BREAKING NEWS
Nimra Khan, husband fuel divorce speculation with social media posts • Ameesha Patel shares candid reason for staying unmarried • UEFA maintains FIFA boycott despite Infantino’s withdrawal of plan • Infantino gains African backing as FIFA leadership criticism continues • Bilawal says failure of system is result of political interference • Erdogan says defence pact open to peace-seeking countries in region • Tehran official says Saudi security depends on policy changes, not alliances • Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye sign Makkah Defence Pact • JI chief announces march toward Punjab CM House over fuel prices, inflation • Iran, Oman reach understanding on shipping route through Strait of Hormuz • More than 100 killed in India floods, heavy rains since July • Brock Lesnar announces retirement from professional wrestling • Actor Ahsan Khan urges men to empower their wives • Bollywood star Aamir Khan pays tribute to Pradeep Rawat • Pakistan beat West Indies by 8 wickets to draw Test series 1-1
Advertise with us >

Newsdesk

Schedule announced for HBL Pakistan Super League Season 11

by
Schedule announced

ISLAMABAD: The schedule for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League Season 11 (PSL 11) has been officially announced, with the tournament set to run from March 26 to May 3.

According to the details, a total of 44 matches will be played during the tournament. For the first time in PSL history, eight teams will participate in the competition. Two new franchises — Hyderabad Kings Men and Rawalpindi Pindis League — have been added to the league.

During the league stage, each team will play 10 matches, while the playoffs will begin on April 28.

The matches of PSL 11 will be held across six cities, with Faisalabad and Peshawar set to host PSL games for the first time. The opening match of the tournament will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including a qualifier, while 15 matches are scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

In a historic development, Faisalabad will host seven PSL matches for the first time, and Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar will also stage PSL games for the first time.

Meanwhile, Multan Cricket Stadium will host four matches, featuring the home team Multan Sultans, while National Bank Stadium in Karachi will stage six matches during the tournament.

The schedule also includes 12 double-headers, adding more excitement for cricket fans throughout the competition.

Nadia Jamil reveals why she turned down role in Veer-Zaara

by
Nadia Jamil reveals

Islamabad: Renowned Pakistani actress Nadia Jamil has revealed the reason she declined an offer to appear in the blockbuster Bollywood film Veer-Zaara.

Speaking as a guest on a private TV channel’s Ramadan transmission, Nadia Jamil opened up about the responsibilities she faced after becoming a mother and some of the difficult decisions she made at the beginning of her career.

The actress shared that she had been offered a role in Veer-Zaara, and the project was nearly finalized. However, at that time her baby was only three months old, and she did not want to leave the child to travel for the film’s shoot.

“I felt that I should stay with my baby during those early months,” she explained.

Nadia Jamil added that her mother had even offered to accompany her to the shooting location, and her in-laws also had no objections. Despite the support, she chose to remain with her child.

According to the actress, many people advised her that rejecting such a major film could negatively impact her career, but she decided that being with her baby was more important at that moment.

Released in 2004, the blockbuster Veer-Zaara starred Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles. The important role of Pakistani lawyer Samia Siddiqui was ultimately played by Rani Mukerji.

Folk singer Ustad Pathanay Khan remembered on 26th death anniversary

by
Folk singer Ustad

The 26th death anniversary of legendary folk and Sufi singer Ustad Pathanay Khan is being observed today, with admirers remembering his immense contribution to traditional music.

Born in 1926 in the village of Tambu Wali in Kot Addu, his real name was Ghulam Muhammad. Pathanay Khan was primarily a folk singer who gained widespread fame for his semi-classical renditions of kafis, ghazals, and folk songs, which captivated audiences both in Pakistan and abroad.

He was widely admired for his mastery of ghazal, kafi, and traditional folk music, enchanting listeners for several decades with his powerful and emotive voice. Pathanay Khan famously performed the mystical poetry of renowned Sufi poets including Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Bulleh Shah, and Mehr Ali Shah.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to music, the Government of Pakistan honoured him with a Presidential Award in 1979, while he received 79 awards throughout his illustrious career.

Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also an admirer of Pathanay Khan’s soulful voice, which was known for its depth, emotional intensity, and spiritual appeal.

Among his most famous renditions are the Sufi classics “Meda Ishq Vi Toon, Meda Yaar Vi Toon” and “Alif Allah Chambe Di Booti,” which brought him international recognition.

Ustad Pathanay Khan passed away on March 9, 2000, in a state of financial hardship. He was laid to rest in Kot Addu, where fans continue to honour his legacy in the world of Sufi and folk music.

Saif Ali Khan urges son Ibrahim to carve his own path in Bollywood

by
Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan has advised his son Ibrahim Ali Khan to build his own identity in the film industry, stressing that success should come through personal effort rather than family connections.

Saif shared these thoughts during a recent interview on the YouTube channel of his sister Soha Ali Khan, where he also spoke about the issue of nepotism in the film industry.

Discussing nepotism, the actor said there is a significant difference between people who are fortunate enough to have strong industry connections and those who come from unknown or disadvantaged backgrounds, who often struggle to get opportunities.

He noted that audiences are often deeply impressed by individuals who rise to fame without a powerful or well-known background.

‘Opportunities Should Be Earned’

Saif Ali Khan added that while actors may initially get opportunities because of their parents, it becomes unfair if they continue receiving chances despite failing to deliver good performances.

“If you get an opportunity and perform well, people will appreciate it,” he said, adding that repeated chances without proving talent are not justified.

The actor also revealed that while he will support his children, it will only be to a certain extent.

“I tell Ibrahim that I cannot stand by him all the time because he has already been given a lot. Now he must create his own place,” Saif said.

Ibrahim’s Early Film Career

Ibrahim Ali Khan made his acting debut in the film Nadaaniyan, produced by Karan Johar. However, the film and his performance did not receive significant appreciation from audiences.

His second film Sarzameen also failed to perform well at the box office.

Faiza Hassan urges parents to educate children about extramarital affairs

by
Faiza Hassan urges

Pakistani actress Faiza Hassan has said that parents should guide their children about the concept of extramarital affairs and explain why dishonesty in relationships is wrong.

Speaking during a recent interview, the actress discussed the upbringing of Generation Z and noted that today’s younger generation is often more aware and understanding than previous ones.

During the conversation, she was asked whether children should be informed about cheating and relationships outside marriage, and whether parents should teach them that such behaviour is morally wrong.

Responding to the question, Faiza Hassan said that children can be gently and indirectly taught that betrayal or infidelity is not acceptable.

She suggested that parents should use examples from news reports or television dramas when such topics appear and explain why these actions should be discouraged, instead of giving children direct lectures.

“Children often become irritated when they are constantly lectured,” she said, adding that a soft and indirect approach works better when discussing sensitive issues.

Advice for Young Couples

The actress also advised young people who consider marrying at an early age. While she said that early marriage is not necessarily wrong, she stressed that individuals should first think about their well-being and future stability.

According to Faiza Hassan, young people should aim to become financially independent before deciding to marry, especially at a time when many individuals are still focused on building their careers.

SBP keeps policy rate unchanged at 10.5%

by
SBP keeps policy rate

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday decided to maintain the key policy rate at 10.5 percent.

In a brief statement issued on its website, the central bank said, “The Monetary Policy Committee has decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 10.5%,” adding that a detailed monetary policy statement will be released shortly.

The SBP has already reduced the benchmark interest rate by a total of 1,150 basis points since mid-2024, bringing it down from the historic high of 22 percent recorded in 2023, as inflation eased significantly from multi-decade peaks.

However, rising tensions in the Middle East have increased fears of disruptions to global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for international energy supplies. The uncertainty has pushed global energy prices upward.

Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, remains highly vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices, making domestic inflation sensitive to changes in the international energy market.

Amid the surge in oil prices linked to the conflict involving Iran, the federal government on Friday increased retail fuel prices by nearly 20 percent. The price of petrol was raised from Rs266.17 to Rs321.17 per litre, while diesel climbed from Rs280.86 to Rs335.86 per litre.

Earlier, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad projected that Pakistan’s economy could grow between 3.75% and 4.75% in fiscal year 2026, supported by stronger domestic demand and previous monetary easing. He also warned that inflation might temporarily rise above the central bank’s 5%–7% target range before stabilising.

Pakistan is currently operating under a $7 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has advised authorities to maintain a cautious and data-driven monetary policy to control inflation expectations and strengthen the country’s external financial position.

Global oil prices surge to multi-year highs amid Iran war tensions

by
Global oil prices

Global oil markets witnessed a dramatic surge on Monday as escalating war tensions involving Iran pushed crude prices to their highest levels since 2022, raising concerns about energy supply disruptions.

In international trading, Brent Crude climbed to $119.50 per barrel at one stage, marking a multi-year high. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also surged to $119.48 per barrel during the session.

According to the latest figures, Brent crude is currently trading at around $101.46 per barrel, while WTI crude has reached approximately $98.82 per barrel, reflecting a sharp increase within a single trading day.

Market Anxiety After Iran Attacks

Energy market analysts say the surge followed military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, which triggered widespread uncertainty in global energy markets.

Since the escalation, Brent crude prices have jumped nearly 66%, while WTI has risen about 77%, highlighting the severe volatility in oil markets.

Supply Concerns Push Prices Higher

Experts warn that if the conflict spreads further across the Middle East, global oil supplies could face serious disruptions, potentially pushing prices even higher.

Market data also shows that immediate Brent delivery contracts are trading about $36 higher than contracts for delivery in six months, indicating strong fears of a near-term supply shortage.

Possibility of Approaching Historic Oil Price Record

For reference, the highest oil price in history was recorded in 2008, when crude surged to nearly $147 per barrel during the global financial crisis. Analysts caution that if the conflict persists for an extended period, prices could move closer to that historic level once again.

PM cuts office days, halts overseas trips for officials

by
PM cuts office

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditures amid the country’s challenging economic conditions, including a 50% reduction in fuel for official vehicles for two months.

Speaking in Islamabad, the prime minister warned that petroleum prices may rise further in the coming days, prompting the government to implement strict cost-cutting steps across public institutions.

Under the new measures, fuel allocation for government vehicles will be reduced by half for two months, while 60% of vehicles used by all government departments will remain off the roads during the same period.

The prime minister also announced that federal cabinet members will not receive their salaries for two months, while members of parliament will face a 25% salary reduction.

In addition, senior officers in Grade 20 and above earning more than Rs300,000 per month will have two days’ salary deducted. Government departments have also been directed to cut non-salary expenditures by 20%.

The government has imposed a ban on foreign visits by federal and provincial ministers and officials, allowing travel only in cases of urgent national interest. Authorities have been instructed to prioritise teleconferencing and online meetings instead.

Furthermore, the prime minister announced a complete ban on official dinners and iftar gatherings, while seminars and conferences will now be held in government buildings instead of hotels.

According to the new policy, 50% of staff in both public and private institutions will work from home, and government offices will operate four days a week. However, the additional weekly holiday will not apply to banks.

The prime minister also declared two weeks of holidays for public educational institutions starting next week as part of the broader measures.

ICC announces T20 World Cup team of the tournament

by
ICC announces

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the Team of the Tournament for the T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan earning a place after an outstanding performance.

Farhan emerged as the top run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 383 runs in seven matches, including two centuries.

The Team of the Tournament features four players from India national cricket team, while England national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team each have two players in the lineup. One player each has been selected from Zimbabwe national cricket team and West Indies cricket team.

Interestingly, no player from New Zealand national cricket team, despite reaching the final of the tournament, was included in the Team of the Tournament.

The selected lineup includes Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah from India.

From England, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid made the team, while Lungi Ngidi and Aiden Markram represented South Africa.

The lineup also features Blessing Muzarabani from Zimbabwe and Jason Holder from the West Indies.

Meanwhile, Shadley van Schalkwyk of the United States national cricket team has been named as the 12th player in the squad.

Tehran announces policy to stop strikes on neighbouring countries

by
Tehran announces

TEHRAN: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran will not carry out attacks or missile strikes against neighbouring countries.

In a statement, Pezeshkian said Iran regrets the recent incidents and apologises to neighbouring states over the attacks that took place in recent days, adding that Tehran has no intention of targeting other countries.

The Iranian president further said that the interim leadership council has approved a decision not to conduct any attacks or missile strikes against neighbouring nations.

However, he added that Iran would refrain from such actions as long as its territory is not attacked from the soil of those countries.

Pezeshkian also emphasised that Iran would not surrender to the United States or Israel, saying the country’s adversaries would have to “take their wish of Iranian surrender to the grave.”

His remarks come after recent tensions following strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, after which Tehran reportedly targeted US military bases located in neighbouring countries, leaving several civilians injured.