Daily News

KARACHI: A group of armed men traveling in a car attacked and assaulted citizens in the Boat Basin area, sparking chaos as CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, ARY News reported. A case has been registered at the Boat Basin police station on complaint of the victim. In a video, the armed individuals can be seen reversing their car and hitting another vehicle. Then they pulled out of their vehicle with weapons in their hands and started beating up the citizens in another car. According to the complainant, six to seven armed men, who appeared to be under the influence, were involved in the attack. The incident occurred on February 19 within the limits of Boat Basin police station. Speaking to ARY News, Sindh spokesperson Sadia Javed said that action will be taken against individuals possessing illegal arms in the province, including Karachi. She said that that carrying arms is prohibited in Sindh under section 144, and anyone found doing so will face consequences.   ...

PESHAWAR: A meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee will be held in Peshawar on Friday, 28th February for the sighting of the moon of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak. It will be chaired by the Committee’s Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Auqaf Department said that a meeting will be held at the Auqaf Building on Eidgah Charsadda Road at 6:30 pm. Members from various institutions, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, and The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission will also participate in the meeting. Zonal members from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta will also contribute to the deliberations. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that there is a ‘good chance’ of sighting of Ramadan 1446 AH moon on March 1st, 2025. In case the holy month begins in line with the PMD’s forecast, the first day of Ramadan will be on March 2nd, Sunday. Read More: Ramadan and Eid ...

The 6th anniversary of “Operation Swift Retort” is being commemorated today to pay tribute to the courageous Armed Forces of Pakistan for demonstrating their resilience and resolve against Indian attempt to carry out a misadventure. On February 27, 2019, Pakistan Air Force successfully thwarted a border violation by shooting down two Indian fighter jets. and during this operation, an Indian pilot, Abhinandan, was also captured. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to the courage, professionalism and spirit of sacrifice of the Pakistani Armed Forces on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort. In his message on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, the Prime Minister said that six years ago, on this day in 2019, the Pakistan Air Force sent a clear message to the enemy that Pakistan is fully capable of protecting its borders. He said by giving a befitting reply to India’s aggression in the region, our armed forces ...

KARACHI: Karachi Police chief Javed Alam Odho has been summoned to Chief Minister’s House on Thursday (today) for a briefing over the high-profile Mustafa Amir murder case. DIG CIA and SSP Special Investigation Unit (SIU), have also been summoned to the CM House for briefing over progress in the case. Police chief Javed Alam Odho will brief the province’s top officials about the progress made in the investigation of the case. DIG CIA Muqaddis Haider will provide details of the case from the raid till recent developments in investigations. SSP SIU Shoaib Memon will inform the meeting about arrest of Sahir Hassan and more details and facts of the case. IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon will appear before the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior tomorrow to brief the parliamentary body about Mustafa Amir murder case. The NA standing committee has taken notice of the case of Mustafa Amir, who was murdered last month in Karachi. The committee has issued a notice to the IG of ...

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior has taken notice of the case of Mustafa Amir, who was murdered last month in Karachi, ARY News reported. The committee has issued a notice to the IG of Sindh, asking him to appear before the committee on Friday, February 28, 2025. The notice states that the IG Sindh, along with other relevant police officials, should present details regarding the case, including information about Armaghan and the drug trade. Earlier, the Sindh Home Department issued a notification in accordance with the directives of the Sindh High Court, revoking the administrative powers of the judge at Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) 1 in the Mustafa Amir murder case. This move comes in light of the controversy surrounding the refusal to grant remand for Armaghan, the main accused in the Mustafa Amir murder case, by ATC 1. In response, the Sindh Interior Minister had formally written to the SHC addressing the issue. As a result, the administrative p...

LAHORE: A shocking incident of kidnapping has come to light in Lahore where a doctor, Mukhtar Hussain, was abducted by police personnel who withdrew Rs 100,000 from his account, ARY News reported. A video footage of the incident has surfaced, showing six suspects, including police personnel, kidnapping the doctor and forcing him to withdraw money from an ATM. The footage also shows one of the police officers wearing a mask, taking the doctor to the ATM. According to reports, the suspects first took the doctor from his house in Model Town to Gajju Matah. Police personnel went back to Mukhtar Hussai’s residence to bring his ATM card. Then they then took the doctor to a private bank near General Hospital, where they withdrew money from his account. The ATM card’s daily limit was Rs. 100,000 million, and the suspects were only able to withdraw the limited amount. The police personnel also pressured the doctor to reveal the remaining balance in his account. Read More: CTD officials de...

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet is set to undergo a significant expansion, with several new ministers expected to take oath on February 27 or 28, ARY News reported citing sources. The new inductees will include Hanif Abbasi, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, and Barrister Aqil, while Dr. Tariq Fazal, Talal Chaudhry, and Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath are also expected to join the cabinet. Other new faces in the federal cabinet will include Akhtar Kanju, Ali Zahid, Junaid Chaudhry, Romina Khurshid, Moeen Wattoo, and Nausheen Iftikhar. Earlier in January,  it was reported that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif decided to expand his cabinet by inducting at least eight more ministers. In May last year, PM Shehbaz Sharif expanded his federal cabinet by inducting MNA Ali Pervaiz Malik as Ali Pervaiz Malik was appointed as state minister. Also read:  PML-N to ‘again requests’ PPP to join federal cabinet It is important to note here that earlier Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had earlier reques...

KARACHI: The traffic police have decided to install cameras and trackers in dumpers to monitor their speed and issue challans for overspeeding, ARY News reported on Tuesday.,  In an interview with ARY News, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah stated that digital monitoring would help prevent traffic accidents, adding that the system will be extended to other heavy vehicles once it proves successful. DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah has mandated the installation of front and back-view cameras in dumpers to help determine fault in case of accidents. The decision come amid increasing number of road accidents caused by heavy vehicles. According to DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah’s directives, trackers will also be installed in all dumpers operating on Karachi’s roads to monitor their movements by the traffic police from its control room. In a meeting with the Dumpers Association, DIG Traffic secured their agreement to comply with the new safety measures. The trackers will help detect over-...

KARACHI: Police have launched a crackdown on the drug network exposed in educational institutions in the Mustafa Amir murder case, ARY News reported on Tuesday, citing sources. As per details, a list of educational institutions where drugs are being sold has been compiled, and police authorities are now actively searching for international drug traffickers exposed during the investigation of Mustafa Amir murder case. Based on evidence recovered from the slain Mustafa Amir, accused Armaghan, and arrested suspect Sahir Hassan, law enforcement agencies have intensified their operations, the sources said and added notices have been issued to the parents of drug-using youth, and several have been summoned for questioning. Officials plan to collect records of drug dealers from addicted students, while investigations reveal that narcotics are being smuggled into Pakistan from the US and Mexico via courier companies. In a major development, customs officials will be interrogated in connec...

ISLAMABAD: The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued a weather advisory, cautioning that a powerful westerly wave is expected to affect various parts of Pakistan from February 24 to March 1.  The approaching system is expected to bring severe weather conditions, which include heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and significant snowfall in northern and western areas of the country. The advisory highlights several regions likely to be affected.  Islamabad, upper Punjab, the Pothohar Region, and central and southern/northeastern Punjab are forecast to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by snowfall or hailstorms.  The NEOC warns of the possibility of flash floods in vulnerable areas due to heavy rainfall. Balochistan is also bracing for rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with snowfall expected over the hills in the western, northwestern, and northern parts of the province.  Flash flooding is a concern in s...

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Hafeez lashed out at the national team’s bowling trio’s failure after a shameful performance in the Champions Trophy 2025. “The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf failed to perform in 2023’s Asia Cup, 50-over World Cup, T-20 World Cup and in Champions Trophy 2025.” Hafeez said while talking to a private TV, following Pakistan’s defeat from India. “It is time to realise that these guys, according to many people they have skills,  lekin vo skills bada tournament jitwane k kabil nahi hume najar aa rahe hai, vo sabit nahi kar rahe hai.  Let’s move on from them. Let’s bring other people. Let’s go with Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, Mir Hamza. These guys are waiting for their chances.  Inko khila k dekh lete hai.  They are also Pakistani; they also have a Pakistani passport.” Turning his cannons towards Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez said, he [Babar] is considered a good ba...

BAKU: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif reached Azerbaijan for a two-day official visit and was warmly received by senior Azerbaijani officials at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Azerbaijan First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Abdulla oğlu Eyyubov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farkhadov, Pakistan’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin and other senior dignitaries. During the visit, PM Shehbaz will hold high-level meetings with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and other senior Azerbaijani officials. The discussions will focus on further strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, synergize efforts to deal with climate change, deepening defense collaboration, and fostering cultural exchanges. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements are expected to be signed, further solidifying the partnership between the two ...

Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the semifinals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 have become increasingly slim after suffering their second consecutive defeat in the tournament. Pakistan’ hopes now rely on the outcome of the remaining Group A matches of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The team’s prospects of reaching the final four took a significant blow after they suffered a dismal six-wicket defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. With two losses out of as many games, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals have darkened, but mathematically, they are still in the running. The team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, now depends on the results of the remaining three Group A matches. Sitting at the bottom of Group A, Pakistan’s first hope lies in Bangladesh defeating New Zealand on February 24, followed by the Green Shirts securing a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh on February 27 to improve their net r...

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Pakistan cricket team following their disappointing loss to India, saying the national team lacks required skills to compete on the biggest occasion. During a recent cricket show, Shoaib Akhtar said, “We always speak about intent but I think they also lack skills. If they had skills, they wouldn’t have played like way.” He also expressed his discontent with the team’s management and captaincy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, labeling them as “clueless” and “brainless”. “Clueless management to be honest, brainless captaincy… absolutely average team who displayed the skills there… nothing to talk about it,” he added. Shoaib Akhtar taking a jibe at the team for their ‘successive’ failures in the past few years. “It is not unusual (from Pakistan team). Nothing to talk about it… they don’t know what to do… honestly nothing,” Shoaib Akhtar added. Earlier on Sunday, a masterful century from Virat Kohli, coupled with disciplined bowling, prope...

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik has said Pakistan can beat India in today’s high-voltage encounter of Champions Trophy 2025. “I have positive feelings,” Shoaib Malik said while commenting on the Pakistan v India Champions Trophy 2025 encounter as a panellist on a private TV. Sikandar said he has a strong feeling that Pakistan will down India in Dubai today. Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez said being a Pakistani he hopes for good but one has to be realistic about the performance of the team. “When it comes to support, I’m always with Pakistan, but bad planning of the Green Shirts is beyond thinking.” Pakistan enters the match in a do-or-die situation after a crushing 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Their title defense is already in jeopardy, and skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s men will need a dramatic turnaround to keep their campaign alive. Read more: PCB seeks ICC’s clarification after Indian anthem played at Gaddafi Stadium Adding t...

KARACHI: In a shocking turn of events, renowned actor Sajid Hasan’s son, Sahir Hasan, has been arrested in connection with the Mustafa Amir murder case in Karachi, ARY News reported. The investigation team conducted raids in various areas of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), targeting drug peddlers and addicts. During these operations, police apprehended at least four youths, including Sahir Hasan, and seized drugs from their possession. Sahir Hasan, during the investigation, made startling revelations about the drug wave among the youth in the upscale DHA area. He confessed to selling drugs for two years to several individuals, including Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case. CIA Police claimed to have recovered drugs, including foreign brands, worth Rs 5 million from Sahir Hasan’s possession. Meanwhile, the trial court extended physical remand of two accused in Mustafa Amir abduction and murder case. The court today granted five days extension of phy...

Oman, with a population of  5 million residents has emerged as a prime destination for students. Its top-tier universities offer high-quality education and varied cultural experiences, all taught in English. To attract more international students and travellers, the Middle Eastern nation has reintroduced its E-Visa program for 2025. This revamped program promises a faster, more efficient, and accessible visa application process, benefiting students and tourists alike. Oman E-Visa Program Pakistani Students who want to go to Oman for college admissions or short-term visits can now apply for their visas online through the Royal Oman Police (ROP) E-Visa portal. The updated platform allows applicants to submit their applications, make payments, and receive approvals without the need to visit consulates or endure long queues. The newly launched unsponsored tourist visa is particularly advantageous for Pakistani students. Eligible individuals can directly apply for a visa to explore...

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wherein they engaged in comprehensive discussions to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral fraternal ties. In the meeting held in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the two sides explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defense, and people-to-people connections, a Foreign Office press release said Saturday. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, underscoring the importance of promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity. Senator Ishaq Dar congratulated the UAE leadership on the successful organization of the World Governments Summit 2025, in Dubai from February 11-13, 2025, and commended the UAE’s visionary initiatives in fostering global dialogue a...

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) took to the streets, holding demonstrations against the rising number of fatalities caused by heavy traffic in Karachi, ARY News reported. Protest sit-ins were held at 15 spots in the city including Liaquatabad, Hub River Road, University Road, Orangi town, Korangi road, Ahsanabad, Quaidabad, Sher Shah Suri Highway, Rashid Minhas Road, Kala Pul, Garden, Hydari bus Stop, Power House Chowrangi and North Karachi. The protests aimed to pressure the Sindh government into taking immediate action against the deaths by heavy traffic. Addressing to protest at Liaquatabad, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief Monem Zafar said 110 residents of Karachi have been killed and 1,500 others injured in traffic accidents during the first 50 days of 2025 while 775 citizens lost their lives due to accidents involving dumpers and tankers. Monem Zafar rejected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s stance that the killings are merely an administrative matter, emphasizing that ...

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif presided over an inter-ministerial meeting on a three-year plan for professional training for youth and employability. Addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the capable manpower of Pakistan is a real asset, adding that it is a priority of his government to equip the youth with professional training according to the demand at the international level, he added. He directed an increase in the institutions for training of nurses. He said training of nurses according to international level should be ensured, adding while providing professional training to youth in different fields, the demand in local industries and international market should be kept in view. He assured that National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) would be given all required funding for the professional training of youth. PM Shehbaz said NAVTTC should blacklist the training institutions which had bad performance and encourage those showing goo...

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Education Department has banned educational field trips and picnics for government school students, ARY News reported on Friday. Through a notification issued here, the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa directed all government schools in the province not to take students on educational field trips, tours, or picnics. As per the notification circulated to all DEOs and the merged districts, government school authorities are not allowed to take students to educational field trips, tours or picnics. All District Education Officers have been instructed to strictly enforce the ban. Read more:  Sale of Junk food banned near schools Earlier in Peshawar, keeping student’s health concerns in consideration, the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar enforced Section 144, prohibiting the sale of junk food within a 150-meter radius of schools. The enforcement of those regulations was a proactive measure to protect the health ...

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif directed the establishment of a high-class drug testing facility in Islamabad to guarantee that medications meet international standards for quality. Chairing a meeting to review reforms in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, PM Shehbaz  proposed the launch of mobile hospitals to provide healthcare facilities in Islamabad, Gilgit, Baltistan, Kashmir, and Balochistan. Additionally, he ordered a crackdown on fake drugs in coordination with provincial governments, stressing that those involved in this crime should not be allowed to endanger innocent lives. PM Shehbaz also highlighted the requirements to identify and punish officers from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) who facilitate fraud. To enhance pharmaceutical exports, he urged innovative research in medicine and accelerated reforms in the Drug Regulatory Authority. He called for the appointment of experienced and reputable experts to DRAP’s policy board based ...

KARACHI: Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman was seen bursting into tears in emotions after being ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a an injury. The explosive batter sustained an injury while fielding in the first over of Pakistan’s game against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The incident occurred in the first over of the fixture when Fakhar Zaman fell awkwardly during the fielding and got hurt. Following his injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the batter was being examined for a muscular sprain. Fakhar Zaman, not looking entirely fit, came in to bat at number four, but failed to leave a mark, managing a mere 24 runs off 41 deliveries, with Michael Bracewell ultimately claiming his wicket. In a video shared by Pakistan Cricket Board on its official social media account, Fakhar Zaman could be seen limping to dressing room where he burst into tears. His teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi could also been in the video, trying to comfort the tearful b...

KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that 500,000 free solar panels would be distributed this year among deserving households, ARY News reported. Addressing an inauguration ceremony of electricity supply in Abdullah Rind Goth, Manghopir Town, the minister said that solar panels will be provided to residents of those areas facing electricity issues. “Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision is to provide electricity to everyone,” Nasir Shah added. He said that the distribution of 200,000 solar systems has started, while the scheme to provide 500,000 solar systems will start this year and solar will be provided where electricity has not reached. Nasir Shah said that the citizens of Karachi will benefit from cheap electricity and work is being done on the villages that are to be regularised. He said that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants the ownership rights of houses to be with the women of the house. READ MORE: Chinese company to construct 425MW wind solar plants...

KARACHI: Heavy traffic continues to claim lives of masses in Karachi as another motorcyclist succumbed to his wounds after being hit by a dumper, ARY News reported. As per details, a 19-year-old motorcyclist named Shakir Ali was hit by a speeding dumper near Karsaz on Shahrah-e-Faisal. The injured was rushed to the hospital, but he could not survive and breathed his last at the hospital. Read more:  Dumpers entry banned in Karachi during daytime Shakir Ali’s body was handed over to his family. Amid rising incidents involving heavy traffic, the Sindh government has announced a ban on the entry of dumpers in Karachi during the daytime. According to the decision, dumpers will only be allowed to enter the city between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This measure aims to curb the rising number of road accidents caused by heavy vehicles and to improve traffic flow in the city. In response to the rising number of accidents, the traffic police have taken action, issuing 34,655 challans and...

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is likely to reduce the power tariff by Rs2 per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for January 2025. The Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) moved the application for the lowering power tariff, proposing a refund of Rs2.32 per unit to power consumers, reflecting a fuel charges adjustment for January 2025. The CPPA, representing Ex-Wapda Distribution Companies (XWDiscos), submitted a petition to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking approval to pass on this relief to consumers. The reduction in tariff will be decided in the public hearing scheduled to take place on February 27. According to the petition, the CPPA said over 7.8160 billion units of electricity were produced in January, with the reference fuel charges billed to consumers were Rs13.1/unit, while the actual cost amounted to Rs10.78 per unit. The CPPA-G has requested that the Rs2.32 difference...

RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday agreed to form a joint committee which would promote collaborations between the two countries for joint production of songs, films and documentaries. Both sides agreed to this end during a meeting between Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar, and Saudi Arabia’s Media Minister Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari on the sidelines of the Saudi Media Forum. They also agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation in media fields, especially through exchange programme and trainings for journalists. While discussing ways to promote relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the media sectors, and enhance joint cooperation, the two stressed on the importance of working together to combat fake news and propaganda. On the occasion, Attaullah Tarar congratulated the Saudi Minister for Media on organizing the fourth edition of the Saudi Media Forum. The Federal Minister said that Pakistan and Sau...

KURRAM: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has fixed head money for 14 terrorists in Kurram estimated at around Rs 130 million, ARY News reported A notification has been issued in this regard, reflecting e specific bounties for each terrorist, specifically Kazim whose head money is fixed at Rs 30 million. The remaining 13 terrorists have bounties ranging from Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million. The information providers’ names will be kept confidential, the notification read. This decision comes as part of the government’s strengthened efforts to fight terrorism in the region. The bounties on the heads of terrorists in Kurram are aimed at motivating the public to provide crucial information that could lead to the capture of these terrorists in Kurram. By offering important financial incentives, the authorities aim to collect actionable intelligence to eradicate terrorist networks operating in Kurram. Recently, police operations conducted in various areas of Kurram have resulted in the ...