Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: Peshawar is preparing to launch the Electronic Traffic Challan (ticketing) system along with the long-awaited Safe City Project, which will officially go live in March. The project will implement a modern e-ticketing system to automate law enforcement and reduce human interference.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital about the upcoming transition, Peshawar City Traffic Officer Zahid Ullah confirmed that infrastructure is being finalized to monitor the city&rsquo;s roads. The backbone of the initiative is a network of high-definition cameras that can identify vehicles using government-issued, machine-readable license plates.&nbsp;The move is being praised as a major win for transparency. Unlike manual policing, the digital system is built to be immune to the &quot;VIP culture&quot; and petty corruption that often hinder manual enforcement. Since the software automatically detects violations and issues fines, it cannot be coerced, pressured, or bribed.&nbsp;&quot;It removes the human element,&quot; said Muhammad Luqman, a local driver who spoke to Pakistan TV Digital. &quot;Everyone will be treated the same way. This will go a long way in stopping people from driving the wrong way or trying to talk their way out of a ticket.&quot;&nbsp;The scope of the e-challan system goes beyond penalizing offenders. The system is designed to serve as the brain for the city&#39;s infrastructure. For example, if cameras detect heavy congestion on a specific road, the system can automatically adjust traffic light intervals to ease the traffic or notify relevant authorities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Special focus is being placed on motorcyclists, with AI-driven cameras set to monitor and fine those who fail to wear safety helmets. By strictly enforcing lane discipline and &quot;wrong-way&quot; violations, officials expect a significant drop in urban road accidents.&nbsp;The government has intensified its requirement that all car owners use official, machine-readable plates. Without these plates, integration with the Safe City database remains incomplete, and vehicles could be flagged for non-compliance even before a traffic violation happens.&nbsp;According to Zahid Ullah, the relevant departments are currently deliberating to finalize the exact legal scope and the &quot;extent of implementation&quot; for the e-challan system.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the March launch date approaches and a network of cameras and sensors is being installed throughout the provincial capital, it seems that the era of manual traffic stops is coming to an end, and the era of digital accountability is about to begin.

Peshawar is preparing to launch the Electronic Traffic Challan (ticketing) system along with the long-awaited Safe City Project, which will officially go live in March. The project will implement a modern e-ticketing system to automate law enforcement and

Security

Peshawar is preparing to launch the Electronic Traffic Challan (ticketing) system along with the long-awaited Safe City Project, which will officially go live in March. The project will implement a modern e-ticketing system to automate law enforcement and reduce human interference

Peshawar’s traffic violators to start receiving e-tickets from March

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a new alert with the fresh westerly wave expected to approach on Sunday night after the first month of 2026 proved to be particularly harsh for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistans-north-to-receive-more-snowfall" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">northwestern</a>&nbsp;Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a destructive spell over the last few days.&nbsp;A new westerly wave is set to grip the province, bringing more heavy snowfall and rain just as rescue teams work to clear the aftermath of the current weather system.&nbsp;Earlier this week, a weather system active between January 21st and 25th, brought the season&#39;s first major heavy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistans-north-to-receive-more-snowfall" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">snowfall</a>&nbsp;to the northern belts of the province.&nbsp;While that system is still in full effect, a new notification from the authorities indicates that it is being followed closely by another similar weather system.&nbsp;The original alert warned about the initial entry of the westerly wave, causing widespread disruption in the high-altitude districts and heavy downpours in the plains, including the Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, and Peshawar districts of the province.&nbsp;According to details Pakistan TV Digital received from the Peshawar Metrological Department, the fresh westerly wave is expected to approach on Sunday night, fully gripping upper KP by Monday, January 26th.&nbsp;&nbsp;This system is predicted to bring rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with heavy snowfall specifically targeting the mountain ranges of the Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Abbottabad areas.&nbsp;While the province is already suffering from the effects of the last 72 hours, the situation remains critical in several areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chitral, which has already faced a tragedy when a massive avalanche in Lower Chitral recently claimed the lives of nine people.&nbsp;The Northern Passes, including the Lowari Tunnel approach roads and the Karakoram Highway, have faced intermittent blockages, stranding a multitude of commuters.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the Tirah Valley of the Khyber district, where massive snowfall has cut off roads, the Internally Displaced People (IDP) and travelers have faced severe hardships due to vehicles getting trapped with people inside.&nbsp;The plains, which include Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, and Swabi, have experienced heavy rainfall, leading to localized flooding and risks of roof collapses in older settlements. The provincial government of KP and relevant authorities, which have been grappling with the current crisis, helping people and vehicles stranded in the snow, clearing roads etc. have transitioned from recovery mode back to high alert.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has kept its control room active 24/7 and directed all district administrations to remain vigilant for the incoming wave on Monday.&nbsp;Rescue 1122 and the security forces remain deployed in high-risk zones like Tirah and Chitral. Heavy machinery is stationed at major points in Galiyat and Malakand to ensure the Hazara Expressway and main arteries remain traversable.&nbsp;The government, apart from closing down roads leading to the Galiyat regions, has issued a strong advisory for tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel to Naran, Kaghan, Swat, and Kalam on Monday and Tuesday, as the risk of landslides and further avalanches is extremely high.

Climate & Environment

Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a new alert with the fresh westerly wave expected to approach on Sunday night after the first month of 2026 proving to be particularly harsh for north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a destructive spell over the last few days

Fresh westerly wave to hit Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy snowfall, rain feared

PESHAWAR: Pakistan&#39;s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a &ldquo;most immediate&rdquo; flash flood advisory for the northern regions of Pakistan, warning of rising water levels in the River Kabul and its tributaries due to an incoming strong weather system. The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the NDMA identified a powerful <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/authorities-warn-of-rain-hail-across-punjab" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">&ldquo;westerly wave&rdquo;</a> expected to grip the upper parts of the country and persist till Jan. 24. According to the official advisory, the combination of moderate to heavy rainfall and significant snowfall is expected to cause a sharp rise in water flows between Jan. 22 and 23. The advisory highlighted the following areas considered at high risk: Swat, Chitral, Buner, Shangla, Lower and Upper Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Mardan, Swabi, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar, Haripur, Kolai-Palas and Kohistan districts in northeastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as well as high-altitude regions and valleys across Kashmir. Experts at the Flood Forecasting Division warned that River Kabul and its associated streams &mdash; including the Panjkora, Swat, and Kalpani &mdash; could see sudden surges. While the NDMA anticipates low to medium flows at Nowshera and downstream of the Tarbela Dam, the risk of localized flash flooding in mountain streams and low-lying areas remains high. The NDMA urged the public, especially those living near riverbanks and streams, to exercise extreme caution. Key recommendations include avoiding unnecessary travel, while tourists and travelers are advised to check weather updates before heading to hilly areas, and to avoid parking or camping near water channels. Additionally, the public has been asked to remain vigilant regarding loose structures such as billboards, solar panels and electrical poles, which may be vulnerable to strong winds. Landslides and rockfalls are a significant threat in the upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Kashmir. Road blockages are highly likely during the peak of the wet spell. The <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/weather-advisory-punjab-to-face-storms-hail-heavy-rain-within-24-hours" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Provincial and District Disaster Management Authorities</a> (PDMA) have also been placed on high alert across the region. Local administrations have been directed to ensure emergency personnel and heavy machinery are ready to clear potential road blockages and conduct evacuations if necessary. In addition to the flood risk, the NDMA noted that the wet spell is expected to diminish persistent fog conditions in Punjab and Sindh, though temperatures across the country are predicted to drop significantly over the next 48 hours.

File Photo - Margalla hills in Islamabad (Wikimedia Commons)

The National Emergencies Operation Center has identified a powerful 'westerly wave,' expected to grip the upper parts of the country and persist till Jan. 24.

Pakistan disaster authority issues flash flood alert for northern Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Near the narrow lanes of Namak Mandi, the rhythmic tap of a cobbler&rsquo;s hammer signals a tradition centuries old. A left turn leads into Chappal Bazaar, where rows of shops display Peshawari chappals in every shape, color, and size. Locals mingle with tourists, snapping photographs, recording videos, and selecting souvenirs to take home.&nbsp;At the heart of this bustling market sits Haji Nooruddin Shinwari, known across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/peshawars-kahwa-tradition-endures-centuries-blending-culture-hospitality-and-history" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Peshawar</a>&nbsp;nd far beyond as Chacha Nooruddin, the man widely credited with transforming a humble tribal sandal into globally recognized footwear.&nbsp;For more than five decades, Nooruddin has worked from his modest shop, which has become a regular stop for politicians, celebrities, athletes, and foreign visitors. Its walls serve as a living archive of Pakistan&rsquo;s social and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/inside-peshawar-museum-where-empires-converge-and-centuries-quietly-speak" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">cultural history</a>.&nbsp;In 1992, Nooruddin crafted an intricate Panjadar design for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Former President Arif Alvi later commissioned pairs for himself and his wife.&nbsp;West Indies cricket legend and Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy became such an admirer that he helped introduce the chappal to audiences in the Caribbean. World champion British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan also visited the shop during his time in Pakistan, joining a long list of distinguished patrons.&nbsp;Each year, as the Pakistan Super League season begins, Chacha Nooruddin presents the entire Peshawar Zalmi squad with his signature chappals. A gesture that has become a quiet tradition of its own.&nbsp;From Peshawar to the worldWhile the semi-closed leather sandal has long been synonymous with Pashtun culture, its global popularity and, at times, appropriation can largely be traced back to Chacha Nooruddin&rsquo;s influence.&nbsp;In 2014, British fashion brand Paul Smith released the &ldquo;Robert Sandal,&rdquo; effectively a Peshawari chappal under a different name, priced at $400. Following criticism over cultural appropriation, the brand later amended its description to acknowledge that the design was &ldquo;inspired by the Peshawar Chappal.&rdquo;&nbsp;In 2019, French luxury house Christian Louboutin unveiled a similar style, further highlighting the global appeal of the traditional footwear.&nbsp;Nooruddin&rsquo;s dedication to his craft has not gone unnoticed at home. In March 2024, he was awarded the Presidential Civil Award, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, for his contributions to the culture and craftsmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking the first time a cobbler from Chappal Bazaar received such a national honor.&nbsp;The original design, centuries old, was shaped by the rugged terrain of the region and long worn by Pashtun men. Today, it is increasingly being embraced by women as well.&nbsp;&ldquo;I have trained myself in designing for women, and there are a few patterns I make that suit them,&rdquo; Nooruddin said.&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s good that they are also embracing the chappal,&rdquo; he added, noting its traditionally male association.&nbsp;Despite international recognition and orders from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Gulf countries, Chacha Nooruddin remains firmly grounded. He prioritizes craftsmanship over scale, often taking up to three days to hand-stitch a single premium pair rather than turning to mass production.&nbsp;Holding a needle against a piece of deep-brown leather, he reflects quietly on his life&rsquo;s work.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t just a shoe,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is the identity of Peshawar. As long as I have my health, I will keep this identity alive.&rdquo;

Chacha Nooruddin and global rise of Peshawari Chappal

Culture

For more than five decades, Nooruddin has worked from his modest shop, which has become a regular stop for politicians, celebrities, athletes, and foreign visitors. Its walls serve as a living archive of Pakistan’s social and cultural history.

Master’s stitch: Chacha Nooruddin and global rise of Peshawari Chappal

PESHAWAR: In cities like London, tea is an art of high society; in Rome, espresso punctuates the day; in Istanbul, &ccedil;ay fuels conversation. But in Peshawar, the bustling heart of Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a unique hot beverage, kahwa, defines the rhythm of daily life. More than a drink, kahwa is a social lubricant, a seal of a deal, and the first gesture of hospitality, a tradition carried along the Silk Road from East Asia centuries ago. It has survived the rise and fall of empires, remaining central to the city&rsquo;s culture and commerce. The historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, or &ldquo;Street of Storytellers,&rdquo; is where kahwa culture thrives. Here, merchants, storytellers, and travelers once gathered, and where Fazal Karim, a local Kahwa shop owner, traces the practice back generations. &ldquo;Caravans used to come from Afghanistan back in the day&hellip; the city gates would be closed at night. To wait for them to open in the morning, people would tell stories&hellip; and during these stories, kahwa would also be served,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;It became inseparable from the bazaar itself.&rdquo; Even today, travelers seek the experience. Karim recalls visits from foreign diplomats: &ldquo;Tourists come all the time to try a cup of our Kahwa. They really like the taste.&rdquo; Many kahwa houses, some dating back 170 years, continue to operate in the same locations. Jamdad Khan, another long-standing shop owner, reflects: &ldquo;This shop in Qissa Khwani Bazaar is one of the oldest; the bazaar has changed, but the shop has stayed the same.&rdquo; Stepping inside a traditional Kahwakhana is a journey through time. The air is heavy with the aroma of cardamom and wood smoke, rising from massive copper samovars that constantly bubble with boiling water. Kahwa is served in green teapots called chainaks and sipped from delicate bone china cups. Rituals of service, pouring boiling Kahwa into successive cups to rinse them before the first sip, preserve the centuries-old tradition. In the narrow bazaar alleys, young boys navigate the crowd carrying trays of kahwa, a testament to how deeply the drink permeates commerce and daily life. Tourists like Yashal are struck by the ambience: &ldquo;It genuinely feels like a second home&hellip; so many people have been here before us, in buildings that are 200&ndash;300 years old.&rdquo; The recipe is simple, green tea, cardamom, and sugar, yet its significance is profound. Fazal Karim notes its health benefits: &ldquo;Kahwa is very good for digestion after a meal. It also reduces weight.&rdquo; While Pakistan imports much of its Kahwa, local vendors praise Vietnamese Kahwa for its flavor, underscoring the city&rsquo;s pursuit of quality in every cup. Whether for taste, wellness, or connection to history, Kahwa remains the soul of Peshawar, a tradition flowing hot and strong through the city&rsquo;s streets. A reminder that even as empires rise and fall, the simple pleasure of a cup of tea endures.

Kahwa culture, centered in Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar, blends history, hospitality, and commerce, with traditional green tea serving as a social, cultural, and culinary staple.

Peshawar’s kahwa tradition endures centuries, blending culture, hospitality and history

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) has officially designated 2026 as the &ldquo;Year of AI,&rdquo; signaling a shift from basic digitization to a future where artificial intelligence becomes a standard public utility. One of the province&rsquo;s most ambitious initiatives under the Smarter Governance Program is the rollout of GovGPT, an AI-driven tool developed through the Durshal Government Fellowship Program. The system is designed to assist government employees across KP in navigating complex regulations and procedures efficiently. &ldquo;We are working on governance digitization that provides real facilitation to citizens as well as the people who serve them,&rdquo; said Ibrahim Saleem, who oversees key projects at the Durshal Fellowship Lab, speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. Complementing this initiative, the Dastak App now features AI chatbots to respond to citizen queries, while Citizen Facilitation Centers (CFCs) serve as physical hubs where AI-backed systems help process documents such as birth and death certificates or domiciles, allowing citizens to track progress through a single window. KPITB is also using AI as a tool for social change. Karishma Zakaullah, head of growth and partnerships at Code for Pakistan, highlighted a gender-inclusive initiative under the D4WEE (Digitization for Women Economic Empowerment) program, run in collaboration with UN Women. The program trains 6,000 girls from Mardan, Swabi, and Peshawar in advanced AI and digital skills. &ldquo;This is the first-of-its-kind Women Digital Internship,&rdquo; Zakaullah said. &ldquo;Girls from far-flung areas like Chitral and DI Khan receive a stipend of Rs30,000, plus mobile phones and internet access, to learn high-demand ICT skills remotely.&rdquo; For urban residents, AI is being deployed to improve daily life. The KP Open Data Portal now powers intelligent traffic management, automatically adjusting congestion points using camera data and traffic flow metrics. Geospatial mapping and air sensors are being used to identify pollution hotspots and improve environmental health. Looking ahead, Voice2Gov is being developed to allow rural residents to access government services via voice commands in local languages such as Pashto and Urdu. By training both graduating students and government personnel in AI, KPITB is ensuring that the &ldquo;Year of AI&rdquo; represents a long-term transformation rather than a temporary trend. &ldquo;Our goal is the proper utilization of the full potential of AI to make life simpler for every citizen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,&rdquo; Saleem said. A female visitor at the Durshal offices added, &ldquo;The focus is to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a leader in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence while making people&rsquo;s lives easier and smarter.&rdquo;

Economy

System is designed to assist government employees across KP in navigating complex regulations and procedures efficiently; Dastak App now features AI chatbots to respond to citizen queries, while CFCs serve as physical hubs where AI-backed systems help process documents such as birth and death certificates or domiciles, allowing citizens to track progress through a single window.

Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declares 2026 'Year of AI,' drives inclusive governance

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has increased its police budget by 408% over the last 12 years, prioritizing security spending above all other provincial departments to combat rising security challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to official documents obtained from the Central Police Office (CPO), the total funding provided to the police force over the last decade has reached Rs824.3 billion.&nbsp;This increase is significant considering the uptick in terror attacks in 2025, which was the deadliest year for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in more than a decade. To keep pace with the scale and pace of terrorism, these funds are being used to empower the police force with additional personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and training.&nbsp;For the current fiscal year (2025-26), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police budget has been set at over Rs157.57 billion, marking a 26.6% increase from the previous year. This growth rate significantly outpaces other sectors, such as health (19.2%) and education (11%).&nbsp;A total of Rs126.27 billion (a 25% increase) is dedicated to personnel salaries. A total of Rs25.57 billion (a 35% increase) has been earmarked for operational costs and equipment.&nbsp;Beyond personnel costs, the provincial government is aggressively enhancing the force&#39;s tactical capabilities. The CPO confirmed that non-salary funds are being utilized to transform the police into a high-tech fighting force.&nbsp;Key procurements and ongoing upgrades include investments in advanced equipment like anti-drone systems, night-vision guns, and armored command vehicles. Twenty bulletproof cars have already been delivered to the force.&nbsp; Over 2,000 Kalashnikov rifles, along with specialized sniper rifles, have been provided to enhance field capacity.&nbsp;The scale of this financial shift is clearer than in fiscal year 2014-15, when the total police budget was a mere 29.9 billion rupees. Over the years, the &quot;Non-Salary&quot; budget, essential for weapons and fuel, has grown from Rs3.61 billion in 2014 to over Rs25 billion today, reflecting a shift toward modernization and upgradation.&nbsp;The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government maintains that these funds are essential to enhancing police capacity and ensuring the province&#39;s safety amid evolving security threats.

The increase, spread over 12 years, is significant considering the uptick in terror attacks in 2025, which was the deadliest year for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in more than a decade.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police budget surges by record 408% to over Rs150 billion

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) recorded 30 foreign tourists and 75,000 domestic visitors across the province&rsquo;s key destinations during the brief New Year period. As 2025 drew to a close, Pakistan&#39;s northwestern province witnessed a massive surge in tourism fueled by a picturesque winter spell, a fitting end to a record-breaking year.&nbsp; According to data released by KPCTA, a powerful weather system brought heavy snowfall and rain across the province, ending a prolonged dry spell and drawing thousands of visitors eager to witness the seasonal transformation. The Swat Valley emerged as the premier attraction, welcoming a staggering 52,788 domestic tourists and 28 foreign visitors during the final days of December.&nbsp; Other regions also saw significant activity; Naran and Kaghan hosted 3,300 visitors, while even remote areas like the Kumrat Valley and the Kalash Valley recorded hundreds of arrivals.&nbsp; The Galiyat region, in particular, became a focal point for winter enthusiasts.&nbsp; While 19,000 tourists visited the area in the final days of December, the influx intensified as the year turned to 2026. Shah Rukh Ali, Director General of the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), reported that more than 30,000 tourists flooded the area during the first two days of the new year. Approximately 6,200 vehicles ferried travelers into the region. Despite this heavy volume, traffic flow remained smooth, mainly because tourists used the Harnu and Barrian routes from Abbottabad.&nbsp; More importantly, DG Shah Rukh Ali confirmed that this high volume of visitors was handled safely, with no accidents or complaints reported across the region. The success was achieved through the strategic deployment of newly renovated snow-clearing machinery and the constant vigilance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Police.&nbsp; The efforts of the local authorities ensured that the transition into 2026 was both a festive and secure experience for travelers from across the country.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province saw a surge in tourism fueled by a picturesque winter spell.

Over 75,000 tourists visit Pakistan's northwestern hill resorts during New Year's

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering a formal legal framework to regulate cannabis cultivation for industrial and medical purposes, according to official documents, as it explores new income streams for farmers and the wider economy. The initiative, which remains in the proposal stage, seeks to bring a long-stigmatized plant into a regulated system while assessing its benefits for local livelihoods, investment, and exports. A sub-committee of the Cannabis Regulatory Committee, chaired by Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, met earlier this week to discuss licensing structures, documentation requirements, and excise duty proposals, according to minutes obtained by Pakistan TV Digital. Under the framework being considered, a license to cultivate medicinal cannabis on five acres of land is proposed at Rs600,000, while an industrial hemp cultivation license with less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol content) for the same area is suggested at Rs300,000. Licensing for cannabis processing could cost Rs1.5 million per tenure, and industrial hemp processing licenses are proposed at Rs700,000 per tenure. A combined license covering both cultivation and processing of cannabis or hemp could cost Rs2 million per tenure. The sub-committee also suggested that excise duties be levied only at the processing and finished-product stages, leaving cultivation and transport exempt to prevent high-end product prices. &ldquo;Hemp is widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals, CBD [cannabidiol, a compound] oil, and fibers,&rdquo; said Director General Khan. &ldquo;We are initially proposing it as an alternative cash crop in districts such as Orakzai and Khyber, where the plant grows naturally.&rdquo; Dr Khan Bahadur, former Peshawar vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture, told Pakistan TV Digital, &ldquo;Cannabis is a global commodity used in dozens of advanced economies. The plant is an incredible resource for manufacturing durable fabrics, sacks, rope, and a source for low-cost and sustainable paper.&rdquo; He also stressed the medical potential of cannabis, noting that refined extracts such as CBD oil are widely used to treat conditions like glaucoma. &ldquo;Pakistan must explore this industry with a scientific mindset and not shy away, as global demand continues to increase,&rdquo; Dr Bahadur added. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, an agricultural landowner from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Farman Ullah, said: &ldquo;This is a great step for farmers. It provides a much-needed alternative source of income, as the &lsquo;bhang&rsquo; (cannabis) plant is hardy and can grow just about anywhere.&rdquo; While the proposals remain under review and require provincial cabinet approval, officials anticipate that a regulated cannabis and hemp industry could generate significant economic activity, potentially adding up to $1 billion within the first few years through exports of raw hemp and high-value derivatives such as CBD oil and industrial textiles. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s favorable climate and fertile soil make it particularly suited for industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis cultivation. By carefully developing a regulatory framework first, the government aims to ensure sustainable, phased development of the sector while balancing economic opportunity with regulatory oversight. At the federal level, Pakistan set up the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority, a regulatory body&nbsp;established in 2024 to manage industrial and medicinal cannabis.

Health

The provincial government is weighing a formal legal framework to regulate cannabis cultivation for industrial and medical purposes, official documents show, as it explores new income streams for farmers and the wider economy

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mulls legalizing cannabis cultivation for medicine, industry

PESHAWAR: On a quiet weekday afternoon inside the University of Peshawar&rsquo;s business incubation center, Farishta Noor Uthmankhel speaks calmly about elections, community service, and the everyday boundaries faced by women in her hometown of Malakand in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.&nbsp;Her voice is measured, but her journey carries far beyond the walls of the small office where she now runs her startup.&nbsp;Soft-spoken by nature, Noor has emerged as a recognizable advocate for women from Pakistan&rsquo;s tribal regions, taking local concerns to national and international platforms. Raised in Malakand, she is currently pursuing a master&rsquo;s degree in journalism while serving as a member of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s National Youth Council and developing her own business venture.&nbsp;Her work recently earned international recognition when she was named runner-up in the Asian category of the Women Changing the World Awards, bringing renewed attention to grassroots efforts led by young Pakistani women.&nbsp;&ldquo;I was nominated by someone in China,&rdquo; Noor said, recalling the announcement. &ldquo;It was not at all in my subconscious that I would even be a runner-up, because it was a competition between many countries.&rdquo;&nbsp;She remembers watching the virtual ceremony from her office. &ldquo;I was holding my heart, fingers crossed, praying to God,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When I heard my name, I felt this was a great achievement, not only for the women of Pakistan, but especially for tribal girls.&rdquo;&nbsp;For Noor, the recognition reflects years of community-based work aimed at presenting a fuller picture of life in Pakistan&rsquo;s tribal areas. &ldquo;We are not violent as is portrayed,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We are actually a very peaceful society, and I want the world to see that.&rdquo;&nbsp;Her advocacy is rooted in Malakand and across KP, where she has focused on issues often left unspoken. Noor was the youngest Pakistani woman to contest local government elections, a step she described as necessary to ensure women&rsquo;s voices were present in decision-making spaces.&nbsp;She has consistently raised awareness about gender-based challenges, writing and speaking against practices that reduce women&rsquo;s agency. &ldquo;A woman cannot be a commodity for anything,&rdquo; she said, explaining the principle guiding her activism.&nbsp;One of her most visible initiatives addresses menstrual health, a subject often treated with silence. Noor visited schools and held discussions with young girls to encourage openness and understanding. &ldquo;If we do not talk about it, the problem remains,&rdquo; she explained.&nbsp;Her commitment also takes practical form. As a peace activist, she organized two medical camps in her hometown of Hariankot, becoming the first woman to do so there. The camps served more than 2,900 patients, many of them women seeking guidance on health concerns that had long gone unaddressed.&nbsp;Noor is preparing to represent Pakistan at the global Women Changing the World Awards ceremony in Paris on April 22 next year. &ldquo;I will be going there as a face of Pakhtun women and as a Pakhtun girl,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;She hopes the platform will allow her to highlight positive contributions from Pakhtun society and to amplify the work of women whose efforts often remain unseen.&nbsp;&ldquo;There are many Pakhtun girls doing remarkable work in their own fields,&rdquo; she noted. &ldquo;They just need a medium.&rdquo;&nbsp;While international recognition has broadened her reach, Noor says her long-term goal remains rooted at home. She envisions entering politics to help shape policies affecting her community. &ldquo;I want to go to the assemblies where I can do policy making, where I can speak about my community,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;Her concern is particularly for girls still outside the education system. &ldquo;My girls are still out of school, whether they are in Khyber or Waziristan or Mohmand,&rdquo; Noor said. &ldquo;I want to open a medium for them as well.&rdquo;&nbsp;Farishta Noor Uthmankhel is not seeking attention for herself alone. Through steady work and quiet resolve, she hopes to set a path for others to follow. &ldquo;I want Pakhtun women to illuminate the name of the country and the nation everywhere in the world,&rdquo; she said. An affirmation that meaningful change can begin with a single, determined voice.

Education

Farishta Noor Uthmankhel, a young activist from Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has gained international recognition for amplifying the voices of Pathan women through grassroots activism and global advocacy.

From Malakand to world stage, Farishta Noor amplifies Pathan women

KYIV: US President Donald Trump spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of a fresh round of talks Thursday aimed at ending Russia&#39;s invasion, both sides said on Wednesday. A White House official gave AFP no further details about the call, which came a day before Ukrainian and US envoys were to meet, and ahead of new trilateral talks with Russia expected in early March. But Zelensky wrote on social media that he had spoken with Trump, and that his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were on the call. &quot;Our teams work intensively and I thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war,&quot; he added. According to Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn, the conversation &quot;lasted about 30 minutes.&quot; Ukraine&#39;s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet Witkoff and Kushner in Geneva on Thursday, Kyiv announced. Russian state news agency Tass later said that the Kremlin&#39;s economic affairs envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also plans to be in the city. &quot;Dmitriev plans to arrive in Geneva on Thursday to pursue negotiations with the Americans on economic issues,&quot; it cited an unnamed source as saying. The meetings are the latest round of negotiations spearheaded by Trump that so far have failed to make meaningful progress on ending Europe&#39;s deadliest conflict since World War II. Washington is pushing to bring an end to the war triggered by Russia&#39;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, which has left hundreds of thousands of dead and destroyed swathes of territory, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine. Preparatory talks&nbsp;Zelensky said his call with Trump &quot;discussed the issues that our representatives will address tomorrow in Geneva during the bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next meeting of the full negotiating teams in a trilateral format at the very beginning of March.&quot; &quot;We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders&#39; level. President Trump supports this sequence of steps. This is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war,&quot; he added. The Ukrainian leader has already said that a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, should take place to resolve the most difficult issues in the talks. The talks, based on an American plan unveiled at the end of last year, are deadlocked primarily on the fate of the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine that has been the epicenter of the fighting. Russia is pushing for full control of Ukraine&#39;s eastern Donetsk region, and has threatened to take it by force if Kyiv does not cave at the negotiating table. But Ukraine has rejected the demand and signaled it would not sign a deal without security guarantees that deter Russia from invading again.

Americas

Europe

Ukraine's lead negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet Witkoff and Kushner in Geneva on Thursday; Russian state news agency says Kremlin's economic affairs envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also plans to be in the city.

Trump, Zelensky speak before Ukraine-US talks in Geneva

GENEVA: The United States and Iran are set to hold indirect talks in Switzerland on Thursday, aiming to strike a deal to avert fresh conflict and bring an end to weeks of threats. The new round of negotiations in Geneva comes after the US carried out a massive military build-up in the region and President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if a deal is not reached. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of &quot;pursuing sinister nuclear ambitions.&quot; He also claimed Tehran had &quot;already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they&#39;re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.&quot; The Iranian foreign ministry called these claims &quot;big lies.&quot; The maximum range of Iran&#39;s missiles is 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) according to what Tehran has publicly disclosed. However, the US Congressional Research Service estimates they top out at about 3,000 kilometers &mdash; less than a third of the distance to the continental United States. The dispute between the countries mostly revolves around Iran&#39;s nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at building an atomic bomb but Tehran insists is peaceful. However, the US has also been pushing to discuss Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program, as well as Tehran&#39;s support for armed groups hostile towards Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran must also negotiate on its missile program, calling Tehran&#39;s refusal to discuss ballistic weapons &quot;a big, big problem&quot; on the eve of the talks. He followed up by saying, &quot;the president wants diplomatic solutions.&quot; Iran has taken anything beyond the nuclear issue off the negotiating table and has demanded that the US sanctions crippling its economy be part of any agreement. &#39;Neither war nor peace&#39;&nbsp;Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday he had a &quot;favorable outlook for the negotiations&quot; that could finally &quot;move beyond this &#39;neither war nor peace&#39; situation.&quot; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the Iranian delegation at the talks, has called them &quot;a historic opportunity,&quot; adding that a deal was &quot;within reach.&quot; The US will be represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka. The two countries held talks earlier this month in Oman, which is mediating the negotiations, then gathered for a second round in Geneva last week. A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran last June, beginning a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. In January, fresh tensions between the US and Iran emerged after Tehran engaged in a crackdown on widespread protests that have posed one of the greatest challenges to the Islamic republic since its inception. Trump has threatened several times to intervene to &quot;help&quot; the Iranian people. Emile Hokayem, senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that &quot;the region seems to expect a war at this point.&quot; In January, there was &quot;a big push by a number of Middle Eastern states to convince the US not to&quot; strike Iran. &quot;But there&#39;s a lot of apprehension at this point, because the expectation is that this time&quot; a war would be &quot;bigger&quot; than the one in June.

Middle East

The new round of negotiations in Geneva comes after the US carried out a massive military build-up in the region; President Trump has threatened to strike Iran if a deal is not reached, accuses Iran of "pursuing sinister nuclear ambitions."

US presses missile issue as new Iran talks to open in Geneva

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suggested his country could &quot;get along&quot; with the United States but declared that South Korea &mdash; Washington&#39;s security ally &mdash; remained its &quot;most hostile&quot; enemy, state media reported Thursday. Kim made the remarks at the end of a landmark party congress, urging Washington to respect Pyongyang&#39;s status as a nuclear power. His words came as speculation grows that US President Donald Trump may seek some kind of meeting with Kim on the sidelines of a visit to China in April. If Washington &quot;respects our country&#39;s current status as stipulated in the Constitution ... and withdraws its hostile policy ... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States,&quot; Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). But he appeared to close the door on any notion of building closer ties with South Korea, saying he would &quot;permanently exclude&quot; Seoul as one of his nation&#39;s &quot;compatriots.&quot; North Korea has &quot;absolutely no business dealing with South Korea, its most hostile entity,&quot; Kim said, calling Seoul&#39;s recent dovish efforts &quot;deceptive.&quot; Pyongyang amended its constitution in 2024 to define South Korea as a &quot;hostile state&quot; for the first time. A &quot;grand&quot; military parade marked the end of the Workers&#39; Party congress, a once-in-five-years event that directs state efforts on everything from foreign policy to war planning. North Korea has used such parades in the past to show off its newest weapons, offering a rare source of insight into the strength of its armed forces. Trump overtures US President Donald Trump stepped up his courtship of Kim during a tour of Asia last year, saying he was &quot;100%&quot; open to a meeting. Trump even bucked decades of US policy by conceding that North Korea was &quot;sort of a nuclear power.&quot; A Trump-Kim meeting in April would mark a major breakthrough after years of deadlocked diplomacy following the collapse of their 2019 summit in Hanoi over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be willing to give up from its nuclear arsenal in return. Kim appeared alongside China&#39;s Xi Jinping and Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin at a grand military parade in Beijing last year &mdash; a striking display of his powerful friends and elevated status in global politics. Pyongyang has particularly drawn much closer to Moscow, sending thousands of troops to aid Russia&#39;s war against Ukraine. Analysts say Russia is giving North Korea military technology, food, and energy supplies in return, allowing it to sidestep tough international sanctions. &quot;With Moscow now providing a substantial economic lifeline &mdash; effectively neutralizing the bite of UN sanctions &mdash; Kim Jong Un no longer feels the same urgency to respond&quot; to Washington&#39;s dialogue gestures, Seong-Hyon Lee, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Center, told AFP.

Asia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says if Washington "respects our country's current status as stipulated in the Constitution ... and withdraws its hostile policy ... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States"; his words come as speculation grows that US President Trump may seek some kind of meeting with Kim on the sidelines of a visit to China in April.

North Korea says willing to 'get along' with US if acknowledged as nuclear power

Web Desk/AFP

JERUSALEM: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that his country stood &quot;firmly&quot; with Israel following the war in Gaza, which resulted in the death of more than 70,000 Palestinians.&nbsp; Modi also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-modi-heads-to-israel-to-strengthen-cooperation" style="color:#0073e6;">two-day visit</a> aimed at deepening trade and defense ties that have drawn criticism at home. &quot;India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.&quot; In his speech, Modi did not explicitly mention the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza during the more than two-year bombardment of Gaza. Speaking to the Knesset, Modi also told Israeli lawmakers that his country&#39;s economic growth and Israel&#39;s leadership in technological innovation formed a &quot;natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership.&quot; &quot;I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence,&quot; he added. Netanyahu told Modi that &quot;India supports Israel because it understands that Israel serves as a defensive wall,&quot; adding that his visit will allow them to &quot;further reinforce our ties.&quot; It is Modi&#39;s second visit to Israel as prime minister since he took office in 2014. &#39;A real friendship&#39; Earlier on Wednesday, a red carpet was rolled out at Israel&#39;s Ben Gurion airport and Modi was greeted with a hug by Netanyahu as he disembarked the plane. &quot;The two leaders share a special and a personal relationship,&quot; Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahu&#39;s office, said in a video posted on X. &quot;The bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance as we are partners in innovation, security and a shared strategic vision,&quot; she added. Netanyahu&#39;s office said the two right-wing leaders held a private meeting after the welcoming ceremony, with the Israeli premier hailing &quot;a real friendship.&quot; In a post on X, Modi described the meeting as &quot;excellent.&quot; &quot;We discussed a wide range of topics aimed at deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries,&quot; he said. The pair &quot;held an in-depth conversation about major developments in the region,&quot; he added. Modi is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the visit. New Delhi has steadily expanded cooperation with Israel across the defense, agriculture, technology, and cybersecurity sectors, while balancing diplomatic interests in the Middle East. Full diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Ties deepened after Hindu-nationalist leader Modi took office in 2014. Criticism at home Modi first visited Israel as prime minister in 2017, before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the following year. In 2023, grand plans were unveiled in New Delhi for an India&ndash;Middle East&ndash;Europe Economic Corridor to link railways, ports, electricity, data networks, and pipelines, including through Saudi Arabia and Israel. Those plans were stalled by Israel&rsquo;s devastating war in the Gaza Strip. Months after his 2017 visit to Israel, Modi travelled to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority. His current visit has sparked criticism at home. Senior Congress party figure Priyanka Gandhi &mdash; sister of opposition leader Rahul &mdash; posted on social media on Wednesday that she hoped Modi would mention the killing of &quot;thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza&quot; during his address to the Israeli parliament. India, the world&#39;s most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, is majority Hindu, but an estimated 220 million Indians are Muslim. One of India&#39;s largest conglomerates, Adani Group, operates the Israeli port of Haifa, while Israeli military drone technology was used during India&#39;s May 2025 attack on Pakistan.

Senior Congress party figure Priyanka Gandhi says she hoped Modi would mention the killing of "thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza" during his address to the Israeli parliament; the Indian prime minister is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Herzog during visit.





Modi says India stands 'firmly' with Israel post Gaza bombardment 

WASHINGTON: Bill Gates has admitted making a &quot;huge mistake&quot; in associating with Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff at his charity foundation that he had affairs with two Russian women but denying involvement in the disgraced financier&#39;s crimes. The Microsoft co-founder is among the prominent names appearing in documents released by the US Justice Department that revealed close friendships, illicit financial dealings and private photos with convicted sex offender Epstein. In a town hall on Tuesday with staff at the Gates Foundation, a recording of which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Gates expressed regret that his relationship with Epstein had affected the work of his philanthropic organization. &quot;It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,&quot; and to also bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with Epstein, he said. &quot;I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.&quot; In a draft email among the documents released by the Justice Department, Epstein alleged Gates engaged in extramarital affairs, writing that his relationship with Gates ranged from &quot;helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.&quot; &#39;I saw nothing illicit&#39; Gates, 70, admitted at the town hall to two affairs. &quot;I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities,&quot; he said. But he denied any involvement with victims of Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls. &quot;I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,&quot; Gates told the town hall. The tech titan said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Gates said he knew of an &quot;18-month thing&quot; restricting Epstein&#39;s travel but didn&#39;t check his background. He said his then-wife Melinda expressed concerns about Epstein in 2013, but that he continued the relationship for at least another year. &quot;Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now it&#39;s clear there was ongoing bad behavior,&quot; Gates told staff. The Gates Foundation said Gates addressed the Epstein case and other issues at its scheduled twice-yearly town hall event. &quot;Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions,&quot; it said in a statement to AFP.

In a draft email among the documents released by the Justice Department, Epstein alleges Gates engaged in extramarital affairs, writing that his relationship with Gates ranged from "helping Bill to get drugs […] to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women."

Bill Gates admits affairs but denies involvement in Epstein crimes

NEW YORK:&nbsp;A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday, blaming Israel for two-thirds of the deaths. It was the second consecutive annual record for press deaths and the deadliest year since the CPJ began collecting data more than three decades ago. &quot;Journalists are being killed in record numbers at a time when access to information is more important than ever,&quot; CEO Jodie Ginsberg said in a statement. &quot;We are all at risk when journalists are killed for reporting the news.&quot; Over three-quarters of all the fatalities in 2025 were in conflict settings, the CPJ said in its report. More than 60 percent of the 86 members of the press killed by Israeli fire in 2025 were Palestinians reporting from Gaza, it added. The Israeli military maintains that it never deliberately targets journalists, and said the CPJ report was &quot;based on general allegations, data of unknown origin, and predetermined conclusions.&quot; &quot;Throughout the war there have been numerous cases in which terrorists operated under a civilian guise, including posing as journalists to advance terror activities,&quot; an Israeli military spokesperson told AFP. &quot;In these cases, any action taken by the IDF (military) against them was due to their involvement in terror activity and for no other reason.&quot; &quot;Any claim of intentional harm to civilians, including family members of journalists due to their professional activity, is completely false,&quot; the spokesperson said. The CPJ said the number of journalists killed in Ukraine and Sudan also increased in 2025 compared to a year earlier. The CPJ highlighted a rise in drones being used, with 39 cases documented, including 28 killings by Israel in Gaza and five by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. In Ukraine, four journalists were killed by Russian military drones, the highest annual number of journalist deaths in the war since 15 were killed in 2022. Journalists are increasingly vulnerable due to a persistent culture of impunity, the CPJ said, noting a lack of transparent investigations into killings. In Mexico, six journalists were killed in 2025 and all the cases remain unsolved. The Philippines saw three journalists shot dead. Others were killed following their reporting on corruption, such as a Bangladeshi reporter hacked to death by suspects linked to a fraud ring, according to the CPJ report. Similar organized crime-related deaths were recorded in India and Peru. In Saudi Arabia, prominent columnist Turki al-Jasser was executed by the state after being convicted on several charges that the CPJ likened to &quot;spurious national security and financial crime allegations&quot; used to punish reporters. It was the Gulf state&#39;s first documented killing of a journalist since the 2018 death of Jamal Khashoggi.

Over three-quarters of all the fatalities in 2025 were in conflict settings, the CPJ said

Israel committed two-thirds of record press killings in 2025: CPJ

BEIRUT: A Hezbollah official told AFP on Wednesday that the Lebanese movement would not intervene militarily in the event of &quot;limited&quot; US strikes on its backer, Iran, but would consider any attack against supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a &quot;red line.&quot; The US has repeatedly threatened Iran over its contentious nuclear program, and Lebanese authorities fear Hezbollah could become involved if a potential US attack triggered a regional war. But the official told AFP on condition of anonymity: &quot;In the event of limited US strikes on Iran, Hezbollah&#39;s position will be to not intervene militarily.&quot; If the group determines, however, that the United States is trying to &quot;provoke the downfall of the Iranian regime or to target the supreme leader, Hezbollah will then intervene,&quot; they added. The official predicted that in a hypothetical scenario where the US attempted to militarily unseat the Iranian government, US-ally Israel would &quot;inevitably wage a war against Lebanon.&quot; US President Donald Trump has deployed warships and fighter jets near Iran to back up his threats of strikes should ongoing negotiations between the two sides fail to secure a deal. Lebanon&#39;s foreign minister said Tuesday that the government feared Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah&mdash;which still has an arsenal of ballistic missiles&mdash;became part of a regional conflict between the US and Iran. &quot;What the Lebanese fear is a chain reaction: an American strike against Iran, a Hezbollah retaliatory strike against Israel, followed by a massive Israeli response,&quot; said a Lebanese official who requested anonymity. Hezbollah&#39;s leader, Naim Qassem, has said that his group is in a &quot;defensive position,&quot; but it would consider itself &quot;targeted&quot; by any US attack on Iran. During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June, which the US later joined, Hezbollah did not intervene. Hezbollah emerged weakened from over a year of war with Israel that a November 2024 ceasefire sought to halt. Despite the agreement, Israel has continued striking targets it says are linked to Hezbollah on a near-daily basis, saying it is enforcing ceasefire provisions against the group rearming.Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have protested the attacks as ceasefire violations. The official speaking to AFP stressed that Hezbollah was refraining from responding to the strikes, but that its restraint &quot;has limits.&quot; &quot;Israeli attacks cannot continue indefinitely without a response.&quot;

Hezbollah said it would not intervene in limited US strikes on Iran but warned targeting Iran’s supreme leader would cross a red line, potentially triggering intervention and escalating regional conflict involving Israel and Lebanon

Hezbollah official says will not intervene in event of 'limited' US strikes on Iran

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces have killed 34 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations across the country, the military&rsquo;s media wing said on Wednesday, underscoring what it described as a sustained and high-tempo counterterrorism campaign.&nbsp;In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were conducted over the past few days in multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeting militants linked to what it termed &ldquo;Indian proxies, Fitna Al Khwarij and Fitna Al Hindustan.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to the statement, 26 terrorists were killed in four separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while eight others were neutralized during a separate intelligence-based operation in Balochistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;The movement of a group of khwarij in the general area of Hassan Khel, North Waziristan district, who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces,&rdquo; ISPR said.&nbsp;During the ensuing exchange of fire, one terrorist, later identified as an Afghan national, was killed, it added.&nbsp;In another intelligence-based operation in Lakki Marwat district, three terrorists were killed, according to the statement. ISPR said that in two separate engagements in the Narmi Khel area of Bannu district, security forces neutralized 10 terrorists. A further 12 were killed in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan.&nbsp;Separately, ISPR said eight terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Sambaza area of Zhob district in Balochistan.&nbsp;Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, who were &ldquo;actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Reaffirming the military&rsquo;s stance, ISPR said Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces remain &ldquo;resolute&rdquo; and &ldquo;unwavering&rdquo; in their commitment to defend the country&rsquo;s frontiers and protect its citizens.&nbsp;The statement added that the ongoing counterterrorism campaign, conducted under the vision of &ldquo;Azm-e-Istehkam&rdquo; and approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, will continue &ldquo;at full pace&rdquo; to eradicate what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.&nbsp;ISPR said further details would be shared as operations continue.

Security forces killed 34 terrorists in intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Pakistan military’s media wing said, reaffirming its commitment to continue counterterrorism actions under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign

Pakistani forces eliminate 34 terrorists in intelligence-based operations: Military

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Turkish-Pakistani influencer Turkan Atay shared her observations on the spirit of Ramadan in both Pakistan and T&uuml;rkiye during an exclusive appearance on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s morning show &quot;World This Morning&quot;. She highlighted the similarities in communal gatherings, family meals, and the spiritual atmosphere, while noting unique customs in each country. Turkan explained that in T&uuml;rkiye, Ramadan comes alive with bustling streets, festive lights, traditional sweets, and communal iftars that bring communities together. While Istanbul&rsquo;s Ramadan has become more modern due to tourism, many other cities still preserve traditional practices. Local governments organize free iftar gatherings for hundreds or thousands of people, accompanied by activities for children and adults. Historic mosques like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque play a central role, with people breaking their fast outside before attending prayers. The government also supports inclusive participation by providing free tea alonside educational activities. She also reflected on how her household blends Turkish and Pakistani Ramadan customs, showcasing a fusion of flavors, traditions, and celebrations. From shared meals to family gatherings, Turkan emphasized that the essence of Ramadan&mdash;generosity, devotion, and community spirit&mdash;is celebrated in both countries. Turkan said, &ldquo;Whether in T&uuml;rkiye or Pakistan, Ramadan is about bringing people together, sharing meals, and strengthening bonds,&rdquo; wishing viewers a blessed month.

Food

Turkish-Pakistani Influencer Shares Similarities of Ramadan Traditions in Türkiye and Pakistan

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his negotiating team left Tehran for Geneva on Wednesday, state TV reported ahead of a third round of talks with the US.&nbsp;Washington and Tehran have already held two rounds of Oman-mediated talks aimed at reaching a deal on Iran&#39;s nuclear program.&nbsp;The US has repeatedly called for zero uranium enrichment by Iran but has also sought to address its ballistic missile program and support for militant groups in the region, demands Iran has rejected.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said once again that Iran would never be allowed to build a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran&#39;s leaders were &quot;at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions&quot;.&nbsp;Iran has repeatedly denied it is seeking a bomb but insists it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.&nbsp;Trump, who has ratcheted up pressure on Iran to reach an agreement, has deployed a significant naval force to the Middle East.&nbsp;Iran, for its part, has conducted several rounds of military drills in recent days, including in the country&#39;s south and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Geneva for a third round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks with the US. Washington demands zero uranium enrichment and curbs on missiles, while Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and defends peaceful nuclear rights.

Articles by Muhammad Usman Amin