Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has stated that 17 security personnel were martyred during encounters with militants in recent terror incidents across the province, while the bodies of 145 terrorists are in government custody.Speaking to journalists in Quetta, the Chief Minister said that 31 innocent civilians were also killed in the attacks. He…
Islamabad, February 1, 2026 – According to the latest Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM–HEIS) 2024–2025 survey released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) and reviewed by FAFEN, Pakistan’s overall literacy rate (age 10 years and above) stands at 63%. This marks only a modest 3 percentage point increase since 2018–19 (when it…
The Pakistan Tourism, Sports & Family Festival 2026 was successfully inaugurated today in the federal capital, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage, diverse tourism offerings, and family-friendly appeal to both domestic and international audiences.Organized by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), provincial tourism departments, and public-private…
Sardar Akhtar Mengal, President of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, has issued a grave statement describing the current security and political situation in Balochistan as “extremely alarming” and declaring that the province has effectively turned into a “no-go area.”In remarks widely circulated on social media and local news platforms,…
Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed at least 30 Palestinians, including several children, according to hospitals and the Palestinian Ministry of Health — marking one of the highest single-day death tolls since the October 2025 ceasefire took effect.The wave of strikes targeted multiple locations, including residential apartments in Gaza City, a tent…
Germany has implemented several important financial and tax adjustments starting February 2026, affecting salaries, health insurance contributions, and cryptocurrency reporting rules. Many employees are already experiencing a “pay slip shock” as their net take-home pay appears lower than expected.Basic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag) increasedThe annual tax-free threshold has risen from €12,096 to €12,348. This means no…
Islamabad, Pakistan – January 31, 2026Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed profound sorrow and grief on the demise of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, who passed away today at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness in Islamabad.In his condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for the elevation…
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran is prepared to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual respect, emphasizing that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons and is willing to commit to a fair agreement that guarantees “no nuclear weapons” in return for the lifting of…
Two separate explosions rocked different cities in Iran on Saturday, resulting in at least five deaths and more than 10 injuries, according to Iranian state media and local officials.In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, a powerful blast struck a residential building, killing one person — a 4-year-old girl — and injuring 14 others….
Islamabad, Pakistan – January 31, 2026The Government of Pakistan has announced new prices for petroleum products effective from February 1, 2026. High Speed Diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs 11.30 per litre, while the price of petrol (Motor Spirit) will remain unchanged.The revised prices are as follows:High Speed Diesel: Rs 268.38 per litre (previously…
