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Category: National

  • Punjab orders fire safety audit after Gul Plaza disaster in Karachi

    Punjab orders fire safety audit after Gul Plaza disaster in Karachi

    Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed a comprehensive audit of fire safety systems in both public and private buildings across the province days after Karachi witnessed one of its worst disasters in a fire at Gul Plaza. 


    During a high-level meeting, she also instructed that roads be completely restored following any excavation for sewerage and drainage projects. CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that pits dug for development work in residential areas must be properly covered and fenced, and manhole levels should be adjusted to prevent accidents.


    She further ordered the establishment of control rooms and management cells in all deputy commissioner offices to closely monitor projects under the Punjab Development Plan (PDP). Officials informed her that transparency measures in PDP Phase-I had saved approximately Rs2.8 billion.


    The chief minister announced that sewerage, drainage, disposal, and water storage projects would be implemented in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, and Jhang. Additionally, trunk sewerage systems, new disposal stations, and rainwater drainage systems are planned for Jhelum, Hafizabad, and Okara.


    Highlighting urban beautification, she called for the creation of green belts and recreational green spaces in every city. CM Maryam Nawaz also directed that a single utility corridor be established under development projects to avoid repeated excavations in neighborhoods.



    She emphasized that electricity poles should be installed along road edges, with overhead wires and cables neatly arranged to prevent tangled wiring. 



    The chief minister ordered the installation of streetlights across tehsils and announced the introduction of uniform, plastic-like manhole covers. She also directed that footpath edges be lined with yellow and black stones instead of painted markings. Plans to develop open-air gyms, walking tracks, and entertainment centers in various areas were also approved.


    To enhance transparency and monitoring, she mandated that all PDP projects be geo-tagged.


    Meanwhile, Punjab Emergency Services Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique called for the full implementation of the Building Safety Regulations 2022 throughout the province. Chairing a separate meeting, he instructed strict legal action against any violations of these regulations.

    An official statement noted that a survey of 2,214 high-rise buildings across Punjab has been completed. The provincial government is also implementing a plan to expand firefighting services to 39 additional tehsils at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion.

    Highlighting government achievements, Khawaja Salman Rafique credited the Punjab administration for establishing an air ambulance service and providing emergency support on motorways.


    He stressed that enforcing the Building Safety Regulations 2022 is critical to preventing loss of lives, and the government remains committed to its full implementation with the cooperation of the business community.


    Provincial Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer said Punjab now has a modern fire and rescue service. Since the notification of the Building Safety Regulations 2022, Rescue 1122 has responded to over 280,000 fire emergencies, averting potential losses worth Rs768 billion. 


    The province’s rescue service currently operates 281 fire vehicles and employs 2,446 trained fire rescuers. Safety grading of high-rise buildings across Punjab has also been completed.


    Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief over the recent fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, which claimed at least 26 lives. She prayed for the recovery of the missing and extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, describing their pain as immeasurable.

  • Daughters of Pakistani man deported from US say he was denied heart medicine in detention

    Daughters of Pakistani man deported from US say he was denied heart medicine in detention

    The daughters of Asif Amin Cheema, who was deported from the US state of Illinois, have claimed that their father was legally residing in the United States and that forcibly sending him back to Pakistan was an unjust act. The daughters have demanded that their father be allowed to return to the US.


    Asif Amin, who owned a restaurant in Chicago’s Humboldt Park area, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in September while he was on his way to work, his daughters stated. 


    They claimed that their father held a valid work permit and was about to attend an interview related to obtaining his green card.


    Asif Amin was scheduled to be deported in November, but just moments before being boarded onto the flight, he was rushed to hospital after experiencing severe chest pain.


    The appeals court later refused to allow Asif Amin to remain in the United States, following which he was deported to Pakistan on January 1.


    Cheema claimed that he was not even given medication at the time of his arrest. He suffers from a heart condition and does not know when he will be able to reunite with his family.


    Asif’s daughters questioned why a deportation order issued in the 1990s was suddenly enforced now. An attorney had assisted in changing his immigration status, but the family said they were unaware that a decades-old deportation order was still on record against him.


    Asif’s daughter Rabia Amin said in an emotional statement that the family had followed every legal procedure, yet her father was maltreated. 


    She said her father had come to the US with dreams of securing a better future for his children, dreams they never imagined would be shattered like this.


    The family hopes that a judge will step forward to review the case afresh so that the separated family can once again live together in the United States.

  • ‘Discipline, not spectacle’: Marriyum Aurangzeb’s transformation secret

    ‘Discipline, not spectacle’: Marriyum Aurangzeb’s transformation secret

    By Hareem Shahid

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar got married over the weekend and it is all anyone can talk about.

    From desi glam to a high-profile guest list, the wedding events spanning three days had it all; however, one thing that caught everyone’s attention was the transformation of senior Punjab minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, sparking conversations across social media.

    Her visible change sparked widespread conversations online, many of which unfortunately veered into speculation and trolling. This reaction reflects a troubling trend in society where personal health journeys are reduced to gossip rather than understood in their proper context.

    Weight fluctuations are common. Changes in routine, stress, professional demands and family responsibilities often lead to periods of weight gain or loss. For many, marriage and career pressures bring lifestyle adjustments that affect health. But what matters is not the fluctuation itself but the decision to reclaim fitness and prioritise well-being.

    The minister’s transformation does not seem like the product of fad diets or overnight fixes. Minor changes visible in her pictures from over the past couple of months reflect consistent effort based on balanced nutrition, portion control, regular exercise or mindful habits, underscoring that meaningful change is gradual, requiring discipline and patience rather than quick solutions.

    This was also highlighted by veteran actor Bushra Ansari. “I know Marriyum closely as a person. Her weight loss journey speaks of commitment, strength and consistency. Well done, Marriyum, you look beautiful, MashaAllah,” she wrote in a social media post, sharing a picture of the minister from one of the wedding events.

    Countering false claims about her transformation, colleagues also expressed support for the minister.

    “For the past few days, a social media debate has been going on regarding Marriyum Aurangzeb’s weight-loss journey. Some people gained motivation by seeing her, and some felt jealous. But the facts are very simple… such a transformation usually does not seem possible,” wrote Badar Shahbaz, media coordinator to the prime minister.

    Badar also drew parallels between the minister’s transformation and rather frequent ones of showbiz personalities. He went on to cite the example of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who made headlines for rapidly gaining and losing weight for his 2016 movie Dangal.

    “No one said that he must have undergone any surgery because he was not a political personality… anti-PML-N trolls considered it necessary to show their ‘expertise’,” he wrote, adding that the minister had proven that where there is will, nothing is impossible.

    An old friend of the minister also shared pictures from back when the two were students. “Quaid-e-Azam University farewell, 2002,” wrote the friend, namely Hina Hasan, in response to those perceiving her journey as a dramatic shift from obesity to leanness, as the pictures showed that Aurangzeb had successfully been working towards restoring her former self.

    True transformation is not about returning to a past version of yourself but about building a healthier present. Fitness is measured in stamina, energy and resilience, not simply in dress size, and Aurangzeb’s story seems to highlight that health is holistic, encompassing both physical and mental strength.

    Health progress is rarely linear. Plateaus, setbacks and moments of discouragement are part of the process. What makes her journey inspiring is her persistence in continuing despite obstacles. This determination is what resonates with countless individuals who struggle with similar challenges.

    Reducing years of effort to memes or negative commentary ignores the reality of health journeys. Everybody responds differently to lifestyle changes, and public figures face amplified scrutiny. Social media often trivialises discipline and perseverance, turning personal victories into targets for mockery. Such trolling is unjustified and diminishes the value of hard work.

    The minister’s transformation is a reminder that health is not about chasing perfection or pleasing critics. It is about reclaiming control, building resilience and committing to long-term well-being. Her journey stands as an example of what determination can achieve, inspiring those who face their own struggles with weight management.

    In a society quick to judge appearances, her story challenges assumptions and offers a powerful lesson: transformation is not a spectacle, but self-discipline. Rather than ridicule, it deserves recognition as a testament to persistence and the pursuit of health.

    The author is a fitness coach and trainer, passionate about sustainable health transformations.

  • Polish deputy PM hits out at India after Jaishankar criticises his Pakistan visit

    Polish deputy PM hits out at India after Jaishankar criticises his Pakistan visit

    Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has said that discussions with India on regional issues were “frank”, while raising concerns over New Delhi’s participation in military exercises with Russia, following Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks linking Pakistan to terrorism.

    Speaking to reporters after talks with Jaishankar in New Delhi on January 19, 2026, Sikorski said India and Poland were of “one mind” on terrorism but added that India’s participation in the “Zapad-2025” military exercises in Russia was viewed as “threatening”.

    “We all have regional concerns and we all have neighbours, and with neighbours you have opportunities and challenges,” Sikorski said. “We also have concerns. India took part in the Zapad exercises in Russia that we find threatening.”

    The exchange followed Jaishankar’s comments during the meeting, where he referred to Poland’s engagement with Pakistan and urged Poland not to help “fuel terrorist infrastructure” in India’s neighbourhood.

    In televised opening remarks at Hyderabad House, Jaishankar said he wished to “discuss some of Mr. Sikorski’s recent travels to the region”, a reference to the Polish foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan in October 2025, during which he met Pakistan’s senior leadership.|

    The Indian minister’s remarks on Pakistan had earlier triggered a reaction among Pakistani social media users after a video of the comments circulated online. In the clip, Jaishankar told Sikorski that Poland was “no stranger to our region” and called on it to “display zero tolerance for terrorism”.

    The remarks came in the context of Pakistan–Poland discussions held in October 2025, where both sides had stressed the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

    Following the circulation of the video, Pakistani users criticised India’s position. One user wrote, “Lol, what does India think it is? A superpower or economic power or some shit so it thinks it can dictate the world?” Another said, “India can not dictate world and their governments on their foreign policy.”

    Other users questioned whether similar language would be used towards the United States, while some accused India of attempting to influence the foreign policy decisions of other countries and alleged that Jaishankar routinely makes statements directed at Pakistan.

  • ‘Talks can produce results, but PTI is not sincere,’ says Khawaja Asif

    ‘Talks can produce results, but PTI is not sincere,’ says Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the government remains serious about holding talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but questioned the opposition party’s sincerity, saying its leaders keep flipping their stance.

    Speaking to a private news channel, Asif said the government wants dialogue, but PTI does not appear committed.

    “They speak in many languages,” he said sarcastically.

    “Some talk in English, some in Punjabi, some in Urdu. Even the KP [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] government says one thing, while PTI members sitting in the assembly say something completely different. Which version are we supposed to believe?”

    The defence minister also said that people sitting outside the country who constantly resort to abusive language should be stopped first, adding that those people were doing so as part of a strategy and not on their own. 

    “There is an organised plan under which people sitting outside are abusing institutions and individuals,” he added.

    Asif accused PTI of keeping room for backtracking and said the party wanted to leave space for double-dealing rather than committing to talks. 

    “This is a problem of intent. If PTI is sincere, talks can happen and they can produce results. But then there are ill intentions. It feels like a card game where everyone is playing together,” he said.

    In reference to Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s election as the opposition leader, Asif questioned why the largest opposition party did not nominate its own leader for the slot.

    “He is like a brother to us, and I respect him greatly. I may disagree with his politics, but I have a strong personal relationship with him. It is a good decision that he has become opposition leader, and I welcome it,” he added.

  • Lahore cop arrested after bribery video goes viral

    Lahore cop arrested after bribery video goes viral

    Police in Lahore have arrested a constable after a viral video showed him demanding and pocketing a bribe during a vehicle check on Ring Road.

    According to reports, Constable Abdul Rehman, posted at the Ravi Road Police Station, stopped a citizen near Ring Road and took money from him. A video of the interaction was secretly recorded by the motorist.

    The video also showed Rehman asking the citizen to pay a higher bribe, and reciting “Bismillah” before putting the cash in his pocket.

    He then instructed the motorist to keep vehicle documents with him at all times.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran took notice of the viral video and ordered Rehman’s immediate arrest.

    Authorities detained the constable shortly after the footage gained widespread attention on social media platforms.

    The DIG also ordered Rehman’s immediate dismissal from service and directed strict action against him.

  • Karachi mayor says political point-scoring after tragedies is ‘inappropriate’

    Karachi mayor says political point-scoring after tragedies is ‘inappropriate’

    Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Monday criticised what he called an “unfortunate tradition” in the city of turning major tragedies into political point-scoring exercises instead of uniting people.

    “Whenever a tragedy happens, instead of bringing people’s hearts together, we start negative politics, we start blaming each other,” Wahab told reporters during a late night visit to Gul Plaza on Monday. 

    “You have plenty of time for politics. You will find many issues on which you can do politics. But doing politics on matters of humanity is inappropriate.”

    When asked about reactions to his visits to the site, Wahab said such criticism reflected the character of those passing the remarks. “We are focused on our responsibility. We will fulfill that responsibility. Let those who want to criticize be ready for it,” he said.

    The mayor confirmed that authorities had identified around 20 bodies and that approximately 80 people remained missing. He offered assurances that rescue operations will continue until all missing persons are located.

    Wahab also appeared on a TV program where he outlined three major decisions taken by the Sindh government. 

    “An inquiry committee has been formed under the leadership of the Karachi Commissioner. One crore rupees will be given to the families of each deceased person. A committee has also been formed to address the losses suffered by traders,” he said.

    The mayor revealed that following a fire on Rashid Minhas Road, authorities conducted fire safety audits of more than 600 buildings and shared the report with the Sindh Chief Minister.

    “Gul Plaza’s construction plan was approved in 1998, with irregularities,” Wahab said. 

    He confirmed that all relevant departments remained on alert as crews worked to remove vehicles and motorcycles from the plaza’s roof.

    The blaze broke out at one of Karachi’s oldest shopping malls on M.A. Jinnah Road on Saturday night, and continued burning for more than 24 hours. According to reports, the death toll had risen to 26 by Monday, with one firefighter among the casualties while dozens still remain missing.

  • SC says families force victims of domestic abuse back into ‘living hell’

    SC says families force victims of domestic abuse back into ‘living hell’

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has lamented society’s indifference towards victims of domestic abuse, observing that women subjected to prolonged violence by their husbands or in-laws are often forced by their families to return to the same hostile households.


    Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim passed the remarks in a six-page judgement in a domestic violence-related murder case. 


    “With a heavy heart we state that in similar cases, where daughters are subjected to sustained maltreatment by their husbands or in-laws, it is the sad state of our society, though with a few exceptions, that families still compel them to return to the same abusive environment,” the judge stated.


    A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar was hearing a jail petition filed by Khursheed Ahmad, challenging a Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench decision dated February 1, 2022. The SC, however, dismissed the petition and maintained the petitioner’s conviction for the murder of his wife Gulshan Bibi.


    In his opinion, Justice Ibrahim underscored that women enduring such treatment were clear victims of domestic violence and were entitled to legal protection, empathy and effective remedies. He added that deep-rooted social attitudes and cultural pressures often pushed families to send their daughters back into circumstances that amounted to nothing less than a ‘living hell’, he observed.


    The record showed that Khursheed Ahmad was initially convicted on February 12, 2021, by an additional sessions judge in Fatehjang, Attock, under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code. He was awarded life imprisonment and directed to pay Rs200,000 as compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased under Section 544-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.


    Subsequently, the Lahore High Court altered the conviction, setting aside the sentence under Section 302(b) and instead convicting him under Section 316 of the PPC for Qatl Shibh-i-Amd. The court sentenced him to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay diyat amounting to Rs2,055,936 to the heirs of the deceased.


    Through the present jail petition, the convict sought leave to appeal against the high court’s ruling. After reviewing the trial record and evidence, the SC declined to interfere with the findings.


    The judgement noted that testimony from a prosecution witness stated that the convict was unemployed, addicted to narcotics and frequently engaged in disputes with his wife. After repeated physical abuse, Gulshan Bibi left her matrimonial home in 2018 and moved in with her parents. However, following mediation by family elders, the couple reconciled and began living together again shortly before Eid.


    According to the witness, on July 21, 2019, he received a phone call from a woman living near his sister’s residence, informing him that Gulshan Bibi had been killed by her husband. He, along with his brothers Rasheed, Naseem Gul and Muhammad Akhlaq Ahmad, rushed to the house and found her lying dead.


    Another prosecution witness, Muhammad Ali, told the court that the couple’s minor son had disclosed that his father assaulted his mother with a wooden plank during the night. The child also stated that a man identified as Raees Pathan had slapped her, after which she lost consciousness and later died.

  • Pakistanis bash S. Jaishankar for ‘neighbourhood terror’ remarks to Polish deputy PM

    Pakistanis bash S. Jaishankar for ‘neighbourhood terror’ remarks to Polish deputy PM

    Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks to Poland on terrorism have sparked backlash from Pakistani netizens, with many accusing India of attempting to dictate regional and global foreign policy.


    Jaishankar told the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in New Delhi that they were “no stranger to our region” and urged Poland to “display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood”. 

    The remarks referred to the discussions between Pakistan and Poland on October 2025, where both sides stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter.


    After a video of Jaishankar’s remarks circulated online, Pakistani users reacted sharply. One wrote, “Lol, what does India think it is? A superpower or economic power or some shit so it thinks it can dictate the world?” Another stated, “India can not dictate world and their governments on their foreign policy.”


    Other users dismissed India’s attempts to influence other countries, questioned whether similar language would be used towards the United States, or mocked the Indian minister as desperate.


    Several reactions were more critical, accusing India of being a hostile neighbour and alleging that its foreign minister routinely makes statements targeting Pakistan.

  • Govt announces Rs10 million compensation for family of every Gul Plaza fire victim

    Govt announces Rs10 million compensation for family of every Gul Plaza fire victim

    Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has announced Rs10 million compensation for each family that lost a member in Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire, also pledging to rebuild the destroyed building.

    Addressing a press conference in the port city on Monday, CM Shah said the fire was a major incident and indicated that authorities might need to demolish the entire building due to the extent of the damage.

    “Firefighters and rescue teams are attempting to enter the building from three separate points, but the fire has not yet been fully extinguished,” he said.

    The blaze, which began late Saturday, raged for more than 30 hours before authorities brought it under control, with cooling operations continuing at the site. 

    CM Shah said the distribution of monetary aid to victims’ families will begin tomorrow and the focus now centres on correcting mistakes and preventing future incidents.

    An inquiry into the incident will take place under the supervision of the Karachi commissioner, he said.

    “In such incidents, every expert must be allowed to do their job without obstruction,” the provincial chief executive said and confirmed that authorities will also take steps to compensate shopkeepers who suffered losses in the fire.

    The inquiry committee will determine the causes of the fire and highlight any lapses.

    Earlier, the CM chaired a meeting attended by provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and other officials to receive a briefing on the incident.

    “I want to take all necessary steps for the rehabilitation of all victims of Gul Plaza,” he said during the meeting.

    Instructed officials to start clearing the debris immediately, he highlighted the need for a forensic investigation to determine the fire’s cause. The chief secretary was also directed to formally notify the fact-finding committee.

    He confirmed that all traders’ representatives agreed that authorities should restore businesses immediately, and the committee will decide how to implement their suggestions.

    The CM also revealed that both President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto have been in constant contact, urging immediate restoration of traders’ businesses and urgent action for the affected traders.

    Meanwhile, at least 15 bodies were recovered, five of them beyond identification, from the building. The number of missing persons, on the other hand, has risen to 73.