Pakistan’s 65-year-old weightlifter Maqsood Amjad Rathore has won a gold medal in the Asian Masters Weightlifting Championship, bringing pride to the country in the senior category.
Rathore competed in the 96kg weight class for the 65+ age group and delivered a solid performance by lifting a total of 125 kilograms. He successfully lifted 55kg in the snatch and 70kg in the clean and jerk, showcasing impressive strength and skill at his age.
The championship is currently being held in Doha, Qatar, and features veteran athletes from across Asia. Rathore’s win highlights not just his personal dedication but also Pakistan’s presence in international senior weightlifting competitions.
A total of 10 athletes from Pakistan are taking part in the event, scheduled to continue till May 31. The Asian Masters Championship offers a platform for experienced lifters to display their lasting fitness, discipline, and love for the sport.
Shimmer, a Pakistani music artist, caught up with Onijah at the #LoveGuru premiere in New York City and their fun interaction is winning hearts online!
He posted the video on Instagram with the caption, “Had a quick chat with @therealonijah at the #loveguru premiere in NYC! Thank you for inviting me out and thank you for the kind words about Pakistan, Onijah ❤ ”
In the short but entertaining interview, Shimmer asked Onijah, “What’s your favorite Pakistani food?”
To which she excitedly replied, “Chicken biryani, paratha with fried egg and chicken qeema! Listen, I love all of my foods!”
When asked about spice levels, she said, “I like it spicy and mild. I like both.”
Shimmer then brought up chai. “What’s the best chai?”
After thinking for a moment, Onijah answered, “I had a chai… the best one is the dark what is it called? Karak chai! Yes, coco chai!”
Then came a tricky question, “What do you think is the worst Pakistani food?”
Onijah replied, “That’s hard… there’s a lot of paratha that I love. So, there’s no worst Pakistani food. It’s all fresh. Homemade. ”
She also said she loves Pakistani music, and when asked about her favorite city in Pakistan, she said with a smile, “Karach”
Before wrapping up, she shared a message for her fans, “People from Pakistan, I love you guys. I miss you guys. I’m always here in your heart.”
Shimmer ended with, “Awesome. Thank you so much. It was nice talking to you. Have a good one. Nice to meet you.”
Fans had mixed but emotional reactions: “I like her energy!”
“We miss you too, Queen ”
“I miss you all the time, Onijah!”
Onijah Robinson, who first gained fame after travelling to Pakistan to marry a man she met online, continues to surprise fans with her appearances. Known for her outspoken personality and viral media moments, her stay in Pakistan, where she was cared for by the state and the people, was widely appreciated across the globe.
Cricket fans in Pakistan have been questioning the lack of the Decision Review System (DRS) during the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh in Lahore. However, possible reasons behind it have now been revealed.
According to journalist Qadir Khawaja, Hawk-Eye, the company providing technology used for DRS, it did not send its technical team to Pakistan, reportedly citing “security concerns.” This is despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offering full assurances regarding safety.
Exclusive
Do not blame PCB and Broadcasters on DRS issue
Fakhta told me that Jay Shah Behind Absence of DRS Technology in PSL and Pak Bangladesh Series.Despite the ceasefire, Hawk-Eye company informed the PCB that they would not come to Pakistan. PCB Chairman, COO, and the… pic.twitter.com/0lnsvtERvM
Khawaja also claimed that Jay Shah, the Chairman of the ICC and a key figure in the Indian cricket board (BCCI), may have influenced the decision. Many suspect that the pressure was exerted to block the use of DRS in Pakistan’s crucial matches, both in the PSL and during this international series.
If true, these claims raise serious concerns about fairness in global cricket. DRS is no longer just an option; it is considered essential in modern-day matches. Whether it’s a close LBW or a faint edge behind the stumps, DRS minimises umpires’ errors and ensures credible on-field decisions.
Matches can be affected without it, and hurt the trust of fans and players in the fairness of the match.
So far, neither Hawk-Eye nor the ICC has issued a response or clarified whether DRS will be reinstated for future matches in Pakistan. The PCB is expected to formally raise the issue after the Bangladesh series wraps up.
This controversy comes at a time when cricketing relations between Pakistan and India remain tense.
The mother of Pakistan fast bowler and Karachi Kings’ vice-captain Hasan Ali was robbed by unidentified men in Gujranwala during the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
According to media reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Ladhaywala Warraich area of Gujranwala. Hasan Ali’s mother was on her way to a local market for shopping when motorcycle-riding robbers targeted her.
Local police stated that the robbers stopped her and forcibly snatched her purse before fleeing the scene. The stolen purse reportedly contained valuables worth Rs 2.3 million.
Hasan Ali’s brother confirmed the incident, adding that their mother was shaken but unharmed.
Police officials said they are awaiting a formal complaint from the family. An FIR will be registered, and investigations are already underway. Authorities said that the culprits will be arrested soon.
Hasan Ali is currently part of the national squad for the series against Bangladesh while also representing Karachi Kings in the PSL.
Pakistan’s fast bowler Hasan Ali is very happy at the reunion of the “roti gang” during a recent T20 match against Bangladesh, saying that it brought back many memories.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Hasan opened up about his return to the national team, and future goals. He said the past few months had been particularly challenging, but delivering a strong performance for Pakistan brought him great happiness.
He credited his success to the hard work and training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). “Even top players in the world go through ups and downs in form, but if you believe in yourself and keep working hard, your performance will eventually improve,” he observed.
Hasan Ali shared happiness about reuniting on the field with his old teammates Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman. “After six years, the ‘roti gang’ is playing together again. We really missed each other,” he said with a smile.
Talking about the upcoming T20 World Cup, he said, “I will be available for the team whenever needed, and my goal will be to contribute through my performance.” He also made it clear that he does not want to be limited to just one format. “I want to play for Pakistan in all three formats,” he added.
When asked about the new bowling coach, Ashley Hasan said they are getting along well. “We share good conversations, and the learning process is going on.”
To his fans, Hasan said, “Fans are like family to me. Their support gives me strength. I feel happy when they call me ‘generator’.”
He dedicated his recent strong performance to his wife and children, saying, “This day is special for them.”
Hasan Ali also stressed that if Pakistan wants to win major tournaments, they must adopt a modern approach to the game, similar to how top international teams are playing today.
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs in the first T20 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with Hasan Ali taking five wickets in the match.
A five-year-old child lost his life after falling into an open manhole in the Jamshed Road area of Karachi on Monday.
“Identified as Ali, a resident of Bihar Colony, the child was returning home with his older brother after they had sold fries. As per the family’s account, he tumbled into the manhole on Jamshed Road and was stuck there for almost half an hour before a bystander was able to rescue him. The family believes that the delay in receiving medical assistance contributed to his passing.
In response to the incident, residents of Jamshed Quarters Block 1 held a protest by laying the child’s body on the road. The demonstration caused traffic disruptions in the area and was eventually ended following discussions with local officials.
Authorities confirmed that the body had been taken to a hospital to carry out legal processes. The Superintendent of Police (SP) for Jamshed Town stated that an investigation is currently ongoing.
This incident is not an isolated case, as previous fatalities have occurred in the city as a result of open manholes. Community members have continuously expressed their concerns about missing manhole covers and the inadequate response from municipal officials.
A female teacher was attacked by a student’s family, including a police officer, at a private school in the Jamshed Quarters area of Karachi, police confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred after a student was asked to stand as a disciplinary measure for arriving late on May 16. Two days later, the student’s parents and maternal uncle visited the school to confront the teacher.
According to the FIR, the student’s uncle claimed to be the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kalakot Police Station. He, along with the student and her parents, allegedly assaulted the teacher inside the principal’s office. Other female teachers who attempted to intervene were also pushed and manhandled.
CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the suspects attacking the teacher inside the school premises.
The case has been registered at Jamshed Quarters Police Station. Police confirmed that one of the assailants is a serving police officer, and internal disciplinary action has been initiated against him. SSP East Dr Farrukh Raza has taken notice of the case, and an investigation is underway.
This is not the first violent incident against a teacher in Karachi this year. In January, Khan Mayel, a 38-year-old teacher from North Waziristan, was shot dead outside a school in North Karachi. He was attacked by two unidentified men who had been waiting outside the premises and opened fire as he arrived. One of the attackers had his face covered, and both fled on a motorcycle. Mayel was hit in the head and died on the spot. Police suspect personal enmity as a possible motive.
Actress Sonya Hussaiyn has revealed that if her future husband does not approve of her acting career, she will not hesitate to leave the industry.
In a recent interview with senior journalist and YouTuber Ambreen Fatima, Sonia Hussain was asked what she would do if her husband asked her to leave showbiz after marriage. She responded: “If he doesn’t like me acting, I will quit acting, because I have already entered production and want to focus on that.”
She also clarified, “I only want to continue acting for a few more years anyway, so I will not mind leaving it after marriage.”
Sharing her views on marriage, Sonia said, “When I find a good person, I will get married. I want my husband to be educated, moral, well-mannered, and have family values.”
The interview was part of the promotional campaign for her upcoming film Deemak, where Sonia opened up about her career, new ventures, and personal life.
Recalling a powerful scene from Deemak, she revealed, “In one scene, I had a seizure, and during that, I also laughed like crazy.” She added, “Everyone on set was scared because the scene looked so real.”
Praising the film’s cast, Sonia said, “This film includes big names of the Pakistani industry like Javed Sheikh, Samina Pirzada, Bushra Ansari, and Faisal Sheikh, so guess there will definitely be something special in the film.”
Regarding Shaan Shahid’s upcoming directorial, she shared, “The film is currently under completion and may be released by the end of the year. My role in it is very unique and different.”
Explaining her temporary break from dramas, Sonya Hussaiyn said, “I am not working in dramas at the moment because I have recently entered the field of production, which is why I’m not able to focus fully on acting.”
Deemak, starring Faisal Qureshi, Samina Pirzada, and Sonya Hussaiyn, is set to release on Eid-ul-Adha. The film not only showcases Sonia’s acting talent but also marks her growing presence in film production.
Actors Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed were awarded commemorative shields in recognition of their contributions to the Pakistani film industry at a ceremony hosted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, in Dubai.
The two stars are currently on a promotional tour for their upcoming film, Love Guru. The ceremony was attended by members of the Pakistani diplomatic mission, numerous expatriates, fans, and media personnel.
Ambassador Tirmizi remarked that the creative sector plays a vital role in shaping Pakistan’s international image, describing artists as “an essential aspect of Pakistan’s soft power.” He noted that films like Love Guru demonstrate the evolving storytelling in Pakistan and help create meaningful connections with global audiences.
Khan and Saeed, who last appeared together in the 2015 film Bin Roye, are reuniting on screen after nearly a decade. At the event, both stars expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received from the Pakistani community in the UAE. While addressing the audience, they expressed their appreciation for the honour and emphasised the importance of maintaining strong ties with the diaspora.
Love Guru, directed by Nadeem Baig and written by Vasay Chaudhry, is a story of an architect, Sophia, navigating personal and familial pressures. The film is scheduled to be released on June 6, 2025, coinciding with Eid Al Adha in the UAE.
The Dubai event was also part of the film’s broader outreach campaign, allowing the actors to engage directly with fans. Ambassador Tirmizi noted that cultural exports such as Love Guru are crucial in shaping global perceptions of Pakistan, especially at a time when film and television are increasingly impactful.
The event highlighted the increasing interest in Pakistani cinema beyond borders and the role of diplomatic and cultural initiatives in improving it.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has assured that the upcoming budget will offer some relief to the salaried class by shifting the tax focus towards sectors that operate outside of the formal economy. According to reports, in meetings held on Tuesday as part of pre-budget consultations, the finance minister outlined how this shift would come through stronger digitisation efforts and a move to limit cash transactions.
Reports indicate that over the past few days, the finance team met with a multitude of officials from banks, financial institutions, regulators, and representatives from industries like steel and ceramics. These meetings gathered input on policy decisions for the next federal budget, and as per reports, much of the focus remained on finding ways to capture undocumented economic activity.
A set of proposals was discussed that could reshape how cash is used in Pakistan’s economy. Some of the ideas included taxing large cash transactions, which incentivises digital payment methods, or, more seriously, even banning cash altogether in certain sectors that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will identify.
Karandaaz, Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited, and banks are all expected to play a part in supporting this effort. If implemented, it would allow for transactions to be documented in greater detail, reducing instances of tax evasion and money laundering.
Another meeting zeroed in on the push toward digital payments. Authorities intend to expand access to these services, especially for people who are currently left out.
According to analysts, those left out of the digitisation process include small retailers and communities that still depend heavily on cash. Stakeholders said this transition can’t happen unless it becomes cheaper and easier to adopt digital options.
Reports indicate that lowering costs for businesses that accept digital payments was described as a priority in discussions. As it stands, consumer transactions made via digital means are subject to lower General Sales Tax (GST) charges, which already makes cashless payments an attractive option.
As per reports, the federal government also wants to make digital payment systems more compatible with one another. Platforms like Raast, which allow instant payments between banks, were outlined as a key building block to a system where people have more freedom to choose how they pay and who they bank with.
Officials reportedly stressed the importance of making digital payments not just available but attractive. That means changing how incentives are structured so that cash no longer seems like the simpler option. The overall goal is to level the playing field between digital and cash-based transactions.
The finance minister made it clear that moving away from cash is no longer just a policy goal, as he labelled it a necessary step for economic stability and long-term growth. In his words, building an inclusive and easy-to-use digital payments system is essential, and it needs to happen with speed and coordination.
