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Before she becomes a bride, let her be a girl

On the International Day of the Girl, coming up on October 11 (tomorrow), we are reminded of a simple but often overlooked truth: girls' rights cannot be separated from their right to childhood. This year's theme, "End Child Marriage. Invest in Girls' Rights", asks us to look beyond the progress we celebrate and confront the gaps that still shape millions of girls' lives. It ends with leaving school, being married too young or becoming a mother before the age of 18. We often tell girls they can become whatever they aspire to be, but what about those who are never given the space to aspire at all? Before we ask what a girl can become, we must first ask whether she has been given the freedom to imagine what she could be. According to UNICEF, around 650 million girls globally are living with the consequences of being married before the age of 18, while Pakistan is home to an estimated 19 million child brides. Child marriage remains one of the most painful m...
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Govt cuts petrol by 66 paisas, increases diesel by 52 paisas till Oct 12

The federal government on Friday decreased the price of petrol by 66 paisas per litre, while increasing the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by 52 paisas per litre till October 12. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol was fixed at Rs398.3 per litre, while HSD would cost Rs396.24 per litre from October 10 to October 12. The latest revision comes a day after the government increased the price of petrol and HSD by Rs2.31 and 78 paisas per litre, respectively, for October 9.  On July 17, the government announced a new pricing mechanism under which petroleum product prices would be reviewed and notified daily, replacing the weekly pricing mechanism, as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continued to drive volatility in global oil markets and raise concerns over fuel supplies. On September 13, PM Shehbaz announced a special relief scheme offering Rs100 per litre off petrol ...
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Shamoon Abbasi challenges Shaan on TikTokers in films

Shamoon Abbasi has questioned veteran actor Shaan Shahid’s stance on social media personalities entering the film industry, arguing that it is too early to determine whether TikTokers can build lasting careers in cinema. The comments came after Shaan questioned whether social media fame could translate into a sustainable career in acting and filmmaking. He argued that online popularity could be temporary and that digital creators entering showbiz would need to learn the craft if they wanted to remain relevant in the long term. Shamoon questioned whether established figures should dismiss newcomers before audiences have had the chance to see what they can bring to the industry. In a video shared on Instagram, Abbasi addressed Shaan respectfully, making it clear that his comments were directed at the subject of the debate rather than the veteran actor personally. Referring to Shaan’s argument that TikTokers making films could prevent the industry from progressing, Sha...
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81 US aircraft lost or damaged during Iran war, congressional document shows

At least 81 US fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and uncrewed aircraft were lost or damaged during military operations against Iran, according to a recent report prepared by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. The figures compile operational incidents recorded since Feb. 28 across Pentagon records, US Central Command (CENTCOM) statements, military inspector general findings, and press accounts. The compilation shows extensive losses across uncrewed platforms, led by 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones and three MQ-1 multi-role craft downed during operations, along with one MQ-4C Triton that crashed in a flight mishap. Read: Iranian president says US deal ‘not out of reach’ in call with Putin Manned combat airframes also sustained substantial hits. Twelve F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were affected, including three destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, one downed over Iran, and eight that suffered light damage during an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in...
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Govt increases petrol by Rs1.82, cuts diesel by 91 paisas for Oct 8

The federal government on Wednesday increased the price of petrol by Rs1.82 per litre, while decreasing the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by 91 paisas per litre for October 8. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol was fixed at Rs396.65 per litre, while HSD would cost Rs394.94 per litre for Thursday. The latest revision comes a day after the government increased the price of petrol by Rs1.19 per litre, while decreasing the price of HSD by Rs1.91 per litre for October 7. Read: Govt increases petrol by Rs1.19, cuts diesel by Rs1.91 for Oct 7 On July 17, the government announced a new pricing mechanism under which petroleum product prices would be reviewed and notified daily, replacing the weekly pricing mechanism, as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continued to drive volatility in global oil markets and raise concerns over fuel supplies. On September 13, ...
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PTI marchers change route, head to Khyber first

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday announced a change in the route of the PTI's long march, saying it would first head towards Khyber and then proceed to Peshawar. “We are playing a Test match; there are still many overs and players left. The change in route is part of the PTI’s strategy,” he said while addressing participants of the protest at University Chowk in Kohat on the third day of the march before departing for the next destination. CM Afridi also referred to the earlier change in the march’s date from September 27 to October 4, saying the authorities had reacted strongly to the postponement and were now concerned about the duration of the protest. Read: CM Afridi urges PTI workers to join long march as convoy enters Kohat He said the march would eventually move towards Islamabad when the PTI decided to do so, declaring: “When we say we are going to Islamabad, no one will be able to stop us....
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Trump blames France unrest on 'mass migration', Islam

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday blamed mass student protests in France on "mass migration" and Islam, pushing his global right-wing narrative ahead of tough midterm elections at home. French students have blocked the entrances to hundreds of high schools across the country since late September to demand better conditions, in protests that have descended into sporadic clashes with security forces. A quarter of a million demonstrators took to the streets across France on Tuesday. "What's happening in France is nothing less than out-of-control mass migration. This isn't about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great country!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump: What’s happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn’t about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country! pic.twitter.com/SzfOqAjiDv — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 6, 2026 ...
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