Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

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

By

Shafek Koreshe

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Thu, 22 Oct 2020, 12:36 AM

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

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

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.

#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.

Indian disinformation accounts are exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis and falsely claiming that the country is now experiencing urban warfare and other serious instability. Dangerous and disturbing; several of these accounts are verified, with large followings. Ugh.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) October 21, 2020

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.

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.

Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 22, 2020

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.

#Indian media is deeply involved in a fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign state institutions of #Pakistan.@Twitter needs to take action against Indian Social Media accounts who are involved in nefarious attacks of fake news against Pakistan.
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) October 21, 2020

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.

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 😂
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) October 21, 2020

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.

A little investigation would have informed @ZeeNewsEnglish that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting? https://t.co/RaZ81Tx96C
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) October 21, 2020

“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.

An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…
#Karachicivilwar #IndianMedia pic.twitter.com/Al5iWx6jOe
Some of the selected tweets
Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 22, 2020
— Fasih Uddin (@Fasih_Uddin) October 21, 2020

Captain Amir Liaquat Hussain leading the #CivilWarinPakistan, targeted Sindh Police positions with 2 grenades at a time from a single RPG. 👏 pic.twitter.com/VVDeI8y4Rh
— Kashif Ali (@KaschifAli) October 21, 2020

Live scene from #CivilWarInPakistan
This is civil war at its peak. pic.twitter.com/EOBXWjJMZv
— Mustafa T. Wynne (@mustafa_wynne) October 21, 2020

UN Chief urges dialogue, diplomacy to resolve escalating US-Iran tensions amid street protests

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Tue, 13 Jan 2026, 2:00 AM

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 13 (APP): Amid heightening US-Iran tensions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Monday called for adopting the path of diplomacy and dialogue as Tehran kept lines of communication open with Washington, saying it is ready for either “war” or dialogue.

“As you know, we push for dialogue,” the UN chief’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in response to a question at his regular noon briefing in New York, as US President Donald Trump reportedly weighs responses — including military options — amid widening protests across the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“We are not warmongers, but we are prepared for war. … We are also prepared for negotiations, but fair negotiations, with equal rights and mutual respect,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a gathering of ambassadors in Iran on Monday, according to media reports.

Trump said aboard Air Force One on Sunday night that Iran had contacted the U.S. to propose talks, but added: “We may have to act before a meeting. … A meeting is being set up.” He declined to elaborate on the options the U.S. was considering on Iran.

Trump said he believed Iran was taking U.S. threats seriously. “They’ve been going through it for years with me,” he said in response to a question, noting the U.S. strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Trump’s first term and the recent U.S. operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Though Iranian officials had expressed, after the 12-day Israeli war in June, that they would be open to returning to talks, they had also rejected what they called “maximalist demands” by the Trump administration, and so negotiations remained frozen.

“The communication channel between our Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the U.S. special envoy [Steve Witkoff] is open and messages are exchanged whenever necessary,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said during a news conference Monday, Reuters reported. The traditional U.S.-Iran diplomatic channel through Switzerland also remains open, he said.

Araghchi also met Saturday with his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, who traveled to Tehran for talks and who has acted as a go-between for Tehran and Washington in the past.

Iranian authorities, who have shut down internet access, are struggling to contain some of the protests.

Trump told reporters Sunday night that he was getting hourly reports on the crackdown on protests. “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military’s looking at it. And we’re looking at some very strong options,” he added.

On Monday, Araghchi reiterated the government’s narrative about the protest violence — that it was being committed by “terrorists” and not security forces. “A large number of the people who have unfortunately died in these incidents have been shot in the back by these people,” he said.

President grieved over death of ex-cricketer, PCB selector Ilyas

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Tue, 13 Jan 2026, 1:43 AM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday expressed his deep grief over the demise of former Pakistani test cricketer and selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board Muhammad Ilyas.

The president, in a statement, said that the services of the late Muhammad Ilyas in the field of cricket would always be remembered.

He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the loss.

US revokes 100,000 visas amid immigration crackdown: State Dept.

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Tue, 13 Jan 2026, 12:25 AM

NEW YORK, Jan 12 (APP): The Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas, including 8,000 student and 2,500 specialized visas,
in less than a year, Tommy Pigott, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson, said in a post on X on Monday.

“That includes revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence,” he said.

The number of visas revoked in 2025 is a record and more than double those revoked under President Joe Biden in 2024, according to a report from Fox News.

The extent of the revocations reflects the broad immigration crackdown initiated when Trump returned to the White House last year, deporting an unprecedented number of migrants including some who held valid visas. The administration has also adopted a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.

UN-backed experts call for shift beyond GDP to measure real progress

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 11:55 PM

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 12 (APP): Top finance and development experts are meeting in Geneva this week to push for a fundamental rethink of how economic growth and progress are measured, amid mounting concern that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) offers little insight into sustainability, inequality and human well-being.

Backed by the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD and other partners, the “Beyond GDP” initiative acknowledges a warning from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that global policy making is over-reliant on Global Domestic Product data.

“Every day, we witness the consequences of our failure to balance economic, social and environmental dimensions of development,” the Secretary-General has said. “Moving beyond GDP is fundamental to building an economic system that gives value to what counts – human well-being – now and in the future, and for everyone.”

His view echoes that of many senior economists, who have said frequently that GDP places too much value on activities that deplete the planet, rather than those that sustain life and contribute to people’s well-being.

“This tension has become increasingly salient in the context of climate change, deteriorating ecosystems and biodiversity loss, rising conflict and food insecurity, and historic inequalities,” a statement from the High-Level Expert Group notes.

Their discussions later this week at the Palace of Nations in Geneva will be the second in-person meeting of the expert group since it was founded in May last year, after UN Member States signed the 2024 Pact for the Future; its aims include making global governance more inclusive and effective.

“Our approach will emphasize how better well-being and its drivers – such as health, social capital and the quality of the environment – are not only good for societal welfare but also contribute in an integral way to economic prosperity,” the expert group said in an interim report published in November.

Outlining the challenge the group must address, its members warned of “an increasing gap between what politicians and citizens believe is happening, and the latter’s life experiences [which] are not matched by the story told by GDP alone”.

More than a dozen renowned economists will be contributing to this week’s discussions in the Swiss city; they include Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Indian economist Kaushik Basu and equity expert Nora Lustig.

Their tasks include developing an initial list of country-owned and universally-applicable indicators of sustainable development to form a dashboard that equips governments with the information they need to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The expert group will also provide guidance on how to maximize uptake of the dashboard and how to prioritize data collection in order to operationalize the dashboard and SDG indicators.

In addition to support from UNCTAD, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General will continue to partner the initiative.

AI-driven misinformation reshaped digital landscape in 2025: CEJ report

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 11:51 PM

KARACHI, Jan 12 (APP):The Centre of Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has revealed that 2025 marked a turning point in the spread of AI-led misinformation, with the scale and sophistication of deepfakes and misleading content reaching unprecedented levels.

The findings were presented in a report launched on Monday, which examined trends in misinformation over a two-year period from December 2023 to November 2025. The report is based on analysis conducted by CEJ’s fact-checking initiative, iVerify Pakistan, which reviewed 1,026 potentially false or misleading claims. Of these, 513 were subjected to detailed verification across key areas including politics, religion, conflicts, and social issues.

Speaking at the launch, Chairperson of the CEJ Advisory Board, Azhar Abbas, warned that increasing restrictions on mainstream media were exacerbating the challenge of countering AI-driven disinformation. He said it was becoming increasingly difficult to combat misinformation when journalists were prevented from presenting verified facts. “When mainstream media is silenced, the vacuum is quickly filled by unverified social media content, anonymous platforms, and

AI-driven networks,” he noted in his keynote address.

The iVerify Pakistan project, launched ahead of the 2024 general elections in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), identified politics as the most heavily exploited domain. According to the report, false and misleading narratives were routinely used to undermine electoral confidence, discredit political opponents, and erode public trust in state institutions.

The report stated that major sources of misinformation included supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), followed by Indian disinformation accounts. However, it also noted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and accounts linked to its supporters — including government functionaries — contributed to the spread of misleading content.

Director CEJ Shahzeb Jillani said that while artificial intelligence was creating new opportunities across sectors such as medicine, commerce, and agriculture, it also posed serious challenges in the information space. He emphasized the need to expand iVerify’s work through partnerships with media organizations, academic institutions, and public bodies to effectively counter the growing tide of misinformation.

The importance of collaboration was echoed by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, who acknowledged the increasing complexity of disinformation and its potential to destabilize countries and regions. In video remarks played at the event, the minister said initiatives like iVerify had demonstrated that misinformation could not be addressed by the government alone, adding that the government was ready to support credible and impartial efforts to combat disinformation.

In his welcome remarks, IBA Karachi Director S. Akbar Zaidi highlighted the growing difficulty of distinguishing fact from fiction, particularly during periods of conflict and civil unrest. Referring to regional developments such as the situation in Iran, he stressed the importance of reliable fact-checking initiatives and commended iVerify’s continued role in advancing verification practices in Pakistan.

According to the report, the spread of disinformation relies on deliberate tactics including half-truths, distorted or missing context, mistranslations from foreign-language sources, impersonation of journalists and media outlets, and the increasing use of doctored, synthetic, and AI-generated content.

Social media platforms — particularly X — were identified as the primary drivers of misinformation amplification. Meanwhile, encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp remained largely unobservable, despite their significant influence on public opinion.

5-Day training workshop for 201 AJ&K teachers launched

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 11:36 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP):The Directorate General of Basic Education Community Schools (BECS), under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FE&PT), has launched a five-day training workshop for 201 teachers from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) to equip them with modern teaching techniques aimed at enhancing students’ learning outcomes.

The training is being conducted under the supervision of senior and experienced faculty members from the Federal College of Education (FCE), Islamabad.

An inaugural ceremony was held in this regard, which was graced by Minister of State for FE&PT, Ms. Wajiha Qamar. Director General BECS, Hameed Khan Niazi, attended the event as a special guest, while Director FCE, Dr Samia Rehman Dogar, and other officials were also present.

In his opening remarks, DG BECS Hameed Khan Niazi welcomed the participants and highlighted BECS’ longstanding commitment to improve educational standards, particularly in underprivileged and remote areas.

He noted that BECS has been serving the education sector for the past 30 years, providing basic education to disadvantaged communities, with thousands of students successfully completing their studies and pursuing higher education.

He further stated that a significant number of students are currently enrolled in BECS schools in AJ&K, underscoring the importance of such training initiatives to enhance teachers’ professional skills in line with contemporary educational needs.

Addressing the participants, Director FCE Dr Samia Rehman Dogar encouraged teachers to make the most of the training and apply advanced teaching methodologies in their classrooms to improve students’ academic development.

Minister of State Ms. Wajiha Qamar appreciated the BECS initiative and emphasized the importance of continuous professional development for teachers. She said that such workshops play a vital role in introducing educators to modern academic practices and ultimately contribute to improving the overall quality of education.

Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in a meeting with the country director of Save the Children Pakistan at Parliament House.

By

Wajid

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 11:17 PM

Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in a meeting with the country director of Save the Children Pakistan at Parliament House. — APP52-120126
ISLAMABAD: January 12

IHC grants time to pay arrears of former auditor general

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 11:04 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted time to the authorities to pay the arrears after monthly pension of December 2025 was paid to former auditor general of Pakistan Akhtar Buland Rana.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the contempt petition filed by Akhtar Buland Rana for non-payment of pension despite the court order.

During the hearing, the petitioner lawyer Sardar Taimur Aslam and Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman appeared in the court.

The Assistant Attorney General, while presenting a report on behalf of the Accountant General of Pakistan

Revenue, said that Buland Akhtar Rana has been paid the pension of December 2025.

During the hearing, the AGPR sought one month’s time to pay all the arrears of Akhtar Buland Rana, on which Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said that after paying the arrears, they should submit a report to the court at the next hearing. The court adjourned the hearing of the case until March 30.

SMEDA briefs businessmen about business development

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 10:56 PM

LAHORE, Jan 12 (APP):Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) apprised the local businessmen about the business development services of SMEDA including pre-feasibilities, planning and taxation to ensure success of an SME.

A two-member team of experts Saddam Qazi and Aamir Tariq informed the businessmen at the SMEDA stall at the SME Finance & Banking Expo organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, according to SMEDA spokesman here Monday. SMEDA management has highly appreciated LCCI and SBP authorities to hold such an important expo for SMEs. They said that the day-long event had raised awareness about banking community’s efforts to strengthen SMEs’access to finance as per direction of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. They acknowledged that the event was fully successful in offering comprehensive information on SME-focused credit schemes, easy financing options, investment alternatives, digital banking services, Islamic finance products and other financial facilities.

LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol, Executive Director State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Syed Basit Ali, SBP Chief Manager Tariq Riaz, LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi and SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar also visited SMEDA stall while taking a round of the expo. A large number of the prospective entrepreneurs, government officials and representatives of the running SMEs also visited SMEDA stall.

Officials at the SMEDA stall furnished the visitors with information about the organization’s initiatives to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially women entrepreneurs and micro enterprises. They highlighted SMEDA’s efforts to make more and more MSMEs bankable through access to finance and digital literacy under the present government’s vision. Young entrepreneurs, businessmen and the general public showed keen interest in SMEDA’s initiatives and services.

Senator Mehdi voices concern over gas outages, low pressure

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Mon, 12 Jan 2026, 10:55 PM