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Author: News Desk

  • THIS country’s air force wants PAF to teach them from its combat experience

    THIS country’s air force wants PAF to teach them from its combat experience

    Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa on Wednesday met with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad, expressing his force’s interest in learning from the combat experience, integrated command systems and technological innovations of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to boost operational strength.

    According to reports, the visiting dignitary also expressed keen interest in exploring avenues of technology transfer within the aviation sector, particularly in indigenous development and modernisation initiatives.

    Air Chief Marshal Sidhu expressed his commitment to further strengthening the military partnership between the two air forces through joint training programmes, assuring the EAF of Pakistan’s full cooperation in its professional development.

    He further stated that Pakistan was determined to assist the EAF in enhancing its capabilities and extending all possible support in advanced training and operational domains.

    As part of his visit, the Ethiopian air commander received comprehensive briefings at the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF Cyber Command during which he appreciated PAF’s technological advancement and integration of cutting-edge capabilities in modern warfare.

    Earlier, a smartly turned-out contingent of the PAF presented Lt Gen Merdassa with a guard of honour and thanked his Pakistani counterpart for the warm welcome.

  • Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam to play exhibition match for flood victims

    Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam to play exhibition match for flood victims

    Top Pakistani cricket stars, including Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, and Kamran Akmal, will take part in a special exhibition match to raise funds for flood-affected people.

    The Flood Relief Exhibition Match will be played on August 30 at the newly completed Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar. The event is being organized under the slogan “Khel Se Khidmat,” which means service through sports.

    The match will feature Peshawar Zalmi vs Legends Eleven, with a crowd of about 17,000 expected to attend. The stadium, under construction for eight years, is now ready with dressing rooms and a VVIP enclosure.

    The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and his cabinet members have bought VVIP tickets worth Rs 50,000 each to support the cause. Ordinary tickets are priced at Rs 1,000, while there are 800 VIP seats and 200 VVIP seats available.

    The match will start at 1 pm local time, and all money from ticket sales will go to flood relief efforts.

  • Real war between Pakistan, India is against poverty, climate change, says Khaqan Shahnawaz

    Real war between Pakistan, India is against poverty, climate change, says Khaqan Shahnawaz

    Pakistani actor and model Khaqan Shahnawaz has weighed in on Pakistan-India tensions, saying that the two nations should focus on real challenges rather than fighting each other.

    In a video message posted on Instagram, the rising star urged the public to shift its attention towards more pressing problems.

    He said, “A few months ago, during the war between Pakistan and India, both countries were making memes. The Indians were saying, ‘We will stop Pakistan’s water, how did you take a bath?’ Meanwhile, the Pakistanis were saying, ‘Let the monsoon come, with water from India, a lot more will come.’”

    Shahnawaz explained that nature itself gave the answer when the monsoon rains brought destruction across both countries. “Then the same thing happened, the monsoon came, there was so much destruction that both countries had to give and take. The point to understand here is that the real war between Pakistan and India is not with each other but with poverty, and in the coming days it will be against climate change.”

    He stressed the need for cooperation instead of hostility, saying, “Instead of making memes against each other, talking against each other’s religion or country, we should sit together and find a solution to climate change. Otherwise, in a year neither India nor Pakistan will remain, only memes will remain on the internet.”

  • 12 people lost their lives in Punjab floods, Marriyum Aurangzeb confirms

    12 people lost their lives in Punjab floods, Marriyum Aurangzeb confirms

    Punjab government’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed on Thursday that as many as 12 people have lost their lives in the floods ravaging Punjab.

    Speaking to media in Lahore, the senior minister stated that no deaths occurred due to negligence by the Punjab government or rescue agencies and went on to say that rescue operations, particularly via boats, are actively underway.

    Aurangzeb added that monitoring efforts are also underway, and about six to seven people have been rescued from debris.

    “Food is being provided at relief camps, and nearly 200,000 livestock have been moved to safe locations with their owners,” she stated, urging citizens to avoid flood-hit areas and not to approach water channels for selfies or photos.

    Praising the tireless efforts of both rescue and administrative teams, she stated that many personnel have worked for three to five days without sleep.

    Aurangzeb also acknowledged the support of the media and the presence of elected officials and ministers in affected areas in the province.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider, has conducted an aerial visit of Punjab’s flood-hit areas in a helicopter.

    During the survey, the NDMA chief updated the Premier on surging water levels in Punjab’s rivers, as well as rescue and relief operations in submerged areas.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday warned of more rain and thundershowers, starting from Friday (August 29).

    “Rain continues to lash flood-ridden Punjab, with more rain-thundershowers predicted from tomorrow (August 29, 2025),” it said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

  • FIH confirms Pakistan’s maiden participation in Hockey Pro League

    FIH confirms Pakistan’s maiden participation in Hockey Pro League

    The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that the Pakistani men’s hockey team will participate in the 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League for the first time.

    Pakistan earned the spot after finishing as runners-up in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup earlier this year in Malaysia. Although New Zealand won the tournament, they declined the invitation, leading FIH to extend an invitation to Pakistan as per regulations.

    FIH President Tayyab Ikram welcomed the development, calling it a major milestone. “Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition. This is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey,” he said.

    Ikram added that Pakistan’s return will boost the league’s visibility and diversity.

    Pakistan will compete alongside Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the seventh edition of the Pro League. They will replace Ireland, who were relegated after finishing ninth last season.

    Meanwhile, the federal government has approved a Rs250 million grant to support the team’s participation in the league.  Officials told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination that the remaining Rs100 million needed will be arranged through sponsorships. 

    PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid said that the league was a major event featuring the world’s top 10 teams, and Pakistan needs Rs350 million to participate.

    Tournament schedule and venues will be announced later, FIH said.

  • K-Electric apologizes to Sindh High Court over power outage at judges’ homes

    K-Electric apologizes to Sindh High Court over power outage at judges’ homes

    K-Electric’s CEO and senior officials appeared before the Sindh High Court on Thursday and apologized for prolonged power outages at the homes of judges and court officers following heavy rains in Karachi, media reports have said.

    The court had summoned K-Electric officials after a major power breakdown left several areas of the city without electricity for extended periods. The issue caused severe inconvenience to judges, senior officers, and their families, the notice stated.

    According to the court’s notice issued on August 22, multiple neighborhoods remained without power for two days after the August 20 rains, while others faced low voltage issues. The court also noted that despite being provided with emergency contact numbers, the High Court’s protocol section received no response from K-Electric officials, who even switched off their phones.

    The court reminded K-Electric that under NEPRA regulations, the utility is obligated to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and must have alternative systems in place for emergency situations. It also directed the company to nominate a panel of senior officers who will remain available at all times and to create a direct communication channel with the court’s protocol section to avoid delays.

    During the hearing, K-Electric officials assured the court that a strategy has been developed to prevent major breakdowns and faults in the future. The officials also shared contact details of area officers and stated that some officers have been transferred. Those found negligent will face action after an inquiry, the company added.

  • Court discharges stage actress Samar Rana in domestic worker gang rape case

    Court discharges stage actress Samar Rana in domestic worker gang rape case

    A local court in Lahore has discharged stage actress and dancer Samar Rana in a case pertaining to the torture and gang rape of a 14-year-old domestic worker,  media reports have stated. 

    Samar Rana was presented before the court by the Investigation Police Nawab Town. Judicial Magistrate Zaib Shehzad Cheema heard the case and ordered her immediate release.

    The court ordered action against the investigating officer for failing to present the suspects before the court within 24 hours of her arrest.

    Police had requested physical remand of the suspects but the court observed that such remand cannot be granted unnecessarily or mechanically.

    The court noted that after reviewing the record, no evidence was found against Samar Rana. On the basis of lack of evidence, the actress was discharged from the case.

    Earlier, Lahore police arrested theatre actor Samar Rana on Sunday after a 16-year-old domestic worker accused her and others of rape and torture.

    According to media reports, Nawab Town police registered a case under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code against Rana, her employee, and four unidentified men.

    The FIR was reportedly filed by the girl’s mother, stating that her daughter began working at Rana’s residence in OPF Housing Scheme on August 8. On the night of August 14, a man living in the upper portion of the house allegedly gave the girl a drugged drink and raped her. The next morning, Rana’s employee reportedly drugged and assaulted her again. He then called four other men, unknown to the victim, who allegedly raped her over the next two days.

    The FIR further alleges that the girl remained drugged and confined in the house, where the suspects recorded videos and took photos of the assault. Rana allegedly hit the girl in the stomach and threatened her to stay silent.

    The victim escaped on August 18 but remained quiet out of fear. Her mother discovered the abuse on August 23 after noticing her daughter’s injuries and immediately approached the police.

    Law enforcement raided Rana’s residence and took her into custody. Police confirmed that efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

  • Daniil Medvedev fined $42,500 for smashing racket after US Open defeat

    Daniil Medvedev fined $42,500 for smashing racket after US Open defeat

    Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has been fined $42,500 for his outburst following a first-round defeat at the US Open.

    Medvedev, a former world number one, lost to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in a five-set thriller on Sunday. After the match, he smashed his racket on the court and against the bench in frustration.

    The tournament referee imposed a $30,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct and an additional $12,500 for breaking his racket on the field. The total fine amounts to nearly one-third of his prize money from the tournament.

    Earlier during the match, Medvedev argued with the chair umpire over a decision and appeared visibly frustrated. His anger boiled over after the loss, leading to the incident.

    Bonzi had also defeated Medvedev in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this year.

    In other singles matches, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and America’s Taylor Fritz secured their wins.

  • Two men suspected of slaying brothers over Rs30 killed in CCD encounter

    Two men suspected of slaying brothers over Rs30 killed in CCD encounter

    Two out of three suspects arrested in connection with the killing of two brothers over a Rs30 dispute in Lahore’s Raiwind have been killed in an alleged Crime Control Department (CCD) encounter.

    CCD Chung was taking the suspects for identification when their accomplice attempted to free them, CCD sources have said. 

    However, during the exchange of fire, the arrested suspects Owais and Shehzad were killed, while Touqeer managed to escape custody. A search operation is underway.

    Two brothers, residents of Kot Radha Kishan, were assaulted by street vendors at a fruit cart on August 21, in the wake of a dispute over just Rs30. One brother died on the spot, while the other succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital.

    The victims, Wajid and Rashid, were seen in a viral video being mercilessly beaten with clubs by the suspects while lying in a pool of blood.

    Despite the presence of dozens of onlookers, no one reportedly stepped forward to help. Police confirmed the violence began with a dispute over the price of fruit, which quickly escalated into a deadly attack.

    According to details, the attackers then fled. However, later they were arrested and handed over to the CCD.

  • Mentally challenged woman strangles four-year-old daughter to death

    Mentally challenged woman strangles four-year-old daughter to death

    A woman allegedly strangled her four-year-old daughter to death at her home in Bhale Dino Behan village on Wednesday, media reports citing police said.

    According to police, the suspect, identified as Khushboo Behan, is believed to be mentally challenged. An FIR (No.13/2025) has been registered against her under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of her husband, Izhar Ali Behan.

    Police officials said the woman was arrested and taken to the Women’s Police Station. She will be produced in court on Thursday.

    Family sources told reporters that Khushboo had previously shown signs of psychopathic behaviour. They alleged that she had earlier killed her two-year-old daughter, Fatima, by making her drink acidic water from a battery.

    The complainant stated in the FIR that his wife had warned him several times: “Divorce me or I will kill your children.” He claimed that both of his daughters had been killed by his wife. “She has destroyed my home,” he said.

    A video shared with the media shows the suspect confessing to strangling her daughter with a dupatta. “I don’t know what I was doing at that time,” she said in the video.

    Police confirmed that the victim’s body was taken to Dokri Hospital for a post-mortem examination.