Blaze News - Pakistan

While addressing the recent internet disruptions and submarine cable outage, PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman dismissed claims that sharks were responsible, clarifying that sharks cannot damage the cables. In a Senate committee briefing on Wednesday, January 1, Rehman dismissed claims that sharks were responsible for the severing of submarine cables, stating that such an event was highly unlikely as sharks cannot damage submarine cables. He clarified that the issue was not caused by wildlife but rather technical factors. The briefing, led by Senator Palwasha Khan in the Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Technology, focused on Pakistan's internet connectivity and its regulation. Rehman confirmed that Pakistan currently relies on seven submarine cables for internet services and highlighted that an additional "2 Africa" submarine cable will soon be activated, expected to improve internet quality in the country. On the topic of social media regu...

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...