ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a bid to address concerns raised by the monitoring group Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), on Monday clarified key aspects of its preliminary delimitations report.The electoral watchdog in an issued statement emphasised that Fafen’s analysis of the initial constituencies was flawed and based on a misunderstanding of the criteria used for seat distribution.These modifications involved merging several districts to achieve balanced population representation and reallocating the number of seats for both national and provincial assemblies across different districts.In response to Fafen’s concerns, the ECP clarified that it had allocated 266 National Assembly seats to provinces based on population.However, Fafen’s misunderstanding incorrectly treated provinces, not districts, as the unit for seat allocation, causing confusion. Section 20 of the Elections Act 2017 covers constituency rules, and the rationale for constituency changes was explained in the initial constituency report.The election commission emphasized that recent amendments to the Elections Act 2017, including a new provision in Section 20(3), no longer require the ECP to “strictly adhere” to current district boundaries when such adherence would result in a population variance exceeding 10 per cent, aiming for more equitable elections.Earlier, the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) expressed concern over the draft delimitation prepared by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), noting that more than one-fifth of constituencies exceed the 10 per cent population variation.In a statement, the FAFEN said as many as 180 constituencies of national and provincial assemblies as proposed by the ECP do not meet the legal preferability of 10pc variation in population.According to the watchdog, the move “undermines the principle of equal suffrage that was otherwise upheld by the Parliament through latest amendments in the Elections Act, 2017”.According to the amendments enacted on August 4, 2023, after parliamentary approval, the Election Commission was expected to disregard district boundaries to ensure that the variation among the population of an assembly’s constituencies does not ordinarily exceed 1opc, FAFEN noted.The watchdog said the variation among the population of constituencies may be identified by comparing the population of a constituency with the average population per seat of an assembly, also called quota per seat.The quota is calculated by dividing the population of a province, as determined by the last census officially published, by the number of seats of that province in national or provincial assemblies, as provided in the Constitution.

WASHINGTON: State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said that Pakistan has suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks, ARY News reported.The State Department spokesperson expressed his deepest sympathies for those killed and injured in Hangu and Mastung attacks.He said that "people of Pakistan have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. They deserve to practice their faith without fear."The spokesperson offered his condolences to families who lost loved ones and a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the attack.In response to ARY News reporter's question Mathew Miller said that with respect to counter-terrorism cooperation, the US cooperates with Pakistan in a range of multilateral platforms on issues including terrorist designations and global strategies to defeat terrorist groups.Moreover, he stated that "earlier this year, we held a high-level counter-terrorism dialogue to discuss the shared terrorist threats facing our two countries and to work on strategies to cooperate in areas such as border security terrorist financing and we will continue to work with Pakistan to ensure that we can better assist Pakistan's effort to counter all forms of violent extremism."Responding to a question related to Nijjar's murder he said that the US have engaged with the Indian government on several occasions to urge them to cooperate with Canada's investigation.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday directed the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) to reimburse an amount of Rs 1.2 million with profit to a woman victim of financial fraud.The money was fraudulently withdrawn from the woman’s account through the issuance of a fictitious chequebook and affixing her fake signatures on the withdrawal slip.President Alvi asked CDNS to refer the matter to FIA for proper investigation so that the delinquent officials of CDNS involved in the scam may be brought to the book and punished.The president issued these directions while deciding on a representation filed by CDNS (the Agency) against the decision of Wafaqi Mohtasib directing CDNS to refer the matter to FIA for thorough investigation, the state news agency reported.As per details, the complainant Abida Riffat had alleged that she was maintaining a Pensioners Benefit Account with CDNS in Rawalpindi.She found out in 2021 that an amount of Rs 1.2 million had been fraudulently withdrawn from her account in 2019 through another cheque book which was never issued to her.She lodged a complaint with CDNS for investigation and recovery of her defrauded amount, but the matter was investigated in a superfluous manner and she was informed that she could not produce any evidence in support of her claim.Feeling aggrieved, she approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib which asked CDNS to investigate the matter through FIA.CDNS then filed a representation with the President against the Mohtasib’s decision.President Alvi in his decision observed that CDNS in its letter dated 28.12.2021 had admitted that Rs 1.2 million were withdrawn from her account through the fake transaction on 23.05.2019 by affixing a fake signature on the withdrawal slip.He noted that during an internal inquiry conducted by CDNS, an officer had given a statement in which he alleged that the disputed amount was fraudulently misappropriated by a gunman and the cashier and the Agency had not associated the said officials in the inquiry proceedings.This, he added, depicted that the process of inquiry was not transparent and CDNS was opposing the entrustment of the matter to FIA without any justification.The president concluded that Wafaqi Mohtasib had rightly observed that the matter of fraudulent withdrawal of the amount had not been properly investigated and directed it to refer the matter to FIA.He upheld Mohtasib’s decision with the direction to CDNS to submit a compliance report to Mohtasib within 30 days.

KARACHI: The power supply company, K-Electric has removed 350 more kundas (illegal hook connections) during the ongoing anti-power theft drive in Karachi, ARY News reported on Monday.The K-Electric spokesperson said that the power theft of millions of rupees was caught by the KE staffers in Karachi’s Bukhari Colony Banaras.It added that 350 kundas were removed in the Bukhari Colony. The spokesperson said that more than 1,200 houses and shops were being supplied stolen electricity through the illegal hook connections. کےالیکٹرک کا ضلعی انتظامیہ اور قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے ساتھ مل کر بخاری کالونی بنارس میں کنڈا مافیا کے خلاف آپریشن کیا۔ یہ ملزمان تقریباً 12لاکھ یونٹس کی چوری میں ملوث تھے جبکہ ان کے خلاف ایف آئی آر کا اندراج کروادیا گیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/Rolc9RH7O3 — KE (@KElectricPk) September 29, 2023 “The kunda mafia of the area was involved in the power theft of nearly 1.2 million units. An FIR was also lodged against the kunda mafia.”Related: KE removed 94,000 kundas during anti-power theft drives: spoxIn another statement, the power supply company said that the electricity dues of Karachi’s Upper Gizri and P&T Colony have reached over Rs560 million.The spokesperson said that the duration of the loadshedding depends on the rate of power theft and line losses in different areas. کے الیکٹرک کے لوڈشیڈنگ شیڈول میں نمایاں تبدیلی نہیں کی گئی۔ 71فیصد نیٹورک بدستور لوڈشیڈنگ سے مستثنٰی ہے۔ لوڈشیڈنگ کا انحصار چوری اور عدم ادائیگی کی شرح پر ہوتا ہے۔ ان میں کمی کے ساتھ بجلی فراہمی میں بہتری ہوتی ہے۔ مزید معلومات کے لیے لنک پر کلک کریں: https://t.co/5N7AofBPkH https://t.co/6E7uGWgHWw pic.twitter.com/Bz3tpYehQY — Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) October 1, 2023 Earlier, following a periodic assessment of the network, 71 percent of Karachi remains exempt from loadshedding under the schedule published by K-Electric (KE), effective immediately, a press release said.The schedule, which is publicly available on the company’s website and KE Live app, is based on a review of KE’s network of 2,000 feeders for electricity theft and non-payment of bills, which form the basis for loadshedding. The last review was conducted in July 2023.Commenting on the review, Spokesperson KE stated, “Areas with reduced losses benefit from reductions or exemptions in loadshedding, and such areas comprise 71% of our network. The remainder is made up of areas where electricity theft and non-payment of bills impair our ability to provide uninterrupted power.”

LAHORE: In a horrific incident a woman and her 20-year-old daughter were murdered in Lahore, ARY News reported.As per details, the incident occurred in the factory area police station premises where a woman and her 20-year-old daughter were murdered with a sharp object at their home.The deceased were identified as 50-year-old Shakeela and 20-year-old Alisha. Police and forensic team reached the spot of incident immediately.The police officials said that the dead bodies were found on the upper portion of their home. The sharp object that was used to kill the duo was sent for forensic and the dead bodies were shifted to hospital for postmortem.Earlier in a separate incident mother murdered her only daughter in cold blood in a harrowing incident occurring in Rizvia Society.According to details, the incident is being investigated and a postmortem of the deceased has been ordered by the local police after the development was reported to them earlier in the day.The mother had tried to kill herself after murdering her daughter but survived, she is severely injured and currently under treatment in a local medical facility.The slain woman named Nuzhat married Shehryar a month prior to the murder, son-in-law to Waqar-un-Nisa who he believes tried committing suicide after murdering her only child.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notified the local government (LG) by-polls schedule for four districts of Sindh including Karachi, Khairpur and Hyderabad, ARY News reported on Monday.The LG by-polls will be held in Karachi East, Karachi West, Khairpur and Hyderabad districts on November 5.The by-polls will be held on four seats of the union councils (UCs) in the said districts. The ECP spokesperson said that nominations will be received on October 10.Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unveiled the schedule for Sindh Local Government (LG) by-polls on UC chairmen and vice chairmen seats.Related: General elections: ECP orders chief secretaries to start preparationsAccording to the ECP, the Sindh LG by-polls will be held on November 5 to elect the nine Union Council (UC) chairmen and 16 vice chairmen across Sindh.The by-polls will be held on 74 general seats across the province. The submission of nominations will be completed on October 7.Moreover, the commission also unveiled schedule for LG polls on 812 reserved seats in 29 districts. The last date for the submission of the nominations will be October 7 and the polling will be held on October 20.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allowed eligible citizens to register, transfer, or correct their voting details till the 25th of this month, ARY News reported.In a statement, an ECP official said that aspiring voters can confirm their registration status on the voter lists by sending their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number to 8300.After sending SMS to 8300, an automated response will be generated, with information containing the name of the electoral area, block code, and serial number.Each registered voter has the option to verify their details by visiting the District Election Commissioner’s office in their respective area, where the complete electoral rolls are available.Recently, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued preliminary list of new delimitations ahead of general polls.The chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECP members approved the preliminary list of new delimitations under the 2023 digital census data. After CEC’s approval, the commission issued the initial list of the delimitations on its website.Read More: FAFEN voices concern over draft delimitation by ECPFor the National Assembly (NA), the voter quota for Punjab province was fixed at 905,595, 913,000 for Sindh, 907,913 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 930,900 for Balochistan and 787,954 for Islamabad.The voter quota for the Punjab Assembly will be 429,929, 428,431 for the Sindh Assembly, 355,270 for the KP Assembly and 292,047 for the Balochistan Assembly.The election commission will address the objections from October 28 to November 26, whereas, the objections could be filed against the delimitations from September 27 to October 26.The hearing on the pleas against the delimitations will be conducted till November 25. The ECP will unveil the final delimitations on November 30.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has responded to some media reports of mobile SIMs re-verification and issuance of a SIM on a passport, ARY News reported on Monday.In a message on X, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) denied such media reports claiming mandatory re-verification of SIM cards in Pakistan and the issuance of one SIM on a passport.It read, “In response to the news circulating in various media outlets, it is stated that no such decision by the government has been taken as of yet on matters related to the re-verification of #SIMs in #Pakistan, especially in KPK & the issuance of one SIM on a passport. “WATCH: Easy way to PTA online registration of mobile devicesThe authority also clarified, “International Roaming of Pakistani SIMs in Afghanistan and vice versa is already blocked.” In response to the news circulating in various media outlets, it is stated that no such decision by the government has been taken as of yet on matters related to the re-verification of #SIMs in #Pakistan especially in KPK & the issuance of one SIM on a passport. International… — PTA (@PTAofficialpk) October 2, 2023 In December 2022, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) started issuing SIMs through an enhanced version of the Biometric Verification System (BVS) called Multi Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS).Related: PTA registration fee for iPhones reducedA ceremony was held at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters to sign the contract between NADRA and cellular mobile operators (CMOs) after a seamless conversion to the updated version of the biometric system.The BVS devices that are currently available in the market have been modified to comply with the new system’s standards through NADRA and CMOs. While issuing new or duplicate SIM cards, the new system demands impressions of multiple fingers for authentication and applicant antecedents.Additionally, the control for the choice of fingers for verification purposes has been shifted from the seller representative to the system which asks for two different fingers’ impressions randomly. The implementation of the new system will make the illegal use of fake fingerprints impossible.

Mushahid Hussain Syed claimed on Monday that a ‘soft coup’ had occurred against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government through the parliament in 2022, ARY News reported.While talking to the ARY News programme ‘Off the Record’, Mushahid Hussain Syed said that the entire year of 2022 was wasted on the ‘regime change’.Regarding Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Syed claimed that he recommended Nawaz Sharif to adopt an anti-establishment narrative. “Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Ghulam Ishaq Khan was the mother of all meetings.”Related: Mushahid Hussain Syed hints at ‘mother of all deals’ with PTI chief“I asked Nawaz Sharif to adopt an anti-establishment narrative which would make him a popular leader. However, we should now focus on addressing the public issues instead of looking into the past events.”“Nawaz Sharif’s grievances are right as he faced unjust decisions. PML-N was an elected government but Nawaz Sharif was ousted. I’d declared the Iqama case wrong while speaking on the floor of the parliament.”“We saw an action replay in 2022. Soft coup occurred against the PTI [government] through the parliament. In 2017, Pakistan celebrated the political events and distributed sweets and the same events were celebrated by us in 2022.”Related: Mushahid Hussain says dialogue only way to steer country out of crisesHe criticised that all politicians are used to repeating the same mistakes. He continued, “The entire year of 2022 was wasted on the regime change. The rulers did nothing in 2022 except for claiming to save Pakistan from default. Unfortunately, we are still begging before other countries.”Mushahid Hussain Syed added, “Our [governance] system wants to be repaired now as Pakistan cannot bear any kind of regional or international pressure now. We should go ahead after leaving behind the past events. Repeating the same mistakes would not change the results.”“If political parties can reach consensus on Qamar Bajwa’s extension and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, then they can also make political compromises for the sake of Pakistan.”He admitted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was being used for political benefits and revengeful actions.Syed said that the Pakistani politicians basically loved monarchy instead of democracy. “Our politicians use democracy just for coming into power but in reality, they have mindsets of Mughal rulers.”

KARACHI: Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Investigation Unit of the Sindh police confirmed that extortion cases have increased in Karachi, ARY News reported on Monday.SSP IU Junaid Shaikh told ARY News that extortion money was being used in the narcotics business and other crimes. He added that the extortion money is being transferred to Iran and Afghanistan.SSP Shaikh said that the police arrested two suspected extortionists in Karachi. He detailed that the network of extortionists was being operated from Dubai and Iran. He added that the investigators traced telephone calls originated from Dubai.SSP Shaikh said that both suspects were involved in nearly seven extortion cases and further investigation is underway.A few days ago, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) continued crackdowns on illegal hawala hundi networks and recovered overall $13,000, two vehicles, mobile phones and benami accounts cheques during Karachi raids.Related: FIA tightens noose around car showroom ownersThe FIA spokesperson told the media that six suspects have been arrested in two separate raids in Karachi during ongoing crackdowns on illegal hawala hundi networks.The first raid was conducted near Karachi’s Star Gate area and five suspects were arrested for allegedly running hawala hundi network and illegal currency exchange. The arrested men include Khurram, Usama, Furqan Ahmed, Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Ali.“$8,000 and a vehicle were recovered from their possession. Additionally, the FIA team also recovered messages related to the hawala hundi business from a mobile phone.”The second raid was conducted by the FIA team near Mashriq Centre in which a prime suspect of an organised network was arrested. The arrested man was identified as Amir Majeed and $5,000 and a luxury vehicle were recovered from his possession.The FIA spokesperson detailed that they also recovered signed cheques of a benami foreign currency account from his possession. “The said foreign currency bank account was being used by the suspect Amir Majeed.”

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet on Monday stressed the need to work on a war footing for provision of skills to the country’s manpower according to contemporary requirements, ARY News reported. He said the professional education and vocational training programs should be prepared at par the needs of the international market.Chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet here, the prime minister said steps should be taken to increase employment opportunities of skilled people abroad.The federal cabinet also approved the service level amended agreement between National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and Saudi agency Takamol.The prime minister directed that all existing centers of technical education and vocational training should be activated.On the recommendation of the ministry of education and professional training, the Cabinet also approved the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Area Studies Center, University of Peshawar and Central Asia Research Center of Corvinus University of Hungary.The Cabinet also extended approval to the name of Summit Bank Limited as Bank Mukarramah Limited on the recommendation of the finance ministry.On the recommendation of the interior ministry, the Cabinet approved the agreement between the governments of Pakistan and Ecuador, under which diplomatic, officials and special passport holders of both countries would be mutually exempted from visa.The Cabinet also gave assent to the decisions taken in the meetings of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on September 6 and September, 2023.

Two armed men deprived a foreign woman of cash, foreign currency, hold and expensive wristwatches worth millions of rupees in Lahore, ARY News reported on Monday.Dacoits stormed a house in Lahore’s Model Town and took a foreign woman hostage. The armed dacoits looted US dollars, expensive wrist watches and gold items from the cupboard.The dacoits came to the house on a motorcycle without a number plate. They fled from the scene after robbing the valuables from the house.Related: Robbers disguised as cops loot foreigner at Karachi’s Sea ViewPolice said the crime scene unit and a forensic team collected evidence from the house. A case was lodged over the complaint of the woman, police added.In January, armed robbers had taken away cash, foreign currency and gold ornaments worth millions from the house of renowned artist, Riaz Rafi, in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA).The robbery had taken place in the apartment of the renowned artist – Riaz Rafi – located in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V.Related: Two Chinese nationals injured in robbery bid in IslamabadTalking to ARY News exclusively, Riaz Rafi noted that unidentified armed robbers broke into his apartment and took away cash, foreign currency and gold ornaments worth Rs12.5 million.The artist further said that the robbers took away 45 tola gold worth more than Rs8.3 million, Rs1.7 million worth US dollars and Rs0.7 million worth of pounds. “The robbers also looted Rs1.5 lakh cash, chequebook, ATM card and four valuable watches worth million during the robbery,” he added.

ISLAMABAD: Bushra Bibi, the former first lady, feared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan could be ‘poisoned’ in Adiala Jail as she approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to seek enhanced security for her husband in prison, ARY News reported on Monday.  According to details, Bushra Bibi field a petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) through her lawyer, Latif Khosa, expressing concerns that her husband could be poisoned in prison.In the petition, she stated that tampering with her husband's food could be detrimental to his life, noting that PTI chief was not being provided with the facilities to which he is entitled.She pointed out that her husband was even denied home-cooked meals. Bushra Bibi also said that her husband was being given “inhumane treatment in jail which is a violation of Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution”.Bushra requested the court to intervene and ensure the implementation of court orders regarding the provision of facilities to her husband in jail, urging the court to direct responsible medical officer to guarantee the supply of healthy food to Khan.Last week, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister was shifted to Adiala from the Attock jail.Read more: PTI chairman shifted to Adiala jailAs per details, the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered to shift Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to Adiala Jail in the cipher case.

KARACHI: An anti terrorism court (ATC) has ordered to release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh in May 9 violence case, ARY News reported.As per details, the anti terrorism court has issued the release order of Haleem Adil Sheikh and four other PTI workers including Shabir Hussain, Basharat Hussain and Abdussamad.The court order stated that if the PTI leader is not arrested in another case then he should be immediately released however the PTI leader is arrested in another case as well which is registered in Ferozabad police station.The release order was granted after the bail was accepted against the surety bond worth Rs 0.1 million.Read more: Haleem Adil Sheikh handed over to police on three-day physical remandEarlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh was re-arrested outside the Karachi anti-terrorism court on August 31, hours after an ATC ordered his release orders.During the hearing, the police sought a physical remand of the former Sindh opposition leader which was rejected by the ATC.The court rejected the police request and ordered the immediate release of PTI Sindh chapter president.However, Sheikh was immediately taken into custody in another case by Sindh police shortly after his release.Sheikh, the former opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, who disappeared after the May 9 vandalism, was first arrested on Aug 30 after he arrived in SHC to seek bail in vandalism case.May 9 eventsViolent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan were arrested at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.The protests were held in remote and major cities of Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.Army installations and Corps Commander’s house in Lahore came under attack during a protest by PTI workers. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi sustained severe injuries while clearing.

SWAT: The district administration of Charbagh tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Swat has barred the women from playing cricket match, ARY News reported on Monday.According to details, the district administration took the decision after a group of elders and some prayer leaders intervened to halt a women's cricket match at Charbagh Cricket Stadium.Charbagh’s Chairman Tehsil Council Ihsanullah Kaki said that the cricket match was cancelled due to deteriorating law and order situation.He noted that the presence of individuals with firearms had made the security situation unstable, leading to fear and apprehension among the residents.However, the decision spread anger among the players and women who came to watch the match and demanded the administration that the tournament should continue. 

QUETTA: A woman has committed suicide after feeding a poisonous substance to her four daughters in Balochistan's capital Quetta, ARY News reported on Monday.The horrific incident took place in Quetta’s Hazara Town area today in which a woman committed suicide after feeding poison to her four daughters aged between three to 10 years.Police said that after giving the poisonous substance to her minor daughters, the mother also consumed the poison.Related: Woman commits suicide after throwing two minors into canalPolice detailed that the mother and her three daughters had died on the spot, whereas, the fourth girl was shifted to the hospital in critical condition. The fourth girl also lost her life while being treated at the hospital.Police told the media that the woman apparently took the decision following a domestic dispute.In a separate incident today, a man committed suicide after shooting two in Shah Latif Town Karachi.Related: Plea against amendment ‘decriminalising suicide’ admitted for hearingAs per details, the incident occurred in Shah Latif Town where two men identified as Habib Ullah and Wahid sustained injuries and the accused Babar committed suicide by shooting himself.The police officials said that more than 32 bullet shells were recovered from the crime scene.According to police, a dispute was going on between the landlord and tenant. The accused moved his family to another place a few days ago.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, known for making controversial statements, baffled fans with his remarks on the Pakistan team's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign.Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tvVirender Sehwag, in an interview with a cricketing website, said the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 would be exciting if there were upsets in it. He pinned hopes on Afghanistan defeating Pakistan in the tournament on October 23rd in Chennai."There should be something that shakes up the expectations, but I don't want India to face any upset," he said. "If there has to be an upset, it should be like Afghanistan defeating Pakistan, or New Zealand defeating Australia, or South Africa defeating England. That's when it will be exciting to watch this World Cup."   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ICC (@icc) Moreover, Virender Sehwag hoped India would continue its perfect record against Pakistan in the 50-over world championships on October 14th in Ahmedabad."India's record against Pakistan is quite remarkable, especially in the ODI World Cup. Until now, we haven't lost a single match against them, and I really hope this record continues. Pakistan's team is quite strong, but we have outperformed them in the Asia Cup. I would love for this record to remain intact, especially when the team steps onto the field in Ahmedabad to play against Pakistan. I expect that 100,000 people will come to the ground to watch the match, and that in itself will create pressure," the former cricketer said.Related - World Cup 2023: Nasser Hussain’s comments about Pakistan team go viralVirender Sehwag is one of India's most decorated cricketers. He represented 374 international fixtures across all three formats (Test, ODI and T20I) in which he amassed 17,253 runs and took 136 wickets.He was part of the side that won the ICC World T20 2007, and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

KARACHI: In a horrific incident, a man gunned down two persons in less than nine seconds in Karachi, ARY News reported.As per details, the incident occurred in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Karachi where a suspect entered into a real state agency office, took the phone from one person and left after killing both of them.Moreover, the CCTV footage of the brutal incident shows 12 bullets fired on both the victims whereas the suspect's face is also clearly visible in the footage.Read more: Policeman shot dead in Karachi firingEarlier, unidentified assailants gunned down a policeman in Allahdad Ground near Sharafi Goth in Karachi.As per details, the police spokesperson said that the martyred policeman who was identified as Zahid was deployed in Security ZoneUnidentified assailants who were riding on a motorcycle opened fire on him, rangers and police personnel have reached the spot of incident.In a separate incident, a police officer was martyred by the firing of unidentified assailants in Karachi’s SITE area. The officials said that the police officers tried to stop the suspects on motorcycles but they opened fire at them.Two policemen died and two others sustained injuries after a hand grenade went off at Karachi police headquarters in the Garden area.According to hospital sources, one of the policemen succumbed to his injuries on the spot while one other died while being treated at the hospital. “Two cops are being treated for serious wounds,” they said.

ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant General Munir Afsar has been appointed as the new Chairman of National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA), ARY News reported.The federal cabinet approved the appointment of Lt. Gen. Munir Afsar as Chairman of National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) out of the three names proposed by the Ministry of Interior.The cabinet was informed that the selection committee had shortlisted names of the three best candidates for the post of Chairman NADRA.After detailed consideration, the cabinet approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar as the new Chairman of NADRA.Earlier, NADRA chairman Tariq Malik decided to step down from the post. The Nadra chief met the then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and formally presented his resignation.Tariq Malik is under investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency for alleged involvement in a corruption scandal.Malik was appointed as chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on June 21 in PTI government tenure. He has been Nadra’s chief in the past as well.In 2013, he was then sacked from his position by the then PML-N government, but was immediately restored by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He then resigned afterwards, alleging extreme pressure from the government.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister (FM) Jalil Abbas Jilani will visit China to participate in the 3rd Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation, being held in Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region, on October 4-5.The foreign minister is undertaking the visit at the special invitation of the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, the Foreign Office said Monday.The Trans-Himalaya Forum was initiated in 2018 to deepen practical cooperation among regional countries on diverse subjects including geographical connectivity, environmental protection, ecological preservation and enhancing cultural linkages.The last in-person meeting of the Forum was held in 2019. The theme of this year’s Forum is “Ecological Civilization and Environmental Protection.”The Foreign Office in a statement said during his stay in Tibet, FM Jilani will address the opening ceremony of the Trans-Himalaya Forum.On the sidelines, the foreign minister will meet with several regional dignitaries including the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, the Foreign Minister of China the and Interim Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.