KARACHI, PAKISTAN—Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Pakistan is no longer an affliction of the elderly; it is a profound social crisis increasingly affecting people in their 30s and 40s. Every life tragically cut short by a heart attack sends a devastating ripple effect of emotional and financial hardship through the entire family unit. For World Heart Day 2025, the Tabba Heart Institute (THI) is shifting the focus from the individual to the entire household with a clear, urgent message: ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’ and ‘Dil Hai Toh Zindagi Hai’ (If you have a heart, you have life). The institute is issuing…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN—Pakistani authorities are engaged with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as part of an investigation to determine who is operating the official account of incarcerated former Prime Minister and PTI founder, Imran Khan. Speaking on the Dawn News TV programme ‘Doosra Rukh with Nadir Guramani’ on Friday, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik confirmed the government’s pursuit of the matter. “Investigations are underway [into who is operating PTI founder’s X account],” he stated. The State Minister added that the authorities expect to unearth evidence that will “disclose where the account’s links are and…
QUETTA, PAKISTAN—Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday praised the country’s security forces following an operation in Khuzdar district that reportedly resulted in the elimination of “multiple terrorists.” In a post on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister stated that in the Zehri area of Khuzdar, security forces had “foiled the enemy’s nefarious designs, killing multiple terrorists and destroying their hideouts.” The chief minister, however, did not specify the exact number of individuals killed in the counter-terrorism operation. Bugti framed the operational success as a political victory, asserting it was “proof that the people of Balochistan and the…
LAHORE, PAKISTAN—As surveys to assess the devastating losses from recent floods continue, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a new alert for more rain across Punjab in the coming days, compounding the challenges faced by both authorities and millions of affected residents. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia delivered the warning during a media briefing in Lahore on Saturday. The scale of the disaster is vast: monsoon rains across Pakistan since June have claimed at least 1,037 lives, severely swelling major rivers and wreaking havoc on rural communities. In Punjab alone, over 4.7 million people across 4,700 villages…
ISLAMABAD – The number of dengue fever cases in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, has registered a worrying increase, with the district administration reporting 30 new infections within the past 24 hours. Details released on Friday show that the spread remains significant across both the capital’s urban and rural sectors. The latest report confirms that 11 of the new cases emerged in rural areas, while the majority, 19, were reported in urban localities, highlighting the pervasive nature of the disease across the city. Administrative Crackdown on Prevention Efforts In response to the escalating health threat, the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner has…
PESHAWAR – Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has firmly ruled out the necessity of seeking assistance from the United Nations (UN) for flood relief operations. He asserted that the country possesses ample internal resources within its Rs4.3 trillion (US$12–13 billion) development budget that can be repurposed to manage the devastation caused by recent floods. Speaking as a keynote speaker at the Pakistan Business Summit in Peshawar, the Finance Minister detailed a strategy based on effective prioritisation and coordination between the federal and provincial governments. He said this approach would allow funds to be directed towards mitigating the severe damage inflicted…
KARACHI – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a significant hike in import tariffs, imposing a 40% Regulatory Duty (RD) on the commercial import of old and used vehicles. This move, finalized through a notification issued on Wednesday, signals a major policy shift aimed at regulating the inflow of used cars. The duty specifically targets vehicles—including passenger cars, buses, trucks, and motorbikes—falling under PCT headings 8702, 8703, 8704, and 8711 of the Customs Act, 1969, when imported commercially under the Import Policy Order, 2022. The FBR clarified that this levy is in addition to existing regulatory duties already…
NEW YORK – FIFA has officially unveiled the match ball for the 2026 World Cup, a high-tech creation named Trionda that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technological refinements with design elements celebrating the tournament’s three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The ball, once again designed by German manufacturer Adidas—the provider of all official World Cup balls since 1970—was revealed at a New York event on Thursday. “I am delighted and proud to present the Trionda,” stated FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the launch ceremony in New York. Design Celebrating Unity The unique arrangement of the first 48-team…
KARACHI – Pakistan’s squash sensation, Noor Zaman, has advanced to the semifinals of the Charlottesville Open after delivering a masterful straight-games victory over the third seed, Yahya Elnawasany of Egypt. The eighth-seeded Zaman, currently riding a wave of success, needed just 35 minutes to dismantle Elnawasany in their quarterfinal clash on Thursday, securing the win with identical 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 scores. Confidence and the Road Ahead The 21-year-old Pakistani player will now face a tough test in the semifinal against the top seed, Timothy Brownell of the United States. Brownell earned his spot in the last four after…
LONDON – In a moment of rare public candour, Britain’s heir to the throne, Prince William, revealed that the paramount focus of his life has been protecting his family amid the recent health struggles of his wife, Princess Catherine, and his father, King Charles III. The Prince also used the interview to outline his intent to modernise the monarchy when he ascends to the throne. Speaking with Canadian actor Eugene Levy for his travel show, the usually guarded Prince William, 43, admitted he sometimes felt “overwhelmed” by personal issues, emphasizing his vow to shield his children from excessive media intrusion.…
