Over Rs540 million worth kites, strings sold in Lahore in three days
LAHORE : Kite enthusiasts in Lahore spent over Rs 540 million on kite strings and kites during the past three days, according to the Kite Association. The surge in demand is attributed to the upcoming Basant festival, with Lahore residents eagerly purchasing kites and strings made in Peshawar. In Peshawar, the historic Yaka Tut Bazaar is bustling with activity as dozens of kite shops operate day and night. Skilled craftsmen from Punjab and other areas are busy producing high-quality, colorful, and affordable kites and strings, which are being shipped in large quantities to Lahore and other cities. Shopkeepers in Yaka Tut Bazaar said that kite-making workshops across Peshawar are working at full capacity, with artisans tirelessly crafting kites and strings to meet the high demand ahead of Basant.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:33 UTC
Salman Khan's entry in 'Dharandhar 2'? Viral picture excites fans
Rumors of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan playing the role of “Bade Sahib” in the film ‘Dhurandhar 2’ have created a stir on social media. In the past few days, some pictures started circulating online claiming that Salman Khan will play a special role in the upcoming sequel, which created a wave of excitement among his fans. The Hindustan Times report said that the pictures that went viral were purely based on speculation. The accompanying disclaimer also states that Jio Studios, B62 Studios and the film’s director Aditya Dhar have not confirmed Salman Khan’s involvement in the project. Despite this, the comments from fans in the comments section of the viral snapshots are gaining traction.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:33 UTC
Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan appointed as new IGP Gilgit-Baltistan
ISLAMABAD:The Federal Government has appointed Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, a BS-20 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gilgit-Baltistan. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan has been transferred from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), where he was serving under the Interior and Narcotics Control Division. His posting has been made under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, and takes effect immediately until further orders.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:33 UTC
Earth-like planet discovered 146 light-years from Earth
The US space agency NASA has discovered a new planet about 146 light-years from Earth that is very similar to Earth. The planet, named HD137010 b, may be located on the outer edge of its star’s ‘habitable zone’. This means that the planet’s surface temperature (-68°C) cannot exceed -90°F. In comparison, the average surface temperature of Mars is about -85°F (-65°C). The discovery was made during a single ‘transit’ (when the planet passed in front of its star) that occurred during Kepler’s second mission, K2.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:33 UTC
Two dangerous robbers from Kachha surrender
Rahim Yar Khan: Punjab Police is conducting operations against the Kacha dacoits while notorious dacoits Jamil Andhar and Ibrahim Shar have surrendered. According to the police, in a joint operation by Punjab Police Rahim Yar Khan and Military Intelligence, notorious dacoits Jamil Andhar and Ibrahim Shar, who have a bounty of Rs 5 million on their heads, surrendered before the police. The statement said that the Punjab government had set a bounty of Rs 5 million each on the heads of dacoits Ibrahim Shar and Jamil Andhar. DPO Irfan Ali Samo said that the dangerous accused of the Andhar gang have surrendered and surrendered themselves to the police, however, the Kacha operation is successfully underway and will continue until the last dacoit surrenders. He said that the police and sensitive agencies are determined to establish a state writ and protect the lives and property of the people.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:33 UTC
Court issues notice to Interior Secretary
The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the Secretary Interior, FIA, and DG Immigration on the petitions of TikTokers Nadeem Mubarak and Rajab Butt to remove their names from the Passport Control List. The Islamabad High Court heard the petitions of TikTokers Nadeem Mubarak alias Naniwala and Rajab Butt to remove their names from the Passport Control List. The petitioners requested the court to remove their names from the travel ban list. The Islamabad High Court issued notices to the Secretary Interior, FIA, and other parties. The court also issued notices to the DG Passport and Immigration.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
Gold further out of reach of the masses
The prices of gold and silver have increased further in the global and local markets. Gold has now become not just a precious metal but a sensitive measure of the global economy. Despite the uncertain environment in the international market three days ago, investors and central banks of various countries are still considering it safe to transfer their assets to gold, which continued to increase the prices of gold and silver in the global market for the third day on Wednesday. As the price of gold per ounce in the international bullion market increased by another $ 148 to $ 5,064, the price of gold per tola in the local bullion markets also increased by Rs 14,800 to Rs 529,162 and the price of gold per ten grams increased by Rs 12,689 to Rs 453,671. Due to the predictions of gold and silver prices increasing by research institutions of the global financial system, the purchase demand for gold and silver continues to be maintained.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
Sohail Afridi and others identified
PESHAWAR: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has released a report on the identification of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and other accused in the Radio Pakistan Peshawar attack case. According to the NADRA report, the accused were identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS), for which a USB was received and it contained 5 folders. The report stated that the names of the folders were Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Amir Chamkani, Irfan Saleem, Kamran and Taimur Jhagra and the folders also had profile pictures along with the aforementioned names. NADRA said that through the FRS system, the facial recognition was likely matched with the National Identity Card number, while the ground verification required, which was sent with the USB letter, has been returned.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
important statement by the Governor
The State Bank board has finalized the designs of all the new currency notes and sent them to the federal government for approval. According to the State Bank Governor, the final approval for the issuance of new currency notes will now have to be given by the federal government. Along with this, the introduction of plastic currency notes is also being considered on an experimental basis. The State Bank Governor clarified that no proposal to abolish the Rs 5,000 currency note is under consideration. The Governor State Bank said that these charges are paid directly to telecom companies and the State Bank does not collect any money in this regard.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
local vaccine is not developed
If a local vaccine is not developed, the annual cost will reach $1.2 billion by 2031, which will be a huge burden on the national economy. Mustafa Kamal warned that after 2031, the assistance of international partners will end, if a local vaccine is not developed, the annual cost will reach $1.2 billion by 2031, which will be a huge burden on the national economy. He said that during the war, the vaccine had stopped coming to Pakistan, we order the vaccine through Gavi, which came from India. Saudi Arabia has been working on the vaccine for 10 years and Indonesia is producing two million doses annually. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that we are a nuclear power, if we made the JF-17, we can also make the vaccine.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
Fawad Chaudhry gets big relief in fraud case
ISLAMABAD: The District and Sessions Courts, Islamabad, acquitted former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a fraud case. Fawad Chaudhry appeared in court along with his lawyers Shams Iqbal Advocate and Qamar Inayat Raja Advocate. Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyers presented arguments on the acquittal application. Shams Iqbal Advocate said in his arguments that the evidence in the case against Fawad Chaudhry is insufficient, and the complainant’s lack of interest is also before the court. The court, after reviewing the record, acquitted Fawad Chaudhry from the case.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
Gaza's participation in the so-called Peace Board
Lahore: The opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ain Pakistan has demanded that the government immediately withdraw its membership from the so-called Board of Gaza. The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ain Pakistan issued a conference declaration on the Gaza issue, which states that Pakistan should immediately withdraw its membership from the so-called “Board of Peace”. The opposition alliance said that a foreign policy should be made that is based on mutual respect and cooperation. We condemn Trump’s threats against Iran and reject any interference by imperialist powers in the internal affairs of sovereign countries. We demand a neutral foreign policy that is committed to regional peace and avoids becoming a proxy for the West.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 15:32 UTC
FPCCI, in Collaboration with Ipsos, Launches
Islamabad, , The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with Ipsos, today officially launched Pakistan’s first homegrown survey, the Index of Transparency and Accountability in Pakistan (iTAP), during a launch ceremony held at the FPCCI Capital House, Islamabad, at 11:00 AM. The iTAP initiative was conceived in May 2025 as a strategic effort by FPCCI to develop an indigenous, recurring benchmark for measuring transparency and accountability in Pakistan. The survey aims to provide an objective assessment of public trust in government and institutions. Addressing the audience, Federal Minister congratulated FPCCI for bringing the critical issue of transparency and accountability to forefront of national discourse with rigour and commitment. The Minister highlighted the gap between public perceptions and actual lived experience.
Source:The Patriot
February 04, 2026 07:34 UTC
Chinese Ambassador meets Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Xi Jinping called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson, during the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Ambassador Xi Jinping discussed in detail bilateral issues of mutual interest and recent developments in the region. On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the ironclad and all-weather strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. The Chinese Ambassador also expressed satisfaction over the continuous progress of bilateral relations with Pakistan and expressed his desire to further expand mutual cooperation. According to the Foreign Office Spokesperson, it was also agreed in the meeting to continue close consultations on regional and global issues.
Source:The Patriot
February 03, 2026 23:36 UTC
Peshawar Zalmi decide to retain Babar Azam and release Saim Ayub
Ahead of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a major development has come to light regarding player retention. According to sources, Peshawar Zalmi has decided to retain its captain Babar Azam while opening batsman Saim Ayub is likely to be released. Sources say that both Babar Azam and Saim Ayub are in Peshawar Zalmi’s platinum category, however, as per PSL rules, each franchise can retain only one player in a category. That is why Peshawar Zalmi has decided to release Saim Ayub in preference to captain Babar Azam.
Source:The Patriot
February 03, 2026 23:36 UTC