The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted drizzle in parts of Karachi today, with partially cloudy skies expected to continue over the next 24 hours. Light fog is also anticipated in some areas during the morning. Karachi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 21.2°C, with the maximum expected to range between 29°C and 31°C. Humidity levels are high at 83%, and westerly winds are contributing to cooler conditions. In Balochistan, rainfall was reported in several areas over the past 24 hours. Kalat received the highest rainfall at 16mm, followed by Loralai and Muslim Bagh. Minimum temperatures in the region ranged from…
Author: Web Desk
The United States has significantly reduced its overseas development and aid budgets, cutting multi-year contracts by 92%, or $54 billion, the State Department announced on Wednesday. This move follows President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed after his inauguration, which mandated a 90-day freeze and review of all US foreign aid to align with his “America First” agenda. The review, led by USAID, targeted multi-year foreign assistance contracts, resulting in the elimination of nearly 5,800 awards. This represents a 92% reduction, totaling $54 billion. Additionally, over 9,100 foreign assistance grants, valued at $15.9 billion, were reviewed. Approximately 4,100 grants, worth $4.4…
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi has extended the physical remand of Armaghan Qureshi, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir abduction and murder case, and his accomplice Shiraz Bukhari by another five days. This is the second extension, following an initial four-day remand granted on February 18 and a previous five-day extension on February 22. The case involves the alleged kidnapping and murder of Mustafa Amir, a BBA student who disappeared on January 6. Armaghan Qureshi was apprehended after opening fire on an Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) team during a raid on his DHA residence. Mustafa’s body, recovered near…
On the sixth anniversary of “Operation Swift Retort,” Pakistan commemorates the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) successful response to India’s “Balakot Strikes” of February 26, 2019. This operation, which took place on February 27, 2019, saw the PAF down an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet over Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The events unfolded after India violated the Line of Control (LoC) with the Balakot Strikes. In response, the PAF crossed the LoC, issued warning shots at Indian military positions, and later engaged and shot down two IAF jets during a subsequent aerial confrontation. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the pilot…
Pakistan’s disappointing performance and early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025 has drawn strong criticism from fans and the cricket community, and has now caught the attention of the government in Islamabad. “The prime minister will personally take notice, and we will ask him to raise these cricket-related issues in the cabinet and parliament,” said Rana Sanaullah, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on Political and Public Affairs, on Geo News. These remarks follow the Pakistan team’s poor showing in the ICC tournament, the first hosted by Pakistan in nearly 30 years. The defending champions suffered losses to New Zealand and India,…
The remains of six Pakistani nationals, tragically deceased in a boat accident off Libya’s Zawiya coast, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday. The Pakistani government facilitated the return, with the Pakistani mission in Tripoli completing necessary formalities. These six were among 16 Pakistani victims recovered after a boat carrying about 65 passengers capsized near Marsa Dela port, northwest of Zawiya City. 37 Pakistanis survived the incident. Housing and Works Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada received the bodies, ensuring their transfer to their respective hometowns. Pirzada expressed condolences, stating the government’s support for the bereaved families. He pledged to repatriate the remaining deceased…
A coalition of opposition parties, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), resumed their two-day conference in Islamabad after leaders forcibly entered the hotel where the event was being held. The conference, on its second day, faced obstruction as Islamabad authorities sealed the hotel, alleging the event lacked permission. Opposition leaders accused the government of pressuring the hotel administration to cancel. Despite this, leaders like Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Salman Akram Raja scaled the hotel gate and unlocked the entrance from inside, allowing others to join. The opposition then held their conference in…
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) latest Democracy Index reveals a decline in Pakistan’s democratic standing, dropping from 3.25 in 2023 to 2.84 in 2024. This downturn is attributed to political turmoil, notably the contentious general elections. The report highlights widespread violence both before and during the February 8, 2024, polling day. The EIU also pointed out the pre-election imprisonment of Imran Khan, a popular political figure whose own democratic record has been questioned. Despite a record voter turnout, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), the electoral process was marred by concerns over democratic rights and freedoms. The…
Pakistan’s home Champions Trophy campaign concluded without a victory as their final match against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was abandoned due to rain on Thursday. This Group A encounter, a dead rubber between two already-eliminated teams, held little significance, and the persistent drizzle dashed any hopes Pakistan had for a consolation win. Similarly, Tuesday’s Group B match between Australia and South Africa at the same venue was also called off without a ball bowled due to rain. This tournament has been a disappointing one for Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan team, particularly as they suffered a painful six-wicket defeat to…
A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting in Kabul reviewed Afghanistan’s polio eradication strategy, focusing on site-to-site vaccination and challenges in stopping wild poliovirus (WPV1) transmission. This meeting, the first in seven years within Afghanistan, highlighted the urgent need to protect progress. TAG endorsed the “Strategic Reset” to improve vaccination campaigns but emphasized stronger leadership, community engagement, and government support. While the eastern region shows progress, transmission persists in the southern corridor due to population movement with Pakistan. The shift to site-to-site vaccination has increased missed children, requiring better community outreach. TAG set goals for 2025, including eliminating virus lineages in…
