تازہ ترین

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    IHC reserves decision on Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chatth…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Islamabad High Court on Friday reserved its decision on whether petitions seeking the suspension of prison sentences awarded to lawyers and human rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha can proceed. The petitions relate to the couple’s convictions in a case involving alleged controversial social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The hearing was conducted by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who considered preliminary arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before reserving his ruling on the maintainability of the petitions. During the proceedings, lawyers representing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) argued that the requests for suspension of sentence had been filed too early. They maintained that the court should first decide the prosecution’s objection challenging the admissibility of the petitions before considering any request for relief. The prosecution submitted that hearing the suspension petitions before deciding its objection would make its legal challenge ineffective. It therefore requested the court to first determine whether the petitions were legally maintainable. Counsel for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha opposed the objection and said he was ready to argue the prosecution’s application immediately. He suggested that both the objection and the suspension requests should be heard together to avoid unnecessary delays in the proceedings. The judge advised the defence to fully prepare its arguments, observing that doing so would better protect the legal rights of the convicted lawyers. However, the defence maintained that it was prepared to proceed without delay and formally waived any request for additional preparation time. After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Azam Khan stated that the court would first determine whether the petitions seeking suspension of sentence were legally maintainable. Only after resolving that issue would the court consider the merits of the requests for suspension of the sentences. At the end of the hearing, the Islamabad High Court reserved its decision on the prosecution’s objection. The ruling will determine whether the petitions can move forward for further consideration. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were convicted by a sessions court earlier this year and received a combined sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment on multiple charges under PECA

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    Philippines says ship hit by Chinese water cannon …

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of blasting a government vessel with a water cannon near Scarborough Shoal on Friday, marking the third confrontation between the two sides this week in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard said the Chinese vessel came within seven metres of the BRP Datu Paduhinog, striking it with a water cannon that caused a temporary loss of satellite connectivity. Two other ships — the BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Cape San Agustin — were also targeted but not hit. China’s coast guard confirmed it fired water cannon, saying it had taken “necessary measures” to drive the Philippine ships away. “We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringing and provocative actions,” spokesperson Jiang Lue said. Beijing’s foreign ministry added that Philippine vessels had “deliberately intruded first” and insisted its actions were “professional and standard.” The clash came as Southeast Asian diplomats concluded a regional forum in Manila and as Rome hosted talks between Lebanon and Israel. Earlier this week, tensions flared at Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila accused Chinese sailors of clubbing a Filipino crew member, prompting condemnation from allies. On Thursday, the Philippines reported another water cannon incident at Scarborough. Both countries have said they are working toward completing a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by year’s end, but the repeated confrontations underscore the volatility of the disputed waters. Beijing claims most of the sea, including Scarborough Shoal, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that rejected its claims.

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    Over 80,000 flee as escalating wildfires ravage south-west France and Spain

    ByJustpaste.in

    More than 80,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and holiday accommodation across south-west France and central Spain as fierce, uncontained wildfires continue to sweep through the region. Fanned by relentless winds and intense heatwave conditions, the blazes have triggered national emergency declarations and prompted urgent requests for international military and civilian aerial support. In France, authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast as a vast wildfire in the Gironde department consumed over 12,500 hectares of forest and destroyed at least 80 homes. With the main access road threatened by advancing flames, hundreds of residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea using ferries and local boats. A secondary blaze further south near Biscarrosse has burned an additional 2,500 hectares, leaving coastal emergency services struggling to contain the perimeter. Across the border in Spain, the central government declared a national emergency after two massive blazes merged outside Madrid and threatened to join a third active fire in the neighbouring province of Ávila. Over 19,000 people were evacuated overnight across affected municipalities as thick acrid smoke reached the capital’s outskirts. Spanish officials described the convergence of high temperatures, parched terrain, and strong winds as an unprecedented crisis for the region. Both nations have activated the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism to request specialized firefighting aircraft, with reinforcements deployed from Portugal, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Slovakia. Environmental scientists highlight that Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average rate, warning that prolonged droughts and extreme seasonal weather patterns are driving wildfire destruction to historic levels across the continent.

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    Liberal democrats urge PM to intervene over EU entry-exit system disruptions

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Liberal Democrats have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to directly contact European leaders and lobby for an immediate suspension of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) until at least September. Speaking at Heathrow Airport, foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller criticised the biometric scheme as a “bungled, malfunctioning border system” that risks ruining summer holidays for millions of British citizens during peak travel periods. The call comes as approximately 2.2 million British holidaymakers prepare to travel abroad over the weekend following the start of school summer breaks across the UK. Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey remain the primary destinations. While the EES requires non-EU citizens to undergo biometric registration, including photographs and fingerprinting, border police have retained discretion to relax checks during severe delays. Several European nations have already introduced temporary flexibilities or experienced tech issues, with automated border booths in France failing to function and Greece opting to exempt British nationals from additional biometric checks. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has held discussions with EU commissioners and French counterparts regarding cross-Channel concerns, particularly at French border posts situated in the UK, such as the Port of Dover. To mitigate severe queueing, French border police have temporarily suspended fingerprinting and photography for car passengers at ferry ports and the Eurotunnel terminal. Consequently, queue times at Dover have remained manageable, staying under 40 minutes despite heavy traffic volumes. Meanwhile, airlines such as easyJet are pressing the EU to extend border flexibility through the end of October to prevent further travel disruption.

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    ICC member states decide Karim Khan’s future

    ByJustpaste.in

    The International Criminal Court (ICC) member states met on Friday to decide the future of suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct made by a former staff member. Khan has firmly denied all accusations and insists he has done nothing wrong. Representatives from the court’s 125 member countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York to vote on whether Khan should continue in office or be removed permanently. The decision is being made through a secret ballot, and an absolute majority is required for a final outcome. Karim Khan stepped aside from his duties in May 2025 after the allegations emerged and an internal investigation was launched. Last month, the ICC’s governing bureau suspended him from office, stressing that the suspension was a temporary administrative measure and did not represent a final judgment on the case. During the meeting, Assembly of States Parties President Päivi Kaukoranta described the issue as a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter. She urged member states to conduct the proceedings fairly while respecting the rights, privacy and dignity of everyone involved and protecting the credibility of the court. The allegations gained wider international attention after the complainant, identified only as Sarah, publicly shared her account in a recent media interview. She alleged that repeated inappropriate behaviour by Khan eventually led to physical assault. She also said the significant difference in authority between them meant there could be no genuine consent. Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations. His legal team recently urged ICC member states not to remove him, arguing that he had not been given a fair opportunity to defend himself during the disciplinary process. His lawyers also warned that dismissing the prosecutor without proper legal safeguards could weaken the independence of future ICC prosecutors. Supporters of Khan argue that the investigation did not conclusively establish misconduct and say the case could create a dangerous precedent for future office holders. Others believe the seriousness of the allegations requires decisive action to maintain public trust in the court. Since becoming the ICC’s chief prosecutor in 2021, Khan has overseen several major international investigations. He gained global attention after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza conflict. The court also issued arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders during his tenure. Those decisions led to strong criticism from Israel and sanctions imposed by the United States on Khan and several ICC judges, increasing political pressure on the court. Legal experts remain divided over the case. Some argue that removing Khan is necessary to protect the ICC’s credibility and public confidence. Others maintain that any decision must be based strictly on due process and the rule of law rather than political considerations.

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    Pakistan enters AI era with inauguration of larges…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan has taken a major step towards becoming a regional digital technology hub with the inauguration of Sky47 Karakoram-01, the country’s largest AI-ready data centre and cloud platform, at Capital Smart City near Islamabad. The facility was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during a ceremony attended by federal ministers, senior government officials, business leaders, technology experts and representatives of the IT sector. Developed by Sky47 in collaboration with the Habib Rafiq Group, the state-of-the-art facility has been designed to deliver artificial intelligence computing, cloud services, secure data hosting, cybersecurity and high-performance computing infrastructure. The project is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy by enabling businesses, financial institutions, government organisations and technology companies to securely host and process data within the country while supporting the rapid growth of AI applications. The project also reinforces Capital Smart City’s ambition to become Pakistan’s premier destination for data centres, cloud computing and advanced technology investment. With its modern infrastructure, strategic location and dedicated technology zones, the city is positioning itself as a future hub for digital innovation and AI-led development. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Sky47 as a landmark project that would help shape Pakistan’s future and strengthen the country’s digital capabilities. He said the successful completion of the project within a short period reflected extraordinary commitment, professional expertise and determination. The Prime Minister said projects such as Sky47 were essential for building a dynamic, progressive and technologically advanced Pakistan. Referring to Pakistan’s recent achievements, he said that when the nation confronts challenges with determination, optimism and resilience, it is capable of accomplishing historic milestones. He described the project as an important guarantee for Pakistan’s future and said it would provide robust digital security for the country. He also paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his visionary leadership and acknowledged the support of technology partner ZTE, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Ministry of IT and all stakeholders involved in making the project a reality. The Prime Minister announced that similar state-of-the-art facilities would also be developed in Karachi and Lahore and called for government institutions to make full use of the new infrastructure. The Habib Rafiq Group, under the leadership of Zahid Rafiq, has played a pivotal role in delivering the project and expanding Capital Smart City’s vision beyond real estate into technology-led infrastructure. Industry observers believe the initiative will help attract further domestic and international investment in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services. Speaking at the ceremony, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the inauguration of Sky47 marked the beginning of a new era of artificial intelligence in Pakistan. She said the project would open the door to a new phase of economic growth by enabling the country to make better use of its digital resources, skilled workforce and data-driven innovation. She added that the future global AI race would depend on the secure, efficient and intelligent use of data. Sky47 Chief Executive Officer Hassan Abbas said there are around 12,000 data centres worldwide but only 22 in Pakistan, highlighting the country’s significant growth potential. He said Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is expanding by around 25 to 30 per cent annually and that Sky47 would provide a strong foundation for the country’s digital economy. The Sky47 data centre has the capability to support artificial intelligence, machine learning and high-performance computing while providing cloud computing, secure data hosting and enterprise digital services. It is also expected to play an important role in safeguarding sensitive national and commercial information. The inauguration is being viewed as one of Pakistan’s most significant technology milestones in recent years, reflecting the country’s ambition to build sovereign digital infrastructure and reduce reliance on overseas data hosting. Supporters of the initiative describe it as a major breakthrough achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the support of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and an important step towards positioning Pakistan as a regional hub for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and next-generation digital technologies.

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    Karachi man shot dead in dalmia; CCTV footage of k…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Karachi: CCTV footage of the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Asim Khan in Dalmia’s Mujahid Colony, Street No. 12, has surfaced, showing the moments leading up to the attack and the suspect’s escape. According to the footage, the victim and the suspect were seen talking to each other before the shooting. During the conversation, the suspect, who was sitting on a motorcycle, suddenly pulled out a firearm and opened fire on Asim Khan. The victim collapsed to the ground after being shot. The gunfire caused panic in the area, with bystanders seen running for safety. A minor boy can also be seen near the motorcycle during the incident. Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the CCTV footage to identify and arrest the suspect and determine the motive behind the killing. Authorities have not yet disclosed what was taken from the victim during the search.

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    PTI changes venue for August 5 rally in Peshawar

    ByJustpaste.in

    Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has changed the venue for its August 5 public rally, with party leaders announcing that the gathering will now take place at an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway instead of the previously planned location. The decision was made during a PTI parliamentary party meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. The meeting was chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sualeh Afridi and attended by members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly. Addressing the meeting, Afridi said preparations for the rally were in full swing and responsibilities had been assigned to party lawmakers to ensure the event’s success. He described the August 5 rally as a “semi-final” and a decisive gathering, saying the party would present its future political strategy to the public. According to the chief minister, the venue was shifted to an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway to improve public access and accommodate a larger number of participants. Afridi also reviewed the party’s political efforts since October 15, 2025, stating that PTI had pursued constitutional and legal avenues to resolve political issues through dialogue. He said the party leadership had sought meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan through legal channels, including approaching the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court, but those efforts had not produced the desired outcome. He reiterated that PTI remained committed to peaceful political activity and maintained that peaceful protest was the party’s final constitutional option. Afridi also called for better access to Imran Khan by his family, sisters, and personal doctors, while urging authorities to ensure he receives appropriate medical care. The meeting, however, was not without internal disagreements. According to party sources, several lawmakers expressed concerns over the timing of the rally and suggested holding a workers’ convention before launching the movement. Some members argued that the main protest should be organized in Punjab rather than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase political pressure on the federal government. The reported differences led to a heated exchange during the meeting, with some dissatisfied lawmakers leaving before it concluded. Party sources said the chief minister assured members that their concerns would be addressed. The August 5 rally is expected to be one of PTI’s most significant political events in recent months as the party seeks to outline its next phase of political action.

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    Diphtheria claims 13 children in Sindh as suspecte…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Karachi: Health authorities have raised concerns over the increasing number of diphtheria cases in Sindh after 13 children died from the infectious disease at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in Karachi’s NIPA area this year. The latest figures have intensified public health concerns, coming amid a rise in other infectious diseases across the province. According to hospital data, 30 diphtheria cases have been reported at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital so far in 2026, with 13 children succumbing to the illness. Nationwide surveillance data shows that Pakistan recorded 308 suspected diphtheria cases between January and June this year. Sindh reported 113 suspected cases, the highest among all provinces, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 87 cases, Balochistan with 64, Punjab with 35, Islamabad with seven, and Gilgit-Baltistan with two. Health experts describe diphtheria as a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads from person to person, particularly among children who are not fully vaccinated. The disease primarily affects the throat and airways and can become life-threatening if left untreated. Early symptoms include swollen glands in the neck, the formation of a thick gray membrane in the throat, high fever, severe sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Doctors warn that these symptoms should not be ignored, as delayed treatment can lead to serious complications or death. Medical experts are urging parents to ensure their children receive routine vaccinations and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of diphtheria appear. They also stress the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to reduce the risk of severe illness and prevent further spread of the infection. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while encouraging the public to remain vigilant and follow recommended immunization schedules.

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    Pakistan blames Afghan-based militants for rising …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that banned militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), are operating from Afghan territory under the protection of the Afghan Taliban. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Dar described terrorism originating from Afghanistan as a serious threat to regional peace and stability. He said these militant groups continue to carry out attacks from across the border, posing a major security challenge for Pakistan. Dar stated that Pakistan has witnessed more than 2,000 terrorist attacks so far this year, resulting in the deaths of over 560 civilians. He also claimed that evidence had emerged linking some Afghan nationals to several of these attacks. The foreign minister urged SCO member states to call on the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their counterterrorism commitments and prevent Afghan territory from being used by militant organizations. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, Dar said dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable solutions to regional disputes. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting diplomatic engagement and stressed the importance of supporting ongoing peace initiatives. Dar also noted that Pakistan hosted talks between Iran and the United States in April 2026, which, according to him, led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June 2026. He urged the international community to support diplomatic efforts while remaining vigilant against attempts to undermine the peace process. Looking ahead, Dar said Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State in September 2026 and host the SCO Summit in 2027. During its chairmanship, Pakistan plans to prioritize regional connectivity, trade, agricultural cooperation, youth exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties. On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Dar also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and efforts to promote peace and stability. Dar emphasized the need for restraint, de-escalation, and continued diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges, while both sides agreed to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.