The Global Hunger Index 2026 report, which assesses hunger levels around the world, has been released, highlighting a troubling situation in Pakistan regarding hunger, malnutrition and food security.

According to the report, Pakistan’s food security situation remains significantly worse than that of several other countries in the region. Pakistan scored 25.5 on the 2026 Global Hunger Index, indicating a serious level of hunger in the country.

The regional score for South Asia stands at 23.5, while the global score is 18.1. Pakistan’s score has improved from 36.2 in 2000 to 25.5 in 2026, reflecting a significant long-term reduction in hunger.

However, Pakistan ranked 106th out of 122 countries in the 2026 index, placing it below India, Bangladesh and Iran.

India ranked 100th, Bangladesh 84th and Iran 41st in the index.

The report noted that Pakistan continues to lag behind other countries in the region on key hunger indicators, including child undernutrition, stunting and under-five mortality.

According to the Global Hunger Index, the world is witnessing a reversal in progress on food availability and food security after several decades of improvement, raising concerns about the growing challenges of hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

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KARACHI – Arey Wah Entertainment (AWE), is a fresh and independent digital entertainment platform, recently launched on YouTube. Dedicated to deliver deeply relatable stories & extraordinary content – AWE will break away from the traditional television programming, to cater to more dynamic and diverse demographic segments and the global Urdu-speaking audiences.

The creators of AWE firmly believe in producing stories that various audiences ‘need’ to watch, rather than showing what the people ‘want’ to watch. The platform will show more constructive narratives, through more insightful, interesting and positive programmes on the screen. Hence, restoring the high standards and creative substance that was Pakistani television’s legacy.

A vibrant ceremony was recently held to launch AWE. The event was attended by prominent personalities from film, drama, media and advertising industries including Ahmed Kapadia, Chairman and CEO of Pakistan’s leading integrated-media enterprise – Synergy Group.

To inaugurate this fascinating digital venture – AWE, a number of exciting programmes have been introduced, including ‘Arey Wah’ – the flagship comedy series that began on the 15^th of October, 2026. It takes the viewers on a glamorous, chaotic, and bold journey behind the scenes, across the advertising agencies and their professional lifestyles. Its episodes will portray the everyday realities of the corporate world. This show stars seasoned actors like: Erica Robin, Reham Rafiq, Shaheera Jalil, and Waqas GM.

Moving away from the extraordinary character archetypes, is another series named: ‘Salaam Zindagi’, which will focus on ordinary people, portraying neat conclusions through simple characters. It creatively captures the awkward, ridiculous, and deeply human reality of living together. Its cast includes: Erica Robin, Hurriya Mansoor, Sahal Soomro, Daniyal Omar, Abdul Ahad, and Shakila Hassan.

Another powerful narrative is being depicted through ‘Chikkarr’ – a story reflecting our collective social-fabric, through characters who: raise their voices and others who suppress them, and also the ones who remain silent.  So, it is everyone’s story that inspires its audience to break their silence, ask critical questions, and challenge the status quo.

Viewers can simply stream all the latest shows and subscribe directly, by visiting the official Arey Wah Entertainment channel on YouTube.

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LAHORE – Sri Lanka have suffered a major setback ahead of the tri-nation ODI series involving Pakistan and England, as opening batter Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Lahiru Udara has been named as his replacement in the Sri Lankan squad.

According to report, Nissanka will miss the tri-nation ODI series, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and features Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England.

Nissanka sustained an injury to his left thigh muscle during Sri Lanka’s tour of England and has yet to make a full recovery. He was initially included in Sri Lanka’s 16-member squad for the tri-series subject to passing a fitness test. However, his failure to recover in time means he will be unavailable for the matches against Pakistan and England.

Following Nissanka’s withdrawal, Sri Lanka Cricket selected Lahiru Udara as his replacement. The 32-year-old will now represent Sri Lanka in the ODI series against Pakistan and England.

Udara has played five Test matches and seven T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka but is yet to make his debut in One-Day International cricket.

He has earned another opportunity in white-ball cricket following an impressive batting performance in the first T20 International against Pakistan. Udara scored 91 runs off 55 balls in the opening match, the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan batter in the T20 series.

In July this year, Udara also produced an impressive innings of 188 runs in a Test match against the West Indies. However, he has struggled to maintain that form, failing to score more than 30 runs in his subsequent five Test innings.

Udara was not included in Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, making the tri-nation ODI tournament an important opportunity for him to establish himself at the international level.

In List A cricket, Udara has scored runs at an average of 32.09 and a strike rate of 85.97 across 97 innings.

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Pakistani actress Sehar Hashmi has broken her silence on the challenges faced by artists in the drama industry, raising questions about the unprofessional conduct of producers.

Sehar Hashmi, who made her acting debut with the drama serial Zulm, has established herself as a rising star over the past two to three years. She gained considerable recognition following the success of Shedai, while her portrayal of Shehr Bano in Zanjeerein also won her popularity among fans. The actress will soon be seen playing the younger version of Khush Bakht in the upcoming drama Dar-e-Nijat.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Sehar highlighted the issue of delayed payments to artists. She pointed out the double standards in the industry, saying that if an artist is even one day late, they are labelled unprofessional. However, when artists’ payments remain pending for months, the delay is brushed aside as an “accounts issue.”

The actress’s remarks have sparked renewed debate within the entertainment industry over artists’ rights, professional conduct, and the timely payment of their dues.

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LAHORE – Pakistani film actor Muammar Rana became emotional while addressing rumours of his separation from his wife, expressing hope that their relationship would not end and that they would reconcile.

During a recent interview, the actor discussed the ongoing speculation surrounding his marriage and revealed that the separation matter had reached court.

Muammar Rana said he had signed some documents in court but claimed he did not know exactly what the papers were.

During the conversation, the actor was asked which family members had supported him during difficult times. He became emotional while acknowledging the support of his father, brother and sister-in-law.

However, he said his wife and daughters had not stood by him during this challenging period.

Speaking emotionally, the actor said, “I have my dignity, please let me keep it. I do not want to say too much. I love my family deeply and simply want this situation not to end our relationship.”

When asked specifically whether he had signed khula (Islamic divorce) papers, Muammar Rana reiterated that he had signed certain documents in court but was unaware of their exact nature.

The actor expressed his deep love for his wife and daughters, making it clear that he did not want to end his relationship with his family and hoped for reconciliation.

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ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the Punjab government’s proposal to hold local government elections in phases in April 2027, deciding instead to proceed with issuing the election schedule without delay.

The commission has also directed the provincial government to provide lists of officers for appointment as District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) within one week.

According to an official statement, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to discuss local government elections in Punjab and cantonment areas. ECP members Nisar Ahmad Durrani, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (retired) Ikramullah Khan, along with the commission’s secretary and other senior officials, attended the meeting.

Punjab Government Proposes April 2027 Polls

During the briefing, the ECP was informed that the Punjab government had responded on October 14, 2026, to the commission’s October 2 letter and draft election programme.

The provincial government proposed holding local government elections in three phases in April 2027, citing dense fog and severe winter conditions in December, followed by the beginning of Ramadan in February.

However, the ECP described the response as unsatisfactory, stating that consultations with the provincial government under Section 219(3) of the Elections Act had been completed on August 20, 2026.

During those consultations, the Punjab government had agreed to hold local government elections between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. The commission said the provincial government was now seeking to change the previously agreed dates.

Taking into account its constitutional and legal responsibilities, the ECP decided to proceed with local government elections in Punjab and issue the schedule promptly. The commission directed its office to immediately submit the draft election programme for approval.

The ECP also expressed disappointment that the provincial government had not provided the required lists of officers for election duties, despite earlier instructions. It has now given the government one week to submit the lists.

ECP Decides to Proceed with Cantonment Elections

The commission also reviewed progress on local government elections in cantonment areas.

The meeting was informed that consultations had taken place on April 15, 2026, with the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and the Director General of the Military Lands and Cantonments Department.

During the meeting, the ECP had asked the Ministry of Defence secretary to submit a summary to the federal government so that it could formally request the commission to conduct cantonment elections under Section 19(D) of the Cantonments Act, 1924.

The commission said it had sent several reminder letters to the Ministry of Defence. The Chief Election Commissioner had also written to the prime minister on the matter, but no satisfactory response had been received.

In view of its constitutional and legal obligations, the ECP decided to proceed with elections in cantonment areas as well.

The commission has directed its office to immediately submit the cantonment election programme for approval, paving the way for the announcement of election schedules for both Punjab’s local governments and cantonment areas.

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ISLAMABAD – A joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday approved the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with 214 lawmakers voting in favour of the move and 56 opposing it.

The session was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. During the proceedings, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the presidential proclamation for imposing an emergency under Article 232(7) of the Constitution.

Opposition lawmakers staged a protest during the voting process, prompting the speaker to order a formal vote count.

The National Assembly and Senate had approved the emergency a day earlier, while opposition parties rejected the decision and boycotted the proceedings.

During the session, Ayaz Sadiq renewed his invitation to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to engage in dialogue in the National Assembly. Production orders were also issued for PTI lawmakers Sanaullah Mastikhel and Dawar Kundi.

Federal Government Announces Emergency Measures and Governor’s Rule

The federal government announced emergency measures and governor’s rule in KP following a cabinet meeting. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the decision on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Islamabad has justified its intervention by citing an increase in militant attacks and concerns over the provincial administration’s handling of counterterrorism operations.

The government has invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which address emergency powers and circumstances in which a provincial government is considered unable to function in accordance with constitutional requirements.

PTI leaders, however, have rejected the federal government’s allegations, claiming that security concerns are being used as a pretext to undermine the party’s political position in the province.

The development comes as PTI prepares to launch a long march from KP to Islamabad, demanding the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.

PTI Challenges Emergency in Peshawar High Court

PTI has moved the Peshawar High Court to challenge the imposition of the emergency and governor’s rule, opening a legal battle over the federal government’s intervention in the province.

The parliamentary approval comes amid an ongoing dispute between Islamabad and the former PTI-led provincial administration over security policy and constitutional authority.

Meanwhile, the federal government has approved the establishment of an Area Development Secretariat to oversee governance, security and development initiatives in several southern and former tribal districts of KP.

The areas covered by the proposed secretariat include Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram and North Waziristan.

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