Pakistan News Today & Latest Updates

PTI to challenge IHC ruling on Sept 27 long march in Supreme Court

September 19, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to challenge an Islamabad High Court ruling against its planned Sept. 27 long march in the Supreme Court.

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the Sept. 27 long march would not be postponed and that the party would challenge the high court’s order in the Supreme Court and other higher courts.

Akram criticized Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks, questioning whether government ministers should threaten opposition parties with the use of force.

The Islamabad High Court issued a 37-page detailed ruling on a petition challenging the PTI’s planned long march, stating that activities that infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights would amount to a violation of the Constitution.

The court said no political party had a legal right to block highways or roads and directed provincial governments not to use public funds or state resources for the Islamabad march.

It also prohibited the use of government vehicles and machinery to facilitate the long march.

The court ordered that an immediate helpline be established for government employees facing unlawful orders and warned that those violating court directives or affecting citizens’ rights could face legal action.

The ruling further stated that a public officeholder who violates the Constitution or law would be considered to have breached their oath of office.

It added that government officials could face consequences if their actions resulted in violations of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Suicide bombing at Kohat police lines mosque kills 21, injures 103

September 18, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KOHAT: A suicide bombing during Friday prayers near a police lines complex in Kohat killed 21 people, including 15 police officers, and wounded 103 others, officials said.

The blast occurred during Friday prayers and caused a crater outside the mosque, severely damaging its exterior and collapsing part of a wall, police said.

Kohat Medical Superintendent Dr. Tahir said six civilians and 15 police personnel were among those killed. The wounded included 73 police officers and 30 civilians.

Among those killed was Dr. Israel Khan Orakzai, chief district specialist at Liaquat Memorial Hospital, he said.

Of the 103 wounded, 90 were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital and 13 to Liaquat Memorial Hospital. Four patients were later referred to hospitals in Peshawar, while 34 injured people remained under treatment, Dr. Tahir said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed told Geo News that a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into the gate of the old police lines before exploding. Gunfire also erupted, followed by another suicide blast at the Special Branch building, he said.

The Central Police Office in Peshawar said seven armed militants had entered the police lines and that police and counterterrorism personnel engaged them. Six militants, including a suicide bomber and a sniper, had been killed, it said.

Security forces and police cordoned off the area as rescue operations continued.

Emergency declared at DHQ Hospital

An emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Hospital, where several wounded police officers were being treated, hospital officials said.

Police closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic and deployed additional personnel around the police lines.

Rescue officials said nearby buildings were also damaged in the blast and rescue operations were continuing at the scene.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and sought a detailed report from police officials.

He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had made major sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and that such attacks would not weaken the nation’s resolve.

Pakistan protests Indian warship’s alleged EEZ violation

September 16, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday lodged a strong protest with India over what it described as provocative and irresponsible actions by Indian Navy vessel INS Kolkata in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone, saying the incident could have triggered a serious crisis.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the Indian warship and its onboard helicopter had repeatedly attempted to enter the area where the Pakistan Navy has been conducting Sea Spark 26 exercises since Sept. 1.

According to Pakistan’s account, INS Kolkata carried out dangerous manoeuvres near Pakistan Navy vessels despite repeated warnings. The Foreign Office said the Indian vessel’s activities violated the 1991 bilateral agreement between Pakistan and India.

The Foreign Office said that on Sept. 15, INS Kolkata changed course dangerously and came into contact with Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain. It said PNS Hunain attempted to avoid the collision, but the vessels made contact before the Indian ship increased speed and left the area.

Pakistan described the incident as highly provocative and said the professional conduct of its naval personnel prevented the situation from escalating further.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan viewed the alleged Indian naval violations with serious concern and called on India to respect international law and bilateral agreements.

It also accused India of presenting a distorted version of events and said the actions reflected an attempt to escalate the matter diplomatically.

The Foreign Office said India’s chargé d’affaires was summoned in Islamabad and a strong protest was conveyed over the incident. Pakistan also said its High Commission in New Delhi would deliver a formal protest note to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

India, meanwhile, has presented a different account of the incident. Its Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it had summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires and lodged a protest over what it called the “unacceptable and unprofessional” conduct of Pakistani naval units that led to a collision with an Indian Navy vessel in international waters.

India said the incident caused no major damage and accused the Pakistani vessel of violating Article 10 of the 1991 agreement governing advance notice of military exercises, maneuvers and troop movements.

The conflicting accounts underscore heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the maritime incident in the North Arabian Sea.

Jamaat-e-Islami rejects PM’s petrol relief package

September 15, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch has rejected the prime minister’s Rs100-per-liter petrol relief package, saying it cannot be a substitute for abolishing the petroleum levy.

Speaking to reporters after the third round of talks between the government and JI in Islamabad, Baloch said technical discussions were held on independent power producers (IPPs) and the petroleum levy.

He said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Energy Minister Awais Leghari briefed the JI delegation during the talks.

Baloch said the JI had rejected the prime minister’s petrol relief package and made it clear that the petroleum levy should be abolished.

“If the levy is abolished, consumers can get relief of Rs103 per liter on petrol,” he said.

He described the prime minister’s relief measure as a “deception” and said the government had been told to convey to the prime minister that the JI’s march toward Islamabad would go ahead.

Regarding IPPs, Baloch said Leghari had presented the government’s complete position and acknowledged that issues involving 54 IPPs had been finalized following the JI’s previous protests.

The JI has been holding sit-ins in various cities against inflation and the petroleum levy. The party has also announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20.

Karachi Safari Park elephant Madhubala falls ill with suspected infection

September 15, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: Madhubala, an elephant at Karachi’s Safari Park, has fallen ill with a suspected infection and is currently unable to use her right hind leg, officials said Tuesday.

According to Safari Park administration, Madhubala developed swelling in her right hind thigh, preventing her from putting weight on the affected leg. She reportedly suddenly fell to the ground a day earlier and had to be lifted with the help of a crane.

Officials said Madhubala has previously suffered from foot infections and abscesses. She had also experienced calcium deficiency in recent days, but her calcium levels have now improved.

Several medical tests have been conducted on the elephant, the administration said.

A veterinary expert said Madhubala has been given antibiotics because of concerns about a possible bacterial infection. However, further medical examination is needed to determine the exact cause of her illness.

The expert added that prolonged exposure to hard flooring can be a major cause of foot-related problems in elephants.

Meanwhile, a KMC spokesperson said he was unaware of Madhubala’s current health condition.

Madhubala was transferred from Karachi Zoo to Safari Park in November 2024, where she was kept with elephants Sonia and Malika. Sonia died about a month after Madhubala’s transfer.

PM’s fuel relief package gets ECC approval

September 14, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee on Monday approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s fuel relief package, providing weekly assistance of 500 rupees to motorcycle and rickshaw users and 1,000 rupees every 10 days to owners of vehicles with engines up to 800cc.

The ECC, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a technical supplementary grant of 75 billion rupees for the fuel relief scheme, according to an official statement.

The scheme will be limited to non-commercial users, with each individual or vehicle owner eligible to receive relief for only one vehicle.

The committee also approved the introduction of a digital Fuel Pass system to ensure transparent distribution of the subsidy. The Ministry of Information Technology will develop and manage the system.

The ECC also approved a framework for restructuring the ownership and administrative control of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. It endorsed recommendations submitted by a committee headed by the minister responsible for privatization.

The committee approved a draft upgrade agreement for existing oil refineries, setting a five-year deadline for completion of refinery modernization projects.

The ECC deferred consideration of the commercial import of used vehicles.

It also approved the export of an additional 200,000 metric tons of sugar, subject to safeguards aimed at maintaining price stability in the domestic market.

The committee further approved 3 billion rupees for the purchase of 15 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

CM Punjab’s daughter Mahnoor Safdar marries in private family ceremony

September 12, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

LAHORE: Mahnoor Safdar, daughter of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, got married in a private nikah ceremony attended by members of the Sharif family and close relatives.

The ceremony was held at Jati Umra in Lahore and was kept limited to family members and close relatives.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz were among those who attended the ceremony, along with other members of the Sharif family.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also attended the wedding ceremony.

Mahnoor Safdar married Azaan Jabbar, the son of businessman Jabbar Khalid.

Maryam Nawaz recently attended her daughter’s graduation ceremony in London. At the time, she said she was delighted with her daughter’s achievement and described the graduation as a moment of happiness for her and her family.

JI announces Islamabad long march for Sep 20

September 11, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20 against inflation, rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy.

Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami protest gathering in Gujranwala, Rehman said the party had decided to turn its ongoing protests and sit-ins into a long march after talks with the government failed.

He said the Sept. 20 march would be “historic” and urged people across the country to participate.

“The government must abolish the petroleum levy and cut its own expenditures,” Rehman said, adding that the government could not claim it had no resources while imposing additional burdens on citizens.

He warned that if the levy was not withdrawn, his party would launch a movement seeking the government’s removal.

Rehman also criticized government spending and questioned the use of expensive official aircraft, saying ordinary citizens were struggling with rising costs while those in power enjoyed privileges.

“Listen, Shehbaz Sharif, and listen to the public’s anger,” he said, warning the prime minister over the growing public discontent.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the government’s economic policies had opened the way for corruption and called for an end to what he described as excessive taxes and expenditures.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds disrupted the party’s ongoing sit-in in Rawalpindi, damaging the screen system at Liaquat Bagh. Participants listened to Rehman’s address through an audio system as water accumulated along the road near Liaquat Bagh Chowk.

Rehman also said he would lead the Rawalpindi-Islamabad march scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of the party’s ongoing protest campaign.

Pakistan-Saudi defence cooperation continues, FO says

September 10, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to maintain bilateral defence cooperation, but implementing their recently signed defence agreement will take time, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Foreign Office spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing that Pakistan condemned attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia and had expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

“Pakistan will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Khan said Pakistani forces were already present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, adding that further aspects of defence cooperation would become clearer as the agreement is implemented.

He said the implementation process would require time and that the two countries remained engaged in bilateral defence cooperation.

On Kashmir, Khan said the disputed region remained on the agenda of the United Nations and that Indian claims and actions could not alter its disputed status.

He said the official U.N. map reflected the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and described Indian measures concerning the region as having no legal effect.

Khan also condemned the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, India, saying the incident brought back memories of the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Addressing reports about Afghan students, the spokesman rejected the impression that Pakistan had imposed a blanket ban on Afghan students.

“No decision has been taken to impose a complete ban on Afghan students,” he said, adding that Afghan students with valid visas and enrolment in recognised degree programmes could complete their education.

Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI lawmakers

September 10, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for eight lawmakers affiliated with Pakistan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to court officials.

The warrants were issued by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in connection with case No. 714 registered at Margalla police station.

Those named in the warrants include lawmakers Shahid Khattak, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amir Dogar, Atif Khan and Iqbal Afridi.

The court also issued warrants for provincial lawmakers Meena Khan Afridi, Dr. Amjad and Shafi Jan.

The court directed the Station House Officer of Ramna police station to arrest the accused and present them before the court.

The case comes as PTI lawmakers continue to face legal proceedings linked to cases registered in Islamabad.