ISLAMABAD – The country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high of $21.5 billion in the first quarter, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry has released its report on economic performance for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Exports, remittances and foreign investment have also increased. IT exports rose by 18 percent, while freelancers’ earnings grew by 46 percent.

According to the report, economic stability and investor confidence improved during July to September 2026. Foreign exchange reserves rose by 52 percent to a record high of $21.5 billion.

Exports stood at $11.2 billion and remittances at $10.9 billion. Foreign direct investment improved to $720 million. The net inflow of total foreign investment was recorded at $3.65 billion, compared with a net outflow of $33 million in the same period last year.

The report says goods exports rose 8 percent to $8.5 billion, while services exports grew 23 percent to $2.7 billion. IT exports increased 18 percent to $1.25 billion, while freelancers’ export earnings rose 46 percent to a record monthly high of $550 million.

Remittances from overseas Pakistanis rose 14 percent. Total inflows into Roshan Digital Accounts reached $14.3 billion.

According to the Ministry of Finance, FBR tax collection stood at Rs3.1 trillion, surpassing the first-quarter target. Private sector credit reached Rs11.28 trillion, up 16.6 percent year-on-year.

The report states that all three major global credit rating agencies have maintained Pakistan’s rating in the B category, with a stable outlook.

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LAHORE – Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon has filed a Rs5 billion damages claim against Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar in the Punjab Defamation Tribunal.

The tribunal declared the claim maintainable and issued a notice to Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar for November 11, 2026.

In his claim filed before the Defamation Tribunal, Ahsan Bhoon stated that Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar made allegedly defamatory remarks in TV interviews and on social media regarding his law degree and his eligibility to practise law.

According to the claim, Ahsan Bhoon obtained his law degree from the University of the Punjab, and it has also been verified by the relevant authorities.

The petitioner’s stance is that the alleged statements damaged his legal services spanning several decades and his professional reputation.

Ahsan Bhoon has asked the tribunal to order Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar to pay Rs1 billion in general damages, Rs2 billion in special damages and Rs2 billion in punitive damages.

Ahsan Bhoon has further prayed that Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar be ordered to withdraw the alleged statements, offer an unconditional apology, and be restrained from making such statements in the future.

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ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued the Medical and Dental Admission Policy 2026. Medical and dental colleges that violate the policy will face heavy fines.

According to the PMDC, a medical college will be fined Rs500,000 for delay in issuing the merit list, with a further Rs50,000 for every additional day of delay.

For irregular admissions, colleges will be fined an amount equal to the students’ actual annual fee, and their seats will also be reduced in the next session.

Under the new policy, colleges that admit students beyond their allocated seats will be fined an amount equal to the actual annual fee for each additional student, and their seats will be cut by double the excess number in the next session.

The PMDC has also set heavy fines for administrative negligence by medical colleges: Rs50,000 per student for delay in student registration, Rs75,000 per student for delay in reporting graduation, and Rs30,000 per student for delay in reporting annual examination results.

Similarly, a fine of Rs100,000 will be imposed for delay in reporting a student’s transfer or withdrawal, and Rs200,000 for violating rules on students’ prescribed fees and other charges.

According to the policy, for delay in registration, a fee of Rs150 per student per month has been set for public institutions and Rs300 per student per month for private colleges.

The PMDC has made it mandatory for medical and dental colleges, universities and students to submit all documents through the designated online portal.

Documents submitted outside the prescribed format and the PMDC’s online portal will not be accepted, and fines may also be imposed for failing to meet online reporting requirements.

The new policy makes a minimum one-year house job mandatory for obtaining a full license. The teaching hospital must submit the certificate to the PMDC within 10 days of completion of the house job.

The PMDC said that before imposing a fine, the institution concerned must be issued a notice and given an opportunity to present its position. For repeated violations, further admissions may be stopped or action may be taken under the law.

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KARACHI – The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has announced the results of the Annual Examinations 2026 for Intermediate Part I in the Science Pre-Medical, Science General, Commerce (Regular and Private), Arts (Regular and Private), Special Candidates (Arts Regular) and Home Economics groups.

It should be noted that the results of all optional subjects of the Science groups were prepared through E-Assessment, using the latest OMR and E-Marking system.

Giving details of the results, Controller of Examinations Zareena Rashid said that in the Science Medical group, 25,157 candidates registered and 24,544 appeared in the examinations, of whom 11,966 passed all six papers.

In the Science General group, 30,991 candidates registered and 30,386 appeared, of whom 15,036 passed all six papers.

Announcing the Commerce (Regular) results, the Controller said that 23,549 candidates registered and 22,693 appeared, of whom 9,332 passed all seven papers.

Similarly, in the Commerce Private group, 1,485 candidates registered and 1,413 appeared, of whom 628 passed all seven papers.

In the Arts Regular group, 11,171 candidates registered and 10,678 appeared, of whom 3,748 passed all six papers. In the Arts Private group, 1,702 candidates registered and 1,623 appeared, of whom 692 passed all six papers.

In the Special Candidates (Arts Regular) examinations, 99 candidates registered and 97 appeared, of whom 58 passed all six papers.

In the Home Economics group, 146 candidates registered and 141 appeared, of whom 41 passed all seven papers.

It may be recalled that, in line with the decision of the IBCC and the Universities and Boards Department of the Government of Sindh, a new grading system has been introduced this year in the Intermediate Part I annual examinations. Under the new system, any candidate scoring less than 40 percent in a paper will be declared “Ungraded” and will not be considered to have passed that paper.

Such candidates, if they meet the other eligibility requirements, will have to retake the exam in that paper. The results of all the above groups for the Annual Examinations 2026 (Part I) have been uploaded to the board’s website. Candidates can also check their results on the official Android app of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi, which can be installed on a mobile phone by searching for “BIEK” on the Google Play Store.

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KARACHI – India has arrested four Pakistani fishermen in Sir Creek on charges of violating maritime boundaries and has seized their boat.

According to Noor Muhammad Thaimoor, vice chairman of the Fisherfolk Forum, the four fishermen, Abdul Qadir Thaimoor, Muhammad Musa, Asghar Thaimoor and Ehsan, had gone into the deep sea to catch fish and shrimp, where Indian security forces arrested all four Pakistani fishermen.

The vice chairman of the Fisherfolk Forum said that all four fishermen belong to the coastal area of Chhachh Jahan Khan in Sujawal.

The Fisherfolk Forum has demanded that immediate information be provided about the well-being and legal status of the arrested fishermen, and that the necessary steps be taken on humanitarian grounds for their early release and return to the homeland.

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ISLAMABAD –  There are fears of cyberattacks on key digital systems, including the country’s government and financial institutions, and the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued an advisory.

According to details, flaws in e-Mudhra’s digital security certificates have created the risk of cyberattacks on government, financial and critical information infrastructure.

It has been revealed that eight private security keys of e-Mudhra’s certificate authority have been compromised, of which six are used for TLS certificates and two for code signing. The weak keys create the risk of forged digital certificates, impersonation of websites and online services, interference with internet traffic, surveillance and data tampering.

National CERT has directed the relevant institutions to immediately update operating systems, browsers and software, block the affected certificates and update security trust stores. Mobile apps, computer software and other systems that use separate certificate stores have also been told to take protective measures.

According to the advisory, organizations should monitor for suspicious certificates, unusual network activity and connection redirection, and report any suspected forged certificates or data interception incidents to National CERT Pakistan.

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Pakistan’s well-known actress and host Iffat Omar has become a target of social media trolling after an amusing incident at Lahore’s Lakmé Fashion Week Season 2.

Iffat Omar, dressed in a golden saree, was striking confident poses on stage alongside renowned designer Nilofer Shahid when a golden piece from a party popper, used during the celebrations, suddenly landed and stuck to her nose.

 

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Interestingly, Iffat Omar remained unaware of it and carried on in her own style. The golden piece on her nose looked like a large nose ring matching her outfit.

Nilofer Shahid also appeared somewhat uncomfortable at the sight. When Iffat Omar eventually realized what had happened, she gently removed the piece from her nose.

After the video went viral on social media, users are posting humorous comments on the actress’s expressions and the unexpected situation. The sudden incident during the fashion week drew considerable attention on social media, along with the event’s other highlights.

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ISLAMABAD – Pakistani weightlifter Saima Shahzad won the gold medal in the 61-kilogram category at the second Asian Masters and World Masters Grand Prix 2026, held in Islamabad.

The six-day event ran from October 20 to 25 at the Liaquat Gymnasium in the Pakistan Sports Complex. It was organised by the Pakistan Masters Weightlifting Association in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board. Organisers had expected around 250 athletes from 21 countries to take part.

Saima Shahzad has also previously won a bronze medal for Pakistan in the 55-kilogram category of the weightlifting competitions at the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2019.

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RAWALPINDI – Security forces killed six terrorists belonging to the “Fitna al-Khawarij,” which the military describes as an Indian proxy, in an intelligence-based operation in the Zarkani area of Dera Ismail Khan. Two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred in an intense exchange of fire.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was carried out on October 24, 2026, after reports of the presence of terrorists in the area. Security forces responded effectively and killed six militants, whom the ISPR described as Indian-sponsored.

The ISPR said Naik Ghulam Murtaza and Sepoy Tasir Ahmad embraced martyrdom while fighting bravely. Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, belonged to Gujrat district, while 30-year-old Sepoy Tasir Ahmad was from Talagang district.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, who, according to the military’s media wing, had been involved in numerous terrorist attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies and in the killing of innocent civilians.

The ISPR said a clearance operation is under way to eliminate any other militants present in the area.

It added that, under the National Action Plan approved by the Federal Apex Committee and in line with the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision, counter-terrorism operations by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to completely rid the country of externally backed terrorism.

The ISPR also said the sacrifices of brave soldiers in defence of the homeland further strengthen the resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.

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FAISALABAD – Five people were killed and one person was critically injured in an accident involving a passenger bus, a car and a coaster on the M-4 Motorway.

According to National Highways and Motorway Police spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmad, motorway police officers reached the scene immediately after receiving news of the accident. Reports have been received of five people killed and one seriously injured.

The spokesperson added that the DIG Motorway and the sector commander have also left for the site of the accident.

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ISLAMABAD – A father has been arrested for allegedly producing sexually exploitative videos of his own children and selling them online as part of a wider network, a senior National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) official said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, NCCIA Additional Director Shoaib Khan said the arrested man was making videos of his own children. Describing it as an unusual case, he said the children were aged between five and six, and that the videos were produced and sold through the Telegram app. A group had formed around circulating and selling such material, he added.

Khan said the network had also filmed the abuse of animals. He said nothing of this nature had previously surfaced in Pakistan’s history, and that the identities of those involved in such cases were not disclosed. According to him, the main suspect belonged to Skardu, while investigations were under way in Multan, Islamabad and southern Punjab.

Online sexual harassment case

Khan said the NCCIA had also arrested a suspect in an online sexual harassment case a day earlier, following a complaint from Karachi. He said action would also be taken against parents who knew of crimes involving their children but failed to report them. “In cases of sexual harassment, parents know what their child is doing,” he said.

The agency is launching an awareness campaign at universities and will also teach parents how to monitor what their children view on mobile phones. Khan said he would personally visit schools in Islamabad to raise awareness among parents, and that the campaign would later be expanded nationwide.

Crackdown on call centres

Khan said NCCIA Islamabad had also carried out crackdowns on call centres and identified a large number of such facilities in the capital. Seven FIRs had recently been registered, and between 13,000 and 14,000 devices had been recovered in these cases.

He warned the public not to share one-time passwords (OTPs) or PINs with anyone, noting that fake banking websites had been created that can look identical to genuine ones.

On Chinese nationals arrested in Pakistan, Khan said they would be punished under Pakistani law. After completing their sentences, their visas would be cancelled and they would be deported.

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LAHORE – The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast a powerful spell of rain entering Punjab from October 28.

A new western weather system is expected to bring rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunder, across the province, leading to a significant drop in temperature.

The rain spell will bring a change in the weather, and the intensity of the cold is likely to increase in the province.

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MUZAFFARABAD – At least seven people were killed when a jeep fell into a ravine in Shakar Parian, on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.

According to rescue officials and police, the jeep was loaded with grass and carrying seven people when it went out of control and fell into a ravine hundreds of feet deep. All seven on board, including the driver, died. Local residents and rescue workers shifted the bodies to hospital.

In a separate incident, four people, including a child and a woman, were killed and four others injured in a horrific collision between a passenger coach and a car on Tando Adam-Jhol Road in Sanghar’s Tando Adam taluka. The dead and injured were taken to the Taluka Hospital in Tando Adam.

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LAHORE – Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi crossed a major milestone in the second match of the tri-series against England, completing 150 wickets in One Day International cricket. He is now the fastest Pakistani fast bowler to achieve the feat.

In the match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Shaheen claimed his 150th ODI wicket by dismissing England’s in-form opener Tom Banton in the very first over. Banton had scored four consecutive half-centuries in his previous four innings, but he offered a catch in the covers off a full-length delivery from Shaheen.

Shaheen reached the milestone in his 80th ODI, while former Pakistan pace greats Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar each took 91 matches to do so. Among Pakistani bowlers, Shaheen is now the second-fastest to the mark, behind former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who reached 150 wickets in 78 ODIs.

Globally, Shaheen is now jointly the fourth-fastest bowler to take 150 ODI wickets. Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane holds the world record, having reached the landmark in 73 matches, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc got there in 77.

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Pakistan beat England by one wicket in a nail-biting fourth match of the tri-nation ODI series.

The national team chased down the target of 242 in the 48th over, finishing on 9 wickets down, thanks to a brilliant century from Shadab Khan, who scored 113 off 96 balls.

Pakistan’s chase did not begin well. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for 10, Saim Ayub made 6, Babar Azam 10, Saad Baig 32, Salman Agha 26 and Hasan Nawaz 15. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 4, Rizwanullah 8, and Arafat Minhas returned to the pavilion after making 1.

Earlier, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs.

Ben Duckett played a superb innings of 105 for England, while Sam Curran (42) and Gus Atkinson (36) also stood out. Will Jacks was dismissed for 13 and Jamie Overton for 10.

For Pakistan, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled well to take four wickets, while Arafat Minhas and Rizwanullah claimed two each. Haris Rauf picked up one wicket.

The match was dedicated to Pink Day to raise awareness about breast cancer, with the national team taking the field in pink kit.

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