Blaze News - Pakistan

The Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF) has called for a judicial investigation into the devastating methane gas explosion at the Sorange coalfield near Quetta that claimed the lives of 36 miners, urging the federal and Balochistan governments to undertake comprehensive reforms to improve safety standards across Pakistan's mining sector. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Saturday, federation leaders expressed profound grief over the loss of the miners, describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the hazardous conditions faced daily by thousands of coal workers. They extended condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the deceased, many of whom were the sole breadwinners of their households. The labour leaders said repeated mining disasters expose serious shortcomings in the enforcement of safety regulations, adding that expressions of sympathy alone are insufficient without meaningful action to protect workers. They ...

The protesting Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee on Saturday expressed its willingness to engage with the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission as it responded to a letter written by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the initiative. The development came after the JAAC wrote a letter to Bilawal on July 14, to which the PPP chairman responded by reiterating his proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the consent of all stakeholders. In response to the letter, the JAAC conveyed its willingness to consider the proposed commission as a possible way forward to address the recent violence and political crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “I have received JKJAAC’s response to my letter proposing the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, together with their accompanying proposal,” Bilawal said in a post on X. I have received JKJAAC’s response to my letter proposing the establishment ...

Coalition partners in the federal government, the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on Saturday continued their war of words, which began during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir election campaign, with leaders from both sides escalating their rhetoric by targeting each other's leadership and past governments. The two parties, allies in the federal coalition government, have been exchanging accusations since the PML-N emerged victorious in the elections in AJK's Mirpur division. The PPP has alleged that the PML-N rigged the polls in Mirpur and has demanded fresh voting in the constituency. With the second phase of the AJK elections set to be held on Sunday in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division, political temperatures rose further as senior PML-N leaders responded to the PPP's allegations of electoral manipulation, rejecting claims of rigging not only in the AJK polls but also in the 2024 general elections. The latest exchanges marked a furth...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide renowned journalist Asad Toor with the details of the allegations against him in connection with a summons issued by the agency over allegedly spreading "fake information". The NCCIA on Wednesday issued a notice to Toor, directing him to appear before the agency in connection with an inquiry into the alleged dissemination of "false information". According to a notice issued by the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre, and also shared by the journalist on his X account, Toor was summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in connection with the inquiry. The directions came during the hearing of Toor's petition challenging the NCCIA notice. Advocate Ataullah Kundi, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, argued that his client could not respond to the allegations because they had not been informed of their nature. ...

Talks between mediators and Hamas leaders in Cairo on implementing a US-brokered Gaza peace plan have made rare progress, sources close to the negotiations said on Thursday, although an Israeli official said the proposed terms did not meet Israel's demands. Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, on Thursday, according to medics. A Hamas official and a diplomat involved in the Cairo discussions described the talks as "positive" and said they were making progress. The Hamas official said the developments would depend on Israel's response and whether they could lead to a broader agreement. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Israel had rejected the proposal. "Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarisation of the Strip as a precondition for any process," the official said. Also Read: Over 60,000 children orphaned in Gaz...

Pakistan’s national hockey team showcased a masterclass, securing a commanding 3-1 victory over South Korea in a high-profile match on Thursday that marked a historic milestone for the country’s national sport. The match at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in the federal capital began as a cagey, defensive affair. Both sides tested each other's backlines in the opening 15 minutes, leaving the first quarter entirely scoreless. However, the Green-shirts shifted into top gear in the second quarter, deploying a relentless attacking strategy that quickly rattled the Korean defence. Pakistan broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when drag-flick specialist Muhammad Sufyan Khan capitalised on a penalty corner, firing a powerful strike past the Korean goalkeeper to give the hosts a well-deserved lead. South Korea fought back just before the long whistle, as Young Ji-hun converted a penalty corner in the 29th minute, temporarily silencing the home crowd by levelling the...