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Author: News Desk

  • Who’s the toughest batsman the great Wasim Akram ever faced? The answer will surprise you

    Who’s the toughest batsman the great Wasim Akram ever faced? The answer will surprise you

    Former Pakistan captain and Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram has revealed that former New Zealand middle-order batter Martin Crowe was the toughest player he faced in his career.

    Recently, Akram appeared on the Stick to Cricket podcast, where he was asked to name the toughest batter he faced. Responding to the question, Akram said, “Look, this is a very difficult question to answer, but if you had to pick one person who scored the most runs against us and that too at a time when nobody knew about reverse swing, I would name Martin Crowe from New Zealand. He scored a lot of runs against us.”

    Martin Crowe represented New Zealand from 1982 to 1995. During his 13-year international career, he played 11 Tests against Pakistan and scored 973 runs, including two centuries and six fifties in 20 innings. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Crowe amassed 992 runs in 26 matches against Pakistan.

    Crowe passed away on March 3, 2016, after battling follicular lymphoma. A year before his death, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, and in 2024, New Zealand Cricket honoured him by including him in the NZC Hall of Fame as one of the First XI.

    Wasim Akram played for Pakistan from 1984 to 2003 and was one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket. During his 19-year career, he gave tough competition to some of the best batters in the game with his lethal swing bowling. Legends like Steve Waugh, Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara, and Ricky Ponting all struggled against him at various points. Akram retired from international cricket in 2003 with over 900 wickets in 460 matches.

  • Asma Abbas’ WhatsApp account got hacked and used for financial fraud

    Asma Abbas’ WhatsApp account got hacked and used for financial fraud

    Actress Asma Abbas revealed that her WhatsApp account was hacked and used to send fake money requests to her contacts.

    The issue came to light Sunday when her sister, veteran actress Bushra Ansari, shared a screenshot showing someone posing as Asma to ask a man named Ibrahim for Rs1 million. Ansari cautioned followers not to trust such messages.

    Later, Asma Abbas posted a video on Instagram to alert the public. She said, “Asslam o Alaikum, friends, how are you all? I just wanted to inform you that my WhatsApp has been hacked, and many people are receiving messages from my number asking for money. This is becoming very common these days, so please don’t believe such messages.”

    She apologised to her friends who were troubled by the requests, adding, “My dear friends are facing a lot of trouble because of this, and I truly apologise for that. Unfortunately, this trend has started in our country, and it’s very sad.”

    Explaining how it happened, Asma Abbas shared that she received a call about a parcel delivery. “Someone had called me, saying that my parcel had arrived and asked for my address. Naturally, I shared it because my daughter Zara had sent me something four days ago. I thought maybe it got delayed due to the rains and had now arrived. They said a code would be received, and I even shared that code. How were we supposed to know what was going on?”

    She said that after sharing the code, her WhatsApp was blocked, and the hacker began sending fake messages. Reassuring her fans, she added, “Please ignore any such messages and don’t worry at all. I am absolutely fine, Alhamdulillah, and I don’t need any money. I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. Please take care and stay cautious.”

  • Theatre actor Samar Rana arrested in Lahore gang rape case involving minor domestic worker

    Theatre actor Samar Rana arrested in Lahore gang rape case involving minor domestic worker

    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.

  • Hockey team to get Rs25 crore for participation in Pro League

    Hockey team to get Rs25 crore for participation in Pro League

    The federal government has approved a Rs25 crore grant for the Pakistan hockey team and allowed its participation in the Pro Hockey League.

    Officials told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination that the team would take part in the league, with expenses covered through the grant.

    Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid said, “The Pro League is a major event featuring the world’s top 10 teams. We need Rs35 crore to participate in this event.”

    Mohyuddin Wani added, “The Ministry of Finance will provide Rs25 crore, while the remaining Rs10 crore will come from sponsorships.”

    Speaking to a private media outlet, hockey player Imad Butt expressed his excitement over the development. “We are happy to get the green signal for participation in the Pro League. Playing in this event will improve Pakistan’s hockey rankings,” he said.

    He further added, “We still have time to prepare for the tournament and we thank the government for its support.” However, Imad highlighted that the issue of players’ daily allowances remains unresolved. “The development of hockey should not rely solely on government funds. The federation must take practical steps to generate its own resources,” he stressed.

    Earlier, reports revealed that national players were still waiting for their pending daily allowances despite repeated delays. 

    Each player is reportedly owed around Rs500,000 for recent international events and domestic training camps, including the FIH Nations Cup. Players said that these allowances are their main source of income since they have no central contracts or fixed salaries.

  • Cook alleges rape, blackmail by security staff at Sahiwal power plant

    Cook alleges rape, blackmail by security staff at Sahiwal power plant

    A daily-wage cook at the Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant has filed a case against two security personnel, accusing them of repeatedly raping and blackmailing him.

    Officials at Yousafwala Police Station have confirmed to media that the victim named the plant’s security focal person and his cousin in the complaint. Police registered an FIR against both men on charges of gang rape and blackmail.

    The victim, a resident of Mohalla Noor Park in Sahiwal, said he had worked at the plant for the past three years. He became acquainted with the accused at the facility’s entrance gate. In his statement, he said the suspects invited him to their home at Chak 61/5-L about a year ago under the pretense of friendship. There, they raped him and recorded the act on a mobile phone.

    The complainant added that the men kept exploiting him by threatening to share the video with the plant’s management, which could cost him his job. He alleged that the latest incident happened on July 19, 2025.

    Police have launched an investigation, but they have not arrested the suspects as yet.

  • Trump says seven jets shot down in Pak-India ‘next level war’

    Trump says seven jets shot down in Pak-India ‘next level war’

    United States (US) President Donald Trump stated on Monday that seven jets were shot down during the Pakistan-India conflict in May this year. 

    Speaking at a White House press briefing, he again claimed credit for preventing what he described as a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan in May.

    His statement appears to be in line with Pakistani claims of shooting down six Indian jets on the very first night of the conflict, dealing a huge blow to the Indian Air Force (IAF). India has never explicitly addressed the fact that it lost jets, including Rafales, despite several media reports validifying that Pakistan did successfully shoot down multiple jets. 

    Following the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), New Delhi launched strikes in Pakistan, leading the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to shoot down Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including French-made Rafales, on the night of May 6–7.

    During a press conference on May 11, Indian Air Marshal AK Bharti, without disclosing the number of downed Rafales, admitted that “losses are part of combat,” implying irreparable damage to their air force.

    President Trump said the situation in South Asia was “raging” when fighter jets were shot down during the brief war. “The war with India and Pakistan was the next level that was going to be a nuclear war… They already shot down seven jets,” he stated. 

    He claimed that he told both countries that if they keep fighting, “we are not doing any trade or anything with you”. “You’ve got 24 hours to settle it. They said, ‘Well, there’s no more war going on’,” he added.

    President Trump stated that his use of tariffs and trade pressure was decisive, adding, “I had tariffs and trade, and I was able to say, ‘If you go fight and want to kill everybody, that is okay, but I am going to charge you each a 100 per cent tariff when you trade with us’. They all gave up.”

    Since the conflict between Pakistan and India, he has repeatedly claimed that he brokered a ceasefire on May 10, a claim acknowledged by Islamabad but denied by New Delhi.

  • The energy to grow: OGDCL’s 65-year legacy of nation-building

    The energy to grow: OGDCL’s 65-year legacy of nation-building

    Energy has always been central to Pakistan’s progress, powering its industries, development, and aspirations. From the early years of nation-building to the present challenges of growing demand and reliance on imports, the country’s progress has been tied closely to its ability to harness domestic resources.

    Amid growing demands, the country seeks new avenues for economic diversification and unlock domestic potential. Meeting rising demand without exacerbating import dependency requires institutions that can deliver both stability and innovation.


    In the country’s journey toward growth, some institutions have played a crucial role in shaping the national landscape. The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), established in 1961, has played a defining role, transforming challenges into opportunities. Over the past 65 years, the company has grown into the country’s largest exploration and production (E&P) company, making critical discoveries, investing in new technologies, and contributing not only to energy security but also to wider community welfare.

    The company’s early years were defined by foundational discoveries that laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s domestic energy infrastructure. In 1997, the company transformed into a public limited company. It is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

    Today, it operates 50 oil and gas fields across Pakistan and holds more than 40% of the country’s awarded exploration acreage. The company’s daily crude oil production stands at 50,000 barrels. The company’s recent strategic interventions like electrical submersible pumps and rig-less enhancements at fields have added thousands of barrels to daily production.


    The company’s seismic capabilities, acquisition crews and a supercomputing data processing center, enable it to navigate complex terrains and identify promising reserves. The company’s scale and technical reach have positioned it as a market capitalisation leader, with repeated inclusion in the Forbes Global 2000 list.

    In addition to project-level involvement, OGDCL organised the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and under the aegis of the Special Investment Facilitation Council. The forum showcased the nation’s vast mineral potential and also provided global investors with a platform to explore investment opportunities in the country’s mineral landscape.

    For 65 years, OGDCL’s pursuit of growth has expanded its reach, strengthened its capabilities, and set new milestones. Today, that spirit of growth is transforming the company into a future-ready energy leader — one that not only fuels Pakistan but also drives innovation, sustainability, and progress for generations to come. The energy to Grow.

  • Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza arrested in Jhelum

    Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza arrested in Jhelum

    Jhelum police have arrested renowned religious scholar and YouTuber Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) on Tuesday.

    According to media reports, police picked Mirza from his academy in Jhelum and shifted him to jail on the night of August 25. Reports revealed that religious parties had filed a petition against him, which led to the arrest. On Monday, delegations of various scholars met the district administration and demanded strict action.

    Authorities also sealed Mirza’s academy and locked its premises to stop any gatherings or activities.

    This is not the first time Mirza has faced legal trouble. In May 2020, police arrested him under Section 153-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with promoting enmity and inciting hatred. The arrest followed a viral clip from one of his lectures that allegedly contained remarks considered inflammatory and capable of triggering sectarian violence. Police claimed the clip mentioned certain individuals and suggested violent action against them, posing a threat to public peace. However, Mirza’s supporters argued that the video was taken out of context. He secured bail two days later after submitting a Rs 50,000 surety bond.

    In 2023, Mirza faced multiple FIRs under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance and Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Mirza, a qualified mechanical engineer, gained prominence through his lectures and discussions on religious issues. He runs a YouTube channel with more than 3 million subscribers, where he shares his views on Islamic teachings.

  • ‘Blame game’ or ‘substantiated responses’? Internet divided over Murtaza Wahab’s Hasna Mana Hai interview

    ‘Blame game’ or ‘substantiated responses’? Internet divided over Murtaza Wahab’s Hasna Mana Hai interview

    Internet is divided since after comedian and TV host Tabish Hashmi’s interview with Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on the former’s comedy show Hasna Mana Hai.

    In the episode, uploaded to YouTube on Sunday, Wahab was grilled over Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure, piles of garbage and poor road conditions, in response to which the mayor kept blaming external factors such as the lack of accurate census data at the hands of the federal government.

    Wahab said he would “always present the city’s case before the authorities and citizens”, to which Tabish reminded him that former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar used to give the “exact same line”.

    “Your work is not to present the case, but to execute,” Tabish said.

    With Mayor Wahab continuing to exact blame at centre, and host Tabish poking fun while questioning the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during its own term in the federal government, clips from the interview went viral on social media, leaving netizens divided.

    While some called Wahab out for “playing the blame game”, some praised him for raising long-ignored challenges facing the port city.

    “When the mayor of our Pakistan’s largest city @murtazawahab1 holds the federal government responsible for every issue, he is not actually defending our Karachi; rather, as a state official, he is exposing his own incompetence or the powerless position he holds. Leadership and politics are not the art of blame-shifting; they are the responsibility of presenting solutions to problems,” one of the users wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

    Highlighting the tough question that the host posed to the guest, another wrote, “Tabish Hashmi performed a surgical strike on Murtaza Wahab.”

    “Couldn’t agree more. Shifting blame rather than taking responsibility is a disservice to the people of Karachi. Mayors should prioritise finding solutions and advocating for their city, not making excuses,” said one user.

    “It was disappointing to see our mayor just deflecting the questions and blaming the federal [government] for everything,” opined another.

    According to one user, Wahab gave “good and substantiated responses” but others were being “stubborn” and “couldn’t understand his response”.

    “He is the one and only @murtazawahab1 who is delivering in whole of Pakistan, opponents can’t digest. Simple and clear [sic],” wrote another.

  • Pakistan railways to launch Lahore-Karachi bullet train by 2030 under CPEC

    Pakistan railways to launch Lahore-Karachi bullet train by 2030 under CPEC

    Pakistan Railways has unveiled a plan to launch a high-speed bullet train connecting Lahore and Karachi by 2030, slashing travel time between the two cities from nearly 20 hours to just five.

    Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi announced that the 1,215-kilometer rail link will be developed as part of the $6.8 billion ML-1 upgrade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

    The trains, expected to run at speeds of up to 250 km/h, will make key stops at Hyderabad, Multan and Sahiwal. 

    The project is being executed with Chinese assistance, including expertise from the China Railway Construction Corporation.

    It is anticipated that the project will increase freight capacity, create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, and increase Pakistan’s rail cargo share from the current 4 percent to 20 percent by the end of the decade. In addition to saving the nation billions in fuel imports, officials say the switch from road to rail may significantly boost regional connections and trade.

    The Lahore-Rawalpindi bullet train project, which intends to cut the travel time between the two cities to just two and a half hours, was also approved earlier this year by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.


    Alongside new lines, Pakistan Railways has embarked on a broad digitisation and automation programme designed to enhance safety, cut delays, and modernise operations. 

    Advanced signalling and communications systems are being deployed across major sections of the network.In order to improve train routing and lower the danger of accidents, government records state that a computerized interlocking system will soon replace manual controls at the Landhi, Jumma Goth, Badal Nala, and Sarhad stations.

     In the meantime, a digital microwave radio communication system is being installed in the Karachi–Lahore corridor to upgrade its telecom backbone and guarantee secure and uninterrupted data transmission.


    In addition, a Push-to-Talk digital network is gradually being introduced in the Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sukkur and Karachi divisions to strengthen real-time coordination between staff and control rooms.

    A private news channel cites that a senior railway official told Wealth Pakistan that more than 80 percent of the existing signalling infrastructure is still mechanical or relay-based, leaving it vulnerable to theft, weather and technical failures.

     “The new automation drive will replace outdated equipment with intelligent, sensor-driven systems capable of monitoring track conditions and enforcing safety standards,” the official said.