Category: National

Office of Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) has formally notified the terms and conditions for celebrating Basant, which will take place from February 6 to 8.

According to reports, the notification issued does not specify any particular area for flying kites, which means the government could be allowing festivities throughout the district.

The Lahore DC announced that manufacturers and traders can produce and trade permissible kite flying material from December 30 to February 8, provided they have valid digital registration under Rule 3 of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025 – a comprehensive legal framework governing kite flying.

Registered sellers can sell permissible kite flying material to the general public exclusively from February 1 to 8, following the notified rules and regulations.

Registration for manufacturers, traders and sellers opened Monday through the government’s e-biz app or the festival’s website. The notification prohibits anyone from manufacturing, trading, storing or selling permissible kite flying material without registering with the DC’s office.

The notification also said that only kite flying material specified in Schedule-I of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025 can be manufactured, traded, stored, sold or used during the notified period.

Kites must not exceed 35 inches in width and 30 inches in length, while guddas must not exceed 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length.

The kite string must consist of cotton with no more than nine threads and no less than 28-count coated with maanjha, with a minimum sheesha size of 350 mash. Manufacturers must wind the string in the shape of a pinna (twine balls), as the use of charkhi (spool) remains strictly prohibited.

The notification strictly prohibits manufacturing, trading, transporting, storing, selling, possessing or using sharp maanjha, nylon or plastic cords, metallic wire or any other injurious material coated on the thread.

All registered manufacturers, traders and sellers must clearly display valid registration certificates at approved premises, as Rule 3(6) of the regulation requires.

Registered manufacturers, traders and sellers must also maintain complete records of stock, sales and movement and produce them on demand to any authorised officer.

All registered kite flying associations must remain in close coordination with the DC and authorised officers for the smooth and safe conduct of the kite flying event while complying with their assigned responsibilities under the regulation.

The notification also directs all motorcycles operating within Lahore district to comply with safety specifications outlined in the kite flying regulation. The DC specifically calls for all motorcycle riders in Lahore district to install safety wires to protect their lives.

The notification directs all government departments, attached departments, agencies and organisations to assist the district administration and police in enforcing strict compliance with all terms and conditions as per law, rules and regulations to ensure public safety.

The Punjab government has issued strict instructions to divisional commissioners, DCs and district police officers to notify Basant dates after making arrangements to keep the festival safe and ensure no damage occurs to people’s lives and wellbeing.

DCs in their respective districts will need to issue similar notifications and ensure compliance with the conditions and restrictions outlined in the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025.

Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in Karachi have rescued a minor girl from a Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) plot to use her as a suicide bomber after militants contacted and radicalised her through Instagram and other social media platforms.

According to reports, Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar revealed the details at a joint press conference in Karachi alongside Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Additional Inspector General Azad Khan and Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho. 

He explained that militants approached the child online and gradually indoctrinated her over time.

“Terrorists contacted the girl through social media, narrated fabricated stories and brainwashed her,” Lanjar said, adding that militants had prepared her to become a suicide bomber before law enforcement intervened.

The home minister emphasised that militant propaganda relies on falsehoods and urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity. “[Their] terrorists’ narrative is based on lies. Through social media, they spread a false narrative against the state,” he said.

Lanjar noted that the girl comes from a family with no apparent militant background. 

“She has two brothers, one of whom serves in the police,” he said. He also stressed the state’s commitment to the Baloch community, saying, “The state is standing with the Baloch people.”

CTD Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan provided further details about the radicalization process. He said, “A BLA terrorist first contacted the girl on Instagram and later added her to a WhatsApp group, where militants exposed her to hate-filled content and anti-state narratives.”

“Initially, she was given extremist material, followed by continuous indoctrination,” Azad Khan said. He explained that the girl used social media like other children her age and had no family history of militancy.

Khan revealed that militants had taken the child out of Karachi as part of the plot, but authorities intercepted her during snap checking outside the city. “Because of her age, we do not consider her a suspect,” he said, adding that authorities will not pursue the matter through the criminal justice system.

Authorities informed the family of the entire situation after recovering the girl. “They will be provided protection,” Khan added.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Shehrbano Naqvi has broken silence on allegations by Dr Ali Zain Ul Abideen of Lahore, who claimed the cop pressured him into pay millions of rupees to a patient over a medical dispute.

Denying the allegations, Naqvi shared a detailed clarification on her Instagram story and revealed that she only met both parties once, on May 9, 2025, at her office.

She made it clear that she was not involved in any financial transactions and did not harass, coerce or pressure anyone.

SP Naqvi added that “the admission of guilt and cheques had been provided before the case reached her office, and the apology letter from the clinic was issued without any police involvement”.

Any monetary exchange that later took place occurred after she had left her previous office for her new appointment.

SP Naqvi said she had been appointed Model Town SP in October/first week of November and had nothing to do with the office of Defence assistance superintendent of police (ASP) Defence since.

Additionally, the officer called on public to not share false information on social media, saying that spreading misinformation was a sin and her name should not be used for personal benefit or publicity.

She also said that those spreading misinformation should thank her for not pursuing legal action against them for spreading misinformation.

Earlier, Dr Ali Zain had in an interview alleged that he was forced to provide three cheques totaling Rs10 million to a female patient who underwent laser eye surgery at his clinic in April.

He claimed SP Naqvi, then Defence ASP, had instructed him to reimburse the patient despite the surgery being medically successful.
 

The doctor also alleged that his clinic guard was detained during a visit by police personnel and argued that police have no jurisdiction over medical procedures, which should be evaluated by a qualified medical board.

Two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendants have been suspended following a public altercation at the Jeddah International departure lounge. 

The incident occurred as the flight was preparing to depart for Multan and was captured on video, which quickly circulated on social media and drew widespread attention.

According to the airline, the scuffle took place on December 23, while an immediate intervention by airport personnel prevented the situation from escalating further. 

A PIA spokesperson confirmed that both crew members involved have been suspended pending a thorough internal investigation, with disciplinary action to follow once all facts are verified.

This is not the first time PIA cabin crew have faced disciplinary scrutiny. In a separate incident last year, two male air hosts, Khalid Afridi and Fida Hussain, reportedly failed to report for duty on a flight from Islamabad to Toronto, forcing the airline to operate without them. 

PIA contacted Canadian authorities at the time, and strict action was promised once the investigation concluded.

The incident comes at a time of major transition for PIA, which has recently been privatised. Arif Habib Consortium acquired the national carrier after submitting the highest bid of Rs135 billion, narrowly surpassing the Lucky Consortium, which had offered Rs134 billion.

Under the terms of the deal, the government will receive Rs10.2 billion in cash, while the consortium has acquired a 75 percent majority stake in the airline. Officials note that this marks the first major privatisation in Pakistan in nearly two decades.

Adil Farooq Raja, a former army man turned YouTuber, has been placed on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, by the federal government. 

The government had “reasonable grounds” to suspect Raja of engaging in actions endangering Pakistan’s security, integrity, and public order, according to a notification released by the interior ministry on December 27.

“He has consistently misused online platforms to promote, facilitate, and amplify anti-state narratives and propaganda associated with proscribed terrorist organisations, thereby acting in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty and defence of Pakistan,” the notification said.

The Anti-Terrorism Act’s Section 11EE, which gives the federal government the authority to put people on the Fourth Schedule as proscribed persons, was cited as the basis for the decision. 

A summary of Raja’s proscription was authorized by the federal cabinet before the notification was sent out. On December 23, the interior ministry provided the summary.

Raja is a former Pakistan Army officer and currently resides in the United Kingdom. He runs a YouTube channel and has described himself publicly as a whistleblower.

About 20 days earlier, UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott received the extradition paperwork for Raja and former prime minister Shahzad Akbar from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Before that, Naqvi had said that authorities would seek the repatriation of UK-based YouTubers who were allegedly targeting state institutions and had initiated a crackdown on people spreading what the government referred to as “fake news.”

Reacting to the developement, Raja wrote in a post on X: “They may call the British High Commissioner to complain, but such a complaint is itself unlawful under UK statutes, as we have committed no wrongdoing.”

Earlier this month, a London high court ordered Raja to pay £350,000 in damages and legal costs after ruling that he had defamed a former intelligence officer through allegations of corruption and electoral interference.

In 2023, Raja was sentenced to 14 years in prison following a Field General Court Martial on charges of inciting sedition and was stripped of his military rank.

After PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested, Islamabad police accused Raja and another YouTuber from the UK, retired Captain Haider Raza Mehdi, of inciting unrest and attacks on military installations. 

The military’s media affairs wing did not directly connect the court martial proceedings to the events of May 9, 2023.

Italy has allocated 10,500 jobs for Pakistani workers over the next three years, creating a structured legal pathway to enter Europe.

According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, the arrangement will allow 3,500 Pakistanis to work in Italy annually, split between 1,500 seasonal positions and 2,000 non-seasonal roles.

With the initiative, Italy has become the first European country to formally open its labour market to Pakistan through a quota-based system. Officials believe the model could encourage similar agreements across Europe.

The development comes as outward migration from Pakistan accelerates sharply.

According to reports, nearly 2.9 million Pakistanis left the country over the past three years due to low wages, high inflation, unemployment and rising education costs.

The Economic Survey 2024-25 showed more than one million Pakistanis went abroad for work in a single fiscal year.

Officials view the Italian quota as a legal alternative to irregular migration, which reportedly surged 280% in 2022. 

Thousands of Pakistanis attempt dangerous journeys through Libya, Egypt and other transit routes, often falling victim to smugglers or facing detention, deportation or death while crossing the Mediterranean.

The state-backed European access aims to reduce desperation-driven migration and direct workers into regulated channels.

The positions in Italy have been allocated across shipbreaking, hospitality, healthcare and agriculture. Available roles include welders, technicians, chefs, waiters, housekeeping staff, nurses, medical technicians, farm workers and agricultural laborers. The scheme targets skilled and semi-skilled labor to address Italy’s workforce shortages.

Punjab, Pakistan’s largest source of overseas labor, stands to gain most from the arrangement. Official records show the province has sent more than 7.2 million emigrants since 1981, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Reports indicate around 40% of Pakistanis, particularly in urban areas, want to leave the country, creating urgent demand for safe and legal migration options.

The Punjab government has decided to provide free public transport in Lahore for three days in February 2026 in connection with Basant-related activities.

The goal of the initiative, that will extend from Feb 6 to 8,  according to Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, is to restrict motorcycle use and reduce the likelihood of traffic-related accidents during the festivities.

A proposal to allow restricted kite-making activities starting on December 30 under rigorous regulatory controls is also being considered by the provincial administration. 

Bokhari emphasized that the ban on metallic kite strings, chemically coated thread, and any other hazardous materials will not change.
 

She added that all individuals involved in the production, sale, or distribution of kites would be required to register with the relevant deputy commissioner, warning that violations could lead to deregistration, substantial fines, and jail terms.

The minister further said that anyone found flying or selling kites without official approval would face harsh punishment, including extended imprisonment.

Bokhari clarified safety precautions, stating that only cotton-based thread would be allowed for kite strings and that the use of strings with more than nine strands would be strictly prohibited in order to lower the risk of fatal accidents and injuries.

Separately, a civil society representative stated that a well-run Basant may help Lahore’s tourism industry flourish and generate jobs. 

The Walled City Authority has been directed by the authorities to conduct a public opinion survey to find out what people think about having a safe and controlled Basant celebration.

A doctor based in Lahore has accused Superintendent of Police Shehrbano Naqvi of pressuring him to pay millions of rupees to a patient over a medical dispute, which the officer has denied. 

Dr. Ali Zain-ul-Abideen claimed that he was forced to make multiple payments to a female patient who had laser eye surgery at his clinic earlier this year. He stated that the surgery took place in April and was deemed medically successful. 

The doctor asserted that he was called to a police station based on instructions from SP Shehrbano Naqvi, who was then serving as ASP Defence. He alleged that the officer informed him the surgery had been improperly performed and ordered him to reimburse the patient so she could seek treatment elsewhere. 

Dr. Ali Zain mentioned that the patient had already received Rs400,000 from his clinic, despite her having paid only Rs150,000 for the laser eye procedure. He claimed he informed the officer that the amount had already been repaid, but was allegedly pressured to make additional payments. 

Under continued duress, he stated he provided three cheques to the patient totaling Rs10 million. He noted that one of the cheques had already been cashed, while his legal team took action to halt payment on the other two through legal means. 

Dr. Ali Zain asserted that the total amount he has been compelled to give so far stands at Rs7.5 million. He also alleged that the woman seemed to have close connections with police officials. 

The doctor further alleged that SP Shehrbano Naqvi sent SHO Khurram to his clinic to summon him again. He claimed that during the visit, his clinic guard was detained and locked up without legal grounds.

Dr. Ali Zain argued that the police have no jurisdiction over determining the outcome of a medical procedure. He contended that without a medical report or a decision from a qualified medical board, law enforcement officials are not qualified to assess the success of a surgery. He maintained that only a medical board has the authority to evaluate such cases. 

In response to the allegations, SP Shehrbano Naqvi dismissed the claims. She stated that Dr. Ali Zain visited her office only once and was encouraged to settle the matter with the patient. 

SP rejected the allegations and denied any coercion, harassment or mistreatment, saying that the doctor was not pressured at all.