President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary on Thursday (today). They urged the nation to renew its commitment to the democratic and inclusive ideals laid down by the Founder of Pakistan. Paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary, President Asif Ali Zardari said Quaid’s leadership, vision, and guiding principles continued to inspire the nation in facing contemporary challenges. He said the Quaid’s principles of democracy, justice, and equality remained central to the country’s national journey and must continue to shape its institutions and decision-making. He said the Quaid’s call for unity, faith, and discipline provided a clear direction to the nation, adding that these ideals were essential for progress, social cohesion, and national confidence.

The nation is celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Thursday (today). Quaid’s leadership, vision, and guiding principles continued to inspire the nation in facing contemporary challenges. Quaid’s principles of democracy, justice, and equality remained central to the country’s national journey and must continue to shape its institutions and decision-making. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876, into a merchant family in Karachi. Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah received a law degree from London.

As per official data, the minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at minus 4 degrees Celsius, while Ziarat experienced even colder conditions with the mercury dropping to minus 5 degrees Celsius. In Qalat, the minimum temperature stood at 6 degrees Celsius, whereas Zhob recorded a low of 3 degrees Celsius. Sibi reported a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, Turbat recorded 11 degrees, and Nokkundi saw the mercury fall to 1 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, relatively milder but cold weather prevailed in the coastal belt. The minimum temperature in Gwadar and Jiwani was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius.

Christmas celebrations are set to take place on Thursday (today) both internationally and within Pakistan, as millions of Christians worldwide commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, churches will hold special services, while public festivities such as Christmas markets, carol events, and light displays will continue. In Pakistan, Christian communities in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad will observe Christmas with church services, prayers, and communal gatherings. Churches will be decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and special prayers for peace, prosperity, and national wellbeing will be offered. Christmas, combining religious devotion and cultural festivity, continues to be a symbol of peace, goodwill, and togetherness across the world

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has advised the government not to hold negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Speaking to the media after paying respects at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi, the governor said that talks should not be held with people who are hindering Pakistan’s progress. The Sindh governor said that the privatization process of the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), could prove to be a game changer. He added that after two decades, the privatization process appears to be transparent. Earlier, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam and offered prayers.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Isha Dar renewed Pakistan’s commitment to pluralism, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence. In a message on the eve of the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas, he said: “Our diversity is a source of pride and strength”. “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not only the architect of our independence but a statesman of unwavering principles and exceptional clarity. He envisioned Pakistan as a democratic state, functioning on the principles of equality, pluralism, and respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens, without distinction of religion, race or ethnicity. He wished all Christians around the world a Merry Christmas and paid his deepest heartfelt tribute to Hazrat Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Leader of PML-N Khurram Dastgir says, working for the development of the country, the Prime Minister and Field Marshal have put the country on the path of development, privatization of PIA was a very difficult task, opponents are not digesting the country’s progress, privatization of PIA is a big step by the government, Pakistan is now moving towards prosperity, the rate that PIA has bid is very good. Earlier PIA was run on loans, this was causing a lot of damage to the country, privatization of PIA is a welcome development, this is not an easy task, let’s see how they run it now, airlines of other countries are earning a lot from Pakistan, now all this investment will come to Pakistan, the government will no longer have a budget deficit, many questions may now be raised about PIA, we all want improvements in PIA, we have to admit that we have not been able to run PIA well. He added that the Prime Minister had invited PTI for talks earlier too, even the Speaker had invited him for talks more than once, during his tenure, he beat us with books on the assembly floor, they are not running the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they have failed to provide these facilities to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed says, PPP is not happy with the privatization of PIA, we can raise questions on the privatization of PIA, they have to spend 125 billion rupees, the PIA deal did not go well, they are lying to the nation, the nation has the right to go to court, they made this decision without listening to anyone, PIA has eight buildings, we were not taken into confidence on the privatization of PIA. Economist Syed Zafar Ali says, stock exchange has improved, the wheel of national development has moved towards improvement, business people have started coming to the country, profits have started coming into the country.

The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, a constitutional obligation under Article 160 of the Constitution of Pakistan, is the bedrock of fiscal federalism in the country. The landmark 7th NFC Award, for instance, increased the provincial share to 57.5%, providing them with greater financial space. Horizontal imbalance, the disparity in fiscal capacity and needs among provinces, is addressed through a multi-criteria formula. The 7th NFC Award moved away from population as the sole criterion, incorporating factors like poverty/backwardness, revenue collection/generation, and area, with population still holding the majority weight. Educating the general public about the NFC Award is crucial for demanding better governance and efficient use of funds.

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the armed attack that targeted a Pakistani police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of five police officers. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the UAE’s strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Lahore: Mary Nawaz’s strong reaction to the suspension of the Punjab Property Ownership Ordinance by the court came to light, in which she said that this decision will benefit the land mafia. Reacting to the suspension of the Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property (Immovable) Act 2025, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said […]

Islamabad: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Kyrgyz Republic have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation to further strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries. The reaffirmation came during a meeting between H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba, Ambassador-designate of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Pakistan, and H.E.

ISLAMABAD: Additional Director NCCIA Chaudhry Sarfraz’s bail was rejected in the bribery case. The bribery case against NCCIA officers was heard before the FIA ​​Central Court judge, in which the court approved the bails of two more officers while Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz’s bail was rejected. The court approved the bails of NCIA Deputy Director Zawar and Deputy Director Usman, on whose behalf Advocate Farooq Bajwa appeared in the court, while Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq argued on behalf of Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz. Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz’s lawyer said in his statement that the FI could not present evidence of bribery against the accused. It should be noted that the FIA ​​has registered a bribery case against the accused.

US announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-says-us-has-initiated-111-billion-arms-sale-procedure-2025-12-18/2. STAR WARS Russia building new ‘shrapnel cloud’ weapon to wipe out Musk’s Starlink satellites & spark carnage in space, fears Nato https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/15719293/russia-weapon-strike-elon-musk-starlink-nato-reveals/3. Mindful of Trump and China, Japan is ramping up defense spending https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/12/22/japan-defense-spending-boost/5. For US$96 million, the U.S. authorized the sale of a support package for the Taiwan Army’s AH-1W attack helicopters https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/12/21/for-us96-million-the-u-s-authorized-the-sale-of-a-support-package-for-the-taiwan-armys-ah-1w-attack-helicopters/#8. Germany to Expand Order of Israeli Arrow 3 Missile Defense Systems https://militarnyi.com/en/news/germany-to-expand-order-of-israeli-arrow-3-missile-defense-systems9.

Both sides discussed mechanisms for seamless cooperation to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. ​Addressing the business gathering representing various economic sectors of Pakistan, the Ambassador briefed them on the homegrown economic reforms undertaken by the Ethiopian government. He assured the RCCI that the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad would provide full support to Pakistani businesses looking to explore the untapped potential of bilateral economic relations. Usman Shaukat, President of the RCCI, welcomed the Ambassador and highlighted the growing cooperation between the Embassy and the Chamber. ​Senior Vice President Mr. Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Mr. Fahad Barlas, and Former President Mr. Raja Amer also spoke regarding the future of Ethiopia-Pakistan relations.

Islamabad: Details have come to light regarding how many billions of dollars the government borrowed externally in the first 5 months of the current fiscal year. The value of the loan received in 5 months is 858 billion 27 crore rupees in Pakistani currency, which is 117 billion rupees more than the 741 billion rupees received in the same period last year. Sources said that more than 531 billion rupees were received under non-project aid. In the first 5 months of the financial year, a Saudi oil facility of 141 billion 76 crore rupees was received. In addition, more than 327 billion rupees were borrowed for various development projects.