NATIONALAt least eight people, including children, were killed and 11 others were injured after a gas supply line burst and caught fire in Haripur’s Hattar Industrial Estate. Officials said the cause of the blaze had yet to be determined.
BusinessPakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector grew 5.89pc in July-February FY26, according to PBS data. February output rose 6.45pc year-on-year, though it fell 8.97pc from the previous month.
BusinessPakistan received $167 million in foreign direct investment in March, up 165pc from a year earlier, according to State Bank data. However, FDI during July-March FY26 fell 27pc to $1.354bn.
NATIONALNine people were killed and several others injured in separate firing incidents, clashes and road accidents across Balochistan, according to police. The fatalities were reported from the Reko Diq road, Nasirabad and Mastung areas.
NATIONALThe Balochistan cabinet has approved policies on climate funding and media advertising, along with measures related to fisheries, recruitment and wheat reserves. It also allocated funds for the Balochistan Awami Endowment Fund.
NATIONALSecurity forces repelled an attack on a Frontier Corps check post in Quetta’s Kuchlak bypass area on Thursday, police said. Two attackers were killed, two FC personnel were injured, and weapons including a hand grenade were recovered.
BusinessOutstanding auto financing increased to Rs345.34 billion in March, extending its rise for a 16th consecutive month. Vehicle sales were up 40pc year-on-year but fell 9pc from February, while kit imports remained strong.
CITYA special narcotics court has sentenced Badshah Wazir to life imprisonment and fined him Rs1 million in a case involving 360kg of heroin concealed in sanitation pipes for export to the UK. The court also kept proceedings against three absconders dormant until their arrest.
WorldCuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Havana was prepared for a possible US attack as he addressed a rally marking the Bay of Pigs anniversary. He said Cuba wanted to avoid confrontation but was ready if it became unavoidable.
EntertainmentAnimators have criticised the leak of footage from The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, saying the unauthorised release harms artists and exposes unfinished work. Fans, meanwhile, welcomed the early glimpse and shared excitement online.
NATIONALIslamabad has revised business closing hours, requiring shops, markets and malls to shut at 8pm from April 16. The new order also sets a 10pm closing time for bakeries and 8pm for sports facilities, including clubs and gymnasiums.
SportsHyderabad Kingsmen defeated Rawalpindiz by five wickets in PSL 2026, chasing 121 with 21 balls to spare. The win was Kingsmen’s third in a row, while Rawalpindiz slumped to a sixth straight defeat.
