Pakistan

Flag-hoisting ceremonies organised across Multan

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NEW DELHI: An Independence Day ceremony was held at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. Saad Ahmed Warraich, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, hoisted the national flag at the High Commission. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the playing of the national anthem of Pakistan. Messages from […]

An internal Meta Platforms document detailing policies on chatbot behaviour has permitted the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) creations to engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual, generate false medical information and help users argue that Black people are dumber than white people. These and other findings emerge from a Reuters review of the Meta document, which discusses the standards that guide its generative AI assistant, Meta AI, and chatbots available on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, the company’s social media platforms. Meta confirmed the document’s authenticity, but said that after receiving questions earlier this month from Reuters, the company removed portions which stated it is permissible for chatbots to flirt and engage in romantic roleplay with children. Entitled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards”, the rules for chatbots were approved by Meta’s legal, public policy and engineering staff, including its chief ethicist, according to the document. Running to more than 20...

Leaders and lawmakers from around the world, including the United States, Russia, and China, congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day on Thursday with public messages, highlighting diplomatic ties. The day, marking Pakistan’s freedom from British rule and the declaration of independence in 1947, dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes at the provincial headquarters. Special prayers were also offered in mosques for peace, solidarity and prosperity of the country. United States US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement, felicitated the people of Pakistan on behalf of the United States. “The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade. We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Americans and Pakistanis,” the statement said. The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian...

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Shaheens were presented with national honours for their aerial performance in the recent conflict against India as part of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day celebrations on Thursday. In July, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said this year’s Independence Day would be marked as “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth). The term is used by the state for the conflict with India from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire on May 10. The May conflict was sparked as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the attack without evidence — a claim strongly refuted by Pakistan. On May 6–7, New Delhi launched air strikes that killed civilians. In retaliation, PAF downed six Indian planes in air-to-air combat on May 7. India’s highest-ranking general has also acknowledged that its forces suffered losses in the air, but denied losing six aircraft. At a ceremony in Islamabad today, the awards, including both wartime and peacetime honours, were conferred by President Asif...

Bitcoin hit a record high on Thursday as increasing expectations for easier monetary policy from the Federal Reserve added to tailwinds from recently announced financial reforms. The world’s largest crypto-asset by market capitalisation climbed as much as 0.9% to $124,002.49 in early Asia trading, surpassing its previous peak hit in July. On the day, the […]

Pop superstar Taylor Swift said her forthcoming album, the upbeat “The Life of a Showgirl,” was inspired by the joy she felt when she was performing around the world on her record-setting Eras Tour. Swift appeared on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend, National Football League player Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason […]

Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Muhammad Ali Randhawa, visited Pakistan Sweet Home on Thursday as part of Marka-e-Haq and the 79th Independence Day celebrations.

Powerful torrents driven by intense rain that smashed into a Himalayan mountain village in India-occupied Kashmir killed at least 37 people on Thursday, a top disaster management official told AFP. It is the second major deadly flooding disaster in India this month. “Dead bodies of 37 people have been recovered,” said Mohammad Irshad, a top disaster management official, adding there was no count of any missing people available. Irshad told AFP 150 wounded people were also rescued from the disaster site, “50 of whom are severely injured”, all sent to nearby hospitals. Sushil Kumar, a resident of nearby Atholi village, told AFP: “I saw at least 15 dead bodies brought to the local hospital.” The disaster occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a pit stop on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after a heavy flood and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Earlier, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma said, “We have found 34 dead bodies a...

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred military awards on officers, soldiers of armed forces for their conspicuous courage and supreme sacrifice rendered during Operation 'Bunyan-UN-Marsoos’ The military awards included eight Sitara-i-Jurat, five Tamgha-i-Jurat, 24 Sitara-i-Basalat, 45 Tamgha-i-Basalat, 146 Imtiazi Asnad, 259 COAS.

A flag hoisting ceremony was held at Pakistan House, Singapore, on Thursday to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence and Marka-e-Haq.

The Pakistani Embassy in Beijing marked the nation’s 78th Independence Day with a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony, celebrating both the birth of Pakistan and its historic victory in Marka-e-Haq, along with the successful execution of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsous.

Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh marked Pakistan’s Independence Day with a unique gesture distributing vouchers for 5 litres of petrol to citizens.

Karachi police on Thursday announced comprehensive security measures for the Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), which will take place tomorrow, while also issuing a traffic plan. Chehlum, also known as Arbaeen (40 in Arabic), marks the 40th day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is marked by processions by Shia Muslims across the country. Karachi’s Additional Inspector General (IG) Javed Alam Javed said in a statement that 7,465 police officers and personnel will be deployed for security duty at 108 processions, 2,901 at 501 majalis, and 1,113 at 642 imambargahs on Chehlum, for a total deployment of 11,479 officers and personnel. “All roads intersecting the route of Karachi’s main procession will remain completely closed, and extraordinary measures have also been taken around Nishtar Park,” he added. According to the Additional IG, all station house officers have been instructed to remain present in their respective areas, intensify ...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of “Army Rocket Force Command” to bolster the nation’s defence capabilities. Islamabad is boosting its military capabilities following its recent military confict with India, increasing defence budget by 20 per cent for the fiscal year 2025-2026. “On this occasion, today, I announce the formation of the Army Rocket Force Command,” the prime minister said while addressing a special ceremony held at Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Stadium on late Wednesday night to celebrate Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day and Marka-i-Haq. Marka-i-Haq (Battle of Truth) is a term the state uses for the recent conflict with India, when Pakistan responded to Indian aggression following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, before a ceasefire was reached on May 10. “Equipped with modern technology and capable of targeting the enemy from every direction, this force will prove another milestone in further strengthening our conventional war capabilities,” PM Shehbaz said. Pakistan has sophi...

A spell of heavy downpour lashed various parts of Abbottabad district on Thursday, triggering flash floods that severely disrupted traffic flow and caused damage to infrastructure. Monsoon rains, which fall across the region from June to September every year, continue to lash many parts of the country. Starting in late June, Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across the country in the past month by triggering deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas. The torrential rains led to the blockage of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at multiple points within Abbottabad city, leaving commuters stranded for hours. According to local authorities, all major nullahs and ravines in the district, including the River Door, swelled beyond their banks, creating dangerous conditions for nearby residents and motorists. The sudden surge of water from the upper catchment areas inundated low-lying localities and washed debris onto the KKH, making several stretches ...

The Prime Minister’s Media Coordinator, Badar Shahbaz, has been honored with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in recognition of his outstanding services in the field of media during the “Maarka-e-Haq” (Battle for Truth).