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

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a bilateral meeting with the delegation from Indonesia led by the Indonesian President H.E. Prabowo Subianto.

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:22 PM

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a bilateral meeting with the delegation from Indonesia led by the Indonesian President H.E. Prabowo Subianto. — APP56-091225
ISLAMABAD: December 09 –

Coast Guards foil Iranian diesel smuggling attempts, 1.76 mln litres seized

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:21 PM

KARACHI, Dec 09 (APP):The Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) have foiled multiple attempts to smuggle illegal Iranian diesel during the past month, seizing a total of 1,764,615 litres through intelligence-based operations across Balochistan.

According to a PCG statement, the force intercepted 1,746,615 litres of smuggled Iranian diesel from various road checkpoints in Gwadar, Pasni and Uthal, while another 18,000 litres were recovered during maritime checks.

The smuggled diesel was being transported illegally from Balochistan to Karachi. The seized diesel, along with the involved trucks and oil tankers, has been taken into custody, and investigations are underway.

The approximate value of the confiscated diesel and vehicles is Rs 487.03 million, the statement added.

The Pakistan Coast Guards reiterated that it remains fully committed to curbing all forms of smuggling and will continue to play its role in strengthening the national economy.

President of Indonesia H.E. Prabowo Subianto meets Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:20 PM

President of Indonesia H.E. Prabowo Subianto meets Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:20 PM

President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witness exchange of MoUs/agreements in different fields of cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan.

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:20 PM

President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witness exchange of MoUs/agreements in different fields of cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan. — APP40-091225
ISLAMABAD: December 09 –

ICCI plans Ramazan, Eid & spring festivals to boost local trade

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:15 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (APP):President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood Tuesday said that the chamber was fully committed to addressing the challenges faced by the business community.

While talking to a delegation of the Traders Welfare Association (TWA) G-10, he emphasized that ensuring ease of doing business and supporting commercial activity were essential for accelerating the country’s economic growth.

The delegation was led by its President Syed Kamran Kakakhel, who visited the ICCI and discussed matters relating to promote trade and business in the capital city, said a press release.

Tahir Mehmood shared that in a recent meeting, the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) assured him that development work in the city’s markets would commence soon.

He added that the CDA Chairman had also pledged to keep ICCI on board regarding all initiatives aimed at facilitating businesses, highlighting a renewed spirit of coordination between the two institutions.

He said the ICCI is the second home of the business community, and its leadership will continue to play a proactive advocacy role between the government and the private sector. He announced that the chamber is preparing to organize an Islamabad Festival for the benefit of both consumers and traders.

In addition, Ramazan, Eid, and Spring festivals will also be organized, and the markets will be decorated to create a lively and attractive shopping environment.

Speaking on the occasion, President TWA G-10 Markaz Syed Kamran Kakakhel highlighted various challenges being faced by the traders of his area, including sanitation, sewage, dilapidated condition of footpaths and encroachments.

ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub assured the delegation that the chamber’s leadership is determined to restore the dignity of the business community. He said ICCI is actively engaged with relevant authorities to ensure early and effective resolution of the issues affecting traders.

Vice President Irfan Chaudhry called upon the business community to maintain unity and extend their full support to ICCI President, whom he described as fully capable of leading from the front to safeguard the interests of traders.

The Association’s Chairman Sajid Mughal and Secretary General Syed Aamir Bukhari also spoke on the occasion, emphasizing the need for unity within the business community to strengthen their collective voice and secure their rights through a united platform.

PA Speaker stresses responsible politics for national unity

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:15 PM

LAHORE, Dec 09 (APP):Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that Pakistan could no longer afford growing political division, institutional conflict or hostility toward the armed forces.

Addressing a press conference at the Old Building of the Punjab Assembly, here on Tuesday, he said the country was experiencing heightened instability and internal pressure, adding that the government had already issued a detailed response to the DG ISPR’s press briefing which highlighted emerging unrest.

The speaker said the nation stood firmly with the Pakistan Armed Forces and added that the state system was being pushed backwards due to certain motives.

He criticised parliamentary conduct since 2018, saying that Parliament had been reduced to a venue of noise and disruption where serious legislative debate was obstructed. He recalled members climbing onto the Assembly dais, engaging in disorder and failing to speak on public issues.

The speaker condemned the language used in a recent public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming it shameful. He said such remarks were unacceptable both morally and politically.

The speaker added that the PTI founder halted political dialogue during his tenure and caused lasting damage to the CPEC.

Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said the worst political revenge was carried out during the PTI government, during which unnecessary arrests were made for six months, houses were demolished and businesspeople were implicated in baseless cases.

Expressing deep concern over the May 9 incidents, the speaker said he felt fear and shame after witnessing the attacks. He recalled that 27 cantonments were assaulted in an organised manner, the Lahore Corps Commander House was set on fire and the national flag was burned.

The speaker said that the country could not afford further polarization, adding that the judiciary should not be made more controversial and Parliament should not be weakened any further. “Democracy is fragile and cannot function through abuse and conspiracy,” he concluded.

Arab League condemns Israeli forces’ raid on UNRWA HQs in East Jerusalem

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:12 PM

CAIRO, Dec 9 (QNA/APP):The Arab League strongly condemned on Tuesday the Israeli forces’ raid on the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem, describing the assault as part of an ongoing campaign by the occupying power to undermine the agency and erase its role in safeguarding the rights of Palestinian refugees.

In a statement, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that the justifications offered by the occupation for carrying out this illegal incursion have no logical or legal basis, stressing that what is taking place is a continued effort to dismantle UNRWA’s presence and operations in the occupied territories.

He appealed to the international community to intervene decisively to put an end to this Israeli campaign targeting the UN agency, which provides health, education, and employment services to millions of Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation.

He also recalled the significant UN vote held just days ago to extend UNRWA’s mandate for an additional three years.

SC rules termination without evidence violates principles of justice

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:10 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): The Supreme Court has ruled that dismissing an employee without proper evidence is contrary to the principles of justice. The judgement came in an appeal filed by Saeed Ahmed, a former employee of Nestlé Pakistan, challenging his termination.

A bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi authored the verdict, holding that the failure to summon essential witnesses constituted a serious legal flaw, rendering the Sindh High Court’s decision unsustainable.

The court noted that during the departmental inquiry, neither the doctor nor the administrator of the dental clinic—who could verify the disputed medical bill—were called as witnesses. This omission, the court observed, was a violation of the Inquiry Officer’s basic legal duty.

Saeed Ahmed, a permanent employee for 18 years, had submitted a medical claim of Rs10,000 for dental treatment. The company alleged that the actual payment was Rs7,000 and accused him of submitting a forged receipt. Based on this, he was dismissed in 2016.

A single-member bench of the NIRC had upheld the company’s stance, but a full bench set aside that decision and ordered the employee’s reinstatement. The Sindh High Court later overturned the full bench’s ruling, reinstating the single-member decision. Saeed Ahmed then appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court observed that four different receipts were on record, making it essential to clarify the discrepancy. It held that the doctor’s testimony was crucial and could have been the “star witness” of the case. Punishing an employee merely on suspicion without verified evidence, the court said, violates the fundamentals of fairness and natural justice.

Concluding that the inquiry suffered from serious procedural defects, the court ruled that the punishment could not stand. It set aside the Sindh High Court judgment and decided the case in favour of the employee.

CM orders aggressive push for polio eradication amid unprecedented virus spread

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Tue, 9 Dec 2025, 5:08 PM