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  • Massive blow to New Delhi as Trump imposes additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total to 50%

    Massive blow to New Delhi as Trump imposes additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total to 50%

    US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, a key revenue source for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

    The tariff, set to take effect in three weeks, comes on top of a separate 25 percent duty entering into force on Thursday, according to the text of the executive order released by the White House.

    The order also threatens potential penalties on other countries deemed to be “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.”

    Exemptions remain for items targeted by separate sector-specific duties such as steel and aluminum, and categories that could be hit like pharmaceuticals.

    Trump has been ramping up pressure on India after signaling fresh sanctions on Moscow if it did not make progress by Friday towards a peace deal with Kyiv, as Russia’s devastating invasion of its pro-western neighbor drags on.

    India’s national security adviser was in Moscow on Wednesday, media in New Delhi reported, coinciding with a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff.

    India’s foreign ministry earlier said US pressure to stop it buying Russian oil was “unjustified and unreasonable” and that it would protect its interests.

  • Imran Ashraf drops party track ‘All Good’ in Indian Punjabi debut

    Imran Ashraf drops party track ‘All Good’ in Indian Punjabi debut

    When a popular Pakistani actor makes his debut in Indian Punjabi cinema, fans expect something exciting, and Imran Ashraf delivers just that with All Good, the first song from his upcoming film Enna Nu Rehna Sehna Ni Aaunda.

    The song was released on Tuesday. Imran shared a clip from the music video on Instagram with the caption, “ALL GOOD. First song of our film is out. Sung by Ranjit Bawa. Enna Nu Rehna Sehna Ni Aaunda – in cinemas all over the world on 22 August.”

    Sung by Ranjit Bawa, who also stars in the film, the upbeat track is set against a neon-lit party scene and is being hyped as “the party anthem of the year.” Fans get to see a glimpse of Imran Ashraf enjoying himself on the dance floor with his friends in the clip.

    Fans flooded the comments with love and excitement.

    One fan wrote, “Inshallah sir, I’m coming to meet you at the cinema,be ready!”

    Another wrote, “I’m very happy, Enna Nu Rehna Sehna Nai Aunda releasing on 22 August!”

    One commented, “Agyaaaa Hera ❤”

    Another added, “All the best brother, Imran Ashraf ❤ “

    The film is a comedy that follows a group of international students navigating life while studying abroad. It was originally scheduled for release in May but faced delays, likely amid the political tensions between India and Pakistan at the time, which also led to a ban on Pakistani content in India.

    Now, the film is finally set to hit cinemas worldwide, including in Pakistan, on August 22.

    The teaser was released last month, introducing the main cast, which includes Imran Ashraf from Pakistan alongside Indian actors Jassie Gill and Sapna Pabbi, as well as Pakistani comedian Nasir Chinyoti.

    This release comes at a time when another India-Pakistan collaboration has faced major roadblocks. 

    Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistan’s star Hania Aamir and Indian actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh, has not yet been released in India due to backlash from right-wing groups. However, it premiered in Pakistan and other countries on June 27, and according to director Amar Hundal, it became the highest-grossing Punjabi film outside India.

    Despite the challenges, fans are enjoying Enna Nu Rehna Sehna Ni Aaunda, holding onto hope for more cross-border creative collaborations in the future.

  • Pakistani footballer goes missing in Norway during Street Child Championship

    Pakistani footballer goes missing in Norway during Street Child Championship

    Amanullah Baloch, a player for the Muslim Hands Club from Pakistan, has reportedly gone missing in Norway after arriving to participate in the Street Children Football Championship.

    Amanullah, who hails from the Sango Lane area of Lyari, was part of the Pakistani squad for the tournament. However, he reportedly left the team and went missing before the event began.

    According to reports, Amanullah stepped outside during a reception ceremony in Oslo, held in honour of the team, while talking on the phone and left in a taxi. He has not returned since.

    The Norwegian police and Pakistan’s embassy are investigating the matter. The team management confirmed that the case has been handed over to local authorities, and efforts are being made to trace the missing player.

    According to reports, attempts to contact Amanullah’s family have been unsuccessful, as they have declined to comment on the incident.

    This marks the second such case in the past two months involving Pakistani athletes disappearing abroad. Earlier, two athletes from Punjab went missing in Germany during the World University Games.

  • From Forbes 30 Under 30 to marriage with Aima Baig; All you need to know about Zain Ahmed

    From Forbes 30 Under 30 to marriage with Aima Baig; All you need to know about Zain Ahmed

    Pakistani singer Aima Baig has tied the knot with Zain Ahmed, co-founder of the Lahore-based fashion label Rastah. Their intimate nikkah ceremony in Canada has marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

    While Aima Baig is known for her incredible voice and Coke Studio features, who is Zain Ahmed?

    Zain Ahmed co-founded Rastah in 2018 alongside his cousins Ismail and Adnan Ahmad. The fashion label quickly made a name for itself by fusing traditional Pakistani craftsmanship, such as handloom fabrics and woodblock printing, with modern streetwear aesthetics inspired by the vibrant culture of Lahore.

    In 2022, Zain Ahmed was featured on Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to fashion. Under his creative leadership, Rastah became the first Pakistani brand to showcase at London Fashion Week in 2023. The brand’s rise was not just limited to the runway. Rastah’s clothing has been worn by global celebrities including Justin Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Barry Keoghan, Riz Ahmed, Anil Kapoor, Zayn Malik, French Montana, Karan Johar and Diljit Dosanjh.

    Despite his growing fame, Zain has maintained a relatively low personal profile.

    Zain and Aima Baig were first linked in 2024 after their public appearances and social media posts sparked relationship rumours. The couple later confirmed the speculation after posting photos together online. Since then, they’ve often been spotted vacationing and attending events together.

    Their wedding came as a surprise to many fans after a photo from their Nikkah ceremony was shared online. The couple was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

  • Karachi man kills wife for ‘talking to someone on the phone’

    Karachi man kills wife for ‘talking to someone on the phone’

    A man in Karachi’s Lyari has killed his wife, a 45-year-old mother of seven, over suspicion of cheating.

    As per the details, the victim, identified as Bakhtawar, was allegedly murdered by her husband, Nawab, who suspected she was talking to someone on the phone.

    Reports quoted the SHO concerned, Inspector Sajjad Dharijo, as saying that Nawab used a 30-bore pistol to shoot his wife in a fit of rage during a scuffle inside their house.

    Following the shooting, residents of the area acted quickly and assisted police in arresting the suspect. Authorities also recovered the murder weapon from Nawab at the time of his arrest.

    Bakhtawar’s body was shifted to Civil Hospital for medico-legal formalities. While no family members came forward to claim the body, locals reportedly took the initiative of temporarily keeping the body at the morgue.

    Further investigation into the killing is underway as police prepare to present the suspect before a court.

  • Kh Asif slams ‘corrupt’ bureaucrats; says most of them ready to move abroad after ‘devouring billions’

    Kh Asif slams ‘corrupt’ bureaucrats; says most of them ready to move abroad after ‘devouring billions’

    Defence Minister and senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has levelled serious allegations against the country’s bureaucracy, triggering intense backlash online, much of it aimed at the minister himself.

    “More than half of the [members] of the bureaucracy of our dear homeland have already bought properties in Portugal and are preparing to obtain citizenship there,” he stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, without presenting any proof.

    The minister claimed that the bureaucrats, after devouring billions of rupees, comfortably live a retired life. “One of [Usman] Buzdar’s [former chief minister of Punjab] closest bureaucrats has collected four billion rupees just in salami for his daughters’ weddings and is now calmly enjoying a retired life (sic),” he alleged.

    The defence czar argued, “Politicians only get what is left over by them (bureaucrats)” and still get blamed for everything. 

    He stated that politicians do not possess plots or foreign citizenship, as such holdings would disqualify them from contesting elections. “It is the bureaucracy that is polluting the sacred land of Pakistan,” he said.

    In another post, he alleged that a man named “Virk sahab” has been playing the biggest role in providing shelters to the bureaucracy and elites in Portugal.

    Journalists and social media users were quick to react to the minister’s allegations. “Khawaja sahab, your point seems valid. Please check who, among the bureaucrats or politicians, built Park View City in Portugal, where people obtain a European passport after investing there,” replied journalist Umar Cheema.

    “You are the country’s defence minister and a key leader of the ruling party, yet so helpless, Khawaja Sahib,” wrote journalist Shahid Aslam on X.

    “If a top brass minister like Khawaja Asif is only going to tweet, then who would arrest them, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman or Yasmin Rashid? Who has stopped you from taking the money trail from these looters?” asked state-owned PTV-associated journalist Najam Wali Khan.

    Pointing out the severity of the allegations, a netizen questioned, “Khawaja sahab, are you with the government or in the opposition?” One of the users said that that tweet “is an expression of helplessness”.

    Another opined, “Everything else is fine, Khawaja Sahib, but just keep in mind that, no matter how, the government is yours. And you, by the grace of God, are also a respected minister, not only weak but also a favourite person of every constituency and leadership. It’s the public’s job to lodge complaints and yours to resolve them; here, the tables are turned, and you’re the one making complaints (sic).”

  • Govt approves first phase of Rs100 billion electric bikes scheme

    Govt approves first phase of Rs100 billion electric bikes scheme

    The federal government has approved the first phase of a Rs100 billion scheme to provide electric rickshaws and bikes to the general public at a subsidised cost. According to reports, the government aims to support the scheme, among other initiatives for electric vehicles, by collecting a staggering Rs122 billion from owners of non-electric cars.

    The first phase of the two-phase scheme, which aims to facilitate the provision of 3,170 electric rickshaws and 116,000 bikes, was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Reports reveal that eligible individuals will be granted up to Rs200,000 in equity and interest-free loans to acquire the aforementioned electric vehicles.

    As per reports, the ECC’s meeting was virtually chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. A statement from the Ministry of Finance revealed that the ECC had approved the implementation of a subsidy scheme aimed at boosting the adoption rates of electric rickshaws and bikes.

    The proposal for the subsidy scheme was submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production. Reports claim that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will launch the first phase of the scheme, under which 1,000 electric rickshaws and 40,000 electric bikes will be available for provision.

    Data from reports reveals that the federal government has decided to provide Rs50,000 in equity and an interest-free loan of Rs200,000 for electric bikes. The cost of the electric bike will not exceed Rs250,000. For electric rickshaws, the package includes Rs200,000 in equity support along with an interest-free loan of Rs180,000.

    Equity in this context refers to the amount that the government will cover on behalf of those participating in the scheme. Reports indicate that individuals aged 18 to 65 will be eligible for the scheme. 

    Moreover, details from reports suggest that a 25 percent quota has been introduced for women to prevent the subsidy scheme from unequally benefiting males at the expense of females. The distribution of these electric vehicles will be carried out in proportion to each province’s population. 

    However, it merits a mention that Balochistan will receive an additional 10 percent quota, which will be adjusted from the allocations of Punjab and Sindh according to their population shares.

    Reports have revealed that the federal government is also expected to give 219 electric bikes to two top position holders in federal colleges free of cost.

  • Aima Baig ties the knot with Rastah CEO Zain Ahmed

    Aima Baig ties the knot with Rastah CEO Zain Ahmed

    Pakistani singer Aima Baig has officially tied the knot with Rastah CEO Zain Ahmed, marking a new chapter in their lives.

    The couple had kept much of their relationship private until earlier this year, when they made things official on Instagram. Since then, they’ve been spotted vacationing together and appearing at public events. But the wedding still came as a surprise for many fans when a photo from their Nikkah ceremony surfaced online.

    Now that Aima Baig and Zain Ahmed are officially married, fans have flooded social media with love and well wishes for the newlyweds, with heart emojis and congratulatory messages pouring in.

    “MashAllah! So happy for Aima!” one fan wrote.

    Another said, “They look perfect together, wishing them a lifetime of happiness.”

    Aima Baig Gets Married In Canada

    The wedding took place in Canada, away from the spotlight and media frenzy. Aima is known for her powerful voice, while Zain is the co-founder of the globally celebrated streetwear brand Rastah. 

    Aima was previously engaged to actor Shahbaz Shigri. The couple ended their engagement in 2022.

  • Mahira Khan’s saree hunt just became everyone’s favourite celebrity moment

    Mahira Khan’s saree hunt just became everyone’s favourite celebrity moment

    Amidst the bustling stalls of Clifton Market in Karachi, one of Pakistan’s most beloved stars was spotted without any red carpet or media fanfare. Mahira Khan, known for her grace both on and off screen, was spotted on a quiet visit to a market in search of the perfect saree.

    With no swarm of guards or VIP fuss, the Lollywood icon was recently spotted at a local market in Clifton, Karachi, casually browsing saree stalls like any regular shopper. Dressed in an ivory colour shalwar kameez, Mahira laughed and chatted with shopkeepers as she looked through fabric options with ease and grace.

    It didn’t take long for videos and photos to flood social media, where fans couldn’t stop praising her down-to-earth nature.

    “She’s just like us,” one fan commented.

    Another wrote, “This is why she’ll always be Pakistan’s sweetheart.”

    The sight of one of Pakistan’s most celebrated stars walking through a busy market not only won hearts but also reminded everyone why Mahira continues to be adored. Despite her massive fame, her humility remains unchanged.


    From her early days as a VJ to her breakout in Bol and the unforgettable role of Khirad in Humsafar, Mahira’s journey has been one of steady rise and consistent charm. She has worked across borders, starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, and emerged as a vocal advocate for mental health and social issues.

    Now basking in the success of her latest rom-com ‘Love Guru’, where she stars alongside Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan proves once again that whether it is on-screen magic or off-screen humility, she knows how to keep the audience hooked.

  • 50 percent pay raise for women cricketers as PCB unveils new central contracts

    50 percent pay raise for women cricketers as PCB unveils new central contracts

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced central contracts for 20 women cricketers for the 2025–26 season, introducing a major 50 percent increase in player retainers across all five categories. 

    According to reports, the PCB has also introduced a new category labelled the ‘Emerging Category’ featuring young cricketers Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar to encourage emerging talent. Both players are currently part of the squad touring Ireland for a three-match T20I series from August 6 to 10. They also represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup held in South Africa last year.

    Sadia Iqbal, who currently tops the ICC T20I bowling rankings, has been awarded a Category A contract alongside Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin.

    Category B includes Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig and Nashra Sundhu, with Diana promoted from Category C. Rameen Shamim has also earned a promotion from Category D to Category C.

    Ten players have been placed in Category D, namely Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar. Among them, Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz and Waheeda Akhtar are new additions to the contract list.

    The PCB confirmed that the central contracts were finalised by the women’s selection committee in consultation with head coach Muhammad Wasim, and are effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

    Over the next 12 months, the Pakistan women’s team is scheduled to compete in two major ICC events: the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in September–October 2025 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June 2026.

    The team will also play bilateral series both at home and overseas during this period.