Author: News Desk

  • There’s hope for Meri Zindagi Hai Tu

    There’s hope for Meri Zindagi Hai Tu

    The drama has hope and honestly, it’s because of Kamyar (Bilal Abbas) and Ayra (Hania Aamir) and their explosive chemistry. Episode 13 was as dull as could be with Kamyar helping Ayra with her exam, by convincing her professor to let her retake it. Until Ayra confesses her love. But before that, she starts daydreaming during this retake too and honestly, we would never want her to be our doctor because the professor says that he will still pass her because of Kamyar. 

     

    Obviously, since life is looking up for Ayra, she finally decides to express her love to Kamyar, and it really is the sweetest scene that gives the drama its spark. The dialogues don’t do either of them any justice but the acting, the lingering, the chemistry makes them shine. Said it before and saying it again: this drama is only a hit because of the hit pairing.

     

    Episode 14 took an interesting turn with both families agreeing to let Kamyar marry Ayra, Ayra’s family taking a stand and saying that whatever happens, even if they had agreed to let Ayra marry elsewhere, it is her choice that matters the most. But it comes with an ominous warning that might signal that this drama is not what it seems. 

     

    Ayra’s mother tells her that people don’t change and this ‘he’s changed’ that everyone was raving about in Kamyar, the reason why her father agrees to the marriage, and his parents as well, it might not last. 

    This twist is also signalled when Kamyar tells Ayra that he only changed because of her and if he did not have her in his life, he would’ve gone back to his ‘old ways’. Also, lets not forget, we might have written Fariha off, after she’s been told that Kamyar is marriyng Ayra, but she’s not the type to be taken so lightly and might also make a comeback.

     

    If it doesn’t then there is a lot more to this drama than what it seems. One wishes the dialogues were better but if the twist is so twisty, there is hope for the drama and the blockbuster it could turn into in the end. 

  • Gold hits record $4,383 as silver surges 138 percent this year

    Gold hits record $4,383 as silver surges 138 percent this year

    Gold prices surged to an all-time high of $4,383.76 per ounce in early trading, eclipsing its previous peak of $4,381.52 set in October. The rally follows a series of US economic data releases last week that strengthened expectations of further monetary easing by the Federal Reserve.

    Spot silver also soared high, rising 2.7 percent to a historic $69.23 per ounce, marking another milestone in a year of unprecedented gains.

    So far in 2025, gold has climbed 67 percent, breaking multiple records, including the $3,000 and $4,000 per-ounce thresholds for the first time. Silver has outperformed gold spectacularly, surging 138 percent year-to-date, fueled by strong investment demand and ongoing supply constraints.

    “With December typically delivering positive returns for gold and silver, seasonality is working in their favour,” said Matt Simpson, senior analyst at StoneX. “However, with gold already up about 4 percent this month and year-end approaching, lower trading volumes could increase the risk of profit-taking.”

    The price surge has been bolstered by gold’s longstanding reputation as a safe-haven asset in the face of geopolitical and trade uncertainties, consistent purchases by central banks, and expectations for reduced US interest rates in 2026. A weaker US dollar has also contributed to rising prices by making gold more accessible for international buyers.

    Markets are currently pricing in two US interest rate cuts next year, despite the Fed maintaining a cautious stance. Non-yielding assets such as gold typically benefit in a lower interest rate environment. Simpson added that expectations of additional rate cuts, coupled with a slower US employment growth and a more dovish Fed, could further propel gold prices.

    In other areas of the precious metals market, platinum rose by 4.1 percent to $2,054.25 per ounce, reaching its highest point in over 17 years, while palladium gained 4 percent to $1,781.32, nearing a three-year peak.

  • Man kills wife, three others in Bannu shooting over family dispute

    Man kills wife, three others in Bannu shooting over family dispute

    A family dispute in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district turned deadly when a man allegedly opened fire inside a house in the Township area, killing his wife, two women and a 14-year-old boy, police said.

    As stated in the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Township police station on December 21, the suspect entered the house and began shooting, causing panic and chaos within the household. A 17-year-old boy was injured during the incident and was taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

    Law enforcement officials reported that the suspect, who resides in Bizan Khel, fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving behind four deceased individuals. The FIR indicated that a case has been registered under Sections 302 (murder) and 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination, while police teams launched operations to locate and apprehend the suspect. Authorities mentioned that several locations were being searched as part of these efforts.

    “Further investigation into the incident is underway,” Township police said, terming the attack as a shocking act of domestic violence that wiped out multiple members of the same household.

    This incident follows a recent case in Lahore where police discovered a disturbing family crime involving a senior police officer, who confessed to have murdered his wife and teenage daughter. 


    Deputy Superintendent of Police Usman Haider Gujjar, who was in charge of the Kahna police circle (investigation), had previously filed a kidnapping report about two months ago, asserting that his wife and 19-year-old daughter had gone missing, only to later reveal that he had committed the double murder.

    The occurrence of these two incidents has reignited discussions regarding domestic violence, unresolved family conflicts, and the growing pattern of brutality occurring within homes.

  • Mother allegedly kills teenage daughter for objecting to mother’s smoking habit

    Mother allegedly kills teenage daughter for objecting to mother’s smoking habit

    A mother in Bahawalpur allegedly killed her 16-year-old daughter after her daughter objected to her smoking habit.

    The incident occurred in Basti Sokar under the City Yazman Police station jurisdiction on Sunday.

    According to reports, the accused woman, Nabila, grew frustrated with her teenage daughter Aisha, who regularly objected to her mother’s smoking.

    Police claim the situation escalated on Saturday night when Aisha once again raised concerns about her mother’s smoking. Nabila allegedly flew into a rage, overpowered her daughter, and strangled her to death.

    Authorities received information about the incident and dispatched forensic and crime scene units to collect evidence. Police arrested the accused woman at the scene.

    Aisha’s body was shifted to Yazman THQ Hospital for postmortem examination. Police continue their investigation into the case.

  • Hina Afridi gets engaged to Taimoor Akbar, reveals wedding date

    Hina Afridi gets engaged to Taimoor Akbar, reveals wedding date

    Actress and model Hina Afridi and popular content creator Taimoor Akbar surprised fans with an official engagement announcement.

    The couple shared a charming engagement video through a joint Instagram post, featuring a classic and old-school aesthetic. 

    Instagram Post

    Hina looked stunning in a butter yellow shalwar kameez, while Taimoor completed his simple yet stylish look with a white shirt.

    The caption read “Bismillah ki jaye,” making this beautiful beginning even more special.

    The video’s ending revealed the wedding date. The couple will tie the knot on January 16, 2026.

    Congratulations poured in from showbiz stars and fans as soon as the engagement news broke. 

    Actress Maya Ali, Saboor Ali, Amar Khan, Zara Noor Abbas, and others offered good wishes.

    Hina Afridi started her career in modeling before stepping into acting. She has worked with big names like Faisal Qureshi and Feroze Khan and has modeled for the country’s renowned brands.

    Taimoor Akbar, on the other hand, has built a strong fan base on social media through his creative videos and unique content.

  • Alina Amir trolled for trying to ‘steal spotlight’ from Hira Mani at Bridal Couture Week

    Alina Amir trolled for trying to ‘steal spotlight’ from Hira Mani at Bridal Couture Week

    The internet thinks ‘Sarsarahat Girl’ Alina Amir couldn’t handle standing behind actress Hira Mani at Hum Bridal Couture Week. 

    The influencer, with over two million Instagram followers, found herself getting roasted after her desperate attempt to steal the spotlight from showstopper Hira Mani at Shoaib Ismail’s Dehleez-e-Ishq bridal campaign.

    Videos from Day Three of the event show Alina standing behind Hira during the finale, trying to squeeze into the camera frame. She looked visibly unhappy about being sidelined, and honestly, it showed.

    Meanwhile, Hira Mani stood there unbothered, holding the designer’s hand like the actual showstopper she was. 

    The internet came for Alina with zero mercy.

    One user wrote, “Spotlight? It’s Alina who’s trying to come on front.”

    Another user asked the obvious question: “So what she is senior actress, Alina kon hai “

    “Hira Mani super star not comparison with alina ,” someone else pointed out.

    “Obv, Hira is a big star,” another comment stated.

    One user broke it down simply: “Designer is holding Hira’s hand that means she’s the showstopper.”

    Alina Amir went viral for lip-syncing “Tum Jo Pills Khati Ho Wo Kya Hai” durning a TV show and built a massive following on TikTok and Instagram.

  • Body of woman missing for a month found buried inside her house

    Body of woman missing for a month found buried inside her house

    Local police have recovered the body of a woman who had been missing for over a month from inside her own house in Kabirwala after an investigation revealed that she was killed by her daughter-in-law and grandson.

    According to police, the case initially began as a missing person report filed by the woman’s grandson. In the application, he told authorities that his grandmother had disappeared from the house without explanation.

    Police said the initial report raised questions during routine verification, prompting investigators to widen the scope of the inquiry. Officers carried out repeated visits, questioned family members, and reviewed inconsistencies in statements provided during the investigation.

    During questioning, police said the woman’s daughter-in-law and grandson confessed to killing her. Investigators stated that the suspects strangled the woman and later buried her body inside the house in an attempt to conceal the crime.

    “The missing person case was converted into a murder investigation after evidence and statements pointed towards foul play,” a police official said, confirming that the body was recovered from within the premises.


    Police took both suspects into custody following the recovery and initiated further inquiry to document the sequence of events. Authorities said legal proceedings were started after registering a case against the accused.

    Investigators are continuing to collect evidence, including forensic material, as part of the ongoing inquiry.

  • Tarar rules out social media ban, accuses PTI of anti-state propaganda

    Tarar rules out social media ban, accuses PTI of anti-state propaganda

    Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday dismissed reports of an impending ban on social media platforms, saying the government has no intention of shutting down digital platforms and only wants global tech companies to establish offices in Pakistan.

    During a discussion on a private news channel programme, Tarar indicated that assumptions about potential restrictions were unfounded, emphasizing that the government’s priority lies in regulation and a local presence rather than outright prohibitions. 

    His comments follow similar briefings from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel, who suggested the possibility of restricting X, formerly Twitter.

    During the televised discussion, Tarar appeared visibly firm as he shifted focus to political tensions, saying dialogue was necessary but could not move forward unless Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) first apologised before the world. 

    He accused the party of running propaganda campaigns against the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and demanded that PTI clearly distance itself from social media accounts allegedly operated from the UK and the US.

    The information minister claimed that PTI had damaged Pakistan’s reputation on the international stage by sending letters to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the party had no option left except dialogue.

    Tarar said that Pakistan had moved beyond economic uncertainty, declaring that the country was no longer on the verge of default. He stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan itself are now receiving international recognition, with the economy stabilizing and the country moving forward.

    In one of his strongest remarks, Tarar lashed out at what he described as a dangerous political mindset, saying, “Curse be upon the thinking that if Imran Khan does not exist, Pakistan should not exist.” He said any dialogue that threatened Pakistan’s integrity should be “picked up and thrown away”, adding that no political party or leader was bigger than the state. “Anyone who considers themselves above Pakistan needs to fix their mindset,” he said.

    Touching on foreign policy, Tarar mentioned that any decision about a Gaza peace force would be made strictly in accordance with Palestinian rights and international law. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, noting that Palestinian leadership has consistently recognized Pakistan’s role during bilateral discussions.

    He also acknowledged humanitarian efforts concerning Gaza, mentioning that it would be unjust not to recognize Alkhidmat Foundation, while also crediting Jamaat-e-Islami for its contributions. Tarar said that any decisions related to Gaza would reflect the desires of both the Pakistani and Palestinian people.

    These comments have sparked a renewed discussion online, particularly amidst worries over digital freedoms, political division, and Pakistan’s changing approach to social media governance and dissent.

  • Field Marshal Asim Munir receives King Abdulaziz medal

    Field Marshal Asim Munir receives King Abdulaziz medal

    Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class to Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, highlighting his contributions to reinforcing the relationship between both nations.

    The development was reported on Monday, with the Saudi Press Agency indicating that the medal was conferred in appreciation of Field Marshal Munir’s “exceptional efforts to enhance the strategic partnership and collaboration between the two countries.” The award ceremony occurred in Riyadh during a meeting between the Saudi defence minister and the Pakistani military leader.

    As reported by the Saudi Gazette, the King Abdulaziz Medal consists of five distinct classes: Excellent, First, Second, Third, and Fourth. This accolade is granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to Saudi Arabia or its institutions.

    During their meeting, Prince Khalid extended fecilitations to Field Marshal Munir on his recent appointment as Pakistan’s chief of defence forces and conveyed hopes for his success in this position. The Saudi publication noted that discussions encompassed Saudi-Pakistani relations, defence cooperation, and various issues related to international peace, security, and shared interests.

    In a post on X, Prince Khalid stated, “Following the direction of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, I presented Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for his outstanding contributions to enhancing our partnership and advancing Saudi-Pakistani relations.”

    Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) mentioned that the meeting also covered topics such as regional security, military and defence cooperation, strategic collaboration, and geopolitical developments. The military’s media wing highlighted that the engagement represents the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

    ISPR characterized the King Abdulaziz Medal as the highest national honor in Saudi Arabia. The announcement emphasized the recognition of Field Marshal Munir’s military service and leadership, as well as his efforts in promoting defence cooperation, strategic alignment, and institutional collaboration between the two nations.

    The statement also alluded to cooperation in counterterrorism and security-related endeavors, linking these efforts to broader regional stability. It noted that the award reflected the contributions made in these areas through the ongoing partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh.

    Earlier in the year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia finalized a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on either nation would be regarded as aggression against both. In November, the chief of the Saudi armed forces expressed the kingdom’s intention to enhance defence and strategic cooperation with Pakistan.

  • Internet wants to know who did Sarfaraz call ‘jahil’

    Internet wants to know who did Sarfaraz call ‘jahil’

    Pakistan’s emphatic victory over India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final yesterday sparked celebrations across the country, but it was a background comment from team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed that truly set social media buzzing.

    As Pakistan moved closer to sealing the title during the tense moments of the final, a voice from Sarfaraz’s microphone was clearly heard guiding the young players. He said in Urdu, “Tameez ke dairay mein, jahilon ki tarah jahil nahi hona [Stay within the limits of decency, do not behave like ill-mannered people].”

    Fans quickly clipped the moment and shared it across social media platforms.

    Many fans believed Sarfaraz was reacting to the aggressive body language and gestures shown by Indian players during the match. 

    Indian bowlers were seen displaying visible aggression while bowling, while similar behavior followed during dismissals as well.

    When pacer Ali Raza dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the moment escalated into a verbal exchange. Later, when Mohammad Sayyam removed Vedant Trivedi, another heated exchange followed, with both batters appearing involved in verbal confrontations with Pakistani players.

    Supporters online felt Sarfaraz’s words were meant to calm his players and urge them not to respond in the same manner, despite the provocation.

    The internet reacted instantly.

    One user wrote, “Best way to address our neighbors .”


    Another user commented, “This line from Sarfaraz Ahmed should go into the hall of fame.”


    One fan joked, “I know who he called jahil, I just can’t prove it.”


    Another wrote, “They will remember these lines.”


    One user simply asked, “India ko keh raha hai?”

    Some users also linked Sarfaraz’s remark to an earlier incident involving the Indian men’s team in the Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players had refused post-match handshakes with Pakistan and shut their dressing room doors to avoid greetings after their win.

    One user reminded, writing, “Saifi bhai keh rahe hain, chalo haath mila lena.”

    Pakistan, meanwhile, had earlier produced a dominant all-round performance to thrash arch-rivals India by a massive margin in the final at the ICC Academy Ground.

    Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled up 347 for 8, powered by a sensational knock from opener Sameer Minhas, who smashed a record-breaking 172 off 113 balls, including 17 fours and nine sixes. 

    It was the highest individual score in a U-19 Asia Cup final. Usman Khan scored 35, while Ahmed Hussain added 56. For India, Deepesh Devendran claimed 3 for 83, and Khilan Patel finished with 2 for 44.

    In reply, India’s batting line-up collapsed for 156 in 26.2 overs. Ali Raza led the bowling attack with figures of 4 for 42, while Abdul Subhan took 2 for 29 and Huzaifa Ahsan picked up 2 for 12. Mohammad Sayyam also chipped in with 2 for 38. Deepesh Devendran top-scored for India with a quick 36 off 16 balls.

    Pakistan sealed a 191-run victory, the biggest winning margin in a U-19 Asia Cup final, and lifted the trophy in dominant fashion.

    Man of the Match Sameer Minhas was hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders as Pakistan celebrated the title.

    Early on Monday, the team received a hero’s welcome at the airport, with a massive crowd turning up to greet the young champions.