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Author: News Desk

  • Lahore police struggle to trace missing Canadian student

    Lahore police struggle to trace missing Canadian student

    A Canadian national named Hamza Ahmad Khan reportedly went missing in Lahore four days ago after leaving his residence in DHA Phase 10, according to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Defence-A police station.

    Hamza Ahmad Khan, a doctoral researcher, disappeared in the early hours of February 19 after booking a cab through a ride-hailing service. 

    His friend Yousuf Rasheed filed the FIR, stating that Ahmad had arrived in Pakistan on February 13 to work on his PhD thesis and was staying with him in DHA.

    According to the FIR, Ahmad left the residence between 1am and 2am and has not been seen since. Friends attempted to trace him but were unsuccessful, raising concerns that he may have been kidnapped.

    Ahmad’s brother, Awais Ahmad Khan, said the family contacted the ride-hailing company to seek information about the journey.

    He alleged that the ride was cancelled midway, and that his brother had dropped a female passenger in Model Town before heading home, but never reached his residence. 

    The family has CCTV footage showing the drop-off. He said the cab company refused to provide ride details to the family, stating it would only share information with law enforcement.


    Awais also alleged that police have not been cooperating with the family and that no officer had contacted them directly. He said the family has approached the Canadian embassy for assistance and is considering filing a petition in court for Ahmad’s recovery.


    Yousuf Rasheed said he had provided all relevant details to the police, but investigators have yet to locate Ahmad. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Investigation) Muhammad Naveed confirmed that police are still unaware of Ahmad’s whereabouts.

    He said initial details were obtained from the complainant and the ride-hailing service as part of the inquiry.

    No arrests have been made in connection with the case.

  • British-Pakistani teen stabbed to death outside UK mosque

    British-Pakistani teen stabbed to death outside UK mosque

    An 18-year-old British Pakistani teenager named Zeeshan Afzal has been killed in a knife attack outside Oldbury Jamia Masjid in Smethwick, England, on Friday evening.

    According to reports, the attack took place while worshippers were performing Taraweeh prayers inside the mosque.

    Two other young men, aged 19 and 22, were also injured in the attack and are being treated in a local hospital. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

    Worshippers leaving the mosque said they were stunned to see heavy police and paramedic presence outside.

    The attack happened in the mosque car park. Police cordoned off the area while worshippers were asked to return inside for about 40 minutes. When allowed to leave, they could not take away their vehicles as the area had become a crime scene.

    West Midlands Police has stated that members of the public reported a disturbance in the car park of Jamia Masjid Chashma-e-Rahmat on Oldbury Road. Officers found Zeeshan Afzal with stab wounds. Paramedics tried to save him, but he died at the scene.

    Police have launched a murder investigation and are working to determine the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible.

  • OZ Group goes bankrupt after buying Sialkot Stallionz, sells 98 percent shares: ARY News

    OZ Group goes bankrupt after buying Sialkot Stallionz, sells 98 percent shares: ARY News

    OZ Group, buyer of the eighth Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise – later named Sialkot Stallionz – has run into financial trouble and sold 98 percent shares of the franchise a month before the team’s maiden season.

    As per the details, the group, that placed the winning bid of PKR1.85 billion during the Jan 8 PSL franchise auction ahead of the eleventh season of the flagship T20 league, has sold 98 percent of its shares in Sialkot Stallionz to CD Ventures, owned by businessman Gohar Shah.

    Instagram Post

    While OZ Group has not yet reacted to the reports, PSL 11 is scheduled to begin on March 26 and conclude on May 3.

    The upcoming season will feature eight teams for the first time in the league’s history as Sialkot and Hyderabad play their maiden season.

    Earlier, the Rawalpindi franchise, reportedly named Pindiz, replaced Multan Sultans as the sixth team, and the league’s first-ever player auction, replacing player draft, was also held on February 11.

  • Excise Department ends official number plate inspections

    Excise Department ends official number plate inspections

    The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department of Punjab has removed the requirement to inspect official number plates on vehicles and motorcycles and to issue fines on this basis.

    In a notification, the department said that members of the public will no longer face penalties from traffic police related to this issue.

    The department clarified that it has stopped manufacturing official number plates at the time of vehicle and motorcycle registration. With hundreds of thousands of plates currently pending, vehicle owners are now permitted to have number plates produced independently from the open market, provided they conform strictly to the government-approved design.

    Traffic police have subsequently been directed to stop issuing challans or imposing fines concerning number plates on vehicles and motorcycles, effective immediately from Saturday.

    The notification further explained that officers may only verify whether a number plate is affixed in the prescribed manner, rather than insisting on an original government-issued plate.

    The Excise Department has formally discontinued the production of official number plates and has also stopped collecting any related fees.

  • Punjab govt to provide free state land for farming

    Punjab govt to provide free state land for farming

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has announced that free state land will be provided to peasants starting in April under the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” initiative.

    According to the statement, all cultivable government land across Punjab will be leased to peasants for 10 years, with each beneficiary receiving up to five acres free of cost.

     No lease charges will be collected. Financial assistance will also be provided to help farmers begin cultivation immediately.

    The scheme, first announced on February 4 during the inauguration of an electric bus service in Rajanpur, plans to distribute approximately 250,000 acres of government land to deserving and underprivileged individuals. 

    Detailed guidelines and the application process are expected to be issued soon.

    Separately, during the launch of the CM Green Tractor Programme Phase-III, the chief minister initiated the balloting process for the scheme and informed selected farmers of their success, including Hamza Liaquat from Bahawalpur.


    Maryam Nawaz stated that 31,000 tractors have been provided to farmers in the past two years, surpassing the 20,000 tractors distributed over the previous 25 years.


    She added that the provision of modern machinery is expected to enhance crop yields and reaffirmed her government’s commitment to agricultural development.

  • ‘El Mencho’ dead as military operation sparks chaos in Mexico

    ‘El Mencho’ dead as military operation sparks chaos in Mexico

    Mexican authorities have confirmed that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel, was killed during a security operation. The defence ministry said he died on Sunday while being transferred to Mexico City, after sustaining serious injuries in clashes between his supporters and the army.

    Four CJNG members were also killed in Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, while three army personnel were injured. The US provided intelligence that assisted Mexican forces in the operation, the ministry said. 

    The statement added that several armoured vehicles and weapons, including rocket launchers, were seized, while the operation involved Mexico’s special forces, the Air Force, and the National Guard.

    The killing of El Mencho triggered immediate unrest across the region he controlled. CJNG fighters carried out attacks in at least eight states, including Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán, Colima, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. 

    Roadblocks made from burning cars, buses, and trucks were reported, while videos showed plumes of smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. 

    In Guadalajara, passengers at the airport were seen running for cover as armed men were filmed setting fire to vehicles and a petrol station. 

    Governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, instructed residents to stay home under a code red alert and suspended public transportation. Schools were cancelled on Monday in several states.

    The unrest also affected air travel. US carriers United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as Air Canada, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. A Delta Airlines flight to Guadalajara from Atlanta was diverted to Austin.

    Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo praised the country’s security forces and urged calm. In a post on X, she wrote, “In most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally,” and added that there was “absolute coordination with the governments of all states.”

    El Mencho, 59, a former police officer, had led the CJNG cartel, which trafficked cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the US. The US State Department had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. 

    The CJNG cartel, which originated in Jalisco in 2010, has expanded across Mexico and is considered a rival to the Sinaloa cartel. It is a major supplier of fentanyl to the US, where nearly all intercepted shipments enter through the southwest border with Mexico. 

    Since October 2024, US Customs and Border Patrol has seized more than 9,200 pounds of fentanyl, with 96% coming from the southern border.

  • Lady doctor shot dead ‘for removing man from female-only area’ of Kohat hospital

    Lady doctor shot dead ‘for removing man from female-only area’ of Kohat hospital

    A female doctor was shot dead in Kohat while returning home after her duty at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ).

    As per the details, unidentified men opened fire at Dr Mehwish on Double Road, killing her on the spot.

    While an official statement on the matter has not yet revealed the reason behind the killing, media reports said the attack followed an altercation between Dr Mehwish and a male attendant after the former removed the latter from a waiting area reserved for women.

    Following the incident, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) announced a hospital shutdown.

    YDA President Dr Ubaid said the strike would continue until the attackers were apprehended. He also urged authorities to take immediate action.

    Meanwhile, police said an investigation had been launched. Evidence is being collected and CCTV footage as well as eyewitness accounts are being reviewed to locate the suspects, a local cop said.

    Health Department officials Khaliq Ur Rehman and Shahid Ullah have condemned the killing and expressed support for the family.

    Protecting healthcare workers remains a top priority, they said.

  • PTA says regulators are responsible for consumer protection after social media claims

    PTA says regulators are responsible for consumer protection after social media claims

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a clarification in response to concerns circulating on social media regarding mobile tariffs, service quality and unauthorized balance deductions, stating that the regulator remains responsible for consumer protection within the telecom sector.

    In its clarification, the authority said that the concerns pertain to pricing practices, service quality and service activations without subscriber consent, adding that the sector remains regulated through defined regulatory frameworks.

    The authority referred to the Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025, under which mobile operators designated as having Significant Market Power (SMP) are required to seek prior approval before introducing or revising tariffs. PTA said operators falling outside the SMP category may determine tariffs based on commercial considerations, but these remain subject to regulatory oversight if pricing is found to affect consumer interests.

    PTA said the tariff framework is designed to maintain consistency while allowing operators to operate within regulatory limits. It added that the authority retains the power to intervene where tariff structures are found to be non-compliant or harmful to users.

    On service quality, PTA said it is working towards network improvement through regulatory measures and upcoming sector developments. The authority confirmed that a spectrum auction is planned for March 2026, which will require mobile operators to invest in new spectrum and network infrastructure. According to PTA, the auction is expected to support improvements in coverage, network performance and data speeds.


    PTA  also said consumers facing issues related to billing, service quality or unauthorized activations may register complaints through the toll-free helpline 0800-55050 or via the PTA Complaint Management System available on the authority’s official website.

  • ‘Don’t force him into power-hitting’: Former cricketers on Babar Azam

    ‘Don’t force him into power-hitting’: Former cricketers on Babar Azam

    Former cricketers have come to the defence of Babar Azam amid growing criticism over his slow batting in the ongoing ongoing T20 World Cup.

    Babar has struggled in the tournament so far, scoring just 66 runs in five matches at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 115.78. In the current era of high-tempo T20 cricket, these numbers have drawn sharp criticism from fans and critics. 

    Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has urged critics to take a longer view of Babar’s career and not judge him solely on his recent struggles. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Du Plessis said great players go through phases where they must adjust.

    “Look, I think first of all, all great players evolve at different points in their careers. Someone like Babar, we’ve known him as one of the world’s best players for a very, very long time. I think T20I cricket has moved so far forward, especially in terms of strike rates, that he’s found himself a little bit behind in that area,” Du Plessis said.

    Du Plessis suggested that Pakistan should find the right role for Babar rather than forcing him into a power-hitting role he is not comfortable with. 

    “So, if you’re someone like Mike Hesson, what he’s trying to do is find the best way to reintroduce him into the game. So, they’ve found a role for him, particularly on slow pitches. When you come to flat wickets, those kinds of roles aren’t as important anymore,” Du Plessis explained.

    He added, “So, I think at this venue, in these specific conditions where there’s going to be a lot of spin, there could be a lot of value in someone like him in the middle overs, making sure that he anchors the innings.”

    Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood also weighed in, questioning the logic behind Babar’s current batting position. 

    While talking to a sports show on a private TV channel, he said, “You are forcing players into this team. For example, I’m talking about Babar. You’re playing Babar at number four, even though you say that his record in the World Cup isn’t good. If Babar bats at the top, at number one or number two, his strike rate is 134, 135. You [critics] always rant about his strike rate, but if you look at your top order their strike rate too is under 130. So if you want him to play at number four as a forced middle order you have, I don’t understand the thinking behind it,” Azhar said.

    Another former Pakistan batting great, Azhar Ali, echoed similar concerns about Babar’s role. 

    “See Babar as an opener. He was a wonderful top player in the world three years ago as an opener. And if you’re bringing him back now, saying that you made his charge sheet so long ago, that he can’t do this or that, then play him in his position. If his spot doesn’t fit, then just carry on with the players you had selected before. But now you’ve put him in a position where even we are confused, like, does Babar even have a spot here or not? So you’ve confused yourself too,” he said.

    Babar was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I setup in late 2024 as part of a broader shift toward aggressive cricket under coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha, with young players given preference. However, during the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan felt the absence of Babar’s anchoring ability, which led to his recall for the subsequent South Africa series later that year. Since then, his batting position has shifted from opening to number four.

  • Imran Khan can be shifted to hospital for a month if doctors recommend: Ayaz Sadiq

    Imran Khan can be shifted to hospital for a month if doctors recommend: Ayaz Sadiq

    National Assembly (NA) Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that PTI founder Imran Khan could be shifted to hospital for one month if doctors recommend it. 

    Addressing workers of the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) in Lahore, Ayaz Sadiq emphasised that no doctor had so far advised transferring Khan to a hospital. “When the doctor is not saying he should be shifted, how can we move him?” he asked, adding that the decision would be taken only if medical opinions support the move.

    He said that rumors were being circulated about the PTI founder’s treatment.

    The comments come amid a wider debate on Khan’s treatment and eye condition. A Supreme Court-appointed medical review earlier this month reported that Khan had lost most sight in his right eye as low as 15 percent due to a retinal condition diagnosed during imprisonment. 

    A five-member medical team visited Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Khan is incarcerated, and conducted an eye examination. Blood samples were taken and blood pressure was checked. PTI rejected the check-up, saying it was carried out without the presence of Khan’s family or personal physicians.

    Government officials, including the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said Khan will be taken to hospital on February 25 for a scheduled injection as part of ongoing treatment. The transfers are intended specifically for these medical procedures.

    Officials clarified that the latest examination, conducted on the Supreme Court’s order, showed one eye approximately 70 percent fine and the other 6/6. In medical terms, 6/6 or 20/20 vision refers to normal clarity and sharpness of sight.