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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.

Trump accuses US Supreme Court justices of disloyalty for declaring his tariffs illegal

By
NNPS Desk
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WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (APP): US President Donald Trump denounced the Supreme Court justices that struck down his tariffs on Friday, including two justices he appointed, saying he was “ashamed of certain members of the court.”

“They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution. It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think. It’s a small movement,” Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing he held in the aftermath of the significant judgement.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas Alito and [Brett] Kavanaugh for their strength and wisdom and love of our country, which is right now, very proud of those justices,” he said, referring to the dissenting justices. Trump also appointed Kavanaugh during his first term as president.

In a 6-3 ruling, the justices rejected Trump’s expanded use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in imposing tariffs on nearly every country. The 1970s law allows the president to “regulate” imports when necessary to respond to national emergencies that pose an “unusual and extraordinary” threat.

The case marked the first significant element of Trump’s wider policy agenda to be reviewed by the nation’s highest court.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the Constitution clearly assigns the authority to levy taxes — including tariffs — to Congress. He emphasized that the nation’s founders did not grant any portion of that taxing power to the executive branch.

In dissent, Justice Kavanaugh defended the administration’s authority, arguing that regardless of the policy merits, the tariffs were lawful under constitutional text, historical practice and precedent.

The decision represents a pivotal moment in the legal battle over the scope of presidential power in trade policy and deals a blow to Trump’s efforts to reshape global commerce through aggressive tariff measures.

APP/ift

President urges promotion of mother tongues to strengthen unity on Int’l Mother Language Day

By
Asif Jalal
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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): President, Asif Ali Zardari has called for renewed commitment to protecting and promoting the country’s diverse mother tongues and said linguistic diversity was a source of strength and a foundation for inclusive national development.
In his message on International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, the president said language played a vital role in shaping identity, dignity and opportunity. He noted that Pakistan was home to a rich tapestry of languages including Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Seraiki, Brahvi, Hindko, Shina, Burushaski, Wakhi and Hazargi, reflecting centuries of shared history and cultural exchange.
He said that while Urdu served as a lingua franca connecting the Federation, mother tongues remained the first voice of children and the primary carriers of inherited knowledge and tradition.
“Language is more than a medium of speech. It shapes how communities remember their past, organise social life and understand the world around them. It carries moral traditions, local wisdom and inherited experience,” the president said, adding that when a language weakened, more than words were lost as a distinct way of seeing and interpreting reality began to fade.
Highlighting Pakistan’s multi-ethnic and multilingual character, the president said the challenge was not diversity itself but nurturing cohesion while safeguarding shared inheritance. He stressed that unity did not require uniformity but rested on mutual recognition and equal dignity.
President Zardari underscored the practical importance of mother tongues in education and daily life. He said a child who began schooling in a language spoken at home was more likely to develop cognitive skills, understand lessons, remain confident and continue education. In contrast, when instruction was delivered only in an unfamiliar language, learning gaps widened and dropout rates increased, particularly in the early years.
He also pointed out that farmers, artisans and small business owners often relied on local languages to access services, markets and information. Recognising and supporting mother tongues, he said, would strengthen not only cultural identity but also literacy, mobility and economic participation.
Citing research and international experience, the president said mother tongue-based multilingual education improved comprehension and supported the acquisition of additional languages, while safeguarding indigenous knowledge
embedded in local expression.
In Pakistan’s context, he said, careful integration of regional languages into education and public life could deepen national cohesion by affirming that every community’s heritage was valued within the Federation.
Referring to International Mother Language Day, he said the occasion called on all nations to protect linguistic diversity and promote multilingualism, as languages carried unique worldviews and ways of thinking. Protecting minority and regional languages, he added, was not merely symbolic but an investment in inclusive and sustainable societies.
“As we observe this day, let us renew our commitment to respecting and promoting all mother tongues of Pakistan.
In the new technological era, it is not difficult to promote any language,” the President said.
He added that by honouring the diversity of languages spoken across the country, Pakistan could strengthen the foundations of its democracy and ensure that every citizen felt heard, understood and represented.

PSX issues proposed regulations on Shariah-based trading, suggesting segregated counter within market

By
Asif Jalal
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0
KARACHI, Feb 20 (APP): Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), on Friday, invited stakeholders’ feedback on the proposed Shariah Trading Regulations- an initiative aimed at introducing a dedicated platform for fully Shariah-compliant trading to further strengthen country’s Islamic capital market landscape.
PSX, in compliance with the constitutional requirement, Federal Shariat Court’s judgement, and directives of the regulator pertaining to elimination of riba from Pakistan’s financial system, has proposed a segregated Shariah compliant trading counter within the existing PSX market; a notice inviting public comments stated.
The segregation, according to PSX, could be achieved through distinguishing the Shariah-compliant brokerage business from the conventional one, account-level designation, broker-level controls and system-level validations, without dividing or altering the core trading engine.
The Constitution of Pakistan requires the State to completely eliminate ‘Riba’, whereas the Federal Shariat Court’s judgement dated April 28, 2022 provided a five-year timeline for eradication of riba from the country’s financial system.
Moreover, the SECP via Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Islamic Finance in the Non-Bank Financial Sector mandated the exchange to introduce after consensus of stakeholders a mechanism for trading in Shariah compliant manner.
The PSX has drafted the amendments as per the internal assessment of Capital Market Infrastructure Institutions, recommendations of the Shariah Focus Group of PSX, comprising of renowned Shariah scholars and practitioners, discussions with the Pakistan Stock Broker Association, concurrence with the SECP and in light of practices of other stock exchanges that cater to the Shariah investors.
PSX also proposed to introduce a new dedicated Chapter in PSX Regulations on “Shariah-Compliant Securities Trading”, prescribing key requirements pertaining to eligibility criteria for Shariah-compliant securities broker, pre-trade validations, compliance with the Shariah Governance Regulations and Guidelines.
The PSX encouraged all market participants, investors, stakeholders and others concerned to review the proposed amendments to PSX regulations in relation to Shariah compliant securities trading; and contribute their input in the prescribed manner by March 02, 2026.

5.6 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of KP: Met Ofice

By
Asif Jalal
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0
PESHAWAR, Feb 20 (APP): An earthquake of moderate intensity measuring 5.6 magnitude were felt in the country’s north and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the quake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.
The seismological data indicated that the quake struck at a depth of 73 kilometers.
The tremors were felt in Peshawar, Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Swabi and Mardan, as well as in parts of Punjab, including Chakwal, Kallar Syedan and Talagang.
Following the tremors, the K-P Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) directed all district administrations to submit reports regarding any potential damages.
The PDMA spokesman said that no reports of casualties or property damage had been received so far, adding that authorities continued to monitor the situation.

Pakistan to tour Bangladesh in March

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Feb 20 (APP): Pakistan men’s cricket team will tour Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed on Friday.
Pakistan will arrive in Bangladesh on Monday, 9 March and will undergo a training session on Tuesday, 10 March, ahead of the opening ODI against the hosts at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Dhaka on Wednesday, 11 March.
The second ODI will be played on Friday, 13 March, while the third and final match of the series is scheduled for Sunday, 15 March. All three matches will take place at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
This will be Pakistan’s second tour of Bangladesh since July 2025. Pakistan last toured Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series in July, which the hosts won 2-1. Bangladesh, meanwhile, toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in May/June last year, which Salman Ali Agha-led side won 3-0.
Series schedule:
March 9 – Pakistan arrival
March 10 – Practice
March 11 – First ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 13 – Second ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 15 – Third ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

Ambassador Qureshi, Ambassador of Philippines discuss issues of common interest

By
Asif Jalal
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0
BRUSSELS, Feb 20 (APP): Pakistan’s Ambassador to European Union and Belgium Rahim Hayat Qureshi Friday met with Ambassador of Philippines to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, Jaime Victor B. Ledda.
Both sides engaged in constructive discussions over issues of common interest within the framework of EU.

Pakistan ready for New Zealnad challenge in Super 8s opener: Mike Hesson

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Feb 20 (APP): Pakistan Men’s cricket head coach Mike Hesson has said that Pakistan team is fully prepared for the New Zealand challenge in the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference at the Premadasa stadium Colombo, he said that the team is going into the match with preparation, adding that role of every player has been marked.
On Mark Chapman, Hesson said although Mark has shown good performance against Pakistan, every match has its own challenges and the Pakistan will not focus on one player only.
“Usman Tariq is kind of a player who is effective in both attack and defense and this quality makes him very valuable for the team,” he responded.
He said that there is no thing like psychological advantage in the match but skill and preparation are the keys to winning games.
On pushing Babar Azam at number 4 in the batting order during the World Cup 2026, Hesson defended the decision, adding that the team required this. He said Babar Azam does not play aggressive cricket in the power play, but he provides stable batting to the team in the middle order, especially when the team is in trouble.
The head coach praised the performance of Abrar Ahmed and other spinners and said that the strong spin attack is a big advantage for the team. “If more spin is needed according to the situation, the team has complete flexibility,” Hesson added.
On the balance of right and left-handers in the match, he said that Pakistan has players like Muhammad Nawaz and Faheem who can play a role at the right time.
“Fakhar Zaman is also in the squad and he will also get a chance if needed,” the Head Coach said defending decision to sit Fakhar on the bench so far in the tournament.
The head coach said that the team is ready for the start of the Super 8s and every player is determined to perform at his best according to his skills and character.

Over 6,000 break fast at Negahban Dastarkhwan across Rawalpindi on 2nd day

By
Asif Jalal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Feb 20 (APP): More than 6,000 people were served Iftar at Negahban Dastarkhwan centres across the district on the second day of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak on Friday under the initiative of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
According to an official spokesman, the administration made arrangements for 7,000 individuals in all tehsils of the district to ensure maximum relief for deserving citizens during the holy month.
Over 6,000 break fast at Negahban Dastarkhwan across Rawalpindi on 2nd day
The Iftar spread included dates, mineral water, samosas, apples, oranges, bananas, chicken biryani, Rooh Afza and other quality food items. Arrangements were jointly managed by the district administration, welfare organisations and volunteers, with special measures to maintain cleanliness and discipline at distribution points.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, during a visit to the Negahban Dastarkhwan, said the initiative reflected the chief minister’s vision of providing maximum facilities to deserving individuals during Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. He added that the scope of the programme would be further expanded during the month to ensure that no citizen remained hungry.
District administration officials welcomed guests at the Iftar sites and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the programme throughout Ramazan to serve the public.

Price magistrates inspect 4,665 outlets, impose Rs 1.192m fines in Rawalpindi

By
Asif Jalal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Feb 20 (APP): Price magistrates on Friday continued district-wide operations to ensure the availability of essential commodities and compliance with official prices, a Rawalpindi District Administration spokesman said.
Some 4,665 shops and business centres were inspected, with 243 violations detected. Legal action was taken against offenders, resulting in fines totalling Rs1.192 million, registration of two first information reports (FIRs), sealing of 70 shops and arrest of 82 individuals.
The spokesman reiterated that providing relief to consumers remained the administration’s  top priority. The operations against inflation, hoarding and profiteering would continue without interruption under a zero-tolerance policy, he affirmed.
Citizens were urged to report overcharging or failure to display official price lists to the district control room or helpline for prompt action.

A large number of people offer the first Jumma-tul-Mubarak prayer at Memon Masjid in the Holy fasting month of Ramazan ul Mubarak

By
Khuram Maryam
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0
A large number of people offer the first Jumma-tul-Mubarak prayer at Memon Masjid in the Holy fasting month of Ramazan ul Mubarak
APP57-200226
KARACHI
A large number of people offer the first Jumma-tul-Mubarak prayer at Memon Masjid in the Holy fasting month of Ramazan ul Mubarak
APP58-200226
KARACHI 
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