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  • Four-year-old girl found murdered after sexual assault in Narowal

    Four-year-old girl found murdered after sexual assault in Narowal

    A four-year-old girl, abducted from Jalalwali village of Pasrur tehsil on Sept 15, was found murdered after being sexually assaulted in nearby fields on Thursday. 

    Locals have accused police of failing to act in time to save her.

    Afifa Kainat, daughter of Quran teacher Qari Abdul Hafeez, reportedly left her house to buy sweets after Maghrib prayers but never came back, the police have said. 

    Before filing a complaint at the Qila Kalerwala police station, her relatives and neighbors conducted a search of the neighborhood and held announcements in mosques. 


    Section 363 of the Pakistan Penal Code was used to file a kidnapping report against unidentified suspects.A Sialkot police spokesperson said District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Shahzad had formed special teams, led by the Pasrur DSP, to recover the child. 

    However, three days later, police were informed about a girl’s body lying in the fields. A team reached the site and confirmed that the victim was Afifa.

    Police said the body was swollen and fecomposed as it had been left in water. Forensic experts collected evidence from the spot, while an autopsy at Pasrur THQ Hospital confirmed that the child was sexually assaulted before being killed.

    DPO Shahzad stated that investigators were using human intelligence and modern technology to trace and arrest the culprit.

    Meanwhile, the victim’s family and other residents of Narowal staged a protest against the police, alleging negligence and delay.

     They claimed that timely efforts could have saved Afifa’s life and urged the chief minister to take strict action against the officials concerned.

  • Lahore reports first locally-transmitted mpox case

    Lahore reports first locally-transmitted mpox case

    Health officials in Lahore have reported the city’s first case of Mpox after a 48-year-old patient tested positive. 

    The individual, who had a liver transplant in 2021, was admitted to Lahore General Hospital (LGH) three days ago due to symptoms that led doctors to request further testing. His samples were sent to the Institute of Public Health (IPH) that confirmed the infection.

    According to LGH Medical Superintendent Dr Faryaad Hussain, the patient’s medical background, including a weakened immune system post-transplant, had heightened his vulnerability to infections. He added that the patient was currently under medical care and hospital staff were adhering to protocols to mitigate the risk of transmission. 

    What has alarmed health officials is that the patient has no history of international travel. 

    Dr Hussain said that health teams have been dispatched to trace the patient’s contacts to determine how he may have contracted the illness. The case is being explored as a potential instance of local transmission. 

    Representatives from the health department said that the patient was receiving treatment in isolation and that his condition was being closely monitored. They also said that precautionary measures were being implemented throughout the facility to safeguard other patients and staff. 

    Mpox, often referred to as Monkeypox, is a viral illness that spreads through close physical contact. It typically manifests with symptoms such as fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. While Pakistan has experienced isolated cases linked to travel in recent years, this latest case is the first confirmed in Lahore without any foreign connection. 

    Public health officials said that surveillance efforts are being enhanced in the city to detect any potential additional cases. They urged residents to stay vigilant for symptoms and to seek medical attention if they exhibit signs consistent with the disease.

    It may be noted that mpox is treatable through supportive care to manage symptoms with antiviral medications used for severe cases. Though there is no specific cure, most people recover within two to four weeks with supportive care like pain relievers and rest.

    Antiviral treatment may be recommended for individuals at higher risk of severe illness, such as those with compromised immune systems.

  • All govt payments to be paid digitally by 2026

    All govt payments to be paid digitally by 2026

    Pakistan intends to digitize all payments made by federal, provincial, and local governments as well as state-owned enterprises by June 2026, a parliamentary committee has been informed on Thursday.

    During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad outlined the government’s strategy for a cashless economy. He indicated that the central bank has also decided to link Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system, with the Arab Monetary Fund’s Buna platform to enhance the speed and security of remittances from expatriate Pakistanis, though this arrangement will not facilitate outward remittances.

    Buna, which was established in 2020, functions as a multi-currency cross-border payment system under the Arab Monetary Fund. It currently accommodates currencies such as the Saudi Riyal and Emirati Dirham and plans to incorporate the Chinese Yuan to boost regional commerce.

    Governor Ahmad pointed out that the digital payments framework in Pakistan has experienced swift adoption. He mentioned that the annual transaction volumes for Raast, which used to be recorded over a year, are now processed within a mere nine days. Furthermore, he stated that the system currently supports 226 million accounts, 46 million Raast IDs, and more than 95 million active users of mobile banking.

    SBP officials informed the committee that all payments at the federal and provincial levels are set to be digitized by June 2026, with state-owned enterprises expected to transition by December 2026. This initiative encompasses salaries, pensions, taxes, and utility payments. Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal explained that the process will be gradual, with the government bearing the costs to promote adoption.

    The central bank is also implementing measures to enhance security, which will include a liability framework making banks responsible for losses arising from fraud or system errors, provided complaints are lodged within two hours. Additionally, a two-hour cooling-off period will be enforced on certain transactions to mitigate risk.

    Ahmad emphasized the recent introduction of Mashreq Bank’s digital operations in Pakistan, which was completed in just 12 months, significantly quicker than the international average of five years. The bank has also established its global middle office in Pakistan.

    Furthermore, five additional digital banks have received in-principle approval to start operations.

    Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah stated that the digital ecosystem includes 19,000 bank branches, 20,000 ATMs, and 850,000 QR-enabled merchants. He added that offline transactions will also be available, with no fees imposed on consumers.

    Committee members expressed concerns regarding low financial literacy rates, regulatory gaps, and unreliable internet connectivity. MNA Hina Rabbani Khar raised the issue of whether the system could function effectively while a significant portion of Pakistan’s economy remains undocumented.

  • ‘I know I let you all down’: Arshad Nadeem opens up after World Athletics Championship exit

    ‘I know I let you all down’: Arshad Nadeem opens up after World Athletics Championship exit

    Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem has shared an emotional message with fans after missing out on a top slot at men’s javelin final of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

    In a heartfelt note posted on X (formerly Twitter), Nadeem expressed deep gratitude for the nation’s unwavering support, even as he admitted falling short of expectations. “Dear Pakistanis, I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and love throughout the World Athletics Championships. Although I couldn’t achieve the result I had hoped for in the final, I am proud to have represented our nation on the biggest stage.”

    “Your prayers, messages, and encouragement mean the world to me. I know I let you all down, but I promise to come back stronger and work even harder to make you proud,” he added, thanking fans for their support and encouragement with a promise to come back stronger.

    Talking about his injury, he said he had been dealing with an injury since July 4, which had affected his preparation and fitness level.

    “Despite this challenge, I gave it my all, and I appreciate the experience,” he said in reference to the calf surgery he underwent in the UK to address the recurring injury.

    Pakistan’s medal hopes were dashed on Thursday when Nadeem failed to make it into the top eight after four attempts. His best throw of 82.75 metres wasn’t enough to secure a place in the final rounds.

    Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago claimed the gold with a throw of 88.16 metres – his first major title since winning Olympics gold in 2012. Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured silver with 87.38 metres while the United States’ (US) Curtis Thompson won bronze with 86.67 metres — the country’s first men’s javelin medal in nearly two decades.

  • Trump says he didn’t want ‘worst mayor’ Sadiq Khan at state banquet

    Trump says he didn’t want ‘worst mayor’ Sadiq Khan at state banquet

    United States (US) President Donald Trump has said that he “didn’t want” London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan at the state banquet hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle, days after the latter criticised him.

    In 2019, the mayor accused President Trump of “fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics” and warned of “a toxic form of politics spilling out onto our streets.” 

    On Wednesday, the London mayor renewed his criticism, saying Trump had emboldened extremists, cautioning that “those who seek to divide us will not win.”

    Speaking to reporters on Air Force One while heading back to the US, President Trump labelled Sadiq  “among the worst mayors in the world,” claiming the mayor had wanted to attend the event. “I asked that he not be there,” he claimed. 

    Echoing his past attacks on the mayor’s governing of London, he called him a “disaster” on immigration. “I think he’s done a terrible job. Crime in London is through the roof,” he added.

    He added, “I’ve not liked him for a long time. I have a certain pride in London, in the UK, my mother was born in Scotland, and when I see Mayor Khan do a bad job – the stabbings, the dirt and the filth – it’s not the same. I didn’t want him there.”

    The row between Trump and Khan dates back to 2015 when the Labour politician castigated Trump’s suggestion that Muslims should be banned from travelling to the US. A year later, Trump challenged the mayor to an IQ test.

  • Saboor Aly shares AI image with late mother as her daughter hits six-month milestone

    Saboor Aly shares AI image with late mother as her daughter hits six-month milestone

    Actress Saboor Aly marked a touching moment in her motherhood journey as her daughter Serena Ali turned six-months-old.

    To celebrate the occasion, Saboor took to Instagram to share a series of heartwarming pictures capturing the journey of becoming a mother. But one image stood out, a digitally created photo showing Saboor, her daughter, and her late mother together, made using an AI Image maker.

    The moving tribute offered a glimpse into Saboor’s grief and gratitude, as she imagined her late mother present in one of the most meaningful chapters of her life.

    In her Instagram stories, Saboor also shared glimpses of Serena’s half-birthday celebration, including photos with her husband, actor Ali Ansari, and their daughter, with the caption: “Happy 6 months Serina.”

    Saboor, who married Ali Ansari in January 2022, became a mother in March 2025. Since then, she has often reflected on her journey with honesty and emotion, speaking openly about how becoming a parent has deepened her connection with the memory of her mother.

    In one of her recent interviews, Saboor opened up about motherhood, revealing details about her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter.

    Recalling the moment when she discovered she was pregnant, Saboor revealed that she was on a girls’ trip abroad when she began to feel unwell. “A sensation unlike anything I had felt before. Coincidentally, Ali was set to join me that day in Turkey,” she said.

    “We were not planning for a baby specifically. We had left it to the flow of life, believing that only Allah knows the right time to bring someone into your life,” she said. “When Ali arrived, the first thing I did was tell him the news. It was a very emotional moment for me.”

    When asked about her initial reaction to finding out she was expecting, Saboor described it as a “mixed feeling”. She said she was shivering and anxious, eagerly awaiting Ali’s arrival to share the news. “But when I saw the test report, my mother was the first person who came to my mind,” she added.

    Reflecting on the absence of her late mother, Saboor shared a deeply emotional insight, “No one can fill her absence, but throughout my pregnancy, delivery, and even after, everything somehow became easier. I believe she was there with me in spirit. That’s the only reason it all felt so manageable.”

    Saboor’s mother Rahat Ali passed away in March 2017 after a battle with cancer.

  • US wants Bagram airbase back from Taliban, says Trump

    US wants Bagram airbase back from Taliban, says Trump

    President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States (US) is seeking to take back Bagram air base, located in Afghanistan.

    The Soviet-era airstrip served as the primary base for US forces in Afghanistan from shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks at the World Trade Centre until their withdrawal in August 2021.

    The US military death toll in the Afghan war since 2001 was about 2,500. Soon after the US pullout, Taliban fighters regained control of Kabul in August 2021.

    During a joint news conference with British Prime Minister (PM) Keir Starmer at Chequers in London, President Trump said, “One of the biggest airbases in the world. We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way.”

    “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” he added.

    Criticising his predecessor, Democrat President Joe Biden, over the tumultuous US withdrawal from Afghanistan during his era, President Trump claimed that it left American weapons and other military assets, including bases, in the hands of the Taliban.

    Meanwhile, regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he said that he had thought the Ukraine war would be solved “within days” of his entering the White House.

    “The one that I thought would be easiest … because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down. He’s really let me down … I thought it might be among the easiest of the group,” President Trump lamented.

    When pressed to tell whether he is ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia, President Trump claimed that Europe needed to take action first to end oil purchases from Russia.

    “If the price of oil comes down, Putin’s going to drop out. He’s going to have no choice,” he said, adding, “I’m willing to do other things, but not when the people that I’m fighting for are buying oil from Russia.”

  • ‘Pakistan is in a very good place’: South Asia analyst on Islamabad-Riyadh defence pact

    ‘Pakistan is in a very good place’: South Asia analyst on Islamabad-Riyadh defence pact

    South Asia Analyst and writer Michael Kugelman has said that “Pakistan is in a very good place” as Islamabad and Riyadh on Wednesday signed a formal mutual defence pact.

    The signing of the pact was announced in a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) late Wednesday, stating that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an act of aggression against both”.


    “This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” the statement read.

    The statement further said that the agreement was signed based on the “historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades … based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, … shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation”, between Islamabad and Riyadh.


    The development came a week after illegal Israeli strikes on Qatar heightened security concerns in the Middle East and months after Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Gen 4.5 Rafales on the night of May 6 and 7 during the conflict with India. 

    “Pakistan has not only inked a new mutual defence pact, it inked it with a close ally that’s also a top partner of India’s. This pact would not deter India from attacking Pakistan. But with 3 key powers-China, Turkey & now KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)—fully on Pak’s side, Pak is in a very good place,” said Kugelman in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

    In another post on the same day, the analyst maintained that Islamabad used to position itself as “neutral in the Riyadh-Tehran rivalry”; however, it faced pressure from its ally, Saudi Arabia, to give it “more support”.

    Declaring the defence pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia “a major shift” of the latter country’s policy, he said it was “perhaps easier to make after the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement deal”.

  • Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage leaves Asia Cup to attend father’s funeral

    Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage leaves Asia Cup to attend father’s funeral

    Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has flown back home early Friday after the unexpected passing of his father Suranga Wellalage.

    The 22-year-old, who featured in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Group B victory against Afghanistan in Dubai, departed Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY-392, arriving in Katunayake.

    Suranga Wellalage, a former cricketer, died on September 18 at the age of 54, reportedly losing his life to a sudden heart attack. Dunith was informed of the tragic news after the match, which Sri Lanka won by six wickets with eight balls to spare, securing their spot in the Super Four stage.

    Wellalage immediately left the team camp to return home, and his participation in the remainder of the tournament now appears highly unlikely.

    Sri Lanka is scheduled to face Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on the 23rd, and India on the 26th.

    This was Wellalage’s debut appearance in the Asia Cup and just his fifth T20 International. He has represented Sri Lanka in 31 ODIs, with a standout performance of 5 for 27 against India in Colombo in August 2024. He also took 5 for 40 against India in a 2023 Asia Cup match, when the tournament was played in the ODI format. He was the equal-second wicket-taker in that tournament, claiming 10 dismissals at an average of 17.90.

  • Battle of the dimples: Faisal Rehman thinks his is more famous than Hania’s

    Battle of the dimples: Faisal Rehman thinks his is more famous than Hania’s

    Veteran Pakistani actor Faisal Rehman has set social media ablaze with his cheeky claim that his dimples outshine those of Gen Z sweetheart Hania Aamir, and he’s got the fan following to prove it.

    In a candid interview, the iconic heartthrob from the 1980s spilled the tea on everything from Bollywood dreams to beauty battles, boldly stating, “My dimple is more famous than Hania Aamir’s. She’s new in the industry. I’ve been around for decades.”

    Faisal didn’t stop there. He added that women of all ages have swooned over his dimples for years, even revealing that he has “a dimple on both cheeks, one more visible than the other. When I gain a little weight, the second one pops too.”

    The actor revealed, “I’ve even received letters written in blood — though I have no idea whose blood it was.”

    When asked by the host about his recent shirtless photos, he clarified, “They weren’t nude photos — just topless ones.” The host then asked what the reaction was, to which Faisal replied, somewhat embarrassed, “I was heavily criticised on social media.”

    The host also asked if he had ever been in love. “No, I haven’t,” he responded. “I’ve only ever loved myself.”

    The actor went on to express his gratitude for remaining unmarried, saying, “I’m thankful I never got married, I can do all the things my married friends can’t.”

    The actor, known for his evergreen charm, reminisced about his attempt to break into Bollywood, sharing that he often visited India in the ’80s and even auditioned for films. Despite his best efforts, he faced resistance from Indian filmmakers reluctant to cast a Pakistani actor.

    The most eyebrow-raising moment came when Rehman threw some cinematic shade, confessing he never liked Aamir Khan’s acting — calling Shah Rukh Khan “just like you and me.”