Author: newsdesk

  • Zardari recommends rehabilitating Kacha dacoits

    Zardari recommends rehabilitating Kacha dacoits

    President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that if the criminals of Sindh Kacha area, except for the most hardened ones, surrendered before the state, then they should gradually be brought into the national mainstream and rehabilitated to make them responsible and valued members of society.

    President Zardari asked that strict action be taken against high-risk criminals.  

    During a meeting on the law and order situation in Sindh, Zardari directed authorities to improve the condition of roads, health, and education infrastructure in Kacha areas of Sindh to upgrade the socio-economic condition of the people of that area.

    Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Member of the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, Director General Rangers Sindh Major General Azhar Waqas, GOC 16 Division Pano Aqil Garrison Major General Aamer Amin and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments attended the huddle in Nawabshah.

  • Rashid Khan creates history in T20 cricket

    Rashid Khan creates history in T20 cricket

    Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan became became the first bowler to take 150 T20I wickets in less than 100 matches. He acheived this milestone in 92 matches.

    Earlier, Tim Southee of New Zealand had completed 150 wickets in 118 matches.

    Only two players have taken 150 wickets in the history of T20 Internationals so far. Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh needs one wicket to cross this milestone.

  • PTI will wait for details of military operation

    PTI will wait for details of military operation

    In a high-level meeting of the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Shibli Faraz and Barrister Saif have advised party members to wait for complete details about the newly announced Operation Azm-e-Istehkam before taking any decision.

    Gandapur had previously attended the Apex committee and later informed his party leaders that he supported his stance of waiting for details of the operation Azm-e-Istehkam, but Geo News reported that most party members did not agree with him.

    “The approval of the operation symbolises the national resolve to eradicate all forms of extremism and terrorism from the country,” the Prime Minister’s Office said about the newly approved military operation.

    Opposition parties, including the PTI, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and others, have expressed reservations about the military operation, insisting that parliament must be fully briefed.

  • Eight patients die in Karachi Civil Hospital amidst extreme heat

    Eight patients die in Karachi Civil Hospital amidst extreme heat

    The administration of Civil Hospital in Karachi has reported the death of eight patients due to severe dehydration among 40 to 45 heat-affected individuals brought to the emergency room. The deceased suffered from co-morbidities such as epilepsy, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

    Meanwhile, the meteorological department has forecasted intense heat for the next two days in Karachi. Health experts have advised citizens to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated, and wear light-coloured, loose clothing.

    For the second consecutive day, Karachi experienced scorching temperatures in to the absence of sea breezes during the day, leading to severe heat discomfort among residents.

    Additionally, rescue sources reported the discovery of seven bodies of drug addicts from various parts of the city today, bringing the total to 17 deaths in the last two days.

    Temperatures soared to 42 degrees Celsius, with the ‘Feels Like’ at 50 degrees in some areas such as Gulistan Johar where apartments recorded 43.7 degrees Celsius.

    Furthermore, water supply disruptions were reported across Karachi during the heatwave. Areas like Federal B Area Blocks 19 and 20, as well as Kharadar, faced water shortages. Protests erupted in Baldia Naval Colony and Musa Colony due to the lack of water and electricity.

  • India or England, Who will qualify for the final in case the semi-final is washed out?

    India or England, Who will qualify for the final in case the semi-final is washed out?

    Forecast of rain in Guyana during the T20 World Cup semi-final match between India and England has put the crucial game in jeopardy.

    Rain has been predicted in Guyana from morning to 4 pm on June 27. There is no reserve day for the scheduled semi-finals, but the International Cricket Council
    (ICC) has allowed 250 minutes of extra time for the semi-final match. India will qualify for the final in case of a washout based on its first-place finish in Super 8 Group.

    The ICC held India’s semi-final in Guyana keeping in mind the Indian market. The match will start at 7:30 am local time, which is 7:30 pm in India.

    The official time of the match is 10:30 am to 1:40 pm, but due to rain, the game will continue till 5:50 pm in extra time.

    However, there is a reserve day for the first semi-final in Trinidad, which will have 60 minutes of extra time on the scheduled day for the semi-final. Only 190 minutes will be allowed on the reserve day, and there will be no additional time.

  • First time in history: Afghanistan qualifies for the semi-finals of T20 World Cup

    First time in history: Afghanistan qualifies for the semi-finals of T20 World Cup

    Afghanistan has defeated Bangladesh by 8 runs under Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) method to qualify for for the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

    Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first against Bangladesh.

    Afghanistan, batting first, scored 115 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    First inning:

    Captain Rashid Khan scored 19 runs, Ibrahim Zardan scored 18 runs and Azmatullah Umarzai scored 10 runs.

    For Bangladesh, Rashad Hussain took 3 wickets, Mustafizur Rahman and Tasin Ahmed took one wicket each.

    Second inning:

    Bangladesh could socre 105 runs in 17.5 overs.

    For Bangladesh, Towhid Hirdoy scored 14, Somya Sarkar 10 while Liton Das scored 54 runs.

    Rashid Khan and Naveen ul Haq took four wickets for Afghanistan.

    This is first time that Afghanistan has qualified for the semi-finals of T20 World Cup.

  • T20 World Cup: India defeats Australia by 24 runs

    T20 World Cup: India defeats Australia by 24 runs

    India has defeated Australia by 24 runs in the second last match of group stage of ICC T20 World Cup. They also qualified for the Semi-finals of the ongoing event.

    Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and invited India to bat first.

    India’s innings

    India didn’t get off to a good start against Australia, veteran batsman Virat Kohli was dismissed for a wicket.

    After the fall of one wicket, the captain Rohit Sharma took the brunt of the Australian bowlers and used charming strokes from all sides of the field. He played a smoky innings of 92 runs off 41 balls which included 8 sixes and 7 fours.

    Apart from this, Rishabh Pant 15, Surya Kumar Yadav 31 and Shiv Dubey got out by scoring 28 runs while Hardik Pandya scored 27 runs and Jadeja remained not out by scoring 9 runs.

    India scored 205 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    For Australia, Marcus Stoins and Mitchell Starc took 2 wickets each.

    Australia’s inning:

    Chasing India’s 205, Australia could only score 181 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in alloted overs.

    Travis Head sored 76, Mitchel Marsh 37, Glen Maxwell 20, and Tim David scored 15 runs for Australia.

    Arshdeep Sigh took three while Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets for India.

  • 24 karat gold price increases by Rs500 to Rs242,000 per tola in local market

    24 karat gold price increases by Rs500 to Rs242,000 per tola in local market

    The price of gold surged in the local market on Monday, with the rate for per tola (11.66 grammes) of 24 karat gold increasing by Rs500 to reach Rs242,000, as reported by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association. This marks a rise from its previous closing price of Rs241,500.

    Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of 24 karat gold rose by Rs429 to Rs207,476 from Rs207,047. Meanwhile, 10 grammes of 22 karat gold also saw an uptick, climbing to Rs190,186 from Rs189,793.

    According to the association, the prices of per tola and 10 grammes of silver remained unchanged at Rs2,850 and Rs2,443.41 respectively.

    Internationally, the price of gold saw a modest increase of $8 to $2,328 per ounce from $2,320, reflecting a positive trend in global markets.

    Over the weekend, gold prices in Pakistan had dipped, aligning with a downturn in the international market. The All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association reported that on Saturday, the price per tola had decreased to Rs241,500, following a single-day decline of Rs1,400.

    Earlier this year in April, gold prices had reached an all-time high of Rs252,200 per tola in the local market, underscoring the volatility influenced by global market dynamics.

    The fluctuations in gold prices are predominantly driven by shifts in the international market, which are influenced by changes in global demand and supply for the precious metal.

  • Pakistan’s IT exports poised to surpass $3 billion this year

    Pakistan’s IT exports poised to surpass $3 billion this year

    Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, expressed optimism on Monday that Pakistan’s IT exports will exceed the $3 billion mark this year.

    Addressing the National Assembly, she outlined ambitious targets, projecting IT exports to reach $25 billion within the next five years, aligning with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision.

    Highlighting the strategic importance of the IT sector during Prime Minister Shehbaz’s international engagements, Khawaja noted significant developments. She announced a pivotal agreement with Huawei of China to transform Islamabad into a smart city, with plans to expand the Safe City project nationwide.

    Under this initiative, 300,000 youths are set to undergo specialised training starting next month, in collaboration with global tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, aiming to certify 1.5 million IT professionals over the next five years.

    Khawaja also underscored the expansion of the DigiSkills program and plans to establish a Centre for Excellence for Gaming, aimed at fostering the local gaming industry and creating a conducive startup environment.

    On the legislative front, she highlighted key initiatives including Pakistan’s first Cyber Emergency Policy, draft National Artificial Intelligence policy, and the Personal Data Protection Bill. Additionally, efforts are underway towards a National Semiconductor policy, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to digital transformation.

    The Minister further elaborated on Pakistan’s National Digitisation plan, encompassing Digital Economy, Governance, and Society. Recently, a high-level delegation from Google met with Khawaja to discuss enhancing technology’s role in education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the digital economy.

    The delegation included Andrew Ure, Kyle Gardener, and Farhan Qureshi, reaffirming Google’s commitment to advancing Pakistan’s digital landscape.

  • Two American Air Force members to quit as US continues to back Israel

    Two American Air Force members to quit as US continues to back Israel

    Two officers currently serving in the United States Air Force are seeking to quit their military roles and declare themselves conscientious objectors in the light of their opposition to Washington’s backing of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

    The two people in question are Larry Hebert and Juan Bettancourt who are critical of the US-backed genocide in Gaza that has killed over 37,400 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.

    They have formally requested to be recognized as conscientious objectors as per established military procedures — a status granted to individuals who object to engaging in military activities on moral or ethical grounds.

    Al Jazeera spoke to Hebert who is presently serving as a senior airman in the US Air Force. He pointed out that conscientious objection in the US military has historically been seen during protests against the Vietnam and Iraq wars.

    He intends to raise awareness that active-duty soldiers have the option to choose conscientious objection.

    In an earlier interview with NBC News, Hebert revealed the death of six-year-old Hind Rajab in February was a pivotal moment influencing his decision.