Blaze News - Pakistan

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...

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency on Wednesday issued a notice to renowned journalist Asad Ali 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 inquiry pertained to the alleged dissemination of false or fake information under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016. 🚨🚨@NCCIAOFFICIAL summoned me on this Friday, 31 July 2026 on the complaint of the state. چشم نم جان شوریدہ کافی نہیں تہمت عشق پوشیدہ کافی نہیں آج بازار میں پا بہ جولاں چلو دست افشاں چلو مست و رقصاں چلو خاک بر سر چلو خوں بداماں چلو راہ تکتا ہے سب شہر جاناں چلو حاکم شہر بھی… pic.twitter.com/bUFJtXxS9N — Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 2...

The federal government on Wednesday decreased the price of petrol by Rs0.75 while increasing the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.24 for July 30. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs335.06 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs390.62 per litre. The latest revision comes a day after the government increased the prices of petrol and HSD by Rs1.63 and Rs1.55 per litre, respectively. READ: Govt announces Rs1.63 increase in petrol, Rs1.55 in diesel price for July 29 On July 17, the government introduced a daily fuel price review mechanism amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East. The daily fuel prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards. During July, petroleum prices were revised several times. Following multiple revisions, petrol prices recorded a cumulative increase of more than Rs20 per litre du...

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon strongly lashed out at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Tuesday and accused it of rigging in the first phase of the polls for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Reacting to the remarks of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he said the saying "adding insult to injury" aptly applied to the PML-N He said that the PML-N's theft of the innocent Kashmiris' right to vote was evident for everyone to see. He said that massive rigging took place, weapons were openly displayed, and a PPP worker was martyred. Instead of expressing condolences and regret over the incident, CM Maryam chose not to do so. He added that she spoke with the arrogance that comes with power. Memon said that every child in Pakistan knew how the PML-N came to power through the Form 47 mandate. He said that the people of Punjab gave the party...

At least three people, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were killed, one truck driver was injured, and six labourers were abducted in a series of separate armed attacks in the Barkhan, Turbat and Chagai districts of Balochistan on Tuesday, officials said. According to Barkhan Superintendent of Police Abdul Haq, DSP Rakhni Murid Bugti was on a routine patrol on Tuesday evening when unidentified armed assailants opened fire on his police vehicle near Khatta Check Post in Barkhan district. The senior police officer was martyred in the attack. Following the incident, heavy contingents of police, the Frontier Corps (FC), the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies rushed to the area and launched a search operation to track down the attackers. In another incident, armed men intercepted a vehicle carrying seven labourers in the Kalatak area, within the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station in Turbat, the district headquarters of Kech. The at...

Pakistan on Monday condemned recent drone attacks carried out against Saudi Arabia amid the recent resumption and escalation of hostilities in the Middle East that have also involved the kingdom and Yemen's Houthis now. "Such provocative attacks pose a grave threat to peace and stability across the entire region," the Foreign Office said in a statement. It added that Pakistan "stands in solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity". 🔈 PR No. 1️⃣9️⃣1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Pakistan Condemns Drone Attacks Against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iL1ymildlq — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 27, 2026 "Pakistan has taken, and will continue to take, all possible steps to support efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, security and stability in the region,...

'Happy people will always encourage. Successful people will always support. Attractive people will always compliment. Those who have nothing to offer will always bring you down.'   The above social media feed makes it easier to understand the psychology of biased critics. Whether it is an official meeting, parent-teacher conference or any of life's adventures, discouraging words start dripping from the mouths of those who are unhappy, unsuccessful and ultimately unattractive. The irony is that criticism reveals the criticising authority more than its recipient, as Oscar Wilde writes in his aphoristic style, "Criticism is the only reliable autobiography." Simply put, criticism is always self-revealing. It exposes our own turmoil and failings. Criticism is a matter of ego, which always seeks to be filled, while encouraging others comes from soul, which is an eternal wholeness. In a belittling criticism, the critic desires pathologically to assert their ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday the creation of a task force headed ​by tech entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani to overhaul ‌India's examination system, following days of youth protests about exam paper leaks. "Our examination system should be trustworthy, should be transparent and ​the system should make maximum use of ​technology," Modi said on Instagram, adding that new ⁠legislation to deal with paper leaks would be ​introduced in parliament on Monday. The measures would tighten the ​law and toughen the penalties for culprits, Modi added. It was Modi's first public comment since Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on ​Saturday following the protests by youth activists, who ​demonstrated for weeks demanding he quit over exam paper leaks ‌in May. Read More: Modi's strongman image dented as he caves to 'Cockroaches' Modi did not mention Pradhan in his 30-second video statement. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (...

The arrival of a fleet of green electric buses promised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders for Muzaffarabad has sparked a fresh political and legal debate just days before the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections, with the AJK Election Commission warning that no new development schemes, financial packages or government resources can be introduced or used during the election period in violation of the code of conduct. The controversy follows recent election rallies addressed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during which they unveiled a series of development initiatives for AJK, including the provision of 10 green electric buses each for Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, along with several other public welfare projects. Shortly after the announcements, the first fleet of ten electric buses reached Muzaffarabad, drawing attention from political observers and raising questions over whether the move is compatible...

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday reaffirmed their "close and brotherly ties" while underscoring the importance of diplomacy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Iran and Yemen's Houthi movement. The development came as Yemen's Houthis launched attacks on Saudi oil installations at two Red Sea ports on Saturday, raising concerns that the conflict disrupting energy supplies from the Gulf could spread to another major shipping route and further intensify Yemen's long-running conflict. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan. The two leaders exchanged views on the la...

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he does not believe China or Russia are “participating” in the ongoing Iran conflict but warned that any involvement would be “very bad for them”. “President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran — and that statement included Chinese companies,” he wrote on Truth Social. https://ift.tt/g4VyZEO Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had also told him that Moscow would not sell weapons to Iran, adding that he believed Russia and China were not involved in the conflict. Read More: Iran rejects temporary ceasefire until Strait of Hormuz demands met “If they did, it would be very bad for them — certainly not in their best interests,” Trump posted. The United States and Iran have been at war since the US and Israel launched strikes in February that...

The police on Thursday killed a man suspected of kidnapping and murdering a six-year-old girl in an alleged encounter in Karachi's Jackson area. The girl, identified as a resident of Baba Bhit Island, had gone missing a day ago. Her body was found in the bushes near Kachhi Line in Manora today According to police, investigators obtained CCTV footage from multiple locations during the probe into the kidnapping and murder. The footage allegedly showed the suspect wearing a red cap, a black-and-white shirt and blue jeans while carrying a sack on his shoulder at the jetty. Read: Girl found dead in tuition centre washroom Police said the footage also showed him boarding a launch with the sack, which allegedly contained the girl's body. Jackson Station House Officer (SHO) Inayatullah Marwat said the suspect was identified through the CCTV footage, after which police launched a search operation. He said police later received information from intelligence sources that a man ...

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday agreed on the importance of finalising the "almost complete" interim trade deal between the two countries during a meeting in Manila, the US State Department said. According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio and Jaishankar also discussed recent developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. The meeting took place in Manila, where the two sides reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation and discussed defence and trade-related issues. Read: Trump likely to visit India early next year, Rubio says "The secretary and minister Jaishankar discussed finalising key defence agreements in fulfilment of commitments made between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi last year," Pigott said in a statement. He said the two leaders also "agreed on the importance of finalising the interim trade deal, which is almost complete". ...

The building where Adolf Hitler was born, near the Austrian border ​with Germany, officially began a new life as a police station on Wednesday, a conversion Austria's government hopes will prevent it ‌from serving as a place of pilgrimage for neo-Nazis. After years of debate about the large, traditional terraced house in the town of Braunau am Inn, which was in private ownership and had housed a charity for people with disabilities, Austria made a compulsory purchase in 2017 and announced in 2019 it would be remodelled and turned into a police station. Even before ​the conversion, the only sign of its historical significance was a rock on the pavement from the Mauthausen concentration camp with the inscription "Never ​again fascism" that does not mention Hitler. The rock remains in place. The only sign added to the white ⁠facade reads "Police". "The aim was to prevent any association with Adolf Hitler, to strip it of that mystique," the hea...

Justice delayed may not always amount to justice denied, but it inevitably comes at a cost that no court order can fully repair. More than three decades after a Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) bus struck and permanently disabled a young pedestrian, a civil court has finally ordered the Sindh government to pay Rs10 million in compensation to the victim. The verdict is significant because it sends a clear message that negligent driving and institutional irresponsibility carry consequences. The judgment is important because it reinforces the principle of accountability. Reckless driving is frequently dismissed as an unfortunate accident rather than the predictable outcome of negligence. Every year, countless families lose loved ones or see them permanently disabled. Yet meaningful accountability remains rare. Criminal prosecutions are often delayed and civil claims languish for years while victims are left to shoulder the financial and emotional burden alone. A substantial compe...

The federal government on Tuesday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.93 and Rs7.15 per litre, respectively, for July 22. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs320.73 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs367.21 per litre. Amid volatility in global oil rates on the back of renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the government decided to switch to a daily fuel price review mechanism on Friday. The daily pricing is based on a seven-day weekly average of international market prices to align with international standards. Read: Govt shifts to daily POL pricing amid global headwinds On Monday, the government raised the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5.71 per litre while cutting the price of petrol by 35 paisas per litre for one day. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority will update petroleum product prices daily on its website to ensure transparency...

United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested when he visits the US, after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was still considering ​the move. "Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while ​in the United States of America," Trump wrote in a social media post ⁠that did not refer to the mayor's comments. Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America. He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and… pic.twitter.com/G2yWSuCZsc — Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 20, 2026 The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for ​Netanyahu in 2024 for alleged war crimes during the Gaza war. Israel reject...

Andy Burnham became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, pledging to ​reshape its politics to deliver a new economic model and revive a nation "fed up" with a revolving door of leaders. In front of dozens of supporters outside ‌his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to bring the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would change, with both immediate measures and a longer-term plan to be drawn up later this year. Speaking without notes, Burnham delivered a domestic-focused speech aimed at offering hope to a nation that has, like many European countries, struggled for years with soaring prices and anaemic economic growth. He ​did not touch on foreign affairs. 'I have accepted his Majesty the King's invitation to form a government' Andy Burham pledges to help cost of living crisis in his first speech as Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/bC4RgaxaZG — Sky...

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday to discuss the implementation of a US-brokered framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26 aimed at ending their conflict, the State Department said. "The Secretary commended the courage of the Government of Lebanon, under President Aoun’s leadership, for their determined effort to reclaim Lebanon’s sovereignty, disarm (Hezbollah) and move towards peace," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. Met with Lebanese President Aoun today. I commended his courage and his government’s work to reclaim their country and advance towards peace. We discussed implementing the Trilateral Framework. The United States remains committed to supporting this effort and Lebanon’s efforts to… pic.twitter.com/mnt7MgGts5 — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 19, 2026 US-led diplomacy has emerged since Hezbollah and Israel return...

People still tell girls, "Don't worry. Your husband will take care of you." Really? Wonderful advice. While you're at it, why not tell people to stop buying health insurance because "nothing bad will happen?" Tell them not to wear seatbelts because "God will protect them." Tell them to stop locking their front door because "good people don't get robbed." Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Yet somehow, asking a woman to gamble her entire future on one human being is considered "wisdom". Can you guarantee her husband will never lose his job? Never become abusive? Never cheat? Never abandon his family? Never develop a gambling addiction? Never die? Can you promise that? Can you put your name on a legal document guaranteeing none of it will ever happen? No? Then stop selling blind dependence as if it were security. You call it 'providing'. I call it 'positioning'. Because every dollar he earns for her is...

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday said that his administration is reviewing whether it has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city for the UN General Assembly in September, according to The New York Times. "I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said on The New York Times' 'The Interview' podcast with Lulu Garcia-Navarro. "He's a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court." Mamdani said he was in "an active conversation" with the New York City Law Department over whether he has the authority to direct the New York Police Department to detain a foreign leader. "Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that's what we will do, but we won't be writing our own laws to that end," he said. Mamdani had previously said during his mayoral campaign that he would seek to enforce the Inte...

Germany and France will expand cooperation on nuclear deterrence while remaining firmly committed to NATO’s nuclear umbrella, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday. Speaking at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after a joint Cabinet meeting in Brühl, Merz said the two countries are entering a new phase of strategic partnership, with fresh steps in security and defence. “We are embarking on a new, joint path regarding deterrence,” Merz said, adding that the two countries are working toward a new doctrine. “We are considering a mix of capabilities that will allow us to further enhance our joint deterrence in the future,” he said. Read More: French lawmakers back bill to remove statute of limitations for serious crimes against minors The chancellor announced that, as part of this new cooperation, German and French soldiers carried out joint maintenance this morning on French Rafale fighter jets — aircraft...

China’s economy expanded by 4.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, demonstrating resilience amid global uncertainty and reinforcing its role as a stabilising force in the world economy, according to official data cited by Xinhua. Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that GDP growth moderated slightly in the second quarter to 4.3%, down from 5% in the first quarter. Officials, however, said the economy continued to operate “within an appropriate range” despite mounting external pressures. Officials attributed the second-quarter slowdown to short-term factors and external influences, maintaining that the broader trajectory of innovation-driven and high-quality development remained intact. China has set a full-year growth target of around 4.5% to 5%, with policymakers expressing confidence they will meet or exceed it. The steady performance in the first half, they said, has laid a solid foundation for achieving key annual target...

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rolled out a Transport Monetisation Policy, enabling judicial officers serving in the district judiciary across Punjab to purchase their officially allotted vehicles at depreciated rates. The policy has been enforced with retrospective effect from July 1, 2026. As part of the new arrangement, judicial officers will no longer be entitled to official fuel, maintenance or driver facilities for personal use. Read: Punjab judges to get subsidised cars In place of these benefits, they will receive a monthly transport monetisation allowance, the amount of which will be fixed by the competent authority and revised from time to time in accordance with fuel prices and prevailing economic conditions. According to a notification issued by the LHC registrar, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum approved the policy in line with the decisions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) and the Punjab cabinet. A major component of the policy allows j...

The federal government said on Wednesday ​it was stepping up security around the Saindak copper and gold mine in Balochistan ‌after terrorist violence disrupted supply routes, and the mine's operator denied a report that the project could be forced to shut down. Saindak Metals Limited Managing Director Raziq Sanjrani called the closure report, first published by the Financial Times, factually incorrect. ​The mine has run without interruption for 25 years, and "there is no possibility of its ​shutdown", he said in a statement. He said the company had asked the authorities ⁠for help moving furnace oil to the site after some transporters baulked at using certain routes ​through Balochistan, and that security agencies had since assured the company the supply would continue uninterrupted. State Minister ​for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the government had received the mine operator's security concerns in early July and ordered agencies to increas...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed the importance of reviving regional cooperation in a meeting with outgoing South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Secretary General Ambassador Golam Sarwar.  A press release issued today by the PM Office said the premier held a meeting with the Saarc chief at the Prime Minister's House. "The prime minister appreciated the secretary general's dedicated service and leadership in advancing regional cooperation during his tenure as secretary general of SAARC. "He reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the Saarc Charter and underscored the importance of revitalising regional cooperation to promote connectivity, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of the peoples of South Asia," the press release said. Islamabad :15 July 2026. Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H.E. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, paid his farewell ...

Twenty-six employees of Meta ‌Platforms have filed a novel lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using AI-powered software that disproportionately targeted people with disabilities or who took medical leave in selecting workers for mass layoffs. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, late on Monday, says that the company relied on factors such as productivity and AI token usage when it slashed thousands of jobs earlier this year, disadvantaging people who missed work because of medical conditions or to care for family members. The plaintiffs, who were notified in May that their jobs would be eliminated starting on July 22, ​are seeking a preliminary ruling from the court blocking Meta from completing the layoffs while they pursue their ​claims in private arbitration. The workers say Meta's agreements require employees to arbitrate workplace disputes individually, but do not apply to requests for temporary relief. A Meta spokesperson on Tuesday said the...

Ukraine and nine Coalition of the Willing countries have announced plans to establish a joint anti-ballistic missile coalition aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities against future missile threats. Leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK said the initiative would focus on creating an integrated missile defence architecture through cooperation in technology, research and defence industries. In a joint declaration, the countries said the coalition would be “purely defensive” and was designed to protect Europe from growing missile risks. Read More: Germany funds 50,000 strike drones for Ukraine, source says “We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats,” the leaders said. Europe needs more anti-ballistic defense. Together, we can build such a system. Ukraine is re...

 Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met United States Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel on Monday and discussed specialised training to combat counterterrorism financing as the latter hailed the "critical" partnership between their two countries.  Naqvi has been in the US since Thursday and his recent engagement with regional and international officials has increased interest in this particular visit as Pakistan seeks to keep open the lines of communication between Tehran and Washington. In a post on X today, Patel said he hosted Naqvi at the FBI's headquarters in Washington for a meeting in which they held an "important discussion surrounding facilitating resources and specialised training to combat counterterrorism financing and cyber investigations both at home and abroad." Patel said the FBI "deeply appreciates" Pakistan's support as it protected US interests in the region. Hailing the bilateral relatio...

"A widow is a person who loses her spouse; an orphan loses his parent, but there is no word in English for the one who loses his child, because afterwards there is not much left to lose," said the protagonist of the movie in his deep midnight radio jockey voice while adjusting black spectacles on his nose. His face felt dead, expressionless, and his eyes blank. I pressed the stop button on my phone and thought if we could halt a painful scene in real life. My mind could draw immediate analogies between this scene and the pain through which the parents of the kids buried alive under the rubble of a collapsed building in Lahore must have passed. With those kids, their parents would have buried a lot more: dreams, hopes, futures, laughs, generations and life. On August 26, 2025 I wrote an Op-ed with the same title. To emphasise the gravity of the matter, I am publishing under the same title today. Buildings speak – not with words, but through the cracks that snake ac...