Category: Brecorder

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday said intelligence-based operations are necessary to restore law and order and eliminate terrorism in the province, ruling out talks with those who reject the state, Constitution and law and take up arms.

Addressing a press briefing on the province’s security situation in Peshawar, Kundi said the province’s security policy would be determined in Islamabad rather than Jalalabad, Kandahar or Kabul.

He said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and would respond to those taking up arms against the state.

The governor said the provincial government had sought Rs160 billion for security requirements, a demand supported by the federal government. He described restoring peace as a top government priority and pledged full support to security forces and police in their fight against terrorism.

Kundi said police would be provided with modern weapons and ammunition, while salaries and compensation packages for the families of martyred personnel would also be improved. “Initiatives taken by Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will be considered for adoption through better coordination among the provinces,” he added.

He said development projects could only benefit the people when their lives were secure, adding that restoring public confidence and strengthening relations between police and citizens could help win half the battle against terrorism.

The governor also criticised the previous provincial government, accusing it of not providing adequate support to the federal government in efforts to combat terrorism. He expressed concern over what he described as its silence on statements by Afghan officials about taking control of Peshawar and on drone attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Kundi said the provincial government would take political responsibility for security and provide the police with all possible support. He added that he would continue to raise the province’s rights and resource requirements with the federal government, but action against those taking up arms against the state was necessary.

Security measures

On this occasion, the forum was informed that security forces had killed 3,788 terrorists over the past three years. By September this year, 255 military personnel, 302 police personnel and 304 civilians had been killed, according to the briefing.

The proposed measures include expanding the Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) operational jurisdiction to all 34 districts, establishing District Nerve Centres and setting up a Safe City Authority in 10 districts.

Artificial intelligence tools will also be used to counter what officials described as false and fabricated narratives on social media. Smart Front Desks are planned at 406 police stations in major cities across the province.

The meeting further decided to establish Dispute Resolution Councils and Tribal Liaison Committees in all districts, besides holding monthly open courts and regular jirgas.

Officials also discussed improving police capacity, strengthening coordination and adopting measures to build public trust in law enforcement agencies.

Source: brecorder

KARACHI: Wheeling its way between dining booths at a neon-lit restaurant in Pakistan’s Karachi megacity, a robot waitress drops off a fresh pizza to an awaiting family.

While global buzz is growing around agile humanoids made in the United States, China and elsewhere, robotic staff are a rare sight in the South Asian country.

“Welcome to Sicilian. My name is Robia,” the waitress says in an electronic voice, looking down at diners through blinking red LED eyes.

Robia and her colleague Jojo are the DIY creations of Pakistani engineer Syed Osama Aziz, who is bringing a sci-fi reboot to Karachi’s storied dining scene.

They have spherical white heads and dark visors, similar to a motorcycle helmet, and sport black shawls around their neck in the style of a dupatta worn by women in the region.

Aziz, who also established The Sicilian restaurant, developed the machines using mostly locally manufactured parts, designing their circuit boards and programming them in his own lab.

“The equipment, the things needed to make robots, are not so easily available here, so we had to arrange them,” he told AFP.

The duo were developed through his robotics company, Cobot, with help from friends and some electronic components imported from abroad.

In China and other East Asian countries especially, robots are an increasingly common sight, shuttling food to customers in chain restaurants and taking on other jobs from cleaning to greeting hotel guests.

But they remain a novelty in Pakistan, where Aziz’s home-grown creations are attracting curious diners.

When they arrive at a table, the customers must either take the food off their serving tray themselves or wait for a human member of staff to assist them.

Excited customers

Aziz, whose workshop manufacturing the robots is located in Multan in Pakistan’s central Punjab province, hopes to make his creations more sophisticated in the future.

“Our plans are to add camera-based processing and image-processing features,” he said.

“That means the robot will also recognise you by looking at you, and it will remember what you ordered last time, and accordingly it will be able to give you better suggestions.”

For now, the robots are proving a hit with families, who flock to the restaurant to watch the machines in action.

“The best thing about it is that it introduces itself,” excited customer Ahmer Zameer told AFP, explaining the robot also “tells you what things you can order”.

Children reach out to touch the robots while their parents snap photographs and selfies.

Young customer Sonia Dilosker said she was impressed by the androids’ appearance and preferred their approach to serving customers, “because it is a machine and without any emotions”.

Restaurant staff say the novelty has brought a surge in customers – some travelling from across the sprawling port city to meet the robots.

“Our business has grown. People are coming from far away for this. They have seen a robot for the first time here,” staff member Hellen told AFP.

“People are excited to see this.”

Source: brecorder

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said it ​intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired ‌by the Houthis group towards Riyadh on Sunday, after loud booms were heard in the Saudi capital.

Saudi Civil Defence had ​issued an alert in the Riyadh region ​shortly before the booms, a Reuters witness said. ⁠Authorities later announced that the risk of danger ​had passed.

Later, the coalition said it intercepted and destroyed ​two cruise missiles in Riyadh and the southern region.

Fighting between the sides has shattered a 2022 UN-brokered truce, after Saudi ​Arabia led a coalition of Arab states into ​Yemen in 2015 to restore the internationally recognised government following the ‌Houthis’ ⁠seizure of the capital Sanaa.

Two explosions heard in Riyadh following alert

The renewed fighting has become a front in the wider Middle East war triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran in ​February.

The Houthis ​have targeted ⁠Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities with missiles and drones since hostilities resumed ​in July, while Saudi Arabia has carried ​out ⁠airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The latest incident comes a day after Yemen’s Houthi-run health ministry said Saudi ⁠airstrikes ​killed at least 33 people near ​Sanaa. Saudi authorities said they were investigating.

Source: brecorder

SYLHET: Kavem Hodge hit an unbeaten 140 to extend West Indies’ lead to 315 on the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Sunday.

West Indies reached 345-3 in their second innings when bad light halted play, with Hodge hitting 17 fours and a six off 189 balls and Amir Jangoo also unbeaten on 20.

Hodge, who scored his third Test century and passed his previous highest score, was backed by opener Brandon King, who made 61, and debutant Kevin Wickham, who scored 78 for his second half-century of the match.

West Indies resumed the day on 7-0, trailing by 23 runs.

King and Joshua Da Silva put on 85 for the opening wicket, before Taijul Islam trapped Da Silva lbw for 36.

King continued to attack, reaching his half-century off 62 balls.

He was dropped by Towhid Hridoy on 56 off Taijul before Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed him for 61 off 84 balls, caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto at first slip.

West Indies went to lunch on 128-2, with Hodge and Wickham at the crease and their lead at 98.

‘Chaseable’

Hodge reached his half-century off 78 balls, while Wickham needed 68 deliveries to bring up his second fifty of the match. The pair took West Indies to tea at 259-2, with their lead extended to 229.

Hodge completed his century after the break, reaching the milestone off 142 balls with 11 fours and a six.

Hodge said he was pleased to contribute after failing to convert a start in the first Test in Dhaka, adding that the West Indies would assess conditions before deciding when to declare.

“It’s always nice to contribute to the team,” he said. “We just have to come tomorrow and assess … play it by ear and keep going moment by moment.”

Taijul broke their 165-run partnership, dismissing Wickham for a career-best 78 off 107 balls after he chipped the ball back to the bowler. West Indies were 284-3 when Wickham departed.

Bangladesh missed another chance to remove Hodge when captain Shanto dropped him off Nayeem Hasan on 117.

Jangoo, who scored a century in the first innings, joined Hodge and helped push the West Indies lead beyond 300.

Hridoy was confident Bangladesh had a strong chance on the final day, saying the pitch remained good for batting.

“If we can get a good start, 350 is chaseable, in my opinion,” he said. “But as I said, the start is very important.”

Source: brecorder

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra in Lahore to discuss the country’s political situation, economic affairs and other key issues.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz briefed Nawaz on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recent government initiatives aimed at promoting the province’s development and prosperity.

The prime minister also updated the PML-N leader on ongoing government reforms, particularly economic reforms, the challenges facing the country and measures being taken to address them.

The two leaders held detailed discussions on national political affairs and steps to improve the economy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also attended the meeting.

Source: brecorder

RAWALPINDI: Captain Babar Azam hopes an overhauled Pakistan can make a fresh start in the first Test against Sri Lanka that begins in Rawalpindi on Monday after their disastrous series against England.

The two-match series is Pakistan’s first since their 3-0 whitewash in England, where seven players were sent home after the second Test.

Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sacked in a September overhaul, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson brought in to the Test set-up.

Only Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal have been recalled from the seven players sent home, with five of the 11 who played in the final Test at Edgbaston also dropped.

Senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, former skipper Shan Masood and the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali all missed out.

Batters Mohammad Taha, Saad Baig, Tayyab Arif and Sameer Minhas, along with pace bowlers Saqib Khan and Ali Shabbir, were all included for the first time.

“During the England series we had planned to give new players a chance, so I am ready to fight with these young players,” Azam said on Sunday.

He also hopes to revive his batting form after 40 Test innings without a century, his last Test ton coming against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022.

“I have played a few domestic matches and think that the more I play I will improve, so I am confident,” said Azam, who was reappointed skipper in July.

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship’s fourth cycle, with Pakistan ninth and last and Sri Lanka seventh. The second Test begins in Lahore on November 17.

Sri Lanka are also undergoing a Test reboot, with white-ball skipper Kusal Mendis taking over as captain from Dhananjaya de Silva last month.

“It’s exciting and I am happy to lead the side,” said Mendis.

“We have an experienced batting line-up, so we are ready for the challenge.”

Squads

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (RSA) and Rodney Tucker (AUS)

TV umpire: Allahuddien Palekar (RSA)

Match referee: Dean Cosker (ENG)

Source: brecorder

WASHINGTON: The US military has announced it will create a 20-member task force to find ways to disrupt land routes into Iran that it says are used for shipments of weapons and illicit materials.

The restrictions would expand on a US naval blockade of Iranian ports during the two countries’ eight-month war, in which Tehran has also restricted passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, choking global energy supplies.

The task force’s work “will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military,” US Central Command chief Brad Cooper said in a statement posted on X on Saturday.

The team of both civilian and military personnel based in Florida would coordinate with US government agencies on “preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea,” the statement added.

The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports early in the war in response to Tehran seeking to limit traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where around a fifth of global oil trade normally passes.

That blockade has halted around $25 billion in crude oil exports from Iran, according to the US Central Command.

Source: brecorder

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday extended warm greetings to the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Diwali, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting religious harmony.

In separate messages, the president and prime minister highlighted the festival’s message of the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair, while acknowledging the contributions of Pakistan’s Hindu community to national development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over the darkness of hatred, intolerance and despair, adding that the festival conveys a profound message of peaceful coexistence in human relations and social life.

He described the Hindu community as a valued and integral part of Pakistan’s national fabric, saying its contributions to the country’s social, cultural and economic development deserved the highest appreciation.

The prime minister said Pakistan took immense pride in its religious and cultural diversity, describing the country’s diverse traditions as a valuable social asset.

He reaffirmed that the Constitution guarantees the religious and civil rights of minorities and said the government remained firmly committed to safeguarding the rights, dignity and religious freedoms of all citizens, irrespective of religion, faith, colour or ethnicity.

“Promoting religious harmony, mutual unity and respect is our shared responsibility,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif said the collective resolve should be to build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nation that embraces diverse cultures and traditions while ensuring equal educational and economic opportunities for all citizens.

He urged people to renew their commitment to interfaith harmony, strengthen bonds of fraternity and brotherhood, and work towards a future based on peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.

The prime minister expressed hope that Pakistani Hindus celebrating Diwali would enjoy the festival’s traditions and share its message of peace, goodwill, happiness, prosperity and hope.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari said Diwali’s message of compassion and renewal reminded people that they could bring light into others’ lives through kindness, understanding, compassion and care.

He said Pakistan’s Hindu community was an integral part of national life, with its contributions to education, healthcare, business, public service, social welfare, arts and culture enriching the country.

The president paid tribute to the community’s contributions and reaffirmed that Pakistan belonged equally to all its citizens.

Recalling the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Zardari said the founder of Pakistan had envisioned a country where faith, caste or creed would not become barriers to equal citizenship and rights.

He stressed the need to ensure that every citizen could practise their faith freely, live with dignity and enjoy equal protection under the law.

“For me, Quaid-e-Azam’s promise of equal citizenship is a sacred national commitment,” he said, adding that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s tradition, carried forward by former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, also called for defending that promise without fear or favour.

“No Pakistani should ever have to prove their belonging because of their faith. This country is their home, its freedoms are their right, and its future is theirs to shape,” the president said.

Zardari said Diwali also provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds uniting Pakistanis, adding that sharing one another’s celebrations, supporting each other during difficult times and rejecting prejudice and discrimination could help build a more just and compassionate society.

He described diversity as a national strength and said protecting the rights of religious minorities was a shared responsibility.

Concluding his message, the president extended his good wishes to families celebrating the festival, expressing hope that the light of Diwali would bring joy to their homes, comfort to those facing difficulties and renewed hope for the year ahead.

“Happy Diwali! Pakistan Zindabad!” he said.

Source: brecorder

NEW YORK: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi became the first ​to win MLS’ Golden Boot ‌in back-to-back seasons, the league said on Saturday, the final day ​of the regular season.

Messi ​scored a league-high 26 goals across ⁠31 matches, while FC ​Dallas forward Petar Musa followed with ​22 goals and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge recorded 21.

He had 29 goals ​the previous season, becoming the ​second in league history to score at ‌least ⁠25 times in back-to-back years.

The 39-year-old Argentine retired from international football earlier this year after ​21 ​years but ⁠signed a contract extension with the MLS club ​through 2028 in October.

Argentina name first squad of post-Messi era for November friendlies

The ​MLS ⁠Cup Playoffs begin on November 19. Inter Miami finished the ⁠regular ​season second in ​the Eastern Conference.

Source: brecorder

Pakistan’s bowlers restricted India to 208 runs in 46.3 overs in their Group A match of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Asia Cup at Al Amerat on Sunday.

India, who elected to bat first, were bowled out after a century from Arjun Rajput, who scored 107 off 85 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes.

Pakistan made an early breakthrough as captain Lakshya Raichandani was dismissed for a duck by Ali Raza in the first over.

Aaryavir Sehwag scored 22 off 40 deliveries, while VK Vineeth managed eight as India slipped to 22-3 in 11.4 overs.

Rajput then led India’s recovery, adding crucial runs to keep the innings together. He found support from Anvay Dravid (10) and Manal Chauhan (11), while Kavya Paresh Patel contributed 23 off 45 balls.

Rajput’s dismissal at 170 in the 35.2nd over triggered another collapse, with India losing their remaining five wickets for 38 runs.

Ali Raza, Rizwanullah and Niqab Shafiq claimed three wickets each for Pakistan. Mohammad Sayyam picked up one wicket, while Rizwanullah returned economical figures of 3-24 in seven overs.

Sayyam finished with 1-27 in 8.3 overs, while Ali Raza took 3-37 from his 10 overs.

India posted 208 runs, including 13 extras, setting Pakistan a target of 209 runs to win.

Source: brecorder