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JIT summons 25 PTI leaders again over ‘anti-state propaganda’ on social media

ISLAMABAD: Several members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were summoned once again by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Friday in connection with an ongoing anti-state propaganda case involving social media activities. Sources revealed that only Barrister Gohar, Rauf Hassan and Shah Farman appeared before the team despite summons notices being issued for 25 party leaders. The team interrogated the three party leaders for five hours, during which Farman, who was thrown some additional tough questions, behaved inappropriately, the sources added. Furthermore, the PTI leaders, including Hassan, Salman Akram Raja, and Firdous Shamim…

Gilani cleared of corruption charges in three cases

KARACHI: Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani has been acquitted in three cases linked to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) corruption scandal by the Federal Anti-Corruption Court. The hearing was held at the Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi, where Gilani appeared in person.  During the proceedings, the judge told Gilani that a verdict had been reached in the three cases against him. Gilani responded affirmatively, acknowledging the decision.  At one point, the court asked Gilani which prison he would prefer —Karachi, Multan, or Islamabad.  In response, the Senate chairman…

JIT calls 15 PTI leaders for inquiry into social media propaganda claims

A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) established by the federal government has summoned 15 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders over allegations of spreading propaganda through social media. Among those summoned are Gohar Ali Khan, Hammad Azhar, Salman Akram Raja, Raoof Hasan, Asad Qaiser, Aun Abbas, and Waqas Akram. Others include Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khalid Khurshid Khan, Aliya Hamza, Kanwal Shauzab, Taimoor Saleem Khan, Shah Farman, Shehbaz Shabbir, and Mian Muhammad Aslam. The PTI leaders have been directed to appear before the JIT today at 12pm. According to sources, the JIT — led…

France offers nuclear shield for Europe as Macron sounds alarm on Russia

PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron has raised the possibility of France offering nuclear protection to its European partners, warning that the continent must confront the growing threat from Russia. France and Britain are Europe’s only two nuclear powers. “Our nuclear deterrent protects us: it is complete, sovereign, French through and through,” Macron said in his televised speech. “But, responding to the historic call of the future German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our (nuclear) deterrence,” Macron said.…

‘Regrettable’: Zelenskiy wants to “make things right” with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he regretted last week’s extraordinary Oval Office clash with Donald Trump and wanted to “make things right”, adding that Kyiv was ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible, Reuters reported. In a fulsome statement issued a day after Trump halted military aid to Ukraine, Zelenskiy said he was ready to sign “any time and in any convenient format” a deal giving the United States access to Ukrainian minerals. He had left the deal on the table when he abandoned a visit…

Dubai to host Champions Trophy final as India seal spot

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the ICC Champions Trophy final on March 9 after India secured a four-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final. With this result, Pakistan will no longer host the tournament’s title clash, as India’s qualification means the final shifts to a neutral venue. This marks a significant moment in the event, which was Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC tournament in nearly three decades.

WhatsApp’s new update makes calling more seamless

WhatsApp is rolling out a new call menu feature for individual and group chats as the popular communication app continues to enhance calling experience for its users.  The new update, downloadable through Google Play Store, is only available to some beta testers.  The update brings up a call menu to the top par of the chat boxes. This replaces the previous two buttons at the top of the conversation box used to initiate voice and video calls with one button. 

EU chief unveils 800-billion-euro plan to ‘rearm’ Europe

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Tuesday presented a five-part plan to mobilise some 800 billion euros for Europe’s defence — and help provide “immediate” military support for Ukraine after Washington suspended aid. “A new era is upon us,” the European Commission president said in a letter presenting the plan to EU leaders, two days before a summit aimed at cementing joint action on support for Ukraine and European security longer term. “Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us has seen in our…

‘Financial crisis’: PTI slashes salaries of secretariat staff by 50%

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has slashed the salaries of staff at its secretariat by 50% amid the reported “financial crunch” being faced by the former ruling party, said well-placed sources on Tuesday. In addition to this, other perks and privileges, including fuel allowance, of the PTI secretariat employees have been abolished with immediate effect, the sources added. “Salaries of at least 25 employees of the PTI secretariat have been reduced,” it added.