A group of civil rights organizations has filed a lawsuit in a New York court challenging the Trump administration’s decision to suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Pakistan.
The lawsuit argues that the policy undermines decades of established immigration law and requests the court to issue an order halting the administration’s visa suspension.
The Trump administration’s order, which came into effect on January 21, affects immigrant visas for countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia, and several others.
The legal challenge marks the first major judicial pushback against the policy, which has sparked concerns among immigration advocates and affected communities worldwide.
Muslims across Pakistan are observing Shab-e-Barat tonight, commencing after Maghrib prayers, marking one of the most spiritually significant nights in the Islamic calendar.
Falling on the 15th of Sha’ban, the night is dedicated to prayers, reflection, and seeking divine forgiveness.
Worshippers are engaging in Quran recitations, voluntary (Nafl) prayers, and heartfelt supplications, asking for mercy and blessings for themselves and their families.
Many believers are also visiting graveyards to remember departed loved ones, continuing a longstanding tradition of reverence.
Known as the Night of Forgiveness, Shab-e-Barat emphasizes introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal in preparation for Ramadan. Religious scholars highlight its profound significance, encouraging devotees to practice compassion, humility, and piety.
Communities across the country are also participating in charitable acts, distributing food, and supporting the less fortunate, reflecting the night’s spirit of generosity and benevolence. Mosques nationwide have arranged extended night prayers, allowing devotees to engage in sustained worship.
Shab-e-Barat continues to unite Muslims across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, offering a moment for collective devotion and spiritual fortification.
KARACHI: In the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi has decided to retain captain Babar Azam for the upcoming season, sources confirmed.
According to insiders, the franchise has chosen to release Saim Ayub, who, along with Babar Azam, was listed in Peshawar Zalmi’s Platinum category. PSL rules allow franchises to retain only one player per category, making this a strategic decision.
Sources added that Saim Ayub will now be available for selection by other franchises in the PSL players’ draft.
Franchises are expected to finalize their retention decisions today, determining which players will remain with their teams for PSL 11.
Ahead of the 11th season of the PSL 11, franchises have announced their player retentions as the league introduces a major change in the player selection process.
For the first time in PSL history, the traditional draft system has been replaced with an auction-based model. Under this system, franchises can now retain only one player per category instead of eight, while remaining players will be added to their squads through the auction.
Retentions by Franchises:
Lahore Qalandars – The defending champions have retained captain Shaheen Afridi in the Platinum category. They released Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman from Platinum. In other categories, Abdullah Shafiq (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver) were retained, while several players including Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Ikhlaq, and Mohammad Azab were released.
Karachi Kings – The franchise retained fast bowler Hasan Ali in Platinum, Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).
Islamabad United – Shadab Khan remains in Platinum, Salman Irshad in Gold, and Andres Goos in Silver. The team released players including Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Roman Rais, Mohammad Faiq, and Haneen Shah across various categories.
Quetta Gladiators – The franchise retained Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Hussain (Emerging). Players released include Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Khurram Shehzad, Hasibullah Khan, Khawaja Nafees, Danish Aziz, and Mohammad Zeeshan.
The retentions mark the first step in the PSL 11 preparations, with the new auction-based player draft set to determine final team squads for the season.
KARACHI: After a period of continuous decline, gold prices have surged sharply across Pakistan, rising by tens of thousands of rupees in a single day.
According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA), the price of gold increased by Rs24,000 per tola, taking the new rate to Rs514,362 per tola nationwide.
Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold rose by Rs20,576, reaching Rs440,982.
Meanwhile, in the international market, gold prices also recorded a significant jump, increasing by $240 to $4,916 per ounce.
Market analysts attribute the sharp rise to global economic uncertainties and fluctuations in international bullion markets, which continue to influence local gold prices.
Silver prices witnessed a notable increase in the local market on Monday, following the upward trend in precious metals.
According to market sources, the price of one tola silver rose by Rs741, reaching Rs9,146. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of silver increased by Rs636 to settle at Rs7,841.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that Islamabad has been invited to participate in talks between the United States and Iran.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said that Pakistan has received a formal invitation to attend the US–Iran negotiations.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks are scheduled to take place this week in Istanbul. The sources revealed that the negotiations were made possible through back-channel diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan and Türkiye playing a key role in facilitating the process.
Meanwhile, a foreign news agency quoted Iranian officials as saying that US–Iran nuclear talks will resume on Friday in Türkiye. The negotiations had remained stalled since May 2023, following five previous rounds.
A regional official stated that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have also been invited to Istanbul to attend the talks.
Iranian diplomatic sources said Tehran is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the Istanbul negotiations, adding that the talks will determine whether the United States is serious about pursuing meaningful and result-oriented dialogue.
The Iranian sources further emphasized that Iran’s defensive preparedness remains at its highest level, stressing that the country is ready for any situation and that Iran’s defense capabilities are non-negotiable.
KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced plans to upgrade 300 treatment and prevention centres under the Rabies Control Program Sindh (RCPS) to ensure timely and accessible care for rabies patients.
Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, who chaired a meeting on the program, said that rabies treatment facilities will be available every 10 to 15 kilometers across the province. “All 300 rabies centres in Sindh districts will be upgraded,” he confirmed.
Shah emphasized that the government has adopted a comprehensive and proactive approach to address rabies. Medicines and vaccines will be procured, and the centres will be upscaled in phases with enhanced facilities, standardized protocols, and improved service delivery.
The meeting also highlighted that staff members of the rabies control program will receive training to improve technical skills and clinical capacity. In addition, a province-wide awareness campaign will be launched to educate people on the importance of timely treatment.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected dog or animal. It affects the central nervous system, causing severe neurological symptoms, and can be fatal if left untreated.
Another rabies death reported in Karachi
A man in Karachi has died after contracting rabies from a dog bite, marking the second fatality from the disease in Sindh this year.
According to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the deceased, Karamat, was bitten by a dog three months ago and developed rabies.
He was admitted to the hospital on January 8. Karamat, aged 42, was a resident of Gulshan-e-Maymar and worked as a plumber.
The Sindh Health Department confirmed that rabies has now claimed two lives in the province in 2026.
ISLAMABAD: Controversial Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt and TikToker Nadeem Naniwala have approached the Islamabad High Court(IHC) seeking relief from travel restrictions imposed on them.
Both social media personalities are named in multiple cases, including cybercrime, and currently face a ban on traveling abroad.
They have filed separate petitions requesting that the restrictions be lifted, citing professional difficulties caused by the ban.
According to court documents, the petitions were submitted through Barrister Raja Qadeer Janjua and Ahad Khokhar. The petitioners claim that they were unjustly placed on the travel ban list, which is negatively affecting their careers.
The petitions name the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Secretary Interior, and other relevant authorities as respondents, urging the court to issue orders for immediate removal of their names from the travel restriction list.
A hearing on these petitions is expected soon at the Islamabad High Court, which will determine whether the social media stars will be allowed to travel abroad and clarify the legal standing of the imposed restrictions.
KARACHI: A video of superstar Mahira Khan dancing at Asim Azhar’s recent concert has gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans and viewers.
Mahira, who enjoys significant popularity online with over 11.7 million Instagram followers, was spotted enjoying the music while Asim Azhar performed his hit song “Tirsti Hain Nigahen.” She was dressed in an off-white printed angrakha shirt, churidar pajama, and dupatta.
The viral clip, however, received mixed to largely negative feedback. Several social media users criticized her dance moves, questioning whether they were appropriate for a senior actress. One user commented, “These dance moves are not suitable for someone of her stature,” while another asked why people in Pakistan try to appear younger as they age.
Some viewers also compared Mahira Khan’s performance to viral concert moments by Indian singer AP Dhillon and actress Tara Sutaria, further fueling the debate online.
Recently, Mahira was seen alongside Wahaj Ali in a popular TV commercial, and the pair are also expected to appear together in an upcoming drama.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny public figures in Pakistan face on social media, where even casual moments at concerts can quickly become trending topics.
KARACHI: Singer Rabi Pirzada was reportedly harassed in the upscale Defence area of Karachi, prompting swift action by local authorities.
According to Defense City Police, the incident occurred in Defence Phase 7 yesterday, where a man in a car allegedly harassed Rabi Pirzada and her driver.
The suspect reportedly used abusive behavior and physical aggression, and targeted her driver when he tried to intervene.
Following her complaint, the police registered a case and immediately arrested the suspect. Authorities said the suspect’s behavior had escalated tensions, prompting the victim to approach law enforcement.
Police added that the investigation is ongoing, and all aspects of the case are being examined to ensure a complete legal process and appropriate action.
KARACHI: The downward trend in gold prices in Pakistan continued on the first day of the business week, with a massive reduction of thousands of rupees recorded once again.
According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold fell by Rs21,500 per tola on Monday, bringing the new rate to Rs490,362 per tola.
Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold declined by Rs18,433, settling at Rs420,406.
It is noteworthy that over the past three days, gold prices have dropped by a cumulative Rs82,500 per tola, marking one of the steepest short-term declines in recent times.
Meanwhile, in the international market, gold prices fell by $215 to $4,676 per ounce, which also contributed to the sharp correction in local prices.
