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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Insulting’; Pakistan hockey players slam Rs400 daily allowance

    ‘Insulting’; Pakistan hockey players slam Rs400 daily allowance

    Players of Pakistan’s national hockey team have strongly criticized the proposal of a Rs400 daily allowance, calling it humiliating and unacceptable, media reports said on Thursday.

    “It feels like rubbing salt on our wounds,” the players said, pointing out that Rs400 is not even equivalent to a laborer’s daily wage. “They are calling it our daily allowance. This is an insult. What could be a bigger devaluation than this?”

    Frustrated team members added that employment opportunities are scarce, allowances are often delayed, and the Rs400 figure has left them disheartened. “If things continue like this, we will be forced to leave hockey. The country has given us everything, but hearing Rs400 really hurt,” they stated.

    The players also revealed that their households are suffering due to irregular allowances. “Our stoves are going cold at home, and yet everyone has issues with our daily allowance,” they said.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid clarified that the Rs400 figure was suggested by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), not the federation. “The hockey federation pays 100 dollars per day as allowance. If the players are not satisfied with 100 dollars, how can they play for Rs400,” Mujahid remarked.

    According to media reports, each player is owed around Rs500,000 for recent international and domestic assignments, including unpaid allowances from the FIH Nations Cup and two training camps in Islamabad. Currently, players are entitled to Rs30,000 per day for international events and Rs3,000 per day for domestic camps. With no central contracts or fixed salaries, these allowances remain their main income source. Players have accused the PHF of indifference and poor communication, saying officials have stopped responding to their queries.

    Despite these financial troubles, Pakistan has secured a historic opportunity. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed that Pakistan will participate in the 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League for the first time. Pakistan earned the slot after finishing as runners-up in the Nations Cup, with New Zealand declining the invitation.

    To support the team’s participation, the federal government has approved a Rs25 crore grant. Officials told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination that the remaining Rs10 crore needed will be raised through sponsorships.

    While players welcomed the Pro League chance, they stressed that financial uncertainty continues to hurt them. “The development of hockey should not rely solely on government funds. The federation must take practical steps to generate its own resources,” senior player Imad Butt said.

    Tournament schedules and venues will be announced later, FIH confirmed.

  • PBF dismisses Usman Wazeer’s title win, calls him a ‘manufactured champion’

    PBF dismisses Usman Wazeer’s title win, calls him a ‘manufactured champion’

    Pakistan’s boxing community has been thrown into a fresh controversy after the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) and the Pakistan Pro-Green Boxing Federation (PGBF) questioned the legitimacy of Usman Wazeer’s recent title win.

    The Gilgit-born boxer made headlines on August 30 when he knocked out 44-year-old Stevie Ongen Ferdinandus in Bangkok to secure the WBC OPBF Silver welterweight belt, becoming the first Pakistani to do so. With 17 wins from 17 professional fights, Wazeer has been celebrated as one of the country’s brightest boxing stars.

    But officials from the PBF and PGBF have dismissed his achievements, describing him as a “manufactured champion” whose career has been built on weak opponents and questionable legitimacy.

    In a strongly worded statement, the PGBF alleged that Wazeer’s perfect record was maintained through arranged bouts, purchased outcomes, and inflated publicity. The federation claimed more than PKR 45 million had been spent on building his image, with rival boxers reportedly paid between $1,500 and $5,000 to deliberately lose, while referees and judges were also influenced.

    “Usman Wazeer is not a genuine world-class athlete but a manufactured product of weak opponents and fake titles,” the PGBF said. “Labeling him as Pakistan’s hero is misleading for the youth and damaging for the sport.”

    The Pakistan Boxing Federation echoed this stance on its official platforms, stating: “The Pakistan Boxing Federation wholeheartedly supports the Pro-Green Boxing Federation’s stance on transparency and fairness in boxing. Their concerns about Usman Wazeer’s legitimacy are valid and warrant thorough investigation. We believe in promoting genuine talent and earned recognition in the sport, ensuring a level playing field for all boxers.”

    PBF also released a detailed analysis of the Bangkok bout, pointing out that Ferdinandus, officially listed as “inactive” on BoxRec, is now more active as a boxing judge than a professional fighter. “This was a clear mismatch,” the federation argued, “designed to keep Wazeer’s undefeated record intact without facing serious challenges.”

    While Wazeer’s camp has yet to respond, the allegations have sparked heated debate over the credibility of boxing in Pakistan.

  • Three school employees booked after staff member commits suicide

    Three school employees booked after staff member commits suicide

    Police in Karachi have registered a manslaughter case against three employees of a private school after a staff member died by suicide, officials said on Wednesday.

    On September 1, 25-year-old Usman Ali jumped from the eighth floor of the building housing the school’s campus near Saddar. His brother, Faizan Ali Ansari, lodged a complaint at the Brigade police station, naming three school employees Irfan, Hasan and Talha as responsible for his death.

    According to Faizan, Usman had mentioned the three men in a Facebook post, accusing them of subjecting him to severe “mental torture.” He said the harassment pushed his brother to take his own life.

    Faizan, a resident of North Karachi, said Usman left home for duty at around 8:15am on September 1. Less than an hour later, he received a call informing him that Usman’s health had deteriorated and that he was being taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

    When Faizan reached the hospital, he found school staff already present and was told that Usman had fallen from the eighth floor of the campus building and died.

    Police registered the case under Sections 322 (manslaughter) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

  • Karachi man kills fiancee with axe, injures her mother

    Karachi man kills fiancee with axe, injures her mother

    A young woman was killed and her mother injured when her fiance attacked them with an axe during a domestic dispute in the Hangoora Goth area off the Super Highway, media reports said on Tuesday.

    Officials identified the suspect as Gohar Ali. They said he struck his 24-year-old fiancee Rasheeda with an axe, fatally injuring her. Her mother Rani also sustained serious wounds in the assault.

    Police shifted the body and the injured woman to hospital, arrested the suspect at the scene, and seized the murder weapon.

    District East police spokesperson confirmed that investigators had taken the axe into evidence. DSP Sohrab Goth Aurangzeb Khattak said Rasheeda suffered a fatal blow behind the ear, adding that the wound showed clear signs of a deliberate attack.

    During questioning, Gohar claimed he had been chopping wood when a piece accidentally hit Rasheeda and her mother. Police rejected his account, saying the injuries did not match his statement.

    Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a domestic dispute and are working to establish the motive.

  • Heavy water flow recorded across major rivers, says PDMA

    Heavy water flow recorded across major rivers, says PDMA

    Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in its latest update on Thursday said that heavy water flow has been reported across major rivers and Headworks in Punjab.

    According to the PDMA, the flow at Marala Headworks on River Chenab has touched 247,000 cusecs, while at Khanki Headworks the flow has risen to 526,000 cusecs. 

    At Qadirabad Headworks, water discharge has climbed to 530,000 cusecs, and at Chiniot Bridge, the flow stands at 494,000 cusecs. At Trimmu Headworks, the flow has risen to 253,000 cusecs.

    On the River Ravi, PDMA reported flows of 82,000 cusecs at Jassar, 98,000 cusecs at Siphon, and 97,400 cusecs at Shahdara. At Balloki Headworks, the discharge is 121,600 cusecs, and at Sidhnai Headworks, it has reached nearly 140,000 cusecs.

    The inflow in the River Sutlej rose to 319,295 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala, 132,492 cusecs at Sulaimanki Headworks, and 95,727 cusecs at Islam Headworks. At Panjnad Headworks, the flow currently stands at 169,032 cusecs, the PDMA stated.

    The water level in Chenab continues to rise, with authorities warning of extreme pressure on flood embankments in the district. The flow has crossed critical levels at several points, flooding large areas and submerging multiple villages.

    At Head Sidhnai, water pressure caused a breach in the canal, inundating Basti Khokhran and surrounding settlements. Officials said the canal now carries four times its designed capacity.

    Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast that the ninth spell of the monsoon is likely to persist for one more day. 

    According to the NDMA, rainfall is also anticipated in the southern parts of the country, including South Punjab and South Sindh, from September 6. The coastal districts of Badin, Sujawal, and Tharparkar are expected to receive heavy downpours.

    In a statement on Thursday, Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said that the death toll from floods in Punjab has risen to 43.

    As per the relief commissioner, 3.36 million people have been impacted by the recent floods in Punjab, while another 1.29 million were rescued and shifted to safety, adding that nearly 800,000 animals have been evacuated.

  • ‘Lying about her age’: Netizens on finding Hiba Bukhari lookalike in old PTV video

    ‘Lying about her age’: Netizens on finding Hiba Bukhari lookalike in old PTV video

    An old video of a song from Pakistan Television (PTV) has resurfaced on social media and netizens have pointed out a young girl who is a lookalike of famous Pakistani actress Hiba Bukhari.

    However, internet users were left stunned at the unknown girl’s resemblance with Hiba Bukhari.

    There is now a debate online about the lookalike. One user wrote, “She must be her mother.” Another added, “This has to be Hiba, and she’s lying about her age.”

    Some users claimed that the actress must be over 40. Another said that this might be former PTV actress Zeba Ali, who is no longer active in the industry.

    While responding to the questions, Hiba said, “I love how everyone is guessing my age. PS, some are saying this is 90’s.”

    People often compare the Deewangi actress to Indian actress Jaya Prada, saying that she resembles the former Bollywood star.

    Hiba is noted for her incredible performances and versatile acting abilities. She has earned audiences’ hearts throughout the years with her exceptional performances in a variety of plays. Jaan Nisar, Deewangi, Silsilay and Fitoor are her most watched dramas.

    The actress is married to actor Arez Ahmed, and the couple recently welcomed their first daughter.

  • Manchester police reach final decision in rape allegations against Haider Ali

    Manchester police reach final decision in rape allegations against Haider Ali

    Manchester police have dropped the rape case filed against Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali on Wednesday, citing lack of evidence.

    According to media reports, Haider will receive his passport back within the next few hours, which will allow him to travel freely to and from the United Kingdom.

    Investigators extended the inquiry period and reviewed the evidence in detail, but they did not find enough proof to move forward with charges against the cricketer.

    Police had earlier arrested Haider two weeks after a woman filed a rape complaint against him. The arrest led to an official investigation, during which authorities questioned the cricketer and withheld his travel documents.

    The case first came to light on August 7, when Greater Manchester Police arrested Haider during Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provisionally suspended him at the time and confirmed he was under investigation, stressing that his legal rights would be protected. The board also noted it would review the matter once legal proceedings were complete.

    With the case now closed, Haider stands cleared of the allegations and can resume his professional and personal commitments without restrictions.

  • ‘Imran Khan is completely healthy’: Aleema Khan on reports of jailed brother’s health

    ‘Imran Khan is completely healthy’: Aleema Khan on reports of jailed brother’s health

    Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has dismissed claims about her jailed brother’s health at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

    “A report on social media has suggested that Imran Khan is suffering from tinnitus. He [Khan] has for the past one and a half year been saying that he is hearing whistling sounds, and a medical checkup by our doctors has already taken place,” she said while speaking to media outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore.

    Commenting on Khan’s medical report, she questioned the timing of media reports. “Where did this report come from? Who uploaded the report to social media?” she asked.

    “Imran Khan is completely healthy and he stands undeterred,” she said.

    Earlier this week, journalist and YouTuber Matiullah Jan claimed that Khan had fallen sick in jail and was suffering from a hearing condition.

    Citing Imran Khan’s medical records, senior journalist Jan, in his vlog on YouTube, claimed that on August 12, an ENT panel had recommended “supportive management” for Khan in jail, underscoring the seriousness of the condition.

    While the journalist didn’t name the condition, it merits a mention that Khan was in February this year reportedly diagnosed with tinnitus – a hearing problem in which the patient feels ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ear despite the absence of any external sound.

  • Coach has lost faith in THIS player, says Basit Ali after Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan

    Coach has lost faith in THIS player, says Basit Ali after Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan

    Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has launched a blistering attack on wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris following Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan in the Tri-Nation Series taking place in UAE, accusing him of playing “senseless cricket” and losing the trust of the team’s management.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit said Haris keeps repeating the same mistakes and once again played an irresponsible shot to give his wicket away to Mohammad Nabi.

    “Haris got out to Nabi. My question is, Nabi was brought on specifically to bowl to a left-handed batter, but instead, you get out to him. This shows you have no cricketing sense. You’re playing senseless cricket, just swinging for a six to look like a hero,” Basit said.

    He further criticised Haris’s approach, stressing that even the coach does not appear to back him anymore, pointing to his continually declining batting position.

    “Heroes aren’t born overnight; they are made through hard work. Haris has been handed everything on a platter. When the pitch is tough, the openers step up, but look at what’s happening against Bangladesh, he was batting at six or seven, and the same thing happened here.

    “When a player slips from number six to number seven, it’s clear the coach doesn’t trust him either,” Basit explained.

    In the match, Afghanistan opted to bat first and posted 169/5 in 20 overs, powered by a 113-run stand between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal. Zadran made 54 off 39, while Atal scored 64 off 45.

    Faheem Ashraf starred with the ball for Pakistan, grabbing career-best figures of 4/27, while Saim Ayub chipped in with a wicket. Pakistan, however, faltered in the chase and finished on 151/9.

    Haris Rauf offered late resistance with an unbeaten 34 off 16, smashing four sixes. Fakhar Zaman (25), Agha Salman (20), and Sahibzada Farhan (18) also contributed but could not anchor the innings.

    Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad taking two wickets each.

    Despite the result, Pakistan stayed on top of the table with four points, while Afghanistan moved into second place. Hosts UAE remained winless at the bottom.

    Pakistan will next face UAE at the same venue on Thursday.

  • Court extends Ducky Bhai’s physical remand for the fifth time

    Court extends Ducky Bhai’s physical remand for the fifth time

    A court in Lahore has extended the physical remand of popular Pakistani YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, for the fifth time, granting the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) two more days of custody.

    Rehman is under investigation for allegedly promoting illegal gambling applications through his YouTube channel. The case was filed by the state on August 17 under multiple sections of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, including electronic fraud, forgery and spam, along with Pakistan Penal Code sections 294-B and 420.

    During the court hearing, the NCCIA argued that forensic analysis of seized electronic devices is still going on.  Rehman’s lawyer contested the need for extended custody, claiming financial records could be obtained without detention and questioning the actual monetary harm caused to users.

    Despite objections, Rehman stated through his lawyer that he had no issue with further remand if it helps complete the investigation. The court urged the agency to expedite its probe.

    Meanwhile, the court ordered the agency to complete its investigation against the YouTuber as soon as possible.

    It is expected that the agency will finalize its ongoing investigation during this remand and Rehman will be formally produced in court again at the end of this extended remand.

    The outcome of the investigation may have broader implications for social media regulations and influencer accountability in Pakistan.

    Earlier, Ducky Bhai had filed an appeal against a Lahore judicial magistrate’s decision to extend his physical remand to the NCCIA