UAE agrees to extend Pakistan's $2 billion
ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates has agreed in principle to extend Pakistan’s $2 billion deposit by two months, a private TV report said. According to sources, the amount has been agreed to be rolled over until April 17, 2026, which will provide temporary financial support to Pakistan. The report, citing a senior official, said that the Emirati authorities have decided to maintain the deposit for a short period. According to sources, this development came about when Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted top Emirati officials this week and informed them about the current financial situation. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Ishaq Dar is looking into the matter himself and is playing a positive role through consultations with the Emirati authorities.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
MLAs prevented from leaving
According to Express News, armored vehicles were brought outside the Parliament Gate, while the Islamabad Red Zone was completely closed. A heavy contingent of police gathered at Radio Pakistan Chowk, and the Constitution Highway was completely closed from Radio Pakistan Chowk. The police are not allowing any citizen and member of the assembly to go to the Parliament House. The opposition leader protested against the parliamentarians being prevented from leaving. Due to the closed doors, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who was outside the parliament house, could not reach the parliament, the lights in the parliament house were turned off.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
Schedule for by-election for National Assembly
The Election Commission of Pakistan has released the schedule for the by-election to the National Assembly seat vacated by Balochistan National Party (BNP) Mengal chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal. The Election Commission has released the schedule for the by-election in the National Assembly constituency NA-256 Khuzdar in Balochistan, according to which the polling will be held on April 5. Nomination papers for the by-election in Khuzdar will be collected from February 20 to February 24. It should be noted that Sardar Akhtar Mengal had resigned from the membership of the National Assembly in September 2024, however, the Speaker of the National Assembly had accepted his resignation two days ago.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
DGPC initiates regulatory action against three petroleum
Islamabad, February 12, 2026 – The Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) has launched regulatory proceedings against three exploration and production companies over alleged violations of petroleum rules, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy (Petroleum Division) Mian Khan Bugti informed the National Assembly on Thursday. During the Question Hour, Bugti revealed that the DGPC issued a show cause notice on July 18, 2025 to M/s Jura Energy Corporation, M/s Frontier Holdings Limited, and M/s Spud Energy Pty Limited under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Rules, 1986 and 2001. The action falls under Rule 68(d) and Rule 71(c) of the 1986 Rules, read in conjunction with Rule 69(d) and Rule 52(f) of the 2001 Rules. “These rules mandate the completion of the show cause process as a prerequisite before any revocation or suspension of licences,” Bugti said, emphasizing the legal requirement for due process. Bugti noted that revocation of licences remains a potential remedy, which will be considered only after all formalities, including evaluation of the companies’ responses, are completed.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
Zimbabwe defeats Australia in major upset of the ongoing event
Zimbabwe upset Australia by defeating them by 23 runs in the 19th match of the T20 World Cup. Blessing Mazar-e-Azha’s 4 for 17 is not only the best figure for Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup but also the best bowling figures against any full-member team in T20 International matches. Zimbabwe scored 169 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. It should be noted that Australia and Zimbabwe met for the second time in the history of the T20 World Cup today and Australia was defeated both times. Earlier, in 2007, Zimbabwe defeated Australia in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
Indian Man Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Failed Assassination Plot
An Indian man pleaded guilty on Friday to orchestrating a failed assassination plot against a Sikh separatist in New York, the first conviction tied to what officials in Canada and the United States say is a by the Indian government to murder dissidents. Prosecutors estimated that under federal guidelines, Mr. Gupta, a resident of India, would face a sentence of up to about 24 years. The indictment against Mr. Gupta outlined a brazen plot in which an Indian government official, Vikash Yadav, recruited Mr. Gupta in May 2023 to orchestrate the killing of Mr. Pannun. Mr. Gupta had told Mr. Yadav and others about his involvement in international narcotics and weapons trafficking, the indictment says. Mr. Yadav, in dealings brokered by Mr. Gupta, agreed to pay the purported hit man $100,000 to carry out the assassination, and Mr. Gupta and Mr. Yadav arranged to have $15,000 in cash delivered as an advance payment to the undercover officer, the indictment says.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
Crush Terror but Heal Baluchistan
The state has every right to crush terrorism without hesitation. Armed groups that attack civilians, sabotage infrastructure, and challenge the writ of the federation cannot be tolerated. If we genuinely want recruitment into militant groups to decline, we must offer young people a credible alternative path. No counterterrorism strategy can succeed if the only message a young man hears is security focused. Crush the terrorists decisively.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 23:08 UTC
Int’l Day on Prevention of Violent Extremism observed
LAHORE - The Punjab Center for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CoE-CVE), Home Department Punjab organized a special event to celebrate the International Day on Prevention of Violent Extremism here on Thursday. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat attended the event as the chief guest. The event highlighted the importance of national unity, social cohesion, and collective efforts to counter extremism. Addressing the event, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that messages promoting tolerance and countering extremism are being regularly delivered during school assemblies across Punjab. He that Punjab gov’t is actively engaging religious scholars from all schools of thought.
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2026 17:51 UTC
February Fractures
And now, the government is heading to Washington for the inaugural meeting of Trump's Board of Peace on Gaza, a minefield of its own. The Supreme Court has now ordered a medical board to examine him and green-lit limited family contact with his sons. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the first meeting of President Trump's Board of Peace on Gaza in Washington on February 19. And the Washington trip will be closely watched for what it signals about Pakistan's Gaza posture going forward. If transparency improves and the political temperature is managed with some restraint, this could pass as just another rough turbulence.
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2026 15:52 UTC
Load-shedding linked to feeder losses: NA told
ISLAMABAD - Parliamentary Secretary for Energy (Power Division) Aamir Talal Khan informed the National Assembly on Thursday that load-shedding on certain feeders is primarily linked to high transmission and distribution losses. Responding to a question during the Question Hour, he said feeders experiencing 10 hours or more of load-shedding are mainly those with elevated loss ratios. He noted that the issue had been raised repeatedly in the House and clarified that the duration of load-shedding is directly connected to the level of losses on individual feeders. The entire cable system is being upgraded, with conventional lines being replaced by Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC) to curb theft and reduce losses. In addition, around 1.6 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters have so far been installed, replacing old meters.
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2026 15:14 UTC
PTI founder almost lost vision in his right eye: Salman Akram Raja
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretary genera Salman Akram Raja on Thursday said that the PTI founder Imran Khan has almost lost vision in his right eye. Salman Akram Raja said that this is a very painful and terrifying situation and we will not remain silent over the situation. Criticizing the authorities, Salman Akram Raja said that it was previously claimed that the eye was fine after 20 minutes of treatment at PIMS Hospital, but the PTI founder had been suffering from eye problems for three months, and no doctor was summoned to the jail. Salman Akram Raja said after treatment at the PIMS hospital, PTI founder regained 10pc-15pc vision in his right eye and he is able to detect light through the affected eye. He added that they will not remain silent and demanded that the PTI founder’s personal doctors be allowed access to the jail.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 15:09 UTC
President pays tribute to radio professionals on World Radio Day
ISLAMABAD : On the occasion of World Radio Day, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to radio professionals, calling radio a powerful medium of trust, inclusion and social harmony. He highlighted the role of Radio Pakistan, which broadcasts in 26 languages and serves as the national voice, connecting diverse regions and cultures across the country. President Zardari described radio as a symbol of public service and reliable information, emphasizing that it remains a trusted companion in people’s daily lives. The president also observed a growing popularity of radio among young audiences, terming it proof of the medium’s universal relevance. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting radio and ensuring the welfare of professionals associated with the sector.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 15:09 UTC
Gul Plaza Tragedy: Judicial Commission to visit site tomorrow
KARACHI : The judicial commission formed to investigate the Gul Plaza tragedy, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, has decided to visit the site of the incident tomorrow (Saturday). According to sources, the judicial commission will first conduct its own detailed inspection of the entire building before summoning government departments. It will thoroughly examine the current condition of Gul Plaza. Sources further stated that after completing the visit, the commission will issue notices to and summon the Fire Brigade, KMC, rescue agencies, SBCA, and other relevant departments. Justice Agha Faisal, head of the judicial commission, has also summoned the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 15:09 UTC
PMD predicts cold, dry weather across country
ISLAMABAD : The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast mainly cold and dry weather across most parts of the country during next 24 hours. In the federal capital and adjoining areas, weather is expected to remain dry, with cold temperatures during early morning and night hours. Most districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will experience cold and dry weather, while upper districts are expected to remain very cold during morning and night. In Punjab, dry weather will prevail in most districts, accompanied by cold conditions during morning and night. In Kashmir, cold and partly cloudy weather is expected, with very cold conditions during early morning and night hours.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 15:09 UTC
Oil set for second straight weekly drop as Iran risks recede
Oil prices slipped on Friday and were on track for a second weekly decline on receding concerns of a US-Iran conflict that could affect supply. Brent crude oil futures were down 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $67.46 a barrel at 0448 GMT after falling 2.7% in the previous session. Brent prices are set to drop 0.8% this week, while WTI is set to fall 1.1%. “There is an expectation that Venezuelan oil supply will return to pre-blockade levels in the months ahead,” he said, rising from 880,000 barrels per day to about 1.2 million bpd. The US Treasury will issue more allowances easing sanctions on Venezuelan energy this week, a White House energy official said on Thursday.
Source:The Patriot
February 13, 2026 15:09 UTC