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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Disrespectful’: Virat Kohli faces backlash for alleged comment on Musheer Khan

    ‘Disrespectful’: Virat Kohli faces backlash for alleged comment on Musheer Khan

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a great day in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday in a one-sided match to book their spot in the final. However, the win was overshadowed by a controversy involving star batter Virat Kohli.

    The incident took place during the ninth over of the Punjab Kings’ innings when young batter Musheer Khan walked out to bat after Shashank Singh got out. Musheer, who is the younger brother of Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, came in as an impact substitute at a time when PBKS was struggling at 60 for 6 in 8.2 overs.

    As Musheer was getting ready to take his position at the crease, Kohli, who was fielding at slip, was seen saying something to his teammates. Though his exact words weren’t caught on the mic, many fans believe he said, “Pani pilata ha yar yeh” (He is a water boy).

    The alleged remark didn’t sit well with many fans, who felt Kohli was disrespecting the young player. Social media was quick to react, with several users on X (formerly Twitter) calling out Kohli for his alleged comment.

  • Noor Zaman qualifies for British Open main round

    Noor Zaman qualifies for British Open main round

    Pakistani squash star Noor Zaman has qualified for the main draw of the prestigious British Open Squash Championship after defeating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in the final round of qualifiers.

    The reigning World Under-23 Champion continued his impressive run on the professional circuit, securing his spot in one of the sport’s most esteemed tournaments. In the decisive qualifier, 10th-seeded Zaman outplayed third seed El Torkey 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 in a 46-minute contest.

    Earlier in the qualifying rounds, Zaman defeated England’s Will Salter 3-1 (10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in 42 minutes, and then edged past veteran Adrian Waller 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12) in a grueling 59-minute third-seeded battle.

    This is not the first time a Pakistani player has reached the British Open main round. In 2022, Tayyab Aslam represented Pakistan in the main draw, where he faced Egyptian great Mohamed ElShorbagy. Prior to that, players like Farhan Mahboob and Aamir Atlas Khan featured in earlier editions, including 2009 and 2019.

    Zaman is set to face England’s Curtis Malik in the first round on Sunday as he looks to continue what is shaping up to be a breakthrough season.

    In April, the young talent claimed the Under-23 World Championship title after beatng Egypt’s Karim El-Turki in a thrilling five-game final at DHA Creek Club in Karachi.

    Pakistan has a rich legacy at the British Open, with a record 30 titles, more than any other country. Squash legend Jahangir Khan alone won 10 of those titles.

    Zaman’s recent form is a promising sign for the revival of Pakistani squash, as the nation aims to return to its historic dominance on the global stage.

  • ‘One day, one breath’: Angeline Malik health update after chemotherapy

    ‘One day, one breath’: Angeline Malik health update after chemotherapy

    Pakistani actor-director Angeline Malik has shared a new video after completing the sixth round of chemotherapy during her cancer treatment.

    Angeline Malik has been undergoing chemotherapy following surgery.

    On May 28, she posted a short video on Instagram, in which she can be seen lying in a hospital bed.

    In the images shown in the video, Angeline appears physically weak, but her strong will and determination are clearly visible.

    She shared, “Six chemotherapies have been completed and my morale is still high.”

    Angeline wrote, “Going through chemotherapy is no joke. This treatment is very painful, but I am determined to defeat the disease and am hopeful to return to life.”

    She added, “One day, one breath, and one heartbeat this is the strength for me.”

    After the video was posted, several showbiz personalities commented on her post, sending prayers and encouragement.

    Former actress Noor Bukhari also offered spiritual advice, commenting, “Listen to Surah Rehman three times a day for seven days during the treatment. Surah Rehman therapy is a miracle even patients in the last stage of cancer have recovered from it.”

    Fans and social media users also flooded the comments with prayers, saying, ‘Best of luck, Angeline. Wishing you a complete recovery, InshaAllah.’


    Earlier in February, Angeline Malik had revealed her diagnosis by sharing bald photos while introducing her jewelry collection. She informed followers that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment.

    Later, she made headlines for walking the runway at a fashion show without wearing a wig, boldly embracing her new look.

    In March, she announced that her surgery had been completed and that chemotherapy had begun. On May 28, she informed fans that she had completed six chemotherapy sessions.

  • ‘Red line’: Field Marshal Munir warns India against interrupting Pakistan’s water supply

    ‘Red line’: Field Marshal Munir warns India against interrupting Pakistan’s water supply

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir asserted on Thursday that water is Pakistan’s “red line”, emphasising that Islamabad will not tolerate any threat to this basic right of its 240 million citizens.

    New Delhi unilaterally suspended the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead.

    India blamed Pakistan for the terror incident, but has not provided any evidence to support its claims.

    India also threatened to block Pakistan’s share of water under the treaty. However, Islamabad has maintained that any attempt to block or divert its allocated water will be considered “an act of war.”

    Pakistan’s position on the matter remains firm. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned during a television appearance that Pakistan would strike down against any structure built to block the flow of water in violation of the IWT.

    “If they attempt to construct such a structure, we will strike and destroy it,” the defence minister stated.
    “Aggression is not only carried out through artillery shells or gunfire. It has many forms and phases. [Stopping the water] is also a phase of aggression. Such actions can lead nations to die from hunger and thirst,” he asserted.

    Speaking at the Army Auditorium, during an interaction with participants of ‘Hilal Talks’, the field marshal clarified that Pakistan would never accept India’s hegemony.

    “Educators are the biggest asset of Pakistan. What I am today is because of my parents and teachers. Educators bear the responsibility to build the character of Pakistan’s future generations. You (educators) must pass on Pakistan’s story to the next generations,” he said.

    Field Marshal Munir also asserted that Pakistan would never compromise on Kashmir, emphasising that India must understand Pakistan will neither forget nor abandon the issue.

    He underscored that it is no longer possible for New Delhi to suppress the Kashmir dispute as it is a global issue.

    The field marshal rejected India’s accusations of terrorism against Pakistan, stating that terrorism is an internal issue for India, driven primarily by increasing oppression and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims.

    He highlighted that India backed terrorists of “Fitnah-al-Hindustan” in Balochistan, noting that they have no connection with Balochs.

    COAS Field Marshal called for Pakistan to be made a strong state where all institutions work under the law and Constitution without any political pressure, financial and personal gains, or for the welfare of the people.

  • Kuwait reopens visas for Pakistanis after 19 years

    Kuwait reopens visas for Pakistanis after 19 years

    Kuwait has officially lifted a 19-year ban on visas for Pakistani citizens, resuming the issuance of work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas, according to a statement by the Government of Pakistan on X.

    The restrictions were originally imposed in 2011, when Kuwait stopped issuing visas to nationals of Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan, citing security concerns in those countries. Over the years, Pakistan made several attempts to lift the ban, including an appeal by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his 2017 visit to Kuwait.

    In a post shared on Tuesday, the Government of Pakistan called the development a “significant diplomatic success” and stated that it would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The statement also noted that the policy shift would encourage people-to-people connections, create job opportunities, and deepen economic ties.

    Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed the development, stating that members of the Pakistani community in Kuwait had started receiving visa approvals. He also mentioned that both countries were nearing finalising a new labour memorandum of understanding to aid workforce mobility and formal collaboration on labour-related matters.

    This is not the first time Kuwait has eased restrictions. In 2021, it partially resumed visa issuance, allowing Pakistani businessmen and their families to enter. At that time, it was also agreed that skilled professionals, particularly in the medical and oil sectors, could obtain specialised work permits.

    Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait were officially established in 1963. Since then, the two countries have engaged through various regional and international platforms, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. According to Kuwaiti government estimates, approximately 95,000 Pakistanis currently reside in the Gulf state.

  • With AI and more shade, Saudi set for a searing hajj

    With AI and more shade, Saudi set for a searing hajj

    With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than a million hajj pilgrims amid punishing summer heat that has a deadly history in the holy city of Mecca.

    Saudi Arabia’s hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities and organisers ahead of this year’s pilgrimage.

    “One of the big challenges that we always face is the increasing temperature across the different years and this is an issue that we give top priority,” he told AFP during an exclusive interview in Riyadh.

    The issue is all the more pressing as officials work to prevent a repeat of last year’s hajj, which saw more than 1,300 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.24 degrees Fahrenheit).

    This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.

    Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajj, he added.

    Such efforts build on the work of previous years that have seen renovations to areas around the Grand Mosque and asphalt areas covered with a special layer to help reduce surface temperatures.

    “These new changes will definitely ensure the safety and the better experience of pilgrims when they perform their hajj,” said Rabiah.

    He said this week that more than a million people from across the globe had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, with more still pouring in.

    In 2024, 1.8 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca during the pilgrimage.


    – Permit crackdown –

    The latest artificial intelligence software will help monitor the deluge of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca.

    “We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,” the minister said.

    Crowd management has proved perilous in the past, notably in 2015 when a stampede caused about 2,300 deaths.

    Along with expanding infrastructure and deploying more personnel, Saudi officials have been cracking down to prevent pilgrims without the right paperwork from entering Mecca.

    Officials say more than 80 percent of the deaths during last year’s hajj were among pilgrims who lacked official permits, which prevented them from accessing services including air-conditioned tents.

    Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery.

    But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many to attempt the hajj without a permit — though they risk arrest and deportation if caught.

    To head off a flood of illicit pilgrims entering Mecca, authorities have launched raids, mounted a widespread media campaign and increased fines for those found violating the rules, which includes a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom.

    “Therefore, having a permit is very crucial, very important for the safety of all,” said Rabiah.

    “We count on all Muslims to come only with permits and also we count on all countries to support us to ensure that only those with permits come to hajj.”

    This year’s pilgrimage will begin on June 4 and take place over at least four days, mostly outdoors.

    The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to do so.

    For the past several years the mainly outdoor rituals have fallen during the sweltering Saudi summer.

    “The hajj pilgrimage is a sacred journey that the leadership of the kingdom and the whole people of the kingdom take it seriously,” the minister told AFP.

    “They see it as a duty to work hard to ensure the spiritual fulfilment and safety of pilgrims.”

  • Police encounter in Lahore leaves three suspects dead, two on the run

    Police encounter in Lahore leaves three suspects dead, two on the run

    Three suspects were killed in a police encounter with Crime Control Department (CCD) personnel in the Chung area of Lahore, Punjab.

    According to police, five individuals on two motorbikes were signalled to stop by CCD officers. Instead of complying, the suspects opened fire on the officers.

    In retaliation, police returned fire, killing three of the suspects. Their bodies were transferred to a nearby hospital for legal formalities.

    Two suspects who initially opened fire managed to flee the scene. A search operation to locate and apprehend them is underway.

    The deceased suspects are also being identified, and their criminal records are being verified.

    Police confirmed that the suspects were shot after initiating gunfire during the attempted stop.
    CC

  • ‘No more child brides’: Saba Qamar raises her voice with UNICEF

    ‘No more child brides’: Saba Qamar raises her voice with UNICEF

    UNICEF has launched a powerful new video campaign with renowned actress and National Ambassador for Child Rights, Saba Qamar, to raise awareness about child marriage in Pakistan.

    In the video, Saba Qamar urges communities to speak out and take action. She talks about the dangers young girls face when forced into marriage including poor health, lack of education, and lost opportunities.

    “Why should any child in Pakistan be forced into a marriage they didn’t choose,” she asks in the video. “I met a brave girl named Anam Nazir, only 14, who stopped three child marriages in her area. That’s the kind of change we need.”

    Pakistan has the sixth highest number of child brides in the world, with nearly 19 million girls married before turning 18. Most drop out of school, and many face serious health risks from early pregnancy.

    Unicef’s representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, said that child marriage often comes from poverty and harmful traditions. “We need stronger laws, more support for girls, and cultural change,” he added. “How can Pakistan move forward when half our children are left behind?”

    Unicef praised the recent decision in Islamabad to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 and urged other provinces to do the same. The campaign is part of a larger effort with UN partners to protect children and support youth leaders across the country.

    “Saba Qamar is a powerful voice for change,” Fadil said. “Together, we want every child  especially every girl to grow up safe, educated, and free to choose their future.”

  • Turkish Kung Fu champion throws gold medal into Nile to protest Israel

    Turkish Kung Fu champion throws gold medal into Nile to protest Israel

    Turkish Kung Fu champion Najmuddin Erbakan Akyüz made headlines after he threw his European gold medal into the Nile River in solidarity with the people of Palestine and as a protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

    The renowned fighter, who recently won gold at the European Kung Fu Championship 2024, recorded a video message while standing by the Nile in Cairo. In the video, Akyüz declared, “All the honours I have received are not more valuable than a single drop of blood of the oppressed people of Palestine.”

    He further added, “When a free Palestine is established, I will come back here again.”

    During the European Wushu Kung Fu Championship held in Istanbul in December 2023, Akyüz had previously waved the Palestinian flag, which led to backlash from the European Wushu Kung Fu Federation (WKFE). The federation expressed its disapproval over what it termed political gestures during the event.

    The WKFE issued a statement saying, “Some athletes were seen making political moves during the award ceremony, which go against our principles. We have taken immediate steps by meeting the athletes involved and issuing protest notices.”

    Responding to the WKFE’s reaction, Akyüz said, “I am proud of what I did. I have no regrets. If given another chance, I will do the same again. You can take my medals, you can punish me, but I took this step by putting my career at risk.”

    Addressing Israel directly, he added, “Your precious medals are now at the bottom of the river. If you have the courage, come and take them out.”

  • ‘Only failures talk behind the back’: Babar Azam’s father slams Kamran Akmal

    ‘Only failures talk behind the back’: Babar Azam’s father slams Kamran Akmal

    Following Kamran Akmal’s controversial remarks suggesting that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should only play Test cricket in the future, Babar’s father Muhammad Azam Siddiqui has responded with a fiery Instagram post aimed at the former cricketer.

    During a recent podcast, Kamran Akmal said that it was “absolutely the right decision” to permanently drop Babar and Rizwan from the T20I side. “These players are more suited for the longer format of the game. In my opinion, they should now be kept on only for Test matches. Maybe after another six months, they should only be considered for Test cricket”. 

    Akmal didn’t stop there; he even questioned their place in the ODI setup. “After another six months, they should be sidelined from ODIs, too, because Pakistan hardly plays Test matches these days. No one is even talking about Test cricket. But if any real players are made, they are made through playing Test cricket,” he added.

    He emphasized that players who excel in red-ball cricket have the foundation to succeed in all formats. “You can’t just play T20 and expect to be great at Test cricket too. If someone plays Test matches, they can handle ODIs and T20s as well,” he opined. 

    In response, sharing an old photo of himself with Babar and Kamran Akmal, Siddiqui penned a strong caption indirectly addressing Akmal’s recent comments. He reminded Kamran Akmal of the past, stating, “This child (Babar) never played under your captaincy, but you did play under his captaincy and got out on zero while he scored a century that day. Talking behind the backs of successful people is a compulsion of those who have failed.”

    He also referred to a Turkish proverb, writing: “If someone says they are your brother, they should also clarify whether they are like Habil or Qabil (a reference to the story of Abel and Cain).”

    Earlier, Kamran Akmal had also criticised Babar Azam’s father for speaking up on dropping Babar Azam, saying that families should avoid making public statements about a player’s career.

    “I faced tough times too but told my father and brothers not to speak; it was my matter,” he said. “It’s not appropriate to speak against the institution either,” he added, referring to criticism of the PCB.