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Author: News Desk

  • Lahore Marathon 2025 highlights Pakistan’s budding culture of running

    Lahore Marathon 2025 highlights Pakistan’s budding culture of running

    The provincial capital of Punjab on Sunday hosted the much-anticipated Lahore Marathon 2025, marking the final event in the series of three major city marathons held across Pakistan.

    Following the success of marathons in Karachi and Islamabad, the Lahore Marathon capped off the nationwide series, which continues to grow in popularity year after year.

    This year’s event saw an unprecedented turnout, with participants traveling from all across Pakistan, including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, KP and Quetta, with the largest number of runners coming from Islamabad.

    The marathon also attracted international participants, including diplomats and athletes from around the globe, showcasing the international appeal of the event. This year also saw the first use of RFID chips for a running event in Lahore, ensuring that the race met international standards for timing and results.

    The race kicked off early at 6 am, a welcome change that allowed runners to compete in cooler temperatures. The timely start was appreciated by participants, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to respecting the athletes and celebrating their hard work.

    Falcon Triathlon Club FTC, the team behind the marathon, focused on punctuality and also race day experience as a top priority, and the success of the event was a testament to this dedication.

    The marathon featured several categories, including the full marathon, half marathon and 5km race for both male and female competitors, along with a kids’ fun run. The event was a true celebration of athleticism, unity and community, drawing people from diverse backgrounds. 

    Israr Khattak (IRC) claimed the top spot in the full marathon, finishing first, followed by Mubariz Bukhari (IRC) in second place and Mumtaz Khan (KJFC) securing third.

    Christina from Austria finished in first place for the female full marathon.

    Kamran Sahi (KJFC) clinched the first position in the half marathon whereas Muhammad Ijaz (KJFC) and Umar Zaman (IRU) secured the second and third spots, respectively.

    In the female half marathon, Livia emerged as the winner while Aqsa Jafar (Punjab Athletics Academy) took second and Khadija Afiyat (Punjab Athletics Academy) finished third.

    Muhammad Bilal from Punjab Athletics Academy triumphed in the 5km male category, followed by Muhammad Arfan (KJFC) in second place and Abdul Wahab (Punjab Athletics Academy) in third.

    The top spot in the 5km female race went to Irum Shahzadi from KJFC, with Mahnoor Afzal (KJFC) finishing in second place and Kashaf Shafeeq (Punjab Athletics Academy) securing third.

    Apart from runners from Belgium, Russia, Thailand and the United States (US), a large number of expats also participated in the marathon that was declared a resounding success by visitors and spectators alike.

    While the punctuality of the event, attention to detail and the ability to celebrate each runner’s achievements all added to a great experience for participants, it also went on to reflect the budding culture of running in Pakistan.

  • Nita Ambani makes shocking claims about Hardik Pandya and his brother

    Nita Ambani makes shocking claims about Hardik Pandya and his brother

    Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani revealed the shocking story behind Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal Pandya.

    Nita first met Hardik and Krunal more than a decade ago during a training camp.

    Speaking at an event in Boston, she said,  “In the IPL, we all have a fixed budget, so we have to think of new ways to scout talent. At that time, we were looking for fresh talent. I used to attend every Ranji Trophy match. One day, our scouts brought two skinny young boys to our camp.”

    Recalling her conversation with the Pandya brothers, she continued,  “When I spoke to Hardik and Krunal, they told me that for three years, they had eaten nothing but Maggi noodles because they had no money. But I saw the passion and hunger in them to achieve something big.”

    “Those two brothers were none other than Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. In 2015, I bought Hardik Pandya for $10,000, and today, he is the proud captain of Mumbai Indians,” she added.

    Hardik started his career in 2015 with Mumbai Indians, followed by his selection for the Indian cricket team. Over time, he became one of India’s top cricketers and remains an integral part of the national team today.

  • India unveils Champions Trophy jersey with ‘Pakistan’ inscribed

    India unveils Champions Trophy jersey with ‘Pakistan’ inscribed

    The Indian cricket team unveiled its new jersey for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 on Monday.

    Skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh were seen posing in the new vibrant jersey, marking the official introduction of the kit for the upcoming tournament.

    However, what caught everyone’s attention more than the jersey itself was whether the host country’s name, “Pakistan,” was printed on it. The Indian media had previously claimed that India’s kit for the Champions Trophy would not feature the host nation’s name.

    Recently, a controversy emerged regarding the placement of the ICC-approved Champions Trophy logo on India’s jersey. According to ICC regulations, all participating teams must display the official tournament logo on their kits, which includes the name of the host country. Despite this, reports from the Indian media suggested that India’s jersey would omit Pakistan’s name.

    However, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed that the Indian team would adhere to ICC rules and that the host country’s name would indeed be present on the jersey.

    On Monday, when the ICC shared pictures of Indian cricketers receiving ICC awards and Team of the Year caps ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, the images confirmed that the players’ jerseys featured the official tournament logo along with the host nation’s name, “Pakistan.”

    This marks the first time in recent years that India’s jersey has displayed Pakistan’s name.

    A similar controversy arose during the 2023 Asia Cup, which Pakistan also hosted. At that time, India raised objections, leading to the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) decision to approve a tournament logo that did not include the host country’s name.

  • ‘Bravest 10 minutes on TV’; Tan Man Neel o Neel has fans raving for tackling blasphemy

    ‘Bravest 10 minutes on TV’; Tan Man Neel o Neel has fans raving for tackling blasphemy

    Tan Man Neel o Neel has ended its successful run on television with a haunting salute to victims of fake blasphemy allegations and mob violence, from Mashal Khan to Sri Lankan Priyantha Kumar. 

    Without giving away spoilers, we can tell you that the episode shows mob lynching. And in that one moment, the show transcended art to become poignant social commentary. 

    Fans have acknowledged the show’s bravery with hundreds of tributes on social media platforms. 

    The last episode has generated so much buzz that regular audiences of the show had to ask first-time viewers to watch it from the beginning. 

  • Is Tom Cruise dating this much younger actress?

    Is Tom Cruise dating this much younger actress?

    Tom Cruise is still one of the biggest and most successful stars in the world. Though the action legend continues to thrill audiences around the globe with mind boggling stunts, it should be acknowledged that the tremendously fit star is 62-years-old. 

    That’s why his recent dinner  with actress Ana de Armas in London has put the rumour mill in overdrive. Ana is 32, a good 26 years younger than Cruise. 

    The two posed for pictures with fans after the dinner in SoHo before leaving the venue together in a taxi.  

    Sources close to Cruise have said that the two stars were discussing possible collaborations in the future. 

    The superstar has not had a steady relationship since Katie Holmes ended their marriage in 2012. Although he has been linked to Colombia singer Shakira and his Mission Impossible 7 costar Hayley Atwell, nothing has ever been confirmed by Cruise himself or his publicist.

    In 2024, he was rumoured to have been dating 25-year-old singer Victoria Canal. However, she was quick to deny the rumors. “Guys. I am not dating Tom Cruise. This is literally insane,” Victoria wrote via her Instagram Stories on August 5, 2024. “In all seriousness guys, Tom has been nothing but a lovely and encouraging person and mentor, much like Chris Martin, my dad, my music teachers and other wise people that have learned a lot from living. And again, I am friends with all kinds of people who are very different to me. You learn a lot if you’re open to life bringing you those teachers.”

    He has also been spotted enjoying dinner with his longtime agent Maha Dakhil, but sources close to both have asserted that their friendship is decades old and is definitely not a romance as Tom is close to Maha’s husband too.

  • More MNAs likely to be expelled from PTI after Sher Afzal Marwat

    More MNAs likely to be expelled from PTI after Sher Afzal Marwat

    Days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expelled maverick leader Sher Afzal Marwat, the former ruling party has reportedly decided to expel more legislators, a media outlet reported on Sunday.

    As per the media report, PTI decided to expel those party lawmakers who had failed to attend the parliamentary session for the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendments.

    Incarcerated former premier Imran Khan, the head of the party, has issued directives from jail to remove absent Members of Parliament (MP), said the report, noting that senators Dr Zarqa Suhrawardy and Faisal Saleem were among those who had remained absent on the day the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed. 

    Moreover, the party also issued show-cause notices to Member National Assembly (MNAs) Aslam Ghuman, Riaz Fatyana, Zain Qureshi, Miqdad Ali Khan and Aurangzeb Kachhi for their absence.

    Imran Khan conveyed a message to party leaders, urging that lawmakers who had been absent on the day of passage of the Amendment had no place in PTI, as they had acted against party line, said the media report.

    The National Assembly (NA) passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the wee hours of October 20, 2024. Speaking on the NA floor, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan criticised the constitutional amendments, calling them an attempt to strangle the independent judiciary.

    He said those who had “gone missing” should have been thanked as well, adding that the government, which came into power of what he believed via rigging, had no right to amend the Consitution.


    Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) firebrand Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion notification, which was posted on PTI’s official X account on Wednesday night, read, “Further to the Show Cause Notice issued to Mr Sher Afzal Marwat and his subsequent reply, the party has considered his reply and also his actions subject to the Show Cause notice.”

    “Taking both these aspects into consideration and on the instructions of Founding Chairman Imran Khan, Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat is being expelled from the party with immediate effect.”

    Marwat’s termination came just three days after the former ruling party staged a rally in Swabi against what it believes was the rigged election of 2024.


    A media report had earlier claimed that PTI leaders complained to Imran Khan about Marwat’s behaviour at the February 8 Swabi public gathering.


    During his speech, Marwat cryptically said that “bad people” always became helpful during “bad times”, but some “good people in good times” have zipped their lips.


    Last month, PTI issued a show-cause notice to the lawmaker for violation of the party discipline for his remarks against the party’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on a private news channel.

  • ‘I don’t care about Palestine,’ Jerry Seinfeld tells activist

    ‘I don’t care about Palestine,’ Jerry Seinfeld tells activist

    The 70-year-old comedian was approached by social media personality Subway DJ outside Saturday Night Live’s 50th-anniversary celebration at Radio City Music Hall.

    In the video, Subway DJ asked Seinfeld for a selfie, to which the comedian agreed. As they posed, the activist suddenly said, “Free Palestine,” while flashing a peace sign. Seinfeld, caught off guard, paused briefly before responding, “I don’t care about Palestine,” and walking away.

     

    The clip quickly went viral, sparking intense online debate. Critics called Seinfeld’s response dismissive and insensitive. One user wrote, “We don’t care about Seinfeld”, while others mocked the comedian’s past scandals.

    Another added, “What do you expect from a Zionist.”

    One noted Palestine is much older than 16 years old so it makes sense why Seinfeld doesn’t care for it. 

     

    Others defended the comedian, arguing that the activist’s approach was disrespectful.

    “It’s disingenuous to try to get a celeb on camera to say something political. Pathetic” one said.

     

    Seinfeld has been a vocal supporter of Israel, especially after October 7. He traveled to Tel Aviv to meet with families of hostages and has stated, “I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people.” 

    In 2024, many students of the esteemed Duke University left their graduation ceremony on Sunday, some of them shouting “Free Palestine” when guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, started giving a speech.

    Seinfeld is a known Zionist who has shown support for Israel during the Gaza genocide and according to media reports, sent money to the violent counter-agitators who attacked pro-Palestine student protestors at UCLA. A video on social media shows students in graduation robes and hats leaving the ceremony. Some were holding Palestinian flags. The ceremony was held in the university’s football stadium in North Carolina. Reuters confirmed the date and place of the video.


    One person wore a keffiyeh, a scarf often used to show support for Palestinians. Some others cheered “Jerry! Jerry!” when Seinfeld got an honorary degree. Seinfeld gave his speech without big interruptions.


    Many of you are probably thinking, ‘I can’t believe they asked him to come.’ But it’s too late,” he said, promising to “defend” the idea of privilege. “I believe you should use your privilege. I grew up as a Jewish kid from New York. That’s a privilege if you want to be a comedian,” he added.


    “We know that people feel strongly in our community, and just like we’ve done all year, we support everyone’s right at Duke to share their opinions peacefully. But we also want graduates and their families to enjoy their special day,” said Duke spokesperson Frank Tramble in a statement.

    Seinfeld has been to Israel and openly supported it since October 7, when Israel started the genocide in Gaza. This action led to more than 35,000 deaths including 15,000 children, as reported by health officials.

    The White House mentioned on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is okay with peaceful protests during college graduation ceremonies where he and other officials will speak. The walkout at Duke University’s graduation is the latest example of protests happening on US campuses. Students are asking universities to stop investing in companies that profit from war and to give amnesty to students and staff who have faced consequences for protesting.

  • Farhan, Urwa address ‘separation’ reports after years of silence

    Farhan, Urwa address ‘separation’ reports after years of silence

    Married in 2016, singer-actor Farhan Saeed and actress Urwa Hussain are among the country’s most beloved celebrity couples.

    In 2020, however, rumours circulated about a possible separation. The two never confirmed nor dismissed the speculations.

    In an interview with the Sunday Times, the pair have broke their silence since their patch-up.

    “One thing I really respect about her [Urwa] and what went really right in our situation was that despite whatever happened, we didn’t say or did anything to harm each other,” Farhan said.

    As a guide to couples and couples-to-be, he said that “the biggest turn-off for any companion,” even if it is two friends or a relationship, is to talk “behind their back.”

    Urwa added that while displeasure can exist, respect must be maintained at all times—something the two maintained while they were separated.

    “Which is why we were and are always able to resolve things,” she said, to which Farhan agreed.

    Urwa also asserted that amid the low points in a relationship, at times of misunderstanding,, “if you emerge out of it, I feel like you come back stronger” 

    To this Farhan said, “Rise in love, as they say.”

  • PTI lawyers get paid for leaking Adiala Jail conversation to YouTubers, alleges journalist

    PTI lawyers get paid for leaking Adiala Jail conversation to YouTubers, alleges journalist

    Journalist Haider Sherazi, who had been covering Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) since many years, has alleged that party lawyers routinely leak details of conversations from inside Adiala Jail, where former premier Imran Khan is incarcerated, to YouTubers in exchange for money.

    Appearing on a private media outlet, Sherazi claimed that PTI leaders were concerned about how the conversation between Imran Khan and party leaders was being leaked to YouTubers. 

    “Party leaders are claiming and accusing lawyers of going inside Adiala jail and getting paid by YouTubers after giving inside information to them,” the reporter said. However, he did not reveal the lawyers’  names.

    On being asked about how much lawyers are getting paid for providing conversation details, Sherazi said that lawyers received money ranging between five to seven lacs monthly.

    He went on to further reveal that lawyers close to YouTubers have so much influence that they don’t even let Chief Minister (KP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, former Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser’s companion, meet with party founder in Adiala Jail. “Junaid Akbar [KP party President] was even barred from meeting Imran Khan,” he added.

    He substantiated his claims by giving the example of Gandapur once informing Imran Khan of the KP team’s visit to Khan to provide input regarding the province’s financial situation. He said, “When Muzammil Aslam [KP financial advisor to CM], Shahid Khattak [MNA], and Musaddiq Abbasi [KP CM’s aide] reached to meet Imran Khan, they were denied meeting with Khan.”

    Additionally, Sherazi claimed that lawyers had complained about Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar, and Sher Afzal Marwat, who was recently terminated from PTI, to Imran Khan and his sister Aleema Khan.

    Revealing the complaint, the journalist, while citing Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said that Imran Khan was told that Qaiser was not in contact with the opposition alliance.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, has told a leading English Newspaper that parliamentary party leaders have not been allowed to meet Imran Khan for almost five months, adding that the party will approach the Islamabad High Court today (Monday) against curbs on its parliamentary leaders to meet Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

    “According to the standard operating procedures (SOP), Mr Khan meets his family members and lawyers on Tuesday and the party leaders on Thursday. He also shares the names of six leaders for the meeting, but for the last five months, the jail administration has not allowed them to meet him,” said Chaudhry.

  • Pakistan shines at Asian Road Cycling Championship with six medals

    Pakistan shines at Asian Road Cycling Championship with six medals

    Pakistani cyclists put up an impressive show at the Asian Road Cycling Championship, securing the sixth spot and winning six medals.

    According to Geo News, Pakistani cyclists won two gold, silver and bronze medals each in the championship held in Thailand. Cyclist Ali Ilyas Jawaid won gold in Individual Time Trial (ITT) and managed to secure silver medal in the Road Race (IRR).

    Ilyas’s gold came in the Men’s Master Open (35-39 age group) after he completed the 21.4km course in 26 minutes, 30.556 seconds, averaging a speed of 48.44km/h to finish one minute and 14 seconds ahead of Thailand’s Narongdat Sangchai, who secured the silver medal.

    Meanwhile, Rabia Gharib bagged gold and silver in the IRR and ITT categories, respectively.

    Another Pakistani cyclist Zainab Rizwan won two bronze medals in ITT and IRR.

    One of Rizwan’s bronze medals came in the 40-44 age category where she finished the race in one hour, 15 minutes, and 13 seconds.

    The results were recorded as Pakistan’s best-ever performance in the tournament.