A book containing selected columns of the late journalist and columnist Irfan Husain, titled 'A life lived with passion', was launched in Lahore. The event, held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's auditorium, saw friends and colleagues, including senior journalist Najam Sethi and women's rights activist Khawar Mumtaz, pay tribute to Husain's fearless journalism and his stand against dictatorship. Husain, who wrote for Dawn, is remembered for his progressive views and his impact on Pakistan's journalistic landscape.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association has called for a Supreme Court-led judicial inquiry into allegations of intelligence agency interference in judicial affairs, following a letter by six Islamabad High Court judges to the Supreme Judicial Council. The judges allege interference and intimidation by operatives, including those from the ISI, in judicial functions. The call for inquiry comes after the reinstatement of former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who had been removed for alleging ISI's influence on judicial matters. The LHCBA held an emergency press conference to address the issue and emphasized the need for a judicial convention.

The Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Theatrical Performance Ordinance 2023 to address vulgarity in theatres, shifting script scrutiny and monitoring responsibilities to the Information and Culture Department. New rules allow for immediate penalties for offenders. The Punjab Council of Arts has called for script submissions for Eid performances. The Punjab Arts Council had previously enforced SOPs, but non-compliance has been cited as a reason for the industry's decline. Theatre closures threaten the livelihoods of those in the industry, despite its cultural significance and role in social reform. Past government actions under Information and Culture Minister Amir Mir included theatre closures and proposed amendments to tighten regulations. Producer Raheel Shah criticizes the lack of government support for training in discerning vulgarity.

Gilgit-Baltistan residents are suffering from severe electricity shortages and disruptions in mobile phone and Internet services, with urban areas facing up to 18 hours of loadshedding and rural areas up to 22 hours. The communication crisis has affected daily life, economic sectors, and has left many educated youths unemployed due to their reliance on the Internet for freelancing. The speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, Nazir Ahmad, has formed a committee to ensure uninterrupted communication services, highlighting the impact on education, government operations, and the economy. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority noted that the communication breakdown is hindering rescue operations during natural disasters.

Gilgit-Baltistan residents are suffering from severe electricity shortages and disruptions in mobile phone and Internet services, with urban areas facing up to 18 hours of loadshedding and rural areas up to 22 hours. The communication crisis has affected daily life, economic sectors, and has left many educated youths unemployed due to their reliance on the Internet for freelancing. The speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, Nazir Ahmad, has formed a committee to ensure uninterrupted communication services, highlighting the impact on education, government operations, and the economy. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority noted that the communication breakdown is hindering rescue operations during natural disasters.

Over 60 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters were arrested in Lahore on terrorism charges following protests against alleged election rigging. Police baton-charged peaceful protestors and detained prominent figures including parliamentarians. Terrorism cases were registered against 42 PTI workers, and FIRs allege violent actions against police. PTI MNA Latif Khosa and leader Salman Akram Raja were also detained but later released on bail. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the state's actions, emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly. PTI leader Hammad Azhar criticized the use of terrorism charges to suppress dissent.

Rallies and demonstrations have taken place globally in support of the Baloch solidarity march and sit-in by the Baloch Yekjehti Committee in Islamabad, protesting against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan. Protests occurred in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with the Baloch community demanding action from the British government and the UN. The Balochistan Martyrs’ Forum set up a camp in Islamabad, providing support to protestors. Former Caretaker Minister of Sports, Balochistan, Jamal Raisani, visited the camp, calling for military courts in Balochistan. The Islamabad High Court has ordered the release of arrested protesters and prohibited harassment, allowing the protests to continue.

The protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Islamabad has reached its 16th day. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Manzoor Pashteen, and others were booked for sedition by Khairpur police. The Islamabad High Court ordered protection for the protesters and appointed a focal person for communication, with the next hearing scheduled for January 19.

The protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Islamabad has reached its 16th day. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Manzoor Pashteen, and others were booked for sedition by Khairpur police. The Islamabad High Court ordered protection for the protesters and appointed a focal person for communication, with the next hearing scheduled for January 19.

The sit-in protest by the Baloch community in Islamabad against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has entered its 21st day, enduring harsh weather conditions. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the organizer, reported harassment by the ICT Police, including prevention of essential supplies reaching the protesters. Sammi Deen Baloch has filed a petition against this harassment, resulting in the Islamabad High Court restraining the police from disturbing the protest. The BYC called for a shutter-down strike in Balochistan, which was widely observed. The Supreme Court is also involved, with Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa leading a bench hearing the case against enforced disappearances and demanding a detailed report from the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

The sit-in protest by the Baloch community in Islamabad against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has entered its 21st day, enduring harsh weather conditions. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the organizer, reported harassment by the ICT Police, including prevention of essential supplies reaching the protesters. Sammi Deen Baloch has filed a petition against this harassment, resulting in the Islamabad High Court restraining the police from disturbing the protest. The BYC called for a shutter-down strike in Balochistan, which was widely observed. The Supreme Court is also involved, with Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa leading a bench hearing the case against enforced disappearances and demanding a detailed report from the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

In Punjab, 40 transgenders have been appointed as Victim Support Officers in police service centers to combat discrimination and foster better relations between police and the transgender community. Zanaya Chaudhry and Masooma Ali, two trans women working as VSOs in Lahore, discuss their experiences and the challenges they face. Despite societal and institutional hurdles, they emphasize the importance of inclusion and the positive changes in public and police attitudes towards the transgender community.

A fresh wave of enforced disappearances has struck the youth of Balochistan, with students like Sameer Baloch and Sherdil Baloch being abducted for advocating educational rights and other issues. The Voice of Balochistan Missing Persons and the Baloch Yekjehti Committee have condemned these abductions, highlighting a pattern of human rights violations in the region. The Counter Terrorism Department is accused of staging fake encounters, and activist Mahrang Baloch criticizes the handling of the missing persons' issue, particularly by Sarfaraz Bugti, who is associated with death squads. Protests have been held, but there is no clear solution within the parliament.