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An original institution

Twenty-two years ago, in 2004, I met Syed Babar Ali for the first time. I was a post-doc at MIT, and through colleagues and friends, had heard about a new initiative in Pakistan to start a school of science and engineering. This was a topic dear to me, and the idea to create an institution in Pakistan that prioritised basic science at the undergraduate level was as exciting as it was unbelievable. I was not sure I belonged in those conversations, but those who had been thinking about it for a while were exceptionally generous to let me in those early meetings in Boston. Though I had not met Babar sahib personally, I had heard about him. In the mid-1990s, when a friend went to LUMS in their new undergraduate programme in CS, I was intrigued by what was being created. I saw Babar sahib's smiling picture in the brochure and somehow that image stayed with me. A few years later when I was at MIT, I got to meet two of his granddaughters who were undergraduates there, and I was so t...
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The Iranian leaders killed in Israeli-US war

Over the course of the US-Israeli war on Iran, waves of airstrikes killed an entire echelon of the Islamic republic's political and military elite, starting with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump had claimed in March that the campaign had achieved "regime change", but Iran showed resilience in rapidly replacing killed leaders and keeping up the war against the US and Israel. With Washington and Tehran agreeing on a deal announced on Monday to halt the conflict, here is a recap of some of the key figures killed in the war: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Khamenei, Iran's number one since 1989, was killed in the first hour of the war on February 28 in a strike on a meeting of senior officials in Tehran that also left his daughter-in-law, daughter and at least one grandchild dead, according to reports. On July 9, Khamenei will be buried in the Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad following a funeral ceremony there on July 18. PHOTO:...
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Australian PM demands 'transparent' inquiry into nine-year-old girl's killing by Punjab CCD

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday demanded a “transparent” investigation into the killing of a nine-year-old Pakistani-Australian girl mistakenly shot dead by the Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) in Chakwal on June 10. Hania Ahmed suffered fatal shots after law enforcement officers in Chakwal shot at her family’s car last Wednesday. The onslaught also critically injured her 39-year-old father, Adeel Ahmed, and 10-year-old brother, Aafan Ahmed, while her mother remained unhurt in the incident. The shootout was covered widely by Australian as well as international media, triggering calls for an independent probe to ascertain the actual circumstances that led to the incident. Addressing reporters in Canberra following public outcry, the Australian PM flagged the importance of a detailed inquiry into the incident: “These circumstances do need to be examined. They need to be examined in a transparent way, so that everyone can k...
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6 killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil

At least six people died in Brazil on Sunday after two helicopters collided in western Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said. The helicopters crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles. A statement from firefighters said that initial reports pointed to a mid-air collision, adding "six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident." Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said that there were "foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft," without giving further details. Fire services spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras told CNN Brasil at the scene that it was unclear exactly how the accident unfolded. "Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened," he said. Contreiras said...
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India rout Pakistan at women's T20 World Cup

India made the perfect start to their women's T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run win against arch rivals Pakistan on Sunday. Harmanpreet Kaur's side dominated from start to finish in their opening group game of the tournament at Edgbaston. After India elected to bat first, opener Smriti Mandhana was the catalyst for the victory as she survived two drops to hit 68 from 44 balls. Mandhana blasted nine fours and two sixes, while Kaur notched four fours in her innings of 36. Wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh kept the pressure on Pakistan's overwhelmed bowlers with a quick-fire 34 featuring five fours and a six. Pakistan's run chase looked a daunting task and so it proved as they crumbled against India's spinners. All-rounder Deepti Sharma finished with impressive figures of 5-10. She pushed Pakistan towards defeat by running out opener Muneeba Ali, who top scored for Pakistan with 41. Sharma also dismissed Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar to leave Pakistan in disarra...
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US-Iran peace deal 'ready for signing very soon', PM Shehbaz tells Qatari counterpart

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed “deep appreciation” for Qatar’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s peace efforts during the Gulf crisis, saying a peace agreement between the United States and Iran was expected to be signed by the relevant parties “very shortly”.  The statement came as US President Donald Trump, in a social media post on Saturday, also confirmed the development, saying a deal with Iran was scheduled to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would be immediately “open to all” after it was signed. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, contradicted the claim, saying that the signing of the Islamabad memorandum would not take place on Sunday. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier received a telephone call from Qatar’s PM and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, during which the two leaders discus...
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AJK SC Bar Association warns violators of peace, calls for immediate surrender

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday warned individuals involved in disturbing peace, violence, damaging government property and causing loss of human lives to immediately surrender and present themselves before the law, while assuring full legal assistance to those who do so. Tensions have been rising in AJK following recent deadly clashes that have led to competing narratives over casualties, governance grievances, and political legitimacy. Official sources have confirmed at least seven deaths. Officials said that despite claims of peaceful intent, certain elements have continued to engage in violent activities. The same elements, they added, have previously been involved in damaging public property and attacks that resulted in the martyrdom and injuries of security personnel. Read: AJK reinstates 177 FIRs against JAAC members over breach of Oct '25 agreement In a statement issued by AJK SCBA President Raja Aftab Ahmed Advocat...
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