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Author: News Desk

  • ‘International sympathy’: Kh Asif slams Afghan claims of hospital bombing, highlights civilian killings in Pakistan

    ‘International sympathy’: Kh Asif slams Afghan claims of hospital bombing, highlights civilian killings in Pakistan

    Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has issued a strong response to the allegations by the Afghan Taliban regime that Pakistan targeted a hospital in Kabul, stating that those who kill schoolchildren and worshippers in mosques are capable of entering hospitals to kill patients and then blaming Pakistan to gain international sympathy.

    Asif took to X to write, “Killers of school children and worshippers in mosques are definitely capable of entering a hospital and killing patients and then blaming Pakistan just to attract international sympathy”.

    Earlier, speaking on private media channel talkshow Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the Afghan Taliban regime must decide whether it stands with terrorists or with Pakistan.

    He added that the roots of terrorism in Pakistan trace back to Afghanistan and that strikes were carried out on terrorist hideouts and infrastructure linked to the Afghan Taliban regime.

    Tarar said that the Afghan Taliban attempted to build a false narrative that a hospital had been targeted, adding that ammunition was stored at the site that was struck and the resulting explosions confirmed the nature of the target. He added that the objectives of Operation Ghazab- lil-haq were clear.

    Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar on the night of March 16, destroying ammunition and technical infrastructure.

    A spokesperson for the Afghan interior ministry had claimed that 400 people were killed in an attack on a drug rehabilitation centre, a claim Pakistan has rejected.


    In a post on X, Tarar said the Afghan Taliban regime is “peddling yet another falsehood by alleging that Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. This claim is entirely baseless. Pakistan, in its ongoing war against terrorism, is engaging only those military and terrorist targets, along with the infrastructure of the Afghan Taliban regime, that are being directly or indirectly used to plan, facilitate, shelter, train, or abet terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.”

    He added that the strikes were “precise, deliberate, and professional,” and that “no hospital, no drug rehabilitation centre, and no civilian facility was targeted.” Tarar said video footage released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) confirmed that ammunition storage sites were struck, and that Afghan Taliban officials had repeatedly used false narratives, doctored claims, and old visuals to mislead audiences.

    He concluded that Pakistan will continue to take measures to defend its citizens, degrade terrorist capability, and deny safe haven to those who wage terror against Pakistan from across the border.

  • Venezuela stun US to win first World Baseball Classic title

    Venezuela stun US to win first World Baseball Classic title

    Venezuela has claimed its first-ever World Baseball Classic title with a dramatic 3-2 win over the United States (US) in the final held in Miami on Tuesday.

    The historic victory came after a tense contest that went down to the final inning, with Eugenio Suárez driving in the winning run in the top of the ninth.

    Venezuela had taken control early in the game before the US fought back to level the score late on. However, Suárez’s decisive hit sealed the result and sparked celebrations among players and fans inside the stadium.

    “Nobody believed in Venezuela but now we win the championship today,” Suárez said after the match.

    “This is a celebration for all the Venezuelan country,” he added.

    Several players wrapped themselves in flags as they marked a landmark moment in the country’s baseball history.

    The win holds added significance as it comes during a period of political tension in Venezuela, making the triumph even more emotional for fans.

    The US, despite fielding a star-studded lineup, fell short in the final for the second consecutive edition after also losing the 2023 title clash.

    This year’s tournament featured some of baseball’s biggest names, including Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, highlighting the global appeal of the competition.

    For Venezuela, the victory marks a defining moment, as the team finally lifted the trophy after years of near misses and established itself among the elite nations in international baseball.

  • Lahore domestic worker ‘kills employers’ two-year-old child’ after being scolded

    Lahore domestic worker ‘kills employers’ two-year-old child’ after being scolded

    Harbanspura police in Lahore have arrested a domestic worker accused of killing a two-year-old child by suffocation. 

    According to officials, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Harbanspura police station, where the suspect allegedly killed the child, identified as Zaid, by placing a cloth over his face.

    Police stated that SHO (Station House Officer) Waqar Ashraf responded to an emergency call on 15 and took the suspect, identified as Anila, into custody on the directions of SP (Superintendent of Police) Cantt.

    Initial investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly committed the act after being scolded by her employer, officials added.

    A case has been registered against the nominated suspect on the complaint of the child’s father, Muhammad Umar, while the accused has been handed over to the investigation wing for further inquiry.

    SP Cantt Akhtar Nawaz said that those who take the law into their own hands will be brought to justice and given strict punishment through the courts.

  • Husband arrested in triple murder of wife and sisters-in-law in Gujranwala

    Husband arrested in triple murder of wife and sisters-in-law in Gujranwala

    Gujranwala police have arrested a man in connection with the killing of three Christian women in Rasul Nagar. Authorities say the suspect allegedly lured them with promises of opportunities abroad before carrying out the murders.

    Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Rana Ghiyur Ahmad Khan said the investigation began after the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in the Civil Nagar area, which falls under the Alipur Chattha police jurisdiction.

    The Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) collected samples, and with the help of NADRA, the victim was identified as 45-year-old Nazia. Police then launched a search for her sisters, Bimla and Maria, who were reported missing.

    Investigations later revealed that the two sisters were found dead too in Hafizabad.

    A police team led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Saddar Akhtar Inayat and Station House Officer (SHO) Aurangzeb carried out continuous inquiries, using modern investigative techniques to gather evidence.

    Authorities said that suspicion soon fell on Nazia’s husband, as he was reportedly the last person seen with her. He was taken into custody for questioning.

    During interrogation, the suspect, named Mansha, admitted to killing his wife and her two sisters. Police said he carried out the murders with help from his nephews, Dawood and Subhan. 

    According to investigators, Bimla and Maria were killed and their bodies dumped in the Lower Chenab Canal, from where they were later recovered in Hafizabad.

    Police added that Mansha told investigators he had grown suspicious of his wife’s character, which led him to plan and execute the killings.

    The City Police Officer (CPO) of Gujranwala praised the investigative team for resolving the case, calling it a significant achievement given the complexity of the triple murder.

  • Utah jury finds wife guilty of husband’s murder, attempted poisoning with ‘Michael Jackson stuff’

    Utah jury finds wife guilty of husband’s murder, attempted poisoning with ‘Michael Jackson stuff’

    A jury in Utah has found Kouri Richins guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, by poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink in March 2022, according to court proceedings.

    The verdict was delivered after around three hours of deliberation on Monday. Richins, 35, was also convicted of attempted murder linked to an earlier incident in which prosecutors said she poisoned her husband but did not succeed in killing him.

    During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Richins had accumulated significant debt, taken out life insurance policies on her husband and was involved in an extramarital relationship. They argued she believed she would inherit an estate valued at more than $4 million following his death.

    “She wanted to leave Eric Richins but did not want to leave his money,” Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told the court.

    The prosecution called more than 40 witnesses, including a woman who testified that she had sold the drugs used in the killing. Richins’ defence team did not call any witnesses and rested its case without having her testify.

    Court documents showed that between December 2021 and February 2022, Richins contacted a person previously arrested on drug charges, requesting prescription pain medication. She initially obtained hydrocodone before asking for stronger substances, including fentanyl, referring to it in messages as “some of the Michael Jackson stuff”.

    According to the documents, days after obtaining the drugs, the couple had a Valentine’s Day dinner after which Eric Richins became ill. “Eric believed that he had been poisoned,” the documents stated, adding: “Eric told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to poison him.”

    Prosecutors said Richins later obtained more fentanyl and, on 4 March 2022, called police reporting that she had found her husband unresponsive. She told authorities she had served him a mixed vodka drink before going to sleep with one of their children. She later returned and found him cold to the touch.

    A medical examiner determined that Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose, with five times the lethal dose found in his system.

    Richins was also found guilty of fraudulently claiming insurance benefits after her husband’s death. She had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The aggravated murder conviction carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

    Her arrest in March 2023 came two months after she published a children’s book, Are You With Me?, which she said was written to help families cope with loss.

    “We wrote this book and we’re really hoping that it provides some comfort for not just obviously, our family, but other families that are going through the same thing,” she said in an interview prior to her arrest.

    She had dedicated the book to her husband, describing him as “my amazing husband and a wonderful father”.

  • ‘You people make these calls’: Javeria Saud hits back at ‘planted callers’ criticism

    ‘You people make these calls’: Javeria Saud hits back at ‘planted callers’ criticism

    Pakistani host Javeria Saud has reacted strongly to allegations that calls on her Ramzan transmission are planted, as viral clips from the show continue to spark debate online.

    The program, aired during Ramzan, has drawn attention for its unusual live calls, particularly during segments featuring Maulana Azad Jameel. Several of these interactions have gone viral, with some social media users claiming the calls are scripted to boost ratings.

    Addressing the criticism, Javeria rejected the claims and insisted that the calls come directly from viewers.

    “As far as calls are concerned, you people make these calls. Many times it has happened in shows that someone calls and says something strange. Our audience gets entertained by calling us. When they are asked outside what they want to say, they say something else, but once the call is connected and it is confirmed that they are live with Javeria, they say something completely different. Sometimes such questions are asked that we just end up laughing. After all, we are human,” she said.

    She also responded to questions about background sounds during calls, including Azaan, which some viewers had pointed out.

    “When we receive calls from Lahore, there is often the sound of Azaan in the background. One day we got a call from Lahore, another day from Multan, and in many of those calls, Azaan could be heard in the backdrop. So here, can Azaan be given before Maghrib? Over there, it happens earlier,” she explained.

    Javeria further spoke about the scrutiny she faces online, saying every reaction from her becomes a talking point.

    “Here, it has become a problem. If we laugh, people ask why we are laughing. If we cry, they ask why we are crying. If I laugh, it goes viral. If I cry, it goes viral. Whatever I say goes viral. Even if I joke, it goes viral. It’s hard to understand whether this is my popularity or if it is turning into criticism. But there are also some people who take everything positively and see things from a different perspective. There is a big difference between joking and making fun of someone,” she said.

    Clips from the show often feature unexpected and sometimes unusual questions, which many viewers find controversial. 

    Javeria Saud, a long-time figure in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, has worked as an actress, producer and host. She appeared in popular dramas like “Yeh Zindagi Hai” and continues to host Ramzan transmissions each year.

    She is married to actor Saud Qasmi, and together they have remained active figures in the drama industry both on and off screen.

  • $307bn outflow risk for Gulf banks if conflict escalates

    $307bn outflow risk for Gulf banks if conflict escalates

    Gulf banks could face domestic deposit outflows of $307 billion if the Middle East conflict deepens, S&P Global Ratings stated in a report.

    The agency noted that there has been no evidence of major outflows of foreign or local funding so far, adding that banking systems in the Gulf have remained stable since the conflict began last month. 

    However, it cautioned that a prolonged conflict could trigger a shift of funds between banks within the same systems as well as external and domestic funding exits.

    S&P’s base case assumes the most intense phase of the US-Israeli war on Iran will last between two to four weeks. In a report dated March 16, it added that spillovers and intermittent security incidents could extend beyond that period.

    The war, now in its third week, has disrupted energy markets and transport as it spread across the region, with multiple attacks reported in Dubai and other Gulf states.

    The situation has affected banking operations, with some international lenders shutting most UAE client-facing services after Iran’s IRGC threatened attacks on economic centres and banks linked to the US and Israel.

    Banks have said they continue to serve clients through digital channels, although disruptions to digital infrastructure have been reported.

    Amazon Web Services reported on March 2 that drones struck three of its facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, disrupting cloud and IT services, with some banking customers briefly losing access to online accounts.


    S&P noted that some banks have set up data centres and backup facilities outside the region, where permitted by regulators, which helped limit the impact of the strikes.

    Under a stress scenario, S&P estimated domestic deposit outflows across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banking systems could reach $307 billion based on year-end 2025 figures.

    Banks currently hold around $312 billion in cash or at central banks to absorb such outflows, with an additional buffer of about $630 billion available after liquidating investment portfolios at a 20 percent haircut, the agency added.

    “Overall, the risk appears manageable,” S&P said, adding that four of the six GCC countries are considered highly supportive of their banking systems and that regulators have increased supervision since the conflict began.

    It noted that Bahraini retail banks appear more exposed due to a recent rise in external debt.

    The UAE central bank has sought to reassure markets, with Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama stating earlier this month that the banking sector has continued to operate normally.

    UAE banks have seen growth in credit demand as governments increased spending on sectors including tourism and infrastructure.

    The central bank said total assets rose 17.1 percent to 5.34 trillion dirhams ($1.45 trillion) in 2025 from a year earlier, while the loan portfolio expanded nearly 18 percent and deposits increased around 16 percent over the same period.

    S&P stated that the full impact on loan books will take time to materialise, identifying logistics, transportation, tourism, real estate, retail and hospitality as among the most exposed sectors.

    Under a high-stress scenario, assuming either a 50 percent increase in non-performing loans (NPL) or an NPL ratio of seven percent of total loans, cumulative losses across the region’s top 45 banks could reach around $37 billion, it added.

    The agency stated that GCC banks are entering the stress period from a position of strength, drawing comparisons with the 2020 COVID-19 shock when regulators introduced measures to absorb loan impairments, and added that a similar response is expected if conditions worsen.

    UAE bank shares have recorded double-digit declines across major lenders since the conflict began.

  • ‘Signed to God’: Sidhu Moosewala’s Pakistan tour announced

    ‘Signed to God’: Sidhu Moosewala’s Pakistan tour announced

    Three years after his tragic death, Indian Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala is set to return, not in person, but as a digital avatar for a global AI-powered tour in 2026.

    The late Punjabi singer’s team has announced the “Signed to God” tour, which will feature his AI-powered hologram performing across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, the UAE, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Pakistan.

    The announcement of a Pakistan leg has excited the rapper’s fans, as Moosewala enjoyed massive popularity in the country during his lifetime.

    Sidhu Moosewala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was shot dead on May 29, 2022, in Mansa district of India’s Punjab. 

    Moosewala was one of the most influential Punjabi artists of his generation. He started his career as a lyricist before rising to fame as a singer with tracks like “So High,” “Issa Jatt,” and “295.” 

    His debut album PBX 1 topped the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, marking a major milestone for a Punjabi artist.

    Sidhu Moose Wala has had multiple songs released posthumously since his death in May 2022. Notable posthumous tracks include “SYL” (his first release after death), “Vaar”, “Mera Na” (with Burna Boy), “Chorni” (with DIVINE), “Watch Out”, “Drippy”, “410”, “Attach”, and “Lock”. 

    His songs regularly crossed millions of views on digital platforms, making him one of the most streamed Punjabi artists worldwide.

  • Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on fitness after selection debate

    Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on fitness after selection debate

    Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has responded to discussions about his fitness, clarifying rumours about his condition after questions surfaced on social media.

    The left-handed opener said he was not fully fit for 50-over cricket and supported selector Aaqib Javed’s stance.

    “I was not 100% fit to play 50-over games. In that case Aqib Javed was right,” Fakhar wrote in response to former cricketer Abdur Rauf.

    Fakhar added that he returned to action only after passing the required fitness test.

    “I’m playing these games after clearing the fitness tests on 15th March,” he said, referring to his participation in the National T20 tournament.

    The clarification came after Abdur Rauf questioned the selection committee’s stance by sharing Fakhar’s fielding picture online.

    “A day ago, our selection committee declared him injured and demanded an inquiry. What great minds and visionary people we have to run our cricket,” Rauf wrote while sharing his picture from the National T20 Cup.

    Fakhar was earlier declared unfit for Pakistan’s recent ODI tour of Bangladesh, which kept him out of the squad.

    Meanwhile, Aaqib Javed also raised concerns about fitness monitoring within the team setup. Speaking at a press conference last week, he said both Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam were dealing with injuries after the T20 World Cup.

    “Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam’s injuries are under inquiry,” Javed said.

    It is worth noting that Fakhar played only two matches in the recent T20 World Cup, scoring 109 runs at a strike rate of 187.93.

  • Rajab Butt’s mother reportedly says family will ‘forgive’ Emaan if she returns home

    Rajab Butt’s mother reportedly says family will ‘forgive’ Emaan if she returns home

    YouTuber Rajab Butt’s mother has reportedly spoken out amid ongoing tensions between her son and his wife Emaan Fatima, saying that the family is ready to forgive her if she chooses to return.

    An audio message attributed to Rajab Butt’s mother has gone viral on social media, in which she urged her daughter-in-law to come back and save her marriage.

    She said, “That foolish girl is ruining her home. By God, if she returns today, we will forgive her and forget everything.”

    She further appealed to Iman Fatima to take a step toward reconciliation. “She should come back and save her home. At least she should message or call us. I want her to save her marriage,” she said.

    Expressing her willingness to resolve the matter, she added, “I have forgotten everything. I am only thinking about saving their marriage. If she comes back and Rajab gets angry, I will step in between them.”

    She also said that she understands the situation from a mother’s perspective. “I am also a mother of a daughter, so I do not wish bad for anyone’s daughter,” she stated.

    Rajab Butt married Iman Fatima in 2024, with the wedding events gaining significant attention on social media.

    However, their relationship has faced difficulties after marriage, and reports suggest the situation has now reached the point of divorce.