ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s power sector is facing a potential increase of PKR 735 billion in circular debt during the current fiscal year, officials have cautioned.
Officials said the debt could climb from PKR 1,615 billion to approximately PKR 2,300 billion. However, measures such as annual re-basing, reducing distribution company losses, and improving recoveries are expected to limit the increase by PKR 212 billion.
To eliminate the remaining PKR 522 billion, the government plans PKR 120 billion in principal repayments and will settle PKR 400 billion by paying government power plants and IPPs, aiming to maintain a zero circular debt stock.
Sources further explained that, as per International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, the power sector’s circular debt must be kept at zero inflow.
Under the Circular Debt Management Plan, PKR 55 billion is expected through annual re-basing, PKR 18 billion from reduced distribution company losses, and PKR 121 billion from improved recoveries.
With these measures in place, authorities aim to maintain circular debt at zero inflow throughout the fiscal year.
RAWALPINDI: The sixth match of the three-nation cricket series will be played today between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Both teams are set to compete fiercely, with table points adding intensity to the encounter. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face off this evening at 6:00 PM in a crucial match at Rawalpindi Stadium.
Currently, Pakistan leads the table with 6 points, while Sri Lanka has 2 points.
Authorities have implemented tight security arrangements at the stadium and surrounding areas. Heavy police contingents will be deployed along all routes during the teams’ arrival and departure. The Metro Bus service will be partially suspended during these periods to facilitate smooth movement.
Expert police snipers have been stationed on nearby high-rise buildings, and VIP parking will be restricted to vehicles with proper stickers only.
Cricket fans have been advised to carry valid identification when entering the stadium. All officers and security personnel have been instructed to remain vigilant on the field and monitor any suspicious individuals or activities during the match.
BAHAWALPUR: A deadly disease has broken out among camels in the 66 lakh-acre Cholistan Desert, known as Rohi, the Livestock Department reported.
According to officials, the outbreak has already claimed dozens of camels, and surveillance across the desert is ongoing. In the past five days, special livestock teams have examined over 11,000 camels.
A spokesperson from the Livestock Department said that 1,100 camels showed symptoms of the disease, and treatment is underway. Additionally, 52 camel samples have been sent to advanced livestock laboratories in Lahore and Islamabad for further analysis.
The department is currently using five different types of medicines to treat the affected animals. Authorities expressed hope that, with ongoing measures, the spread of the disease will be contained, and continuous monitoring is in place.
The Livestock Department urged camel owners and herders to isolate infected animals immediately, stay in contact with veterinary teams, and limit movement to help prevent further spread of the disease.
LAHORE: Pakistan’s emerging actress Qudsiya Ali has opened up about the difficulties she has faced in personal relationships, revealing that she once loved someone but later discovered that he could not marry her because of her career as an actress.
Qudsiya Ali shared her experiences during a recent appearance on popular comedy talk show, where she discussed love, societal pressures, and challenges faced by independent women in Pakistan.
The actress highlighted that self-reliant and independent women often face criticism, and despite it being 2025, societal attitudes remain largely unchanged. She noted that independent women, especially actresses, are still perceived through a narrow lens and often ostracized.
Explaining the societal mindset, Qudsiya Ali said, “An independent woman is seen as someone who won’t bow to anyone or compromise on her principles. This leads people to keep their distance.” She clarified that not bowing does not mean being confrontational, but rather not compromising on one’s values and decisions.
Regarding her personal experience, she revealed, “I was in a relationship recently, but it didn’t work out because the person realized he could not marry me as I am an actress. I would have had to leave acting to marry him, so I ended the relationship.”
The actress added that actors, particularly women, continue to face societal prejudice. While people may praise them publicly, they are often criticized privately.
She said, “The negative perceptions about actresses are so strong that some women even begin to question whether they are doing something wrong by pursuing this profession.”
LAHORE: Veteran Pakistani actor Behroze Sabzwari has revealed the reason he no longer participates in podcasts.
Speaking to a journalist during a promotional event for his upcoming film Neelofar, Sabzwari said he often regrets statements he makes on podcasts. “I feel bad afterward, but what can I do? The truth just slips out of my mouth,” he remarked.
He added that his family worries about this habit, saying, “Since childhood, I’ve had this nature of speaking whatever comes to mind. But now I’ve become much more cautious.”
Explaining why he has distanced himself from podcasts, Sabzwari said, “I stopped going because they ask controversial questions just to make money, and later twist the narrative. Such people should be ashamed, but what can we do? Our audiences enjoy controversies and want to see such content.”
The actor admitted that he often becomes the center of controversy but questioned whether “speaking the truth should be considered a problem.”
At least 44 people have been killed after a massive fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in northern Hong Kong, international media reported on Thursday.
According to reports, the blaze erupted in one of the multi-storey buildings of the large residential estate.
The Fire Department classified it as a Level 4 fire, indicating a major incident, and has been battling the flames for several hours.
Authorities confirmed that 29 people have been injured, while the dead include one firefighter. Several firefighters engaged in extinguishing the blaze were also hurt during the operation.
Officials said that 279 residents are currently unaccounted for, and many people are still believed to be trapped inside the building.
Rescue operations are ongoing, while approximately 700 residents have been moved to temporary shelters.
The residential complex consists of eight blocks, each 31 floors high, housing nearly 2,000 apartments with an estimated 5,000 residents.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, according to the news agency.
Two US National Guard personnel were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., leaving both critically injured, American media reported on Thursday.
According to initial reports, a man opened fire on the National Guard service members near the White House perimeter, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. A heavy police contingent reached the scene immediately after the shooting.
National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2:15.
I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West.
A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene.
Both injured guardsmen were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Police confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody. U.S. authorities identified him as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the United States in 2021.
Following the incident, the White House was placed under temporary lockdown, while surrounding areas were cordoned off. Residents were advised to avoid the vicinity of I Street.
The US Secretary of Homeland Security said the department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to gather details.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism. During a speech, he also ordered a re-evaluation of every foreign national who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a social media statement, Trump referred to the shooter as a “beast” and warned that the attacker would “pay a heavy price” for targeting National Guard troops.
Authorities said the two injured guardsmen were from West Virginia. The state’s governor stated he is in constant contact with federal officials and that investigations are underway.
In a separate development, flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were briefly grounded due to heightened security concerns following the shooting. Normal operations resumed after a short suspension.
Meanwhile, United States has suspended all immigration applications submitted by Afghan nationals indefinitely, American media reported.
According to reports, the Trump administration ordered the immediate halt after an Afghan man shot and critically injured two National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C.
In a post on social media platform X, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that all immigration applications from Afghan citizens have been paused “for an indefinite period.”
Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and…
The agency stated that security and screening protocols for Afghan immigration cases will undergo further review before any applications are processed.
Admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in “Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir” (IIOJK) have once again laid bare the anti-Muslim bias of Hindu extremist groups.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it clear that the admissions were granted strictly on the basis of merit, not religion.
He stated that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has such an issue with Muslim students, it should declare the medical college a minority institution so that Muslim students may pursue their education in Bangladesh or Türkiye.
According to reports, in the first batch of the new medical college, 42 out of 50 seats allocated to the Jammu and Kashmir region were secured by Muslim students purely on merit.
However, Hindu extremist groups including the BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal have staged protests, demanding the cancellation of Muslim students’ admissions.
These groups claim that Hindu students should be given preference in the admissions process.
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has issued a special ruling for Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, reducing his suspension to one match after receiving a red card, just days after the striker met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ronaldo, 40, was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct during Portugal’s recent match against Ireland, which would have sidelined him for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener.
However, FIFA cited that this was the first red card of Ronaldo’s international career spanning more than two decades, leading to the shortened suspension.
The striker had already served his ban in the subsequent match against Armenia, making him eligible for Portugal’s opening World Cup fixture.
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez previously defended Ronaldo, arguing that his on-field outburst did not constitute violent conduct.
FIFA clarified that if Ronaldo commits a similar offense during the probationary period, the remaining two-match suspension will be enforced immediately.
The special ruling comes shortly after Ronaldo’s high-profile meetings with President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the latter’s visit to the United States.
DUBAI: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced the schedule for the Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in Dubai from 12 to 21 December.
The tournament will feature eight teams, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with three additional teams joining through qualifiers.
Group A will comprise Pakistan, India, and two qualifier teams (Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 3), while Group B will include Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Qualifier 2.
The highly anticipated Pakistan vs India match is scheduled for 14 December. Both semi-finals will take place on 19 December, with the final set for 21 December.
