State can't be destabilized through violence: Sarfraz Bugti
QUETTA : Balochsitan Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday said that the state cannot be destabilized through violence, adding that no concession would be made to those who take up arms against the state. Addressing to officers who have completed training at Balochistan Civil Services Academy, Sarfraz Bugti said that the strength of state governance is linked to talented and ethical officers. He stated that the responsibility of policy-making lies with the government, while officers are bound to implement it. He maintained that officers elected on the basis of merit should make the supremacy of merit and public service their motto. Sarfraz Bugti said that unbalanced development is not only a problem of Balochistan but of the entire country.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
Punjab govt withdraws appeals against Imra
ISLAMABAD : The Supreme Court of Pakistan was informed that the Punjab government has withdrawn its appeals seeking cancellation of bail granted to PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi. The state counsel told the court that he had received instructions to withdraw the appeals challenging the bail orders. Consequently, the apex court disposed of the appeals against Imran Khan’s bail in the May 9 cases on the basis of their withdrawal. Justice Kakar remarked that notice could be issued if required, but it had not yet been determined whether the appeal was maintainable. Subsequently, the court granted time for submission of the detailed judgment and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
National hockey team captain slams mana
LAHORE : Pakistan’s national hockey captain, Amad Butt, has lashed out at the team management following what he described as “unfair treatment” during their tour to Australia. Speaking to the media upon their arrival at Lahore airport, Butt expressed his frustrations, claiming that all the videos that surfaced from the Australia tour were accurate, and that the team management had lied to them repeatedly. The captain appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir to take notice of the situation, holding both the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the team management accountable for their actions. Butt emphasized the need for honest and trustworthy individuals to be appointed in the hockey management to ensure a more positive and productive environment for the players. He further stated, “The current management has made us mentally ill; it’s impossible to deliver our best performance under these circumstances.”
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
Sindh announces new school timings for Ramazan
ARACHI :The Sindh School Education Department has issued an official notification detailing school timings during the holy month of Ramazan. According to the notification, single-shift schools will operate from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, while on Fridays, their hours will be 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. For double-shift schools, the morning shift will run from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and on Fridays, from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The afternoon shift in double-shift schools will operate from 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM, with Friday timings adjusted to 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. The notification aims to accommodate students and staff during Ramazan while ensuring that academic activities continue smoothly.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
KP CM Afridi announces 'Imran Khan Release Force'
ISLAMABAD : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced the formation of a force aimed at securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Sohail Afridi stated that he had been assigned the responsibility of leading a street movement by the party’s founding chairman. The chief minister declared the creation of the “Imran Khan Release Force,” saying the group would be formally registered and would pursue a peaceful struggle. He announced that members of the force would take an oath in Peshawar on February 22, shortly after Eid. Afridi stated, the force would operate under a defined chain of command, and leadership responsibilities would be assigned by Imran Khan himself.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
Punjab govt orders recall of substandard med
LAHORE : The Punjab government has taken strong action against substandard medicines, ordering the recall of two drugs from the market. The Health Department issued an alert regarding Cetirizine 10mg tablets and Ivermectin injections, declaring them unsafe for human and veterinary use. Authorities have instructed pharmaceutical companies to immediately retrieve the affected batches and ordered medical stores and pharmacies to halt sales of these drugs. The Health Department warned the public not to use any suspicious batches, as consumption of substandard medicines could lead to serious health risks. Meanwhile, the Drug Control Department announced intensified monitoring and stricter actions against counterfeit and substandard drugs to safeguard public health.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 12:36 UTC
Imran Khan in Prison
Asif MahmoodRecent attempts to stir frenzy and hatred by spreading misleading information about Imran Khan are not only illogical but entirely unpolitical. Media reports and official records make it clear that he enjoys privileges and facilities far beyond the ordinary inmate experience. According to the information available, Imran Khan is housed in a separate seven-cell compound, originally designed for 30–35 inmates, now functioning as his private enclosure. Given this reality, the claims that Imran Khan is being subjected to severe mistreatment or denied basic facilities are entirely false. Imran Khan is receiving medical care, nutritional support, and personal accommodations that go beyond what most people experience in ordinary life.
Source:The Patriot
February 18, 2026 06:53 UTC
Punjab CM orders crackdown on profiteers to curb price hike
LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to take strict action against profiteers and hoarders ahead of Ramazan, while announcing that Ramazan Nigehban cards will be provided to four million families across the province. Chairing a meeting on the Ramazan relief programme, here on Tuesday, the chief minister instructed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) and price control committees to implement effective measures to curb inflation and ensure the availability of essential commodities at notified rates. The chief minister further directed enhanced security at mosques, bus terminals, and railway stations during Ramazan, alongside improved sanitation measures in cities. Relief will also be extended through Ramazan and Sahulat bazaars, where essential food items are being sold at approximately 15% below market rates. The CM emphasised that Ramazan is a month of compassion and that state institutions must ensure relief reaches citizens, particularly low-income families.
Source:The Nation
February 18, 2026 03:18 UTC
National strategy urged to counter Indian water aggression
To ensure effective water security against Indian water aggression the federal govern-ment has decided to evolve a joint strategy by developing consensus among the provinc-es to overcome water scarcity in the country and build small water reservoirs. Participants of the meeting unanimously condemned India’s unilateral action to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which has no legal basis. Meanwhile, an official source told The Nation, that the meeting was part of the Federal Government’s strategy to ensure effective water security against Indian water aggression. In this context, Federal government to evolve a joint strategy with provinces, AJK and GB overcome water scarcity and builds small water reservoirs. In this regard Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is likely to give important tasks to Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, the source added.
Source:The Nation
February 18, 2026 03:18 UTC
Iran, Pakistan Reaffirm Commitment
Islamabad: Iran and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen agricultural cooperation and expand bilateral trade in farm products, marking a significant step toward strengthening economic ties and regional food security. Mr. Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, who is currently on an official trip to Pakistan. During high-level meetings with Pakistani authorities, both sides agreed to accelerate progress on key agricultural agreements and enhance collaboration across multiple sectors of the farming industry. A major breakthrough includes advancing the process to finalize Pakistani corn exports to Iran, a move expected to benefit farmers and exporters on both sides. Officials emphasized that enhanced agricultural trade would not only contribute to economic partnership but also strengthen food security in the region.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 22:55 UTC
Ambreen Jan Leads PEMRA: A Welcome Move
By Sardar Khan NiaziThe appointment of Ambreen Jan as Chairperson of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority is a welcome and reassuring development. Before that, she held the office of Director General of Radio Pakistan. As Ambreen Jan knows the media sector well, she understands both the spirit and the technical dimensions of broadcast regulation. This experience places her in a strong position to ensure that the PEMRA Code of Conduct is implemented in its true letter and spirit. It is a framework designed to protect constitutional values, national cohesion, ethical journalism, and responsible broadcasting.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 22:55 UTC
British Council convenes Pakistan Heritage ExchaCollaboration
Lahore, 16 February 2026 – The British Council marked ten years of the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) by convening the Pakistan Heritage Exchange, a two-day capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programme held at Alhamra, Lahore on 10–11 February 2026. The Exchange brought together heritage practitioners, policymakers, researchers and community custodians from across Pakistan, the UK and South Asia, underscoring the British Council’s commitment to cultural exchange, protection and UK–Pakistan collaboration. James Hampson, Country Director, British Council Pakistan, said: “The Cultural Protection Fund is investing in people who protect Pakistan’s cultural heritage. Day one concluded with a powerful performance by Ustad Noor Bakhsh, celebrating the living traditions at the heart of cultural heritage. Now in its tenth year, the Cultural Protection Fund protects heritage at risk from conflict and climate change.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 14:56 UTC
SriLankan Airlines Officials Meet High Commissioner
Ruwan Wijekoon, Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines to Pakistan, and Chinthaka Perera, Regional Manager for Lahore and Islamabad, along with their staff, met High Commissioner Fred Senevirathne on 10 February 2026. The airline officials briefed on the current operations of SriLankan Airlines in Pakistan, noting the airline continues to maintain profitable business in the market. Discussions focused on expanding services between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, introducing attractive travel packages to promote tourism, and strengthening collaboration with travel agents and tour operators. High Commissioner Fred Senevirathne welcomed the plans and emphasized the importance of air connectivity in promoting tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 14:56 UTC
On the Draft New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The text of the final draft Constitution, which consists of 96 articles, was then published on February 12, making it available for public review leading up to the referendum . Key Points and Political System ChangesFrom a super-presidential model to a balanced systemThe draft Constitution is a conceptually new document that would consolidate the evolution of Kazakhstan’s political system . Core Principles and ValuesThe draft Constitution consists of 11 sections and 96 articles. Separation of State and ReligionThe draft Constitution reinforces the secular nature of the state, clearly separating religion from government and affirming the secular character of education and upbringing. While introducing a fundamentally updated constitutional framework, the draft acknowledges the role of the existing Constitution in Kazakhstan’s state-building and historical development.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 14:56 UTC
Ramazan 2026: Punjab CM announces
LAHORE : The Punjab government has announced provision of assistance to over 4 million families during the holy month of Ramazan. Speaking at a meeting on the “Nigahban Ramazan 2026,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized that this is a month of mercy and compassion, celebrated with respect worldwide. Maryam Nawaz urged all stakeholders, including commissioners, DCs, the Price Control Department, and Clean Punjab, to contribute to ensuring affordable prices during the month. The government is distributing Ramazan Nigahban Cards to families, which will enable them to purchase up to Rs10,000 worth of ration. The chief minister emphasized that strict actions will be taken against hoarding and profiteering, with the Para Force being deployed to control prices across Punjab.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC