Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to accelerate trade and agricultural cooperation

An 18-month-old baby girl’s tragic death has sparked nationwide grief and outrage after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a teenage relative in Karachi’s Qayyumabad area. The heartbreaking case has shaken people across Pakistan, with many demanding swift justice and stronger protection for children. According to police, the suspect is a 17-year-old relative of the victim. Investigators said he allegedly took the toddler outside under the pretext of taking her for a walk before returning her home in critical condition. The child was rushed for medical treatment but later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities stated that the initial medical examination indicated signs of sexual assault, while the suspect was arrested from his residence shortly after the incident. The investigation remains ongoing. A day after the incident, the grieving mother spoke publicly for the first time, sharing the painful sequence of events that led to the loss of her daughter. Fighting back tears, she explained that she had returned home from work in the afternoon before taking her daughter to the market. After the child had eaten, she briefly went to a neighbour’s house for an urgent matter. She said the accused, identified as Manan, was the grandson of her paternal aunt and had been visiting their home for nearly one and a half years. Since he often spent time with the family and appeared caring toward her daughter, she trusted him. According to the mother, he offered to take the little girl for a walk, something he had done on previous occasions. When he brought the child back, the toddler was reportedly unconscious. The mother said her sister informed her that the child had been vomiting. Concerned, she took her to a nearby clinic, where doctors initially suspected that the vomiting might have been caused by spoiled milk. She returned home, gave her daughter oral rehydration solution (ORS), and put her to sleep. However, while changing the child’s diaper, the mother noticed bleeding. She recalled that her daughter had stopped responding, her heartbeat appeared to have slowed, and her lips had turned dark. Realising the seriousness of the situation, she desperately asked for help in taking the child to the hospital. The grieving mother said she had to take her daughter to the hospital herself because no one came forward to assist her. She also revealed that she does not live with her husband and claimed that very few relatives stood by her during the tragedy. According to her, even some close family members did not attend her daughter’s funeral. She further shared that the post-mortem examination revealed severe injuries, saying her daughter had suffered unimaginable cruelty despite being only 18 months old. Her emotional account has left many people devastated, with countless social media users expressing sympathy for the grieving mother and calling for the harshest possible punishment for those responsible. The incident has also sparked wider discussions online about child safety. While many users focused on demanding justice and stronger legal action against child abuse, others stressed the importance of never leaving young children unattended or in the care of anyone, regardless of how well they are known or trusted. The case has once again highlighted the urgent need for greater awareness, vigilance, and stronger safeguards to protect children from abuse.

Senior Pakistani actress Laila Zuberi has shared thoughtful advice on how married couples can handle disagreements, anger, and tense situations in a relationship. During a conversation with host Nida Yasir, the veteran actress discussed the importance of remaining calm when emotions run high between husband and wife. She advised women that when their husbands are angry, it may be better to avoid immediately arguing or responding in anger. According to her, reacting in the heat of the moment can sometimes make a disagreement worse rather than helping resolve it. Laila explained that when either a husband or wife becomes angry, the other person should give them some time and space to calm down. Once emotions have settled, the couple can discuss the actual reason behind the disagreement and try to find a solution through a calm conversation. The actress also shared a personal rule that she and her husband established at the beginning of their marriage. She revealed that they decided they would never go to sleep while being angry or upset with each other. According to Laila, the couple makes an effort to resolve their differences before going to bed. This includes talking through their problems, apologising when necessary, and making an effort to understand each other. She believes that addressing disagreements instead of allowing resentment to continue can help maintain a healthier relationship. However, Laila Zuberi’s comments sparked a discussion among social media users, particularly regarding her suggestion that women should remain silent when their husbands are angry. Several users questioned why the advice appeared to be directed mainly at women. They argued that maintaining peace during an argument should be a shared responsibility between both partners rather than something expected from only one person. Some social media users pointed out that if a wife is expected to remain quiet when her husband is angry, the same principle should apply when the wife is the one who loses her temper. In their view, both partners should give each other time to cool down before continuing a difficult conversation. One user offered a humorous take on the situation, suggesting that couples should simply follow a “turn-by-turn” rule. Whenever one partner becomes angry, the other should remain silent until the situation becomes calmer. Despite the debate surrounding her comments, the central message from Laila focused on communication, patience, and resolving disagreements rather than allowing anger to damage a relationship. Laila Zuberi is regarded as one of Pakistan’s veteran television actresses. Her career is linked to the early days of Pakistan Television, and she initially worked as a radio artist before moving into television during the 1980s. She gained recognition through memorable performances in several popular television productions, including Guest House. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous acclaimed dramas and established herself as a respected figure in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.

Pakistani television actor and director Shahood Alvi has once again found himself at the centre of social media discussions following his candid remarks about marriage, relationships and the role of women in maintaining a healthy relationship. Shahood began his showbiz career at Pakistan Television as a boom operator alongside his maternal uncle, Iqbal Ansari. He later moved into acting and gradually established himself as a recognised performer through his work in several popular television dramas. The actor is married to Saima Shahood, and the couple has three daughters, Areeba, Sajal and Arija, all of whom are now married. Shahood frequently appears on morning shows, particularly programmes that feature discussions about marriage, relationships and family life. During a recent television appearance alongside actresses Laila Zuberi and Fariha Awan, Shahood shared his views on why some husbands may lose interest in their wives. His comments, however, quickly attracted attention and divided opinions online. Discussing the possible reasons behind a decline in a husband’s interest, Shahood suggested that women who spend most of their time at home may sometimes carry the smell of ingredients such as ginger and garlic from cooking. He contrasted this with men working in offices, where they may encounter women wearing perfumes. He questioned why a husband would remain attracted if his wife smelled of cooking ingredients, while women in offices might be dressed up and wearing fragrance. The actor also made another controversial remark when the discussion turned towards seeking professional help for marital problems. When Fariha Awan suggested therapy as an option for couples facing difficulties, Shahood jokingly questioned what would happen if a therapist ran away with someone’s wife. He repeated the warning while referring to psychiatrists, describing it as a humorous concern. Shahood further said that spending excessive amounts of time on a mobile phone could be a negative sign in a marriage. He suggested that women should also make an effort to regain their husbands’ attention by preparing food they enjoy and getting ready before their husbands return home. Laila Zuberi agreed that making an effort to look presentable for one’s spouse has traditionally been viewed positively. Recalling her childhood, she said she remembered her mother applying lipstick before her father returned home. Fariha Awan also supported the idea that women could make additional efforts to present themselves well before their husbands came home. Shahood went on to discuss his own marriage, saying he had tried to teach his wife several practical tasks, including paying bills, shopping for groceries and driving. However, he said jokingly that she never learned these skills and referred to her humorously as a “stubborn one.” He also recalled advice from actress Bushra Ansari, who had discouraged his wife from learning how to drive. According to Shahood, Bushra believed that once housewives learned to drive, their responsibilities could increase because they might then be expected to take children to school and bring them back. Following the television appearance, Shahood’s comments have sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users criticised his remarks as outdated or insensitive, others viewed them as part of the informal and humorous nature of morning-show conversations. Despite the debate, Shahood’s comments have once again placed discussions surrounding marriage, expectations from spouses and gender roles in the spotlight.