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The School Education Department in Punjab has issued new directives requiring all schools to accurately enter and verify students' B-Form numbers with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) within a 10-day timeframe. This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy of student records and ensure consistency between school data and national identity records. School heads will be held accountable for any incorrect entries and will be responsible for covering any NADRA expenses incurred due to errors. For students lacking a B-Form, schools are instructed to temporarily use the father's Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number, with the department explicitly stating that no child should be denied admission solely due to the absence of a B-Form. The directive emphasizes the importance of matching educational institution records with NADRA's database.
The National Savings Centre in Rawalpindi announced the winners of the 108th draw for the Rs750 prize bond, held on Thursday, October 15, 2026. This draw is part of Pakistan's prize bond scheme, which offers a secure investment opportunity where bonds can be encashed anytime while also providing a chance to win significant cash prizes. The first prize of Rs1.5 million was awarded to bond number 347425. Additionally, three bond numbers – 007447, 827353, and 876615 – each secured the second prize of Rs500,000. In total, the draw includes one first prize winner, three second prize winners, and 1,696 third prize winners of Rs9,300 each, with prizes redeemable at National Savings branches. Prize bond winnings are subject to a 15% withholding tax for filers and a 30% tax for non-filers.
In the third match of a tri-nation series held in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka won the toss against England and opted to bowl first. Both teams are eagerly seeking their first victory in the tournament. Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis explained that despite failing to chase targets in the initial two matches, the decision to bowl first was influenced by dew. Sri Lanka made one change to their squad, bringing in Dunith Wellalage for Sachindu Colombage. England's captain, Harry Brook, stated that his team would have preferred to bat first. England also made two changes, with Liam Dawson and Josh Tongue replacing Sonny Baker and Adil Rashid. Pakistan has been dominant in the series so far, defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the first match and England by 87 runs in the second.
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Guard Agriculture, a private agricultural research company, have entered into a three-year agreement to develop and commercialize hybrid wheat in Pakistan. This collaboration aims to achieve a significant 20 percent increase in per-acre wheat yield, a move considered crucial for boosting the nation's agricultural output. UAF will contribute its expertise in genetics, breeding, and agronomy, while Guard Agriculture will handle field trials, seed production, commercial assessments, and provide research funding. Dr. Zulfikar Ali, UAF Vice Chancellor, highlighted that hybrid wheat could enhance production without escalating farmers' input costs, with potential yields reaching 98 maunds per acre under optimal conditions. Guard Agriculture's CEO, Shahzad Ali Malik, anticipates that commercialization could take an additional three to four years, drawing on their prior success with hybrid rice to improve wheat productivity in Pakistan.
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), under the Punjab Chief Minister’s Initiative Makerspace Punjab, has forged partnerships with three universities: COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, the University of Education, Lahore, and the University of the Punjab, Lahore. These Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aim to foster research, IT hardware innovation, and collaboration between academia and industry. The agreements will grant students, researchers, and faculty access to specialized labs, technical guidance, training, and prototyping facilities, supporting collaborative research, entrepreneurship, and the development of industry-aligned technology solutions. PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf emphasized that Makerspace Punjab seeks to bolster Punjab's IT hardware innovation ecosystem through product design, rapid prototyping, and local technology development, ultimately cultivating an innovation-driven culture and accelerating indigenous technology. The initiative signifies a strategic move to nurture young talent and strengthen the province's technological self-reliance.
Pakistan's rice sector is investigating climate-smart farming techniques, specifically Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), to potentially secure carbon financing. This initiative, proposed by Galaxy Agrinomix and the Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation (PBHF) with SPAR6C program support, was discussed at a stakeholder consultation in Gujranwala. AWD, which involves periodically drying rice fields, is projected to save 30% of irrigation water and reduce methane emissions by up to 48%, contingent on local verification. The project intends to register with Gold Standard and explore carbon financing under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, requiring documented farming practices, emissions monitoring, and independent verification. The event, attended by hundreds of farmers, government officials, researchers, and industry representatives, including Muhammad Ali, Commissioner of Gujranwala Division, and Arif Goheer from the Global Change Impact Studies Centre, emphasized the necessity for farmer training, efficient water management, and transparent verification to ensure environmental gains without impacting crop yields.
The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has successfully led the financial close of a PKR 17 billion Syndicated Islamic Project Finance Facility for Novacare Hospitals (Private) Limited, aimed at developing a 250-bed tertiary care hospital and a feeder clinic in Islamabad. This marks Pakistan’s first greenfield hospital to be financed under such a facility, setting a new precedent for long-term healthcare infrastructure financing. With Novacare's sponsors contributing PKR 11.5 billion in equity, the total project cost is approximately PKR 28.5 billion. BOP acted as Intercreditor Agent and Joint Mandated Lead Advisor & Arranger alongside United Bank Limited and Habib Bank Limited, with other institutions also participating. This initiative is seen as a crucial investment in Pakistan's healthcare sector, with BOP's President & CEO, Zafar Masud, emphasizing its potential to ease future healthcare projects' access to long-term capital and deliver international standards of care.
Lahore Safari Park in Pakistan is set to open the country's first-ever Giraffe Cafe, offering visitors a unique experience to feed giraffes by hand while enjoying tea and coffee in a wild-themed environment. This cafe is part of the Lahore Safari Zoo's revamping project and is eagerly anticipated by citizens who look forward to interacting closely with the giraffes. The park currently houses 10 giraffes, brought from South Africa in September 2023, and they are carefully monitored in special temperature-controlled enclosures. The park administration is seeking applications for a three-year lease to manage the cafe, hoping to partner with a renowned coffee brand for professional operation. This initiative aims to provide a new recreational facility, allowing visitors to observe and learn about giraffes up close, with the park management also hopeful for future breeding of the giraffes, which would be a significant development for the species in Pakistan. The Lahore Safari Park is managed by Punjab Wildlife Rangers, while other services like parking and ticketing are handled by a private company.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reaffirmed her government's commitment to supporting farmers and enhancing food security in a message for World Food Day. She praised farmers and agricultural workers for their tireless efforts in ensuring food supplies, acknowledging their vital role in feeding millions despite challenges like climate change and extreme environmental changes. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of adopting modern agricultural technologies, innovation, and mechanization to meet increasing food demands. She highlighted existing initiatives in Punjab, such as the Kisan Card, Green Tractor Scheme, agricultural mechanization, and the Model Agri Mall, which provide various facilities and support to farmers. Maryam Nawaz also announced plans to establish ten additional Agri Malls across Punjab to further facilitate farmers and strengthen the province's agricultural infrastructure, underscoring the critical contributions of farmers to national food security and agricultural development.
The Punjab Council of the Arts in Lahore has issued notices to three stage actresses, Urooj Khan, Nayab Khan, and Masooma Malik, for "objectionable" and "vulgar" dance performances in local theatre halls. The actresses have been given two days to submit their explanations to the Council's office in Shadman, Lahore. This action reflects a tightening of scrutiny by authorities over performances, with the Council making it clear that inappropriate content will not be tolerated. Mughis Bin Aziz, Director of Operations for the Punjab Council of the Arts, emphasized that such performances are unacceptable and warned of strict action against artists for irresponsible conduct. Failure to respond within the given timeframe could lead to further punitive measures by the relevant authorities, highlighting a significant crackdown on perceived indecency in public stage performances.
Mahnoor Safdar, daughter of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, married Azaan Jabbar in a private Nikah ceremony at Jati Umra, Lahore. The bride's striking appearance, featuring a silver-grey and champagne ensemble with intricate metallic embroidery and a statement diamond necklace with a cushion-cut yellow gemstone, garnered significant attention as pictures and videos circulated online. Despite the visual spectacle, the event remained a closely guarded family affair, with invitations limited to immediate family and close relatives, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif. Azaan Jabbar hails from a prominent business family known for large-scale flour-milling and trading. This wedding follows Mahnoor's recent graduation from SOAS University of London, which her mother Maryam Nawaz also attended.
Tariq, the primary suspect in the murder of 15-year-old orphan Waseem in Multan, has been killed during an alleged police encounter. According to SP CCD Bahawalpur Region Shafqat Atta, Tariq had escaped police custody the previous night. Police attempted to intercept Tariq and an accomplice, who were on a motorcycle on the Eastern Bypass, leading to the suspects opening fire while trying to flee. During the exchange of fire, Tariq was reportedly killed by his own accomplice's gunfire, and was later identified. Tariq was accused of running over and killing the orphan Waseem with his car in Multan, an incident that had previously drawn significant public attention.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has won a defamation case against Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moeen Qureshi, who has been ordered by the Defamation Tribunal in Lahore to pay her Rs84 million in damages. The defamation suit was filed by Bokhari under the Defamation Act after Qureshi made specific allegations during a television programme. Qureshi had claimed that Bokhari arranged for 150-200 paid individuals to enter the Punjab Assembly during a visit by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and also alleged that journalists questioning the KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were paid employees of Bokhari. Bokhari challenged these remarks as defamatory, seeking the exact amount of damages that was ultimately awarded to her. This tribunal decision mandates Qureshi to pay the significant sum to Bokhari, marking a notable legal victory for the information minister.
Due to uncertain economic conditions and heavy taxes, over 40% of power looms in Pakistan have become inactive, following hundreds of cotton ginning factories and textile mills, leading to distress across the entire cotton sector. The local cotton industry faces existential threats as production costs are not competitive with rival countries. Ehsan-ul-Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum, has urged federal and provincial governments to introduce farmer-friendly and industry-friendly policies for the immediate revival of the cotton industry. He also noted that unfavorable weather has affected the quality of cotton, leading to increased imports and prices. High electricity and gas tariffs, interest rates on loans, and tax rates in Pakistan are among the highest globally, escalating production costs compared to regional competitors, which has consistently led to a decline in exports and an increase in imports over several years. The inactivity in these industrial sectors has not only increased unemployment but is also impacting the overall national product and growth rate, necessitating urgent government action to reduce industrial production costs and reactivate industries for economic growth.
In an emphatic display at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in an ODI tri-series match, largely thanks to a sensational all-round performance by Arafat Minhas. The 21-year-old left-hander first rescued Pakistan's innings with a maiden ODI half-century, scoring 59 runs off 58 balls, to help set a target of 302-9. He then returned to demolish England's batting lineup with a magical six-wicket haul, bowling them out for 215 in 38.5 overs. Minhas's key dismissals included opener Tom Banton for 57 and captain Harry Brook for five, alongside Jordan Cox, Jamie Overton, Will Jacks, and Adil Rashid. This performance marks Pakistan's second victory in the tournament and highlights Minhas as a significant emerging talent and potential match-winner for future ODI plans, offering a strong argument for his inclusion in the squad.
Ali Dar, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on AI and Special Initiatives, announced that Artificial Intelligence will significantly enhance governance and public service delivery across Punjab. This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision to distribute AI benefits widely among citizens, sectors, and communities. Dar emphasized that the integration of AI aims to improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens by making public services more efficient, transparent, and accessible. AI is expected to open new opportunities in critical sectors like education, agriculture, healthcare, and industry. The Punjab government also plans to equip its youth with AI knowledge and modern skills to thrive in the digital economy, ensuring that both large institutions and individual citizens, along with small businesses, can leverage these technological advancements.
Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited and the Environment Protection & Climate Change Department (EP&CCD) of the Government of Punjab have established a Joint Collaborative Framework on October 12, 2026, to advance environmental sustainability, climate action, and sustainable development across the Punjab province. This initiative marks Fatima Fertilizer as the first company to partner with EP&CCD in such an endeavor, reflecting a shared commitment to unite public and private sector stakeholders. The framework will facilitate partnerships, mobilize participation, and promote initiatives in areas such as environmental awareness, air quality improvement, smog mitigation, water conservation, waste management, biodiversity protection, and green innovation. This collaboration aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Both Rabel Sadozai from Fatima Fertilizer and Ms. Silwat Saeed from EP&CCD emphasized the critical role of cross-sector partnerships and collective action in addressing environmental challenges and building a sustainable future for Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a 10 billion Rupee subsidy package to combat the escalating flour prices in the region. The decision was made during an emergency meeting called in response to wheat prices in Punjab reaching Rs5,200 per 40kg, an increase of Rs400 in just four days, which has subsequently driven up flour prices in major cities like Lahore and Karachi. The subsidy aims to provide relief to consumers affected by rising inflation, with CM Nawaz directing authorities to ensure consistent availability of affordable flour and wheat. The government plans to increase the quota of subsidised wheat supplied to flour mills at a rate of Rs3,800 per maund to help stabilize market prices. This move comes as flour millers face pressure from delays in government wheat releases, forcing them to purchase at higher market rates and leading to significant price hikes for various flour and bread products across Punjab and Sindh.
Air travel from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE has been severely disrupted due to heightened tensions in the Gulf region. At Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, 21 flights were cancelled and several others faced delays ranging from three to ten hours, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and facing considerable difficulties. Additionally, more than seven flights from Lahore bound for Jeddah and Riyadh were diverted to other airports within Saudi Arabia. This widespread disruption highlights how quickly regional instability impacts international air travel, creating significant uncertainty for passengers traveling between Pakistan and Gulf destinations. Airlines have advised passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, as schedules, routes, and operations are subject to sudden changes given the evolving security situation.
TikToker Laiba Tariq, known as “Gujratan,” has been booked for allegedly opening fire on Head Constable Haseeb-ul-Hassan inside a police post in Attock, Pakistan, on October 4, 2026. The incident occurred at Police Post Burhan, where Gujratan reportedly confronted Haseeb-ul-Hassan about him allegedly talking about her. During the altercation, she is accused of pulling out a 30-bore pistol and firing directly at him; the bullet reportedly passed through his wallet in his shirt pocket, narrowly missing him. Another constable, Hasrat Khan, was present and witnessed part of the event. Gujratan allegedly fled in the darkness, as the police post was without electricity. A case for attempted murder (Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code) has been registered, and police are conducting raids to arrest her, with the motive and specific weapon details still under investigation. Haseeb-ul-Hassan stated he previously had a limited acquaintance with her at another police post.
A man identified as Saleh Iftikhar was arrested at Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, after allegedly posing as a doctor and attempting to obtain blood from the hospital's blood bank for sale. This is not the first time the suspect has attempted to acquire blood through improper means, according to the complaint filed by ward master Raja Nauman. Hospital staff apprehended Iftikhar when he returned to the blood bank wearing a doctor's uniform but was unable to provide credentials. A mobile phone was recovered from his possession. Police have registered a case against him for fraudulent activities related to obtaining and selling blood, and a further investigation into the incident is underway. This event highlights potential security vulnerabilities in hospital blood banks and the serious implications of illicit blood trading.
Nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) across Punjab, Pakistan, are currently holding Class 9 annual exams, with the Chemistry paper scheduled for April 27. The syllabus encompasses fundamental concepts such as atomic structure and chemical bonding. To assist students in preparing, the Lahore Board has uploaded final model papers on its official website. These model papers are crucial for students to understand the exam's two-section structure (Objective and Subjective), typical question types, and how to manage the allotted 2 hours effectively. Achieving high marks in science subjects like Chemistry is emphasized as beneficial for students aspiring to pursue further studies in the field.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and strategic coordination during a meeting between Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed ambassador, Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy, at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Discussions centered on strengthening military collaboration, reinforcing institutional links, and improving strategic coordination amidst evolving regional security challenges, with both sides expressing satisfaction with progress under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. This agreement, which also includes Türkiye, establishes a framework for collective defence and military coordination, considering an armed attack against one participating country as an attack against all three. The pact aims to bolster deterrence and defence preparedness, building on the existing strong defence relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which gained momentum after their bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025. This latest engagement underscores a continued push by both nations to consolidate ties and expand defence collaboration as regional security dynamics shift, highlighting the strategic importance of coordination among the three countries.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that Punjab is entering the era of artificial intelligence, a claim made while criticizing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for alleged lack of development. During a laptop distribution ceremony in Sahiwal, she awarded 'Honhaar' scholarships to 1,500 students and provided laptops to 4,700 students, emphasizing the establishment of AI laboratories in the province. Maryam Nawaz also directed the construction of a girls' hostel at the University of Sahiwal and the restoration of nurses' scholarships, while announcing the provision of 100,000 electric bikes to students this year with affordable installments of Rs3,000. These initiatives, despite budgetary constraints, aim to empower youth and facilitate their travel, underscoring the government's commitment to public service and technological advancement in Punjab.
