Lahore

Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann speaks in the state assembly, where he said he wanted to attend a Punjabi conference in Lahore. — SCREENGRAB VIA BHAGWANT MANN/YOUTUBE
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi gestures during the tri-series match against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, when he took four wickets. — AFP
Pakistan players huddle in their pink kit before the tri-series match against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday. — REUTERS
NCCIA officers escort Faheem Akram, accused of running a counterfeit US postage website, after his arrest. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency said the arrests were made over the past two weeks in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan, following instructions from NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem, who recently took charge. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

U.S. shuts Peshawar consulate over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa security concerns

The United States has announced the phased closure of its Consulate General in Peshawar, with diplomatic engagement for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now shifting to the US Embassy in Islamabad. The decision does not end US engagement with Pakistan, but it places renewed focus on KP’s security situation and the provincial government’s ability to reassure foreign missions.

U.S. Consul General Tom Eckert (L) with KP CM Sohail Afridi in December 2025. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
Challenges around execution remain, but the initiative signals a bold realignment of policy focus: from fossil-fuel dependency to a decentralised, citizen-first green economy. — HONRI
The launch is expected to contribute to Pakistan’s academic capacity, create new job opportunities, and align the country more closely with global higher education benchmarks. — FILE
Officials from both companies suggest more NEVs are expected soon under the Omoda and Jaecoo names, further signalling a long-term commitment to local EV production. — Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket

India’s Sikhs will never know how much Pakistan loves them

It is unfortunate to write that India's Sikhs may never fully grasp the depth of Pakistan’s affection because that affection is filtered through a wall of suspicion built by the Indian state, which views any bridge extended westward as inherently suspect.

A Sikh pilgrim embraces a Pakistani villager near Kartarpur, as the flag of Pakistan waves behind them. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES
Published by Thursday Media International thursday.media