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  • 12 people lost their lives in Punjab floods, Marriyum Aurangzeb confirms

    12 people lost their lives in Punjab floods, Marriyum Aurangzeb confirms

    Punjab government’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed on Thursday that as many as 12 people have lost their lives in the floods ravaging Punjab.

    Speaking to media in Lahore, the senior minister stated that no deaths occurred due to negligence by the Punjab government or rescue agencies and went on to say that rescue operations, particularly via boats, are actively underway.

    Aurangzeb added that monitoring efforts are also underway, and about six to seven people have been rescued from debris.

    “Food is being provided at relief camps, and nearly 200,000 livestock have been moved to safe locations with their owners,” she stated, urging citizens to avoid flood-hit areas and not to approach water channels for selfies or photos.

    Praising the tireless efforts of both rescue and administrative teams, she stated that many personnel have worked for three to five days without sleep.

    Aurangzeb also acknowledged the support of the media and the presence of elected officials and ministers in affected areas in the province.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider, has conducted an aerial visit of Punjab’s flood-hit areas in a helicopter.

    During the survey, the NDMA chief updated the Premier on surging water levels in Punjab’s rivers, as well as rescue and relief operations in submerged areas.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday warned of more rain and thundershowers, starting from Friday (August 29).

    “Rain continues to lash flood-ridden Punjab, with more rain-thundershowers predicted from tomorrow (August 29, 2025),” it said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

  • FIH confirms Pakistan’s maiden participation in Hockey Pro League

    FIH confirms Pakistan’s maiden participation in Hockey Pro League

    The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that the Pakistani men’s hockey team will participate in the 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League for the first time.

    Pakistan earned the spot after finishing as runners-up in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup earlier this year in Malaysia. Although New Zealand won the tournament, they declined the invitation, leading FIH to extend an invitation to Pakistan as per regulations.

    FIH President Tayyab Ikram welcomed the development, calling it a major milestone. “Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition. This is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey,” he said.

    Ikram added that Pakistan’s return will boost the league’s visibility and diversity.

    Pakistan will compete alongside Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the seventh edition of the Pro League. They will replace Ireland, who were relegated after finishing ninth last season.

    Meanwhile, the federal government has approved a Rs250 million grant to support the team’s participation in the league.  Officials told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination that the remaining Rs100 million needed will be arranged through sponsorships. 

    PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid said that the league was a major event featuring the world’s top 10 teams, and Pakistan needs Rs350 million to participate.

    Tournament schedule and venues will be announced later, FIH said.

  • Rs1.69 per unit electricity tariff cut on the cards

    Rs1.69 per unit electricity tariff cut on the cards

    Electricity users stand to obtain great financial relief from the federal government as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will hear a petition today, seeking to reduce the power tariff by a respectable Rs1.69 per unit under the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) framework. According to reports, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has filed the aforementioned petition for reduced tariffs in September 2025’s bills.


    Power distribution companies (DISCOs) outlined a drop in fuel charges in July 2025, citing it as the primary reason behind their proposal for the relief. It merits a mention that the relief package has not been approved by Nepra yet, and that Nepra reserves the right to reject the petition or pass a different amount for the reduction in tariffs. 


    Reports reveal that a public hearing will commence today, wherein relevant stakeholders will determine if the amount requested by Discos for the refund is in line with the economic merit order.


    Details included within the petition reveal that domestic electricity generation during July stood at 14,123 gigawatt-hours (GWh) at an average cost of Rs7.781 per unit. This translates into the monthly fuel cost coming out to just Rs109.89 billion. 

    Reports suggest, however, that the per-unit cost of electricity once delivered to discos from power generation sources rose to Rs8.1848 per unit. This was due to a 2.95 percent transmission loss, which resulted in discos receiving only 13,666 GWh of power, down from the 14,123 GWh that were initially generated.


    The cost of Rs8.1848 per unit of electricity also includes a charge of Rs0.275 to cover for Rs3.883 billion in revenue shortfalls that Discos experienced in the previous periods. RLNG-based electricity generation proved to be a costly method of power generation, with the per unit cost standing at a staggering Rs22.03 per unit.


    However, reports suggest that residual furnace oil (RFO)- based power generation remained the least economical method of electricity generation, with a per unit cost of Rs31.053. Conversely, nuclear power plants reportedly managed to generate electricity at a fraction of the price, with the per unit cost sitting at a manageable Rs2.42 per unit. 


    According to the data, coal power plants managed to attain an electricity generation cost per unit of Rs 11.347 and Rs 14.498 for domestic and imported coal respectively. The proposal to reduce pass relief to consumers comes after (NEPRA) announced a quarterly tariff relief of Rs1.8881 per unit earlier this month for the period spanning August 2025 to October 2025.

  • K-Electric apologizes to Sindh High Court over power outage at judges’ homes

    K-Electric apologizes to Sindh High Court over power outage at judges’ homes

    K-Electric’s CEO and senior officials appeared before the Sindh High Court on Thursday and apologized for prolonged power outages at the homes of judges and court officers following heavy rains in Karachi, media reports have said.

    The court had summoned K-Electric officials after a major power breakdown left several areas of the city without electricity for extended periods. The issue caused severe inconvenience to judges, senior officers, and their families, the notice stated.

    According to the court’s notice issued on August 22, multiple neighborhoods remained without power for two days after the August 20 rains, while others faced low voltage issues. The court also noted that despite being provided with emergency contact numbers, the High Court’s protocol section received no response from K-Electric officials, who even switched off their phones.

    The court reminded K-Electric that under NEPRA regulations, the utility is obligated to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and must have alternative systems in place for emergency situations. It also directed the company to nominate a panel of senior officers who will remain available at all times and to create a direct communication channel with the court’s protocol section to avoid delays.

    During the hearing, K-Electric officials assured the court that a strategy has been developed to prevent major breakdowns and faults in the future. The officials also shared contact details of area officers and stated that some officers have been transferred. Those found negligent will face action after an inquiry, the company added.

  • ADB to finance ML-1 railway in massive step towards cross-country connectivity

    ADB to finance ML-1 railway in massive step towards cross-country connectivity

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reportedly agreed to finance Pakistan’s Mainline-1 (ML-1) railway upgrade, a multibillion dollar project that has not been completed since its proposal in 2015. According to reports, this section of the rail network stretches from Karachi to Peshawar and its upgrade could significantly boost connectivity within the country. 


    As per reports, the ADB had previously stepped back from the project when Beijing objected to third-party involvement in the project’s execution and financing. According to the Economic Affairs Division, ADB President Masato Kanda met Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the project’s funding requirements, design, and timelines for implementation.


    During the meeting, the Secretary of Pakistan Railways (PR) reportedly highlighted ML-1’s importance for trade, passenger mobility, and regional connectivity. As per the details, the Minister of Economic Affairs expressed confidence that the ADB would extend phased financial support and stressed the need to expedite approvals so construction could begin at the earliest. 


    He also called for reforms in credit guarantee mechanisms to improve Pakistan’s ability to utilize financing options. The President reaffirmed the regional lender’s commitment to the project, describing it as vital for trade and regional integration. 


    According to reports, he also said that the Karachi to Rohri stretch of the railway would be prioritized in the first stage of work. The discussions concluded with the signing of a separate agreement between the ADB and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), under which the CDA will provide land in Islamabad for the development of a new ADB office building.


    It merits a mention that earlier this month, reports revealed that the ADB had entered into advanced talks to arrange $2 billion in financing for the modernisation of a 500km stretch of railway that was previously included in a Chinese-backed plan. The proposed revamp aims to modernise tracks and bridges from Karachi to Rohri near Sukkur.


    As per the details, this project will allow trains on tracks to operate at higher speeds. Reports indicate that the upgraded line will connect to a branch coming from the Reko Diq mining area at Rohri and will transport copper concentrate to port facilities.


    Reports reveal that the ADB has vested interest in the Reko Diq mining project as it committed a staggering $410 million in financing for the project earlier this week.

  • Court discharges stage actress Samar Rana in domestic worker gang rape case

    Court discharges stage actress Samar Rana in domestic worker gang rape case

    A local court in Lahore has discharged stage actress and dancer Samar Rana in a case pertaining to the torture and gang rape of a 14-year-old domestic worker,  media reports have stated. 

    Samar Rana was presented before the court by the Investigation Police Nawab Town. Judicial Magistrate Zaib Shehzad Cheema heard the case and ordered her immediate release.

    The court ordered action against the investigating officer for failing to present the suspects before the court within 24 hours of her arrest.

    Police had requested physical remand of the suspects but the court observed that such remand cannot be granted unnecessarily or mechanically.

    The court noted that after reviewing the record, no evidence was found against Samar Rana. On the basis of lack of evidence, the actress was discharged from the case.

    Earlier, Lahore police arrested theatre actor Samar Rana on Sunday after a 16-year-old domestic worker accused her and others of rape and torture.

    According to media reports, Nawab Town police registered a case under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code against Rana, her employee, and four unidentified men.

    The FIR was reportedly filed by the girl’s mother, stating that her daughter began working at Rana’s residence in OPF Housing Scheme on August 8. On the night of August 14, a man living in the upper portion of the house allegedly gave the girl a drugged drink and raped her. The next morning, Rana’s employee reportedly drugged and assaulted her again. He then called four other men, unknown to the victim, who allegedly raped her over the next two days.

    The FIR further alleges that the girl remained drugged and confined in the house, where the suspects recorded videos and took photos of the assault. Rana allegedly hit the girl in the stomach and threatened her to stay silent.

    The victim escaped on August 18 but remained quiet out of fear. Her mother discovered the abuse on August 23 after noticing her daughter’s injuries and immediately approached the police.

    Law enforcement raided Rana’s residence and took her into custody. Police confirmed that efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

  • Daniil Medvedev fined $42,500 for smashing racket after US Open defeat

    Daniil Medvedev fined $42,500 for smashing racket after US Open defeat

    Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has been fined $42,500 for his outburst following a first-round defeat at the US Open.

    Medvedev, a former world number one, lost to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in a five-set thriller on Sunday. After the match, he smashed his racket on the court and against the bench in frustration.

    The tournament referee imposed a $30,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct and an additional $12,500 for breaking his racket on the field. The total fine amounts to nearly one-third of his prize money from the tournament.

    Earlier during the match, Medvedev argued with the chair umpire over a decision and appeared visibly frustrated. His anger boiled over after the loss, leading to the incident.

    Bonzi had also defeated Medvedev in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this year.

    In other singles matches, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and America’s Taylor Fritz secured their wins.

  • Two men suspected of slaying brothers over Rs30 killed in CCD encounter

    Two men suspected of slaying brothers over Rs30 killed in CCD encounter

    Two out of three suspects arrested in connection with the killing of two brothers over a Rs30 dispute in Lahore’s Raiwind have been killed in an alleged Crime Control Department (CCD) encounter.

    CCD Chung was taking the suspects for identification when their accomplice attempted to free them, CCD sources have said. 

    However, during the exchange of fire, the arrested suspects Owais and Shehzad were killed, while Touqeer managed to escape custody. A search operation is underway.

    Two brothers, residents of Kot Radha Kishan, were assaulted by street vendors at a fruit cart on August 21, in the wake of a dispute over just Rs30. One brother died on the spot, while the other succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital.

    The victims, Wajid and Rashid, were seen in a viral video being mercilessly beaten with clubs by the suspects while lying in a pool of blood.

    Despite the presence of dozens of onlookers, no one reportedly stepped forward to help. Police confirmed the violence began with a dispute over the price of fruit, which quickly escalated into a deadly attack.

    According to details, the attackers then fled. However, later they were arrested and handed over to the CCD.

  • Mentally challenged woman strangles four-year-old daughter to death

    Mentally challenged woman strangles four-year-old daughter to death

    A woman allegedly strangled her four-year-old daughter to death at her home in Bhale Dino Behan village on Wednesday, media reports citing police said.

    According to police, the suspect, identified as Khushboo Behan, is believed to be mentally challenged. An FIR (No.13/2025) has been registered against her under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of her husband, Izhar Ali Behan.

    Police officials said the woman was arrested and taken to the Women’s Police Station. She will be produced in court on Thursday.

    Family sources told reporters that Khushboo had previously shown signs of psychopathic behaviour. They alleged that she had earlier killed her two-year-old daughter, Fatima, by making her drink acidic water from a battery.

    The complainant stated in the FIR that his wife had warned him several times: “Divorce me or I will kill your children.” He claimed that both of his daughters had been killed by his wife. “She has destroyed my home,” he said.

    A video shared with the media shows the suspect confessing to strangling her daughter with a dupatta. “I don’t know what I was doing at that time,” she said in the video.

    Police confirmed that the victim’s body was taken to Dokri Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

  • Messi’s double goals fire Inter Miami into Leagues Cup final

    Messi’s double goals fire Inter Miami into Leagues Cup final

    Lionel Messi scored two late goals to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 comeback win over Orlando City, booking their place in the Leagues Cup final on Wednesday.

    Messi returned after missing two games with a thigh injury and converted a penalty in the 77th minute to make it 1-1. In the 88th minute, he combined with Jordi Alba to score his second and put Miami ahead.

    Telasco Segovia added a third goal in stoppage time as Inter Miami advanced to its second consecutive Leagues Cup final. They won the tournament in 2023, Messi’s first season in Major League Soccer (MLS).

    Miami will face either the Los Angeles Galaxy or the Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s final. Orlando will play in the third-place game. The top three teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

    Orlando had taken the lead in first-half stoppage time when Marco Pasalic scored after a deflection inside the box. Inter Miami’s appeals for handball were checked by VAR, but the goal stood.

    Orlando looked strong at the start of the second half, but the match changed when Tadeo Allende won a penalty in the 74th minute. David Brekalo fouled Allende and received a second yellow card, leaving Orlando with 10 players. Messi scored the penalty, then added his second goal 11 minutes later, sending the crowd into celebrations.

    Orlando had beaten Miami twice earlier this season, including a 4-1 win this month, but Messi’s late heroics ended that streak.