ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been experiencing significant internet disruptions in recent weeks, leading to slowdowns for social media applications, particularly those of Meta, including Facebook and WhatsApp. Users across the country have reported difficulties in accessing these platforms, prompting concerns and complaints. In a recent document submitted to the National Assembly, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) attributed these issues primarily to the high usage of these applications. With approximately 50 million users on Facebook and WhatsApp being the most popular real-time messaging app in Pakistan, the PTA stated that this surge in demand has significantly impacted service quality. A PTA spokesperson…
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GILGIT: Two nurses have been detained following the tragic death of a 45-year-old patient at the Provincial Headquarters (PHQ) Hospital in Gilgit. The incident occurred on Tuesday night after the patient underwent an appendectomy, during which a reportedly ‘wrong’ injection was administered by a trainee nurse. Hospital officials confirmed that the trainee nurse was responsible for the injection, which allegedly caused the patient’s sudden demise. Dr. Syed Sartaj Hussain, Medical Superintendent of PHQ Gilgit, stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death and establish accountability. The patient’s family has raised concerns and reported the incident…
Pakistani superstar Aima Baig has responded to fellow singer Sara Raza Khan after Sara suggested that Aima wouldn’t be successful without autotune. The comments were made during an interview on a private TV channel, where Sara stated, “If we take out the option of autotune, then Aima Baig is not a singer at all. There are many other names.” In retaliation, Aima began resharing Instagram Stories from her supporters who posted videos of her singing, highlighting her talent. In one of her Stories, Aima wrote: “Allah nay jisko jitna talent diya [bhai] hamain kabool hai. Baaki mjy koi bata dy…
The co-founder of ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, has emerged as China’s richest individual, with a net worth of $49.3 billion (£38 billion), reflecting a remarkable 43% increase from 2023, according to the Hurun Research Institute’s latest rich list. At 41 years old, Zhang, who stepped down as CEO in 2021, is believed to own approximately 20% of the company. TikTok, under ByteDance, has skyrocketed in global popularity, becoming one of the leading social media platforms. Despite facing scrutiny and regulatory challenges in several countries over its connections to the Chinese government, both ByteDance and TikTok maintain their independence from state influence.…
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced that plots in Sector C-14 will be allocated through a balloting process, giving priority to overseas Pakistanis. This decision was made during the 15th CDA Board meeting of the year. Additionally, the board has resolved to fully refund the processing fees deposited by overseas Pakistanis for the Nilour Heights Housing Project following the project’s cancellation. To address the concerns of residents, the board approved the formation of a seven-member committee tasked with reviewing cases submitted by Islamabad’s affected individuals. Furthermore, a third-party validation (TPV) committee will be established to evaluate the recommendations…
ISLAMABAD: Public health experts and medical professionals are urging the Pakistani government to adopt new strategies aimed at reducing the health hazards associated with smoking. At the third roundtable on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), hosted by the Initiative on Risk-reduction & Dependable Alternatives (IRADA), participants discussed innovative ways to minimize smoking-related harm by introducing safer alternatives. Researcher Dr. Rizwan Junaid highlighted the advantages of modern nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, which are far less hazardous than conventional cigarettes. “These products can aid those struggling to quit smoking by providing a safer option,” Dr. Junaid noted, underscoring the potential of…
ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent advisory on the alarming increase in diphtheria cases across Pakistan, with Karachi seeing a particularly severe impact. Over 100 deaths have been reported in the city alone, and health officials emphasize the need for immediate preventive actions to curb the spread of this life-threatening disease. The NIH advisory highlights the elevated risk of diphtheria transmission during the dry and cool season, calling for proactive prevention and control measures by healthcare authorities nationwide. Diphtheria, caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, primarily targets the respiratory system, posing risks of severe complications…
ISLAMABAD: Two individuals were injured in a robbery attempt at Kachnar Park in Sector I-8, underscoring a troubling rise in street crime in the capital. Late last night, armed robbers confronted a young woman, attempting to steal her mobile phone and purse. Police sources report that the incident turned violent when a passerby intervened to protect the woman, prompting the robbers to open fire. Both the intervening man and the woman were shot and were immediately taken to PIMS Hospital for treatment. The I-9 Police Station has launched an investigation and is actively pursuing leads to apprehend the suspects. This…
ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law a bill establishing special courts to expedite property dispute cases involving overseas Pakistanis, aiming for resolution within 90 days. Passed by the Senate on October 17, the bill, presented by Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik, was unanimously approved, although PTI Senator Ali Zafar requested further scrutiny, citing concerns about the risk of false cases. The special courts will have jurisdiction across the Islamabad Capital Territory, providing a dedicated legal pathway for overseas Pakistanis to safeguard their property rights. These courts offer modern conveniences for overseas litigants, including e-filing…
LONDON: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa encountered harassment from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters during his visit to London, where he was attending a ceremony held in his honor at the prestigious Middle Temple by The Honourable Society. Qazi Faez Isa, the first Pakistani judge to be invited to a Tuesday dinner at Middle Temple, was on his way to the historic event when a group of PTI activists gathered, protesting his presence. The protesters reportedly attempted to block Isa’s vehicle, provided by Pakistan’s High Commission, and even tried to smash its windows. Despite a police escort, the…
