Author: News Desk

Man sets fire to 10-month-old son on stove during fight with wife

A 10-month-old baby boy suffered severe burns after his father allegedly tortured him during a domestic fight in Karachi’s Liaquatabad area.

According to the police, the incident occurred a few days ago when Amir, the baby’s father, got into a heated argument with his wife, Nasima. In a fit of rage, Amir reportedly beat the infant, Ahmed, and placed him on a burning stove, causing serious injuries.

Family members rushed the baby to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Doctors later shifted him to the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) due to the severity of his burns. Medical staff confirmed that the child had suffered extreme physical abuse and remains in critical condition.

After receiving the report, Sobia Nazir, head of the Woman and Child Protection Cell, visited the hospital and recorded Nasima’s statement. Nasima told authorities that Amir abused their son on June 11 and threatened to kill him. She said he deliberately placed the baby’s hands and legs on the hot stove.

Nasima and Amir had been married for two years. Following the incident, she filed a complaint with the police. The Woman and Child Protection Unit arrested Amir, and officials have registered a case against him.

During questioning, Amir claimed the fight started because Nasima expressed her intention to get a divorce. Police are still investigating to uncover all the facts behind the violent act.

Officials have assured that Amir will be brought to justice, as the child continues to fight for his life in the hospital.

June 21, 2025
Here’s how to watch Pakistan vs New Zealand Nations Cup final online

The final match of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men’s Hockey Nations Cup 2025 will be played today, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

The winning team will also secure a valuable spot in the FIH Pro League, the highest level of international men’s hockey.

Pakistan reached the final after a thrilling penalty shootout win against France, a team that remained unbeaten until the semi-final. Now, they face New Zealand, the only side to defeat Pakistan in the group stage with a narrow 4-3 victory. New Zealand also had an exciting semi-final, coming from behind to beat South Korea.

Where to Watch the Final in Pakistan

If none of the available TV channels in Pakistan broadcast the match live, hockey fans in Pakistan can still stream the final online via the Tapmad app or website.

Tapmad is covering the tournament for Pakistani viewers.

This final is a major opportunity for Pakistan to return to top-level international hockey after several years. A win today would be a significant step forward for the national team. For New Zealand, it’s a chance to prove themselves again as one of the top sides in world hockey.

June 21, 2025
India will never restore Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan: Amit Shah

Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that New Delhi will never restore the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Islamabad, and the water flowing to Pakistan will be diverted for internal use.

Following the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), New Delhi unilaterally suspended the long-standing IWT, which, through wars, near-conflict, and complete diplomatic breakdowns, had endured.

According to the treaty, three eastern rivers, Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, were awarded to India, while Pakistan received the three Western rivers, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, which account for the majority (almost 80 per cent) of the shared basin’s water.

According to the agreement, India retains the right to use the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower, and for limited irrigation, but is barred to store or divert their flows in ways that harm downstream access.

In an interview with the Times of India, the Indian home minister said, “No, it [IWT] will never be restored,” adding, “We will take water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal. Pakistan will be starved of water that it has been getting unjustifiably.”

Islamabad has already clarified its stance regarding the India action of illegally putting IWT in abeyance, saying that any act of diverting or blocking the share of Pakistan’s water will be considered “an act of war,” as well as clarifying in the past that the treaty has no provision for one side to unilaterally pull back.

Weeks after the suspension of IWT, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned New Delhi that it would strike if India attempts to construct any structure to block the flow of water into Pakistan in violation of the treaty.

“If they attempt to construct such a type of structure, we will strike it and destroy it,” the defence minister said while speaking on a private news outlet in response to a question of whether Pakistan will strike first if India attempts to divert or stop the flow of water from western rivers.

Additionally, Asif said that stopping water will be an act of aggression against Pakistan. “Aggression is not only carried out through artillery shells or gunfire. It has many types and phases. [Stopping the water] is also a phase of aggression. Such actions can lead nations to die from hunger and thirst,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is reportedly exploring a legal challenge to India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance under international law.

June 21, 2025
Punjab’s Budget: A Shift Towards Public Welfare
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab’s budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 has taken a significant turn, prioritizing the welfare of its citizens. Historically, budgets were seen as mere formalities, but this one stands out due to its tangible priorities and substantial allocations across crucial sectors.

Increased Allocations: A Focus on Development

The budget showcases a remarkable increase in funding for various sectors:
- Education: A 127% increase in funding, with the development budget more than doubling, highlights the government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure and resources.
- Health: With a 41% increase in allocation, the government aims to enhance healthcare services, including the introduction of free medicines in public hospitals and the launch of a Universal Health Insurance Program.
- Local Government: A 130% increase in funding empowers local governments to address specific needs and improve public services.
- Transport: A staggering 359% increase in allocation underscores the government’s focus on infrastructure development, with over 700 km of roads under construction.
Action on the Ground: Visible Progress

The budget is not just about numbers; it’s about real action on the ground. The government has initiated nearly 100 public welfare projects, all funded through provincial resources. Some notable projects include:
- Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital: Rapidly progressing in Lahore, this flagship project aims to provide quality cancer treatment to citizens.
- Universal Health Insurance Program: With a budget of Rs. 25 billion, this program ensures affordable and quality medical care for all citizens.
- Sports Complexes: New schemes worth Rs. 7.6 billion aim to build modern sports complexes, providing healthy outlets for youth and promoting sports development.
Youth Engagement and Economic Growth

The government has also prioritized youth engagement and economic growth:
- Easy Business Program: Disbursing Rs. 70 billion in interest-free loans, this program has led to the establishment of over 5,000 new businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.
- Small and Medium Enterprises: The government aims to promote SMEs, agriculture, and uplift underdeveloped regions, especially South Punjab.
Challenges and Opportunities

While the opposition’s role is crucial in a democracy, constructive criticism and viable suggestions are essential. The government’s focus remains steadfast on Punjab’s residents, with development projects being executed across the province without discrimination.

A New Era of Development

Maryam Nawaz’s leadership has brought about a visible shift in public perception, with people expressing satisfaction with the government’s direction. Her ability to initiate people-centric projects has delivered real benefits to citizens, making Punjab a leader in development and prosperity.

Conclusion

Punjab’s budget for 2025-26 marks a significant shift towards public welfare, with increased allocations and tangible priorities. The government’s focus on development, youth engagement, and economic growth has brought about visible progress, setting a new era of development and prosperity for the province.

Written by: Ashfaq Ahmed

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author.
June 21, 2025
TikToker gang-raped in Haripur after being lured with job offer

A 26-year-old TikToker has reportedly been gang-raped in Haripur’s Khanpur tehsil after being lured by a job offer, a complaint registered on Thursday with local police has said.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Khanpur Police Station under Sections 34 (common intention), 376 (rape), 392 (robbery), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The woman, who is from Taxila, said she was contacted by one of the suspects through her TikTok account and was offered a job at a hotel in Khanpur.

She stated in her complaint, “The suspect called me for an interview. When I reached the bus stop, they picked me up in their car and drove a few miles away, where they forced me to strip at gunpoint.”

According to the FIR, the car was driven by an unknown man, while the second suspect was in the front passenger seat. The two men then allegedly raped her and fled the scene, taking her mobile phone, Rs3,000 in cash, and a gold pendant. She was left abandoned on the roadside.

The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday at around 8pm.

In recent months, several similar cases have been reported across the country.

In June, Hafizabad police carried out raids to arrest eight suspects who allegedly kidnapped a couple and subjected them to sexual and physical assault. In May, a stage actress was reportedly gang-raped by four men near Nishtar Chowk in Sadiqabad. In March, Punjab police arrested three suspects accused of gang-raping a woman in Lahore.

Police in Haripur are investigating the case and searching for the suspects.

June 21, 2025
Indian TV host accuses Trump of accepting ‘crypto bribe’ from Pakistan

Controversial Indian TV host Arnab Goswami has accused United States (US) President Donald Trump of taking a ‘crypto bribe’ from Pakistan after Trump said that he “loves Pakistan”.

“Trump should be investigated along with his family, whether any of them are beneficiaries of any crypto deal with Pakistan,” Goswami said in a clip that went viral on social media.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday on the White House lawn, ahead of a luncheon with Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir in Washington, DC, US President Donald Trump said, “I love Pakistan”.

Referring to last month’s military standoff between Pakistan and India, the US President lauded Field Marshal Munir’s efforts towards protecting the country and de-escalation.

“I stopped a war between Pakistan and India. This man [Field Marshal Asim Munir] was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side,” he stated.

Following the meeting, Trump said that he was “honoured” to meet Field Marshal Munir for talks held at the White House’s Cabinet room.

Commenting on Trump’s appreciative statement about Pakistan and its leadership, Goswami said, “Trump is for Pakistan. Trump is beginning to sound like a member of the Pakistan armed forces. The number of times he says, ‘I love Pakistan’ is embarrassing himself (sic).”

‘Pakistan knows Iran very well, better than most’: Trump following meeting with COAS Munir

June 21, 2025
Two police personnel martyred while dining in Swabi

Two police officers have been killed after unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire on them in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The attack happened late Friday in the jurisdiction of IDS Gadoon Police Station. Reports say the officers were eating at a local restaurant when two men entered the premises and shot them at close range.

The martyred officers have been identified as Constable Jamal Din and police van driver Zahid. Security forces and rescue teams arrived at the scene and shifted the bodies to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Topi for legal formalities.

Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to catch the attackers. An investigation is currently under way.

Funeral prayers for the officers were held at Police Lines Shah Mansoor. Regional Police Officer Mardan Najeebur Rehman, District Police Officer Swabi Muhammad Azhar Khan, SP Investigation Iftikhar Ali, other police personnel, and the martyrs’ family members attended the ceremony.

June 21, 2025
‘Sorry for the distress’: ARY UK broadcaster apologizes to Meesha Shafi in defamation case

Singer Meesha Shafi has won a defamation case in the UK against ARY’s broadcaster New Vision TV (NVTV). The case was settled out of court, with the channel airing an official apology.

NVTV admitted that its broadcast had created a “misunderstanding” and stated: “We are sorry if our broadcast caused Meesha Shafi any distress.”

The case was related to a report aired by ARY UK on December 5, 2020. In 2023, a UK High Court ruled that the broadcast was defamatory towards Meesha. The court found that the channel wrongly claimed Meesha Shafi was deliberately avoiding court orders in Pakistan over a period of two years.

The court also said the channel portrayed Meesha as “someone who does not comply with legal requirements laid down by a court and engages in such behaviour repeatedly.”

A clip from the original broadcast, submitted in court, stated, “She [Shafi] came to Pakistan, did her work and left. Singer Meesha Shafi threw the court orders to the winds. She came to Pakistan, recorded a song and then returned to Canada. She did not present herself in court. Ali Zafar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Meesha.”

The High Court noted that such statements could seriously damage Meesha’s image. It stated: “Such an assertion would have the tendency of lowering the claimant [Meesha] in the estimation of right-thinking people generally… Given the claimant’s standing, the words complained of are likely to have a seriously adverse impact on the way the claimant is treated.”

The court also acknowledged that Meesha Shafi is a “very high-profile Pakistani celebrity” known for supporting women’s rights.

In 2018, Meesha Shafi accused singer and actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment a case that became one of Pakistan’s most high-profile #MeToo moments. In response, Zafar filed a Rs1 billion defamation case against her, and she later filed a counter defamation suit.

Her original harassment complaint was dismissed in 2019 on technical grounds. However, in 2021, the Supreme Court of Pakistan agreed to hear her appeal to decide whether her case falls under the country’s workplace harassment law.

June 21, 2025
Vintage vibes and intense silence; ‘Main Manto Nahi Hoon’ teaser is pure cinema

The much-awaited teaser of Main Manto Nahi Hoon is finally here, and it has taken fans by complete surprise.

For months, people were guessing when the teaser would drop. Some thought late June, others hoped for early July. But the makers said nothing until now. Out of nowhere, the official teaser dropped, and it’s honestly everything fans were hoping for… and maybe even more.

From the first frame, the teaser grabs your attention. The visuals are soft, warm, and slightly vintage, like an old movie, but made with a modern camera. The lighting, the colours, and the overall mood feel rich and thoughtful. Every shot was carefully designed to tell a story without saying too much.

There are no loud sounds. Instead, it uses silence, shadows, and emotion to pull you in. It feels like a tribute to classic cinema but in a modern way.

The cast is full of big names: Humayun Saeed, Sajal Aly, Sanam Saeed, Saba Faisal, Saba Hameed, Sheheryar Zaidi, Azaan Sami Khan, Musaddiq Malek, Hajra Yamin, Nameer Khan, Asif Raza Mir, Saima Noor, Salma Zafar, Salman Shahid, and Babar Ali.

The teaser has almost no dialogue until one moment, when Humayun Saeed delivers a line that hits deep, “Suno, yeh jo love hai na… yeh sirf ek sentiment nahi hai. Ek power hai. Aur aisi power hai jo maine kabhi dekhi hi nahi hai. Yes, main Manto nahi hoon.”

That one line sets the tone for the whole project. It’s emotional. It’s intense. And it hints at a story full of passion, power, and something unforgettable.

Main Manto Nahi Hoon is written by controversial writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig. It’s produced by Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment.

June 21, 2025
Pakistan’s decision to recommend Trump for Nobel leaves internet divided

The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend United States (US) President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for “his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis,” a move that has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

The recommendation comes hours after the US president, in a post on Truth Social on Friday, announced that he has arranged, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a wonderful treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda in their war, “which was known for violent bloodshed and deaths”.

“I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for this. I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the war between India and Pakistan. I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the war between Serbia and Kosovo. I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for keeping peace between Egypt and Ethiopia, and I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing the Abraham Accords in the Middle East… I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize, no matter what I do,” reads Trump’s post.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier Saturday, the government of Pakistan said, “The international community bore witness to unprovoked and unlawful Indian aggression, which constituted a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly.”

The post further read, “In exercising its fundamental right to self-defence, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a measured, resolute, and precise military response, carefully executed to re-establish deterrence and defend its territorial integrity while consciously avoiding civilian harm.”

The post noted that at a moment of heightened regional turbulence, the US president demonstrated “great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship” through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi.

Additionally, it said that President Trump de-escalated a rapidly deteriorating situation, ultimately securing a ceasefire, “averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear states that would have had catastrophic consequences for millions of people in the region and beyond”.

“This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue,” the post read.

The Government of Pakistan acknowledges and greatly admires President Trump’s “sincere offers to help resolve the longstanding dispute of Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan”, an issue that lies at the heart of regional instability.

“Durable peace in South Asia would remain elusive until the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Jammu and Kashmir,” it emphasised.

The post concluded by saying that President Trump’s leadership during the 2025 Pakistan-India crisis manifestly showcases the continuation of his legacy of pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building.

“Pakistan remains hopeful that his earnest efforts will continue to contribute towards regional and global stability, particularly in the context of ongoing crises in the Middle East, including the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating escalation involving Iran,” read the post.

The recommendation for Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize sparked mixed reactions on social media platforms, with some praising the government for making a smart move amid rising tensions in the Middle East, following Israel’s illegal attacks on Iran, while others are not pleased with the decision.

“A smart and strategic move by the Government of Pakistan. Recognizing moments that shape peace, not just people. This nomination speaks more about Pakistan’s vision than Trump’s virtue. Well played on the global chessboard,” a user wrote on X.

“President Trump is the greatest peacemaker in the history of mankind,” another user said. One of the users opined, “Finally, a President that actually deserves it.”

A user said, “Trump the peacemaker! Peace through strength! Very good of Pakistan to step up and do this. And very well deserved by Trump!”

Others expressed displeasure with the government’s decision. One person opined, “Nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize mocks justice, peace, and integrity. His legacy fuels division, violence, and global instability — not peace.”

Another user called the government decision “irrational”. The user wrote, “I have lost the words. Is this the comedy or a drama script? Cause it does not sound rational at all.”

“That’s it. I’m off to watch the family guy. It’s more realistic (sic),” said one of the users.

June 21, 2025