Tens of thousands join French rallies to support protesting high school students

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) extended the term of the Sindh High Court’s constitutional benches for one year during a meeting on 13 October. Commission members renominated every existing judge of the benches following a majority vote of 14 to 1.

In Islamabad, officials convened at the Supreme Court Building Conference Room to conduct the proceedings. Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Safdar Awan filed a formal complaint against Ahsan Bhoon seeking an inquiry into his professional credentials.

The petition requested the verification of Ahsan Bhoon’s bar enrolment, educational qualifications, and other professional records. Authorities referred the complaint to the Secretary of the Pakistan Bar Council for official comments.

The Returning Officer verified Ahsan Bhoon’s degree in 2021 and again in 2026. The University of the Punjab confirmed that the degree was genuine on both occasions.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar urged all political parties to collaborate in the fight against terrorism during a Senate session on 13 October. Dar stated that both federal and provincial governments share the duty of ensuring stability and security across the country.

The Constitution provides a specific mechanism for obtaining parliamentary approval on emergency measures. More than 3,000 terrorist attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the tenure of Sohail Afridi.

An extra one per cent share was allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Pakistan faced a potential default in 2022.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not condemn the attack on the Jaffar Express.

Health officials in Rawalpindi confirmed 55 dengue cases and admitted five patients into specialised hospital wards. Medical teams have screened 5,532 people so far, identifying 5,091 suspected cases of the virus.

No deaths related to dengue have been recorded in the district to date. Law enforcement and health authorities registered 2,798 first information reports (FIRs) following violations of safety protocols.

Authorities sealed 686 premises and issued 2,331 legal challans to those failing to comply with regulations. A total of Rs. 3,156,000.0 in fines was imposed on individuals and entities violating standard operating procedures.

Surveillance teams consisting of 1,400 personnel inspected both indoor and outdoor sites to monitor the spread. Inspection efforts covered 5.48 million houses and 1.89 million outdoor locations across the region.

Workers destroyed larvae at 222,792 positive spots identified during the drive.

Imran Ashraf and Iqra Aziz shared a photograph on Instagram Story featuring their past work. The post included the song Muqaddraan by Rahma Ali and Saania as a background soundtrack.

"Great Iqra Aziz. Bhola and Noori," Ashraf wrote in the caption. The pair previously starred together in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, which first aired in 2018.

Ashraf portrayed Bhola, a young man with an intellectual disability, while Aziz played the role of Noori. In 2019, Ashraf expressed his gratitude toward the viewers for their support.

Aziz is also known for her role as Jiya in the serial Suno Chanda, while Ashraf appeared in Alif Allah Aur Insaan. No official announcement has been made regarding a future collaboration between the two actors.

Mohsin Naqvi hosted a reception in Islamabad on 13 October to honour Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration. Diplomats from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden attended the gathering.

Representatives from the European Union also participated in the event alongside Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Talal Chaudhry. Brunner praised the natural scenery and beauty of Islamabad during his visit.

The European Commissioner and the accompanying diplomats thanked Naqvi for his hospitality.

The Federal Breast Cancer Screening Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hosted an awareness seminar on 13 October. Natalie A. Baker spoke at the event, highlighting that early detection and public awareness are vital for preventing breast cancer from becoming fatal.

Baker noted that the disease remains a grave global health issue, specifically impacting young women across Pakistan. Patients diagnosed with the condition need comprehensive mental, physical, and psychological backing from their friends, families, and local communities in addition to clinical treatment.

Timely medical consultations and active awareness campaigns can significantly improve survival rates and save lives. Additional speakers at the seminar advocated for a unified effort to eliminate the social stigma surrounding breast cancer.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called on parliamentary party leaders and lawmakers to pass legislation withdrawing the government's power to determine the petroleum levy. The lawmaker stated that delegating this authority to the executive branch weakens the constitutional role of parliament.

Rehman argued that the petroleum levy currently impacts various economic sectors, including agriculture, food production, transport, and industry. To address rising inflation, he urged all political parties to form a united response and create a joint strategy to remove the levy.

Any revenue gap resulting from a lower petroleum levy could be covered by removing financial irregularities and cutting unnecessary government spending. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rehman warned that the imposition of emergency measures and governor's rule in 12 districts might intensify the province's political crisis.

He further called for a collective effort from all political parties to safeguard the democratic and constitutional order in K-P.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held a business-to-business interactive session with a visiting Chinese delegation on 13 October. Nosherwan Khalil Khan, President of the RCCI, chaired the meeting while Waseem Aslam, Senior Vice President, also attended.

Former presidents Raja Amer Iqbal and Malik Shahid Saleem were present at the gathering to engage with the international visitors. Cindy Chen led the Chinese delegation and provided a briefing on trade prospects and operational dynamics for the 140th Canton Fair.

More than 75 member firms of the RCCI are scheduled to take part in the upcoming China Import and Export Fair. Participants discussed establishing sustained institutional linkages, targeted industrial collaboration, and direct business engagement between the two nations.

The Embassy of Spain in Islamabad celebrated the nation's National Day, also known as Fiesta Nacional de España, on 12 October. The Embassy expressed that the occasion serves to honour shared history, culture, and the robust friendship existing between Spain and Pakistan.

"Today, on Spain’s National Day, we celebrate our history, culture, and the strong bonds of friendship between Spain and Pakistan. The Embassy of Spain in Islamabad wishes everyone a happy 12October," the Embassy stated.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb and State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad joined an investor roundtable in Bangkok hosted by Barclays. The finance ministry released a statement on 13 October detailing the country's economic progress and reform agenda.

Pakistan has strengthened its fiscal and external balances while maintaining a series of consecutive primary surpluses. Foreign exchange reserves have increased as the nation makes steady progress under its International Monetary Fund programme.

Recent rating upgrades have helped the country regain access to international capital markets through Eurobond, Panda bond, and private placement issuances. Ongoing reforms target the taxation system, energy sector, and state-owned enterprises to improve economic stability.

Investment opportunities are currently available in airport outsourcing and privatization, supported by a robust IPO pipeline. Foreign interest remains high in the electricity distribution sector.

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi arrived in Islamabad on 13 October to begin an official visit to Pakistan. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Secretary Economic Affairs Division and Additional Secretary (Middle East), met Albusaidi at the airport.

The Omani representative will head a delegation for the 8th Pak-Oman Joint Ministerial Committee. Albusaidi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during his stay.

BritBox has released episode 6 of the detective series Tommy & Tuppence for streaming. Josh Dylan and Antonia Thomas portray the famous Agatha Christie mystery solvers in the production.

The script, penned by Phoebe Eclair-Powell, allows Dylan to combine a cozy crime atmosphere with a naturalistic tone. Dylan noted that the characters met during their university years and ended their relationship a decade ago.

Alice Krige appears in the series as Jane Lancaster. The plot of episodes 5 and 6 centers on the death of Ada, alongside themes of kidnapping and child murder.

Thomas described Tuppence as a modern figure for her era due to her outspoken and proactive nature. "Finally, it clicks and she realizes — but is she just a bit too late?" Thomas said.

Both Dylan and Thomas have voiced their interest in producing a second season of the show.

"Finally, it clicks and she realizes — but is she just a bit too late?" Thomas said.

Antonia Thomas

Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Durrani prohibited private schools in Quetta West from charging fees during holidays. This directive follows a recent ruling by the Balochistan High Court regarding educational costs.

Officials warned that institutions collecting fees for winter vacations will have their registrations cancelled and premises sealed. Parents are encouraged to report any instances of holiday fee collection to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office or education department officials.

Syed Mustafa Kamal received a comprehensive briefing from the Director General of the Federal Directorate of Immunization regarding the procurement and availability of pentavalent and hexavalent vaccines. The discussion focused on fulfilling the requirements of the National Immunization Programme to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases through routine public health interventions.

Officials emphasized the necessity of an effective immunisation system and the timely acquisition of supplies to maintain continuity in routine services. Participants reviewed strategies to ensure vaccine availability aligns with national standards while highlighting how combined immunisation protects against multiple infectious diseases.

These specific vaccines are designed to decrease the total number of injections children must receive during their routine vaccination schedule.

Drake Bell revealed that he no longer qualifies for health insurance despite his career in the entertainment industry. The actor tagged SAG-AFTRA and its president Sean Astin in a social media message to voice his frustration.

"Do not become an actor. Do not join SAG. You can work for 35 years and they still say [middle finger emoji]," Bell stated. Bell previously appeared in the 2024 docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” where he disclosed that dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually abused him as a teenager.

Jack Haven reported last month that he would also fail to qualify for health coverage without securing additional work. Haven eventually secured enough projects after making a public plea for assistance.

Heather Matarazzo also shared that she encountered a comparable predicament regarding her health insurance eligibility.

The Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) released new instructions for installing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters to enhance network reliability. All FESCO circles must evaluate the quality of mobile signals in their specific regions before choosing SIM cards for these meters.

Telecom operators will be selected based on which provider offers the most consistent coverage across urban and rural zones. Company officials stated that this strategy should notably decrease instances of meters losing connection or shutting down unexpectedly.

Work on these new directives has already commenced across the company's jurisdiction.

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) launched registrations for the Chief Minister IT Internship Programme on 14 October. More than 350 prominent IT companies across the province will host over 4,000 shortlisted candidates for these roles.

Participants in the four-month internship scheme will earn a monthly stipend of Rs50,000. PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated that the initiative reflects our commitment to empower young people by connecting talented IT graduates with industry.

Yousaf added that the programme would help expand employment opportunities for graduates while contributing to the growth of Punjab’s digital economy.

I Play Rocky secured the Audience Award in the Galas & Special Presentations category at the 45th Vancouver International Film Festival. The festival took place from 1 October to 11 October 2026.

A total of 162 feature films and 91 short films were presented during the event. Representing 76 different countries, the selection offered a broad scope of global cinema.

Iron Boy received the Panorama prize while Ana, En Passant took home the Vanguard award. Smudge the Blades earned the Northern Lights award, and Prosecution won in Focus on New German Cinema: Extreme Tension.

Concrete Land was selected for the Insights category, and Daughters of the Forest won in Spectrum. Tenor: My Name Is Parti concluded the winners by taking the Portraits award.

A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from enforcing a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico in the United States. The court ordered the White House to reinstate access for these news organisations on 24 September.

Trump issued the ban last month, which resulted in the revocation of press credentials for employees of the three outlets on or about 18 September. The ban violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Judge Kelly ordered the administration to "immediately return, reinstate, and restore the White House ‘hard pass’ press credentials held by employees of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO that were revoked on or about September 18, 2026, until further Order of the Court or the expiration of this Temporary Restraining Order."

Rainfall disrupted electricity supply to 67 feeders in the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) region. The affected areas included Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan and Swat.

Peshawar saw a temporary suspension of power to 31 feeders, while 22 feeders in Khyber were impacted. In Mardan and Swat, the rain caused power outages for 11 and three feeders respectively.

Electricity supply to all other feeders remained normal during the weather event. Operational teams remained on high alert to deal with rain-related disruptions on the directives of PESCO Chief Akhtar Hameed Khan.

Repair and restoration work had started in areas where the rain had stopped. Consumers were advised to call the PESCO helpline at 118 to register electricity-related complaints.

Prince William participated in an informal cricket match on The Mall in London on 13 October. The royal played alongside former cricketers Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara and Joe Root.

This activity served as a promotional effort for the Earthshot climate prize, which was established in 2020. India is scheduled to host the annual summit and awards ceremony for the prize next month.

The Earthshot Prize rewards five winners with £1 million each, which is equivalent to $1.32 million per recipient.

"He batted alright," said Ganguly.

Ganguly

Pope Leo will undergo surgery on Tuesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove a small growth from one of his lungs. The Vatican confirmed the timing of the procedure for the 71-year-old leader.

Dr Federico Venuto stated, "The complication rate is extremely low," regarding the operation. Recovery from the surgery is expected to take approximately one week.

Public events are cancelled until October 20 as the pontiff rests. Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru for an 11-day tour from November 6 to 17.

Elected in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis at age 88 in April 2025, Leo has served a 17-month tenure. The world's 1.4 billion Catholics recognize Leo as the ultimate earthly authority.