The Ministry of Interior has disclosed significant details about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) recent “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad, shedding light on the events leading to the unrest, the role of key players, and the ensuing chaos. High Court Orders and Government Negotiations On November 21, the Islamabad High Court directed the federal government to maintain law and order in the capital. Given the simultaneous visits of high-profile foreign dignitaries, the government urged PTI to delay its protest. However, upon the party’s insistence, Sangjani was designated as the protest venue. Despite this arrangement, PTI protesters unlawfully moved toward Islamabad’s Red Zone,…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Karachi faced a significant safety and environmental challenge on Sunday morning when a damaged furnace oil pipeline leaked near Sea View, disrupting traffic and raising concerns in the area. The incident, reported at 6 am, involved a pipeline operated by Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL). Immediate Impact Furnace oil from the ruptured pipeline spilled onto the service road, seeping into a nearby residential project. This caused brief but notable traffic disruptions as authorities cordoned off affected areas to ensure safety and facilitate repair work. Refinery operations were immediately halted, and the pumping of oil was suspended to prevent further leakage. Cleanup…
Pakistan continues to grapple with dangerously high levels of air pollution as Lahore emerges as the most polluted city in the world and Karachi ranks as the fourth most polluted. According to data from the Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a “hazardous” value of 303, while Karachi’s AQI fluctuated around the “very unhealthy” threshold of 200, at times dropping to 197 during the last 24 hours. Alarming Levels of Pollution The concentration of PM2.5 pollutants—tiny particulate matter harmful to health—was recorded at 24.2 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. These…
Former federal minister and Senator Faisal Vawda has raised concerns about the safety and mental state of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. Vawda alleged that a deliberate narrative is being built to declare the former prime minister mentally unstable. These remarks came in response to a statement by PTI leader Qasim Khan Suri, who claimed that Imran Khan was being exposed to “poisonous substances” intended to harm his mental health. Suri had suggested that the former premier’s confinement involved spraying a toxic substance, potentially compromising his mental balance. Accusations Against Close Aides Vawda…
The US Consul General in Karachi, Scott Urbom, along with members of the American mission, celebrated Sindh Culture Day by extending heartfelt wishes of peace and prosperity to all those observing this special occasion. In a series of video messages shared in Sindhi, the consulate members expressed their joy by saying, “Sindh jo sakafati deharho mubarak hojay,” showcasing their respect and admiration for Sindh’s rich cultural heritage. The consul general and his team donned traditional Sindhi attire, including Ajrak shawls and Sindhi caps, as a gesture of solidarity and celebration. Highlighting the essence of the day, Urbom said, “On Sindh Culture Day, we…
New Date for VPN Suspension Yet to Be Announced The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to extend the registration deadline for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which had initially lapsed at midnight on November 30. However, no new deadline for VPN registration or suspension has been announced. The Ministry of Interior had earlier declared its intent to block all unregistered VPNs by mid-November, later providing a two-week grace period to allow users to comply with registration requirements. As the revised deadline expired, PTA Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman confirmed that VPNs would not be blocked for the time…
PTI Leader Advocates Political Stability, Requests Meeting with Imran Khan LAHORE: Amid growing discussions about imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), incarcerated PTI leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi cautioned against such measures, stating they could harm the country’s political landscape. Speaking informally to journalists at an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Qureshi said, “Crushing PTI is detrimental to the nation’s politics.” He added that imposing governor’s rule in KP would further deepen divisions and spread hatred within the province. Speculations on Governor’s Rule and Ban on PTI Speculations have been circulating…
Efforts Underway to Restore Peace Amid Tribal Clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KOHAT: The death toll from ongoing tribal clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district has risen to 124, with 178 others injured, despite attempts to implement a ceasefire. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has called for urgent measures to restore peace in the conflict-ridden region, directing authorities to dismantle dugouts of warring tribes and seize their weapons. These directives were issued during a grand jirga held in Kohat, attended by elders from the rival tribes. Speaking at the event, Gandapur reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to establishing peace, pledging to…
Donald Trump, U.S. Interests, and Imran Khan: The Wait for a Political “Seventh Fleet”—Reality or Illusion? By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada Among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters, there exists a specific hope that Donald Trump, after taking the oath of office, might politically back Imran Khan and drastically alter Pakistan’s political landscape. Following Trump’s election victory, his supporters celebrated in Pakistan by waving American flags, while his allies in the U.S. campaigned rigorously during the elections, giving rise to such speculations. On November 24, during PTI’s last protest call, some supporters even staged a demonstration outside Trump’s Florida residence…
Soft light filters through the stained glass of St. Michael’s Church, located on New York’s Upper West Side, creating a peaceful ambiance. The towering organ pipes stretch high toward the ceiling, creating a grand backdrop as people slowly enter the church. Among them, members of the Unforgettables Chorus arrive in pairs — mostly older individuals, guided by younger caregivers. They pick up their name tags before making their way to the front, where they take their seats. The choir directors greet everyone with warm smiles and songbooks. Once the members are settled, the rehearsal begins. At first, the singing is…
