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Author: News Desk

  • German president warns US actions are destroying world order

    German president warns US actions are destroying world order

    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has delivered an unusually sharp rebuke of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, warning against allowing the world order to collapse into what he described as a “den of robbers” dominated by the unscrupulous.

    In remarks that appeared to reference recent developments – including moves seen as targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro – the former foreign minister said global democracy was under greater threat than at any point in recent history.


    While the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s words carry political weight, and the role affords him greater latitude to speak openly than elected politicians. 

    Pointing to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a historic turning point, Steinmeier said Washington’s conduct now marked a second historic rupture.

    “Then there is the breakdown of values by our most important partner, the USA, which helped build this world order,” Steinmeier said in remarks at a symposium late on Wednesday. 


    “It is about preventing the world from turning into a den of robbers, where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want, where regions or entire countries are treated as the property of a few great powers,” he said.

    Public opinion in Germany appears to reflect growing unease. A poll published on Thursday by public broadcaster ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition) found that 76 percent of respondents no longer viewed the United States as a reliable partner – an increase of three percentage points since June 2025. Just 15 percent said Germany could trust Washington, the lowest level recorded since the survey began.


    In contrast, roughly three-quarters of those surveyed said they still considered France and Britain dependable allies.


    The poll also found that 69 percent of Germans were concerned about security in Europe, with a similar proportion expressing doubts that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) members could rely on protection from the United States, the alliance’s most powerful member.

  • ‘I have won both cases’: Saba Qamar shares powerful message on respect for women

    ‘I have won both cases’: Saba Qamar shares powerful message on respect for women

    Actress Saba Qamar has shared a strong message about women’s dignity and respect following the conclusion of drama serial ‘Case No. 9’ and a public apology from journalist Naeem Hanif over baseless allegations.

    Qamar shared a clip from the final episode of ‘Case No. 9’ on Instagram, featuring a powerful monologue encouraging women to speak up for their rights and justice. The post included a detailed message addressing recent events and broader societal issues.

    “I have won both cases Case No. 9 and Case No. 0 (Baseless),” Qamar wrote in her Instagram post.

    The actress emphasised her intention to share a meaningful perspective rather than criticize anyone.

    “I am not here to criticise or accuse anyone. I simply wish to share a thought that matters deeply to me,” she stated.

    “As a society, we must learn to be kinder and more responsible. Women should be supported in their success, not questioned, disrespected, or brought down by false stories and unverified claims. True progress lies in lifting each other up, not in diminishing one another.”

    Qamar referenced the false allegations made against her, acknowledging the apology that followed while raising important questions about accountability.

    “There was a time when false statements were made about me, followed later by an apology. While apologies are important, I believe we must ask ourselves: should a woman’s dignity ever be compromised in the first place, without facts or verification? This awareness is essential,” she wrote.

    The actress concluded her message with a firm stance on women’s respect and the importance of standing by truth.

    “I say this with grace and sincerity: respect for women is non-negotiable. I stood by the truth, and that is why justice prevailed. May we all choose truth, empathy, and fairness. This message comes from a place of positivity, integrity, and authenticity,” Qamar stated.

    In November, journalist Naeem Hanif made an unverified claim about Qamar during a podcast appearance, falsely alleging the actress was in a live-in relationship in Lahore.

    Hanif later issued a public apology, admitting his statement was unverified and contrary to facts.

  • Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    It’s very hard to make a drama about social issues, especially a courtroom drama, and get it to become a smash, viral hit. 

    Case No.9 became just that, not only because of the storyline but also because of the supreme acting by everyone in the drama. A huge shoutout to Saba Qamar, Faysal Quraishi and Gohar Rasheed who embodied their characters so well, it was like watching the case in real life. Chilling performances with emotional return. 

     

    The last few episodes of the drama focused more on a media trial rather than the court. And with a lot of cases, that is what happens. Real-life cases of Zainab, the little girl who was raped and murdered, Noor Mukkadam and others first played out on the media, generated pressure and then came to their favourable ends. One question is that would Noor Mukkadam’s killer still be in jail had it not been for constant media pressure? It’s sad that the question arises but unfortunately it does.

     

    We have heard actual police officials tell people in meetings that Case No. 9 is a drama that everyone should watch because of how the law and police proceedings are covered in the drama. It’s fact and anchor Shahzeb Khanzada shows it as much in the finale of the drama.

     

    But the blurring of real life and a drama was a bit too pronounced at the end of Case No. 9. Perhaps, it might have been better that a ‘drama anchor’ had done the media trial because the shift between the real show and the one in the drama was a bit disconcerting. The ending as well, it might have been better if an actor from the drama (read Saba Qamar) had read off the stats on rape cases in Pakistan. The uneasy feeling lingered near the end of the drama but then perhaps that’s what the writer was going for. To make you feel uneasy that real life and drama, in this particular case, are very comparable. 

     

    Whether you agree with the drama or not, it is true that media trials, in a lot of cases trump actual courtroom proceedings. We have seen it many times and we will continue seeing it, and it’s a global phenomenon, perhaps more pronounced in Pakistan. 

     

    Case No.9 became a drama that will remain in the list of the best social issue dramas in Pakistan and hopefully, we sincerely hope, that the positive effect it had and presented lasts for a very long time. Will a rape victim watch it and feel hopeful and fight for justice? We hope so. Will society watch it and think that should a woman be judged if she comes out and says a crime has been committed against her? We hope not. Would this play a big role in women empowerment? It better.

  • Who are the owners of PSL’s new teams?

    Who are the owners of PSL’s new teams?

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) completed its franchise auction on Thursday, adding two new teams to the tournament as FKS Group acquired the Hyderabad franchise for PKR 1.75 billion while OZ Developers bought the Sialkot franchise for a record PKR 1.85 billion.

    The bidding process took place at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad with 10 groups initially registered to participate. Ali Tareen Group withdrew just before the auction started, leaving nine groups to compete for the two franchises.

    Fawad Sarwar of Kingsmen (FKS Group)

    Fawad Sarwar, president of FKS Group, secured the seventh franchise for PKR 1.75 billion (approximately $6.25 million). The US-based businessman announced the team would carry the name of Hyderabad, with the full franchise name to be revealed later.

    Sarwar was born and raised in Hyderabad, where he completed his early education before pursuing higher studies at leading international institutions. Although he currently resides in the United States, his emotional connection with Hyderabad remains strong.

    “I always wanted Hyderabad to have representation in the PSL,” Sarwar said, adding that acquiring a PSL team to carry the city’s name had been a long-standing dream.

    Sarwar is the founder and owner of Kingsmen Sports and Enterprises and owns the Chicago Kingsmen cricket team in the United States. A cricket enthusiast, he has remained actively involved in promoting the sport through business and investment.

    As president of FKS Group, Sarwar oversees a diverse portfolio including FKS Aviation, ProCare Health and Kingsmen Enterprise. He also leads several investment firms, including Gilded Investments, Sand2Glass Investments and Minus2Degrees.

    Sarwar described the acquisition as a personal milestone and a tribute to his hometown of Hyderabad.

    OZ Developers 

    Hamza Majeed Chaudhry, chairman of OZ Group, claimed the eighth franchise after OZ Developers won the bid for PKR 1.85 billion and named the team after Sialkot.

    The franchise marks Sialkot’s entry into Pakistan’s premier T20 league. The team will represent the city, internationally known for its deep-rooted connection with cricket and sports manufacturing.

    Chaudhry is an overseas Pakistani who previously lived in Australia before relocating to Pakistan a few years ago. He is widely regarded as a cricket enthusiast with a strong interest in promoting the game at both domestic and international levels.

    Chaudhry has been involved in international cricket initiatives, including sponsorship of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) held in the United Kingdom.

    Under Chaudhry’s leadership, OZ Group has established a presence across multiple sectors. Its associated brands, including Wise Market, hold a notable position in the business landscape. The group’s entry into PSL represents a significant move towards business expansion and a contribution to Pakistan’s national sport.

    The expansion strengthens the league’s commercial value, improves regional representation and enhances global recognition. The two teams will join the competition in season 11 alongside the existing franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United and Multan Sultans.

  • Lawyers settle dispute with YouTuber Rajab Butt

    Lawyers settle dispute with YouTuber Rajab Butt

    Lawyers involved in a dispute over an alleged assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt at the Karachi City Courts have agreed to withdraw cases and complaints filed against each other, bringing an end to weeks of internal disagreement within the legal community.

    The development followed a meeting held on Thursday at the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), where lawyers from both sides held discussions and reached an understanding to resolve the matter. According to participants, the decision was made without any conditions imposed on either party.

    The issue dates back to December 29, 2025, when Butt was allegedly assaulted on the City Courts premises while appearing for the hearing of his bail plea in a case registered against him for hurting religious sentiments. The incident led to the registration of multiple cases and triggered reactions.

    Following the assault, Butt’s counsel Mian Ali Ashfaq lodged a case against Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah and 15 to 20 other lawyers. The case was registered under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 337-A (punishment for shajjah) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Separately, on the request of the KBA, the Punjab Bar Council (PBC) initiated action against Mian Ashfaq. On January 1, the PBC suspended his licence to practise and referred the matter to its disciplinary committee. The suspension was later withdrawn, restoring Ashfaq’s licence.

    On Thursday, Mian Ashfaq visited the KBA office on the association’s request and addressed a press conference after holding talks with the other side. He was accompanied by KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich, General Secretary Rehman Korai, senior counsel Rehan Aziz, Advocate Solangi and Advocate Fatah.

    Speaking to the media, Ashfaq said that after detailed discussions on issues that arose following the incident, both parties had agreed to withdraw the cases and applications filed before different forums. He said the understanding was reached without any conditions, but did not specify whether the case against Rajab Butt for allegedly hurting religious sentiments would also be withdrawn.

    Ashfaq also acknowledged the role of the Karachi Bar Association in facilitating the talks and providing a platform for dialogue between the parties.

    Addressing the media, KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich said the incident had affected the standing of the legal community. He said lawyers should limit their role to representing clients in cases related to religious matters and should not become complainants themselves.

    Warraich said that lawyers must not be involved in acts of violence and added that every litigant appearing before the courts was entitled to respectful treatment.


    Rajab Butt is expected to appear before a Karachi court on the issue of allegedly offending religious emotions on January 13. The purpose of this appearance is for confirmation or denial of his interim release.

  • ‘We will show you profit’: Mohsin Naqvi takes up challenge to prove Multan Sultans makes money

    ‘We will show you profit’: Mohsin Naqvi takes up challenge to prove Multan Sultans makes money

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has committed to operating Multan Sultans for at least another year to silence critics who claim the franchise operates at a loss.

    Speaking at a press conference following Thursday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise auction in Islamabad, Naqvi addressed widespread speculation about the team’s finances and announced his intention to publish detailed profit figures.

    “I took a challenge, and that is that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses. So I, and all of the team, decided that we will show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction,” Naqvi stated.

    Naqvi acknowledged mounting pressure to sell the Sultans but maintained that his focus is on proving the franchise’s profitability.

    “I’m being pressured to sell the team,” he said in a light-hearted manner.

    “But my wish is to operate Multan Sultans for one year, and I’m very much hopeful that we will leave it in profit so the world gets to know that it’s a plus-plus business.”

    The auction took place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with 10 qualified bidders competing for the two available slots.

    Meanwhile, former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen chose not to participate in the auction. Tareen, whose group did not appear on the list of qualified bidders, explained his decision on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the emotional significance of the franchise to his family.

    “After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote.

    “Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. That’s what drove everything we built.”

    The PSL completed its historic expansion, adding two new teams to the tournament. 

    FKS Group acquired the Hyderabad franchise for PKR 1.75 billion, while OZ Developers secured the Sialkot franchise for a record PKR 1.85 billion. 

    The two teams will join the competition in season 11 alongside the six existing franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Multan Sultans.

  • ICG warns Pakistan may strike again if militant attacks persist

    ICG warns Pakistan may strike again if militant attacks persist

    Pakistan has emerged as the country most severely impacted by the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has said, warning that Islamabad could again resort to military action if militant attacks continue.


    In a new report, the Brussels-based independent think tank states that ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated, largely due to the Taliban’s refusal to act against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 


    Militancy in Pakistan has surged since 2022, with 2025 alone witnessing more than 600 members of Pakistan’s security forces being killed, most of them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan – the two provinces bordering Afghanistan.


    Islamabad holds the banned TTP responsible for most of the attacks, alongside Baloch insurgent groups. Pakistani authorities say they have evidence linking the groups to Indian backing, a charge New Delhi denies.

    “UN monitors assert that the TTP enjoys Taliban support, but the Taliban publicly deny that Pakistani militants are even in Afghanistan and say Islamabad provoked what they paint as homegrown violence,” the report says. 


    Tensions escalated further in October after 11 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in a TTP attack. In response, Pakistan carried out cross-border airstrikes, including its first-ever strike on Kabul, which it said targeted TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud. Afghanistan retaliated by striking Pakistani military positions, leading to casualties on both sides, including civilians.


    The ICG warns that Pakistan is likely to strike again if future attacks are traced back to Afghan territory. While the Taliban lack the military strength to match Pakistan, the report cautions that any retaliation from Kabul could still prove deadly.


    Afghan authorities have claimed they possess missiles capable of reaching Pakistani cities – a scenario that would almost certainly trigger a harsher response from Islamabad.


    Beyond its western border, Pakistan’s regional outlook remains tense. The report notes that after brief conflicts with both Afghanistan and India in 2025, the current calm is fragile and could quickly unravel if another major militant attack occurs.


    The Afghanistan-Pakistan standoff is listed among the ICG’s 10 conflicts to watch in 2026, alongside Myanmar, Israel and the United States versus Iran, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Mali and Burkina Faso, Ethiopia-Eritrea, Sudan, and Venezuela.


    The report argues that global instability was accelerating well before Donald Trump’s return to the White House. His second term, it says, has so far done little to slow the trend. After a deadly 2025, the outlook for 2026 appears equally grim.


    Trump’s return has injected unpredictability into international crisis management. Having campaigned on promises to restore peace, he has placed himself at the centre of multiple conflicts, reviving attention on deal-making after years of stalled diplomacy.


    His approach, often built on prior diplomatic groundwork, relies heavily on leveraging US power – whether through pressure on allies such as Israel or by threatening tariffs and dangling business opportunities. 


    Meanwhile, progress remains scarce in conflicts where Washington is less engaged. European leaders, preoccupied with security threats closer to home, have limited capacity to broker peace beyond their immediate region, the report adds.

  • Rs1.75bn Hyderabad, Rs1.85bn Sialkot join PSL as league expands to eight teams

    Rs1.75bn Hyderabad, Rs1.85bn Sialkot join PSL as league expands to eight teams

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) completed its franchise auction on Thursday, adding two new teams to the tournament as FKS Group acquired the seventh franchise Hyderabad for PKR 1.75 billion while OZ Developers bought the eighth franchise Sialkot for a record PKR 1.85 billion.

    The bidding process took place at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad with ten groups initially registered to participate. Ali Tareen Group withdrew just before the auction started, leaving nine groups to compete for the two franchises.

    The auction for the seventh franchise opened with a base price of PKR1.10 billion. In the end, FKS Group sealed the deal at PKR 1.75 billion and announced Hyderabad as the new team.

    PCB set the base price for the eighth franchise at PKR1.70 billion. I2C Group opened with PKR 1.72 billion, prompting M-Next Group to counter with PKR 1.73 billion. I2C then took a break to reassess its strategy.

    M-Next returned with a PKR 1.76 billion bid, but OZ Developers raised the stakes to PKR 1.78 billion. I2C pushed back with PKR1.80 billion, forcing OZ Developers to take their own timeout. OZ Developers came back with PKR1.81 billion, which I2C beat with PKR 1.82 billion.

    In a decisive move, OZ Developers jumped to PKR1.85 billion, securing the most expensive franchise in PSL history. The eighth franchise will represent Sialkot.

  • Russia condemns US after seizure of tankers linked to Venezuelan oil

    Russia condemns US after seizure of tankers linked to Venezuelan oil

    Moscow has condemned the United States for seizing a tanker sailing under the Russian flag, demanding that US ensure the proper treatment of Russian nationals aboard and allow them to return home swiftly.

    Russia’s transport ministry said the vessel, now named Marinera, had been granted “temporary permission” to sail under the Russian flag, adding that no state had the right to use force against ships lawfully registered under another country’s jurisdiction. 

    Reports suggest that Russia dispatched a submarine to safeguard the tanker, although US forces boarded it without resistance.

    The United States says it has seized two “shadow fleet” tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in back-to-back operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean.

    US forces boarded the Russian-flagged Marinera after a pursuit lasting nearly two weeks as it travelled through waters between Iceland and Scotland. Britain’s Royal Navy provided logistical support by air and sea during the operation.

    A second tanker, the M/T Sophia, was boarded in the Caribbean. US officials accused it of “conducting illicit activities” while operating in international waters.

    The White House described the Marinera  previously known as Bella 1  as a “Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel deemed stateless after flying a false flag and had a judicial order” against it. 

    US officials said the ship had falsely flown the flag of Guyana last month, rendering it stateless under international maritime law.

    Experts told an international media outlet that a vessel cannot change its flag mid-voyage unless there is a genuine transfer of ownership or registry. Under UN maritime law, stateless vessels can be boarded by authorities.

    US European Command said the Bella 1 was seized “for violations of US sanctions”. 

    Britain’s Ministry of Defence said Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RAF)  surveillance aircraft and the naval support vessel RFA Tideforce took part in the operation at US request for assistance.

    UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the action was “in full compliance with international law” and part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions-busting.

    Separately, US Southern Command said it had “apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident” in the Caribbean. 

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that “in two pre-dawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously co-ordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ships,” noting that both had either last docked in Venezuela or were en route there.

    The seizures come as the US seeks to choke off Venezuelan crude exports. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT, anywhere in the world.”

    Venezuela’s leadership is cooperating with the US over the M/T Sophia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. “They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they co-operate and work with the United States”.

    China, the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil in recent years, has condemned the US actions, accusing US of threatening global energy security.

  • ‘I don’t see myself as a coach, I’d like to have my own club’: Messi on post-retirement plans

    ‘I don’t see myself as a coach, I’d like to have my own club’: Messi on post-retirement plans

    Argentine footballing star Lionel Messi has revealed that his post-retirement ambitions lean towards club ownership rather than management, taking inspiration from his Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.

    “I don’t see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a manager, but I’d prefer to be an owner,” Messi said during a recent YouTube interview with an Argentinian channel.

    “I’d like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow. To be able to give the kids the opportunity to develop and achieve something important. If I had to choose, that’s what would appeal to me the most.”

    The 37-year-old Argentine legend, who remains firmly focused on his playing career after signing a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028, in October last year said it made him really happy to stay and to continue with the project that, besides being a dream, has “become a beautiful reality”.

    “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

    Last November at the American Business Forum, he also spoke about his growing interest in the business world.

    “I like to start looking at what could come next. I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I’m just getting started with it,” he said. “I’ve always been 100 per cent dedicated to my profession, but I know that something else is coming and little by little, I’m getting involved.”

    Before retirement, Messi will also defend Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026 and chase another MLS Cup with Inter Miami.