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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Repetitive, non-technical questions’: Pakistani journalists slammed for unnecessary questions to Australian cricketers

    ‘Repetitive, non-technical questions’: Pakistani journalists slammed for unnecessary questions to Australian cricketers

    The Australian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan has sparked an unexpected debate, with fans expressing anger over the quality of questions asked by Pakistani journalists during press conferences. 

    Australia are in Pakistan for a three-match T20I series. The opening match took place on Thursday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan secured a 22-run victory. 

    Despite the competitive cricket on display, much of the post-match discussion online has focused on press conference questions rather than on-field performances.

    Fans criticised journalists for repeatedly asking Australian players non-technical and predictable questions, mostly centred around Pakistani players such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Many argued that not a single question addressed match tactics, conditions, or Australia’s own team strategy.

    The criticism began during the trophy unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, where Australian captain Mitchell Marsh faced a series of similar questions. 

    Journalists asked him how he rated the current Pakistani squad, especially Shaheen Afridi, whether Australian players enjoyed playing the Big Bash League alongside Pakistan cricketers, and which Pakistani players he considered dangerous or capable of troubling Australia.

    The pattern continued after the first T20I. During the post-match press conference, Australian spinner Adam Zampa was asked how he felt after dismissing Babar Azam. 

    The question drew particular backlash online, as fans pointed out that Zampa is one of Australia’s leading spinners and not a gully cricketer.

    Zampa has dismissed Babar six times in international cricket, including Thursday’s match, making the question seem unnecessary to many viewers.

    Social media users reacted strongly, accusing journalists of forcing Australian players to praise Pakistani stars rather than discussing cricket in depth.

    “What kind of questions are these journalists asking Australian players? Always forcing them to praise Bobzie. Grow up and have some shame. He was clearly uncomfortable,” one user wrote.

    Another commented, “Abe kia journalist ke pas or koi sawal nahi hota Babar ke ilawa?” [Don’t journalists have any other questions besides Babar?]

    Frustration with the Pakistan Cricket Board also surfaced in several reactions. “Yar PCB khuda ka wasta hai, ya to educated journalists le aao ya phir inhein proper sawal likh kar de diya karo,” one fan posted [PCB, for God’s sake, either bring forth educated journalists or give them proper written questions].

    Some fans expressed second-hand embarrassment over the exchanges. “Question ye puch rahe hain, sharam mujhe aa rahi hai,” a user said [They are asking these questions, and I feel embarrassed].

    Others were more direct in their criticism. “Pathetic questions, such a shame,” one comment read, while another added, “PCB should only allow specific qualified journalists to ask questions. This is embarrassing.”

    As the series continues, fans are calling for more thoughtful and technical questioning. 

    Coming back to the field, this was Pakistan’s first T20I win over Australia in seven years. The second T20I of the series will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

  • Lahore sewer case: Husband allegedly beaten, pressured to confess

    Lahore sewer case: Husband allegedly beaten, pressured to confess

    A reporter speaking  on a private news channel program claimed that the husband of a woman and her infant daughter who died after falling into a manhole in Lahore was subjected to violence while in police custody and was pressured to confess to killing his family.

    “He was kept under pressure and repeatedly told to admit that he had killed them,” the reporter said, claiming the man was not produced before the media because of the treatment he received in custody. The reporter said police officials prevented the husband from speaking publicly and accused him of lying from the outset.

    According to the reporter, police officers repeatedly told media representatives that no such incident had taken place and described the case as a personal dispute. “Police kept saying this incident did not happen and that it was just a fight between the husband and wife,” he said, adding that officers claimed the man’s body language suggested he had killed the woman and child elsewhere and disposed of their bodies.

    The reporter said police maintained this position even after the husband was the one who contacted Rescue 1122 at around 7:30pm, reporting that his wife and daughter had fallen into an open sewerage line near Bhatti Chowk.

    Referring to the search operation, the reporter said senior police officers were present at the scene, while the DIG Operations arrived later at night to brief the media. “The DIG came close to 1am only to announce that a body had been found,” he said, adding that the recovery was carried out by rescue teams and not police.

    He further claimed that rescue operations slowed after police declared the incident “fake.” “When rescue was asked to step aside, the bodies were carried further away by the water”.
     

    The bodies were recovered nearly 17 hours after the incident. The woman’s body was found at a disposal station on Outfall Road, while the body of the 10-month-old child was recovered from an area near Saggian.

    Earlier, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal described reports of the incident as “fake news,” a statement that drew backlash after both bodies were recovered.

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz later ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee and suspended two officials of the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency over uncovered manholes.

  • Iran showcases military strength as US armada nears

    Iran showcases military strength as US armada nears

    Iran has warned that it is fully prepared to defend itself as tensions escalate with the United States of America, which continues to signal the possibility of military action despite regional diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a fresh conflict.


    Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Turkiye on Friday for senior-level discussions, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. He added that Tehran seeks to “constantly strengthen ties with neighbours based on shared interests”.


    The visit is taking place as regional leaders intensify diplomacy in hopes of persuading US to refrain from military action and encouraging both sides to reach some form of compromise. However, the US military buildup in the region continues, with President Donald Trump describing the deployment as an “armada” on Wednesday. The force is led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, now positioned near Iranian waters.



    Inside Iran, senior political, military and judicial officials have adopted an increasingly defiant tone, stressing preparedness over negotiations.



    “Tehran’s priority is currently not to negotiate with the US, but to have 200 percent readiness to defend our country,” said Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior member of Iran’s negotiating team, according to state media.



    Gharibabadi confirmed that messages have recently been exchanged with Washington through intermediaries, but emphasised that even if talks were possible, Iran would remain on high alert. He noted that Iran had previously been attacked first by Israel and then by the US last June, just as negotiations were expected to begin.



    Iran has repeatedly highlighted its military capabilities in recent days, following extensive exercises conducted since June’s 12-day war, during which several senior military officials were killed and nuclear facilities were struck.


    On Thursday, the Iranian army announced the induction of 1,000 new “strategic” drones into its forces. According to the army, the fleet includes one-way suicide drones as well as combat, reconnaissance and cyberwarfare-capable aircraft designed to strike fixed or mobile targets across land, air and sea.



    “Proportionate to the threats facing us, the agenda of the army includes maintaining and improving strategic advantages for fast combat and a decisive response to any aggression,” army commander Amir Hamati said.


    The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also previously claimed it could withstand sustained attacks while continuing to launch ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel and US assets throughout the region if required.


    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have moved to boost civilian preparedness in the event of war. President Masoud Pezeshkian has delegated expanded powers to governors in border provinces, enabling them to import essential supplies – particularly food in case of war.




    The lack of adequate public shelters has also come under scrutiny. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani said on Thursday that the municipality plans to construct “underground parking shelters” as a “priority project”. However, he acknowledged that the initiative would take years to complete, leaving residents with limited protection in the event of imminent air strikes.




    Another potential consequence of renewed conflict is a return to widespread communications blackouts. Similar shutdowns were imposed during the June war and amid the most recent wave of protests.

  • Virat Kohli’s Instagram account restored after brief disappearance

    Virat Kohli’s Instagram account restored after brief disappearance

    Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s Instagram account returned on Friday morning after it mysteriously disappeared overnight on January 30, sparking widespread curiosity and concern among fans.

    Kohli, one of the most-followed athletes in the world with 274 million followers on Instagram, vanished from the platform without any explanation. The sudden disappearance quickly set off speculation across social media, with fans questioning whether the account had been deactivated intentionally or removed due to a technical issue.

    The incident did not stop with Kohli. His brother Vikas Kohli also saw his Instagram profile deactivated around the same time. While Virat Kohli’s account became visible again at around 8:00 am, Vikas Kohli’s account remained inactive.

    Neither Kohli nor his management team issued a statement on the matter. Instagram also offered no clarification, leaving the cause of the disappearance unclear.

    As discussions intensified, social media users turned the situation into a meme fest. Many linked Kohli’s vanishing act to the viral “missing penguin” trend that recently dominated timelines. Users shared screenshots of Kohli’s unavailable profile alongside images of the penguin.

    Although Kohli’s Instagram account is now fully accessible, the lack of an official explanation has kept fans puzzled.

  • Pakistan beat Australia by 22 runs for the first time in seven years

    Pakistan beat Australia by 22 runs for the first time in seven years

    Pakistan on Thursday started the T20I series against Australia in Lahore with a 22-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium.

    It was Pakistan’s first T20I win over Australia in seven years, with the last victory coming in 2018 when they won by 33 runs in Dubai.

    After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha chose to bat first. 

    The decision looked risky early on as Sahibzada Farhan fell for a duck on the very first ball of the match. Pakistan then steadied the innings through a responsible partnership between Saim Ayub and Salman.

    Saim scored 40 runs while the skipper hit 39 runs off 27 balls. Babar Azam chipped in with 24. 

    Fakhar Zaman scored 10, Usman Khan made 18, Shadab Khan managed one and Shaheen Afridi was dismissed for a duck. Mohammad Nawaz remained not out on 15 as Pakistan finished for 168 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

    For Australia, Adam Zampa led the bowling attack with four wickets for 24 runs. Xavier Bartlett and Behrendorff picked up two wickets each.

    Chasing 169, Australia were off to strong start but Pakistan struck early. Saim Ayub claimed the wickets of Matt Short and Travis Head, leaving Australia 28-2.

    Cameron Green fought hard and top-scored for Australia with 36 runs. Xavier Bartlett impressed with the bat as well, scoring 34, while Matt Renshaw made 15 and Josh Philippe added 12. 

    Despite these efforts, Australia could only reach 146 for eight in their 20 overs.

    Pakistan’s bowlers kept tight control throughout the innings. Abrar Ahmed delivered a standout performance, conceding just 10 runs in his four overs and taking two wickets. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz picked up one wicket each.

    The second T20I of the series will take place at the same venue on Saturday.

  • Shafi Jan grapples with questions on Rs4bn, Tirah evacuations

    Shafi Jan grapples with questions on Rs4bn, Tirah evacuations

    Special assistant to the Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafi Jan, appeared on a private TV program to discuss the ongoing situation in Tirah Valley, where thousands of families have been displaced amid worsening security and harsh winter conditions.


    During the program, Shafi Jan repeatedly highlighted that the provincial government had set aside four billion rupees to facilitate displaced civilians, but he appeared uncertain when asked about the broader military operation itself.

    When the host asked,“If you had set aside four billion rupees, then you knew this was going to happen,” Shafi Jan said, “We knew that despite our objections, the military establishment and the government were going to impose a military operation on us.” 

    He added, “When the operation would be imposed, there would be evacuations. When evacuations took place, in this harsh weather, we had to facilitate them. These are our people; it is our responsibility. Our government had set aside four billion rupees for this. We were fully prepared to facilitate the displaced people.”

    He further explained that the allocation was formalized by the cabinet on November 14, and that additional funds had been provided in Kurram and Bajaur: “We had allocated four billion rupees for facilitation. We passed it through the Cabinet on November 14. We are also giving an additional amount to these people: three billion in Kurram, three billion in Bajaur. The provincial government provided it. Operations are conducted, people are displaced – just for a minute, people are displaced.”

    Later in the program, when the anchor asked whether the provincial government had anticipated the operation or merely suspected it, Shafi Jan acknowledged that they were aware of the situation.


    He said that a jirga was taking place and that the military operation was being imposed despite their objections. He emphasized that the provincial government knew the intentions and actions of those conducting the operation and that, despite their objections, they were fully prepared to manage the evacuations and assist the displaced people.


    Shafi Jan’s statements underline a mix of awareness and uncertainty, showing that while the provincial government was prepared to assist civilians, it did not directly control the operational decisions in Tirah Valley.

    The evacuation in Tirah Valley began on January 10. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), more than 11,400 families have been registered, with over 10,000 relocated to safer areas including Bara and Peshawar. 


    The displacement has led to conflicting narratives between the provincial and federal governments: the federal authorities maintain that only intelligence-based operations (IBOs) under the National Action Plan (NAP) are underway, while the provincial government has emphasized its role in facilitating displaced civilians and providing necessary support in harsh weather conditions.

  • ‘I’m alive!’ Israeli woman reacts to TV reports declaring her dead in Iran protests

    ‘I’m alive!’ Israeli woman reacts to TV reports declaring her dead in Iran protests

    An Israeli woman has gone viral after a news report falsely claimed that she was executed in Iran.

    As per the details, Noya Zion shared a video showing her photograph on Israel’s Channel 12 News, which identified her as one of the victims killed during recent protests in Iran.

    The report, which appeared on Israel’s national television, also referred to Zion as Sanaz Javaherian, and described her as a protester arrested and beaten to death by Iranian security forces.

    “Four Jews Killed in Protests in Iran,” read the headline.

    Zion said she had never been to Iran and was shocked to see herself listed among the deceased.

    In a video posted to Instagram, Zion asked, “Wow, can you explain how this happened? And what happened?” 

    “I never thought this would happen to me in my life… I’m in my house! I’m here, I’m alive, sitting at home, and in half an hour, I’m going to training. I’ve never been to Iran in my life,” she said.

    The incident sparked criticism on social media platforms, particularly X, where users discussed the report as a significant journalistic error or as an example of propaganda. One user wrote, “Wild. The lengths they go through to lie,” while another commented, “Israeli propaganda is so efficient it even kills its own settlers on TV.”

    Other users were more direct in their criticism. One post stated, “This is pure propaganda. Israeli media fabricates stories, uses random faces, and lies to fuel fear. When the truth doesn’t fit the narrative, they invent it. That’s why their claims deserve scrutiny, not blind belief.”

    Another said, “An Israeli woman learns from television that she has been ‘killed’ in Iran… a dull, stupid Zionist propaganda ploy.”

    Additional reactions highlighted broader concerns about misinformation. “Zionists rule #1 lie and never admit the truth no matter how obvious,” while another said, “When the propaganda budget runs out, you just google ‘random girl’ and hope for the best.”

    A separate post claimed, “This is how Israel and US spread lies about Iran. Caught out yet again.”

  • Charsadda schoolboy shot dead over TikTok comments dispute

    Charsadda schoolboy shot dead over TikTok comments dispute

    A ninth-grade student in Charsadda was allegedly shot dead by a fellow student following a dispute over comments on a TikTok post.


    As per the details, the victim, identified as Salman, was shot dead at a private school.


    According to an FIR (first information report) at the Mandani Police Station, the victim’s brother, Shehzad, was informed that Salman was involved in an altercation with another student at the school. Upon reaching the school, he found his brother arguing with Faizan, a tenth-grade student.


    The complainant said that in the presence of the school principal, Naseer Ahmad, and other students, Faizan suddenly pulled out a firearm and opened fire. The bullet struck Salman in the chest, critically injuring him.


    Salman was rushed to Jamalabad Hospital and later referred to another medical facility due to his critical condition. However, he succumbed to his injuries while being shifted.


    Police said preliminary investigations suggest the incident stemmed from a personal dispute linked to TikTok-related comments. The body was shifted to the Jamalabad Rural Health Centre for postmortem.

    Further investigation is underway.

  • Diesel prices likely to go up, petrol prices down from Feb 1

    Diesel prices likely to go up, petrol prices down from Feb 1

    Diesel and Kerosene oil prices in Pakistan are expected to go up from February 1, while petrol price could witness a slight drop, media reports have said.

    As per the details, reports quoted sources as saying that high-speed diesel prices are likely to increase by up to Rs9.47 per litre while the price of Kerosene oil could go up by Rs3.69 per litre. Similarly, light diesel prices are expected to rise by as much as Rs6.95 per litre.

    Petrol price, on the other hand, could register a slight reduction by up to 36 paisa per litre.

    According to reports, the initial working on petroleum product prices has been completed and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority is expected to forward the pricing summary to the Petroleum Division on January 31.

    Following the submission, the summary will be placed before the prime minister for approval, after which, the Petroleum Division will announce the revised fuel prices.

    The new rates will remain effective until February 15.

    In the previous fortnightly price review, the federal government decided to keep petrol and diesel prices unchanged. An official notification issued by the Petroleum Division said that petrol prices announced 15 days earlier would continue to remain in force, while diesel rates would also remain unchanged for the next fortnight ending January 31.

    Officials said the decision was taken after reviewing petrol rates, domestic fuel trends and overall market conditions over the past two weeks.

    The Petroleum Division also said movements in fuel prices, supply factors and demand conditions were assessed before deciding to maintain existing rates.

  • Babar Azam is my favourite, would love to include him in team: Hyderabad owner

    Babar Azam is my favourite, would love to include him in team: Hyderabad owner

    The owner of the new league of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Fawad Sarwar has made it clear that Pakistan’s batting star Babar Azam tops his wishlist as the new side Hyderabad prepares for its debut in the 11th season.

    In a recent interview, Sarwar spoke about his passion for cricket, team plans, and how he views the upcoming season.

    When asked about his favourite player, Sarwar said, Babar Azam is his favourite cricketer, and if the opportunity arises, he would love to include him in my team. 

    “Of course, every team would want him. For now, we haven’t thought about any other players. We’ll make decisions once we know which players have been retained by their current franchises,” he said.

    Sarwar, whose group won the Hyderabad franchise at the PSL expansion auction, praised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to introduce an auction system this year. 

    “There couldn’t have been a better step. The chairman and management made a great decision. We were the only group that initially pushed for this idea, and eventually, others joined in,” he said.

    PSL has introduced new player retention rules for its 11th edition. Under the updated policy, each franchise may retain a maximum of four local players before the player auction, with a limit of one from each category: Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver. After retentions conclude, teams will enter the first-ever PSL player auction on February 11 to complete their rosters.

    Since teams can retain only one Platinum player, sides like Peshawar Zalmi must make tough choices, meaning they may release either Babar or Saim ahead of the auction.

    Hyderabad has appointed former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as head coach, supported by assistants Craig White and Grant Bradburn.

    Sarwar said owning a PSL team fulfilled a long-held dream. His group secured the Hyderabad franchise for approximately Rs1.75 billion, outbidding competitors in a high-profile auction. He added that the team’s full name and logo are ready and will be unveiled closer to the auction or at a planned launch event.

    The 2026 Pakistan Super League, expanded to eight teams including Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallions, will run from March 26 to May 3 this year.