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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov held comprehensive bilateral and delegation-level meetings on Thursday, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, communications, and regional security. The visit marks the first by a Kyrgyz head of state in two decades and is being hailed as a major step toward revitalizing Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan relations. During the bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister House, both leaders exchanged views on deepening ties across trade, energy, communications, and various other sectors. Prime Minister Shehbaz called President Zhaparov’s visit “highly welcome,” saying it would prove extremely valuable in enhancing bilateral cooperation. The Kyrgyz president,…

Renowned Pakistani actress Beena Masroor has died at the age of 67, her son Paras Masroor confirmed on Instagram. A senior performer at Pakistan Television (PTV), Masroor was celebrated for her roles in acclaimed dramas such as ‘Dil Banjaara’, ‘Betiyaan’, ‘Tarap’, ‘Ishq Nahi Aasan’, ‘Aangan’, ‘Agar’ and ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’. Her performances left a lasting impression on audiences across the country. Masroor was the wife of Dr Bedil Masroor. Her son appealed to well-wishers to offer prayers for her soul. Colleagues and contemporaries have expressed deep sorrow at her passing.

Australia’s internet regulator said a teen social media ban would be the first domino to fall in a global push to rein in Big Tech, as Meta’s Instagram, Facebook and Threads began locking out hundreds of thousands of accounts ahead of a deadline next week. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she had initially expressed concern about the “blunt-force” approach of blocking under-16s from social media but she had come to embrace it after incremental regulatory changes were not effective enough. “We’ve reached a tipping point,” Inman Grant said on Thursday at the Sydney Dialogue, a cyber summit. “Our data…

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday for a discussion on Pak-UK relations, security cooperation, and the repatriation of Pakistanis living illegally in the UK. The meeting also focused heavily on Pakistan’s request for the immediate extradition of Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja. During the meeting, both sides held a detailed conversation on strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing security cooperation. Matters of mutual interest, including countering misinformation and improving legal collaboration, were also discussed. Pakistan requests extradition of Shahzad Akbar, Adil Raja Mohsin Naqvi informed the British envoy that Pakistan has formally requested the UK…

Saudi Arabia rolled over its US$3 billion deposit for Pakistan after the Saudi Development Fund approved a one-year extension, according to details released on Thursday. According to details surfaced, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) currently holds the US$3 billion deposit. Saudi Arabia first provided the deposit in 2021 under an agreement intended to support Pakistan’s external account. Sources divulged that the Saudi Fund for Development Fund granted an additional year for the deposit, which would otherwise have matured on Thursday. It is pertinent to note that Saudi Arabia had also deferred on the repayment of a $3billion loan deposited…

Responding to a humanitarian appeal from the United Nations, the Pakistan government has decided to open the Torkham and Chaman trade crossings to facilitate urgent delivery of food, medicine, and essential relief supplies to Afghanistan, where shortages have intensified. The decision was taken on humanitarian grounds following a request from the UN. In consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce issued formal instructions to Member Customs, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Directorate General of Transit. Customs officials at Torkham have received the orders and preparations for relief cargo movement have begun. Phased clearance…

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a series of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Thursday during the first official visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to Pakistan in two decades. The ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to elevate bilateral ties and expand cooperation across numerous sectors. A formal reception was held at the Prime Minister House, where President Zhaparov was presented a Guard of Honour and welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Both leaders exchanged warm greetings, with Sharif introducing his federal ministers and Zhaparov presenting members of his delegation. The Kyrgyz president also planted a sapling…

Australian ace fast bowler Mitchell Starc moved past Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets after he removed three England batsmen on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday. Starc dismissed Ben Duckett for 0, Ollie Pope for 0 and Harry Brook for 31, which placed him above Akram on the list of left-arm fast bowlers with the most Test wickets. Akram held 414 wickets, Chaminda Vaas 355 and Trent Boult 317.

Senior Pakistani players are unlikely to play the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) due to the national duty ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. According to details, the BPL is scheduled to begin from December 26 to January 23. During this period, the Pakistan national cricket team are scheduled to play the T20I series against Sri Lanka and Australia respectively. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the players to prioritise playing for the country over the leagues. Sources divulged that the board also has the option of not granting the NoC to the players of the Pakistan squad for…

The Kuwaiti government has announced six public holidays to mark the beginning of the new year. According to Kuwaiti media reports, a total of six public holidays have been scheduled for January 2026. These include a three-day New Year holiday and a three-day holiday for the Night of Ascension (Isra and Mi’raj). As per the official announcement, the New Year holidays will run from Thursday, January 1 to Saturday, January 3, with government offices resuming work on Sunday, January 4. The holiday for the Night of Ascension will fall on Friday, January 16. Since Friday is already a weekly public…