field marshal asim
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Field Marshal Asim Munir’s gesture steals spotli…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: A video of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir placing his hand affectionately on the heads of women during a ceremony has gained widespread attention on social media.

The video surfaced during the inauguration of the Victory Monument in Islamabad on Independence Day. During the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior civilian and military leaders met families of martyrs and military veterans. The leadership paid tribute to their sacrifices and services.

The Victory Monument was inaugurated on Thursday night in a ceremony attended by the country’s top civilian and military leadership. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended as chief guests.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, was also present. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the ceremony as well.

The monument has been built to honour Pakistan’s martyrs and commemorate the military confrontation with India in May. The event featured a series of patriotic performances and visual displays.

The ceremony opened with a military band playing the national anthem. A special light and sound show titled “Dastaan-e-Ishq-e-Watan: Marka-e-Haq” was later presented.

Projection mapping technology was used to display visuals on the monument. The presentation highlighted themes linked to patriotism, sacrifice and the country’s defence.

A documentary was also screened during the event. It showcased the construction of the monument and the eight-month journey from its initial design and development to completion.

The monument features five large arches. According to the presentation, the arches represent the five pillars of Islam. They also symbolise five pillars of Pakistan, identified as the government, armed forces, media, people and national ideology.

The structure incorporates elements representing Pakistan’s three military services. Its design also highlights the country’s capabilities in cyber defence and space warfare.

Pakistan Air Force fighter jets conducted an aerial display during the ceremony. The aircraft released flares across the night sky, adding to the spectacle.

The event concluded with a flag-hoisting ceremony attended by President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Fireworks were also displayed as the national anthem played.

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    PMDC faces Senate heat over “misleading” MDCAT advertisement that created panic among overseas medical students

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad: A major controversy has erupted over a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) advertisement after a Senate committee accused the council of creating unnecessary fear among students planning to study medicine abroad by publishing unclear and misleading information about the MDCAT examination. During a meeting of the Sub Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Senator Anusha Rahman questioned PMDC officials over a newspaper advertisement that appeared to suggest that every Pakistani student going abroad for medical education must first pass the MDCAT. The senator said the advertisement created confusion among thousands of students, including those planning to join top international universities in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia. She questioned why students who had already decided to study abroad were being pushed towards the MDCAT exam because of unclear wording in a public advertisement. “Through this advertisement, you told a student who wants to go to Harvard or Cambridge that they must also appear in MDCAT,” Senator Anusha Rahman said while questioning PMDC officials. She said such a major policy message could not be communicated incorrectly because it directly affects students’ futures. The controversy started after PMDC published a public alert for students planning to study medicine and dentistry abroad. The advertisement mentioned several requirements for Pakistani students going overseas, including academic qualifications, recognition of foreign institutions, PMDC registration and other conditions. However, the committee pointed out that the wording of the advertisement gave the impression that MDCAT was compulsory for all students going abroad, while PMDC officials later clarified that this was not the actual intention of the policy. PMDC President admitted during the meeting that the matter needed to be reviewed and said the requirement was actually meant for specific situations, including certain universities based on rankings or countries placed under special concerns. Senator Anusha Rahman questioned why the advertisement was not written clearly according to the approved policy. She demanded that PMDC present the original policy approved by the council and publish the correct version for public understanding. The senator also questioned accountability inside PMDC and asked whether any official was questioned for preparing and releasing the confusing advertisement. She asked officials why no one had been held responsible when everyone agreed that the newspaper advertisement contained an incorrect line. PMDC President admitted that no such inquiry had been conducted. The committee expressed concern that thousands of students may have suffered unnecessary stress because of the confusion. Senator Anusha Rahman said students preparing for overseas medical education were already under pressure and the unclear announcement pushed many of them towards MDCAT preparation and private coaching academies. She said the advertisement may explain why many A Level students were suddenly seen joining local academies for MDCAT preparation. The senator said she personally observed many A Level students in academies and believed the confusion created by the advertisement could be a main reason. She urged officials to visit academies and listen to students who were facing anxiety because of the uncertainty. The senator said students and parents were receiving late night calls filled with fear and frustration because they did not know whether their future plans would be affected. The committee directed PMDC to immediately issue a correction advertisement. Senator Anusha Rahman said a simple addendum would not suffice because the original notice was published prominently in newspapers. She directed PMDC to publish a proper clarification on the front page of newspapers, clearly explaining which students are required to take MDCAT and which students are not. She said the corrected advertisement should appear in newspapers so students preparing to travel abroad could get immediate clarity. PMDC officials suggested issuing an addendum, but the senator rejected the idea and said the correction must be given the same importance as the original announcement. She said students going to countries such as the UK, US, Canada and Australia must clearly know whether the MDCAT requirement applies to them. According to the PMDC public alert, students going abroad for medical and dental education were informed about requirements including minimum academic marks, foreign institution recognition, PMDC registration before departure, course duration requirements and passing the National Registration Examination after returning to Pakistan. The notice also stated that students who fail to meet required conditions may not be allowed to appear in the National Registration Examination. However, the Senate committee said unclear communication created unnecessary confusion among students and demanded that PMDC ensure future announcements are accurate and easy to understand. The committee warned that policy mistakes involving education can directly affect thousands of young people because admission timelines, travel plans and university opportunities depend on timely decisions.

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    Imtiaz Ali celebrates ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’s rare 50-day run

    ByJustpaste.in

    Main Vaapas Aaunga has pulled off something most films rarely manage. The Partition-era love story has slowly grown into one of this year’s standout box office stories. What makes it even more special is that it did so purely on word of mouth. Helmed by filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, the film brings together Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina. It has now completed a full 50 days in theatres. The film continues to draw audiences well into its eighth week of release. Trade data from Sacnilk shows the film was made on a budget of nearly Rs 70 crore. Its collections have now touched Rs 99.21 crore worldwide. For a film that opened on a slower note, this steady climb marks a genuine turnaround. Marking the milestone, the 55-year-old director shared a warm, personal note with fans. His message centered entirely around gratitude for the audience’s support. “50 days in cinemas!! This is a rare feat for any film,” Ali wrote. He said his first thought upon reaching this milestone was one of thankfulness toward viewers. According to him, it was ordinary moviegoers who connected emotionally with the story and then encouraged friends and family to watch it too. He described this word of mouth as something that happened simply because people liked the film, with no other push behind it. Imtiaz Ali also spoke about what this success represents for the Hindi film industry at large. He called the audience’s warm response a source of encouragement for filmmakers everywhere. He also noted that this love would continue pushing him to create better, more engaging cinema going forward. The Rockstar director did not limit his gratitude to his own project. He also congratulated the broader Hindi film industry for the healthy theatre attendance seen throughout the year. Main Vaapas Aaunga initially opened across 804 screens spanning 59 countries. The film’s reach later grew further, with 15 additional European territories added to its release. Interestingly, the film also found strong footing in cities not traditionally known as Hindi cinema strongholds, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. Given its consistent run and growing numbers, Main Vaapas Aaunga looks set to remain a major talking point in Bollywood for weeks to come.

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    Syria rejects Israel’s claim over airbase strike

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    Syria has rejected Israel’s explanation for an airstrike on a military airbase in northern Syria, saying there were no plans to establish a Turkish military base or permanent Turkish presence at the facility. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Damascus had informed Israeli officials about the nature of the work being carried out at Abu al-Duhur airbase before the attack. According to Syrian officials, the facility was being repaired and prepared for use by the Syrian Air Force. The work was focused on restoring runways and infrastructure damaged during Syria’s civil war. Israel carried out at least eight strikes on the airbase early Tuesday, hitting runways and hangars. The attacks reportedly damaged recently repaired sections of the facility. No casualties were reported. Israeli officials said the operation was aimed at preventing what they described as a Turkish military buildup at the site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said Syria had previously been warned against allowing a Turkish military presence at the base. Al-Shaibani strongly disputed that account. He said the airbase was largely empty and had not yet become fully operational. “There was no Turkish military buildup at the base,” the Syrian foreign minister said, arguing that the situation on the ground did not support Israel’s justification for the strike. He acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the facility shortly before the attack. However, he described the visit as part of broader military cooperation between Syria and Türkiye, including training and the exchange of expertise. Al-Shaibani said Syria had also developed military cooperation with countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Russia as it works to rebuild its institutions. He stressed that Syria is a sovereign country and has the right to establish partnerships with other states. The Syrian minister also said Syrian and Israeli officials had remained in contact before the airstrike. Damascus had reportedly explained that the facility would remain under Syrian control and that no permanent Turkish deployment was planned. Following the attack, Syria contacted the United States and other countries to protest the strike and seek measures to prevent similar incidents. Al-Shaibani said Damascus had warned Washington about what it described as Israel’s increasingly aggressive policies toward Syria. He also called for respect for Syrian sovereignty and warned against turning Syrian territory into a battleground for wider regional disputes. Despite the latest escalation, Damascus said it remained open to negotiations with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along their border. Al-Shaibani said Syria and Israel had previously spent months negotiating a security arrangement through US mediation. According to him, the two sides had made substantial progress and reached an understanding on paper, but Israel later failed to implement the agreed framework. The Syrian foreign minister said future negotiations could resume if there was genuine political will. He maintained that any security arrangement must address the concerns of both sides while respecting Syria’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Türkiye has strongly backed Syria following the Israeli strike. Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran criticised Netanyahu’s statements about Türkiye and accused the Israeli leadership of using threats against regional countries to divert attention from its own policies. Duran said Türkiye would continue supporting Syria and other countries seeking peaceful solutions to regional conflicts. He argued that Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon had contributed to growing instability across the region. He also said Ankara opposed policies that could widen the conflict. Duran stressed that Türkiye’s objective was to reduce bloodshed and promote peace, with the Palestinian issue and the situation in Gaza remaining among its key concerns.

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    Juggan Kazim reveals heartbreaking childhood trauma

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistani television host and actress Juggan Kazim has shared emotional details about her father’s murder and the difficult experiences she faced during her childhood, saying those events remain among the most painful chapters of her life. Speaking during a recent podcast, Juggan reflected on losing her father, veteran television personality Syed Abbas Kazim, who was murdered in 2002. She said she was in North America when she received the shocking phone call informing her of his death. Juggan recalled that she initially struggled to believe the news and disconnected the call, thinking it was false. She later learned that her father had been murdered, describing the moment as one of the darkest periods of her life. She said the tragedy changed her perspective and exposed her to difficult realities at a young age. The actress said she often wished her father had lived long enough to witness her professional achievements. She added that she especially remembered him when she received a prestigious national honour, feeling saddened that he was not there to celebrate her success. Reflecting on her childhood, Juggan said she grew up in a challenging family environment following her parents’ separation. She described herself as an energetic and rebellious child who frequently found herself in conflict with her mother. According to her, the divorce and family circumstances had a lasting impact on her personality. Juggan also spoke about her father, saying he had a strict and aggressive nature at home despite being respected by many people outside the family. She said he cared deeply for others but acknowledged that life within the household was often difficult.

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    SBP asked to fix banking gaps after complaints of …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) came under pressure in the Senate after lawmakers raised concerns over complaints from customers, including Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), who faced difficulties with commercial banks and alleged delays in resolving their issues. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue questioned why banks and the SBP failed to establish clear and uniform procedures despite earlier directions to create dedicated officers and better complaint handling systems. During the meeting, Member National Assembly Muhammad Moin Amir Pirzada informed the committee that his bank account was closed in April 2026 and despite repeated communication with the concerned bank and the State Bank of Pakistan, he did not receive a satisfactory response. He told the committee that such situations show the need for a proper yearly data update system and clear banking procedures so customers do not face unnecessary difficulties. The committee learned that no common Standard Operating Procedures had been developed across the banking sector despite previous recommendations. Governor State Bank acknowledged the concerns and informed the committee that rules for dealing with Politically Exposed Persons already exist. He said the problem occurred at the branch level and assured lawmakers that steps would be taken to improve implementation. The Governor informed the committee that a backup officer had already been assigned and a dedicated focal person would also be appointed to handle such matters. The committee stressed that all banks must follow the same procedures so customers receive equal treatment and complaints are resolved quickly. Federal Minister for Finance also supported the need for standard procedures and said proper systems are necessary for better customer service and effective complaint resolution. The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, also discussed wider banking issues including customer charges, investment policies and employee matters. Members raised concerns about banking service charges, especially SMS alerts and card transactions. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that SMS alerts are optional, allowing customers to choose whether to use the service. He said banks are also introducing alternative options such as mobile application and email alerts for customers. The Governor clarified that Visa card transactions conducted within Pakistan would not be charged in US dollars. He also informed the committee that banks are currently covering around Rs80 billion annually under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative. Committee members appreciated the reforms under the initiative, stating these steps have helped save significant costs. The committee also discussed complaints regarding dress code instructions in some banks. Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur raised concerns that some female employees were allegedly pressured to wear abayas. Senator Sherry Rehman stated that no employee should be forced to adopt a specific type of clothing. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that previous recommendations had already been communicated to banks. He clarified that the committee had only recommended a modest dress code and had not ordered banks to impose any particular clothing. The committee directed all banks to submit their human resource dress code policies and instructed SBP to issue updated guidelines to ensure employees are not placed under unnecessary pressure. The committee also reviewed concerns related to investment protection policies. Senator Manzoor Ahmed suggested that incentives provided to the Reko Diq project should also be considered for other investment projects in Pakistan. Finance Ministry officials informed the committee that only one project currently meets the existing criteria and the government’s financial position does not allow similar benefits for all projects. The Finance Minister assured the committee that future proposals would be reviewed according to available resources.

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    Fire put out at Aramco’s Jazan Refinery, Saudi A…

    ByJustpaste.in

    JAZAN: Firefighters have extinguished a blaze that erupted early Sunday at a facility within Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery in southwestern Saudi Arabia, with authorities confirming that no injuries were reported. The Saudi Energy Ministry said Aramco’s industrial security teams quickly brought the fire under control. Relevant authorities were subsequently working to complete procedures related to the incident. The ministry did not disclose what caused the fire or provide details about the extent of any damage. Located on the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen, the Jazan refinery has a processing capacity of around 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The facility produces several refined petroleum products, including gasoline and ultra-low-sulfur diesel. The latest incident comes shortly after the refinery was shut down following an attack in late July that Saudi authorities attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement. The attack reportedly damaged parts of the refinery’s integrated gasification complex and tank storage facilities. The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for strikes targeting Aramco facilities in Jazan and Yanbu, raising concerns over the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Red Sea. Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said last week that recent attacks had caused some temporary production disruptions but expressed confidence that operations could be restored quickly. He said the incidents had not caused a significant operational or financial impact on the company. The latest fire comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen and wider disruptions affecting energy and maritime security across the Middle East.

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