Sheikh Rashid calls for justice for innocent prisoners
RAWALPINDI: Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, head of the Awami Muslim League and former federal minister, appealed to authorities for justice for innocent citizens and called for economic relief amid rising inflation. Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court, Sheikh Rashid emphasized that appeals should be heard in the name of God and the Prophet (PBUH). Regarding recent suggestions by Alima Khan, Sheikh Rashid said the doctor she recommended should be allowed to join the founder’s medical team, stressing that including the doctor would not pose any issue. Sheikh Rashid urged that mercy be shown to citizens and their conditions improved. Touching on the upcoming month of Ramadan, he called for special relief and concessions for the underprivileged, considering the significance and spiritual requirements of fasting.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC
Mohsin Naqvi rejects PTI founder health rumours
LAHORE : Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has dismissed reports regarding the eye condition of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), terming them as propaganda and misinformation. Addressing a press conference, Naqvi said that for the past four to five days, certain political narratives had been circulating about the PTI founder’s health. The minister revealed that Mahmood Khan Achakzai had written a letter to the Prime Minister regarding the matter and that the government remained in continuous contact with PTI leadership. According to Naqvi, an eye specialist examined the PTI founder at 3:30 pm, and both government and private sector doctors of high repute were selected for the evaluation. The interior minister concluded by stating that PTI’s political leadership had expressed satisfaction over the medical treatment being provided
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC
PHC orders immediate clearance of roads amid PTI protests
The hearing was conducted on a petition filed against road blockages caused by PTI protests. The court remarked that Islamabad did not fall within its jurisdiction and instructed that action be initiated against those staging the protests. Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that two individuals had died on the way due to road closures caused by PTI protests. The IG responded that protests were initially taking place at 16 points, which had now been reduced to 10. The court ultimately ordered that all roads be reopened immediately and that a compliance report be submitted by tomorrow.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC
PSX rebounds as KSE-100 climbs by 1,000 points
KARACHI The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rebounded on Tuesday following a sharp decline in previous session. During the intraday trading, the KSE-100 index gained 1,049.07 points to 175,503, reflecting a 0.6% increase from the previous close of 174,453.93. A day earlier, the benchmark index witnessed bearish trend, losing 5,149.79 points, a negative change of 2.87 percent, to close at 174,453.94 points compared to 179,603.73 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data. Market capitalization declined to Rs 19.781 trillion from Rs 20.359 trillion a day earlier. Out of 487 active companies in the ready market, 65 advanced, 378 declined, and 44 remained unchanged.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC
11 soldiers martyred, 12 terrorists killed
RAWALPINDI: Eleven soldiers were martyred and 12 militants were killed after a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on security forces and law enforcement agencies joint check post in Bajaur. ISPR said the terrorist attack was carried out by Indian-sponsored terrorists on 16 February 2026, adding that the assailants sought to breach the check post security; however, their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of Pakistan’s security forces. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, valiant troops engaged the fleeing terrorists with precision, eliminating twelve of them. Due to blast impact infrastructure at check post collapsed resultantly eleven soldiers rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom. “The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” it concluded.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:40 UTC
Bangladesh PM-to-be Tarique Rahman
DHAKA :Bangladesh’s prime minister-to-be Tarique Rahman and lawmakers were sworn into parliament on Tuesday, becoming the first elected representatives since a deadly 2024 uprising. The lawmakers, who promised loyalty to Bangladesh, were sworn in by the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers are expected to formally elect Rahman as their leader, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin then to administer the oath of office to the prime minister and his ministers later on Tuesday afternoon. But Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman, 67, has also said the Islamist party would “serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition”. Four members of minority communities won seats, including two Hindus — a population that makes up roughly seven percent in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 12:39 UTC
PTI protest for Imran Khan's treatment, release
ISLAMABAD : The protest demanding the treatment and release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has entered its fifth day, with supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain (Constitution Protection Alliance) continuing their sit-ins across Islamabad. At the Parliament premises, the sit-in is being led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. In the Senate, opposition leaders including Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Asad Qaiser, and other senators have joined the Parliament protest. Provincial ministers, including KP Chief Minister’s aide Sohail Afridi, are also present at the KP House protest. The ongoing demonstrations highlight the growing political tension in the capital as opposition parties rally for the former prime minister’s medical treatment and release.
Source:The Patriot
February 17, 2026 11:00 UTC
Uniting Generations: Young and Old in Pakistan's Future - Pakistan Today
Experience matters because Pakistan’s current global standing was not built overnight, and it was certainly not built online. Real change means participating: voting, organising, learning how systems work, and pushing from the inside. The energy of the young matters. But experience matters, too. That is how systems work.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 17, 2026 05:18 UTC
AI skills to drive Pakistan’s next phase of growth
By establishing not just an AI Center but also an Electric Vehicle (EV) facility and a Podcast Center, PITAC is positioning itself as a gateway to the modern skills ecosystem. Across Asia, countries such as China, India, and Vietnam are aggressively investing in AI education, automation, and digital startups. For Pakistan’s small and medium enterprises, AI offers a chance to leapfrog inefficiencies and compete in global markets. The success of the AI Center and allied facilities will depend on sustained funding, transparent management, and integration with universities and the private sector. The future, as this moment suggests, belongs to those who can code, innovate, and imagine and Pakistan’s youth are ready, if given the tools.
Source:The Patriot
February 16, 2026 22:58 UTC
Founder PTI's affairs are improving: SK Niazi
Fawad Chaudhry said the government has not changed any policy regarding the founder, we had advised the founder of PTI, PTI leadership could not take any decision, petrol prices are being increased in Pakistan, the government is imposing taxes on solar, business is not coming to the country, the real estate situation is not good, Inflation has increased by 200 percent, their entire focus is on Trump’s welcome, let’s see how long they keep doing this, Pakistan’s politics is linked to the caste of the founder, Founder PTI is a popular leader of the people, this political trend will continue until the founder is spoken to, there are too many political hypocrites in the country, these founders will not release PTI immediately, Dr. Yasmin, Ajaz Chaudhry and others who are in Kot Lakhpat should be released, the government had promised us to release them but it could not be implemented, he said that we will consult the Prime Minister about this, but no response has been received so far, no alternative could be made to the founder of PTI, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was hanged, Asif Zardari is reaping the fruits of Bhutto Sahib’s sacrifices, PTI founder is currently a more popular leader than Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, are we ready to pay another price? the country is not running under the current government, the government is doing nothing but sloganeering, Prime Minister is going to the US on February 19, Prime Minister will discuss the situation in Gaza, US Secretary of State met with Field Marshal, we should stand by Malaysia and other countries whatever decision they make regarding Gaza, there is no reconciliation with the founder, PTI founder will not make a deal with anyone, PTI founder Nawaz Sharif is not the one who will make a deal, the founder’s family is paying the price, every citizen of Pakistan wants the founder’s issue to be resolved, the government has to take the initiative, which it will have to do, there is a need to bring down the political temperature in the country, the government is not able to come up with a narrative about the founder, there was no one in PTI, that’s why Mehmood Achakzai’s name was given, what will PTI founder talk to Mehmood Achakzai, we want the founder of PTI to come out, only then will this series continue. PPP leader Abdul Qadir Mandokhail Abdul Qadir Mandokhel said filed a petition on betting in cricket, At that time, I was threatened over my appeal, If the appeal had been implemented at that time, betting in cricket would have ended, our hockey was number one in the world, today its situation is in front of all of us, we gave up all sports and focused more on cricket, India defeated Pakistan in cricket, we defeated India in the battle for justice, we had to face humiliation after losing to India in cricket, I am not much interested in cricket, I have been playing football more, yesterday I was watching cricket with great interest, but our players were getting out after scoring two fours, PTI founder has not completed two years in jail, When Benazir Bhutto was martyred, the whole of Sindh was burning, at that time, President Asif Ali Zardari raised the slogan of Khappay Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari spent 13 years in jail, PTI founder banned for criticizing institutions. Leader of Tehreek-e-Insaf Ali Bukhari said the government was supposed to submit a report on the founder today, A team of doctors went to the jail from PTI founder Ali Bukhari yesterday. Founder PTI has a vision problem, the entire responsibility for this situation lies with the Punjab government, the country is not being managed by them, this time the people will not let them escape, PTI founder has been unjustly kept in jail, Asif Zardari is an accidental leader,: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto never became Prime Minister during her tenure, we also did not see them in the PPP’s decisions, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had her own core committee that made decisions, Asif Ali Zardari stayed in the VIP ward at PIMS for two years, there is a world of difference between the imprisonment of Asif Ali Zardari and Benazir Bhutto, Faryal Talpur was not kept in a prison mill.
Source:The Patriot
February 16, 2026 20:43 UTC
CPSC Monitor (February 16, 2026)
President extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people https://www.brecorder.com/news/40407252/president-extends-spring-festival-greetings-to-chinese-people6. International Group TANG signs MoU to expand women’s employment in Pakistan https://cpecinfo.com/international-group-tang-signs-mou-to-expand-womens-employment-in-pakistan/7. China’s Spring Festival fuels strong demand for ASEAN fruit http://english.scio.gov.cn/chinavoices/2026-02/14/content_118335005.html22. China expands rail pet transport as furry friends join Spring Festival rush http://english.scio.gov.cn/chinavoices/2026-02/14/content_118334798.html23. China’s Spring Festival spending surge becomes a global harvest https://english.news.cn/20260215/d8575f8fa5b84552ad1bab3f07f2fd44/c.html31. Xinhua Headlines: Xi visits people in Beijing ahead of Spring Festival, extends greetings to all Chinese https://english.news.cn/20260210/2bf32912e4b74bcabe0bd462606acc1c/c.html32.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026 20:06 UTC
Karachi's Fires: A Cycle of Tragedy and Neglect - Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026Karachi's ongoing cycle of devastating fires, exemplified by the Gul Plaza tragedy, highlights systemic failures in safety regulations and enforcement. The deadly fire at Gul Plaza in Saddar on 17th January fits this pattern with unsettling precision. Nor was Gul Plaza the first such incident. What makes Gul Plaza particularly troubling is not that it revealed unknown problems, but that it demonstrated how little has changed. Whether Gul Plaza becomes another footnote or a turning point depends less on promised inquiries than on political will.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026 19:05 UTC
Hot, Dry Weather Predicted for Ramazan - Met Office Alert - Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026The Met Office warns of hot and dry weather during the first 10 days of Ramazan, with temperatures rising, especially in southern regionsISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department has forecast hot and dry weather during the first 10 days of Ramazan, with no significant chances of rain across most parts of the country. The Meteorological Department Deputy Director Irfan Virk said fasting days are expected to remain largely dry at the beginning of the holy month. According to Virk, there is no apparent possibility of rainfall during the first 10 days of Ramazan. Nazir noted that weather in Karachi is expected to remain moderate during the first 20 days of Ramazan. Looking ahead, the Met Department has warned that the last 10 days of Ramazan are expected to be hotter than usual.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026 17:04 UTC
Ramzan Approaches: Food Prices Surge Despite Bazaars - Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026As Ramzan approaches, Karachi faces rising food prices despite the establishment of special bazaars. In Punjab, including Lahore, Ramzan bazaars are now operational after being decorated and stocked. Most other vegetables, including bitter gourd, pumpkin, and carrots, are discounted by only Rs2 from official prices. Sugar is offered at Rs140 per kg in Ramzan bazaars, noticeably cheaper than the Rs155 to Rs160 charged in the open market. Guavas from Larkana, Kasoor, and Hyderabad range from Rs200 to Rs250 per kg, compared with Rs150 to Rs200 previously.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026 14:17 UTC
Defense experts dismiss Indian CDS claims as misleading - Pakistan Today
February 15, 2026ISLAMABAD: Dehli-based defense experts have rubbished Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s claims about India’s Operation Sindoor, saying Pakistan’s operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a success. However, defense experts say Gen Chauhan’s claims are exaggerated and lack concrete evidence. “The India’s CDS is trying to spin a narrative that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Pakistan’s operation was a targeted strike against Indian targets, and India’s response was inadequate,” said a senior defense analyst. “It’s unfortunate that our military leadership is resorting to such rhetoric rather than focusing on actual capabilities,” added the expert.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 16, 2026 05:01 UTC