Author: News Desk

  • ‘Better to be released legally’: Mother hands over son who escaped Malir Jail back to police

    ‘Better to be released legally’: Mother hands over son who escaped Malir Jail back to police

    Hours after over 200 inmates escaped from Malir District Jail on Monday night, a mother of one of the escapees handed her son over to the police.

    “My son reached home at 3:00 am after escaping from jail. When I asked him whether he had been released, he told me that he was among several inmates who escaped due to the tremors,” said the mother, who later handed him back to the police.

    “We didn’t have the fare to come to the jail, so we walked here on foot. It’s better to be released legally rather than to escape jail,” she said, speaking to media.

    When asked about the case in which her son was arrested, she alleged that he had been in jail for the past six months on “false theft” allegations. “On the basis of my son’s picture with his friend, he was sentenced,” she added.

    According to police officials, the jailbreak occurred when multiple earthquakes caused cracks in the barracks walls of the overcrowded prison, which reportedly houses between 3,500 and 4,000 inmates.

    Around 80 prisoners have reportedly been recaptured, while more than 130 remain at large as security forces continue efforts to bring the fugitives back into custody.

    Speaking to reporters earlier on Tuesday, Sindh’s Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar stated that none of the escaped prisoners were hardcore criminals, noting that most were involved in petty crimes.

    Describing the incident as one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years, the minister said the escape took place when between 700 and 1,000 inmates gathered near the main gate following the evacuation.

    Meanwhile, rescue officials reported that three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel sustained injuries during the ensuing stampede and chaos, while one inmate died. The injured officers have been shifted to a private hospital for immediate treatment.

    Speaking to the media, Siraj, one of the rearrested prisoners, said, “When the quake hit, everyone started breaking the gates. Many ran off. I was arrested in a weapons case and went into hiding after escaping.”

  • Why was Sana Yousaf killed? Murderer’s motives revealed

    Why was Sana Yousaf killed? Murderer’s motives revealed

    The inspector general of police in Islamabad has confirmed that 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf was killed for “rejecting” the advances made by prime suspect Kaka. 

    “This case was a matter of repeated rejections,” Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said during a presser, adding that the killer had tried to reach out to Sana at least seven to eight times. 

    The police chief stated that the boy’s offers to become friends were repeatedly rejected by Sana. She also rejected his marriage proposals. 

    “On May 29, which was Sana’s birthday, he tried contacting her. He tried for seven to eight hours to get in touch with her, including going to her home,” the IG said. 

    Ali Nasir Rizvi gave out other details of the murder, including that Sana was killed by two gunshots around 5 pm on June 2. The gun that killed her and her iPhone were recovered by the police from Kaka’s possession. 

    Sana Yousaf had a massive followings on both TikTok and Instagram, with 800,000 followers on the former platform and nearly half a million on the latter. She mostly posted videos of herself lipsyncing to Urdu, Hindi and Pashto songs. 

    Just hours before she died, she posted videos on both platforms showing her cutting her birthday cake and celebrating with her friends at a restaurant in Islamabad.

  • Internet praises Islamabad police after Sana Yousaf’s murder suspect arrested within 20 hours

    Internet praises Islamabad police after Sana Yousaf’s murder suspect arrested within 20 hours

    The internet is praising Islamabad Police for the swift action which resulted in the arrest of the prime suspect in the murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf within 20 hours of the crime. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the arrest and recovery of the murder weapon.

    Sana was shot dead inside her home in the G-13 sector of Islamabad on Monday. The suspect, known by this alias Kaka, was traced and taken into custody during a late-night operation in Faisalabad. Police say he had a personal connection with the victim, and initial investigations confirm that the motive behind the brutal killing was a personal grudge.

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the police in a post on X (previously Twitter): “Well done Islamabad Police. Sana Yousaf murder case traced, accused arrested and weapon recovered within 20 hours.” He added that the masked suspect was arrested just an hour before his statement, and the recovered the pistol used to shoot Sana and her iPhone. The suspect has also confessed to the crime.

    The arrest has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many praising the Islamabad Police and demanding strict punishment.”Well done, ICT Police,” many users wrote. 

    Others also voiced similar sentiments, calling it a job well-done by Islamabad Police and urging that the suspect be made an example so that such acts are not repeated. 

    Comments poured in with messages like “good work, really appreciated” and “Islamabad police, you are our pride.” Many praised the quick response, calling it “an excellent response” and showing confidence in the authorities’ performance.

    Sana Yousaf, originally from Chitral, was a rising star on TikTok with over 800,000 followers and nearly half a million on Instagram. Her videos often featured lip-syncing to Pakistani, Indian, and Pashto songs. Her last post, shared just hours before her death, showed her celebrating her birthday with friends at a local restaurant.

    Police say the investigation is going on and further developments will be shared once the suspect is formally presented in court.

  • Drama writer Saira Raza passes away after heart attack

    Drama writer Saira Raza passes away after heart attack

    Renowned drama writer Saira Raza passed away on June 3 after suffering a heart attack. Fans and showbiz personalities have expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences over her untimely death.

    Saira was known for penning a number of popular dramas, including Dil Mom Ka Diya, Mere Humsafar, Inteqam, and Yahya. Her work has consistently ranked among the most successful in the television industry.

    A day before her passing, her friends and colleagues shared on social media that she had suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. Many had requested prayers for her recovery.

    Although her family did not issue an official statement, Saira Raza’s friends and colleagues confirmed her passing on social media.

    The news of her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, fellow writers, actors, and directors, who called her passing a significant loss for the drama industry. Many remembered her for her contribution to television and her active presence at various industry events.

  • Pakistan women’s cricket team to play World Cup matches in Sri Lanka instead of India

    Pakistan women’s cricket team to play World Cup matches in Sri Lanka instead of India

    Pakistan’s women’s cricket team will play their matches in the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Sri Lanka instead of India. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, with both sides continuing to avoid playing matches on each other’s soil.

    Earlier this year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a hybrid model allowing teams in joint tournaments, including the Champions Trophy, to play matches in a neutral third country instead of the host nation.

    Under this model, Pakistan’s group matches in the Women’s World Cup 2025 will be held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. These matches include key fixtures against teams like India and England. Should Pakistan advance to the semi-finals or finals, those matches will also be hosted in Colombo.

    Meanwhile, the Indian city of Bengaluru will host the tournament’s opening match and possibly the final, provided Pakistan does not reach the final. Other Indian host cities include Guwahati, Indore, and Visakhapatnam.

    Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister clearly announced in April that the national women’s team would not tour India this year. According to him, it is up to India to decide where Pakistan’s matches will be held.

    The tournament is scheduled to run from September 30 to November 2. Australia, the current world champion, won the previous Women’s World Cup after defeating England in the final.

    However, experts have raised concerns about hosting matches in Sri Lanka, considering that October is among the most humid months in the country, and frequent weather disruptions may impact the flow of the tournament.

    Historically, Pakistan and India have only faced each other in ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, even before recent diplomatic tensions. The situation escalated when India refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, choosing instead to play its matches in Dubai.

  • Shahbaz Gill booked under PECA over false allegations against police inspector

    Shahbaz Gill booked under PECA over false allegations against police inspector

    A case has been filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over false allegations against a Punjab Police Inspector Mazher Iqbal.

    Gill has been booked under sections U/S 20, 24, 24(a) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 (Amendment 2025).

    According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered on Monday, complainant Iqbal alleged that in one of the videos posted on Gill’s YouTube channel, Gill used “derogatory, obscene and insulting” words, levelling “false allegations” against the complainant.

    Inspector Iqbal further alleged that Gill defamed his family. According to the FIR, the allegations created a rift among the public against the complainant. 

    “The complainant requested to take action against the alleged person as per law, with the further request to get the videos deleted from YouTube,” read the FIR.

    After completing its preliminary investigation, the NCCIA concluded that sufficient grounds existed to move forward with formal charges under PECA provisions.

    It is not the first time that a case has been filed against the PTI leader under the Peca Act.

    In January 2025, Gill, among others, was booked in a case pertinent to their alleged involvement in editing and spreading doctored images/videos of Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on social media.

    The PTI leader was accused of inciting the public to share “derogatory Al-generated superimposed material against the foreign dignitaries and public functionaries of Pakistan”.

    “The suspects intentionally shared the AI-generated images and videos to deteriorate the good relation of Pakistan with international powers that can cause an irreparable loss to the national interest of the country. They in connivance with others are trying to tarnish the public image of foreign dignitaries and government functionaries,” reads the FIR.

  • Police arrest TikToker Sana Yousaf’s suspected killer from Faisalabad

    Police arrest TikToker Sana Yousaf’s suspected killer from Faisalabad

    Police on Tuesday arrested the prime suspect in the murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf.

    According to reports, the suspect, who was on the run since after the killing Monday, was traced and taken into custody during a late-night operation in Faisalabad.

    The suspect is known by his alias ‘Kaka’, which he uses on all his social media accounts, police said; however, his real name has not been officially confirmed as of yet.

    While sources suggest the real name could be Umar, they revealed that the accused was a friend of Sana, and the two knew each other personally.

    Earlier reports had already hinted at a personal connection when Sana’s aunt overheard a brief conversation between the victim and the accused before the shooting took place. She had reportedly told him, “You should leave now; there are cameras here. Let me get you some water,” right before the gunshots were heard. This suggested that the accused was not a stranger but someone familiar to the family.

    The suspect was arrested with the help of CCTV footage and technical tracking, and police have also recovered the murder weapon used in the crime.

    Sana Yousaf, who hailed from Chitral and lived in Islamabad’s G-13 sector, was shot inside her home on Monday afternoon. The FIR filed by her mother states that the attacker entered their home around 3:15 PM and fired two bullets directly at Sana, who died from her injuries shortly after being taken to the hospital.

    The case drew widespread attention due to Sana’s popularity on social media. She had more than 800,000 followers on TikTok, and nearly 500,000 on Instagram, where her content featured lip-syncs lifestyle clips, and casual hangouts with friends. Her last video, posted just hours before her death, showed her celebrating her birthday at a restaurant.

    The police have now confirmed that the motive behind the killing was a personal grudge, and further investigation is underway to uncover more details about the suspect’s background and the events that led to the tragic killing.

  • Mahira wears one part of her own wedding attire in Love Guru song

    Mahira wears one part of her own wedding attire in Love Guru song

    Love Guru is already making waves and not just because it reunites Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed after nearly a decade. The film’s newly released wedding song, “Sada Ashna,” is going viral for its vibrant visuals, Pashto-inspired beats, and an emotional surprise: Mahira Khan wears her own Mayoun dress dupatta in the song, complete with a dazzling red chunri. 

    Mahira transforms into a traditional Pashtun bride in the song. Dressed in a mustard-colored Zara Shahjahan outfit, she pairs it with her original Mayoun dupatta, adding a deeply personal and authentic element to the song. The combination of the film’s styling with a piece from her real life creates a special cinematic moment. 

    One fan gushed, “It looked like Mahira was wearing her own Mehendi outfit so wholesome!”

    Another commented, “Mahira’s bridal look feels so authentic like it’s from her real life.”

    “She looked absolutely gorgeous in the red dupatta,” a viewer added, praising her vibrant presence in the video.

    The mustard-yellow ensemble with golden kinari and green borders, combined with the striking red dupatta, creates a stunning visual, adding depth to the character she portrays.

    Featuring Mahira, Humayun, and Ahmed Ali Butt in traditional Pashtun attire, Sada Ashna is a high-energy track filled with celebratory dance moves and colorful visuals. The choreography and styling pay homage to Pashtun wedding traditions, giving fans a taste of regional heritage in a mainstream cinematic setting.

    “Wow! I’m Pashtun, and this is my culture it feels wonderful to see it represented so beautifully,” said one proud viewer.

    Another added, “The vibe is euphoric. It’s like watching a real wedding!”


    Love Guru stars Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed in lead roles and is produced by Humayun Saeed, Shehzad Nasib, and Jerjees Seja, with Salman Iqbal as executive producer. The script is written by Vasay Chaudhry, who is known for writing Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 1 and 2.

     
    The film also features Momina Iqbal, Mira Sethi, Sohai Ali Abro, Amara Malik, Adnan Shah Tipu, Marina Khan, Usman Peerzada, and Javed Sheikh. There are also reports of a surprise guest appearance by a well-known Pakistani actor.

     
    Mahira plays Sofia Khan, a Pashtun architect living in the U.S., who falls in love with a charming man known as the “Love Guru,” played by Humayun Saeed. The trailer shows hints of romance and transformation, as Humayun’s character a known playboy starts to change after being given an important responsibility by Sofia’s father, played by Javed Sheikh.

     
    Shot in London, the film presents Mahira as a bold, artistic, and modern woman. Humayun, on the other hand, plays a flirtatious man who discovers the meaning of true love. During promotions, Mahira also had a surprise meeting with internet personality Oniya, which added to the film’s buzz.

  • PCB calls white-ball stars for fitness and performance review

    PCB calls white-ball stars for fitness and performance review

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited top white-ball performers to a special training camp.

    According to reports, 22 players have been called up, including standout performers from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic competitions.

    The list of players includes Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahid Aziz, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Mir Hamza, Abdullah Shafiq, Khawaja Nafees, Haider Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Mehran Mumtaz, Shaheen Afridi, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Moiz Siddiqui, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Safyaan Maqsood, Ali Raza, and Tayyab Tahir.

    The PCB has scheduled the camp in Lahore from June 3 to June 5. All players will participate in short camps divided into three different groups.

    Sources revealed that players’ fitness and performance will be assessed during these sessions.

    Additionally, the PCB will inform the players about future plans and strategies. Senior players are expected to join the various training sessions across all three groups.

    Head coach Mike Hesson, along with other coaches, will meet the top performers to discuss long-term plans and provide guidance.

  • Over 200 inmates break out of Malir Jail, dozens recaptured

    Over 200 inmates break out of Malir Jail, dozens recaptured

    In a major security breach and the biggest jailbreak in recent years, hundreds of inmates reportedly escaped from Malir Jail on Monday night. While some fugitives have been recaptured, many remain at large.

    Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah, speaking to the media early Tuesday, confirmed that over 80 escapees have been apprehended so far. A search operation is currently underway to locate and arrest the remaining prisoners.

    According to Superintendent Shah, the jailbreak occurred when inmates from Circles 4 and 5 were moved out of their barracks as a safety measure during tremors felt in the area.

    “More than 600 prisoners were outside their cells at the time. Amid the chaos, 216 managed to flee,” he said, adding that over 135 prisoners have yet to be recaptured, and search efforts are ongoing.

    Describing the incident as one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar stated that the escape occurred when between 700 and 1,000 inmates gathered near the main gate following the evacuation.

    He told reporters that nearly 100 prisoners forced open the gate and fled. “Around 46 have been caught, and we expect the rest will be rearrested soon,” he added.

    Lanjar said that all escaped inmates have been identified, and targeted raids are underway at their residences and adjoining areas. He confirmed the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had been briefed about the situation.

    Sindh’s home minister maintained that while preliminary reports suggested structural damage, it was later confirmed that the escape was carried out through the main gate, ruling out the claim of any wall collapse.

    Hinting at possible staff negligence, the minister said an inquiry committee, including officers from the police and other relevant agencies, would be formed. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible,” he added.

    Meanwhile, following the escape, rescue officials reported that three Frontier Cops (FC) personnel sustained injuries in the ensuing stampede and chaos. They have been shifted to a private hospital for immediate treatment.

    “When the quake hit, everyone started breaking the gates. Many ran off. I was arrested in a weapons case and went into hiding after escaping,” said Siraj, one of the rearrested prisoners, while speaking to the media.