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  • Security forces neutralise 12 terrorists in separate operations in KP, Balochistan: ISPR

    Security forces neutralise 12 terrorists in separate operations in KP, Balochistan: ISPR

    As many as 12 terrorists, including a high-value target, were killed in multiple operations conducted by security forces in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday.    

    According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), four terrorists, including a high-value target, were sent to hell during an exchange of fire with security forces in Balochistan’s Kech district.

    Security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the general Balgatar area of Kech district on the reported presence of terrorists.

    “During [the] conduct of the operation, after an intense fire exchange between own troops and the terrorists, four terrorists including a high-value target, terrorist ring leader Sana [alias] Baru were killed,” the statement said.

    Per the ISPR, Baru was a focal recruitment agent, “especially suicide bombers, for the so-called Majeed Brigade in Kech District and was highly wanted by law enforcement agencies.

    Separately, security forces conducted an operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Miranshah district and killed eight terrorists.

    According to the ISPR, on 12-13 November 2024, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Miran Shah, North Waziristan District on the reported presence of khawarij.

    “During the operation, security personnel engaged the terrorists, where “eight khawarij were sent to hell, while six khawarij got injured”.

    “A sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other “khawarij” in the area. Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement added.

  • Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer

    Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer

    US President-elect Donald Trump thanked President Joe Biden for pledging a smooth transfer of power as the victorious Republican made a historic return visit to the White House on Wednesday.

    “Politics is tough, and in many cases, it’s not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much,” Trump said after the two men shook hands in the Oval Office.

    Trump, 78, added that the transition would be “smooth as you can get.” Biden greeted Trump in front of a roaring fire, offering him congratulations and saying: “Welcome back.”

    The 81-year-old Biden invited his sworn rival to the White House — despite the fact that Trump, who refused to admit his 2020 election loss, never afforded Biden the same courtesy.

    Biden, who dropped out of the election in July but saw his successor Kamala Harris lose to Trump last week, said he was “looking forward to having a smooth transition.”

    “We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, [have] what you need,” he told Trump.

    Triumphant Trump

    Their talks after the public handshake may have been a bitter pill to swallow for Biden, who branded Trump a threat to democracy.

    Biden was expected to push during the meeting for Trump to continue US support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia, which the Republican has called into question.

    Ahead of the White House visit, Trump addressed Republicans from the House of Representatives at a Washington hotel near the Capitol, which a mob of his supporters stormed in 2021 to try to reverse his election loss. An ebullient Trump suggested that he could even be open to a third term in office — which would violate the US Constitution.

    “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s good, we got to figure something else,’” he said, drawing some laughter.

    Trump’s party looks set to take both chambers of Congress and consolidate his extraordinary comeback.

    He was accompanied at the meeting with Republicans by the world’s richest man Elon Musk, whom he named on Tuesday as head of a new group aimed at slashing government spending. Trump has launched a flurry of nominations as he moves swiftly to name his administration.

    Picking his team

    Biden’s Oval Office invitation restored a presidential transition tradition that Trump tore up when he lost the 2020 election, refusing to sit down with Biden or even attend the inauguration.

    Then-president Barack Obama had welcomed Trump to the White House when the tycoon won the 2016 election.

    But by the time Trump took his last Marine One flight from the White House lawn on January 20, 2021, he had also been repudiated by many in his own party for having stoked the assault on the Capitol.

    That period of disgrace soon evaporated, however, as Republicans returned to Trump’s side, recognizing his unique electoral power at the head of his right-wing movement.

    Trump enters his second term with a near-total grip on his party and the Democrats in disarray. He has spent the week since the election at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida assembling his top team, as the world watches to see how closely he sticks to his pledges of isolationism, mass deportations and sweeping tariffs.

    Trump named Space X, Tesla and X boss Musk, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency (‘DOGE’)” — a tongue-in-cheek reference to an internet meme and cryptocurrency.

    Trump is moving quickly to fill out his administration, picking a host of ultra-loyalists.

    Trump nominated Fox News host and army veteran Pete Hegseth as his incoming defence secretary. An outspoken opponent of so-called “woke” ideology in the armed forces, Hegseth has little experience similar to managing the mammoth US military budget and bureaucracy.

    Trump named South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem — an ally who famously wrote about shooting her dog because it did not respond to training — as head of the Department of Homeland Security.

  • PTA rolls out new registration portal for VPN users

    PTA rolls out new registration portal for VPN users

    After a controversy over blocking virtual private networks (VPNs) and growing public anger in Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Wednesday rolled out a streamlined process for legitimate users to register their VPNs.

    The move came days after the national regulator started the process of blocking unregistered VPNs in the country to regulate internet security and ensure the safety of users.

    VPNs are widely used around the world to access content that may be inaccessible or blocked for internet users in their home country. In Pakistan, VPNs are frequently used to access X, among other restricted websites.

    The PTA held a consultation session on the VPN registration framework yesterday. Representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA) attended the session.

    According to a statement issued by the PTA, the session aimed to foster a secure environment for the IT and e-commerce sectors in Pakistan.

    “The PTA introduced a streamlined VPN registration process, allowing legitimate users to register their VPNs through a new online platform at ipregistration.pta.gov.pk,” the statement further said.

    The regulatory authority claimed that this simplified framework “supports uninterrupted access for IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders, reinforcing PTA’s commitment to Pakistan’s expanding digital economy”.

    During the session, participants also addressed concerns about the potential use of VPNs for illegal activities.

     

  • Bad news for first T20 Pak-Aus match

    Bad news for first T20 Pak-Aus match

    The Pakistan Vs Australia T20 series is going to start tomorrow (Thursday) but the fate of the first match has become uncertain.    

    The first T20 match of the three match series between the Kangaroos and the Green Shirts is scheduled to be played in Brisbane tomorrow, but now there are significant chances of rain marring the proceedings. 

    The match is scheduled for 1 pm tomorrow, Pakistan time. 

    The Brisbane Meteorological Department has predicted rain from 1 pm tomorrow and has said that there is a possibility of downpours throughout the day along with a light breeze.

    Pakistan got off to a rollicking start at the beginning of the tour by defeating Australia in the ODI series by 2-1, a feat they repeated after 22 years.

  • PC Board rejects Rs10bn bid for PIA, floats new proposals

    PC Board rejects Rs10bn bid for PIA, floats new proposals

    The Privatisation Commission (PC) Board on Wednesday rejected the latest bid for the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), presenting new proposals for the airline’s privatisation.

    New proposals will now be forwarded to the cabinet committee and the federal cabinet for approval.

    The Blue World City consortium, the only bidder, had placed a bid of Rs10bn against the minimum price of Rs85.03bn. The Shehbaz-led government had pre-qualified six groups in June, but only the real estate development company participated in the final bidding process.

    The decision to reject the lowest bid and new proposals came during a meeting chaired by Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan. Several privatisation initiatives were reviewed and key recommendations were approved.

    The minister stressed that all privatisation efforts, including those for PIA, must adhere to legal protocols while prioritising the national interest.

    “The final decision on the privatisation of institutions like PIA rests with the cabinet committee and steps must be taken to enhance future bidding processes, Khan maintained.

    The minister also directed officials to expedite the privatisation of PIA and other public entities and emphasised the importance of learning from the current PIA privatisation process to improve future efforts.

    There are some media reports that the federal government is also working on a new plan for privatisation, which involves the sell-off of the cash-strapped national carrier to either Qatar or Abu Dhabi under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement.

    It is worth mentioning that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and local business community have also shown interest in buying the PIA.

  • Fuel prices expected to rise: Pump owners rejoice as millions tighten their belts

    Fuel prices expected to rise: Pump owners rejoice as millions tighten their belts

    Pump owners are preparing to celebrate, as oil companies have allegedly submitted a proposal to the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to revise fuel prices. However, this spells bad news for travel buses and apps like Yango, which might see a hike in their fare.

    Reportedly, petrol prices are expected to be revised by 2.5 rupees per litre, kerosene oil by 5.54 rupees per litre, and light diesel oil (LDO) by 5.9 rupees per litre and the most significant of all, High-speed diesel (HSD) by 5.91 rupees.

    Experts are claiming that the reason behind the projected rise in price is an increase in petroleum prices in the international market. Since imports cover 80 per cent of the domestic demand for oil, Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the ever-changing oil prices.

    However, if that were true, prices should have dropped instead because, in the last month, the price of oil has dropped by a quarter in the international market. It is, therefore, unlikely that the primary motivation behind the expected rise in local prices is linked to global prices.

    An alternate explanation could be Islamabad’s crackdown against the illegal smuggling of diesel across the Pakistan-Iran border. This could increase demand at local fuel stations as Iranian diesel ceases to be sold in the black market. The crackdown against smuggling will undoubtedly greatly increase the profit margins of local fuel stations as they will see more traffic flowing through them now.

    It is to be noted that fuel is a good that is inelastic in demand. Simply put, any hikes in fuel prices are not likely to cause a reduction in consumption as it is considered a necessity. Moreover, it is unlikely that vehicles are utilizing multiple fuel sources (barring the age-old combination of Petrol-CNG), which makes it impossible to switch to a cheaper alternative.

    It is this very principle that will allow business owners involved in the trade of fuel to benefit from the expected rise in prices – as prices of each barrel of crude oil have actually fallen by 25 per cent in the last month.

    However, these profits will come at the cost of the rest of the economy. People will still have to consume petrol and other such products regularly. The higher prices will result in a decline in the purchasing power of customers. This would spell bad news for non-fuel businesses, as a higher proportion of the consumer budget would be allocated towards the purchase of fuel, which would mean fewer revenues for non-fuel businesses.

    This is likely to cause businesses to suffer as their customers will have less money to spend on their products.

    Moreover, businesses are expected to suffer as transport costs of goods from warehouses to stores will rise. Businesses will either have to absorb these extra costs, resulting in a drop in profits, or this additional cost will have to be passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices, resulting in a rise in inflation.

    While it’s not a win either for businesses or customers, it’s great news for businesses trading fuel. It will also be interesting to note whether the tax levied on fuel by the government sees a change or not as IMF conditions continue to remain unmet. The answer will be unfurled by the winds of time.

  • UK’s The Guardian stops posting on ‘toxic media platform’ X

    UK’s The Guardian stops posting on ‘toxic media platform’ X

    Britain’s The Guardian newspaper announced Wednesday it would no longer post content from its official accounts on Elon Musk’s X, branding it a “toxic media platform” home to “often disturbing content”.

    “We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives,” the left-leaning newspaper, which has nearly 11 million followers on X, said in a statement on its website.

    It added that its “resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere”.

    “This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism,” the statement noted.

    “The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.”

    The paper’s main X handle — @guardian — was still accessible Wednesday but a message on it advised “this account has been archived” while redirecting visitors to its website.

    The Guardian noted that X users would still be able to share its articles, and that it would still “occasionally embed content from X” within its articles given “the nature of live news reporting”.

    It also said its reporters would still be able to use the site and other social networks on which the paper does not have an account.

    “Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work,” The Guardian added.

    Musk purchased X, formerly known as Twitter, for $44 billion in 2022 and has consistently courted controversy with his use of the platform, particularly during the recent US presidential election.

    Musk endorsed Donald Trump and used his personal account boasting nearly 205 million followers to sway voters in favour of the Republican, with a slew of incendiary, misleading posts criticised for cranking up the political temperature.

    Trump on Tuesday announced that the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire would lead a so-called Department of Government Efficiency in his incoming administration, alongside the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

  • ICC releases new ‘visual identity’ of Champions Trophy

    ICC releases new ‘visual identity’ of Champions Trophy

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the new ‘visual identity’ of the Champions Trophy.

    The video released reveals the logo of the Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan, while the ICC has also released the new typographic logo of the Trophy brand.

    The famous truck art of Pakistan is featured in the video, depicting a visual identity that represents the event logo and other graphic elements.

    The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy will return to Pakistan next year after an eight-year gap since the last tournament held in 2017.

    The Women’s Champions Trophy will be held in Sri Lanka in 2026.

    Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sought answers to important questions in a letter written to the head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after India refused to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

    The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC on Tuesday after India refused to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

    According to Geo, vital answers have been sought in the letter written by the PCB to the head of the ICC.

    The PCB has asked the ICC when exactly the Indian Cricket Board informed them that the Indian cricket team will not be able to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan. PCB has also asked whether the Indian Cricket Board has informed the ICC in writing about its refusal. The PCB has also asked the next question: if India has refused in writing to come to Pakistan, then what are the reasons for it? 

    PCB asked the ICC for a copy of the Indian Cricket Board’s written notice so that the reasons on the basis of which the decision was taken can be reviewed.

    What is your response to the Indian Cricket Board’s refusal to send the team PCB in the letter PCB has asked. 

    After getting answers to all these questions, the Pakistan Cricket Board will take legal advice and guidance from its government so that the next course of action can be formulated.

    If India really does not send its cricket team to Pakistan and the ICC accepts India’s refusal, then Pakistan will not play any match with the Indian cricket team during the Champions Trophy under any circumstances.

    Earlier, there were reports that PCB is taking a tough stance on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send its team to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan: considering a ‘minus-India’ formula in response.

    The PCB has decided to use examples from the 1996 and 2003 World Cup in its initial stance to adopt a tough stance against India.

    However, Indian media reports are claiming that the Champions Trophy will be shifted to South Africa if Pakistan rejects the hybrid model.

    The decision will be made at the board meeting, where a poll will be necessary for transferring the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) response to an email sent on Friday, and ICC’s next course of action will depend on the PCB’s reaction, the report said.

  • Two organisations willing to buy Imran’s sister’s plaster cast with his sign, says Noreen Khanum

    Two organisations willing to buy Imran’s sister’s plaster cast with his sign, says Noreen Khanum

    Noreen Khanum Niazi, sister of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has stated that two organisations have approached her to purchase her plaster cast signed by her brother. 

    Speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a hearing of the ToshaKhana case, Noreen Khanum said that both the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) expressed interest in purchasing the autographed plaster cast.

    Responding to a journalist’s question about whether she would sell the cast to them or gift it to them, Noreen Khanum Niazi said: “Obviously, I will give it as a gift as both organisations belong to my brother,” noting that If Khan’s organisation auctioned the plaster for charity, “it would be great.”

    She said, “It was me who asked my brother to give his autograph on my wrist’s plaster cast.”

    On November 6, during Noreen Khanum’s meeting with her brother at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Imran Khan had signed the cast on her wrist twice. 

    After meeting with Imran Khan, she mentioned that half the plaster cast would go to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, and the other half would go to the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).

    Earlier, Imran Khan’s signed plaster cast had been preserved by YouTuber Sami Ibrahim, who termed it an “achievement and memorial.”

    Former PM Khan was arrested from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case in August last year and has been in jail since then on multiple charges.

    Currently, he is held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail under high security and with B-class facilities due to his status as a former prime minister.

  • Maryam Nawaz comes under fire for wearing fur coat while Punjab goes through smog crisis

    Maryam Nawaz comes under fire for wearing fur coat while Punjab goes through smog crisis

    Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has come under fire on social media for wearing what appears to be a luxurious fur coat in London while addressing Punjab’s smog crisis on November 12.

    The optics for the Punjab’s Chief Minister aren’t good as the citizens of the province, and in particular Lahore, go through one of the worst climate catastrophes in history. 

    A dark haze has engulfed Punjab’s major cities, including Lahore and Multan, with poor visibility. Furthermore, traffic on the motorway is also suspended due to the smog crisis. 

    Nasa’s satellite images show both Lahore and New Delhi shrouded in thick smog with no green cover.

    Netizens criticised the timing of Mayam’s visit overseas as her province is experiencing a crisis. CM Punjab, while talking to reporters, stated, “We are taking action against smog and will eliminate this smog in a few years. I am so sorry for the fact that this problem has been pushed to such an extent because they [previous government] had no concern for such a serious issue.”

    Netizens on X (formerly Twitter) couldn’t help but notice the fur coat Maryam Nawaz had adorned with one user writing, “Inflation is ending in Punjab – Maryam Nawaz. The fur coat is currently worth 24,000 dollars to 71,000 dollars, the price of glasses is 1,140 dollars, Hermes Birkini bags are 60,000 dollars, making fun of Pakistanis.”

    Another social media user criticised Maryam’s presence abroad, writing, “Smog will be fixed in a few years, says Maryam Nawaz while cosplaying as Sicilian Mafia donned with “fox fur” breathing fresh air in london as Form-47 CM of Punjab where Millions suffer with persistent Respiratory diseases, flu, cough, headache etc.”

    One user wrote, “Maryam Nawaz’s most recent public appearance shows that the govt is not taking this issue seriously. So many ppl in this country could fix this issue and advise our politicians on optics. From jokes being made to moving to Karachi, to fur lapels and blaming old cars. We’re doomed.”

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took to X to post a screenshot of Air Quality Indexes of different cities with Karachi having a relatively better score. Bhutto wrote, “Dear Pakistan, move to Karachi. ”


    Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time Maryam Nawaz has come under criticism from the public for wearing expensive items. In 2022, when Pakistan was hit with devastating floods, Maryam Nawaz was seen wearing a fur coat (Ermanno Scervino) worth $4,648 (Rs1,029,789.5 including duties & handling fees included), according to News 360.