Naila Shuja

After years in the newsroom and in front of the camera, reading stories shaped by misinformation and disinformation, a visible shift is now emerging. International headlines are changing, the false narratives have finally hit a wall. The truth is no longer hiding &mdash; it has been brought into the open. Global media has often falsely framed Pakistan as the primary source of terrorism despite its history of counter-terrorism efforts. However, the reality on the ground is increasingly making it difficult for the international community to ignore Pakistan&#39;s actual role and the complexities of the security landscape, be it regional or international. As hard facts, data and on-ground evidence come to the fore, these long-standing narratives are now facing major challenges. Two decades, 80,000 lives and roughly $150 billion in economic loss - that is the price Pakistan has paid. Before delving further into details, one needs to understand one thing &ndash; the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been designated as Fitna-Al-Khawarij, instigates, facilitates and perpetrates terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil. From suicide blasts to cross-border attacks, this group is behind these heinous crimes, which target Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty and weaken its security. Since 2022, Pakistan has conducted eight major operations to combat and counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Among them are Raad-ul-Fasaad and Azm-e-Istehkam, which were undertaken to eliminate terrorist sleeper cells in the urban areas and counter the resurgence of militancy after Afghan Taliban came into power in 2021. In 2009, the National Counter Terrorism Authority was established to ensure coordination between various state institutions on intelligence sharing and policy. After the horrific APS Peshawar attack in 2014, the consensual 20-point national action plan was devised. With laws and regulations being passed to stop terror financing, Pakistan gradually gained the upper hand in tackling the menace of terrorism. With religious scholars signing the Paigham-e-Pakistan in 2018, this all-inclusive decree declared suicide bombings and domestic insurgency &lsquo;un-Islamic&rsquo;, which challenged extremist ideology. While being targeted by foreign disinformation campaigns, reports from the EU DisinfoLab exposed the huge network of these fake media outlets &ndash; all backed and sponsored by India and its agencies. Following the regional shift in 2021, the Afghan Taliban interim regime, despite their international commitments, consistently and persistently allowed Afghan soil to be used by various terrorist organizations, such as the TTP, to carry out their attacks. The support they provided to these terror outfits should have actually been directed towards the Afghan people, especially women and children. That being said, the new nexus of the India-Afghan Taliban- Fitna-Al-Khawarij has not pushed Pakistan on the back foot, but instead made the country resilient and its security forces more determined and prepared. With global media now looking closely towards Pakistan&#39;s fight against terrorism, India&rsquo;s credibility has suffered dramatically &ndash; in fact it has gone down the drain. India should therefore serve as an example for those relying on fake news. Sensational news, which India spread without any context, defied journalistic ethics and values, and only ended up tarnishing its image.&nbsp;With facts, data, and real-time evidence readily available, false narratives are no longer finding space in international discourse. This is why Pakistan stands resolute and sound as foreign accusations disintegrate from their seams. Disinformation campaigns proved false as seen during the mass shooting in Sydney&rsquo;s Bondi Beach, when major media outlets linked the shooters to Pakistan without any verification. This rush of judgment without verifying facts proves and highlights the systematic biases that Pakistan and its people face and fight on a daily basis. Naila Shuja is a news presenter at Pakistan TV Satellite.

SAT News Desk

Global narratives falsely branding Pakistan as terrorism’s source are collapsing as evidence highlights its sacrifices, counterterrorism operations, and resilience. Disinformation campaigns, especially India-backed, face exposure, while Pakistan’s role, losses, and efforts gain overdue international recognition.

Counter-terrorism, misplaced global assumptions and outdated narratives

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has warned of a growing and potentially grave threat of nuclear terrorism emerging from Afghanistan under the Taliban.&nbsp;According to a UN report, the Taliban regime has sheltered international terrorist groups to sustain its rule, allowing militant networks operating from Afghan territory to pose a serious danger to global security.&nbsp;The report raises particular alarm over 133 pellets of stolen uranium dioxide taken from Tajikistan, which could potentially be acquired by the banned al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. &ldquo;I think the threat has never been so high as it is today,&rdquo; according to Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). &ldquo;Terrorist groups and individuals engage much more strongly with new technologies. Terrorist groups have recruited experts, including AI specialists, and we have seen the use of drones in terrorist acts. This potentially makes it more possible that they will launch a dirty bomb via drone.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.&nbsp;Experts cited in the report say the combination of foreign fighters, modern technology available to militant groups in Afghanistan, and the sanctuary provided by the Taliban creates a real risk of nuclear terrorism.&nbsp;The findings echo warnings previously issued by the United States, Pakistan, European states and Central Asian countries, which have repeatedly described terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a major security threat.&nbsp;The UN has called for strengthened international cooperation, improved controls on nuclear and radiological materials across the region, and enhanced monitoring and interdiction efforts to prevent dangerous materials from reaching extremist hands.

Artillery shells have hit areas near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine since the full-scare Russian invasion of the country in 2022. (File photo: United Nations/IAEA)

Afghanistan

The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.

UN warns of rising nuclear terrorism risk from Afghanistan under Taliban

SYLHET: Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead Bangladesh to a 78-run win over Pakistan in the second Test and clinch a famous 2-0 series win on Wednesday. Pakistan, who started the fifth day on 316-7 while chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 328 in the first session in Sylhet after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94. It was Bangladesh&#39;s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024. Wicketkeeper Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four. Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28. Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul, and Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan&#39;s resistance. Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return figures of 6-120 and trigger Bangladesh celebrations. The left-arm spinner also took 3-67 during Pakistan&#39;s first innings of 232. Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das scored 126 in their first innings of 278. Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69). Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, won the opening Test by 104 runs.

Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Babar Azam during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on May 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Cricket

With this win, Bangladesh completes a 2-0 whitewash, marking their second consecutive series win against Pakistan in red ball cricket.

Taijul takes six to lead Bangladesh to Pakistan Test series win

ISLAMABAD: Taliban authorities in southern Afghanistan&rsquo;s Kandahar province have imposed new restrictions on YouTubers and video content creators, warning them against producing and publishing videos on social media platforms, according to Afghanistan International on Wednesday. According to the report, officials from the Taliban&rsquo;s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice recently summoned several YouTubers and social media activists in Kandahar and ordered them to stop creating video content.&nbsp; The move has alarmed young Afghan creators who say social media platforms such as YouTube have become one of the few remaining outlets for cultural expression and employment in the country. Youtubers spoke to Afghanistan International that they made videos about the city, historical sites, markets, traditions and people&rsquo;s lives.&nbsp; They said some of the videos also focused on social issues, including harmful customs, drug addiction and illiteracy. Other creators said their content had attracted thousands, and in some cases millions, of online views, helping showcase Afghan culture and daily life to international audiences. &ldquo;YouTube was one of our main sources of income, but now that making videos has been banned, we are effectively unemployed,&rdquo; another creator said. The restrictions currently appear to apply only in Kandahar province, though creators expressed concern that the policy could expand to other parts of Afghanistan. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have steadily tightened restrictions on media and public expression. Under the Taliban&#39;s morality law, the publication of images of &ldquo;living beings&rdquo; is prohibited. As part of enforcing the policy, Taliban authorities have suspended state television broadcasts and shut down or restricted several local media outlets in different provinces. International rights organizations and media advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned the Taliban&rsquo;s restrictions on images and media content, calling on the authorities to respect freedom of expression and reverse policies limiting independent journalism and digital media activity in Afghanistan.

Freedom of expression - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Taliban in Kandahar have banned YouTubers and content creators from making videos, further tightening media restrictions and threatening livelihoods and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban tighten restrictions on youtubers and video creators in Kandahar

BEIJING: Beijing has agreed to work with Washington on reducing levies affecting tens of billions of dollars in goods, a commerce ministry statement said Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump visited China. Under the auspices of a newly established trade council, &quot;both sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale&quot;, covering &quot;$30 billion or more on each side&quot;, the online statement said. US President Donald Trump was in Beijing last week, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, over a variety of issues, especially the trade tariffs.

Americas

Asia

A statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale.

China says to work with US on reciprocal tariff cuts for $30 billion of goods each

ISLAMABAD: Students across Afghanistan are growing discouraged as the Taliban expand religious schools while public education facilities continue to deteriorate, according to the daily Hasht-e-Subh. Images circulating on social media in recent days showed students sleeping inside classrooms, highlighting worsening conditions in public schools and sparking renewed criticism of the Taliban&rsquo;s education policies. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, modern education has been systematically weakened while the group has prioritized religious instruction through madrasa networks. According to the daily, subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry have received less attention in some schools, while greater emphasis has been placed on ideological, political and military-related topics aligned with Taliban teachings. The concerns come as Afghanistan&rsquo;s education sector continues to face severe economic strain. Many families struggling with poverty are unable to keep children in school, while restrictions imposed by the Taliban have further discouraged students from pursuing education.&nbsp; International observers and education advocates have repeatedly warned about the growing imbalance between religious and public education in Afghanistan. An international survey found that the Taliban had built 15 religious schools for every one public school, despite the country&rsquo;s deepening education crisis. Afghanistan&rsquo;s public schools also continue to suffer from shortages of qualified teachers, learning materials and proper classroom facilities, particularly in rural areas.

Afghan schoolboys in Helmand (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan’s public education system is deteriorating under Taliban rule as religious schools expand, classrooms decline, and students lose access to quality modern education.

Afghan Taliban’s focus on religious schools is discouraging students from education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emphasized the need for sustained &ldquo;confidence-building measures&rdquo; and expedited &ldquo;resumption of negotiations,&rdquo; reiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s deep concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp; Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the ensuing conflict resulting in a tidal wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins. Speaking at the UNSC, Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the ambassador said, &ldquo;The conflict has persisted for over four years, resulting in widespread devastation that has severely impacted human lives and livelihoods.&rdquo; He said that Islamabad was concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemning reports of increased attacks. Such actions prolong the conflict, erode trust, and obstruct meaningful progress toward peace, he said, stressing that civilians remained the primary victims.&nbsp; The ambassador reiterated that protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure was a fundamental legal obligation under international humanitarian law, which all parties must uphold under all circumstances. Welcoming the recent ceasefire announcements, the ambassador said these measures can help build confidence and should be sustained to create an enabling environment for a complete ceasefire and lasting peace. He also urged both parties to &ldquo;prioritize diplomacy, demonstrate genuine political will, and move forward constructively toward a just and enduring solution.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan says Islamabad is concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemns reports of increased attacks.

At UN, Pakistan calls for confidence-building measures, revival of talks on Ukraine

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will attend next month&#39;s G7 summit in France, a White House official told AFP Tuesday, despite tensions between Washington and its allies over a host of issues, from Iran to tariffs. Trump&#39;s attendance had not previously been confirmed at the meeting of the Group of Seven leading economies in the French Alpine lakeside resort of Evian, June 15-17. The White House said in January that France had changed the dates to accommodate Trump&#39;s schedule. Trump is holding a cage fight at the White House on June 14, his 80th birthday. The US president wants to discuss topics including artificial intelligence, trade and crime-fighting at the leaders&#39; summit, Axios reported. But the summit takes place against a backdrop of frictions between the United States and other G7 members, particularly over the war Trump launched on Iran in February. Trump has lashed out at US allies for failing to help open up the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively shut down, causing global oil prices to spike. Western allies, including the G7, have in return expressed concerns about the impact of the US-Israeli war on their economies, particularly at a time when they are dealing with tariffs imposed by Trump. Trump&#39;s attendance at a NATO summit in Turkey in early July has still not yet been confirmed. The Group of Seven countries are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Each country assumes the group&#39;s rotating leadership, organizing annual summits and ministerial meetings.

Trump has lashed out at US allies for failing to help open up the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively shut down, causing global oil prices to spike.

Trump to attend G7 summit in France: White House

Web Desk/AFP

Middle East

Trump says will resume strikes on Iran if deal not reached within 'two or three ⁠days'; Araghchi says Iran will benefit from the lessons learned and the knowledge gained; Moscow notes Pakistan's active role in stabilizing the situation, creating conditions for lasting peace.

Iran’s FM Araghchi says return to war will ‘feature many more surprises’

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the World Health Organization, the UN body which President Donald Trump stopped funding, was late in identifying a deadly outbreak of Ebola. Asked by reporters how the United States would respond to the virus outbreak, Rubio said: &quot;The lead is obviously going to be CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) and the World Health Organization, which was a little late to identify this thing, unfortunately.&quot; Trump in one of his first acts on returning to office last year, set in motion a US withdrawal from the WHO, which he attacked bitterly over its response to Covid. The global pandemic heavily affected his first administration in the months before he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. The WHO has been forced to cut back due to the end of funding by the United States, which had been the most generous contributor with more than $1 billion allocated annually under Biden. Asked to explain why Rubio believed that the WHO was late, another senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it took the UN body 10 days to confirm the Ebola outbreak. &quot;We are now four days into our response; we could have been 14,&quot; the official said. The WHO &quot;failed now numerous times. Obviously, everyone is well familiar with what they did, covering up the Covid-19 pandemic for the Chinese Communist Party,&quot; the official said. The WHO contests US charges that it went too easy on China or allowed it to hide the Covid outbreak, saying that it needs to cooperate with all countries. Trump has drastically slashed US foreign assistance, dismantling the US Agency for International Development, which was the world&#39;s largest governmental aid provider, saying that the United States should more narrowly pursue its own interests. The State Department announced Tuesday that it would fund up to 50 Ebola treatment centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda through some $13 million in initial US funding. Rubio said that it was difficult to reach affected areas as they were in a &quot;hard-to-get-to place in a war-torn country, unfortunately.&quot; The State Department, in a statement, said that the United States &quot;has an ironclad commitment to ensuring this response is fully resourced, rapid, and cooperative between key global health and humanitarian partners.&quot; The WHO earlier Tuesday said that it was concerned about the &quot;scale and speed&quot; of the Ebola outbreak that DR Congo authorities say has caused 136 suspected deaths.

Africa

Trump in one of his first acts on returning to office last year set in motion a US withdrawal from the WHO, which he attacked bitterly over its response to Covid.

Rubio says WHO was 'a little late' on identifying Ebola outbreak

BOURNEMOUTH: Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday after Manchester City were held 1-1 by Bournemouth. City had to win to take the title fight to the final day, but the Cherries extended their unbeaten streak to 17 league games, a run which has secured European football for the first time in the club&#39;s history. After finishing second for the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta&#39;s Gunners have finally made it over the line to end a six-year trophy drought. Arsenal edged to the brink of the title with an unconvincing 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley on Monday, which took them five points clear of City. The Gunners, who have set the pace for most of the season, have bounced back impressively since losing to City last month, winning four straight league matches without conceding a goal. On Monday, just 48 hours after completing a domestic cup double with victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, City were rocked by widespread reports that manager Pep Guardiola will depart after a decade in charge at the end of the season. Victory at Wembley on Saturday secured a 20th trophy of Guardiola&#39;s glorious reign. But he cannot add to his six Premier League titles when Aston Villa visit the Etihad on Sunday for what is expected to be his final match in charge. Guardiola had warned that fatigue could cost City against a highly motivated Bournemouth, who still have Champions League qualification in their sights for next season. As it stands, Bournemouth will be in the Europa League after ensuring they will finish no lower than seventh. Sixth could be good enough for a place in the Champions League if Aston Villa finish fifth and win Wednesday&#39;s Europa League final. City fans forlornly chanted &quot;One more year, Guardiola&quot; in the early stages at the Vitality Stadium in a bid to convince their decorated coach to see out the final season of his contract. But if the travelling fans hoped City&#39;s players would be inspired to give Guardiola a glorious goodbye, they were left sorely disappointed. Antoine Semenyo had the ball in the net on his return to Bournemouth but was flagged offside in City&#39;s best moment of a flat first half. The home side suddenly sprang to life to open the scoring in the 39th minute. Eli Junior Kroupi curled a brilliant strike into the top corner to set a new record of 13 goals in a debut Premier League season for a teenager. Nico O&#39;Reilly wasted City&#39;s best chance of a lifeline when he was denied by Djordje Petrovic just seconds into the second half. Guardiola watched on pensively as his side&#39;s title challenge fizzled out with a whimper. After winning what was billed as a title decider against Arsenal last month, City put the destiny of the title back in their rivals&#39; hands by drawing 3-3 at Everton. Guardiola looks set to depart, having failed to win the league for two consecutive seasons for the first time in his coaching career. Rayan and David Brooks hit the post as Bournemouth should have secured victory in Andoni Iraola&#39;s final home game in charge. Erling Haaland&#39;s equaliser deep into stoppage time came too little, too late to save City&#39;s title challenge. But it was a big goal for Liverpool, who now have a three-point cushion over Bournemouth and a goal difference advantage of six heading into the final day battle to secure a top-five finish and Champions League football.

Football

After finishing second for the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta's Gunners have finally made it over the line to end a six-year trophy drought.

Articles by Naila Shuja