PM Shehbaz, Iranian President disc
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and the importance of sustained dialogue. The prime minister emphasized the need for continued diplomatic engagement to promote peace, security, and development across the region. Both leaders highlighted the longstanding, brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran, rooted in shared history, culture, and values. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and maintaining high-level contacts through established institutional mechanisms to advance mutual interests.
Source:The Patriot
January 30, 2026 07:50 UTC
US in the grasp of a hurricane
The ideological gap between Republicans and Democrats has widened into something closer to mutual distrust than disagreement. Elections are no longer merely contests of policy but existential battles for the soul of the nation, eroding public faith in democratic outcomes themselves. When a significant portion of the electorate questions the legitimacy of electoral processes, democratic stability is inevitably weakened. Social media platforms, partisan news outlets and algorithm-driven content have created parallel realities in which facts are contested and narratives are weaponized. The critical question is whether today’s storm will lead to renewal or rupture.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 23:51 UTC
“Farmers, Consumers get Wheat relief”
Wheat is not merely a staple crop; it is the backbone of Pakistan’s food security. The recent meeting of the National Wheat Oversight Committee, chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, has delivered a reassuring message: Pakistan has sufficient wheat stocks to meet national needs until the next harvest. Equally important was the committee’s focus on wheat procurement for the 2026 crop season. The role of the private sector in wheat procurement was also reviewed, with assurances that regulatory mechanisms are being enforced. The government’s commitment to stabilizing wheat markets, protecting farmers, and maintaining strategic reserves is a promising signal.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 23:51 UTC
Claiming reproductive power
Reproductive justice goes beyond healthcare – it’s about empowering individuals, especially women, to make informed decisions about their bodies, health and future without discrimination or fear. Globally, millions of women face obstacles in accessing basic reproductive healthcare like family planning, maternal care and safe childbirth. Factors like poverty, limited education, social stigma and inadequate healthcare systems worsen these challenges. Reproductive justice also means having the right to raise children in safe environments. Governments and societies must prioritise improving healthcare, spreading awareness and protecting reproductive rights.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 29, 2026 20:32 UTC
Pre-Scout: Is Macklin vs. McDavid the next great player rivalry?
Pre-Scout: Is Macklin vs. McDavid the next great player rivalry? Hockey fans could talk about it the same way Oilers fans did in 2015 with McDavid vs Crosby. This is the third head-to-head between them (McDavid missed one of the games last year due to injury). McDavid has five assists in those games, while Celebrini had just one point in three tries. Regardless, hopes of Edmonton targeting a Sharks player in a trade, like Mario Ferraro , grow slimmer.
Source:The Nation
January 29, 2026 18:57 UTC
PM Shehbaz meets EU ambassador as both pledge to deepen bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD: European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday, assuring his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties across trade, investment, development, security, migration, and climate change. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further deepen cooperation with the EU and highlighted the importance of the GSP Plus scheme in enhancing trade between the two sides. He emphasized that the government is focused on working closely with the EU on initiatives that expand trade and investment opportunities. The Prime Minister also welcomed the outcomes of the 7th round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels in November 2025, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, noting it as a positive step toward stronger bilateral engagement.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 29, 2026 17:40 UTC
Important progress in singer Ali Zafar's defamation case against Meesha Shafi Archives
The Lahore High Court has ordered the trial court to decide within 30 days in the defamation case filed by renowned singer Ali Zafar against Meesha Shafi. The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued important instructions in the defamation case filed by singer Ali Zafar against actress and singer Meesha Shafi, ordering the trial court […]
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Pakistan orders strict traveller screening amid N
SLAMABAD : Pakistan on Wednesday ordered “strict and enhanced health surveillance” at all points of entry to prevent the cross-border transmission of Nipah virus. “No individual shall be allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance by BHS-P,” the advisory emphasised. Travellers are also required to undergo thermal screening and clinical assessment at entry points. Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have implemented enhanced health screening and airport temperature checks to curb potential spread. Experts say although fruit bats and pigs carrying the virus are not present in Pakistan, travellers can act as carriers.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Life comes to standstill in upper regions as heavy snowf
ISLAMABAD – Severe snowfall and rain have badly disrupted daily life in Pakistan’s upper regions, leaving key roads blocked and triggering shortages of food and fuel in several areas. Meanwhile, life has come to a standstill in upper and border areas of Balochistan, including Chaman, Qila Abdullah, and Ziarat. Residents remain confined to their homes as supplies of essential food items and fuel continue to dwindle. Authorities say efforts are underway to restore blocked roads in upper areas of Swat, where snow clearance operations are currently in progress. Officials have urged residents to remain cautious as adverse weather conditions continue to pose serious challenges in mountainous regions.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
The most important discovery during the excavations at Mohenjo-Daro
Significant progress has been made during excavations at the ancient site of Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh. According to the Department of Antiquities and Archaeology Sindh, experts have discovered a wall built to protect the city during excavations at Mohenjo-Daro. Based on new excavations and evidence from soil layers, experts have described it as a city wall. Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah congratulated the archaeologists on this important discovery. Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah said that this discovery will promote research and tourism activities.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Five school children killed in tragic road accident near Kot Addu
KOT ADDU : A horrific collision between a speeding trailer and two motorcycles near a petrol pump on Lia Road in the Chowk Sarwar Shaheed tehsil of Kot Addu claimed the lives of five minor children on the spot. The accident occurred when the children were on their way to school and were hit by the high-speed trailer. Upon receiving the information, Rescue teams and City Police Chowk Sarwar Shaheed reached the scene and shifted the bodies of the deceased children to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. The deceased children have been identified as Abdullah (5) and Abdul Rehman (7), who were brothers. All the deceased children were residents of Chak No.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
India Hides Nipah Outbreak, Endangering International Players
India is once again putting international sports and public health at risk by deliberately downplaying the severity of the Nipah virus outbreak. This exposes players, officials, and fans to unnecessary risk, especially as India has a history of poor hygiene and unsafe conditions at international sporting events. Given the proximity of cricket venues to outbreak zones, compounded by India’s repeated failures in sanitation and event management, it is irresponsible to hold T20 World Cup matches in India. The ICC must relocate all fixtures to Sri Lanka, where proper health monitoring and safer facilities can protect players and spectators. Continuing in India would not only endanger lives but also set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing optics and revenue over international safety and responsibility.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
PSX drops below 187,000 points amid profit-taking pressure
KARACHI : The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced significant volatility on the fourth trading day of the week, with the KSE-100 Index losing ground after an initially strong start. However, trading momentum quickly reversed as selling pressure intensified, pushing the benchmark down by more than 1,700 points to 186,658. A day earlier, the benchmark KSE-100 Index reversed the previous session’s losses and closed with a positive momentum, gaining 177.53 points, an increase of 0.09 percent, to close at 188,380.39 points compared to 188,202.86 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data. Market capitalization increased to Rs 21.186 trillion from Rs 21.147 trillion a day earlier. Out of 485 active companies in the ready market, 182 advanced, 253 declined, while 50 remained unchanged.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Remarks about High Court Bar's involvement
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association has issued a strong response to the court’s remarks after the arrest and conviction of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, saying that there is no truth in the remarks regarding the involvement of the bar in the arrest. Islamabad High Court Bar Secretary Manzoor Jaja said in a statement that such remarks about the bar by a respected judge who was the president of the High Court Bar in the past are regrettable and he should not make such comments. Manzoor Jaja said that the High Court Bar itself runs the affairs of the bar in a good manner and judges should refrain from making remarks about the bar because bar councils exist for this purpose. He said that lawyers have a pen and arguments, they do not have to speak through force. The Secretary High Court Bar said that the cases of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were fixed on priority basis by Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and the cases that came up were fixed by the Chief Justice himself.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Maryam Nawaz’s Rs 70 million return case
The Lahore High Court has issued a notice to NAB on the issue of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz depositing Rs 70 million as a guarantee in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. According to Express News, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had approached the Lahore High Court for the return of Rs 70 million deposited as a guarantee in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. A 3-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Alia Neelam heard the matter, the bench includes Justice Jawad Zafar and Justice Abhar Gul Khan. Maryam Nawaz took the stand that NAB has dismissed the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case as baseless, and the Rs 70 million deposited as a guarantee should be returned after the case is over.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC