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Author: News Desk

  • PTI and Army are on the same page, says Zulfi Bukhari

    PTI and Army are on the same page, says Zulfi Bukhari

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Zulfi Bukhari said on Saturday that his party and the Pakistan Army are still on the “same page.”

    Zulfi Bukhari also stated that PTI is ready to talk with all the political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    While engaging with journalists in London, Bukhari discussed the party’s strategy for participating in the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8 next year.

    He emphasised that omitting PTI from the forthcoming elections will not enhance the political and economic stability of Pakistan.

    “It seems like the elections will not take place until PTI is finished,” said Bukhari, adding that the party will not accept the elections if they are held in “certain circumstances.”

    Former prime minister Khan and his political party have consistently advocated for fair competition. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the party to organise internal polls, which took place today in the absence of Khan.

    During these intra-party elections, the former chief designated his legal advisor, Barrister Gohar Khan, as his successor.

  • Elon Musk thinks visiting Gaza “seems a bit dangerous”

    Elon Musk thinks visiting Gaza “seems a bit dangerous”


    Elon Musk was invited by Hamas to witness the destruction in Gaza, in the light of his visit to Israel earlier in the week. The controversial owner of X (former Twitter) responded to the invitation by posting online that it “seems a bit dangerous there right now, but I do believe that a long-term prosperous Gaza is good for all sides.”


    The invitation from senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan came on Tuesday. Hamdan called on Musk, who recently met Israel’s prime minister and president, to also visit Palestine and acquire a more rounded perspective.


    “We invite him to visit Gaza to see the extent of the massacres and destruction committed against the people of Gaza, in compliance with the standards of objectivity and credibility,” Hamdan said in a press conference in Beirut. “Within 50 days, Israel dropped more than 40,000 tonnes of explosives on the homes of defenceless Gazans,” the official added.


    Elon went to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog earlier in the week. “It was jarring to see the scene of the massacre,” said Musk later in an X Spaces conversation with Netanyahu, adding Israel has “no choice” but to eliminate Hamas.

    Musk’s Israel visit was roundly criticised by users of his platform, coming on the heels of what was perceived as an anti-Semitic tweet he had posted earlier.

  • Israel knew about Hamas’ October 7 attack, claims New York Times

    Israel knew about Hamas’ October 7 attack, claims New York Times

    A recent report by The New York Times published on November 30 reveals that a blueprint containing the details of the October 7 attack by Hamas was in the knowledge of Israeli officials, however, they dismissed it as aspirational.


    Ronen Bergman and Adam Goldman, both stationed in Tel Aviv, claim to have reviewed the classified 40-page document, code-named ‘Jericho Wall’ by the Israeli authorities.


    The Times team, who reviewed the translated document, stated that it does not point out the exact date for the attack but lays out the detailed methodical assault designed to invade the Israeli region around Gaza. “Hamas followed the blueprint with shocking precision,” reports The New York Times.


    The document was circulated among top intelligence officials in Israel more than a year ago but they deemed it beyond Hamas’ capabilities. The Times team sheds light on the doubtful approach of the Israeli intelligence. “It is not yet possible to determine whether the plan has been fully accepted and how it will be manifested,” read a military assessment reviewed by The Times.


    However, it is not confirmed if Prime Minister Netanyahu saw the document or not.


    The research also explains that a colonel in the Gaza division brushed off the warning made by an analyst who claimed that Hamas conducted military exercises as per the content of Jericho Wall, according to encrypted emails viewed by The Times.


    The article goes on to explain the glaring similarities between the attack by Hamas and the intelligence report of the Jericho Wall.


    While the October seven attack has been dubbed the deadliest attack in Israel’s history and the Israeli military has accepted that they failed to protect their state, it has netizens wondering if the Israeli authorities deliberately let it happen to have an excuse to attack Gaza.

    However, there are some criticising the government of Israel for putting the life of so many at risk and benefitting from the situation to the fullest.

    White House Correspondent for ABC News has informed on Twitter that a senior official at the White House has denied to have any knowledge about the Jericho Wall document.

  • Armed forces ready to defend the motherland from challenges: Gen Asim Munir

    Armed forces ready to defend the motherland from challenges: Gen Asim Munir

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Saturday that the armed forces are ready to face any challenges or threats faced by Pakistan and are fully prepared to respond back to enemies of the country.

    According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS was in Khairpur Tamewali to witness the field exercise of the Bahawalpur Corps.

    “We are cognisant of the challenges and with the support of the nation we are prepared to thwart any nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan”, COAS emphasised.

    “Pakistan Army is fully prepared to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan against all odds. Pakistan Armed Forces are focused on defending the frontiers of the motherland against the full spectrum of threats and with the support of the nation, Armed Forces will defeat the enemies of Pakistan, InshaAllah,” said the army chief during his visit. 

    COAS Munir received a briefing on the field exercise, which focuses on advancing professional skills across different levels and refining battlefield procedures to address future challenges in an operational environment.

  • Intra-Party Polls: Barrister Gohar Khan elected new PTI chairman

    Intra-Party Polls: Barrister Gohar Khan elected new PTI chairman

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chose Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as the new party chairman on Saturday after former Prime Minister Imran Khan nominated him to contest for the top position.

    PTI’s chief election commissioner announced the results, saying that Barrister Gohar Khan got elected unopposed after today’s intra-party elections.

    Niazullah Niaz said that Umar Ayub got elected as PTI’s central general secretary. On the other hand, Ali Amin Gandapur and Dr Yasmin Rashid were chosen as the party’s provincial presidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, respectively.

    As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PTI was scheduled to hold its intra-party elections today, adding “finishing touches” to its preparations.

    The primary polling centre is established at Rano Garhi near the Motorway Toll Plaza in Peshawar, and Ali Zaman, the Presiding Officer for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has arrived at the location.

    Zaman said while talking to Geo News that the PTI Chief Election Commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, has arrived at the centre. He also said that the number of registered voters is more than 20 million for the polls.

    “The vote can be cast through an online app and ballot paper at the election centre in Peshawar,” Zaman told Geo News.

    Zaman said all candidates will be elected unopposed.

  • Karachi police identified unknown men who left body of eight-year-old boy outside Karachi hospital

    Karachi police identified unknown men who left body of eight-year-old boy outside Karachi hospital

    Update: Police investigation has revealed new details in the case of an eight-year-old boy left by two unknown men at the Jinnah Hospital, Karachi.

    DIG South Asad Raza said that the cause of the death is a road accident but the postmortem examination has revealed that the boy was raped sometime in the near past. DNA report is awaited to proceed with that, reports Geo.

    The police has obtained more CCTV footage regarding the unfortunate incident and has been able to identify the two men who left the body in the hospital emergency. The procured footage shows that the car hit the boy on Korangi Road and brought his dead body to the Jinnah Hospital.

    The family of the eight-year-old Rawal has refused to take any legal action. They have taken the body to their native city, Lodhran.

    Departmental surgeon Samiya has confirmed that the postmortem of the body has revealed that he was tortured and raped, reports Geo.

    The grey car used in the incident is identified as BMT-868 registered in the name of Ahmed Raza who is a resident of Defence Karachi. The team to arrest the suspects has been established.

    Two men have left the body of a young boy at Jinnah Hospital in Karachi, CCTV footage has shown. The men arrived at the hospital in a grey car, while a dent over the car’s dumper is evident, reports Geo.

    The two men, one dressed in a white shalwar kameez and the other in a green shirt and jeans, were seen bringing in the body and leaving instantly when asked to get an entry slip at the reception.


    The footage has been shared with the police by the hospital administration. The eight-year-old boy has been identified as Rawal Fayaz, a resident of Qayyumabad. He was reportedly missing since morning.


    DG South has ordered the concerned SHO to start an investigation. The owner of the car has been tracked down and a lead is expected in the case shortly.

  • How to find a snatched mobile phone? Peshawar police knows the way

    How to find a snatched mobile phone? Peshawar police knows the way

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have devised a way to curb the snatching and stealing of cell phones, a menace for most of the major cities of the country. FMC (Find my Cell), an app launched by police authorities at the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines Peshawar, will help trace your stolen phone.

    Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ashfaq Anwar has said that the new app will connect registered mobile dealers to local police stations to stop the sale of snatched or stolen mobile phones.


    Registered dealers, in case of any suspicion, will get details of all the stolen and snatched phones. The dealers will be registered after verification from the concerned police stations and concerned associations.


    All the mobile dealers would be given forms of registration. These forms will hold the details of all those who are selling phones to them. “This will be uploaded to a database that will be available on the FMC,” CCPO added.


    CCPO Ashfaq Anwar said the local police were taking measures to improve law and order and stop the snatching and theft of phones and using modern technology.

  • Pakistan’s inflation soars to 29.2% in November, exceeding October figures

    Pakistan’s inflation soars to 29.2% in November, exceeding October figures

    In November, Pakistan’s headline inflation surged to 29.2 per cent year-on-year, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, surpassing the October figure of 26.9 per cent. 

    On a monthly basis, there was a 2.7 per cent increase. The average inflation for July-November reached 28.62 per cent, up from 25.14 per cent in the same period the previous year.

    CPI inflation in urban areas rose to 30.44 per cent in November 2023, compared to 25.5 per cent in the previous month and 21.6 per cent in November 2022. On a monthly basis, it increased to 4.34 per cent, reflecting a substantial jump from the previous month and November 2022.

    Conversely, rural CPI inflation stood at 27.53 per cent year-on-year in November 2023, showing a slight decrease from the previous month but an increase from November 2022.

    Anticipated by several brokerage houses, the November inflation spike, driven partly by a rise in gas tariffs, aligns with predictions. 

    JS Global and Arif Habib Limited had forecasted CPI-based inflation to be around 28.26 per cent and 28.2 per cent, respectively.

    Beyond inflation, Pakistan faces economic challenges. A recent staff-level agreement with the IMF, subject to board approval in December, will provide access to SDR 528 million. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects inflation to decrease in the coming months due to improved supply conditions.

    Despite maintaining a key policy rate of 22 per cent, the State Bank of Pakistan projects a downward trajectory for inflation, citing fiscal consolidation, commodity availability, and exchange rate alignment as offsetting factors against risks like global oil price volatility and increased gas tariffs.

    Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar expressed optimism about gradual inflation reduction, attributing it to improved financial management. The government believes effective policies will contribute to an overall improvement in economic conditions.

  • PML-N says Nawaz hasn’t decided to become PM for fourth time

    PML-N says Nawaz hasn’t decided to become PM for fourth time

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has not yet decided to become prime minister for the fourth time, if his party wins the forthcoming elections, sources have disclosed to The News.

    A PML-N leader and close friend of Nawaz Sharif told The News that the PML-N supremo has not expressed any intention yet to become a fourth-time prime minister, adding that if the idea is being discussed within the Sharif family, most of PML-N leadership are not aware of it.

    The party itself wants to see Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan. According to a source within PML-N, the party has adopted the slogan of making Nawaz Sharif premier for the fourth time.

    “It will be a sweet revenge of democracy from those who removed Nawaz Sharif as prime minister in 2017,” said the source.

    PML-N president and senior vice president, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, are currently under consideration for the position of prime minister, with some expressing concerns about Maryam’s potential candidature due to her perceived lack of experience and potential unacceptability in certain circles. Maryam may be given an important position in Punjab instead.

    Shehbaz Sharif also has the advantage that he has a good relationship with the establishment and prefers to work with all stakeholders. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif has a history of bad relations with the establishment.

  • Indian woman who came to marry Pakistani man goes back to her country

    Indian woman who came to marry Pakistani man goes back to her country

    Indian national Anju — now Fatima — who made headlines around the world after travelling to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and marrying Facebook friend Nasrullah, her left Pakistan to reunite with her two children.


    34-year-old Anju met and married Nasrullah five months after their Facebook friendship began, arriving in Upper Dir on July 22 this year. Nasrullah said that Anju had been missing her two children since she came to Pakistan. “I said goodbye to Anju (Fatima) at the Wagah border and she entered her country at two o’clock on Wednesday,” he said.


    He added that Anju’s one-month visa had already expired, adding that they had applied to the Ministry of Interior to extend the period, but due to difficulties, it could not be completed as the formal process is expected to take four months to one year.


    Anju was granted a one-year extension to her visa by the Pakistani authorities earlier in August.


    Nasrullah said that despite repeated pleas by Anju, the visa was not extended so she decided to go back through a 15-day departure letter and cancelled the visa extension application.


    The couple were given a farewell party by several friends in Lahore. Nasrullah maintained that Anju would come to Pakistan again after three months. He said that if her visa had been extended for one year, it would have been better.


    “If I get a visa for India, then I will take Anju back myself,” he said, adding that she is fighting a divorce case from her first husband in India and she wished to meet her children. He said that Anju had got a lot of love and respect from everyone in Pakistan.


    Anju had previously undergone a court marriage with Nasrullah after converting to Islam in Upper Dir. The couple received attention from all across the world. Several companies and business organisations showed generosity by offering gifts to couple in various parts of the country.

    Upon arrival in India, she was asked questions by the media but she denied answers altogether.

    To read more: Indian bride Anju’s cross-border love story earns her a year-long stay in Pakistan