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Suicide Bombing Outside Islamabad Court Kills 12, Wounds 27
Breaking News, Pakistan

Suicide Bombing Outside Islamabad Court Kills 12, Wounds 27

Islamabad A suicide attacker struck on Tuesday at the main judicial complex in the G-11 sector of Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 12 people and injuring 27 others. According to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the attacker tried to enter the court premises on foot but, failing to gain access, detonated the explosives beside a police vehicle waiting outside the entrance. The explosion took place around midday in a typically busy area where court visitors, lawyers and staff gather. Videos and photographs showed wounded people lying near damaged vehicles and a chaotic scene of rescue operations. A break-away faction of the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as Jamaat‑ul‑Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reports. Pakistan’s government has blamed the violence on militant groups operating from across the Afghan border and alleged support from “India-backed elements”. Both Afghanistan and India reject the accusations. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the incident as a “wake-up call”, warning that Pakistan is facing a “state of war” while struggling to contain extremist activity. Authorities have sealed off the area for forensic investigations, analyzed CCTV footage and are working to trace any accomplices. The bombing marks one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in recent years and raises serious questions about the country’s security architecture.

Breaking News

Iran says US claim on plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico ‘absurd’

“We found this claim very ridiculous and absurd,” says foreign ministry spokesperson Iran on Monday dismissed accusations by the United States that Tehran had attempted to kill the Israeli ambassador in Mexico, describing the claim as “absurd”. “We found this claim very ridiculous and absurd,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press briefing, adding that it was part of an attempt to destroy Iran´s friendly relations with other countries. Iran’s foreign ministry spox says entire matter was fabricated. Israel thanks Mexico for foiling Iran-linked terrorist network. Mexico says it received no information on alleged terrorist plot. TEHRAN: Iran on Monday dismissed accusations by the United States that Tehran had attempted to kill the Israeli ambassador in Mexico, describing the claim as “absurd”. “We found this claim very ridiculous and absurd,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press briefing, adding that it was part of an attempt to destroy Iran´s friendly relations with other countries. Following Washington’s accusation on Friday of the assassination attempt, Israel’s foreign ministry thanked Mexican authorities “for thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran”. But Mexico’s foreign ministry later said it had “received no information” on the alleged plot, and Iran’s embassy in Mexico called it “a great big lie”. A US official alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force initiated the plot in late 2024 and that it was disrupted earlier this year. The alleged plot involved recruiting operatives through Iran’s embassy in Venezuela, whose leftist president, Nicolas Maduro, maintains a tactical alliance with Tehran. “The entire matter was fabricated,” Baqaei said on Monday. In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a 12-day war during which the US briefly joined with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24.

Politics

Ahsan Iqbal calls for a “SMART” civil service to meet 21st-century challenges

ISLAMABAD Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s review of civil service reform proposals from a high-level committee chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal. The committee, formed in July 2025, met over a dozen times to develop around 50 recommendations aimed at transitioning Pakistan’s bureaucracy to a ‘smart civil service’ capable of addressing 21st-century challenges like digital governance, climate resilience, and economic transformation. This initiative builds on earlier discussions, including a April 2025 meeting where Iqbal emphasized rethinking the 1973 civil service model to break ‘barriers of self-preservation’ and adapt to an empowered, informed citizenry demanding higher service delivery.

Environment

Pakistan’s Chilgoza Pine Forest Project wins prestigious UN decade on ecosystem restoration flagship award

ISLAMABADPakistan received major international recognition as its flagship initiative “Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests” was honored as one of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration World Restoration Flagships at FAO headquarters in Rome, during FAO’s 80th Anniversary and the World Food Forum. Implemented between 2018 and 2025 under The Restoration Initiative, the project represents a strong collaboration between the Government of Pakistan – Ministry of Climate Change, Provincial Forest Departments, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said in a FAO press release issued here. The work focuses on conserving and restoring Pakistan’s unique Chilgoza pine forests across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister, highlighted that the initiative restored 3,800 hectares of degraded forest land, developed sustainable forest management plans for 69,000 hectares, and planted over one million Chilgoza pine seedlings.

Tech

Global Tech Outlook 2025: AI, Cybersecurity & Semiconductor Shifts

San Francisco — The global tech industry is entering 2025 with seismic changes reshaping AI leadership, data privacy, cybersecurity threats, and semiconductor supply chains. Artificial IntelligenceAI investments have crossed $600 billion globally as companies race toward building agentic systems capable of autonomous decision-making. Major firms such as OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Amazon continue to aggressively expand compute capacity, while smaller AI startups face rising barriers due to GPU shortages and energy constraints. Cybersecurity ChallengesCyberattacks have escalated by nearly 40% in the past year, targeting financial systems, healthcare networks, and cloud providers. Governments are pushing for stronger data protection laws and introducing AI-driven defensive systems to counter rising threats from state-backed and rogue cyber groups. Semiconductor CrisisAnalysts warn that semiconductor demand will outpace supply until at least 2027. Export restrictions between the U.S. and China continue to ripple across global manufacturing lines, impacting automakers, consumer electronics, and military suppliers. Taiwan and South Korea remain at the center of the geopolitical tech tension. Industry OutlookTech giants are doubling down on cloud infrastructure, energy-efficient chips, and sustainable data centers. Analysts predict a transition toward hybrid multi-cloud systems, greater regulation of AI models, and expanded investments in quantum computing. 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in modern tech history — a convergence of innovation, geopolitical tension, and rapid digital evolution.

Auto

Global Chip Shortage Escalates as US-China Tensions Hit Automakers Hard

The global automotive industry is facing a deepening crisis as semiconductor shortages intensify amid mounting US-China trade tensions. Chipmaker Nexperia, a critical supplier for major automakers, has been hit with new export restrictions on advanced chips — sending shockwaves across global production lines. Major Automakers in Crisis Mode – Nissan says current supplies will only last until early November, forcing reduced production schedules. – Honda has completely halted operations at its Mexican assembly plants, leaving thousands of workers idle and delaying key SUV releases. – Mercedes-Benz warns of looming disruptions across its global fleet. – Volkswagen, Fiat, and others in Brazil are preparing to shut down plants within weeks due to incoming shortages. Emergency Plans and ‘War Rooms’ Activated Automakers have set up emergency sourcing “war rooms,” urgently turning to chip stockpiles in Taiwan and South Korea in an attempt to stabilize operations. Market Impact Analysts forecast a 15–20% decline in Q4 automotive output, worsening EV rollout delays, tightening supply, and pushing up vehicle prices. Shares of impacted automakers fell 2–4%, reflecting escalating concerns. Industry Warning “This isn’t just a hiccup — it’s a supply chain meltdown,” said Ford’s procurement chief, urging diplomatic intervention to prevent further disruption.

External Sector

Pakistan to showcase diverse export products, boost digital ties at CIIE

BEIJINGPakistan is set to present a diverse range of export products while advancing its digital cooperation goals at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), running from November 5 to 10.With more than 20 participating companies, Pakistan will showcase traditional specialties including handicrafts, marble, furniture, apparel, carpets and jewelry, demonstrating the breadth of its manufacturing capabilities. Pakistan’s continuous presence at the expo reflects the nation’s trade ambitions. According to Pakistani Consul General in Shanghai, Shehzad Ahmad Khan, “Pakistani companies are increasingly opting for larger, customized stands to maximize their market impact, which reflects growing confidence in the CIIE platform.” While the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) maintains its support for small and medium enterprises through the national pavilion, the rising private sector involvement signals a maturing business approach. Among the notable participants is Winsa, a Pakistani jewelry brand with operations in China, celebrating its seventh year at CIIE. The diplomat highlighted their special showcase: “This year, they are exhibiting a natural kunzite certified by the Guinness World Records – demonstrating the unique treasures Pakistan has to offer.” Beyond traditional trade, Pakistan is actively pursuing a digital transformation partnership with China. The consul general pointed to the successful B2B investment conference held in Beijing in September this year where numerous memorandums of understanding and joint venture intentions were signed between Pakistani and Chinese ICT companies, especially from the Yangtze River Delta region, CEN reported. “These digital transformation initiatives are progressing rapidly, with full implementation expected within one to two years,” he stated, adding that Pakistan firmly believes in China’s leadership in technological innovation. Recent economic data have confirmed the strengthening of China-Pakistan trade relations. During the first quarter of FY2025-2026, Pakistan’s exports to the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region surged 21.1% year-on-year to reach $297 million, with total trade with the region standing at $2.69 billion. Noting this commercial momentum, the consul general stressed that robust economic ties should be further underpinned by strong people-to-people ties. “Trade and investment cannot flourish without human interaction,” he affirmed, outlining a full calendar of cultural exchanges in Shanghai including fashion shows, music festivals, film events and culinary promotions.

For the First Time, During the Holy Month of Ramazan, BISP Aid Was Transferred via Digital Wallets: PM Shehbaz
Pakistan

For the First Time, During the Holy Month of Ramazan, BISP Aid Was Transferred via Digital Wallets: PM Shehbaz

Islamabad For the first time, during the holy month of Ramazan, the government successfully transferred financial assistance to deserving families under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) through digital wallets, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced while chairing a high-level meeting on cashless economy initiatives.Emphasizing that shifting to a cashless economy is crucial for sustainable development and curbing corruption, the PM directed authorities to ramp up rural awareness campaigns to phase out traditional cash transactions.“The world is advancing digitally; Pakistan must keep pace,” he stated, highlighting his government’s early focus on digitalization yielding results. Progress on 10 million BISP digital wallets was reviewed, alongside Raast QR for utility bills.Commending involved ministries and SBP, PM Shehbaz urged timely target achievement for enhanced financial inclusion.

Apple Set to Open First Official Store in Pakistan Next Month
Tech

Apple Set to Open First Official Store in Pakistan Next Month

Islamabad Pakistan’s Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has confirmed that tech giant Apple will enter the Pakistani market in December via a strategic partnership with Air Link, the country’s leading distributor and retailer of smartphones, smart TVs, and wearables.The collaboration will introduce Pakistan’s inaugural official Apple Store, likely at Dolmen Mall in Lahore, granting consumers direct access to authentic Apple devices, accessories, and official support services.This milestone bolsters Pakistan’s burgeoning technology and retail landscape, reducing reliance on grey-market imports and enhancing after-sales reliability. Air Link’s role as Apple’s premium partner underscores growing global confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy.

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