Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities have sounded the alarm over a surge in H3N2 influenza cases, commonly referred to as “super flu,” warning citizens to take precautions as the virus spreads rapidly across the country. According to the National Institutes of Health, 340,856 suspected influenza cases were reported in recent weeks, with laboratory tests confirming H3N2 in 12 percent of samples. Experts say a new genetic subtype of the virus is contributing to faster transmission compared with other seasonal influenza strains. Dr Shafiq Rehman, senior scientific officer at the Pakistan Centre for Disease Control, said confirmed H3N2 cases…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of reports that passengers were being offloaded while travelling abroad and ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the matter. The panel is led by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik and includes Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Muhammad Awn Chaudhry. Heads of the Pakistan Digital Authority and the National Information Technology Board also serve on the committee, alongside the Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, the Secretary IT, and the Additional Secretary Interior. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign…

By Noor Saharanpuri KARACHI: A Mushaira was held to commemorate Yaum-e-Siddiq-e-Akbar (RA), honoring the life and virtues of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), the first Caliph of Islam. The Mushaira was organized by Anjuman-e-Bahar-e-Adab in collaboration with Faiz-e-Madina Na’at Council at the residence of Na’at Khaan Al-Hajj Shah Rukh Qadri. The session was presided over by Al-Hajj Sufi Kamal Mian Jameeli Sultani, who later delivered a profound lecture on the life, truthfulness, sacrifices, and virtues of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA). The session was moderated by poet Dr. Noor Saharanpuri and before the commencement of the poetry recitations, poet Adnan…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: As digital payments continued to reshape financial systems across emerging markets, Pakistan was undergoing one of the most significant transitions in its financial landscape. JazzCash International chairman and Veon Group executive committee member Aamir Ibrahim said fintech solutions had become essential in countries where traditional banking had long struggled to reach underserved populations. “In most frontier markets, mobile phones reached people long before banks did,” Ibrahim said. “That gap created an opportunity for fintechs to solve very basic, everyday problems – from making payments to opening a simple mobile wallet.” He said that opportunity had now…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, said on Monday that her brother would not compromise on three core issues: the supremacy of the Constitution, the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, and transparent elections. Speaking to the media after appearing before an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi, Aleema said any judge unable to deliver justice in accordance with the Constitution and the law should step aside rather than occupy the bench. She maintained that the former prime minister had stood his ground despite spending more than two years in prison. She alleged that Imran…

By our correspondent ISLAMAABD: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Monday that Pakistan had uncovered extensive evidence of coordinated, paid social media campaigns run through fake accounts, largely operated from abroad, warning that those involved could face legal action if they continued activities undermining the country. Addressing a detailed briefing, the minister said the government had recently provided foreign media with background information on how terrorists and organized networks were exploiting social media platforms to manipulate public opinion in Pakistan. He welcomed international coverage of Pakistan’s stance, noting that leading global newspapers and news channels had highlighted the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The implementation of the National SME and Worker Formalization Roadmap will pave the way for competitive economic growth by promoting stronger institutions, higher productivity and improved working conditions in the SME sector. This was jointly stated by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production (MoIP), Malik Aman, Joint Secretary MoIP, Nadia Jehangir Seth, CEO SMEDA, and Geir T Tonstol, Country Director of the ILO in Pakistan, while commenting on Pakistan’s first National SME and Worker Formalization Roadmap. Haroon Akhtar Khan described the roadmap as a central pillar of Pakistan’s economic…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Secretary General of Mohajir Qaumi Movement–Haqiqi (MQM-H) Shahid Faraz has voiced serious concern over the surge in street crimes across Karachi, describing the situation as increasingly alarming and threatening for ordinary citizens. Speaking to a delegation of journalists from Karachi Press Club at the residence of party chairman Afaq Ahmed, Faraz highlighted that reports from media, police records, and emergency services such as Chhipa, Edhi, and other ambulance providers confirm daily incidents of robbery, looting, and violent resistance that have led to loss of life. He noted that crimes such as mobile phone and motorcycle snatching…

Shehryar Memon called on journalists and media partners to amplify the polio eradication campaign, emphasizing that accurate reporting is vital to addressing persistent technical and social hurdles By our correspondent KARACHI: Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Sindh Coordinator Sheryar Gul Memon said both the province and the country were on the “last mile” towards eliminating the disease. Speaking at a media meet-up, he stressed the urgency of addressing the transmission of the poliovirus, which he described as both “crucial and deadly.” Memon appealed directly to journalists and media partners to lend their voice to the campaign, highlighting the role of accurate…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, said on Thursday that she and her family would not be intimidated by authorities, asserting they could not leave her brother unprotected amid ongoing legal proceedings. Speaking to reporters outside the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi, Khan described the arrest and detention measures as “illegal” and criticised the court for marking her absent after she and her legal team arrived late. She said that over the past two months, her mother, Bushra Bibi, had been allowed only 40 minutes of visitation, and the PTI founder himself had received…