On Monday, the Senate introduced the Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill 2025, which proposes a complete ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16. The bill, jointly presented by Senators Sarmad Ali and Syed Masroor Ahsan, aims to create a safer digital environment for minors and hold social media companies accountable for compliance. Key Provisions of the Bill According to the text of the bill, any person or company found allowing access to social media platforms to users under 16 could face a fine ranging from PKR 50,000 to PKR 5 million. In more serious violations,…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
On Monday, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan visited the National Highway Authority (NHA) Punjab Region, where he chaired a high-level meeting to review and expedite ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects across the province. During the meeting, key decisions were made regarding the construction of new interchanges, road expansions, and long-term strategic planning for the region’s highway network. The minister emphasized the importance of future-oriented development and directed officials to plan projects keeping in mind the needs of the next 30 years, rather than short-term solutions. Major Expansion of Lahore-Islamabad Route One of the most significant announcements concerned the…
A devastating flood disaster has struck Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly along the Babusar Highway, where flash floods and landslides triggered by cloudbursts have left at least three people dead, 15 injured, and over 30 tourists missing, according to officials. The spokesperson of the Gilgit-Baltistan government confirmed that among the deceased are a woman, Mashal Fatima, and a man, Fahad Islam, both residents of Lodhran. The injured have been moved to Regional Hospital Chilas, where an emergency has been declared to manage the crisis. Tourist Vehicles Swept Away, Roads Destroyed The flash floods have swept away over 15 vehicles, including vans carrying tourists…
Following the recent Senate elections, a new power equation has emerged in the Upper House of parliament, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) now holding the most seats and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) becoming the second-largest party. According to the updated party position, the PPP leads the Senate with 26 members, followed by the PTI with 22 seats, including one vacant seat previously held by Sania Nishtar, which is also anticipated to go to the PTI. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stands third with 20 members, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has three senators and the Balochistan Awami Party…
A tragic terror attack in the Ghanda Mela area of Orakzai, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulted in the deaths of at least seven personnel of the Orakzai Scouts, official sources confirmed on Monday. According to police, the incident took place late on Sunday night when terrorists ambushed and opened fire on security vehicles near the Ghanda Mela checkpost. Four soldiers were martyred instantly, while three others, who sustained critical injuries in the assault, succumbed to their wounds during treatment on Monday. The personnel were identified as Sepoy Rahat Khan, Sepoy Ishrat, Sepoy Sanaullah, and Havaldar Naseeb. All were serving with the Orakzai…
A crucial legal requirement in the high-profile Noor Mukadam murder case has been met, as death row convict Zahir Jaffer underwent a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation at Adiala Jail. This development clears the path for his mercy appeal to be forwarded to the president. According to official sources, a two-member medical board from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) conducted the evaluation inside the jail premises on Monday. The board, comprising psychologist Dr. Shafqat Nawaz and neurologist Dr. Aamir Naveed, remained at Adiala Jail for nearly three hours to assess the convict’s mental and physical condition. The medical…
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar affirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to addressing global issues. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson, Dar met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of his visit to the United States. During the meeting, Dar emphasized the necessity of bolstering the UN’s role in resolving disputes and promoting sustainable development. Reaffirming the UN Charter, Dar underscored the importance of advancing peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In his discussion with Guterres, Dar brought attention to the Kashmir dispute, violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, and state-sponsored terrorism. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s…
A recent study indicates that vaping during pregnancy, even in the absence of nicotine, could lead to structural developmental changes in a baby’s skull while in the womb. The research, conducted by scientists at Ohio State University College of Medicine, investigated the effects of two commonly used ingredients in e-cigarette liquids—propylene glycol and glycerol—on prenatal development. The findings suggest that exposure to these substances, independent of nicotine, has the potential to impact fetal bone growth. “Our findings were surprising,” stated Dr. James Cray, lead researcher and professor at Ohio State University. “The e-cigarettes used in our study did not contain…
Pakistan’s power generation remained largely flat in the fiscal year 2024-25, with total output reaching 127,160 GWh, nearly unchanged from the 127,165 GWh recorded in the previous fiscal year. This trend is largely attributed to the rising adoption of solar power and a decline in industrial activity, which collectively suppressed on-grid electricity demand, as reported by The News on Sunday. In June, power generation saw a 2% increase compared to the same month last year and an 8% rise on a month-on-month basis. Despite this, the overall annual trend remained stagnant. The average fuel cost of power generation decreased by…
In what appears to be a coordinated move, two firms have acquired approximately 56% stakes in Pakistan Services Limited (PSL), the company that owns and manages the Pearl Continental Hotels chain. This has sparked considerable speculation regarding a potential takeover, as reported by The News on Monday. According to information filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange under the Securities Act 2015, Dawood Jan Muhammad acquired 28% of Pakistan Services Limited shares on July 14, 2025. This investor purchased 9,107,800 shares at a rate of Rs700 per share, totaling over Rs6.37 billion. Similarly, AKD Holding also submitted information indicating the purchase…
