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    LHC dismisses PTI’s Minar-e-Pakistan rally p…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Lahore High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which sought permission to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. During the hearing, the court ruled that the petition had become unnecessary because the Deputy Commissioner (DC) had already made a decision on the party’s request for the gathering. The bench observed that the court must act within the framework of the law and cannot intervene once the competent administrative authority has issued its decision. The judges noted that the matter no longer required judicial consideration, as the relevant government official had already exercised the authority assigned under the law. On this basis, the court dismissed PTI’s plea. The ruling marks another legal setback for PTI in its efforts to secure permission for a public meeting at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan venue, where the party has previously held major political gatherings. The decision leaves the administrative authorities’ determination on the proposed rally in place.

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    South Punjab strengthens flood response amid monso…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MULTAN: Director General of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Saif Anwar Jappa, met Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab, Fawad Hashim Rabbani, at the South Punjab Secretariat to review the ongoing monsoon situation and flood relief operations across the region. During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary congratulated Saif Anwar Jappa on his appointment as DG PDMA and expressed his best wishes for his new role. The PDMA chief gave a detailed briefing on the current flood and weather situation, as well as the relief measures being undertaken in affected areas. He said the authority, in coordination with all relevant departments, has accelerated rescue and relief operations in response to the ongoing monsoon emergency. Jappa said dewatering efforts, ration distribution and rescue activities are continuing in flood-affected areas. He added that teams are actively working to drain water from urban flood zones and restore damaged roads to ensure public access and safety. He further said all district administrations and emergency control rooms have been placed on high alert around the clock to respond swiftly to any developing situation. The PDMA is also using modern technology, including drones, to deliver life jackets and emergency relief supplies to inaccessible areas during emergencies, he said. According to the DG PDMA, priority is being given to identifying flood relief camps in vulnerable districts and ensuring the timely provision of food, clean drinking water, dry fodder for livestock and other essential supplies to affected families. Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani directed authorities to maintain strict monitoring of water flows in flood-prone areas of South Punjab and ensure timely preventive measures. He said the completion of two new protective embankments at Jalalpur Pirwala in a record period, under the directions of the Punjab government, has played a significant role in protecting the city from floodwaters. Rabbani also instructed officials to ensure the immediate evacuation of people living in riverine and low-lying areas where flood risks remain high. He further directed that rescue and relief teams remain fully prepared in the hilly areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur to respond promptly to any emergencies caused by flash floods and hill torrents during the ongoing monsoon season.

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    Suspended ASI gets four-day police remand

    ByJustpaste.in

    A Lahore court on Wednesday handed a four-day physical remand of a suspended assistant sub-inspector (ASI) to police for further investigation into the alleged rape of a mentally challenged young woman inside Ghaziabad Police Station. The suspect, identified as suspended ASI Imran, was presented before Judicial Magistrate Iram Yousaf by the investigating team. Police requested a 14-day physical remand, stating that further custody was necessary to collect evidence and complete the investigation into the alleged sexual assault. After hearing the arguments, the court approved a four-day physical remand instead of the two-week period sought by investigators. The suspect will remain in police custody while investigators continue gathering evidence and recording statements. The case has sparked widespread concern after authorities alleged that the incident occurred within the premises of a police station. Following the allegations, Lahore police suspended the entire staff of Ghaziabad Police Station, citing administrative failures, negligence and poor supervision. According to the first information report (FIR), the case was registered on August 3 under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with rape, along with Section 155C of the Police Order 2002 concerning misconduct by police officials. The complaint was filed by the victim’s father. Police officials said senior officers immediately took notice of the incident after the FIR was registered. The accused officer was arrested, while departmental action was initiated against police personnel responsible for supervising the station. In a separate disciplinary move, authorities suspended 78 police officials posted at the station, holding them accountable for negligence and failure to ensure proper oversight. According to the complainant, his mentally challenged daughter, believed to be around 19 or 20 years old, left home on the afternoon of August 3 and did not return for several hours. During the search, a local resident allegedly informed the family that a policeman in plain clothes had taken the young woman away. The victim’s father said he rushed to the police station, where he was told that his daughter had already gone home. When the family returned, they found her distressed and crying. He alleged that his daughter told them she had been taken to the police station by a police officer and sexually assaulted. Following her statement, the family approached authorities and sought legal action against the accused officer.

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    Abdullah Saleem scores 1,191, tops DG Khan Board

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Dera Ghazi Khan has announced the position holders for the 2026 Matric Annual Examinations ahead of the official declaration of results. Chairman Professor Dr Abdul Rauf unveiled the names of the top-performing students and congratulated the position holders and their parents on their outstanding achievement. Board Secretary Abdul Rehman Chaudhry, Controller of Examinations Professor Muzaffar Hussain, and other senior officials were present during the announcement ceremony. The board said the complete Matric Annual Examination results will be officially announced on August 6. Abdullah Saleem from Layyah secured first position across the DG Khan Board by scoring 1,191 marks. Mir Mujtaba from Taunsa Sharif claimed second position with 1,190 marks. The third position was shared by Farwah Ahmed from Muzaffargarh, Meerab Zahra from Layyah, and Syed Muhammad Jon Abbas from Layyah, with each student scoring 1,189 marks. Students from Layyah, Taunsa Sharif, and Muzaffargarh dominated the list of top achievers this year, reflecting the strong academic performance of the region. The announcement sparked celebrations among parents, teachers, and educational circles, who praised the students for their remarkable success. The position holders credited their achievement to hard work, the guidance of their teachers, and the prayers and support of their parents.

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    PM seeks broader JICA partnership in skills, miner…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for expanding Pakistan’s cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), identifying skills development, mineral exploration and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as key areas for future collaboration. The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting in Islamabad with a nine-member JICA delegation led by its President, Dr Tanaka Akihiko. He said Pakistan deeply values its decades-long partnership with Japan and expressed confidence that the latest engagement would further strengthen bilateral development ties. Highlighting the government’s economic agenda, Shehbaz said Pakistan had emerged from a challenging economic period through coordinated reforms and was now focused on achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. He noted that fiscal reforms had significantly improved revenue collection over the past three years, creating greater capacity for national development. The premier stressed that equipping young people with modern skills, expanding technical and vocational education, creating employment opportunities and empowering women remain among the government’s highest priorities. He said Pakistan is keen to benefit from JICA’s expertise in these sectors. Shehbaz also identified the country’s vast mineral resources as a major area of economic potential and invited JICA to provide technical assistance to help develop the sector and attract greater investment. Discussing support for businesses, the prime minister said reforms at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) had strengthened the institution. He expressed hope that enhanced cooperation with JICA would help improve SME productivity, encourage entrepreneurship and boost Pakistan’s exports. During the meeting, Shehbaz also conveyed condolences over the recent earthquake in Japan. Dr Tanaka thanked the prime minister for his message of sympathy and appreciated the warm hospitality extended to the Japanese delegation during its visit. The JICA president reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in healthcare, education, urban and rural development, industrial growth and technical training. He said future projects would be designed in line with the development priorities of both the federal and provincial governments. Dr Tanaka also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. Separately, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema met the JICA delegation to discuss future development initiatives. He invited the agency to participate in financing the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project alongside the Asian Development Bank and other development partners, describing the railway upgrade as vital for improving trade, transportation and industrial connectivity across the country. Cheema also sought JICA’s support for expanding internet connectivity in rural areas to promote freelancing and digital commerce. He requested technical assistance for feasibility studies of major infrastructure projects, an area in which JICA expressed readiness to cooperate.

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    Iran warns US forces face regional expulsion

    ByJustpaste.in

    Senior Iranian officials on Wednesday issued fresh warnings against the United States, declaring that American forces could eventually be forced out of the Middle East while linking any future reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to changes in Washington’s policies. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, said the removal of US military forces from the region and from countries hosting American bases was only a matter of time. In a post on X, he claimed the US would eventually have to focus its resources on securing its own territory instead of maintaining military installations abroad. The remarks came as Iranian media reported that ongoing discussions between Tehran and Oman over future navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz would not automatically lead to the reopening of the strategic shipping route. According to Iranian state media, negotiations are being conducted solely between Iran and Oman, with officials insisting that the process is independent of the United States. Iranian sources maintained that even if an agreement is reached with Muscat, the waterway will remain closed unless Washington changes what Tehran describes as its hostile policies and interference. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the strait has the potential to affect international energy markets and regional security. Meanwhile, the United Nations expressed concern over a sharp increase in executions in Iran. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said at least 56 people had been executed on national security-related charges since March, including dozens connected to protest-related cases. He warned that the growing use of capital punishment appeared aimed at creating fear within society. Regional tensions also escalated after Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa in the northern Red Sea. The group said the vessel was struck by ballistic missiles as part of its campaign targeting Saudi shipping. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the movement had targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since launching its maritime blockade in late July and said dozens of other vessels had either been prevented from passing or forced to change course. Saudi authorities had not commented on the claims at the time of reporting. Separately, Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari criticised US President Donald Trump’s approach toward Tehran, describing Washington’s negotiating strategy as inconsistent and unreliable. He accused the US administration of issuing conflicting statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s regional position. Iranian officials also blamed what they described as continued US pressure and military threats for slowing negotiations with Oman over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that Tehran would not conclude any agreement under external pressure.

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    Pakistan seal series with thrilling 4-3 win over South Korea

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan produced another impressive performance to edge South Korea 4-3 in a thrilling third hockey Test at Islamabad’s Nasir Bunda Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series. The visitors struck first and looked in control during the opening quarter. South Korea’s Kim Hyun Jung found the back of the net in the 10th minute, giving his side a 1-0 advantage that remained intact until the end of the first period. Pakistan responded strongly in the second quarter as Hayat Zakria scored a well-taken field goal to restore parity. However, the celebrations were short-lived, with Korea regaining the lead in the 33rd minute through Jing Ji Hon, leaving the hosts trailing 2-1. The contest became even more dramatic after the break. Rana Waheed equalised for Pakistan in the 45th minute, raising hopes of another comeback. Yet South Korea answered once again when Kim Yang scored five minutes later to make it 3-2 and put the visitors within touching distance of victory. With the clock ticking down, Pakistan produced a remarkable late surge. Hanan Shahid levelled the score in the 55th minute before Abdul Rehman completed the comeback just two minutes later, firing home the decisive goal in the 57th minute to send the home crowd into celebration. Pakistan held firm during the closing minutes to secure a memorable 4-3 victory, extending their winning streak against the Korean side. The result gives Pakistan an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series, continuing an encouraging run for the national team on home soil. The series has also highlighted the successful return of international hockey action to Pakistan, with competitive crowds and spirited performances providing fresh optimism for the country’s hockey revival. The fourth and final Test will now offer Pakistan the opportunity to complete a clean sweep, while South Korea will look to salvage pride by avoiding a series whitewash.

  • Who Is Responsible for the Truth?

    ByJustpaste.in

    One question stayed with me long after I attended a workshop under the project titled ‘Digital Trust and Free Expression in the Era of AI’, organized by the Department of Media and Development Communication, University of the Punjab with the support of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network, was, ‘How will we preserve digital trust and free expression in the age of AI’? As AI becomes an integral part of digital journalism, the question is no longer whether it should be used, and more importantly who should be held responsible when things go wrong. Artificial Intelligence has definitely proven to be a powerful tool for journalists. It can summarize long reports, translate content into multiple languages, follow breaking news, analyze vast quantities of data and even write complete news reports in seconds. All of these capabilities have revolutionized newsroom processes and enabled journalists to process information more efficiently than ever before. But efficiency is not the only measure of ethical journalism. Journalism isn’t about being fast, it’s about informing the public accurately, fairly and responsibly. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the workshop was that AI does not understand information; it predicts the most likely response based on patterns in the data it has learned from. This distinction is important because when reliable information is unavailable at the time, AI generates responses that seem convincing but inaccurate, but are wrong, which is often referred to as AI hallucination. What’s most concerning is that the AI generated mistakes can appear convincing enough for people to accept them as true. This poses an ethical question: Who should be held responsible if AI-generated news contains misleading information? The burden can’t be placed entirely on the algorithm. AI has no moral judgement or legal accountability. It cannot distinguish between public interest and public harm and is not aware of the social consequences of publishing inaccurate information. This means that the responsibility rests with those who decide to employ these technologies: journalists, editors, newsroom leaders, and media organizations. While AI can help create content, it cannot replace responsibility. This is where ethics become more important than technological advancements. Checking information should not take a back seat to the ‘Publish first’ mentality. With all of the digital platforms that exist today, misinformation can spread from continent to continent within minutes and corrections often fail to reach the same audience. Each unverified headline altered photo or AI-generated mistake can damage the public’s trust, both in a specific news organization and in journalism.   The discussions also reinforced the importance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Verification is not only the responsibility of journalists, but also something that is necessary for every digital citizen. Learning how to use reverse image search, source verification techniques, and critical evaluation of online information is no longer an option, it’s essential for protecting ourselves from deception. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated, it is essential to verify information before accepting it as true. AI will continue to evolve and so will digital journalism. The challenge is not innovation itself but using it responsibly. Trust is not something algorithms can build, it is something that can be gained only through transparency, accountability and a steadfast dedication to truth. While adopting new technologies to do journalism, let’s not forget that the tools should enhance journalism’s values, not shape journalism. AI may help write the news, but only humans can uphold the ethics behind it. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan or USEFP.

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    Pakistan sweep USA 3-0 in ITF Masters World Team Championship Opener

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan made a dream start to the ITF Masters World Team Championship by defeating the United States 3-0 in their opening Group match in Lisbon, Portugal. The convincing victory gives Pakistan an early boost in the prestigious men’s 45+ tournament, where more than 300 players from 30 countries are competing for top honours. Led by an experienced squad, Pakistan dominated both the singles and doubles contests to complete a clean sweep against the American side. Former Davis Cup star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi set the tone with a composed performance in the opening singles match. The Pakistan Tennis Federation president defeated Wojtek Brytek in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, handing Pakistan a valuable early lead. The second singles encounter proved to be the highlight of the tie. Pakistan’s top-ranked player Aqeel Khan battled through a tense three-set contest against John Chesworth. After dropping the opening set, Aqeel fought back with determination to claim a hard-earned 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, sealing Pakistan’s overall triumph. The doubles match added even more excitement. Pakistan’s Shehryar Salamat and Hadi Hussain lost the first set but responded brilliantly with an impressive comeback. The pair defeated Jevon West and Guillermo Cosen 1-6, 6-1, 10-6 in the deciding match tiebreak to complete a flawless 3-0 victory. The emphatic win has given Pakistan valuable momentum ahead of the remaining round-robin fixtures. The team’s blend of experience and composure under pressure was evident throughout the contest, raising hopes of a deep run in the championship. Pakistan will now face Canada in a crucial second group match. The winner will secure a place in the knockout stage of the tournament, making it one of the most important fixtures of the campaign. With confidence high after an outstanding opening performance, Pakistan will be aiming to continue its winning run and strengthen its bid for the ITF Masters World Team Championship title. The victory over the United States has already sent a strong message that the Pakistani veterans are ready to challenge the world’s best.

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    Carlos Brathwaite applauds Babar Azam’s captaincy

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has praised Pakistan captain Babar Azam for his outstanding leadership, describing his captaincy as a tactical masterclass during the ongoing Test against the Caribbean side. Speaking during his analysis of the match, Brathwaite highlighted Babar’s calm decision-making and ability to read the game under pressure. He said the Pakistan skipper showed excellent awareness by slowing the pace of play at key moments and making smart field changes that unsettled the West Indies batters. According to Brathwaite, one of Babar’s best tactical moves was the field placement against experienced batter Roston Chase. The carefully designed field forced Chase to rethink his natural game and prevented him from scoring freely. “Babar’s field settings kept Roston Chase under constant pressure,” Brathwaite noted. “He had to keep adjusting his approach, and eventually that pressure led to a mistake.” The former all-rounder added that Babar’s leadership reflected a high standard of captaincy, saying every move appeared to be planned according to the match situation rather than following a fixed strategy. Brathwaite believes the Pakistan captain demonstrated maturity, patience and tactical intelligence, qualities that helped his team remain competitive during crucial stages of the contest. Meanwhile, the Test match remains finely balanced. West Indies reached 103-6 in their second innings and currently hold a lead of 60 runs, setting up an intriguing finish over the remaining sessions. Pakistan will now look to capitalize on any opportunity to wrap up the innings quickly, while the West Indies hope to extend their advantage with the lower order. Brathwaite’s glowing assessment has once again placed the spotlight on Babar Azam’s leadership, with many cricket fans praising the Pakistan captain for his strategic approach and composure in high-pressure situations.