Pakistan orders strict traveller screening amid N
SLAMABAD : Pakistan on Wednesday ordered “strict and enhanced health surveillance” at all points of entry to prevent the cross-border transmission of Nipah virus. “No individual shall be allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance by BHS-P,” the advisory emphasised. Travellers are also required to undergo thermal screening and clinical assessment at entry points. Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have implemented enhanced health screening and airport temperature checks to curb potential spread. Experts say although fruit bats and pigs carrying the virus are not present in Pakistan, travellers can act as carriers.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Life comes to standstill in upper regions as heavy snowf
ISLAMABAD – Severe snowfall and rain have badly disrupted daily life in Pakistan’s upper regions, leaving key roads blocked and triggering shortages of food and fuel in several areas. Meanwhile, life has come to a standstill in upper and border areas of Balochistan, including Chaman, Qila Abdullah, and Ziarat. Residents remain confined to their homes as supplies of essential food items and fuel continue to dwindle. Authorities say efforts are underway to restore blocked roads in upper areas of Swat, where snow clearance operations are currently in progress. Officials have urged residents to remain cautious as adverse weather conditions continue to pose serious challenges in mountainous regions.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
The most important discovery during the excavations at Mohenjo-Daro
Significant progress has been made during excavations at the ancient site of Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh. According to the Department of Antiquities and Archaeology Sindh, experts have discovered a wall built to protect the city during excavations at Mohenjo-Daro. Based on new excavations and evidence from soil layers, experts have described it as a city wall. Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah congratulated the archaeologists on this important discovery. Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah said that this discovery will promote research and tourism activities.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Five school children killed in tragic road accident near Kot Addu
KOT ADDU : A horrific collision between a speeding trailer and two motorcycles near a petrol pump on Lia Road in the Chowk Sarwar Shaheed tehsil of Kot Addu claimed the lives of five minor children on the spot. The accident occurred when the children were on their way to school and were hit by the high-speed trailer. Upon receiving the information, Rescue teams and City Police Chowk Sarwar Shaheed reached the scene and shifted the bodies of the deceased children to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. The deceased children have been identified as Abdullah (5) and Abdul Rehman (7), who were brothers. All the deceased children were residents of Chak No.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
India Hides Nipah Outbreak, Endangering International Players
India is once again putting international sports and public health at risk by deliberately downplaying the severity of the Nipah virus outbreak. This exposes players, officials, and fans to unnecessary risk, especially as India has a history of poor hygiene and unsafe conditions at international sporting events. Given the proximity of cricket venues to outbreak zones, compounded by India’s repeated failures in sanitation and event management, it is irresponsible to hold T20 World Cup matches in India. The ICC must relocate all fixtures to Sri Lanka, where proper health monitoring and safer facilities can protect players and spectators. Continuing in India would not only endanger lives but also set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing optics and revenue over international safety and responsibility.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
PSX drops below 187,000 points amid profit-taking pressure
KARACHI : The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced significant volatility on the fourth trading day of the week, with the KSE-100 Index losing ground after an initially strong start. However, trading momentum quickly reversed as selling pressure intensified, pushing the benchmark down by more than 1,700 points to 186,658. A day earlier, the benchmark KSE-100 Index reversed the previous session’s losses and closed with a positive momentum, gaining 177.53 points, an increase of 0.09 percent, to close at 188,380.39 points compared to 188,202.86 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data. Market capitalization increased to Rs 21.186 trillion from Rs 21.147 trillion a day earlier. Out of 485 active companies in the ready market, 182 advanced, 253 declined, while 50 remained unchanged.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Remarks about High Court Bar's involvement
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association has issued a strong response to the court’s remarks after the arrest and conviction of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, saying that there is no truth in the remarks regarding the involvement of the bar in the arrest. Islamabad High Court Bar Secretary Manzoor Jaja said in a statement that such remarks about the bar by a respected judge who was the president of the High Court Bar in the past are regrettable and he should not make such comments. Manzoor Jaja said that the High Court Bar itself runs the affairs of the bar in a good manner and judges should refrain from making remarks about the bar because bar councils exist for this purpose. He said that lawyers have a pen and arguments, they do not have to speak through force. The Secretary High Court Bar said that the cases of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were fixed on priority basis by Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and the cases that came up were fixed by the Chief Justice himself.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Maryam Nawaz’s Rs 70 million return case
The Lahore High Court has issued a notice to NAB on the issue of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz depositing Rs 70 million as a guarantee in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. According to Express News, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had approached the Lahore High Court for the return of Rs 70 million deposited as a guarantee in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. A 3-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Alia Neelam heard the matter, the bench includes Justice Jawad Zafar and Justice Abhar Gul Khan. Maryam Nawaz took the stand that NAB has dismissed the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case as baseless, and the Rs 70 million deposited as a guarantee should be returned after the case is over.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Pakistan makes a winning start
Pakistan started the series on a winning note by defeating Australia by 22 runs in the first T20 match. According to the details, the first match of the T20 series between Pakistan and Australia was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, in which captain Salman Agha decided to bat first after winning the toss. Pakistan gave Australia a target of 169 runs to win in the stipulated 20 overs, in pursuit of which the Australian batting line failed miserably. Pakistan’s inningsDespite losing a wicket on the very first ball, the Pakistan team adopted an aggressive approach and in the first 10 overs, Pakistan scored 92 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took 2 wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Muhammad Nawaz took 1 wicket each.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
natural or surgical
Pakistan’s famous actress and model Hania Amir’s surgery and dimples are the topic of discussion on social media. The question was being raised on various online platforms whether Hania Amir’s beauty is natural or the result of some medical procedure, which sparked a lot of debate among fans. Noreen Shad says that Hania Amir’s dimples and fair complexion are completely natural and have nothing to do with any kind of surgery or cosmetic treatment. According to Noreen, Hania made her debut in showbiz at the age of 18 through the film Janaan, during which she was a BBA student at Fast University. Noreen Shad also mentioned the rumors circulating about Hania Amir’s personal life and said that no decision has been made by the family regarding marriage yet.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Dar stresses dialogue, diplomacy in call with Ira
ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi. DPM Dar expressed concern over the evolving regional situation, and underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable way forward, Foreign Office said in a press release on Thursday. The other US source said Trump has not yet made a final decision on a course of action including whether to take the military path. Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to come to the table and make a deal on nuclear weapons, warning that any future US attack would be more severe than a June bombing campaign against three nuclear sites. He described the ships in the region as an “armada” sailing to Iran.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 15:52 UTC
Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and husband arrested in Pakistan
January 29, 2026HRRC strongly condemns the lengthy and unjust sentencing imposed by a Pakistani court on human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Alit Chattha. Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari (right) with her husband and fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, during a court hearing in Islamabad on Dec. 5. [Image credit: AFP-JIJI]On January 26, a court in Islamabad, Pakistan imposed a 17-year prison sentence on prominent human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Alit Chattha. During the trial Chattha and Mazari were briefly present over a video call but ultimately boycotted the trial. Within the human rights community, condemnation of the sentencing of both Mazari and Chattha has been widespread.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 29, 2026 15:38 UTC
Armed forces fully ready to defend Pakistan against any
While addressing the troops, Field Marshal Munir lauded their high morale, professional competence and operational preparedness. He reaffirmed that the Pakistan armed forces remain fully prepared to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against all threats, emphasizing the need to maintain optimum readiness to meet the requirements of future Battle field and security challenges. COAS & CDF highlighted that Pakistan Armed Forces are undergoing major transformation in multiple domains. Therefore, Pakistan Armed Forces are embracing and absorbing technology at a rapid pace. Earlier, upon his arrival at Bahawalpur Garrison, the COAS & CDF was received by Commander Bahawalpur Corps.
Source:The Patriot
January 29, 2026 07:52 UTC
KP accelerates energy drive targeting 1,000MW cheap electricity in 5 years
At present, 10 completed energy projects with a combined capacity of 224 MW are generating an annual income of Rs13 billion. Looking ahead, the completion of seven ongoing energy projects over the next five years is expected to raise the province’s electricity generation capacity to 1,000 MW, which will provide cheap electricity and generate an annual income of Rs55 billion. He also instructed the project director to expedite work on the province’s largest project, the 300 MW Balakot hydropower plant. Furthermore, the secretary directed PEDO authorities to ensure that all ongoing energy projects are integrated into the national grid upon completion. If national grid inclusion is not feasible, distribution licenses should be obtained immediately under a direct supply model to deliver electricity to the industrial sector at low rates.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Turning foreign Tech interest into lasting gains
The government’s articulation of the Digital Nation Pakistan vision, as highlighted during the meeting, provides an important policy backdrop. This initiative aims to position Pakistan as a regional hub for IT services, innovation and digital transformation. China’s interest in Pakistan’s IT sector also reflects a broader evolution in bilateral relations. These include gaps in digital infrastructure beyond major urban centers, inconsistencies in taxation and regulatory regimes, and the persistent issue of talent retention amid global competition. If managed wisely, growing Chinese interest in Pakistan’s IT sector can become a catalyst for digital transformation, economic diversification and deeper technological ties between the two countries.
Source:The Patriot
January 28, 2026 23:53 UTC