Blaze News - Pakistan

Two personnel of the Eagle Squad were martyred in a targeted terrorist attack on the Eastern Bypass. According to police, the incident occurred when personnel of the Eagle Squad, attached to Khaliq Shaheed police station, were conducting routine patrol on motorcycles along the Eastern Bypass. As they reached the Turi Road area, unidentified assailants riding motorcycles opened fire and fled the scene. As a result, Constable Muhammad Noor and Constable Muhammad Ayub were martyred on the spot. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/e5voRHh

Pakistan, the European Union and the United Nations chief on Tuesday strongly condemned fatal attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon by Israel over the weekend. Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics ​were killed in Israeli strikes. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the killings. “My deepest condolences to the peacekeepers’ families, friends and colleagues and to Indonesia, and wishing a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeeper,” he said on X. I strongly condemn Monday’s incident that led to the killing of two Indonesian @UNIFIL_ peacekeepers in South Lebanon. A third peacekeeper was severely injured & a fourth was also hurt. My deepest condolences to the peacekeepers’ families, friends & colleagues & to Indonesia,… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 31, 2026 Permanent representative of...

Lahore Qalandars imposed a Rs1 million fine on franchise captain Shaheen Shah Afridi on Monday for breaching security protocols. The decision followed allegations from the Punjab Police, which sent a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan Super League chief, claiming that both Afridi and another player had forcefully brought unauthorised individuals into their hotel room. The police highlighted the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. In a statement, Lahore Qalandars acknowledged the incident, which occurred on March 28, concerning "an alleged breach of security protocol involving our players". The franchise stated that it had promptly launched a comprehensive internal review to ascertain the facts and confirmed that the event was an isolated incident at the team hotel. However, the franchise emphasised that the situation had been overstated in public discourse and amplified beyond its actual context. "In the interest o...

The Kremlin said on Sunday that the US-Israeli aggression in the Middle East caused devastating consequences for the global economy, which will have a long-term impact. Speaking to Russian state news agency Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We are now seeing extremely devastating consequences of this war for the global economy and for regional geopolitics. “These consequences will probably not be short-term; they will have a long-term effect.” Russia had not yet made a decision on joining the Board of Peace, established by US President Donald Trump, he said, adding that "the concept appears less relevant than before against the backdrop of US aggression in the Middle East." The Board of Peace was officially established in January, when 19 countries signed its charter in Davos. Initially, the structure was created to manage the Gaza Strip as part of agreements between Israel and Hamas, but Washington is actively promoting the idea of using the body to prevent a...

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday defended the recent statement by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), describing it as a natural expression of concern for his father rather than a political act. Earlier this week, Kasim Khan had urged the UNHRC to intervene and press the Pakistani government for the immediate release of his father. He highlighted several alleged violations, including arbitrary detention, solitary confinement, denial of medical care, restricted family visits, and the trial of civilians in military courts, asserting that these actions contravened Pakistan’s obligations under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) framework. In response, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI and Imran Khan’s family of acting against Pakistan’s national and economic interests, claiming that Kasim Khan’s statement undermined the country...

The Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday rejected remarks by the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson regarding Pakistan’s Shia community as “cynical and diversionary" that were intended to deflect from the neighbouring country's own human rights record on minorities. The statement followed comments by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Andhir Jaiswal, during his weekly press briefing on Friday, about the Shia community and the army chief. In response, the FO issued a statement today saying: "Pakistan rejects India's remarks as cynical and diversionary-an exercise in deflection masquerading as concern. “India’s comments cannot mask its own record of the steady normalisation of discrimination and violence against Muslims, Christians, and other marginalised communities — from curbs on worship to mob vigilantism and the targeting of homes and livelihoods. These patterns are well documented." 🔊 PR No. 7️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Statement by the Spokesperson in R...

Gulf Arab states are telling the United States that any deal with Tehran should do more than end the war, and must permanently curb Iran's missile and drone capabilities and ensure global energy supplies are never again "weaponised", four Gulf sources said. US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, or face the destruction of its energy plants. But the big question confronting Gulf policymakers is no longer how the Iran war ends, but what kind of regional order follows, the four Gulf sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A ceasefire alone isn’t enough Gulf officials, whose countries have been repeatedly fired on by Tehran during the US-Israeli war on Iran, have told Washington in private meetings that the Islamic Republic has left them no diplomatic "off-ramp", the sources said. The officials want any deal to lock in enforceabl...

As the United States remains engaged in a protracted conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump on Thursday once again asserted that he had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, adding that it was a quick one as well. Speaking at a cabinet briefing, Trump said he had handled complex conflicts swiftly. “I solved the other ones in one day that had been going on for 32 years. We stopped one that was starting. It was already started. India and Pakistan,” he said. Referring to Pakistan, he added, “The prime minister of Pakistan is a very fine gentleman, [he] said: 'President Trump solved something that was going to cost millions of lives' — two nuclear nations. Those were complicated, but we got them done quickly.” “This one, it’s a shame. The only reason I am doing it is because I want to stop death,” he said, referring to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 after saying they had failed to make enough headway in ...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday defended a speech delivered by party founder Imran Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), criticising the government’s uproar over it as being “unwarranted”. A day ago, Kasim urged the UNHRC to intervene and press the government for the immediate release of his father. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI and Imran’s sons of acting against Pakistan’s national and economic interests today, alleging efforts to damage the country’s global standing and stability after the UNHRC speech. Responding to Tarar, Gohar told private media outlets that the efforts of Imran's sons for their father were “non-political” and should not be made controversial. “Ata Tarar has tried to create controversy around Kasim’s speech and has adopted an inappropriate tone against PTI and the children, which I strongly condemn,” he said. Read More: UN expert flags ‘serious risk’ to Bu...

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has said that 10 universities have been found offering unrecognised postgraduate programmes and has directed them to immediately discontinue any such courses offered to MBBS and BDS doctors. pic.twitter.com/IgryBdVBya — Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (@pmdcofficial) March 25, 2026 According to a notification issued by the council, it was said that the following universities have been offering and awarding postgraduate degrees and diplomas to MBBS and BDS doctors without fulfilling the mandatory requirement of recognition or accreditation under Section 25 of the PM&DC Act, 2022: Multan’s TIMES University, NUR International University in Lahore, Gomal University in DI Khan, Sohail University in Karachi, Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology in Rahim Yar Khan, University of Faisalabad, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Hazara University in Mansehra, and...

Pakistan's role as a possible host of talks aimed at ending the Iran war builds on its courtship of United States President Donald Trump and its reputation as a relatively neutral player with long-standing ties to neighbouring Iran's Islamic Republic. If talks happen, it could raise Pakistan's global prominence to heights not reached ‌since the country helped mediate the secret diplomatic opening that led to US President Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972. It would cap over a year of relationship building with Trump that has involved astute diplomacy and crypto deals. Pakistan, which maintains direct contact with both Washington and Tehran at a time when such channels are frozen for most other countries, would also benefit directly from an end to the war. The country is home to the world's second-largest Shia Muslim population after Iran, and faced nationwide protests the day after US and Israeli strikes assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the co...

A Peshawar-to-Karachi Tezgam Express met with an accident near Lodhran after a coupling hook failure caused the train to split into two parts, resulting in multiple coaches derailing. According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the hook connecting the train’s coaches suddenly broke. Eyewitnesses said seven coaches attached to the engine moved ahead, while the rear coaches derailed, with several overturning. Preliminary information indicates that seven coaches were affected, of which five overturned while two derailed. The derailment reportedly began from the fourth coach behind the engine. Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties have been reported so far. Passengers who sustained minor injuries were provided immediate medical assistance. Read More: Sindh on high alert ahead of heavy rains forecast from tomorrow The accident triggered panic among passengers, with scenes of widespread alarm and cries for help reported at the site. Local residents quickly joined r...

I teach two courses during the spring semester – one is a required course for sophomores in the honours college at my university, and the other is an upper-level engineering elective for undergraduate students. Both courses touch on issues related to forced displacement, migration and health access in complex emergencies and humanitarian settings. Given the myriad conflicts that surround us all in the current moment, my students often come up to me after class or in office hours to share their thoughts, ask questions or seek resources. Sometimes I am able to answer their questions related to challenges around healthcare, disease or public health systems. Often I direct them to scholars on campus who have expertise in the regions' history, its politics and its literature. I encourage them to read books or long-form essays rather than tweets or Instagram posts that lack serious analysis or depth. Several of my students come from, or have family in, many countries of the Middle East. ...

Oil prices dropped about 8% on Monday after United States President Donald Trump said he would postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for ​five days and cited constructive talks to resolve hostilities in the Middle East, hours before a deadline that threatened to escalate the four-week-old war. Brent futures fell $8.92, ‌or 8.0%, to $103.27 a barrel at 12:31pm EDT (1631 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate lost $7.17, or 7.3%, to $91.06. Extreme price changes in recent weeks — Brent closed at its highest since July 2022 on Friday — boosted both crude benchmarks' historic or actual 30-day futures volatility to the highest levels since April 2022. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that the US and Iran had had "VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE" conversations ​over the past two days about a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST." https://ift.tt/X5mWjyE Crude futures plunged almost 15% earlier in the session, b...

Psychological research shows that in the moments of mirth, one is more prone to shower generosity upon others. Eid offers us an opportunity to exhibit generosity and forgive others. The spirit of offering charity enjoins upon us to cut a pound of our flesh to help others. What else can be equated with cutting one's pound of flesh more than forgiving others? Here, we cut the flesh of our ego. The realisation of the enormity of pains and problems people are going through in this world of cut-throat, selfish pursuits can help us develop empathy for them. Empathy is the antidote to moral disengagement – justifying our harmful actions to avoid guilt – the thinking that stops one from forgiving others by playing the victimhood card. Fasting demands from us the sacrifice of our selfish pursuits. If, on Eid, we nurture grudge and animus against any of our relationships, we can't relish the bliss of Eid. If we embrace each other while nourishing the William Blake's 'poison tree...

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on Sunday launched the Space4Climate Initiative to strengthen climate resilience and action through space-based technologies, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the initiative was centered on a GeoAI-enabled Climate Observatory — an integrated digital platform that consolidates satellite data, geospatial analytics, and modeling into actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and communities. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has launched the Space4Climate Initiative, featuring a GeoAI-enabled Climate Observatory. By integrating satellite and ground data, it monitors pollutants, greenhouse gases, forests, glaciers, rivers, land use,… pic.twitter.com/Vr7EePxCho — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) March 22, 2026 “The platform monitors atmospheric pollutants (aerosols, SOx, NOx), greenhouse gases (CO₂,...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday exchanged views on Middle East tensions, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and the resolution of all differences through dialogue and diplomacy during a telephone conversation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, the two leaders exchanged views on the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region. “Both leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and the resolution of all differences through dialogue and diplomacy,” it said. The statement said that the two leaders also extended greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. Spoke with my brother HE Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, this evening to convey warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to him and the brotherly people of Indonesia. We also exchanged views on the regional situation, particularly in Iran and the Gulf region, and called for an… — Shehbaz...

On certain mornings, the air over many cities acquires a strange density. Buildings dissolve into a pale grey horizon, traffic moves through a faint veil, and people step outside with a hesitation that has little to do with the weather. The cough that follows is almost routine now, a regular reminder that what we breathe has become one of the defining questions of urban life. But amidst the doom and gloom we hear about our environment, an encouraging development is unfolding in some cities around the world. A number of major cities have managed to cut their air pollution sharply over the past decade — in some cases by nearly half — while continuing to grow economically. Their experience suggests that toxic air is not an inevitable companion of urban expansion or development. It is, rather, the result of choices made over years about how cities move, how they heat themselves, how they regulate industry and how they plan the spaces where millions live. That conclusion emerges from a rece...

Prime Minister's Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said that Pakistan was committed to its agreements with Saudi Arabia and was making efforts to reduce regional tensions by promoting rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation. Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since ​the outbreak of the war on February 28, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases but also critical Gulf oil infrastructure, ports, airports, hotels ​and residential and office buildings. While...

President Donald Trump said the United States was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as the latter and Israel traded attacks on Saturday with Iranian media saying the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked. In a social media post, Trump said the US was close to meeting its goals but insisted that other countries should take the lead in policing the vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, whose near-closure threatens a global energy shock. https://ift.tt/oRTFSpv Trump and his administration have sent mixed messages about US goals throughout the war, now entering its fourth week, leaving traditional US allies struggling to respond. Trump has suggested the war could wind down as the Iranian threat was being eliminated, while at the same time, US Marines and heavy landing craft head to the region on a mission whose goals are not immediately clear. "We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding do...

Eid ul Fitr is being celebrated across Pakistan on Saturday (today), with millions marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan with prayers, traditional festivities, and a strong spirit of togetherness. Small and large congregations for Eid prayers are being held early in the day at open spaces, mosques and Eidgahs across the country. Special prayers are being offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, as well as for the welfare of Muslim Ummah worldwide. Central congregations are taking place at the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, and the Polo Ground in Karachi, where prominent government officials, as well as political and social figures, are participating. President Zardari urges nation to uphold Ramazan's spirit President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on X, urged the nation to carry forward the spirit of patience and piety cultivated during Ramazan. He called for unity and brotherhood, and encouraged people to include the nee...

Israeli settlers sexually assaulted a Palestinian man — tying his genitalia with zip ties and parading him naked in front of his family — during a mid-March attack, according to the victim and eyewitnesses. Attacks by masked Jewish settlers, including the burning of cars and homes, beatings and livestock theft, have become near-daily in the West Bank, according to Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory and rights groups tracking the violence. Suhaib Abu Kbash, 29, told Reuters that around 80 masked settlers armed with knives and sticks raided the Bedouin community of Humsah on March 13. He said about 20 of them beat him, stripped him, bound his genitals, and dragged him naked in front of his young children. "I thought they were going to kill me," he said. Reuters spoke to three eyewitnesses who corroborated Abu Kbash's account. The Israeli military and police said the incident is under investigation. Israeli police told Reuters that seven suspects had been arreste...

Iranian attacks ‌have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two of Qatar's 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities were damaged in ​the unprecedented strikes. The repairs will sideline 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG for three to five years, he said ​in an interview. QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi reports $20B in annual revenue loss after attacks hit LNG units. Exports to drop by 12.8M tons/year, potentially triggering Force Majeure for Italy, China, and Korea. ExxonMobil remains a key partner in affected sites.#QatarEnergy #LNG #Energy… pic.twitter.com/r7KXdJ690j — What's Goin On Qatar (@wgoqatar) March 19, 2026 "I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be — Qatar and the region — ...

There are two broad types of laws — one that is written down; and two that is not written down but practised widely. The latter is also commonly called customs and usages, which basically means established practices and behaviour that is not a reflection of law on paper but rather longstanding and generally accepted practices. A rogue state is one that does not feel the need to abide by international laws such as that one state cannot attack another unless in self-defence, which must fulfil certain very strict conditions of the Caroline test that any use of preemptive force requires that the threat must be imminent, leaving no moment for deliberation. If you apply that law on paper to the Israeli-caused American attack on Iran, it leaves an unmistakable conclusion that the United States and Israel are the leading rogue states in the world. Now let us examine unsaid customs and usages of international politics. Some of the established practices widely internalised through the decade...