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Showing posts from June, 2025

PM announces 100,000 free laptops for students PM says distribution of laptops will cover all four provinces and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...

Pakistan Cricket Board appoints Azhar Mahmood as acting red-ball head-coach

  The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team. In April, after having tested as many as six head coaches without any positive results in key international contests during the past two years for the national team, the PCB again  advertised  the post. Aaqib Javed, the last interim head coach for both formats who had failed to deliver after performing double duties as selector and coach during the past six months, had  left the job  following this year’s ICC Champions Trophy  held  in February-March. “The Pakistan Cricket Board today announces Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” a PCB press release read. According to the press release, the former Pakistan all-rounder will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract. “A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressi...

Xiaomi YU7: Xiaomi undercuts Tesla with yet another cheaper car

  BEIJING, June 26, 2025: Chinese EV and smartphone maker Xiaomi on Thursday priced its new electric Xiaomi YU7 SUV 10,000 yuan ($1,395) cheaper than Tesla’s Model Y, stepping up the challenge to the U.S. firm in the world’s largest auto market. The base model of the YU7 starts from 253,500 yuan ($35,364), with the more premium models YU7 Pro and YU7 Max priced at 279,900 and 329,900 yuan respectively. Xiaomi will take orders for all three models from Thursday night. The Model Y, which was China’s best-selling SUV in May, retails from 263,500 yuan in China. Xiaomi’s CEO and founder Lei Jun has said he wants the YU7 to challenge the Model Y and analysts say it is well placed to take on the Tesla vehicle’s dominance. Other rivals include Zeekr’s 7X and Li Auto’s L6. FULL SPECIFICATIONS The YU7 has a driving range of up to 835 kilometres (519 miles) per charge, versus the redesigned Model Y that was launched in January with a range of up to 719 kilometres. The Xiaomi YU7 is a mid-size...

Field Marshal stresses stronger Civil-Military synergy: ISPR

  Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir, on Friday emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional synergy and deepening mutual understanding between Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Syed Asim Munir, engaged with the probationary officers of the 52nd Common Training Program (CTP) of the Civil Services Academy during a session held at the Army Auditorium, the military’s media wing said in a statement. The probationary officers of the Civil Services Academy remained attached with the formations of Pakistan Army at peace time locations and operational areas of Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These officers gained rich experience of the three services during various interactions and visits, ISPR added. This interaction with the COAS formed part of a broader national initiative aimed at strengthening institutional synergy and deepening mutual understanding between P...

Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week

  Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would likely seek a commitment from Iran to end its nuclear ambitions at talks next week and credited US strikes on Iran with bringing a swift end to the war between Israel and Tehran. Donald Trump said his decision to unleash huge bunker-busting bombs in Sunday’s attack had devastated Iran’s nuclear program and called the outcome “a victory for everybody”. “It was very severe. It was obliteration,” he said, shrugging off an initial assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency that Iran’s path to building a nuclear weapon may have been set back only by months. Trump warns of more attacks if Iran rebuilds nuclear sites  US President Donald Trump has reiterated that airstrikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear program while rejecting the minimal damage reports. In an interview on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Donald Trump stated that under no circumstances will Iran b...

Pakistan & US host webinar to promote investment in Pakistan’s mining sector amongst American investors

  Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the USA Embassy in Pakistan, hosted a high-level webinar "Opportunities in Pakistan’s Mining Sector – Unlocking Mineral Potential" aimed at promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals and mining sector to American investors and companies. This direct line virtual event was hosted together by Federal Minister of Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan H.E Natalie Baker at Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) Head Office in Islamabad. The webinar brought together senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), leading Pakistani mineral and energy companies, representatives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and top USA diplomats and energy sector stakeholders. Secretary Petroleum Mr. Momin Agha, MD OGDCL Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Directors of GHPL and Mari Energies, DG Mines, MD PMDC, and senior representatives from Ark...

Pakistan resumes flight operations after Gulf airspace reopens PIA flights to Gulf restored; major delays, cancellations still reported nationwide

  KARACHI: Pakistan has resumed flight operations to the Gulf region following the reopening of airspace over Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, aviation sources confirmed on Tuesday. The development comes after the temporary suspension of operations by national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late last night due to escalating tensions in the region.  PIA has now restored its Gulf-bound flights; however, delays ranging from five to thirteen hours are still expected in departures. According to flight schedules, a total of 32 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other airports across the country have been cancelled, including 14 Qatar Airways flights. Airline sources added that 55 flights — both arrivals and departures —have been delayed at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE did not close their airspace last night, several flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the deteriorating situation in th...

Islamabad sessions court adjourns hearing of designer Maria B’s defamation suit against podcaster Shehzad Ghias

  An Islamabad district and sessions court adjourned a defamation case filed by designer Maria B against podcaster Shehzad Ghias until July 14, days after she said she served Ghias a legal notice, accusing him of defamation and inciting violence against her. During a second hearing of the case on Monday, Ghias’s lawyer Imaan Mazari appeared and said she would submit power of attorney at the next hearing. The court ordered that arguments should be submitted at the next hearing, and the request for a restraining order should be discussed. Earlier in the day, Additional Sessions Judge Sheikh Muhammad Sohail heard the case, during which Maria B’s lawyer Barrister Abdul Ahad Khokher appeared on her behalf while no one appeared on behalf of Ghias. Khokher argued that Ghias should stop tweeting and posting videos, adding he was doing so despite a case in court. The barrister said the case was underway and negative propaganda was being spread. Khokher asked the court to prohibit Ghias from...

DPM Dar meets Turkish President Erdogan on OIC Sidelines

  ISTANBUL: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers. Senator Dar was accompanied by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to its historic and multifaceted relationship with Türkiye. The two leaders reiterated their resolve to further deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation, grounded in shared values and mutual trust. They discussed key regional and international issues, expressing strong condemnation of ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, which they described as clear violations of international law. They jointly underscored the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities...

Pakistan down France 3-2 in penalty shoot-out to reach FIH Hockey Nations Cup final

  Afraz Hakeem, Sufyan Khan and Muhammad Hammaduddin also scored goals for the national team. The final match will be played tomorrow (Saturday). View this post on Instagram Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti and Secretary General Olympian Rana Mujahid Ali Khan congratulated the national team on winning the game and expressed their best wishes for the final, according to a PHF statement. In the second semi-final, New Zealand will take on South Korea at 6pm PKT. The tournament holds high stakes as the winner earns promotion to the elite FIH Hockey Pro League for the 2025–26 season. France and S. Korea earned their spots in the last four from Pool A, with France topping their group. New Zealand and Pakistan emerged from Pool B, with New Zealand securing the top position. Pakistan finished second in Pool B with four points after three matches. Their journey to the semi-finals included a victory against Japan (3-2) and a hard-fought 3-3 draw against host...

Iran fires new salvo of missiles, explosions at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem

  TEHRAN: Iranian media reported a new salvo of missiles fired at Israel Thursday, as the rivals traded fire for seventh day of the conflict after Israeli strikes on Iran on last Friday. “The missiles roared over Tel Aviv,” the Iranian news agency Fars reported, while state television broadcast live images of the commercial hub. Sirens sounded across Israel early Thursday as the Israeli military said it detected incoming missiles from Iran. “A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” the military said in a post on Telegram. AFP journalists heard violent, sustained explosions in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Thursday morning, as sirens sounded in several parts of the country and the Israeli army warned of incoming Iranian missiles. According to the journalists, the explosions heard in Jerusalem around 7:10 am (0410 GMT) were the biggest since the conflict with Iran began one week ago. Israe...

Pakistan to welcome first monsoon spell from June 25

  KARACHI: Pakistan is set to welcome its first spell of monsoon rains starting from June 25, 2025. The Deputy Director of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Anjum Nazir, forecast that the first spell will begin on June 25 (Wednesday) and continue until July 2. He noted that Karachi is currently experiencing intense heat due to low atmospheric pressure over the Arabian Sea with the feels like temperature could rise to 50°C. “Weatherly conditions are expected to improve by tomorrow evening with the full restoration of sea breezes”, he added. “From June 19, the sky is expected to remain cloudy, with chances of light drizzle in the morning and evening”. Read More:  Karachi’s ‘feels like’ temperature climbs to 46°C Meanwhile, mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours. However, partly cloudy weather with dust/thunderstorm-rain is likely at isolated places in North-East Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Upper Khyber ...