The Balochistan government has defended its crackdown against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protests while citing prevailing security concerns in the province, The News reported on Thursday. In a joint press conference, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind and Quetta DIG Aitzaz Goraya while peaceful protests are a fundamental right, public safety and law and order must be maintained. Recalling the Jaffar Express attack on March 11, Rind said that the BYC attempted to exhume bodies from a graveyard following burials the next day, triggering protests that disrupted Sariab Road and other areas for over 12 hours. The spokesperson reiterated that…
Author: Web Desk
The district administration has closed off the plot in the city’s Korangi Creek area where a mysterious fire continues to burn for the sixth consecutive day. In a statement, the district administration said KMC and Cantonment Board’s fire tenders are on standby at the site despite the firefighting operation being stopped on Saturday due to heat intensity. Meanwhile, sand and water samples have been obtained from the site and the nature and volume of the gas—that’s fueling the blaze—will only be ascertained after due chemical analysis. If the gas reserves are small, the fire will be extinguished automatically in a…
The mercury is expected to rise further in Karachi over the next two days, with temperatures likely to range between 37 degrees Celsius and 39°C on Friday and Saturday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The Met Office said hot and dry north-westerly winds may blow during the day, while sea breezes are expected to resume in the evening. On Tuesday, the city experienced intense heat as temperatures reached 38.1°C. Humidity was recorded at 53%, with light winds blowing from the north. The PMD’s latest forecast comes in the wake of Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Afzal’s warning last week of…
President Asif Ali Zardari is recovering well and may be discharged from the hospital within the next few days, according to his physician, Dr. Asim Hussain. Speaking to the media, Dr. Asim said that the president is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Karachi, where he is under the care of infectious disease specialists. Dr. Asim said that the president’s condition is improving, adding that recent blood test reports have also indicated positive signs. “Infectious diseases department experts examine President Asif Zardari three times a day,” he said, adding that shifting him from Nawabshah to Karachi for treatment was…
Pakistan’s esteemed psychiatrist, Professor Syed Haroon Ahmed, passed away in Karachi on Thursday at the age of 92. Professor Haroon was a pioneer in establishing mental health assistance within the country and actively participated in social and political movements. He was also recognized for his advocacy for human rights, minority rights, and secularism. His contributions to the field of medicine spanned nearly six decades. His funeral prayer will be held after Jumu’ah prayers on Friday, April 4, at Masjid Abu Bakr Siddiq, Bilawal Chorangi. He will be laid to rest at Korangi No. 1.5 Graveyard, Chakra Goth, Korangi Creek, across…
The Partiet Sentrum, a Norwegian political party, has faced criticism for nominating former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize for services related to human rights and democracy—a move that has sparked a wave of controversy in the Scandinavian country. The Norwegian party announced via social media that they, in collaboration with an unnamed individual possessing nomination rights, had put forward the name of the ousted premier, Anadolu Agency reported. “We are pleased to announce on behalf of Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody with the right to nominate, have nominated…
The deadline for the repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan ended on March 31, 2025, and the government has now commenced their return. According to sources in the Ministry of Interior, the process was delayed due to the Eid ul Fitr holidays, therefore, it could not begin on April 1, but authorities have now launched operations against undocumented Afghan nationals across the country. How many Afghan refugees are in Pakistan? According to data obtained by Geo News, there are currently 2.1 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Sources in the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron)…
Professor Syed Haroon Ahmed, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92, was a trailblazer in psychiatry, a devoted mentor, and an unwavering champion for mental health. Born in 1931 in the historic city of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, he began his eternal journey on April 3, 2025, after a prolonged illness following a post-COVID stroke. He leaves behind his cherished family, close friends, numerous well-wishers, and a lasting legacy that transformed psychiatric care in Pakistan. From a young age, Professor Haroon was dedicated to progressive thought and social change. In 1950, he established the Democratic Students Federation, marking…
The detention of pro-Palestinian activists Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk has sparked intense legal battles centered on jurisdictional disputes, as the government attempts to move their cases to Louisiana. Courts are grappling with where these cases should be heard, based on where the activists were arrested and where legal motions were filed. Khalil’s case saw a judge rule in his favor, rejecting the government’s move, while Ozturk’s fate remains uncertain as her attorneys challenge the government’s claim that a Massachusetts court lacks jurisdiction. Both legal teams accuse the government of “venue shopping” to delay proceedings and prolong detention, raising concerns…
The Trump administration’s heightened immigration enforcement is targeting pro-Palestinian student activists and critics of Israel on US college campuses, leading to the detention and potential deportation of several individuals, including those with legal residency or valid visas. The government claims these actions are necessary for national security, citing alleged ties to Hamas or disruptive protest activity. However, critics argue this crackdown infringes on free speech and academic freedom, raising concerns about the potential abuse of power. The cases highlight a growing tension between national security concerns and civil liberties, as the government increases scrutiny of visa applicants and targets individuals…
