Budget 2026 to strengthen agriculture, reduce climate-related risks: Tea planters
"A key initiative in the Budget is 'Bharat-VISTAAR', a multilingual AI-powered agricultural advisory platform that integrates AgriStack and ICAR agricultural practices. The scheme is aimed at making need-based interventions in tea garden areas for strengthening provisions of education and health services to the tea workers. The planters' body also said the Budget takes care for provision for providing social security for plantation workers in Assam. The provision covers family pension-cum-life insurance benefits for plantation workers in Assam through the Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme for tea plantation workers. These schemes are implemented by the Government of Assam for workers governed under the Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund and Family Pension and Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Act.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 02, 2026 03:18 UTC
PAKISTAN NAVY SHAHEED MUHAMMAD SHAHZAIB
Director General Public Relations (Navy)Islamabad, 1 Feb 26: Shaheed Muhammad Shahzaib MGT-I was laid to rest with full military honours in his native village Isa Khel, District Mianwali. The namaz-e-janaza was attended by officers and personnel of Pakistan Navy, civil and military officials, and family members. Shaheed Muhammad Shahzaib MGT-I sacrificed his life while defending against a cowardly terrorist attack at Pasni, demonstrating exceptional courage and devotion to duty. Pakistan Navy pays rich tribute to the supreme sacrifice of the Shaheed and extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 23:43 UTC
All routes from Punjab to Balochistan closed in DG Khan
DERA GHAZI KHAN – All routes connecting Punjab to Balochistan via Dera Ghazi Khan have been closed, authorities confirmed on Saturday. According to Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid, the main highways leading to Balochistan, including the Fort Munro route and the Taunsa–Musa Khel Road, have been shut down until further notice. He said that passengers are currently not allowed to travel to Balochistan through DG Khan, citing security concerns. Traffic has also been stopped at border areas linking Balochistan, including Bawata and Sakhi Sarwar, to prevent movement across the provincial boundary. Authorities said the closure of routes is a precautionary security measure to maintain law and order in the wake of recent incidents.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 15:43 UTC
Enemies will never succeed in their nefarious designs: Gohar
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said the enemies of the country will never succeed in their nefarious designs. It should be noted that during the Balochistan operation, security forces killed 133 terrorists in two days. In Awan, 92 terrorists, including 3 suicide bombers, were killed, while 15 soldiers who participated in the operation were martyred. Earlier, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said everyone should know that India is behind terrorism in Pakistan, adding the government has evidence with regard to the Indian involvement in terror activities in Balochistan. Speaking to the media along with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti regarding the terrorist attacks in Balochistan, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said India was supporting terrorists.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 15:43 UTC
Pakistan says suspension of Indus Wa
NEW YORK : Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar, has said the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a test of the system of international agreements, and unilateral actions can also weaken border and trade agreements. If the water treaty is not secure, then no treaty is secure, he added. He highlighted the example of the Indus Waters Treaty at the Area Formula meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Saturday. The Indus Waters Treaty is not a bilateral but a global issue. On 23rd April 2025, India unilaterally announced holding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 15:43 UTC
Transport alliance announces 4pc fare rise
LAHORE: The Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced a 4 percent increase in transport fares following a rise in petroleum product prices. Speaking on the issue, President of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, strongly criticised the federal government’s decision to increase diesel prices, calling it unacceptable. He said that due to the hike in petroleum prices, transporters had no option but to raise fares by 4 percent, adding that increases in fuel prices affect every citizen of the country. Malik Shehzad Awan recalled that during the recent transporters’ strike, the federal government had assured them of a reduction in petroleum prices. He further stated that agreements reached with the federal and Punjab governments during the strike on various issues had not been implemented.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 15:43 UTC
Bara jirga demands support for families displaced from Tirah Valley
PESHAWAR :The Bara Political Alliance has demanded complete solidarity, sympathy, and full support for all families temporarily displaced from the Tirah Valley. The announcement was made during an important jirga convened by Bara Siyasi Ittehad, an alliance of different political parties of Bara. Jirga elders alleged that corruption and political interference in the distribution of Rs4 billion among displaced families were unacceptable. The agenda of the national jirga was presented by former chairman of the Bara Political Alliance, Haji Shireen Afridi. Jirga elders warned that failure to clear these dues would result in protest convoys taking the vehicles to Peshawar.
Source:The Patriot
February 01, 2026 15:43 UTC
Afghanistan’s New Penal Code: Regression, Not Reform
The core premise of a penal code in any state is simple yet profound: bring uniformity, fairness and predictability to the application of criminal law. This penal code reinforces a system in which women’s autonomy and basic freedoms are subordinated, deepening a crisis that has seen vast numbers of girls barred from education and women from meaningful participation in society. From Geneva to Kabul, observers have repudiated the penal code. The penal code declares that power, not justice, will be the defining metric of law in Afghanistan. Afghanistan today faces not just political isolation, but a profound moral crisis — one that this new penal code only deepens.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 23:45 UTC
Confronting Terror without Ifs and Buts
Asif MahmoodThe terror attacks were decisively repelled and the terrorists eliminated, reflecting a swift and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces. Pakistan is confronting a hydra-headed monster of terrorism, yet the nation remains resolute in facing it head on. The nation must now recognise that the time for “ifs” and “buts” has passed. It is the story of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and security forces. Let it be repeated again : the time for “ifs” and “buts” has passed.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 23:45 UTC
Jannat Mirza's sister announces marriage
Alishba Anjum, the sister of Pakistan’s famous TikToker and social media influencer Jannat Mirza, has expressed her intention to adopt simplicity regarding her upcoming wedding. Contrary to the trend of luxurious weddings of internet celebrities, Alishba says that she will hold a ceremony consisting of Nikah and Valima with limited expenses. On the same occasion, Alishba Anjum also shared the details of the prices of her clothes. This video of Alashba went viral on social media as soon as it was released and a large number of users reacted to it. Alashba Anjum is extremely popular on social media.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC
Multiple attacks by Fitnatul Hindustan
Security forces foiled attacks on 12 locations of Fitnatul Hindustan in Balochistan, killing 67 terrorists. According to security sources, last night, Fitnatul Hindustan terrorists carried out cowardly attacks on 12 different locations of Balochistan, after which all these attacks were foiled as a result of timely and effective action by security forces and other law enforcement agencies. Security sources said that the pursuit and engagement of terrorists at different locations is still ongoing. Security forces are pursuing the terrorists and conducting operations and aerial surveillance. He praised the professionalism of the Pakistani armed forces and law enforcement agencies for thwarting infiltration attempts by Fitnatul Hindustan terrorists at several locations.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC
Federation inaugurated a digitalized
According to the details, Mustafa Kamal stressed the need to establish DNA laboratories in every province. He expressed these views at the inauguration ceremony of the digitalized federal dispensary in the FC area. Under the Healthcare Digitalization Program, the process of equipping federal primary health centers with modern facilities is underway. The Federal Health Minister inaugurated Karachi’s third digitalized federal dispensary in the FC area. This dispensary has been established in collaboration with Sehat Kahani and the Federal Ministry of Health, which is the sixth dispensary under Sehat Kahani in Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC
Gold prices fell sharply today
Karachi: Gold prices have further declined today, resulting in gold becoming cheaper in global and local markets. In the international bullion market, the price of gold per ounce fell by $255 on Saturday, bringing the new global price to $4,895 per ounce. Similarly, in the local bullion markets, the price of 24-carat gold per tola fell by Rs25,500 on the last day of the business week, bringing the new price to Rs511,862, while the price of 10 grams of gold fell by Rs21,862 to Rs438,839.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC
Islamabad: Rwanda High Commission Hosts Inaugural Rwanda Coffee Festival in Pakistan
The Rwanda High Commission in Pakistan successfully hosted the first-ever Rwanda Coffee Festival in Islamabad, promoting Rwanda’s specialty Arabica coffee and strengthening trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between Rwanda and Pakistan. The session opened with welcome remarks by H.E HARERIMANA Fatou, Rwanda High Commissioner to Pakistan welcoming the delegates from Rwanda and all Participants to the Rwanda’s coffee festival at the first time organized by Rwanda Embassy in Pakistan. She highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation and the introducing of Rwanda’s Coffee in Pakistan. Mr. Prudence Sebahizi, Minister of Trade and Industry of Rwanda, expressed gratitude to all attendees for their interest in Rwanda Coffee and praised Pakistan’s warm hospitality. The Rwanda Coffee Festival 2026 was attended by a large and diverse audience, including diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, investors, coffee professionals, media representatives, and members of civil society.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC
BLA Terror Attacks Across Balochistan
A series of poorly executed terrorist attacks were carried out across multiple locations in Balochistan on Wednesday as part of a campaign branded by the perpetrators as “Herof 2.0.” Pakistan’s security forces responded swiftly at all locations, thwarting the attacks, neutralizing terrorists, and restoring control within hours. According to security sources, the attacks were executed by Fitna-al-Hindustan (FAH), a foreign-sponsored terrorist network of BLA. Security forces promptly cordoned off the area and engaged the attackers. Security forces responded effectively, inflicting losses on the attackers and preventing further escalation. The BLA as well as BLac are proscribed terrorist organizations under Pakistani law and BLA is also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.
Source:The Patriot
January 31, 2026 15:45 UTC