Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced the formation of the 'Imran Khan Release Force' to campaign for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023. The announcement was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and close Khan ally Sohail Afridi during a press conference outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Afridi said Khan had tasked him with leading a street movement for his release.

Imran Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote in 2022 and later faced multiple legal cases, resulting in his imprisonment. PTI maintains that the charges are politically motivated. Recently, concerns have grown over Khan’s health after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court revealed that he retains only 15 percent vision in his right eye.

Following the report, PTI intensified its campaign for Khan’s release, while the government insists that the former prime minister is receiving the best possible medical care.

Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft for another month, according to a new notice issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). The restriction, which has been in place for nearly ten months, will now remain effective until March 23, 2026. During this period, all Indian military and civilian aircraft are prohibited from flying through Pakistani airspace.

The airspace ban was first imposed on April 23, 2025, following escalating tensions between the two countries after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. In response to the incident, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to retaliate by closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

Subsequent military confrontations in early May saw both nations launch strikes against each other, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on May 10 after 87 hours of conflict. The extension of the airspace closure underscores the continuing strain in India-Pakistan relations despite the earlier ceasefire.

At least ten people were killed and twelve others injured when part of a three‑storey residential building collapsed following a gas leak explosion in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar No. 3 area on Wednesday night. The blast occurred on the building’s ground floor, causing a large section to cave in. Rescue teams immediately launched operations, pulling several victims—both alive and dead—from the debris using all available equipment.

Police said initial findings suggest the explosion may have been triggered by gas leaking from a cylinder or suction machine. Among the confirmed dead are ten‑year‑old Nazia and sixty‑year‑old Mohammad Riaz, while the body of one woman has been recovered and another victim’s identity is being verified. Several of the injured are children, including a fourteen‑year‑old girl in critical condition, all of whom were taken to hospital.

Officials fear at least two people remain trapped under the rubble. Narrow surrounding streets have slowed rescue efforts. Police have cordoned off the area, tightened security, and continued the rescue operation.

Two sisters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have alleged a plot to kill him, accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and Field Marshal Asim Munir of orchestrating it. Speaking to reporters on February 18, Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan claimed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also part of the conspiracy, which they described as a 'lethal plan.' Uzma said that during her recent visit to Adiala Jail, Imran told her that if anything happened to him, Asim Munir would be responsible.

Uzma further alleged that Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, had threatened their family. She warned of severe retaliation if any harm came to Imran or their family. Aleema expressed concern about Imran’s deteriorating eyesight and said he was being denied access to his trusted medical team. Another sister, Naureen Khan, criticized Asim Munir for hypocrisy and accused the authorities of inhumane treatment of Imran.

The government rejected the sisters’ allegations and dismissed concerns about Imran’s health, stating that a two-member medical board regularly monitors him and has reported partial vision in his right eye and near-normal vision in his left.

Pakistan advanced to the Super Eight stage after a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia in their final Group A match on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Facing a must-win situation to stay in the tournament, the team led by Salman Ali Agha posted 199 for 3 in 20 overs, driven by opener Sahibzada Farhan’s unbeaten 100 off 58 balls. Contributions from Agha (38 off 23) and Shadab Khan (36 not out off 22) strengthened the innings, while Namibia’s Jack Brassell claimed two wickets.

Chasing a target of 200, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs. Usman Tariq led Pakistan’s bowling attack with four wickets for 16 runs, and Shadab Khan added three for 19. Namibia’s top scorers were Laurens Steenkamp with 23 and Alexander Busing-Lovshenk with 20.

Before the match, India had already secured the top spot in the group, while the United States held second place on equal points. Pakistan’s superior net run rate after this win ensured their progression to the Super Eight stage.

A Pakistani national has been released after nearly 18 years in an Indian prison, according to a post by the Pakistan High Commission in India on social media platform X. The freed individual, identified as Muhammad Shahid Iqbal Bhatti from Kasur, has already returned to Pakistan. He was welcomed by Pakistani officials upon arrival at the Wagah-Attari border. Bhatti had entered India through Nepal in 2005 and was detained in 2008.

The Pakistan High Commission stated that Bhatti’s release and repatriation were achieved through its sustained efforts. Security officials mentioned that he would undergo routine checks before being handed over to his family. The mission reaffirmed its commitment to continue working for the release and return of other Pakistani prisoners held abroad.

The case underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts between India and Pakistan concerning the status and repatriation of detained nationals, as highlighted by the High Commission’s statement.

Fourteen legendary former Test cricket captains have written to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging that former captain, cricket icon, and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan be provided with proper medical treatment and minimum human dignity. The letter, sent on February 17, 2026, expresses growing concern over Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly reports of worsening eyesight during his imprisonment over the past two and a half years.

In their letter, the captains highlighted Imran Khan’s immense contribution to cricket, recalling his leadership in guiding Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. They described that triumph as a symbol of skill, leadership, patience, and sportsmanship that continues to inspire generations. The signatories also noted his service as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, acknowledging his democratic election and leadership during challenging times.

The letter was signed by Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Mike Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh, and John Wright.

At least six people were killed in a severe road accident in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Monday. The crash occurred in Naushahro Feroze district when a speeding car heading toward Karachi lost control and collided forcefully with a trailer. Rescue officials reported that the impact was so intense that the private car was completely crushed, killing all six passengers on the spot.

Rescue teams transported the bodies to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Following the collision, local authorities carried out emergency rescue operations and arranged to send the injured to hospitals. Traffic on the national highway was temporarily suspended during the rescue efforts.

The incident has once again highlighted the importance of road safety and controlling high-speed vehicles to prevent such fatal accidents in the future.

At least 14 people, including 11 security personnel and three civilians, were killed on Monday in two bomb attacks and a gunfight between police and militants in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Among the dead was a child. The incidents also left at least 25 others injured. The attacks occurred as Pakistani security forces were engaged in counter-insurgency operations along the Afghan border in the country’s southern and northern provinces.

According to a security official, one of the attacks took place in Bajaur district when a vehicle loaded with explosives was driven into the wall of a religious college, killing eight police and Frontier Corps members and injuring ten others. A child died when nearby houses collapsed. In a separate incident in Bannu city, a bomb planted in a rickshaw exploded near the Miryan police station, killing two civilians and injuring 17 others. Officials warned that the death toll could rise.

The violence followed an earlier ISIS-claimed suicide bombing this month at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and injured 169.

Imran Khan, the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister, has shown slight improvement in his eyesight, according to his sister Naureen Khanum. Citing medical reports, she said swelling around his eyes has reduced. However, she noted that concerns about his vision remain and called for his treatment to be conducted transparently under the supervision of his personal doctors.

Earlier, on February 12, Imran Khan claimed that only 15 percent of the vision in his right eye remained. Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a medical team to examine him. A post on social media platform X confirmed that his eye examination took place on Sunday and no major complications were found so far.

The Pakistani government had announced plans to move Imran Khan to a hospital soon, but this has not yet occurred. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Asad Qaiser continue a sit-in protest inside Parliament House demanding his hospital transfer, with PTI-backed representatives staging demonstrations at Parliament Lodges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss regional and global security, as well as mutual counterterrorism cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides exchanged views on security conditions and measures against terrorism.

During his visit to Germany from February 12 to 14, Asim Munir also held meetings with German officials, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the Chancellor’s foreign and security policy adviser Gunter Sauter, and Defense Chief General Carsten Breuer. Discussions focused on bilateral defense cooperation and advancing global peace through dialogue.

Munir additionally met with Brazil’s Chief of the Joint Staff Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire and Lebanon’s Armed Forces Commander General Rodolf Heikal. These meetings emphasized strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense ties to promote international stability and security.

The Pakistani government plans to move former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to a new prison in Islamabad within the next two months. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the plan during a police event in Islamabad, stating that the new facility will be completed soon and will include full medical services. Khan has been held in Adiala Jail since September 2023 following a conviction by an Islamabad court.

The federal government told the Supreme Court that Khan will be allowed to see an eye specialist again amid growing concerns about his deteriorating eyesight. His sons, Qasim and Suleiman, will also be permitted to contact him by phone. A court-appointed lawyer reported that Khan’s right eye retains only 15 percent vision despite treatment. PTI has alleged that his solitary confinement violates national and international laws.

Meanwhile, leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Aaeeni Pakistan have launched a sit-in protest demanding Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for proper medical care. Police have been deployed at protest sites in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to maintain order.

The Pakistan government has announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be transferred from prison to a hospital for medical treatment. A medical board will be formed to examine his health condition. The decision came amid a sit-in protest that began on Friday outside the country’s parliament. According to The Express Tribune, the protest was joined by opposition leaders Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi and other PTI leaders continued separate demonstrations at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, where police forces were deployed. Protesters declared that their sit-in would continue until Imran Khan was urgently transferred to Shifa International Hospital for eye treatment. Information Minister Ataullah Tatar stated on social media that specialists would conduct further examinations and submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that Imran Khan would be moved from prison to a hospital based on his health condition and assured that all human rights entitled to a prisoner would be provided to him.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was allowed to speak with his two sons following a directive from the Supreme Court. His sister, Aleema Khan, confirmed on Saturday, February 14, that the conversation took place by phone. Prison authorities stated that the call lasted over half an hour, while Aleema said it was around 20 minutes. She added that Khan’s sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, were emotional after hearing their father’s voice, and Imran himself was very happy.

The Supreme Court had ordered prison authorities on February 12 to permit the call after PTI lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a health report on Khan. The report revealed that blood clotting in Khan’s right eye had caused severe damage, leaving him with only 15 percent vision despite treatment. The seven-page report detailed a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail.

Aleema Khan said the family is awaiting urgent treatment for Imran Khan at Shifa International Hospital and alleged deliberate delays in his eye care, warning against further postponement due to the risk of permanent vision loss.

Ahead of the upcoming match against India, Pakistan’s spin attack is being viewed as the team’s strongest weapon. The dry pitch conditions in Colombo are expected to favor spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, who both rely heavily on back-spin deliveries. Their carrom balls are likely to skid on the surface, increasing chances of dismissals through bowled and leg-before-wicket.

The analysis highlights that variation will be crucial in T20 bowling, as batsmen tend to play quick shots and struggle to adjust if they misread the carrom ball. Both Abrar and Saim possess strong variations, which could make them effective in the format. Abrar has reportedly refined his use of the carrom ball, while Saim has added side-spin to his repertoire, similar to India’s Varun Chakravarthy. Usman Tariq’s unorthodox bowling action is also mentioned as a potential surprise factor.

With these spin options and the dry surface at the Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan’s bowling lineup could gain a tactical edge in the high-stakes encounter against India.