فیچرڈ

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    Acting President of Azad Kashmir urges election co…

    Acting President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chaudhry Latif Akbar has sent two letters to the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, demanding action over alleged security failures and irregularities reported during the polling process. In his letters, Chaudhry Latif Akbar raised serious concerns regarding the arrangements made for election security and claimed that effective security measures were not provided at several polling stations. He called for a thorough investigation into the incidents reported during the voting process and urged the Election Commission to take appropriate legal action against those found responsible. The Acting President stated that polling agents at various locations were allegedly prevented from entering polling stations, which he described as a serious violation of the electoral process. According to him, the presence of polling agents is essential to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in elections. Chaudhry Latif Akbar further requested an inquiry into reports of firing incidents, alleged interference in the polling process, and claims that some voters were deprived of their right to cast their votes. He emphasized that all such allegations should be investigated impartially to determine the facts and ensure accountability. In one of his letters, the Acting President highlighted delays in the start of polling at Koomi Kot and Jhandgran areas. He stated that voting began late in these locations and requested that polling time be extended in the affected areas to compensate for the lost time and allow voters a fair opportunity to exercise their democratic right. He also referred to an alleged armed attack on Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi, calling for an immediate investigation into the incident. Chaudhry Latif Akbar demanded that those responsible for the attack be identified and legal proceedings be initiated against them. The Acting President stressed that all incidents reported during the election process must be examined through transparent investigations. He called upon the Election Commission to ensure that no individual or group involved in electoral violations escapes accountability. In his communication with the Election Commission, Chaudhry Latif Akbar reiterated the importance of maintaining a free, fair, and peaceful electoral environment. He stated that public trust in democratic institutions depends on ensuring that elections are conducted without intimidation, interference, or unlawful practices. The letters come amid political tensions surrounding the election process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where various political parties have raised concerns over alleged irregularities and security issues. Opposition parties have also questioned aspects of the polling arrangements, while authorities have maintained that necessary measures were taken to conduct peaceful elections. Chaudhry Latif Akbar’s demands reflect concerns about transparency and fairness in the electoral process. He emphasized that protecting voters’ rights and ensuring equal participation should remain the top priority of election authorities. He concluded by urging the Election Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of all reported incidents, publish the findings transparently, and take strict action against anyone found involved in misconduct. According to him, only a credible and impartial investigation can strengthen public confidence and ensure that the democratic process reflects the genuine will of the people.

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    Rakhi Sawant talks about Pakistani fans, sparks cr…

    Indian actress and social media personality Rakhi Sawant has once again become a topic of discussion after sharing her thoughts about the support she has received from Pakistani fans. Known for her outspoken personality and frequent appearances in entertainment news, Rakhi often attracts public attention with her personal views and social media presence. In a recent interview with BBC Hindi, Rakhi Sawant reportedly spoke about her connection with fans from Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the affection and support she receives from across the border. Her comments highlighted the personal relationships that can develop between celebrities and audiences despite political differences between countries. Rakhi said that Pakistani fans have shown her kindness and support during difficult moments. She described the relationship between people on both sides of the border as complex but emphasized the importance of human connections and compassion. Her remarks quickly gained attention on social media, where users from both India and Pakistan shared their opinions. Many people welcomed the message of friendship and suggested that ordinary citizens often share cultural similarities despite political disagreements. Others discussed the complicated nature of India-Pakistan relations and how public figures influence conversations about peace and understanding. The discussion also reflects the wider impact of celebrity voices in the digital age. With millions of followers online, entertainers often become part of broader conversations about culture, identity, and relationships between communities. A simple statement from a public figure can quickly generate reactions and debates across social media platforms. Rakhi Sawant has frequently remained in the spotlight due to her bold statements, entertainment projects, and active online presence. Her latest comments have once again placed her at the center of public discussion, particularly around the themes of friendship, humanity, and cross-border connections. While political relations between India and Pakistan have experienced periods of tension, cultural exchanges and personal connections between people continue to remain an important part of public conversation. Rakhi Sawant’s comments have added another chapter to the ongoing discussion about how celebrities can influence social dialogue.

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    Ceuta migrant crisis: death toll rises to 72 durin…

    The migrant crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish-controlled territory in North Africa, has drawn international attention after reports that dozens of migrants died while attempting to enter the region from Morocco. Local authorities reportedly stated that the death toll reached 72, with fatalities linked to boat accidents and deadly crowd situations near border areas. Ceuta, along with Melilla, is one of the few European-controlled territories located on the African continent. The area has long been considered an important route for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach European territory. Due to its strategic location, the region has strict border controls, security fencing, and surveillance systems. According to local reports, thousands of migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta through land and sea routes. Authorities said that many people later returned voluntarily to Morocco after entering the territory. The large movement of migrants created significant pressure on border facilities and emergency services. Officials reported that some migrants lost their lives after boats carrying people encountered difficulties at sea, while others reportedly died during chaotic scenes near border barriers. Rescue and security teams have been involved in managing the situation and responding to emergencies. The latest incident has renewed discussions about migration challenges facing Europe. Human rights organizations and international observers have repeatedly highlighted the dangers faced by migrants who attempt dangerous journeys due to conflict, poverty, and limited economic opportunities in their home countries. European governments continue to debate policies regarding border security, asylum procedures, and cooperation with neighboring countries. While authorities emphasize the need to control illegal crossings, humanitarian groups call for safer migration pathways and stronger protections for vulnerable migrants. Ceuta has experienced previous migration crises, including a major influx in 2021 when thousands of people attempted to enter the territory from Morocco within a short period. The latest developments once again demonstrate the complex challenges surrounding migration at Europe’s external borders. As investigations continue, officials and international organizations are expected to assess the causes behind the deaths and examine measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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    Human-like robotic head amazes people with realist…

    The gap between humans and machines is becoming smaller as robotics technology continues to advance. A Chinese startup has introduced a highly advanced robotic head that can imitate human facial expressions, attracting attention for its realistic movements and lifelike appearance. The company reportedly behind the innovation is AgiHead Farm, founded in 2024 by Columbia University engineer Yuhang Hu. The startup introduced the robotic head known as Origin M1, which aims to create more natural interaction between humans and machines. Unlike traditional robots that often display limited movements, the robotic head is designed to reproduce subtle facial expressions. These include eyebrow movements, slight smiles, eye movements, and other small changes that are important for human communication. The robot uses a silicone-based outer layer and a network of miniature motors placed beneath the surface. These motors work similarly to human facial muscles by expanding and contracting to create different expressions. This technology allows the robot to respond in a way that appears more natural compared with earlier robotic systems. The robotic head is also equipped with cameras hidden inside its eyes, allowing it to observe its surroundings and track movement. Built-in microphones and speakers enable it to listen and communicate with people, creating the possibility of more interactive human-machine conversations. The advanced technology comes with a high price tag. According to reports, the most sophisticated version of the robotic head costs around $150,000, making it primarily a product for research institutions, technology companies, and specialized applications. The company aims to further improve the system by adding lip-sync technology and advanced artificial intelligence models. Future versions could potentially understand human speech better and respond with facial expressions that match the tone and emotions of a conversation. Experts believe that realistic facial expressions are one of the biggest challenges in developing human-like robots. While robots have made significant progress in movement and artificial intelligence, creating machines that communicate naturally through facial expressions remains a complex field. The development of lifelike robotic faces represents a major step in robotics research. As artificial intelligence and robotics continue to evolve, technologies like Origin M1 could influence future applications in education, healthcare, customer service, and human-computer interaction.

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    Khawaja Asif says Mohsin Naqvi is among the most p…

    Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has commented on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s position within the government, describing him as one of the most influential ministers and highlighting his role in key matters. Speaking during Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, Khawaja Asif said that Mohsin Naqvi has considerable authority in the current government. He also discussed Naqvi’s participation in cabinet proceedings and parliamentary activities. Khawaja Asif stated that although Mohsin Naqvi holds the portfolio of interior minister, he has not been a frequent participant in cabinet meetings or parliamentary sessions. He said that he had seen Naqvi in cabinet meetings only a limited number of times. The defence minister’s remarks have drawn attention to discussions about government structure, ministerial responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Political observers often analyze the roles and influence of key officeholders within governments, particularly when senior leaders make public comments about internal affairs. Cabinet members are responsible for managing their respective ministries and contributing to government policy decisions. The level of influence exercised by individual ministers can vary depending on their portfolios, responsibilities, and involvement in major national issues. Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as the interior minister, has remained a prominent figure in government discussions due to the importance of the interior ministry, which handles matters related to internal security, law enforcement, and public administration. Khawaja Asif’s comments have sparked debate among political circles regarding coordination between government institutions and the working relationship between cabinet members. As political discussions continue, statements from senior government officials often become part of broader conversations about governance, accountability, and the functioning of state institutions.

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    PML-N secures seats in AJK polls with back-to-back…

    Muzaffarabad: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continued to consolidate its lead in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections after the Election Commission announced additional constituency results, giving the party a commanding advantage in the latest vote count. According to the latest results, PML-N has secured victory in 11 constituencies, while it is leading in three more seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won two constituencies and is ahead in four others. Polling in one constituency, LA-27, has been postponed. The newest official results announced by Election Commission member Syed Nazir-ul-Hassan Gilani confirmed PML-N’s victories in two more constituencies. In LA-38 (Jammu-5), PML-N candidate Zeeshan Ali emerged victorious after securing 13,652 votes, defeating the Pakistan Muslim League (AJK) candidate, who received 9,523 votes. In LA-39 (Jammu-6), PML-N’s Raja Muhammad Siddique claimed the seat with 10,981 votes, comfortably defeating PPP candidate Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman, who polled 5,081 votes. With these latest victories, PML-N has further strengthened its position in the AJK elections, while PPP remains competitive in several constituencies where vote counting is still underway. The final composition of the Legislative Assembly will become clearer once the remaining results are officially declared.

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    Jubilant PML-N workers celebrate AJK election succ…

    Rawalpindi: Jubilant Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers celebrated the party’s performance in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections with enthusiastic gatherings and slogan-chanting in Rawalpindi late Sunday. Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb joined party supporters as they marked the election victories with celebrations. Workers raised slogans in support of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistan Armed Forces, while also expressing confidence in the party’s political future and its stance on Kashmir. The celebrations echoed across parts of the city as party activists chanted slogans backing the PML-N leadership, including Maryam Nawaz, and congratulated candidates on their electoral success. Supporters described the election outcome as a significant achievement for the party and vowed to continue backing its leadership in future political contests. Moreover, The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continued to consolidate its lead in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections after the Election Commission announced additional constituency results, giving the party a commanding advantage in the latest vote count. According to the latest results, PML-N has secured victory in 11 constituencies, while it is leading in three more seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won two constituencies and is ahead in four others. Polling in one constituency, LA-27, has been postponed. The newest official results announced by Election Commission member Syed Nazir-ul-Hassan Gilani confirmed PML-N’s victories in two more constituencies. In LA-38 (Jammu-5), PML-N candidate Zeeshan Ali emerged victorious after securing 13,652 votes, defeating the Pakistan Muslim League (AJK) candidate, who received 9,523 votes. In LA-39 (Jammu-6), PML-N’s Raja Muhammad Siddique claimed the seat with 10,981 votes, comfortably defeating PPP candidate Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman, who polled 5,081 votes. With these latest victories, PML-N has further strengthened its position in the AJK elections, while PPP remains competitive in several constituencies where vote counting is still underway. The final composition of the Legislative Assembly will become clearer once the remaining results are officially declared.

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    Documentary film on the struggle for Joint Elector…

    By Yassar Talib Aiman Zameer Lahore: The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) held a screening of its documentary film, A Separation Refused, highlighting the Movement for the Restoration of the Joint Electorate in Pakistan, at a local hotel in Lahore. The 20-minute documentary film, by the award-winning the producer and director, CSJ and Dawood Akhtar Murad, traces the culmination of the world unique Separate Electorate system in Pakistan’s history and the movement for the restoration of the Joint Electorate in Pakistan especially during the 1990s to 2001. The film chronicles the efforts of civil society organizations, political leaders, faith communities, and human rights advocates who campaigned for equal citizenship and inclusive democratic participation for religious minorities. Using historical accounts and personal testimonies, the film illustrates how sustained advocacy contributed to democratic reforms and continues to inspire efforts towards equality, pluralism, social cohesion, and the protection of constitutional rights. Featuring over a dozen interviews, it brings together insights from Hina Jilani, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Dr. Charles Amjad Ali, Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, and other prominent voices offering diverse perspectives youth, clergy and a parliamentarian. The even also premiered a song Hum Juda Nahein (We Are Not Separate) that expressed the The screenings were followed by an interactive panel discussion explored the progress made towards equal citizenship and the continuing challenges to the democratic participation of religious minorities in Pakistan. The panelists, Wajahat Masood a public intellectual and Peter Jacob, answered the questions while the academic Faaria Khan moderated the discussion. While addressing the participants, Wajahat Masood, said that democracy is based on the principle of equal citizenship and that the categorization of citizens into majorities and minorities reflects a constitutional anomaly. Referring to the Separate Electorate system, he noted that institutionalizing such divisions weakened democratic systems and undermined the principle of equal political participation. In response to a question on the rationale behind the documentary, Peter Jacob, Executive Director CSJ, said that the importance of the movement warranted a careful reading of the history. He noted that the film was developed to preserve authentic accounts of the struggle for the restoration of the Joint Electorate and to address competing interpretations of history and misunderstandings. He also emphasized the need for constitutional reforms to strengthen equal citizenship. He called for a review of Articles 41 and 91 of the Constitution, to remove precondition of religious affiliation for the offices of the President and Prime Minister. Moreover, implementation of Article 22(1) of the constitution of Pakistan that guarantees unbiased education. In the open discussion, participants emphasized that the message of documentary film highlighting constitutional rights, democratic inclusion, should be screened more widely through universities, arts councils, mainstream media, and other public platforms to encourage informed dialogue and greater public awareness. They further stressed that equal citizenship is not solely the concern of religious minorities but a shared national responsibility, and called for greater participation and support from the majority community in future advocacy and dialogue. At the end the participants reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing constitutional rights, equal citizenship, participatory democracy, and peaceful coexistence through collective action.

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    Iran holds fresh talks with Pakistan and Saudi Ara…

    ISLAMABAD: Iran has intensified its diplomatic engagement with key regional partners by holding another round of high-level discussions with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as efforts continue to ease tensions and prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. According to Iranian state media, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by telephone on Monday with Pakistan’s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The conversations marked the second round of talks between the leaders within 24 hours, reflecting the urgency of ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at preserving regional peace and stability. During the discussions, the leaders exchanged views on the latest political and diplomatic developments and stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to resolve tensions through dialogue rather than confrontation. They agreed that political engagement remains the most effective path toward ensuring lasting security across West Asia. The renewed diplomatic outreach comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had suspended planned military strikes against Iran and would resume negotiations with Tehran. While Trump claimed that regional countries had helped establish the framework for renewed talks, Iran rejected suggestions that it had requested a pause in hostilities. Nevertheless, Tehran has continued consultations with influential regional capitals to support diplomatic efforts. The upcoming negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to focus on Tehran’s nuclear program and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes. The waterway remains under heavy international attention due to its critical role in global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iran has maintained that any military action by the United States, Israel, or any regional country supporting such operations would receive a firm and proportionate response. The warning follows months of heightened confrontation that began after military operations launched by the United States and Israel earlier this year, citing concerns over Iran’s missile capabilities, nuclear ambitions, and support for allied armed groups. The prolonged conflict has disrupted shipping across the Gulf and Red Sea, pushed global energy prices higher, and increased fears of broader regional instability. Although Washington has repeatedly signaled the possibility of military escalation, diplomatic channels remain active as regional powers work to prevent the crisis from expanding further. With fresh talks now on the horizon, Iran’s latest engagement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia underscores the growing role of regional diplomacy in seeking a peaceful resolution to one of the Middle East’s most challenging security crises.

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    Heart of Nepal mourns Nirmal Purja after Pakistan …

    Nepal: Deep sorrow swept through Nepal as family, friends, teachers, and students gathered at Nirmal Purja’s former school to honor the legendary mountaineer, whose life was tragically cut short in a deadly avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. At Small Heaven School in Chitwan, candles were lit and flowers placed before a portrait of the celebrated British-Nepali climber, creating an emotional tribute to a man whose remarkable achievements inspired millions around the world. The ceremony took place as rescue teams recovered the 43-year-old’s body following the avalanche that claimed the lives of ten climbers last Thursday. Those who knew Purja long before he became an international mountaineering icon remembered him as a determined and fearless child with extraordinary ambition. Former classmate Dhiraj Bahadur Panta recalled the anxious days when Purja was reported missing, saying friends and admirers across the world had prayed for his safe return. He described the loss as heartbreaking, adding that fate had taken away a man admired by countless people. Teachers also reflected on Purja’s early years, describing him as disciplined, honest, and courageous. Shailendra Baral, who supervised him in the school hostel, said Purja displayed exceptional confidence even as a young student and always stood out for his determination to achieve something meaningful in life. Purja went on to become one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation. In 2019, he rewrote climbing history by scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months, smashing a record that had stood for years. His extraordinary accomplishment was later featured in a Netflix documentary, inspiring aspiring climbers and bringing global recognition to Nepal’s mountaineering community. He further cemented his legacy in 2021 by joining the all-Nepali team that completed the first-ever winter ascent of K2, one of the world’s most dangerous mountains. A year later, he returned to his hometown for the screening of his documentary, proudly telling local residents that he hoped his journey would encourage young people to dream beyond their circumstances. Students attending the memorial said Purja’s story had become an enduring source of inspiration within the school. They remembered him not only as a national hero but also as someone who brought immense pride to Nepal through his courage, determination, and unwavering spirit. As tributes continue to pour in from around the world, Nirmal Purja is being remembered not only for conquering the planet’s highest peaks but also for inspiring generations to believe that no dream is beyond reach.