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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will undertake his first official visit to Pakistan on Friday, December 26. Accompanied by a senior delegation, he will meet PM Shehbaz Sharif to discuss trade, energy, and investment deals. A local holiday has been declared in the Islamabad Capital Territory to facilitate the high-profile visit.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has officially exempted the Sikh community from wearing motorbike helmets due to the religious significance of the Paghri. The provincial government also announced an increase in the Minority Card quota to 100,000 and issued directives to resolve the long-standing issue of dedicated graveyards for minority communities across the province.

PIA is set to resume direct London Heathrow flights in March 2026 after securing four weekly slots. The news comes as the Arif Habib Consortium wins the bid for a 75% stake in the airline, planning a massive fleet expansion.

Former PTI advisor Shahzad Akbar has been hospitalized in the UK after a brutal attack at his home. PTI claims the attackers fractured his jaw and nose, leaving him unconscious in a suspected targeted assault.

The Trump administration is tripling its "exit bonus" to $3,000 for undocumented immigrants who agree to self-deport by December 31, 2025. The offer includes free flights and civil fine forgiveness for those who register via the CBP Home app.

JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has cautioned that Pakistan must not send troops to Gaza, stressing that the military should remain strong in its defensive role but avoid political involvement. Speaking in Karachi alongside Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, he criticized Pakistan’s Afghan policy as a decades‑long failure, rejected recent UN‑driven legislation as un‑Islamic, and urged respect for religious seminaries.

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz‑e‑Aain Pakistan has declared February 8, 2026 as Black Day, announcing a nationwide wheel‑jam and shutter‑down strike. The decision, taken after a two‑day National Consultative Conference, reflects demands for transparent elections, restoration of judicial independence, and an end to political victimization. The movement also condemned human rights violations, media censorship, and called for the release of political and Baloch prisoners.

Saudi Arabia has conferred the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, the Kingdom’s highest national honour, upon Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The award recognises his pivotal role in advancing defence cooperation, strategic coordination, and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan’s U‑19 team made history in Dubai, crushing India by 191 runs to clinch their first Asia Cup crown. Sameer Minhas starred with a blistering 172 off 113 balls, supported by Ahmed Hussain (56) and Usman Khan (35), as Pakistan posted 347/8. India’s chase collapsed to 156 in 26.2 overs, with Ali Raza taking 4 wickets. The victory ends a 13‑year wait since Pakistan last shared the title in 2012.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan reacted to his 17‑year sentence in the Toshakhana II case by directing the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to prepare for protest. In a message shared via his official X account, Khan alleged that “pre‑written judgments” were being announced, claimed he and Bushra Bibi were subjected to solitary confinement, and urged the nation to rise for its rights. He also instructed his lawyers to challenge the verdict in the Islamabad High Court.