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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0

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

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0

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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0
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.

Some individuals in border areas allegedly assisting criminal elements: DIG

By
Samina Ch
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LARKANA, Feb 02 (APP):Deputy Inspector General of Police Larkana Range Nasir Aftab said a formal announcement and clear explanation is issued that granting asylum to any criminal or providing them with any form of financial, logistical, or material assistance is strictly prohibited by law.
                        He informed APP that credible sources have revealed that some individuals belonging to certain established settlements in border areas are allegedly assisting criminal elements involved in heinous crimes such as honey trapping, abduction, and other serious offenses. Activities of this nature not only constitute a blatant violation of the law but also pose a grave threat to public order and collective security.
                           He said if any individual is found directly or indirectly involved in such activities, strict and impartial legal proceedings will be initiated against them as per the law.
                            Citizens belonging to all segments of society are urged to fully comply with the law and, above all, support state policies aimed at ensuring peace, order, security, and the supremacy of the law.
                            “We hope that every responsible citizen will play their role in upholding the rule of law and will continue to fully cooperate with the relevant institutions to safeguard the public interest and social stability.”

Facilitators in FC headquarters suicide attack case identified as Afghan nationals

By
Samina Ch
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PESHAWAR, Feb 02 (APP):In a major breakthrough in the suicide attack on the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters here last year, the investigators have identified the facilitators as Afghan nationals.
Authorities revealed that the planning of the suicide attack was carried out in Afghanistan, and several key arrests have been made in connection with the case.
It is worth recalling that the attack on the Federal Constabulary Headquarters took place on November 24 last year, resulting in the martyrdom of three FC personnel and injuries to five others. Additionally, eight civilians were injured in the terrorist attack.
Investigators further confirmed that all three suicide bombers involved in the attack were Afghan citizens.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to pursue remaining suspects and networks linked to the incident.

RPO  inspects police constable recruitment process under ETEA

By
Samina Ch
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KOHAT, Feb 2 (APP):Regional Police Officer (RPO),  Irfan Tariq on Monday paid a special visit to the centers conducting physical examinations
for police constable recruitment under the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA).
The purpose of the visit was to monitor the recruitment process and ensure that all stages were being carried out in line with merit and transparency, the official sources said.
The RPO also held meetings with ETEA officials and police officers on duty, offering key suggestions to further improve the examination process.
He emphasized that recruitment in the police force would remain fully transparent, providing opportunities only to capable and eligible candidates.
RPO Irfan Tariq also interacted with candidates present at the center,
inquiring about discipline and the facilities provided.
He directed the administration to ensure availability of clean drinking water and adequate seating arrangements for the candidates .
Later, the RPO inspected security arrangements at the centers and instructed personnel to remain vigilant.

NBP Exchange Rates

By
Samina Ch
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KARACHI, Feb 02 (APP):Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Monday issued the following exchange rates.
CURRENCY               SYMBOL             TT Selling                                TT Buying
US DOLLAR                  USD                 280.15                                  279.65
EURO                           EUR                 332.52                                   331.93
JAPANESE YEN              JPY                  1.8100                                    1.8068
BRITISH POUND           GBP                  383.39                                    382.71
SWISS FRANC              CHF                  362.98                                    362.33
CANADIAN DOLLAR      CAD                  205.38                                    205.01
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR   AUD                   194.45                                  194.11
SWEDISH KRONA        SEK                     31.45                                   31.40
NORWEGIAN KRONE    NOK                     29.00                                   28.95
DANISH KRONE           DKK                     44.53                                   44.45
NEWZEALAND DOLLAR* NZD                 168.61                                 168.31
SINGAPORE DOLLAR   SGD                     220.36                                219.96
HONGKONG DOLLAR   HKD                      35.87                                35.81
KOREAN WON          *KRW                    0.1920                               0.1916
CHINESE YUAN          CNY                       40.30                               40.23
ALAYSIAN RINGGIT  *MYR                       71.11                               70.99
THAI BAHT               *THB                         8.86                              8.84
U.A.EDIRHAM             AED                        76.27                             76.14
SAUDI RIYAL              SAR                       74.69                              74.56
QATAR RIYAL             * QAR                     76.88                             76.74
KUWAITI DINAR        *KWD                   917.77                             916.13
CONVERSION RATE FOR FROZEN FCY DEPOSITS
USD              279.7457
GBP             385.3777
EUR              333.9324
JPY                1.8189

Experts: Resolving the water crisis in Central Asia requires interstate cooperation

By
NNPS Desk
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0

TASHKENT, Feb 02 (UzA/APP) : The per capita availability of renewable water resources in Central Asia continues to decline, despite individual improvements in water conservation.
This is evidenced by data from the updated Aquastat database published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for December 2025.
According to the review, since 2015, Central Asian countries have lost about 12 percent of their per capita renewable freshwater resources. This is one of the highest rates in the world.
The problem is not only climate change. Bulat Yessekin, Coordinator of the Central Asian Platform on Water Resources Management and Climate Change, emphasizes that the key cause of the growing water shortage is not climate change but the existing water management model. According to him, Central Asia is among the regions with limited water availability, while all countries of the region are located within the single Aral Sea basin. Such interdependence, the environmental expert notes, elevates the water issue to the interstate level and increases the importance of coordinated decisions.
The expert added that the irrational use of water aggravates the situation. The production of water-intensive agricultural products, primarily cotton and rice, has not decreased.
Declining reservoir levels:
Bulat Yessekin noted that this year, reservoirs in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan are filling significantly more slowly than in previous years. In his assessment, if current trends persist, the region may face a near-future water shortage comparable to that in Iran, which could negatively affect electricity generation and agricultural output.
According to him, economic planning in Central Asian countries is still based on the previous paradigm – the assumption that natural systems can independently replenish resources being withdrawn. However, this mechanism no longer works.
Focus on “blue water”
According to Bulat Yessekin, the region’s water policy is focused primarily on the use of so-called “blue water” – water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and underground aquifers.
– At the same time, the “green” part of the water cycle – water in soil, vegetation, and the atmosphere, which previously ensured the stability of water and climate processes – is practically not taken into account, – the environmental expert noted. – Restoring these mechanisms requires a shift from large-scale engineering solutions to more localized approaches aimed at retaining water in the landscape and restoring water flows. The countries of Central Asia are taking steps to improve water-use efficiency. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have adopted new water codes that emphasize water-saving technologies, tariff regulation, monitoring, and digitalization. However, without replenishing water sources and restoring water flows, such measures have a limited effect. Additional pressure on the system is created by new infrastructure projects in the region, including the construction of a significant diversion canal in Afghanistan, which could affect the Amudarya’s flow.
Central Asia is increasingly regarded as a global “hot spot” in the water crisis. In turn, environmental specialist Aizhan Kossantayeva, who has practical experience implementing climate and water projects in Central Asian countries, noted that the region’s landlocked geography and climate have historically led to water resource shortages.
– Today, Central Asia is increasingly considered a “hot spot” and one of the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of climate change and the water crisis, – Kossantayeva noted. According to World Bank forecasts, the region’s water deficit could reach 25-30 percent by 2050. Data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also indicate a likely increase of 5-20 percent in the frequency of droughts. The expected intensification of water stress by up to 2.8 times in certain areas in the near future is compounded by existing vulnerabilities. Low water-use efficiency, worn-out infrastructure, large-scale agriculture, and rapid population growth are increasing pressure on water systems.
Speaking about the dynamics of water resources, Aizhan Kossantayeva noted that over the next decade, there may be an impression of relative stability or even an increase in water flow, which is associated with the intensive melting of glaciers. However, according to her, this effect is temporary.
– Statistics show that over the past 50 years, glaciers in the countries of Central Asia have lost about 30 percent of their area, while reduced precipitation does not allow them to replenish, – the environmental expert emphasized. Among the possible technical solutions is creating artificial glaciers. Such technologies are already being applied in other countries, and for Central Asia, this is rather a matter of time and proper preparation.
Ways to address the water crisis and the diversion of the Siberian river flows
Commenting on the Soviet-era project to divert the flow of Siberian rivers, which periodically returns to the public and political agenda today, the expert Aizhan Kossantayeva emphasized that such initiatives carry serious environmental and political risks.
– At that time, the project envisaged diverting water through open canals, – she noted. – Today, the idea of resuming the project is being reconsidered and periodically discussed, but using closed pipeline systems, which appears promising, yet also faces considerable criticism. Any large-scale intervention in an ecosystem is unpredictable and often irreversible. The example of the Aral Sea clearly demonstrates this.
Responding to a question about possible ways to address the water crisis, Aizhan Kossantayeva noted that the concept of “adaptation” is increasingly being raised on international platforms. In her opinion, this is precisely the direction in which the region should focus its efforts – adapting to changing conditions while paying special attention to the most vulnerable areas. These include the Aral Sea region, where the population is already suffering from the consequences of the Aral Sea disaster, and densely populated areas such as the Fergana Valley.
In addition, Kossantayeva emphasized the importance of interstate cooperation and the role of regional platforms, such as the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia, as key mechanisms for dialogue and coordination.

ECP restores membership of three more provincial lawmakers

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reinstated the memberships of three lawmakers belonging to the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to an official notification issued on February 2, the membership of Rana Riaz Ahmed (PP-202, Punjab Assembly), Muhammad Iqbal Khan (PK-103, KP Assembly), and Asif Khan (PK-109, KP Assembly) has been restored following the completion of required formalities.

Currency rates of NBP

By
Samina Ch
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0
KARACHI, Feb 02 (APP):Following are the selling/buying rates of major currencies issued by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), here on  Monday.
CURRENCY                     SELLING          BUYING
USD                              281.55               278.53
GBP                               385.31               380.77
EUR                               334.18               330.25
JPY                                1.8191               1.7977
AED                                75.07                 74.18
SAR                                76.66                 75.75

Foreign exchange rates

By
Samina Ch
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0
KARACHI, Feb 02 (APP):The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange rates bulletin, here on Monday.
CONVERSION RATES FOR FEBRUARY 02, 2026 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE-25 DEPOSITS)
SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE FEBRUARY 04 ,2026
     USD      279.7457
     GBP      385.3777
     EUR      333.9324
     JPY        1.8189

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Pakistan Pavilion Team for 61st Venice Biennale 2026

By
Samina Ch
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0
LAHORE, Feb 02 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a meeting with the team representing the Pakistan Pavilion at the historic 61st Venice Biennale 2026, currently underway in Venice, Italy.
The meeting was attended by Najam Sethi, renowned Pakistani artist Faiza Butt, who is representing the Pakistan Pavilion, Pavilion Curator Beatriz Cifuentes Feliciano, and Pakistan Pavilion Commissioner Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash.
During the briefing, the Pavilion team informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan’s traditional art, distinctive aesthetics, and rich cultural heritage would be showcased to international visitors and tourists at the Venice Biennale. They further shared that a series of events will be organized under the Pakistan Pavilion from May to November 2026, aimed at highlighting diverse facets of Pakistani art and culture for global audiences.
The team also apprised the Prime Minister that the Venice Biennale, established in 1895, is the world’s oldest and largest international art exhibition, widely recognized for its diversity and creative excellence.
Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of promoting Pakistan’s history, cultural richness, and values of diversity and inclusivity on the international stage.
The delegation also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan Pavilion.

Special Interview | Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi | Kirdar | APP Digital

By
Amir Jamil
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0

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