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Author: News Desk

  • Zahir Jaffar declared mentally fit amid claims surrounding presidential pardon

    Zahir Jaffar declared mentally fit amid claims surrounding presidential pardon

    Zahir Jaffer, convicted in the Noor Mukadam murder case, has been declared mentally and psychologically fit, with no signs of illness or brain disorder.

    A two-member medical board from PIMS Hospital, Islamabad, examined Zahir at the request of the Adiala Jail superintendent on July 21.

    According to reports, a psychiatrist and a neurologist from PIMS thoroughly evaluated and concluded that Zahir is mentally stable, psychologically healthy, and has a normal temperament. No evidence of any mental illness or neurological disorder was found.

    In 2021, Zahir Jaffer tortured and brutally murdered 27-year-old Noor Mukadam, the daughter of former ambassador Shaukat Mukadam, before beheading her. In May 2025, he was sentenced to death for the crime.

    In June, he filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.

    In his petition, the convict claimed that the court failed to assess his mental state. He also requested the formation of a medical board, but the Supreme Court has not ruled on that application yet.

    The petition further stated that the death sentence was based on video evidence that, according to the defence, was not verified during the trial. It also claimed that the accused was not provided access to the video recordings.

  • ‘Think ten times before you speak’: Rabeeca Khan shuts down critics after Umrah video backlash

    ‘Think ten times before you speak’: Rabeeca Khan shuts down critics after Umrah video backlash

    Famous TikToker Rabeeca Khan has hit back at critics after her Umrah photos and videos went viral, advising them to “think ten times before speaking against anyone.”

    Rabeeca is currently in Saudi Arabia with her husband, Hussain Tareen, to perform Umrah. She shared photos and videos from their spiritual journey on social media.

    In some clips, Rabeeca and Hussain were seen taking selfies and recording videos while performing Umrah. These visuals sparked criticism online, with many accusing the couple of being disrespectful.

    In response to the backlash, Rabeeca addressed the controversy in a short video posted to her Instagram Stories.

    She said, “Hussain and I have performed Umrah three times, and all our affairs are going well.”

    She continued, “Those who criticise our videos and photos should think about what they’re saying before speaking.”

    She further stated, “People who leave comments should reflect on where they are standing and what they are doing before judging others.”

    She also made it clear that she does not retaliate against those who speak ill of her, adding, “I’ve left everything to God. But those who speak against someone should think ten times before doing so, because they don’t know the other person’s intentions.”

    This is not the first time Rabeeca Khan has faced online backlash. Earlier, her extravagant wedding with Hussain Tareen also drew criticism, especially after her father, comedian Kashif Khan, claimed it would outshine the Ambani wedding. The comment went viral and sparked a wave of sarcastic reactions online.

  • Thailand warns of war with Cambodia as 138,000 flee fighting

    Thailand warns of war with Cambodia as 138,000 flee fighting

    Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned Friday that cross-border clashes with Cambodia that have uprooted more than 130,000 people “could develop into war”, as the countries traded deadly strikes for a second day.

    A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday.

    A steady thump of artillery strikes could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border, where the province of Oddar Meanchey reported one civilian — a 70-year-old man — had been killed and five more wounded.

    More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, reporting 15 fatalities — 14 civilians and a soldier — with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops.

    “We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency,” said Wechayachai.

    “If the situation escalates, it could develop into war, though for now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok.

    In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, AFP journalists saw families speeding away in vehicles with their children and belongings as gunfire erupted.

    “I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6:00 am,” Pro Bak, 41, told AFP.

    He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge.

    “I don’t know when we could return home,” he said.

    AFP journalists also saw soldiers rushing to man rocket launchers and speeding off towards the frontier.

    Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently holds the chair of regional bloc ASEAN, said he held talks with both countries leaders on Thursday and called for a ceasefire and dialogue.

    “I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward,” he said in a Facebook post late on Thursday.

    But despite Anwar’s optimism, fighting resumed in three areas around 4:00 am on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), the Thai army said.


    Cambodian forces carried out bombardments with heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, the army said, and Thai troops responded “with appropriate supporting fire”.

    – Calls for calm –

    The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours — both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists — over their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier.

    Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.

    A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash.

    Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples.

    Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border.

    Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket.

    Thursday’s clashes came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine.

    Cambodia downgraded ties to “the lowest level” on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh.

    At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the deadly clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP.

    The United States urged an “immediate” end to the conflict, while Cambodia’s former colonial ruler France made a similar call.

    The EU and China — a close ally of Phnom Penh — said they were “deeply concerned” about the clashes, calling for dialogue.

  • Salman Ali Agha slams Dhaka pitches after T20I series loss

    Salman Ali Agha slams Dhaka pitches after T20I series loss

    Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has raised concerns over the quality of pitches used during the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh in Dhaka, calling them unsuitable for preparation ahead of major tournaments like the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup.

    Days after head coach Mike Hesson criticised the sluggish tracks at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Salman echoed similar views during the post-match press conference following Pakistan’s consolation win in the third T20I.

    “If anyone asks me whether this series helped us prepare for the Asia Cup or the World Cup, I would say no,” Salman said. “These conditions don’t resemble anything we’re likely to encounter in future tournaments. I haven’t seen such pitches anywhere outside Bangladesh.”

    The pitches in Mirpur favoured spin heavily and offered little assistance to stroke play, resulting in low-scoring games throughout the three-match series. While acknowledging the team’s shortcomings, Salman clarified that his remarks were not excuses.

    “I’m not here to make excuses or blame the pitch,” he said. “We are professionals and must adapt to any conditions. But realistically, these wickets aren’t ideal for preparing for major tournaments where conditions will differ significantly.”

    The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in the UAE, while Pakistan’s T20 World Cup matches are likely to take place in Sri Lanka, where conditions are expected to be more balanced and competitive for international cricket.

    Pakistan’s aggressive batting approach failed to click in the first two games of the series, highlighting the mismatch between their game plan and the pitch behavior in Dhaka. The team will now shift focus to the upcoming series against the West Indies, where they hope to regain momentum.

    A tri-nation series before the Asia Cup will also provide an opportunity for the team to settle on a playing combination, preferably on pitches that better suit their style of play.

    With the Dhaka chapter behind them, all eyes are now on Pakistan’s preparations for the Asia Cup in September, which will be the true test of Salman Ali Agha’s leadership.

  • Mohsin Naqvi confirms talks with BCCI going on, Asia Cup announcement expected soon

    Mohsin Naqvi confirms talks with BCCI going on, Asia Cup announcement expected soon

    The annual meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has concluded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where ACC President Mohsin Naqvi said that discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are underway and a final decision on Asia Cup will be announced soon.

    Speaking at the end of the meeting, Naqvi thanked the participants and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for hosting the event.

    “I thank the BCB for their warm hospitality. We have decided to work together for the development of cricket,” Naqvi said. “All 25 members attended the ACC meeting and I am grateful to everyone for being part of it.”

    Naqvi described the two-day event as “memorable” and said that politics should not interfere with cricket. “No one wants politics here. It was a very positive environment and a decision about Asia Cup will be reached soon. This is all about teamwork and we will continue to hold such meetings.”

    He acknowledged that not everyone could make it to Dhaka. “Some people couldn’t attend, and that’s normal. I couldn’t attend the Singapore meeting either due to scheduling issues. The important thing is that all key members were here,” he added. “We are also in discussions with the Bangladeshi Board on several matters. Please wait for the announcement.”

    Indian media had earlier reported that BCCI, initially unhappy with Dhaka as the venue due to political tensions, had threatened to boycott the meeting. However, it later confirmed that its Secretary-General Rajeev Shukla would attend virtually, ending weeks of uncertainty.

  • Mother of woman killed in Balochistan arrested

    Mother of woman killed in Balochistan arrested

    The mother of a woman who was allegedly killed in the name of honour in Balochistan’s Degari area has been arrested and presented in court after defending her daughter’s murder in a video statement.

    She has now been handed over to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing for further interrogation, according to media reports.

    The case concerns the murder of Bano Bibi, a mother of five, who was killed for having a relationship with a man named Ihsanullah. In a video statement that surfaced online, the mother claimed the killing was carried out in accordance with Balochi customs and was the result of a decision made by a social jirga.

    She alleged the man was frequently posting TikTok videos, which enraged her sons. Her statement included an appeal for the release of the arrested suspects, including tribal leader Sardar Sherbaz Satakzai, claiming that the decision was made by a Balochi jirga and not under his influence.

    Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under several serious charges, including Section 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

    According to reports citing police, 20 individuals have been taken into custody so far, and 11 of them, including Sardar Satakzai, have officially been arrested.

  • Doctor admits giving ketamine to Matthew Perry before his death

    Doctor admits giving ketamine to Matthew Perry before his death

    A doctor in California has admitted to illegally administering ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry before the actor’s sudden death in 2023.

    Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of illegal distribution of the drug in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday. He is one of five people charged in connection with Perry’s untimely death.

    According to the autopsy report, Matthew Perry died from the “acute effects” of ketamine, which caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub.

    Plasencia, 43, now faces up to 40 years in prison. He will stay out on bond until his sentencing, which is set for December 3. His lawyer said the doctor plans to give up his medical license within 45 days.

    In court, Plasencia appeared emotional, looking down and wiping his face with tissues. He quietly answered, “Yes, your honour,” when the judge asked him questions about what he had done in the weeks before Perry’s death.

    Plasencia admitted that he gave Matthew Perry ketamine even though it wasn’t for any real medical reason. He injected the drug at Perry’s home and even in a parked car.

    Ketamine is sometimes used to treat depression and anxiety, but it can also be misused and is known for its hallucinogenic effects.

    Plasencia got the ketamine from another doctor named Mark Chavez, who has also pleaded guilty. In a text to Chavez, Plasencia mocked the actor, writing, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”

    Plasencia’s lawyers said he is “profoundly remorseful” and is “fully accepting responsibility” for what happened.

    In a written statement, his attorneys said, “He hopes his case serves as a warning to other medical professionals and leads to stricter oversight and clear protocols for the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry to prevent future tragedies like this one.”

    Three other people have pleaded guilty in the case but have not yet been sentenced.

    The fifth person charged, Jasveen Sangha, was reportedly known as the “ketamine queen.” She is accused of supplying the dose that killed Perry. She has pleaded not guilty and will go on trial in August.

    Matthew Perry, who became famous for playing Chandler Bing on the hit show Friends, had been open about his long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction over the years.

  • ‘I was shocked’; Humayun Saeed recalls last-minute dance with Bollywood legends

    ‘I was shocked’; Humayun Saeed recalls last-minute dance with Bollywood legends

    Superstar Humayun Saeed recently shared an unexpected moment from 2005 when he danced alongside Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta at the Zee Cinema Awards.

    In a podcast, Humayun recalled that he, Reema, Adnan Siddiqui, and other Pakistani artists were invited to the award show in London.

    He remembered, “My co-actor Fakhar joked on the flight and asked, ‘What if Shah Rukh calls you on stage and asks you to dance with him? How would you feel?’”

    At the time, he laughed off the remark, not knowing it would soon come true.

    “Upon landing, I noticed something unusual. Instead of boarding the same bus as the rest of the artists, I was told to sit on a separate one,” said Humayun.

    “When I asked why, they said I had to go for rehearsals because I had a dance performance with Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta the next day. I was shocked. Fakhar’s joke had come true!” he recalled.

    Speaking about his interaction with Shah Rukh Khan, Humayun said, “He met me as if he already knew me and even helped me with the dance steps.”

    The actor said their performance received an overwhelming response.

    “Our performance, Indian and Pakistani actors dancing together, was appreciated by 50 to 60 thousand people who gave us a standing ovation,” Humayun shared.

    The 2005 Zee Cinema Awards featured a rare and memorable collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta from India and Reema and Humayun Saeed from Pakistan, an iconic performance still fondly remembered by fans on both sides of the border.

  • Outrage after mother defends Balochistan honour killing as part of ‘custom’

    Outrage after mother defends Balochistan honour killing as part of ‘custom’

    A shocking twist in the Balochistan honour killing case, in which a woman and a man were brutally executed on video, has sparked national outrage after the victim’s mother publicly defended the murder, calling it a punishment in line with Baloch tribal customs.

    The woman, identified as Gul Jan, claimed that her daughter Bano was “not a girl but a mother of five” and that the killing was a decision taken by a tribal jirga and not an act of dishonour. She appealed to authorities to release the arrested tribal chief Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai and others held in connection with the crime.

    However, her statement has ignited widespread anger on social media, among human rights activists and celebrities, many of whom have strongly condemned the justification of murder under the guise of culture and tradition.

    Actor and host Anoushey Ashraf wrote, “Imagine the patriarchal mindset they all respect and live by calling it ‘tribal, sacred’ values. This is exactly what our dear Prophet (SAW) was fighting against. Exactly what he deemed barbaric and pagan. Even today we do such things under the umbrella of religion.”

    Actor Farhan Saeed also reacted emotionally, questioning the circumstances behind the mother’s statement: “Once you take away a child from a mother and then make her say this, how will we ever face Allah? What were we doing when all this was happening?”

    Veteran actor Simi Raheal expressed disbelief saying, “Custom??? A custom of killing!!? This tribal practice should be punishable!!!”

    The public also raised serious questions about the authenticity and pressure behind the mother’s statement. 

    One user commented “Pata nahi kitna pressure hoga bechari pe yeh bolne ka.”

    Another wrote, “Just imagine how much his mother must have been threatened and intimidated, that if she didn’t give a statement, no one would be spared. This isn’t happening for the first time in Pakistan, nor will it be the last.”

    Another user said, “Zahir hai sardar ke khilaf bayan degi to apni jaan bhi ganwa degi.”

    Many others expressed frustration over how such killings continue to be rationalised, “It doesn’t matter because Islam doesn’t allow it. Murder ko justify karne ke liye ab 100 stories banayi ja rahi hain, even us aurat ke character pe bhi ungli uthai ja rahi hai. Jo bhi tha! Murderers aapke samne hain, unhe saza do!”

    The killing came to light after a harrowing video went viral showing a woman and a man being taken to a remote area, separated, and then executed. The woman, holding a copy of the Quran, asked the shooter to walk seven steps with her and told him, “You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that.” She was then shot three times.

    The video also shows the bloodied body of a man lying beside her, while the group of men is seen firing additional rounds at both corpses.

    The woman, identified as Sheetal, had reportedly married a man of her choice, an act her family considered a violation of tribal customs. According to officials, the suspects include her father, brothers, and other relatives who claimed the killing was to preserve “honour.”

    After this incident, police had arrested 14 suspects over what has been deemed “honour killing” of the couple, including Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai who allegedly ordered their deaths. Sheetal’s mother, however, has come forward defending the act and calling for the release of those detained.

  • 19-year-old marital rape victim passes away

    19-year-old marital rape victim passes away

    A 19-year-old girl in Karachi’s Lyari succumbed to her injuries after being raped by her husband, police said on Wednesday.

    Earlier this month, the newlywed girl, in critical condition, was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi after allegedly enduring “brutal sexual violence” from her husband, who was later arrested by the police.

    Citing Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, a media report claimed that the victim was in a coma while her physical examination findings were “consistent with sexual violence”, adding, “The rape victim, passed away at the trauma centre of the Civil Hospital Karachi at 10:45am Wednesday.”

    The report quoted Baghdadi police Station House Officer (SHO) Majid Alvi as claiming that two days after the girl got married, the husband “subjected her to sodomy” and assaulted her with a metal pipe, leading to internal injuries. 

    The victim’s brother registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Baghdadi Police Station on July 5 under Sections 324 (attempt to commit murder) and 376-B (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    “On the third day of her marriage, my sister was subjected to brutal sexual violence allegedly by her husband. She remained admitted at a private hospital in the city and was later taken to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre of Civil Hospital Karachi in a critical condition the other day,” the FIR read.

    The FIR further read that the complainant’s sister married the suspect on June 15. Her health condition deteriorated on June 30, compelling the family to bring her back home. She informed the parents that on June 17, her husband subjected her to an “unnatural sexual act”.

    The complainant said that the suspect sexually assaulted her with a foreign object, adding subsequently, the husband also subjected her to sexual violence, leading to bleeding. 

    As per the FIR, the suspect threatened his wife with “dire consequences” if she disclosed anything to anyone.

    According to a statement issued by Aurat March on social media platforms on Wednesday, the victim’s name was Shanti, and she had been brutally raped and mutilated by her husband Ashok Kumar. 

    The suspect’s family reportedly also tried to hide the rape and denied the victim medical care while also cutting her off from her parents.

    “They watched her bleed and scream and chose silence,” the statement said, adding that the in-laws asked Shanti’s family for forgiveness and erased all evidence of rape.

    The statement also accused a private hospital and one Dr Rauf Shaikh of lying and medical negligence, saying they “covered up rape and sent her home to die”.

    “They all had chances to save her, [but] they all chose the rapist.”

    Aurat March, along with Minority Rights Watch, has also announced taking to streets after Shanti’s family returns following her last rites.

    Meanwhile, the suspect is yet to respond to the allegations.