The federal capital of Pakistan has reported a higher number of gang rape cases than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) combined, according to officially reported crime statistics cited by The News on Friday. The country witnessed a staggering 11,074 murder cases, alongside 2,142 instances of gang rape, 4,472 cases of Zina (extramarital sexual relations), and 34,688 kidnappings or abductions. Punjab emerged as the most affected province, recording the highest numbers in all categories, including murder, gang rape, and kidnapping. Notably, the federal capital, Islamabad, reported more cases of gang rape than any other province, raising concerns about safety…
Author: Web Desk
The Punjab government has introduced a bill with the objective of drafting master plans for every district in the province, in an effort to curb the unregulated expansion of housing societies across Pakistan’s most populous province. However, critics, including some lawmakers and urban planning experts, are warning that the proposed legislation would centralize power, stripping elected local governments of a key constitutional function and handing it over to unelected bureaucrats. What does the bill propose? On March 7th, the Punjab government presented the Punjab Spatial Planning Authority Bill 2025 in the provincial assembly. The legislation proposes the establishment of a…
Security forces eliminated two terrorists, including a “high value target,” during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Timergara area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower Dir district, the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported on Friday. The ISPR stated that the IBO was conducted based on intelligence regarding the presence of “khawarij” (terrorists). “During the operation, own troops surrounded and effectively engaged the Khawarij location, and after an intense exchange of fire, two Khawarij, including a high value target, Kharji Hafeezullah alias Kochwan, were sent to hell,” a concise statement issued by the ISPR read. The armed forces’ media…
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered a significant judgment regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the country’s judicial system, recommending the formulation of formal guidelines to govern its application. The 18-page verdict, penned by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, emphasizes AI’s role as a supportive instrument rather than a replacement for human judges. The apex court observed that while AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek can substantially enhance judicial capabilities, they cannot supplant human reasoning, discretion, and empathy, which are fundamental to the administration of justice. The judgment urges the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee and…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Friday that Belarus had extended a “generous offer” to invite over 150,000 young, highly skilled Pakistani workers to contribute to nation-building efforts in the Eastern European nation. Calling it a “gift” for the people of Pakistan, the Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing that this initiative will benefit the Belarusian economy and provide meaningful livelihoods for Pakistani youth. “I assure you that the skilled Pakistani workforce, duly certified both by international standards and through national accreditation, will serve as a valuable asset to Belarus,” the Prime Minister said during a joint…
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted heatwave conditions across the country starting next due to the formation of a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere from April 13th. According to the Met Office, most parts of the country will experience a rise in temperatures, with the southern regions, including Sindh, southern Punjab, and Balochistan, expected to face severe heatwave conditions beginning April 14th. Daytime temperatures in these areas may remain 6-8°C above the normal range from April 13th to 18th. In the northern and central regions — encompassing upper and central Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir…
President Asif Ali Zardari has been discharged from the hospital after showing signs of recovery, his physician Dr. Asim Hussain confirmed on Friday. President Zardari was admitted to a hospital in Karachi on April 1st after his health deteriorated. He remained under treatment for more than 10 days. Zardari was transferred from Nawabshah to Karachi on the night of Eid ul Fitr for medical care. Earlier, Dr. Asim informed Geo News that President Zardari was showing improvement in his treatment. “The president has tested negative for COVID-19 on a rapid test but remains under the care of infectious disease specialists,”…
Well-placed sources have reported that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting held on Friday unanimously approved the appointments of four retired judges, including Justice (retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, as “members” of the apex judicial appointments body. This development occurred during the JCP meeting presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. The JCP meeting also selected Justice (retd) Mian Shakirullah Jan of the Peshawar High Court and Justice (retd) Nazir Ahmed Lango of the Balochistan High Court to serve as its members. Chaired by CJP Afridi, the meeting lasted for over two…
Following a request by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia has granted an additional Hajj quota to Pakistan, allowing 10,000 more pilgrims to perform Hajj this year. Taking to his X handle, DPM Dar expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, for approving the additional Hajj quota. In his post, Dar revealed that this special arrangement was made after his telephonic conversation with Prince Faisal on April 9th. He thanked the Saudi Foreign Minister for his support, referring to him as a “dear brother,” and hailed the gesture as a…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in London on Friday night from Belarus for a brief two-day visit. The PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also scheduled to arrive in London on Saturday for a two-week tour. The Prime Minister landed at Luton Airport late in the evening and plans to spend the weekend in the city. He will then return to Pakistan on Sunday night to attend the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad. He was welcomed at the airport by PML-N UK leaders Ahsan Dar, Rashid Hashmi, and Khurram Butt. PML-N sources indicated that the Prime Minister…
