Blaze News - Pakistan

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been awarded a knighthood in King Charles’s New Year honours list, in recognition of his significant contributions to public service and leadership in the UK’s capital. Khan, the son of Pakistani immigrants, grew up in a working-class family in south London, facing numerous challenges before becoming one of the city’s most prominent political figures. His father worked as a bus driver, and his mother as a seamstress, values of hard work and social mobility deeply influencing Khan’s life. Khan, a trained lawyer, entered politics with the Labour Party, eventually becoming Mayor of London in 2016. He has since been re-elected three times, overcoming challenges such as rising crime rates and housing shortages. In a post on X, Khan expressed his gratitude, saying, “Truly humbled to have received a knighthood in the King’s New Year’s Honours. I couldn’t have dreamed when growing up on a council estate in south London that I’d one day be Mayor of London. It’s the h...

Ahle-Sunnat Wal Jamaat has announced its plans to stage sit-ins at 60 different locations across Karachi, starting tomorrow, in protest, Express News reported on Monday. The demonstrations are being held under the guidance of senior leaders, including Allama Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi and Allama Aurangzeb Farooqi. According to the party’s spokesperson, sit-ins will take place at key locations, including Liaquatabad Super Market, Nazimabad, Saeedi Market, Nagan Chowrangi, and several other areas. The protests will extend across the city, with gatherings planned at spots like Korangi No. 5, Sukh Chakkar, Gulshan Chowrangi, and Sharae Faisal. The demonstrations are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, with preparations for the protests already completed, according to the spokesperson. Other notable locations for the sit-ins include the highly trafficked areas of Defense Mor, KDA flats in Surjani Town, M9 Motorway, and several key roundabouts and intersections. MWM vows to continue peacefu...

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister and head of the Awam Pakistan Party, has called for dialogue between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and the Army Chief to resolve the pressing challenges faced by the country. Speaking to the media in Kallar Syedan, Abbasi emphasised that Pakistan's development hinges on respecting public opinion. "The country will progress only when the people's voice is honoured," he said, criticising the election process. He remarked that the results displayed on Form 47 have turned elections into a mockery. Abbasi expressed concern over the country’s governance, stating, "A nation cannot be run in the manner Pakistan is being managed." He also criticised the manipulation of the stock market, saying, "Artificially raising the stock index benefits no one, even if it soars to the skies." Highlighting the influence of the military in Pakistan's political landscape, Abbasi stated, "The Army Chi...

The Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024, commonly known as the madrassah registration bill, has officially become law with the signature of President Asif Ali Zardari as the new legislation will require all madrassas to comply with the government’s regulations. According to Express News, the federal government has agreed to the demands of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, which were aimed at regulating the registration of madrassas, bringing them under the umbrella of the Societies Act 2024. This move has resolved the longstanding dispute between the ruling PML-N government and the opposition JUI-F, over the bill, which had been passed by Parliament but returned by President Zardari. Key provisions of the new legislation As per the new law, all madrassas that were operating before its enactment must complete their registration within six months. Newly established madrassas, on the other hand, will have a year to register. The Act requires madra...

A broad-based political reconciliation is a must if the country has to step back from the brink. With Pakistan's governance genesis being parliamentary in essence, an indiscriminate participation of all political forces is desired. After prolonged trial and tribulations, especially in the last two years, it is good to hear from a PML-N stalwart, former interior minister Rana Sanaullah that talks should take place between Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and Imran Khan for ending the reigning stalemate on way to reviving true democracy in the country. Sanaullah's gesture is appreciated, and one hopes he has the consent of his party at his disposal, as he has minced these words. The good point is that after long last, the recognition that Imran Khan and his party too should be part of the solution is a welcome development, and the initiative must see the light of the day. Huddling of political bigwigs in the form of an All Parties' Conference has been a constant, but has lacked the...

Google has recently rolled out a redesigned music player for all apps on Android Auto, including popular services like Spotify and Apple Music. The latest update, Android Auto 13.4, has been gradually released over the past week, introducing some of the most significant changes to the platform in quite some time. One of the most noticeable updates in Android Auto 13.4 is the revamped music player. Previously, all audio apps shared a consistent design to ensure drivers did not have to relearn the layout for each app, promoting safety on the road. However, the latest update has brought a fresh look to the music player interface. The new design relocates the album art to the left side of the screen, creating more space for the track progress bar, which displays the track title, artist, and time. The text size has been slightly reduced to accommodate the changes. Additionally, the buttons have been expanded to occupy the full width of the display, maintaining a familiar layout for users. T...

Growing enthusiasm around Pakistan's burgeoning software exports overlooks a fundamental truth about development: a country our size cannot leap into a service-based economy without first undergoing robust industrialisation. Yes, there is no doubt that software exports have grown remarkably, and the government's new forecast targets a stunning rise to $25 billion by 2029. Yet even if several hundred thousand skilled freelancers are able to connect to global tech markets, this specialised group remains too small to uplift a country of over 240 million out of low-income status. The underlying challenge is that the majority of Pakistan's population lacks the depth of education and literacy needed to sustain a mass services sector. While youth literacy in major cities is now over 90%, this gain in basic literacy is not strong enough to suddenly jumpstart a massive high-end services industry. Our capacity to move up the value chain in software or digital services is still capped...

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) announced the arrest of Abdul Shakoor, a Karachi-based human smuggler, on Friday, accusing him of collaborating with an Indian agent to illegally send people to Europe. This arrest is part of a broader government crackdown on human trafficking, following a series of recent tragedies involving Pakistani migrants. FIA confirmed that Shakoor had been working with Gautam Sharma, an Indian national based in Azerbaijan. Sharma coordinated the illegal movement of migrants from Azerbaijan to Poland. In connection with Shakoor, three other suspects—Hasib Ahmed, Qaiser Ahmed, and Usman Ali, all from Punjab province—were also arrested. According to the FIA, Shakoor charged $5,028.89 per person for transportation to Poland, with each migrant paying an advance of $898.02. The agency also named organisations that facilitated the visa acquisition process for these migrants. The latest arrest follows the deaths of five Pakistani nationals in a boat disaster near ...

Richard Grenell, former US ambassador and President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy nominee, criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for alleging that Israel-backed Western voices were campaigning for ex prime minister Imran Khan’s release from prison. “The death threats, and crazy talk … from the Minister of Defence is reckless,” Grenell posted on X, tagging the IMF and USAID. “There should be a review of what the US taxpayer provides Pakistan in aid.” Asif had claimed that Western figures calling for Khan’s release were supported by Israel, which Pakistan does not recognise. “This clearly shows that Imran Khan is an Israeli asset through which they want to destroy the only Muslim nuclear power,” he said in a statement. In response, Grenell demanded explanations from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh. Earlier, Grenell urged the Biden administration to advocate for Khan’s release before leaving office, stating it would allow him to participate in Pakista...

Former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has stated that American policies are not formulated on social media, and it is a misconception that a phone call from US officials will resolve everything.  He added that the US does not shape its policies based on social media trends while expressing his personal desire for PTI founder Imran Khan to be released. Speaking to a local news channel on Wednesday, he said, "People mistakenly believe that US officials can make a phone call and fix everything. On human rights issues, US representatives often issue statements, but such statements have never led to anyone's release." The former ambassador to US further recalled that during Yousaf Raza Gillani's tenure as prime minister, he had held meetings with senior US officials regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case. However, the US refused to progress discussions about her release. Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had refuted any claims of pressure, saying t...

A “terrorist act” sank the cargo ship that went down in international waters in the Mediterranean this week, the Russian state-owned company that owns the vessel said Wednesday. The Oboronlogistika company said it “thinks a targeted terrorist attack was committed on December 23, 2024, against the Ursa Major,” it said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies, without indicating who may have been behind the act or why. The ship sank in international waters off Spain in the early hours of Tuesday after having sent a distress call for help on Monday. “Three consecutive explosions” took place on the ship before it began taking on water, added the company, which belongs to the Russian defence ministry. Oboronlogistika did not say what evidence it had allowing it to conclude a terrorist attack sank the Ursa Major. Russian cargo ship sank in Mediterranean Sea with two crew missing, Russian Foreign Ministry says Russian foreign ministry’s crisis unit said on Telegram on Tuesday that the sh...

South African captain Temba Bavuma on Tuesday confirmed an all-pace attack for the first Test against Pakistan, set to begin at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday. South Africa will be aiming to secure a spot in next year's World Test Championship final as they face Pakistan in a crucial two-match series. A win in either of the matches will ensure their qualification. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, South African captain Temba Bavuma expressed confidence in his team's seam attack, particularly at Centurion, a venue known for its pace-friendly conditions. “We back our seamers at Centurion,” Bavuma said, ahead of the series opener. In a significant development, 30-year-old fast bowler Corbin Bosch will make his Test debut for South Africa. Bosch, who plays for the Titans provincial team based at Centurion, comes into the side at a time when South Africa is missing several key pace bowlers due to injury. Bosch’s debut is especially poignant, as he is the son of t...

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose party looks set to lose power early next year, is under increasing pressure from his own legislators to step down and let someone else take over. The ruling Liberals face obliteration in the next election after more than nine years in office amid voter fatigue as well as anger over high prices and a housing crisis. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) said more than 50 Liberal members of parliament from Ontario — the most populous of the 10 provinces and the party’s main stronghold — held a call on Saturday and agreed Trudeau had to step down. “There is no alternative but to have the leadership change now,” Liberal legislator Chandra Arya, traditionally a Trudeau loyalist, told the CBC on Sunday. As of last Friday, only 18 legislators had publicly demanded that Trudeau quit. Last week, Trudeau suffered two major blows — then finance minister Chrystia Freeland quit amid a policy dispute over spending and all the opposition parties the...

Manchester United suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, capping off a miserable week for Ruben Amorim’s side following their League Cup quarter-final exit to Tottenham. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, repeated their feat from last season with another emphatic win at Old Trafford, leaving United languishing in 13th place heading into Christmas. Goals from Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo sealed the visitors' triumph and elicited boos from frustrated home fans at full-time. Huijsen capitalised on United’s ongoing set-piece woes, heading in Ryan Christie's free-kick in the 29th minute. Kluivert doubled the lead with a penalty in the 61st minute after Noussair Mazraoui brought him down in the box.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by AFC Bournemouth (@afcb) Two minutes later, Semenyo completed the rout, converting a cutback from Dang...

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that a decision on a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy is expected today (Sunday), while also hinting at promising news for Karachi related to the tournament. Speaking to the media after inspecting ongoing renovation work at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Naqvi addressed the three-year agreement for Pakistan’s cricket team to play against India at neutral venues. He stated that while the arrangement stands for now, the future of such decisions will depend on the next PCB administration. "The issue of India not coming to Pakistan is well-known. However, their absence will not result in any financial loss. The ICC will increase allowances for additional expenses incurred for matches held at neutral venues," Naqvi clarified. He added that the ICC is responsible for announcing the Champions Trophy schedule, but the PCB has submitted some suggestions, and discussions are ongoing. A decision will be made soon, and Karachi is expected ...

In a tragic escalation of violence, 16 brave soldiers of Pakistan’s security forces embraced martyrdom, while eight militants were neutralized during a fierce exchange of fire in South Waziristan’s Makeen district, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to the military's media wing, the confrontation occurred during the night of December 20-21, when a group of militants attempted to attack a security checkpoint. The ISPR revealed that the soldiers effectively thwarted the attempt, successfully eliminating eight militants. Despite their heroic efforts, 16 soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty. While reiterating Pakistan's security forces commitment to eradicate the terrorism, the ISPR statement emphasized that a sanitization operation is currently underway in the area, with a firm resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers. E...

China’s ruling Communist Party used an agent in California to influence state politics, US prosecutors said Thursday as they unveiled criminal charges against a Chinese national. FBI agents arrested Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, at his home in Chino Hills, near Los Angeles, on charges that he acted as an agent for a foreign government while getting involved in local politics. The complaint claims Sun served as the campaign manager and close confidante for an unnamed politician who was running for local elected office in 2022. During the campaign, he is alleged to have conspired with Chen Jun – a Chinese national sentenced to prison last month for acting as an illegal agent of Beijing – regarding his efforts to get the politician elected. The US Department of Justice said Chen discussed with Chinese government officials how they could influence local politicians, particularly on the issue of Taiwan. China considers the self-ruled island of Taiwan part of its territory. Beijing – which has sai...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recorded the statements of actor Mallika Sherawat and TV actor Pooja Banerjee in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the betting website Magicwin, according to reports by Indian media. The portal, allegedly owned by Pakistani nationals, is accused of illegally broadcasting Men’s T20 World Cup matches, official sources said on Wednesday. Sherawat submitted her statement last week via email and an authorised representative to the ED's Ahmedabad office. Banerjee, known for her role in the TV series Kasautii Zindagii Kay, appeared before the investigating officer and gave her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources indicated the actors participated in promotional activities for Magicwin but are not accused in the case. The ED plans to summon additional celebrities for questioning, reports claimed. Magicwin, according to investigators, operates as a betting website disguised as a gaming portal but...

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced a new verification service that will be launched on January 15 2025, allowing citizens to authenticate their identity through facial recognition and the Pak ID mobile app at NADRA centres across the country, Express News reported. The announcement was made following an advisory conference held at NADRA headquarters, where officials from various regulatory bodies and stakeholders discussed improvements to biometric and identity verification systems. The conference focused on addressing challenges faced in the current verification process and the steps NADRA has taken to ensure uninterrupted services for citizens and regulators alike. During the conference, NADRA Chairman provided a detailed briefing on the difficulties encountered in identity verification across various sectors and the need for modernisation. One of the key issues discussed was the challenges faced by elderly citizens and pensioners, particularly tho...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Indonesia's President Joko Widodo in Cairo on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit, discussing ways to enhance bilateral relations, especially in economic and trade sectors. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif congratulated President Widodo on his recent inauguration. Both leaders expressed a commitment to strengthening their countries' relations, focusing on political, economic, and trade cooperation.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Government of Pakistan (@govtofpakistan) PM Shehbaz emphasised Indonesia's role as a reliable trade partner for Pakistan, particularly highlighting the crucial import of palm oil from Indonesia to meet Pakistan's edible oil needs. Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining close communication to deepen bilateral ties. The Prime Minister also expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in furthering its rel...