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  • Harry Brook clinches top slot in new ICC Test rankings

    Harry Brook clinches top slot in new ICC Test rankings

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest Test rankings, and England’s Harry Brook has claimed the top spot among Test batsmen. 

    Brook moved ahead of his teammate Joe Root after scoring an impressive 158 runs against India in the Birmingham Test.

    No Pakistani player is included in the Test top ten this time. India’s Shubman Gill jumped 15 places to reach sixth position after his remarkable knocks of 269 and 161 runs. He also became only the second player to score more than 150 runs in both innings of a single Test match.

    England’s Jamie Smith made it to the top 10 for the first time after scoring 184 and 88 runs in the same Test. On the bowling side, India’s Mohammad Siraj climbed to 22nd place thanks to his seven-wicket haul.

    In the all-rounders ranking, South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder reached third position after an outstanding performance of 367 runs and three wickets. He also moved up 34 places in batting to 22nd and four places in bowling to 48th.

    In ODIs, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis made it into the top 10 batting rankings for the first time. Charith Asalanka climbed to sixth position, while Wanindu Hasaranga moved up 11 places to become the eighth-best bowler in the ODI rankings.

  • Rawalpindi man kills teenage daughter for not deleting TikTok account

    Rawalpindi man kills teenage daughter for not deleting TikTok account

    A father has reportedly shot and killed his teenaged daughter after she refused to delete her TikTok account in what is being suspects to be a case of honour killing in Rawalpindi’s Dhok Chaudhryan Takht Padi area. 

    Mehak Shahzadi, a matric student, was repeatedly asked by her father Akhlaq Ahmed to remove her TikTok profile, but she did not listen. In a fit of anger, he allegedly opened fire on her, killing her on the spot. After committing the crime, Akhlaq fled the scene.

    A murder case was registered at Rawat Police Station on the complaint of Head Constable Shahbaz Anjum. 

    Rawalpindi police had formed three special teams to track down the suspect. 

    Later on Wednesday, police confirmed that Akhlaq Ahmed had been arrested and the weapon used in the murder was recovered from him. He has been moved to Rawat Police Station for further investigation.

  • ADB cautions Pakistan on fiscal policy goals

    ADB cautions Pakistan on fiscal policy goals

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned Pakistan that expanding the tax base without raising the compliance level through effective enforcement is unlikely to generate increased revenue. The policy guide issued by ADB indicates that efforts to widen the tax base without focusing on compliance often fail to produce optimal fiscal gains.

    Instead of boosting revenues, such fiscal policies tend to result in higher administrative costs, as per the policy guide. The ADB’s report highlighted the need for lawmakers to compare the benefits of both improving compliance and increasing the tax base.

    Reports suggest that Pakistan should focus on increasing compliance with domestic tax laws over expanding the tax net. Data from recent reports suggests that illicit cigarette manufacturing operations alone are causing the national exchequer to lose approximately Rs300 billion to Rs1 trillion. 

    If the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had been successful in getting the tobacco industry to comply with tax laws, the Rs1.08 trillion shortfall in the tax watchdog’s revenue in fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 could have been plugged.

    The ADB’s report highlighted the need for lawmakers to compare the benefits of both improving compliance and increasing the tax base.

    According to the policy guide, pursuing an expansion of the tax net should be considered if non-revenue benefits, such as improvements in the availability of economic data and economic formalisation are greater than the incurred administrative costs. 

    Reports have outlined how domestic revenue from taxation has remained at an abysmal three to four percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for approximately a decade despite a threefold increase in the number of registered filers. 

    The number of filers has tripled over the 2007 to 2019 period without any notable revenue increases. The reason is that the majority of new filers report either a very low or no taxable income. ADB thus outlines that increasing the number of filers does not translate into a boost in tax revenues.

    The ADB’s observation holds weight as tax revenues remain stagnant despite Pakistan’s formal economy having grown by approximately 200 percent between 2014 and 2021. Reports have revealed that the ADB believes that Pakistan needs to conduct a “strategic reassessment” of its fiscal policy objectives.

  • Two pilots killed after Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan

    Two pilots killed after Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan

    Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a twin-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday afternoon, raising concerns about IAF’s continuous crashes. 

    “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported,” an Indian media outlet has reported, citing the statement issued by the IAF.

    “IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the statement said, adding that a court of inquiry has been established to ascertain the cause of the accident.

    The aircraft crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm, Station House Officer (SHO) Rajaldesar Kamlessh told Press Trust of India (PTI).

    The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter-bomber in single-and twin-seat variants. It is widely used by the IAF despite its vintage status. India has an estimated 120 Jaguar fighter jets spread across six squadrons in operation.

    This is the third IAF Jaguar fighter jet to crash this year, An aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Jamnagar Airfield during a night mission in April. 

    The IAF reported that the pilots experienced a technical malfunction mid-flight and ejected to prevent damage to the airfield and surrounding populated areas.

    One of the pilots, Siddharth Yadav, succumbed to injuries sustained during the ejection, while the other pilot sustained injuries in the incident.

    In March 2025, an IAF fighter jet crashed in the Panchkula district of Haryana during a routine training sortie.

    Citing the IAF, Indian media outlets stated that the pilot experienced a system malfunction and successfully steered the aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting safely.

  • Grok says Imran Riaz Khan tells the most lies on YouTube

    Grok says Imran Riaz Khan tells the most lies on YouTube

    Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, is being widely used in Pakistan on Twitter for its instant, often humorous responses to a wide range of questions, including politics, trolling, and social issues.

    On July 6, a user named Sayyid Shoaib asked @grok in Urdu, “Who is the biggest liar on Pakistani YouTube?”

    Grok replied that research shows that YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan spreads the most lies during political commentary, adding, “Multiple fact-checks have proven his videos and claims false, such as presenting old videos as new and propaganda… credible sources confirm it.”

    Grok AI excels at answering questions with real-time information from X (formerly Twitter) and a touch of humor. It’s designed to be witty and engaging, even on controversial topics, and can access trending information to provide up-to-date responses.

    Separately, on Tuesday, a local court in Islamabad ordered the blocking of 27 Pakistani YouTube channels, including Imran Riaz Khan, for “spreading fake, misleading and provocative” content against the country, state institutions, and officials.

    As per the details, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah heard a petition by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), later issuing a written order directing YouTube’s officer-in-charge to block said channels.

     
    According to the court order, the agency presented sufficient evidence to justify legal action. The judge noted that the inquiry, which began on June 2, revealed that the channels were involved in spreading anti-state content and violated the privacy and dignity of state officials.

  • Massive crime ring busted in raid on fake call center

    Massive crime ring busted in raid on fake call center

    A large-scale cybercrime operation has uncovered a fake call centre in Faisalabad that was running a major Ponzi scheme and investment fraud.

    The National Cyber Crime and Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided a property on Sangla Hill–Shahkot Road in cooperation with a sensitive intelligence agency.

    The site is a residence of Malik Tahseen Awan, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors at Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), which had been converted into a fraudulent call centre.

    Authorities revealed that employees were scamming the public and siphoning money under the pretense pretence of investment opportunities.

    During the raid, 149 individuals were arrested, marking the largest single crackdown on online fraud suspects in Pakistan’s history.

    The detainees include 18 women and 131 men, among them 73 foreign nationals. The foreigners arrested include three Nigerian men and five Nigerian women, one Filipino man and three Filipino women, one Sri Lankan, one Bangladeshi woman, six Bangladeshi men, one Zimbabwean woman, two Myanmar women, and 44 others from various countries.

    76 Pakistani men and two Pakistani women were also taken into custody.

    Seven FIRs (numbered 141 through 147) have been registered against the suspects on charges of fraud, forgery, and illegal investment operations. Interrogations are currently underway.

    Sources claim that Malik Tahseen Awan is the prime suspect in the scheme and is named in all seven FIRs.

    Authorities have launched multiple raids to arrest him, and his name has been added to the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) to prevent him from fleeing the country.

  • Mohib Mirza, Zara Noor Abbas bring all the laughs in Ek Jhooti Kahani

    Mohib Mirza, Zara Noor Abbas bring all the laughs in Ek Jhooti Kahani

    What happens when one small lie enters a house full of five bold, lively sisters? Total chaos, and a lot of laughter. That’s exactly what the upcoming drama Ek Jhooti Kahani promises with a stellar cast including Mohib Mirza and Zara Noor Abbas, in a fun-filled story that mixes love, family madness, and one harmless lie that turns into a storm.

    The drama follows Mohib Mirza’s character, the only brother to five energetic and outspoken sisters. Each sister has her own strong personality, and managing them all is already a full-time job. But when he brings Zara Noor Abbas into the family as a fake bhaabhi to calm things down, nothing goes as planned.

    What starts as a simple lie soon spins out of control. The story takes hilarious twists and turns as Mohib and Zara try to keep up the act while dealing with unexpected situations, and even stronger reactions from the sisters.

    Directed by Shehrazade Sheikh (known for Doosra Chehra, Yahya, and Daraar) and written by Amna Mufti (Aakhri Station, Dil Na Umeed Tou Nahi), Ek Jhooti Kahani offers smart storytelling, full of laughter, love, and real family moments.

    The drama doesn’t just focus on comedy, it also beautifully shows the bond between sisters. Their love, fights, loyalty, and madness reflect the heart of every desi household. Qudsia Ali, Amna Youzasaif, Laiba Shah, Nawal Parveiz Malik, and Sabeena Syed play the five sisters, each adding their own charm and energy to the story.

    Produced by Momina Duraid under MD Productions, Ek Jhooti Kahani also stars Uzma Baig, Kaif Ghaznavi, Behroz Sabzwari, and Syed Muhammad Ahmed.

  • Humaira Asghar’s father refuses to claim her body, says he cut ties years ago

    Humaira Asghar’s father refuses to claim her body, says he cut ties years ago

    Police officials have revealed that the family of actress and model Humaira Asghar has refused to claim her body, which was found on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after she died in Karachi.

    According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Mehzor Ali, authorities tracked Humaira’s phone number through her landlord and used call data records to contact her father and brother. Her father refused to come to Karachi, revealing that he had severed ties with her nearly two years ago. Police report that they have since been unable to get back in touch with him.

    Efforts to encourage the family to claim her remains are currently ongoing. Two mobile devices were recovered from her apartment in DHA Phase VI, and data recovery is in progress. The autopsy and toxicology reports are still awaited. SSP Mehzor noted that a case will be initiated if there is any indication of foul play, regardless of the family’s willingness to pursue it.

    Humaira had been living alone in the apartment and had allegedly not paid rent since 2024. Her landlord had initiated legal action, resulting in court orders for eviction. When police entered the residence last week, they discovered her body in an advanced state of decomposition. Neighbours told officers that she was rarely seen and did not interact with others in the building.

    However, several actors and artists have expressed their sorrow and concern online.

    Actor Amar Khan stated that Humaira’s death reflects the state of the industry and society. “It’s a day for reflection… you face judgment based on your attire, vehicles, career, and finances,” she shared, encouraging young women to prioritise their mental well-being.

    Mawra Hocane urged anyone facing challenges in the industry to reach out, saying, “I will not judge. I promise… I will do my best to be there.” Hina Altaf labeled it a call to action, writing, “She lived alone. She passed away alone. And days went by before anyone noticed.”

    Adnan Siddiqui remembered Humaira as a compassionate colleague, while Ali Rehman also expressed sorrow and prayed for her peace.

    Humaira gained public recognition after appearing on the reality series Tamasha Ghar and also featured in the 2015 movie Jalaibee.

  • YouTube to change monetisation rules; Which channels will no longer be eligible to earn?

    YouTube to change monetisation rules; Which channels will no longer be eligible to earn?

    YouTube has announced major changes to its monetisation policies starting July 15, aiming to prevent low-quality, repetitive, and fully automated content from earning revenue, while encouraging original and creative videos.

    According to the new policy, videos created entirely using AI tools without any personal input or originality will not be eligible for monetisation. This includes content with robotic voiceovers lacking human narration or personal commentary. It also applies to repetitive formats, such as basic remixes, simple reaction videos, or compilations with minimal or no meaningful editing.

    Content that uses someone else’s material without clear changes, commentary, or explanation will also not qualify for ads. This includes videos slightly modified with filters or colour adjustments, offering nothing new.

    YouTube has warned that channels not complying with the rules could be removed from the YouTube Partner Program, as the platform now aims to support original, creative, and authentic content.

    For example, YouTube will monetise educational videos with unique explanations or research; entertainment content like short films, vlogs, or well-thought-out analysis, and any videos where the creator’s own voice, style, and ideas are clearly present.

    YouTube, however, has clarified that the use of AI is not completely banned, but it must include meaningful human input, interpretation, or editing.

    To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, a channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. The content must also follow YouTube’s originality and quality guidelines. Once these conditions are met, YouTube will review the channel to decide if it’s eligible to earn revenue.

    With AI tools becoming increasingly popular, many low-quality and faceless videos have flooded the internet. Some users teach tricks to earn money without ever showing their face. YouTube aims to discourage this trend and reward creators who produce genuine educational or entertaining videos.

    A recent Statista report revealed that in the last quarter of 2024 alone, YouTube removed more than 9.5 million videos, many of which were fully automated or repetitive. Now, the platform’s review system will be even stricter. If a channel’s videos are found to be low-quality, repetitive, or fully AI-generated without a human touch, it may lose its monetisation rights.

    With these new rules, YouTube hopes to keep the platform fresh and rewarding for creators who put real effort into producing meaningful content.

  • Federal govt approves four potential bidders for debt-ridden PIA

    Federal govt approves four potential bidders for debt-ridden PIA

    The federal government said on Tuesday that it had approved four parties, including business groups, to potentially bid for a stake in debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Reuters reported on Tuesday.

    If the flag carrier gets privatised, it would be the country’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades.

    The government has been seeking to sell a 51-100 percent stake in the struggling national airline to raise funds and reform cash-draining State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

    Among the four bidding groups, one is a consortium of major industrial firms: Lucky Cement, Hub Power Holdings, Kohat Cement, and Metro Ventures.

    Another is led by investment firm Arif Habib Corporation, and includes fertiliser producer Fatima Fertiliser, private education operator The City School, and real estate firm Lake City Holdings (Private) Limited.

    Additionally, Fauji Fertiliser Company and Pakistani airline Airblue have been approved to bid for PIA.

    “The pre-qualified parties will now proceed to the buy-side due diligence phase,” the Advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali, said in a statement.

    The country’s privatisation ministry said that the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation approved the transaction structure for the PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel located in New York, including options for both outright sale and long-term lease.

    The ministry further said that Pakistan is expecting over $100 million as a first payment during this year for the Roosevelt Hotel. 

    During the last attempt, the minimum price of Rs85.03 billion with a Rs45 billion negative balance sheet had been set by the government to privatise PIA in October last year. However, the attempt failed because the government ended up with only one bidder, real-estate development company Blue World City, offering Rs10 billion for a 60 per cent stake.

    Meanwhile, media reports citing Ali said that PIA’s bidding is now expected to take place in the last quarter (October-December) of this year.