Author: Sajjad Ali

GUJRANAWALA: Zulfikar Bhandar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged victorious in the recount of votes for National Assembly Constituency NA-79 in Gujranwala. According to Returning Officer Shabbir Hussain Butt, Zulfikar Bhandar secured 95,604 votes, while his rival, Ehsan Virk, backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), received 92,581 votes. The victory of Zulfiqar Bhandar was celebrated enthusiastically by PML-N supporters, with fireworks marking the occasion. It’s important to note that in the general elections, Ehsan Virk had originally won with 140,230 votes, while Zulfiqar Bhandar had secured 99,635 votes. Following a Supreme Court directive, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered…

Following a tropical cyclone alert, local authorities have imposed a ban on fishermen from Karachi and the Thatta coastal belt, prohibiting them from venturing into the Arabian Sea. A deep depression currently located over the Rann of Kutch, India, approximately 250 km east-southeast of Karachi, is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. In response, the local administration has advised fishermen to refrain from diving or hunting in the sea. Various departments, including revenue and health, have been instructed to remain on high alert for the potential cyclone in Thatta. Pakistan Fisher Forum central leader…

PESHAWAR: At least 12 members of a family, including children and women were killed when a massive landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rain hit a house in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, officials said. According to local police authorities, the tragic incident took place in the Patrak area of Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The landslide struck near Patrak, leading to the collapse of a residential house belonging to Muhammad Ali. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 12 people that include 9 children, two women, and a men. The rescuers of rescue 1122 and locals people quickly arrived…

The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled to begin today at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, has been delayed due to heavy rain. Persistent rainfall has left the outfield waterlogged, forcing the pitch to be covered. Despite the efforts of the ground staff, who are working diligently to drain the accumulated water, the start of the match remains uncertain due to ongoing weather challenges. The toss, originally planned before the match, has been postponed until the outfield conditions improve and are deemed fit for play. Pakistan’s lineup includes: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud…

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called recent terror attacks in Balochistan a “wicked scheme” launched by the “external enemies of Pakistan and their internal infiltrators,” rejecting talks with militant groups. To combat terrorism and bring peace in the restive province, the premier said that the government will deploy all officers from the 48th Common Group of police and civil services to Balochistan. Addressing a high-level Apex Committee meeting of the National Action Plan at the CM Secretariat, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicate terrorism through collective national efforts. He condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 12-member national squad for the second Test match against Bangladesh, set to begin on August 30. Notably, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been excluded from the lineup. The squad features Shaan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Abrar Ahmed, Muhammad Ali, Salman Agha, and Saeem Ayub. Captain Babar Azam will lead the team, joined by Mir Hamza, Muhammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafiq, Naseem Shah, and Khurram Shahzad. With the second Test starting on August 30, Pakistan aims to secure a series victory against Bangladesh.

ISLAMABAD: Google launched two new programs aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s gaming and app industry by training local developers to create high-quality games, as reported by state-run media. The initiatives, Game Design Masterclass and Google Ads Academy, were introduced in major cities across Pakistan as part of a six-month effort to enhance the skills of the country’s game developers. The programs were unveiled at a Google-hosted tech event, Think Apps 2024, in Lahore, which gathered nearly 350 of Pakistan’s top developers along with global industry leaders and experts. The event focused on empowering developers to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to drive…

A strong earthquake measuring 5.4 magnitude jolted several cities of Pakistan including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the capital Islamabad. The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded at 5.4 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was the Hindu Kush mountain in Afghanistan, the Meteorological Department said The depth of the earthquake was 215 km, as per the Meteorological Department. Earthquake tremors were felt in the border region of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, as per the foreign media. The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded at 5.4 on the Richter scale. The depth of the earthquake was 92 km, German…

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has canceled and delayed numerous flights across the country due to adverse weather conditions, significantly disrupting its flight schedule. Eight flights between Islamabad and Karachi have been canceled, while 35 other flights have been delayed. Canceled flights include PK-301 and PK-368 from Karachi to Islamabad, along with PK-455 and PK-456 from Karachi to Skardu. Additionally, four Islamabad-Gilgit flights—PK-601, PK-602, PK-605, and PK-606—have also been canceled. Several international flights have faced delays ranging from one and a half to two and a half hours. These include flights from Karachi to Dubai, Damascus, Muscat, Madinah, Jeddah, and Baghdad.…

QUETTA: The federal government has replaced Balochistan IGP Abdul Khalique Sheikh, appointing Moazzam Jah Ansari as the new Inspector General of Balochistan Police on Wednesday. According to notifications issued by the Establishment Division, BS-21 officer Abdul Khalique Sheikh has been removed from his position and instructed to report to the Establishment Division until further notice. He has been succeeded by BS-22 officer Moazzam Jah Ansari, who has been transferred from his role as Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) to serve as the Provincial Police Officer (PPO) for the Government of Balochistan, effective immediately. Following his appointment, IGP Ansari met…