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  • Rawalpindi pitch to favour spinners for second Pakistan-South Africa Test

    Rawalpindi pitch to favour spinners for second Pakistan-South Africa Test

    Ground staff at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are preparing a spin-friendly pitch for the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa, reports said Thursday.

    According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pitch in-charge has spent the past three days working on the surface, saying the pitch would help spinner more than before and make the match more competitive.

    Undated pictures flooding the social media also showed huge industrial fans drying the pitch, which, according to experts, will make it more conducive to spin bowling.

    PCB Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed will visit Rawalpindi on Friday to inspect the pitch and review other arrangements.

    Both teams will arrive in Islamabad Friday and start training before the second Test.

    The second Test of the series will begin on October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and fans are eagerly waiting for the action.

    Pakistan defeated South Africa by 93 runs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series. The visitors were bowled out for 183 while chasing 277 on the fourth day.

    South Africa began the day with Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi at the crease, but Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing de Zorzi for a duck. Tristan Stubbs soon followed, dismissed by Noman Ali for 23, leaving the visitors struggling at 55 for 3.

    Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the innings. Shaheen Afridi and Noman Ali claimed four wickets each, while Sajid Khan took the remaining two to seal a convincing win.

    Noman Ali emerged as the star of the match, taking 10 wickets in total — six in the first innings and four in the second.

    Earlier, Pakistan had secured a 109-run lead after dismissing South Africa for 269 in reply to their first-innings total of 378. In the second innings, Pakistan scored 167, setting a target of 277.

    South Africa reached 51 for 2 by stumps on the third day, but Pakistan wrapped up the remaining wickets quickly on the fourth morning to start their World Test Championship campaign in dominant fashion.

  • Petition in Islamabad High Court seeks action against ‘Lazawal Ishq’

    Petition in Islamabad High Court seeks action against ‘Lazawal Ishq’

    A petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the controversial reality TV show Lazawal Ishq, accusing it of airing inappropriate content.

    Chairman of the Aman Taraqqi Party, Muhammad Faiq, filed the petition, stating that the show Lazawal Ishq is promoting content that goes against the country’s religious and social values.

    The petition requests the court to direct the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to strictly monitor such indecent content on digital platforms. It also seeks the court’s guidance regarding the role of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

    Lazawal Ishq, hosted by Ayesha Omar, is based on the Turkish reality show Ask Odasi. The program features men and women living together in a villa, forming relationships, participating in games, while cameras record their interactions. Eventually, one couple emerges as the winner.

    After the release of the show’s teaser last month, backlash emerged swift and harsh. Some users called it a bold move for Pakistan’s entertainment industry, while others demanded a complete boycott and action against the producers.

    Some users referred to it as a dating show, but the Bulbulay actress clarified that it is not.

    PEMRA confirmed that it had received numerous complaints regarding the show. However, Lazawal Ishq has not been issued a license for television broadcasting in Pakistan. PEMRA clarified that its regulatory authority is limited to licensed channels, while the show is being aired on YouTube and other digital platforms.

    The show has released 13 episodes so far and, despite the criticism, it has also garnered millions of views.

  • Bilal Abbas Khan reveals what it takes to perfect a superstar look

    Bilal Abbas Khan reveals what it takes to perfect a superstar look

    Pakistani heartthrob Bilal Abbas Khan is not just a powerhouse of talent, but also effortlessly charming. The Ishq Murshid star recently gave fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek into how a superstar look is finalised and it’s not as effortless as it seems.

    In a video shared on his official account, Bilal is seen getting ready for the 10th Hum Awards, held in Houston on Sunday. From dipping his face in ice water to fighting off sleepiness and exhaustion, the video shows every detail of his preparation.

    He finishes the transformation with a sleek hairdo and a stunning maroon velvet suit by designer Ismail Farid.

    Though he gets tired and visibly drained during the process, the final look is as dapper and elegant as fans have come to expect from him. The video beautifully captures the behind-the-scenes struggles of an artist preparing to make a striking style statement on the red carpet.

    Later that night, Bilal Abbas Khan didn’t just kill with his good looks, but also took home two major awards, including Best Actor Male – Popular, and Best On-Screen Couple – Popular, the latter of which he shared with co-star Dur-e-Fishan Saleem.

    Bilal made his acting debut in 2016 with the drama Saya-e-Dewar Bhi Nahin, but rose to prominence through standout performances in hits like O Rangreza, Balaa, Cheekh, Dunk and Dobara.

    Among his most critically acclaimed performances is his role in Pyar Ke Sadqay, and of course, his recent hit Ishq Murshid, which is widely considered one of his most decent and heartfelt portrayals to date.

  • Imran Khan offers to sort Pak-Afghan issues if ‘released on parole’

    Imran Khan offers to sort Pak-Afghan issues if ‘released on parole’

    Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan have quoted their brother and jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan as offering to sort things out between Pakistan and Afghanistan if he is released on parole.

    Addressing journalists as cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified ahead of Wednesday evening’s ceasefire, Khan’s sisters conveyed their brother’s offer, which was also shared by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan later in the day.

    They also said that the PTI founder was hurt by the recent border clashes between forces, and stressed a peaceful solution.

    Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case and also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9 protests. His offer comes as Pakistani forces thwart multiple attacks from Afghan forces and their affiliated militant groups in recent days.

    Pakistani forces began their retaliatory strikes inside Afghanistan last week after Afghanistan resorted to unprovoked firing along the border.

    The unlawful and aggressive actions by Afghan forces resulted in the martyrdom of multiple Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistani Armed Forces — in their retaliatory actions — have eliminated over 200 militants.

    Pakistan’s intense and befitting response ended temporarily after the Afghan Taliban regime requested a ceasefire, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) said. The Foreign Office said that Pakistan agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire, which took effect from 6 pm on Wednesday.

    As Khan’s sisters also said that the jailed PTI founder was saddened by the way Afghan nationals were expelled from Pakistan, it merits a mention that the PTI and its founder have repeatedly been criticised by their rival political parties over their insistence on negotiations with banned outfits involved in terror activities for decades.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have also accused Khan of allowing the settlement of TTP militants during his tenure as the premier – an allegation denied by the PTI.

    The former ousted PM has also repeatedly urged talks with the Taliban regime despite it making no difference over the years.

  • Internet reacts as CM Afridi ‘replaces Pakistan flag with PTI’; Claim regarding Jinnah’s portrait busted

    Internet reacts as CM Afridi ‘replaces Pakistan flag with PTI’; Claim regarding Jinnah’s portrait busted

    After much drama involving his predecessor and the opposition, Sohail Afridi of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finally the assumed office of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) chief minister (CM). However, his alleged moves on the very first day as the provincial chief executive is all anyone can talk about.

    Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday administered the oath of office to newly-elected CM Afridi at the Governor House, marking an end to the tense political standoff and days of uncertainty in the province.

    While the ceremony itself descended into chaos as party workers rushed to the stage to extend well-wishes to the new CM, chanting slogans that disrupted further proceedings, it was his alleged removal of Pakistan’s flag and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait from his office, which took the internet by storm.

    According to netizens, CM Afridi had the Pakistan flag next to that of the KP government in his office replaced with one of the PTI. While he switched to a tiny national flag on his table, his alleged removal of Jinnah’s portrait – which internet claims was replaced with that of PTI founder Imran Khan – also did not sit well with a number of social media users.

    Although the claim regarding Jinnah’s portrait was rubbished as soon as supporters posted a photo captured from a different angle, the table flag kept drawing strong reactions.

    Some even went on to share National Flag Rules, as per which, if the national flag is alongside any other flag, the national flag should be higher.

    Amid a battle of words between supporters and critics over social media, the KP government is yet to react to the controversy that seems to have added to what experts claim is rather challenging terrain for CM Afridi ahead.

    Afridi’s appointment as CM followed directives from PTI founder Imran Khan amid rifts within the party, which had led to a public feud between outgoing KP CM Gandapur and Khan’s sister Aleema Khan.

    It also comes at a time when cracks between the KP and federal governments seem to be widening due to governance issues and the provincial setup’s failure to crackdown on terror activities, as also highlighted by the military leadership during a briefing last week.

  • Judge orders Trump administration to stop federal worker layoffs

    Judge orders Trump administration to stop federal worker layoffs

    A federal judge in California has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to stop mass layoffs of federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown as she reviewed claims from unions that the move was illegal.

    According to foreign media reports, District Judge Susan Illston made the decision during a hearing in San Francisco, where two unions sought an immediate halt to layoffs across more than 30 federal agencies.

    The ruling provides temporary relief to thousands of workers affected by the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce.

    According to Reuters, the administration had already notified about 4,100 employees from eight agencies of their layoffs. The White House had also announced plans to expand job cuts nationwide, with Budget Director Russell Vought suggesting that more than 10,000 federal workers could lose their jobs because of the shutdown.

    Judge Illston said statements from Trump and Vought showed clear political intent behind the cuts. She noted that targeting “Democrat agencies” violated US law. “You can’t do that in a nation of laws,” she said during the hearing.

    Democracy Forward, the legal group representing the unions, welcomed the ruling. Its president, Skye Perryman, said that using workers’ livelihoods as political leverage was “cruel, unlawful and a threat to everyone in our nation.”

    Illston instructed the administration to provide by Friday a detailed report on any ongoing or planned layoffs and explain how agencies will comply with her order.

    A Justice Department lawyer at the hearing argued that the unions should first take their complaints to a federal labor board. However, the judge rejected that argument and criticised the department for not addressing the legality of the layoffs.

    Reuters said that the unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, claimed that layoffs were not essential government functions during a funding lapse.

    The partial shutdown entered its 15th day on Wednesday as Congress failed to reach a funding agreement. Democrats have refused to support a spending bill without an extension of health insurance subsidies while Trump has continued to push for workforce cuts.

  • Gujrat college principal issued show cause notice for hoisting flag with Maryam Nawaz’s picture

    Gujrat college principal issued show cause notice for hoisting flag with Maryam Nawaz’s picture

    Authorities in Gujrat have issued a show cause notice to the principal of a government college for hoisting a flag featuring Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s picture alongside Pakistan’s national flag on the college building.

    Deputy Director of Colleges Gujrat, Shoaib Butt, told BBC that the college principal submitted a written explanation in response to the notice. In his statement, the principal said he was deeply inspired by Maryam Nawaz’s initiatives in Punjab, which is why he chose to display her image on the flag.

    The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has often faced criticism for promoting Maryam Nawaz’s image through government projects. Opposition parties and members of the public have frequently objected to her pictures appearing on ration packs, subsidized flour bags, and other provincial programs.

    In response, the Punjab government has maintained that such publicity aims only to inform the public about government initiatives and performance.

    A similar incident recently took place in Kharian tehsil of Gujrat district, where videos circulating on social media showed a flag bearing Maryam Nawaz’s picture hoisted alongside the national flag on the roof of Government Graduate College for Boys. 

    The college principal later clarified that he made the decision to display the flag in his personal capacity.

  • Australian swimming star Ariarne Titmus announces surprise retirement

    Australian swimming star Ariarne Titmus announces surprise retirement

    Australian swimming champion and four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus has shocked fans by announcing her sudden retirement at the age of 25.

    According to reports, Titmus decided to retire immediately, ending an 18-year swimming career. She made the announcement on social media, saying she had dedicated 10 years to representing her country and that although the decision was difficult, she felt at peace with it.

    “I have always loved swimming, but there comes a time when you start seeing life beyond it,” she said. “The fear of cancer was a turning point for me, and it affected me mentally.”

    Earlier this year, Titmus underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour just before the Paris Olympics.

    Titmus made history as the first Australian swimmer since 1964 to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the same event. At the Paris Olympics, she defeated two former world record holders to win gold in the 400m freestyle.

    Over her career, Titmus earned eight Olympic medals across the Tokyo and Paris Games. She also holds world records in both the 200m and 400m freestyle events.

  • Punjab government seeks ban on extremist group

    Punjab government seeks ban on extremist group

    The Punjab government has decided to recommend to the federal government to place a ban on an extremist group. 

    According to reports, the decision was made during a high-level meeting on law and order chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

    According to the official statement, authorities will arrest individuals involved in hate speech, incitement, and law violations across Punjab. The provincial government will ask the federal government to impose a ban on the extremist group and place its leadership under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

    The statement said that cases will be filed against leaders and workers responsible for the killing of police officers and the destruction of public property. All properties and assets belonging to the extremist group will be handed over to the Auqaf Department, while the display of posters, banners, and advertisements of the group will be completely banned.

    The meeting also decided to shut down the group’s social media accounts and freeze all its bank accounts. The government will take strict action against anyone violating the Loudspeaker Act.

    The Punjab Home Department has issued a one-month deadline for citizens to surrender illegal weapons. People must register their licensed weapons at service centers within the same period. The government also decided to inspect the stock of arms dealers and manufacturers and imposed a complete ban on issuing new weapon licenses.

    The Punjab government has recommended to the federal government that all weapon factories and manufacturers be regularized. It has also approved an increase in punishment for illegal weapon possession.

    Holding illegal weapons in Punjab will now be a non-bailable offense, carrying a sentence of up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to two million rupees.

  • Punjab govt to introduce whistleblower system to report on illegal immigrants: Reports

    Punjab govt to introduce whistleblower system to report on illegal immigrants: Reports

    The Punjab government has decided to include Afghan nationals in the provincial tax system. 

    According to reports, the decision came during a high-level meeting on law and order chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

    Officials also decided to compile real-time data of illegal Afghan residents living in the province. According to a government statement, a whistleblower system will be introduced to report illegal immigrants, and the identity of informants will remain completely confidential.

    The provincial government also decided to launch a combing operation against illegal residents and their businesses. Authorities will deport illegal foreign nationals immediately in line with federal government policy.