In 2023, Pakistan faced an alarming upswing in suicide attacks, reaching levels not seen since 2014, as reported by The News based on data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). Shockingly, there were 29 suicide attacks during the year, resulting in a tragic toll of 329 lives lost and 582 individuals injured. This grim statistic marks the highest death toll since 2013. Comparing 2023 to the preceding year, 2022, the data reveals a distressing 93% increase in the number of suicide attacks, a staggering 226% rise in resultant deaths, and a troubling 101% surge in the…
Author: Saifullah
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Identifying if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp involves considering various indicators, although it remains somewhat speculative. One key signal is the absence of double ticks on your messages, suggesting the recipient hasn’t received them—a potential hint at being blocked. However, exercise caution, as factors like low battery or lack of coverage can also cause message delivery issues. An additional clue is the inability to contribute to a group. If their profile picture disappears or you’re unable to view their status, it could signify a block. Checking the last seen status is another approach, but it may be misleading since…
Renowned author and journalist Mohammed Hanif has announced his decision to return the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s third-highest civilian award, in protest against the violence directed at Baloch marchers. Hanif expressed his dismay over the mistreatment of Baloch protesters, particularly highlighting a video of a Baloch girl pleading for the “right to live.” He emphasized his protest by returning the award received in 2018, stating his discontent with a state that continues to engage in the abduction and torture of Baloch citizens. The Baloch march, led by women and organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC), faced police crackdown and mass arrests…
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision on the Toshakhana case. This move is crucial for Khan, who is currently disqualified from holding public office for five years. The PTI is urgently seeking the removal of this ban to enable Khan’s participation in the upcoming general elections. The IHC had recently rejected Khan’s plea to suspend the trial court’s verdict in the Toshakhana case, dealing a setback to the PTI leader. In his fresh petition, Khan appeals for a stay on the IHC’s decision,…
Saad Baig will lead the 15-player Pakistan U19 squad in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024, scheduled from January 19 to February 11 in South Africa. The squad includes Ali Asfand and Mohammad Zeeshan, who represented Pakistan in the previous U19 World Cup. The lineup features a mix of talented players such as Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, and Khubaib Khalil. The Chairman of the Junior Selection Committee, Sohail Tanvir, expressed confidence in the team’s well-balanced composition, tailored to perform in South Africa’s pace-friendly conditions. The support staff includes Shoaib Mohammad as Team Manager, Mohammad Yousaf as Head Coach, and a…
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled in favor of students, upholding the legitimacy of MDCAT 2022 results for the next two years. The verdict, delivered by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb, responds to a case initiated by Laiba Raouf, a successful MDCAT examinee in November 2022. Laiba Raouf, aligning with the applicable law during her exam, asserted the two-year validity for MDCAT results. The legal challenge targeted a public notice issued by PMDC on July 14, 2023, rendering 2022 exam passers ineligible for MBBS admissions. The court, supporting the petitioner, emphasized the two-year validity under the 2021 regulations, maintaining…
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) issued a notification revealing a 10.11% upward adjustment in re-liquefied natural gas (RLNG) prices. This hike affects consumers associated with both Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) in Pakistan. As per the Federal Government’s policy guidelines, OGRA established new prices for re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) effective December 1, 2023. SNGPL consumers will experience a $1.32 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBtu) increase, while SSGC consumers will see a rise of $1.42 per MMBtu. Consequently, revised rates stand at $14.81 for SNGPL users and $15.45…
President Arif Alvi engaged in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar, addressing concerns about the ill-treatment of Baloch protesters by the police. The President emphasized the importance of a compassionate approach. As per the press release, Prime Minister Anwar Haq assured President Alvi that the arrested protesters would be released from jail. Additionally, Balochistan Governors, in a separate meeting with the President, expressed their stance that the police should not exceed their authority. They urged for the immediate release of the arrested protesters.
Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Khan dismissed Transparency International’s report linking the judiciary to corruption, asserting that the report lacks truth. During the hearing of the case against the report, Chief Justice Khan challenged Transparency International to point out corruption in the judiciary if it exists, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence. In response to the Chief Justice’s inquiry, members of the administration and lawyers presented evidence to the court. A representative from Amnesty International explained that they were compiling a report based on a public survey, which has been submitted to the Peshawar High Court. The court,…
Disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, facing roadblocks ahead of the upcoming general elections, had his nomination papers submitted from Mianwali, his home constituency. Despite being ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, the 70-year-old former international cricket star aims to contest the elections from the NA-89 constituency. Represented by PTI leader Umar Bodla, Imran Khan’s legal challenges include a three-year jail sentence for selling state gifts during his 2018-22 tenure as prime minister. Seeking to overturn his disqualification, his plea in the Islamabad High Court was rejected, leading his party to approach the Supreme Court. Despite…
