Blaze News - Pakistan

With a remake of the first "Tomb Raider" game and an original title also starring its protagonist Lara Croft in the pipeline, American studio Crystal Dynamics say they are crafting "a love letter by fans, for fans" of the classic series. Pistol-toting heroine Lara Croft will return to PlayStation, Xbox and PC next year in "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis", a remake of the very first game released in 1996. And 2027 will bring "Tomb Raider: Catalyst", the next instalment in the saga that has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. The remake especially is "a love letter by fans, all of us, for fans... something special to celebrate that moment" 30 years on, Crystal Dynamics boss Scot Amos said. The remake will be "built from scratch" on the modern Unreal 5 game engine and more in line with 2020s gameplay tastes, Amos said. "You want it to feel like it felt when you played the first time, but play like a modern game,...

Unidentified armed assailants set fire to trucks carrying supplies for security forces in South Waziristan and abducted their drivers. According to details, the incident occurred in the Badr area of South Waziristan, where unidentified armed men intercepted two trucks transporting logistics for security forces. The attackers torched both vehicles and forcibly abducted the two drivers, taking them to an undisclosed location. Following the incident, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the perpetrators and recover the abducted drivers. Read: 13 terrorists killed during two separate IBOs in K-P: ISPR Separately, in response to the security situation, Dera Ismail Khan police have imposed a district-wide red alert. Under emergency directives, all police stations, outposts, and check posts have been placed on high alert. Police personnel have been instructed to remain fully armed with weapons and ammunition, whether on duty or off duty. Authorities h...

Scientists in the United States have developed a robot smaller than a grain of salt that can sense, think and act on its own, marking a breakthrough that researchers say solves an engineering challenge dating back more than four decades. Teams from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania have created the microscopic machine, which integrates computing, sensing and movement in a form previously considered impossible at such a scale. The robot contains a 55-nanometre computer, temperature sensors accurate to within 0.3 degrees Celsius, and tiny motors that allow it to move through liquid using platinum electrodes. The robot contains a 55-nanometre computer, temperature sensors accurate to within 0.3 degrees Celsius. PHOTO: Michael Simari/University of Michigan Powered by miniature solar cells and protected by a glass-like coating, the robot operates independently without external control. Lead researcher Marc Miskin described it as the first tiny robot able to “sens...

Two US Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by an Islamic State (ISIS) gunman in central Syria on Saturday, the Pentagon said, marking the first deadly attack on US forces since Syria’s political transition late last year. The attack took place in the ancient city of Palmyra, where US troops were supporting counterterrorism operations. Three other people were wounded, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the assailant was later killed by partner forces. The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces. Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 13, 2025 US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the casualties resulted from “an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman,” adding that ...

The investigation into the case of cutting hair of TikToker Iman Fatima within the jurisdiction of Naseerabad police station has reached a dead end after the disappearance of the complainant TikToker and her complete disassociation from the case. Additional District and Sessions Judge Ikramul Haq Chaudhry extended the interim bail of the female accused, Sana Bibi, and the co-accused, Jabbar Khan, until December 18. The court also issued a stern warning to the investigating officer, directing him to complete the investigation within three days and submit a report. Both accused appeared before the court. The female accused, Sana Bibi, stated that she had no connection whatsoever with the case, asserting that she had neither ever met any of the accused nor the TikToker Iman Fatima. She claimed that her name had been wrongly included in the FIR and maintained that she had been falsely implicated. She further stated that if the investigating officer or any of the accused possessed any evide...

Punjab’s goods transporters announced the end of their five-day strike on Friday following successful negotiations with the provincial government, agreeing to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue. The strike, which began on December 8, was staged in protest against the Punjab Traffic Ordinance 2025, alleged bribery by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), unjustified challans, legal cases, and vehicle seizures by traffic and motorway police. The shutdown severely disrupted the province’s supply chain, affecting the availability of goods in markets. Transporters’ representatives met with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who chaired the talks following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The discussions concluded with a reconciliation agreement signed by Haji Sher Ali Chaudhry, central president of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, along with other officials. A committee, headed by Marriyum and including representatives from the transport sec...

More than Rs1 billion worth of gold has reportedly gone missing from a shop in Achhra’s Latif Jewellery Market in Lahore, prompting police to launch an investigation into the matter. According to jewellers in the market, over 20 kilograms of gold kept in trust with a local trader, identified as Sheikh Waseem Akhtar, has allegedly disappeared. Several jewellers had deposited their gold with him, but grew suspicious when he failed to show up at his shop for several consecutive days. Traders said they eventually broke the locks to access the storage locker, where they claim they discovered that all the entrusted gold—valued at nearly Rs1 billion—was missing. One shopkeeper further alleged that the trader had also absconded with a committee amounting to Rs6 million. Read: Gold prices rise again as silver hits record high Police confirmed that a formal complaint has been filed by Muhammad Ahmad, one of the affected jewellers, at the Achhra police station. Officials said an inquiry has been ...

United Arab Emirates has imposed up to 5 million dirham fine for flouting UAE residency rules, including sheltering and employment of infiltrators, Gulf News reported. Federal Law No 29 of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners imposes strict penalties for the crime, setting fines starting from Dh100,000 and reaching up to Dh5 million in cases involving multiple offenders or organised networks, in addition to a minimum imprisonment term of two months. Legal liability extends to anyone who provides an infiltrator with any form of support—whether accommodation, work, or assistance that enables them to remain in the country unlawfully—underscoring the UAE’s firm stance against this violation. Using a visa for purposes other than those intended—such as working while holding a visit or tourist visa—is considered a serious violation that disrupts public order and exposes the offender to legal accountability. The law imposes a minimum fine of Dh10,000 for such violations, with imprison...

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has rolled out AI-based Smart City Management System designed to transform urban monitoring, improve emergency response, and strengthen public safety across the province. According to officials, the system introduces an advanced AI feature titled: 'Talk to Camera', enabling officers to interact with the entire camera network through natural language commands. With this tool, the AI can instantly scan thousands of cameras to identify issues including open manholes, overflowing dumpsters, unusual smoke, or any suspicious activity. A PSCA spokesperson said, the system is capable of detecting abnormal or hazardous situations within seconds. Once a task is assigned, the AI conducts a province-wide camera sweep and returns precise, real-time information. Following the recent Lodhran incident, the authority has developed a dedicated AI module specifically for early detection of open manholes. The module was first tested in pilot projects in Laho...

Persistent neglect by the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has left residents of Liaquatabad's FC Area struggling with foul smell, choking smoke and health hazards after an open plot near the Government Lal Girls Secondary School was unofficially turned into a garbage dumping site. Locals say SSWMB staff began dumping waste in the vacant plot almost a month ago and failed to remove it despite repeated complaints. Since then, the stench and growing trash mound have made daily life miserable for hundreds of families, students of the nearby girls' school and worshippers at the adjoining central mosque. Residents suffering from asthma and respiratory illnesses have been the worst affected. The negligence took a dangerous turn on Tuesday when a fire broke out in the garbage heap-the second such incident in just a few days. Thick black smoke quickly spread across the neighbourhood, making it difficult for people to breathe and forcing many to remain indoors. Residents said ...

The process of linking the e-stamp paper system has been fully completed in the federal capital to eliminate fraud, deception, and the production of forged documents. In the next phase, work will commence on the issuance of judicial papers, which will bring an end to tampering in land transfers and registry documents. A meeting in this regard was held at the CDA Headquarters, attended by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, ICT Director Rabia Aurangzeb, relevant officers from ICT and CDA, while the PLRA DG and his team joined via Zoom link. The meeting was informed that, under the agreement between ICT and PLRA, most of the stages relating to the issuance of e-stamp papers have been completed. The software for e-stamps has been developed, and the testing phase has formally begun. Progress on digitisation within ICT and CDA was also reviewed. It was reported that the digitisation of 24 revenue estates has been completed, while the process for the remaining 11 estates wil...

Following the positive results of the faceless e-challan system in Karachi, IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon has decided to expand the initiative to more districts of the province. The decision was taken during a meeting, held at the Central Police Office in Karachi, with Sindh IG in the chair. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Additional IGs, Safe City Authority director general and various police officers. Participants of the meeting were briefed on preparations for implementing the faceless e-ticketing system in other cities. The DIG Traffic, Karachi, and PDITT provided detailed updates on the preparation for deploying the Traffic Road Accident and Control System (TRACS) and the installation of cameras in various districts. In the first phase of expansion Thatta, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Larkana districts will be covered. The initiative, already operational in Karachi, aims to improve traffic law enforcement by providing an eff...

The bodies of three women were found inside a residential flat in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, police said, sparking an investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding their deaths. The incident occurred on Sunday in a second-floor apartment of a residential complex known as Haramein Royal Residency, also referred to as Haramein Tower. Following the discovery, the management of the housing project reportedly restricted media access to the premises. The deceased were identified as Samina Umar (52), Maha Umar (22) and Samreen Umar (19), who were related as a mother, her daughter and daughter-in-law. Initial assessments indicate that two of the bodies appeared to be a few hours old, while one body was believed to be several days old, suggesting a possible time gap between the deaths. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) East Zubair Nazir Sheikh said a male family member, Yaseen (30), was shifted to hospital in critical condition, while the head of the household (father) wa...

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb projected a confident message of economic stabilisation and forward-looking reform at the Doha Forum, telling a high-level panel that Pakistan has “rebuilt fiscal buffers, restored external balance and is now shifting decisively from stabilisation to sustainable growth.” Speaking at the session 'Global Trade Tensions: Economic Impact and Policy Responses in MENA', on Saturday the minister said, Pakistan is 'embarking on the right path of reform and resilience', crediting the post–IMF programme overhaul for easing pressures at a time when global trade disruptions, tariff shifts, and geo-economic rivalry are reshaping economies across the Middle East and North Africa. “This period of uncertainty demands adaptability,” Aurangzeb said, noting Pakistan's prudent engagement with the US on tariff measures, securing a relatively favourable 19 per cent tariff on key textile exports, and accelerating diversification of both markets ...

China on Friday launched its first large artificial intelligence (AI) model dedicated to monitoring and protecting arable land, and it will serve as a new digital tool for the national strategy of storing grain in the land and in technology. Released by the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) on World Soil Day, the model aims to upgrade China's farmland management from quantity-focused preservation to quality improvement -- a task that traditional manual monitoring can no longer handle efficiently. Developed by a team led by Tang Huajun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the system integrates a central foundation model with dedicated "vertical models" designed for specific tasks such as field segmentation, crop classification and engineering quality inspection. Wu Wenbin, director general of the CAAS Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, said that the A...

Information Minister Ata Tarar on Friday ruled out any negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that there could be no dialogue with 'those who espouse divisive, violent, and extremist views'. Speaking to a private news channel, Tarar said, anyone seeking to weaken the armed forces, undermine state institutions, or push the country towards chaos 'has no scope for engagement'. He said, “They have missed the bus,” when asked if reconciliation with the PTI was possible. However, he left a conditional opening for dialogue, saying, “Without Imran Khan, if they wish to talk in parliament, we can certainly hold discussions — but only after they apologise for their conduct and acknowledge the embarrassment caused by a leader who makes such irresponsible statements and harms the country. Otherwise, I believe they have missed their chance.” Read: DG ISPR lashes out at Imran's 'anti-army' narrative, dubs it 'national threat' Endorsing the r...

One more incident, highlighting the Karachi’s persistent manhole hazards, occurred in Manghopir, where a five-year-old girl narrowly escaped death after falling into a sewer pit outside a private school. According to police, the incident occurred near Garam Chashma in Union Committee No. 2, where first grader Inayah Amin slipped into the manhole while returning home with classmates after school. Other children raised alarm, prompting a passerby to rescue her in time. The manhole was four to five feet deep luckily with little sewage water. The child’s parents rushed to the school after learning about the incident. The police also reached the site immediately. SHO Manghopir Zubair Nawaz confirmed that 'several manholes in the area are uncovered', adding that the girl was saved only because of the timely action of a passerby. Town Chairman Nawaz Brohi was also called to the spot. He said, manhole covers had been handed over to the UC chairman but questioned why they had not been p...

In a move to improve traffic flow, the Karachi commissioner has issued a notification banning Qingqis on additional key roads across the city, following recommendations from the DIG Traffic. The ban has been expanded to a total of 26 central roads and will remain in effect till December 17. Authorities have directed strict action against violators, instructing SHOs to register cases under Section 188 and ordering relevant departments and deputy commissioners to ensure immediate compliance. The decision was taken in response to public complaints about traffic congestion, road blockages, and the risk of accidents on major thoroughfares. The restrictions aim to enhance public safety, manage traffic more efficiently, and provide convenience to commuters. Under the new orders, motor cab rickshaws are completely prohibited on several major routes, including Shahrah-e-Faisal from Malir Halt to Quaidabad and the National Highway via Quaidabad to Ghaghar Phatak, Masan Road from KPT Post Office ...

The Punjab government on Wednesday formally reinstated Basant festivities, once the cultural heartbeat of the province, by issuing an ordinance that permits kite flying under stringent safety and regulatory conditions, effectively ending a ban that had stretched for 18 years. The decision, signed into law by Punjab Governor Salim Haider, brings a controlled revival of a festival outlawed in 2007 after a string of tragic incidents in which chemical- and metal-coated strings caused deaths across the province. Officials said the new regulatory framework is designed to prevent a repeat of those hazards while allowing the cultural tradition to resume in a safer, monitored environment. Under the ordinance, kite flying will be legal only if strict conditions are met. Children under the age of 18 are barred from participating, and parents or guardians will be held legally responsible if minors are found violating the restriction. The law also mandates that only cotton-based string may be used,...

In the wake of a tragic incident in Karachi where a three-year-old boy fell into a manhole, several senior officials from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, District Municipal Corporation, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, and the office of the Assistant Commissioner have been suspended. The Sindh Local Government Department issued separate notifications ordering the suspensions. Those removed from their posts include KMC Municipal Services Senior Director Imran Rajput, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Municipal Corporation Assistant Engineer Rashid Fayyaz, KWSB Executive Engineer Waqar Ahmed, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Assistant Commissioner Amir Ali Shah, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Mukhtiarkar Salman Farsi. According to the notifications, Waqar, Rashid and Imran have been assigned to the Local Government and HTP Department during their suspension period, while Amir has been attached to the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department. Mukhtiarkar Salman has been placed under the Board of Revenu...

Following the arrest of hundreds of students, young motorcycle riders and other traffic violators — and a surge of bail seekers crowding Lahore’s courts — the Punjab government has moved to ease immediate enforcement pressures and launch a large public-awareness drive on the province’s new, stricter traffic rules. The shift comes as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also agreed, in principle, to issue smart cards to 16-year-olds and allow them to obtain motorcycle driving licences, a step aimed at formalising and regulating underage riding rather than criminalising first-time offenders. The change in tone follows directions from Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, who ordered that underage violators must not be arrested on their first offence and should instead be issued a warning. A second offence, she said, can still result in arrest under the law. Her intervention prompted the government to temporarily relax enforcement and begin a week-long awareness campaign focused on student...

The Sindh Assembly witnessed tense and emotional session over the death of three-year-old child Ibrahim, who fell into a manhole near Nipa in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. Opposition lawmakers registered strong protest over the incident in which a toddler lost his life. The Speaker of the Assembly Owais Qadir Shah was in the chair when the session began with special prayer for the deceased child. Member of the provincial assembly, belonging to the MQM, Iftikhar Alam, criticised the government, asking how long Karachi’s children will continue to fall into uncovered drains and when authorities will take preventive measures and action against those responsible. He said, it was so sad that it took eleven hours to recover the child’s body. Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq called for local officials’ accountability, stating that the mayor of Karachi and town administration were not present during the rescue operation. He metioned that this was the third incident along the BRT Red Line route, ...