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  • FIA arrests Asad Toor in connection with campaign against judges

    FIA arrests Asad Toor in connection with campaign against judges

    Prominent journalist Asad Ali Toor was arrested on Monday by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with a campaign against Supreme Court (SC) judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

    His counsel, Imaan Mazari confirmed the arrest to Geo.tv.

    Last month, the caretaker government formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprised of six members to investigate a negative campaign against judges of apex court. 

    Imaan Mazari told Geo.tv that FIA officials detained Toor for eight hours on Friday, February 23 after he appeared before the JIT for questioning, even though he hadn’t received a formal notice as per the standard procedure.

    “We went to high court on Monday in the morning, and the chief justice, even though I specifically told him about the eight-hour detention and that there’s a real apprehension of arrest because they have threatened us as well, said that he cannot do anything based on apprehensions,” she added.

    After the hearing in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Mazari stated that she went to the FIA office at 4:46 pm while Asad was being interrogated inside.

    On Tuesday morning, Asad was presented before the magistrate, however, his lawyers were not present there.

  • American Air Force officer sets himself on fire outside Israel embassy to protest Gaza genocide

    American Air Force officer sets himself on fire outside Israel embassy to protest Gaza genocide

    An American Air Force officer who set himself on fire outside the Israel Embassy in Washington DC on Monday morning to protest the genocide in Gaza has died of his injuries.

    Aaron Bushnell, 25, on active duty since 2020, filmed his self-immolation, shouting ‘Free Palestine’ before falling to the ground while paramedics tried to control the fire. In a live stream, he said that the step he was about to take was not as extreme as what the Palestinians are going through, clearly calling Israel’s assault, a “genocide in Gaza”.

    While mainstream Western media ignored the reason for the self-immolation in its headlines, social media paid rich tribute to the cyber defence operations specialist. His final post was reproduced endlessly on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook:

    “Many of us like to ask ourselves, ‘What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?’,” the post read. “The answer is, you’re doing it. Right now.”

    Many chose his last image, standing straight while the fire raged on his body, to make art and posters:

    https://twitter.com/Jingjing_Li/status/1762323196404199646?s=19

    Others reproduced his words with Rest in Power written beside them:

    Many people appeared at an impromptu vigil held for the officer outside the Israel embassy in Washington DC:

    The US government is yet to release a statement on Bushnell’s death.

  • US Welcomes Palestinian Authority Reform After PM Quits

    US Welcomes Palestinian Authority Reform After PM Quits

    The United States on Monday praised reforms by the Palestinian Authority as a step toward reuniting the West Bank with war-ravaged Gaza after the prime minister stepped down.

    “We do welcome steps for the PA to reform and revitalize itself,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, using the Palestinian Authority’s initials.

    Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken had encouraged the Palestinian Authority “to take those steps” during talks with president Mahmud Abbas.

    “We think those steps are positive. We think they’re an important step to achieving a reunited Gaza and West Bank under the Palestinian Authority,” Miller said.

    He declined to comment directly on the resignation of prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, saying it was an internal matter for Palestinians.

    Shtayyeh submitted his resignation to 88-year-old Abbas, pointing to the need for change due to the “new reality” in the Gaza Strip, ruled by rivals Hamas.

    Israel launched a relentless military campaign into Gaza after Hamas on October 7 carried out the deadliest attack ever on Israeli soil.

    The Palestinian leadership has been divided since 2007, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited power in the West Bank.

    Blinken has called for the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority to exert control over the Gaza Strip after the war, an idea that has not been met with enthusiasm from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government, which has voiced opposition to creating a Palestinian state.

  • Neil Wagner retires from international cricket

    Neil Wagner retires from international cricket

    New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket.

    According to foreign media reports, Neil Wagner, one of the five New Zealand bowlers to take more than 250 Test wickets, has decided to retire from international cricket.

    A statement released by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday stated “Neil Wagner has called time on his illustrious 64-Test career for the BLACKCAPS and will bow out following the Tegel Test series against Australia, starting in Wellington on Thursday. The 37-year-old pace-bowler will not be in the starting XI for the first Test at the Cello Basin Reserve and will be released from the squad ahead of the second Test in Christchurch”.

    The 37-year-old Wagner will continue to be associated with domestic cricket after his retirement from international cricket.

    Regarding retirement, Neil Wagner said that it is the right time to move on.

    He said in his message “The decision to retire was not easy but it was clear the time was right to move on, it has been an emotional week, it is not easy to walk away from something you have given so much to and A lot has been achieved but now is the time for others to step up and take this team forward”.

    “I have enjoyed every moment of playing Test cricket for the Black Caps and I am proud of everything we have been able to achieve as a team,” he said.

  • Arab states tell UN court Israeli occupation is ‘affront to justice’

    Arab states tell UN court Israeli occupation is ‘affront to justice’

    The League of Arab States on Monday called Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories an “affront to international justice”, saying failure to end it amounted to “genocide”.

    The International Court of Justice entered its last day of week-long hearings after a request from the United Nations, with an unprecedented 52 countries giving their views on Israel’s occupation.

    “This prolonged occupation is an affront to international justice,” the 22 Arab-country bloc’s representative told judges in The Hague.

    “The failure to bring it to an end has led to the current horrors perpetrated against the Palestinian people, amounting to genocide,” Abdel Hakim El-Rifai said, reading a written statement.

    Most speakers during the hearings have demanded that Israel end its occupation, which came after a six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967.

    But last week the United States said Israel should not be legally obliged to withdraw without taking its “very real security needs” into account.

    Speakers on Monday warned a prolonged occupation posed an “extreme danger” to stability in the Middle East and beyond.

    “If left unchecked, it runs the risk of not only threatening regional, but also global peace and security,” Turkey’s representative Ahmet Yildiz said.

    Zambia’s representative however told judges that both sides had a duty to negotiate a peaceful settlement.

    “Both Israel and Palestine have a duty to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” Marshal Mubambe Muchende said.

    He said any settlement of the conflict should not be “one that puts the blame squarely on one party, but rather one that advances a negotiated solution which culminates in a two-state solution”.

    ‘Prejudicial’

    The UN has asked the ICJ to hand down an “advisory opinion” on the “legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”.

    The court will probably deliver its opinion before the end of the year but it is not binding on anyone.

    Israel is not taking part in the oral hearings. It submitted a written contribution, in which it described the questions the court had been asked as “prejudicial” and “tendentious”.

    The hearings began a week ago with three hours of testimony from Palestinian officials, who accused the Israeli occupiers of running a system of “colonialism and apartheid”.

    The case before the court is separate from one brought by South Africa against Israel for alleged genocide during its current offensive in Gaza.

    In that case, the ICJ ruled that Israel should do everything in its power to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and allow in humanitarian aid.

    Israeli’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has so far killed at least 29,782 people, most of them women and children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

    jhe/rlp

    © Agence France-Presse

  • Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi has announced to gift a car ‘MG Essence’ to Babar Azam

    Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi has announced to gift a car ‘MG Essence’ to Babar Azam

    Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi has announced to gift a car, ‘MG Essence’, to Babar Azam for his excellent century against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi stadium.

    Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has announced a very valuable gift for Babar Azam, the captain of the team and a brilliant century scorer, after achieving an incredible victory against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday night.
    Javed Afridi has announced to gift his team captain Babar Azam a car called “MG Essence”.

    According to Javed Afridi, Babar Azam will be the first person to drive this car, which is made in Pakistan .

    Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam’s choice of bowler for the 19th over turned the tide of the match despite being on the brink of defeat against Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Monday night. According to the commentators who commented during the match, at the end of 18 overs, Islamabad United was a few steps away from victory, but on this occasion, Zalmi captain Babar Azam’s decision to give the 19th over to leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob instead of a fast bowler turned the tide of the match. An over from Arif Yaqoob turned the tide, Islamabad United lost the match they won.

  • SBP reports marginal dip in bank deposits

    SBP reports marginal dip in bank deposits

    In January 2024, the total deposits held by scheduled banks in Pakistan experienced a robust year-on-year growth of 21.03 per cent, reaching Rs27.54 trillion.

    This marks a substantial increase from Rs22.75 trillion recorded in January 2023, as revealed by data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    However, on a month-on-month basis, there was a slight dip of 1.08 per cent in bank deposits compared to December 2024, where the total stood at Rs27.84 trillion.

    The data further highlights a positive trend in total advances, which saw a year-on-year increase of 3.74 per cent, reaching Rs12.09 trillion compared to Rs11.66 trillion in the same period last year.

     Conversely, on a monthly basis, advances experienced a marginal decline of 2.08 per cent from their December 2024 value of Rs12.35 trillion.

    The Advances to Deposit Ratio (ADR) exhibited a decrease, standing at 43.92 per cent, indicating a 732 basis points decline on a yearly basis and a 45 basis points decrease on a monthly basis.

    In terms of investments, scheduled banks in Pakistan reported total investments of Rs25.6 trillion in January 2024, reflecting a substantial year-on-year increase of 32.71 per cent from Rs19.29 trillion in January 2023.

    Additionally, there was a month-on-month increase of 1.28 per cent from the Rs25.28 trillion recorded in December 2024.

    The Investment to Deposit Ratio (IDR) witnessed a notable rise of 818 basis points, reaching 92.97 per cent, compared to the figures from January 2023. On a monthly basis, IDR increased by 216 basis points.

    These statistics indicate a significant positive shift in the financial landscape of Pakistan’s banking sector, with notable expansions in both deposits and investments.

  • PSL 9: Arif Yaqoob turns the table, Peshawar Zalmi defeats Islamabad United by 8 runs

    PSL 9: Arif Yaqoob turns the table, Peshawar Zalmi defeats Islamabad United by 8 runs

    In the match of Pakistan Super League season 9, Peshawar Zalmi defeats Islamabad United by 8 runs thanks to excellent bowling by Arif Yaqoob in 19th over of the match.

    Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Peshawar Zalmi to bat first.

    Peshawar Zalmi inning

    Zalmi captain Babar Azam remained unbeaten by scoring 111 runs, Babar Azam’s 63-ball innings included 2 sixes and 14 fours. Apart from them, Saim Ayub scored 38 runs and Paul Walter scored 19 runs, Asif Ali scored 17 runs and remained not out. Peshawar Zalmi scored 201 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs while playing first.

    On behalf of Islamabad United, Shadab Khan took 2 wickets, Agha salman and Naseem Shah took one wicket each.

    Islamabad United inning

    Islamabad United was successfully chasing the target of Zalmi, as they were playing on 181 runs by losing only two wicket in 17.5 overs. Azam khan was spectecullar with 75 runs on just 30 balls while Colin Munro was on 71 runs.

    Peshawar Zalmi’s Captain Babar Azam give the 19th over to Amir Yaqoob which was the match decider over for Peshawar Zalmi. Yaqoob took four wickets in this over by conceding just two runs. Islamabad needed 19 runs in last over but they could not manage to win the match and Zalmi wina the match by 8 runs.

    From Zalmi’s side Amir Yaqoob took five wickets.

  • Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs215,800 per tola

    Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs215,800 per tola

    In a notable shift in the precious metals market, the price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan exhibited an increase of Rs700 per tola, reaching Rs215,800 on Monday.

    This surge follows the closing price of Rs215,100 on the last trading day, Saturday.

    The price adjustment was not exclusive to tola measurements; the cost of 10 grammes of 24-karat gold also experienced an uptick, rising by Rs600 to Rs185,014 from its previous value of Rs184,414.

    Similarly, 22-karat gold saw an increase in its 10-gramme price, climbing to Rs169,596 from Rs169,046, as reported by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

    Contrary to the movement in gold prices, the rates for silver remained consistent. The cost of one tola and ten grammes of silver held steady at Rs2,570 and Rs2,203.36, respectively.

    Internationally, the gold market displayed a contrasting trend, witnessing a decrease of $02, with the new rate standing at $2,054, down from $2,056, according to the association’s findings.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recorded a week of positive trends and increased business activities. Investors demonstrated optimism regarding political stability following the general elections on February 8.

    As the business week concluded, the KSE-100 index closed at an impressive 62,815 points, reflecting a gain of 2,943 points, or 4.92 per cent.

    The index had reached its peak during the week, showcasing investor confidence in the anticipated political stability post-elections.

  • British-era Muslim marriage act declared invalid in Assam

    British-era Muslim marriage act declared invalid in Assam

    The state cabinet of Assam, India, approved the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024, for the annulment of the British-era Marriage and Divorce Act specific to Muslims.

    Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that he will not allow child marriages in the state and will repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 as long as he is alive. He also pledged to eliminate child marriage in the state before 2026.

    “Hear me carefully, as long as I am alive, I will not let child marriage take place in Assam. I will not let this happen as long as Himanta Biswa Sarma is alive…I would like to challenge you politically, I will shut down this shop before 2026…We will not rest in peace until we completely close the shop that you people (Congress) have opened to ruin the daughters of the Muslim community,” the Assam CM said in a fiery speech in the House as reported by Hindustan Times.

    Assam, home to the highest Muslim population among Indian states at 34 percent, has abolished the archaic Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, of 1935.

    The decision aligns with Assam’s broader objective of instituting uniform civil laws for marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance as described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which aims to establish a Uniform Civil Code — a stance met with opposition from Muslims and other minorities in India.


    Assam’s chief minister, when inquired about the potential implementation of a Uniform Civil Code before the impending general elections, stated, “Not immediately,” maintaining a cautious stance.


    Many of Assam’s Muslims trace their roots to Bangladesh, sparking occasional tensions with the predominantly Hindu ethnic Assamese population.
    Muslim leaders opposing the law’s repeal deem it discriminatory, accusing the BJP of attempting to polarise voters and warning that this move could signal the beginning of the end for the BJP government in Assam.


    Badruddin Ajmal, a prominent lawmaker from Assam, remarked, “It’s a first step toward bringing a Uniform Civil Code, but this is how the BJP government will come to an end in Assam”.