The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested four drug peddlers during operations in different areas of the country on Wednesday.
An ANF spokesperson said the operations have been carried out in Gujranwala, Kuchlak Bypass Quetta, Khyber, Mianwali, Karachi and Chaman.
He said 101.64kg of hashish, 50 kg of heroin, 1.2 kg of opium, 5kg of ice, and 4kg of suspicious materials have been recovered from the suspects.
Cases have been registered against the peddlers under the Anti-Narcotics Act, he added.
A man influenced by the popular online game PUBG shot dead a young Dolphin Police officer and critically injured another at Defense Housing Authority (DHA) Y Block, Lahore.
The deceased officer, Hafiz Nauman, got married a year go.
According to initial investigation reports, an armed man fired at Nauman, hitting him in the chest, from a distance of two feet. He fired three bullets when Nauman and his constable rounded him up in the busy commercial area. One of the bullets pierced Nauman’s lungs, leading to his death.
The gunman also attacked Constable Mohsin and fired at him, hitting him on the chest and leg, leaving him critically injured.
An official stated later that a gunman named Asif alias Asu was traced to Patoki, where he was killed by the firing of his companions while in an encounter with police.
A police official added that Asu was addicted to PUBG games and influenced by its violence. He also said that it is not the first time that the game has been the cause of violent crime.
Last year, a 14-year-old PUBG fan in Kahna shot his entire family, including his mother and two minor sisters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on Sunday that Pakistan has successfully fulfilled all the prerequisites set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the halted bailout program. He expressed confidence that no obstacles remain in finalising a staff-level agreement between the nation and the IMF, emphasising that Pakistan is committed to resolving its financial challenges.
During the inauguration of the Sabzazar Sports Complex in Lahore, Prime Minister Shehbaz hinted at a contingency plan, stating, “If there are further delays in reaching an agreement with the IMF, I will address the situation.” He urged the public not to panic, assuring them that Pakistan will be safeguarded by the divine will of Allah. He expressed hope that the government and the IMF will achieve a staff-level agreement within the current month.
Highlighting the significance of political stability, the Prime Minister emphasised its crucial role in ensuring economic stability. He pledged to bring about economic prosperity in the country under the leadership of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
In strong criticism of the former ruling party, Prime Minister Shehbaz held deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan responsible for the events of May 9 and vowed to bring all those involved in the violent protests and attacks on civil and military installations to justice.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to make changes to the schedule of the next edition of International League T20 (ILT20).
The second edition of ILT20 is currently scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 12 in 2024. Considering the clash of dates between ILT20 and Pakistan Super League (PSL), PCB requested ECB to give 10 days concession to accommodate Pakistan cricket team players.
In the previous edition of the ILT20, which took place from January 13 to February 12 earlier this year, Pakistan players were not allowed to participate despite attractive offers from the UAE-based league.
As reported by Cricket Pakistan last month, ILT20 organizers offered top players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, substantial contracts, along with the opportunity to captain a team and sign a three-year contract.
However, the PCB did not grant permission to its players to participate in the league. Former -PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja had even requested compensation from the Emirates in return for releasing the players.
In contrast, current PCB chief, Najam Sethi, has taken a more flexible approach towards the ILT20, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relations with the UAE and suggesting that negotiations can be pursued based on the principle of ‘give and take.’ Hence, as reported by Cricket
Pakistan, national team players are likely to take part in the next edition of ILT20.
Last month, Cricket Pakistan also reported that there is a possibility of rearranging the home series against West Indies in 2024. PCB conveyed to the franchises during the recent PSL governing council meeting in Lahore that the mentioned series with West Indies might require rescheduling in order to accommodate PSL 9. The West Indies team is currently slated to come to Pakistan in February and March to play two Test matches and three T20I matches.
A group of dacoits rushed into a private bank at Barki Road in Lahore and plundered millions in cash on Monday morning before running away, police have confirmed.
Five armed men went inside the bank, snatched away the security guard’s weapon and collected over Rs10 million cash.
The suspects deprived a customer of Rs4.1m and looted Rs6m from the cash counter.
The gunmen also manhandled security guards and injured them on offering resisting.
A police team rushed to the spot on an emergency call, collecting necessary evidence including CCTV footage, and launched an investigation.
A new Canadian airline has introduced direct flight to three major cities in Pakistan from Toronto. The flights to Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore will begin in August.
The new airline, Zara Airways, has appointed Ejaz Haroon, former managing director of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as an adviser.
The airline will operate three weekly flights from Toronto to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
It plans to initiate operations in August, utilising two Boeing 777 aircraft initially, with the potential to expand the fleet based on demand. The partnership with Shaheen Airport for ground services, cabin crew, and other operational support will further strengthen Zara Airways’ capabilities.
To ensure smooth commencement of operations, Zara Airways is currently in the process of securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Canadian government.
The establishment of Zara Airways is poised to invigorate Pakistan’s aviation industry, which has recently witnessed positive developments.
The approval of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and SunExpress by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will introduce increased competition, ultimately leading to lower fares and improved services for passengers.
Additionally, Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of direct flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa, a route that had been suspended since 2004.
A woman in Lahore murdered her husband with the help of her lover.
As per details, the woman named Saima, served her husband Danish rice mixed with intoxicants at 10pm. She then called her lover Shehbaz, who came at 2am and shot the man.
The woman then suffocated her husband to death with a pillow.
The incident took place on May 21, and the police managed to catch the culprits within ten days.
The police revealed that the woman was slowly poisoning her husband, since they both got married eight months ago.
Shehbaz and Saima have been arrested while police are further investigating the case.
Director of the anticipated crime thriller ‘Kukri’, Ali Sajjad Shah aka Abu Aleeha, sat down for an interview with Geo Digital, where he opened up about his decision to cast actor Yasir Hussain for the film, revealing that initially people thought he was making a mistake with casting the actor:
“They said I am committing suicide and Yasir can’t pull off this character, I received many calls from the people associated with our industry; however, the statements changed when the poster came out, and the very same people spoke to me again and said ‘Tum ne ye kiya bana diya hai!’”
He further praised the ‘Badshah Begum’ actor for being one of the finest in the industry:
“I have seen Yasir’s best work in the theatre, I know how far I can go with him. People have seen his work in dramas but that’s not his finest work.”
Speaking on how Aleeha and Hussain built up the notorious serial killer Javed Iqbal’s character, who reportedly murdered and raped more than a 100 boys in Lahore giving himself up to the police, the director said that he and Hussain researched to get the accent right:
“I took Yasir to many chai dhabbay in Androon–e –Lahore. There, I observed local people chatting in different Punjabi accents. I used to record their conversations and that’s how we picked one of the accents for Javed Iqbal. Later, Yasir practised it.”
Aleeha also talked about why he had chosen to work on the serial killer, a topic that had intrigued audiences last year when the film was announced under the name ‘Javed Iqbal’. The ‘Taxali Gate’ director cited his stint working as a crime news reporter for ten years, which was when he heard about Javed Iqbal:
“I’ve been working as a crime reporter for a private channel for 10 years. [I remember] a criminal was arrested in Lahore and accused of raping 100 children. It was around 1999 and since then, the character has been stuck in my mind.
“Musharraf Sahab’s take over and Javed Iqbal were the two most sensational stories at that time.
“The case was handed over to the honorary Supreme Court and Javed Iqbal was detained, where he committed suicide.
“I got a copy of the challan after a month, from a lawyer and decided to make a web series on the serial killer but no one took me seriously. Then, I published the first book about his crimes and it got a massive response.
“The second edition I published was about the investigation and the back story of this notorious man; the book came out in eight editions and sold out in six months — which indicated that people are intrigued by the story.
“Then I decided to make a film on Javed Iqbal.”
It may be due to political anarchy or disability, or you can say negligence of institutes. But Lahore is not safe for roaming around late at nights or even in broad day light.
Mobile snatchers, purse snatchers, dacoits, thieves, are everywhere and the looters are eerily common now.
Moreover, the city’s residents feel that the Punjab Police is either devoid of solutions to curb the rising crime rate or simply does not care.
A citizen Waqas living in Sundar has been robbed inside his office. Thieves looted Rs500,00 and mobile phone. Jahanzeb, resident of Iqbal Town, got robbed in broad day-light when dacoits snatched over Rs 2 lacs and other belongings from him.
“it is very easy purchase illegal weapon in Punjab. If the citizen retaliates, he will be shot by dacoits so everyone protects his life first.”
Thousands of rupees from Azam’s fast food shop in Factory area, Rs44 thousand and mobile phone from Hamza in Ichhra, Rs31 thousand and mobile phone from Yusuf in Chung, Rs35 thousand from Khalil in Iqbal Town, Rs55 thousand from Yasin in Mustafa Town, Rs65 thousand from Ghazanfar Ali in Johar Town along with mobile phone, Rs 65 thousand from Atiq Ahmed of Ravi Road.
A resident of Shalimar was robbed of belongings worth Rs 11 lacs when robbers rushed into his house.
With all of these street crimes, 7 cars and dozens of bikes reportedly got stolen from Gulberg area, Shahdara Town, Faisal Town, Badami Bagh or Litton Road.
Police have no clue yet, on the cars and bikes which got stolen from different areas of Lahore.
In an explosive speech, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz attacked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, calling him the mastermind of the May 9 riots.
While addressing a public gathering in Vehari, Maryam condemned the May 9 incident, saying, “My heart cries tears of blood over the events that happened on May 9. I dedicate this rally to martyrs and their parents, children and widows.”
She alleged that the “terrorist plan” was hatched in Zaman Park, Imran Khan’s Lahore residence where he has been living for the past several months. “The May 9 attacks were pre-planned,” she alleged.
“Why didn’t the groups of people attack the shopping centre in front of the Corps Commander’s House?” she questioned, accusing “mastermind” Khan of instructing the protesters about which places to attack.
Talking about the recent string of PTI leaders leaving the party, she told Imran Khan that the “game is over”.