Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the manhole outside a departmental store at around 11pm on Sunday. The family had been shopping when the boy ran ahead after pulling his hand free. The family resides in Shah Faisal Colony. Ibrahim was their only child.

The child’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, received the body. Ibrahim’s mother reportedly fell unconscious after the incident. Locals and volunteers joined the rescue efforts, expressing frustration at delays caused by the unavailability of machinery and sewerage maps.

Rescue teams initially began searching for the child but halted operations due to lack of equipment. Residents later arranged machinery themselves to continue excavation work.

The incident prompted protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road, burned tyres, and halted traffic towards Hassan Square. Some protesters damaged media vans and attempted to stop office-goers, while police diverted traffic to nearby roads.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab expressed condolences to the family and said CCTV footage from the store was being obtained. He added that rescue efforts had been ongoing and that the manhole had no cover. Wahab stated that the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been instructed to investigate, and action would be taken if any negligence was found.

Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed confirmed an inquiry into the missing manhole cover and said action would be taken against those responsible.

Political leaders, including MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hafiz Naeemur-Rehman, criticized the authorities, holding the mayor and Water Board responsible for the incident. They highlighted safety risks to children and residents due to uncovered manholes and drains.

The Sindh government had imposed the cess on the import of petroleum products, creating financial challenges for the industry.

Officials of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) recently held a meeting with representatives of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and the additional attorney general of Pakistan to discuss the issue. During the sitting, Ogra and PSO officials cautioned that oil marketing companies (OMCs) and refineries would collapse due to the Sindh infrastructure cess. They discussed the situation post-27th Constitutional Amendment, where PSO highlighted that all constitutional matters were in transition phase and should be submitted to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC)

The meeting was informed that it may take three to six weeks once cases were submitted to the FCC. However, the additional attorney general and PSO counsel will expedite it on priority. The AAGP stated that since the federal government was not a party to the court petition, it was suggested that instead of bringing Ogra to the case, the federal government may be made a respondent.

PSO pointed out that currently the main issue was the submission of bank guarantee for which the Sindh government had verbally agreed to give relaxation till December 31, 2025 due to the Supreme Court’s interim relief order, which may be vacated or revised in the very first hearing. PSO and Ogra were of the view that the industry, as a whole, was facing significant operational and financial risks as a result of the change, including the import of crude oil for refineries. Weak margins and limited credit lines make it unfeasible for the industry to submit bank guarantee amounting to billions of rupees per cargo.

Responding to that concern, the AAGP said that he would discuss the matter with the legal counsel of PSO for fixing an early date for hearing the petition in the Supreme Court, prior to the expiry of deadline for the submission of bank guarantee, which is December 31, 2025

The meeting concluded with the understanding that the AAGP, in consultation with the PSO legal counsel and Ogra, would make all efforts to fix the court case in the upcoming week for resolution of the matter. Earlier, oil cargoes had been stuck at Karachi Port due to a tussle between the oil industry and the Sindh government over the infrastructure cess. However, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) intervened and Sindh agreed to extend the deadline for submitting bank guarantees. Sindh also released one oil cargo of PSO in October 2025.

However, oil crisis is still looming if the issue is not resolved as Sindh seeks to recover Rs180 billion in infrastructure cess from the industry. The province is also asking PSO and other OMCs to provide guarantee for cess payment before the release of more cargoes.

Sindh and the oil industry have been locked in the dispute since 2021. According to industry officials, the provincial government imposed the infrastructure cess on petroleum imports in 2021. However, the industry got a stay order from the Sindh High Cour.

They said a two-member bench of the Sindh High Court later vacated the stay order and directed the industry to pay the cess. Oil companies then filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, but the apex court also directed the industry to pay the cess.

At that time, the then petroleum minister asked the industry to give an undertaking to Sindh that they would release the levy once the case was finally settled in court. Since 2023, the implementation of court’s decision had been pending. Now, Sindh has directed OMCs to pay the cess retroactively from 2021

The latest projections show lower ex-refinery and ex-depot rates across major products.

Petrol price may drop by Rs3.70 per litre, high-speed diesel (HSD) Rs4.28 per litre, kerosene oil Rs0.73 per litre and light diesel oil (LDO) Rs6.35 per litre.

Petrol is expected to decline to Rs261.75 per litre from Rs265.45, registering a reduction of Rs3.70 per litre.

The oil industry has forecast a reduction in prices of high-speed diesel, which may come down to Rs280.16 compared with Rs284.44, registering a reduction of Rs4.28 per litre.

The price of kerosene oil is projected to decline to Rs193.61, slightly down from Rs194.34. Similarly, the light diesel oil may witness a drop to Rs164.45 against the existing price of Rs170.80.

High-speed diesel is widely used in the transport and agriculture sectors. Therefore, a reduction in its price will have a large impact on the lives of the people.

Petrol is used in motorbikes and cars, and Punjab province is its key user due to the ban on the use of indigenous gas in CNG stations.

Kerosene oil is used for cooking purposes mainly in the northern part of the country, where LPG is not available. The Pakistan Army is its key user, as light diesel oil is used in industry.

The government is currently charging a higher rate of taxes, which includes the petroleum levy (PL). The consumers are currently paying Rs75.41 per litre petroleum levy (PL) and Rs2.50 per litre CSL on high-speed diesel.

The consumers are also paying Rs97.62 per litre petroleum levy (PL) and Rs2.50 per litre CSL on petrol. There is no sales tax on these products.

The federal government had increased the rate of petroleum levy to pocket the entire tax collection on petroleum products. The sales tax collection moves to provinces, and therefore, the government had reduced sales tax to zero to deprive the provinces of the sales tax collection.

The petroleum levy was also supposed to invest in the development of the oil sector, like building oil storage in the country. However, the governments have been using the collection to meet their current expenditures.

Carrying passengers on the rooftops of buses and wagons has also been declared a punishable offence.

A large-scale crackdown against violators will begin from Monday. Police have been directed to seize all banned rickshaws, which will be impounded at police stations. Cases will be registered against anyone riding a motorcycle or driving a vehicle without a helmet, a valid driving licence as well as a fitness certificate.

Parents of underage drivers will also face legal consequences. Wrong-way driving, overspeeding and other dangerous traffic violations will now result in criminal charges. Overloading or transporting passengers on the rooftops of public transport vehicles will also lead to prosecution.

The deputy commissioner, CPO and CTO have issued strict instructions to traffic police and local police stations to launch the operation without delay.

Authorities have additionally banned the practice of modifying and converting motorcycles into makeshift commercial rickshaws. Police have been ordered to seize all such modified motorcycles.

The enforcement drive aims to prevent rising road accidents, regulate illegal transport, and ensure public safety.

Punjab has launched a crackdown on traffic violations and strict penalties are being introduced as the province announced to auction vehicles over repeat traffic violations. The province introduced 20 major amendments in six-decade-old Traffic Act.

The government approved a 30-day grace period to eliminate one-way violations, and directed the relevant authorities to remodel U-turns to improve road safety. It was also agreed that compensation for families of those killed in road accidents will be paid immediately.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stressed that marriage halls will not be allowed to operate without having proper parking facilities for guests.

The participants approved a province-wide crackdown against underage drivers. Officials said, in case of underage driving, the vehicle owner may face up to six-month imprisonment.

The chief minister ordered a crackdown on buses carrying passengers on rooftops. Relevant officials apprised her that in order to improve traffic flow and ensure public safety, a ban on motorcycle rickshaws will be enforced on five model roads in Lahore.

The chief minister set a 30-day deadline to streamline traffic in Lahore. She said vehicles dangerously speeding will face stern action

The move comes as part of a broader strategic review by Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, aimed at streamlining operations and redirecting resources towards countries deemed more critical to the country’s long-term political and economic interests.

Under the revised plan, alongside Islamabad, Finland will also shut down its embassies in neighboring Kabul and Yangon next year. The Ministry said the decision reflects a combination of operational and strategic factors, including shifting political conditions in the host countries and limited commercial engagement with Finland.

Officials noted that the foreign service routinely evaluates its global footprint to ensure it remains aligned with evolving foreign-policy priorities.

The latest review examined Finland’s diplomatic network through the lens of security and the requirements of Team Finland’s export-promotion agenda.

The objective, the Ministry stated, is to consolidate diplomatic and economic resources in regions where Finland sees greater strategic value. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland’s diplomatic presence must adapt to a rapidly changing world.

“Our operating environment is changing rapidly. The changes to be made will help us to build a stronger and more competitive Finland and to manage Finland’s external relations in accordance with our priorities,” she said.

As part of this shift, Finland strengthened its presence in the United States earlier this year by opening a Consulate General in Houston, a significant centre for energy, innovation and trade. The Ministry is also preparing to establish commercial offices in 2026 in countries where Business Finland previously operated.

While Finland plans to expand its footprint in some regions, the closure of several missions — including the embassy in Islamabad — signals a recalibration of its diplomatic priorities. Final approval for the closures will be issued through a decree, signed by the President of Finland, marking a formal step towards Helsinki’s reoriented global engagement strategy.

A division bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Naeem Anwar heard the chief minister’s petition. During the proceedings, CM’s counsel Bashir Khan Wazir, Advocate General K-P Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Atif Nazir, and NAB’s representative Sartaj Khan Advocate appeared before the court.

According to the short order issued by the high court, Islamabad police submitted details of the cases registered against the chief minister, informing the bench that multiple FIRs have been lodged against him in various police stations of Islamabad.

The court was further told that the Cyber Crime Wing in Islamabad has registered two separate cases against the chief minister.

However, the court noted that reports from NAB, the Anti-Corruption Establishment, and the K-P Inspector General of Police had not been submitted. The bench questioned the Advocate General regarding whether the court could intervene in matters relating to institutions functioning under the administrative control of the chief minister, but the AG failed to provide a satisfactory response.

The deputy attorney general was directed to ensure that all relevant authorities submit their reports before the court. The bench subsequently ordered that the chief minister must not be arrested in any case until December 9.

In a separate development, the Peshawar High Court granted bail to three suspects arrested for allegedly committing robbery while wearing police uniforms. Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel heard the bail plea of the accused, Arman, Hasnain, and Nabi, residents of Nasir Bagh.

During the hearing, the court was informed that the accused had allegedly carried out a robbery within the jurisdiction of Tatara Police Station while impersonating police officials and using a government number plate, after which they were taken into custody.

Gold prices surged in Pakistan on Saturday after a sharp rise in the international bullion market, where the yellow metal gained $53 per ounce to reach $4,218.

After a two-day pause in trading, domestic bullion markets raised the price of 24-carat gold by Rs5,300 per tola, taking it to Rs444,162. The rate for 10 grams also increased by Rs4,544 to settle at Rs380,797.

Silver prices followed the same upward trend, with the per-tola rate climbing by Rs267 to Rs5,909 and the 10-gram price rising by Rs229 to Rs5,066.

Earlier on Friday, gold prices in Pakistan held steady for the second straight day, with the per-tola rate unchanged at Rs438,862 despite a surge in global bullion markets, where prices hovered near a one-week high on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month.

According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of 10-gram gold also remained unchanged at Rs376,253. Silver prices were flat as well, trading at Rs5,642 per tola.

The stability in domestic bullion rates comes even as international gold continued its upward momentum, supported by weakening US economic indicators and increasing bets on monetary easing.

Reuters reported that spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,162.99 per ounce at 1:55 pm ET (1855 GMT), after hitting its highest level since November 14 earlier in the session. US gold futures for December delivery settled 0.6% higher at $4,165.20 per ounce.

Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, said the market has clearly broken past a strong resistance level, signalling bullish momentum. “Gold prices are on the upside.

It has broken a strong resistance and made a high of $4,207. The market was around $4,199, with a low of $4,150. As I mentioned earlier, the chances of more upside remain strong,” he noted.

Agar added that upcoming US economic data scheduled for next week will likely guide the next major move, but until then, gold is expected to trade between $4,200 and $4,300.

Analysts say the broader outlook remains supportive for bullion, as easing expectations and softer yields continue to make non-yielding assets like gold attractive to investors.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has once again signalled that Pakistan is ready to contribute troops to a Gaza peacekeeping force if required, but categorically rejected rumours that its forces would play any role in disarming Hamas.

“A new claim is being floated that this stabilisation force will disarm Hamas. We will provide our force if required, but there will be further consultations, and our force will in no case be used to disarm Hamas,” said Dar during a news briefing at Foreign Office in Islamabad on Saturday.

Dar said that discussions on a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza began in the United States, and Islamabad had earlier indicated it was open to examining the idea. He said Pakistan later suggested that any such force should be created under an international body, adding that Islamabad has already formed a separate eight‑nation group dedicated to Gaza.

“Pakistan supported steps aimed at improving security and humanitarian conditions in the enclave but stressed that the mandate of any mission must be clear and internationally agreed,” he added.

‘Either hand over TTP to us or relocate them far away’

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Dar said that the UN had approached Pakistan “yesterday” to request the restoration of food and humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan.

“I have spoken to the head of the armed forces, and I will soon speak to the prime minister,” he said. “Very soon, keeping in view the suffering of ordinary Afghan people, we will allow the resumption of humanitarian aid and food supplies. This permission will be granted purely on humanitarian grounds.”

Dar said that Pakistan had made repeated and sincere efforts to improve ties with Afghanistan, but warned that Islamabad had now reached a point of “helplessness” in the face of continued cross-border terrorists attacks.