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World News / International

UN Security Council deadly terrorist strikes in Balochistan

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UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in various areas of Balochistan, describing them as “heinous and cowardly acts of terrorism.”

In an official statement, the UNSC said the attacks carried out across Balochistan on January 31, 2026, were completely unacceptable.

The Council expressed its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, the Governor of Balochistan, and the people of Pakistan, while also wishing a swift and full recovery to those injured.

The statement reiterated that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The Security Council stressed that those responsible for the attacks — including the perpetrators, planners, financiers, and sponsors — must be brought to justice.

The UNSC urged all countries to cooperate fully with Pakistan, in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to ensure effective action against terrorism. It emphasized once again that terrorism cannot and should not be justified under any circumstances or for any reason.

The Council further stated that all states must fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Charter, international human rights law, refugee law, and international humanitarian law while taking measures to combat terrorism.

Meanwhile, security sources reported that the number of terrorists killed during ongoing clearance and search operations in Balochistan has risen to 197. Operations against militants are continuing in Nushki district and other parts of the province. These actions were launched following coordinated terrorist attacks carried out across the province over the weekend.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Balochistan, reaffirming China’s unwavering support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. He expressed condolences for those who lost their lives and sympathy for the injured and affected families.

US weapons left in Afghanistan being used in terror attacks in Pakistan

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US weapons

According to a report by U.S. broadcaster CNN, weapons left behind by American forces in Afghanistan are now being used by terrorists in Pakistan, posing a significant obstacle to counterterrorism operations.

The report highlights that militant groups, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), are reportedly using U.S.-made rifles, machine guns, and sniper rifles in their attacks.

The availability of these weapons has reportedly increased both the scale and intensity of terrorist assaults in the region.

John Sopko, head of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that approximately 300,000 U.S. weapons were left in Afghanistan during the withdrawal. These arms have since been used in attacks in Pakistan’s South Waziristan and Balochistan regions.

The Pakistani government has repeatedly provided evidence to both the Afghan authorities and the international community, showing that Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks against Pakistan and that terrorists, particularly the TTP, are using modern U.S.-supplied weapons in these operations.

The CNN report underscores the growing security challenge posed by the proliferation of abandoned U.S. arms in the region, which have empowered terrorist groups and complicated counterterrorism efforts.

PSL sets new record with 149% surge in international media rights value

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PSL sets new record

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has created fresh history after witnessing a landmark surge in the value of its international media rights, recording a massive 149 percent increase compared to last year.

A Pakistani company has acquired the international media rights for the HBL Pakistan Super League at a record-breaking price, setting a new benchmark for the league’s commercial growth.

The winning bid surpassed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) reserve price, underlining the tournament’s rising global appeal.

The sharp increase in valuation highlights the PSL’s expanding popularity and strengthening brand value on the international stage.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league is steadily cementing its position among the world’s leading T20 competitions.

He added that the significant jump in international media rights reflects strong global confidence in the HBL PSL, driven by competitive, high-quality cricket that continues to attract fans worldwide.

Salman Naseer further noted that the new agreement boosts confidence in the league’s long-term business growth and positions the PSL for even greater international recognition in the years ahead.

US shoots down Iranian drone near aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

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US shoots down

Washington: The United States military has shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching a US aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, according to foreign news agencies.

Reports said a US F-35 fighter jet intercepted and destroyed the drone as it moved toward the aircraft carrier. A US official, quoted by the news agency, confirmed that the Iranian drone was heading in the direction of the USS Abraham Lincoln when it was neutralized.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also confirmed the incident, stating that a US F-35C fighter aircraft carried out a defensive action and shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone.

CENTCOM said the drone was downed to ensure the safety and security of the aircraft carrier and its onboard crew. No US personnel or military equipment were harmed during the incident.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where US naval forces remain on high alert to counter potential threats in international waters.

Trump administration sued over visa freeze on immigrants from 75 countries

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Trump administration

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.

Peshawar Zalmi to retain Babar Azam, Saim Ayub released

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Peshawar Zalmi

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.

China unveils first look at its long-range PL‑17 missile

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China

China’s most advanced and secretive long-range air-to-air missile, the PL‑17, has surfaced publicly for the first time, drawing significant attention from global defence analysts.

According to defence experts, the PL‑17 could be the longest-range air-to-air missile in the world, posing a serious challenge to US air superiority in the Western Pacific.

Chinese media reports say the image recently began circulating on Chinese social media platforms, although the date and location of the image remain unverified.

The photograph shows what appears to be a PL‑17 missile or its full-scale model placed on a stand, with a person standing in front of it whose face has been digitally obscured. Most defence analysts believe the object is a model, but emphasize that its dimensions closely match those of the actual missile.

The PL-series represents China’s air-to-air missile family developed for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This includes the PL‑10 for short-range combat, PL‑11 and PL‑12 for medium-range engagements, and the PL‑15 for long-range targets.

Chinese media report that the PL‑17 has been under development for at least a decade, yet no official details have ever been released.

The missile has not appeared in major military parades or official exercise footage. However, since 2016, a limited number of long-distance images have shown the missile mounted on the J‑16 fighter jet.

Based on these images, a US military analysis website estimates the PL‑17’s length to exceed six metres (around 20 feet). The missile is believed to be radar-guided with a potential range of over 400 kilometres (approximately 250 miles).

By comparison, the longest-range air-to-air missile currently in US service is the AIM‑120D, which has a reported maximum range of about 160 kilometres.

In its December annual report to Congress on China’s military power, the Pentagon stated that a PL‑17‑armed J‑16 fighter could achieve a strike range exceeding 1,400 kilometres.

Analysts suggest the PL‑17 may feature an advanced AESA radar seeker, similar to the one used in the PL‑15 missile, which entered service in 2015 and is believed to have a range of over 200 kilometres.

Chinese media note that the earliest images of the PL‑17 appeared in 2016 during test phases, mounted on the J‑16, China’s most powerful heavy multi-role fighter jet. To date, the J‑16 remains the only aircraft observed carrying the PL‑17.

Israel reopens Rafah Crossing for pedestrians after two years

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Israel reopens Rafah

Gaza: Israel has reopened the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt for pedestrian movement after two years, according to Arab media reports.

Under strict security checks, approximately 150 Palestinians will be allowed to exit Gaza daily, while 50 Palestinians will be permitted entry into Gaza.

An Israeli security official confirmed that European monitoring teams have arrived at the crossing. However, despite the reopening, foreign journalists are still not being allowed entry into Gaza.

It is worth noting that Israel took control of the Rafah Crossing in May 2024 and had since closed it for all movement.

India faces $1.4 billion loss as Pakistan skips T20 World Cup clash

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India faces $1.4 billion

KARACHI: Pakistan’s announcement to not play against India in the ICC T20 World Cup has caused a stir in India and across the cricketing world, largely due to the massive commercial value associated with the high-profile clash.

In modern cricket, certain matches outweigh the tournament itself in significance, and a Pakistan-India T20 match is not just a game—it is a major commercial event.

Reports indicate that the match generates roughly $50 million (around PKR 140 billion) in revenue, including broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales, and legal betting activities.

The fixture injects energy into the tournament, with broadcasters paying premium prices for rights, while the ICC financially supports boards that may otherwise not generate such revenue.

The match is often referred to as the “golden goose” for broadcasters. A 10-second ad slot during a Pakistan-India T20 match can cost between INR 2.5–4 million (PKR 7.6–12.2 lakh), significantly higher than ad rates for India’s other matches.

According to Indian media, the primary financial loss from the cancellation will fall on the rights holders. During a Pakistan-India match, advertising alone typically generates an estimated INR 300 crore (PKR 9.2 billion).

If the match does not take place, broadcasters may seek compensation from the ICC, creating a ripple effect that impacts payments not only to Pakistan and India but also to other full and associate member boards, posing significant challenges for the ICC’s financial framework.

ICC releases official song for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

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ICC releases official

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the anthem for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The ICC unveiled the tournament’s official song titled “Feel the Thrill,” which reflects the excitement, energy, and global passion associated with T20 cricket.

The anthem has been composed and performed by renowned musician and singer Anirudh Ravichander and has been officially launched worldwide.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka, with the anthem expected to further elevate enthusiasm among cricket fans around the globe.