Iraq eyes JF-17 fighter jets as Pakistani air chief visits Baghdad
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Iraq on Saturday, where he called on Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, at the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters in Baghdad. Al- Asadi praised the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF’s) professionalism and technological advancement, expressing interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which is a Pakistani-made basic trainer used for pilot training. Read: Bangladesh in talks to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jetsAir Chief Marshal Sidhu was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival, symbolising the strong bond of respect between the two nations. The Pakistani air chief highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq, reaffirming PAF's commitment to support the Iraqi Air Force in training and capacity development. On January 6, a high-level Bangladesh Air Force delegation, led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, also held talks with Sidhu, covering the potential procurement of the JF-17.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 10, 2026 10:24 UTC
Trump doubles down on Nobel Peace Prize pitch, claims he stopped eight wars
Trump was asked about Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s offer to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him. Trump’s refusal to initially support Machado as Venezuela's leader stemmed from her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize win. I can't think of anybody in history who… pic.twitter.com/0GPwYTeyiw — ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2026“In theory, you should get the Nobel prize for every war you stopped. Obama got the Nobel Prize. "You should get the Nobel prize for every war you stopped.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 10, 2026 08:47 UTC
Islamabad’s Forests and the CDA: What Are the Facts?
In Shakarparian, not only paper mulberry trees were cut; many other trees were also wiped out. Paper mulberry trees would have been identified. This makes it clear that the objective was not to cut paper mulberry trees. To facilitate this, one road along Park Road has been connected to another road. Where the CDA is destroying forests within the national park, criticism should have been focused.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 19:54 UTC
Balochistan Tourism Potential and failure of Government
Most of these areas haven’t been commercially exploited for tourism and thus have the potential to occur at all levels of mass tourist marketing. Tourism is an important aspect of economic development for all countries; Makran has exceptional potential within this area. According to Abdul Khaliq Hazara (the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports), “Our focus has been to promote provincial tourism because of the vast tourism potential of its mountainous and unique location.” The announcement of a national tourism policy supports and promotes tourism, however the ability of the Government of Balochistan to support and implement this policy has not yet proven to be successful. Other reasons contributing to the lack of development of tourism in Balochistan include lack of collaboration by all tourism stakeholders, lack of adequate supporting infrastructure, lack of developed tourist destinations, lack of accommodation and limited transportation systems as well as continuing problems of security. The failure of the Government to develop good tourism infrastructure, provide secure environments and implement tourism development policies on an ongoing basis has been one of the main reasons why the province is not realizing its full tourism potential.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 19:54 UTC
A new pillar of civil service training
At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping governance systems, economies and societies across the world, embedding AI education within the country’s premier civil service training institution reflects both foresight and urgency. Such partnerships are essential in fast-evolving fields like artificial intelligence, where private-sector expertise can complement institutional knowledge and policy direction. More importantly, the initiative aligns closely with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Nation Vision and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, which provides the legislative backbone for reforms across the digital economy, digital society and digital governance. The National Artificial Intelligence Policies focus on building capacity within government is therefore both timely and necessary. Embedding AI training formally into the CSA curriculum is perhaps the most impactful outcome of this initiative.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 19:54 UTC
China has called on the Afghan government to improve relations with Pakistan, D. Diplomat
According to The Diplomat, China considers Pakistan a country that is playing an effective role beyond its borders in addition to being economically strong. According to the global journal, China considers Pakistan to be the best and most suitable for the presidency of the Security Council and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, while Pakistan also considers strategic partnership with China in many areas to be very important. According to The Diplomat, China has emphasized the resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council, while on the Afghan situation, China has also called on the Afghan Taliban to establish an inclusive government and take verifiable action against extremists. China has also emphasized that the Afghan government, according to Pakistan’s position, should adopt moderation and maintain good relations with neighboring countries. According to the global journal, China is strongly supporting Pakistan’s current policies in the region and globally.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 16:51 UTC
Representatives of two new PSL teams meet with the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been met by representatives of the firms that won the bidding for two new teams in the Pakistan Super League. The Prime Minister congratulated the representatives of both the teams and expressed his best wishes for them. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the PCB management for the successful bidding process. The Prime Minister said that the bidding process for the new PSL teams was broadcast live on television, which is a clear proof of its transparency. The Prime Minister said that overseas Pakistanis have always played an important role in the country’s development.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 16:51 UTC
Abida Parveen's daughter denies news of her death
News of the death of Pakistan’s renowned Sufi singer Abida Parveen is circulating on social media, however, her daughter has termed all these reports as baseless and false. News of the death of renowned singer Abida Parveen is viral on social media and rumors are being spread that the singer has passed away. However, Abida Parveen’s daughter has rejected all the rumors circulating on social media. She clarified that all the news circulating on social media is false and baseless, while her mother is completely fine. Lokara’s daughter clarified that this news went viral on social media due to a misunderstanding, in fact, a woman named Abida Parveen had died in Dilgaran Chowk area of Lahore.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 16:51 UTC
Pressure is growing to sell Multan Sultans, says PCB chairman
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi says that my team is pressuring me to sell Multan Sultans. In a press conference after the auction of two new PSL teams at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad, the PCB Chairman spoke openly about the future of Multan Sultans. PSL CEO Salman Naseer said in response to a question that Mohsin Naqvi has already said that the PCB itself will look after the affairs of Multan Sultans in the 11th edition of the PSL. Without naming the former owner of Multan Sultans, the PCB Chairman said that there was criticism on social media that the team was in loss, so we have decided that we will first show everyone how much profit there is and then auction the team.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 16:51 UTC
Mobile phone that changes color faster than a chameleon is gaining popularity
Samsung’s recently launched color-changing mobile phone has created a stir around the world with a mix of science and fiction. This Samsung mobile is not just a new phone, but thanks to the flexible screen that folds from multiple angles, it becomes a spacious digital workspace. Where the mobile user can run multiple apps at the same time, just like windows are open on a computer screen. According to Samsung, this phone has been specially designed for people who use their mobile not only for entertainment but also for work, creativity and productivity. This unique foldable mobile phone from Samsung, which turns into a tablet when needed, was recently showcased at a technology show held in Las Vegas.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 14:36 UTC
US President decides to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader
US President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in Washington next week. The meeting comes at a time of growing political uncertainty and international backlash over the interim government in Venezuela, particularly following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro and the US oil strategy. Maria, a recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is coming to Washington next week for her first official meeting with Trump. Trump said in an interview that he was looking forward to saying “hello” and welcoming Maria. Maria is a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure who has spoken out for democratic principles, fair elections and human rights.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 14:36 UTC
Gold has become expensive again, with a big increase in price in global and local markets.
Karachi: Gold has become more expensive due to the increase in price in the global and local markets. The price of gold per ounce in the international bullion market recorded an increase of $34 on Friday, as a result of which the new global price of gold reached $4,472. Similarly, the price of 24-carat gold per tola at the local level has also increased by Rs3,400 to Rs469,562, while the price of gold per 10 grams has increased by Rs2,915 to Rs402,573. Along with gold prices, the price of silver per tola in the local market has also increased by Rs70 to Rs8,195And the price of silver per 10 grams has increased by Rs60 to Rs7,025. It should be noted that the price of gold decreased in global and local markets yesterday.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 14:36 UTC
Who is Majeed Chaudhry, who bought the most expensive PSL team?
The ownership rights of the most expensive team in history, Sialkot, have been acquired by the Oz Group for 10 years for Rs 185 crore for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11. Majeed Chaudhry, the head of the Oz Group, not only attended the bidding ceremony but also took the honour of buying the 8th and most expensive team in history of the PSL. Majeed Chaudhry, the owner of the OZ Group and PSL franchise Faisalabad, is from Australia and returned to the country two years ago. Majeed Chaudhry said that he had been working on the new PSL team for a year and a half. People laugh that everyone is fleeing the country and I am returning to Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 14:36 UTC
Agreement to provide free medicines to cancer patients in Pakistan
A ceremony was held to sign an agreement to provide free medicines to cancer patients under a public-private partnership. Giving a briefing at the ceremony, the Federal Health Secretary said that free medicines will be provided to cancer patients in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Thousands of cancer patients will benefit from this five-year agreement at PIMS Hospital. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has signed an agreement to provide free medicines to cancer patients under a public-private partnership, while the MD of a private pharmaceutical company also signed the agreement. He said that with this agreement, every 741 patients will be provided with free treatment at a cost of about Rs 10 million per patient on a first-come, first-served basis.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 14:36 UTC
Chief Minister Pakhtunkhwa reaches Shahr-e-Quaid, announces
Karachi: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi arrived in Karachi where he was welcomed by Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani while PTI workers who had come on the occasion fought among themselves. Senior Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani welcomed Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on his arrival in Karachi. He said that the Chief Minister will visit the Press Club after meetings with the party leadership at Insaf House today, while a meeting with the Chief Minister Sindh is also scheduled on Monday. Shafi Jan said that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will meet ILF, senior lawyers and All City Traders’ Ittehad Association on Sunday. He said that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will leave for Peshawar after addressing the Sindh High Court Bar Association on Monday.
Source:The Patriot
January 09, 2026 12:13 UTC