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  • ‘Historic success’: CM Maryam says 148 katcha dacoits have surrendered during operation

    ‘Historic success’: CM Maryam says 148 katcha dacoits have surrendered during operation

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has announced “historic success” in the operation against dacoits in the katcha areas of the province where law enforcement forced 148 criminals to surrender.

    “Alhamdolillah! Historic success in Kacha areas of Rajanpur & RYK. Punjab Police compelled 148 criminals to surrender under #SafePunjab. Bravo!” the provincial chief executive said in a post on X.

    The post comes three days after it was announced that a large-scale, joint operation by Punjab and Sindh police is ongoing in the katcha areas of Rahim Yar Khan, including Machka, Kacha Rajwani and Ronti, with 1,700 personnel, drones and armoured vehicles deployed against bandits.

    According to Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin, Rahim Yar Khan police had cordoned off Kacha Rajwani, with contingents from Rajanpur (Punjab) and Ghotki (Sindh) taking part.

    Sindh police and Rangers were also conducting action in adjoining riverine areas.

    He said 1,700 police personnel had been deployed along with eight drone teams, six bulletproof vehicles and three armoured personnel carriers.

    Modern technology was being used to ensure effective progress and restore law and order in the area, he said, adding that police were conducting action against criminal elements under a coordinated and well-planned strategy.

    The RPO clarified that suspects who renounce criminal activities and voluntarily surrender to the police would not be engaged in encounters and would be produced before the courts in accordance with the law. However, criminals have been strictly warned to lay down their arms and surrender.

    He further emphasised that the operation would continue until the writ of the government was fully established in the riverine areas.

    Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Irfan Ali Samo said that action against criminals was ongoing and that ensuring the safety of the lives and property of the public remained the top priority.

    According to details, police with a heavy contingent and full combat equipment have launched a decisive operation against bandits after cordoning off the areas of Machka and Kacha Rajwani.

  • Trump withdraws Board of Peace invite to Canada after PM Carney’s Davos speech

    Trump withdraws Board of Peace invite to Canada after PM Carney’s Davos speech

    United States (US) President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

    According to Reuters, this comes after Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he openly decried powerful nations using economic integration as weapons and tariffs as leverage.

    “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

    Neither Carney’s office nor the White House responded to Reuters requests for a comment; however, last week, the Canadian premier’s office said he had been invited to serve on the board and planned to accept.

    Carney also received a rare standing ovation in Davos after the speech, wherein he urged nations to accept the end of a rules-based global order. He also said “middle powers” might act together to avoid being victimised by American hegemony.

    Trump retorted that Canada “lives because of the US”, and told a gathering in Davos that Carney should be grateful for the US’ previous largesse. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he added, addressing Carney directly.

    The withdrawal of Canada’s invitation came hours after Trump officially launched the board, which was initially meant to cement a Gaza ceasefire.

    Permanent members must help fund the board with a payment of $1 billion each, according to Trump.

    “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do,” Trump said in Switzerland on Thursday. “And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.”

    Meanwhile, the board’s establishment was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez said on Thursday that UN engagement with the board would only be in that context.

    Pakistan, Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco and Turkiye, among other countries, have joined the charter. US allies, including Britain, France and Italy, have indicated they will not join for now.

  • PSX holds firm near 188,000-mark

    PSX holds firm near 188,000-mark

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remains range-bound but positive as the KSE-100 Index consolidated around the 188,000 level, supported by easing T-bill yields and strength in key energy, fertiliser and industrial stocks.

    Despite intermittent profit-taking and mixed market breadth, the benchmark on Thursday maintained resilience, closing the day higher.

    The KSE-100 Index settled at 187,688.16 points, up 654.90 points or 0.35%. ENGROH, HUBC, EFERT, ATRL and AICL together added 607 points, while losses in UBL, HBL, BOP, FFC and MARI erased 217 points.

    An Arif Habib Limited report noted that 55 shares advanced and 43 declined during the session. Gains were led by ENGROH, HUBC and EFERT, while UBL, HBL and BOP weighed on the index.

    The report also highlighted Pakistan’s acceptance of United States (US) President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace initiative, alongside seven other countries.

    On the corporate front, AIRLINK announced a partnership with HISENSE to manufacture and distribute home appliances in Pakistan.

    Trading remained volatile, with the index hitting an intraday high of 188,106 points and a low of 186,852 points.

    Market participation was strong, with 1.07 billion shares traded at a value of Rs49.2 billion. K-Electric led volumes with 195.9 million shares, closing at Rs7.10. Hascol Petroleum followed with 131.5 million shares, losing Rs1.94 to close at Rs26.11, while Bank Makramah gained Rs0.15 to settle at Rs5.21.

    Nawaz Ali of JS Global said profit-taking was observed across the board after several bullish sessions, with pressure from MEBL, ENGROH, MCB, SYS and UBL.

    He noted valuations remain attractive and the market is anticipating another rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy, advising investors to adopt a buy-on-dips strategy focused on oil and gas and banking stocks.

    Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs1.8 billion, according to the National Clearing Company. The KSE-100 Index is up 1.4% week-on-week, with 185,000 acting as a key technical support level.

  • China seals $1.5bn deals, $9bn MoUs with Pakistan

    China seals $1.5bn deals, $9bn MoUs with Pakistan

    China has finalised joint venture agreements worth $1.5 billion with Pakistan and signed memoranda of understanding valued at about $9 billion across agriculture, automotive and minerals, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has announced.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Sheikh said China is also set to invest an additional $10 billion in the near future, noting that global attention is increasingly turning toward Pakistan, with broad-based foreign investment expected in the coming years.

    The minister highlighted that a trade delegation of 300 businesspersons from multiple sectors, organised by the Pakistani government, recently visited China. He also revealed plans to connect the Reko Diq project to Karachi via Chagai through a dedicated railway track and a new highway.

    Sheikh added that $7 million will be secured from international financial institutions to develop an economic corridor linking Chagai to Karachi. He further said that following the success of Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos, demand for Pakistan’s fighter aircraft has risen globally, with production orders anticipated from several countries.

    According to Sheikh, the largest share of foreign direct investment is expected to flow into agriculture and mining.

    Separately, at the 8th Pakistan Leadership Conversation organised by ACCA, Sheikh stressed that Pakistan’s ambition to become a trillion-dollar economy hinges on alignment between policy, capital, industry and institutions.

    He warned that fragmented progress could not deliver sustainable growth, and said that digital technologies, AI and fintech can accelerate economic advancement if scaled beyond pilot projects.

  • Ken Doll apologises to ‘social media family’ after public feud with other creators

    Ken Doll apologises to ‘social media family’ after public feud with other creators

    Social media influencer Ken Doll aka Adnan Zafar has issued an apology after finding himself in the middle of a major clash with other content creators for posting a promotional video in collaboration with the Punjab government.

    As per the details, Zafar had in his video raved about how a province with “someone as beautiful as Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz running it, had to of course, be advancing very well”.

    After he was called out for comparing good governance with beauty by other influencers, including Ansar and Gram by Noor, he lashed back and threatened them, saying that he could break eyeglasses, which Ansar said was in reference to the glasses he was wearing, and pull wires out of teeth, which seemed to be in reference to Noor’s braces.

    The Current made a compilation on the issue that can be viewed below.

    Zafar’s response stirred further controversy as several influencers jumped in saying that his attitude and reaction were demeaning and not okay. 

    Amid severe backlash, he deleted his previous videos and shared to his Instagram account an apology on Thursday night.

    In the video, he said there are two sides to every story. Everyone has opinions and everyone has a choice on how they would like to respond, either in a positive way or a negative way, he added.

    “I believe my response was not the right one,” Zafar said, adding that people were very hurt.

    The influencer said that he got a lot of comments and messages and he has nothing to hide. And so, he added, he was asking for forgiveness just like a younger brother or friend.

    Zafar also said that his community on social media was like a big family and he should be a responsible member of that family.

    The video has so far been lauded by his followers and many celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Anushay Ashraf and Faryal Makhdoom.

  • Andy Flower reacts as Pakistan U19’s ‘genius tactic’ knocks Scotland out of World Cup

    Andy Flower reacts as Pakistan U19’s ‘genius tactic’ knocks Scotland out of World Cup

    Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has defended Pakistan’s calculated approach during their final Group C match of the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup, describing the tactical maneuver as legitimate despite it ending Scotland’s tournament hopes.

    Pakistan chased down a target of 129 in 26.2 overs at Takashinga Sports Club on Thursday, a result that sealed their own qualification for the Super Six stage while ensuring Zimbabwe progressed ahead of Scotland on net run rate.

    If Pakistan completed the chase before 25.2 overs, Scotland would have advanced instead.

    The situation arose due to the Under-19 World Cup format, under which teams carry forward points and net run rate into the Super Sixes only from matches played against fellow qualifiers.

    By finishing the chase at a measured pace, Pakistan benefited from a stronger carried-over net run rate, having beaten Zimbabwe by a larger margin than Scotland during the group stage.

    “I thought it was a justifiable tactic on their part,” Flower said while commentating during the match.

    “When they go through to the Super Sixes, they will take their net run rate, which will include the Zimbabwe game but doesn’t include the Scotland game. That means their net run rate is better than if Scotland went through,” he added.

    Pakistan had raced to 84 without loss by the end of the 14th over.

    However, their scoring rate slowed dramatically thereafter, with Sameer Minhas and Ahmed Hussain adding only 36 runs in the next 12 overs.

    “They needed to first establish they weren’t going to lose the game, and then they just slowed down to make sure Zimbabwe got through. Some people may question the ethics of that, but I personally don’t,” the 57-year-old stated.

    Flower suggested Pakistan fully understood the net run rate calculations.

    “The last ten overs or so, Pakistan have played a cunning game,” he said.

    “The way Pakistan are going about business, they are probably aware of the fact that if they qualify for the Super Six along with Zimbabwe, they carry through a better net run rate as opposed to with Scotland.”

    Once Zimbabwe’s qualification appeared secure, Pakistan’s attacking intent returned. Needing nine runs to win, Minhas, who later earned Player of the Match honors for his unbeaten 74, struck two successive sixes to seal the contest.

    “It must be hard for Scotland to be watching this,” Flower said. “But I think it was a fair tactic and didn’t bring the game into disrepute.”

    The incident drew parallels with the 1999 ODI World Cup, when Australia, led by Steve Waugh, adopted a similar approach against the West Indies to maximise their advantage heading into the Super Six stage.

  • VIDEO: ‘Where is my favourite Field Marshal?’ Trump asks PM Shehbaz at World Economic Forum

    VIDEO: ‘Where is my favourite Field Marshal?’ Trump asks PM Shehbaz at World Economic Forum

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) United Kingdom (UK) President Ahsan Dar has revealed details of an exchange that showed Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and United States (US) President Donald Trump pointing at someone during the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace in Davos.

    Speaking to journalist Murtaza Ali Shah, Dar, who received PM Shehbaz in London on his way back from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, quoted the premier as saying that he had an excellent meeting with Trump.

    “There are positive developments expected in the coming time, economically as well, God willing, and stability too,” he said.

    Dar said that Trump, during his conversation with PM Shehbaz, also asked, “Where is my favourite Field Marshal?” to which, the premier pointed at Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir, and told the US president he was standing right there.

    It merits a mention that a video clip of the exchange also went viral over the internet. It came as a group of leaders and senior officials from 19 countries, including Pakistan, gathered on stage with Trump at a signing ceremony in Davos to put their names to the founding charter of the Board of Peace.

    Originally meant to oversee peace in Gaza after Israel’s two-year war on the Palestinian enclave, the board’s charter envisions a wider role in resolving international conflicts.

    Trump, who is the chairman of the Board of Peace, said they were “in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular”.

    “Every one of them are friends of mine. I like every single one of them,” Trump said about the signatories.

    US officials also unveiled ambitious plans for a “New Gaza” during the ceremony, with Trump describing the devastated Palestinian territory as “great real estate”.

    After Trump’s address, the heads of various countries took turns to sign the board’s charter. Permanent members must also pay $1 billion to join, leading to criticisms that the board could become a “pay to play” version of the UN Security Council.

    While Trump’s plan had sparked concerns that he wants the board to rival the United Nations (UN), the US president said the body will work “in conjunction” with the UN.

    Officials from Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan also signed the document with Trump.

  • Arsène Wenger says Pakistan has ‘huge potential’, plans academy

    Arsène Wenger says Pakistan has ‘huge potential’, plans academy

    International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Chief of Global Football Development and former Arsenal FC coach Arsène Wenger has highlighted Pakistan’s massive untapped potential, emphasising plans to develop a football academy in the country of 250 million people.

    “Pakistan’s population of 250 million people means there is huge potential that we have to develop together, and I met Pakistani people to develop an academy in Pakistan because I think this is the first step, as well as to develop youth football,” Wenger said while speaking to Pakistan TV on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

    When asked about visiting Pakistan, he said, “I don’t know. I have to see when I go. We have 211 countries and 365 days is very short, but I hope and plan to go.”

    At the same event, FIFA President Gianni Infantino pledged to visit Pakistan “very soon”, promising to promote football development in the South Asian nation.

    “Well, I will come to Pakistan actually very soon,” Infantino said. “I promised the prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif]. Because we have now a new president of the [Pakistan Football] Federation who is doing a fantastic job.”

    The FIFA president described Pakistan as a “great football country”.

    “We need to bring Pakistan to the head, to the top of Asia for sure,” Infantino said. “Thank you, we are working on that.”

    Pakistan’s relationship with FIFA has grown and evolved over the years. Last month, FIFA appointed Pakistani lawmaker Syeda Amnah Batool to its Institutional Reforms Committee.

    FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa visited Pakistan in November last year. During the three-day visit, he discussed football infrastructure development with Pakistani football executives and government officials.

    Despite having a population of over 250 million, Pakistan has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

    The country’s highest FIFA ranking came in February 1993 when it reached the 142nd position.

    Pakistan made history in 2023 by reaching the second round of World Cup qualifiers for the first time, defeating Cambodia before being eliminated after losing to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tajikistan.

  • Punjab now has a suicide hotline; saved 2,700 people with suicidal tendencies in 2025

    Punjab now has a suicide hotline; saved 2,700 people with suicidal tendencies in 2025

    Amid growing psychological issues and suicidal tendencies in younger generation, Punjab Safe Cities has formally introduced a suicide hotline, keeping over 2,700 people from taking their lives in outgoing 2025, it has been reported.

    “Keeping in view the growing psychological issues and suicidal tendencies in younger generation, Punjab Safe Cities has introduced special helpline,” Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz said in a post on X.

    She added that immediate psychological help can now be sought by pressing ‘7’ on emergency helpline ‘15’, where Safe Cities officers and expert psychologists will help the callers immediately.

    “Safe Cities has rescued 2700 people from attempting suicide in the year 2025,” she added.

    The announcement comes days after the suicide of a private university’s student in Lahore made headlines. The student, who jumped off a varsity building, was reportedly suffering from academic pressure and financial stress.

    Days later, a female student at the same institute also jumped off a building, reportedly over her family’s refusal to let her marry of her own choice.

    Several other cases of suicide have also been reported over the past couple of months, including that of a man in Phularwan area of Sargodha, who committed murder-suicide by jumping into a canal with his three-year-old daughter.

    On Thursday, an estranged man also shot and killed his father- and mother-in-law and two minor children in Pind Mehri village of Hassanabdal before committing suicide.

  • Iran warns US as Trump claims Tehran ready to talk

    Iran warns US as Trump claims Tehran ready to talk

    Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander issued a warning to Washington on Thursday, declaring his forces have their “finger on the trigger,” even as US President Donald Trump claimed the Islamic Republic wants to negotiate.

    General Mohammad Pakpour urged Israel and the United States to avoid any miscalculations by learning from historical experiences and what they learned in the “12-day imposed war.”

    “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and dear Iran have their finger on the trigger, more prepared than ever, ready to carry out the orders and measures of the supreme commander-in-chief [Khamenei], a leader dearer than their own lives,” Pakpour said in a statement that Iranian television quoted.

    Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Trump said the US struck Iranian uranium enrichment sites last year to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

    “Can’t let that happen,” Trump said. “And Iran does want to talk, and we’ll talk.”

    Though the likelihood of immediate American military action against Tehran appeared to diminish this week, tensions continue to escalate.

    General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, who leads the Iranian joint command headquarters, warned that if the US launches attacks, all US interests, bases and centers of influence would become “legitimate targets.”

    Trump had warned Iran’s leaders on Tuesday that the US would “wipe them off the face of this earth” if anyone attacked him in response to a strike targeting Khamenei.

    The warnings follow widespread protests that began in late December across Iran. Authorities violently suppressed the movement and imposed what the monitoring organisation NetBlocks called a “national kill-switch” internet blackout now entering its second week.

    Iranian officials on Wednesday released their first official death toll from the recent protests, stating that 3,117 people lost their lives.