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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

By
Shafek Koreshe
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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

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.

Sukkur mayor announces Katchi Abadi regularization drive, thousands to gain title rights free of charge

By
Samina Ch
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0
SUKKUR, Jan 20 (APP):Sindh government spokesperson and Mayor of Sukkur, Barrister Arsalan Sheikh has said that under the policy directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, all informal settlements in Sukkur will soon be regularized to provide ownership rights free of charge to more than 150,000 residents living in these areas.
Talking to APP here on Tuesday, Mayor Sukkur emphasized that this initiative reflects the provincial government’s commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and ensuring social justice. “This is a historic step toward securing the rights of underprivileged citizens who have lived without legal recognition for decades,” he said.
The regularization drive will cover numerous katchi abadis across Sukkur. Authorities have already begun surveying land records and preparing documentation for title distribution, he added.
Barrister Arsalan reiterated that no resident will be charged any fee during this process. “The people are the true owners of this land, the state is merely formalizing what has long been a reality,” he stated.
He further added that the move aligns with broader reforms under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s urban development agenda and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision for inclusive governance. The project also aims to improve access to basic services such as water supply, sanitation, electricity and sewerage systems once settlements are formally recognized.
Local residents welcomed the Mayor Sukkur’s efforts and the announcement with hope. Community leaders urged authorities to ensure transparency and inclusivity throughout implementation so no one is left behind.
Once completed, this regularization effort could become one of Sindh’s most impactful urban equity initiatives in recent years setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.

KIRAN hospital inaugurates its second Halcyon LINAC machine to expand radiotherapy services for cancer patients

By
NNPS Desk
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KARACHI, Jan 20 (APP): Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN), the largest public-sector cancer hospital operated by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), has inaugurated state-of-the-art 2nd Halcyon Linear Accelerator, strengthening access to modern radiotherapy services.

With this addition, KIRAN is now operating with a total of four linear accelerators, including two Halcyon.
The newly commissioned Halcyon system enables highly precise cancer treatment using modern IMRT and VMAT techniques, ensuring better accuracy and improved patient care.

KIRAN currently provides radiotherapy to approximately 250 cancer patients daily, the highest patient volume for any cancer hospital in the country. With the commissioning of the Halcyon Linear Accelerator, daily treatment capacity is expected to increase to around 400 patients per day, significantly reducing waiting times.

By adding a second Halcyon, KIRAN Hospital aims to strengthen its role as a leading radiotherapy centre in Karachi and expand access to modern treatment for more families. Stakeholders said the project shows how hospitals, community organisations and technology partners can work together so advanced cancer care is within reach for more Pakistanis, regardless of means.

This vital addition has been made possible through the generous support of the KIRAN Patients Welfare Society (KPWS) and the Strategic Plans Division (SPD). All deserving cancer patients will receive free treatment on this machine.
The Halcyon system is built to deliver precision radiotherapy with advanced image guidance used for every treatment session, supporting consistent positioning and precise delivery across all tumour sites. The platform is designed to treat all tumour types in a compact, patient-centred workflow while keeping sessions efficient for clinical teams.

Patient comfort is also a key focus, with a couch that lowers for easier positioning and quieter system motion during setup. A couch-mounted camera and an intercom allow clear communication between the patient and the therapist.

Safety features include collision detection, a six-point safety approach and a daily performance check that takes about five minutes, with newer upgrades supporting precise positioning and smoother workflow.

Dera police crackdown on robbers, recover six stolen motorcycles

By
Samina Ch
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0
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jan 20 (APP):The Dera police have conducted a successful operation against motorcycle thieves and robbers, arresting suspects involved in multiple criminal incidents and recovering six stolen motorcycles.
According to police spokesman, the action was carried out by Suburban Circle Police on the directives of the District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, following credible information about the presence of a robbery gang involved in motorcycle theft and snatching.
The police teams conducted targeted raids, resulting in the arrest of the suspects in accordance with legal procedures.
During the operation, six motorcycles of different brands, stolen or snatched in separate incidents, were recovered. The recovered vehicles were subsequently returned to their rightful owners.
The police officials said further investigations are in progress to trace additional accomplices and recover more stolen property linked to the gang.

Hajj training in Khanewal to kick off from today

By
Samina Ch
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KHANEWAL, Jan 20 (APP):The Hajj Ministry’s Multan Directorate will conduct a two-day Hajj training programme in Khanewal starting from today, according to a statement issued by the Multan Directorate.
The first session will be held at Shahi Marriage Hall, 168 Mor, Jahanian Bypass, today (January 20), where around 520 pilgrims have been invited to receive training from officials deputed by the Hajj Ministry. A similar session will take place at TMA Hall in Kabirwala tomorrow (January 21).
Trainers will also hold media briefings at the conclusion of the workshops.
Director Hajj Rehan Khokhar, talking to APP, said the sessions would include detailed lectures and practical demonstrations covering essential Hajj rituals, including Ihram, Tawaf and other key practices.
He added that the training is designed to familiarize pilgrims with both the religious and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage, ensuring they are fully prepared for the sacred journey.
The Director warned that pilgrims who fail to complete the training may have their Hajj eligibility revoked.
He assured that the government was committed to supporting pilgrims by providing all necessary guidance and resources.

Ten target offenders arrested

By
Samina Ch
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0
MULTAN, Jan 20 (APP):Police of the Dolphin Squad arrested at least ten target offenders involved in robberies, theft and other serious crimes.
According to an official spokesperson, the crackdown against target and proclaimed offenders was launched on the directions of CPO Sadiq Ali Dogar, and the current success was achieved by the squad led by Waqar-ul-Hassan.
All ten accused were arrested from different parts of the city during checking of suspicious persons.
The CPO directed police to continue action particularly against history-sheeters to curb crime in the city.
He said protection of the lives and property of the people was the top priority of the police, for which all-out possible measures were being adopted.

‘Recharge Pakistan Project’ gaining momentum in DI Khan

By
Samina Ch
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DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jan 20 (APP):The progress on the “Recharge Pakistan Project” initiative remained encouraging as officials reviewed the project’s implementation during a meeting held here at the Commissioner’s Office.
The session was chaired by Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Division Dawood Khan, who underscored the project’s strategic importance in addressing water management challenges and improving climate resilience across the region.
The meeting assessed ongoing activities and deliberated on further strengthening inter-departmental coordination to ensure the project is implemented in a timely and effective manner.
The meeting was attended by representatives from key departments including the Registrar of the Agriculture University Dera Ismail Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture, Assistant to the Commissioner (Political and Development) Sajjad Baloch, Divisional Forest Officer D.I. Khan, Project Director Recharge Pakistan (Irrigation Department), Manager Climate Smart Agriculture Recharge Pakistan, and the Site Manager Recharge Pakistan.
The officials briefed the forum that work was progressing smoothly and in line with approved plans. The Project Director informed participants that the design and supervisory consultants had initiated their assignments, adding that the design and cost estimates for the ‘Badri Pond’ would be finalized shortly, after which designs for other schemes would follow. The Forest Department reported that the procurement process had been completed and implementation activities were underway accordingly.
The Registrar of the Agriculture University assured the meeting that a list of female agriculture graduates would be shared to facilitate training sessions for women farmers. The forum concluded by emphasizing the need for continuous coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of project interventions and to strengthen the region’s capacity to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Xi congratulates Central African Republic president on reelection

By
NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, Jan. 20 (BRNN/APP): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Faustin-Archange Touadera on his reelection as president of the Central African Republic.

In his message, Xi noted that in recent years, China and the Central African Republic have continued to deepen political mutual trust.

The two sides have also firmly supported each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, and steadily advanced exchanges and cooperation across various fields, he added.

Xi said that he attached great importance to the development of China-Central African Republic relations.

He expressed readiness to work with President Touadera to actively implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and to push ahead with the continuous upgrading of the two countries’ strategic partnership, so as to deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.

China’s finance ministry unveils policy package to encourage private investment, consumption

By
NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua/APP): China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Tuesday released a package of measures to spur private investment and consumption, including a special guarantee program for corporate lending and interest subsidies for personal consumption loans.

This special guarantee program, with a total scale of 500 billion yuan (about 71.42 billion U.S. dollars), is aimed at supporting private investment by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, according to official documents jointly released by the MOF and several other departments.

Implemented through the National Financing Guarantee Fund over a two-year period, the program will cover not only medium- and long-term loans, but also financing needs related to daily operations, such as factory expansion, shop renovations and working capital.

Meanwhile, the ministry will roll out a loan interest subsidy policy for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, covering newly issued fixed-asset loans and funds provided by the government’s new policy-based financial instruments from Jan. 1.

The policy will focus on key industrial chains and their upstream and downstream sectors, as well as producer services.

Interest subsidies will be set at 1.5 percentage points per year, with a maximum subsidy period of two years. The loan amount eligible for subsidies will be capped at 50 million yuan per borrower, with the maximum interest subsidy per borrower set at 1.5 million yuan.

The policy will initially be implemented for one year, with the possibility of extension based on actual conditions.

In a move to bolster consumption, the MOF on Tuesday also optimized and extended existing interest subsidy policies for loans to business entities in the service sector and for personal consumption loans to the end of 2026.

The service-sector loan subsidy policy, notably, has expanded coverage to digital, green and retail sectors, with the maximum loan amount eligible for subsidies per borrower raised from 1 million yuan to 10 million yuan and the subsidy cap increased to 100,000 yuan.

The personal consumption loan subsidy policy will include credit card installment services, removing sectoral restrictions.

In addition, the MOF has improved its loan interest subsidy policy for equipment upgrades. The updated policy expands support from loans used solely for equipment purchases to equipment upgrades, and incorporates eligible technology innovation loans newly issued from 2026.

NA session commences

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 (APP):The National Assembly session commenced at 11:26 a.m. on Tuesday at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah.
The House is set to take up its agenda, which includes, calling attention notices, the introduction of new bills, and deliberations on legislative business. Points of order are expected to be raised, alongside any other matters permitted by the chair.

ICT Police conduct grand search, combing operation in multiple areas

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 (APP):Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police carried out a grand search and combing operation in various areas of the federal capital to curb crime and ensure public safety.
A police spokesperson told APP on Tuesday that the operation was conducted under the supervision of zonal SPs, with the participation of both male and female police officers. Prior to the operation, senior police officers thoroughly briefed all personnel about their duties and operational procedures.
During the operation, police teams checked 281 individuals, 164 houses and 16 shops. In addition, 121 motorcycles and 31 vehicles were inspected as part of the comprehensive security sweep.
The spokesperson said that during checking, 26 suspicious individuals and 13 motorcycles were shifted to the concerned police stations for further verification.
He added that the objective of the search and combing operation was to tighten the noose around criminal elements and prevent crimes in the area. He said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad has issued clear directives to conduct grand search operations across the district to eradicate crime.
He reaffirmed that the protection of citizens’ lives and property remains the top priority of Islamabad Police.
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