Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • PCB bans using Pakistan’s name for leagues after WCL controversy: reports

    PCB bans using Pakistan’s name for leagues after WCL controversy: reports

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to ban the use of “Pakistan” in any cricket league without prior approval, following controversy at the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) in England.

    According to reports, no league or team will be allowed to use the name Pakistan without formal permission from PCB. The decision was taken by the PCB’s Board of Directors in response to events surrounding the WCL, where political interference once again marred the spirit of the game.

    In line with its repeated efforts to politicise cricket, India refused to play against Pakistan in the WCL semifinal which was scheduled for July 31 in Birmingham. Earlier, India had also boycotted the group stage match against Pakistan. By walking away from the semifinal, India effectively handed Pakistan Champions a direct spot in the final.

    Reports suggest that five Indian players, including captain Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan, opted out of the semifinal due to Shahid Afridi’s presence in the Pakistan squad. The players had earlier demanded Afridi’s exclusion over his criticism of Indian actions in Kashmir.

    WCL later confirmed India’s withdrawal in an official statement.

    The political tension comes at a time when India recently agreed to participate in Asia Cup 2025, following an Asian Cricket Council meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. However, backlash within India against playing with Pakistan continues to mount.

    Despite the controversy, the WCL final is set to take place today (Saturday) between Pakistan Champions and South Africa Champions. 

    South Africa sealed their spot in the final after a nail-biting one-run win over Australia Champions in the second semifinal. Batting first, South Africa posted 186 for 8 with Morne van Wyk scoring 76 and Stumps contributing 57. Australia, led by Daniel Christian’s 49, fell just short, finishing at 185 for 7.

    The final between Pakistan and South Africa will now determine the winner of the World Championship of Legends 2025.

  • Protests in GB as Awami Action Committee leader, woman killed for ‘honour’

    Protests in GB as Awami Action Committee leader, woman killed for ‘honour’

    Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Awami Action Committee Vice Chairman Javed Iqbal, also known as Javed Naji, has been shot dead in an alleged “honour killing” incident along with a married woman in Chief Minister (CM) Gulbar Khan’s home constituency.

    According to reports, the killing in the Tangir district marks the second incident of its kind in the area within a week, sparking outrage across the region.

    As per the FIR registered at Jaglot Police Station, Iqbal was at his house with his wife and children when two individuals, Afsar Khan and Dar Khan, shot him dead. The two accused later also killed a married woman. 

    On July 21, a man named Bareem from Frori village of the same area also reportedly shot and killed his wife – a mother of four – as well as a man in the name of “honour”.

    The incidents have provoked anger and condemnation from rights groups, political activists and the local community. Protests have erupted on social media platforms, demanding justice and protection for vulnerable citizens.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also strongly condemned the killings, calling them “brutal” and pointing out that Iqbal was murdered in front of his wife, highlighting the sheer inhumanity of the act.

    “This marks the second such incident in Tangir within a week in which two women and two men were killed in the name of honour,” the HRCP said in its statement.

    “We demand an immediate and transparent investigation, swift prosecution of the perpetrators, and urgent action to dismantle the culture of impunity surrounding honour-based violence in Gilgit-Baltistan.” 

    Local political leaders and civil society organisations have echoed the HRCP’s demand, urging the authorities to take concrete steps to ensure justice and prevent further loss of life under the guise of so-called honour.

  • BCB slams its own pitches after Pakistan series backlash

    BCB slams its own pitches after Pakistan series backlash

    Chairman of Cricket Operations at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, has criticised the condition of pitches in the country, particularly at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, following the recent T20I series against Pakistan.

    The pitches came under scrutiny after the first two matches of the series produced low scores, drawing criticism from players and experts alike.

    Speaking to the media, Fahim said, “We tried to prepare sporting pitches, but it didn’t happen. The responsibility lies with those in charge of pitch preparation.”

    He noted that the board never instructed on preparing low and slow pitches. “The board never asked for low-bounce, slow wickets. When we requested bouncier tracks, very few were prepared,” he said.

    “We are often told that natural ground conditions and a high number of matches are the reasons. But overall, the Mirpur wicket is not satisfactory,” he added.

    He further stressed the need for improvement. “We have to work on this in the future. Pitch preparation will now be treated as a top priority.”

    It merits mention that Pakistan lost the first two games of the T20I series, after which head coach Mike Hesson criticised the pitches, calling them “one of the lowest-scoring surfaces in world cricket.”

    Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha also raised concerns about the quality of pitches, deeming them unsuitable for preparation ahead of major tournaments like the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup.

  • Producer Charles Dobara praises Arif Lohar, calls fans to join London event

    Producer Charles Dobara praises Arif Lohar, calls fans to join London event

    Who knew film producer Charles Dobara was a fan of Pakistani folk superstar Arif Lohar? We don’t blame Charles for Arif is truly one of a kind. 

    The producer invited fans in London to join the singer at an upcoming event in a video he posted on Instagram. 

    Dobara introduced Lohar by reminiscing about his extensive music career, stating, “You may know of the renowned Pakistani singer Arif Lohar. His story is truly captivating. He comes from a family of eight brothers, and his father, Alam Lohar, instilled the Punjabi folk singing tradition in him.” Dobara noted that Arif frequently mentions his father in interviews, most of which are conducted in Urdu. “Now he has three sons who continue the legacy, performing alongside him: Assam, Aamir, and Alam,” he added. 

    The footage also highlighted a brief moment where Dobara comforted Lohar, saying, “Don’t worry, just sing, I’ll do all the work. All you have to do is say ‘Ahh.’”

    Dobara’s caption reflected his admiration for the singer: “Look at this wonderful man, look at his warmth and his compassion for others. Watch his face when I say ‘He’s been in 45 films’; he looks down in humility and he’s thinking ‘How does this guy know?’ What a great and talented man.”

    He announced that the event is scheduled for Sunday, the 17th of this month, in London, and urged followers to join him and Arif Lohar for the evening. Tickets can be obtained via @samaraeventsuk. Dobara will be participating in the Arbaeen event at Marble Arch and invited fans to accompany him to the concert afterward. 

    Dobara clarified that he receives no compensation from any promoter or organization. “No music promoter, firm, social media platform, or organization has ever paid me. I am retired and subsist on my savings. No one can sway my decisions. I do this for the reasons explained in my film “Salvation for Love”.

    Under the video, supporters expressed their admiration. One commenter mentioned being a fan of Arif Lohar since childhood, while others commended Dobara for organizing the event.

  • Pakistan to receive one million barrels of US oil in October

    Pakistan to receive one million barrels of US oil in October

    Pakistan’s largest oil refiner, Cnergyico, is set to import one million barrels of crude oil from the United States (US) in October this year, marking the country’s first-ever purchase of American oil following a landmark trade agreement. The shipment will be supplied by global energy trader Vitol.

    On Friday, Reuters quoted Cnergyico Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi as saying that a cargo of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude will be loaded from Houston this month and is expected to arrive in Karachi in the second half of October.

    “This is a test spot cargo under our umbrella term agreement with Vitol. If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month,” Qureshi stated, adding that Vitol has been a long-term trading partner of the company. 

    The deal was reached after months of negotiations that began in April this year, following US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 29 percent tariff on Pakistani goods.

    In response, Pakistan’s finance and petroleum ministries encouraged local refiners to diversify their sourcing and explore US-origin crude.

    On Thursday, Pakistan praised a trade deal with the US, its top export market, and asserted that the agreement would boost investment.

    According to an executive order detailing the tariffs, the US announced that Pakistan would face a 19 percent tariff on its exports.

    Oil is Pakistan’s largest import item, with shipments valued at $11.3 billion in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total import bill.

    “Gross refining margin is on par with Gulf grades, and no blending or refinery tweaks are required,” Qureshi said, adding Cnergyico could consider buying at least 1 million barrels of oil a month from the US after it evaluates the first shipment, given its current monthly demand stands at 4.6 million barrels.

    “It aligns well with domestic market requirements. Demand typically strengthens in the October–November period,” he stated.

    Cnergyico can process 156,000 barrels of crude per day and operates the country’s only single-point mooring terminal near Karachi, enabling it to handle large tankers, unlike other refiners in Pakistan.

    According to Qureshi, the company plans to install a second offshore terminal to allow larger or more frequent shipments and to upgrade its refinery over the next five to six years

    On Wednesday, President Trump said that the United States would also cooperate with Pakistan to develop the South Asian country’s “massive oil reserves”, though he did not provide further details.

    Vitol is yet to respond to the development.

  • Ghazala Javed questions Humaira Asghar’s mother over months of silence

    Ghazala Javed questions Humaira Asghar’s mother over months of silence

    Veteran actress Ghazala Javed has raised concerns about the actions of  Humaira Asghar’s family in the months prior to the actress’s death, criticizing her mother’s comments and her absence.

    In a recent interview, Javed reacted to the narrative presented by Humaira’s mother, who stated that the people of Karachi neglected her daughter’s sufferings. Javed insisted that attention should be directed towards the family rather than towards the public. “What sort of a mother are you?” she questioned. “I’m a mother too. Even if my married daughters have a fever, I cannot sleep. A mother can sense when something is wrong.”

    She said that if Humaira was involved in anything questionable, her life would have looked different. “A girl living alone for seven years would at least have a car or other means if she had access to things like drugs or boyfriends. But Humaira didn’t have any of that. She lived simply.”

    Javed went on to express that, from her perspective, children lacking their mother’s support are the most unfortunate. She noted that if Humaira had been her daughter, she would have been proud of how she navigated her life in isolation.

    Previously, actor Shamoon Abbasi also commented on Humaira’s mother’s statement, deeming it unjust to place the blame on the citizens of Karachi. In a video message, he stated that the obligation to check on Humaira lay with her family rather than outsiders. He questioned why no relative was sent from Lahore, and said that police or local contacts could have been used to reach her..

    Humaira’s remains were discovered in early July at her apartment in Defence Phase 6, Karachi, after a court bailiff arrived to evict her over outstanding rent. Initial accounts suggested she had passed away at least a month prior, but further investigations indicated she may have died in October 2024.

    Authorities found that her electricity had been turned off for months. There were no electricity, water, or indications of activity within the apartment. Her final phone activity was recorded in October. Despite these circumstances, her body went undiscovered until almost a year later.

    According to reports, her family had distanced themselves from her. Allegedly, her father severed ties and initially refused to travel to Karachi to retrieve the body.

  • Power outage forces surgery under torch light at Quetta Hospital

    Power outage forces surgery under torch light at Quetta Hospital

    A power outage at Sandeman Provincial Hospital in Quetta disrupted routine medical procedures, forcing doctors to perform a child’s hernia surgery under mobile torchlight in the children’s surgical operation theatre. 

    The operation was performed when the hospital’s electricity supply was interrupted due to load shedding.

    The hospital staff contacted the Medical Superintendent (MS), who stated that he was not aware of any surgery performed under torchlight. He added that the hospital’s backup generator system takes a few minutes to start.

    According to the MS, funds have already been released to the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) for the installation of an additional power line.

    This incident highlights the broader, ongoing healthcare crisis in the province.

    Despite the provincial government’s allocation of PKR 2 billion in 2024 for medical procurement, government hospitals in Balochistan continue to face severe shortages of essential medications. Hospital supplies reportedly remain dangerously low for months at a time, seriously affecting both patients and medical professionals.

    Basic emergency items, including essential supplies such as bandages, are often unavailable in many hospitals.

    Citizens have voiced growing frustration over the worsening conditions, particularly in the emergency departments of Quetta’s main public hospitals.

    Conditions in Outpatient Departments (OPDs) have also reportedly deteriorated, with patients frequently complaining of poor treatment and unprofessional staff behaviour.

    As Balochistan continues to grapple with long-standing challenges in its healthcare infrastructure, citizens and healthcare advocates are calling for urgent, transparent, and long-term reforms to ensure access to safe and reliable medical services.

  • Pak team reaches final of world’s largest youth football tournament

    Pak team reaches final of world’s largest youth football tournament

    Better Future Pakistan has reached the final of the prestigious Norway Cup 2025 in the Boys 15 category, delivering a campaign that has turned heads across Europe.

    Representing Pakistan in one of the world’s largest youth football tournaments, the team has won all eight matches on their way to the final, scoring 36 goals and conceding just five. Their attacking play and discipline have made them the second-highest scoring team in the category.

    In the group stage, they topped Group 6 with wins over Stabæk Fotball 2 (8-0), Bergen Nord (3-0), and Krokelvdalen IL 2 (5-0). The knockout rounds saw them continue their dominant form, defeating Levanger FK (4-0), Skeid (4-2), Stjørdals-Blink (4-0), Greåker IF (4-2), and Gjelleråsen (4-1).

    The team also maintained a strong fair-play record, receiving 16 green cards during the tournament.

    Better Future Pakistan will now face Norwegian side Gjøvik-Lyn FK in the final at Ekeberg 01 on Saturday.

  • Pakistan’s Fatima Naseem sets Guinness World Record with egg-holding punch feat

    Pakistan’s Fatima Naseem sets Guinness World Record with egg-holding punch feat

    Pakistani martial artist Fatima Naseem has achieved a remarkable milestone by setting her sixth Guinness World Record.

    She broke the record for the most full-extension punches in one minute while holding an egg in each hand. Guinness World Records set the challenge at a minimum of 250 punches without breaking the eggs.

    Fatima exceeded the target by delivering 302 full extension punches in just 60 seconds, all while ensuring the eggs in both her hands remained intact.

    Guinness World Records has officially confirmed her achievement through an email and updated the record on its website.

    Fatima, who continues to make Pakistan proud with her martial arts skills, said this accomplishment marks her sixth entry into the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.

  • Four-year-old, parents hacked to death in Karachi

    Four-year-old, parents hacked to death in Karachi

    A couple and their four-year-old son were brutally murdered in the Ghaghar Phatak area of Karachi’s Steel Town on Wednesday, police said.

    The victims were identified as Abdul Majeed (30), his wife Sakina (25), and their son Abdul Nabi. The family was reportedly attacked with axes inside their home. Police suspect they may have been drugged before the attack, as no screams or disturbances were reported by neighbours.

    According to Steel Town SHO Aslam Billu, the couple had married of their own choice in Lasbela over five years ago, against the wishes of Sakina’s family.

    They moved to Karachi about eight months ago. Although Sakina’s family had reportedly reconciled with the couple and even visited them recently, police believe the murder was likely carried out by her relatives, who may not have truly let go of their grievances. 

    Notably, the day before the murders, Sakina’s brother had come to visit her and gone shopping with the couple. 

    According to SHO Aslam Billu, Majeed’s brother, Imam Bux, received a call from an alleged killer, informing him that the family had been murdered and asking him to come and bury them. Imam Bux and another brother, Qurban, had been living with Majeed’s family in Karachi but had recently returned to Lasbela for agricultural work.

    Qurban called his friend Munawar Abro after the call and asked him to ascertain the facts. Abro arrived at Majeed’s place, and he found the three family members lying dead inside.

    The bodies were taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for legal formalities after police were informed. During the investigation, police recovered two blood-stained axes and other evidence from the scene. 

    The police waited for the legal heirs to file a formal complaint and start their legal proceedings.

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the murders, sought a detailed report from the Karachi police chief, and ordered that the suspects be arrested without delay.

    The home minister also directed that peace in the area be ensured, the spokesperson added.