Pakistan

THE decision by at least nine UK universities to suspend or restrict admissions from Pakistan and Bangladesh is a serious setback for many genuine students aspiring to study abroad. These institutions have placed Pakistan and Bangladesh in the ‘high-risk’ category in the wake of tougher Home Office rules and rising concerns over alleged visa abuse. Lower-fee universities in particular are tightening enrolment to protect their licence to sponsor international students, given the sharply reduced tolerance for visa refusals. Visa refusal rates for Pakistani applicants currently stand at 18pc — much above the new 5pc threshold. Reports also show a surge in asylum claims lodged by students after they enter the UK on lawful visas. Pakistani nationals now account for one in 10 of all asylum applications, with over 5,800 switching from student visas alone — more than India and Bangladesh combined. Overall, nearly 10,000 Pakistanis last year entered on study, work or visitor visas before seeking asylum. This trend ref...

Says Islamabad believes in co-existence, dialogue; May conflict demonstrated military's professionalism

Ministers lambast PTI for 'maligning institutions'; endorse ISPR's statements about ex-PM

Warning made in response to threats of governor's rule in province

PM Sheikh Mohammed says inclusive engagement is essential to resolving crises from Afghanistan to Gaza

YouTuber Saadur Rehman, also known as Ducky Bhai, uploaded a nearly hour-long video to his YouTube channel on Sunday, in which he made allegations of physical and verbal abuse while in the custody of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Rehman was arrested in August at Lahore Airport by the NCCIA for allegedly promoting online gambling and betting applications through his platform. He was granted bail in the case by the Lahore High Court on November 25, but was not released from official custody. Meanwhile, in September, NCCIA Lahore Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry was removed from his post, reportedly over different controversies, including allegedly beating Rehman. In the video uploaded on Sunday, Rehman outlined the timeline of events from his arrest and being remanded into the NCCIA’s custody. He described meeting Chaudhry, alleging that he was verbally and physically abusive. “He stood up from his chair and verbally abused me,” Rehman alleged. “He asked me, ’Where does your money c...

Just four days before the National Games basketball event was set to tip-off, the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) was told the venue was gone. With teams arriving and no court to play on, the event itself was in jeopardy. “We arranged everything in almost two days,” PBBF secretary Yaqoob Qadri told Dawn, revealing a significant off-court challenge. “There were some people who don’t want the event to happen.” Yet, on Sunday, the roar of a packed crowd for the Army-Sindh clash at the North Nazimabad Gymkhana in Karachi was the definitive answer. Against a backdrop of administrative hurdles, the players delivered a classic on the hardwood: a tale of Army’s clinical system slowly dismantling Sindh’s passionate home stand, culminating in a 97-62 victory. The roar in the arena was for Sindh. Every steal, every basket by the home team sent waves of noise crashing onto the court. But standing across from that passion was the cold, tall geometry of the Pakistan Army team. What unfolded was a classic clash of hea...

PESHAWAR - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has rejected the claims that his province was negligent in security matters, urging the federal government should change its policies instead of blaming provinces for its own alleged failure in promoting law and order situation in the country.

Islamabad - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will be arriving in Islamabad today on two-day official visit to Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD - Following the military spokesperson’s recent press conference exposing the anti-state posture of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, lawmakers from across Pakistan’s political spectrum intensified criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday, accusing the party of steering a.

FO condemns Indian minister’s inflammatory remarks Says India attempting to defame Pak state institutions to divert attention from its own state-sponsored terrorism.

ISLAMABAD - Art, student dialogue, and academic ex-change took center stage at Bahria Univer-sity Islamabad on Thursday, where an in-ternational conference titled “Bridging Ho-rizons: Celebrating Pakistan-China Deep-Rooted Friendship” was held to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

LAHORE - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sun-day that country’s enemy was afraid of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the fear of Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was very much there on the enemy.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Navy seized 1500 kilogramme (KG) narcotics, known as Hashish of worth nearly $3 million in an anti-narcotics operation in Arabian Sea, according to a statement issued on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the second phase of a US plan to end Tel Aviv’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza was close, but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved, including whether a multinational security force would be deployed. Netanyahu, speaking to reporters alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, said that he would hold important discussions with US President Donald Trump at the end of the month on how to ensure the plan’s second phase was achieved. The prime minister’s office in November said that Trump had invited Netanyahu to the White House “in the near future”, although a date for the visit has not yet been made public. Netanyahu said that he would discuss with Trump how to bring an end to Hamas rule in Gaza. Israel and Hamas entered a ceasefire two months ago, but Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza, killing Palestinians, as the death toll in the besieged enclave reached over 72,300 as of November 19, 2o25. Gaza’s ...

Karachi police arrested 45 people participating in the Sindh Culture Day rally on Sunday, after people allegedly pelted police personnel with stones. South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that upon being attacked by participants, police responded with a baton charge and tear gas shelling. “We detained 45 people on Sharea Faisal,” DIG Raza said. “The South SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) is at the scene, and the situation is under control.” The DIG said that since the Red Zone has been closed, alternative traffic routes are being provided for citizens and commuters. He added that the law enforcers asked the rally participants to use the Lines Area route towards Saddar and subsequently the venue of the rally at Karachi Press Club (KPC), but “they were bent upon using the main Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Bridge”. “They allegedly pelted stones on the police when they were stopped, resulting in injuries to five policemen,” he said, adding that it prompted the police to resort to tea...

Pakistan Army served a powerful reminder of their sporting prowess, seizing 12 gold medals across multiple disciplines as the National Games charged through a pulsating day of action. Their goldrush on Sunday was spearheaded by utter dominance in taekwondo and sharp shooting on the ranges. The clearest demonstration of authority came in the taekwondo Poomsae events, where Army fighters ruled the roost, clinching eight gold medals across age categories. Their women set the tone: Sana Sabir (Under-50), Naila (U-30), Mehar-Un-Nisa (U-40) and Zeena Sheraz (Under-20)  all stood atop the podium. The men followed suit with Adil Hussain (U-30), Mohammad Mumtaz (U-40), Irshad Ali (U-50) and Syed Zohaib (U-20) securing their own golds. On the shooting ranges, Army and Navy engaged in a high-class duel, sharing three gold medals apiece. Navy swept the 10m air pistol events, with Rabia Kabir (232.2) edging Army’s Rimsha Nadeem (231.6) for individual glory before teaming with Rasam Gul and Hadia Liaquat for team gold. Arm...

For foreigners to genuinely return, Pakistan must show consistent progress

Under changed architecture, economy endures trade deficit in goods and services

Although Pakistan has rapidly growing digital population, its research spending and industrial automation remain limit