ISLAMABAD: The Information Minister has released the latest figures regarding the ongoing Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq of the Pakistan Army in Afghanistan, according to which 663 operatives of the Afghan Taliban regime have been killed and 887 injured in Afghanistan so far. In these attacks, the Pakistani forces effectively destroyed the oil storage site of the airfield in Kandahar and adjacent logistical infrastructure. It can be seen in the released video that only military installations and terrorist hideouts were destroyed by the Pakistani forces. According to security sources, this video also dispels the propaganda that the Pakistani forces are targeting the civilian population in Afghanistan. According to security sources, operations under Operation Ghazb lil Haq will continue until the objectives are achieved.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan has successfully concluded the second phase of its 5G spectrum auction, finalising the positioning of key frequency bands and generating a total of $510 million in revenue, equivalent to approximately Rs142 billion, according to officials. All three major telecom companies took part actively in the bidding process, reflecting strong demand for the high-frequency spectrum that will power future 5G services. During the rounds of bidding for the 3500 MHz band, operators maintained strategic positions while continuing to compete for spectrum allocation. Spectrum allocationThe second stage of the 5G assignment also confirmed the positioning of operators within the 2600 MHz band. According to PTA, the spectrum positions were allocated as follows:

LAHORE :- Punjab’s Punjab has witnessed a rapid decline in crime rates, which Information Minister Azma Bukhari says is the result of the government’s effective strategy. In a statement, Azma Bukhari stated that thanks to the better strategy of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the crime rate in the province has decreased. Considering the increasing public acceptance of the CCD, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has decided to establish it as a premier agency. The Information Minister further stated that law and order in Punjab is improving, and crime statistics are now encouraging. Azma Bukhari said that women’s protection is Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s top priority and red line.

Kabul, March 13: Afghan border forces have confiscated 30 Beretta pistols during a targeted intelligence-led operation in southern Kandahar province, a local security official said on Friday. Shakeeb confirmed that Afghan security forces are actively working to curb arms trafficking across the porous border regions. The seizure is part of broader efforts by the Afghan government to collect arms and ammunition from individuals outside official security forces and to prevent weapons smuggling in border areas through the deployment of additional security personnel. In a separate operation, police uncovered additional arms and ammunition in neighboring Paktika province as part of ongoing efforts to curb unauthorized weapons. Authorities have initiated further investigations to identify other individuals who may be connected to the illicit arms stash.

However, for the bulk of small farmers it is very difficult, if not impossible, to be financially viable. In fact, most small farmers face poverty and all the evils that go with it including poor health, poor nutrition, poor education and social exclusion. Public extension agents should, in theory, fill the technological gap for small farmers, but usually fail to do so. These platforms are also beginning to help small farmers on commercial aspects such as purchase of inputs and sale of produce. The above changes would, of course, not solve all problems of small farmers but would certainly help move things forward.

The Qatari minister emphasised the importance of encouraging greater interaction between the business communities of both countries in order to further strengthen economic ties, said a press release issued on Thursday. A key focus of discussion was enhancing Pakistan's exports of rice and other food products to Qatar. Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed highlighted that rice remains an important component of Qatar's food security programme and national food strategy and expressed interest in increasing imports from Pakistan. In addition to food supply cooperation, the two sides discussed investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure, logistics and energy. The Qatari side welcomed the proposals shared by Pakistan and indicated that relevant authorities, including the Qatar Investment Authority, would review them.

Civil society join candlelight event to express solidarity with PalestiniansA candlelight ceremony and photo exhibition were held at the Press Club by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) in memory of the martyrs of Palestine and Al-Quds. Leaders from various political and religious parties, members of the press, and social figures attended the event and lit candles in solidarity. He paid tribute to Martyr Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and the martyrs of the struggle for Jerusalem, vowing to defend Palestinians to the last drop of blood. He said that the martyrs of resistance have shattered the arrogance of colonial powers, including Israel and the US, and warned that the Zionist dream of "Greater Israel" will never be fulfilled. Rally in Karachi shows solidarity with Pakistan ArmyMeanwhile, a rally was held to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army over Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq.

Five people, including three teenage boys, collapsed of suffocation inside underground water tankFive people, including three teenage boys, collapsed of suffocation inside an underground water tank at a house in Khuda ki Basti, Surjani Town Phase 2. According to SHO of Surjani Town, Soheil Khaskheli, the underground tank had been empty and unused for several months and was covered with a lid. In order to clean the tank, three boys entered it, and due to toxic gas buildup, they began to lose consciousness. In an attempt to rescue them, a tenant and neighbouring children also entered the tank and suffered the same fate. The unconscious victims have been identified as 45-year-old Rizwan, 10-year-old Noman alias Nomi, 9-year-old Usman, and 9-year-old Waqas.

Wall Street's major indexes fell 1% on Thursday, with financial stocks taking a blow, as a surge in oil prices towards $100 a barrel rekindled inflation fears and investors kept a close watch on mounting jitters in the private credit sector. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as a tool of pressure. Investors are also scrutinising the roughly $2 trillion private credit market following a string of credit issues that have surfaced in recent months and Swiss private equity firm Partners Group warned private credit default rates could double in the next few years. Morgan Stanley fell 4.3% after limiting redemptions at one of its private credit funds following similar actions by Blackstone and BlackRock earlier this month. JPMorgan Chase of some loans to private credit funds on Thursday.

5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) March 12, 2026Iran’s new supreme leader affirms importance of Hormuz closureEarlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said that all United States bases in the region should be immediately closed and warned they would be attacked if they remained open. However, he added that "the enemy established military and financial bases in some of these countries years ago to ensure his hegemony over the region. In the recent attack, some of these bases were used; therefore — as we warned previously — we targeted those bases only without aggressing against those countries. Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed after the call to do so by Mojtaba. However, Pizzotti said numbers had recently been reduced because of the danger from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

In war, a fake image does not need to survive forensic scrutiny for days. Yet the same digital ecosystem that spreads fake images has also produced a powerful counterforce: OSINT — Open-Source Intelligence. Someone had digitally added explosions and smoke and recaptioned the image as a contemporary war scene. The visual was powerful propaganda because it presented not merely a rumor but a seemingly photographic “proof” of a leader’s death. In the age of AI-generated war propaganda, a battlefield victory can now be simulated long before it actually happens.

The only two Pakistan players in Wednesday's women's auction, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, went unsold. Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏[Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds] pic.twitter.com/Yqm204j091 — SunRisers Leeds (@sunrisersleeds) March 12, 2026Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the men's sale and fellow paceman Haris Rauf failed to attract an offer when put up for his reserve price of £100,000 ($134,000) at the auction in London on Thursday. But Sunrisers bought 27-year-old Ahmed for £190,000, while fellow Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, 28, was snapped up by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000. Sunrisers are owned in full by the group behind IPL outfit Sunrisers Hyderabad. Four of the franchises — MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave — are at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.

Victim, 50-year-old Usman, was working at factory when he slipped, fell into boiling oil used in industrial processA labourer died after accidentally falling into boiling oil while working at a textile factory near Nishtar Colony. According to an Edhi Foundation spokesperson, the incident occurred near Gajjumata. The victim, 50-year-old Usman Asif, was a resident of Muzaffargarh. Officials said he was performing routine work at the factory when he slipped and fell into a large container of boiling oil used in the industrial process. Upon receiving information about the incident, police reached the site and, with the help of Edhi volunteers, retrieved the body and shifted it to a morgue for legal formalities.

Giving a weekly briefing, he said that the Pakistani leadership is in continuous diplomatic contact with important countries in the region, including Iran, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has held three talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister, while the Prime Minister also contacted Iranian President Masoud Peshmerga and discussed the situation in the region. According to the spokesperson, the Prime Minister is going to visit Saudi Arabia soon and during this time, close contacts are also maintained with the Gulf countries, while the Prime Minister has had several telephone conversations with the Gulf leadership, including Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that he could not confirm definitively about possible contacts related to the Strait of Hormuz, but defense and military officials are in touch with their Iranian counterparts. He added that there has been no major change in the attitude towards Afghanistan, a delegation’s visit to Afghanistan is in a private capacity, while a negotiation process on Afghanistan is underway and a delegation led by the Chinese special representative will soon arrive in Pakistan. He said that the Afghan Taliban recently carried out aggression in more than 50 places.

The newly elected Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has released his first audio statement in which he has given a strong message to the United States. Attacks will continue until US military bases are closedAyatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned that US military bases in the Middle East should be closed, otherwise Iran will continue its attacks. The enemy is targeting the peopleMojtaba Khamenei added that the world has seen that the Iranian people are a great and united nation. He added that the enemy is targeting Iran and its people, but the Iranian nation will confront these conspiracies with unity. In his message, he added that Iran is not targeting any civilian or country, but only military bases are being targeted, and these operations will continue.