Author: Sajjad Ali

SHARJAH: South Africa suffered a stunning collapse, recording its third-lowest total in one-day international history, bowled out for just 106 runs against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday. The Proteas’ previous low scores while batting first were 83 against England in 2008 and 99 against India in 2022. Afghanistan secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening ODI, led by a disciplined bowling performance from Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took 4 wickets for 35 runs, and AM Ghazanfar, who claimed 3 for 20. The Afghan innings began precariously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed on just the third ball by Lungi Ngidi, and Rahmat…

PESHAWAR: A report from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has reported that 234 security personnel have been killed in terror incidents  in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since the start of this year. Moreover,  616 others including civilians have been injured due to attacks by banned organizations. In Peshawar alone, 103 police officers have been martyred, with 154 others injured in terrorism-related incidents. The report also notes that 103 civilians have died, and 159 have sustained injuries. Dera Ismail Khan has reported the deaths of 63 security forces personnel, including 49 from the Frontier Corps, and 124 injuries. Furthermore, 8 law enforcement…

ISLAMABAD: Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said on Wednesday that Moscow will support Pakistan’s application to join BRICS, the group of leading emerging market economies. Overchuk is on a two-day visit to Islamabad, where he met with his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief General Asim Munir and other top officials. The discussions resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. The BRICS group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, expanded to include South Africa in 2010. This bloc serves as an…

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, Pakistan has achieved a notable milestone in the United Nations (UN) E-Government Development Index (EGDI) for 2024, rising 14 places to secure the 136th position. This marks the first time the country has entered the “High EGDI category,” reflecting substantial improvements in its digital government capabilities. The latest rankings reveal that Pakistan’s EGDI value has increased to 0.5095, up from 0.4238 in the 2022 survey. While still trailing behind global leaders like Denmark (0.9847) and regional frontrunners such as Singapore (0.969) and the Maldives (0.6745), this upward shift underscores Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its e-governance…

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has granted the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl-ur-Rehman (JUI-F) 60 days to conduct its intra-party elections. A three-member commission, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, addressed the case, during which a junior lawyer represented JUI-F. The lawyer stated that the party’s elections are being held in phases, with considerable time devoted to the selection of district units. He submitted documents outlining the election schedule. The lawyer informed the ECP that the intra-party election process began in July and requested the full 60 days for its completion. The Chief Election Commissioner noted that 60 days seemed…

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested an official for allegedly issuing blue passports to foreigners, including Afghan nationals. The FIA has also apprehended the accused’s father, who was involved in the scheme. According to FIA officials, Aniq and his father issued blue passports to Afghanis from 2020 to 2022, leading to a case being registered under anti-terrorism laws. The Afghan nationals who received these blue passports later traveled to Turkey, where Turkish authorities discovered fake passports in their possession. Read More: Pakistan Summons Afghan Envoy for Disrespect to National Anthem The FIR states that the issuance of these blue…

LAHORE: An application has been filed in the Lahore High Court to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rally in Lahore. Deputy Commissioner Lahore, PTI leadership and others were made parties in the petition. The application was filed by Mirza Waheed Rafiq. The stand taken in the application was that PTI has filed several applications in the Lahore High Court for a rally in Lahore. Hateful speeches were made in recent PTI public meetings, and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur’s speech is on record, the text of the petition said. It was requested that the court should issue…

The 2025 Aurora Tech Award invites women tech entrepreneurs worldwide to apply starting September 2nd, showcasing their innovative solutions. As the tech landscape evolves, the demand for diverse voices and leadership becomes increasingly important. Established in 2020, the Aurora Tech Award aims to recognize and empower women founders of IT startups who are leading innovation and breaking barriers. This year, the award returns with enhanced opportunities, increased financial support, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of women tech leaders. 2025 Highlights: What’s New This Year The Aurora Tech Award 2025 introduces several updates to better support women entrepreneurs:…

KARACHI: The driver of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh was shot and killed near the Super Highway, close to the Chakar Hotel Akakhel ground. Rescue officials reported that the 45-year-old victim’s body was transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for legal formalities. According to police, Shah Nawaz, a resident of Jangal Goth, was allegedly targeted by unknown armed suspects at a different location before his body was dumped near the hotel. Investigators stated that Shah Nawaz suffered two gunshot wounds. The police are currently conducting further inquiries into the incident.

WASHINGTON: The United States has reiterated its opposition to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. In a recent press briefing, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “We have always opposed Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, and we remain committed to that policy.” Miller emphasized that the US will continue to take action against groups that support the proliferation of deadly weapons to ensure global safety. He added that restrictions on lethal weapons are crucial for national security, and that the series of sanctions and measures will persist. The spokesperson noted that while the US is closely monitoring Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, Pakistan…