DERA ISMAIL KHAN :- Police successfully thwarted a terrorist attack on a police check post in Dera Ismail Khan late on Wednesday night, killing two militants in a timely response. According to DPO Sahibzada Sajjad Ahmed, terrorists launched an attack on the Khatti police check post in the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan. Police personnel stationed at the post responded promptly, engaging the attackers and foiling their attempt to breach the checkpoint. The DPO confirmed that one police official sustained injuries during the attack and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Security in the area has been tightened following the incident, and a search operation was carried out to ensure no other attackers were present nearby.

ISLAMABAD :- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that Pakistan will definitely succeed in the war against terrorism. A meeting of the federal cabinet was held in the federal capital under the chairmanship of Shehbaz Sharif, which was attended by federal ministers and other senior officials. Addressing the meeting, he said that after winning the war against India, global demand for Pakistan’s fighter jets has increased. The Prime Minister said in his address that Pakistan will certainly succeed in the war against terrorism, and added that we will not rest until this menace is completely eliminated. Shehbaz Sharif further stated that Pakistan has shown better economic progress in a short period of time.

WASHINGTON: US military intervention in Iran now appears likely and could take place within the next 24 hours, officials have warned, amid sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East. An American official said on Wednesday that the evacuation of Al Udeid Air Base was a precautionary move following warnings from a senior Iranian official. Meanwhile, two European officials said military intervention now appeared likely, with one suggesting it could come within the next 24 hours. An Iranian official has said more than 2,000 people have died. Direct contacts between Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had been suspended, the official added.

QUETTA – Quetta and several other districts of Balochistan continue to experience cold and dry weather, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting severe cold conditions in the province’s northern areas along with partly cloudy skies. The minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at 0°C, while Kalat experienced even colder conditions with temperatures dropping to -2°C. In Ziarat, the minimum temperature also touched 0°C, whereas Zhob recorded 4°C. Cold weather conditions were also reported in Balochistan’s coastal belt. The minimum temperature in Gwadar was recorded at 13°C, while Jiwani experienced a low of 14°C.

ISLAMABAD :– Pakistan has said it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and wants a peaceful resolution to the issue, reaffirming its commitment to playing a role for peace and stability in the region. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, while speaking at the weekly briefing, said Pakistan supports a peaceful solution to the Iran issue and will continue to play its role for peace. He added that Pakistan stands by peace and stability in Iran and hopes the country will soon overcome its current crisis. He further said that Pakistan has seen reports regarding restrictions on US visas and is in contact with American authorities on the matter. “The United States is reviewing its visa policy, and we hope that visas for Pakistan will be restored soon,” he said, adding that Pakistan remains in contact with US authorities regarding immigration policies.

Islamabad; The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) undertook an official study visit to the National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) on January 13 2026. Led by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors (BoG), ISSI, the delegation sought to gain firsthand insights into Pakistan’s indigenous radio and telecommunication capabilities, with a focus on innovation, self-reliance, and their strategic relevance to national security. He further underscored that secure, resilient, and indigenous communication systems constitute a vital pillar of national security, enabling effective command, control, and informed strategic decision-making. Brigadier Azmat Shabbir, Managing Director, NRTC, provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s mandate, core functions, and ongoing projects. The visit concluded with the exchange of mementos, reflecting mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to continued engagement in support of Pakistan’s strategic and technological advancement.

Leader of the Muslim League-N, Senator Bahramand Tangi said PTI has always practiced politics of chaos, causing chaos. PTI’s protest on February 8 will not achieve anything, every time PTI protested, the country suffered, PTI members commit arson during protests, causing distress they will come out from here to protest, they will get nothing, they will suffer hardship. we also played our role in the war that Israel waged against Iran, a bitter struggle. our cooperation with Iran will continue, we want the Iranian people not to be harmed, the suffering they endure, we stand with Iran in every way, despite the hardships. PTI members are not ready to talk to anyone, PPP is with us wholeheartedly, if institutions are strong, the country will be strong, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif signed the Charter Democracy, Founder’s cases will not end.

Recent disclosures made in Lahore by Mufti Abdul Rahim of Jamia Rasheed, coupled with emerging accounts on Afghanistan’s war economy, fall squarely into that category. It is commonly assumed that Afghanistan’s shattered economy survives almost entirely on war related activity. Afghanistan sits atop some of the world’s most valuable mineral reserves, particularly gold and other strategic resources. Taliban security forces, alongside armed men linked to Bashir Haji Noorzi, opened fire on protesters, resulting in deaths and destruction of property. These mineral rich zones, which also contain uranium and other valuable resources, have become easy targets for smuggling and terror financing.

The deaths of eight Palestinians in Gaza during a brutal winter storm are not a natural tragedy alone; they are the foreseeable consequence of a man-made catastrophe that refuses to end. In a land already pulverized by months of relentless Israeli bombardment, cold rain and violent winds has become yet another weapon, exposing the cruelty of forcing a civilian population to survive without shelter, safety, or dignity. These deaths are a stark reminder that in Gaza, even the weather has become lethal because the foundations of civilian life have been systematically destroyed. Winter storms are predictable. Until justice, accountability, and genuine humanitarian action prevail, the storms will keep coming, and the dead will keep mounting.

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations and fast-tracking the Pakistan–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed to build a more robust and balanced trade and investment partnership. This came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi. Jam Kamal Khan highlighted the historical, strategic, and people-to-people ties between the two countries and stressed the government’s focus on medium-term economic growth, export expansion, and regional connectivity, particularly through partnerships with Gulf nations. Ambassador Al Zaabi praised Pakistan’s reform efforts and the professionalism of the technical teams involved in CEPA negotiations. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to maintain close coordination and ensure timely completion of the CEPA process, paving the way for a new phase of mutually beneficial economic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE.

LAHORE: Mr. S. M. Tanveer, Leader of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has expressed concerns over reliance on remittances and debt-driven consumption, and not exports, for economic grwoth and development. He highlighted the challenges facing Pakistan’s exports, citing an estimated $60 billion gap in potential exports. In a statement, Mr. […]

ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has acknowledged that several companies exit Pakistan, admitting that high taxation and elevated energy prices have become serious challenges for businesses. Speaking at the Pakistan Policy Dialogue in Islamabad, the finance minister said that sustainable economic growth is only possible through structural reforms. Referring to remittances, the finance minister said Pakistan received $38 billion in remittances last year, with inflows expected to rise to $41 billion in the current fiscal year. Aurangzeb described the ongoing economic reforms as a potential “East Asia moment” for Pakistan. The finance minister also highlighted progress on privatisation, noting that local investors participated in the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), while 24 institutions have been handed over to the Privatisation Commission.

The death toll from protests in Iran has reached 2,571 people, the U.S.-based HRANA rights group said on Wednesday, as the Islamic Republic’s clerical rulers face the biggest wave of dissent in years. An Iranian official said on Tuesday about 2,000 people had been killed, the first time authorities have given an overall death toll from more than two weeks of nationwide unrest. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting, promising help is on the way. Asked what he meant by “help is on its way”, Trump told reporters they would have to figure that out. Trump has said military action is among the options he is weighing to punish Iran over the crackdown.

Authorities say tighter controls on the movement of people and goods across the border have strengthened monitoring systems and reduced opportunities for the virus to spread. The Pakistan–Afghanistan border has long posed a challenge for polio eradication due to frequent and largely unmanaged population movement. Health officials say that better regulation of cross-border movement and the repatriation of undocumented Afghan immigrants have reduced this risk. With more structured border management, vaccination at transit points has improved and mobile populations are now easier to track. Experts emphasise that while vaccination remains the cornerstone of eradication, Pakistan’s experience in 2025 shows that regulated cross-border movement is a critical public health measure, particularly in the final stages of eliminating the virus.

LAHORE : The Punjab government has announced a ban on the purchase of new petrol and diesel vehicles for government departments in a bid to promote environment friendly transport. Additionally, the government has imposed a condition for the approval of new petrol pumps. This decision ensures that no new petrol pump can operate without providing facilities for electric vehicle charging. A new electric vehicle policy for the province will soon be introduced to further support these efforts. As part of this initiative, NOCs for 170 new petrol pumps in 31 cities have been issued via the E-Biz portal.