Hundreds of members of Pakistan's transgender (Khwaja Sira) community and their supporters gathered in Karachi to protest against soaring inflation, rising fuel prices, expensive food, and the increasing cost of living.

The demonstrators carried placards demanding urgent government action, better employment opportunities, and financial relief for vulnerable communities. Protesters said the rapid increase in the prices of essential goods, housing, and transportation has made survival increasingly difficult, especially for transgender Pakistanis who continue to face discrimination and limited access to formal employment.

Pakistan's Transgender Community Protests Rising Inflation and Cost of Living in Karachi

The World's Most Livable Cities 2026 ranking has been revealed, with Copenhagen, Denmark securing the top spot, followed by Vienna and Melbourne. The list highlights cities offering the best quality of life, while Damascus, Syria ranks as the least livable city, followed by Tripoli and Dhaka. Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru also feature in the global rankings.

World's most livable cities 2026: Copenhagen tops, Damascus ranks last 

The latest weekend strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reignited a regional battle that refuses to die down. After about a month of calm, the two neighbours accused each other of violating international norms. While Pakistan says the strikes were a response to the Karachi attack, taliban government says it is a "cowardly act". The fresh escalation has raised concerns about regional stability and the future of the ties between the two neighbours.

'Peacemaker' Pakistan kills Afghan civilians in fresh escalation

At least 20 people lost their lives in Karachi on Wednesday after heavy rain and strong winds caused walls, roofs, and trees to collapse across various parts of the city, according to police and rescue officials.

“The total number of people killed in accidents across the city has reached 21,” Rescue 1122 said in a statement, as teams continue clearing debris and searching for more victims.


Pakistan: Heavy Rains Cause Walls & Roof Collapse in Karachi

At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured during violent protests outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. Demonstrators clashed with security forces in response to rising Middle East tensions following recent strikes on Iran and the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Authorities urge calm as investigations continue.


Pak PM Condemns Israeli Strikes; Protesters Storm US Embassy Buildings in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has addressed questions surrounding Army Chief General Asim Munir’s growing prominence, pushing back against claims of a power imbalance. The remarks come amid continuing debate over civil-military dynamics and leadership influence in Pakistan’s political landscape. The issue has drawn attention as discussions over governance and authority intensify.


Pakistan: Is Asim Munir Pakistan’s Real Power Centre? Khwaja Asif Defends Army Chief’s Role | WION

Pakistan: Gas Explosion in Karachi Apartment Kills 16, Injures Dozens

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described Islamabad’s decision to join the US-led war in Afghanistan as a “miscalculation”, while sharply criticising Washington’s treatment of Pakistan.

Speaking on the country’s role in the conflict, Asif said Pakistan was “used and discarded”, accusing the United States of exploiting Islamabad during the Afghan war. His remarks, including unusually blunt language directed at the US, have drawn significant political attention.

The comments revive long-running debates within Pakistan over the costs and consequences of its involvement in the Afghanistan conflict.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Calls Afghan War Decision a ‘Miscalculation’ | WION

At least 31 people have been killed and more than 169 injured in an explosion at an imambargah in Islamabad. Emergency services rushed to the site as authorities assessed the scale of the damage and began investigations into the blast.

Breaking: At Least 31 Killed, Over 169 Injured in Islamabad Imambargah Explosion | Pakistan | WION

At least 15 people have been killed and more than 80 injured in an explosion at an imambargah in Islamabad. Emergency services rushed to the site as authorities assessed the scale of the damage and began investigations into the blast.

Breaking: At Least 15 Killed, Over 80 Injured in Islamabad Imambargah Explosion | Pakistan | WION 

A fire broke out at a mobile market in Karachi, Pakistan, causing panic among shopkeepers and visitors. Firefighters responded promptly and brought the blaze under control, preventing further damage and potential casualties. Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost, but some shops sustained damage due to the flames and smoke.

Karachi Market Blaze: Fire Erupts at Karachi Mobile Market, Shops Damaged

Pakistan: Fire at Karachi Mobile Market Contained | Firefighters Bring It Under Control

Anger has erupted in Pakistan after a deadly fire tore through a shopping mall in Karachi, killing at least 67 people. Protests have broken out in the country’s economic capital as residents demand accountability, stricter safety regulations, and justice for the victims of the tragic blaze.

Pak: Protesters Cite 'Negligence' For Fire Tragedy, Demand Resignations From Officials

Anger has erupted in Pakistan after a deadly fire tore through a shopping mall in Karachi, killing at least 67 people. Protests have broken out in the country’s economic capital as residents demand accountability, stricter safety regulations, and justice for the victims of the tragic blaze.


Karachi Mall Fire: Protests In Pakistan's Economic Capital After Deadly Mall Fire

A court in Pakistan has sentenced a human rights activist to 17 years in prison over social media posts deemed “anti-state”, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups. 


Pakistan: Pakistan Jails Human Rights Activist For 17 Years Over ‘Anti-State’ Posts | WION

The death toll in the blaze at Karachi’s shopping mall Gul Plaza crossed 70 on Friday as rescuers found more remains from the rubble of the gutted shopping centre. Karachi Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed issued an updated list of 71 deceased. The identification of nine of the 16 deceased so far could be done by DNA tests, which have been performed for 49 samples. Only partial remains of some bodies were found, and authorities could collect 67 skulls, reported BBC, citing the deputy commissioner of police.&nbsp;The devastating blaze erupted on the night of January 17 and took nearly two days to be fully extinguished. The fire has left the building in ruins, and some sections have even collapsed.As more bodies were recovered from different parts of the building, officials said the final toll will be determined only when the identification of all the remains is completed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-total-access-greenland-deal-pm-says-unaware-as-europe-unites-1769111824495">Trump claims ‘total access’ Greenland deal, PM Nielsen says unaware of details</a><h2>‘Search operation in final stages,’ says official</h2>&nbsp;South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso told reporters on Friday that the search operation was in the “final stages”. “The search in the wreckage will be completed today,” he said.A total of 77 persons had been reported missing, he said, adding that the rescue and search operation is being done under the supervision of the Sindh Building and Control Authority’s (SBCA) team.&nbsp;Gul Plaza had housed some 1,200 shops, spread across multiple floors. The shopping mall was heavily crowded, as the wedding season is on.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/davos-2026-soon-there-will-be-more-robots-than-people-says-elon-musk-1769105556661">Davos 2026: ‘Soon there will be more robots than people,’ says Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;Senior police official Syed Asad Raza told Reuters news agency that only three of the shopping mall’s 16 exits were open and all others were locked.&nbsp;<h2>‘Rescue workers have not been able to reach the ground floor yet’</h2>&nbsp;Director General of Sindh Rescue 1122, Brigadier (retd) Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar said rescue personnel will continue their recovery efforts in “10 to 15 per cent” of the area that they had been unable to access before.“We have not been able to reach the ground floor, where the fire erupted. We hope to find bodies from there,” the Rescue 1122 DG told the media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-ukraine-us-russia-to-hold-trilateral-talks-in-uae-hope-war-ends-says-zelensky-at-davos-2026-1769097668812">‘Ukraine, US, Russia to hold trilateral talks in UAE; hope war ends,’ says Zelensky at Davos 2026</a>&nbsp;Mahar asserted that the teams had modern equipment, but the inferno had turned into a third-degree fire by the time rescue personnel reached the site.“Either the fire safety system was not present in the building, or it was not activated,” Mahar said.&nbsp;

Though the shopping mall was heavily crowded due to the ongoing wedding season, only three of the 16 exits were open, while all others were locked, senior police official Syed Asad Raza told a news agency. 

The death toll in the blaze at Karachi’s shopping mall Gul Plaza crossed 70 on Friday as rescuers found more remains from the rubble of the gutted shopping centre. Karachi Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed issued an updated list of 71 deceased. The identification of nine of the 16 deceased so far could be done by DNA tests, which have been performed for 49 samples. Only partial remains of some bodies were found, and authorities could collect 67 skulls, reported BBC, citing the deputy commissioner of police. The devastating blaze erupted on the night of January 17 and took nearly two days to be fully extinguished. The fire has left the building in ruins, and some sections have even collapsed. As more bodies were recovered from different parts of the building, officials said the final toll will be determined only when the identification of all the remains is completed. Also Read: Trump claims ‘total access’ Greenland deal, PM Nielsen says unaware of details ‘Search operation in final stages,’ says official South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso told reporters on Friday that the search operation was in the “final stages”. “The search in the wreckage will be completed today,” he said. A total of 77 persons had been reported missing, he said, adding that the rescue and search operation is being done under the supervision of the Sindh Building and Control Authority’s (SBCA) team. Gul Plaza had housed some 1,200 shops, spread across multiple floors. The shopping mall was heavily crowded, as the wedding season is on. Also Read: Davos 2026: ‘Soon there will be more robots than people,’ says Elon Musk Senior police official Syed Asad Raza told Reuters news agency that only three of the shopping mall’s 16 exits were open and all others were locked. ‘Rescue workers have not been able to reach the ground floor yet’ Director General of Sindh Rescue 1122, Brigadier (retd) Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar said rescue personnel will continue their recovery efforts in “10 to 15 per cent” of the area that they had been unable to access before. “We have not been able to reach the ground floor, where the fire erupted. We hope to find bodies from there,” the Rescue 1122 DG told the media. Also Read: ‘Ukraine, US, Russia to hold trilateral talks in UAE; hope war ends,’ says Zelensky at Davos 2026 Mahar asserted that the teams had modern equipment, but the inferno had turned into a third-degree fire by the time rescue personnel reached the site. “Either the fire safety system was not present in the building, or it was not activated,” Mahar said.

Though the shopping mall was heavily crowded due to the ongoing wedding season, only three of the 16 exits were open, while all others were locked, senior police official Syed Asad Raza told a news agency.&nbsp;

Death toll in Karachi shopping mall blaze rises to 71, may go up further as search operation still on

The death toll from the devastating January 17 fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza Shopping Centre has climbed to 67, with rescuers retrieving charred body parts from a locked mezzanine shop where victims sought refuge.



Karachi Mall Fire Probe: Death Toll Hits 67 Amid Charred Remains

The death toll from a fire at a shopping centre in the Pakistani city of Karachi has risen to at least 67, health and police officials said, after dozens of bodies were found.

Karachi Mall Fire: Deadly Fire Broke Out at Karachi's Gul Plaza Shopping Complex 

The death toll from the January 17, 2026, fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping mall climbed to 55 by January 22, with the multistory complex-housing 1,200 shops-reduced to charred rubble after a 36-hour blaze likely sparked by an electrical fault. 


Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Hits 55 as Complex Reduces to Ashes

Pakistani firefighters on Wednesday retrieved the bodies of up to 25 people from the debris of a shopping mall fire in Karachi, taking the death toll to around 50.

Karachi Mall Fire: 84 Remain Missing as Authorities Fear a Higher Death Toll 

Pakistan: Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Rises as Bodies Recovered

The death toll from a major fire at a shopping mall in Karachi has risen to 23, officials said, as rescue and firefighting operations continue. Several people were injured in the blaze, with some reported to be in critical condition.

Karachi Shopping Mall Fire Toll Rises To 23; Rescuers Search For Dozens Missing

The death toll from a major fire at a shopping mall in Karachi has risen to 23, officials said, as rescue and firefighting operations continue. Several people were injured in the blaze, with some reported to be in critical condition.


Pakistan: Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Rises To 23

At least a dozen people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi.

Karachi Fire: Six Killed, Sixty Still Missing After Massive Fire in Karachi Shopping Centre

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