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  • Petrol price slashed by Re1

    Petrol price slashed by Re1

    Islamabad has decided to slash the price of petrol by one rupee per liter for the upcoming fortnight. As per reports, the price of petrol now rests at 254.63 rupees per liter after the cut.

    However, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) will not change and remains anchored at 258.64 rupees per liter. A notification from the finance division has revealed that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) calculated the new consumer prices based on price fluctuations in the international market.

    At the previous price revision consideration on March 15, the federal government decided to not decrease the prices of petroleum products. Instead of passing on relief to the domestic consumers, the government decided to levy an additional 10 rupees per liter petroleum tax.

    This marks the second consecutive period during which the price of HSD has remained unchanged. During Ogra’s price revaluations during the previous fortnight, the price of kerosene oil stood at 168.12 rupees per liter, while the price of light diesel oil sat at a more conservative 153.34 rupees per liter.

    According to credible reports, this price notification was released after the Prime Minister’s (PM) office revealed that Shehbaz Sharif intended not to slash petroleum prices despite a drop in the price of commodities in the international market. Brent crude oil futures prices dropped by 0.22 percent over the past month. However, Brent prices have started a rally over the past three weeks – reportedly because of the USA’s sanctions on Venezuela and Iran.

    Given the change in international prices, Ogra and the petroleum division had estimated that a cut of 13 rupees per liter was possible to provide relief to petroleum consumers. However, lawmakers and key government officials decided to transfer this relief to electricity users instead.

    Previously, Islamabad would charge a tax of approximately 76 rupees per litre on both HSD and petrol. The bulk of this tax is comprised of the petroleum development levy (PDL), which used to sit at 60 rupees per litre, whereas the other charge of 16 rupees goes towards customs duty.

    As per the petroleum division, the PDL on High octane blending component has been increased by 20 rupees per liter, causing it to rest at a staggering 70 rupees per liter.

    The government has also hiked the PDL on petrol and HSD by 10 rupees for retail sales, after which the levy rests at 70 rupees per litre for both commodities. However, reports suggest that direct sales are incurring a larger PDL of 78.64 rupees per liter.

    Pakistan does not charge consumers any general sales tax (GST) on petroleum products. However, fuel suppliers and distributors tack on an additional Rs17 per litre as markup.

  • ‘Salman Raja, Shibli Faraz gave Imran Khan list of 23 lawmakers to expel them,’ claims Fawad Ch

    ‘Salman Raja, Shibli Faraz gave Imran Khan list of 23 lawmakers to expel them,’ claims Fawad Ch

    Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, claimed on Friday that party head Imran Khan has been given a list of 23 Members of National Assembly (MNAs) and Senators, with the intention of getting them expelled from the party.

    Appearing on a digital media outlet, Chaudhry claimed that during a recent meeting at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, party secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Leader of Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz gave Imran Khan a “23-name list of MNAs and Senators to expel them from the party.”

    Commenting on the speculation of a potential forward bloc within PTI next month, Chaudhry said, “Speculations about a forward bloc began when inept individuals Salman Akram Raja and Shibli Faraz handed Imran Khan a list of 23 sitting MNAs and Senators.”

    Chaudhry’s remarks came days after expelled Sher Afzal Marwat, in an interview with a private news outlet, claimed that a PTI forward bloc could emerge in the National Assembly and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assembly next month.

    Marwat claimed that his ex-party wouldn’t be able to launch its proposed protest drive after Eid ul Fitr, advising PTI to accept PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s mediation offer for “face-saving”.

    However, dismissing the reports of a forward bloc emerging within the former ruling party, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, while in an interaction with a private media outlet on Thursday, called it “baseless speculations.”

    The PTI chairman said, “No forward bloc is being formed within the PTI at the provincial or national assembly level,” adding that a difference of opinion does not mean that there is a forward bloc.

    Fawad Chaudhry opined that it is a norm to insult the party members who stand with the party, adding, “unfortunately, this is a norm from top to bottom (in the party).”

    Chaudhry questioned how an individual would stand by the party when sitting MNAs and Senators are being insulted.

    He slammed PTI leadership for attempting to expel current party members. “If you get a chance to visit Adiala Jail and witness a meeting [between PTI leadership and Imran Khan], you will be taken aback that there is only one agenda: to prevent anyone from joining PTI and to find ways to remove those who are already in the party,” he alleged.

  • Eight-year-old boy kills mother over Eid money

    Eight-year-old boy kills mother over Eid money

    In Pakpattan’s Gulzarabad neighbourhood, an eight-year-old boy fatally injured his mother, Sobia Bibi, by stabbing her in the chest with scissors after she refused to give him money for Eid.

    Saubia, who used to support her household through sewing and embroidery work, succumbed to her injuries on the spot due to the severity of the wound.

    Police have taken the minor into custody and begun legal proceedings.

    Gaming and violence

    In June 2022, a 16-year-old boy in India allegedly shot dead his mother with his father’s pistol because she stopped him from playing PUBG. After murdering his mother, the boy called his friends over for a party. He kept the body of his mother in another room, turned on the AC and sprayed air-freshener to keep the smell out.

    As per the police, the boy killed his mother when she was asleep with her 10-year-old daughter lying next to her. He then allegedly threatened to kill his sister if she told anybody about the murder. They have both been placed in a juvenile detention centre.

    “The incident took place in Yamunapuram Colony under PGI police station area. The deceased used to live with her two children at the house. Her husband, who is a JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer), is currently posted in West Bengal. The 16-year-old boy was addicted to the online game PUBG. He told us that his mother used to stop him from playing the game, and this is why he killed her. The minor used the registered firearm of his father to kill the mother,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Qasim Abidi.

    The police said they found the woman’s half decomposed body and submitted it for a post-mortem.

  • ‘I will forever be my father’s little girl’; Mahira Khan’s special tribute to her father

    ‘I will forever be my father’s little girl’; Mahira Khan’s special tribute to her father

    Renowned Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has shared a touching tribute to her father, Hafeez-ur-Rehman Khan, on his birthday.

    Taking to Instagram, Mahira posted a heartfelt message along with several cherished photos.

    In her caption, she expressed deep gratitude, saying,  “I will forever be my father’s little girl. I thank Allah every day that I have the honor of being the daughter of a ‘Sufi Gangsta’ like Hafeez-ur-Rehman Khan. Happy birthday to my most favorite travel companion.”

    She also requested her followers to say a small prayer for her father on this special day.

    The collection of pictures includes precious moments from Mahira’s childhood to the present, reflecting their strong bond.

    Fans, along with showbiz personalities, have flooded the comments with warm wishes for the actress and her father.

    Meanwhile, rumours are circulating about Mahira Khan possibly expecting, adding to the buzz surrounding her recent social media activity.

  • Brazil fires head coach after disastrous World Cup qualifier loss to Argentina

    Brazil fires head coach after disastrous World Cup qualifier loss to Argentina

    The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has sacked national team head coach Dorival Júnior following a humiliating defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    According to media reports, the decision was made just three days after the loss, following Brazil’s overall poor performance in the 2026 campaign.

    Currently, Brazil sits in fourth place in the South American qualifying standings, trailing their arch-rivals Argentina by 10 points.

    Dorival Júnior was appointed as Brazil’s head coach in January 2024. However, under his leadership, the team failed to impress. Brazil was knocked out of the Copa América in the quarterfinals after losing to Uruguay on penalties. In the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, the team has managed only two wins in six matches, raising serious concerns about their form and prospects.

    The CBF is now expected to begin the search for a new head coach to guide Brazil through the remaining qualifiers and prepare the team for the 2026 World Cup.

  • PTI claims Imran Khan nominated for Nobel Peace Prize; but here’s the twist…

    PTI claims Imran Khan nominated for Nobel Peace Prize; but here’s the twist…

    The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) created waves on the internet on Friday night when it shared a video of members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA) – a group affiliated with the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum – announcing the nomination of incarcerated former Premier Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts for human rights and democracy in Pakistan.

    The caption of the post read, “Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, as announced by members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA) affiliated with the Norwegian political party ‘Partiet Sentrum.’ @MediaCentrePWA.

    This nomination stands as a testament to Imran Khan’s unwavering struggle for peace and his 28 years of relentless efforts for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. A well-deserved recognition for a great leader—Imran Khan.”


    A member of the PWA can be heard announcing, “We are pleased to announce on the behalf of the Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody who have the right to nominate a candidate to the Nobel Peace have nominated Mr Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan to the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with human rights and democracy in Pakistan. I wish him all the luck. Thank You (sic).” 

    But the announcement alone is not enough to convince skeptics that Imran Khan may be in contention to win a Nobel. 

    The Nobel Prize website says, “As per the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, information about the nominations is not to be disclosed, publicly or privately, for a period of 50 years. The restriction not only concerns the nominees and nominators, but also investigations and opinions in the awarding of a prize.”

    The website further says that any person or organization can be nominated by anyone eligible to nominate. There is no vetting of nominations prior to the nomination deadline, hence the Norwegian Nobel Committee has no influence on the quality of the submissions. The task of the Committee is strictly limited to selecting the best candidate (or candidates) among the entire list of submissions.

    To simply be nominated is therefore not an official endorsement or honour extended by the Nobel Committee, and may not be used to imply affiliation with the Nobel Peace Prize or its related institutions.

    The Nobel Prize winners for this year will be announced between October 7 and 14. The prestigious awards recognize achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or medical economics, literature, and efforts toward peace.

    To win a Nobel Prize, a nomination is required. The Norwegian Nobel Institute registered a total of 338 candidates for the 2025 peace prize, of which 244 are individuals and 94 are organizations. For comparison, the Nobel Institute received valid nominations for 286 candidates last year, distributed among 197 individuals and 89 organisations. The highest number ever, received in 2016, was 376 candidates.

    The Nobel Committee does not announce the names of nominees to the media or to the candidates themselves. In certain cases, names of candidates appear in the media. 

    These advanced surmises are either the product of sheer speculation or information released by the person or persons behind the nomination.

    All living persons and active organizations or institutions are eligible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. What is considered a valid nomination is defined by the Nobel Foundation’s statutes. In order for a nomination to be valid, it must be submitted no later than January 31.

    As a rule, the Committee reaches a decision only at its very last meeting before the announcement of the year’s laureate(s) at the beginning of October.

    Contrary to common belief, there is no public list of the current year’s nominees.


    How do the committees decide who to award the prizes to?

    Every committee is slightly different, but ultimately, they all work to fulfill the will of Alfred Nobel, which stated that the Nobel Prize should be awarded according to those who have “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”

    The awards were first handed out in 1901 and have seen winners, or laureates, ranging from Mother Teresa to Martin Luther King Jr. It’s not just individuals—organizations can win the awards too. And on many occasions, multiple people or organisations — or an individual and an organisation — have shared a Nobel Prize.

  • Mark Ruffalo, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem among celebrities slamming Oscars for ignoring attack on Palestinian director

    Mark Ruffalo, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem among celebrities slamming Oscars for ignoring attack on Palestinian director

    Around 600 Oscar voters, including Ava DuVernay, Olivia Colman, and Javier Bardem, have signed an open letter criticising the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for failing to strongly support filmmaker Hamdan Ballal following his recent arrest.

    The letter states: “It is indefensible for an organization to recognize a film with an award in the first week of March and then fail to defend its filmmakers just a few weeks later.”

    Hamdan Ballal, who won an Oscar for co-directing No Other Land, was attacked by settlers and arrested by Israeli forces in his hometown of Susiya, West Bank. His co-director, Yuval Abraham, said Ballal suffered head and stomach injuries and was later released.

    In response, Academy leaders Bill Kramer and Janet Yang issued a statement that did not mention Ballal or No Other Land by name, simply stating that members may have “many unique viewpoints” on the issue. This vague response sparked backlash from Oscar voters.

    Several Hollywood stars and filmmakers, including Mark Ruffalo, Emma Thompson, Richard Gere, Tony Kushner, and Jonathan Glazer, signed the letter. They condemned the attack on Ballal and emphasised that documentary filmmakers risk their lives to tell the truth.

    “The targeting of Ballal is not just an attack on one filmmaker — it is an attack on all those who dare to bear witness and tell inconvenient truths,” the letter reads.

    The Academy has yet to respond to the open letter. However, supporters of Ballal say they will continue to monitor the situation, ensuring that filmmakers like him receive the protection and recognition they deserve.

  • New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 73 runs in first ODI

    New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 73 runs in first ODI

    New Zealand has secured a convincing 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series, taking a 1-0 lead. 

    Batting first at McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand posted a strong total of 344/9 in their 50 overs. The hosts had an early setback, losing three wickets for just 50 runs. Will Young 1 (6), Nick Kelly 15 (12), and Henry Nicholls 11 (19) were dismissed cheaply.

    However, Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman steadied the innings with an outstanding 199-run partnership. Chapman played a sensational knock of 132 (110), hitting 13 fours and six sixes, while Mitchell contributed 76 (85) before getting out.

    Debutant Muhammad Abbas provided a late boost to the innings, smashing a quickfire 52 (26) with three sixes and three fours.

    For Pakistan, Irfan Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets. Haris Rauf and Akif Javed grabbed two wickets each, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali picked up one each.

    Chasing 345, Pakistan started well, with Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan building a solid opening stand. The duo took the score to 83 before the first wicket fell, with Usman Khan scoring 39 (41). Shortly after, Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for 36 (45) at 88/2 in 12.4 overs.

    Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam then formed a steady partnership, taking the total to 164 by the 28.4-over mark. However, Rizwan was dismissed for 30 (35) immediately after that. 

    Babar Azam continued to anchor the innings, reaching his 36th ODI half-century off 65 balls, including two sixes and two fours. He was eventually dismissed for 78 (92) at 249/4 in 38.4 overs.

    Agha Salman tried to hold one end but kept losing partners. Pakistan suffered a collapse in the 40th over, losing Tayyab Tahir 1 (3) and Irfan Khan 0 (2) at 253.

    Agha Salman fought back, scoring a 40-ball fifty with two sixes and four fours. However, the wickets kept tumbling. Naseem Shah 0 (4) fell at 267, followed by Haris Rauf 1 (5) at 269. Agha Salman was the last recognized batter to fall, scoring 58 (45) before being caught at 271/9 in 43.4 overs. Akif Javed 1 (3) was dismissed soon after, as Pakistan was bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.

    For New Zealand, Nathan Smith was the standout performer, taking four wickets to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup.

    Pakistan introduced three debutants in this match: Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, and Usman Khan. 

    The second match of the series will be played on April 2.

  • Shoaib Malik shares picture of 6yo son’s Roza Kushai

    Shoaib Malik shares picture of 6yo son’s Roza Kushai

    Former Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik marked a special moment as his son, Izhaan, observed his first roza. Taking to Instagram, he shared a photo of the six-year-old after his Roza Khushai.

    In the picture, Izhaan is seen wearing a blue kurta shalwar adorned with a white phoolon ka haar (flower garland), making the occasion even more special.

    “First roza Mubarak to my little one. Baba is super proud of you champ. May Allah accept your roza and bless you always, Ezu,” Malik wrote.

    Izhaan, born in 2018, is the only child of Shoaib Malik and his ex-wife, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. The couple, who married in 2010, finalised their divorce in January last year.

    Shoaib Malik later tied the knot with actor Sana Javed in January 2024, confirming their marriage through a social media post.

    Though Malik has not officially retired from international cricket, he has stated that he is focused on franchise leagues and is no longer interested in representing Pakistan.

  • Sahibzada Farhan selected for PSL 10 after fiery performance in National T20 Cup

    Sahibzada Farhan selected for PSL 10 after fiery performance in National T20 Cup

    In-form domestic cricketer Sahibzada Farhan has been selected for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 after a fiery performance in the National T20 Cup.

    The PSL franchise Islamabad United has included Sahibzada Farhan in their squad as the 20th player for PSL 10.

    Farhan’s PSL journey began in 2018 with Islamabad United, where he joined as an emerging player and played a crucial role in the team’s second PSL title victory.

    Islamabad United’s head coach, Mike Hesson, expressed confidence in Farhan’s abilities, stating that “an experienced and in-form player like him can become a part of the playing XI at any time.”

    He further emphasised that “Islamabad United has always provided opportunities to domestic talent, and Farhan’s inclusion aligns with this policy.”

    On the other hand, Sahibzada Farhan expressed his excitement about rejoining Islamabad United, stating that it is “an honour to reconnect with my first PSL franchise.”

    He acknowledged that Islamabad United had introduced him to the PSL and said he “will always be grateful to the team.”

    Farhan recently set a new national record in the National T20 Cup, scoring the most runs in a single edition of the tournament.

    The 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League is set to commence on 11 April, with matches being held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi until 18 May.