News/Info Briefs

October 17, 2026

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly shot dead by her cousin in Mianwali for leaving home without a hijab, according to a first information report filed by her father The father told police that he was accompanying his daughter to buy groceries when the suspect, identified as Jawad, stopped them along the way. Source

Adrian Hamilton Manns, chief executive of Oman’s Salam Air, has been nominated as the next CEO of Pakistan International Airlines and is expected to take charge by the end of October. Source

A case has been registered at Booni Police Station over the non-return of an official vehicle bearing registration number A-1292 belonging to the Upper Chitral district administration. The FIR states that the official vehicle was in the possession of Deputy Speaker Suraya Bibi, who allegedly refused to return it. Subsequently, legal action was initiated on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Arshad Khan. Source

Gilgit-Baltistan Local Elections Scheduled for December: Elections for municipal corporation seats in Gilgit, Skardu and Chilas are scheduled for 5 December 2026. The long-delayed polls are part of a wider effort to restore elected local government after more than two decades without local-body elections. Source

KP Orders Safety Inspections of All Private Schools: Following the tragic collapse of a school roof in Peshawar that killed 34 children and a teacher, authorities have ordered immediate inspections of private schools across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Families say they had previously raised concerns about the building’s condition. Source

Pakistan Rules Out Unconditional Talks with Afghanistan: Pakistan’s Foreign Office says Islamabad remains open to dialogue with Afghanistan but requires a verifiable mechanism to prevent militant attacks originating from Afghan territory. The statement comes amid continuing tensions between the two neighbours and efforts to find a diplomatic solution. Source

North Korea Tests AI-Equipped Torpedo: North Korea says it has tested an upgraded underwater torpedo system incorporating artificial intelligence. The reported trial highlights the growing use of AI in military technology, although details about the system’s actual capabilities and operational readiness remain limited. Source 

Europe’s Lesser-Known Destinations Attract Attention: A new travel ranking has highlighted Bucovina, a historic region in Romania, among Europe’s most underrated destinations for 2027. Its monasteries, traditional villages and scenic countryside offer alternatives to crowded tourist hotspots, reflecting growing interest in less-visited cultural destinations. Source

Worlds longest straight road: Highway 10 is a highway in Saudi Arabia, stretching from Ad Darb in Al Darb Governorate to the Saudi–UAE border near the Persian Gulf. The highway is 1,480 kilometers (920 mi) long. The highway became famous for its straight section that is 240 kilometers (150 mi) long between Haradh and Al Batha, and has no bends or noticeable gradients, earning it the world record for the longest straight road . Source