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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): APP Digital NewsAllama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.

No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.

The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.

Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.

 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.

Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent stance on Kashmir

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Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

 

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

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APP Digital Small logo
By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest 

#FakeNews CNN18News
#FakeNews CNN18News

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

 

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a  gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

Youth urged to lead fight against extremism, fake news on digital platforms

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QUETTA, Dec 3 (APP): Speakers at a seminar organized by the Press Information Department (PID), Quetta stressed that the youth must play a leading role in countering violent extremism and curbing the spread of misinformation on digital media.

The seminar, held under the PID’s Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Project, brought together academics, journalists, and students to discuss strategies for tackling extremism, which has become deeply entrenched in society and is being fueled by the rapid circulation of false narratives on social media.

Project Director Shahid Imran Ranjha, professors Babrak Niaz and Dr. Muhammad Rahim Nasar, senior journalist Ayub Tareen, and Deputy Director PID Quetta Asad Khan Mandokhail addressed the gathering.

Speakers warned of the dangers posed by unchecked misinformation. “Extremism has infiltrated our society like a cancerous growth, and the wrongful propagation of news on social media has further fueled this evil,” the speakers noted.

They emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness among the younger generation through print and electronic media, educational curricula, and seminars. The goal, they said, is to mentally prepare youth to resist extremist ideologies and prevent the circulation of fake news.

Discussions highlighted the rapid expansion of social media, which now touches nearly every individual. The rising number of fabricated stories on digital platforms was identified as a major concern.

“The prevention of false news is only possible when we meticulously scrutinize the truth and the sources of the news we share,” a speaker explained. “If we engage in this critical reflection, we can stop the spread of false news.”

Participants cautioned that disinformation contributes to serious societal problems and must be addressed promptly. They urged youth to step forward and take responsibility in combating this challenge.

Earlier in the program, Project Director Shahid Imran Ranjha outlined the aims and objectives of the CVE initiative. The event drew a large number of students from universities across Balochistan.

The session concluded with the distribution of shields and certificates to participants by Project Director Ranjha and Deputy Director Mandokhail, recognizing their engagement in the campaign against extremism and misinformation.

IHC seeks full briefing regarding Dr Aafia’s repatriation

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP):The Islamabad High Court  (IHC) on Wednesday sought a full briefing from the federal government by January 20, in the case related to Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s health and repatriation from a US jail.
The Additional Attorney General informed the court during the hearing that Aafia is an American citizen and was also sentenced in the United States; therefore, we cannot interfere in the American system.
A larger bench of the IHC, headed by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, and Justice Khanaam Ameen Minhas, heard the petition of Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, Fauzia Siddiqui. The petitioner’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq Advocate, and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez appeared in the court on behalf of the federation.
 Lawyer Imran Shafiq said that this petition is actually related to Aafia Siddiqui’s repatriation. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir remarked that you did not make this request in the original petition, and there is an extradition agreement with the United States. Imran Shafiq Advocate said that the court has given directions, a contempt of court petition has also been filed, to which the Additional Attorney General said that there are many things and foreign policy issues in this regard.
The court inquired whether an order is in the field; have you challenged it? You did not obey the court orders, so you received contempt of court notices. The Additional Attorney General said that we have challenged the High Court decision in the Supreme Court, but the petition has not been scheduled yet. Now it will also be seen whether our petition will be filed in the Constitutional Court or in the Supreme Court.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir remarked that in this way, the problem of the lawyer of the petitioner will be prolonged. How long will they wait? What is the problem of scheduling a case for the AG’s office? The court inquired that you raised the issue of medical facilities with the American authorities, did they respond?
The Additional Attorney General replied that medical facilities are available in the American prison, but the doctor of your choice will not be allowed. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir remarked that we want to settle this petition; four judges do not have enough time to sit every day. The Additional Attorney General said that we have provided other facilities, including the visa process; we have complied with the request made by the federal government; we cannot interfere in the internal affairs of any other state; we cannot interfere in the internal judicial system of the United States.
She is also an American national who was sentenced not in Pakistan but in the United States. The court directed the Additional Attorney General that the federal government will have to do something; you should submit a briefing. Later, the court adjourned the hearing of Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s case until January 20.

PAC orders verification of Dow University employees’ degrees within 3 months

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KARACHI, Dec 03 (APP):The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed management of the Dow University of Health Sciences to have the academic degrees of all its employees verified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) within three months, following the revelation that 10 employees were hired on the basis of fake degrees.
These directives were issued by Chairman Public Accounts Committee Nisar Khuhro while chairing a PAC meeting here at the Assembly building on Wednesday. Dow University administration reported that out of 3500 employees, only 450 employees’ degrees have so far been verified, while 10 employees’ degrees were declared to be fake by the concerned universities.
PAC while reviewing audit paras of Larkana Municipal Corporation for years 2021 and 2023, ordered to shift employees salaries, pension to the online SAP system to curb fake salary and pension payments.
Dow University Vice Chancellor Dr. Nazli Hussain informed the committee that the verification process is ongoing and has been outsourced to HRS Global. During the verification, it was discovered that 10 employees had secured jobs using forged educational degrees.
The employees identified with fake credentials include Syed Farukh Hussain, Syed Kashif Hussain, Nabeel Ahmed, Muhammad Owais, Mirza Atif Baig, Muhammad Fahad, Faizan Ali, Abdul Nasir, and Badr Mujahid.
The VC stated that eight of the employees whose degrees were proven fake have already been dismissed, while two others have been issued final show-cause notices and will also be terminated soon.

Aim of Int Day of persons with disabilities is to highlight vita of participation

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QUETTA, Dec 03 (APP):Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel Wednesday said that the purpose of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to highlight the importance of participation, access and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all spheres of life.
In his message on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities issued here, the Governor said that it could be said with certainty that with the full implementation of quotas in government jobs and bringing positive changes in our attitudes towards them. He said that more than half of the challenges being faced by persons with disabilities could be solved saying that here we also paid tribute to the sufferings being faced by persons with disabilities and their families because physical or mental disabilities could have a profound impact on both the individual and their family members which creates several domestic and social challenges.
He said that it is a matter of pride and joy that modern science and technology have greatly empowered persons with disabilities due to which they are able to live a full life.
The Governor said that today even a physically disabled person could help and guide millions of people, the extraordinary story of Stephen Hawking, who overcame a physical disability to become a world-renowned scientist and philosopher, is a testament to the power of determination and courage.
He said that it is essential that we promote a positive and inclusive environment for persons with disabilities and providing equal opportunities in education, employment and social participation.
He said that to further empower persons with disabilities, we must address all concerns about their financial stability and accessibility, this could be achieved by ensuring easy access to government buildings.
 Offices catering to persons with disabilities should be moved to the ground floor for easy access, he said.
It should be noted that since day one, as Governor of Balochistan, I have kept the doors of the Governor House open to address the problems and concerns of all the poor and needy people, including persons with disabilities.

NAB Multan engages youth in anti-corruption drive

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MULTAN, Dec 03 (APP):The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Multan held its annual anti-corruption awareness campaign on Wednesday, gathering students from 20 universities across South Punjab for a series of competitive activities aimed at fostering integrity, transparency and civic responsibility.
The event took place at Gillani Law College, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan, and featured essay writing, declamation and poster-painting competitions. Students from various academic fields participated, presenting insightful ideas and creative expressions centered on this year’s theme, “The Role of Youth in the Fight Against Corruption.”
The theme was selected in line with the NAB Chairman’s vision to cultivate a culture of honesty, accountability and ethical conduct among Pakistan’s younger generation. Through their speeches, essays and artwork, participants highlighted corruption as a major barrier to national development and stressed that meaningful youth engagement is essential to building a transparent and resilient society.
Officials from NAB Multan said the activity is part of a broader initiative to raise awareness among students about the damaging effects of corruption and the long-term benefits of ethical decision-making. They noted that empowering youth with these values is crucial to developing future leaders committed to integrity.
The ceremony concluded with addresses by Chief Guest Aamir Karim, Commissioner Multan; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal, Vice Chancellor BZU; and Umar Daraz Rindhawa, Additional Director NAB Multan. All speakers commended the quality of work presented by the students and appreciated their commitment to the cause.
Students who secured top positions will be awarded special certificates on International Anti-Corruption Day. NAB Multan reaffirmed that it will continue expanding such initiatives to strengthen anti-corruption awareness and promote a culture of integrity across South Punjab’s educational institutions.

Invincibles and Challengers seal victories in final league round of National Women’s One-Day Tournament

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FAISALABAD, Dec 03 (APP):The final league round of the National Women’s One-Day Cricket Tournament witnessed commanding performances as the Challengers and the Invincibles clinched emphatic victories in their respective matches played on Wednesday, setting the tone for the knockout stage with dominant all-round displays.
At the HPC Ground, Challengers defeated the Strikers by a convincing margin of 79 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Challengers posted a strong total of 264 runs for the loss of seven wickets, built around a fluent unbeaten 71 by Rameen Shamim and a solid 56 by Yusri Aamir.
In reply, Strikers were bundled out for 185 runs despite a fighting 56 by Aliya Riaz.
The bowling effort of Challengers was led by Quratulain and Sana Talib, who picked up two wickets each.
For Strikers, Zaib-un-Nisa and Shawaal Zulfiqar took two wickets apiece, but their efforts proved insufficient to halt the batting onslaught.
Rameen Shamim of Challengers was declared “Player of the Match” for her match-winning knock.
In the second match played at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad, Invincibles outclassed the Conquerors by 66 runs in a high-scoring encounter.
After winning the toss, Invincibles set a competitive target of 247 runs, anchored by a brilliant 85 from Hafsa Khalid while Muneeba Ali contributed 44 and Natalia Parvaiz added 43 runs.
Conquerors, in their chase, managed 181 runs, with Sidra Nawaz scoring a valiant 51.
The bowling attack of Invincibles remained disciplined, with Hafsa Khalid also chipping in with two crucial wickets while Amber Kainat, Um-e-Hani and Ayesha Bilal claimed two wickets each for Conquerors.
Hafsa Khalid of Invincibles was rightly adjudged “Player of the Match” for her outstanding all-round performance.
With these victories, both Invincibles and Challengers strengthened their positions at the conclusion of the league stage, reflecting the growing competitiveness and rising standard of women’s domestic cricket in Pakistan as the tournament moves toward its decisive phase.

CAMEA session calls for regional cooperation, inclusive governance and counter-extremism frameworks

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP):Experts at the Islamabad Conclave Wednesday cautioned that transnational terrorism, ideological extremism and emerging non-traditional security threats were rapidly reshaping South Asia’s security landscape, urging regional states to move beyond political divides and adopt a coordinated, forward-looking approach.
The second working session titled, ‘Transnational Terrorism and Emerging Security Challenges in South Asia’, was hosted by the Center for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA), said a press release.
The keynote speaker of the session was Senator Mushahid Hussain, Former Chair of the Senate Defence Committee. Other speakers included Dr. Amina Khan, Director, CAMEA, Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former Special Representative on Afghanistan, Dr. Hu Shisheng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Academic Committee and Senior Research Fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR); Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor in the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, and Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Professor, Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad.
Dr. Amina Khan noted that transnational networks have intensified terrorism in South Asia, with groups forging alliances and mirroring tactics. She warned that ethnic cleansing–like methods by self-proclaimed democracies without accountability embolden extremists. She stressed that states seeking international recognition must uphold international norms and counter terrorism obligations to safeguard legitimacy and regional security.
In his Keynote address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed highlighted the shift from uni polarity to multipolarity and Asia’s growing influence. He pointed to popular movements in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal as expressions of South Asia’s resistance culture, while identifying India’s cross-border aggression and Akhand Bharat doctrine as major challenges. Calling for public empowerment, he stressed stronger regional cooperation on climate, population pressures, health, and education, and noted the value of China’s BRI and the SCO’s anti-terror framework. On Afghanistan, he urged diplomacy over force and envisioned a more stable and peaceful South Asia through dialogue and cooperation.
Ambassador Asif Durrani noted that terrorism is often defined selectively, with non-state actors posing persistent threats. Citing Pakistan’s long experience, including India’s branding of the Kashmiri freedom movement as terrorism in the 1980s, he said such narratives and historical baggage hinder regional progress. He stressed that effective counter terrorism demands regional cooperation, mutual understanding, and pragmatic policies.
Dr. Hu Shisheng noted that cross-border militancy has become a sophisticated regional challenge, particularly for Pakistan. Over 90 per cent of terrorist attacks in 2023 occurred in conflict zones, shaped by dynamics of strategic depth and plausible deniability. Militants exploit unresolved issues and hardline ecosystems, undermining security and development. He stressed that regional stability depends on cross-border cooperation, reducing grievances, and expanding economic opportunities.
Dr. Shahab Enam Khan noted that ideological extremism in South Asia is increasingly driven by non-state actors, the weaponisation of resources, and the manipulation of information through social and digital media. He emphasised that resilience depends on community-led initiatives, women’s empowerment, and institutions that prioritise dignity, opportunity, and inclusive governance. He stressed that only regional cooperation and collective action can prevent terrorism and extremism from gaining ground.
Dr. Shabana Fayyaz highlighted significant gaps in regional security cooperation, noting that today’s militants operate independently rather than as traditional proxies.She observed that groups such as Al Qaeda, ISKP, IMU, and African-based networks have further complicated South Asia’s terrorist landscape. Emphasizing the growing role of technology, she underscored the need for greater cyber literacy. Dr. Fayyaz called for preventive dialogue and a holistic regional framework to address these evolving threats.

GSMA,FCDO delegation calls on IT & Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP):A high-level delegation comprising Ms. Louisa Odell, Innovation and Technology Advisor at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); Mr. Michael Unwin, Strategic Partnership Lead, Technology & Innovation Unit, FCDO; and Ms. Kimberly Brown, Global Head of Mobile for Humanitarian, GSMA, called on the Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja here Wednesday.
The delegation discussed the critical role of connectivity and mobile ecosystems in disaster resilience, digital inclusion, and sustainable development, said a press release.
 The meeting featured the Minister’s perspective on Pakistan’s innovation and startup landscape and key policy initiatives enabling digital growth.
 Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Nation Pakistan vision and briefed the delegation on the INSPIRE Semiconductor Program.
She shared that under this initiative, 7,200 young Pakistanis will be trained in advanced semiconductor technologies, supported by the establishment of nine IC Design Labs across university clusters nationwide, to strengthen Pakistan’s hardware and chip-design ecosystem.
The GSMA delegation presented an overview of GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D), its global mandate, and recent initiatives in Pakistan, particularly in mobile internet adoption, digital inclusion, and climate resilience for vulnerable communities through mobile-enabled solutions.
The delegation welcomed Pakistan’s focus on inclusive digital transformation and resilience-driven innovation.
The GSMA and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) representatives expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s startup support mechanisms, particularly BridgeStart and the Pakistan Startup Fund Programme, noting that these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s strong commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, innovation, and a sustainable digital economy.