JI will not join any electoral alliance, says Liaquat Baloch
LAHORE – Liaquat Baloch, the deputy Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has reiterated that his party will not join any electoral alliances and will continue its political journey on an independent basis. Addressing party leaders in Lahore, Baloch emphasized that the slogan “Badlo Nizam” (Change the System) was not merely a slogan but a well-organized movement aimed at political transformation. Baloch also called for the release of political leaders and women, stating that the increasing number of political imprisonments was escalating tensions in the country. He highlighted the urgent need for national leadership to come together to resolve political instability, stressing that Pakistan’s political system must evolve to provide every party the right to hold rallies and reach out to the public. Further, Baloch reaffirmed JI’s longstanding support for the struggles of Kashmiris and Palestinians, underscoring the party’s unwavering commitment to standing by oppressed nations.
Source:The Patriot
January 13, 2026 08:39 UTC
When Criminal Procedure Fails Public Trust
At the same time, the very same criminal procedure that fails to protect the innocent often enables habitual offenders to remain free. Viewed together, these two situations reveal the central failure of the criminal justice system. When criminal procedure fails, it does more than produce unjust outcomes in individual cases. Above all, institutional accountability must be enforced across all stages of the criminal justice process. Until these structural reforms are undertaken, criminal procedure will continue to fail the public it is meant to serve, leaving justice uncertain and public confidence deeply shaken.
Source:The Patriot
January 13, 2026 08:39 UTC
India’s Ties With Bangladesh Fray asElections Loom
Ties began unraveling after the 2024 overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s oppressive leader who had strong support from New Delhi. Bangladesh reciprocated by pausing visaoperations for Indians after its mission in New Delhi faced tense protests from right-wing Hindu groups. India long held a favored status in Bangladesh since it helped it in the war of independence in 1971, when Bangladesh split from Pakistan. New Delhi has a troubled past with the B.N.P., which has fiercely rivaled Ms. Hasina fordecades. A second Bangladeshi political force, the conservative Jamaat-e-Islami party, is a trickier one to navigate for New Delhi.
Source:The Patriot
January 13, 2026 00:39 UTC
Elephant kills 20 in Indian state as rescue efforts continue
JHARKHAND - At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials have said, adding that the animal is yet to be captured. A massive search operation involving more than 100 forest personnel is under way to locate the elephant, officials say. District magistrate Chandan Kumar told the BBC that a forest worker is among the 20 people who have died. In another incident on 5 January, Kundra Bahoda and his two children - six-year-old Kodama and eight-year-old Samu - were killed by the elephant. Forest officials said the elephant was young, agile and frequently changed its location, particularly at night, making it difficult to track.
Source:The Nation
January 13, 2026 00:31 UTC
WhatsApp develops new parental control features: Report
WhatsApp appears to be developing new features aimed at giving parents greater oversight and control over their children’s accounts, WABetaInfo reported Sunday. The outlet, widely regarded as a key source of news on WhatsApp updates, said the messaging platform is exploring tools that would allow parents to manage linked secondary accounts. Under the proposed system, younger users would be able to create accounts with limited functionality, allowing parents to control who can message or call their child, the report said. By default, secondary accounts would restrict interactions to contacts only. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is currently testing the new tools, which are expected to be rolled out in a future update.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 23:40 UTC
12 more arrested in Saddar crackdown on illegal parking mafia
During an ongoing operation against the illegal parking mafia in the Saddar area, authorities arrested 12 more individuals for extorting citizens under the pretext of collecting parking fees. In Karachi’s central Saddar district, action was taken against people illegally charging motorists in and around Regal Chowk, Abdullah Haroon Road and adjoining areas. Assistant Commissioner Hazim Bangwar, who is leading the operation against encroachments and the parking mafia, personally visited Preedy Police Station and ordered the registration of 12 additional cases. All cases were registered on the complaint of the traffic police, following reports of illegal parking charges and mistreatment of citizens by the accused. So far, more than 40 cases have been registered and over 30 individuals taken into custody in connection with illegal parking and unauthorised fees.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 22:55 UTC
KP govt launches home solar scheme for merged districts
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a home solarization scheme for the province’s merged districts, aiming to provide renewable energy solutions to 1,20,000 households. Under the scheme, each eligible home will receive a two-kilowatt solar kit, complete with an inverter and other accessories. The initiative will cover Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Mohmand, and North and South Waziristan districts. The scheme will offer two categories for beneficiaries: a refundable option, where subscribers pay 36 monthly installments of around Rs8,300, and a non-refundable option, where households receive the solar systems free of cost. The project will be implemented using a financial model by the Bank of Khyber, ensuring accessibility and sustainability for households in the merged districts.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 19:51 UTC
Safeguarding standards
It is now feared that students using AI tools may undermine the credibility of online examinations. This has caused at least the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the largest accounting body globally, to withdraw from online examinations. Recently, the institute announced that starting in March, most of its students will be required to take exams in person. Nonetheless, this does not negate the numerous difficulties that online exams have introduced. In addition to carrying out on-site examinations, accountancy organizations such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ought to implement modifications to curricula and pedagogical approaches.
Source:The Patriot
January 12, 2026 19:48 UTC
We should not be against our institutions: SK Niazi
Allow me, I will talk to the founder of PTI: Muhammad Ali DurraniBy Staff ReporterISLAMABAD: Editor In Chief Pakistan Group of Newspaper and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi while talking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat, Pakistan’s relations with the world improved after the Battle of Haq, there is a need to improve the internal situation of the country, corruption is on the rise in the country, unemployment is increasing day by day due to corruption, business is not coming to the country, the country is getting weaker economically, there has not been an election affair since 1970, these founders will not deal with PTI, we should not be against our institutions. Former Federal Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said the people are worried at the moment, the situation in the country is not good at the moment, Pakistan has won a major victory in the battle for justice, Pakistan gave India the worst defeat, India will remember such a defeat for centuries, at that time, the entire nation stood with the Pakistan Army, there is a need to improve the country’s economy, the country is progressing under the leadership of Field Marshal, we have to agree on the interest of the country, there is a need to improve governance in the country, there is no agreement between PML-N and PPP, they say one thing and do another, they took advantage of the 26th Amendment, In the 26th Amendment, they emphasized the judiciary, I was the only person who did not vote in the 18th Amendment, trillions of rupees have been sent to the provinces since 2009, they have made the country a hereditary fiefdom, they did not let the canal issue go ahead, PPP did politics on canals issue, If canals were built, it would only benefit the people, I want to meet the founder of PTI, There is a political difference with the founder, but we have to move forward for the sake of the country, the government is afraid of reconciliation, they want to worsen the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi’s case will have to be proven in court, If the case against Sohail Afridi is proven, he will go home, the country is ruled by an elite, they catch the poor, they don’t lay a hand on the rich, a loan industry is currently operating in Pakistan, they have staged a drama on the stock exchange, farmers are not being given their rates, The government has failed in every field, the government is increasing pressure on the opposition, they are doing everything for their children, PML-N and PPP are one from within, they are carrying out the funeral of national interest, people are fed up with the current government, these same families have been coming since 1973 till today, they have been taking turns among themselves, PTI founder still popular among people, the government has asked the founder for a deal through Mahmood Achakzai, Founder PTI will never make a deal with the government. the government wants the founder from PTI but the founder is refusing, I tried to meet the founder but could not get permission, I had given the founder a lesson in politics. If we meet, the PML-N and PPP could only have conspired to do what they are doing, Pervez Musharraf was used by politicians, they talk big about the Charter of Democracy, they have been in power since 2009 till date, this is the first time that the people did not vote for him, all of them are Form 47, we all have to sit down for the sake of the country’s interest, If America and Israel come to Iran, we will have problems, we must stand in solidarity with Iran at this time, we stand firm on Palestine’s position, If the Venezuela thing starts, all countries will start taking over each other, there have never been any election affairs in our country, there were nine incidents that were open terrorism, If this had happened in another country, punishments would have been given there, his ministers hold press conferences all day long, the government is using the PTI leadership, allow me, I will talk to the founder of PTI, the popularity of a person sitting in jail is increasing day by day, PTI founder is stubborn, I met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in jail, I explained to Shehbaz Sharif and he came out, they have no agenda for the talks.
Source:The Patriot
January 12, 2026 19:48 UTC
Terror attack on police check post foiled in Bannu
A terrorist attack on a police was successfully foiled in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after timely action by police personnel, officials said on Monday. District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi said police inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists during the exchange of fire. Earlier, on November 25, Pakistan’s security forces killed 22 India-sponsored militants during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu. According to the ISPR, the operation was conducted on November 24, 2025, against Khwarij belonging to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khwarij. The ISPR said security forces effectively engaged the militants’ hideout, killing 22 during an intense exchange of fire.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 19:20 UTC
President Zardari to visit Bahrain from Jan 13–16
President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from January 13 to 16, 2026, the Foreign Office announced on Monday. The President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold meetings with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. According to the Foreign Office, the discussions will focus on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit aims to further strengthen Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the brotherly Gulf nation and explore new avenues of collaboration in trade and economic partnership, defence and security, and people-to-people exchanges.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 18:18 UTC
Pakistan, Indonesia agree to expand defence cooperation
According to an official statement, the meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and the exploration of new avenues to enhance defence ties between Pakistan and Indonesia. Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, expanding training collaboration and promoting defence industrial cooperation. The discussions also covered measures to advance joint training exercises, capacity-building initiatives and the exchange of expertise across various defence sectors. He expressed Indonesia’s desire to further expand defence cooperation with Pakistan in multiple domains. The meeting also identified opportunities to deepen cooperation in defence manufacturing, research and development, and multilateral security engagement.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 17:45 UTC
PMD forecasts cold, dry weather across country
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast cold and dry weather for most parts of the country over the next 24 hours, with very cold conditions expected to persist in hilly areas. The department said that during the past 24 hours, most parts of the country remained cold and dry. However, hilly regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining areas, witnessed partly cloudy conditions with light rain or snowfall at isolated places. According to the PMD, the lowest minimum temperatures recorded included Skardu at -13°C, Leh and Astore at -11°C, Gupis at -9°C, Gilgit at -8°C, and Quetta and Kalam at -6°C. The PMD advised citizens to take precautions against the cold, particularly in hilly areas, and urged motorists to remain cautious while travelling in fog-prone regions due to reduced visibility.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 17:16 UTC
Three-member gang arrested
LAHORE - Shahdara Town police arrested a three-member gang involved in robbery and theft cases. The accused used to snatch mobile phones from people and break into houses in the absence of their families, the police said. A motorcycle, cash and weapons were recovered from the possession of the suspects who were identified as Farooq, Ali Haider and Zeeshan.
Source:The Nation
January 12, 2026 16:46 UTC
May 9 operation a false one were also confirmed
While holding a press conference at DGPR Lahore, Provincial Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said that Chief Minister KP had also posted some posts on his social media but they were later deleted. She said that the footage of Kamran Bangash, Taimur Jhagra and Sohail Afridi which were on their respective social media platforms have been completely analyzed. Murad Saeed’s footage is also on record in which he is saying that you have been told the places. Uzma Bukhari said that now they are saying that there was a false operation on May 9, numerous evidences have been collected for them. They said that the Chief Minister of KP is on a visit to Karachi whose only job is to spread anarchy, misbehave and attack the media.
Source:The Patriot
January 12, 2026 16:42 UTC