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Author: News Desk

  • Imran Abbas wants politicians to take Karachi as seriously as Tabish Hashmi’s joke

    Imran Abbas wants politicians to take Karachi as seriously as Tabish Hashmi’s joke

    Actor Imran Abbas has weighed in on the controversy surrounding comedian and TV host Tabish Hashmi, defending him after strong criticism from Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.

    Sharing his views on Instagram, Abbas said the reaction from politicians missed the real issues highlighted in Hashmi’s remarks. 

    “If politicians took Karachi even 1/100th as seriously as they take Tabish Hashmi’s joke, since anyone can tell it wasn’t said in a literal sense, they wouldn’t be dodging the real issues he was pointing out,” Abbas wrote in an Instagram story without naming any politician.

    The debate began after Hashmi, while discussing the deadly Gul Plaza fire during a program on a private news channel, suggested the privatisation of Karachi. Comparing the situation to the government’s decision to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Hashmi said Karachi’s residents could manage the city better themselves.

    “If the government realised it could not run PIA and decided to privatise it, then Karachi should also be privatised. We, the people of Karachi Pathan, Baloch, Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi will handle it ourselves. If this is the current standard of governance, we can run it better, because it cannot be run worse than this,” he said.

    Sharjeel Inam Memon responded sharply to the comments, calling them “foolish” and “stupid” while speaking to journalists on Tuesday. Without naming Hashmi, the senior minister said the individual lacked an understanding of constitutional law, history, and the geography of Sindh.

    “The individual who said this had neither studied constitutional law nor understood Sindh’s historical and geographical importance. Such comments showed a serious lack of awareness about Sindh’s constitutional role within Pakistan,” Memon said.

    He also urged the concerned private television channel to conduct an internal inquiry and take disciplinary action against the anchorperson. “Media organisations must promote responsible journalism and avoid spreading misleading narratives about Karachi and Sindh,” he added.

    Memon further stressed Sindh’s central role in the creation of Pakistan and said many people comment on sensitive issues related to Karachi without proper knowledge of the province’s history and geography.

    The remarks came in the aftermath of a massive fire at Gul Plaza on the night of January 17. The blaze destroyed the multi-storey shopping complex, which housed around 1,200 shops selling children’s clothing, toys, crockery, and household items.

    According to reports, authorities have recovered more than 79 bodies so far, while rescue teams continue search operations at the site.

  • ‘ICC is nothing more than BCCI’s Dubai office,’ says Indian journalist

    ‘ICC is nothing more than BCCI’s Dubai office,’ says Indian journalist

    Senior Indian sports journalist Sharda Ugra has thrashed the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying that the global cricketing body no longer functioned independently and instead operated under India’s control.

    “The ICC is nothing more than the BCCI’s Dubai office,” Ugra said during an interview as she criticised the handling of the ongoing T20 World Cup controversy involving Bangladesh’s exit over security concerns in India.

    She also argued that poor management and lack of seriousness had damaged the credibility of the sport.

    “I can say with full confidence that India has played a major role behind this crisis […] in particular, the BCCI’s influence, its dominance within the ICC and the near-submissive behaviour of other countries represented on the ICC board have created this situation.”

    Ugra said Bangladesh’s exclusion was a clear example of double standards, adding that the ICC failed to take Bangladesh’s concerns seriously.

    “There is a clear disparity here. When Bangladesh raises objections to playing in India, it is not taken seriously and is instead brushed aside under ICC regulations. This argument is extremely weak and unsustainable,” she said.

    Ugra added that the financial strength of Indian cricket has pushed the ICC into a compromised position. “It is now an open secret in the cricketing world that the ICC operates exactly as the BCCI wants. The ICC executive board reacts in much the same way. That is why I am not surprised by this decision at all.”

    She also warned that Pakistan’s possible withdrawal from the World Cup could deal a major financial blow to the ICC, as Pak-India matches generate the highest revenue for the tournament.

    The interview comes as Pakistan openly backs Bangladesh’s position. Reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is weighing multiple protest options, including a possible boycott of its February 15 match against India in Colombo.

    The possibility emerged after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi delayed a final decision on Pakistan’s participation following a meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. 

    A decision was expected after the meeting, but Naqvi announced on X that the final decision would be made either on Friday or next Monday.

  • ‘Only Rs20 or 30 lacs’: Alishbah Anjum says will have a ‘simple wedding’

    ‘Only Rs20 or 30 lacs’: Alishbah Anjum says will have a ‘simple wedding’

    As lavish weddings of internet celebrities continue to catch netizens’ attention, renowned TikToker and social media influencer Alishbah Anjum has said she would go for a “simple one in just Rs20 or 30 lacs”.

    “I will go for a simple wedding… it can be done in 20 to 30 lac rupees. Just the nikah and walima,” she said while responding to a question regarding her wedding plans during a Q&A session with her followers.

    She also shared the cost of her outfit during the session, breaking it down as Rs20,000 for her jeans, Rs10,000 for her shirt and Rs25,000 for her shoes.

    Fans were quick to react to her statement online.

    “It is good that the girl talked about spending less on her wedding,” one wrote. Another commented, “May everyone be blessed with such a simple wedding .” 

    Some others expressed shock, saying, “Is a wedding of 20 to 30 lakh considered simple ?”

    Alishbah has a massive social media presence, with over three million followers on Instagram and over 19 million on TikTok.

  • Legal notice to Maria B, courier service for delivering 5kg flour instead of garments

    Legal notice to Maria B, courier service for delivering 5kg flour instead of garments

    A consumer court has issued notices to clothing brand Maria B and courier company PostEx after a customer alleged that he received a sack of flour instead of garments worth more than Rs50,000.

    The consumer court has summoned both defendants to appear on January 31 to respond to the allegations.

    According to reports, Muhammad Usman Malik filed the application under consumer protection laws before the judicial magistrate of the consumer court East. 

    He accused Maria B and PostEx of “gross negligence”, service deficiencies and unfair trade practices.

    According to the application, Malik placed an order on December 1, 2025, through Maria B’s official website for garments worth Rs55,864. Four days later, the courier service informed him that the parcel was out for delivery and shared the rider’s details along with a tracking number.

    Malik stated that when he opened the parcel after delivery, he found a five-kilogram sack of flour instead of the ordered garments.

    He claimed that he immediately lodged a complaint with Maria B’s customer support via email but did not receive a timely response. He later sent a legal notice to both the clothing brand and the courier company through his lawyer.

    In response to the notice, Malik said the brand initially assured him that it would refund the amount. However, he alleged that the company later offered him a voucher or coupon instead of a cash refund.

    The plaintiff has requested the court to order a refund of Rs55,864 along with 25 percent interest. He has also sought Rs200,000 in compensation for mental agony, stress, discomfort and hardship.

  • Pakistan among top global stock performers in first half of fiscal year

    Pakistan among top global stock performers in first half of fiscal year

    Pakistan ranked among the top-performing countries in global stock markets during the first half of the current fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Outlook report. The ministry said the stock market performance showed stability in key macroeconomic indicators. Overseas Pakistanis’ remittances were described as encouraging, contributing to an improved external account position.

    The report stated that the rapid rise in inflation in Pakistan has been contained, while stability has returned to large-scale manufacturing. It attributed the country’s improving economic performance to a stable exchange rate and fiscal discipline, which have supported economic growth.

    An increase in the primary surplus was also recorded, with the ministry expecting the trend to continue in the second half of the fiscal year.

    According to the report, investment activity is picking up across the country. It added that economic governance has improved and private sector productivity is gaining momentum.

    In the agriculture sector, the outlook recorded one percent growth during the current fiscal year. Imports of agricultural commodities declined from 13 percent to 0.7 percent, reflecting changes in domestic management.

    The report highlighted mixed trends within agriculture. Cotton output fell by 1.2 percent, fodder production declined by 14.4 percent, and fertilizer production dropped by 13 percent. At the same time, livestock output increased by 6.3 percent, while forestry and fisheries recorded a 2.1 percent rise.

    Bank lending from July to December reached Rs1,412 billion, compared to Rs1,267 billion during the same period last year, the report said.

    Imports of agricultural machinery increased by 21.6 percent, while large-scale industrial growth rose by six percent. Overall, aggregate production improved from 1.3 percent to 1.8 percent on a year-on-year basis, according to the Ministry of Finance.

  • ‘I did not expect it to be this cold’: Mitchell Marsh didn’t pack enough warm clothes for Pakistan tour

    ‘I did not expect it to be this cold’: Mitchell Marsh didn’t pack enough warm clothes for Pakistan tour

    Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has been surprised by the cold weather in Pakistan as his team arrived in Lahore for a three-match T20I series. 

    Speaking at the trophy unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, Marsh admitted he did not expect such cold and had not packed enough warm clothing.

    “I did not expect it to be this cold in Pakistan, so I did not bring many warm clothes,” Marsh said during the pre-series press conference.

    Australia landed in Lahore amid an unusual cold spell across the country. While locals have reacted with mixed feelings, the visiting players arriving from summer conditions in Australia were surprised by Pakistan’s cold weather.

    Marsh said he was happy to be in Pakistan and described the series as an important part of Australia’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. “We are really excited to be here. This series is very important for our World Cup preparation, and the whole squad is looking forward to it,” he said.

    He added that most members of Australia’s World Cup squad are available and said the team aims to use the series to fine-tune its plans. “Playing in these conditions will not be easy. We will try to attack the spinners based on the conditions, and we will decide the playing eleven tomorrow,” Marsh said.

    Praising Pakistan’s pace attack, Marsh said, “Pakistan has a great history of fast bowling. Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of the best bowlers in the world right now, and he will be a big challenge for us in the series and the World Cup.”

    Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha also addressed the media and urged focus on the team rather than individual players. “I hope that when I come to a press conference, I am not asked questions about Babar. Leave him alone and let him bat,” Salman said.

    He added that Pakistan have several players capable of performing. “There are other players in the team. We can talk about them as well. I am not concerned about the Big Bash League. Babar is batting well,” he said.

    Salman termed the series crucial for both teams. “This series gives us a clear direction and a great opportunity to prove ourselves against a strong side like Australia,” he said. He added that every player understands his role and stressed the importance of playing according to match situations.

    Salman Ali Agha described Australia as a team with a consistent mindset and said Pakistan have a strong chance to win the series. He also named Usman Tariq as a potential trump card for Pakistan.

    Reports suggest Travis Head may lead Australia in the first match as Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are likely to be rested due to workload management after playing the Big Bash League final on Sunday.

    The T20I series will be played on January 29, January 31, and February 1 at Gaddafi Stadium, with all matches starting at 4 pm Pakistan Standard Time.

  • Lahore High Court takes up petition seeking social media ban for children under 16

    Lahore High Court takes up petition seeking social media ban for children under 16

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought replies from the federal government and other authorities on a petition seeking ban on social media for children under the age of 16.


    As per the details, the petition, filed by Aliya Saleem and others through Advocate Shiza Qureshi, was heard by LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Tuesday.


    Justice Neelum described the matter as important and noted that it raised broader policy questions that should be addressed by the government.


    The petitioner’s counsel argued that social media was causing serious harm to the mental, moral and educational development of children. 


    Qureshi added that several developed countries were considering or imposing restrictions on social media for underage users.


    The lawyer informed the court that Australia imposed a ban on children’s use of social media in December 2025, while countries including France, Norway, Malaysia and New Zealand were in the process of legislating on the matter. 

    Earlier this month, senators Falak Naz, Fawzia Arshad, Aimal Wali Khan, Saadia Abbasi and Dilawar Khan also highlighted the need to monitor social media for children under 18.


    Senator Sherry Rehman also emphasised the importance of safeguards and suggested forming a special committee in consultation with relevant ministries to address the issue.

  • TikTok blames technical glitches, rejects claims of ‘Epstein’ and ICE censorship

    TikTok blames technical glitches, rejects claims of ‘Epstein’ and ICE censorship

    TikTok’s United States (US) app has said that recent disruptions, including problems sending messages containing the name “Epstein” and alleged suppression of content related to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), were caused by a power outage at one of its data centers.

    The company pushed back against claims that the issues were politically motivated, saying the disruptions were linked to technical problems rather than censorship.

    Earlier, users reported account glitches after TikTok began operating under a US-led joint venture, following months of scrutiny over its Chinese ownership. 

    Some users claimed messages with the word “Epstein” failed to send, prompting warnings that the messages might violate community guidelines.

    A spokesperson for the TikTok joint venture told CNBC that the platform “does not prohibit sharing the name ‘Epstein’ in messages” and said the company was investigating why some users were experiencing problems.

    The concern surrounding the messaging issue relates to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. Since December, the Department of Justice has been releasing portions of documents tied to its investigations into Epstein but has not released the entirety of the so-called “Epstein files”.

    Complaints about TikTok’s handling of content have also focused on videos related to ICE. The agency has been involved in enforcement operations in Minneapolis that led to the fatal shootings of two US citizens. 

    Some users posted videos flagged as “Ineligible for Recommendation”, leading to claims that anti-Trump and anti-ICE content was being restricted.

    California Governor Gavin Newsom amplified these concerns, stating in a Tuesday post on X that his “office has received reports and independently confirmed instances of suppressed content critical of President Trump”.

    His office said it was launching a review and asked the California Department of Justice to determine whether TikTok’s conduct violated California law. 

    Hours before Newsom’s statement, TikTok posted on X that the company was “continuing to resolve” a major infrastructure issue.

    “While the network has been recovered, the outage caused a cascading systems failure that we’ve been working to resolve with our data center partner,” the company said.

    It added that users might notice bugs, slower load times and timeouts when posting content, and that some videos could temporarily show “0” views or likes.

    When asked directly about censorship claims, including ICE-related content, a joint venture spokesperson said that videos of the Minneapolis incident were available on the platform and had been since Saturday.

  • Pakistan, Australia explore long-term cooperation in mining and mineral sector

    Pakistan, Australia explore long-term cooperation in mining and mineral sector

    Pakistan and Australia are discussing the possibility of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to establish structured, long-term collaboration in Pakistan’s mining and mineral sector, it has emerged.



    As per the details, the IGA proposal came from Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik during his meeting with Australia’s new High Commissioner (AHC) to Pakistan, Timothy Kane, on Tuesday.


    The agreement would build on a July 2025 proposal made by former AHC Neil Hawkins, which envisioned collaboration between Australian universities, mining companies and Pakistani institutions. 


    The initiative aimed to provide specialised training in modern mining techniques, strengthen local expertise and support the development of Pakistan’s mining sector.


    According to an official statement, the petroleum minister and the new AHC discussed avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the mining and gemstone sectors. 


    Malik welcomed the strong interest of Australian companies in Pakistan’s mining industry and highlighted the country’s vast untapped mineral potential, particularly in the Tethyan Belt.


    “He proposed the possibility of an IGA between Pakistan and Australia to promote structured and long-term cooperation in the mining sector,” the statement said.


    Australia has been active in Pakistan’s mineral and natural resources sector across almost all resource-rich regions, including Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Kashmir. 


    The engagement has primarily focused on research and exploration, identifying critical reserves in copper, gold, coal, zinc and other precious minerals, including oil and gas.


    The joint venture between Australian BHP Billiton and the Geological Survey of Pakistan led to the discovery of the multi-billion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold deposits, which are now being developed for commercial production by Canada’s Barrick Gold Corporation. BHP withdrew from Pakistan almost two decades ago as part of its global restructuring.


    Malik briefed the new envoy on government efforts to develop and formalise the gemstones sector, highlighting its potential for value addition, exports and job creation.


    The AHC noted that Australian companies are already actively involved in the Reko Diq project and that additional firms had expressed keen interest in participating.


    He said Australian firms would be encouraged to join the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) and expressed hope for a strong Australian presence at the event.


    The diplomat also highlighted the growing global importance of copper and gold for the energy transition, noting that Pakistan’s mining sector had attracted considerable international attention. 


    He expressed optimism about collaboration in the gemstones sector through knowledge sharing, training and technical assistance, the statement added.

  • Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight amid global tensions

    Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight amid global tensions

    The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of humanity’s proximity to catastrophe, was moved closer to midnight on Tuesday amid growing concerns over nuclear weapons, climate change, and disinformation.

    The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which introduced the metaphorical clock at the start of the Cold War, adjusted its time to 85 seconds to midnight, four seconds closer than last year.

    The announcement comes during US president Donald Trump’s second term, in which he has shattered global norms, and withdrawn from international organisations.

    In a statement explaining the shift, the board noted that “Russia, the United States, China and other major countries have become increasingly aggressive, adversarial and nationalistic.” The decision was made after consultations with a panel that includes eight Nobel laureates.

    The board added that “hard-won global understandings are collapsing, accelerating a winner-takes-all great power competition and undermining the international cooperation critical to reducing the risks of nuclear war, climate change, the misuse of biotechnology, the potential threat of artificial intelligence and other apocalyptic dangers.”

    Heightened risks of a nuclear arms race were highlighted, particularly with the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia due to expire next week. The board also noted President Trump’s push for a costly “Golden Dome” missile defence system, which it said would further militarise space.

    Climate change was another key factor in moving the clock forward. The board pointed to record levels of carbon dioxide emissions, describing them as the key driver of the planet’s warming temperatures. It noted that Trump had sharply reversed US climate policy, while several other countries also retreated from earlier commitments.

    The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded by Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, and other nuclear scientists at the University of Chicago. The Doomsday Clock was first set at seven minutes to midnight in 1947 and has moved closer in subsequent years as global threats evolved.

    Last year, the clock was advanced by only one second, reflecting cautious optimism regarding Trump’s newly inaugurated promises to pursue peace.