Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been fined 10 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the final match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The incident occurred in the 21st over when Babar, after being dismissed, struck the stumps with his bat in frustration. The offense was categorized as a Level 1 violation, resulting in one demerit point being added to his disciplinary record. Since Babar accepted the charge and admitted his mistake, no formal hearing was required. The punishment comes just after Babar ended a long century drought, scoring his first international hundred in 807 days and 83 innings. Despite his return to form, the disciplinary issue has drawn criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board and former players, who have urged the star batter to maintain composure and set a better example for younger cricketers.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a new directive prohibiting cash-based dollar transactions in an effort to stabilize the rupee and prevent excessive dollar outflows. Under the new rules, banks and exchange companies must transfer foreign currency directly into customers’ accounts instead of providing cash. Individuals without foreign currency accounts will no longer be able to purchase cash dollars. The SBP stated that the move aims to promote a cashless economy and ensure transparency in foreign exchange dealings. Exchange companies clarified that the decision will not affect travelers or those buying dollars for legitimate purposes, though buyers must provide proof of need. Additionally, transactions between customers and exchange companies are now limited to USD 500 unless verified for higher amounts. The new policy is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen its financial system amid ongoing currency pressure and foreign exchange challenges.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that India could launch a cross-border attack, citing recent remarks by the Indian Army Chief. Speaking on Samaa TV’s program ‘Nadeem Malik Live’ on November 18, Asif said Pakistan cannot ignore India’s statements and must remain vigilant. He alleged that India plays a role in infiltration activities across the Afghan border and that Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorists. Asif noted that countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and China want to see an end to cross-border violence involving Pakistan. He further claimed that India does not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their issues peacefully and that Pakistan faces pressure from both eastern and western borders. On foreign policy, Asif clarified that Pakistan will not join the Abraham Accords and will maintain its stance on supporting a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Pakistan’s security forces have killed 15 militants belonging to the India-backed Fitna-al-Khawarij group in two separate counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operations, conducted on November 15 and 16 in Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan, were based on intelligence reports. In the first raid in Dera Ismail Khan’s Kalachi area, 10 militants, including senior commander Alam Mehsud, were killed. A second operation in Datta Khel, North Waziristan, eliminated five more militants. Security forces continue to pursue others who fled the scene. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister congratulated the forces, calling the elimination of India-supported terrorists a matter of national consensus. The government uses the term ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ to refer to the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The development follows a recent suicide bombing in Islamabad claimed by the TTP that killed 12 and injured 27.

Pakistan began their tri-nation T20 series campaign with a solid win over Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. After losing the toss, Zimbabwe batted first and posted 147 runs for eight wickets, despite a strong start of 72 runs in eight overs. Ryan Bennett top-scored with 49 off 36 balls, while captain Sikandar Raza added 34. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz with two wickets, restricted Zimbabwe effectively. In reply, Pakistan faced early pressure at 54 for four but recovered through a 61-run fifth-wicket stand between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan. Fakhar scored 44 off 32 balls, while Usman remained unbeaten on 37. Mohammad Nawaz contributed a quick 21 off 12 balls to seal the victory with four balls to spare. The win gave Pakistan a strong start in the tri-series, boosting their confidence ahead of upcoming matches.

Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi praised Babar Azam as the 'backbone' of the national team after securing a series victory against Sri Lanka at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Afridi highlighted the team’s unity as the key to success and lauded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for their leadership and consistent performances. He expressed satisfaction at Babar’s return to form with a century and commended Rizwan’s senior role. Afridi also appreciated Wasim Junior’s comeback performance after injury, emphasizing the bowlers’ ability to change the course of matches. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batting coach Julian Wood acknowledged Pakistan’s superior performance and praised the Rawalpindi crowd’s support. He admitted Sri Lanka’s early batting collapse cost them the final ODI but stressed the importance of focusing on World Cup preparations and adapting strategies for the upcoming T20 tri-series.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has warned that any future aggression against Pakistan will be met with a swift and strong response. Speaking during a luncheon in honor of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Munir emphasized that Pakistan’s military victory in May was due to divine blessing, not personal achievement. He described the Pakistan Army as 'Allah’s army,' fighting in the name of God. The remarks come after a recent conflict in May, when India launched attacks following a deadly terrorist incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area that killed 28 people. Pakistan claimed to have downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, during the confrontation. India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack without presenting concrete evidence, which Islamabad denied. Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace but stressed that any future aggression would be met with decisive military retaliation.

Jordanian King Abdullah II and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif jointly declared a 'zero-tolerance' stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza during the king’s two-day state visit to Islamabad. The leaders reaffirmed their countries’ shared positions on the Gaza conflict and agreed to strengthen coordination among eight Arab-Islamic nations collaborating with the United States on a ceasefire and post-war reconstruction plan for the enclave. Discussions also covered expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defense, health, education, and technology. Several memoranda of understanding were signed, including in culture and media. King Abdullah’s visit, the first by a Jordanian monarch to Pakistan in 21 years, is part of his broader Asian tour that includes Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. The visit underscores both nations’ alignment on the Palestinian issue and their intent to deepen strategic and economic ties.

Pakistan’s parliament has approved the 27th constitutional amendment, granting Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution, along with broader authority over the navy and air force. The amendment also restructures the judiciary by creating a new Federal Constitutional Court whose judges will be appointed by the president, raising concerns about judicial independence. Supporters argue the changes will streamline governance and reduce case backlogs, while critics warn they entrench military dominance and erode civilian oversight. Two Supreme Court judges resigned in protest, citing the amendment’s threat to constitutional integrity. Analysts say the move marks a shift from Pakistan’s long-standing ‘hybrid’ civil-military system toward a more overtly military-dominated order. The government defends the reform as part of a modernization agenda aimed at strengthening national defense and administrative efficiency, but observers fear it signals deepening authoritarianism and further imbalance between civilian institutions and the armed forces.

Pakistan’s parliament has passed the 27th constitutional amendment, extending Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s tenure by five years and promoting him to Chief of Defence Forces, giving him command over the army, navy, and air force. The amendment also grants him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution and allows further extension beyond 2030. The move, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, abolishes the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and shifts constitutional case jurisdiction from the Supreme Court to a new Federal Constitutional Court. Two Supreme Court judges resigned in protest, calling the reform a blow to judicial independence. Critics say the amendment consolidates unprecedented power in the military leadership, while the government claims it strengthens national unity. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also declared Pakistan ready for conflict on both eastern and western fronts.

Pakistani security forces have arrested four individuals allegedly involved in this week’s suicide bombing outside a courthouse in Islamabad. The government confirmed on Friday that the attack was orchestrated from Afghanistan and claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Authorities said the detainees are connected to the TTP and were directed by senior commanders based in Afghanistan. The suicide bomber, identified as Usman alias Kari from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, was among those involved. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the attacker was an Afghan national, noting that Islamabad had largely remained free of major terrorist attacks since December 2022. The government has accused Afghan-based militant groups of fueling renewed violence in Pakistan’s northwest. The Taliban government in Kabul has not officially responded but expressed sorrow and condemnation. Relations between the two neighbors have sharply deteriorated amid recent border clashes and rising tensions.

Pakistan has appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), following the passage of constitutional and military service amendment bills in the National Assembly. The new legislation, signed by President Asif Ali Zardari under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, merges the role of Chief of Army Staff with the new CDF post, abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee position. The CDF will now serve a five-year term starting from the date of appointment, effectively resetting Munir’s tenure. Munir, who became Army Chief in November 2022 and was promoted to Field Marshal after the May conflict with India, will now continue under this extended framework. The amendments also extend the service terms of the heads of the army, navy, and air force from three to five years, sparking criticism from opposition parties and judicial resignations.

Two senior judges of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, resigned on November 13 following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment, approved by both the National Assembly and Senate with a two-thirds majority, establishes a new Federal Constitutional Court above the Supreme Court, significantly altering the judicial structure. In his 13-page resignation letter, Justice Shah called the amendment a severe blow to the constitution, claiming it undermines judicial independence and places the judiciary under executive control. Justice Minallah described the constitution as effectively nullified. Analysts say the resignations mark an unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s judicial history, sparking intense debate over the separation of powers and the future of judicial independence in the country.

Pakistan’s army and the United Arab Emirates’ Presidential Guard have completed a two-week joint anti-terrorism exercise named 'Zalmud-1' in Tarbela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The drill primarily focused on hostage rescue operations and enhancing counterterrorism coordination between the two forces. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), units from Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG) and the UAE Presidential Guard participated in the exercise. The closing ceremony was attended by the SSG’s General Officer Commanding as the chief guest, along with senior Emirati military officials and diplomats. The exercise aimed to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and improve joint operational capabilities in counterterrorism missions.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that two suicide bombers involved in recent attacks across the country were Afghan nationals. Speaking in parliament, Naqvi confirmed several arrests linked to the incidents. One attack occurred at the entrance of Islamabad’s district court complex, killing at least 12 and injuring over 30. Another took place at a cadet college in South Waziristan near the Afghan border, involving a car bomb. Authorities have detained seven suspects in Rawalpindi and conducted operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim Afghanistan denies. Pakistan’s defense minister warned that the country might strike targets inside Afghanistan following the recent violence.