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Author: News Desk

  • ‘I would never pick Shadab Khan for national team,’ says Basit Ali

    ‘I would never pick Shadab Khan for national team,’ says Basit Ali

    Former cricketer and analyst Basit Ali has made a strong statement about Shadab Khan, saying he would never select him for the national team based on Pakistan Super League (PSL) performances.

    Speaking on ARY News’ show Har Lamha Purjosh with host Wasim Badami, Basit expressed strong disagreement with those supporting Shadab’s inclusion after PSL 10.

    “As a selector, I would never include Shadab Khan in the team because he won’t make it just on PSL performance,” said Basit Ali.

    He added, “When we have players like Abrar, Sufiyan, and Khushdil Shah, they deserve a place. And if senior players keep getting selected for the national team based on PSL performances, then where will the young players go?”

    Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal, however, disagreed with Basit and supported Shadab’s inclusion. “Looking at his performance in the PSL, Shadab Khan deserves a place in the national team. Now it depends on what performances the selectors consider,” Akmal remarked.

    On the same show, both Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal also discussed team strengths in the ongoing PSL 10.

    Basit said, “In my opinion, the strongest team in PSL 10 right now is Islamabad United. And the second-best team is not Quetta, but Lahore Qalandars.”

    Kamran Akmal agreed, saying Islamabad’s squad had improved with the inclusion of new and foreign players. “Especially with the inclusion of Alex Hales, the team has benefited a lot,” he added.

    It merits mention that Shadab Khan is currently leading Islamabad United in PSL 10. He is also part of the squad announced for the Bangladesh T20I series.

  • UAE to deliver urgent Gaza aid as western allies warn Israel of consequences

    UAE to deliver urgent Gaza aid as western allies warn Israel of consequences

    Israel has consented to permit humanitarian assistance from the United Arab Emirates to enter Gaza, following weeks of mounting pressure as Palestinians started starving to death. UAE confirmed that the decision was made after direct discussions between officials from both nations. The aid will be provided under a humanitarian mission led by the UAE and will be distributed in collaboration with international organizations.

    The UAE stated that the supplies will cross into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, which remains under Israeli control. The initiative aims to help approximately 15,000 individuals and includes food, medical supplies, and other essential items, it comes at a time when Israel is facing increasing pressure to end it’s genocide in Gaza. 

    The decision to permit the aid follows a joint statement from the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, warning Israel that ongoing barriers to humanitarian access could lead to “concrete measures.” The statement called on Israeli officials to ensure full, safe, and unobstructed delivery of aid into Gaza. It also urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and adhere to the decisions of international courts.

    The joint statement voiced concerns over civilian casualties and the scarcity of basic needs for the population in Gaza. The three nations did not outline specific actions they might undertake but indicated that further measures were being contemplated in relation to the ongoing crisis.

    French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an “intolerable” point and called for an immediate ceasefire. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Israel to lift restrictions that are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching civilians. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the demand for Israel to allow access for aid and stressed that failure to do so would lead to diplomatic consequences.

    In response, the UK has announced a pause in trade negotiations with Israel and has imposed sanctions on individuals accused of committing violent acts in the West Bank. This marks a shift in diplomatic approaches to the genocide, with increasing calls for accountability and humanitarian access.

    International aid organizations have noted that the amount of supplies entering Gaza is significantly lower than what is required. Prior to the conflict, hundreds of aid trucks entered the region every day. This number has drastically reduced, with only a limited number of shipments being authorized for entry. Relief agencies have cautioned that without consistent and increased access, the humanitarian situation will continue to worsen rapidly.

  • 14,000 babies could die in 48 hours in Gaza: UN warns

    14,000 babies could die in 48 hours in Gaza: UN warns

    The United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if aid shipments do not reach the region.

    Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Fletcher emphasised that thousands of trucks carrying essential supplies, including baby food and nutritional aid, are ready for delivery.

    Officials in Gaza say that at least 326 Palestinians have died from hunger since March 2 due to what they call Israel’s “starvation policy.” The UN has also warned that 14,000 babies could die within the next 48 hours if help does not arrive.


    European nations increase pressure on Israel to halt Gaza onslaught


    The European Union on Tuesday said it would review its trade
    cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses brought about by the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

    In London, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in parliament that Israel’s policy of blocking aid and “expanding the war” in Gaza was “indefensible”.

    European countries ramped up pressure on Israel to abandon its intensified genocide in Gaza and let more aid into the war-ravaged territory, where rescuers said fresh attacks killed dozens of people on Tuesday.

    An AFP journalist saw some trucks entering the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza from the Israeli side on Tuesday, a day after the UN said it had been cleared to send aid for the first time since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2, sparking severe shortages of food and medicine.

    The dire humanitarian situation in the Strip has prompted an international outcry, with the European Union saying it would review its trade cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses following a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.

    The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said “a strong majority” of its 27 member states backed the move, adding “the countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable… and what we want is to unblock the humanitarian aid”.

    Sweden said it would press the EU to level sanctions against Israeli ministers.

    “Since we do not see a clear improvement for the civilians in Gaza, we need to raise the tone further,” said Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

    And Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador and said it was imposing sanctions on settlers in the occupied West Bank in its toughest actions so far against Israel’s conduct of the war.

    “Blocking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in an impassioned speech to parliament.

    Responding to Britain’s moves, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said “external pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security”.

    Israel on Tuesday rejected a European Union decision to review the bloc’s cooperation deal in a bid to pressure Israel over its intensified offensive in Gaza.

    “We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing,” Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a message on X.

  • Four children among six killed in Khuzdar attack on school bus

    Four children among six killed in Khuzdar attack on school bus

    A blast near Zero Point in Balochistan’s district Khuzdar targeted a school bus on Wednesday, martyring six, including four students and wounding over a dozen, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has told reporters.

    The chief minister said that among the martyred are the bus driver and his assistant, while those critically injured were being shifted via air to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta. 

    A media report quoted security sources as claiming that three of the victims are grade six student Sania Soomoro, grade seven student Hifza Kousar, and grade 10 student Esha Saleem.

    Separately, during a press conference in Quetta on Wednesday, the chief minister condemned the brutal act targeting innocent children, revealing that 44 children were onboard the bus targeted in the attack. 

    “There was concrete intelligence about such an incident,” he said, adding, “However, we did not expect that innocent children would be targeted.”

    The chief minister stated that the children were brutally martyred and injured, adding, “The enemy has stooped so low as to choose soft targets like innocent children.”

    He further revealed that they were aware that the enemy could choose Balochistan in an attempt to overcome the humiliation of defeat in warfare. “The government and the state will hunt down each and every one of those responsible and send them to hell,” he vowed.

    “These people take money from India to target innocent citizens,” he alleged, reminding the Afghan interim government that its territory was repeatedly being used against Pakistan.

    Citing preliminary information, he said that the Khuzdar blast was not a suicide bombing but an IED attack. “Further facts will come to light after the investigation,” he stated. 

    Earlier in the day, in a statement, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “In yet another cowardly and ghastly attack planned and orchestrated by [the] terrorist state of India and executed by its proxies in Balochistan, [an] innocent school-going children bus was targeted today in Khuzdar.”

    The military media wing further said that after having miserably failed on the battlefield through these most heinous and cowardly acts, Indian proxies have been unleashed to spread terror and unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    “Having failed in the Operation Bunnianum Marsoos and being hunted by military and law enforcement agencies, these Indian terror proxies are being employed as a state tool by India to foment terrorism in Pakistan against soft targets such as innocent children and civilians,” said the ISPR.

    The use of terrorism as a state policy by Indian political government is abhorent and reflective of their low morality and disregard of basic human norms, the ISPR said, noting that the planners, abettors and executors of this cowardly Indian sponsored attack will be hunted down and brought to justice and heinous face of India will be exposed in front of the entire world.

    Additionally, the military media wing reaffirmed that with the support of the brave Pakistani nation, the Pakistan Armed Forces stand united to uproot Indian sponsored terrorism from Pakistan in all its manifestations.

  • Senior Pakistani players sidelined for Bangladesh T20Is

    Senior Pakistani players sidelined for Bangladesh T20Is

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the names included in the 16-member national squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

    Several senior players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, have been left out of the squad.

    All matches of the series will be played at the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The official schedule is expected to be released soon.

    All-rounder Agha Salman has been appointed as the captain of the national team, while experienced spinner Shadab Khan will serve as the vice-captain.

    The squad features a balanced mix of youth and experience, reflecting PCB’s strategy of preparing for future international assignments while maintaining competitive performance in the present.

    Pakistan T20I Squad includes Agha Salman (Captain), Shadab Khan (Vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Haris (Wicketkeeper), Muhammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (Wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub.

    The inclusion of several promising young players in the squad is a step towards providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent on the international stage. According to PCB, this selection is part of broader preparations for upcoming global events.

    The entire series will be hosted in Pakistan, with Gaddafi Stadium set to host all three matches. Further details, including the complete schedule, are expected to be announced soon.

  • COAS Gen Asim Munir promoted to field marshal rank

    COAS Gen Asim Munir promoted to field marshal rank

    The federal cabinet on Tuesday promoted Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.

    According to reports, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif approved Gen Munir’s promotion to the rank of field marshal for ensuring the country’s security and defeating the enemy with the success of Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos.

    After his promotion, Gen Munir has become the country’s second field marshal – only after former president and military ruler Ayub Khan (1907–1974).

    The federal cabinet’s decision comes two weeks after Pakistan gave a befitting response to India’s cross-border aggression, inflicting heavy losses to military infrastructure in retaliatory strikes. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Gen Munir, who has since been lauded by both the government and the public for his strategy, skills and courageous leadership.

    The strikes, described by officials as “precise and proportionate” continued till the clashes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States (US).

    Addressing troops following the ceasefire, PM Shehbaz declared the success of the operation a historic moment, saying the armed forces had avenged the 1971 war by giving a decisive and powerful response to Indian aggression.

    “History will eternally record, how within a few hours, Pakistan’s defenders extinguished India’s unprovoked aggression with unmatched precision and resolve,” he said while addressing soldiers deployed at the frontline areas in Pasrur Cantonment near Sialkot.

    The premier, who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, was received at the Cantonment by COAS Gen Munir and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

    Addressing the personnel, PM Shehbaz said the valiant armed forces of Pakistan, fortified by the unwavering resolve of the nation, had defended the motherland in a heroic manner and dealt a decisive blow to the adversary’s dastardly aggression.

    He said books would be written on Pakistan’s recent military success, calling it a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the armed forces. He went on to commend the military leadership, especially Gen Munir, a video of which has also gone viral.

  • Pakistani students win first prize at Teknofest 2025

    Pakistani students win first prize at Teknofest 2025

    Pakistani students have secured first place at the prestigious Teknofest 2025 competition held in Northern Cyprus. The event, regarded as one of the world’s largest and most respected technology, aerospace, and engineering festivals, featured over 50,000 participants from 22 countries.

    Pakistani students Asma Fatima and Anaya Khan impressed the judges by developing a device capable of detecting human emotions. Their innovative project stood out among thousands and was declared the best by the competition’s jury.

    The award was presented by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who presented the winning students with a trophy, a shield, and a special cash prize of 60,000 Turkish Lira in recognition of their achievement.

    The competition took place during the first week of May, and the project by the Pakistani students was one of the event’s highlights. Their success was also acknowledged by the President of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, who praised the students and personally congratulated them.

    Speaking after their win, both Asma Fatima and Anaya Khan expressed their joy and pride in representing Pakistan on such a large global platform. They said they were honoured to raise the Pakistani flag high and bring pride to their country through their hard work and innovation.

  • Noor Mukadam case: Supreme Court upholds Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence

    Noor Mukadam case: Supreme Court upholds Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence

    The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer in the Noor Mukadam murder case while modifying his sentence in other charges pertaining to rape and abduction.

    As per the details, the top court dismissed Jaffer’s appeal against his previous conviction under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), maintaining both his death sentence and fine. However, the court commuted his death sentence under Section 376 (rape) to life imprisonment besides overturning his conviction for kidnapping, declaring the charge void.

    The court also reduced the sentences of Jaffer’s household staff and co-accused, the watchman and gardener, ruling that the punishments already served by both would suffice.

    The case was heard by a three-member bench led by Justice Hashim Kakar and consisting of Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi.

    Barrister Salman Safdar appeared as Zahir’s counsel while Advocate Shah Khawar was present on behalf of Noor’s father and retired diplomat Shaukat Mukadam. The verdict comes hours after both sides concluded their arguments earlier in the day.

    The apex court’s ruling marks a major moment in the trial for the brutal murder that took place in July 2021 when Noor, 27, was discovered dead at a private residence in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad.

    Jaffer, the prime suspect, was taken into custody at the crime scene and an FIR was filed by the victim’s father later the same day. According to the FIR, she had been “beheaded after being killed with a sharp weapon”.

    The case sparked nationwide outrage and prompted debates about women’s safety in the country.

    In February 2022, a district and sessions court sentenced Jaffer to death, alongside a 25-year prison term with hard labour and a fine of Rs200,000. Besides the prime accused, two members of his domestic staff, Iftikhar and Jameel, were each handed 10-year prison sentences, while other co-accused — including Jaffer’s parents and several TherapyWorks employees — were acquitted.

    In March 2023, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) upheld Jaffer’s death sentence and upgraded his 25-year sentence to an additional death penalty. An appeal challenging the IHC verdict had then been filed with the SC in April last year.

    It merits a mention that after the SC ruling, only a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution can overturn Jaffer’s death sentence. According to the Constitution, the president has power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.

  • Azma Bukhari calls Faisal Vawda ‘mental patient’, ‘cheap Shah Rukh Khan’

    Azma Bukhari calls Faisal Vawda ‘mental patient’, ‘cheap Shah Rukh Khan’

    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari took a personal jab at Senator Faisal Vawda, calling him a mental patient.

    “He [Vawda] is a mental patient. He neither has a political party nor has a political background and he wanders about like a cheap Shah Rukh Khan,” Azma said during a press conference held in Lahore on Tuesday.

    She further said that one should feel pity and not respond to those questions of “mental patients” who have to act out or say controversial things to stay politically alive.

    The minister’s response followed a journalist’s question about the recent remarks of Senator Faisal Vawda, criticising the Punjab government over its silence during the Pak-India clashes.

    “During the war environment, we saw that Faisal Vawda was nowhere to be seen. Later, instantly he came out of the cave and initiated criticism against the Punjab government,” a journalist asked.

    Vawda had raised questions on a television show about Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s led provincial government and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s silence during the military clash between India and Pakistan.

    He said that Nawaz Sharif maintained a “criminal silence” while the “TikTok provincial government’s” silence was also widely felt.

    “We have never questioned the patriotism of anyone, be it Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari or Imran Khan,” Vawda said, adding that the meaningless silence has “hurt Pakistanis.”

    On Maryam Nawaz’s recent comment, which she made during an address at an event in Faisalabad, attributing the development of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft to her father, Vawda decried the statement.

    “Pakistan Air Force is the only force that has been manufacturing their own aircraft, and you are claiming to make the JF-17 jet,” he said incredulously.

  • PCB opens applications for batting, bowling, fielding, strength coaches

    PCB opens applications for batting, bowling, fielding, strength coaches

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially begun the search for new coaches to join the national team. The board is inviting applications for four key roles: batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, and strength and conditioning coach.

    This move is in line with the PCB’s aim to strengthen the team’s support system and improve player performance through expert guidance. With the T20 Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 coming up, appointing the right people at the right time is crucial.

    The PCB has opened these positions to both local and international candidates and is expected to select professionals with significant experience in top-level cricket. Some former players have already expressed interest in applying.

    According to media reports, the appointed coaches may work across all formats of the game. While the board is also considering separate head coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats, these specialist coaches are still likely to play a key role in developing both the senior squad and emerging talent.

    With recent changes in strategy and team management, Pakistan cricket is aiming to adopt a more modern and competitive approach, both in playing style and preparation.