BREAKING NEWS
Indian actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle • Mrunal Thakur warns of legal action over AI-generated deepfake content • Fazlur Rehman warns against politicizing debate over new provinces • Pakistan posts 387, secures first-innings lead over West Indies • Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond program • Trump voices concern over oil company profits amid Iran conflict • West Indies all out for 344 against Pakistan in first innings • Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly set to marry Georgina Rodriguez on Aug 8 • Trump says Gulf States backed diplomatic path with Iran • Fuel theft surges across UK as rising prices drive daily losses • Why ‘Inception’ remains one of Hollywood’s most rewatchable films • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ opens with $355m worldwide • Secret wedding allegation involving Varma and Urmila resurfaces • Bilawal Bhutto alleges rigging in AJK elections • PM orders comprehensive performance review of federal ministries
Advertise with us >

Pakistan

Pakistan, Indonesia discuss expanding bilateral defence cooperation

by
Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday held a meeting with Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, at General Headquarters (GHQ), where both sides discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on exploring new areas to strengthen defence collaboration between Pakistan and Indonesia. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global security developments.

Both sides underscored the importance of Pakistan–Indonesia defence industrial cooperation and emphasized the need to further strengthen institutional linkages between the two countries. The significance of enhanced training collaboration was also highlighted during the discussion.

The Indonesian Defence Minister lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Indonesia’s desire to further broaden defence relations with Pakistan.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening sustainable defence ties with Indonesia, based on shared values and common strategic interests.

Pakistan, Bangladesh launch scholarship program for 500 students

by
Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan and Bangladesh have reached an educational agreement, under which 500 Bangladeshi students will be enrolled in Pakistani universities in the first phase of the program.

According to sources from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), students will be placed across various universities in multiple cities. The scholarship program, named after Allama Iqbal, will allow Bangladeshi students to pursue fully funded undergraduate programs in Pakistan.

HEC sources added that a large number of Bangladeshi students participated in entry tests conducted under the HEC framework. The exams were held in Chattogram, Dhaka, and Rajshahi.

The sources noted that Bangladeshi students warmly welcomed Pakistani officials during the testing process and took photographs with them, reflecting strong goodwill and enthusiasm for the educational collaboration.

Pakistan to finalize squad for Australia, World Cup

by
Pakistan to finalize

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold final consultations on the national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the three-match home series against Australia later this week.

Sources said head coach Mike Hesson will return to Lahore after completing the Sri Lanka tour. Members of the national T20 squad are arriving back in Pakistan today following the series in Sri Lanka. Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha will meet with selectors to finalize the squad.

Once consultations are complete, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, will approve the official squad announcement. The PCB has already submitted the preliminary names for the T20 World Cup to the ICC. Changes to the list can still be made before January 31 with ICC approval.

Probable Players:

The likely squad is expected to include captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed.

Other potential inclusions are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, and Khawaja Nafi. Reserve players may include Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Junior, and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan’s overseas workforce exceeds 700,000 in 2025: Official Data

by
Pakistan’s overseas

ISLAMABAD: More than 762,000 Pakistanis moved overseas for employment in 2025, including 18,352 highly educated professionals, according to official data released by the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment.

The bureau reported that 762,499 Pakistanis sought jobs abroad in 2025, marking an increase from 727,381 in 2024.

Professional Breakdown

According to the data, those who left Pakistan for overseas employment in 2025 included:

5,659 accountants

10,503 cooks

3,795 doctors

5,946 engineers

1,640 nurses

1,725 teachers

163,718 drivers

6,475 electricians

In addition, 465,138 laborers, 5,700 masons, 12,703 technicians, 11,777 managers, 2,306 plumbers, and 2,027 waiters also secured foreign employment.

Skill Levels

The bureau categorized overseas workers as follows:

18,352 highly educated individuals

13,657 highly skilled workers

222,171 skilled workers

42,257 semi-skilled workers

466,062 unskilled workers

Top Destination Countries

Saudi Arabia remained the top destination, receiving 530,256 Pakistani workers, followed by:

Qatar: 68,376

United Arab Emirates: 52,664

Bahrain: 37,726

Kuwait: 6,590

South Korea: 39

Among Western and European destinations:

United States: 1,005

United Kingdom: 4,355

Germany: 984

Italy: 813

Other notable destinations included China (2,230), Japan (2,210), and Romania (1,109).

Officials say the data highlights Pakistan’s continued reliance on overseas employment as a major source of livelihood and foreign remittances.

Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka in first T20I

by
Pakistan defeat

Dambulla: Pakistan made a winning start to the three-match T20 series by defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the opening match, taking a 1-0 lead.

Chasing a modest target of 129 runs, Pakistan reached the total in the 17th over with the loss of four wickets. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that paid dividends as the bowlers delivered a disciplined performance.

Pakistan’s playing XI saw the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan, alongside Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan. The bowling unit included Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed.

ri Lanka were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs, struggling against Pakistan’s incisive bowling attack. Janith Liyanage top-scored for the hosts with 40 runs, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka chipped in with 18 runs each.

For Pakistan, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed claimed three wickets apiece, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up two wickets each.

Pakistan chased down the target comfortably, led by a composed half-century from Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 51 off 36 balls. Saim Ayub contributed 24 runs, while Salman Ali Agha scored 16 and Fakhar Zaman managed five before being dismissed.

Shadab Khan (18*) and Usman Khan (7*) remained unbeaten to see Pakistan home, sealing a convincing victory in the series opener.

Sri Lanka announce 18-member squad for T20I series against Pakistan

by
Sri Lanka announce

Sri Lanka have announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Pakistan, marking the return of a key player ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.

The Sri Lankan side will be led by Dasun Shanaka, while Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva has been recalled to the T20 squad.

De Silva last featured in a T20I for Sri Lanka in June 2024 against the Netherlands and now makes his return at a crucial stage before the global tournament.

The Pakistan series is being seen as an important preparation opportunity for Sri Lanka as they fine-tune combinations and assess player form ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Selectors have opted for a balanced squad, blending experience with emerging talent, as Sri Lanka aim to test their depth against a strong Pakistan side in high-intensity conditions.

Bangladesh Cricket Board announces series against Pakistan

by
Bangladesh Cricket Board

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially announced an upcoming bilateral series against Pakistan, with matches scheduled across March and May 2026.

According to the announcement, the Pakistan cricket team will tour Bangladesh in March 2026 for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series. The ODI matches will be played on March 12, 14, and 16, 2026.

In addition, Pakistan will return to Bangladesh in May 2026 for a two-match Test series, which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first Test is scheduled for May 8, followed by the second Test on May 16.

The Pakistan team is set to arrive in Bangladesh on May 4, 2026, ahead of the Test series.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that the venues for both the ODI and Test series will be announced at a later date.

Usman Khan confident Pakistan can win T20 World Cup under Coach Mike Hesson

by
Usman Khan

Dhaka: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan has expressed confidence that Pakistan has an excellent chance of winning the 2026 T20 World Cup, thanks to the thorough preparation under head coach Mike Hesson.

Speaking during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Usman said, “Our coach Mike Hesson has ensured we are well-prepared ahead of the World Cup. Next month, we will play matches against Sri Lanka and Australia to further fine-tune our skills. The team combination is strong, and we are very confident.”

Representing Dhaka Capitals in the BPL, Usman Khan will join the Pakistan squad in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on January 7 for a three-match T20 series. He emphasized that playing in Sri Lanka will give the team a good opportunity to understand the pitches ahead of the World Cup.

“I am visiting Sri Lanka for the first time. We are focusing on improving our play against fast bowlers, and our goal is to win the series there,” he added.

Usman also highlighted that playing in Bangladesh helped him adjust to different conditions. “I have also played in the UAE, but Pakistan is my priority. Pakistan is my country, and these are my people. I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to represent Pakistan,” he said.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on February 7 in India, with Pakistan playing all of its group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

Bloomberg confirms sharp decline in inflation, policy stability in Pakistan

by
Bloomberg confirms

A leading US publication Bloomberg has confirmed a significant improvement in inflation and greater policy stability in Pakistan, citing recent economic data and policy measures.

In its latest review on Pakistan, Bloomberg reported that price stability and economic management are improving, with inflation easing to 5.6 percent in December, lower than market expectations and down from 6.1 percent in November.

The report noted that pressure on food prices has declined, with food inflation limited to 3.24 percent.

According to Bloomberg, better food availability has helped stabilize markets and provided visible relief to the public. Inflation coming in below market estimates has boosted confidence and reinforced the credibility of the government’s policy direction.

The report highlighted that the State Bank of Pakistan, taking account of improving stability, has reduced the policy rate to its lowest level in nearly three years. A 50 basis points cut in interest rates was seen as a clear signal that inflationary pressures are now manageable.

Bloomberg said lower interest rates are expected to make financing more favorable for businesses and investors, supporting economic activity.

The easing of inflation has sent a positive signal for the investment climate, reducing uncertainty in the economy.

The publication further noted that lower inflation is improving purchasing power and increasing the likelihood of relief for consumers.

December’s figures indicate that the impact of policy measures is beginning to materialize, while the continued downward trend in inflation points toward medium-term economic stability and stronger governance.

Pakistan and UAE leaders discuss strategic, regional collaboration

by
Pakistan and UAE

Rahim Yar Khan: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, at Sheikh Zayed Palace, Rahim Yar Khan.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials.

During their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders carried forward discussions from their recent meeting in Islamabad on 26 December, 2025, when His Highness paid his first official visit to Pakistan as President of UAE.

The Prime Minister reiterated his firm resolve to elevate the longstanding, brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE into a strategic, mutually beneficial, economic partnership.

He stressed upon the need for both sides to actively pursue enhancement in bilateral trade through a quantum jump which will bring it to the desired level.

The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas including IT, energy, mining & minerals, as well as defence cooperation.

While expressing his great admiration for the UAE’s remarkable progress under His Highness’ dynamic and visionary leadership, the Prime Minister thanked the UAE President for his patronage and commitment to foster stronger ties between the two countries.

He also appreciated the UAE for hosting 2.1 million Pakistanis, who were playing an important role in strengthening ties between both countries.

 In addition to bilateral cooperation, the two leaders also exchanged views on a variety of subjects.

The meeting capped off a year of extensive leadership-level engagements between Pakistan and the UAE.