Field Marshal Sayed Asim Munir meets with the Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces Archives
Rawalpindi: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir holds important meeting with Libyan Armed Forces Chief. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-e-Juraat, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, is currently on an official visit to Libya where he met with Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan […]
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 17:54 UTC
U.S. and Pakistan Partner to Strengthen STEM Education
Karachi: The U.S. Mission in Pakistan, in partnership with Vanderbilt University (Tennessee, USA), marked the completion of the STEMpowered project, a $294,000 initiative that brought U.S. teaching and leadership expertise to strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Pakistan. In partnership with Sukkur IBA (SIBA) University and Beyond the Classroom Education, the program included a week-long immersion at Vanderbilt for SIBA faculty, focusing on STEM teaching methods, research, AI in education, and refining practical solutions for classroom challenges. The program also strengthened ties with peer institutions, including faculty from Aga Khan University, and reaffirmed U.S. leadership in global STEM education. Participants in the program produced a STEM Toolkit and a Curriculum Quality Assurance Framework which will support nationwide adoption of U.S. best practices. Low-cost, inquiry-based methods increased student confidence in STEM experiments by 60–80%, while culturally-relevant teaching raised girls’ participation and leadership in STEM by over 30%.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 15:32 UTC
Panda bonds worth $250 million issued; details of government plan revealed
ISLAMABAD: The details of the government’s plan to issue Panda Bonds worth $250 million in the first phase have been revealed. An important meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb regarding the issuance of Panda Bonds, in which the progress of Pakistan’s first Panda Bond issuance was reviewed. Terming the bond issue as part of a prudent debt strategy, the Finance Minister said that Panda Bond will help balance the debt burden and diversify financial resources. The delegation briefed the Finance Minister about their business models and practical difficulties. The Finance Minister described the role of telecom infrastructure as important in digital connectivity.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 15:32 UTC
Under-19 Asia Cup: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by 8 wickets
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the second semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup. In the knockout match of the event played in Dubai, Pakistan achieved the target of 122 runs in the 17th over for the loss of 2 wickets. Earlier, batting first at the invitation of Pakistan, the Bangladesh team was bowled out for 121 runs in the 27th over. For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan and Huzaifa Ahsan took 4 and 2 wickets respectively. Ali Raza, Muhammad Sayam and Ahmed Hussain took 1 wicket each.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 15:32 UTC
President welcomes UN human rights experts' report on India
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed the report released by the United Nations human rights experts. The global report has expressed serious concerns about the military actions taken by India against Pakistan in May this year and their impact on international peace and stability. President Zardari appreciated the observations made in the report on India’s announcement of unilateral suspension of its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, aggressive behavior and statements, and civilian casualties resulting from Indian aggression. He said that the Indus Waters Treaty is an international agreement and a foundation for regional stability. India’s disregard for the agreed dispute resolution mechanism and actions affecting the flow of water could lead to consequences based on serious human rights violations, including those of Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 15:32 UTC
PSX hits record high as benchmark
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday witnessed the benchmark 100 Index reaching an all-time high due to a positive trend on the final day of the business week. During trading, the 100 Index rose by 330 points to reach 172,290 points. At one stage, the index even touched its highest-ever level of 172,674 points during the session. It is noteworthy that at the close of trading the previous day, the 100 Index had settled at 171,960 points.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 09:00 UTC
Security agencies arrest ISIS-K spokesperson
The security agencies have dealt a major blow to the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) by arresting the group’s spokesman, terrorist Khawarij Sultan Aziz Azzam, sources confirmed. According to officials, Sultan Aziz Azzam, the spokesperson of ISIS-K and founder of the group’s official media wing, the Al-Azaim Foundation, was taken into custody during an intelligence-led operation. The Al-Azaim Foundation is considered a key platform for ISIS-K’s recruitment and propaganda activities. Following the arrest of Sultan Aziz Azzam, the group’s media operations have reportedly been suspended. The arrest of ISIS-K spokesman Sultan Aziz Azzam on May 16, 2025, has also been highlighted in the 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 09:00 UTC
Strong earthquake jolts several areas of KP
Strong earthquake tremors were felt in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, creating panic among residents in several districts. The tremors were reported in upper regions including Malakand, Dir, and Chitral, while shaking was also felt in Landi Kotal and surrounding areas of Khyber district. According to the Seismological Center, the earthquake measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 12 kilometers. The epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were received, while local authorities continue to monitor the situation
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 09:00 UTC
Punjab govt prepares strict laws against land mafia, property fraud
The Punjab government has finalized preparations for introducing stringent legislation to curb land mafia activities and fraud in the buying and selling of plots across the province. The development came during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin at the Board of Revenue. Senior officials including Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed, Secretary Housing Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, Director General LDA, and representatives from the Punjab Land Records Authority, PLRA, attended the meeting. The Punjab Land Records Authority will develop province-wide software to ensure transparent approval and verification of housing schemes. Recommendations were also presented to ban the advertisement of illegal housing schemes and to make registration of property dealers mandatory.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 09:00 UTC
President approves de-notification of Justice Tariq Jahangiri
President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the de-notification of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri as a judge of the Islamabad High Court, on the advice of the Prime Minister. After the approval by the President, the Ministry of Law and Justice has issued notification to officially de-notified Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri as judge of the Islamabad High Co
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 07:32 UTC
India's unilateral water actions pose serious
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that India’s unilateral actions regarding shared river waters pose grave risks to peace and stability in South Asia, accusing New Delhi of using water as a political weapon. During these periods, India allegedly released water into the Chenab without prior notice, causing sudden changes in water flow downstream. Dar emphasized that India failed to share mandatory hydrological data and information with Pakistan, as required under the Indus Waters Treaty. He said such actions undermine trust, transparency, and regional cooperation, while directly affecting millions of people dependent on river waters in Pakistan. Pakistan, he stressed, will continue to safeguard its water rights while urging the international community to take note of India’s actions that threaten regional stability.
Source:The Patriot
December 19, 2025 07:32 UTC
Trump needs normalized relations with Russia: pragmatism or peril
By Sardar Khan NiaziDonald Trump’s recurring call to normalize relations with Russia has once again stirred debate in Washington and beyond. He has long viewed geopolitics less as a contest of values and more as a negotiation among strong states. From this perspective, a permanent confrontation with Russia is costly, distracts from domestic priorities, and pushes Moscow closer to Beijing. Normalization, Trump suggests, could reduce the risk of great-power conflict, open space for arms control, and allow the United States to concentrate on economic competition, particularly with China. Ultimately, the question is not whether the United States should talk to Russia — it should — but on what terms.
Source:The Patriot
December 18, 2025 23:33 UTC
Smart data, stronger institutions
Pakistan’s public financial management system stands at a critical juncture, where traditional methods of oversight are increasingly inadequate to meet the demands of a complex, digitalizing economy. Data analytics tools can enable auditors to identify risk patterns, detect anomalies, and focus resources where they matter most. The briefing by Controller General of Accounts Umar Ali Khan further highlights how these reforms fit into a broader ecosystem of public financial modernization. As more transactions move into digital channels, the availability of high-quality, real-time data will expand. The real test, however, will be the capacity of institutions to use this data responsibly, securely, and effectively.
Source:The Patriot
December 18, 2025 23:33 UTC
Dharandhar: Ranveer Singh's origin actually originates from Karachi
Ranveer Singh’s role in the film ‘Dharandhar’ is not only based on a thrilling mission, but its background has also shocked the audience. In the film, Ranveer Singh is seen playing the role of an Indian secret agent Jaskrit Singh Rangi, who arrives in the Lyari area of Karachi to carry out an anti-terrorism operation. Interestingly, in real life, Ranveer Singh himself belongs to a Sindhi family. According to Indian media, his real name is Ranveer Singh Bhavnani and his parents’ family moved from Karachi to Mumbai after the partition of India in 1947. Ranveer Singh has expressed pride in his Sindhi identity on several occasions.
Source:The Patriot
December 18, 2025 17:56 UTC
HBL reinforces commitment to inclusive growth with 2024 impact report
HBL, Pakistan’s premier financial services group has launched its Impact & Sustainability Report 2024, highlighting the Group’s continued commitment to building an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Pakistan. Guided by its majority shareholder, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED),HBL, Pakistan’s premier financial services group has launched its Impact & Sustainability Report 2024, highlighting the Group’s continued commitment to building an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Pakistan. Guided by its majority shareholder, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), and a strong governance framework, HBL remains focused on delivering environmentally and socially responsible growth across its operations. The report highlights HBL’s efforts to expand access to finance in underserved areas, empower women entrepreneurs, strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural value chain through HBL Zarai Services, and support healthcare, education, arts, and humanitarian initiatives through HBL Foundation. It also reflects the Bank’s growing focus on environmental stewardship, including renewable energy adoption, green financing, and climate-resilient solutions.
Source:Pakistan Today
December 18, 2025 16:16 UTC