Author: News Desk

Pakistan removes over 500 social media accounts linked to banned groups

Pakistan has shut down over 500 social media accounts that are reportedly associated with banned militant groups, as part of a coordinated crackdown with international platforms.

Information from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) indicates that more than 850 accounts were flagged on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Among these, 533 accounts have been deleted, while actions regarding the remaining accounts are still in progress.

Officials have stated that these accounts were linked to organisations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). All three groups are banned in Pakistan and recognised as proscribed entities by the United Nations (UN), the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK). The total number of followers for the blocked accounts exceeded two million.

The NCCIA and PTA collaborated to identify and report these accounts, working with representatives of the platforms to provide information and request their removal. Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja secured direct cooperation from Telegram, despite the app being banned in Pakistan.

The level of compliance varied among the platforms. Facebook and TikTok removed more than 90% of the accounts reported, while X and WhatsApp acted on approximately 30% of the requests.

The government has called for increased international cooperation to combat the use of social media by prohibited organisations. Officials have urged platforms to implement precautionary measures, including permanent bans on accounts linked to such groups and the application of artificial intelligence systems to identify and eliminate related content.

Authorities noted that, although extremist content is absent from mainstream Pakistani media, online platforms continue to be used for recruitment and incitement. They proposed creating direct, rapid-response communication channels between platform operators and Pakistani regulators to strengthen enforcement.

August 15, 2025
Flash floods, landslides leave 27 dead across GB, AJK and Bajaur

Heavy rains this week have caused flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur area late Thursday, killing at least 27 people, including women and children.

Three people, including a woman, were killed in Khalthi Valley, Ghizer, where many homes were buried under debris, according to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq.

As rescue teams search the area, three more people are still missing.

In Diamer’s Bonar, a brother and sister were swept away by floodwaters, while a child was injured in a landslide on Babusar road. Homes, schools, water tanks, and farms were all damaged by flash floods in Ghizer’s Yasin Thoi.

Roads in Baltistan and Sadpara have been blocked by landslides, and Thor reported damage in the Diamer and Astore valleys. Traffic between GB and the rest of the country suffered delays in Kohistan due to a damaged bridge on the Karakoram Highway.

Emergency measures have been imposed in several parts of GB, with the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and Rescue 1122 on high alert. “This is a testing time for Gilgit-Baltistan,” said Faraq, adding that all available resources were being mobilised to help those affected.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reports that at least eight people have died and two more have been injured in AJK. In Naseerabad, Muzaffarabad, a cloudburst killed six members of one family.

While floods in Samahni’s Bhimbar drain washed away a tourist car, heavy rain in the Bagh area forced rivers to overflow. All passengers were rescued.

Water levels have also risen sharply in Jhelum Valley, Samahni, Hattian Bala and Neelum Valley. In Muzaffarabad and nearby areas, over 30 houses, shops and other properties have been damaged or destroyed, and mobile phone services have been suspended in several mountainous regions.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq chaired an emergency SDMA meeting, ordering the relocation of residents from riverbanks to safer areas.

He also approved financial aid for affected families and housing for those who lost their homes, along with emergency checkpoints to monitor water resources.

Public and private schools will remain closed on August 15 and 16 due to continued heavy rains and landslide risks.

More than 700 tourists, including more than 300 women and children, were left stranded in Ratti Gali, Neelum Valley, after a cloudburst damaged parts of the road, according to AJK Information Minister Mazhar Saeed.

Bad weather has prevented their evacuation, and free accommodation has been arranged with help from locals.

Heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in Jabrrai and Salarzai, resulting in nine deaths and four injuries in KP’s Bajaur district. Villages were inundated, sweeping away homes and residents.

This year’s monsoon has caused widespread devastation across Pakistan, with floods and landslides claiming more than 300 lives nationwide.

From August 14 to 17, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning of more rain, wind, and thundershowers in Islamabad, AJK, upper Punjab, KP, and GB.

August 15, 2025
Imran Ashraf’s exchange with fans in Canada wins over internet

Actor Imran Ashraf is currently in Canada to promote his new film Enna Nu Rehna Sehna Nai Aunda and fans are thrilled to see him.

While in Toronto, he experienced a touching moment with fans who recognised him on the street, stopped to greet him, and offered their best wishes. Videos of the warm exchange quickly went viral on social media.

Reflecting on the encounter, Imran said the outpouring of love makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Fans flooded social media with love and admiration for him. One user commented, “He deserves all the love ❤️.” Another said, “Imran is an amazing guy❤️.” Others wrote, “Bhola in Toronto ,” “Imran Ashraf deserves everything,” “Love you Imran Ashraf ❤️❤️,” “He is very kind man,” and “That’s why everyone likes Imran.”

The movie follows the story of a student’s struggles and dreams while living abroad, especially in Canada. It highlights themes including cultural adjustment, homesickness, and the pursuit of success, something many overseas Pakistanis can relate to.

The film promises a mix of drama, comedy, and social commentary, and will be released worldwide on August 22. Directed by Rupan Bal and written by Surinder Arora, it is already creating buzz in Pakistan and among the Pakistani community abroad.

August 15, 2025
Mother arrested for killing her own children in DHA Karachi

Karachi police arrested a 37-year-old woman on Thursday for allegedly killing her two young children in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area.

“A lady killed her two children, who were eight and four years old, with a sharp knife due to a marital issue with her husband,” South DIG Syed Asad Raza told a private news channel.

The suspect has been taken into custody, and the murder weapon recovered.

The children’s bodies were discovered with their throats slit, inside a home on 10th Street off Khayaban-i-Mujahid, according to the police.

“The suspect sent pictures to her ex-husband after killing the children,” DIG Raza said, adding that the father then called the police.

Both children were found dead when Darakhshan police reached the scene.

For legal formalities, the bodies were transferred to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. According to Dr. Summaiya Syed, a police surgeon, children died as a result of slit throats, which damaged vital structures and vessels in the neck.

“Swabs have also been collected to rule out sexual violence,” she added.

A passerby told the private news channel that police, media, and an ambulance were gathered outside the house earlier in the day.

“I passed by a house and saw loads of police officers, an Edhi ambulance, and a DSNG van from some channel parked on the road leading to Bahria,” she said.

“On the way back, I saw that one cameraman and another person were still there. I asked what had happened. They told me that a woman had killed her two young children, was reportedly struggling with a mental health condition, and was going through a divorce,” she elaborated.

According to DIG Raza, the couple got divorced last year, and the father was granted custody of the children, while the mother was allowed to see them.

The father told the authorities that he had been providing for her financially and that the suspect was “emotionally disturbed.”

According to DIG Raza, the suspect met her husband in 2012, married him, and later enrolled at a Karachi institution affiliated with a British university. She did not complete her studies. She had held minor jobs but no regular employment.

In her initial statement to investigators, the suspect reportedly said she did not wish to defend herself as there was “nothing logical or reasonable enough for the murder.”

DIG Raza quoted her as saying she woke up between 8:30 and 9:00am and saw her children having breakfast with her mother. She then contacted her ex-husband, but did not provide details of their conversation.

“She claimed that the children were telling her to ‘send them somewhere where they could not face such a situation, which she (the mother) was facing,’” he said, adding that she did not clarify whether the “situation” referred to an undesirable attitude from their father.

DIG Raza said the woman admitted to taking medication for psychiatric issues. Police suspect she may have been under the influence of drugs at the time.

A report by civil society organisation Sahil, Cruel Numbers 2024, recorded 3,364 child abuse cases from across Pakistan in 2024, based on data from 81 newspapers. The report highlights incidents of sexual abuse, abduction, missing children, and child marriages involving victims under the age of 18.

August 15, 2025
Basit Ali demands court martial, Kamran Akmal urges sacking of captain and coach after Pakistan’s poor run

Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali has called for a court-martial of the national cricket team following Pakistan’s shocking 202-run defeat to West Indies in the third One Day International, which led to a 1-2 series loss.

Basit Ali criticised the team’s performance sharply, saying, “Our players have neither courage nor talent. They play just for show. These people have destroyed Pakistan cricket. Pakistan should now play against teams like Nepal and Italy. If a court-martial is not conducted, we will even lose to Italy and Nepal.”

He targeted captain Mohammad Rizwan and batter Babar Azam, adding, “Both are still living on the performances from the early days of their careers. Now they only do advertisements. People who could not even coach a local team were made Pakistan team coaches. Babar and Rizwan do not listen to coaches. Whatever coaches say, they only pretend to listen. These two need someone like Inzamam Ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, or Younis Khan to wake them up, but they know no one will do it and they won’t let anyone either. Babar Azam should put his ego aside.”

Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal also demanded the removal of both the captain and the head coach.

He said, “Neither of them knows how conditions are, which combinations to use on the field, or how to use spinners. Even in the Champions Trophy, spin options were ignored and now the Asia Cup will also be played in spin-friendly conditions.”

Akmal added, “Pakistan needs an aggressive captain, so leadership should be given to Shaheen Shah Afridi. He has consistently shown leadership skills in the PSL. Making him captain and removing him after just one series caused loss.”

He questioned the governing board, asking, “After the embarrassing defeats to Bangladesh and now West Indies, why does the board not call meetings to hold the coach, management, and captain accountable? They need to be removed.”

Recently, 10th-ranked Bangladesh defeated the Green Shirts 2-1 in a T20 series, and West Indies, starting the ODI series as the 10th-ranked team, secured a 2-1 victory to reach the ninth position.

August 15, 2025
Govt introduces digital fuel monitoring to curb smuggling, end fuel black market

The government has decided to digitally track every litre of petroleum products at every step of the process to reduce petroleum theft, smuggling, adulteration and misappropriation. According to reports, authorities will track fuel in real-time, following processes related to import, refinement, storage, transit, and final sale.

The National Assembly passed the Petroleum Amendment Act 2025 earlier this week, allowing authorities to monitor petroleum products through digital systems and with the help of enforcement agencies. This could lead to annual revenues potentially increasing by up to Rs500 billion.

The amendment makes changes to the nine-decade-old Petroleum Act 1934. Under the amendment, deputy and assistant commissioners will be given enforcement powers, such as seizing illegally stored or smuggled petroleum products. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has reportedly engaged with market stakeholders to guarantee a seamless transition to the new system.

The amendment spells great news for domestic refineries and oil marketing companies, as oil and gas companies have been campaigning for a crackdown on smuggling, which hurts businesses that are compliant with the legislation.

Fuel stations that purchase smuggled petroleum products evade taxes and duties, allowing for the generation of supernormal profits for all those involved in the malpractice.

The new digital system is expected to encourage pump owners to comply with the law, as ensuring that every entity is subject to the same rules will reduce the incentive to avoid compliance. Moreover, the government has also decided to slap fines on petroleum businesses that engage in dishonest behaviour.

A Rs1 million fine on any company convicted of importing, storing, refining, moving or supplying illegally procured petroleum products. To discourage individuals from repeatedly engaging in the illegal sale of petroleum, those found to be violating the legislation repeatedly will have to face a larger fine of Rs5 million.

Moreover, the owner of a facility with an invalid license will be liable to pay a Rs10 million fine to the government. Facility owners who possess an expired licence will be given six months to ensure their licences are renewed, after which they can be fined Rs1 million for non-cooperation.

Any facility found to be storing or trading smuggled petroleum will be sealed immediately, along with a seizure of all assets. Reports reveal that such facilities will also face a fine of Rs100 million.

August 15, 2025
Performances from Hasan Raheem’s wedding you’ve been waiting to see

Pakistani singing sensation Hasan Raheem, known for his cool and laid-back R&B and hip-hop vibe, has officially tied the knot. The wedding may have been private, but thanks to a few leaked clips, fans are being treated to a rare peek inside the celebrations, and it looked like an absolute blast.

Hasan, who hails from a Shina family in Gilgit-Baltistan, proudly embraced his roots on the big day. He showed up looking every bit the dashing dulha in an ivory shalwar kameez, matching ivory shawl, and the traditional Gilgit cap called a khapol, topped with a feather. Beside him, the bride stole the show in a gorgeous light pink dress, glowing with elegance.

Even though the guest list was tight and cameras were mostly kept away, the internet still found its way to the dance floor. Music was the star of the night.

In one clip, Hasan was spotted doing traditional Gilgiti dance steps to folk tunes, completely in his element. In another, he sweetly led his wife to the stage, hand in hand, as the two danced together with smiles that could light up the whole venue.

The singer wasn’t just about the moves, he added a romantic touch by performing the classic “Main Karan Intezaar Tera”. The wedding stage then transformed into a lively musical celebration, with “Tenu Leke” from Salaam-E-Ishq making the crowd sway, “Sadi Gali Mur Ke Vi Aya Karo” lifting the festive spirit, and Hasan ending the night on a high with his own track Radha.

In many videos, Hasan could be seen dancing to traditional Gilgiti rhythms and songs alongside his family members and cousins, clearly having the time of his life.

This time, when fans saw Hasan as a dulha, it was not one of his cheeky music video stunts. It was the real deal, heartfelt, joy-filled, and full of moments that made everyone watching smile.

August 15, 2025
Pakistan wins 12 gold, 4 silver medals at 7th Heroes International Taekwondo Championship

Pakistan delivered an outstanding performance at the 7th Heroes International Taekwondo Championship 2025, bagging 12 gold and 4 silver medals.

Mian Ghufran Ali claimed two gold and two silver medals in the event. According to reports, Tayyaba Ashraf from Lahore won three gold medals, while Sanbal Khan secured two gold and one silver medal. Hafiz Nasir Bashir from Faisalabad won the gold medal in the 90 kg fight category, and Nabeel Khalid from Lahore earned two gold and one silver medal. Shahroz Arshad also won a gold medal in the 80-plus kg fight category.

According to reports, the Pakistan Taekwondo team participated in the event through self-funding and achieved remarkable results.

The championship was held in Malaysia, featuring over 1,500 athletes from more than 35 countries.

August 15, 2025
John Hastings reveals anti-corruption unit contacted him after WCL against Pakistan

Former Australian fast bowler John Hastings has revealed that officials from the anti-corruption unit contacted him after he bowled an unusual 18-ball over during a Legends League match against Pakistan Champions.

Last month, Hastings bowled the extended over in which he delivered two consecutive sets of five wides. In total, the over went for 20 runs.

Speaking in a recent interview, Hastings said, “After bowling that 18-ball over, officials from the anti-corruption unit approached me. Some people from the unit came to me and said, ‘Yesterday you put us in a big problem, we have to look into this matter.’”

Hastings recalled his response to the officials. “I said, ‘Do you think I was involved in match-fixing or something like that?’ They said, ‘No, but we do not know where you have been and what you have been doing for the last seven years.’ I told them I am not corrupt, but explaining that match against Pakistan is difficult.”

The former pacer admitted the incident brought a flood of attention. “I received countless messages from cricket-related people. Around 1.5 million people sent me messages on social media. I kept my social media accounts closed for three days. I did not know what to do. It was embarrassing and it was painful,” he stated.

Hastings also shared that he held his official retirement party after the match against Pakistan Champions.

The 38-year-old has been playing in retired players’ leagues since 2022. In that Legends League match, Pakistan Champions defeated Australia Champions by 10 wickets.

August 15, 2025
Here’s how your favourite celebs celebrated Independence Day

Today marks 78 years of Pakistan’s independence, a moment to celebrate, but also to reflect. August 14 has always been a day of patriotic pride, and this year’s posts from celebrities carry heartfelt wishes, hope, and reminders of the work that still lies ahead.

Model Zhalay Sarhadi wished for “prosperity for our country and our countrymen and women,” urging that independence be exercised “with responsibility, humility, basic civic duty, ethics and morality.” She prayed for the enforcement of common laws, the protection of animal rights, the safety of women, and a non-judgmental environment guided by unity, faith, and discipline.

Activist Malala Yousafzai brought a lighter touch, sharing a playful, photoshopped picture of herself with husband Asser Malik, including one of her mid batting, simply captioned, “Happy Independence Day!”

Actor Ramsha Khan admitted that the fireworks startled her, yet she still declared, “Pakistan Zindabad!” Mawra Hocane shared a picture of her window glowing with green lights, calling Pakistan her “beautiful country.”

Veteran actor Hina Khwaja Bayat reminded fans that Pakistan’s creation “wasn’t just the result of a fight for freedom, it was a jihad” against oppression and the self. She urged people to reject injustice and work constructively for the nation’s future.

Ahsan Mohsin Ikram highlighted the dangers of aerial firing, sharing a report on a child’s death and dozens of injuries in Karachi, and appealed to fans not to support the practice.

Here is how other celebrities are celebrating this Independence Day.

August 14, 2025