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Author: News Desk

  • Investigation reveals how Gul Plaza fire broke out and spread

    Investigation reveals how Gul Plaza fire broke out and spread

    A preliminary investigation report has come to light, outlining how the Gul Plaza fire unfolded, tracing the sequence of events that led to one of the city’s deadliest fires in over a decade.


    Reports quoted sources as saying the fire began at an artificial flower shop inside the shopping centre, where children were reportedly present. Sources suggested it is possible the fire was triggered while children were playing with matches or lighters.


    The report indicated that flames initially engulfed products in the shop before spreading to electrical wiring, allowing the blaze to quickly move through the building. According to the investigation, at least 60 people died, while more than 80 remain unaccounted for.


    Burnt remains recovered from the debris are being identified through DNA testing. The probe also noted that panic and overcrowding happened as people rushed to exit points, with several gates reportedly closed and metal grills on the roof.



    The building’s CCTV system was destroyed, the sources said, but investigators have recorded statements from eyewitnesses and affected individuals.



    Using available footage, reports quoted sources as saying the fire broke out at the rear of the plaza at 10:07pm on Saturday, January 17. 


    Emergency responders arrived around 10:12pm, while flames became visible from the MA Jinnah road side, the front side of the plaza by 10:18pm, spreading from the back to the front in approximately 11 minutes.

  • Has Punjab ended attendance requirements for students? HEC sets the record straight

    Has Punjab ended attendance requirements for students? HEC sets the record straight

    A notification circulating on social media has sparked confusion among students in Punjab, claiming that public and private colleges and universities in the province have ended attendance requirements.

    The document, dated January 17, 2026, states that higher education institutions have been instructed not to prevent students from appearing in examinations or securing admissions on the basis of attendance shortages. It further claims that institutions have been barred from imposing fines or penalties linked to attendance.

    According to the notification, strict legal and administrative action would be taken against institutions that fail to comply with the directive. The document carries the name and signature of a section officer identified as Babar Khan Gondal.

    Following the circulation of the notification across social media platforms, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan issued a response, advising the public to exercise caution regarding the document.

    The commission stated that the notification being shared online was not issued by the HEC and warned that unverified information was being widely circulated. The HEC urged to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing such material.

    In its response, the commission advised all concerned parties to rely only on official government websites and verified social media accounts for updates related to higher education policies and regulations.

  • Only one of 163 Rawalpindi high-rise buildings meets fire safety standards

    Only one of 163 Rawalpindi high-rise buildings meets fire safety standards

    A fire safety assessment carried out by the Punjab government has exposed serious lapses in high-rise buildings in Rawalpindi, revealing that just one out of 163 structures meets the province’s prescribed fire safety regulations.


    The inspection was initiated on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz in the aftermath of the tragic Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, which killed at least 63 people and left several others unaccounted for.


    The audit, conducted under the Community Safety Building Regulations, examined all high-rise buildings in the district. Data shared by Rescue 1122 shows that while Rawalpindi has 163 high-rise buildings, only a single commercial property is fitted with a fully functional and automated fire protection system.


    Rescue officials said the buildings were divided into three safety categories. Only one was placed in Category A, indicating full compliance. Meanwhile, 11 buildings fell into Categories B and C, where fire safety arrangements were found to be incomplete, while 151 buildings classified as Category C were deemed entirely unsafe.


    The report indicates that most non-compliant buildings are missing essential safety features, including fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits, smoke ventilation systems, and automatic fire alarms.


    Authorities have issued notices to owners of commercial buildings that lack proper fire safety installations. Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director General Kinza Murtaza said owners have been given time until February 28 to ensure compliance, warning that properties failing to meet the requirements will be sealed.


    Records also show that 1,712 fire incidents were reported in Rawalpindi last year, resulting in four fatalities and 107 injuries, placing the district third in Punjab for fire-related emergencies.


    Rescue 1122 stated that its average response time during emergencies last year remained under eight minutes, adding that the department has adequate resources to handle fire incidents.


    Officials further clarified that while commercial building plans are approved by the Municipal Corporation, oversight of high-rise structures falls under the RDA. Construction of high-rise buildings requires mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Environment Department, Civil Defence, and Rescue 1122.

  • Apple to transform Siri into AI chatbot embedded across devices

    Apple to transform Siri into AI chatbot embedded across devices

    Apple plans to revamp its digital assistant Siri later this year by turning it into an artificial intelligence chatbot, international media reported on Wednesday. The project, codenamed Campos, will be integrated into iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems, replacing the current Siri interface, according to people familiar with the plan.

    The Siri overhaul is part of Apple’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence following the initial rollout of “Apple Intelligence” in 2024.

    Earlier this month, Apple struck a deal with Google to use its Gemini models to power Siri. Campos will run a higher-end version of the custom Google model, comparable to Gemini 3, and known internally as Apple Foundation Models version 11.

    The chatbot will support both voice and typing interactions and is expected to be the primary new feature in Apple’s upcoming operating systems, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. 

    Apple reportedly plans to reveal the AI version of Siri at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, ahead of a full launch expected in September. The update is separate from the AI-powered personalization features scheduled to arrive in Siri over the next few months. 

    The chatbot is designed to offer capabilities that Bloomberg described as “significantly surpassing” the personalization features currently in development.

    Separately, Apple is working on an AI-powered wearable pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones, and wireless charging, according to a report by the Information. The device could reach the market as early as 2027.

  • Pakistan may boycott T20 World Cup in support for Bangladesh

    Pakistan may boycott T20 World Cup in support for Bangladesh

    Pakistan may boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup if the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaces Bangladesh over the team’s refusal to play matches in India, reports quoted sources as saying Thursday.

    The claim comes after ICC rejected Bangladesh’s demand for relocation of its matches to co-host Sri Lanka amid security concerns in India following deteriorating political relations between the two neighbours.

    It may be noted that the security concerns surfaced after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Hindu extremists’ threats to attack Bangladeshi players. 

    It was followed by Bangladesh announcing that they would not play their matches in India, questioning that if India could not provide security to one player, how could it assure the safety of the entire team.

    However, the ICC Board rejected Bangladesh’s request during a meeting on Wednesday, maintaining that the tournament schedule will proceed as planned. 

    The cricket watchdog said the decision was based on comprehensive security assessments, including independent reviews, which found no threat to Bangladesh players, officials, media personnel or fans at any tournament venue in India.

    An ICC spokesperson on Wednesday explained that the organisation engaged with the BCB in sustained dialogue over several weeks, sharing independent security assessments, comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from host authorities.

    The spokesperson noted that the BCB maintained its position by linking its participation to “a single, isolated and unrelated development concerning one of its player’s involvement in a domestic league”, emphasising that it had no bearing on the tournament’s security framework or participation conditions.

    The Bangladeshi government will reportedly take national players into confidence over the matter today, after which a final decision is expected.

  • German doctor reaches Pakistan to marry Mandi Bahauddin man she met on Roblox

    German doctor reaches Pakistan to marry Mandi Bahauddin man she met on Roblox

    A 26-year-old German doctor has traveled to Pakistan to marry a 22-year-old man from Mandi Bahauddin.

    As per the details, Muhammad Akmal, who hails from village Deefar in Mandi Bahauddin, met the doctor, namely Selma, through the online game Roblox.

    While Selma holds dual citizenship with both German and Bosnian passports, she plans to build her life in Pakistan with Akmal.

    “Our conversation started on the online game Roblox, and we talked to each other online for about five months. After that, Selma decided to come to Pakistan and marry me,” Akmal said during an interview with a YouTube channel.

    He revealed that he proposed to Selma on their first day of talking. “I proposed to her on the very first day, and after some initial hesitation, she came to Pakistan.”

    Selma described her initial experience adjusting to rural life in Pakistan. “When I came to Pakistan and saw village life and daily chores, I was surprised at first, but I was happy to be with my husband,” she said.

    The German doctor found herself learning completely new skills. “Village tasks like washing clothes and dishes and making roti were a new experience. Although it felt difficult in the first few days, I learned it,” Selma said.

    She also revealed that she is learning Punjabi and Urdu to communicate better with her new family and community.

    Akmal said his family fully supported the marriage. “We had complete support from the family, and approximately Rs4.5 million rupees were spent on travel and the wedding ceremony.”

    “Life after marriage is pleasant, and we both live with love and respect for each other,” he added.

    The story is not the first of its kind as foreign women have married Pakistani men before in similar viral love stories.

    In March 2021, Canadian vlogger Rosie Gabrielle married Pakistani traveler Adeel Amer after meeting him during her travels in Pakistan.

    Similarly, in June 2023, 49-year-old Rosa from Mexico married 18-year-old Izaz Ali from Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), after connecting on Facebook.

    Several other such stories have been reported over the past couple of years.

  • Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ gains support from Pakistan, seven other Muslim countries

    Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ gains support from Pakistan, seven other Muslim countries

    Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries have announced their decision to join United States (US) President Donald Trump’s Gaza “Board of Peace”.

    In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar welcomed the invitation extended to their leaders by Trump.

    “The ministers announce their countries’ shared decision to join the Board of Peace. Each country will sign the joining documents according to its respective relevant legal and other necessary procedures, including Egypt, Pakistan, and the UAE, that have already announced to join,” the statement said.

    All eight countries had previously collaborated with Trump in October last year on a plan to end the genocide in Gaza. The UAE had confirmed its participation on Tuesday, while Pakistan and Egypt announced their decisions on Wednesday.

    “The ministers reiterate their countries’ support for the peace efforts led by President Trump, and reaffirm their countries’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the mission of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration, as set out in the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict and endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, aimed at consolidating a permanent ceasefire, supporting the reconstruction of Gaza, and advancing a just and lasting peace grounded in the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way for security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region,” the joint statement added.

    Meanwhile, deputy prime minister (PM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on Gaza.

    “Pakistan has been and will continue to work with our brotherly Arab-Islamic countries for lasting peace in Gaza and for ensuring the right to self-determination of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he said in a statement on X.

    Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) had confirmed Pakistan’s acceptance of the US invitation.

    “In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by President of the United States Donald J. Trump, Pakistan would like to announce its decision to join the Board of Peace as part of its ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza peace plan under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” the FO said.

    It added that Pakistan hoped that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

    “Pakistan also hopes that these efforts will lead to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine, through a credible, time-bound political process, consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions, resulting in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital,” the statement read, adding that the country looked forward to continuing to play a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of said goals.

    Trump had initially proposed the Board of Peace in September to address the Gaza genocide.

    A draft charter circulated last week to around 60 countries outlined its global ambitions. According to the document, members wishing to remain for more than three years would need to contribute $1 billion.

    The charter grants the US president broad authority, including the ability to appoint and remove member states and create subsidiary entities. It also allows Trump to serve as chairman indefinitely, with rulings made by a majority of the member states present and voting, subject to the approval of the chairman.

    The draft also criticised current international structures and called for pragmatic approaches to achieve lasting peace.

  • ‘No handshake’: Internet reacts as PCB roasts India in Australia series promo

    ‘No handshake’: Internet reacts as PCB roasts India in Australia series promo

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an official promotional video for the upcoming T20 series between Pakistan and Australia, and the internet cannot stop talking about it. 

    The promo cleverly combines traditional Pakistani hospitality with a cheeky jab at neighboring rivals India, sparking widespread reactions across social media.

    The video opens with an Australian guest enjoying local cuisine in Lahore, where servers bring multiple dishes to his table. The surprised Australian asks who will pay the bill for so much food, to which others reply that “Agha Ji” will take care of it. 

    Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha then appears on screen, telling the Aussie, “You are our guest.” The Australian thanks him and praises Pakistani hospitality.

    The promo’s standout moment comes when a taxi driver refuses to accept fare from his Australian passenger. The grateful Australian thanks him but forgets to shake hands. 

    The driver smiles and says, “You forgot to shake hands. Looks like you also stayed with our neighbors.”

    Social media erupted with reactions to the subtle dig. “The handshake part is best,” one user commented. Another wrote, “That handshake haha.” A third user joked, “No Indians were harmed in this promo.”

    “First time PCB made real content, you nailed it lol, absolutely fantastic,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Handshake part was hilarious.”

    The handshake reference carries significant context from recent cricketing events. After Pakistan thrashed India in military clashes in May last year, India launched a boycott campaign against Pakistan. 

    The tension escalated during Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani players before the toss. India even closed their dressing room doors after winning matches to avoid greeting Pakistani players.

    The controversy deepened when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after winning the tournament. The trophy remains with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and has still not been handed over to India.

    The promo concludes with Salman Ali Agha delivering a powerful message. “While we take pride in our hospitality, when it comes to cricket, we are fully prepared for the competition,” he says.

    Pakistan will host Australia for a three-match T20 series starting January 29. The second and third matches will take place on January 31 and February 1 respectively. 

    All matches will be played in Lahore.

  • Lahore to be divided into two administrative districts: reports

    Lahore to be divided into two administrative districts: reports

    The Punjab government has given approval for the division of Lahore into two districts, sources have told a media outlet, revealing that the administrative move will lead to the separation of deputy commissioners, police administration and municipal systems in the provincial capital. Under the proposed setup, each district will function with its own administrative structure.

    According to the report, the separation is aimed at addressing issues related to traffic management, encroachments, local government matters and public complaints. The sources stated that the division will allow authorities to deal with these issues without administrative overlap.

    The objective behind the move, as per the sources of the news outlet, is to make service delivery fast, effective and closer to the public. The new arrangement is intended to bring administrative functions nearer to residents by dividing responsibilities between two districts.

    Following the approval, the chief minister directed relevant departments to immediately complete preparations for the division. Concerned departments have been instructed to finalise arrangements linked to the new administrative structure.

    Sources said a follow-up meeting regarding the division of Lahore has been scheduled for February 9. The meeting will review progress made by departments and assess readiness for the implementation process.

    The decision has been taken purely on administrative grounds and is not based on political considerations. The move is being planned to improve governance mechanisms within the city, officials said.

    The creation of two districts will help improve administrative handling and allow public grievances to be addressed in a timely manner.

  • NDMA issues alert as rain, snowfall loom across country

    NDMA issues alert as rain, snowfall loom across country

    Authorities on Wednesday issued a weather alert following forecasts of heavy rain and snowfall across the country on January 22 and 23, warning that the spell could trigger flooding in streams and lead to road blockages.


    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that rain and heavy snowfall are expected in all provinces and northern regions during the two-day period. In response, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urged the public to exercise caution amid the adverse weather conditions.


    Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, and Rawalakot are likely to receive heavy rain and snowfall.



    In Punjab, intermittent rain and thunderstorms are expected across several cities, including Rawalpindi and Lahore. Islamabad is forecast to remain cloudy with periods of rain, while isolated locations may experience heavy downpours and hailstorms.



    Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to see widespread rain and snowfall across major districts. Meanwhile, Sindh is likely to experience cold and cloudy conditions, with rain predicted in cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana.


    Given the forecast, the NDMA advised provincial and district administrations to remain vigilant. Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also called on residents and tourists to take precautionary measures, particularly as heavy rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, Galiyat, and surrounding areas.