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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.

Fog reigns in Lahore, other cities: motorways closed at several places

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LAHORE, Jan 11 (APP):Fog obscured the roads in Lahore and various other cities of the country, due to which the motorways were closed for traffic at several places.
Due to reduced visibility, vehicles are prohibited from entering the M2 Motorway from Lahore to Kot Momin, M3 from Faizpur to Darkhana, while M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan has been closed for traffic.
Similarly, vehicles are not allowed to enter M5 from Multan to Rohri and M11 from Lahore to Sambrial. There are also fog camps on the national highway in Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Ahmedpur Sharqia.
In addition, traffic flow is also affected due to heavy fog in Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Basti Maluk, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad.
A spokesperson for the Motorway Police requested citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, saying that travel during the day is safer in view of the bad weather conditions. motorways closed at several places.

Religious ministry organizes second training session for Hajj 2026 pilgrims

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (APP):Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony organized the second phase of the training session for Hajj 2026 pilgrimsat the Haji Camp, Islamabad.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the primary objective of this program was to provide comprehensive awareness regarding the various stages of the pilgrimage, necessary precautionary measures, and the obligatory acts (Faraiz and Wajibat) of Hajj and Umrah.
During the session, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Umar Butt, briefed the participants on administrative matters, departure procedures, and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.
Master Trainer Tanveer Asghar provided technical training on the methods of performing Hajj and Umrah, highlighting the religious obligations.
The event was attended by Director of Haji Complex Islamabad, Qazi Sami-ur-Rehman, Deputy Director Hakim Khan Khattak, and other senior officials.
Pilgrims were advised to improve their physical fitness by walking 2 to 3 kilometers daily. Essential travel documents including the original passport, CNIC, flight ticket, visa copies, and vaccination cards (for Meningitis, Flu, and Polio) must be kept ready.
A strict warning was issued against carrying prohibited items such as narcotics, Naswar, cigarettes, and unverified medicines.
The Ministry has made the Pak Hajj App” mandatory for all pilgrims to access flight schedules, accommodation details, and group information.
Furthermore, the procedure for remote biometric verification via the “Saudi Visa Bio” app was explained in detail.
For those arriving directly in Madinah, the stay will range from 3 to 8 days before proceeding to Makkah.
In Makkah, approximately 250 buildings have been arranged for accommodation, with a 24-hour free shuttle bus service available to transport pilgrims to the Haram Sharif.
The session covered the pillars of Umrah (Ihram, Niyyat, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq/Qasr) and the three Faraiz (obligatory acts) of Hajj: Ihram, Wuquf-e-Arafat, and Tawaf-e-Ziyarat. The Wajibat (essential acts) such as the stay at Muzdalifah, Ramy al-Jamarat (stoning the devil), Qurbani (sacrifice), and Tawaf-e-Wida were also explained.
Due to expected extreme weather, pilgrims were instructed to use umbrellas, spray bottles, and ORS to prevent heatstroke.
In case of emergencies, they were advised to contact the Saudi helpline 937 for medical assistance and  911for security matters.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs urged the pilgrims to maintain discipline, patience, and compassion throughout the sacred journey.
The session concluded with a detailed Q&A segment, where officials and trainers addressed specific concerns regarding administrative and travel arrangements, ensuring the pilgrims are fully prepared for their journey

Senior FBR leadership visits Customs House Quetta to strengthen enforcement coordination

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (APP):In line with the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) strategy to enhance anti-smuggling enforcement and facilitate legitimate trade, Member (Customs Operations), FBR Islamabad, Syed Shakeel Shah and Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement Islamabad, Basit Maqsood Abbasi visited Customs House Quetta.
According to FBR press release issued here Sunday, the visiting dignitaries were received by Masood Ahmed, Chief Collector of Customs (Appraisement), Balochistan; Dr. Karam Elahi, Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Quetta; Daud Pirzado, Collector of Customs (Appraisement), Quetta & Taftan; and Fazle Samad, Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Gaddani, along with senior officers from Customs formations.
During the briefing, Masood Ahmed apprised the senior management of trade dynamics in Balochistan and key issues faced by the trading community.
Dr. Karam Elahi briefed the delegation on sustained anti-smuggling drives, intelligence-based operations (IBOs), and revenue gains achieved through strict enforcement while Fazle Samad highlighted robust enforcement actions and significant recoveries in Gaddani jurisdiction.
A delegation of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce & Industry also met the senior leadership and discussed trade-related concerns. The Member (Customs Operations) and the Chief Collector Customs Enforcement Islamabad issued on-the-spot directions for expeditious resolution of the issues raised.
As part of the visit, the senior leadership planted saplings at Customs House Quetta, reflecting FBR’s commitment to environmental responsibility, and inaugurated two newly established Customs Enforcement sections.
The visit also included a courtesy meeting with the Corps Commander Quetta, followed by an interactive session with senior leadership of law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector General Frontier Corps (North and South), Director General Pakistan Coast Guards, and the Chief of Staff.
Discussions focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination, improving border management, facilitating legitimate trade, and intensifying collective efforts against smuggling.
On the occasion, the senior FBR leadership appreciated the performance of Pakistan Customs formations in Balochistan, particularly their effective role in anti-smuggling operations and enhanced revenue collection.

Unfortunately, PTI is not adhering to assurances: Sharjeel

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KARACHI, Jan 11 (APP):Senior Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that the Government of Sindh warmly welcomed the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) on his visit to Sindh and provided him with complete security.
     The office of Chief Minister is a constitutional position and full respect is accorded to constitutional offices.
     Sharjeel, in a statement, said that the PTI administration remained in continuous contact with the Government of Sindh.
    Unfortunately, the assurances given by PTI are not being implemented.
     He said that it was clearly stated on the very first day that permission had been granted to hold a public gathering, despite that, leveling allegations against the Government of Sindh is inappropriate.
    Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that no one stopped PTI from holding a rally at the designated ground. The manner in which rallies and processions are being taken out on roads is causing severe traffic disruption and creating difficulties for ordinary citizens.
      Karachi is a metropolitan city where even the gathering of a few hundred people can lead to traffic problems, he said adding that they want the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to complete his visit smoothly and amicably.
     He stated that PTI workers should not take the law into their own hands and must follow the guidelines issued by the government.
     The movement of the general public should not be affected and violations of the law should be avoided.
He further said that a security alert had been issued by security agencies regarding the rally and a security plan was devised in light of that alert.
     Unfortunately, the security plan is not being followed. Complete security has been provided by Sindh Police for the rally. In view of security concerns, the directives of the Government of Sindh should be followed and only those routes should be used which have been designated by the government.
     Memon said that in Hyderabad, PTI did not follow the route that was allocated to them and instead chose a route of their own choice. It is incorrect to say that the convoy of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was stopped on its return from Hyderabad.
    The location where the convoy faced difficulty is a bridge under the National Highway Authority, where traffic jams are common. Heavy traffic and large trailers pass through that area daily for destinations across Pakistan. There was no ill intent on the part of the Sindh government in this matter, he added.

Railways launches major track upgradation, expansion drive in country

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (APP):Pakistan Railways has launched an extensive programme to upgrade aging rail infrastructure, expand the network and restore long-neglected sections, with the objective of improving safety, reducing travel time and strengthening national connectivity.
“The department owns a total of 11,881 track kilometers and 7,791 route kilometers across the country, adding that nearly 67 percent of the existing track has become over-aged,” an official in the Ministry of Railways.
Despite limited investment in railway infrastructure for more than seven decades, the official said, Pakistan Railways has continued to maintain operations to ensure sustainable service delivery.
The official said the Ministry has recognized the deteriorating condition of railway tracks and is making substantial efforts to improve infrastructure through revenue generation and funding under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Among the key ongoing projects, he said, is the construction of a 105-kilometer new rail link connecting Thar Coal Mines with Chhor Railway Station, a project expected to facilitate energy transportation and promote regional development.
He said that several operational routes are currently being upgraded under PSDP-funded track safety initiatives. These included immediate and essential safety works on critical sections such as Tando Adam–Rohri, Rohri–Khanpur, Kiamari–Hyderabad, Khanewal–Shorkot–Faisalabad–Qila Sheikhupura–Shahdara, Sher Shah–Kundian, Rohri–Sibi and Kotri–Akhundabad. These measures are aimed at enhancing operational safety and improving reliability on major rail corridors.
At the planning stage, the official said Pakistan Railways has proposed large-scale upgradation of branch lines with financial support from the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
In Punjab, the official said seven sections spanning over 1,400 kilometers are planned for upgradation, including the Shahdara–Narowal–Sialkot, Raiwind–Kasur–Pakpatan–Lodhran and Kot Adu–Dera Ghazi Khan–Kasmor Colony routes.
In Sindh, six sections covering nearly 1,000 kilometers—such as Karachi–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Rohri and Kotri–Dadu—have been proposed for improvement.  While in Balochistan, the Sariab–Quetta–Kuchlak section is also included in the upgradation plan, he added.
To further enhance regional and international connectivity, the official said Pakistan Railways has initiated feasibility studies for new rail links, including a possible connection with Afghanistan via Kohat–Thal–Parachinar–Kharlachi, as well as a 680-kilometer rail link from Gwadar to Nok Kundi.
The official said that land acquisition is underway for future rail connectivity from Gwadar to Mastung and Jacobabad through various routes in Balochistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways has successfully restored the Sibi–Harnai section, measuring 93.41 kilometers, which had remained closed since 2006 and was reopened for rail traffic in October 2023. The restoration work on the Samasatta–Bahawal Nagar section has also been awarded to Frontier Works Organization (FWO), with completion expected following the revision of the PC-I, he added.
He said these initiatives will significantly improve passenger convenience, enhance safety and reduce travel time between major railway stations, marking a key step toward the modernization of Pakistan Railways.

Three arrested for violating Copyright Act

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LAHORE, Jan 11 (APP):The FIA Corporate Crime Circle arrested three suspects involved
in violation of Copyright Act here on Sunday.
The accused were identified as Shamim Ahmed, Amjad Ali and Kaleemullah. A large number
of fake products of various registered companies were recovered from the accused.
According to FIA officials, the accused were found involved in manufacturing, stocking and
selling fake products of registered companies.

Shift to industrial potato varieties can double Pakistan’s export earnings: official

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (APP):Pakistan can significantly expand its potato export earnings—potentially doubling them—by shifting toward industrial potato varieties and strengthening value-added processing, a leading horticulture expert said.
Talking to Wealth Pakistan, Shoaib Ahmad Basra, member of the Board of Directors of the Pakistan Horticulture Export and Development Company (PHDEC) and former president of the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce, said the country’s potato sector is entering a phase of strong opportunity, driven by rising global demand and improving domestic capacity.
“Potato is already Pakistan’s largest vegetable export in terms of volume and value,” Basra said. “By complementing our success in table potatoes with industrial varieties, we can unlock access to high-value markets for chips, frozen fries and other processed products.”
He noted that exports typically gather pace from December onward as fresh produce and cold-stored stocks reach the market. In recent years, higher production levels have created ample availability, positioning Pakistan well to meet both fresh and processed demand.
“Our production growth is a strength,” he said. “With the right processing strategy, surplus output can be converted into higher returns instead of being sold into low-value markets.”
Basra said changing global conditions have further strengthened Pakistan’s prospects. Climate-related disruptions in major potato-producing regions, including parts of Russia and Central Asia, have tightened international supply and pushed prices higher, creating space for new exporters.
“This has translated into improved farm incomes,” he said. “Strong prices have encouraged farmers to expand potato cultivation, while exporters are seeing better margins.”
Pakistan’s competitiveness has also improved through the use of high-quality seed varieties, largely sourced from the Netherlands. “These varieties match international standards and are widely accepted in global markets,” Basra said, adding that demand for such potatoes remains robust.
While welcoming these gains, he said the next phase of growth lies in value addition. “Currently, only a small share of our potato crop is processed, and value-added exports remain modest compared to our production potential,” he said. “This represents a major opportunity rather than a limitation.”
Basra explained that industrial potato varieties are specifically designed for processing, with characteristics such as low sugar content and suitable texture that ensure consistent quality for fries and chips. “Once these varieties are grown at scale, investment in processing will naturally accelerate,” he said.
He stressed that diversification into processing would help stabilise prices and reduce market volatility. “A balanced mix of fresh and processed exports allows the sector to grow sustainably and shields farmers from sharp price swings,” he added.
Pakistan’s current export destinations are concentrated in the Middle East and nearby regions, but Basra said higher-value markets—including Europe, North America, East Asia and Australia—offer substantial untapped potential, particularly for processed products.
Looking ahead, Basra called for coordinated action by all stakeholders to promote good agricultural practices, strengthen seed quality oversight and encourage investment in industrial potato production. “If we adopt modern practices and the right varieties, we can easily double exports of our existing potatoes,” he said. “With industrial potatoes and value addition, the upside is even greater.”
Summing up, he said Pakistan has a clear and positive pathway to transform its potato sector. “By embracing industrial varieties and processing, we can secure higher earnings, stable growth and a sustainable future for farmers and exporters alike.”

Phase-1 of  NSICT&R to be inaugurated soon: minister

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LAHORE, Jan 11 (APP):Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the first phase of the Cancer Care Clinic of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research (NSICT&R) is expected to be inaugurated soon.
He expressed these views during his visit to the under-construction institute on Sunday.
Former Chief Secretary Punjab and Chairman Board of Governors of NSICT&R, Captain (retd) Zahid Saeed, accompanied the minister. They reviewed the ongoing construction work and were briefed on the project’s master plan.
The health minister stated that the Punjab government was constructing a 915-bed state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at an estimated cost of Rs 72 billion. He added that work on the project is underway round the clock to ensure timely completion.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that NSICT&R will be the first full-fledged government cancer hospital in Pakistan.
He directed the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) to ensure that the project is made functional within the stipulated timeframe. “No cancer patient will be denied treatment. Patients from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and other provinces will also be provided free treatment at this government cancer hospital,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Captain (retd) Zahid Saeed said that a fixed timeline has been set for the completion of the first phase and that the progress of the project is being continuously monitored.
Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Dr Adnan Khan, Professor Mahmood Ayaz, Professor Zeba, Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Muhammad Waseem, CEO IDAP Captain (retd) Shah Mir, along with other officers, representatives of the executing agency IDAP, the project director and concerned contractors were also present during the visit.

DPM, Bangladesh Advisor discuss ties

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JEDDAH, Jan 11 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Sunday met with Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain, on sidelines of the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting here.
Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the robustness of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. They discussed bilateral relations in diverse fields, especially high-level exchanges, trade, and educational collaboration. They also discussed a range of regional and global issues.