Armaghan Qureshi, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Mustafa Amir, has confessed to the crime while in police custody, shedding light on the horrifying details of the incident. During interrogation, Armaghan admitted to attacking Mustafa Amir with a folding rod, causing injuries to his hands and feet. He then fired three shots with his rifle, claiming it was only to intimidate him. He further revealed that he was under the influence of drugs at the time. In his confession, Armaghan stated that after assaulting Mustafa, he taped his mouth shut and bound his hands and feet before locking…
Author: Saifullah
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ISLAMABAD: In a significant legal development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to more than 120 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who were arrested in connection with the November 26 protests in the capital. Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar issued orders for their immediate release, while Justice Muhammad Asif formally approved the bails. The ruling comes as a relief for the embattled PTI, which has been entangled in multiple legal battles involving its founder, senior leadership, and party workers. As part of the bail conditions, the IHC has directed all 120 PTI workers to submit an affidavit at their…
KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has strongly opposed the government’s deregulation policy and issued a warning of a nationwide petrol pump shutdown if their demands are not met. In a video statement, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan rejected the deregulation formula for petroleum product prices, warning that it would pave the way for large-scale smuggling and fuel adulteration. Khan explained that deregulation would allow individual petrol stations to set their own prices, potentially leading to market instability. In response, the PPDA has convened an emergency meeting of its central committee and announced that protest banners will be displayed…
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s seven-member Constitutional Bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, resumed the critical hearing on the legality of military courts, focusing on their authority to try civilians. Representing former Prime Minister Imran Khan, lawyer Uzair Bhandari presented his arguments, emphasizing that the armed forces derive their powers strictly from Article 245 of the 1973 Constitution. He asserted, “The military cannot operate beyond the scope of Article 245, which only permits their involvement in civilian affairs under specific circumstances.” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired about the official notification enforcing Article 245 during the events of May 9 and 10.…
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced the evacuation of four villages in Kurram Valley following a surge in sectarian violence. The crisis, which Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur described as having “roots going back 130 years,” has escalated in recent weeks, prompting fears of further bloodshed. In a high-level meeting, officials decided to evacuate Ucheat, Mandori, Dadkamar, and Bagan to protect civilians from the ongoing clashes. Security forces will conduct search operations in the evacuated areas to dismantle armed groups. “This is not just an internal issue; external forces are also involved,” Gandapur stated, emphasizing that weapons were being…
Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have launched a sweeping crackdown on Islamic literature, seizing hundreds of books written by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, the late founder of the Jamaat-e-Islami. The police carried out raids on various bookshops, igniting protests and fierce criticism from Muslim leaders and human rights advocates. According to local reports, plainclothes officers initiated the raids in Srinagar, the region’s largest city, before expanding the operation to other towns across the Muslim-majority valley. The seized books include writings by Maududi, a 20th-century Islamic scholar whose works have influenced generations of Muslim thinkers worldwide. Police officials claim the operation was…
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted rainfall and thunderstorms across Punjab, Islamabad, and northern regions from February 19 to 21, bringing an end to the prolonged dry spell. Snowfall is also expected in upper areas. A frontal weather system will enter northern Pakistan on February 19 and persist until February 21, affecting multiple regions. Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, will receive rain and thunderstorms from February 19 to 20. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall will impact Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad,…
GILGIT-BALTISTAN: The School Education Department of Gilgit-Baltistan has taken disciplinary action against 25 school heads following poor matriculation results. Penalties include forced retirement, demotions, salary reductions, and halted increments. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated under the Gilgit-Baltistan Civil Servants Efficiency & Disciplinary Rules 2011. Show cause notices were issued, with hearings conducted by designated officers before final decisions were made by the Chief Secretary. Further action is pending against 55 teachers for underperformance. The department is also reviewing results of grade five and eight board examinations, with plans to discipline up to 150 teachers based on performance. Amid confusion over separate…
ISLAMABAD: Prominent political and social figures across Pakistan have extended congratulations to the newly elected office bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The new leadership includes President Rana Azeem, Vice Presidents Qaiser Mirza and Farhat Fatima, Secretary General Shakeel Ahmad, Finance Secretary Sher Bano, and Assistant Secretary Generals Qazi Rizwan and Furqan Rao. Leaders such as National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed hope that the PFUJ will continue to protect journalists’ rights and work towards press freedom. The International Federation…
ISLAMABAD: The latest Gallup Survey 2025 indicates a resurgence of business confidence in Pakistan, with 55% of respondents reporting improvements. The survey highlights a 10% rise in business confidence over the past six months and a 19% increase in positive expectations for the future. The survey attributes this optimism to reduced inflation and interest rates, as well as improved electricity supply. Additionally, 56% of businesses reported no load shedding. Business confidence regarding future prospects has increased by 36%, signaling a positive trend. This 14th edition of the quarterly Business Confidence Survey covered over 30 districts, with 482 small, medium, and…
