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The currency gained one paisa as the U.S. dollar stayed near multi-month lows against major currencies despite rising crude oil prices.
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 5:08 PM
Impact
75
Gold prices in Pakistan remained stable on Tuesday at Rs461,936. Similarly, 10-gram gold was also sold at the same price of Rs396,035, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Monday, gold price per tola had reached Rs461,936 after a gain of Rs2,000 during the day. The international rate of gold also remained stable at $4,395 per ounce (with a premium of $20). Meanwhile, the price of silver declined by Rs43 to clock in at Rs6,986 per tola.
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 4:44 PM
Impact
71
Bank Makramah Limited’s (BML) board has approved a proposal by the bank’s sponsor, Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah, to inject a further Rs10 billion, i.e. over $36 million, into the bank, strengthening its capital base as it seeks to meet regulatory requirements and support its operations. The listed bank disclosed the development in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday. “Bank Makramah Limited, in its 159th meeting held today, August 18, 2026, considered and approved the investment proposal received from the sponsor of the bank, His Excellency Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah, to inject a further Rs10 billion into the bank,” read the notice. BML board has authorised the President/CEO to execute the agreement between the bank and the sponsor, which sets out the terms under which the sponsor shall deposit Rs10 billion into the bank. “It may be noted that this amount of Rs10 billion shall be recorded in the books of the bank as an advance against share subscription, till such time regulatory and corporate approvals are obtained for the issuance of shares to the sponsor, by way of other than right issue,” the notice added. BML was formerly known as Summit Bank Limited (S
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 1:51 PM
Impact
65
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved the public offering of New Nazimabad Apartments REIT, marking the 13th public offering on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) this year. As per a statement released on Tuesday, the REIT will offer more than 44 million units to investors, said SECP. “A new investment opportunity in one of Karachi’s prominent residential developments,” said Arif Habib Limited (AHL) in a post on social media. The company shared that the issue size is between Rs793 million and Rs1.01 billion. The price band has been set at Rs18-23 per share. “The increase in public offerings reflects the growing trend of raising capital from the capital market,” SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Siddiqui said in a statement. “A stable capital market is essential to provide long-term financing to businesses,” he added. “We are taking further steps to reduce the time and cost of raising capital from the capital market.” Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) at the PSX have seen significant fluctuations in recent years, with a notable revival in 2024 that continued with strong momentum into 2026. Analysts believe more IPOs are expected in 2026 as market valuations
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 11:34 AM
Impact
65
GENEVA: The portion of women in Afghanistan’s workforce has fallen to just 5% since the Taliban takeover five years ago, according to the International Labour Organization, which called for measures to address their “severe exclusion”. Female labour force participation fell to less than a third of its previous level, to 5.1% in 2026 from 16.5% in 2020. In contrast, male employment has expanded rapidly, the ILO said. “Afghanistan cannot build a resilient labour market while such a large share of its population remains excluded from economic activity,” said Tite Habiyakare, senior coordinator and head of the ILO Office for Afghanistan. Closure of transit trade: Pakistan, Afghan suffer huge economic losses The report attributed the decline to Taliban restrictions curtailing women’s education and employment. Afghanistan has the second-lowest level of female employment in the world after Yemen, it said. However, the number of women’s businesses has increased ten-fold since the takeover because of their exclusion from many other professions, according to the U.N. Development Programme. Overall, Afghan employment increased by 14% from a 2022 low, reaching 8.5 million in 2026, the ILO said
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 3:57 PM
Impact
58
Masood Textile Mills Limited (MSOT) has successfully commissioned an aggregate solar photovoltaic capacity of 6.2 MW, which is currently operational. The company informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange today. The installation of approximately 3.8 MW of additional solar photovoltaic capacity is underway, it said. READ MORE: From selling solar to storing solar? “Subject to completion, testing and successful commissioning, the Company’s aggregate operational solar capacity is expected to increase to approximately 10.0 MW. The initiative forms part of the company’s measures to optimise energy costs, reduce reliance on grid-supplied electricity and advance its sustainability objectives.” Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a clean, cheap, and environmentally friendly method of generating electricity, and it is rapidly emerging as a leading energy source globally and in Pakistan. The total installed capacity of solar PV panels across Pakistan reached 33 gigawatts by October 2025. The market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.5% from 2022 to 2027. Meanwhile, MSOT is a public limited company that was set up under the Companies Act, 1913. The company manufacture
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 9:56 AM
Impact
54
Power generation in Pakistan reached 15,112 GWh in July 2026, up 7% YoY from July 2025. Back in July 2025, power generation stood at 14,123 GWh. The generation is the “second-highest for any July month, amid the highest-ever hydel, local coal and imported coal generation,” said Arif Habib Limited (AHL) in a note on Tuesday. On a monthly basis, power generation improved by 13% from 13,431 GWh in June 2026. “Power generation exceeded the NEPRA reference, in our view, aided by lower tariffs, shift of industrial consumers to the national grid, incremental consumption package for industrial and agricultural consumers and improved economic activity,” said AHL. On the other hand, the total cost of generating electricity in Pakistan increased by 38% year over year, reaching Rs10.75 KWh in July 2026, up from Rs7.78 KWh in the same period last year. The high cost of power generation “is driven by a higher RLNG and furnace oil mix, including reliance on spot RLNG cargoes, while elevated oil prices further increased generation costs”. “Consequently, DISCOs sought a positive FCA of Rs2.52/kWh for Jul’26, the highest since June 2024,” said AHL. On a monthly basis, the power generation cost was u
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 10:13 AM
Impact
45
Pakistan recorded a current account deficit of $328 million in July 2026, narrowing from $814 million in June 2026 and $529 million in July 2025, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data released on Tuesday. The June deficit was also revised upward from $649 million to $814 million. The narrower deficit was supported by a 17% month-on-month (MoM) and 9% year-on-year (YoY) increase in goods exports to $3 billion, marking the highest monthly export level in 19 months. Meanwhile, imports remained broadly stable MoM at $6.2 billion. “Overall, the current account remained in deficit, but the shortfall narrowed significantly on a monthly and yearly basis,” Topline Research said in a statement. In the financial year FY26, Pakistan’s current account recorded a marginal deficit of $139 million, reversing a surplus of $1.84 billion in the previous fiscal year. Despite record workers’ remittances, Pakistan’s external account was pushed into negative due to high imports, while exports remained largely stagnant during the outgoing fiscal year.
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 4:21 PM
Impact
45
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday announced plans to turn the ongoing sit-ins against the petroleum levy into a broader nationwide public movement, warning the government that failure to meet JI’s demands could lead to a countrywide shutdown and a march on Islamabad. “This is not a protest for a few days. We have not come here to leave,” Rehman said while addressing a sit-in outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House in Lahore. He warned that if the government refused to abolish the petroleum levy and provide relief on fuel and electricity prices, JI could mobilise people across the country and march towards the capital. He also announced that women would join the Lahore sit-in from Tuesday (today). The protests against the petroleum levy, expensive electricity, independent power producer (IPP) agreements and privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite entered their second day in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. He said thousands of people participated despite the intense heat, with protesters raising slogans demanding an end to the levy and relief from inflation. Addressing the Lahore gathering, Rehman said voices for truth and justice were now being hear
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 7:50 AM
Impact
44
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is set to examine deceptive marketing and other competition concerns in the real estate sector, including misleading claims about project approvals and hidden charges. The competition watchdog will hold an open hearing on August 27 to hear stakeholders and examine competition concerns in the real estate sector, and has invited consumers, investors, developers, builders, real estate professionals, industry associations and other stakeholders to share their experiences and concerns directly with the commission. According to a statement released on Tuesday, the hearing is being held against the backdrop of complaints received by the CCP regarding deceptive and anti-competitive practices in the sector. “The Commission has observed that claims relating to project approvals, features, charges and other material information can significantly influence investment decisions. “Where consumers invest substantial amounts based on false or misleading representations, the consequences can be serious. Truthful and transparent information is therefore essential for informed consumer choice and fair competition,” CCP said. Under Section 10 of the Competi
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 2:19 PM
Impact
44
Master Changan Motors Limited (MCML), Pakistan’s No.1 new entrant and leading Chinese automotive brand, is preparing to introduce CHANGAN NEVO in Pakistan—marking the next major step in bringing Changan’s Global House of Brands to the local market. The announcement builds on Master Changan’s rapid rise in Pakistan. In 2025, the company became the country’s fourth-largest automobile brand, with more than 75,000 vehicles on the road. Backed by local manufacturing, Pakistan’s largest dedicated EV-equipped dealership network—with 29 dealers across 19 cities—and successful products across multiple segments, Master Changan has established the scale, capability and customer confidence needed for its next phase of growth. This next phase is rooted in Changan’s own Global multi-brand architecture. It is the same global portfolio through which Changan serves different customers and mobility needs around the world. Master Changan is now bringing this architecture to Pakistan through four distinct passenger-vehicle brands: · CHANGAN — Trusted mainstream mobility that combines quality, technology and value for everyday progress. · NEVO — Intelligent new-energy mobility designed to make electrif
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 1:45 PM
Impact
44
Sunrate, the global payment and treasury management platform, officially announced the launch of its operations in Pakistan, strengthening its commitment to one of the world’s fastestgrowing digital economies. The announcement was made at On the Front Foot, Pakistan, a launch event held at The Nishat Hotel in Lahore, bringing together senior banking leaders, technology founders, e-commerce operators and digital business owners. The launch marks the next phase of Sunrate’s presence in Pakistan, where it has already been supporting businesses that earn and operate across borders. With a local team and dedicated on-the-ground support, Sunrate is bringing its global payment and treasury infrastructure closer to Pakistan’s growing community of digital exporters — helping businesses receive international payments, manage foreign exchange and operate across multiple currencies as they expand globally. Pakistan’s digital economy is becoming increasingly connected to international markets, with IT and technology businesses, freelancers, software companies, e-commerce sellers and digital agencies serving customers around the world. As more businesses generate revenue across borders, access t
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 3:46 PM
Impact
44
Pakistan's Supreme Court directed authorities to transfer jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala prison to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment following concerns raised over his health.
Al Jazeera | discovered by Google Nationality News | Aug 18, 2026, 3:00 AM
Impact
44
The Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved amendments to the National Electricity Plan 2023-27, aimed at strengthening integrated energy planning, expanding electricity generation and transmission, promoting renewable power in remote areas and facilitating cross-border electricity trade. The development came during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday in Islamabad. During the meeting, the Power Division presented amendments to the National Electricity Plan 2023-2027. These amendments pertained to integrated planning for energy, an increase in electricity generation, the supply of electricity produced from renewable sources in remote areas, cross-border electricity trade, expansion of the transmission system, tariff design, electricity conservation, system and marketing operations, identification of risks and related administrative matters, improving the capacity of fuel and technology at the local level, research and development, and digitization, read the notice. April-June 26: Discos seek positive adjustment to recover Rs23bn from consumers While approving these amendments, the Cabinet Committee directed aut
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 3:02 PM
Impact
43
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Pakistan’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), is rolling out the digital literacy training component of its Ba-Ikhtiar Program across the 22 districts where the programme is currently active. The trainings will be delivered by the Institute of Rural Management (IRM), a leading organization specializing in Community Development and Capacity building. IRM will be responsible to equipping 2,100 Women with practical digital skills and the tools needed to participate more confidently in today’s digital economy. Participants will receive hands-on training in smartphone usage, digital literacy, online communication, internet safety and access to essential digital services. PTCL will also provide smartphones to participants, enabling them to continue learning and apply their skills beyond the training environment. Speaking on the occasion, Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL, said, “The true measure of empowerment is the ability to create opportunities for yourself. Ba-Ikhtiar is built on that belief. Digital skills are becoming increasingly important in every
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 10:12 AM
Impact
43
MADRID: Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid return had already been underway for several weeks, but on Tuesday the club made it official with an understated ceremony at their training centre for a second coming loaded with nostalgia, risk and unfinished business. The Portuguese manager, who began work with the squad when pre-season started on July 10, signed a contract until June 2029 in the boardroom of Ciudad Real Madrid alongside club president Florentino Perez and honorary president Jose Martinez Pirri. For a club accustomed to spectacle, the silence was almost the statement. Real are heading into the new LaLiga season after two consecutive years without a trophy, with Perez, recently re-elected but far from the untouchable figure of old, facing growing scrutiny from an impatient fanbase. Mourinho framed his return as something more significant than a job. “This is coming home. Emotionally, it’s even better than the first time because back then it was a feeling of reaching the very top of the world, whereas now it’s more emotional and heartfelt,” Mourinho told the club’s official television channel. Benfica say Real Madrid intend to hire Mourinho, Silva to take charge of Portuguese clu
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 5:29 PM
Impact
43
Nearly 15,000 people risk losing their homes in Karachi, Hyderabad and Lahore to make way for Pakistan’s most ambitious railway project: Main Line-1 for which work will kick off in January. The estimate of families at risk was done by Karachi Urban Lab with satellite data which was ground truthed in neighbourhoods sitting along the track between the Karachi and Lahore corridor. If at least 25 feet of the track need to be clear on both sides, over 2,400 people will have to vacate it. These are the working class drivers, maids, salesmen, carpenters, masons, and daily wage workers who live and work here. Such a displacement is called ‘the constitutive violence of corridor-making’. This is a technology of community wiping needed for governments to build big things. And so, violence lives at the heart of the creation of economic and transport corridors and is not an outcome as many of us assume. If we track how such epic projects unfold in the cities of the Global South we can clearly see that transport corridors are political acts and not merely technical undertakings. They bear the stamp of their creators (decision-makers) who are the arbiters of who qualifies as an urban citizen and
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 2:06 PM
Impact
42
I grew up believing that the year truly began in July. For most children, summer meant school holidays. For us in Gilgit-Baltistan, it meant going home. We spent the rest of the year waiting for those two months. Like many families from the mountains, ours was spread across different cities for work and education. July and August brought everyone back. University students returned from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Parents finally took time off work. Weddings were planned months in advance because these were the only weeks when the villages were full again. After months of quiet, every house had guests, every courtyard had children, and every evening seemed to belong to everyone. When I think of those summers, I don’t remember a single event. I remember a feeling. Packing a light sweater because mountain evenings stayed cold even in July. Rolling down the car window as soon as we reached the valley because the air felt different. Wheat fields turning golden. Apricot trees heavy with fruit. Children disappearing into the orchards after breakfast and returning only when someone called them home. Women moving from one house to another without knocking. Elders sitting for hours in the
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 8:57 AM
Impact
40
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has formally downgraded implementation progress on a $245 million flood rehabilitation project in Balochistan to ‘moderately unsatisfactory’, mainly after the government decided to cap beneficiary coverage for resilient housing. “Progress remains uneven and continues to affect implementation,” said the Washington-based multilateral lending agency in its public disclosure, dated Aug 12, on the Integrated Flood Resilience & Adaptation Project (IFRAP), while downgrading implementation from ‘moderately satisfactory’ to ‘moderately unsatisfactory’ just six months earlier. “Over 74,000 households have received the first tranche of housing support; however, the Project Steering Committee’s decision to cap beneficiary coverage, a financing gap for remaining eligible households, unresolved grievances, and communication challenges pose risks to implementation mentation progress and achievement of the project development objective,” it added. Earlier, World Bank’s country director Boloromaa Amgaabazar had expressed concern over the decision to cap housing support to 62,966 first-tranche beneficiaries, and subsidy support to 97,000 people. Under Component 1 of the pr
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:30 AM
Impact
40
• Demands meetings with family and lawyers, access for ex-PM’s private doctors • TTAP leaders claim govt has failed on economic, political fronts ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has expressed grave concern over the official medical report regarding the health of Imran Khan, saying that the reported condition has caused deep concern across the country. Speaking at a press conference, he said Imran Khan’s personal doctors, family, legal team and the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would consult among themselves and determine a clear course of action in light of the situation. The chief minister said that whenever Imran Khan’s personal physicians, Dr Asim and Dr Faisal, had accompanied him and checked his blood pressure, it had consistently been within the normal range. He said the report of elevated blood pressure in the official medical report was therefore a matter of serious concern, particularly given the previous assessments conducted by his personal doctors. He said that neither Imran Khan’s family members, lawyers nor personal physicians had been allowed to meet him since Dec 2, 2025. “In these circumstances, the emergence of an offici
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 6:09 AM
Impact
39
WASHINGTON: Disney and its ABC unit sued the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday to block an early review of licenses for eight ABC stations, arguing the Trump administration is trying to punish the network over its broadcast content. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged broadcasters to drop comedy or news programs he dislikes or which have been critical, pressing the FCC on numerous occasions to revoke ABC’s licenses. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, Disney said the FCC was seeking to coerce and retaliate against “a network that refuses to bow to the administration’s demands”. Disney and ABC asked the court to quickly issue a temporary restraining order halting the license renewal proceedings and preventing the FCC from scheduling a hearing. The company said the public comment period ended earlier this month and the FCC could act at any time. The lawsuit alleges the administration is violating the company’s First Amendment free speech rights. “Again and again, the administration has attacked ABC’s speech — the stories its journalists report and the viewpoints its network programs air,” the lawsuit said. Disney names Pakistan-born Asad Ayaz
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 5:47 PM
Impact
33
LOS ANGELES: Pop music veteran Madonna scored the most nominations for MTV’s Video Music Awards on Tuesday, four decades after the “Material Girl” singer put the event on the cultural map with a headline-making performance. Madonna earned 11 nominations for next month’s VMA ceremony, including nods for video of the year with “Confessions II - The Film“ and for artist of the year. That eclipsed the nine nominations for Taylor Swift, who will compete for the video of the year honor with “The Fate of Ophelia” from her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Both musicians already own several VMA Moon Person trophies. Madonna claimed her first in 1986 when she was given the Video Vanguard Award for helping to pioneer the music video format. In 1987, she won best female video for “Papa Don’t Preach” and has hauled in 20 VMAs over her career to date. It was her performance at the first VMAs in 1984 that created one of the show’s most iconic moments. Madonna took the stage in a wedding gown adorned with a “Boy Toy” belt buckle and rolled on the floor as she sang “Like a Virgin,” pushing the boundaries of what was considered permissible on cable television at the time. Taylor Swift an
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 5:25 PM
Impact
33
RAWALPINDI: Incarcerated ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, met him on Tuesday after being allowed entry into Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the PTI founder be allowed weekly meetings with his family. Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. Despite an order by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) allowing him twice-a-week meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays with his family, lawyers and other associates, Imran has been restricted from meeting visitors for several months. On Tuesday, however, Noreen Niazi was allowed to proceed to the jail and meet with Imran for the first time this year, being sent by the police to Gate no. 5 upon her arrival. Jail sources said that the two met in the jail’s conference room, where they discussed his health and other issues. Noreen also informed the ex-premier about the SC’s earlier order to have him taken to Shifa International Hospital for a medical checkup, they added. Meanwhile, the ex-premier’s other sisters — Aleema Khanum and
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:46 PM
Impact
33
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated Google Pakistan’s office in Islamabad, saying there was a great scope to have a wonderful partnership with Google and enhance our relationship in many ways. “Google is a household name not only in Pakistan but around the globe,” PM Shehbaz said during a meeting with Vice President Global Affairs at Google Wilson L White. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker was also present on this occasion. The premier said it was a coincidence that Google had arrived at a time when Pakistan was going through a major digital transformation in many areas of the governance. “We have a youth bulge and we can really turn around Pakistan’s fortune,” he added. Google Vice President Wilson said opening an office in Pakistan was a big milestone for the tech company. “We can’t tell you how excited we are for this combination of a very long time coming. Google has been investing in and is committed to Pakistan for over a decade. To be able to reach this milestone we are opening a local office which is a very special moment. “Prime minister, your ambition of making Pakistan a $30bn IT export hub very much aligns with the goals that we have at Google.” Wilson
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 5:00 PM
Impact
33
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley starting Wednesday, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as skipper. Azam has been unable to overcome an injury to his right hand after being struck by England Under-19 paceman Manny Lumsden during Pakistan’s warm-up game last week against a County Select XI. He promptly retired hurt in what a team spokesman said was a “precautionary measure”. It is the same hand he was struck on during the second Test against the West Indies earlier this month. Azam batted briefly in the Headingley nets on Monday but, while he has been cleared of a broken middle finger, he has not been passed fit to lead the side in the first of a three-Test series. “Babar Azam is not available, Salman will be captain for the first Test,” Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed told reporters at Headingley on Tuesday. “It’s not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger. “Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match.” Azam’s absence is a major blow to Pakistan as they begin their quest to win a Test series in England for the first time in 30 years given he is also one of their leading batsmen, with nine Test h
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:29 PM
Impact
33
Google, the US-based technology giant, on Tuesday inaugurated its local office in Pakistan. According to state-run PTV, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a Google delegation led by the company’s Global Affairs Vice President Wilson L. White at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. US Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Natalie Baker also attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz said there was “great scope” for a fruitful partnership with Google and for strengthening bilateral ties in various areas. “Pakistan is going through a major digital transformation. In many areas of our governance, there is a youth bulge and we can really turn around Pakistan’s fortunes,” he said. “We are doing a lot and a lot more needs to be done.” Meanwhile, Google’s vice president described his visit as a “big milestone”. “Google has been investing in and committed to Pakistan for over a decade, and today we have reached a milestone where we are opening a local office in Pakistan,” White said. He appreciated PM Shehbaz’s vision of turning Pakistan into a $30 billion IT export hub. White added that Google was partnering with Pakistan to advance this vision in three ways: by inve
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:12 PM
Impact
33
Security forces have eliminated over nine terrorists during a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) targeting terrorist hideouts across various districts of Balochistan, state media PTV News reported citing security sources on Tuesday. During the coordinated operations, troops effectively targeted terrorist hideouts in the mountainous terrains of Ziarat and Harnai, as well as in the Surab district, resulting in the destruction of multiple terrorist sanctuaries and the recovery of significant arms caches. The security sources said forces executed precise strikes against terrorist bases in Harnai and Ziarat, killing the majority of the terrorists and dismantling their operational infrastructure. Simultaneously, an operation in the Surab district resulted in the neutralisation of another terrorist. Following the kinetic actions, security personnel recovered a substantial quantity of ammunition, hand grenades, and military hardware from the slain terrorists’ possession. A comprehensive clearance operation remains underway in the affected areas to ensure the elimination of any remaining threats. The latest intelligence-based strikes follow a successful military engagement in th
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 3:15 PM
Impact
33
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced that Basant Lahore 2027 will be held from March 12 to 14, inviting people from across Pakistan and abroad to join the three-day spring festival. Sharing a teaser video announcing the dates, the chief minister described the event as a major celebration for Pakistan and the world. “After successful Basant 2026, I am proud and happy to announce Basant Lahore 2027!” she said in a post on X. Maryam said Lahore would once again come alive with “colour, culture, festivity, music, energy and legendary hospitality” during the celebrations. Addressing the youth of Punjab and Pakistan, she said the festival was meant to bring people together, create lasting memories and showcase Lahore’s vibrant spirit. She also invited overseas Pakistanis and international visitors to mark their calendars and return to Lahore for the festivities. “Come home to the warmth, colours and festivities of Lahore,” she said, adding that she, Lahore and Pakistan would be waiting for them. The chief minister expressed hope that Basant 2027 would build on the success of the previous year’s celebrations and become another memorable event. “Insha’Allah, together we
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 3:14 PM
Impact
33
Lahore’s 2027 Basant festival will be held from March 12 to 14, 2027, following its “successful” return last year after an 18-year hiatus, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said in a post on X on Tuesday. “Lahore will once again come alive with colour, culture, festivity, music, energy and legendary hospitality,” she wrote. In December 2025, the Punjab government lifted an 18-year ban on the historic festival, subject to strict regulations under the Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance, 2025. Under the ordinance, police officers of the rank of sub-inspector were empowered to make arrests and conduct searches without warrants based on credible information. The festival was banned in 2007 following an increase in deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp kite strings, particularly among motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire. In her post, CM Maryam said the celebration is for “the youth of Punjab and Pakistan”, inviting them to “come together, create memories, and make Lahore shine with your energy and spirit”. “To our overseas Pakistanis and international guests, mark your calendars and come home to the warmth, colours and festivities of Lahore,” she w
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 3:29 PM
Impact
32
Firefighters launched a potentially decisive push Tuesday to encircle Belgium’s largest wildfire in a century, despite wind and rain hampering air support operations over the High Fens nature reserve. The blaze charring the vast expanse of boggy peatlands, pine trees and hiking trails grew over the weekend to 7,500 acres with hundreds of firefighters working night and day to wrestle it under control. “We are trying to definitively encircle the fire today,” regional government spokesperson Nicolas Yernaux told AFP. In areas where firefighters could operate, he confirmed the fire was “under control and contained.” Smoke billows from a burned land near the Signal de Botrange during a wildfire at the High Fens nature reserve, Belgium on August 18, 2026. —AFP But a hard-to-access front towards the German border remains a concern — with residents in the border town of Monschau already under evacuation orders due to the smoke hazard. Firefighters worked through the night to make a crucial link-up between the eastern and northern fronts, under very difficult access conditions. “We’re talking about one or two kilometres, and we’re on the verge of achieving it,” Yernaux told AFP, despite “su
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 3:09 PM
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment, Aaj News reported. Under the court’s directives, Imran will be accompanied during his medical examination by his physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan. They will bear the hospital expenses themselves. The court also ordered that Imran be transferred to the hospital under tight security and directed the formation of a dedicated medical board for his treatment. According to the Supreme Court’s directions, Imran will remain at the hospital until the next hearing to facilitate his complete medical examination and treatment. The court further ordered that law and order should be strictly maintained outside the hospital and prohibited any political activity or gathering there. During the hearing, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan expressed concern that ordinary patients visiting the hospital for treatment should not face any inconvenience. PTI lawyers Salman Akram Raja and Shahid Khattak assured the court that no political activity would be held outside the hospital and that pa
Business Recorder | discovered by Business Recorder | Aug 18, 2026, 2:16 PM
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Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be moved to hospital for medical checks, after a petition by his lawyers over claims of poor health. Justice Shahid Waheed said 73-year-old Khan, who had been in jail since 2023 on corruption charges, would be shifted in the next two days to Shifa International Hospital in the capital Islamabad. Khan and his wife, spiritual guide Bushra Bibi, were both sentenced late last year to 17 years behind bars. There...
South China Morning Post Business | discovered by South China Morning Post Business | Aug 18, 2026, 1:49 PM
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Pakistan captain Babar Azam out of first Test against England
Gulf News | discovered by Gulf News | Aug 18, 2026, 5:11 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday said that hepatitis C screening had been made compulsory for all employees of his ministry and the salaries of untested employees would be withheld next month onwards. Kamal was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme in Islamabad, where he too got tested for hepatitis C, with his result coming out negative. The programme was jointly launched by the World Health Organisation and the health ministry in May with the aim of ending the disease by 2030. Kamal said on the occasion that hepatitis C screening was being made mandatory for the employees of other ministries as well, adding that letters would be sent in this regard. He said the programme for the elimination of hepatitis C would be rolled out in phases, beginning with Islamabad where the government had set up 17 centres for screening. Meanwhile, testing facilities would also be made available at private hospitals, he said, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan. The government was providing gadgets and testing kits to private hospitals as well, he added. According to Radio Pakistan, he said the spread of hepatitis C in
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 3:04 PM
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The White House on Monday lashed out at a CNN reporter after she asked a question about US President Donald Trump’s relationship with an aide, in the latest in a series of attacks on female journalists. During an event in the Oval Office, reporter Kristen Holmes asked Trump to respond to comments by a Democratic lawmaker about the president’s executive assistant Natalie Harp, 35. “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” the White House’s “Rapid Response” team said in an X post directed at Holmes and linking to a video of Trump’s response. The US president later berated Holmes as “very disrespectful” as she asked a question on North Korea. The event was to honour a teenage lifeguard who saved a child from swells, but the president opened the floor to questions on unrelated issues, as he regularly does. “You’re a loud, boisterous person, you’re fake news, be quiet,” Trump said to Holmes. CNN said the attacks on Holmes were “beneath the office”. “We stand firmly behind Kristen and reject these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” it said in a statement. Natalie Harp has been the subject of recent internet commentary after it emerged she was
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 1:13 PM
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Pakistan top court orders ex-PM Imran Khan moved to hospital
Gulf News | discovered by Gulf News | Aug 18, 2026, 3:28 PM
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Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a hospital, according to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which welcomed the decision as a long-standing demand of his family and supporters. The 73-year-old Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has been convicted in several cases […] The post Pakistan Court Orders Imran Khan’s Transfer From Prison to Hospital appeared first on Khaama Press.
Khaama Press | discovered by Khaama Press | Aug 18, 2026, 2:54 PM
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• Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujrat at risk of urban flooding • PDMA warns of continued rains across region through Aug 21 • Chenab, Ravi and Kabul rivers near low-level thresholds • Dera Ghazi Khan hill torrents pose risk of flash floods LAHORE: Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Monday warned of urban flooding due to possible torrential rains in six major cities of Punjab during the next 24 hours. The cities for which urban flooding has been predicted are Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Gujrat. The FFD said that the Indus river at Kalabagh is likely to remain in low to medium flood, while low-level flooding was expected at Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu. The river Chenab at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad is expected to experience low-level flooding. The river Kabul at Nowshera is also likely to reach the low-flood level. The forecast said that the river Ravi at Sidhnai is expected to attain low-flood level, while at Balloki, it is likely to remain in the same category. For the next four days (August 18 to 21), the FFD forecast that the Jhelum River at Mangla is likely to attain
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:54 AM
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ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan took the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) on Monday, it vowed to act impartially in steering the body’s concluding work for the year, drawing a clear distinction between its role as chair and its longstanding national positions on contentious arms control issues. Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, who is presiding over the CD meetings in Geneva, told Dawn that Islamabad’s responsibility as the final chair of the 2026 session was to ensure that the body’s annual report “reflects the discussions that took place, faithfully and in a balanced way”, even on issues where Pakistan has strong and clearly articulated positions. “I would draw a clear distinction between Pakistan’s national position and Pakistan’s role as president,” Andrabi said. “In the Chair, our task is to reflect the discussions that took place, faithfully and in a balanced way.” The distinction is significant because Pakistan has long been an active proponent of legally binding arrangements on issues including negative security assurances (NSAs) for non-nuclear weapon states and the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS), while maintaining a longstanding objec
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 18, 2026, 5:51 AM
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ANKARA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call to pursue talks with Iran to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, and offered Ankara's support for peace efforts, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday. Turkey, which has NATO's second-largest army and borders Iran, has repeatedly called for an end to the war. It has maintained close contact with the United States, Iran, and mediators such as Pakistan and Qatar, while also acting as an intermediary between the parties.
Al-Monitor | discovered by Al-Monitor | Aug 18, 2026, 2:46 AM
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ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the opposition on Monday that the government’s offer for talks remained on the table, urging them to demonstrate seriousness. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the minister said, “The solution lies in seriousness,” and called on the opposition to agree on a time and venue for negotiations. “On one hand you are not serious about talks, and on the other, you want to derail the system,” Chaudhry remarked. Senator Abdul Qadir also called for dialogue during Senate proceedings, saying political problems could only be resolved through political means. He urged the opposition and government to sit together and agree on terms of reference (TORs). “If you don’t accept the system, then you should not accept the leader of the opposition seat either,” he said. Later in the day, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chaudhry met the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and the leader of the opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, in the NA opposition leader’s chamber. The two sides discussed the appointment of the chief electi
Dawn | discovered by Dawn | Aug 17, 2026, 8:29 PM
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