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Pakistan News

Pakistan, Afghanistan set to resume talks in Istanbul

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Pakistan

ISTANBUL: Pakistan has agreed to reopen dialogue with Afghanistan in an effort to revive stalled peace talks, diplomatic sources revealed on Thursday.

According to diplomatic sources, the Pakistani delegation was scheduled to return home today after earlier negotiations with Afghan representatives failed to yield results. However, Turkish officials requested the delegation to stay in Istanbul.

Sources added that Afghan authorities also made diplomatic contacts regarding the stalled dialogue, leading both sides to agree on reviving bilateral talks.

According to diplomatic sources, Turkey is keen to ensure that the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan talks under its mediation yield positive and lasting results.

Sources said the Pakistani delegation, which was earlier set to return home, will now extend its stay in Istanbul to resume dialogue and give peace another chance.

The negotiations, sources added, will primarily focus on Pakistan’s core demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable, and effective action against terrorist elements operating from its soil.

Pakistan has once again emphasized that Afghan territory must not be used for activities against Pakistan, sources confirmed.

The delegation participating in the renewed talks comprises the same officials who took part in the earlier round of discussions with Afghan counterparts.

Earlier, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar had announced that the previous round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul had ended without success.

On October 19, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, which was later extended by mutual consent.

Khurram Zeeshan, Taj Afridi face off in KP Senate by-poll

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Khurram Zeeshan

PESHAWAR: The by-election for a vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently underway, as lawmakers cast their votes to fill the position left vacant by Shibli Faraz.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), polling will continue uninterrupted until 4 p.m. at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building. Provincial Election Commissioner Saeed Gul has been appointed as the Returning Officer (RO) for the by-election.

The contest is between Pakistan Tehreak e Insaf-backed candidate Khurram Zeeshan and the joint opposition nominee, Taj Mohammad Afridi.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprises 145 members, with 73 votes required for victory. The ruling coalition holds 92 seats, while the opposition has 53 members.

Pakistan denounces Israel’s breach of Gaza Truce Deal

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the renewed attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

“These actions constitute a clear and flagrant violation of international law, as well as a breach of the recently concluded peace agreement,”.

He said that such aggressive measures by the Israeli occupation forces threatened to undermine the international efforts aimed at establishing durable peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan calls upon the international community to ensure an immediate cessation of ceasefire violations by the Israeli occupation forces,” the spokesperson said and reiterated Pakistan’s principled position for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Gold prices surge by Rs3,500 per tola across Pakistan

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Gold prices

KARACHI: The price of gold in Pakistan increased by Rs3,500 per tola on Wednesday, according to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA).

With the latest rise, the price of 24-karat gold now stands at Rs419,862 per tola, while the price of 10 grams of gold has gone up by Rs3,000, reaching Rs359,963.

In the international market, the price of gold also saw an uptick of $35, climbing to $3,975 per ounce.

Market experts attribute the surge to global economic uncertainty and rising investor demand for safe-haven assets.

Punjab suffers as Lahore again tops global pollution chart

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Punjab suffers

LAHORE: The Lahore city once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday, as thick smog blanketed Punjab and the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to a hazardous 462.

According to real-time monitoring data, Sandha Road recorded an alarming AQI of 941, followed by Cantonment at 690, Iqbal Town at 639, and Burki Road at 616 — placing the provincial capital under severe smog conditions.

The situation was similarly dire in other major cities. Multan’s AQI hit 507, Faisalabad 712, Gujranwala 287, and Peshawar 219, all indicating unhealthy to extremely hazardous air quality.

Medical experts have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and keep windows closed, warning that prolonged exposure to the polluted air could trigger respiratory and cardiac complications, particularly among children and the elderly.

Authorities said the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has mobilized its 16 mechanical washers and 50 washing rickshaws as part of the ongoing anti-smog operation. Around 200 sanitation workers have been deployed in the day shift and another 200 at night, carrying out washing and water sprinkling on over 300 kilometers of roads daily.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that water sprinkling is being carried out twice a day across 47 major roads, including Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Noor Jahan Road, MM Alam Road, GT Road, Band Road, Ravi Road, Shahdara, Saggian, Nazaria Pakistan Avenue, Raiwind Road, and Ferozepur Road, among other high-AQI areas.

In the night shift, mechanical washing and water sprinkling are being ensured at all entry and exit points of Lahore, in a bid to suppress dust and particulate matter contributing to smog formation.

Pakistan continues cross-border strikes after negotiations hit deadlock

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Pakistan continues

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar confirmed that negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have failed, adding that Islamabad appreciates the diplomatic backing extended by friendly nations.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atta Tarar confirmed that negotiations with the Afghan Taliban had broken down. He asserted that the Government of Pakistan will employ all available resources to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.

“The government will continue to take all possible measures against terrorism. The terrorists, their hideouts, and facilitators will be eliminated,” Tarar said.

He revealed that the dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, held in Istanbul, ended without any outcome.

According to the minister, Pakistan repeatedly lodged protests with the Taliban government over cross-border terrorism and the activities of banned outfits such as the TTP and BLF. “However, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame-shifting, delays, and excuses,” he added.

Tarar further remarked that the Taliban government does not represent the Afghan people and is dependent on a war-driven economy for its survival. “Continuous support for anti-Pakistan terrorism has rendered Pakistan’s efforts futile,” he said.

The minister also thanked Qatar, Turkiye, and other friendly nations for their sincere diplomatic efforts in facilitating the talks.

Air Pollution: Lahore faces alarming smog levels once again

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Air Pollution

Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, remained the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, as real-time data from global air quality monitor IQAir showed dangerously high pollution levels across the metropolis.

At 8 a.m., Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 410, placing it in the “hazardous” category, while the city’s average level stood at 329 later in the day.

Among the most affected localities were Sanda Road (767 AQI), Township (758), Model Town (574), Allama Iqbal Town (511), and Gulberg III (390).

Air pollution also persisted across other cities of Punjab, with Faisalabad recording a particulate matter (PM2.5) level of 622, Multan 485, and Bahawalpur 255, according to environmental reports.

As per IQAir’s latest index, New Delhi ranked second, Dhaka third, and Kolkata fourth among the world’s most polluted cities. Karachi stood fifth with an AQI of 165.

Experts warned that low wind speed and falling temperatures are trapping pollutants close to the ground, intensifying smog and reducing visibility—particularly during late night, early morning, and evening hours. They added that the air may improve slightly between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. when higher temperatures and wind movement help disperse pollutants.

Medical experts have urged citizens to wear protective masks and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.

Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb advised residents to use masks whenever outdoor movement is unavoidable to reduce exposure to toxic air.

In response to worsening conditions, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) deployed 16 mechanical washers and 50 washer rickshaws as part of its anti-smog operation.

More than 400 sanitation workers have been assigned for day and night shifts, washing and sprinkling water on over 300 kilometers of major roads daily.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 47 main roads—including Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Noor Jehan Road, MM Alam Road, GT Road, Bund Road, and Ferozepur Road—are being washed twice daily to suppress dust and reduce airborne particulates.

In the past 24 hours, authorities registered 14 FIRs, imposed ₨1 million in fines on 115 violators, and issued 53 warnings across Lahore and other districts.

Violations included crop residue burning (13 cases), emission from smoke-producing vehicles (86), illegal industrial operations (5), and brick kiln violations (10).

Cumulatively, during the ongoing smog season, police have filed 1,642 cases, arrested 1,571 offenders, imposed fines exceeding ₨150 million, and issued over 15,000 warnings.

Officials reported 500 crop-burning cases, 55,763 vehicle violations, 1,599 industrial violations, and 3,185 brick kiln breaches across Punjab.

Karachi authorities seal dozens of shops selling urea-mixed milk

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Karachi authorities

KARACHI: The city administration has sealed seven more milk shops for selling chemically adulterated milk, raising the total number of shops sealed to 27 as part of the ongoing crackdown against unsafe dairy sales.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner Karachi’s office, the campaign against adulterated milk continues across the city. On Tuesday, three shops in District South, three in East, and one in Malir were sealed after samples tested positive for harmful chemical substances.

A spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office said that within just two days, 27 milk shops have been sealed across Karachi for selling substandard or adulterated milk.

The decision was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, attended by the Director General of the Sindh Food Authority and other senior officials. It was decided that milk quality inspections and anti-adulteration drives will continue in all districts.

Commissioner Naqvi stated that sealed milk shops will not be reopened without heavy fines, and owners will be required to submit written assurances guaranteeing the sale of pure and safe milk in the future.

21 students injured after school bus plunges into canal in Sheikhupura

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21 students

SHEIKHUPURA: At least 21 schoolchildren were injured when a bus collided with a truck and veered into a canal near the Sheikhupura Bypass, according to rescue officials.

According to rescue officials, 21 children were injured in the accident. Six students received first aid at the scene, while 15 others were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Rescue teams promptly arrived at the site and carried out relief operations.

Pakistan, KSA reaffirm enduring strength of brotherly bonds: PM

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Pakistan

RIYADH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman renewed their commitment to advancing the deep-rooted partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on expanding trade and investment cooperation.

In a post on X, he said, “It was a great pleasure and honor to meet my brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh today.” “I remain deeply grateful for His Royal Highness’s personal commitment and resolute support in advancing our shared vision for deeper collaboration and prosperity for our two nations and peoples,” he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, also attended the meeting.

Upon arrival at the Al-Yamamah Palace, the Saudi Crown Prince warmly received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation.

The Prime Minister is visiting Saudi Arabia at the special invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and will participate in the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference during his stay.