World number two and French Open champion, Iga Swiatek, has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ), the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Thursday. Swiatek’s positive test was based on an out-of-competition sample collected in August. However, the ITIA concluded that the positive result was due to contamination from her medication, melatonin, which was produced and sold in Poland. Swiatek had been using melatonin to manage jet lag and sleep issues. Acknowledging there was no fault or negligence on her part, the ITIA imposed a one-month suspension, which Swiatek accepted. She had…
Author: Web Desk
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, reassured on Thursday that the board would prioritize Pakistan’s best interests at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting concerning the ongoing deadlock over next year’s Champions Trophy. An ICC spokesman confirmed that the meeting will take place on Friday to decide the fate of the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Earlier this month, the PCB rejected proposals that would have allowed India to play their matches in a neutral third country. The ICC had informed the PCB that the Board…
ISLAMABAD: Following the violent dispersal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the establishment of a specialized anti-riot force to handle future violent demonstrations. The protests, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi, resulted in casualties during a crackdown by law enforcement. Conflicting reports have emerged about the number of deaths. During a cabinet meeting to address the law-and-order situation, the prime minister stressed the need for a professional anti-riot force equipped with modern tools and advanced training. Referring to international examples, he urged immediate action…
KURRAM: Hostilities in Kurram district persisted on Thursday despite a ceasefire agreement, with the death toll climbing to 90 as fresh clashes claimed 12 more lives and left 18 others injured. Violence has continued intermittently for over a week, with no signs of resolution. The clashes initially erupted last week when a convoy of passenger vehicles was ambushed in Lower Kurram, killing over 40 people. On Thursday, reports indicated renewed firing in Jalmay, Chadrewal, and Talo Kunj villages. Sporadic violence was also reported in Upper Kurram’s Ghozghari, Matasangar, Maqbal, and Kunj Alizai areas. A mortar shell struck the Frontier Constabulary (FC)…
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. The day, observed annually on November 29, was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977. This year, the commemoration comes amidst a prolonged Israeli offensive on Gaza, which has lasted over 13 months. In retaliation to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, Israeli strikes have claimed over 44,300 Palestinian lives and left nearly 105,000 injured, with thousands still buried under the rubble. President Zardari condemned Israel’s…
The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) has requested the interior ministry to extend the deadline for Virtual Private Network (VPN) registration to promote user compliance with the new regulations. VPNs, widely used globally to access restricted or blocked content, have seen increased usage in Pakistan due to bans on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and other websites. Recently, VPN disruptions have caused challenges for users across the country. Earlier this month, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced plans to restrict VPN usage, citing the need to control access to pornographic content. Following this, the interior ministry…
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with internal discord following the failure of its “final call” protest in Islamabad. Key party leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, have stepped down from their positions, citing mismanagement and infighting as primary reasons. Salman Akram Raja submitted his resignation to party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who confirmed its receipt. However, the decision to accept the resignation remains pending until the incarcerated party founder, Imran Khan, reviews it. Until then, Raja has been asked to continue his responsibilities. Separately, SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza…
PESHAWAR/QUETTA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced a three-day mourning period to honor Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who lost their lives during a protest in Islamabad, which was abruptly ended by a late-night crackdown earlier this week. The announcement was made during an emergency session of the KP Assembly, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. Originally scheduled for December 2, the session was convened late on Thursday in response to the incident. KP Assembly Session Speaker Swati strongly condemned the actions against PTI protesters, accusing authorities of denying citizens their constitutional right to peaceful protest. He alleged that unarmed demonstrators were…
ISLAMABAD: The federal government reaffirmed on Thursday that security forces did not fire on participants of the recent PTI protests in the capital. The clarification came during a joint press conference by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Ahsan Iqbal stated that PTI Chairman Imran Khan is not a political prisoner but faces severe criminal charges. “In any democratic system, no leader would be allowed to evade accountability for such actions,” he said, adding that Khan is accused of corruption and inciting violence, including urging attacks on sensitive installations. Highlighting the May 9 riots, Mr. Iqbal emphasized…
RAWALPINDI: More than 750 individuals detained during the recent PTI protests were presented before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The arrests were made in Rawalpindi, Attock, and Chakwal districts, with suspects brought to ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah by police from these areas. The cases pertained to multiple police stations within these districts. The court granted a five-day physical remand for 77 individuals detained by Sadiqabad police. Similarly, 12 suspects taken into custody by Waris Khan police were remanded for two days, while a four-day physical remand was issued for suspects arrested by New Town police. The…
