Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Wednesday that nothing surpasses victory, as he lauded Pakistan’s triumph over India in a conventional war, describing it as a moment that astounded the world. Speaking during a cabinet meeting, the premier emphasized that Pakistan’s historic win continues to be a global topic of discussion. He commended Field Marshal Asim Munir for his leadership from the front, applauded the exceptional performance of the Pakistan Air Force, and highlighted the unwavering unity of the entire nation, which he attributed to divine recognition. He asserted that Pakistan’s armed forces showcased outstanding professional skills and secured a…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, has announced that the government will begin accepting Hajj applications from August 4th, as reported by The News on Thursday. Detailing the Hajj Policy 2026, which received federal cabinet approval earlier in the day, he stated that Pakistan’s pilgrim quota will remain at 179,210, with 119,210 pilgrims performing Hajj under the government’s regular scheme. The minister clarified that the quota for the private scheme has been reduced by 50% to 60,000, meaning two-thirds of the total quota has been allocated to the government scheme. Consequently, the government scheme’s quota stands at 66.52%, while…
The Ministry of National Health Services is actively making arrangements to permanently integrate the Sehat Sahulat Card into the federal government’s broader healthcare framework, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The proposal has been formally submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its approval. According to Muhammad Arshad, who heads the Sehat Sahulat Card program, this initiative—once approved—will provide approximately 2.7 million families in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Tharparkar district with access to free medical treatment. This treatment will be available at over 600 empanelled hospitals across the country. Speaking to Samaa…
Officials in Gilgit-Baltistan confirmed on Wednesday that German Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died during a mountaineering expedition in northern Pakistan. According to details provided by Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq, Dahlmeier passed away while climbing in a remote mountainous region. A rescue mission was initiated following reports of an incident involving the German mountaineer. The provincial government stated that once the rescue team recovers the body and brings it to Naltar Valley, authorities will be formally notified. Firaq added that a second helicopter might be dispatched if the team requests additional support. The identity of the deceased was…
Zimbabwe has added batter Brendan Taylor to their squad for the second Test against New Zealand, scheduled from August 7-11 in Bulawayo. This inclusion comes after Taylor completed a three-and-a-half-year suspension for breaching the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping codes. Taylor, 39, was banned in 2022 following his admission of receiving $15,000 from an Indian businessman in 2019. He had previously announced his retirement from international cricket in September 2021. He confessed to using cocaine while in India and claimed this was subsequently used to blackmail him into spot-fixing, though he maintained he never went through with any fixes. “I certainly…
OpenAI has announced the introduction of a new feature in ChatGPT, named “Study Mode,” designed to cultivate deeper learning and critical thinking among students utilizing its platform. Unveiled on Tuesday, this new feature encourages users to engage more thoughtfully with educational material, rather than simply relying on the chatbot for direct answers. When Study Mode is activated, ChatGPT prompts students with questions to assess their comprehension and, in some instances, withholds straightforward solutions unless the student demonstrates genuine effort or interaction. The feature is currently being rolled out to logged-in users across all ChatGPT’s Free, Plus, Pro, and Team subscription…
A growing number of users globally—and within Pakistan—have reported incidents of email account compromise, prompting cybersecurity experts to emphasize swift action to prevent long-term damage. With access to a single email account, hackers can potentially infiltrate numerous other online services, steal sensitive data, or trick contacts into divulging financial information. “Email remains the central hub of digital identity,” explains Asad Mehmood, a Lahore-based cybersecurity analyst. “If compromised, it offers a gateway into banking services, cloud storage, shopping apps, and even social media platforms.” Recent cases reported to Which? Tech Support, a UK-based advisory platform, illustrate how hackers frequently use compromised…
Following a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, tsunami alerts resonated across the Pacific, drawing renewed attention to one of nature’s most lethal and unpredictable disasters. Though infrequent, tsunamis possess the potential to decimate coastal communities within minutes. Their waves can travel as swiftly as a jetliner, and their force is capable of lifting ships onto rooftops. Below, we delve into key facts about tsunamis, the scientific principles behind them, and the extensive damage they can inflict globally. Understanding Tsunamis: What Are They? A tsunami—derived from the Japanese words tsu (harbor) and nami…
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, effective August 1. In a strong statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump criticized India’s trade practices, accusing the nation of maintaining “among the highest tariffs in the world” and enforcing what he termed “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers.” “While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and…
American public support for Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has significantly decreased over the past year, with a mere 32 percent of U.S. citizens now approving of Israel’s actions, according to a new Gallup poll released on Tuesday. These findings represent a sharp 10-point decline from September 2024 and highlight a widening gap between U.S. government policy and public sentiment, especially in light of Israel’s devastating military campaign in the besieged Palestinian enclave. The survey further revealed a clear partisan divide on the issue: while 71 percent of Republican respondents expressed approval of Israel’s conduct, only 8 percent of…
