Punjab’s provincial assembly passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, setting the minimum marriage age at 18 for boys and girls. The vote followed a viral speech by Azma Bokhari, sparking debate and public support.
NATIONALPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s weekly oil bill has risen from around $300 million before the war to $800 million amid the Middle East conflict. He said fuel consumption had declined and the situation was being monitored regularly.
A new video shows Pakistani crew members confined in cramped conditions aboard the hijacked oil tanker Honour 25 near Somalia. Seized on April 21, the pirates demand $7 million ransom as families urge action.
Punjab MPA Hina Parvez Butt sharply criticised YouTuber Rajab Butt after a viral clip showed him filming inside a restaurant without consent, sparking privacy concerns. The backlash adds to ongoing legal troubles and renewed debate on content boundaries.
In Arifwala, police arrested Ikram for allegedly killing and dismembering his mother-in-law after a Rs600,000 buffalo sale dispute. He confessed, and investigators recovered the remains from fields.
A chef’s viral claim that Shoaib Akhtar ignored team instructions at Wankhede was debunked by journalist Faizan Lakhani. Pakistan played only one Test there in 1979, when Akhtar was four.
HEALTHReusable syringes, including some sold as auto-disable devices, remain available in several Pakistani cities despite a nationwide ban, according to a report. DRAP says it is aware of compliance gaps and has ordered a market survey.
WorldRahul Gandhi has criticised India’s proposed $9 billion Great Nicobar project, saying it threatens rainforest and Indigenous communities. The Indian government says the plan is strategically important and poses no threat to tribal groups.
NATIONALPolice in Bannu said they foiled an early morning attack on the Mazanga police post on Wednesday, killing one terrorist in an exchange of fire. A constable suffered minor injuries, while police launched a search operation after the assault.
WorldThe UK government has asked London’s High Court to overturn a ruling that lifted the ban on Palestine Action. Government lawyers said the earlier judgment wrongly assessed the ban’s human rights impact.
BusinessAsian markets traded mixed and oil prices rose as efforts to end the Iran war appeared stuck and the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. Investors also tracked US monetary policy and upcoming earnings from major technology firms.
SportsFIFA has raised the amount to be shared among teams at the 2026 World Cup to $871 million and announced new disciplinary rules for the tournament. The changes include possible red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations.
