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Commerce ministry clears re-export of Afghan transit cargo stuck at ports

The Ministry of Commerce has advised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to permit the re-export of Afghan transit cargo to any seaport, subject to requests from exporters or their clearing and forwarding agents.

In a letter addressed to the FBR, the ministry approved the re-export of all stranded Afghan transit trade cargo currently held at Karachi and Gwadar ports as well as at various Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The directive aims to facilitate the clearance of goods delayed due to border disruptions.

In a separate communication, the commerce ministry also granted an exemption from para-6(4) of the Import Policy Order (IPO) 2022, which stipulates that imports under the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APPTA) 2010 must be processed in accordance with rules notified by the federal government.

“The stranded Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) containers originating from Vietnam and Malaysia are allowed to be re-exported to any seaport as per the request of exporters or their clearing/forwarding agents”.

“In view of the above, Federal Board of Revenue is requested to take further necessary action for the re-export of stranded ATT containers originating from Vietnam and Malaysia,” it added.

The move follows an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the joint secretary of the Ministry of Commerce to formulate a strategy for clearing cargo stuck at seaports and BCPs following the closure of the Pak-Afghan border on October 11, 2025.

The meeting was attended by Director General Transit Trade Karachi Sanaullah Abro, Joint Secretary (FT-II) of the Ministry of Commerce Mrs. Maria Kazi, and other relevant stakeholders.

During the meeting, the joint secretary (FT-II) stated that the ministry had already issued directives for the clearance of transit containers stranded at Karachi ports destined for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as UN humanitarian cargo and ATT containers originating from Vietnam and Malaysia.

However, the director general transit trade informed participants that a significant number of transit containers from multiple countries remained stranded at Karachi ports and various BCPs, along with bulk cargo held at Gwadar port.

She further noted that the Ministry of Commerce was receiving frequent requests from foreign missions, exporters and clearing agents for the clearance of stranded cargo, underscoring the need for a consistent policy framework to address congestion at ports and border crossings.

The director general transit trade acknowledged the ministry’s efforts and said that while clear instructions had been received for certain categories of transit cargo, there was no guidance for the remaining consignments, accounting for nearly 50 percent of the total stranded cargo. He added that these goods could not be held indefinitely at ports and BCPs.

According to the briefing, the remaining ATT cargo originated from several countries, including China, the UAE, Singapore and Turkiye, along with bulk DAP fertiliser cargo from Australia stranded at Gwadar port. A decision on this cargo was deemed necessary to ease congestion.

Taking into account security considerations, the forum recommended four options for Central Asian transit cargo stuck at BCPs. These included allowing containers to cross via Taftan with a change of manifest at Karachi, permitting movement through Khunjerab/Sost with a revised manifest, allowing airlifting of containers, and re-exporting cargo to other seaports upon specific requests.

For ATT cargo stranded at seaports and BCPs, the meeting recommended re-export to any seaport, subject to requests from exporters or their clearing agents.

The forum also decided that the Ministry of Commerce would approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN agencies to seek approval for changes in the manifest of UN humanitarian cargo, which would then be cleared from Karachi ports and stored in warehouses.

January 14, 2026
PCB officially invites bids for Multan Sultans

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially opened bidding for the rights to the Multan Sultans franchise, inviting interested parties to acquire one of the most established teams of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

PCB announced the opportunity through a newspaper advertisement, inviting proposals from prospective investors who wish to acquire the franchise rights for Multan.

The deadline for submission of technical proposals is January 30 at 3:00 pm, with the opening scheduled for 3:30 pm on the same day. Only technically qualified bidders will advance to the next stage of the process.

The move comes shortly after PCB successfully auctioned two new PSL franchises on January 8.

The Kingsmen Group (FKS) secured the Hyderabad franchise for PKR 1.75 billion, while OZ Developers acquired the Sialkot franchise for a record PKR 1.85 billion at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

Ten bidders initially registered for that auction, though the Ali Tareen Group withdrew just before bidding began, leaving nine groups to compete for the two spots.

The eleventh edition of PSL will feature eight teams for the first time, with Hyderabad and Sialkot joining the existing lineup alongside Multan.

PCB highlighted Multan’s established presence in the league since the tournament’s third edition in 2018, describing it as “a compelling opportunity for investors to build on its legacy and take team Multan to unprecedented heights.”

According to the PCB, prospective bidders can obtain detailed bid documents from the board ahead of the January 30 deadline.

January 14, 2026
Stepmother held for killing minor girl in Gujranwala

A seven-year-old girl has been killed, allegedly by her stepmother in Gujranwala, police said on Tuesday, adding that the body was later dumped in a drain.

According to police, the incident occurred in the Habibpura area. The child was reported missing, prompting police to begin a search and launch an investigation.

Police said that during the course of the inquiry, CCTV footage from the area was reviewed, which showed two individuals riding a motorcycle while carrying something concealed in a sheet. Based on the footage, police identified the suspects and took them into custody for questioning.

During interrogation, police said the stepmother confessed to killing the child. Police further stated that an accomplice was also involved in disposing of the body. After the killing, the suspects threw the girl’s body into a nearby drain in an attempt to hide the crime.

“The suspect confessed during questioning,” police said, adding that both suspects had been taken into custody.

January 14, 2026
‘Life with dignity’: Malala speaks out for Iranian girls amid deadly protests

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has expressed her support for the women and girls of Iran amid ongoing nationwide protests.

The activist said that the demonstrations sparked initially by economic distress and the rapid devaluation of the Iranian rial “cannot be separated from the long-standing, state-imposed restrictions on girls’ and women’s autonomy, in all aspects of public life, including education.”

Malala stated: “Iranian girls demand a life with dignity”.

Yousafzai highlighted the personal risks Iranians have taken to raise awareness about the repression, noting that “their voices have been silenced for decades.” She described the restrictions on women as part of a broader system of gendered control marked by “segregation, surveillance, and punishment.”

“The women of Iran demand their voices be heard and the right to determine their political future,” Yousafzai said.

She emphasized that this future should be shaped by the leadership of Iranian women and girls rather than by outside forces or oppressive regimes.

She concluded her statement by saying, “I stand with the people and girls of Iran in their call for freedom and dignity. They deserve to determine their own future.”

Yousafzai has previously spoken out on Iran, most recently in December when she joined the Norwegian Nobel Committee in condemning the arrest of fellow laureate Narges Mohammadi.

She has also shared Amnesty International’s criticism of the UK for detaining Greta Thunberg during her protest against Israeli actions in Gaza.

In recent months, Yousafzai has increasingly focused on the Middle East. In September, her Malala Fund pledged $100,000 to assist Palestinian refugees, and the organisation has since committed another $300,000 to support girls’ education and provide emergency relief in Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

January 13, 2026
Facing loadshedding? Here’s what happened…

An increase in electricity shortage, which has reached around 4,000 megawatts, has led to power distribution firms (Discos) enforcing loadshedding across the country. Five districts are impacted by the approximately 1,000MW shortfall that the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) alone is facing.

Officials said the shortage has been going on since several days as dense fog triggers repeated tripping of power plants in the southern region, while hydel power generation remains minimal during winter months.

An official who asked to remain anonymous told a private media source, “When we compare the situation with the previous year, electricity demand has increased by approximately 2,000MW in winter, mainly due to the extensive use of heating appliances.”

The official added that reduced gas supply to Lahore-based power plants, along with the closure of a unit at the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, has further limited generation capacity. This has left Discos with no option but to implement loadshedding in Punjab, Sindh, and other provinces.

The situation has gotten worse over the past four to five days, according to another official, after some power facilities in the southern region went off the grid as a result of tripping brought on by heavy fog. “The Matiari-Lahore High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line supplies power to Punjab, particularly Lahore, from these plants,” the official continued, adding that restoration work is still in progress.

Consumers have complained about load shedding lasting three to six hours a day in urban regions and six to ten hours a day in rural areas. “Forced loadshedding has been continuing for three to five hours daily, while rural areas, especially in interior Sindh, are facing eight to twelve hours each day,” stated a Sukkur resident.

A Lahore-based resident noted, “Forced loadshedding is lasting three to six hours daily. In addition, we are also facing water shortages from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) because tube-wells are not operational, leading to no warm water supply during the cold weather.”

LESCO has continued loadshedding in Lahore and surrounding districts due to a shortfall exceeding 1,100MW in total consumption of over 3,200MW during peak hours.

Lesco Chief Executive Officer Ramzan Butt explained, “At present, hydel power generation is zero. Consumers previously using solar net-metering systems have returned to Lesco’s supply as their solar equipment is not generating due to dense fog. Several power plants also went off the grid because of tripping caused by fog. This all contributed to the shortfall in our total consumption.”

January 13, 2026
T20 World Cup: US cricketer Ali Khan denied Indian visa

United States (US) based fast bowler Ali Khan of Pakistani origin on Tuesday revealed that he has been denied an Indian visa ahead of the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, where he is set to represent the US.

Khan shared the update in an Instagram story that showed him having KFC alongside teammate Shayan Jahangir, who was also denied a visa.

“India visa denied but KFC for the win,” Khan wrote.

Meanwhile, reports said that Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Mohsin of the US cricket team were also denied visas by Indian authorities, allegedly due to their Pakistani roots.

It merits a mention that this is not the first time when players of Pakistani origin have faced visa-related issues while travelling to India.

In 2024, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir encountered delays in obtaining a visa for England’s Test tour of India due to his Pakistani origin. England pacer Saqib Mahmood has also faced similar entry delays in the past.

According to media reports, several T20 World Cup teams, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Canada, Italy, the US and the Netherlands, have approached the ICC regarding visa issues for players born in Pakistan or of Pakistani descent.

Pakistan’s own squad, however, won’t face any visa concerns as Pakistan and India have already agreed upon a hybrid model for ICC events, under which both teams continue to play their matches at neutral venues when one of them is the host.

While Sri Lanka will host all group-stage games and any knockout matches played by Greenshirts, a decision on venues for Bangladesh matches, amid souring Dhaka-New Delhi ties, is still awaited.

January 13, 2026
Indonesia eyes JF-17 collaboration as it seeks deeper defence ties with Pakistan

Indonesia has expressed its desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains, with discussions also covering cooperation related to the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.

As per the details, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday met with Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant General (r) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

“The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.

Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, training collaboration and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

“The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Indonesia’s desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains,” the ISPR statement said.

Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to creating a strong and enduring defence relationship with Indonesia, based on shared values, mutual respect, and convergence of strategic interests, the ISPR noted.

Following the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also met with an Indonesian defence delegation headed by the defense minister at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, Reuters reported.

A central part of the air force-level discussions, Reuters quoted sources as saying, involved the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft and possible technical collaboration.

According to the report, discussions on the JF-17 were at an advanced stage and involved more than 40 aircraft.

One source was quoted as saying that Indonesia also showed interest in Pakistan’s Shahpar drones.

Another security source with knowledge of the talks said Pakistan was also discussing air defence systems and training programmes for Indonesian air force personnel, including engineering staff.

The air chief briefed the delegation on Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) ongoing modernisation efforts, covering infrastructure development, revamped training programmes and induction of capabilities to enhance readiness for multi-domain operations.

January 13, 2026
100,000 US visas revoked under Trump administration

The United States (US) State Department has announced that more than 100,000 visas have been revoked since President Donald Trump returned to office last year.

According to a post on X on Monday, the revocations – a result of Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration – include 8,000 student visas and 2,500 visas for specialised workers.

The department noted that most withdrawals were due to “encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity”, though it did not clarify whether these encounters led to formal charges.

The scale of the revocations reflects the broad immigration crackdown initiated by Trump upon returning to the White House. The administration has reported overseeing more than 2.5 million voluntary departures and deportations, which it described last month as a “record-breaking achievement”.

Some of the deportations, however, involved immigrants who held valid visas, raising questions about due process and human rights.

The administration has also implemented stricter visa approval policies, including expanded screening and tighter social media vetting.

“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the State Department said in its post on X.

Tommy Pigott, deputy spokesperson for the State Department, said the four leading reasons for visa revocations were overstays, driving under the influence, assault and theft.

He added that the number of revocations represented a 150 percent increase as compared to 2024.

The department has also launched a Continuous Vetting Center, which, Pigott said, is intended to ensure that all foreign nationals on American soil comply with laws, and that the visas of those posing a threat to American citizens, are swiftly revoked.

The State Department has instructed diplomats to scrutinise visa applicants who may be considered hostile to the US or have a history of political activism.

Trump, who was sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025, had campaigned in 2024 on a promise to oversee the “largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America”.

In October, the State Department also announced it had revoked visas from six foreign nationals who allegedly “celebrated” the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk online.

“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans,” the department stated in a social media post.

However, it sparked concern over potential violations of the First Amendment right to free speech.

January 13, 2026
Franchises urge PSL management to replace player draft with auction: reports

Several Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have reportedly asked the league’s management to introduce a player auction system instead of the traditional draft ahead of the upcoming season.

Citing franchise representatives, media reports have said that the current draft system often leaves teams without their preferred players, as rival franchises pick them earlier.

They believe an auction will create a fairer process and give teams more control over squad building. Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and Quetta Gladiators have openly supported the auction model.

Franchises have also raised concerns over a lack of clarity on player recruitment rules. They have questioned how direct signings will work, how many players teams can sign directly, and who will finalise player categories.

Franchise officials have reportedly demanded transparency and involvement in these decisions.

However, PSL management has yet to respond to these queries.

Earlier, PCB successfully conducted a franchise team auction, which expanded the PSL.

The league completed its franchise auction on January 8, adding two new teams to the tournament.

The Kingsmen Group (FKS) acquired the seventh franchise Hyderabad for PKR 1.75 billion, while OZ Developers bought the eighth franchise Sialkot for a record PKR 1.85 billion.

The bidding took place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with ten groups initially registered to participate, however, Ali Tareen Group withdrew just before the auction started, leaving nine groups to compete for the two franchises.

January 13, 2026
Musaddiq Malek faces backlash for dismissing value of viewers’ comments on dramas

Director Musaddiq Malek has sparked controversy after dismissing the importance of viewers’ comments on YouTube videos, specifically the digital presentation of dramas, which has led to widespread criticism on social media.

Malek made the remarks during ‘Kya Drama Hai’, a show he hosts alongside judges Nadia Khan, Marina Khan and Sadia Imam.

While discussing drama serial Case No. 9, Nadia recalled a line from character Sehar, played by Saba Qamar, who said it was “really easy to just sit at home and comment, but your comment can actually mess up someone’s life”.

Musaddiq agreed, saying, “True.”

“That was really fun and such a good point. It was also important to show this to the people watching, including those commenting. And look, when you comment, how do you know the truth? You shouldn’t be commenting like that,” Nadia said.

Musaddiq then said it didn’t have as much an impact as people think. “But I think all these Facebook warriors, Instagram warriors, because of them, we’ve developed thick skin now. Like, it doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

Marina Khan spoke of the seriousness of online harassment, saying, “This medium is allowing kids to commit suicide just because of comments.”

“I want to emphasise this, that we should just close the comment sections. Yes, I said it. Because if you want to watch, go ahead and watch. If you want to message, go ahead and message. You can even inbox or just dislike,” Musaddiq said.

“You don’t have any more value than this. You think it’s super important just because you have a tab for the comment button, but honestly, that’s all you’ve got,” he added.

The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing sharp criticism from viewers who felt disrespected by the director’s remarks.

One user commented, “Nothing great about him.”

Another wrote, “Drama is for the public, so they have every right to comment. And if we don’t watch dramas, yours won’t run either.”

Some viewers defended Musaddiq’s stance after watching the full interview. “Watch the full interview. Then things will be clear. He said this because people bullied Fariya in the comments. They harassed her, saying we’ll do this and that to you. That’s when the director made this point,” one comment read.

However, several others remained critical. “Boycott Musaddiq Malik dramas then he will understand the value of viewers,” suggested a user.

January 13, 2026