Pakistan launches free hepatitis C screening and treatment in Islamabad

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Istanbul on Friday. The discussion occurred during the R4 and E3 foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by Türkiye.

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy attended the gathering. Dar held individual meetings with his counterparts from Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt.

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Both nations agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and discussed international developments, according to an official statement. Miliband praised the role of Pakistan in promoting peace within the region.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X on Saturday regarding formal etiquette. Asif noted, "Etiquette dictates that the soles of your shoes should not be visible to the people sitting around you, especially when you are in a formal setting."

The government also announced the provision of 500,000 Chromebooks for students.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act into law to regulate synthetic media in marketing. State Senator Nick Pisciottano introduced the bill to the legislature.

Advertisers must now provide clear disclosures whenever they use AI-generated content in advertisements. These labels are required to match the format of the advertisement itself.

The mandate covers all ads, irrespective of the location where the content was produced. Provisions in the law exempt content that is evidently fictional, as well as parody, satire, commentary, or criticism.

The legislation specifically targets synthetic content used to create a false consumer perception regarding a product or service.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi told a private TV channel that internal differences have emerged within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Members of the party hold conflicting views regarding the current political landscape and their intended future actions.

The PTI lacks a coherent strategy or planning to navigate these internal disagreements and determine a path forward. Abbasi criticized the provincial government for alleged corruption across multiple sectors, including health and education.

Frustration is mounting among the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to persistent security threats and a lack of public relief measures from the PTI-led administration. While the government aims to eliminate terrorism from the province, the security situation is evolving and providing KP police with more confidence to combat militants.

The International Monetary Fund published its Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere on 16 October. External tailwinds are currently supporting growth across the region.

Trade uncertainty and pressures on energy prices remain present in the economic landscape. Policymakers should use this window to reduce debt and preserve price stability.

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Renewed efforts are required to lower deficits and debt levels. The region needs a stronger push for reforms to increase productivity and attract investment.

Cautious monetary easing is necessary for the region.

The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi increased the customs values for 10 different types of raw materials used in stationery items on 23 October. Valuation ruling number 2117 of 2026 was issued to align with the Federal Board of Revenue policy of updating outdated valuation rules.

The previous determination for these stationery raw materials dated back to 2017. Authorities initiated the proceedings to establish these values under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Global tensions between the US and Iran have driven up international prices for petroleum products, commodities, and freight costs. The ruling determined the new customs values by using the most reliable and appropriate information available on record.

Local manufacturers claim that the Pakistan Customs Tariff for fountain pen cartridge ink is currently incorrect. Manufacturers also stated that plastic parts for gel pens and ball pens are not covered by any existing valuation ruling.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued a special message on World Development Information Day to advocate for public awareness. She stated that an informed population serves as a primary hallmark of progress.

The occasion underscored the necessity of increasing public knowledge regarding digital literacy. Providing the public with accurate information about development projects is vital for eliminating corruption.

Data from the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry is currently assisting in the removal of poverty and deprivation. The government has also established state-of-the-art Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.

Low-cost development schemes, including Apni Chhat and Apna Ghar, have gained international recognition. The Information Department continues to provide services aimed at raising awareness about these development initiatives.

Cynthia Erivo and Ayoade Bamgboye perform a comedic sketch featuring a version of the Oscar-nominated musical. Erivo appears in a pink velour tracksuit and a blonde wig while Bamgboye portrays the character Elphaba.

The characters travel to meet the Wizard of LagOz. Bamgboye asks, "The wizard?" and adds, "But I’m a virgin!" during the scene.

Erivo responds as Glinda, saying, "When we go to the wizard, it will all pay off." Glinda and Elphaba eventually discover that the Wizard is broke, leading Erivo to remark, "That’s a nolex."

An explosion effect covers the screen after the two characters lean in for a kiss.

Erivo as Glinda said, "When we go to the wizard, it will all pay off."

Erivo as Glinda

Christy Carlson Romano disclosed that Shia LaBeouf frequently disparaged the competing Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire. LaBeouf was reportedly involved in a conflict with the show's lead actress, Hilary Duff.

Romano noted that she and LaBeouf were like oil and water while appearing together on a podcast. At the time of their respective careers, Romano was 14 years old and LaBeouf was 12.

The two actors previously worked together on the sitcom Even Stevens. Romano shared these memories in her memoir, Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star.

The SAG-AFTRA board voted to extend the contract of Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who will now serve as the organisation's CEO. Crabtree-Ireland's tenure was lengthened by four years, pushing his contract expiration date to 20 June 2032.

The previous agreement was scheduled to conclude in 2028. A weighted vote saw 98.34% of the board members support the extension.

For the 2026 fiscal year, Crabtree-Ireland received a payment of $1.1 million. Sean Astin, the President, issued a statement praising Crabtree-Ireland following the board's decision.

Punjab Police warned that smog poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. Vehicle smoke, construction dust, and the burning of crop residue are the primary causes of increased air pollution.

To mitigate these effects, officials recommend that owners perform timely maintenance on their vehicles. Construction sites should cover all materials to prevent dust from spreading.

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Farmers are also advised to avoid burning crop residue.

The Deputy Prime Minister reviewed the progress of preparations for the summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in 2027. Dar examined various accommodation options and instructed all relevant authorities to guarantee the smooth and seamless conduct of the upcoming event.

Senior officials from all relevant ministries and organizations attended the session alongside the Foreign Secretary and the Interior Secretary. Other attendees included the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Pakistan’s National Coordinator for SCO, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa.

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Social media platforms use reels and advertisements to facilitate recreational shopping for users. Algorithms learn from specific user behaviours to provide more of the same content.

Repeated exposure to various products can cause unfamiliar items to feel like necessities. Limited-time discounts and countdown clocks create a sense of urgency for shoppers.

Boredom shopping becomes a habit as the brain remembers the easy route to excitement. Unnecessary purchases can lead to a growing pile of possessions and feelings of guilt.

Reducing shopping impulses can be achieved by unfollowing accounts that tempt users to buy things. A cooling-off period of 24 hours for small items and a week for expensive ones is suggested.

Removing saved card details can make the checkout process require more effort.

Pakistan society is currently undergoing a reverse renaissance. Power is becoming the new truth in the country.

No wrong is currently left undone in society. Religion has become a source of worldly riches and impunity.

The third and largest group in the country engages in all evils while attempting to remain in the good books. Members of this dominant group wish to democratically autocratise.

A second group, though in the minority, holds a high say in the country. This second group includes electables, parasitic pirs, and feudal or tribal warlords.

Democrats turn on democracy. Journalists are on truth, while protectors are on security.

The clergy are on piety, judges are on justice, and civil society is on the oppressed.

A Chinese humanoid named Tiangong Ultra completed a 100-metre sprint in 8.86 seconds, surpassing the human men's world record of 9.58 seconds. Reuters reported in August that Chinese humanoid manufacturers had produced world-leading hardware.

The country's population declined by 3.39 million in 2025, with people aged 60 and above representing around 23% of the total population. At the end of 2025, China had around 725 million employed people, including about 475 million urban workers.

During 2025, China created 12.67 million new urban jobs while the migrant-worker population reached roughly 301 million. Khalid Mansoor stated that the Chinese policy concept increasingly emphasises human-machine collaboration.

Dr Muhammad Farooq Afzal noted that roughly 25 per cent of China's budget goes to the central or federal level, while around 75 per cent is spent locally.

President Donald Trump decided to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports in the United States as the midterm elections approach in approximately 2 weeks. Trump intends to lower fuel prices to improve his electoral prospects.

The president also seeks to pressure Volodymyr Zelensky to accept terms for ending the war in Ukraine. Reported energy ceasefire arrangements have emerged alongside these developments.

Delays in the delivery of American interceptor missiles have occurred, while restrictions on intelligence-sharing have been noted. Ukrainian drone operations have faced disruptions attributed to the blocking of access to Starlink.

A Pacific Rim Countries Conference is scheduled to take place in Hawaii. The G20 Summit Meeting will be held at President Trump's Doral Resort in Florida.

Formal diplomatic ties between the US and China were established in 1979. The Yalta Conference took place in February 1945.

Security forces killed a prominent militant commander during an operation in the Qila Saifullah district on 25 October. The deceased terrorist was identified as Adil Shah, who also operated under the alias Darvesh.

Shah joined the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist group on 1 December 2020. Since 1 January 2024, the commander managed the financial affairs of the outfit.

He provided housing for non-local militants in the districts of Zhob, Sherani, and Shaban. During 2022 and 2023, Shah participated in kidnapping for ransom and attacks against security personnel.

Anti-terrorism courts had registered 19 cases against the militant. Authorities had previously announced a bounty of Rs2.5 million for information leading to his arrest.

The operation was conducted as part of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3. Islamabad has urged Kabul to stop militant organisations from using Afghan territory.

The Punjab government will finish 5,734 water filtration plants by June 2027 to improve regional infrastructure. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif intends to provide every citizen in the province with a clean water supply.

Mobile maintenance units will be created to monitor and repair these filtration facilities. Under the Last Mile Water Supply Project, clean water will reach affected areas in Rawalpindi, Rajanpur, and Chakwal.

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Millions of people are currently benefiting from water bottling projects across four districts.

Punjab Police have placed the province on high alert for Christian worship programs in churches, including those in Lahore. Regional and district police officers are personally inspecting security measures at these religious sites.

Additional personnel are being stationed at sensitive locations while officers conduct search and sweep operations. Effective patrolling is underway to safeguard the lives and property of minorities.

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Religious scholars and peace committees are cooperating with the police to promote interfaith harmony.

Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry visited the Police Lines Headquarters to inspect official vehicles of the Islamabad Capital Territory Police. Chaudhry reviewed the technical condition, fitness, and maintenance arrangements of the fleet.

The police chief directed concerned officers to ensure proper upkeep and timely maintenance of all vehicles. He instructed staff to keep every official vehicle in good working condition.

Chaudhry stressed that regular maintenance is vital to keep the police vehicles operational.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal will attend the gathering as the chief guest. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) through its UN-SPIDER programme, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), and ISNET are co-sponsoring the conference.

Between 200 and 250 national and international participants are expected to join the proceedings. Lasting for five days, the conference will conclude on 31 October 2026.

A technical visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is scheduled for 31 October 2026.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reaffirmed its dedication to upholding high service standards and protecting consumers. Officials stated there will be no compromise regarding reliability, service quality, or regulatory compliance.

The agency remains committed to fostering a telecommunications environment that is efficient and focused on the needs of the public. A commitment to continued collaboration marked the conclusion of the meeting.

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Organisers cancelled the Australian MotoGP because of limited visibility. The Moto3 and Moto2 races were also called off.

Phillip Island has served as a staple on the calendar since 1997. South Australia secured the race for a six-year period starting in 2027 in Adelaide.

The Australian race will move to Adelaide next year. Jorge Martin sustained a fracture when he crashed during the sprint on Saturday.

Aprilia stated, "The only confirmed injury is a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius." The rider will not return to Spain and will undergo necessary treatment over the coming days, Aprilia said.

Marc Marquez currently has four legs of the season remaining. Martin sits 10 points adrift of Marquez.

Marco Bezzecchi trails Marquez by 50 points. The next race starts next week in Malaysia.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) released 77,800 cusecs of water into the irrigation network. Water inflow into the system reached 58,400 cusecs.

At the Tarbela Dam, the River Indus water level stood at 1515.21 feet, exceeding the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Mangla Dam recorded a Jhelum River water level of 1197.20 feet, which is higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet.

Inflow at Mangla Dam measured 7,000 cusecs, while the outflow was recorded at 16,000 cusecs. Authorities released 51,500 cusecs of water at Kalabagh and 46,300 cusecs at Taunsa.

Additional water flows included 40,400 cusecs at Guddu and 17,400 cusecs at Sukkur. The River Kabul released 11,600 cusecs at Nowshera, while the River Chenab released 4,400 cusecs at Marala.

Jay-Z performed the final night of his 'Jay-Z 30' concert series at SoFi. The tour spanned a duration of five months.

Too Short appeared on stage to perform 'Blow the Whistle'. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg delivered a medley of hits, including 'Still D.R.E.' and 'Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang'.

The artist also performed 'Girls, Girls, Girls' transitioning into '03 Bonnie & Clyde'. Jay-Z mashed 'N—s in Paris' with 'Big Pimpin' during the set.

Philadelphia hosted a show where the rapper featured Jazmine Sullivan, Bilal, Freeway, Beanie Sigel and Peedi Crakk. New York City saw a three-night run at Yankee Stadium.

During the New York performances, Jay-Z brought out Alicia Keys to perform 'Empire State of Mind'. Fat Joe and Jadakiss also joined the rapper on stage in New York City.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan issued a public alert stating that Associate Degree Programmes (ADPs) offered through private modes or annual examination systems will no longer be recognised. No new admissions are permitted for these specific types of ADPs.

The commission will refuse to provide attestation or equivalence for any private or annual ADP. Higher education institutions must immediately stop advertising or offering these programmes.

Institutions are required to align their academic offerings with the HEC Undergraduate Education Policy 2023 (Version 1.1). A standard Associate Degree Programme is defined as a structured course spanning four regular semesters over two years.

These programmes must consist of between 64 and 72 credit hours. The commission clarified that no two-year BA, BSc, or ADP programmes are valid when offered through annual or private modes.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan met with the Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) on 25 October. Dr. Shafiq Khan Pitafi, President of MCCI, participated in the discussions alongside the diplomat.

The High Commissioner was joined by Press Counsellor Md. Tayub Ali and Israt Jahan, Counsellor (Political) & Head of Chancery. Participants explored future opportunities and potential areas of cooperation to enhance business relations.

The meeting focused on promoting trade and establishing stronger people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presented a Chromebook to Syed Shams Raza under the Prime Minister Youth Chromebook Scheme. Raza, who hails from Orakzai, currently lives in an orphanage located in Islamabad.

The young man's father was martyred, leaving him to pursue his studies in a care facility. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that the aspirations of talented youth are not hindered by a lack of resources or life's difficulties.

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Officials stated that every child possesses the right to dream, receive an education, and achieve success.

The federal government has placed a six-month moratorium on establishing new nursing and midwifery institutions. The Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) formally notified federal and provincial governments of this temporary restriction.

This decision intends to help the council clear a backlog of pending cases and streamline its regulatory processes. Applications that were already submitted will continue to be processed by the council.

The council will only consider new applications after the six-month period expires and it obtains approval from the competent authority.

Colleges currently running these courses without a required no-objection certificate (NOC) will receive formal show-cause notices from the Council. A public advisory will be released to warn students against enrolling in any programmes that lack official approval.

Institutions that have exceeded their approved student intake or suffer from insufficient laboratory facilities and teaching staff must provide written explanations within one week. To improve the quality of pharmacy education, the Council’s Complaint Grievance Committee decided to focus on resolving institutional complaints.

The PCP established a fast-track mechanism designed to handle public grievances and safeguard the interests of students. Online meetings will be held twice weekly by the Complaint Grievance Committee to facilitate these processes.

The Council’s president initiated the online meeting schedule to streamline the grievance process.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Prime Minister's Youth Chromebook Scheme during a formal ceremony. The devices are distributed to students based strictly on their academic merit and hard work.

Remote education and access to e-libraries serve as the primary objectives for providing these Chromebooks. Students can use the technology to acquire knowledge from any location across the globe.

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During the Corona era, the government provided laptops that supported both employment opportunities and educational pursuits. Those laptops enabled students to complete their training to become engineers and doctors.

A Danesh School opened in Islamabad a few days ago as part of a broader infrastructure expansion. Construction is currently underway on 27 Danesh Schools throughout Pakistan.

These schools will feature smart boards, e-libraries, high study standards, and the country's best teachers.

The LPG vessel Yellowstone berthed at Port Qasim at 8:42am carrying 4,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas. Port Qasim Authority officials confirmed that handling of the imported consignment has commenced.

The Port Qasim Authority stated the shipment highlights the port's role in satisfying the energy needs of commercial and domestic users. Trade across the border with Iran resumed at the Gabd-Rimdan crossing on Saturday after a one-week suspension.

The additional imported supply might improve the availability of LPG in the country.

The Pharmacy Services and Drug Control, Health Department Islamabad reiterated a ban on selling medicines containing pregabalin without a valid prescription. All licensed pharmacists and pharmacies must dispense these specific drugs only when presented with a legitimate prescription.

These regulations follow specific directions issued on 10 July. Strict compliance with these rules is mandatory for all pharmacy operators.

Members of the public are urged to consult qualified medical practitioners before seeking prescription medications.

The iPhone Duo failed a durability test shortly after its market launch on 24 October. Sand and dirt jammed the hinge of the device during testing.

Bending the open phone backwards caused a permanent green line to appear across the 7.6-inch inner display. A second attempt to bend the phone resulted in the inner screen losing all touch responsiveness.

Testing revealed the outer screen showed faint marks at level 7 on the Mohs scale, while the inner screen scratched at level 2. Repairing the inner screen costs approximately $1,000.

Despite having an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the device experienced software issues where the video app shrunk into a small window instead of filling the screen when unfolded.

Security forces clashed with demonstrators in Rome on Saturday as protesters attempted to march toward the office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Young people confronted police near the Colosseum, where they entered the ancient amphitheater to chant slogans.

Protesters threw fireworks, bottles, and explosive devices at a police barricade near Santa Susanna Square. Police responded to the violence with batons and water cannons, resulting in one protester being injured by an object.

Authorities detained 28 people early Saturday in Rome as a preventive measure. Protests against the government and the rising cost of living also occurred in Naples, Bologna, and Turin, with scuffles breaking out in the latter two cities.

In Milan, 500 soldiers were deployed to the city centre following morning protests by far-right groups and afternoon marches by students and left-wing groups against imperialism and war.

Pakistan will conduct a sub-national polio vaccination campaign from 2 November to 8 November across 97 selected districts. More than 23.9 million children under five years of age are the primary targets of this health drive.

Punjab will cover 13 districts to vaccinate 9.278 million children. In Sindh, health workers will vaccinate 6.883 million children across 20 districts.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will cover 27 districts to reach 4.808 million children. Balochistan will cover 31 districts to target 2.217 million children.

Over 447,000 children will receive vaccinations in Islamabad. Gilgit-Baltistan will cover three districts to target 153,000 children.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir will target 183,000 children during the campaign.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to host the 2nd Pakistan Tourism, Sports & Family Festival 2026. Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan stated the festival will take place at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad from 6 November to 8 November 2026.

Activities planned for the event include hot air balloons, paragliding, rock climbing, tent pegging, and a vintage car show. Cultural performances, family entertainment, traditional crafts, and food stalls will also be featured at the venue.

Sardar Ilyas Khan said reviving tourism was a collective responsibility and a powerful means of replacing disappointment with happiness, hope and economic opportunities. Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia noted that Pakistan possesses exceptional tourism potential in northern areas, including Swat, Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu.

Zia also highlighted the concept of "Trade through Travel."

Imtiaz Ahmed assumed the role of chairman of the board at Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited on 12 November 2025. Ahmed replaced Jo Hyun Kwoun in the chairmanship position.

The company underwent a change in ownership during 2025 as PTA Global Holding Limited purchased roughly 75.01% of the shares from Lotte Chemical Corporation. A three-year term for Ahmed begins on 23 June 2026.

With over 28 years of experience in the petrochemical sector, Ahmed currently serves as the chief executive of International Petrochemicals. Last month, Ahmed declared the acquisition of Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited.

Academic credentials for Ahmed include a PhD in Business Administration completed in 1990 and four years as an assistant professor at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. During his time at the University of Mississippi, Ahmed held the presidency of the Pakistan Students Association.

Adnan Afridi remains the chief executive of Lotte Chemical Pakistan.

Federal Minister Syed Jamal Shah met with Professor Dr. Husnul Amin and Amna Shah on 25 October to discuss enlarging the Hunerkada Institute at the University of Swat. The discussion centred on advancing creative education, art, and culture throughout the Swat district and the wider Malakand Division.

Attendees examined ways to broaden the academic offerings established under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between Hunerkada and the University of Swat. Professor Dr. Amin stated that the University of Swat is dedicated to fostering creative industries and offering students superior platforms to display their skills.

Amin added that the partnership with Hunerkada intends to help students participate in innovation, creative tasks, and the protection of cultural heritage. Syed Jamal Shah assured his full support for the future growth and development of the Hunerkada Institute.