The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said on Thursday it has arrested a suspect in Faisalabad for allegedly defrauding citizens through a TikTok account advertising visas for Saudi Arabia.

A case has been registered against the suspect, who allegedly “used fabricated documents and transferred fraudulent proceeds into bank accounts in collaboration with other” co-suspects, the agency said on X.

NCCIA said it recovered two mobile phones, 10 fake SIMs, an Easypaisa account and an alleged merchant account during the operation.

“Strict legal action will be taken against those using social media platforms to rob citizens on the pretext of overseas jobs and visas,” NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said in a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson.

He also urged citizens not to transfer money without verifying visa offers on social media and to immediately report any suspicious account to NCCIA.

According to the agency’s statistics for 2026, financial fraud remains the most widely reported cybercrime, constituting 48 per cent of all received complaints.

On Oct 10, NCCIA arrested 281 suspects, including 21 foreign nationals and 20 women, during operations against seven illegal call centres allegedly involved in financial fraud, online harassment and honey-trapping in Lahore.

In September, NCCIA, along with the Federal Investigation Agency, arrested six suspects involved in cyber fraud and financial scams, illegal money exchange and human trafficking across Punjab.

LAHORE – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested a well-known TikToker for allegedly harassing a female journalist on social media.

According to reports, the arrested TikToker has been identified as Muhammad Shahzaib, also known as Shahzaib Sialkoti, a resident of Sialkot. A case was registered against him following a complaint by the female journalist. The suspect had allegedly uploaded an obscene, insulting and derogatory video targeting the journalist on Facebook.

Reports said that, with the approval of the Additional Director of NCCIA Lahore, a raid was conducted at City Housing Society in Sialkot following a tip-off from an informant. The TikToker was arrested during the operation, and two mobile phones were recovered from his possession.

During an on-the-spot technical examination, investigators reportedly found that the suspect’s Facebook account, two Instagram accounts and TikTok account were active on the recovered phones.

According to reports, the controversial video was found in the Downloads folder of an iPhone. The investigation further revealed that the suspect’s Facebook and TikTok accounts were monetised and linked to a private bank account. He allegedly earned money by uploading roast videos and controversial content on social media.

Reports added that during interrogation, the TikToker admitted to uploading the video on September 10, 2026, and later deleting it because of the inappropriate language used in it.

The timely action by NCCIA Lahore highlights the agency’s stated commitment to investigating cyber harassment and defamation cases.

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Bus route · 12 stops

We toured Karachi’s Red Line to bring you this update

An interactive on what is finished, still under construction and what life beside the work looks like.

• Bus route
• Stop

Start at Malir Halt

Story by Muzhira Amin and Zareef Rind
Design by Mohsin Alam and Ibrahim Yahya
Videos edited by Wajid Usman

RAWALPINDI –  England set Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 430 runs in the third match of the tri-nation series being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to field first. However, England capitalised on the opportunity, scoring 429 for four in their allotted 50 overs.

England captain Harry Brook produced a sensational innings, scoring 202 off 116 balls to register a remarkable double century. Joe Root contributed 69 runs, Tom Banton scored 50, and Ben Duckett added 29, while Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 66.

For Sri Lanka, Dunith Wellalage claimed two wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Janith Liyanage took one wicket each.

Sri Lanka made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Dunith Wellalage in place of Sanchitha Colombage.

Meanwhile, Pakistan remain unbeaten in the tri-nation series, having defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match and England by 87 runs in the second.

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Facing US sanctions, the International Criminal Court was awarded the European Union’s top rights prize on Thursday, in a show of support that risks upsetting President Donald Trump.

“The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” said European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola, announcing the award.

The ICC thanked the European Parliament for giving it the Sakharov Prize “at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges”.

“Against this backdrop, the Sakharov Prize carries particular significance, reaffirming the importance of independent judicial institutions and of those who work to uphold international law,” ICC President Tomoko Akane said.

This month, the United States announced sanctions against the ICC aimed at crippling the day-to-day operations of the court, which tries individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Trump’s administration has vowed to dismantle the court “brick by brick”, furious that judges have issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes in Gaza.

The win comes after ex-ICC judge Navi Pillay, who also served as UN rights chief, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this month — a choice Trump slammed as “disgraceful”, arguing the award should have gone to him.

The EU has already thrown its support behind the ICC in the face of the US sanctions — which will come into force in six months — and has said it is “ready to take any necessary measures” to make sure the court can keep working.

“The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on social media after the prize was announced.

Brussels is hoping to use the delay before the sanctions are applied to try to talk the US down, but is also eyeing implementing a “blocking statute” to shield the ICC from Washington.

Three finalists

Set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, the EU prize is bestowed annually on individuals or organisations to recognise their fight for human rights or democracy.

The ICC was among three finalists this year, alongside Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu and twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, representing those prosecuted by the Iranian government.

The nominees are put forward by the political groupings in the EU, and the winner is chosen by senior lawmakers. An award ceremony will be held in December.

Lissu, head of Tanzania’s opposition Chadema party, was detained in April 2025. He faces a possible death penalty if convicted of treason for allegedly inciting the public to boycott elections last year.

Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, 21, have respectively been sentenced to death and 36 years in prison for having taken part in anti-government protests in Iran.

Other recent high-profile winners of the Sakharov Prize have been Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado, deceased Russian Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the people of Ukraine.

RAWALPINDI – England captain Harry Brook produced a sensational batting performance at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, smashing a fastest double century against Sri Lanka in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Nation Series.

Brook blasted an extraordinary 202 runs off just 116 balls, becoming the first England batter to score a double century in men’s One-Day International cricket.

Harry Brook smashed the fastest double-century in ODI history, off 114 balls, breaking Shubman Gill’s record of 117 balls

The England skipper dominated the Sri Lankan bowling attack with an outstanding display of power hitting and innovative stroke play. His remarkable knock included 16 fours and 10 sixes, leaving the opposition struggling to contain the aggressive captain.

Brook’s incredible innings helped England post a mammoth total of 429 for four, putting Sri Lanka under enormous pressure in the high-profile tri-series encounter.

Joe Root also contributed a valuable 69 runs, while Tom Banton scored 50 and Will Jacks provided a late explosive contribution with 66 off just 24 balls.

The Rawalpindi crowd witnessed a memorable display of modern ODI batting as Brook demonstrated his leadership, confidence and exceptional ability to dominate world-class bowling.

Brook’s historic double century marked a major milestone in English cricket and strengthened his reputation as one of the most dangerous batters in international cricket.

His extraordinary performance will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Nation Series.

 

 

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Pakistan and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to advance a coherent counterterrorism approach, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday.

The agreement was reached during the 10th round of the Pakistan-EU Bilateral Counterterrorism Dialogue, held in Islamabad.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Dr Fareha Bugti, director general (counterterrorism), while the EU side was headed by Anna Strazska, the European External Action Service’s special envoy for counterterrorism.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on recent regional and global developments affecting the terrorism threat landscape and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, reaffirming their commitment to combating the threat.

According to FO, the EU condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, expressed solidarity with the suffering of affected civilians and recognised the value of Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism.

“Acknowledging each other’s role in the ongoing global fight against terrorism, Pakistan and the EU expressed concern at the security implications of the situation in Afghanistan,” the statement added.

The two sides maintained that effective multilateralism remained essential to building lasting international consensus on terrorism.

The discussions also addressed the evolving nature of terrorist threats, including the exploitation of cyberspace and information and energy resources to advance their objectives, the statement said.

The FO said Pakistan and the EU exchanged best practices on preventing and countering violent extremism, terrorism financing and radicalisation in all forms, particularly the use of cyberspace by terrorists.

It added that the “two sides identified priority areas for cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to regular, institutionalised engagement on counterterrorism”.

The FO said the next round of the dialogue would be held in Brussels at a mutually convenient date next year.

The dialogue comes as Pakistan’s counterterrorism challenge enters a new and more complex phase, with terrorist groups evolving their methods of financing and recruitment.

On Tuesday, an international seminar on Pakistan’s evolving counterterrorism landscape, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, highlighted the changing methods of terrorist groups, including their financing and recruitment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the Afghan authorities to take “concrete, verifiable and irreversible action” against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups operating from Afghan soil.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who also addressed the seminar, cited UN assessments indicating that more than 6,000 TTP fighters were present in Afghanistan, with the overall militant presence exceeding 20,000.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s incomes could triple by 2050 if the country ensures faster implementation of structural reforms, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Pakistan Development Update, titled Attaining Escape Velocity.

The report says that following progress on macroeconomic stabilisation, Pakistan has an opportunity to achieve faster and sustained economic growth and create more jobs.

Sound macroeconomic policies in recent years have helped stabilise the economy and preserve growth despite the impact of the Middle East conflict.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth increased to 3.7 per cent in FY26 from 3.2pc in FY25.

Revenue growth and expenditure restraint supported record primary fiscal surpluses, which reached 2.9pc of GDP in FY26, while strong remittances enabled the country to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves.

These improvements were recognised through upgrades by two major international rating agencies, S&P and Moody’s, and enabled Pakistan to return to international debt markets with the issuance of a $3 billion Eurobond.

“Pakistan has made real progress in restoring stability, and markets have taken notice,” World Bank Country Dir­ector Bolormaa Amgaa­baz­­ar said.

“But real per capita growth — the rate at which the income of the average Pakistani increases — remains stuck at around 1.6pc. Reforms to drive faster growth are now urgently needed,” she added.

The report finds that higher growth is possible if Pakistan follows the path taken by other successful countries in pursuing ambitious economic reforms. Upgrading policies and institutions to the standards of the average middle-income country could drive sustained annual growth of 6.2pc to 6.9pc, allowing Pakistan to reach Vietnam’s current income level by 2050.

“With macro stabilisation achieved but fiscal resources and foreign exchange still tightly constrained, structural reform to encourage private investment is the necessary next step towards higher living standards,” said Sebastian Essl, the report’s lead author.

“Achieving this kind of private-sector-led growth requires a plan, coordination, and committed reform implementation,” he added.

The report outlines an ambitious set of reforms that could enable Pakistan to attain by 2050 the per capita income levels of countries currently at the upper-middle-income threshold.

Many of the proposed measures build on reforms already underway. These include timely adjustments to power-sector tariffs, which helped reduce energy subsidies from 1.1pc of GDP in FY25 to 0.8pc in FY26, continued trade liberalisation under the National Tariff Policy and the recent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Building on these measures, sustained progress will depend on further reforms to improve the business environment, overhaul the tax system, reduce the state’s presence in the economy and expand access to finance.

ISLAMABAD – Gold prices in Pakistan continues to move downward on October 22, as another major reduction brought some relief to jewellery buyers amid falling international bullion rates.

The domestic gold market recorded a fresh decline of Rs3,000 per tola, pushing the price of 24-karat gold down to Rs431,536, according to the latest figures issued by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today

Gold Category	Latest Price	Change
24K Gold (1 Tola)	Rs431,536	↓ Rs3,000
24K Gold (10 Grams)	Rs369,972	↓ Rs2,572
International Gold (1 Ounce)	$4,090	↓ $30
Silver (1 Tola)	Rs6,086	↓ Rs121

Pakistan’s bullion market has witnessed consecutive price cuts this week, with gold becoming noticeably cheaper within 48 hours. On Wednesday, October 21, the price of one tola of gold stood at Rs434,536 after a reduction of Rs900.

The downward trend intensified on Thursday as another Rs3,000 was wiped off the per-tola price, bringing the rate to Rs431,536.

Date	Gold Price Per Tola	Daily Decline
October 21, 2026	Rs434,536	Rs900
October 22, 2026	Rs431,536	Rs3,000
Total Two-Day Decline	—	Rs3,900

International Gold Prices

The decline in Pakistan’s gold market coincided with a fresh correction in global bullion prices. International gold prices dropped by $30 per ounce, settling at $4,090 compared with the previous level of $4,120.

Changes in international bullion prices are an important factor influencing domestic gold rates, alongside movements in the rupee-dollar exchange rate.

The downward pressure was not limited to gold, as silver also registered a significant price reduction. According to APGJSA figures, silver became cheaper by Rs121 per tola, with the latest rate reaching Rs6,086. Before the reduction, silver was priced at Rs6,207 per tola.

 

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President Asif Ali Zardari departed for Germany on Thursday on a three-day visit to discuss bilateral ties as the two countries are set to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

In a statement issued earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) said the president’s visit, scheduled for Oct 22-24, is “part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany”.

President Zardari “has departed from Lahore for Germany”, the President’s office said on social media on Thursday.

The FO statement highlighted that the visit “holds special significance in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries being commemorated this year”.

It said the visit reflects the “deep commitment of both countries to further strengthening the partnership”.

During his visit, President Zardari will hold meetings with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as senior leadership and business leaders, with a “particular focus оп economic and trade cooperation”, FO said.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is also expected to accompany the president on his trip, with the matter being discussed in Murad’s meeting with German Consul General Thomas E. Schultze.

In September, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, Germany appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in regional conflicts, especially in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab while the two sides also agreed to “get negotiations on peace for Ukraine going”, according to the German foreign office.

Meanwhile, in June, a German delegation announced plans to bring about 30 German companies to Pakistan and link local businesses to European markets.

ISLAMABAD – Ahead of the winter gas crunch, Pakistanis witnessed another price shock as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rates have skyrocketed to Rs750 per kilogram in some areas, raising fears that the cost of a domestic cylinder could cross Rs10,000 mark.

With gas demand expected to rise in months to come, consumers could face another blow as the government considers a major overhaul of the country’s LPG pricing mechanism. Under the proposed changes, LPG prices could be revised daily instead of monthly, potentially exposing households and businesses to more frequent fluctuations in cooking gas costs.

LPG Prices Update

The situation becomes concerning in northern regions, where LPG is reportedly being sold for as much as Rs750 per kg. At this rate, a standard 11.8-kilogram domestic LPG cylinder would cost approximately Rs8,850, excluding any additional charges. A further increase could push the cylinder price beyond Rs10,000.

The steep rise is particularly worrying for households that rely on LPG for cooking and heating, especially in areas where piped natural gas is unavailable or unreliable.

Amid growing concerns over rising gas prices, the federal government is reportedly considering replacing the existing monthly LPG pricing formula with a daily rate-setting mechanism. The proposal is intended to address price volatility, discourage hoarding and prevent artificial shortages during the winter months.

LPG importers have urged authorities to review the existing price determination system, arguing that monthly revisions may not adequately reflect changing market conditions. Importers have proposed two alternatives: weekly or daily LPG price adjustments. The suggested reforms would replace the current monthly system with a more frequently updated pricing structure.

Although fears of cylinder price intensified, the price has not been officially announced. For a standard 11.8-kilogram domestic cylinder to cross Rs10,000, the LPG rate would need to exceed approximately Rs847.46 per kilogram, excluding additional charges. At the reported rate of Rs750 per kilogram, the gas alone would cost Rs8,850.

LPG overcharging costs Pakistani consumers more than Rs1.4b five days

 

 

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LAHORE – Apps and games developed in Pakistan recorded 4.6 billion downloads worldwide over the past 12 months, Google said on Thursday, highlighting the sector’s potential to contribute to the country’s digital exports.

The company shared the figures at Think Apps 2026 in Lahore, where Pakistani developers and international industry experts discussed the use of artificial intelligence to improve production, attract users and expand into overseas markets.

Sessions focused on growth strategies and monetisation as studios contend with increasing competition and rising user acquisition costs.

Opportunities for local studios

Google said Pakistan’s app and gaming industry now supported more than 30,000 professionals, with studios such as Game District and Funsol developing products for audiences beyond the domestic market.

Farhan Qureshi, Google’s cluster director for Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Frontier Markets, said the international reach of Pakistani developers reflected the strength of local talent.

“The global impact of Pakistan’s developers reflects the world-class talent and ambition driving the local ecosystem,” he said.

He added that the company aimed to help studios use AI to develop products for international audiences, strengthen their businesses and increase Pakistan’s participation in the global digital economy.

Experts at the event discussed how AI could accelerate coding, support creative production and help developers respond to changing user needs. They also emphasised the importance of product quality and retaining users to sustain growth.

Tools for development and expansion

Under its “Build, Yield and Scale” roadmap, Google outlined tools intended to support studios through product development, user acquisition and revenue generation.

The company said Google Cloud AI could assist developers in building products, while Google Ads and AdMob could support audience growth and advertising revenue.

It also highlighted opportunities to enter new categories and markets, pointing to Google Play’s global reach of more than three billion monthly active users.

AI training pledge

Google reiterated its pledge to train 100,000 developers in Pakistan in AI by 2028, saying the initiative would support the development of new apps and games.

The company also highlighted plans to enable the local production of 500,000 Chromebooks to broaden access to technology for education.

Separately, it said 200,000 families had received online safety training through its Digital Pasban programme.

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LAHORE – The race for thousands of seats in Punjab’s private medical and dental colleges is set to begin, with University of Health Sciences (UHS) announcing admission schedule for the 2026–27 academic session.

Aspiring doctors will have short window to submit their applications, while dental candidates will follow a separate admission timeline. According to the schedule reported on October 22, the centralised admission process for private MBBS colleges will begin on October 23, 2026, with applications closing on November 6. The first selection list is scheduled for November 18.

Punjab Private MBBS Admissions 2026 Dates

Under the announced timetable, students seeking admission to private medical colleges can submit their applications online beginning October 23. Candidates will have until November 6 to complete the application process, leaving approximately two weeks to submit the required information and documents.

The first MBBS selection list is expected to be released on November 18, allowing applicants to check whether they have secured admission based on their merit and preferences.

Admission Event	Date
Online applications open	October 23, 2026
Last date to apply	November 6, 2026
First MBBS selection list	November 18, 2026

UHS Private BDS Admissions 2026–27 Schedule

Students interested in pursuing Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes will have to wait until December to begin their admission applications. According to the reported schedule, online applications for private dental colleges will open on December 18, 2026, and remain available until January 1, 2027.

The first selection list for private BDS colleges is scheduled to be published on January 13, 2027.

Admission Event	Date
Online applications open	December 18, 2026
Last date to apply	January 1, 2027
First BDS selection list	January 13, 2027

MBBS and BDS Seats

Competition for medical and dental admissions is expected to remain intense, with approximately 5,500 seats reported across Punjab’s private-sector institutions.

Figures associated with the provincial admission policy indicate that 33 private medical colleges offer approximately 4,400 MBBS seats, while 18 private dental colleges account for around 1,100 BDS seats.

Programme	Private Colleges	Seats
MBBS	33	4,400
BDS	18	1,100
Total	51	5,500

The figures are based on reported allocations under the provincial policy and remain subject to applicable Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) approvals.

MDCAT 2026 UHS Question Paper and Answer Keys

UHS MBBS and BDS Merit Formula 2026–27

Admission to medical and dental colleges will be determined through a merit-based system that considers MDCAT performance alongside candidates’ academic records.

Under Punjab’s admission policy, the merit calculation follows this formula:

Qualification	Merit Weightage
MDCAT	50%
FSc Pre-Medical / HSSC or equivalent	40%
Matric / SSC or equivalent	10%
Total	100%

Candidates must also fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions, including the minimum academic marks and applicable MDCAT qualifying requirements.

Unlike separate applications submitted directly to individual institutions, Punjab’s centralised system places the admission process under the supervision of UHS. The university is responsible for managing applications and merit-based selection in accordance with the provincial government’s admission framework.

The arrangement is intended to promote transparency, consistency and compliance with admission regulations across participating private medical and dental colleges.

Candidates should ensure that their academic information, MDCAT results, supporting documents and college preferences are submitted correctly before the relevant deadlines.

Apply for UHS Private Medical and Dental Colleges

Students seeking admission should follow the official instructions issued by UHS when the relevant online application window opens. Applicants should review their eligibility, prepare their academic documents, complete the prescribed online application and follow the university’s instructions concerning fees, preferences and document verification.

Students can obtain official announcements and admission instructions through the UHS website at www.uhs.edu.pk.

UHS Private MBBS and BDS Selection Lists 2026–27

The first selection lists will be among the most closely watched developments for aspiring medical and dental students. According to the reported timetable, the private MBBS first selection list is expected on November 18, 2026, followed by the private BDS first selection list on January 13, 2027.

Candidates appearing on selection lists will need to follow the university’s instructions concerning fee deposits, verification and confirmation of admission within the prescribed deadlines.

 

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KARACHI: A local court on Thursday rejected TV anchorperson Iqrarul Hassan’s bail plea in a cybercrime case pertaining to the alleged dissemination of anti-state content.

Hassan was arrested last week for allegedly disseminating anti-state, false and defamatory content through his official social media accounts. He was booked under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

According to an order issued by the judicial magistrate, a copy of which is available with Dawn, “the order disposes of the bail application filed under Section 497 of the CrPC on behalf of the applicant/accused, Syed Iqrar Ul Hassan, son of Syed Muhammad Ismail, who has been arrested in connection with FIR No. 101/2026 registered at Police Station NCCIA, Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Karachi, under Sections 9, 10, 20, 24 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (as amended in 2025)”.

The notice of the bail application was served on the NCCIA’s additional director (legal), the order states.

Earlier this week, Hassan was sent to prison on judicial remand after the NCCIA sought an extension of his physical remand by another eight days.

However, Karachi (East) Judicial Magistrate-I Gulraiz Memon observed that the agency had been given “sufficient time of physical custody”.

“No cogent reason has been given by NCCIA for extension of physical custody; therefore, the accused is remanded to judicial custody till Oct 26,” the judge stated in his order.

The court also issued notices to the NCCIA on a bail application filed by Hassan’s defence counsel, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, and fixed the matter for hearing on Oct 21.

On Oct 17, Hassan was produced before Judicial Magistrate Memon upon the completion of his initial four-day physical remand. The NCCIA sought a further 10 days of custody for questioning, but the magistrate rejected the request and granted the agency two more days.

The magistrate also dismissed a plea filed by Hassan’s counsel under Section 63 of the CrPC seeking his discharge from the case.

In its remand report, the NCCIA said the investigation had progressed but several important aspects remained to be examined in light of the forensic analysis of Hassan’s seized digital devices and records from other departments, including the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

The agency said digital devices containing 1,145.89 gigabytes of data had been handed over to its forensic team for analysis to identify relevant applications, social media accounts, email accounts, stored files and communications linked to the alleged content.

The NCCIA also sought further custody to trace the “origin, relation, financial correlation and cross-border linkages (if any)” of the posts.

In his earlier order, the magistrate observed that collecting digital footprints, technical data and forensic evidence required reasonable time, adding that discharging an accused while the investigation was under way could hamper the process.

The NCCIA alleged that the content was intended to incite the public against constitutional implementation and could cause panic, disorder and unrest.

Hassan was booked under sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyberterrorism), 24 (cyberstalking) and 26A (Punishment for false and fake information) of Peca. He had been critical of the government’s policies on social media.

LAHORE – Girls once again outclassed boys in BISE Lahore Class 11 annual examinations, as the board announced its Intermediate Part-I Results 2026, with more than 99,000 students passing and over 66,000 failing to clear the examinations.

Female candidates secured pass percentage of 68.23%, compared to just 47.32% among boys. The nearly 21-percentage-point gap has emerged as one of the biggest talking points of this year’s results.

168,655 candidates registered for the examinations, of whom 165,245 appeared. A total of 99,191 students passed, taking the overall success rate to 60.03%, while 66,054 candidates failed to secure passing status.

Improvement over Last Year

Despite large number of unsuccessful candidates, the 2026 results brought encouraging news for the board, with the overall pass percentage rising from 53.77% in 2025 to 60.03% this year. Interestingly, fewer students appeared in 2026, yet more managed to pass. The number of successful candidates increased by 6,650, even as examination attendance declined by 6,855.

The improvement of 6.26 percentage points indicates stronger overall performance compared with the previous year.

Female students emerged as the clear winners of the 2026 examinations, accounting for more than two-thirds of all successful candidates. Of the 100,409 girls who appeared, 68,509 passed, producing a success rate of 68.23%. In comparison, only 30,682 of the 64,836 boys who appeared managed to pass, resulting in a pass percentage of 47.32%.

The figures show that approximately 69% of all successful candidates were girls, highlighting their dominance in this year’s examinations.

Pre-Engineering vs Humanities

A closer examination of District Lahore’s results reveals that Pre-Engineering students achieved the highest pass percentage among major academic groups, while Humanities and related subjects recorded the weakest performance.

Pre-Engineering topped the district rankings with a 78.67% success rate, followed by Pre-Medical at 75.12%. General Science recorded a 58.89% pass rate, Commerce stood at 53.24%, and Humanities and Others finished at 48.33%.

The most alarming gender disparity appeared in Humanities, where only 23.12% of boys passed, compared with 61.62% of girls. Girls also dominated Pre-Engineering with an impressive 85.05% pass percentage against 75.40% for boys.

In Pre-Medical, girls secured 76.71%, compared with 69.13% for boys. The trend continued in General Science, where girls achieved 63.82% against 54.06%, and Commerce, where their pass percentage reached 62.33%, compared with 43.54% among boys.

The results also revealed a strong showing among high achievers, with 23,075 students obtaining A+ grades and another 27,205 securing A grades. A combined 50,280 successful candidates achieved either A+ or A grades. Grade B was the largest category, with 31,031 students, followed by 15,493 candidates receiving Grade C.

Only 21 students received Grade E, accounting for 0.02% of successful candidates.

District Lahore’s figures also exposed a significant difference between regular and private candidates. Of the 100,143 regular students who appeared, 61,590 passed, producing a success rate of 61.50%. Private candidates performed considerably worse, with only 5,882 passing out of 14,200 who appeared, leaving their success rate at 41.42%.

The gender gap was even more pronounced among private candidates. Girls recorded a 54.77% pass rate, while boys managed just 19.75%.

District Lahore alone accounted for 114,343 candidates who appeared in the examinations, of whom 67,472 passed, resulting in a 59.01% success rate. Among these candidates, 45,086 girls passed out of 67,683 who appeared, achieving a success rate of 66.61%.

Boys, however, recorded a much lower success rate of 47.98%, with 22,386 passing out of 46,660 candidates. The district’s performance remained slightly below the overall BISE Lahore pass percentage of 60.03%.

BISE Lahore class 11th official results gazette 2026: PDF Download

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday issued notices to Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar in two separate contempt petitions over alleged non-compliance with an earlier court order concerning two PTI-affiliated Pakistani citizens detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On September 14, the LHC had directed the foreign secretary to process and decide within 15 days representations concerning the detention of two citizens — Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir.

Justice Sadiq Mehmood Khurram heard the contempt petitions on Thursday. Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi appeared on behalf of the petitioners and alleged that the two individuals remained deprived of consular, diplomatic, and legal access.

He recalled the court’s Sept 14 directive and contended that the petitioners had not been formally informed of any decision on their representations, even though a considerable amount of time had passed.

The counsel urged the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the foreign secretary for non-compliance.

After hearing initial arguments, Justice Khurram issued notices to the respondent secretary for submission of his reply by October 29.

In the main petitions, the counsel stated that Zaidi went missing from his residence in Sharjah on Sept 27, 2024, and was subsequently taken into custody by UAE authorities.

He said despite nearly two years having passed, the petitioner, Faryal Zainab, had still not been provided clear information regarding the charges against her husband Zaidi, the judicial proceedings, any sentence, or the complete court record.

Meanwhile, Advocate Niazi said Jahangir was allegedly detained on Sept 24, 2024, at Dubai airport on his return from Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad Ibrahim, Jahangir’s father, filed the petition challenging the alleged failure of the federal government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to provide effective consular protection and legal assistance.

The counsel for the petitioners submitted that despite representations having been filed regarding the detention of both citizens before the foreign secretary, the representations had not been processed.

Both petitioners had asked the court to direct that legal and consular assistance be provided to Zaidi and Jahangir, that their judicial records be obtained and that diplomatic-level steps be taken toward their return to Pakistan.

LAHORE – A deleted tweet sparked embarrassing controversy within Punjab’s ruling PML-N, with Information Minister Azma Bokhari publicly criticising fellow party lawmaker Hina Parvez Butt over her controversial remarks celebrating a suspect’s death in a police encounter.

In late interview, Azma Bokhari questioned Butt’s judgment, admitting that such irresponsible statements had become a source of embarrassment for the Punjab government. She distanced the Punjab government from Butt’s remarks and questioned the seriousness of her social media statements.

The controversy erupted after Hina Parvez Butt shared news of the death of Tauqeer Nazir, accused of brutally crushing a 15-year-old orphan boy with his vehicle, and suggested that Maryam Nawaz’s government delivered immediate justice. The post triggered criticism, with questions raised over whether a suspect’s death in police custody could be celebrated as justice without a judicial trial.

Azma Bokhari says that Maryam Nawaz did not order police encounters after Hina Parvez Butt called the Multan suspect’s death “instant justice.” Hina later deleted her post following criticism.
#AzmaBokhari #HinaParvezButt #MaryamNawaz #HideSideMagazine https://t.co/WbSL95H05n

— HideSide Magazine (@hidesidewithak) October 22, 2026

Hina Butt subsequently deleted the post, prompting further questions about the government’s position on controversial police encounters.

During an interview, Shahzeb confronted Bokhari over the deleted tweet, questioning whether Butt’s remarks had effectively linked the chief minister to the controversial encounter. Bokhari rejected that interpretation but offered little defence of her party colleague.

Instead, she questioned how seriously Butt approached her social media activity, saying the lawmaker had previously made statements without fully understanding their implications.

She mentioned not feeling comfortable discussing Hina Butt extensively, but acknowledged that such statements had created difficulties for the lawmaker herself and embarrassment for the government. Her comments show disagreement within the ruling party over how police encounters should be portrayed publicly, particularly when suspects die before facing trial.

The interview took a sharper turn when host Shahzeb Khanzada questioned whether Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) had been given instructions to eliminate hardened criminals through police encounters. Bokhari categorically denied that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had authorised extrajudicial killings.

She questioned why the chief minister would issue such orders and insisted that the provincial government did not support unlawful killings. The exchange followed reports that Tauqeer Nazir, who had been arrested over the horrific killing of a teenage boy, escaped CCD custody before being killed in an alleged exchange of gunfire near Bahawalpur.

According to the CCD account discussed during the programme, police attempted to stop suspicious motorcycle riders, who allegedly opened fire. Nazir was killed during the exchange, while other suspects reportedly escaped. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised questions, particularly because the original murder was captured on CCTV and the accused could have faced prosecution in court.

Recent figures show 924 suspects killed in 670 police encounters during the department’s first eight months. Shahzeb argued that repeated incidents involving similar circumstances demanded scrutiny, warning that allowing police to function as judges and executioners could undermine the rule of law.

Bokhari disputed the suggestion that all CCD encounters followed the same pattern. She said seven CCD personnel had been killed and more than 100 injured during the department’s first year, arguing that officers routinely faced dangerous criminals and armed resistance. She maintained that many suspects were arrested and prosecuted through normal legal procedures, and that it was unfair to judge the entire department solely through controversial encounters.

Bokhari also revealed distressing details about the teenage victim whose killing triggered the controversy. According to her account, the boy and his brother had been placed in an orphanage following their father’s death after relatives declined to care for them. The victim had reportedly worked at the accused’s shop for seven days without receiving wages, surviving on just two meals a day.

Bokhari claimed the boy had attempted to escape several times before the accused allegedly chased him and crushed him with a vehicle. She termed attack an example of the abuse of power against vulnerable children and questioned why relatives who had allegedly failed to support the boy were now coming forward to mourn him.

Bokhari also disclosed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had expressed serious concern over crimes against women and children during a law-and-order meeting. She said police officials had been given four weeks to improve the situation in their districts.

Despite Bokhari’s categorical rejection of any government policy authorising extrajudicial killings, Hina Parvez Butt’s deleted post remained a central point of controversy. Khanzada argued that celebrating an encounter as immediate justice could reinforce suspicions that suspects were being punished outside the courts.

Bokhari maintained that the government stood with victims rather than powerful offenders, while acknowledging that officials who exceeded their legal authority should face consequences.

‘Instant Justice’ or Extrajudicial Killing? Hina Parvez Butt faces heat for Celebrating Multan CCD Encounter

The post Azma Bokhari calls Hina Parvez Butt’s CCD Encounter Tweet ‘Embarrassment’ for Punjab Govt appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.