President recommends Civil Award for martyred firefighter
KARACHI : President Asif Ali Zardari has directed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to utilise all available resources in the ongoing rescue and firefighting operation in Gul Plaza. During a telephone conversation with Murad Ali Shah on Sunday, Asif Ali Zardari said that martyred firefighter Furqan Shaukat should be nominated for the Civil Award and inquired from the CM about the situation of the fire in Gul Plaza. He appreciated the bravery of martyred firefighter Furqan Shaukat. He said that immediate steps should be taken for the medical care of the injured and the affected people, and also emphasised the implementation of fire safety laws and the development of a system of safety inspections in commercial and residential buildings on modern lines. President Asif Ali Zardari said that such steps should be taken to prevent tragedies in the future.
Source:The Patriot
January 19, 2026 08:20 UTC
Three newly-appointed permanent judges of IHC take oath
ISLAMABAD – Three additional judges have been sworn in as permanent judges of the Islamabad High Court. Chief Justice of IHC Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar administered the oath to the Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas during a ceremony. The Registrar of the high court read the official notification announcing the judges’ appointments. The ceremony was attended by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, judges from the high court and district court, and members of the Islamabad High Court Bar. Before their permanent appointments, the three judges served as ad-hoc judges for up to one year
Source:The Patriot
January 19, 2026 08:20 UTC
16-point agenda issued for National Assembly session
ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly secretariat has issued the 16-point agenda for the session to be held on Monday (today). The agenda includes call attention notice regarding illegal furniture exhibitions in Islamabad. In addition, discussion on the Cannabis Prevention and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill is also included in the agenda. The Federal Minister for Railways will table the Transfer of Railways (Amendment) Bill 2025. Moreover, a call attention notice regarding the difficulties faced by Pakistanis travelling abroad will also be taken up during the session.
Source:The Patriot
January 19, 2026 08:20 UTC
Board of Peace being formed
Perhaps the most noticeable thing about the Board is its pronounced pro-Israel tilt. The Muslim leaders invited to the Council include the Presidents of UAE, Turkey and Egypt, Muslim countries which have recognized Israel. Israel remain unhappy with its composition, with the initial official reaction being a huffy statement that the membership of the Board is not according to Israeli policy. It might be noted that the Board does not include any Palestinians, or any leader of a Muslim country not recognizing Israel. A diplomatic source in Washington has said that Pakistan has been invited to join the Council, which would probably be necessary if it was to join the stabilization force.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 18, 2026 23:59 UTC
Why living costs still hurt in Pakistan
For example, grocery prices and utility costs have been growing faster than many average incomes. In a recent economic survey, average expenses on food rose by over one-third, and energy costs climbed similarly — much faster than income growth. Energy and utility costs bite hard. Energy price changes ripple through the economy, raising transport costs, production costs, and even food prices — tightening the squeeze on families further. To reduce the living costs meaningfully, policymakers must look beyond headline inflation and engage with how real households experience price changes.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 19:32 UTC
Youth Empowerment and the Vision of a Rising Pakistan
The remarks of Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan underscore a narrative the government is keen to project: that Pakistan’s future hinges on the empowerment, education, and skill development of its youth. Rana Mashhood’s emphasis on creating extensive opportunities under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme reflects an understanding that traditional education alone is no longer sufficient. Rana Mashhood’s reference to Pakistan’s technological performance and its growing recognition at the global level highlights another dimension of national confidence. The vision of a “Rising Pakistan,” built on the energy and potential of its youth, is compelling and necessary. If the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme evolves into a robust, transparent, and results-oriented platform, it can indeed play a transformative role in nation-building.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 19:32 UTC
Fire in Gul Plaza causes two parts
There were 1200 shops in Gul Plaza, DIG SouthDIG South has said that a third-degree fire occurred in Gul Plaza. According to DIG South, additional police personnel have been deployed around Gul Plaza. A firefighter was crushed to death when the rear part collapsed near Gul Plaza. According to officials, the fire at the shopping plaza reached the third floor, while there is also a basement market in Gul Plaza. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori visitsSindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori reached Gul Plaza and met the affected traders.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 16:22 UTC
Hina Afridi demands 500,000 rupees per month
Pakistani actress Hina Afridi and YouTuber Taimur Akbar got married, interesting conditions were revealed by the actress on the occasion of the marriage. On this occasion, Hina Afridi wore a white dress and heavy gold jewelry. As soon as the video went viral on social media, interesting comments started coming out from users. One user wrote that if the wife is good, a man will even give his life. Another user wrote that he hopes this is all a joke.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 16:22 UTC
Pakistan also had to reconsider its World Cup
A serious situation has emerged between Pakistan and Bangladesh regarding the T20 World Cup 2026, in which the stance of both countries has forced cricket officials to make a difficult choice. The Bangladesh government and the Cricket Board have announced that they will not play matches in India and have taken a tough stance on their team not going to India due to security concerns. Bangladesh has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches to Sri Lanka or another safe location. The incident of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman being expelled from the IPL is also having an impact on this tension, after which the BCB and the government have taken a tough stance. Pakistan has assured Bangladesh of its full support in this matter and said that no country can be allowed to pressure or intimidate another country.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 16:22 UTC
US Journal Report Supports Pakistan on Indus Waters Treaty Violation
Let’s consider, for a moment, the hypothetical scenario where the Indus Water Treaty never existed. The water-sharing between India and Pakistan is not exclusively governed by the Indus Waters Treaty. Resolution A/RES/64/292, adopted on August 3, 2010, clearly recognizes water as a fundamental human right. Access to clean water is not merely a privilege; it is a basic human right that must be upheld for all. Denying the people of Pakistan their fundamental right to water constitutes a grave injustice and amounts to a war crime.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 00:24 UTC
A new triangle in regional security
By Sardar Khan NiaziAt one level, cooperation among Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia is hardly new. The country faces a complex security environment marked by internal instability, a volatile western border, and an increasingly asymmetric regional balance in South Asia. Pakistan’s interest in Turkish defense cooperation is therefore as much about technology transfer and joint production as it is about procurement. If approached pragmatically, it could strengthen Pakistan’s strategic resilience and expand its diplomatic room for maneuver. For Pakistan, the challenge is to ensure that such cooperation enhances security without constraining policy choices.
Source:The Patriot
January 18, 2026 00:24 UTC
Army Formations in multi-domain environment
Multi-Domain Operations integrate air, land, cyber, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and information operations into a unified battlespace where every sensor is linked to every shooter. Each action is sequenced to shape the next—combining manoeuvre, spectrum dominance, precision firepower, and multi-layered air defence to create cumulative effects. This synchronized convergence of conventional force, drones, and cognitive warfare systematically degrades the adversary’s decision-making and combat coherence.
Source:The Patriot
January 17, 2026 19:35 UTC
Bangladesh captain in the U-19 World Cup
India’s U-19 team is also following in the footsteps of Suryakumar Yadav and created drama in the International Cricket Council (ICC) event after the Asia Cup where the Indian team captain did not shake hands with the Bangladesh captain during the toss. India and Bangladesh are competing in the Group A match of the U-19 Cricket World Cup being played in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where the atmosphere did not look good before the start of the match. The match between the two teams started late due to rain in Bulawayo and vice-captain Zawad Abrar came on the field in place of Bangladesh captain Azizul Hakim, who was suffering from fever, while Indian captain Ayush Mehtare was present for the toss. Bangladesh captain Zawad Abrar won the toss and decided to field first, but the captains of both teams did not shake hands on this occasion, which is a cricket tradition. No statement has been made by the ICC and the boards of both countries on this incident.
Source:The Patriot
January 17, 2026 16:24 UTC
Under Universal Health Coverage
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that under Universal Health Coverage, citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir can get free treatment in private hospitals. According to details, he expressed these views at the inauguration ceremony of the second digitalized health center in Karachi’s Jacob Line Saddar. The Health Minister said that this is a happy occasion for us and we are thanking Allah that we got the opportunity to do this work once again. The Federal Health Minister said that this is not an ordinary government work but the Federal Ministry of Health is working to reduce the suffering of Allah’s creation. Syed Mustafa Kamal said that healthcare is not just about treating patients, but also about protecting citizens from diseases and this work is not only the responsibility of the Health Minister, but also the responsibility of everyone from the UC counselor.
Source:The Patriot
January 17, 2026 16:24 UTC
freedom is gaining momentum day by day
Haripur: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said that the struggle for true freedom is gaining strength day by day, our struggle is for the restoration of strong democracy, independent judiciary and independent media. Addressing the rally participants at Siddiq Akbar Chowk Haripur, Sohail Afridi said that I am deeply grateful to the people of Haripur for the warm welcome. You all know that Quaid Imran Khan has ordered the preparation of a street movement. Sohail Afridi said that we have started preparations for a street movement across the country. Imran Khan hasSohail Afridi said that the preparations for the street movement that have been started will be taken to the peak.
Source:The Patriot
January 17, 2026 16:24 UTC