As 2021 draws to a close, we look at the major news stories that dominated headlines for entire weeks and months as opposed to the 24-hour news cycle.

From the brutal killing of Hazara coal miners in January to the gruesome beheading of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad, here are the main stories of the year that saw the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan and residents of Gwadar taking to the streets for almost a month.

January

IS kills 11 Hazara coal miners in Balochistan; PM Imran refuses to visit bereaved before burial

Islamic State claimed the killing of 11 Hazara coal miners in Balochistanon January 3. The bereaved families of the persecuted community protested the brutal killings and refused to bury their loved ones until Prime Minister Imran Khan visited them. However, the premier insisted the dead be buried, saying he would not be "blackmailed" by the community. The families finally buried the dead after nearly a week of protests after which PM Imran visited Quetta and met the bereaved.

Order to release prime accused in Daniel Pearl murder case

The Supreme Court ordered the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Shaikh, the prime accused in the 2002 murder case of journalist Daniel Pearl.Shaikh, a British-born man with ties to militants, was originally convicted of masterminding the operation, with three accomplices.Pearl, the Wall Street Journal's South Asia bureau chief, was kidnapped and beheaded while working on a story about extremist groups in Pakistan. According to reports, Sheikh is currently at a government-owned facility in Punjab where he remains under strict surveillance and his movement restricted.

Countrywide blackout as darkness engulfed the country

A massive power breakdown suspended electricity supply to major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Multan, as well as smaller towns and cities on Jan 9 plunging the country into darkness.According to Energy Minister Omar Ayub,the power breakdown was caused after the frequency in the national power distribution system suddenly fell from 50 to zero.

February

Renowned mountaineer Sadpara,two others go missing on K2

Renowned Pakistani climber Mohmmad Ali Sadpara along with two other climbers, John Snorri from Iceland and JP Mohr from Chile, went missing on K2. Rescue efforts to locate them, and later their bodies, failed. They were subsequentlydeclared dead in February and their bodies were later found in July.

Daska by-poll

At least two people were killed during a by-poll election in Daska's NA-75 constituency. After reports showed rigging in the by-poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan declared it null and void and ordered re-polling in the constituency. PML-N's candidate NosheenIftikhar won the seat in the re-election.

Vaccine drive kicks off in Pakistan

Pakistan kicked off vaccine drive with the first jab, Russia's Sinopharm, administered to a doctor in Islamabad. During the span of 11 months, more than 69 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

March

Senate elections

The PTI government made substantial gains in Senate polls but suffered a setback as Pakistan Democratic Movement's joint candidate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani defeated former Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh. On the other hand, despite more votes in Senate elections than the government's, the opposition alliance, the PDM, failed to win the seats for the Senate chairperson and deputy chairperson.

April

Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan protests

The government banned the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan for staging violent protests against the arrest of its party chief Saad Rizvi.

Journalist AbsarAlam shot

Senior journalist and former Pemra chairperson AbsarAlam was shot in Islamabad while he was walking outside his home. He filed a complaint in the federal capital and Alam’s case is still under investigation.

PPP quits opposition alliance

The Pakistan Peoples Party quit the opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement, after the latter served a show-cause notice to the former following Senate elections.

May

Amazon adds Pakistan to its sellers list

E-commerce giant Amazon added Pakistan to its seller’s list, enabling the country’s entrepreneurs to sell their products on the platform.

June

Pakistan remains on FATF grey list

Pakistan remained on the Financial Action Task Force grey list as one item on the original action plan agreed between the FATF and the government in June 2018 remained unaddressed. An item on the financial terrorism needed to be addressed which concerned the investigation and prosecution of senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terror groups.

Train collision kills 55

At least 55 people were killed and nearly 100 were injured after two passenger trains collided in the Ghotki district of Sindh. This was the first major train accident of the year. However in another incident in March at least one person was killed and 30 were injured when several coaches of the Lahore-bound Karachi Express derailed between MandoDero and Sanghi railway stations near Rohri.

‘Absolutely not’

Prime Minister Imran Khan categorically rejected any chance of Pakistan allowing any bases to the US for action in Afghanistan.

3 die in blast outside Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief’s residence

At least three people died in a powerful blast outside the residence of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed’s residence in Lahore’s Johar Town.

July

Noor Mukadam murder

The brutal murder of 27-year-old young NoorMukadamin Islamabad shook the entire nation. Her beheaded body was found in the home of the prime accusedZahirJafferon July 20.The murder trial against Zahir, his parents, their household staff and employees of Therapy Works, a counselling and psychotherapy centre, has gripped the nation since it began. So far 12 people, including Zahir, have beenindicted of Noor’s murder.

Nine Chinese among 13 killed in bus explosion

At least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed after a bus fell into a river following an explosion in Upper Kohistan.

Afghan ambassador’s daughter kidnapped, tortured

SilsilaAlikhil, the daughter of Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, was reportedly abducted and tortured by unidentified persons in Islamabad. The incident led to tense relations between the two nations.

August

Taliban take over Kabul

Taliban took over Kabul and formed an interim government after 20 years of America’s war on terror in Afghanistan. Islamabad facilitated various international delegations departure from Kabul amid chaos and fear of Taliban rule.

Mob assaultsTikToker at Lahore’s Iqbal Park on Independence Day

A mob groped and assaulted TikToker Ayesha Akram at Minar-e-Pakistan on the country’s Independence Day. The incident happened in Lahore where she had invited her fans at the spot and was filming videos along with her team for the social media platform.

September

New Zealand cricket team abandons Pakistan tour over ‘security concerns’

Hours before the start of the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand, the visiting team abandoned the series over ‘security concerns’. It was the first international series between the two teams taking place in Pakistan after 18 years.

UK court orders unfreezing of Shehbaz Sharif’s, family’s bank accounts

A British court ordered authorities to unfreeze bank accounts belonging to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his sonSuleman Sharif. The UK’s National Crime Agency submitted an investigation report in the court declaring that the PML-N president and his family were not guilty of money laundering and corruption.

October

Five cops killed as TLP again protests for release of its chief

At least five police personnel were killed during protests by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan for the release of its chief Saad Rizvi. This was the second time the banned outfittook to the streets within the year. However, religious leaders facilitated a deal between the TLP and the government, under which the ban on the religious organization was revoked and it was allowed to contest polls. Others aspects of the deal are yet to be made public.

Gen Nadeem Anjum appointed DG ISI chief

It took Prime Minister Imran Khan 20 days to confirm the appointment of Gen Nadeem Anjum following ISPR’s announcement. The delay led to reports of rifts between the country’s civil and military leadership.

Legendary comedian Umer Sharif passes away in Germany

One of Pakistan’s most beloved comedians Umer Sharif died en route to the US for treatment. The 66-year-old is widely remembered for his roles in Bakra Qiston pe and Buddha GharPeHai.

SC orders demolition of Nasla Tower

The Supreme Court ordered the demolition of the 15-storey NaslaTower in Karachi saying its construction was illegal.

Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets in T20 World Cup match

For the first time, Pakistan defeated India in a T20 World Cup match. However, it was not just the victory but the manner in which it was achieved – by 10 wickets – that resulted in an outpour of collective joy.

November

Negotiations with TTP

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the government agreed on a one-month-long ceasefire with the government conceding to address a set of the TTP’s demands, including the release of its members from prisons.

Voting right granted to overseas Pakistanis

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government in a joint session of parliament bulldozed various bills, including one which granted the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis and paved the way for the use of electronic voting machines in the upcoming elections.

Ex-CJP SaqibNisar’s audio leak

A leaked audio tape of ex-CJP SaqibNisar surfaced in which he can be heard calling for a delay in the release of PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz before 2018 general elections.

December

Mob lynches Sri Lankan man over alleged blasphemy, sets body on fire

In another appalling incident that will remain seared in our collective conscience was the public lynching and burning of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot. 49-year-old Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana shocked and shamed Pakistan, with the actions of the mob condemned by one and all.

PTI suffers setback in first phase of K-P local body polls

The ruling PTI suffered set back in the first phase of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa local body polls where the JamiatUlema-e-Islam – Fazl bagging the most votes, including the seat of Peshawar’s mayor.

Gwadar residents call off month-long protest after PM Imran assures to fulfill their demands

People of Gwadar protested for nearly a month against the lack of basic necessities in the port city, also demanding the removal of the trawler mafia, which they said was affecting their livelihood. In December, the federal government agreed to fulfil the demands of the protesters.

TTP declares end to ceasefire, discloses agreement with govt

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan announced an end to ceasefire with the government, alleging that the officials did not fulfill the demands on which both sides agreed. They also released details of the pact agreed between the government and the TTP.