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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.

DC reviews drought preparedness in Cholistan

By
Samina Ch
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BAHAWALPUR, Mar 03 (APP):Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review precautionary and administrative measures in view of the possible drought and water shortage in the Cholistan Desert.
Officials of relevant departments attended the meeting and briefed the deputy commissioner on arrangements for water supply, storage facilities and emergency response planning in the desert region.
The meeting was informed that four special pipelines are currently supplying water to different parts of Cholistan to address scarcity concerns. According to the briefing, the pipeline from Khatri Dahar to Tofana is providing water to 150 people and 3,600 livestock. The second pipeline, laid from Kadwala to Bano Post, is meeting the needs of 200 residents and 8,000 livestock.
Similarly, the third pipeline from 108 DB Bajnout to Khallari is supplying water to 2,700 people and 25,000 livestock, while the fourth pipeline from 111 DNB to Nawan Kot is serving 4,320 people and 36,000 livestock. Participants were told that Cholistan has a total of 1,150 large and small natural ponds, locally known as tobas, of which around 400 currently contain partial water. In addition, the Cholistan Development Authority manages 90 water reservoirs known locally as kunds, while 50 more kunds constructed by local residents are also contributing to water storage.
To ensure continued water supply in remote areas, four water tankers are operational, and the procurement of eight additional four-wheel-drive water tankers is in progress to strengthen emergency response capacity. The Deputy Commissioner was informed that vulnerable locations have been identified and contingency planning has been completed. In case the situation worsens, arrangements have been made to shift affected populations to safer locations.
Syed Hassan Raza directed all concerned departments to improve coordination and ensure uninterrupted water supply to both residents and livestock, warning that negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. He said the district administration would utilize all available resources to provide maximum relief to the people of Cholistan.

DPM/FM Dar, Azerbaijan FM discuss current regional situation

By
Irfan Khan
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ISLAMABAD, March 03 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Tuesday, spoke with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov to discuss current regional developments.

“Both leaders emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East and agreed to stay closely engaged on the evolving developments,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

SMIU organizes solidarity rally to reaffirm support for Armed Forces

By
Samina Ch
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0
KARACHI, Mar 03 (APP):Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) organized a solidarity rally to reaffirm its unwavering support for the Pakistan Armed Forces on Tuesday. The rally led by Vice Chancellor Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai commenced from the main building of the university and culminated at the university’s Talpur House. Deans, heads of departments, directors, sectional heads, faculty members, officers, other employees, and students participated in it in a large number. The participants demonstrated their commitment and solidarity with the Pakistan Armed Forces by chanting slogans.
Addressing the rally, the vice chancellor stated that Pakistan has always demonstrated tolerance and restraint and does not believe in aggression. He emphasized that even in the face of provocation, Pakistan consistently pursued diplomatic avenues to de-escalate tensions created by a neighboring country, Afghanistan, and sought the support of friendly and peace-loving countries to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than conflict.
He reminded that Pakistan’s history is marked by generosity and humanitarian compassion, particularly towards the Afghan refugees, to whom Pakistan provided shelter, assistance, and support for decades. He expressed deep regret that, despite these efforts, hostile actions and betrayals were directed from Afghanistan with the support of India against Pakistan, undermining peace and regional stability by terrorist activities.
Dr. Sahrai clarified that Pakistan has never initiated aggression against Afghanistan and any other neighbor; however, when all peaceful options were exhausted and national security was threatened, Pakistan was compelled to demonstrate its defensive strength. He noted that the courage, discipline, and professionalism displayed by the Pakistan Armed Forces during such moments earned global recognition and set examples of valor and honor acknowledged worldwide. The vice chancellor further stated that last year India directly attacked Pakistan and met with defeat badly due to the decisive response from Pakistan’s armed forces. Now India is aligned with Afghanistan and cowardly attacking Pakistan.
He urged students to pay tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan, who continue to safeguard the nation’s security and sovereignty. Emphasizing the role of youth, he encouraged students to responsibly use digital platforms to counter hostile propaganda, expose misinformation, and strengthen national morale by supporting the armed forces through constructive and ethical online engagement.
The vice chancellor reaffirmed that the university stands firmly with its armed forces in defense of peace, sovereignty, and national honour.
The rally concluded with slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, Pakistan Armed Forces Zindabad and collective prayers for peace, stability, and prosperity of the country.

80,000 ltrs milk discarded, same milk back on streets: questions rise over IFA raids

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Mar 03 (APP):After a change in the administration of the Islamabad Food Authority, questions are being raised about the ongoing action against milk in the federal capital.
Sources said that since the change, teams linked to the Punjab Food Authority and a food safety officer, Nafeesa Kiran, have been conducting joint raids in different areas of Islamabad.
Some of these raids are being described as genuine, while others are being questioned.
According to sources, samples were collected during these operations. However, the process for testing and disposal of the milk has raised concerns. Clear information about where the samples were tested, how results were recorded, and how seized milk was destroyed has not been shared. This lack of clarity has led to doubts about whether the action taken was effective or only for record purposes.
A key point of concern is the return of a group involved in the milk trade that was earlier shut down. In the I-10/1 area, 80,000 liters of milk linked to this group were destroyed in the past. Despite this, the same group is now seen operating openly again in the city. This has raised a major question: who allowed them to resume business.
People asked whether officials linked to IFA and the Punjab Food Authority have permitted the same milk group, which was sealed earlier, to restart operations. These claims, according to sources, cannot be ignored and need to be examined through a formal process.
The public said the situation calls for clear answers. They argued that if the same players return after major crackdowns, the purpose of inspections is defeated. They also question the role of officials from outside Islamabad carrying out action within the capital, especially when the local authority exists for this task.
There is a growing demand for a transparent and neutral inquiry into all inspections and actions carried out in Islamabad in recent months.
People said that without clear boundaries, documented procedures, and public accountability, action against milk adulteration will remain weak. They stressed that only a focused approach by the Islamabad Food Authority, free from outside pressure, can lead to real results. Until then, questions will continue about who is being checked, who is being spared, and why banned operators keep returning to business.

Primary surplus widens to Rs 4.1 trillion in 1st half

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Mar 3 (APP):The country’s primary balance posted a robust surplus of Rs 4,105.5 billion (3.2 percent of GDP) during the first half (July–December) of fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting continued fiscal consolidation and improved revenue performance.
The primary surplus showed an increase from Rs 3,603.7 billion (3.2 percent of GDP) recorded in the corresponding period of last fiscal year, indicating strengthened fiscal discipline amid prudent expenditure management and enhanced revenue mobilization, according to the latest Monthly Economic Update and Outlook for February 2026.
The report highlighted that overall fiscal consolidation efforts are gaining traction, with total revenues rising by 9.4 percent to Rs 10,683.6 billion during July–December FY2026. The growth was driven by a 10.9 percent increase in tax revenues and a 7.0 percent rise in non-tax revenues.
On the expenditure side, total spending declined by 10.3 percent to Rs 10,141.7 billion. The contraction was largely attributed to a 5.2 percent reduction in current expenditures, mainly due to a significant 30.7 percent decline in markup payments.
Meanwhile, development expenditures increased by 43.2 percent, primarily supported by higher provincial development spending.
As a result, the overall fiscal balance registered a surplus of 0.4 percent of GDP (Rs 541.9 billion) during the period under review, compared to a deficit of 1.3 percent of GDP (Rs 1,537.9 billion) in the same period last year
The report further noted that the improved primary balance — which excludes interest payments — underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable debt management and macroeconomic stability. A sizeable portion of public debt was also retired ahead of schedule, marking a significant step toward prudent fiscal management.
During July–January FY2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs 7,176.9 billion, posting a growth of 10.5 percent compared to last year. The increase was broad-based, with direct taxes growing by 11.1 percent and indirect taxes by 9.8 percent
The Finance Division maintained that sustained fiscal consolidation, coupled with improved macroeconomic fundamentals, is expected to reinforce economic stability and support growth momentum in the remaining months of the fiscal year.
According to the report, overall economy entered the third quarter of fiscal year 2025-26 with strengthened macroeconomic fundamentals and significantly improved growth prospects.
The momentum is expected to further accelerate in the remaining months of the fiscal year and steer the country toward sustainable economic growth.

KP CM orders bipartisan committee to resolve LG term expiry by March 15

By
Samina Ch
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PESHAWAR, Mar 03 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi Tuesday held a meeting with a delegation of local government representatives and discussed issues pertaining to expiration of their current terms.
Led by Mardan Mayor Himayatullah Mayar, the delegation expressed concerns regarding continuity of local government system. The minister local government, Meena Khan Afridi was also present.
The meeting focused on finding a legislative path to prevent a vacuum in governance before the next elections.
In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Afridi announced development of a consensus-based plan of action. He directed Speaker of KP Assembly to form a bipartisan committee, featuring members from both government and opposition, to deliberate on the matter.
This committee is scheduled to convene this week with the goal of reaching a final decision by March 15. The primary objective is to determine a formal method for maintaining current system’s operations until new local government elections can be successfully conducted.
To ensure a comprehensive solution, the meeting also resolved that the committee would consult with nominated members of the Local Council Board, incorporating diverse viewpoints into the final strategy.
Following these firm assurances from Chief Minister, Local Council Association agreed to postpone their planned strike.
Both police and administrative officials have characterized the meeting as a vital step in safeguarding stability of public service delivery and ensuring that local government institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain functional during this transitional period.

Number of individuals benefiting from digital banking surpasses 127mn: PM told

By
Irfan Khan
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0

ISLAMABAD, March 03 (APP): A meeting with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, was apprised that the number of individuals benefiting from digital banking in the country exceeded to 127 million.

The prime minister commended the economic team and the State Bank of Pakistan for shifting salaries, pensions and vendor payments by the federal and provincial governments to the ‘Raast’ digital payment system.

The prime minister chaired a review meeting on promotion of cashless economy in the country.

Number of individuals benefiting from digital banking surpasses 127mn: PM told

During the meeting, it was apprised that during the period from July 2025 to January 2026, payments amounting to worth Rs 1.6 trillion were made through Raast by the federal and provincial governments.

The prime minister appreciated the ministry of finance team for the achievement.

The meeting was attended by Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries and other senior officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister also appreciated Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) team for provision of financial assistance to 71 percent of eligible beneficiaries so far under the PM’s Ramazan Relief Package.

The meeting was further informed that in last year, 24 percent of beneficiaries had received the amount by the 12th day of Ramazan, whereas this year, due to timely measures taken on the prime minister’s special instructions, the distribution ratio has surpassed 71 percent.

The prime minister directed all government institutions to provide QR codes on all bills to facilitate citizens for making payments.

The ministry of finance, the State Bank, BISP, the ministry of information technology and other relevant institutions briefed the meeting on measures taken to promote digital payments in the country.

A briefing was also given on the dashboard related to the digital payments ecosystem.

The prime minister directed that the targets set for the digital payments system should be achieved within the stipulated timeframe.

IGP Rizvi meets SWAT Team, reviews Red Zone security

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Mar 03 (APP):Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi met officers of the Islamabad Police SWAT team on the ground and appreciated their dedication and operational readiness.
An official told APP on Tuesday that the IGP visited key security points in the Red Zone, where he reviewed deployment and overall preparedness in view of the prevailing security situation.
 IGP Rizvi interacted with SWAT personnel and other officers performing duties, commending their professionalism and commitment to maintaining law and order.
IGP inspected checking procedures and security arrangements at various points and directed officers to remain vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.
IGP Rizvi reiterated that safeguarding the federal capital and protecting the lives and property of citizens remain the foremost priorities of Islamabad Police.
Islamabad Police continue to maintain heightened security measures across sensitive locations to ensure peace and stability in the capital.

Met office forecasts dry weather for Sindh

By
Samina Ch
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0
KARACHI, Mar 03 (APP):Pakistan Meteorological Department on Tuesday predicted dry weather in most districts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours.
    However, daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 33°C and 36°C.
    Mainly, dry weather is likely to prevail in the province.

Shipping Activity at Port Qasim

By
Samina Ch
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0
KARACHI, Mar 03 (APP):Shipping activity was report at the port where six ships, MSC Marina, Al-Bert-P, New Noble, Banglar Agrajatra, Mistral Explorer and Al-Hamla carrying Container, Steel Coil, Palm oil, Chemicals and LNG, berthed at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal and Engro Elengy Terminal respectively.
     Meanwhile two more ships, Condor and Venus Halo with Chemicals and Pet Coke also arrived at outer anchorage on same day.
     A total of twelve ships were engaged at PQA berths during the last 24 hours, out of them two ships, MSC Marina and Yusuf-Al-Ghanim left the port on today morning, while four more ships, Wadi-Al-Sail, Al-Bert-P, Astro Merope and MD-23 are expected to sail on today.
     Cargo volume of 239,845 tonnes, comprising 209,209 tonnes imports cargo and 30,636 export cargo carried in 3,938 Containers (2,638 TEUs Imports & 1,300 TEUs Export) was handled at the port during last 24 hours.
     There are 14 ships at Outer Anchorage of the Port Qasim, out of them three ships, Grand Ace, AM Ocean Siver and Venus Halo scheduled to load/offload Fuel oil and Coal expected to take berth at FOTCO, PQPET and PIBT on today.
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