LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has undergone a major surgical procedure at Sharif Medical City Hospital, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement shared on social media that Maryam Nawaz underwent major surgery at the Lahore-based hospital.
However, the minister did not specify the nature of the surgical procedure in her statement.
Further details regarding the chief minister’s condition were not immediately disclosed.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of Eid al-Azha extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Pakistan and Muslims around the world, calling on the nation to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, compassion and unity.
In his message marking 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH, corresponding to May 27, 2026, the prime minister said Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder of the devotion and obedience demonstrated by Prophet Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Prophet Ismail in submitting to the command of Allah.
He said the sacred tradition teaches Muslims to sacrifice personal desires and interests for higher and noble causes, describing such sacrifice as the true essence of faith and loyalty.
Sharif said the spirit of sacrifice encourages people to rise above selfishness and adopt values of empathy, selflessness and social responsibility toward humanity.
The prime minister also paid tribute to the country’s martyrs who lost their lives defending the nation and in incidents of terrorism, calling their sacrifices a source of national pride.
He urged citizens to remember underprivileged and deserving people during Eid celebrations and to ensure they are included in the festivities.
Sharif said unity, sacrifice and collective harmony are essential for lasting national solidarity and sustainable progress.
He also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Kashmir, saying the nation stands with oppressed Muslims in both regions.
The prime minister prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity across the world and asked Allah to accept the sacrifices and worships of Muslims.
MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia: The Imam of Masjid-e-Nabawi, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Hudhaifi, delivered the annual Hajj sermon at Masjid Namirah, calling on Muslims to worship none but Allah, uphold piety, and fear only Allah.
Addressing millions of pilgrims gathered in the Plain of Arafat, the imam stressed the importance of patience during hardship, saying that Allah has promised great reward for those who remain steadfast.
He said adherence to monotheism (Tawheed) is an essential part of faith and reaffirmed that Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) is the final messenger of Allah.
The sermon emphasized gratitude to Allah, urging believers to make use of His blessings and warning that past nations lost divine favors due to injustice and ingratitude.
The imam also urged Muslims to speak truthfully, avoid falsehood, establish regular prayers, and remain engaged in worship and remembrance of God.
He said the relationship between a believer and Allah is the source of salvation and called on pilgrims to remain united and avoid any form of conflict that could harm the unity of the Muslim community.
Pilgrims were instructed to perform Hajj rituals in the best possible manner, with prayers for forgiveness and acceptance of their deeds.
He further reminded worshippers that Allah alone answers prayers and forgives sins, praying for guidance and mercy for the Muslim world.
Millions of pilgrims listened to the sermon in Arafat, where special prayers were also offered for the Muslim Ummah. After the sermon, Dhuhr and Asr prayers were performed together at Masjid Namirah.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-powered committee headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to review the country’s cross-subsidy framework and examine the recovery of an alleged 72 billion rupees in windfall profits earned by oil marketing companies.
The committee, formed ahead of the upcoming federal budget, will also evaluate broader fiscal and economic priorities, including expenditure rationalization, development spending allocation, energy sector reforms and the implementation of rightsizing measures across ministries and divisions.
Officials said the panel will be responsible for reviewing key financial planning areas for the next budget cycle, particularly efforts aimed at improving efficiency in public spending and reducing the fiscal deficit.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will chair the committee, while the ministers for economic affairs, planning and law will serve as members.
Former bureaucrat Musharraf Rasool has been appointed as chief technical adviser, while the additional secretary for budget will also be part of the committee.
The panel is expected to submit its recommendations to the prime minister after completing a comprehensive review of economic and administrative reforms.
Meanwhile, government is preparing to recover an estimated 72 billion rupees in windfall profits from oil marketing companies (OMCs) in the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, according to official sources.
Finance Ministry sources said a windfall gain tax could be imposed on OMCs after companies earned extraordinary profits on petroleum products during recent regional tensions.
Officials said the recovered amount may be used to provide petroleum subsidies, reduce electricity tariffs and help narrow the fiscal deficit.
Sources added that the government is examining legal and financial mechanisms to reclaim the extraordinary profits earned by the oil marketing sector.
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace in the Middle East during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing.
During the meeting, Xi said China gives priority to its relationship with Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy.
The Chinese president appreciated Pakistan’s efforts toward regional peace and said the two countries had forged an “unbreakable traditional friendship.”
Xi also welcomed Syed Asim Munir on his visit to China, noting that the field marshal had recently returned from Iran.
He said Pakistan’s positive efforts and mediation initiatives for peace were commendable and acknowledged Asim Munir’s important role in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States.
“The situation is moving in the right direction,” Xi said, according to official statements.
The Chinese president further stressed that China and Pakistan should jointly oppose unilateral actions and Cold War mentality, while advancing high-level and broader security cooperation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang, where both sides agreed to elevate Pakistan-China partnership into a new phase of high-quality cooperation.
During the visit, 15 memorandums of understanding were signed covering cooperation in investment, agriculture, climate change and education.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said the longstanding strategic partnership with China remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to friendship, development and prosperity.
KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced public holidays for Eid-ul-Adha, issuing an official notification on Friday.
According to the notification approved by Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, holidays will be observed across the province from May 26 to May 29, 2026.
The notification states that Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be public holidays for Eid-ul-Adha.
The holiday applies to all government, semi-government, and local government institutions. However, employees working in essential services and those involved in budget-related work will be exempt from the holiday.
The announcement formalizes the official break for Eid celebrations across the province.
RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Staff (CDF), arrived in Tehran as part of ongoing mediation efforts.
On arrival, he was received and warmly welcomed by Iranian Minister for Interior Eskandar Momeni. Federal Minister for Interior, Mr Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the reception.
Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently on an official visit to Iran, has met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional tensions and efforts to reduce escalation, according to official sources.
During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on issues related to reducing tensions in the region and the possible end of conflict involving the United States and Iran.
More read, Naqvi visits Tehran again in effort to advance US-Iran dialogue
News agencies reported that the two officials also reviewed draft proposals aimed at supporting a potential framework for ending hostilities and promoting stability.
Iranian state media said the discussions also focused on possible mechanisms for achieving peace and improving diplomatic engagement in the region.
Diplomatic sources said Naqvi is expected to remain in Tehran for further engagements, with meetings on Iran–U.S. diplomatic developments continuing during his stay.
KARACHI: Karachi police have sought assistance from the Federal Investigation Agency for investigations into alleged money laundering and cybercrime links in the case involving arrested suspect Anmol alias Pinky.
According to officials, DIG South Karachi Asad Raza sent a formal letter to the FIA requesting technical support in the investigation.
Police said initial findings revealed that associates of the suspect allegedly conducted financial transactions through multiple bank accounts and received funds via various channels.
The letter stated that the suspects are believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking and suspicious financial transactions, adding that FIA assistance is required due to the cybercrime and banking transaction aspects of the case.
The DIG South also requested the deployment of FIA officers to assist in tracing banking transactions.
According to the letter, three cases have been registered against the suspect at Garden and Baghdadi police stations in Karachi, including investigations related to narcotics, illegal weapons and murder charges.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called for the release of all Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists, the Foreign Office said on Friday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan and China have completed 75 years of diplomatic relations, marking the occasion with official-level celebrations.
He said both countries have supported each other in difficult times and continue to cooperate in trade, industry, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The spokesperson added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China from May 23 to 26. He said the visit will help further strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.
He said the prime minister will chair a Pakistan-China business-to-business conference in Beijing and will also attend a reception. Meetings are also scheduled with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
On regional security issues, the spokesperson said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had visited Iran twice and held important meetings with Iranian leadership, discussing bilateral relations and security matters.
He said drone incidents were reported on May 17 in the airspace of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that targeting nuclear facilities is a serious violation of international law. Pakistan expressed deep concern over the incidents and strongly condemned them, hoping such events would not recur.
Referring to Kashmir, the spokesperson said India continues to suppress voices advocating human rights in the region and highlighted what he described as ongoing atrocities in Indian-administered Kashmir.
He added that India attempts to divert attention from human rights violations by leveling baseless allegations against Pakistan, citing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan, he said, continues to demand the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists. He also reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to use legal and diplomatic channels to protect its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and Russia had held detailed consultations on global security, arms control, and non-proliferation, agreeing to enhance cooperation in international forums, with the next round scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2027.
ISLAMABAD: The spread of the deadly Ebola outbreak originating in African countries has raised global alarm, with the World Health Organization declaring the situation a serious public health concern.
In response to the potential threat, Pakistan’s Ministry of Health has initiated precautionary measures and directed the National Institute of Health to ensure the availability of laboratory testing kits and take all necessary preparedness steps.
The ministry has also instructed Border Health Services authorities to remain on high alert and intensify screening of passengers arriving from Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo at airports across the country.
Officials said symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever closely resemble those of dengue virus, prompting health authorities to advise medical staff to exercise extra caution while handling suspected cases.
According to officials from Pakistan’s federal health ministry, the situation within the country remains fully under control and there is no immediate cause for concern.
Meanwhile, more than 300 suspected Ebola cases and 80 deaths have been reported in affected African countries so far. A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also arrived in the affected regions to assist response efforts.
