Each morning in Lahore, as the city slowly stirs to life, residents reach for their phones—not to check messages, but to check the Air Quality Index (AQI). This ritual, filled with a mix of resignation and anxiety, signals the arrival of “Smog Season 2024,” the worst the city has yet faced. Days with AQI levels exceeding 1,000 have become alarmingly frequent, and are now seen as the new normal. How does one react to such numbers? How does one prepare for a world where even the light streaming in through the windows is tinged brown and grey? In Lahore—and, as…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
ICC Demands Written Explanation from BCCI Over India’s Refusal to Tour Pakistan The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide a written explanation for its decision to decline participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan. Sources confirmed to Geo News on Friday that this request came after the BCCI verbally informed the ICC of its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the high-profile tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested the ICC to obtain a written response from the Indian…
### Punjab Declares Health Emergency as Smog Crisis Intensifies The worsening smog situation in Punjab has prompted the provincial government to declare a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, the two cities most severely affected by the pollution. As authorities continue their efforts to combat air pollution, the air quality in these cities has reached alarming levels, posing a serious threat to public health. Lahore has maintained its position as the world’s most polluted city in terms of air quality, while Multan has ranked as the most polluted city in Pakistan, according to data from Swiss air quality monitoring group,…
The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court recently heard several important cases, addressing issues ranging from the private use of the Islamabad Convention Centre to the recovery of embezzled funds and the authority of the Federal Ombudsperson. ### Islamabad Convention Centre The bench first took up the case regarding the private use of the Islamabad Convention Centre. During the proceedings, the bench sought a response from the Attorney General’s office. Justice Mazhar pointed out that a notice had also been issued to a former prime minister as part of this suo motu case. Justice Mandokhail directed that the convention centre…
The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court recently heard several important cases, including matters related to the private use of the Islamabad Convention Centre, the recovery of embezzled funds, contempt of court, and the establishment of an IT university in Islamabad. ### **Private Use of Islamabad Convention Centre** The court addressed a case concerning the private use of the Islamabad Convention Centre. During proceedings, the bench sought a response from the Attorney General’s office. Justice Mazhar noted that a notice had been issued to a former prime minister as part of this suo motu case. Justice Mandokhail directed that the…
Pakistan has firmly rejected a media report that claimed Beijing had urged Islamabad to allow Chinese security personnel to protect the thousands of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan, following the bombing near Karachi airport. The report, published by Reuters on Monday, cited unnamed sources saying that China had requested its own security staff in response to a deadly car bombing that was seen as a significant security breach. The attack, which took place last month, killed two Chinese nationals among three victims in a suicide bombing near Karachi’s international airport. The Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility for…
https://youtu.be/KQl_7PXdmGs?si=YljCuugtKpBAmiTp By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada Dallas, Texas: Renowned stage drama producer Syed Furqan Haider Rizvi, who held a distinguished position in the field of stage dramas in both Pakistan and the U.S., has passed away in Dallas. He had been suffering from kidney disease. His family and close friends shared the news of his passing with great sorrow and grief. Syed Furqan Haider was instrumental in introducing legendary performers such as Moin Akhtar and Umer Sharif to the stage in Pakistan, taking commercial theater to new heights. His productions, including “Bakra Qistoon Pe”, “Maseebat Dar Maseebat”, and “Bachao Moin…
US: If Donald Trump were to win the presidential election, the United States’ trade policy, its stance on climate change and on the war in Ukraine, electrical vehicles, taxes, and illegal immigration can expect a shift in direction. His stance did not go without controversy since many of his proposals would require congressional support, but here is a summary of the policies he has said he would pursue in his second four-year term in office: Increased tariffs In terms of Tariffs, Trump has proposed a 10% or more tariff on all imported goods restrict US imports, which he argues, will…
The legislative assembly of Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for New Delhi to reinstate the partial autonomy of the Muslim-majority region, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government had revoked in 2019. In 2019, New Delhi abruptly revoked the IoK’s special status, which resulted in a months-long communications blackout and mass arrests. Delhi India Indian Government Government Of india Since then, a governor chosen by New Delhi has been in charge. However, voters chose a government against Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the territory’s local legislative assembly election last month. The resolution, which…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his recent trips to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as “successful and productive” when he briefed cabinet members on Monday. During his address to the cabinet, the prime minister stated that he had very productive and useful discussions with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar on a variety of topics, including solar energy, mining, minerals, and information technology. He said that a delegation from the Qatar Investment Authority would soon visit Pakistan because Qatar had announced that it would invest $3 billion in Pakistan. He also said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had…
