The assumption was simple; PIA was too politically sensitive, too unionized, and too symbolic to touch. With the privatization of PIA, a long-standing misfortune appears to have been broken. PIA once a regional aviation leader, trained staff for foreign airlines and helped launch carriers across Asia and the Middle East. Fiscal discipline, civil service reform, and regulatory strengthening are harder, slower, and less headline-friendly — but without them, no privatization can deliver durable benefits. The challenge now is to ensure it was a step forward, not merely a step taken.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 19:22 UTC
A petition has been filed against Saba Qamar in the Lahore Sessions Court, alleging that she wore a police uniform without official permission. During this controversy, Saba Qamar reshared an Instagram post by Diva Magazine Editor-in-Chief Raheel Rao, in which he had strongly defended the actress. Saba Qamar also reacted humorously to Raheel Rao’s statement instead of remaining silent. It seems I have become very famous these days” and also added smiling emojis, which social media users found very interesting. Currently, legal action has been initiated on this matter, while Saba Qamar’s sarcastic response is gaining a lot of attention on social media.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 15:14 UTC
Eight terrorists were killed in an operation by security forces against Fitnat-ul-Hindustan in Kalat. During the operation, security forces effectively targeted the hideout of the terrorists and after a fierce exchange of fire, 8 Indian-backed terrorists were killed. Prime Minister and Federal Interior Minister pay tribute to the security forcesPrime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to the security forces for their operation against the terrorists of Fitnatul Hindustan in Kalat district. He praised the security forces for killing 8 terrorists in the operation and said that the security forces are achieving great successes against terrorism under the vision of determination of stability. He said that the security forces have successfully carried out an operation in Kalat and have thwarted the nefarious intentions of the Khawarij.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 15:14 UTC
Rawalpindi:Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, attended the Christmas celebrations at Christ Church in Rawalpindi, joining the Christian community in commemorating the joyous occasion. Paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Field Marshal highlighted the Founder’s vision of equality, freedom and religious tolerance, emphasizing the protection of minority rights as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s ideology. Interacting with the congregation, Field Marshal highlighted the enduring contributions of Pakistani Christians to national development and security, including their proud and distinguished service in the Pakistan Armed Forces across generations. The COAS & CDF reaffirmed Pakistan Armed Forces’ commitment to upholding the dignity, security and equal rights of all citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. The Christian community leaders expressed gratitude for the Field Marshal’s visit, acknowledging Pakistan Armed Forces’ role for protection of homeland, inclusivity, religious harmony, and national unity in Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 11:24 UTC
ISLAMABAD : On the Auspicious Occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founding Father of l the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, I extend my respectful felicitations to the Government and Nation of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to the causes of the Islamic Ummah, and tireless struggle for justice and dignity continue to inspire generations in Pakistan and beyond. His enduring ideals of unity, faith, and discipline remain the guiding pillars of Pakistan’s national journey. The historic date of 25 December holds a special significance, symbolizing both universal values of peace and goodwill, and the commemoration of the birth of Pakistan’s great founding father. It stands as a reminder of the principles of harmony, tolerance, and moral leadership that Quaid-e-Azam so firmly upheld.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 09:37 UTC
Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (TTAP), Pakistan Constitutional Protection Movement, has expressed its willingness to accept the Prime Minister’s offer for negotiations, saying new charter is an absolute necessity in the negotiations. The meeting of the alliance was held under the chairmanship of Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The two-day national conference of the opposition was declared a success in the meeting. According to the opposition alliance declaration, readiness was expressed for transparent elections, the appointment of a unanimous new Election Commissioner, and parliamentary supremacy under the new charter. According to the announcement, the establishment of provincial and district sub-committees will be announced soon.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 09:06 UTC
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the life of Quaid-e-Azam was a shining example of supremacy of law and truthfulness. While paying glowing tribute to the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on his birth anniversary, Mohsin Naqvi said that Quaid-e-Azam changed the course of history through principled leadership, honesty, and an unmatched struggle. Through extraordinary hard work and unwavering determination, Quaid-e-Azam transformed the struggle for Pakistan into a well-organized mass movement. Mohsin Naqvi stated that Quaid-e-Azam united Muslims on a single platform and turned the dream of an independent Muslim state into reality. Thanks to Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistanis today breathe freely in an independent homeland, a debt that can never be repaid.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 09:06 UTC
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary on Thursday (today). They urged the nation to renew its commitment to the democratic and inclusive ideals laid down by the Founder of Pakistan. Paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary, President Asif Ali Zardari said Quaid’s leadership, vision, and guiding principles continued to inspire the nation in facing contemporary challenges. He said the Quaid’s principles of democracy, justice, and equality remained central to the country’s national journey and must continue to shape its institutions and decision-making. He said the Quaid’s call for unity, faith, and discipline provided a clear direction to the nation, adding that these ideals were essential for progress, social cohesion, and national confidence.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 09:06 UTC
The nation is celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Thursday (today). Quaid’s leadership, vision, and guiding principles continued to inspire the nation in facing contemporary challenges. Quaid’s principles of democracy, justice, and equality remained central to the country’s national journey and must continue to shape its institutions and decision-making. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876, into a merchant family in Karachi. Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah received a law degree from London.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 08:44 UTC
As per official data, the minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at minus 4 degrees Celsius, while Ziarat experienced even colder conditions with the mercury dropping to minus 5 degrees Celsius. In Qalat, the minimum temperature stood at 6 degrees Celsius, whereas Zhob recorded a low of 3 degrees Celsius. Sibi reported a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, Turbat recorded 11 degrees, and Nokkundi saw the mercury fall to 1 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, relatively milder but cold weather prevailed in the coastal belt. The minimum temperature in Gwadar and Jiwani was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 08:44 UTC
Christmas celebrations are set to take place on Thursday (today) both internationally and within Pakistan, as millions of Christians worldwide commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, churches will hold special services, while public festivities such as Christmas markets, carol events, and light displays will continue. In Pakistan, Christian communities in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad will observe Christmas with church services, prayers, and communal gatherings. Churches will be decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and special prayers for peace, prosperity, and national wellbeing will be offered. Christmas, combining religious devotion and cultural festivity, continues to be a symbol of peace, goodwill, and togetherness across the world
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 08:44 UTC
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has advised the government not to hold negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Speaking to the media after paying respects at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi, the governor said that talks should not be held with people who are hindering Pakistan’s progress. The Sindh governor said that the privatization process of the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), could prove to be a game changer. He added that after two decades, the privatization process appears to be transparent. Earlier, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam and offered prayers.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 08:44 UTC
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Isha Dar renewed Pakistan’s commitment to pluralism, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence. In a message on the eve of the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas, he said: “Our diversity is a source of pride and strength”. “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not only the architect of our independence but a statesman of unwavering principles and exceptional clarity. He envisioned Pakistan as a democratic state, functioning on the principles of equality, pluralism, and respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens, without distinction of religion, race or ethnicity. He wished all Christians around the world a Merry Christmas and paid his deepest heartfelt tribute to Hazrat Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Source:The Patriot
December 25, 2025 08:44 UTC
Leader of PML-N Khurram Dastgir says, working for the development of the country, the Prime Minister and Field Marshal have put the country on the path of development, privatization of PIA was a very difficult task, opponents are not digesting the country’s progress, privatization of PIA is a big step by the government, Pakistan is now moving towards prosperity, the rate that PIA has bid is very good. Earlier PIA was run on loans, this was causing a lot of damage to the country, privatization of PIA is a welcome development, this is not an easy task, let’s see how they run it now, airlines of other countries are earning a lot from Pakistan, now all this investment will come to Pakistan, the government will no longer have a budget deficit, many questions may now be raised about PIA, we all want improvements in PIA, we have to admit that we have not been able to run PIA well. He added that the Prime Minister had invited PTI for talks earlier too, even the Speaker had invited him for talks more than once, during his tenure, he beat us with books on the assembly floor, they are not running the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they have failed to provide these facilities to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed says, PPP is not happy with the privatization of PIA, we can raise questions on the privatization of PIA, they have to spend 125 billion rupees, the PIA deal did not go well, they are lying to the nation, the nation has the right to go to court, they made this decision without listening to anyone, PIA has eight buildings, we were not taken into confidence on the privatization of PIA. Economist Syed Zafar Ali says, stock exchange has improved, the wheel of national development has moved towards improvement, business people have started coming to the country, profits have started coming into the country.
Source:The Patriot
December 24, 2025 23:16 UTC
The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, a constitutional obligation under Article 160 of the Constitution of Pakistan, is the bedrock of fiscal federalism in the country. The landmark 7th NFC Award, for instance, increased the provincial share to 57.5%, providing them with greater financial space. Horizontal imbalance, the disparity in fiscal capacity and needs among provinces, is addressed through a multi-criteria formula. The 7th NFC Award moved away from population as the sole criterion, incorporating factors like poverty/backwardness, revenue collection/generation, and area, with population still holding the majority weight. Educating the general public about the NFC Award is crucial for demanding better governance and efficient use of funds.
Source:The Patriot
December 24, 2025 23:16 UTC