HEC and Foreign Ministry sign MoU to digitise degree attestation

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Pakistan on 12 October for a four-day visit. This trip represents the first time a Russian interior minister has visited Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi extended the invitation to Kolokoltsev for the diplomatic mission. Talal Chaudhry received the Russian minister in Islamabad on 12 October.

The interior ministry stated that Kolokoltsev will hold "important meetings" and "important discussions" during his stay. President Putin previously noted that Russia maintains close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and described the relations as genuinely mutually beneficial.

Alexei Overchuk characterized the two nations as natural allies. Pakistan began incorporating Russian crude oil into its energy portfolio in 2023.

Universal Talent Development launched its fourth composers initiative to identify and promote emerging talent within the entertainment sector. The 2026-2028 participants include Annah Tencic, Marcus Norris, Logan Nelson, Katya Richardson, Kristen Personius, Forrest Gray, Claudio Olachea and Jeremy Earnest.

Ten previous alumni have scored features for Universal Pictures, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation as part of NBCUniversal projects. Past graduates contributed to diverse media including animated series, documentaries, theme park music and silent films in the Restoration Project.

Ninety percent of those who completed the program were hired for an NBCU-related project.

Sony Pictures Entertainment will launch four separate Beatles biopics in cinemas at the same time in April 2028. Producer Sam Mendes is overseeing the production of these films.

Each movie in the series will present a unique narrative by focusing on the perspective of one specific band member. Paul Mescal will portray Paul McCartney, while Harris Dickinson takes on the role of John Lennon.

Joseph Quinn is cast as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr.

Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh conducted a surprise visit to the Gujranwala-Sialkot Motorway in the Gujranwala Division to assess the operational readiness of Quick Response Units. The units are stationed across 10 hotspot districts to monitor environmental hazards.

Sheikh reviewed the coordination between agriculture and environmental departments with focal persons during his tour. A Kabuta machine used for harvesting rice was also inspected by the official.

EPA personnel employ a strategy involving drone surveillance, physical patrolling, and fire-anomaly detection along motorways. Monitoring activities over the last 3 days identified several incidents of stubble burning.

An anti-terrorism court sent Jammu Kashmir Democratic Party Chairperson Advocate Nabeela Irshad to jail on judicial remand. Judge Abual Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain issued the orders after reviewing her bail application and issuing formal notices.

Police arrested Irshad on suspicion that she took part in a demonstration held at F-10 Markaz, Islamabad. The chairperson maintained she was not present in the capital on the day of the protest.

The court adjourned the hearing until the following day.

Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler have commenced filming for the reboot titled Miami Vice '85. Dan Gilroy authored the screenplay for the production.

The characters featured in the film were originally developed by Anthony Yerkovich for the television series. Eric Warren Singer penned an earlier version of the script.

Dylan Clark and Kosinski are producing the movie, while Christina Hoffrogge manages the project for Universal. Jordan recently secured the best actor award for Sinners and is also set to direct and star in The Thomas Crown Affair alongside Adria Arjona.

Butler is also scheduled to appear in the A24 film Enemies with co-star Jeremy Allen White.

Pakistan observed World Arthritis Day on 12 October with various awareness activities designed to educate the public on symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Health experts used the occasion to inform people about common indicators of the condition, such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement.

The annual observance occurs every 12 October to highlight the global impact of the disease. Islamabad Medical and Dental College (IMDC) marked the day by emphasizing the necessity of proper joint care and timely medical advice.

Early diagnosis was identified by the college as a critical factor for effective management of the condition. The institution reaffirmed its dedication to medical education and promoting public health awareness during the event.

Syed Mustafa Rabbani presided over a ceremony held at QA’AT ALQUBAH Hall in Jeddah on 9 October. Muhammed Irfan attended the function as the guest of honour.

Siraj Adamjee, Javed Khairani, Amir Farooq, Siraj Lala, and Imran Maskatia jointly moderated the proceedings. Hafiz Abdullah Yousuf recited the Holy Quran during the event.

Zarmeen Ahmed presented the Urdu translation of the scripture. Waseem Abdul Razzaq Tai extended congratulations to parents and students who achieved success.

Khalid Tanoma delivered a brief address to encourage the students. Kaleem Jeetpurwala addressed the younger generation during his remarks.

Syed Mustafa Rabbani presented the Edhi Award to Imran Maskatia for his social and philanthropic services. The Memon Welfare Society (MWS) has served the community in Jeddah for two decades.

Shengtang Group expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities worth US$10 million in Pakistan. A delegation from the Chinese group met with Haroon Akhtar Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, to discuss a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the funding.

The group indicated its desire to invest in infrastructure, energy, railways, tourism, urban development, industrial projects, and electric vehicles (EVs). Khan stated, "The time is right for investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan. The country has demonstrated its reliability and resilience at the international level."

The adviser noted that the bond between the two nations is "thicker than blood" while highlighting that roughly 40 per cent of joint initiatives between Pakistan and China have reached the implementation phase. Additional Secretary Humaira Zia Mufti, Joint Secretary Freedoon Akram Sheikh and Joint Secretary Amir Aqiq were also present during the meeting.

At least 72 civilians were killed in Sudan during air strikes on artisanal miners at gold mining sites in River Nile state on 10 October. Aircraft fired more than five missiles at the miners' camps starting around 06:00 local time.

Emergency Lawyers stated, "The deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians violates international humanitarian law and the right to life," adding that "These acts may constitute war crimes." Sudan's de facto leader announced an investigation into the alleged strikes, though authorities have not yet provided a formal comment on the incident.

The Egyptian government has remained silent on the strikes while its border agency seized 86 tonnes of gold ore in June. Egypt and the military launched a security campaign along the border to prevent illegal mining, drug smuggling, and irregular migration.

The Sudan Tribune reported that the death toll could far exceed 72 people.

Emergency Lawyers stated, "The deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians violates international humanitarian law and the right to life."

Emergency Lawyers

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) sealed four residential plots in Sir Syed Town for unauthorized commercial activities. Enforcement officers specifically locked Plot Nos. 183, 187 and 191 located in Block-A of the town.

Authorities issued multiple notices and fines to the property owners, demanding they cease illegal operations immediately. Owners received warnings that they must formally commercialize their properties or face further legal repercussions.

Director Town Planning-I Afnan Saeed Sandhu and Enforcement Inspector Aslam Gujjar supervised the enforcement operation. In a separate action, the team demolished illegal structures on Plot No. 334-B in Ahmad Nagar to prevent unlawful occupation of the cancelled site.

The team successfully retrieved Plot No. 334-B from the unauthorized occupants. FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry stated that such operations would continue indiscriminately to ensure strict enforcement of the law.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will operationalise tax monitoring systems in 18 different sectors by 31 December 2026. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to discuss these FBR reforms.

Monitoring systems are already fully installed in the fertilizer, tiles, tobacco, cement, and sugar industries. Work is currently progressing to install equipment for packaged milk, juice, water, and textiles.

By 15 October, the government intends to buy necessary equipment for the poultry, steel, and tire sectors. Procurement for oil and ghee, leather, paper and board, domestic electronics, and tea is set to finish by 30 October.

Enforcement actions have yielded a 40 percent rise in tax revenue, generating an extra Rs. 1.3 trillion over the last three years.