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Author: News Desk

  • PCB asked me to apologise, delete tweets to renew Multan Sultans contract: Ali Tareen

    PCB asked me to apologise, delete tweets to renew Multan Sultans contract: Ali Tareen

    Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has claimed that he received an offer to renew his franchise contract but only if he accepted certain conditions set by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    Tareen shared the claim on his X account while responding to discussions about his departure from the team.

    “The PCB told me that if I want to renew my MS [Multan Sultans] contract I will have to give a legal undertaking that I will never criticise PSL management again. Also to delete all my tweets where I called them incompetent and mediocre,” he wrote.

    Tareen stepped away from the franchise in November last year. At the time, he said he could not continue if it meant compromising his principles.

    His departure followed public disagreements with management of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Tareen criticised the league’s structure in podcasts and social media posts and directed several remarks at officials. 

    During one of the disputes, the board sent a notice to the franchise. Tareen later recorded a video in which he tore up the notice and posted the clip online with mocking commentary.

    PCB later sold the franchise in an auction. New owners initially renamed the team to Rawalpindi with the official name “Pindiz” now.

    The situation changed again when the owners of the newly purchased Sialkot Stallionz decided to sell a majority stake to CD Ventures.

    The move followed reports that OZ Group, the original buyer of the new franchise, faced financial problems and sold the team before it could play its first match in the league.

    CD Ventures owner Gohar Shah later renamed the franchise back to Multan Sultans after acquiring the majority stake.

    The franchise had earlier been purchased at auction for PKR 1.85 billion and was briefly renamed Sialkot Stallionz before the ownership change.

    The upcoming PSL 11 will begin on March 26 and conclude on May 3, 2026. 

    The new season will feature two additional teams and expand the tournament’s city footprint. Peshawar’s Imran Khan stadium and Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will host matches for the first time in the league’s history, marking the cities’ return to top-level cricket.

  • War on Iran pushes petrol prices up in 85 countries

    War on Iran pushes petrol prices up in 85 countries

    Motorists worldwide are facing higher fuel prices following the illegal war imposed by United States (US) and Israel on Iran. 

    In the US, the average price for a gallon of regular petrol rose from $2.94 in February to $3.58, according to data from AAA Fuel Prices. Some states have reported prices above $4 per gallon, with California exceeding $5 per gallon for the first time in more than two years.

    Data from Global Petrol Prices shows that at least 85 countries have raised petrol prices since the initial attacks on Iran on February 28. Some nations announce changes only at the end of the month, suggesting further increases in April.

    Vietnam recorded the largest rise, nearly 50 percent, from $0.75 per litre of 95-octane on February 23 to $1.13 on March 9. Laos saw a 33 percent increase, Cambodia 19 percent, Australia 18 percent, and the US 17 percent.

    Asian countries are among the most affected due to their reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, the main passage connecting the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Japan imports 95 percent of its oil from the Gulf, while South Korea imports 70 percent.

    Japan instructed its oil reserve sites to prepare for a possible release of strategic reserves on March 8. South Korea introduced a maximum price cap on petrol and diesel on March 9 for the first time in 30 years.

    In South Asia, countries with smaller financial buffers and limited reserves are feeling the impact more severely. Bangladesh has ordered all public and private universities to close.

    In Pakistan, government offices are operating a four-day workweek, schools are closed, and a 50 percent work-from-home policy has been implemented.

    In Europe, Group of Seven finance ministers held an emergency meeting on rising prices. French President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of releasing 20-30 percent of emergency strategic reserves to ease pressure on consumers.

    Rising oil prices are also driving up food costs, affecting fertilisers, transportation, and logistics. Economist David McWilliams told Al Jazeera, “The lifeblood of the global economy is transport. It’s getting stuff from A to B – it’s a logistics problem, a supply chain problem, and ultimately transportation is the energy of the global economy.”

    Economists warn of stagflation, increasing inflation and rising unemployment, pointing to past oil shocks in 1973, 1978 and 2008 that were followed by global recessions. In lower-income countries, higher oil prices could quickly lead to food shortages as populations spend a larger share of income on essentials.

  • Complaint filed against Hardik Pandya for ‘insulting’ Indian national flag

    Complaint filed against Hardik Pandya for ‘insulting’ Indian national flag

    A complaint has been filed against Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya over his celebrations following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup.

    According to Indian media reports, a lawyer named Wajid Khan submitted an application seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the cricketer.

    The complaint relates to celebrations that took place on the field after India defeated New Zealand in the tournament final. During the celebrations, Pandya wrapped the Indian national flag around his body and celebrated with girlfriend Mahika Sharma.

    The lawyer claimed that the act disrespected the national flag and violated the law related to its dignity.

    In his application to the police in Pune, Khan argued that the cricketer’s actions amounted to disrespect towards the tricolour and requested legal action.

    He stated that citizens must protect the dignity of the national flag and added that the incident required investigation under the relevant law governing its use.

    He said that the act violated provisions related to the dignity of the national flag and cited Section 2 of the National Flag Act 1971 while requesting legal action.

    Pandya celebrated on the ground with teammates and supporters after India secured victory in the final of the tournament.

    The complaint now awaits further action from local police authorities.

  • Veteran actor Asim Bukhari passes away at 76

    Veteran actor Asim Bukhari passes away at 76

    Veteran actor Asim Bukhari has died at the age of 76 after facing health complications. The senior performer passed away on Wednesday, March 11, after remaining under treatment for several days.

    Reports have said that the actor had been dealing with kidney and heart-related health issues. He had been admitted to hospital for around two weeks before his condition worsened.

    The actor had also been hospitalised in 2025 after suffering a heart attack, which had affected his health.

    Bukhari remained associated with Pakistan’s entertainment industry for many years and appeared in television dramas, stage productions and films. Alongside his acting career, he also worked with emerging performers and spent time teaching acting to new artists.

    He received recognition from television audiences for his role in the drama Sona Chandi, which remains among the projects linked with his career.

    In 2014, Bukhari was awarded the Pride of Performance for his contribution to the country’s entertainment sector.

    Bukhari is survived by his family, including his son Ajlal Bukhari, who is currently undergoing treatment for gallstones at a hospital in London.

  • ‘There was a time when cricketers’ wives decided who will make it to team,’ claims Ahmed Shehzad

    ‘There was a time when cricketers’ wives decided who will make it to team,’ claims Ahmed Shehzad

    Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has stirred debate after claiming that there was a time when players’ wives influenced the selection of the national team.

    Shehzad made the remarks while appearing on a private media outlet and discussing issues related to Pakistan cricket.

    During the conversation, the host mentioned that he had asked some cricketers whether they sought advice from their wives on cricketing matters.

    “I asked some cricketers about it, and some of them said, ‘We don’t take advice from our wives, that’s not their job’,” the host said, to which Shehzad responded with a surprising claim about how things really used to be.

    “What are you talking about? Their wives used to select the team! ‘Keep Tabish [pointing toward host], he is a good boy, keep him. He talks well, keep him, keep him, he greets us during breakfast.’ We have seen such stuff,” he said.

    Earlier, Shehzad also criticised Green Shirts over their humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the first ODI of the ongoing series.

    In a post on X, the former opener expressed frustration with the team management and selection process. “I warned you beforehand about what Bangladesh can do in their back yard and how important will Babar Azam will be in the middle, but like always aapko sab pata hai [you know everything].”

    He also questioned the approach towards squad selection.

    “Pakistan needed a top notch selection after the worst ever WC campaign but guess what same method will be applied once again bring dozens of youngsters, expose them in the worst possible combination, humiliate them & bring back proven failures yet again. Even hopes are dying in this current setup [sic].”

  • Iran war puts US arms giants at centre of multibillion-dollar weapons push

    Iran war puts US arms giants at centre of multibillion-dollar weapons push

    The war involving Iran has pushed demand for weapons systems used by the United States (US) military, placing major defence contractors at the centre of production and supply chains linked to the conflict.

    Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that US companies dominate the global defence industry, accounting for $334 billion of the $679 billion generated by the world’s top 100 defence firms in 2024. The United States hosts 39 companies on SIPRI’s list of the top 100 defence contractors, compared with eight from China.

    The largest US defence contractors include Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Boeing. These firms manufacture aircraft, missile systems, space technology and other military equipment used by the US armed forces.

    Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence contractor, generated $68.4bn in revenue in 2024. The company produces systems including the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, F-22 Raptor jets, THAAD missile defence systems, M142 HIMARS launchers, MGM-140 ATACMS missiles and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

    RTX, created through a 2020 merger between Raytheon and United Technologies, reported $43.6bn in defence revenue in 2024. Its Raytheon division manufactures Tomahawk cruise missiles and MIM-104 Patriot missile systems used in missile defence.

    Northrop Grumman reported $37.9bn in defence revenue in 2024 and produces systems including B-2 stealth bombers and radar technology used in E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft.

    General Dynamics reported $33.6bn in defence revenue in 2024 and develops nuclear submarines, battle tanks and armoured vehicles.

    Boeing, founded in 1916, reported $30.6bn in defence revenue in 2024 and manufactures aircraft and military systems including the B-1 bomber, F-15 fighter jets, EA-18G Growler aircraft, P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft and RC-135 reconnaissance platforms.

    According to SIPRI, global defence spending increased by 9.4 percent in 2024 to $2.7 trillion. NATO members have also pledged to raise defence spending from 2 percent to 5 percent of their gross domestic product by 2035.

    The expansion in military spending has coincided with the escalation of the war involving Iran. The United States has already spent billions of dollars on weapons linked to the conflict.

    US President Donald Trump met the chief executives of major defence companies at the White House. Executives from RTX, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, L3Harris Missile Solutions and Honeywell Aerospace attended the meeting.

    Following the meeting, the companies agreed to “quadruple production” of what Trump described as “exquisite class” weaponry.

    The United States already allocates close to $1 trillion to military spending in 2025, exceeding the combined total of the next nine countries. Trump has proposed increasing this spending to $1.5 trillion by 2027.

    Stock prices of major defence companies have also risen during the conflict. Shares of Northrop Grumman increased by five percent, RTX rose by 4.5 percent and Lockheed Martin gained three percent during the past week.

    The United States military has deployed multiple weapons systems in operations targeting Iranian facilities. According to US Central Command, Operation Epic Fury has involved more than 20 weapons systems across air, land, sea and missile defence operations.

  • 641 Afghan Taliban operatives killed in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq

    641 Afghan Taliban operatives killed in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq

    Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that 641 Afghan Taliban operatives have been killed and more than 855 injured since the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

    In an update shared on his X account, Tarar said that the operation was launched last month after Afghan Taliban forces opened fire at multiple locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, prompting a military response from Pakistan.

    He said that security forces targeted positions used by Afghan Taliban operatives during the course of the operation.

    According to the minister, 243 check posts used by the group have been destroyed so far, while 42 others were captured and later demolished by Pakistani forces.

    Tarar stated that 219 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns were also destroyed during the operation.

    He further said Pakistani forces carried out air operations targeting sites across Afghanistan.

    “Sixty-five locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted by air,” Tarar said.

    Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased in recent weeks after cross-border firing and mortar shelling were reported along several sectors of the frontier, leading to military exchanges between the two sides.

  • Dr Nauman Niaz takes dig at team selection

    Dr Nauman Niaz takes dig at team selection

    Renowned cricket analyst Dr Nauman Niaz has strongly criticised the selection of Pakistan’s ODI team after their defeat in the opening match of the series against Bangladesh’s national cricket team.

    Speaking during a discussion on a private TV channel, Niaz said Pakistan cricket has entered a difficult phase and questioned the direction of the team.

    “This is the real phase of our cricket. From here we are going to go further down, not forward. Unfortunately, we tried to push the T20 format into ODI cricket,” he said.

    Niaz also referred to a previous statement by former Pakistan captain Younis Khan about Babar Azam.

    “Younis Khan once said on social media that in the attempt to bring down one Babar Azam, the entire Pakistan cricket has been brought down,” he said.

    He also questioned Pakistan’s performance in the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and criticised the management’s explanations regarding team changes.

    “My question is that your team had a debacle in the T20 World Cup, and then your head coach went to New Zealand and later reached Dhaka and said, ‘We did not drop players, we are giving youngsters an opportunity.’ The reality is that he had not even seen those youngsters play,” Niaz said.

    Niaz also raised concerns about the decision to leave out Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from the ODI squad.

    “Should Babar Azam be dropped from ODIs, which is his best format? Should Saim Ayub be dropped from ODIs? And where is Saud Shakeel, who used to rotate the strike in the middle order? In the last ODI he played, he scored a fifty against India in the Champions Trophy,” he said.

    Pakistan omitted Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh and included six uncapped players in the squad.

    In the first ODI, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan national cricket team convincingly. Nahid Rana received the player of the match award after dismantling Pakistan’s batting line-up.

    Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 30.4 overs, and Bangladesh chased the target in 15.1 overs with two wickets down.

    Pakistan now continue preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, with no T20 international matches scheduled for the next six months.

  • Baal statue in Karachi’s Mehran Town prompts police inquiry

    Baal statue in Karachi’s Mehran Town prompts police inquiry

    Police have launched an inquiry after a thermocol statue surfaced in Karachi’s Mehran Town ahead of Yaum-e-Quds.

    Authorities said the statue was commissioned by Allama Shabar Zaidi and was intended to be set ablaze during a Yaum-e-Quds protest.

    Police stated that a sculptor, identified as Imran, submitted a written statement explaining the purpose of the installation.

    Officials noted that the structure appeared to resemble Baal, an ancient deity, which prompted discussion among residents about the symbolism behind the statue.

    Police said they are reviewing the matter and have not taken any legal action so far.

  • Mahira Khan meets viral reporter Chand Nawab, recreates his famous railway station moment

    Mahira Khan meets viral reporter Chand Nawab, recreates his famous railway station moment

    Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan delighted fans after meeting viral journalist Chand Nawab and recreating his famous railway station reporting moment.

    A video of the meeting shows Mahira warmly greeting Nawab, seemingly excited at finally meeting the reporter whose clip became one of Pakistan’s most memorable viral videos.

    During the conversation, Mahira kept the mood playful. She told Nawab that instead of discussing her film, they should talk about him. When the reporter asked what she would say about the film, Mahira replied that his story was far more interesting and memorable.

    The lighthearted exchange ended with the actress joking that she would send him a special ticket to watch her film.

    Chand Nawab rose to fame in 2008 when a video of his reporting from a crowded railway station in Karachi went viral online.

    At the time, he attempted to record a travel report during the Eid rush, but passengers repeatedly walked behind him and interrupted his piece-to-camera, forcing him to restart several times.

    The clip later became one of the most widely shared internet videos from Pakistan.

    The story gained global attention again in 2015 when Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrayed a character inspired by Chand Nawab in the Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

    The film, directed by Kabir Khan, featured a humorous scene that paid tribute to the reporter’s famous railway station broadcast.