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Author: News Desk

  • Defamation case: Court orders Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar

    Defamation case: Court orders Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar

    A court in Lahore has ordered singer Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar as the latter secures a favourable verdict in the defamation case stemming from 2018 sexual harassment allegations against him.

    Last week, the lawyers for both the plaintiff and the defendant had concluded their arguments.

    Advocate Umar Tariq Gill, on behalf of Zafar, had argued that Shafi had levelled false allegations, causing serious damage to his reputation.

    He maintained that no one other than Shafi had ever accused Zafar of such conduct. He urged the court to allow the defamation suit and order the defendant to pay damages of Rs1bn to the plaintiff.

    Advocate Saqib Jilani, who was representing Shafi, asked the court to dismiss the defamation suit with costs.

    The case stemmed from Shafi’s April 2018 allegations on Twitter (now X) that Zafar had made multiple unwarranted sexual advances towards her, alleging “harassment of a physical nature”. 

    The case went on to become one of Pakistan’s most high-profile public disputes in the wake of the global #MeToo movement, which witnessed widespread allegations of harassment and abuse across multiple industries worldwide.

    At the time, both artists were prominent figures in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, with Shafi known for her acting and music career, including her Hollywood appearance in Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012), while Zafar was also active in Bollywood alongside his career in Pakistan.

    Zafar had denied the allegations shortly after and, in June 2018, filed a defamation suit against Shafi, seeking damages worth Rs1 billion, alleging that the accusations had damaged his reputation and career.

    In response, Shafi had filed a complaint regarding the alleged harassment before a workplace ombudsperson. However, the complaint was dismissed on technical grounds, with the authority ruling that there was no employer-employee relationship between the two artists. 

    In January 2019, a court imposed a gag order on Shafi, restraining her from making any statements that could be considered defamatory against Zafar while his defamation case was being heard.

    Following the allegations, Shafi also faced intense backlash on social media, with sustained online criticism and abuse directed at her, including personal attacks and derogatory remarks.

    Zafar’s defamation case continued to be heard over the following years, eventually leading to the latest court decision in which Shafi has been ordered to pay Rs5 million, marking a key development in the long-running legal battle.

  • Guilty of ball tampering, Fakhar Zaman suspended for two matches

    Guilty of ball tampering, Fakhar Zaman suspended for two matches

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Fakhar Zaman for two matches in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after finding him guilty of ball tampering.

    According to an official statement by the PCB, Fakhar committed a Level Three violation of the Code of Conduct by tampering with the ball, which is punishable by a two-match ban under the relevant article.

    The incident in question took place during Lahore Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings.

    During the 19th over of the match, officials found an issue with the condition of the ball while Karachi Kings were batting. As a result, Lahore Qalandars received a five-run penalty.

    Match referee Roshan Mahanama later reviewed the case and announced the decision after a hearing.

    In the same match, Karachi Kings defeated Lahore Qalandars by four wickets.

    Lahore Qalandars scored 128 for nine in their 20 overs, which was chased by Karachi Kings in the final over for the loss of six wickets.

  • Israel passes racially biased death penalty law only for Palestinians

    Israel passes racially biased death penalty law only for Palestinians

    Israel’s parliament Knesset has passed a bill introducing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis, drawing almost universal  condemnation from many countries, the Palestinian Authority, rights groups and international bodies, which say the measure violates international law.

    The law was approved on Monday in the 120-seat Knesset by 62 lawmakers, with 48 voting against and one abstaining. It will come into effect within 30 days. 


    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the bill, which was pushed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a former convicted terrorist, as part of his Otzma Yehudit party’s coalition agreement.


    Under the legislation, military courts will be instructed to impose the death penalty on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of attacks against Israelis. The measure does not apply to Jewish Israelis.


    The Palestinian Authority described the bill as “a war crime against the Palestinian people”, stating that it breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention, “particularly the protections it guarantees for individuals and the safeguards for fair trials”.


    The law was passed as Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues, and applies to Palestinians tried in military courts who are not Israeli citizens.


    Amichai Cohen of the Israel Democracy Institute said that “Jews will not be indicted under this law”.


    Concerns were also raised during earlier deliberations by a legal adviser to the Knesset’s National Security Committee, who noted that the bill does not allow clemency, contradicting international conventions.

    Israeli rights group B’Tselem said the conviction rate for Palestinians in military courts is about 96 percent, adding that “in many cases, these convictions are based on ‘confessions’ obtained through pressure and torture during interrogations”. The group said that the law “is worded in such a way that it targets only Palestinians”.

    According to Palestinian prisoner advocacy group Addameer, more than a third of the 9,500 Palestinians held by Israel as of March 11 were in administrative detention without trial. Many thousands are children. 


    Shortly after the vote, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel said it had petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the law, calling it “discriminatory by design” and “enacted without legal authority” over West Bank Palestinians.


    Ahead of the vote, Ben-Gvir appeared in the Knesset wearing a pin shaped like a noose and said: “From today, every terrorist will know, and the whole world will know, that whoever takes a life, the State of Israel will take their life.”


    The legislation was slammed by international organisations and governments.

    The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office in Palestine called on Israel to “immediately repeal the discriminatory death penalty law”, stating: “The United Nations opposes the death penalty under all circumstances. The implementation of this new law would violate international law’s prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.” It added that the law “will exclusively apply to Palestinians… who are often convicted after unfair trials”.


    Amnesty International said the measure amounts to “a public display of cruelty, discrimination and utter contempt for human rights”.


    Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset described the move as a “serious regression”, stating that “any application of the death penalty that could be characterised as discriminatory is unacceptable”.


    Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was “particularly concerned about the de facto discriminatory nature of the Bill as it relates to Palestinians”, adding that “the right to life is a fundamental human right”.


    Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom had asked Israel to withdraw the bill, stating: “For us, life is an absolute value… inflict a punishment is an inhuman measure that violates the dignity of the person.”


    A European Commission spokesperson described the law as “a clear step backwards” and called on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law.

  • How a viral video of Afghan trader burning Pakistani currency triggered policy shift

    How a viral video of Afghan trader burning Pakistani currency triggered policy shift

    Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir once linked Pakistan’s recent measures towards Afghanistan to a video showing an Afghan trader burning Pakistani currency in Kabul, journalist Sumaira Khan has claimed. 

    Recounting a discussion she held with the head of the army, Khan said in an interview with a private media outlet that the Field Marshal referred to a video sent to him in which an Afghan trader was seen setting Pakistani currency, locally referred to as “Kaaldar” on fire while speaking in Pashto. 

    She said a translation of the clip indicated the trader was claiming the Afghan currency was not even equal to the dust of Pakistani currency.

    “’Then I took this decision. I told my Corps Commanders that the life of one Pakistani is worth more than the entire case of Afghanistan,” she quoted him as saying.

    Khan said he described the move as part of a broader set of measures introduced since 2023, including Afghan refugee repatriation and anti-smuggling actions.

    “I spent a lot of time on this. I also showed respect and always considered Afghanistan a brotherly country,” he was quoted as saying.

    He added that despite the measures, the approach has remained consistent at the institutional level.

    “Since 2023, when we started all the measures for hardening of the state, Pakistan’s policy has not changed,” Sumaira quoted him as saying, adding that “it doesn’t matter who is in charge at the top” as the institution continues its policy.


    Pakistan-Afghanistan ties have remained strained in recent years, with Islamabad repeatedly raising concerns over cross-border terrorism and security issues. 

    The remarks also come in the backdrop of ongoing enforcement actions, including Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, which authorities have linked to efforts aimed at addressing security challenges and tightening control measures.

  • Which veteran actor did Tamkanat Mansoor just compare to Jeffrey Epstein?

    Which veteran actor did Tamkanat Mansoor just compare to Jeffrey Epstein?

    Pakistani actor and digital content creator Tamkanat Mansoor has hit out at a senior showbiz figure over his comments regarding the age of women in a leading role in the entertainment industry, calling the mindset dangerous and harmful.

    “A few days ago, a video of a former well-known actor went viral. He now tries to stay relevant by talking about other actors in a very shallow way,” she said in a video shared on her Instagram, criticising said actor without naming him.

    Mansoor added that the actor suggested heroines were girls around 15 to 16 years of age, saying such ideas put young girls at risk.

    “This kind of thinking and predatory behaviour is pedophilia in our society,” she said, explaining that such attitudes were often ignored or normalised.

    Abuse often takes place at the hands of family members and victims are frequently silenced or blamed, she said, going on to share the distressing example of an eight-year-old from her medical experience.

    Mansoor said she once treated an a minor girl who had suffered severe abuse. According to her, the child’s mother was afraid to inform the father.

    “The mother begged us not to tell the father because she feared he would blame the child.”

    Mansoor also urged parents to build trust with their children and teach them the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour so they can speak up without fear.

    “When someone says young girls of 15 or 16 are meant to attract men, this is the mindset of people I call the Jeffrey Epstein of our society.”

    She also criticised the culture of silence surrounding abuse, and urged people to report predators instead of protecting them.

    While Mansoor did not name anyone, internet is speculating regarding the identity of the veteran actor.

  • Kuwait assures continued fuel supply to Pakistan despite Strait of Hormuz closure

    Kuwait assures continued fuel supply to Pakistan despite Strait of Hormuz closure

    Kuwait has assured full facilitation in the supply of diesel and jet fuel to Pakistan as shipments remain affected due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.

    Iran has allowed 20 cargoes carrying Pakistani flags to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, an announcement made earlier by Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

    Pakistan imports more than 60 percent of its diesel from Kuwait under a long-term contract between the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO).

    Alternative shipping routes, introduced after the disruption, have increased freight costs for Pakistan, according to officials.

    On Monday, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met Kuwait’s Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi in Islamabad to discuss bilateral relations, energy cooperation and regional developments.


    According to an official statement, the minister expressed gratitude to KPC for assuring full facilitation to Pakistani-flagged vessels for any likely lifting of diesel and jet fuel from Kuwait.

    The statement added that he appreciated Kuwait’s “continued support for Pakistan despite global and regional challenges” and its contribution toward Pakistan’s energy security.

    It further said Malik highlighted that the relationship between the two countries is not only longstanding but also connected by hearts,  referring to decades of petroleum imports from Kuwait.

    The minister noted that Pakistan had been purchasing petroleum products, particularly diesel, from Kuwait for the past five decades, reflecting what the statement described as “enduring trust and partnership”.

    He also said: “Pakistan wishes to see all brotherly countries remain peaceful and secure.”

    He added that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was actively working to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflict and was “personally overseeing efforts aimed at facilitating the supply of food and essential commodities as required by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.”

    The Kuwaiti envoy, according to the statement, said that he appreciated Pakistan’s role during regional tensions, noting that Pakistan had demonstrated leadership in rejecting the use of force and in promoting peaceful solutions during difficult times.

    Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged to further strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and other areas of mutual interest.

  • PMDC issues notices to doctors, Lady Willingdon Hospital over surgery video controversy

    PMDC issues notices to doctors, Lady Willingdon Hospital over surgery video controversy

    The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued notices to Lady Willingdon Hospital in Lahore and to doctors reportedly involved in recording patients during surgical procedures.

    The move follows circulation of a video allegedly filmed inside an operating theatre, which showed medical staff engaged in unprofessional conduct, recording videos while patients underwent surgeries.

    The incident prompted questions about patient confidentiality and compliance with medical ethics.

    Recording patients without consent, particularly in operating theatres or other sensitive clinical settings, is considered a breach of professional ethics and may violate patient rights and confidentiality standards, the council stated.

    PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj said that the council considers such conduct unacceptable and will take action under the applicable regulatory framework.

    He said that the council requested full details regarding the doctors involved, whether consent was obtained, and what disciplinary steps the hospital has taken.

    He also emphasised that the council is responsible for safeguarding patient rights, ensuring ethical medical practice, and maintaining public trust in the healthcare system.

  • PCB warns players against posting on social media without prior approval

    PCB warns players against posting on social media without prior approval

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a strict warning to centrally contracted players, telling them to follow social media rules and avoid posting without approval from the media department.

    According to reports citing source, the PCB has directed players to seek clearance from its media department before sharing any content on social platforms. The board also informed players’ managers about the updated guidelines and stressed full compliance with central contract rules.

    Reports added that the PCB will not tolerate political content from players on social media. It was also reported that the board has warned that violations of these rules can lead to heavy financial penalties, with fines reaching up to Rs10 million for posting controversial content.

    The development comes after disciplinary action against fast bowler Naseem Shah, who faced a fine of Rs20 million over a controversial post shared from his X account.

    In a statement, Naseem later said his management team had published the post without his approval.

    “A recent post from my account was made by my management team and does not reflect my views,” he wrote.

    He added that he now takes full responsibility for his social media account.

    “I take full responsibility for my platform and have implemented the necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.

    Naseem also apologised to those affected.

    Following the incident, he removed his social media advisors from their roles, while reports also said the PCB blacklisted the advisor involved from working with any centrally contracted player in the future.

    The controversial post from his account had criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, which prompted the PCB to issue a show-cause notice before taking disciplinary action.

  • FM Dar on one-day China visit as talk grows around Pakistan’s role in Iran–US peace

    FM Dar on one-day China visit as talk grows around Pakistan’s role in Iran–US peace

    Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday left for a one-day visit to China, a trip taking place as discussions circulate around Pakistan’s potential role in facilitating peace between Iran and the United States (US).

    The Foreign Office said Dar is visiting Beijing at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for “in-depth discussions on regional developments”, adding that both sides will review bilateral ties and broader regional and global issues under their “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”.

    The timing of the visit has drawn attention amid emerging commentary suggesting that Islamabad could be part of broader diplomatic efforts linked to a possible Iran–US dialogue framework.

    Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and political scientist, wrote on X that Iran has asked for guarantees in any deal with US.

    “Word is that Pakistan Foreign Minister is going to Beijing to get a guarantor for the potential deal. Likely that is Iran’s condition for talks with US. And FM would not be going to China without having floated the idea with both Washington and Beijing. No guarantees of China biting but Beijing is now the frontline in the diplomatic effort,” he said.

    In response, journalist Azaz Syed also posted on X that, “Your assessment matches the information I’m receiving from Islamabad. Soon after the quadrilateral meeting ended, Pakistani President @AAliZardari visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad without any public announcement.”

    “I later heard similar chatter and discussed it on my show Talk Shock, uploaded on YouTube two hours before your tweet. We’re clearly on the same page, even while working from different parts of the world. Respect for your contributions,” he wrote.

    Dar is expected to remain in China for only a few hours and is likely to continue consultations linked to recent high-level engagements, including his telephone conversation with Wang Yi last week.

    The visit follows Pakistan’s recent diplomatic outreach, including a four-country meeting hosted in Islamabad with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, where foreign ministers called for de-escalation and supported efforts to create conditions for structured negotiations between Washington DC and Tehran.

  • FIA launches probe into Pakistan Padel Federation as sports board rejects affiliation claim

    FIA launches probe into Pakistan Padel Federation as sports board rejects affiliation claim

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a formal inquiry into alleged financial and administrative irregularities in the Pakistan Padel Federation, according to an official notice issued by its Corporate Crime Circle in Karachi.

    The notice states that one faction’s president, Muhammad Mateen, has been summoned to appear before the agency on April 2, 2026, and has been directed to bring complete relevant records.

    According to the document, the inquiry covers allegations that include organising tournaments without obtaining required no objection certificates, collecting fees unlawfully, misuse of funds, submission of fake documentation, and arranging international tours without approval.

    The notice further directs the submission of detailed records, including documents related to tournaments, financial transactions, sponsorship agreements, bank accounts, and affiliation or authorisation papers.

    Officials said that the inquiry aims to examine alleged irregularities and determine whether any violations of law have taken place.

    Separately, it is noted that Pakistan Sports Board does not recognise any group at present as the national governing body for padel.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Padel Federation, associated with the Mateen Group, has filed a contempt of court petition against the Pakistan Sports Board in the Sindh High Court. The court has issued a notice in the case and fixed the hearing for April 13.