In a landmark development for the education sector of Balochistan, Lasbela has become the first district in the province to reactivate all of its previously closed government schools. According to officials, a total of 72 non-functional schools have been reopened, ensuring that no government school in the district remains closed. The initiative, led by MPA Zarain Khan Magsi with the …

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday (Sep 11) condemned strikes on Qatar earlier this week and called for de-escalation, without naming Israel, which carried out the attack. The Security Council “underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar”, said the statement, which required the agreement of all 15 council members, including Israel’s ally the United States. …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Finance to initiate talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible complete waiver or some relief of electricity bills for one month in areas hit hard by recent floods. Relief for flood victims across cities, villages Official sources confirmed that the proposed relief will not be limited to rural …

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed strong solidarity with the people of South Punjab, who are among the hardest hit by the devastating floods. In a statement issued from the Presidency, the President conveyed his deep sympathy to families displaced from their homes and those whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the calamity. He assured that the government will …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has issued its latest report on electricity restoration in flood-hit regions, confirming that power supply has been restored for 1.45 million out of 1.75 million affected consumers across the country. According to the report on Friday, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) areas including Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali and Dera …

ISLAMABAD: Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ has announced it will refuse to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete. The decision comes in protest of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and echoes broader concern among European broadcasters. According to foreign media, RTÉ described participating alongside Israel under the current conflict as “unconscionable,” citing the …

KARACHI: Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has secured significant relief from a New Delhi court in her ongoing legal battle against the unauthorized use of her voice and images through artificial intelligence (AI) technology for explicit content. According to media reports, Aishwarya’s legal team had filed a petition earlier this month seeking to stop multiple AI platforms from producing or …

KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that farmers across the province can submit their applications for subsidized solar panels to the Director General Agriculture Water Management office in Hyderabad by September 20, 2025. According to Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Baksh Mahar, the initiative aims to promote water-efficient farming through drip irrigation systems. Under the scheme, farmers with 5 to …

Evidently, Pakistan’s armed forces’ operation namely “Bunyan Marsoos” (The Iran Wall) against Indian “naked” aggression, “hegemonic” designs and “India-Israel” military alliance has successfully broken its so-called military myth and might by preserving the path of development, humanity, sovereignty and territorial integrity through national resolve and defensive strategies. Undoubtedly, Operation Bnyanum Marsoos (OBM) has serious regional geo-political and global geo-strategic “ramifications” …

KUNMING: Some 500 journalists, scholars, government officials and entrepreneurs from 110 countries or international and regional organizations convened here for the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum. The forum, which opened Saturday, is co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. Within five days of meeting, …

KUNMING, China: A think tank report was released Sunday at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum 2025, which systematically examines the historical roots, operating methods and global risks of the U.S. long-standing campaign for mind colonization. The report, titled “Colonization of the Mind — The Means, Roots, and Global Perils of U.S. Cognitive Warfare,” was released by Xinhua …

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted ambassadors and senior diplomats from more than thirty foreign missions at the National Emergencies Operations Center on Thursday in Islamabad. The session aimed to brief the diplomatic community on the humanitarian and infrastructural impacts of the monsoon season and to highlight NDMA’s response and resource deployment. Ambassadors and representatives from countries including …

MULTAN: The swelling waters of River Chenab have surrounded Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district. Strong flood waves have cut off the town from all sides and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. On the Uch Sharif highway, an embankment breach has widened, creating further danger for nearby villages. Evacuation is taking place on emergency grounds. Following directions of …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline for Hajj registration under the private scheme due to flood-related disruptions. Registration is continuing on the ministry’s online portal. Originally, private scheme applicants were allowed to register until September 8. According to ministry sources, more than 21,000 pilgrims have registered so far. Officials said that private Hajj operators will give …

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Thursday hosted a seminar titled “Pakistan Governance Roadmap 2025: Civil Service Reform, Now or Never”. The session, moderated by Dr. Faheem Jehangir, Dean Policy at PIDE & PD RASTA, was led by Dr. Adnan Rafiq, Member (Governance) at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, and brought together policymakers, academics, and students to …

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the country’s trade performance during the first two months of the financial year 2025–26. Senior officials and representatives from relevant departments attended the meeting, which focused on sustaining export momentum and shaping strategies for long-term trade growth. The meeting noted that Pakistan’s exports remained stable at USD …

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Six-year-old YouTuber Muhammad Shiraz, known for his “Shirazi Village Vlogs,” has used the income from his online content to rebuild his village’s dilapidated school into a modern educational facility. Muhammad Shiraz and Muskan, have won hearts once again—this time by using their social media earnings for a noble cause. The initiative came after a video shared by Shiraz’s father …

KARACHI: Security around Bollywood star Salman Khan has been significantly increased at the set of Bigg Boss 19 following repeated death threats. The threats reportedly involve gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. According to media reports, Rishi Negi, CEO of Endemol Shine India, confirmed that about 600 people are now working in shifts around the clock to ensure safety. Full background checks are …

KARACHI: Indian television actor Ali Goony has revealed that he has been receiving death threats after refusing to chant a traditional Hindu slogan during a religious puja. According to media reports, Ali said trolls have targeted him for exercising his religious freedom and personal beliefs. He added that some extremist individuals are also threatening his close friend and co-actor Jasmin …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani actress and TV host Javeria Saud has strongly criticised aspects of the traditional matchmaking (“rishta”) culture in the country, responding to recent remarks by Mrs Khan, a well-known marriage matchmaker. In a social media post, Javeria addressed the notion voiced by Mrs Khan that girls who are “fat” or “dark-skinned” are less confident or uncomfortable appearing in public. …

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced an all-female panel of match officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2. According to the ICC, the panel includes four match referees and 14 umpires from nine countries, marking the first time in history …

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Waqas Maqsood has announced his retirement from international cricket. Born in Faisalabad, the 37-year-old left-arm pacer enjoyed a domestic career spanning over a decade. Between 2011 and 2023, he played 81 First-Class matches, 56 List A games, and 68 T20s. Maqsood also featured in the Pakistan Super League …

LAHORE: The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the upcoming Pakistan-India match in the Asia Cup, terming the matter non-urgent. According to foreign media, the petition had called for declaring the September 14 encounter in Dubai “unconstitutional” and requested the court to halt the high-profile clash. The bench, however, refused to hear the plea …

DUBAI: Organizers of the Asia Cup have reduced ticket prices for the much-anticipated Pakistan-India match scheduled on September 14 in Dubai. According to media, demand for tickets has fallen short of expectations, prompting officials to cut prices. The cost of a ticket has been reduced from 475 dirhams to 350 dirhams. Sources said a large number of premium enclosure seats …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has released an update on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas across the country, reporting that power supply has been restored to a majority of consumers while work continues in regions where floodwaters are still obstructing access. According to the Power Division, 51 grid stations and 537 feeders across multiple power distribution companies …

PESHAWAR: In a major crackdown against narcotics, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Excise Department has successfully foiled a smuggling attempt and seized a huge quantity of drugs worth millions of rupees. The operation was carried out near No Gazay Baba, Khyber district, under the ongoing anti-narcotics emergency announced by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Acting on a tip-off, the Excise …

Indian actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court after her name, images, and voice were allegedly used in pornographic and sexually explicit content generated through artificial intelligence (AI). According to Indian media reports, Rai’s lawyer, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, told the court that several online platforms had used the actor’s likeness without consent, in ways meant to …

Constipation, a common digestive problem affecting about one in seven adults, may be prevented through simple lifestyle habits, researchers have revealed. A new study suggests that middle-aged people who get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid harmful substances can significantly reduce their risk. Five habits that protect against constipation According to researchers from the Chinese University of Hong …

Nepal’s army will resume talks on Thursday with “Gen Z” protesters to decide a new interim leader for the Himalayan nation, an army spokesperson said, after angry demonstrations that killed 30 and forced the prime minister to resign. Soldiers patrolled the quiet streets of Kathmandu, the capital, after its worst protests in years triggered by a social media ban that …

The 77th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – the Father of the Nation –  is being observed across Pakistan today (Thursday) with deep respect and reverence. The day began with special prayers in mosques for the eternal peace of his soul, along with prayers for the country’s stability, peace, and prosperity. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, through his vision and …

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has called for the inclusion of star batter Babar Azam in the national T20 format, stressing that his experience and consistency could prove decisive in challenging run-chases. In an interview with an Indian broadcaster, Akram said that having Babar in the lineup could make a huge difference, especially when chasing totals on difficult pitches. …

Multan’s Tehsils Jalalpur and Alipur are reeling under devastating floods as the Chenab River’s flow surged to 668,000 cusecs at Head Panjnad, wiping out entire settlements and displacing millions. Authorities report that nearly 80% of Alipur Tehsil has been submerged, altering the map of the region and destroying crops across hundreds of acres. The rising floodwaters have devastated dozens of …

Security forces killed 19 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists—also referred to as Khwarij—in three separate intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 9 and 10, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR said that acting on intelligence reports of terrorist presence, security forces launched an operation in the Guluno area of Mohmand District. Troops effectively engaged the …

HONG KONG: The 10th Belt and Road Summit opened in Hong Kong on Wednesday, convening key officials and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions to explore new opportunities for collaboration and forge a win-win future. John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in his address that over the past 10 years, more …

KARACHI: Nepali-origin Indian actress Manisha Koirala has strongly condemned the violent crackdown on protesters in Nepal. The actress took to social media, posting in Nepali language, and expressed solidarity with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability. In her message, Koirala shared the image of a blood-soaked shoe, symbolizing the violence on the streets. She wrote: “Today is a dark day for …

ISLAMABAD: In the abduction and threats case of TikToker Samia Hijab, the main accused Hasan Zahid has been sent to jail on judicial remand by a local court in Islamabad. According to reports, the case was heard in the District and Sessions Court before Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mehmood Chaudhry, where the accused was produced. The court rejected the police request …

KARACHI: Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has approached a New Delhi court against multiple artificial intelligence (AI) platforms for allegedly misusing her photos, videos, and voice to create obscene and fake content. According to media reports, Rai’s legal team has filed a joint petition urging the court to stop online platforms from using her name, likeness, and voice through deepfake technology …

LAHORE: Renowned Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani has stepped forward to help flood victims in Punjab as devastating monsoon rains and floods continue to wreak havoc across the country. Large parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain submerged, with rescue teams carrying out relief operations in affected districts. According to updates shared on her official Instagram account, Kiani, accompanied by her …

ISLAMABAD: Energy experts and policy analysts have said that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can revolutionize Pakistan’s energy sector by stabilizing the national grid, reducing load-shedding and ensuring better integration of renewable energy. They shared these views at a seminar organized by the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) under the …

DUBAI: Pakistan’s bowlers have made significant progress in the latest ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings following their impressive performance in the UAE tri-nation series, which they won by defeating Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final. According to the ICC, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem jumped seven spots to reach 15th place after his crucial two-wicket spell in the final. Star …