Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Netherlands plans to ban imports from Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories

    Netherlands plans to ban imports from Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories

    Netherlands has said that it  plans to prohibit the import of goods made in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, as calls increase for action on the genocide in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

    Foreign Minister David van Weel informed parliament on Wednesday that he has instructed his ministry to prepare a governmental decree to implement the ban. He mentioned that the action would be executed “as soon as possible,” without providing a specific timeframe.

    The decision follows months of discussions within the Dutch government about how to react to Israel’s continued flouting of international law. In July, the Netherlands enacted travel restrictions on two far-right Israeli cabinet members who advocated for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. At that time, the government refrained from taking broader actions.

    Last month, former foreign minister Casper Veldkamp stepped down, stating he did not have sufficient backing from the cabinet to pursue additional measures against Israel. His successor, Van Weel, has adopted a different stance by moving forward with restrictions on goods associated with settlements.

    The Netherlands is among the largest European consumers of Israeli products, yet Van Weel did not reveal the specific amount of imports that are directly connected to settlements. He affirmed that this policy would focus solely on items produced in areas occupied by Israel since 1967.

    Most nations and the United Nations view Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law. In addition to officially recognized settlements, there are outposts that often initiate without governmental authorization but are frequently legitimized afterward.

    Moreover, Van Weel stated that the Netherlands would support European Commission proposals to revoke certain trade benefits that Israel enjoys under its association agreement with the European Union. The Commission is evaluating whether Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank are in alignment with the commitments outlined in the agreement.

    The Dutch government’s decision contributes to broader discussions in Europe regarding trade and diplomatic relationships with Israel. Some EU member states advocate for more stringent measures, while others are cautious about jeopardizing existing relations.

  • Lahore man confesses to stealing 80 tolas of gold from wife

    Lahore man confesses to stealing 80 tolas of gold from wife

    A man in Model Town Lahore allegedly stole gold jewelry belonging to his own wife, police said, adding that the suspect has been arrested.

    According to a private news channel, the woman who lives in Model Town married Faisal Javed from Depalpur two years ago after meeting him on social media. Their friendship eventually turned into marriage.

    When the wife returned from a visit to her sister’s home, she found that gold jewelry valued at Rs 30 million was gone, she has told the police. She immediately reported the incident to the authorities.

    At the Model Town Police Station, a theft case involving 80 tolas of gold has been filed. In her statement, the woman noted there were no signs of break-in or damage to the house, yet the jewelry had disappeared.

    Investigators initially focused on family members and later questioned the husband, who confessed to the crime within hours. 

    Police said the stolen gold was recovered from the house after the husband pointed out where he had kept it. He was taken into custody and legal proceedings have begun.

  • Court grants relief to YouTubers in channel blocking case

    Court grants relief to YouTubers in channel blocking case

    A district and sessions court in Islamabad has overturned a judicial magistrate’s order to block several YouTube channels, favoring petitions filed by various content creators. 

    The case originated from a directive issued by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah on July 8, ordering the blocking of 27 YouTube channels for featuring anti-state material. Among the channels were those run by journalists such as Orya Maqbool Jan, Aftab Iqbal, Matiullah Jan, Imran Riaz Khan, and Asad Toor. 

    Eleven affected YouTubers lodged appeals against the ruling, which were collectively considered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. On Thursday, the court delivered its reserved judgment, partially canceling the earlier decision and declaring the blocking order invalid for the petitioners. 

    During the proceedings, Judge Majoka probed the prosecutor from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) regarding the legal basis for the restriction of the channels. He expressed discontent with the agency’s management of the situation, noting that the prosecutor was attempting to shift accountability onto the court. The judge warned against any attempts to defame members of the judiciary and requested clarification on the authority under which the channels had been removed. 

    The petitions were considered only for those who were present in court or had legal representation. The court clarified that applications without representatives would not be processed further and would be dismissed. 

    The ruling provides relief to the eleven petitioners, including prominent journalists and commentators, while the larger question of channel restrictions continues to be addressed through ongoing legal processes.

  • ‘Imaan Mazari is like my daughters’: IHC Chief Justice after heated exchange

    ‘Imaan Mazari is like my daughters’: IHC Chief Justice after heated exchange

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has given clarification a day after a heated exchange took place between him and Human Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir during the hearing of a plea filed on behalf of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch.

    Heated exchange

    During a hearing on Thursday, Justics Dogar warned Imaan of contempt of court case for allegedly calling him a “dictator”. “If I issue any order in this case, then Miss [Imaan] Mazari will go downstairs and do a programme, [saying] that a dictator is sitting [in the court],” Dogar said at one point.

    At that, Mazari clarified that “whatever I have said was in a personal capacity”, adding that “it should not affect the client’s case.”

    “If you have any prejudice against me, don’t let the client’s case be affected. I have come here with a brief, not in a personal capacity,” the lawyer added.

    “You commented that I am not a judge but a ‘dictator’. Should we not initiate contempt of court proceedings against you,”  Justice Dogar then asked.

    Mazari clarified that she had not said anything beyond the jurisdiction of the law and the Constitution. “If you want to initiate contempt of court proceedings, then please do so. The Constitution has given me the right to freedom of expression, which is what I have used,” she added.

    Addressing Mazari’s lawyer husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, the IHC chief justice then said: “Hadi Sahab, samjhay issy, kissi din ma nay pakar liya na… (Hadi sahib, make her understand; if I catch her someday…)”

    Mazari then quipped, “If we are at a stage where courts will threaten lawyers, then go ahead with contempt of court [proceedings].”

    IHC CJ Sarfraz Dogar clarification

    “Imaan Mazari is like my daughters. Yesterday, I was just advising her, as the chief justice and as an elder. A storm was created for presenting my words out of context. I had said that you can talk about my judgment, but [she] should not make personal remarks,” Chief Justice Dogar has been quoted by court reporter Saqib Bashir as saying in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

    The tweet further quoted Justice Dogar as saying, “I did not say that I will catch [her]. Hadi sahib was standing [there]. I just said grab her and take her away; otherwise, I will carry out contempt of court proceedings. If the proceeding is initiated, the child’s [Mazari] career would be ruined. I made him understand like a child, but she was not getting it, and kept saying ‘fundamental rights’. Don’t the courts have fundamental rights as well?”

  • Utility Stores Corporation terminates over 11,000 employees across country

    Utility Stores Corporation terminates over 11,000 employees across country

    The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has terminated a total of 11,406 employees under a restructuring plan, effective September 1.

    As per official records, the federal government has authorized a financial package of Rs25.5 billion to provide compensation for regular, contract, and daily wage workers, in addition to funding for widows of deceased employees and closure expenses for the organization.

    For regular staff, Rs13.18 billion has been allocated. Employees with two years or less until retirement will receive a total of Rs357 million, with each of the 230 individuals set to get approximately Rs1.52 million. Workers with over 20 years of service will be entitled to two current basic salaries for each completed year, amounting to Rs2.21 billion and averaging Rs3.44 million per person. Those with fewer than 20 years of service will receive three current basic salaries for each completed year, with Rs10.61 billion allocated, allowing each to obtain around Rs2.43 million.

    Contract workers will collectively receive Rs3.6 billion. Employees with two years of remaining service will be provided with Rs17 million in total, translating to Rs414,000 per worker. Those with over 16 years of service will receive Rs2.97 billion in compensation, with each individual getting Rs1.127 million. Workers with up to 16 years of tenure will share Rs611.5 million, equating to Rs947,000 per person.

    Daily wage employees, numbering 2,854, will be compensated with Rs2.71 billion. Those with two years of service or less will receive pay for the remaining months at a rate of Rs37,000 per month. Employees with up to 10 years of service are eligible for 15 months’ salary, while those with service between 10 and 15 years will receive 28 months’ salary. Staff with more than 15 years of service will be compensated with 30 months’ salary.

    An additional Rs5.75 billion has been set aside for administrative closure costs and financial assistance for widows of deceased staff. The plan also encompasses payments for previously laid-off contract and daily wage workers.

  • Record sales for Sunday’s Pak-India clash tickets despite Indian propaganda

    Record sales for Sunday’s Pak-India clash tickets despite Indian propaganda

    Ticket demand has soared for the high-voltage Pakistan-India clash in the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

    According to reports, organisers have said 90 percent of tickets have already been sold, with most seats in the general enclosure snapped up by eager fans.

    Interestingly, this comes after earlier claims in the Indian media that nearly half of the tickets were still unsold. The latest update from the organisers directly contradicts those reports, confirming that demand has remained sky-high from the start.

    As of Thursday evening, the cheapest ticket cost AED 750 (about PKR 57,000), while premium tickets were going for AED 3,500 (around PKR 270,000). Only a handful of premium seats remain available. Long queues continue to form at ticket counters near the stadium, while online sales are also moving fast.

    To give fans one last chance, organisers opened a fresh online sales window on Thursday evening.

    On the field, India heads into Sunday’s game after thrashing the UAE by nine wickets in their opening match. The Men in Blue bowled out the hosts for just 57 runs and chased the target inside 4.3 overs. Pakistan will begin their campaign on Friday against Oman at the same venue.

    India and Pakistan have faced each other 13 times in T20 internationals, with India leading the head-to-head 10–3. Their last meeting came on February 23 during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, where India won by six wickets.

  • Police arrest Karachi child abuse ring suspect targeting minors for a decade

    Police arrest Karachi child abuse ring suspect targeting minors for a decade

    A suspected member of a child abuse ring, accused of targeting minors for nearly a decade, has been arrested in Karachi.

    According to police, the suspect, a fruit vendor, was arrested from Karachi’s Qayyumabad with the help of locals.

    DIG South Syed Asad Raza told a private news channel that the man was in custody while an accomplice of his had been identified and efforts for his arrest were underway.

    Investigators revealed that they had obtained video evidence against the suspect, which showed multiple assaults involving young boys and girls. Although the exact number of victims is undetermined, authorities fear that it could exceed 100.

    “Police have recovered a mobile phone from his custody with hundreds of videos filmed in his room,” DIG Raza confirmed, adding that the suspect was being interrogated.

    The accused first moved to Qayyumabad in 2016 and began to lure children in 2019. At first, he ran a grocery store, and then a juice cart.  The case surfaced when one of his alleged victims managed to secure a USB drive from him.

    According to DIG Raza, the matter reached authorities after the child took the USB to a video shop to download music.

    The shop owner discovered explicit footage on the device and informed locals, who apprehended and assaulted the suspect before handing him over to police. “A USB and the mobile phone are in police custody, and contain many such videos,” the DIG said.

    Police also contacted the victims’ parents after the revelations were made. The father of two girls, ages ten and twelve, who had been complaining of body pain prior to reporting the abuse, filed one of the three formal complaints against the suspect.

    According to another FIR, which was submitted by a labourer, on September 4, his 10-year-old sister was beaten inside the suspect’s house, and the incident was captured on camera.

    A third complainant reported a seven-year-old daughter had remained silent for a week while suffering from pain.

    A special investigation team led by Defence DSP Dr Saifullah has been constituted to probe the case. It includes the SHO and SIO concerned as well as the SIO of the Women Police Station. 

    Police are using all available resources and submitting daily progress reports.

  • Is the Rizq-e-Halal inscription missing from new banknotes?

    Is the Rizq-e-Halal inscription missing from new banknotes?

    Rumors have been spreading across social media suggesting that the State Bank of Pakistan has removed the well-known phrase “Husool-e-Rizq-e-Halal Aeen Ibadat Hai” (Earning a lawful livelihood is an act of worship) from new currency notes.

    Many users claimed that the absence of this line blurs the distinction between halal and haram income. These claims, however, are entirely misleading.

     An independent check, along with official confirmation, shows that the phrase still exists on all denominations ranging from Rs10 to Rs5,000.

     It continues to appear on the back of every note as part of the design and security features.

    According to a State Bank spokesperson who talked to the private news channel, each note has a thorough description on the central bank’s website, with the inscription prominently displayed among the features. 

    Contrary claims have been refuted by viral posts on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X (previously Twitter).

    The spread of such false information emphasizes how crucial it is to confirm statements before disseminating them. In addition to misleading the public, false narratives raise unnecessary concerns about financial institutions and national symbols.

  • ‘Fitay moun’: Celebs slam egg attack on Chahat Fateh in London

    ‘Fitay moun’: Celebs slam egg attack on Chahat Fateh in London

    A shocking video showing social media personality Chahat Fateh Ali Khan being egged by unidentified individuals in London has sparked outrage across social media and among Pakistani celebrities. The clip, which dates back three months, surfaced online recently, showing two eggs being smashed on Chahat’s head while he was posing with a fan outside a newly opened food outlet.

    In the now-viral video, Chahat appears in a cheerful mood, taking pictures with fans, when suddenly two individuals run up to him, smash eggs on his head, and flee the scene. Their faces remain hidden. The people present at the scene, some of whom were recording the interaction, appear shocked by the incident.

    While the exact date of the incident is unconfirmed, a London-based journalist claims the video was captured during a photo session at a new food outlet, approximately three months ago.

    Several Pakistani celebrities have taken to social media to condemn the disgraceful act, calling it “ghatya harkat” and demanding accountability.

    Actor and writer Yasir Hussain posted on his Instagram story, saying: “Main in k songs nahi sunta. Magar yeh kaafi ghatya harkat hai. Is manchalay ko saza milni chahiye” (I don’t listen to his songs, but this is a disgusting act. The person responsible must be punished).

    TV host and comedian Ahmed Ali Butt also expressed his frustration, stating: “Just saw the disgusting video of egg thrown on Chahat! There is no decency left in people. Like him or not, he never disrespected anyone. Sadly, we live in a dead society where anything and everything goes for views and likes. Sad!”

    Singer Asim Azhar took it a step further by apologising directly to Chahat via his Instagram story: “Nobody deserves this. You are an entertainer, you make people smile, laugh, and you do not deserve this at all.”

    He further slammed the perpetrators, saying: “I am sorry that jaahil (illiterate) individuals like these are on the loose and have the audacity to do sh*t like this. Please keep making everyone smile. We don’t have enough people doing it.”

    “And for these two ill-mannered, disgusting individuals — fitay moun aap ki parwarish aur aap pe.”

    The egging incident has triggered widespread backlash, with social media users demanding the arrest and punishment of the culprits involved in the attack on Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, who is known for his quirky and comedic online persona.

    Chahat himself has issued a formal statement for the growing support from fans and fellow celebrities. “I thank all the fans, fellow celebrities and news outlets for showing their support to me covering the incident which happened with me three months ago on June 19.”

  • Seven FC personnel martyred during operation in Lower Dir

    Seven FC personnel martyred during operation in Lower Dir

    As many as seven Frontier Corps (FC) personnel have been martyred and 13 others wounded during a search and strike operation against militants in Lower Dir’s Sar Banda area of Maidan on Thursday.

    Citing official sources, a leading English daily reports that one FC soldier was also reported missing following a fierce gun battle with militants in the mountainous terrain within the jurisdiction of Lal Qila police station. The militants had taken positions and opened fire on a security convoy.

    The injured were taken to Lal Qila Hospital and later shifted to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Timergara.

    According to police officials, a heavy contingent of police, including the Elite Force and Dir Scouts, remained in the area as the operation continued. Security forces also claimed to have inflicted “significant losses” on the militants, though no details were immediately provided.

    Lal Qila was once a stronghold of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM), led by Maulana Sufi Muhammad. Sufi Muhammad’s son-in-law, Mullah Fazlullah, became the head of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and fled to Afghanistan during the 2009 military operation in Malakand and was later killed in an air strike in Afghanistan.

    President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the successful operations. In their statements, both leaders lauded the bravery and professionalism of the troops in eliminating 19 militants.

    “Pakistan is determined to eliminate Indian-sponsored terrorism,” President Zardari said, reaffirming the nation’s resolve to completely eradicate terrorism and praying for the safety and success of the security forces. 

    The premier also commended the security forces for successful operations in Mohmand, North Waziristan and Bannu, reiterating that the war against terrorism would continue until its complete elimination from the country.