Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • ‘India is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine,’ says ISPR chief

    ‘India is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine,’ says ISPR chief

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Sunday said that Pakistan will never be deterred and can never be coerced.

    “The truth is that India is not the US and Pakistan is not Afghanistan. India is not Israel, and Pakistan is not Palestine. The reality is that Pakistan will never be deterred. Can never be coerced,” he said in an interview with the Turkish state-run news agency, Anadolu Agency.

    Without conducting an investigation and presenting evidence, New Delhi had accused Islamabad of orchestrating the April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in Pahalgam, which had killed 26 people. 

    Pakistan had strongly rejected the allegations and called for a neutral and transparent probe into the matter. 

    On the night of May 6-7, India launched a series of strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, killing over 30 civilians. Pakistan responded by downing five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, one Su-30 and one MiG-29 and later also intercepted dozens of its drones.

    As the situation turned into a military confrontation between the neighbouring nuclear powers, it took US President Donald Trump’s intervention for both sides to agree to a ceasefire last week.

    “We are a peace-loving nation, but if provoked, coerced, and aggression is done… retribution will be swift and brutal. There should be no doubt about that,” DG ISPR clarified.

    He further said that Pakistan will never bow down to Indian hegemony, adding, “the sooner they realise this, the better it will be for regional peace and the world.”

    He highlighted that Pakistan has been the biggest victim of terrorism in the world. 

    “Since January 2024, there have been 3,700 terrorist incidents in Pakistan. In these less than 17 months, the casualties have been 3,896, out of which 1,315 are shaheeds (martyrs),” he said, adding that terrorism is being sponsored and abetted by India.

    Emphasising that terrorism, extremism and hatred were India’s internal problems, DG ISPR said that the New Delhi government was cracking down on groups, including Muslims and Sikhs in the country, which was fuelling more anger, extremism and terrorism.

    “Kashmir is an internationally recognised dispute. Three countries have a claim on Kashmir, including Pakistan, China and India. There are United Nations Security Council resolutions. So it has to be solved externally as per the will of the people, as per the UN charter, and that India is trying to internalise,” the military spokesperson said.

  • Sehar Khan, Wahaj Ali team up for upcoming horror-comedy

    Sehar Khan, Wahaj Ali team up for upcoming horror-comedy

    After weeks of online chatter, HUM TV has confirmed its latest star-studded drama featuring Sehar Khan and Wahaj Ali in the lead roles. And no, it’s not a typical love story, but a comedic take on horror, directed by the brilliant Saife Hassan and produced by the powerhouse Momina Duraid.

    Talking about the concept, Saife Hassan shared, “It’s a serial, with a comic take on horror.”

    Sehar Khan, who has already wowed fans with her roles in Fairytale, Jafaa, and Tan Man Neelo Neel, is stepping into an entirely new vibe with this project. Paired with Wahaj Ali, known for choosing bold roles, the duo promises chemistry and charm in equal measure.

    Big names like Nadia Afgan, Syed Jibran, Romaisa Khan, Sidra Niazi, and Arsalan Naseer are also in the cast, making it a truly power-packed line-up.

    The drama’s title and release date remain under wraps, but production is already underway.

  • Pakistanis slam ‘clown’ Moeed Pirzada for belittling Bilawal against Indian MP, projecting Indian narrative on cross-border clashes

    Pakistanis slam ‘clown’ Moeed Pirzada for belittling Bilawal against Indian MP, projecting Indian narrative on cross-border clashes

    Journalist and YouTuber Moeed Pirzada has been slammed for drawing an ill-conceived comparison between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor after both leaders were appointed to lead their respective delegations to the international community on the recent Pakistan-India clashes.

    Senior Congress leader Tharoor has been appointed to lead one of the seven all-party delegations tasked with briefing key foreign governments on the recent conflict whereas PPP chief Bilawal has been appointed by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to lead a high-level delegation for presenting “Pakistan’s case for peace” against Indian aggression.

    In a vlog on his YouTube channel on Sunday, Pirzada calling Tharoor a “self-made man” and referred to Bilawal as someone “born with a silver spoon”, adding that that the PPP chief “did not have the ability and experience of Tharoor”.

    He further said that the Indian MP had interacted with media from abroad and had a lot of experience in the field while Bilawal, on the other hand, had “not struggled at all and was in politics because of his family”.

    While Tharoor shared the clip on his X account with the “thanks” emoji, Pakistani internet users have not shied away from calling the YouTuber out for his baseless rationale.

    “Is this hatred for Bilawal or love for Shashi Tharoor? Moeed Pirzada once again steps into the field for the Indian audience,” wrote one user on Pirzada’s clip drawing comparisons between the PPP chief and Indian National Congress leader.

    Another opined that Pirzada and disgraced self-proclaimed defence analyst Adil Raja had done more for India than all of Godi media – term used to describe media houses allegedly controlled by Indian premier Narendra Modi’s government.

    “When clowns wear press badges, don’t expect news; expect a circus,” wrote a third user.

    “@BBhuttoZardari absolutely does have the ability. And experience comes along the way. Pakistanis have full faith in him being the right choice for this task,” said another user.

    This, however, wasn’t the first time Pirzada provided Indians with sufficient ammunition to use as an information war continues following military clashes between the countries. Earlier, he also called Indian airstrikes on Pakistani airstrips “accurate”, and claimed that had New Delhi continued targeting Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases for the next 48 hours, “the country would have very few runways left for landing its fighter jets”.

    “It was a huge crisis for Pakistan. [United States] President Donald Trump bailed Pakistan out but you [Pakistan] cannot use the US further or play the nuclear card anymore,” he said.

    The clip was also shared by Indians, prominently by journalist Barkha Dutt on her X account, describing Pirzada’s claim as “plain truth”.

    “Finally, a Pakistani voice speaking the plain truth, ‘Another 48 hours & the Pakistan Air Force would have been crippled’- @MoeedNj on Operation Sindoor & why Pakistan had to implore for a ceasefire. Breaking,” she wrote.

    However, it also drew strong reactions from Pakistani netizens.

    “Who said he is a Pakistani voice. You joking right?” commented one user.

    “He has been involved in treason against Pakistan. There are other important senior and world-class journalists in Pakistan like Hamid Mir and others. Have the courage to call them!” said another.

    A third user wrote that Pirzada was “not a Pakistani and instead an American citizen”.

    “He is a traitor who fled Pakistan so whatever nonsense he talks about, it has nothing to do with Pakistan. Your media is the same man,” they added.

    “Barkha don’t embrace yourself by projecting these touts… [sic] he is a criminal…,” wrote another, mentioning the time when Pirzada was arrested for allegedly forging property documents.

  • Ahmed Shehzad surprises everyone with Babar Azam statement

    Ahmed Shehzad surprises everyone with Babar Azam statement

    Former Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who is often seen criticising Babar Azam, surprised many fans by coming out in support of him after Peshawar Zalmi crashed out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

    Zalmi’s campaign ended after their defeat to Lahore Qalandars in a do-or-die match played in Rawalpindi. This is the first time in PSL history that Peshawar Zalmi have failed to reach the playoffs, leading to widespread criticism, particularly directed at Babar Azam, the team’s captain.

    However, instead of joining the critics, Ahmed Shehzad defended Babar in a post on social media, questioning why Babar is always singled out when the team underperforms.

    Taking to his X account, he wrote: “Yes, Babar Azam is out of form. Yes, his last 50 was slow. But why is all the pressure always on him? Cricket is a team game. What are the other 10 doing? He was taking risks today, which was the right approach. Where are the rest of the batters when it matters the most? Accountability can’t be selective.”

    The match was reduced to 13 overs amid bad weather. Lahore Qalandars batted first and posted 149 for eight, with Fakhar Zaman playing a brilliant knock of 60 from 36 balls. In reply, Zalmi’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure. Babar Azam, playing his 100th PSL match, was dismissed for just 16 runs. Only Daniel Sams (26*) managed to put up some resistance, as Zalmi finished on 123 for eight in their allotted overs.

    After the match, Babar attributed the loss to poor fielding and the lack of early partnerships. He mentioned that dropped catches gave Lahore extra runs and praised young players like Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat for their efforts.

    While Babar faced criticism for not delivering in a high-stakes game, Shehzad’s unexpected support stood out and sparked discussion among fans and cricket experts.

  • ‘Go to hell’: Pakistani celebrities slam Javed Akhtar over anti-Pakistan remark

    ‘Go to hell’: Pakistani celebrities slam Javed Akhtar over anti-Pakistan remark

    After rising tensions between Pakistan and India, Bollywood poet Javed Akhtar is once again facing strong backlash from Pakistani showbiz personalities for his controversial comment: “If I have to choose between going to hell or Pakistan, I would prefer to go to hell.”

    His remark sparked immediate outrage on social media, with several Pakistani celebrities responding strongly.

    Actor Imran Abbas responded with sarcasm, stating, “If he had not chosen hell, he would have ended up there anyway, but maybe in the lower economy class. We gave him only business/first class; otherwise, he wasn’t worthy of any other class.”

    Actor Bilal Qureshi commented, “Aise logon ke liye hi kaha gaya hai: Go to Hell woh bhi Raw-fail mein.”

    Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram posted an Instagram story saying, “A moment of silence for all those Pakistani celebrities who welcomed this man with open arms. Shame on all those celebrities,  you gave respect to a man who has no respect for the country you belong to. Just for your personal benefits, you welcomed him. Shame!”

    Actor Asim Mehmood also wrote, “Meri dua hai ke aapki yeh dili murad jald puri ho. InshaAllah wahin jayenge aap. Sab bolo Aameen!”

    Tensions between Pakistan and India have sharply escalated following the Pahalgam incident in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir on April 22. In the early hours of May 7, India launched airstrikes in multiple regions of Pakistan, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, reportedly killing at least 30 civilians and injuring over 40.

    In response, Pakistan downed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets marking the first time Rafales have been brought down in combat. The following day, over 30 Indian drones were reportedly shot down across Pakistani territory.

    On the night of May 9, India launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases. In retaliation, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos at dawn on May 10, targeting several Indian military installations. Key strikes included a BrahMos missile depot in Beas, an airbase in Adampur, and an airfield in Pathankot. Pakistani drones reportedly reached New Delhi, while JF-17 fighter jets destroyed India’s S-400 missile defence system in Adampur.

    After a strong retaliation from Pakistan, India agreed to a ceasefire on the same day.

  • Two dancers among 17 arrested for birthday party at govt school

    Two dancers among 17 arrested for birthday party at govt school

    Kabirwala Saddar police have arrested 17 people for illegally holding a birthday function at a government school and booked a social media activist for forcibly recording the interview of two of the arrested dancers under the PECA Act.

    The police made the arrests during a birthday event late on Saturday night in the building of Government High School Panj-Kassi. Complainant ASI Nawaz Ali, in the FIR against 17 arrested and seven others who fled during the raid, said that school chowkidar Javed Zafar allowed Suhail Mustafa Bhatti to celebrate his birthday event in the school.

    The FIR said that a proclaimed offender (PO) in robbery cases, Muhammad Hayat Pappu, two dozen accused, and two dancers identified as Roohi Shah of Multan and Ainee Khan of Gujranwala, were present at the event. It said that loudspeakers were being used, and participants also resorted to aerial firing. Khanewal District Education Authority CEO Fayyaz Sindhu also suspended the school chowkidar Javed Zafar for illegally allowing a private function in the school and issued a show-cause notice to the school headmaster.

    Meanwhile, police also booked social media activist Shahid Ali Awan on Sunday under the Peca Act for forcibly recording the video of both women against their will.

  • Monkey Business: The comedy that’s bringing family theatre back to life

    Monkey Business: The comedy that’s bringing family theatre back to life

    Stage dramas in Pakistan have often struggled to attract family audiences, but Monkey Business is a refreshing surprise. After kicking off in Karachi, it’s now playing in Lahore at AlHamra; a must-watch full of humour, energy, and brilliant storytelling.

    Yasir Hussain’s smart direction and witty writing make Monkey Business a standout show that truly brings back the joy of live theatre.

    The story follows Wasim, played by Yasir, a struggling actor trying to make it in the entertainment industry. He lives with his artistic wife Sana, played by Yusra Irfan, and their overly enthusiastic tenant Sherry, played by Umer Aalam, who also dreams of becoming an actor.

    Their quiet life is turned upside down when Wasim gets a call from an investigation officer about misused funds, sparking a hilarious chain of misunderstandings and chaos.

    Yasir Hussain’s clever, lighthearted jokes about the recent Pakistan-India conflict were the one of the highlights, which had everyone laughing out loud.

    The cast delivers great performances, each actor adding charm to their role. The dialogues feel natural, scenes are well-paced, and the comedy is fresh and original.

    The Monkey Business cast includes Yasir Hussain, Yusra Irfan, Umer Aalam, Bilal Yousafzai, Khizer Ansari, Osama Bin Atiq, and Abdullah Wahab.

  • Sara Khan’s ‘feminism vs tradition’ interview sparks debate online

    Sara Khan’s ‘feminism vs tradition’ interview sparks debate online

    Actress Sara Khan has sparked online backlash after saying she’s not a feminist and prefers being seen as a “traditional” woman.

    In her recent interview with Independent Urdu, Sara said she does not consider herself a “big feminist” but rather aligns with conventional gender norms and traditions.

    According to her, men should be given the position that is traditionally “reserved for them” so that women can live peacefully.

    “I am a woman who stays at home. I don’t like standing in queues for bills, and I want to be treated the same way traditional women were treated,” she said.

    Sara Khan’s comments on feminism gained significant attention on social media and quickly went viral.

    One user commented that feminism means raising a voice for oppressed women; it’s not about standing in queues or not.

    Another user criticised her by saying this kind of thinking is holding Pakistan back, as more than half the population remains confined to their homes.

    On the topic of India banning the Instagram accounts of Pakistani showbiz stars, Sara said she was not aware of the situation until her husband and singer, Falak Shabbir, informed her through a screenshot showing that her account had been blocked in India.

    According to the actress, “I didn’t take it personally, but I felt sad for my Indian fans who will no longer be able to see me on Instagram.”

  • India faces ‘big loss’ as US rejects 15 mango shipments

    India faces ‘big loss’ as US rejects 15 mango shipments

    India’s mango exports have taken a major hit after authorities in the United States (US) rejected at least 15 shipments at Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta posts.

    As per the details, the mangoes were turned away not because of quality but due to problems with the documentation.

    The mangoes had already gone through the necessary safety process called irradiation on May 8 and 9 at a US-approved facility in Navi Mumbai. The process kills harmful pests and is required for mangoes entering the US. However, despite meeting the treatment standards, customs officials rejected the shipments due to incomplete or incorrect paperwork.

    Exporters had to make a tough choice: either send the mangoes back to India or destroy them in the US. Since mangoes spoil quickly and the cost of returning them was too high, they decided to dispose of the fruit locally. This led to an estimated loss of $500,000 – a major blow during the peak mango season.

    The US is India’s biggest buyer of mangoes and so the disruption is a serious concern for the industry. Exporters are now criticising the lack of coordination between Indian and American authorities and are demanding better communication and systems to avoid such problems in the future.

    This incident has not only caused financial damage but also hurt India’s reputation in international fruit markets. Experts are urging the government to take urgent action to improve export procedures so that simple paperwork mistakes don’t end up harming farmers and exporters again.

  • Four people killed, several injured in blast near FC fort in Qila Abdullah

    Four people killed, several injured in blast near FC fort in Qila Abdullah

    Four people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in a car bomb explosion at a commercial market adjacent to the Frontier Corps (FC) fort in the Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah late Sunday evening.

    The News quoted Deputy Commissioner (DC) Qila Abdullah, Muhammad Riaz Khan Dawar, as saying: “Four people have been killed and over 20 injured in the blast,” adding that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-fitted car was used for the explosion. The vehicle was reportedly detonated via remote control.

    “Apparently, the attackers wanted to target the back wall of the FC fort located adjacent to the commercial market,” Dawar added, noting that following the massive blast, a heavy exchange of fire occurred between FC security personnel and the attackers. However, no additional loss of life was reported.

    The bodies were transported to a nearby hospital, where they had yet to be identified. Levies forces are currently investigating the incident. Additional security personnel were deployed after the blast, and security was heightened across Qila Abdullah and Chaman.

    According to government officials, a few of the injured were being shifted to Quetta owing to the lack of adequate medical facilities in the area.

    At the time of the explosion, tribal leader Haji Faizullah Khan Ghabizai was present at his office. He, along with his security guard and a passer-by, was among those injured.

    Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies cordoned off the entire area and launched a search and clearance operation.

    Meanwhile, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the FC fort.

    Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terror incidents since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

    However, the first quarter of 2025 has shown a change in trends in Pakistan’s security landscape, with fatalities among militants and insurgents outnumbering the combined losses of civilians and security forces.

    Key findings issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed significantly fewer fatalities among civilians and security personnel compared to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, along with an overall 13 per cent reduction in violence, The News reported.