تازہ ترین

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    Attaullah Khan’s remarks on burial plans spark debate

    Legendary Pakistani folk singer Attaullah Khan Essa Khelvi has sparked widespread discussion on social media after revealing that he has already prepared his burial place and often reflects on life after death. During a recent podcast interview, the veteran singer spoke openly about his preparations for the hereafter. He said he has arranged a grave for himself in his hometown of Isa Khel, where his family has a private graveyard. Attaullah Khan said the grave has already been prepared and that it is located near the mosque and farmhouse he built in the area. He explained that after completing those projects, he felt it was important to also prepare a final resting place for himself. The singer said he has witnessed the deaths of many close friends, relatives and family members, including his mother. Those experiences, he said, have made him think deeply about the temporary nature of life and the importance of preparing for the hereafter. He added that he prays for a peaceful death and hopes to leave this world with faith and dignity. While mentioning that there are burial plots nearby, he clarified that he has reserved only his own grave. His remarks quickly went viral on social media, where users expressed mixed opinions. Some people appreciated his willingness to speak openly about death and described his comments as a reminder that life is temporary and everyone should prepare spiritually for the hereafter. Others questioned the idea of preparing a grave in advance. Some users argued that while planning for the hereafter is important, faith, good deeds and righteous actions matter more than constructing a burial place. A number of social media users also suggested that spending money on charitable projects, such as welfare initiatives or homes for the elderly, would have a greater long-term impact. The discussion has generated a wide range of reactions online, with many praising the singer’s honesty while others debated the religious and cultural aspects of preparing a grave before death. Attaullah Khan Essa Khelvi is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most celebrated folk singers. Over the decades, he has earned recognition for his performances in Saraiki, Punjabi and Urdu, with several of his songs remaining popular among audiences across generations.

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    Pakistan’s ambassador presents credentials to Uzbek foreign minister

    Pakistan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, formally presented copies of his diplomatic credentials to Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent. Describing the meeting as a distinct honor, Ambassador Tipu confirmed that both sides held constructive talks on bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Saidov highlighted that discussions focused on deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations, ensuring the implementation of high-level agreements, and expanding trade, investment, and interregional connectivity.

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    US imposes 10 per cent tariff on Pakistan over forced-labour enforcement

    The United States has levied a 10 per cent tariff on Pakistani goods under a broader Section 301 trade action targeting 60 economies for their failure to adequately prohibit and enforce bans on imports produced with forced labour. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the final action followed investigations directed by President Donald Trump in March, encompassing public hearings and consultations with numerous governments. Ambassador Jamieson Greer stated that trading partners must match the enforcement standards the United States has upheld, noting that decades of moral persuasion have failed to eradicate forced labour from global supply chains. Pakistan is grouped in the 10 per cent tariff bracket alongside nations such as India, Bangladesh, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. These countries either imposed a prohibition on forced-labour imports, committed to one through a trade agreement, or introduced a partial restriction regime, while other investigated economies face tariffs of up to 12.5 per cent. The new duties arrive at a critical juncture for Islamabad. Pakistan has recently positioned itself as a key mediator in the US-Iran conflict and deepened its security partnership with Saudi Arabia, including the deployment of air-defence assets. However, the conflict has already strained Pakistan’s economy, with shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz driving up domestic petroleum prices amid high inflation. Textiles and apparel, a primary focus of the USTR’s forced-labour investigation, represent a significant portion of Pakistan’s exports to the US. Industry groups are expected to evaluate the impact of these tariffs on market competitiveness in the coming days. The USTR noted that product exemptions will apply in limited cases, including critical raw materials and goods that cannot be sourced reasonably from elsewhere. Islamabad has yet to issue a formal response to the tariff imposition.

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    Trump vows Iran will foot bill for Gulf shipping damages

    US President Donald Trump has announced that any financial or material losses incurred by commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will be compensated directly using Iranian assets currently frozen under American control. Trump stated that Washington intends to tap these seized funds to cover extensive damages to vessels and cargo resulting from ongoing maritime hostilities. The strategic chokepoint, through which roughly a quarter of global seaborne petroleum transits, has experienced heightened disruption following a spate of recent attacks on commercial tankers. Washington attributes these strikes to Tehran, leading to sharp price volatility across international energy markets. Iran has refuted claims of direct responsibility for several of the strikes, countering that US naval blockades and severe sanction measures are actively escalating regional instability. In response to Washington’s intent to seize its capital reserves, Tehran warned that targeting its economic interests or maritime assets would provoke further countermeasures. Political observers note that while the measure aims to reassure commercial maritime operators, it risks severely aggravating diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran.

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    Foreign nationals seek asylum in Canada following world cup

    A total of 175 foreign visitors who travelled to Canada during the FIFA World Cup have formally requested asylum, triggering legal reviews under the country’s refugee protection laws. Canada issued approximately 26,000 visas for the tournament, which saw 13 matches staged across Toronto and Vancouver. While thousands of football fans globally applied for visitor visas to attend the fixtures, strict screening measures resulted in over 50 per cent of those applications being rejected. Immigration officials have not disclosed whether any athletes or team members are among the claimants. However, initial breakdown data indicates that 25 applicants are citizens of Ghana, while Egypt and Colombia account for 15 claims each, with total figures expected to climb further. Canadian authorities had issued warnings prior to the tournament clarifying that temporary visas obtained for the World Cup would not serve as an avenue to bypass immigration standards, remain beyond authorised stays or claim political asylum.

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    Pakistan raises suspension of Indus Waters Treaty at ASEAN regional forum

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has raised concerns over India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty at an international platform, describing New Delhi’s actions as a provocative move that directly threatens regional stability. Addressing the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Dar emphasized that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains central to achieving lasting peace in South Asia. He warned that any arbitrary or unilateral measures altering the 1960 water-sharing framework risk jeopardising the livelihoods and fundamental interests of 250 million Pakistanis. Stressing the necessity of diplomacy, Dar urged all regional stakeholders to exercise restraint and resolve outstanding bilateral disputes through constructive dialogue. He also reiterated that regional peace depends on preventing external platforms from being exploited, noting specifically that Afghan territory must not be utilised to facilitate cross-border terrorism against Pakistan.

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    Angolan court jails two Russian nationals for terrorism and espionage

    An Angolan court has sentenced two Russian men, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, to eight and 11 years in prison respectively after convicting them of terrorism and espionage charges. Prosecutors alleged that the pair planned a coup and helped organise violent fuel price demonstrations in July 2025, which resulted in 22 deaths and more than 1,600 arrests. The court heard that the men sought to manipulate upcoming presidential elections by funding the main opposition party, UNITA, or instigating a leadership change within the ruling MPLA party. Prosecutors linked Lakshtanov and Ratchin to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation network formerly tied to the Wagner mercenary group and now managed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service. Two Angolan co-defendants were tried alongside the Russians, resulting in a two-year suspended sentence for a local journalist and an acquittal for an opposition youth leader. Both Russian nationals denied the allegations, claiming their presence in Angola was purely for business and cultural activities, and remain in detention while appealing against their sentences.

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    UK cancels military training exercise in Kenya amid legal jurisdiction and funding dispute

    The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been forced to cancel a major military training exercise in Kenya after the Kenyan government refused to ratify a renewed bilateral defence agreement. The decision follows a stalemate between London and Nairobi regarding the framework governing the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). Kenyan lawmakers have demanded key structural revisions to the pact, including greater local authority and primary jurisdiction to prosecute British soldiers who commit criminal offences on Kenyan soil. Disagreements over the financial compensation Britain pays to host its training operations in Laikipia have also stalled negotiations. As a direct consequence of the expired permits, a scheduled exercise involving the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, set to begin in September, has been called off, with the MoD relocating the drills to an alternative site outside Kenya. The diplomatic standoff comes amid escalating domestic pressure in Kenya over alleged human rights violations, environmental damage, and misconduct associated with BATUK operations. Scrutiny has particularly intensified around the high-profile 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru. A former British soldier, Robert Purkiss, faces a single charge of murder in the case, with Kenya retaining jurisdiction and an extradition hearing scheduled for November. While both governments maintain that they are actively engaging to resolve the outstanding legal and financial issues, the training suspension deals a immediate blow to local businesses in Laikipia that depend on the economic activity generated by visiting British troops.

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    Healthy diet out of reach for one in three people globally, UN report reveals

    One in three people worldwide, approximately 2.69 billion individuals, cannot afford a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, according to a joint report by five United Nations agencies. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 calculates the global average cost of a healthy diet at 4.28 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per day. This figure significantly exceeds the international extreme poverty line of $3 PPP per person, placing diverse, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean meats out of economic reach for billions. Public health experts note that historic agricultural subsidies have heavily favoured starchy staples over nutrient-dense options, driving a global surge in adult obesity rates from 12.1 per cent in 2012 to 16.2 per cent in 2024. While global hunger declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, affecting 7.8 per cent of the world’s population compared to 8.1 per cent in 2024, regional disparities remain severe. Africa has become home to the highest absolute number of hungry people for the first time, with roughly 309 million affected. Across the continent, 66.6 per cent of the population was unable to afford a healthy diet in 2025, more than double the rates observed in Asia or Latin America. UN officials warn that ongoing disruptions to maritime trade, alongside potential climate shocks, threaten to reverse recent progress and jeopardise international targets to eliminate global hunger by 2030.

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    Iqra Aziz and Fawad Khan’s film pairing sparks mixed reactions

    Pakistani actors Iqra Aziz and Fawad Khan are set to share the screen in an upcoming feature film, marking one of the most talked-about new collaborations in the entertainment industry. While many fans are excited to see two of the country’s biggest stars working together, the announcement has also triggered mixed reactions across social media. Iqra Aziz has built a successful career with memorable performances in popular television dramas, earning praise for her versatility and natural acting style. Over the years, she has delivered several hit projects that established her as one of Pakistan’s leading actresses. Fawad Khan, meanwhile, remains one of the industry’s most celebrated stars, admired for his performances in iconic television dramas as well as his work in films at home and abroad. The actors are expected to appear together in a feature film backed by the Sindh government. The project will reportedly be produced by Maida Azmat and directed by Murtaza Chaudhry. Although details about the storyline and the characters have not yet been officially revealed, the casting announcement has generated considerable interest among fans. In addition to the film, both Iqra Aziz and Fawad Khan are also part of the upcoming Netflix original series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, which has already attracted attention for bringing together several well-known Pakistani actors in a global production. Soon after news of their film collaboration surfaced, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. While many users welcomed the fresh pairing and expressed curiosity about seeing the two actors together, others questioned whether they would look convincing as an on-screen couple. A large number of comments focused on the age difference between the actors. Some users felt that the gap could affect their on-screen chemistry, with a few suggesting they might appear more like family members than romantic leads. Others argued that casting should prioritize visual compatibility alongside acting talent. Some social media users also commented on Iqra Aziz’s petite appearance, claiming that she might not complement Fawad Khan’s screen presence in a romantic role. However, many fans defended the actress, pointing out that her acting abilities should be the primary factor in judging the project rather than physical appearance or height. Several viewers also proposed alternative actresses whom they believed would have suited the role alongside Fawad Khan. Names such as Maya Ali and Saba Qamar were frequently mentioned in online discussions, with fans sharing different opinions about possible casting choices. Despite the criticism, many entertainment fans urged others to wait until the film’s trailer or official promotional material is released before forming conclusions. They argued that successful on-screen chemistry depends on performances, direction, and storytelling rather than assumptions based on photographs or casting announcements alone. As anticipation continues to grow, audiences are now waiting for more details about the film, including its title, storyline, release schedule, and the roles that Iqra Aziz and Fawad Khan will portray. Whether the pairing wins over skeptics or continues to divide opinion, the project has already become one of the most discussed upcoming releases in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.