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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.

Veteran Kashmiri leader Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry passes away at 73

By
Asif Jalal
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0
MIRPUR (AJK), Jan 31 (APP): Veteran Kashmiri leader and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) state President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry died in an Islamabad hospital on Saturday, he was 73, family and official sources confirmed.
According to APP correspondent, Sultan breathed his last in Islamabad. His funeral prayers will be offered on Sunday first at 4.00 pm at Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Cricket Stadium in Mirpur AJK.
Born in 1953, in Chechian, Mirpur, Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry received his early education in his hometown, completed matriculation in Rawalpindi and graduated from Gordon College.
He later earned a Bar-at-Law degree from the United Kingdom.
After returning to Pakistan in 1983, he entered active politics and went on to play a central role in Azad Kashmir’s political landscape for decades.
He also served as Prime Minister of AJK as well as Leader of the Opposition, and was elected nine times as a member of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Mirpur.
He was elected President of AJK in 2021 was widely known for forcefully raising the Kashmir issue at international forums.
He raised  the Kashmiri case staging rallies and demonstrations in front of  the United Nations, European Union and various institutions in the United States, and led large-scale Kashmir marches in London, New York, Brussels, Dublin and Berlin.

President Zardari congratulates cricket team on success in T20 series

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday congratulated the national cricket team on its historic victory in the T20 series against Australia.
President Zardari praised the players for their excellent performance, discipline and strategy and encouraged them.
The President paid tribute to the leadership of the Pakistan Cricket Board and its Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
He expressed his best wishes for the team’s success in the upcoming matches.
The President also appreciated the determination and hard work of the players, coaches and support staff.

CM expresses grief over demise of AJK President

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise of President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry.
In her condolence message, the chief minister extended heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family, praying for the departed soul and strength for the family to bear the loss.

PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praises outstanding performance of Pakistan’s cricket team

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s victory against Australia in T20 cricket series.
The prime minister praised the outstanding performance of the
Pakistan cricket team.
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the players and the team management.
He stated that the cricket team won the hearts of fans by displaying excellent play.
The premier expressed hope that this winning streak would continue in the future as well.

CM lauds security forces for foiling terror attacks in Balochistan

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed appreciation over the killing of 58 terrorists in Balochistan, praising the security forces for successfully thwarting multiple terrorist attacks.
In a statement, the chief minister paid rich tribute to the 10 security personnel who embraced martyrdom during the operations, describing their sacrifice as heroic and everlasting. She extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.
CM Maryam Nawaz also commended the security forces for foiling terrorist attacks at 12 different locations in the province, saying the nation would always remember the unparalleled sacrifices of those who laid down their lives while defending the country.

PM visits residence of Malik Shafi Khokhar

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday visited the residence of Malik Shafi Khokhar here.
The premier offered condolences and recited ‘Fateha’ for Malik Irfan Shafi Khokhar, son of Malik Shafi Khokhar.
The PM prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the departed soul and for patience for the bereaved family.
The Prime Minister’s sons — Salman Shehbaz and Hamza Shehbaz, as well as members of the National Assembly Malik Saiful Malook Khokhar and Malik Afzal Khokhar were also present.

NA Speaker mourns AJK President’s passing

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday expressed profound grief over the demise of Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry.
In his condolence message, the Speaker lauded the late leader’s political and social contributions, noting that Barrister Sultan Mahmood had played a significant role in projecting the Kashmir cause at the international level. He said the services rendered by the AJK President would always be remembered.
Speaker paid glowing tribute to late Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, describing him as a prudent statesman and a steadfast advocate of the Kashmir cause. He said the AJK President’s efforts were pivotal in amplifying the voice of the Kashmiri people at the international level.
Speaker extended heartfelt condolences to Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister Yasser Sultan Mahmood, son of the late Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry. He said he shared the grief of the bereaved family in this hour of sorrow.
The Speaker prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed soul an exalted place in His mercy, raise his ranks, and bless the bereaved family with patience and strength to bear the irreparable loss.

IRS hosts webinar on Israel–Gaza conflict, regional peace prospects

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) convened an expert webinar titled “Israel’s War on Gaza and Imperatives for Regional Peace”,  to examine the evolving dynamics of the Gaza conflict, the 20-point US peace framework, and the diplomatic challenges confronting regional and international stakeholders.
Visiting Professor in the Politics and International Relations Program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Dr. Mahjoob Zweiri, delivered the keynote address.
Opening the discussion, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, described the 20-point UN-mandated peace framework as a potential pathway forward amid limited alternatives. He noted that while the current ceasefire has yielded partial stabilization, the transition to its second phase is expected to face significant political and security obstacles.
Ambassador Saleem highlighted the absence of an explicit and credible roadmap toward Palestinian statehood within the framework, despite sustained diplomatic engagement by the United States and its partners.
In his remarks, Dr. Zweiri underscored the difficulty of assessing prospects for durable peace in Gaza in the context of ongoing ceasefire violations.
He identified a range of structural and political constraints affecting post-ceasefire recovery, including restrictions on the operations of international and local humanitarian organizations and delays in implementing agreed provisions of the peace framework.
According to Dr. Zweiri, these delays have complicated the transition from the first phase of the plan—focused primarily on hostage releases—to the second phase, which is intended to address longer-term stabilization and governance arrangements.
The discussion also examined the role of regional actors in shaping diplomatic outcomes. Dr. Zweiri noted that engagement by countries such as Türkiye and Pakistan could contribute to broader international participation in discussions on Gaza’s future, particularly in relation to reconstruction and post-conflict governance. He observed that expanding the range of diplomatic stakeholders may help mitigate perceptions of concentrated influence in decision-making processes concerning the Strip.
Addressing humanitarian conditions, Dr. Zweiri emphasized the importance of sustained aid flows as an integral component of security and stability. He referenced reports indicating that humanitarian access to Gaza has remained below agreed levels under the ceasefire arrangement confirmed in October 2025. Participants noted that improving humanitarian delivery mechanisms will be central to maintaining the ceasefire and supporting conditions for longer-term peace.
The webinar concluded with a discussion on the implications of the second phase of the ceasefire for regional stability and the role of multilateral diplomacy in supporting a durable political settlement.

FBR collects Rs7,176 billion in seven months of FY2026

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected Rs7,176 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY2026), registering a growth of 10.57 percent compared to Rs6,490 billion collected in the corresponding period of last year, reflecting an improving revenue trajectory amid ongoing economic recovery.
The board revenue collection in January 2026 records robust growth of 16% month on month surpassing six-month average growth of 10 to 11% reflecting a clear encouraging path for the remaining months of FY-2026, said a news release here on Saturday.
The provisional collection stood at Rs.1015 billion against the collection of Rs.873 billion last year.
This month’s tax performance reveals a nuanced and strategically significant fiscal outcome, characterized by substantial increase in direct taxation, modest growth in indirect and excise streams, and an overall healthy and improved performance in January 2026. It also reinforces the credibility of reform-driven revenue mobilization and transformation plan of FBR.
The collection from income tax has shown significant improvement and has reached ?. 483 billion against collection of ?. 381 billion, representing a 26% impressive growth over previous year.
This improved revenue collection performance is not incidental but reflects the structural impact of the FBR’s reforms especially its enhanced enforcement measures and coordinated effort to realize the collection stuck in litigation.
Sales tax collections in January stood at ?. 360 billion against collection of ?. 322 billion showing growth of  12% over previous year.
This trend is reflective of recovery and improvement in large scale manufacturing (LSM) growth which is a very positive and encouraging development.
January’s results validate FBR’s reform-driven transformation plan. By leveraging digital infrastructure and the collection through enforcement measures, FBR is improving compliance, expanding and deepening the tax net, and fostering taxpayer trust.
This performance in direct taxes signals emerging behavioural shifts toward greater voluntary compliance, with potential spill over benefits in coming months.
FBR has collected Rs. 7,176 billion  in the first seven months of the current FY 2026 against the collection of Rs.6,490 billion last year.
FBR is optimistic that the growth recovery trends in LSM will continue which will help it in achieving the revenue targets for the current fiscal year. Team FBR is fully committed to continue this momentum of growth in the remaining months.

Leadership qualities essential for medical superintendents: Kh Salman Rafique

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Punjab Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique on Saturday said that possessing strong leadership qualities is essential for Medical Superintendents (MSs) to ensure effective hospital administration and delivery of quality healthcare services.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the first batch of the Initial Career Course in Healthcare Management and the swearing-in ceremony of the second batch at the Institute of Public Health (IPH), where he attended as the chief guest.
Congratulating the organizers on successfully holding the event, the provincial health minister said that the Punjab government is committed to reforms in the health sector and has removed malicious elements from hospitals without any pressure. He said billions of rupees are allocated annually for hospitals, adding that modern medical machinery is being provided while shortages of human resources are being addressed on a priority basis.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that patients visiting hospitals regard doctors as their messiahs, and healthcare professionals must serve the nation with dedication and a sense of responsibility for the dignity of the homeland. He added that the health system is being improved in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The minister further stated that Medical Superintendents are being appointed strictly on 100 percent merit, without any recommendations, and complete transparency is being ensured to strengthen the healthcare system. He emphasized that improvement of the health sector is the top priority of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Highlighting future projects, he said the Punjab government is expanding a network of new hospitals across the province and will construct Asia’s largest Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at a cost of Rs 74 billion to provide advanced cancer care to the people.
He also highlighted several flagship initiatives launched under the chief minister’s vision, including the Children’s Heart Surgery Program, Special Initiative for Transplant Program, Special Initiative for Cancer Patients, Special Initiative for Stroke Management Program, and Special Initiative for Dialysis Program, among others.
A question-and-answer session was also held during the ceremony, in which Khawaja Salman Rafique responded thoughtfully to queries from MSs and doctors undergoing training.
Special Secretary Operations, Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Nabila Irfan, and Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal were also present on the occasion. A large number of senior health professionals attended the ceremony, including Professor Syed Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, Principal General Hospital Professor Dr. Farooq Afzal, Dr. Fayyaz Ranjha, Dr. Tahir Khalil, Professor Dr. Saima Ayub, Fahad Abbasi, Professor Atiya Mubarak, Dr. Lava from Sri Lanka, MD Children’s Hospital Lahore Professor Tipu Sultan, MS Syed Mutha Hospital Dr. Aqeel, along with MSs, AMSs, and DMSs of various teaching hospitals.
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