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  • Sonya Hussyn wants Karachi to be like Lahore

    Sonya Hussyn wants Karachi to be like Lahore

    Actress Sonya Hussyn wants Karachi to see the same level of development and care as Lahore, praising the city’s transformation during her recent visit for Basant celebrations.

    Speaking during a Ramzan transmission on a private TV channel, Sonya shared her experience of traveling to Lahore, where she celebrated Basant and witnessed improved roads.

    “We literally just came back from Lahore after celebrating Basant,” she said. “They have made the city so beautiful. I wish someone would do the same for our Karachi.”

    Comparing the two cities, she pointed to the condition of roads as a major difference. “In Lahore, our car keeps moving smoothly, and we are surprised that it has not jumped even once,” she said, referring to the carpeted roads. 

    Beyond her public remarks, Sonya Hussyn remains one of Pakistan’s most respected television actors. She began her career in 2011 and gained recognition through strong performances in dramas such as Ishq Zahe Naseeb, Aisi Hai Tanhai, Tinkay Ka Sahara, and Saraab.

    She has also worked in films, including Tich Button, expanding her presence beyond television.

  • Extreme poverty forces national medalist to work in marble factory

    Extreme poverty forces national medalist to work in marble factory

    Rizwan Pathan, a national medalist in martial arts and gymnastics, now works as a daily wager at a marble factory in Nowshera due to severe financial hardship.

    Pathan, who hails from Bajaur district, earned national recognition after winning a gold medal at the 2018 National Martial Arts Championships. He also secured several medals at district and provincial levels, building an impressive record in gymnastics and mixed martial arts.

    Despite his achievements, Pathan now spends long hours doing physically demanding labor to support his family. He begins work after morning prayers and continues until 8 pm, lifting and cutting marble. 

    After returning home, he tries to train whenever his body allows.

    “When I work and look at my medals, I feel deep pain for my country,” he told a media outlet. “I am a national player in martial arts and gymnastics, but because of poverty, I had to leave sports and work in a marble factory.”

    Pathan said he has won between 15 and 20 medals at district and provincial levels combined. In 2018, he won a silver medal in gymnastics at the provincial level and later claimed gold at the national level in mixed martial arts.

    “Our family lives in extreme poverty,” he said. “That is why I work in a marble factory. The labor is very hard. After such exhausting work, it becomes difficult to train, but I still try.”

    He added that many people around him fail to understand the value of sports achievements. “Some people say I became useless because medals do not put food on the table. Many in tribal areas do not recognize these achievements, but I never gave up and I will not give up,” he stressed. 

    Pathan believes the lack of institutional support remains the biggest obstacle for athletes like him.

    “No matter how big a player you become, there is no respect for athletes here,” he said. “Many players represent Pakistan internationally, yet the government does not support us, neither at the federal nor at the provincial level.”

    His dream remains unchanged. “I want to fight for my country and raise Pakistan’s name at the international level. If the government supports us, I can compete internationally and also guide many young athletes.”

  • Umer Mukhtar sends defamation notice to Mahnoor Rahim

    Umer Mukhtar sends defamation notice to Mahnoor Rahim

    Hum TV’s senior producer Umer Mukhtar has taken legal action against Mahnoor Rahim following her public allegations of harassment.

    Mukhtar issued a defamation notice through his Instagram account. Rahim, a Lahore-based model and digital creator, had accused Mukhtar of sending her inappropriate messages at 3 a.m., despite being married. In an accompanying video, she said that similar messages were reported by multiple women, some of whom were underage at the time.

    Mukhtar responded to Rahim’s allegations with a legal notice. “In light of recent public developments, I have decided to address this matter through the appropriate legal channels,” he said. He further stated, “Any action being taken is directed solely toward the relevant parties through due legal process. Out of respect for these proceedings, I will not be making any further public statements at this time. I place my trust in the justice system.”

    Rahim also drew attention to Mukhtar’s connections with actress Hania Aamir, a United Nations Women National Goodwill Ambassador. She questioned how Aamir could advocate for safe digital spaces while being friends with Mukhtar. “How are you creating a safe digital space for women when you’re besties with a man who’s exploiting underage girls?” she asked.

    When the videos went viral, Aamir clarified her position on Instagram, stating, “I hold a zero-tolerance stance toward harassment, exploitation and any conduct that compromises the safety and dignity of women and girls.” She added, “These are serious realities that must always be treated with gravity and respect. I support the courage it takes to come forward and stand firmly for environments where every woman and girl feels safe, heard, and protected.”

    Other content creators supported Rahim’s claims. Quratulain Ahmed shared, “He messaged me and said I can’t sleep, can you make me sleep on call, and I was like???” Reeja Jay said she experienced similar messages from Mukhtar. Rahim advised women to block accounts that send unsolicited messages at odd hours, emphasizing, “If men are messaging you at 3 a.m. or 6 a.m., block them right now.”

    Mahnoor Rahim has not responded to Mukhtar’s defamation notice as of now.

  • New oil, gas field discovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    New oil, gas field discovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Pakistan has reported a modest discovery of new oil and gas deposits in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to state media, as authorities seek to expand domestic exploration and reduce reliance on imports.

    The discovery was made at the Lumshiwal Formation of the Baragzai X-01 exploratory well. During a Cased Hole Drill Stem Test (CHDST-04) conducted in the Hangu and Lumshiwal formations, the well produced 225 barrels of oil per day and 1.01 million standard cubic feet per day of gas through a 32/64-inch choke at a wellhead flowing pressure of 190 psig.

    The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that Baragzai X-01 (Slant) was spudded on December 30, 2024, to assess hydrocarbon potential in multiple formations, including Lockhart, Hangu, Lumshiwal, Samana Suk, Shinawari, Datta and Kingriali. The well was drilled to a total depth of 5,170 metres into the Kingriali Formation.


    Citing the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), APP said three earlier cased hole drill stem tests were conducted in the Kingriali, Datta, and Samana Suk plus Shinawari formations, which also yielded oil and gas. The latest test at Lumshiwal confirmed hydrocarbon presence in the block.

    The discovery was made under the Nashpa Exploration Licence. OGDC holds a 65 percent working interest, in partnership with Pakistan Petroleum Limited with 30 percent and Government Holdings Private Limited with five percent.

    In a statement, OGDC said the find would contribute to domestic hydrocarbon output and add to the reserves base of the joint venture partners.


    Pakistan has reported multiple discoveries in recent months. In January, an exploratory well in Kohat flowed at 4,100 barrels of oil per day and 10.5 million standard cubic feet per day of gas. In September 2025, Pakistan Petroleum Limited announced a discovery in Attock district, while Mari Energies reported a gas find in North Waziristan.

    According to data cited by Topline Securities, Sindh accounts for 62 percent of gas production and 40 percent of oil output. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributes 41 percent of crude oil production, Punjab 18 percent, and Balochistan one percent.

  • US ambassador Mike Huckabee says ‘It would be fine’ if Israel took all of Middle East

    US ambassador Mike Huckabee says ‘It would be fine’ if Israel took all of Middle East

    The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, told journalist Tucker Carlson that Israel could legitimately take over large portions of the Middle East, citing biblical promises to Abraham. “It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee said during an interview posted on Friday, stirring controversy globally.

    Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Trump administration appointee, spoke with Carlson about interpretations of Old Testament scripture within the US Christian nationalist movement.

    The conversation focused on a verse in which God promises Abraham’s descendants land “from the wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates – the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

    Carlson noted that the area described in the Bible would encompass “like, basically the entire Middle East.” He added: “The Levant … Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon – it’d also be big parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.” Huckabee responded: “I’m not sure it would go that far, but it would be a big piece of land.”

    He went on to say, “Israel is a land that God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose. It was a people, a place and a purpose.” When Carlson pressed him on whether Israel has the right to that land, Huckabee reiterated, “It would be fine if they took it all.”

    The interview took place in Israel during a visit that drew attention after Carlson, who has a critical view of Israel, said he faced “bizarre” treatment at Ben Gurion airport. Israeli and US officials, however, said Carlson underwent standard security questioning. Huckabee later clarified on X, “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions.” The Israel Airports Authority also stated that “Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated.”

    The remarks sparked strong reactions online. One user wrote, “What is built on falsehood is itself false. The Zionist entity is defying God’s commands, and therefore its end will be near.” Another asked sarcastically, “You saying he is a diplomat? An ambassador?”

    Critics dismissed Huckabee’s statements as extreme. “Utterly nonsensical claims. This guy is simply an ignorant moron, he is trying to inflate the egoes of defeated, rejected and ostracized tribe of Middle East because so and so deity tells so,” said one commentator. Others questioned his intentions: “This individual exhibits unusual behavior and seems to act in a confusing manner. Moreover, he appears to be misleading both Israel and the United States by claiming to do so in the name of the Bible, which raises concerns about his intentions.”

    Some reactions were scathing. “Huckabee has been handled by people in Israel and he’s being taught by those people,” one person wrote. Another joked, “It would be fine for Huckabee to take over a prison cell because Justice demands it. It would be fine if he stayed there for the remainder of his life.”

    Others highlighted the risks of mixing religion and politics. “Saying ‘God gave them the land’ like it’s a real estate deed in 2026 is wild. This is how you light the whole region on fire,” one user said, while another added, “Religious beliefs are deeply personal, but turning ancient texts into modern geopolitical maps feels like a recipe for endless conflict.”

    Carlson, who has increasingly questioned US support for Israel, is moving toward the fringe of the Make America Great Again movement, while Huckabee maintains a more traditional pro-Israel stance. Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Carlson’s airport claims, writing on X: “Next time he talks about Israel as if he’s some expert, just remember this guy is a phony!”

  • CCD rejects HRCP report on encounter killing

    CCD rejects HRCP report on encounter killing

    The Crime Control Department (CCD) of Punjab has said that a comparative review of crime data for the post-May period of 2024 and 2025 shows a reduction in reported crime across the province, particularly Lahore.

    According to the department, it began operations in May last year and recently held a meeting to review its performance. It stated that Lahore recorded a decline in major crime categories during the period under review.

    The CCD said murder cases in Lahore fell from 361 to 220, a decrease of 39 percent, while attempted murder declined from 812 to 504, down 38 percent. Dacoity dropped from 35 to 15, and house dacoity from 33 to 6. 

    Robbery cases decreased from 8,213 to 1,823, recording a 78 percent reduction. Theft within boundary walls fell by nine percent and burglary by 44 percent, while motorcycle and car snatching decreased by 69 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

    Across Punjab, murders declined from 3,952 to 3,022, down 24 per cent, while attempted murder fell by 18 per cent. Dacoity and robbery dropped by 60 percent and 53 percent. Theft within boundary walls decreased by 17 percent and burglary by 27 percent.

    The department said that 19 police officials were martyred during operations across the province, while 167 personnel, including 13 CCD members, sustained firearm-related or other injuries.

    Meanwhile, the CCD rejected allegations contained in a fact-finding report issued by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) regarding police encounters in Punjab.

    The rights body, in its report, called for a judicial inquiry into encounter-related deaths and said at least 670 encounters were conducted over eight months in 2025, resulting in 924 suspects killed, while two police officials lost their lives.

    In a press release, the CCD said it does not pursue a policy of staged encounters and operates in accordance with the Constitution, the Police Order 2002 and criminal procedure laws. It said arrest remains the primary objective of its operations and that use of force is governed by legality, necessity and proportionality.

    The department said lethal force is used only in situations involving armed resistance or imminent threat to life. It added that law enforcement personnel often face armed groups and act in self-defence to protect themselves and civilians.

    Responding to concerns about misconduct, the CCD said any abuse of authority by individual officers is unacceptable. It stated that officials found involved in corruption, abuse of power or professional misconduct are proceeded against under departmental and criminal laws.

    The department reiterated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy against torture, corruption, fabrication of evidence, intimidation of citizens and unlawful use of force.

  • ‘Live now,’ Eric Dane’s last words to his daughters revealed

    ‘Live now,’ Eric Dane’s last words to his daughters revealed

    In an interview recorded months before his death, Eric Dane addressed his final public words to his daughters, Billie and Georgia, speaking directly to the camera after the end of a conversation filmed for Netflix.

    The interview, conducted by Brad Falchuk in November 2025, was taped with the understanding that it would only be released after Dane’s death. During the conversation, Dane reflected on his life, his work, and his experience living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a neurological disease that affects muscle control.

    “I can feel lonely in a crowded room,” Dane said during the interview. He also spoke about his state of mind while living with the illness, saying, “There’s no reason for me to be happy in any individual moment, but I am.”

    At the end of the taping, Falchuk left the stage, allowing Dane to speak uninterrupted. Addressing his daughters, Dane began: “Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall we had a blast, didn’t we?”

    He recalled time spent with his family, saying, “I remember all the times we spent at the beach, the two of you, me and mom — in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico.” He added, “I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies.”

    Dane then outlined what he described as lessons shaped by his illness. “First, live now. Right now. In the present,” he said. “The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have.”

    Speaking about purpose, Dane told his daughters, “Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person.” He continued, “I fell in love with acting. That love eventually got me through my darkest hours.” He said, “My work doesn’t define me, but it excites me.”

    On relationships, Dane said, “Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you.” He described how his friends supported him as his physical abilities changed, saying, “They don’t do anything special, they just show up.”

    In his final message, Dane addressed perseverance. “Finally, fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity,” he said. “This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.”

    He spoke about resilience, telling his daughters, “You inherited resiliency from me.” Dane closed his message by saying, “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”

    Dane, known for his role as Dr Mark Sloan, or “McSteamy,” on Grey’s Anatomy, died Thursday at 53. Dane spent his final days with his wife, daughters, and close friends. He starred on Grey’s Anatomy for 15 years and later appeared in Euphoria, intending to return for season three. Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane began his TV career in the early 1990s and was married to actor Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he had two children.

  • Punjab directs public school teachers to wear black gowns

    Punjab directs public school teachers to wear black gowns

    The Punjab government has directed teachers in public sector schools across the province to wear black gowns during school hours while performing academic duties.

    A notification issued by the Punjab School Education Department on February 19 stated that the dress code will take effect from February 23. Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of district education authorities have been instructed to ensure implementation across Punjab. 

    The notification said yuat teaching is a profession that carries responsibility in society and that teachers’ conduct and appearance reflect their role. It added that a defined dress code would promote discipline and uniformity within educational institutions.

    Under the policy, all teachers, regardless of gender, cadre or posting, will be required to wear a black gown during school hours. The gown must be worn over attire that conforms to cultural and social norms.

    Male teachers have been advised to wear shalwar kameez in plain colours or pants and a shirt, along with closed shoes or strapped sandals. Female teachers have been directed to wear suitable attire along with closed shoes or sandals.

    Heads of institutions have been made responsible for daily compliance, while district-level officers have been directed to monitor enforcement.

    The directive drew criticism from the Punjab Teachers Union, with General Secretary Rana Liaqat pointing out that the environment in several areas was not suitable for wearing gowns during school hours. He said many schools lacked basic facilities, including sanitation staff, and questioned how teachers would manage the gowns in such conditions.


    He said a gown would cost between Rs3,000 and Rs4,000 and that each teacher would require at least two. He suggested the government direct teachers to wear shalwar kameez with a waistcoat or dress pants with a plain shirt at the primary, middle and high school levels.

    Liaqat proposed that gowns could be introduced at colleges and universities instead. He said teachers at lower levels could not afford the additional expense and demanded financial assistance if the policy was to be enforced.


    He also said many schools did not have security guards or storage space to keep the gowns and asked who would be responsible if they were lost.

  • Imran Khan to be taken to hospital twice, minister confirms

    Imran Khan to be taken to hospital twice, minister confirms

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan will be taken to a hospital twice in the coming days and administered an injection on February 25.

    Khan’s health has remained under discussion after a right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was reported in late January. His family and party have raised concerns about his treatment and access to personal physicians, while the government has rejected allegations of withholding medical care or transparency.

    Speaking on a private media talk show, Chaudhry said that the government’s priority was to provide medical facilities to Khan. “Our top priority is to provide him with the best treatment facilities. We previously took him to PIMS as well, but in secrecy due to his security,” he said.

    He said Khan had earlier been shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on the recommendation of doctors who examined him in jail and advised treatment at a tertiary care hospital.

    “We have to again take him to the hospital twice,” the minister clarified, adding that arrangements were being made for the scheduled injection on February 25.

    Chaudhry reminded the host that the government had invited PTI representatives to be present during Khan’s medical examination at Adiala Jail on February 15. He claimed the party could not decide which leader to send.

    According to the minister, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan was proposed for the visit but objections were raised within the party. “Imran Khan sahib has to be administered an injection on February 25, if they want to come, they are most welcome. There is no secrecy,” he said.

    He maintained that as Khan is in state custody, responsibility for his health rests with the government. Chaudhry said a family member, Barrister Gohar and Khan’s personal physician had been invited during the previous examination and that invitations would be extended again.

    “We waited for around one and a half to two hours, but they did not come,” he said.


    Responding to a question about allowing access to Khan’s personal physicians Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Aasim Yusuf on February 25, the minister said the PTI had been seeking permission for Dr Sultan’s presence, but added that he was not an ophthalmologist.

  • Trump vows new 10 percent tariff after Supreme Court strikes down emergency levies

    Trump vows new 10 percent tariff after Supreme Court strikes down emergency levies

    US President Donald Trump has said that he will impose a fresh global tariff of 10 percent on US trading partners after the US Supreme Court ruled that his earlier tariff regime, introduced under emergency powers, was unlawful.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the president authority to impose tariffs. The ruling upheld earlier lower court decisions that found Trump exceeded his powers by using the law to levy import taxes. Three liberal justices joined three conservatives in the majority.

    Trump responded by signalling he would continue pursuing tariffs through other legal means. Speaking to reporters, he said he would move forward “using alternative authorities” and criticised members of the court, saying they lacked “the courage to do what’s right for the country”.

    He also said that trade negotiations conducted while the tariffs were in place would not be affected. Asked about talks with India, Trump said, “The India deal is on,” and added that tariffs introduced under different statutes would replace those struck down by the court. “All the deals, we’re just going to do it a different way,” he said.

    Trump defended his approach to trade policy, stating, “In order to protect our country, a president can actually charge more tariffs than I was charging in the past.” He also said, “The Supreme Court’s decision today made a president’s ability to both regulate trade and impose tariffs more powerful and more crystal clear, rather than less.”

    The court ruled that the Constitution grants Congress the authority to impose taxes and tariffs, not the president acting alone. In its opinion, the court said that if Congress had intended to grant tariff powers under IEEPA, it “would have done so expressly, as it consistently has in other tariff statutes”.

    The legal challenge was brought by businesses affected by the tariffs along with 12 US states, most governed by Democrats. The case focused on Trump’s use of IEEPA, a law historically used to impose sanctions or freeze assets during national emergencies rather than levy import duties.

    Canada welcomed the ruling, with its trade minister saying the tariffs were “unjustified”. The United Kingdom said it would work with Washington to assess how the decision could affect the bilateral trade deal. Germany and the European Union said they were in contact with the US administration and were analysing the ruling. 

    Trump has used tariffs as a central element of his economic and foreign policy since returning to office, initiating disputes with multiple trading partners. He has argued that tariffs are necessary for US economic security. In November, he said that without them “the rest of the world would laugh at us”.

    Administration officials said the government would attempt to preserve as many tariffs as possible by invoking other statutory provisions. 

    According to economists at the Penn-Wharton Budget Model, tariffs imposed under IEEPA generated more than $175 billion. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that if all existing tariffs remain in place, they could generate about $300 billion annually over the next decade. US Treasury data showed net customs duty receipts reached $195 billion in fiscal 2025.