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Author: News Desk

  • Pictures: The Karachi that ‘Dhurandhar’ can’t even imagine

    Pictures: The Karachi that ‘Dhurandhar’ can’t even imagine

    Bollywood’s latest controversial spy thriller Dhurandhar sparked an unexpected response from Karachiites. Instead of outrage, residents flooded social media with stunning images showing a side of their city the film never bothered to explore.

    The Aditya Dhar directored project starring Ranveer Singh portrays Karachi’s Lyari as the “core of terrorism in Pakistan.” The trailer shows a grim, dystopian landscape that bears no resemblance to the actual city of over 20 million people.

    Karachiites responded within hours.

    Users began sharing breathtaking photographs under the phrase “Karachi, Dhurandhar can’t even dream of.” The images tell a completely different story.

    Instagram user ‘karachista1’ shared a series of stories showcasing the beauty of Karachi. Sunset shots from Sea View Beach and the clifftop restaurants of Do Darya packed with diners enjoying fresh seafood appeared alongside the new Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum standing pristine in white marble.

    X users posted steaming plates of biryani, sizzling nihari from Javed Nihari, and the iconic bun kabab. Street vendors at Boat Basin serving seekh kebabs to late-night crowds became part of the visual narrative.

    Images of modern skyscrapers along I.I. Chundrigar Road, the pink Jodhpur stone of Mohatta Palace, art exhibitions at Canvas Gallery, and theatre performances at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) flooded timelines.

    The most powerful images came from Lyari itself. Residents shared photos of boxing clubs training young athletes, community schools, and football tournaments.

    The Lyari Football Stadium, home to some of Pakistan’s finest players, appears nowhere in Dhurandhar’s version of the neighborhood.

    Karachi produces a significant portion of Pakistan’s GDP. The city hosts the country’s largest port, financial hub, media industry, and fashion capital. Its restaurants serve cuisine from every province.

    Dhurandhar claims to be “inspired by true events” while inventing connections between gang leader Rehman Dakait and police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan with Indian intelligence. 

    No such documentation exists.

    The real story differs entirely. Rehman Baloch was allegedly killed in a police encounter ordered by SSP Chaudhry Aslam, sparking legal battles. Both men’s roles were rooted in Karachi’s local conflicts, not international espionage.

    The film joins Bollywood productions like Fighter and The Taj Story that stretch “true events” into nationalist fantasy.

  • Here’s Pakistan’s T20 schedule before World Cup 2026

    Here’s Pakistan’s T20 schedule before World Cup 2026

    Pakistan will play six T20 International matches in January 2026 as preparations intensify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The team will tour Sri Lanka for three matches before hosting Australia for another three-match series.

    The Men in Green will face Sri Lanka on January 7, 9, and 11 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan will then host Australia for three T20Is on January 30, February 2, and February 5.

    The Sri Lanka series holds special significance for Pakistan. The team will play all their World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model arrangement, making the Dambulla tour essential for adapting to local conditions.

    Pakistan draws Group A alongside India, the United States, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The team will play all group stage matches at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Pakistan-India clash takes place on February 15.

    The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams competing from February 7 to March 8. India and Sri Lanka co-host the tournament across eight venues.

    India hosts matches at five stadiums: Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

    Sri Lanka hosts matches at three venues: R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

    The 20 teams split into four groups of five for the group stage (February 7-20). The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Eight stage (February 21-March 1).

    The top two from each Super Eight group reach the semi-finals on March 4 and 5.

    The final takes place on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

  • FBR cracks down on 30 social media influencers for tax evasion

    FBR cracks down on 30 social media influencers for tax evasion

    Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Langrial, in an informal conversation with the media, revealed that the FBR has issued notices to 30 individuals who flaunted their luxurious lifestyles on social media but underreported their income in tax returns.

    According to Langrial, individuals who display expensive clothing, homes, vehicles, and even horses on the internet are now being investigated for filing inaccurate or incomplete tax returns.

    “We have compiled detailed data on those who either did not file tax returns or submitted false information while publicly displaying wealth,” he added.

    He confirmed the appointment of a Chief Commissioner for Enforcement to supervise these activities across the country. 

    This single authority will now supervise all actions taken against tax evaders, and daily reports on the crackdown will be compiled.


    Langrial declared, “We will continue robust action against tax evaders across the country.”


    Additionally, Langrial underlined that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the FBR to implement the strictest measures and has zero tolerance for tax evasion. On smuggling, he said that customs authorities are carrying out daily operations to curb the inflow of smuggled goods, and the campaign will continue without pause.

    He went on to say that smugglers had harmed customs officials, noting  that two tax officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

  • Internet thinks Akshaye Khanna copied father Vinod Khanna’s dance in Dhurandhar

    Internet thinks Akshaye Khanna copied father Vinod Khanna’s dance in Dhurandhar

    Akshaye Khanna’s entry scene in controversial Indian film Dhurandhar has become a talking point across social media, with fans sharing clips of the actor dancing during a sequence in the film. 

    In an interview, Danish Pandor, who plays Akshaye’s on-screen brother Uzair Baloch, revealed that the dance was not part of the script.
    Danish said the sequence was filmed in Leh-Ladakh, with Vijay Ganguly choreographing the track. “Aditya sir was explaining the shot to Akshaye sir. The whole choreography was happening, and in the middle of that, Akshaye sir asked Aditya, ‘Can I dance?’ Aditya sir said, ‘Do whatever you like,’” Danish recalled. 

    During the take, Akshaye observed the other dancers and began performing steps on his own. Danish said everyone on set was stunned, and the team applauded after the shot.

    In the scene, Akshaye, playing Rehman Dakait, steps out of a car in a black suit, greets the crowd, and unexpectedly joins a group of dancers before taking his seat. The song, Fa9la by Flipperachi, had been released in 2024 but went viral after the film’s release on December 5, 2025. Ranveer Singh, who plays Hamza Ali Mazari, shared the clip on Instagram, noting the track from the movie.

    The entry has also drawn comparisons with a 1989 charity concert in Lahore, Pakistan, where Vinod Khanna danced alongside Rekha, Imran Khan, and Javed Miandad. Social media users highlighted similarities between Vinod’s moves and Akshaye’s sequence. One user on X wrote, “NVM I got it, Akshaye Khanna has copied his father in Dhurandhar,” and shared clips from both performances.

    The sequence has generated reactions from Pakistani viewers as well. One comment noted, “Filmmakers must be unaware of the MQM situation in Karachi.” Another user posted on X , “I am convinced that Pakistan is the bread and butter of Bollywood. The unhinged obsession this country has with Pakistan is quite flattering. Peek, obsessed, crazy, ex-energy.”

    Another stated, “No matter our internal differences, no one, including India, gets to insult our country, our forces, or our leaders. We may disagree at home, but we stand united against any external hostility.”

  • Nida Yasir finally apologises to food delivery riders

    Nida Yasir finally apologises to food delivery riders

    TV host Nida Yasir has apologised for her “choice of words” after facing widespread criticism for accusing Foodpanda riders of lying to pocket extra cash and admitting she deliberately delays their deliveries to “teach them a lesson.”

    During a new episode of her morning show, Nida opened with a clarification. “A few days ago, during my programme, I shared my personal experience with you, an experience that was not pleasant. But my mistake was my choice of words, the way I chose to retell that experience,” she said. 

    She added that because her show is live, “we often aren’t careful about how we’re coming off.”

    She then argued that she should have said “some people” instead of speaking broadly, as she insisted she never meant to target all riders.

    “There are so many riders; in fact, the majority of the riders are working very hard to make ends meet. I am not sitting here to hurt anybody,” she said. 

    “I carry my heart on my sleeve, but I am human, not an angel, and sometimes what is in our hearts may not always come out right.”

    Addressing the riders directly, she concluded: “However many rider friends of mine were hurt, I want to apologise to them. I salute hardworking riders. I didn’t mean to make light of their struggles.”

    Yasir had originally said she believes riders “make a habit” of pretending they have no change, so customers must pay extra. 

    When she suspects this happens, she tells her driver to fetch change and makes the rider wait, knowing it will delay their next delivery. She said she does this to ensure they “learn a lesson.”

    The controversy drew sharp criticism from fellow television host Fiza Ali, who openly condemned Yasir’s remarks.

    Fiza highlighted the daily struggles riders face, noting they sacrifice sleep and comfort while risking their lives in harsh weather to deliver food. “Riders are not machines. They are humans with feelings and responsibilities,” she said, adding that while tipping is not compulsory, insulting someone is never acceptable.

    She also pointed out that people easily spend 500 rupees on food but hesitate to offer even 20 rupees to riders. “Delivery may be late, but humanity should never be late,” she said.

    Her comments became even more jarring after the FoodPanda app itself notified customers to keep the change ready when the rider arrives, clearly indicating that arranging change is the customer’s responsibility.

  • No more PTA tax? National Assembly body sets deadline for report on possible revisions

    No more PTA tax? National Assembly body sets deadline for report on possible revisions

    The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Tuesday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to prepare a detailed report on mobile phone taxes with instructions to include policy options, economic impact, international comparisons, and proposed revisions.

    Chairing the meeting, MNA Naveed Qamar voiced his concerns about increasing mobile phone taxes, arguing that these devices have been misclassified as luxury goods. “I am not pleased with the current designation of mobile phones as luxury items,” he remarked. Mr. Qamar directed both the FBR and the Tax Policy Office to reassess the existing tax rates applied to the import of mobile phones under personal baggage and registration programs. He indicated that the report should be finalized by March 2026, enabling the committee to review the situation ahead of the upcoming budget.

    MNA Qasim Gilani pointed towards the impact on consumers, emphasizing that taxes are levied again if phones are lost or stolen. “Individuals are utilizing smartphones for content creation, video sharing, and e-commerce,” he noted, mentioning that the taxes for older iPhone 6 models can soar to Rs35,000, whereas imports of iPhone 12 can incur taxes up to Rs100,000.

    MNA Sharmila Faruqi highlighted the expense associated with newer models. “The latest iPhone retails for Rs350,000, with an additional tax burden of Rs190,000,” she stated. Officials from the FBR clarified that taxes are based on the prices of devices rather than specific models.

    MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig emphasized the necessity for the government to establish a clear taxation system and dismissed the idea that smartphones are exclusively for affluent individuals.

    The PTA Chairman informed the committee that only six percent of premium phones are imported, while the majority are produced domestically. He also mentioned that 5G licenses are anticipated to be granted between February and March of the following year.

    FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial noted that, in general, smartphone prices and taxes have declined, with the exception of certain major brands. He added that the mobile phone sector generated Rs82 billion in tax revenue during the last fiscal year.

    The committee proposed placing smartphones under the Eighth Schedule to provide relief for consumers. Tax officials explained that the Ninth Schedule currently governs telecom items, whereas the Eighth Schedule offers concessions. They also highlighted that except for Apple, most smartphones are now produced locally.

  • Father, son confess to killing three women found dead in Karachi flat

    Father, son confess to killing three women found dead in Karachi flat

    The case of three women who were found dead in mysterious circumstances inside a Gulshan-e-Iqbal flat in Karachi has taken a major turn after the detained father and son confessed to the killings. 

    Officers have now formally arrested both suspects. Police say the two men cite severe financial problems as the reason for the murders, while investigators are reviewing all aspects of the case.

    Earlier the family had reportedly committed mass suicide under the strain of financial debt, a note written by hand by one of the victims has said. Statements from the  head of the family, who survived the poisoning, seem to corroborate the suicide. 

    Three women were discovered dead inside a flat in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 1 Karachi on Sunday: 52-year-old Samina, her 19-year-old daughter Samreen, and her 22-year-old daughter-in-law Maha. 

    Samina’s son, Muhammad Yaseen, was found unconscious at the scene and transported to the hospital; the incident was apparently initially reported by his father Muhammad Iqbal.

    Iqbal and Yaseen have been identified as major suspects in the case, and police have made significant progress in their investigation. 

    Authorities were informed by Yaseen that he and his father were originally going to consume the poison together, but his father backed out after watching Yaseen’s condition deteriorate.

    Authorities are examining a handwritten letter allegedly written by Samina, in which she claimed that mounting debt had driven the family toward suicide.

     Its authenticity is still under verification. Another letter recovered from Iqbal is also being analyzed, while autopsy reports for the deceased women are awaited.

    The family owed more over Rs15 million in debt, according to investigators, and police had already received a complaint about an additional Rs7.5 million debt. On Tuesday, a police team returned to the apartment and found more evidence.

    According to initial investigations, the family may have made the decision to take their own life because of extreme financial strain.

     SHO Gulshan-e-Iqbal Naeem Rajput said that toxic medications and rodent- killing chemicals were discovered at the scene.

    Police believe these substances were mixed into a drink and given to the women.

  • Pakistan women’s football team earns first ever FIFA Series spot

    Pakistan women’s football team earns first ever FIFA Series spot

    The Pakistan women’s football team has achieved a historic milestone by securing a spot in FIFA Series.

    The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced that FIFA has granted approval for the women’s team to participate in the biennial invitational football tournament promoted by FIFA, which features international friendlies between national teams from different confederations.

    “Pakistan Women’s National Team has been accepted into the FIFA Series for the first time ever, a landmark step for women’s football and a huge achievement for the Pakistan Football Federation. A new era begins,” PFF said in a social media post.

    The inclusion represents a major breakthrough for women’s football in Pakistan. Players will now compete at the international level alongside teams from around the world.

    FIFA will host the series in March and April 2026, with the women’s tournament taking place in Brazil, Ivory Coast and Thailand. 

    Officials expect to announce all the women’s FIFA Series groups in early 2026.

  • ‘Talk to Camera’: Punjab deploys AI to spot hazards in real time

    ‘Talk to Camera’: Punjab deploys AI to spot hazards in real time

    Following the death of a seven-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole in Lodhran, the Punjab government has launched an AI-powered monitoring system, Talk to Camera, across the province, with the aim to improve public safety and support rapid response to urban hazards.


    Developed by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), Talk to Camera aims to identify dangers such as exposed manholes, overflowing trash bins, and visible smoke. The system also enables officers to interact with the camera network using natural language, granting them the ability to identify threats in real-time.

    Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz unveiled the initiative on Tuesday, directly linking it to the incident in Lodhran. In a message on X, she stated, “In light of the devastating event in Lodhran, where a valuable life was lost due to an uncovered manhole, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority has created ‘Talk to Camera’, an innovative AI system that allows officers to inquire about the entire camera network using natural language.”

    The system was initially tested in Lahore and Sheikhupura, where officials reported positive outcomes. Following these trials, the provincial government decided to expand the system’s implementation across Punjab to bolster rapid response and enhance smart city management.

    Maryam Nawaz stated that cameras would also be installed in schools as part of the initiative to stop preventable accidents. She expressed, “After successful pilot launches in Lahore and Sheikhupura, Talk to Camera is now being extended throughout Punjab to improve rapid response capability and advance smart city management.”

    This rollout is an aspect of a broader initiative by the Punjab government to enhance civic surveillance and utilize technology for accident prevention. According to PSCA, the system automatically detects hazards, enabling authorities to respond promptly when potential threats appear in public areas.

    Officials indicate that the system can recognize various types of risks at the same time and can be accessed through straightforward language requests, minimizing delays in emergency reporting and response.

    The implementation signifies a commitment to incorporating artificial intelligence into city governance, with the government framing the initiative as a mechanism to decrease accidents and enhance safety in urban areas and public facilities.

  • Hamid Mir hints at ban on PTI, treason case against Imran Khan

    Hamid Mir hints at ban on PTI, treason case against Imran Khan

    Amid growing speculation regarding a harsher crackdown on the former ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), senior journalist Hamid Mir has hinted at the possibility of a formal ban on the party.

    Speaking during his show on Geo News Tuesday night, the journalist said that statements from some federal officials and state ministers were giving the impression that a decision to ban the PTI had already been made.

    “Not only that, but it appears that a treason case could also be filed against Imran Khan, his sisters and some other leaders of the PTI,” he said hours after a press conference by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik.

    During the presser, Malik said that “certain elements” continued to propagate a negative and misleading narrative against Pakistan, causing serious harm to the country’s political environment and youth.

    He said that the individuals routinely made delusional and baseless statements, which their party members immediately echoed.

    In his remarks, Chaudhry said the PTI was engaged in propaganda against Pakistan and its state institutions.

    He said the party’s politics was built on false narratives that damaged the country’s reputation during its tenure and was now attempting to undermine the positive and upward economic trajectory Pakistan is experiencing today.

    The press conference came as the Punjab Assembly, separately, adopted a resolution to ban incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his party for being “anti-state”.

    The resolution followed Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s presser from last week wherein he assailed Khan for creating and spreading an “anti-army” rhetoric.

    Such narratives, he said, were now out of the realm of politics and had become a “national security threat”.

    PML-N MPA Tahir Pervaiz moved the resolution in the provincial house on Tuesday, which was passed by the treasury members amid a boycott of the proceedings by PTI parliamentarians.

    While the resolution did not specifically name the PTI or its founder, it said, “The institutions that safeguard Pakistan on every front and have successfully countered an enemy five times larger, such as India, are vital to the country’s integrity and stability.”

    “A ban should be imposed on the political party and its founder for acting as a tool of the enemy state. He is also accused of making statements against the country and spreading chaos.”

    The resolution demanded that action be taken against any leader, whether belonging to political or non-political groups, in accordance with the law, and that they be awarded “appropriate punishment”.

    It merits a mention that the federal government in 2024 decided to ban the PTI and sought Article 6 proceedings against Khan, ex-president Dr Arif Alvi and former National Assembly (NA) deputy speaker Qasim Suri.

    However, the government did not follow through with the ban.