KP CM to begin three-day Karachi tour to lead party activities
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will visit Karachi from January 9 to January 11, during which he will tour various areas of Sindh and personally lead his party’s political activities. During the visit, the chief minister will be accompanied by provincial assembly members. Afridi will also visit the Karachi Press Club and engage with party workers in different localities as part of a political street campaign aimed at mobilising support. Shafiullah Jan stated that the release of detained party leaders would be pursued at every constitutional and democratic forum. He added that the chief minister would raise his voice against political victimisation and violations of democratic values during the visit.
Source:The Patriot
January 06, 2026 09:02 UTC
PM offered talks multiple times, PTI founder
Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said that the IHC had clearly defined the procedure for meetings with the PTI founder. He further said that PTI has again demanded meetings before considering talks, despite the prime minister already extending an offer for negotiations. Rana Sanaullah claimed the PTI founder has consistently avoided dialogue and is unwilling to sit at the negotiation table. Recalling past events, he said the PTI founder showed a similar attitude during his tenure as prime minister, often rejecting dialogue and refusing to engage with political opponents. He warned that pursuing a policy of confrontation with the state would only harm the PTI founder, adding that such an approach could not be supported.
Source:The Patriot
January 06, 2026 09:02 UTC
Maduro pleads not guilty to drug
Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to narcotics charges after President Donald Trump’s stunning capture of him rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to regroup. I am still president of my country,” Maduro, 63, said through an interpreter, before being cut off by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court. Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty. Maduro is accused of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network with international drug cartels and faces four criminal counts: narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro has long denied the allegations, saying they were a mask for imperialist designs on Venezuela’s rich oil reserves.
Source:The Patriot
January 06, 2026 09:02 UTC
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Shanghai’s rapid and well-planned development serves as a model for cities around the world, adding that Pakistan aims to develop Islamabad along similar lines. During his visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Headquarters, the interior minister was received by the head of Shanghai Urban Planning, Madam Chen, who briefed him on the city’s master planning, modern infrastructure, and public facilities. Mohsin Naqvi was given a detailed overview of Shanghai’s fast-paced urban development system through presentations, videos, and city models outlining the evolution and future vision of the metropolis. Mohsin Naqvi lauded Shanghai’s ability to achieve rapid development while ensuring high-quality civic facilities, calling it an example worth emulating. The interior minister also recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book.
Source:The Patriot
January 06, 2026 09:02 UTC
Severe cold wave persists in C
A severe cold wave continues to grip Balochistan, including its coastal regions, disrupting daily life across several districts of the province. In other districts, Sibi experienced a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, while Turbat recorded 11 degrees Celsius. Similarly, the minimum temperature in Nokkundi was recorded at 3 degrees Celsius, while Chaman experienced 1 degree Celsius. Despite being coastal, areas along Balochistan’s shoreline also remained under the grip of cold weather. Gwadar recorded a minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celsius, while Jiwani saw temperatures drop to 11 degrees Celsius.
Source:The Patriot
January 06, 2026 09:02 UTC
Kidnapping-for-ransom case takes new turn
Family members had earlier received messages demanding Rs20 million as ransom, prompting police to register a case of kidnapping for ransom and initiate an investigation. Given the seriousness of the situation, Chaklala police registered a kidnapping-for-ransom case and began investigations. She added that the kidnapping-for-ransom drama was staged because she feared her family would not accept her decision. Murder case adjournedThe District & Sessions Court of Islamabad on Monday adjourned the proceedings of the murder case of 22-year-old Islamic University student Iman Afroz due to the absence of prosecution witnesses. However, none of the prosecution witnesses were present, which prevented any major development in the case.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 06, 2026 00:14 UTC
Pollution and accountability
Without credible air data, Karachi’s fight against pollution remains stalledRecent reporting on Karachi's air quality has only verified what its foggy, grey skies have been telling for the past few months. Meanwhile, valuable government equipment, such as a Japanese-donated air quality monitoring station, has been lying dormant for eight years now. Lack of reliable public transportation pushes people towards personal conveyance, which has led to around 70 per cent of the city's pollution. Protecting the public means investing in reliable air monitoring infrastructure and enforcing emissions standards that match the scale of this problem. Without an accurate system, the channels to eradicating pollution will always remain obstructed.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 05, 2026 20:50 UTC
CM Afridi rules out military operations
Says peace lies in dialogue, inclusive policiesKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Photo: FileKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to resolving issues through dialogue, consultation, and social engagement, rejecting any military operations as a solution. "The provincial government, under the leadership of Imran Khan, believes that the resolution of conflicts must be achieved through political, social, and consultative processes," Afridi said. Social Welfare was directed to take special measures for homeless individuals during the winter and ensure arrangements for tourists in hill districts. Afridi concluded by reiterating that collaborative, inclusive policy-making is the only path to lasting peace, warning that decisions made behind closed doors would neither ensure security nor public trust.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 05, 2026 20:04 UTC
CPSC Monitor (January 5, 2026)
Pakistan, China agree to strengthen coordination at bilateral, multilateral forums https://tribune.com.pk/story/2585421/pakistan-china-agree-to-strengthen-coordination-at-bilateral-multilateral-forums3. Pakistan, China call for more ‘visible, verifiable’ actions to eliminate terrorist groups based in Afghanistan https://www.dawn.com/news/19652404. In 2026, the world can continue to place expectations on China: Global Times editorial http://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1231/c90000-20408793.html17. A survey reveals the compelling appeal of contemporary China: Global Times editorial http://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1230/c90000-20408414.html20. Full text: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2026 New Year message https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1231/c90000-20409287.html23.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 05, 2026 18:29 UTC
Venezuela's Maduro to appear in US court,
New York– Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was due to appear in a US court on Monday after his weekend capture by American forces, with US President Donald Trump leaving open the possibility of another incursion if the United States doesn’t get its way with Venezuela’s interim government. Maduro was detained during a military raid on Saturday in Caracas that has plunged Venezuela into uncertainty. Trump administration officials have portrayed the seizure as a law-enforcement action to hold Maduro accountable for criminal charges filed in 2020 that accuse him of narco-terrorism conspiracy. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who has taken over as interim leader, has said Maduro remains president and has contradicted Trump’s claim that she is willing to work with the United States. The United States has deemed Maduro an illegitimate dictator since he declared victory in a 2018 election marred by allegations of massive irregularities.
Source:The Patriot
January 05, 2026 09:05 UTC
PSX hits record high as KSE-100 crosses 181,000 points
KARACHI : The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has maintained its impressive momentum on Monday, setting new records due to a positive market trend. During trading, the KSE-100 Index reached an all-time high of 181,034 points, crossing the crucial 181,000-point mark for the first time. This continued growth reflects the strong performance of Pakistan’s stock market. In previous session, the KSE-100 closed bullish, gaining 2,679.44 points, a positive change of 1.52 percent, to settle at an all-time high of 179,034.93 points compared to 176,355.49 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data. Market capitalization increased to Rs 20.213 trillion from Rs 19.968 trillion a day earlier.
Source:The Patriot
January 05, 2026 09:05 UTC
One dead, 7 injured as terrorists target cement
LAKKI MARWAT – An explosion near a private cement factory bus in the Bego Khel area of Lakki Marwat has resulted in one death while seven others, including two women, were injured on Monday. According to the police, the blast occurred when terrorists targeted the vehicle with an IED close to Nawar khel mor, as it was en route to the factory. Officials confirmed that a factory employee lost their life, while seven others, including four factory workers, were injured. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and security measures in the area have been intensified. According to National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Pakistan has been facing scourge of terrorism for last more than 20 years.
Source:The Patriot
January 05, 2026 08:15 UTC
Former Australian cricketer's health improves, he comes out of coma
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martin has recovered and is out of a coma. The 54-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling ill suddenly last week and was placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. Former teammate Adam Gilchrist said in a statement on behalf of Martin’s family on Sunday that former Australian batsman Damien Martin has woken up from a coma after suffering from meningitis. Gilchrist added that Martin is in a very good mood and is overwhelmed by the support he has received. It should be noted that Damien Martin performed brilliantly in 67 Tests and 208 ODIs during his time in international cricket and was also a key member of Australia’s 2003 World Cup-winning team.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 17:07 UTC
Four policemen martyred in firing by unidentified gunmen in Lakki Marwat and Bannu Archives
Peshawar: Three policemen were martyred when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on traffic policemen in Lakki Marwat. The traffic policemen were on duty when unknown persons opened fire. The martyred officials include Traffic Police In-charge Naurang Jalal Khan, Police Constable Azizullah and Police Constable Abdullah. As soon as the incident was reported, a heavy contingent of […]
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 17:07 UTC
Four policemen martyred in firing by unidentified gunmen in Lakki Marwat and Bannu
Peshawar: Three policemen were martyred when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on traffic policemen in Lakki Marwat. The traffic policemen were on duty when unknown persons opened fire. The martyred officials include Traffic Police In-charge Naurang Jalal Khan, Police Constable Azizullah and Police Constable Abdullah. As soon as the incident was reported, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and the martyred officials were shifted to Naurang Hospital. On the other hand, policeman Rashid Khan was martyred in the firing of motorcyclists in Qafshi Khel under the limits of Mandan police station in Bannu.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 17:07 UTC