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Business Standard
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
White House denies reports of Trump's planned visit to Pak in September
The White House on Thursday (local time) denied reports that US President Donald Trump would visit Pakistan in September, saying no such trip was planned 'at this time'. Earlier in the day, several Pakistani television news channels, including Geo News and ARY News, reported, citing sources, that Trump would travel to Pakistan in September, followed by a visit to India. However, both channels later retracted their reports and admitted that they had aired the news without verifying it, Reuters reported. 'Geo News apologises to its viewers for airing the news without a verification,' the broadcaster said in a statement. A senior official at ARY News told Reuters that the channel withdrew the report after Pakistan's foreign office clarified it had no knowledge of any such visit. No confirmation from Washington or Islamabad The White House was quick to quash the rumours. 'A trip to Pakistan has not been scheduled at this time,' a White House official told Dawn. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan also told Dawn, 'We have no information about this matter.' Improved ties but no presidential visit in sight Despite the lack of any confirmed visit, ties between the US and Pakistan have shown signs of improvement in recent months. In a notable development last month, Trump hosted Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House, an unprecedented move by a sitting US president. It has been nearly two decades since a US president visited Pakistan. The last such trip was in 2006, when then-US President George W. Bush travelled to the country. Trump to visit UK in September While a visit to Pakistan is off the cards for now, Trump does have confirmed overseas travel plans. Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles will host the US President in the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19. This will be Trump's second state visit to Britain. (with inputs from agencies)
India Today
17-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Trump not visiting Pakistan 'at this time': TV channels withdraw false reports
Two of Pakistan's top news channels, Geo News and ARY News, have withdrawn reports they aired earlier, which claimed that US President Donald Trump was planning to visit Pakistan in September. The news caused quite a stir, but both channels later admitted they had broadcast the information without confirming it News issued an apology, saying, "Geo News apologises to its viewers for airing the news without a verification." A senior official from ARY News told Reuters that the channel retracted the story after Pakistan's Foreign Office clarified it had no knowledge of any such in the day, several TV stations claimed that Trump would arrive in Islamabad in September and possibly head to India afterward. The White House stepped in to clear the air. A US official told media outlets, "A trip to Pakistan has not been scheduled at this time." Similarly, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Islamabad told Reuters, "We have nothing to announce."Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan also responded, telling "We have no information about this matter."NO PLANS FOR PAK VISITThough there is no official visit planned, US-Pakistan relations have recently improved. Last month, Donald Trump made headlines by hosting Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House -- something no US president had done has been nearly two decades since a sitting US president last visited Pakistan. The last visit took place in 2006 when then-President George W. Bush paid a visit to the Trump does have confirmed travel plans -- just not to Pakistan. Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles will host the US president in the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19. This will mark Trump's second state visit to Britain, an unusual move that royal watchers have called unprecedented.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersTune InMust Watch
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First Post
15-07-2025
- Health
- First Post
Pakistan in polio grip: Lab tests find virus in 20 districts, 13 cases officially reported in 2025
At least 13 samples collected between May 8 and June 17, tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). The samples were collected from key cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad read more Pakistan is staring at a health crisis after authorities found the poliovirus in 20 districts in samples collected from sewage. The findings have raised an alarm in the country with 13 confirmed cases so far this year. A report by ARY News that quoted data from the National Reference Laboratory, at least 13 samples collected between May 8 and June 17, tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). The samples were collected from key cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, as well as in districts across Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Sindh reported the highest number of contaminated samples, with 14 testing positive across 10 districts. Lahore confirmed three cases, while Islamabad and four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also reported positive samples. In Balochistan, the virus was detected in Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi. Additionally, Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) showed evidence of the virus. Vaccine hesitancy The rise in confirmed cases of polio is reported at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a decline in vaccine takers. Recently, the country conducted a nationwide polio vaccination drive, where at least 60,000 people refused to get the shot, with 39,000 of them in Karachi alone. These refusals are posing as a roadblock to the country's polio eradication efforts. 'We're not just fighting a virus; we're battling misinformation and mistrust,' a senior official told ARY. Health experts caution that polio spreads mainly through contaminated water or food and can lead to paralysis or even death. With no cure available, vaccination remains the only form of protection. The World Health Organisation stresses that multiple oral doses are essential to safeguard children under five, who are most at risk. With the virus reappearing in both urban and rural sewage systems, officials emphasise that the next phase of Pakistan's fight against polio must address both the spread of the virus and vaccine hesitancy with equal urgency.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Polio continues to cripple Pakistan as virus yet again detected across 20 sewage samples
Poliovirus has been detected in 20 sewage sample testing across Pakistan, as reported by ARY News on Sunday citing National Reference Laboratory. As per Ary News, referring to details, the National Reference Laboratory has completed nationwide sewage sample testing, with the Poliovirus detected in a total of 28 sewage samples from 20 districts, including Islamabad, have tested positive for the virus. Citing sources, Ary News observed that the environmental samples collected from sewer lines tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1). These environmental samples were taken between May 8 and June 17. In Sindh, 14 sewage samples from 10 districts tested positive for polio. Three samples in Lahore also came back positive. In Balochistan, samples from three districts--Mastung, Khuzdar, and Sibi--confirmed the presence of poliovirus. Five samples from four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also tested positive. Two samples from two locations in Islamabad were also confirmed positive. In PoJK, one sample from district Mirpur tested positive for the poliovirus. Earlier this year, Pakistan had recorded over 60,000 cases of polio vaccine refusal during its nationwide anti-polio campaign conducted between April 21 and 27 this year, according to a report by ARY News citing official sources. The ARY News report stated that a total of 60,906 polio vaccine refusals were documented during the country's second national polio eradication drive of 2025. Sindh reported the highest number of refusals, with 39,073 cases, out of which more than 37,000 were from Karachi alone, the report said. Balochistan followed with over 3,500 refusal cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a vaccine refusal rate of 0.4 per cent, according to the data. Instances of parental refusal were also reported from Punjab and Islamabad, as per the ARY News report. The reluctance to vaccinate remains a significant hurdle in Pakistan's battle against polio. The latest data comes amid confirmation of another new polio case in the country, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to 13. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted person-to-person, mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (for example, contaminated water or food), and multiplies in the intestine. The disease can cause paralysis and even death, with no cure available. However, vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine vaccination schedule for children under five are crucial to providing high immunity against polio. Children under 5 years of age are mainly affected by polio, according to the WHO. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic nations in the world, alongside Afghanistan. The number of polio cases reduced significantly every year in Pakistan until the recent rise in cases. Despite national campaigns being conducted in Pakistan to eradicate polio, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a challenge due to access issues and barriers to house-to-house vaccination, leaving many children unvaccinated and vulnerable.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Was Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar murdered? Fresh petition alleges foul play as chilling voice note emerges
On July 8, 2025, Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar was found deceased in her residence in the Ittehad Commercial Area of Karachi 's Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Her body, discovered by Gizri Police with the assistance of a court-appointed bailiff, was in a highly decomposed state, almost skeletal, indicating that she had passed away months earlier. The discovery was made while executing a court order related to unpaid rent dating back to April 2024, as per an ARY New s report. Initially, authorities saw no signs of foul play. The apartment's doors—both main and balcony—were locked from the inside, and there were no visible indications of forced entry. This led investigators to believe her death was not suspicious at first glance, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector General ( DIG ) South, Syed Asad Raza, to Arab News. A Citizen's Petition Changes the Course Despite the early assumption of a natural or accidental death, the narrative took a sharp turn when a citizen named Shahzaib Sohail submitted a legal petition in Karachi's City Court. ARY News reported that his application challenged the initial findings and insisted that Humaira had been murdered. Sohail demanded that the actress's family be formally involved in the inquiry and cited alleged video footage from the apartment, along with references to her estranged relationship with her family. These claims prompted the court to instruct police officials to treat the matter as a potential homicide case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo Police Response and Initial Findings DIG South Asad Raza confirmed that upon entering the apartment, the lack of forced entry remained a critical point—reinforcing their belief that Humaira had not been attacked by an intruder. However, the long silence from Humaira's social circle and family—who had not reached out to police even after her body was discovered—raised new concerns. Authorities speculated that the disconnect and her isolation could hold crucial clues. Examination of Digital Evidence To understand the circumstances leading to Humaira's death, police recovered and accessed three mobile phones and a tablet belonging to the late actress. Passwords to these devices were reportedly retrieved from a personal diary found in her home. However, her laptop remains inaccessible as of the latest update. Analysis of the retrieved devices is ongoing, with law enforcement officials hoping to find clues about her final days. In addition to digital analysis, statements have been recorded from two people who were in contact with her. Investigators have also summoned the building's security guard, cleaning staff, her gym trainer, and employees of a beauty salon she frequently visited to collect further background information. Questions Around the Murder Petition As the police continued their inquiry, another twist emerged. As per an ARY News report, the murder petition submitted by Shahzaib Sohail was found to have been lodged using a phone number registered under a fictitious identity. The mobile SIM used was traced to an elderly woman residing in a rural area, who confirmed she had never authorized such use. This revelation cast significant doubt over the authenticity of the original complaint. Authorities are still investigating the petition's motives, though they maintain no evidence of homicide has been uncovered thus far. An Interview Offers a Glimpse into Humaira's Life In her final public appearance before her death, Humaira Asghar was featured on the podcast 'Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt.' She opened up about her family, mentioning that she had two brothers and two sisters and was the youngest among them. She recalled fondly how her parents had met while serving in the Pakistan Army . Her father, originally from Srinagar in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak War but chose early retirement due to the stress of frequent relocations. Her mother hailed from Kasur, Punjab, and remained a homemaker. Humaira described her parents as initially hesitant about her decision to relocate from Lahore to Karachi but shared that they eventually came to support her career in the entertainment industry. The Viral Voice Note A haunting voice message has resurfaced following Humaira's death, reportedly sent to her close friend Dureshehwar in September 2023. In the audio, Humaira expresses joy at her friend's pilgrimage to Makkah and requests heartfelt prayers for her career and well-being. The tone is affectionate and hopeful, contrasting starkly with the tragedy that would later unfold. This message gained traction on social media and added a humanizing element to the public's perception of the actress's last months. " Mere liye bohot saari, please… apni cutie si dost/behen ke liye bohot saari dil se dua karna. For my career, dua me zarur yaad rakhna. Mere liye bohot saari tumhe dua karni hai. .." she said in the clip. (Please pray a lot for me… Pray a lot from your heart for your cute friend/sister. For my career, please remember me in your prayers. You have to pray a lot for me.) Post-Mortem Results and Time of Death Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed conducted the autopsy and verified that Humaira's body had deteriorated significantly by the time it was found. Internal organs were no longer intact, and only skeletal remains remained, complicating the determination of her exact cause of death. Mobile phone data revealed that her last outgoing call was made in October 2024. This aligns with eyewitness accounts from neighbors who mentioned they had not seen her since September or October of that year. Significantly, the only other apartment on her floor had remained vacant until February 2025, explaining why the smell of decomposition was not detected earlier. Utility records further supported the timeline. Her electricity was disconnected in October 2024 due to unpaid bills, indicating that she may have died around the time of the final bill payment and the power cut-off. Food items in her kitchen were found expired, and jars had rusted—evidence that her death had indeed gone unnoticed for nearly nine months Delay in Claiming the Body In the days following the discovery of her remains, there was an unsettling delay in the family's response. For some time, no relatives came forward to claim Humaira's body. Eventually, her brother reached out to authorities and made arrangements for her funeral. This delay only fueled public speculation regarding her personal relationships and possible estrangement from her family, as per a Geo News report. Remembering the Artist While her tragic death remains surrounded by unanswered questions, Humaira Asghar was known for her diverse creative talents. Apart from her acting roles in projects such as the ARY reality series 'Tamasha Ghar' and the 2015 film 'Jalaibee' she also identified as a sculptor, painter, theatre performer, and fitness enthusiast. Her Instagram profile, followed by over 713,000 users, reflected a passionate and multi-faceted individual who deeply valued artistic expression. Her unexpected passing and the disturbing delay in discovering her death have left her fans and the Pakistani entertainment industry in shock. While the investigation continues, her legacy as an artist and the tragic mystery of her final days continue to evoke deep emotion.
