Four police personnel martyred in firing
Four police personnel, including three traffic wardens, were martyred in separate firing incidents carried out by unidentified assailants in Lakki Marwat and Bannu on Sunday. According to details, the first incident took place in Lakki Marwat where traffic police officials were performing routine duty when unknown attackers opened fire. The martyred officials were identified as Incharge Traffic Police Naurang Jalal Khan, Constable Azizullah, and Constable Abdullah. In a separate incident in Bannu, a police constable identified as Rasheed Khan was martyred after being fired upon by unidentified motorcyclists under Mandan Police Station, in the Kafshi Khel area. A police spokesperson stated that a total of four police personnel were martyred within a span of four hours in the Bannu region, terming the attacks a serious challenge to law and order.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 08:36 UTC
Cases involving taxes will be given priority: Chief Justice Afridi
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has said that swift decisions in tax cases affecting the national economy will be a priority for the apex court. A statement has been issued following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Justice Afridi regarding a strategy for the early disposal of tax cases. According to the statement, Chief Justice Afridi said that prolonged tax cases restrict fiscal space and undermine investors’ confidence. He emphasized that swift decisions in tax cases affecting the national economy will be a judicial priority, noting that delays in such cases are harmful to investment and economic stability. The meeting also stressed the need for improved coordination and communication between the judiciary and tax authorities, and considered institutional reforms to ensure consistency and faster decisions in tax cases.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 08:36 UTC
KP CM orders immediate inquiry into removal of
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has ordered an immediate inquiry into the removal of 11 children from Zamung Kor, a welfare institution for orphaned and underprivileged children. According to a statement, the chief minister also directed an investigation into the distribution of hygiene kits among children residing at Zamung Kor. He also instructed officials to allocate a special quota for Zamung Kor students under the ETEA merit scholarship programme. In addition, the chief minister ordered the digitalisation of Zamung Kor’s accounts system and the stipend disbursement mechanism to ensure transparency. He added that Zamung Kor institutions were established under Imran Khan’s Ehsaas vision and must be run in their true spirit, stating he would personally monitor all related matters.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 08:36 UTC
Section 144 imposed in North Waziristan, all
Authorities have imposed Section 144 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, resulting in the closure of all entry and exit routes, local officials confirmed on Sunday. According to an official notification, Section 144 will remain in force from 5:00am to 7:00pm across the district. During this period, restrictions will apply to public movement, and all internal and external roads have been sealed to ensure strict implementation of the order. Officials said the temporary restrictions are aimed at maintaining law and order and ensuring security operations can be carried out without disruption. Local administration officials emphasized that the restrictions are precautionary in nature and will be lifted once the designated time period ends.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 08:36 UTC
Act of war: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns
– New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has strongly condemned US military action against Venezuela, calling such a move a clear violation of international law and global norms. According to foreign media reports, Mamdani conveyed his opposition directly to US President Donald Trump during a recent telephone conversation. This stance marks Mayor Mamdani’s first open and public disagreement with President Trump since assuming office as New York City’s mayor. So far, there has been no official response from President Trump or the White House regarding Mamdani’s comments. However, the mayor’s position has sparked debate in political circles, questioning the role of city leaders in foreign policy discussions.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2026 08:36 UTC
Clearing the Digital Bottleneck
Her announcement of a major spectrum auction and preparations for Pakistan’s first-ever 5G rollout signals a decisive shift toward future-ready digital governance. The minister’s analogy of “trying to run four-lane traffic on a two-lane road” aptly captures the strain on existing digital infrastructure. The federal cabinet’s approval of a new spectrum auction framework is therefore a timely and strategic intervention. More notably, the commitment to launch 5G services within six months in provincial capitals, including Islamabad, places Pakistan firmly on the regional digital map. If executed effectively, the upcoming spectrum auction and 5G rollout could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s digital economy, enabling innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and empowering millions of citizens.
Source:The Patriot
January 03, 2026 22:49 UTC
Rapid erosion of secular India
Yet taken together, these shifts point to a fundamental transformation of the Indian republic — one that departs sharply from the secular ideals enshrined in its Constitution. A state that privileges one religious identity inevitably marginalizes others, regardless of rhetorical assurances. The question is not whether religious identity has a place in public life — it always has — but whether the state can remain impartial among its citizens. The continued dilution of secularism risks transforming India from a republic of equals into a hierarchy of belonging. Without this, secular India may survive in name, but not in substance.
Source:The Patriot
January 03, 2026 22:49 UTC
Report: Blue Jays bolster offence with Kazuma Okamoto signing
Report: Blue Jays bolster offence with Kazuma Okamoto signingThe Toronto Blue Jays’ front office has struck again, this time reportedly landing Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. ET, has agreed to a free-agent contract with the Blue Jays, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Saturday. His deal will be worth $60 million over four years, as first reported by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, and will include a $5 million signing bonus without any opt-outs. Defensively, Okamoto has spent time both at first and third base, winning Gold Gloves in Japan at both positions. It’ll be interesting to see how the Blue Jays plan to deploy Okamoto, considering they already have franchise cornerstone Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first and feature multiple options at third, including Ernie Clement and Addison Barger.
Source:The Nation
January 03, 2026 18:56 UTC
DPM, Saudi FM discuss regional situation
BEIJING, Jan 03 :Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, upon landing in Beijing, spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Both leaders deliberated on the recent situation in the region. The DPM/FM welcomed the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s statement regarding Yemen and appreciated the efforts of all sides to resolve the regional situation amicably.
Source:The Nation
January 03, 2026 18:46 UTC
PM pays tribute to martyrs Capt Asmad, others
LAHORE, Jan 03 Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday paid tribute to Pakistan Army Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan and civilian machine operator Essa, who embraced martyrdom as a result of a snow sliding during a clearance operation at the snow-affected Burzil Pass. The premier prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and also expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs. He stated that the martyrs, without taking care of their lives, continued the operation to reopen the snow-affected Burzil Pass and played their role in ensuring smooth traffic flow. He said, “The nation salutes the martyrs.
Source:The Nation
January 03, 2026 18:46 UTC
2025 was UK's hottest, sunniest year on record
Previous record of 10.03C was set in 2022UK hottest year. Photo: AFP (file)Last year was Britain's hottest and sunniest on record, the national weather service confirmed on Friday, calling it a "clear demonstration" of the impacts of climate change. The previous record of 10.03C was set in 2022. The Met Office had already announced last month that 2025 was the country's sunniest year since that record series began in 1910. The United Kingdom, which comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, saw 1648.5 hours of sunshine, 61.4 hours more than the previous record set in 2003.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 03, 2026 05:02 UTC
ATC hands double life sentences to
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the reserved verdict shortly after the conclusion of the trial. The court awarded two life sentences each to Adil Raja, Haider Mehdi, and Wajahat Saeed Khan. In the case registered at Abpara Police Station, the court sentenced Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, and Syed Akbar Hussain to life imprisonment. In the case registered at Ramna Police Station, sentences were awarded to Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Mehdi, and Wajahat Saeed. It is pertinent to note that under anti-terrorism laws, trials can be conducted in the absence of the accused.
Source:The Patriot
January 02, 2026 14:52 UTC
Adil Raja, six others handed to double life sentences for 'digital terrorism'
ATC imposes 35 years additional imprisonment Rs1.5m fine as trial conducted in absence of accusedAn Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has handed down double life sentences to YouTuber Adil Raja, former army official Syed Akbar Hussain, and journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai, and Haider Mehdi. The sentences were announced by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in cases regarding “digital terrorism” against state institutions during May 9, 2023. Another rigorous life imprisonment was ordered under Section 120-B of the PPC for criminal conspiracy. In addition to the life terms, the court awarded each convict an additional 35 years’ rigorous imprisonment across five counts, along with a total fine of Rs1.5 million. Read More: UK court imposes £350,000 penalty on Adil Raja in defamation caseThe court ordered that all sentences run concurrently.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 02, 2026 13:46 UTC
IHC terms unlawful police arrest as
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared arrests made by police without due legal process as abduction and ordered action against the involved police officials. It dismissed the police case registered against Muhammad Waqas, Aleem Suhail, Sana Suhail, and Arham Waqas. The matter stemmed from a financial dispute between former PIA Chief Executive Officer Musharraf Rasool and citizens Muhammad Waqas and Aleem Suhail. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued a detailed written verdict on petitions filed by Muhammad Waqas, Aleem Suhail, and Aleem Suhail’s wife Sana Suhail, seeking the quashing of the case registered against them. According to the verdict, the fined amount will be paid by the Islamabad police officials as compensation to the complainant, Sana Suhail.
Source:The Patriot
January 02, 2026 08:41 UTC
FinMin lauds FBR for record tax collection in Dec 2025
Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has praised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving the highest tax collection in the country’s history in December 2025 and directed officials to further increase tax revenues. He described the performance as clear evidence of the success of the government’s fiscal reform agenda, improved tax compliance, effective enforcement, and digital reforms. This marked the highest-ever tax collection for the month of December in any year, reflecting improved compliance and effective enforcement. Figures showed a 59 percent increase in tax collection in December compared to November, when revenues stood at Rs898 billion, rising to Rs1,427.1 billion in December. Sales tax collection rose by 25 percent to Rs403.7 billion, while federal excise duty increased by 6 percent to Rs72.8 billion.
Source:The Patriot
January 02, 2026 08:41 UTC