime minister ordered immediate action. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy and determine responsibility for the deaths. Former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan has been appointed chairman of th...

ISLAMABAD, 26 August, 2026 (Ghufran) — The Islamabad district administration on Wednesday constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the fire that broke out in the nursery of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), resulting in the deaths of newborn babies. According to a notification issued by the District Magistrate, the committee will determine the exact cause of the fire and examine the factors that contributed to its spread. The committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), includes the Director General of Capital Emergency Services, representatives of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Superintendent of Police (City), Assistant Commissioner (Industrial Area), Director General (E&M) CDA, and r...

 ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (NOSHEEN): Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday chaired an internal meeting with the Ministry’s Foreign Trade Wings to review Pakistan’s export performance, bilateral trade engagements and progress on trade agreements. The minister expressed satisfaction over encouraging export growth in several emerging markets and directed officials to build on this momentum through market diversification, stronger business-to-business linkages and closer engagement with overseas trade missions.He emphasized identifying new opportunities for Pakistani rice, textiles, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, processed food, light engineering goods and services, according to a press release issued here. Jam Kamal Khan directed the Foreign Trade Wings t...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026(GHUFRAN): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan was keen to elevate its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia into a mutually beneficial strategic economic partnership in line with the vision of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. A high-level Saudi business delegation, led by Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House.During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed his regards to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He highlighted the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and discussed ways to expand economic cooperati...

LAHORE, 25 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Preparations for celebrating the blessed birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are in full swing across Pakistan, with streets, markets, mosques and public buildings illuminated and decorated with green flags and colourful lights. Eid Milad-un-Nabi, observed on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, will be celebrated across the country tomorrow (Wednesday) with religious devotion and respect. The government has announced a public holiday on the occasion. Seminars, conferences and Mehfil-e-Naat gatherings focusing on the life, teachings and Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be organised in different cities. Religious processions and rallies will also be held at various locations.Tonight, mosques across the country will host special Milad, Durood and Salam gather...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated the nation on Moody’s upgrading Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating from Caa1 to B3. In a statement, the prime minister welcomed the improvement in Pakistan’s credit rating and appreciated the efforts of the government’s economic team. He particularly commended Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and all concerned ministers and officials for their contributions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the improvement in Pakistan’s credit rating reflected growing international confidence in the government’s economic policies and reforms. He welc...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday visited Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave to review ongoing development work and assess progress on key infrastructure projects. During the visit, the minister inspected construction activities and directed officials to accelerate work while ensuring environmental protection and improved facilities for residents. Mohsin Naqvi reviewed progress on the boundary wall, remodeling of security checkpoints, and construction of cycling and walking tracks inside the Diplomatic Enclave. He directed that work on the boundary wall continue without interruption and ordered officials to ensure that no trees are cut during the development projects.The interior minister instructed authorities to develop the cycling and walking tr...

ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan and Iran have made significant progress in talks focused on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and efforts to find a path towards peace, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Tuesday. Naqvi said Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and he held a “very positive and productive” meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He said the discussions focused on the Iran-US conflict, tensions in the Middle East and the way forward, as well as steps required by both sides for the restoration of the Islamabad MoU, which could pave the way for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. According to Naqvi, President Pezeshkian openly shared his government’s perspective and concerns, leading to a con...

 ISLAMABAD, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan by telephone on Tuesday. During the conversation, the two foreign ministers discussed Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations, regional developments and other matters of mutual interest. The ministers also exchanged views on the upcoming meeting of the Regional Four (R4) Foreign Ministers as well as other forthcoming multilateral engagements. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest.