Pakistan on Monday strongly rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it an illegal act violating Somalia’s sovereignty, international law, and regional stability. An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held, during which Pakistan’s Permanent Deputy Representative to the UN Usman Jadoon said that Pakistan rejects Israel’s move to recognize Somaliland as an independent country and fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia. Usman Jadoon stated that the move is a clear violation of international law. He said Pakistan also rejects any attempt to displace the Palestinian people and fully supports Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Usman Jadoon further said that Pakistan opposes any effort to displace the Palestinian people, adding that such a step would violate international law and added that Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland should be reconsidered.

Pakistan on Tuesday condemned the reported targeting of the residence of Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. Such a heinous act constitutes a grave threat to peace, security, and stability, particularly at a time when efforts aimed at peace are underway, Prime Minister Shehbhaz Sharif said in a post on X. He added that Pakistan expressed its solidarity with the President of the Russian Federation, and with the government and people of Russia. “We reiterate our firm rejection of all forms of violence and acts intended to undermine security and threaten peace,” he said. He said the Russian claim was an attempt to undermine peace talks.

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court, challenging a notification issued by the deputy commissioner (DC) Lahore granting permission for Basant celebrations in February 2026. The petition was filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique, who raised concerns over the safety risks associated with kite flying. The petition further noted that, in the past, kite flying and its associated risks have led to the loss of precious lives. The petitioner has pleaded court to revoke the notification issued by the DC and suspend it until a final decision is made on the matter. A day earlier, the deputy commissioner officially announced permission for celebrating Basant 2026 in the city, with kite flying allowed on February 6, 7, and 8.

Rawalpindi:The 50th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Polo and Tent Pegging Championship 2025 concluded with the closing ceremony at the Jinnah Polo Fields (JPF), Lahore. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest while Minister of Interior and Chief Secretary Punjab along with large number of spectators were present at the occasion. Upon arrival, he was received by the Corps Commander Lahore and Chairman Pakistan Polo Federation. Eight teams participated in the championship in which Peshawar Corps emerged victorious, while Gujranwala Corps secured the runners-up position. During the closing ceremony, the Chief Guest distributed prizes among the winning and participating players.

ISLAMABADChairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called upon the nation to fully follow the ideals and vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to build an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan. He was addressing an event in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad Monday. The Chairman emphasized that Quaid-e-Azam envisioned Pakistan as a modern democratic state based on the principles of equality, justice and the rule of law. He said his political journey was shaped by constitutionalism and democratic principles. The Chairman Senate emphasized that those entrusted with authority must place national interest above personal considerations.

PTI people should not have committed the May 9 incidents: Khurram Hameed Rokhri, we supported the government to save the country: Qadir Mandokhail, whenever the founder calls for protest, we will come out: Ali BukhariBy Staff ReporterISLAMABAD: Editor In Chief Pakistan Group of Newspaper and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi while talking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat, people of Mianwali should have stood up for the founder PTI, the silence of the people of Mianwali is a moment of reflection, stock exchange is setting records day by day, business people are going out, the government and the opposition should sit together and solve the problems, government will solve Balochistan’s problems. Senior politician Khurram Hameed Rokhri said PTI members are involved in incidents like May 9, PTI people should not have committed the May 9 incidents, no one can fool the people of Mianwali now, people have sacrificed a lot for them, welcoming people will have to be thrown out, there is a need to improve the country’s system, we will move forward if the IMF’s issues are resolved, If they do not move forward, the situation will worsen, we say that negotiations should have taken place from day one, whoever wants to negotiate is not ready, Mahmood Achakzai still has good relations with PML-N, Mahmood Achakzai is a very good person, PTI should bring Ali Bukhari forward, Ali Bukhari understands the issues, PTI is not ready to negotiate with anyone, Mahmood Achakzai will never negotiate on his orders, Sohail Afridi’s visit to Punjab was a flop, we will not allow anyone to target the nation, I am the biggest opponent of the founder of PTI, they destroyed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, we are deeply saddened by the destruction of the province, there is a need to encourage business people in the country, everyone should play their role for the betterment of the country, we are not utilizing our resources properly, the country’s economy must improve, we must fully cooperate with business people who come to the country, business is closed in the country, the institution to which PIA was given will run it, privatization of PIA is a good move, the people of Balochistan have many problems. Leader of Pakistan Peoples Party Qadir Mandokhail said political firings continue before negotiations, Salman Akram Raja has said that he rejects negotiations with him, Sohail Afridi visited Punjab yesterday, Maryam Nawaz is ready to break his fingers, There was no great leader with Sohail Afridi, Sohail Afridi should have taken his leadership along and visited Punjab, PTI founder is in jail, his political shop will continue to operate, Sohail Afridi is just playing tricks, PTI could not hold a big rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, It is our compulsion to go along with the government, everyone knows that the PML-N no longer needs the PPP for the Prime Minister’s vote: we supported the government to save the country, the government is introducing electric cars, but its fleet will also sink, the stock exchange is breaking records every day, PML-N should provide resources to the people, inflation in the country is increasing day by day, we gave India the worst defeat, India is spoiling Pakistan’s affairs, India is not digesting our progress, they could not provide motorways to the provinces, there is no motorway in the entire Balochistan. Leader of Tehreek-e-Insaf Ali Bukhari said in politics, there is no final word, PPP stands behind PML-N, If PPP separates from PML-N, government will go home: they are not allowing me to meet the founder, If the government is acting with a vengeance, are such negotiations taking place? the government must show magnanimity, they are taking away our people, PTI founder is still a popular leader, PTI founder has said that Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Nasir will hold talks with him, several cases have been registered against the founder’s sisters, we did not conduct any investigations on them during our time, water cannons are being used on our workers, whenever the founder calls for protest, we will come out.

According to the most recent State of Global Water Resources report from the World Meteorological Organization, barely one-third of river basins saw “normal” conditions in 2024. Since the majority of small-glacier areas have already reached their “peak water” point, rivers will now get less water as the ice melts. The Indus, which supplies water to more than 240 million people in Pakistan, experienced an above-normal discharge in 2024. This is particularly important for the glaciers of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya, which supply water to the Indus and are rapidly melting. The global water cycle is getting increasingly unpredictable, as the WMO makes evident.

China stands ready to deepen exchanges, cooperation with Pakistan in media: Chinese FM spokesperson https://cpecinfo.com/china-stands-ready-to-deepen-exchanges-cooperation-with-pakistan-in-media-chinese-fm-spokesperson/7. China launches new satellite, boosting meteorological observation capabilities http://english.scio.gov.cn/chinavoices/2025-12/29/content_118251309.html24. Chinese foreign minister to meet Cambodian, Thai counterparts in Yunnan https://english.news.cn/20251227/f625f98be5864ccd8b2496ead56c8814/c.html30. China urges Japan to reflect on history of aggression https://english.news.cn/20251226/f5b99d30d75740a1b277913e7f4302d4/c.html35. CPC leadership meeting urges steadfast implementation of eight-point decision on improving conduct https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1227/c90000-20407480.html

Pakistan has slammed India over recent condemnable incidents of vandalism during Christmas, as well as state-sponsored campaigns targeting Muslims. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tahir Andrabi stated this in response to media questions regarding persecution of minorities in India. “The persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern. “The list of such victims is sadly long. The international community should take note of these developments and take appropriate steps to help protect the fundamental rights of vulnerable communities in India.”

Netanyahu said this month that Trump had invited him for talks, as Washington pushes to establish transitional governance and an international security force for the Palestinian enclave. Trump has said he could meet with the Israeli leader soon, but the White House has not confirmed details. Netanyahu, who is expected to visit Trump’s Mar-a-Lago beach club, said on December 22 that discussions were expected to cover the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as well as Iran and Lebanon. NEXT STEPS IN GAZA CEASEFIRE PLANAll sides agreed in October to Trump’s ceasefire plan, which calls for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and Hamas to give up its weapons and forgo a governing role in the enclave. Trump in June ordered US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites but has since then broached a potential deal with Tehran.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Shaheen Chowk Underpass early Monday and directed that it be opened for traffic by December 31. During his visit, the minister inspected the finishing work on the site, observing the ongoing carpeting work on the underpass. Minister Naqvi emphasized that the underpass must be opened for traffic by the set deadline, highlighting that its completion will permanently resolve the long-standing traffic issues at Shaheen Chowk. This will significantly ease traffic flow and reduce congestion for the commuters. During the visit, CDA Chairman provided a detailed briefing on the project’s progress, including updates on the work pace and the completion stages of the underpass.

The Pakistan Stock Market (PSX) kicked off the new business week on a strong note as it has crossed the 174,000 points mark for the first time in history, reflecting growing investor confidence. During intraday trading, the market saw a sharp rise, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining more than 1,900 points. The index reached a record high of 174,411 points, marking a major achievement for the stock market. The sharp increase in stock market points reflects strong investor confidence and positive market sentiment, which continues to drive growth in the stock exchange. Market capitalization increased to Rs 19.465 trillion from Rs 19.361 trillion a day earlier.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has been named as the new chief of the Bugti tribes under the traditional tribal system, Dunya News reported. Sarfraz Bugti has been elected as the eighth chief of Bugti tribes. Tribal elders have prayers for his success, safety, and leadership. The traditional turban-tying (Dastar Bandi) ceremony will be held in the Bakar area of Dera Bugti today (Monday), where Mir Sarfraz Bugti will be formally crowned as the new chief of Bugtis. Members of the Nawab Bugti family will also attend the event and perform the traditional turban-tying ceremony in accordance with tribal customs.

Afghanistan Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani has welcomed the recent statements by Pakistani religious scholars and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar regarding efforts to reduce tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. He stated that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made positive remarks regarding Afghanistan, adding that they welcome goodwill and brotherly statements from anyone. “They want to address concerns both domestically and internationally and reassure everyone that the Afghan people harbour no threats or ill intentions toward anyone,” the Afghan minister continued. Interior Minister Haqqani also appealed to other countries to play a role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and urged Afghan citizens to support the Islamic Emirate in this process. Foreign Minister Dar, during a press conference in Islamabad the other day, had said that Pakistan holds goodwill toward Afghanistan and does not want Afghan soil to be used against it.

The NDMA has forecast rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan from today (Monday) until January 1. In various areas of Punjab, rain is expected from today until January 2. In Karachi, the first winter rain is expected to occur on December 30. Snowfall is likely in the mountainous and upper regions during this period. Authorities have advised residents, especially those in northern and mountainous areas, to take precautionary measures in view of the expected cold weather, rainfall, and possible snowfall.