At least 28 people, including women and children, were injured in Karachi due to incidents of aerial firing as the city welcomed the New Year 2026, according to hospital and rescue authorities. The victims were transported to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Civil Hospital Karachi, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. Among those injured were six women and two young girls.

The Punjab government has announced free public transport services in Lahore from February 6 to February 8 to facilitate Basant celebrations and reduce the risk of road accidents by discouraging motorcycle use. The initiative aims to improve public safety during the festive period while ensuring smoother traffic flow across the city.

Google is introducing a significant update to its long-standing policy that previously restricted users with a “@gmail.com” address from changing their account email. Until now, Google allowed this change only for accounts using third-party email addresses, while clearly stating that Gmail addresses usually could not be modified. This policy is now being revised, with details of the new process

According to official data, authorities registered 3,749 cases against violators during this period. Fines amounting to Rs766 million were imposed, while Rs695.85 million was recovered through legal settlements, reflecting stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi has reviewed the progress of the Kareemabad underpass project, a major infrastructure initiative with an estimated cost of Rs3.8 billion, and expressed concern over delays affecting its timely completion. During the inspection, officials informed him that approximately 85 percent of the construction work has already been completed.

Karachi’s youth demonstrated the power of initiative as they joined hands to clean Seaview Beach, transforming concern for the environment into tangible action. Equipped with gloves, bags, and determination, these volunteers collected trash, removed debris, and helped restore the natural beauty of the shoreline.

In Karachi, a resident has reportedly received two electronic challans within 25 days for allegedly not wearing a seat belt, even though his vehicle was reportedly parked at his home.

Consumers in Pakistan may enjoy relief on fuel costs as petroleum prices are expected to decrease starting January 1, 2026, pending government approval. Petrol prices could drop by up to Rs10.60 per litre, while high-speed diesel may fall by Rs8.59 per litre.

The government has announced the regulated celebration of Basant 2026 in Lahore, allowing the manufacture of kites and strings from December 30. The sale of kite-flying materials will be permitted only from February 1 to February 8 under strict safety regulations.

The third phase of the Punjab Green Tractor Scheme is set to launch in January 2026, as part of the provincial government’s efforts to modernize farming practices and boost agricultural productivity across Punjab. This initiative provides farmers with access to modern, high-performance tractors at heavily subsidized rates, making advanced machinery more affordable and accessible for small and