The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has consistently voiced concerns about financial constraints impeding its participation in international competitions. However, a letter from the PHF itself reveals that the federation maintains a bank balance amounting to millions of rupees. Reliable sources indicate that the PHF requested government funds totaling $51,296 to cover accommodation expenses at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur during the “FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2025.” This request was made despite the federation’s significant bank reserves. In response, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) proactively arranged only the air tickets for the national team’s participation in the event. Subsequently, the…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The Bohra community in Karachi is celebrating Eid al-Adha today, Friday, with significant congregations held in various areas including Saddar, Pakistan Chowk, Haidery, and other localities across the metropolis. The largest gathering of the community took place at the Tahiri Mosque, situated near Zahid Nihari in Saddar. Robust security arrangements were implemented at all Bohra mosques throughout the city, with substantial contingents of Rangers and police officials stationed outside to ensure safety. Following the Eid prayers, the ritual of animal sacrifice commenced, as Eid al-Adha involves the slaughtering of sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. This sacred practice marks the culmination…
US President Donald Trump has once again underscored his instrumental role in de-escalating the recent armed conflict between Pakistan and India, while also commending Islamabad’s leadership, as reported by The News on Friday. Speaking at a White House event alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump recounted how tensions between Pakistan and India were “getting close to being out of hand,” and affirmed his intervention by directly communicating with leaders on both sides. Noting that both nations were “well represented” in the discussions, he stated: “The leader of India, a big guy, was here a few weeks ago and we had…
In a series of high-level engagements with members of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a stark warning regarding India’s increasingly aggressive posture and its potential to destabilize South Asia. He implored American lawmakers to lend their support to Pakistan’s “mission of peace” and actively facilitate dialogue to avert a full-scale conflict in the region. Leading a prominent Pakistani delegation, Bilawal engaged in extensive discussions concerning the prevailing regional situation, the protracted Kashmir issue, and the broader scope of US-Pakistan relations. The Bilawal-led diplomatic contingent has…
Residents of the port city of Karachi have been experiencing an unusual series of mild earthquakes for several days, with Chief Meteorologist Amir Haider Laghari stating that the number of tremors has reached 32 since June 1. Providing details about these quakes, Laghari noted that all were of minor intensity, ranging from a minimum of 1.5 to a maximum of 3.6 on the Richter Scale. The latest tremor was recorded at 8:32 AM on Friday (today) with a magnitude of 1.5, the official confirmed. He highlighted that the depth of these recent earthquake tremors in the metropolis has varied significantly,…
If you haven’t had a cow block your car or a goat stare into your soul in the past week, are you truly experiencing Eid in the right place? Yes, it’s that special time of year again when our Instagram feeds transform into a full-blown livestock fashion show, and every street corner features sacrificial animals – be it goats, cows, sheep, or camels. While Eid al-Fitr revolves around bangles, mehndi, and the sugar rush from sheer khurma, Eid al-Adha is predominantly about meat – from selecting and purchasing a sacrificial animal to the processes of cooking, storing, and sharing the…
Children in Pakistan are losing weeks of schooling each year due to climate change-induced extreme weather, sparking urgent calls for a fundamental rethinking of academic calendars. Intense heat, noxious smog, and uncharacteristic cold snaps have all led to school closures. These closures are intended to shield children from health risks in classrooms that are frequently overcrowded and lack essential cooling, heating, or ventilation systems. In May, a nationwide heatwave saw temperatures soar up to seven degrees Celsius above normal, reaching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in Punjab, prompting several provinces to reduce school hours or initiate summer holidays early.…
Former federal minister Abbas Afridi passed away on Friday, succumbing to injuries sustained in a gas explosion at his residence in the Azam area of Kohat district. According to police and family sources, Afridi was severely injured in the blast, which occurred on Thursday, and was receiving treatment at a hospital where he later died. Two other individuals also sustained injuries in the incident. Reacting to the former minister’s demise, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow, and prayed for courage for the bereaved family. Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, in his condolence…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and a high-level delegation, performed Umrah on Thursday night during their official visit to Saudi Arabia. This visit is being undertaken at the special invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The door of the Holy Kaaba was specially opened for the delegation, where they also offered “Nawafil” and expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty for the victory of “Bunyan-um-Marsoos.” They offered prayers of thanks for Pakistan’s recent achievements in economic and public welfare domains, and also made special supplications for the country’s progress…
Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday indicates that the country’s trade deficit expanded to $24 billion during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. This represents a 10.6% increase compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by a significant surge in imports that outpaced a more modest growth in exports. From July to May in fiscal year 2024-25, merchandise exports experienced a 4.72% rise, reaching $29.44 billion. However, imports climbed by 7.3% to $53.45 billion. This expanding gap between imports and exports continues to exert pressure on Pakistan’s external accounts, impacting…
