Court allows Karachi police to tighten grip on ‘Cocaine Queen’ network

Karachi’s Darakhshan and Garden police have intensified action against facilitators of the alleged “Cocaine Queen” Anmol alias Pinky after a district and sessions court on Thursday granted permission to arrest and interrogate a key suspect in two cases. The court allowed police to arrest and investigate Muhammad Sameer, said to be a close associate of Pinky, in connection with the cases. The investigating officer was directed to conduct his interrogation at the Central Jail, where he is currently incarcerated. According to the police, Sameer was arrested in June 2021 in a hashish recovery case and remains in custody. Meanwhile, Pinky is on physical remand with the police. Read: IG vows to unmask 'Pinky drug cartel' operatives During interrogation, Pinky reportedly disclosed the names of riders involved in the supply of narcotics, including Sameer. Police said the suspect allegedly used a motorcycle to deliver drugs and also handled the transfer of proceeds from narcotics sales through bank accounts. Police said further interrogation of the suspect is required and sought his custody on remand for investigation. Separately, the complainant in the murder case against Pinky failed to appear before the court to record his statement under Section 164. According to the written proceedings issued by the judicial magistrate for District South at the Judicial Complex in Central Jail, the complainant was scheduled to record his statement in the case, but he did not appear. Also Read: After 'Cocaine Queen', 70+ dealers found linked to empire Court sources said the complainant could not attend the proceedings due to a parent’s illness. Subsequently, the judicial magistrate left the Judicial Complex without recording the statement. The investigating officer and lawyers also did not appear in court. Special Public Prosecutor Shakeel Abbasi stated that the complainant in the case was a social worker.

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DPM Dar confirms release of Saad Edhi, flotilla activists from Israeli detention

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday confirmed the release of Saad Edhi, along with other humanitarian workers detained by Israeli security forces after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. On Monday, Israeli forces detained Saad along with other volunteers after intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid, including medicine and food, for victims in Gaza. “It gives me a great pleasure to announce that as a result of our concerted efforts, Saad Edhi, who was aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released after being illegally detained by Israeli occupation forces,” FM Dar said in a post on X. It gives me a great pleasure to announce that as a result of our concerted efforts, Mr. Saad Edhi, who was aboard Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released after being illegally detained by Israeli occupation forces. He along with other detained humanitarian workers have safely… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 21, 2026 He added that other detained humanitarian workers had also been released and had safely arrived in Istanbul, while thanking the Turkish authorities for facilitating their return. “Alhamdulillah, I once again convey my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Türkiye for ensuring his safe return to Istanbul,” he said. Condemning the detention, the deputy prime minister described the treatment of humanitarian workers as unacceptable and reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people. “Pakistan has been and will continue to provide unequivocal support to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, InshaAllah,” he said. Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi earlier said that his son’s last contact was with his mother during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, adding that he had informed her it would be his final call. Speaking on a programme 'Centre Stage', Faisal said Saad had told his mother during the call that he would not be able to make contact again thereafter. “He told his mother that this is my last call, Israeli forces have abducted us, and after this I will not be able to contact you again,” he said. He added that all individuals aboard the flotilla were volunteers and that the aid, including food and medicine, had been collected through donations. Faisal further said that medical teams in Gaza were reportedly being forced to carry out surgeries without anaesthesia. He also alleged that women and young people were subjected to violence during the incident and said Israeli forces had long maintained what he described as a “fascist attitude”. Referring to the situation in Gaza, he said the territory had been under siege for months, with more than 1.9 million people reportedly trapped and limited information emerging from the area. The Foreign Office had also condemned the “unlawful interception” of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and called for the immediate release of all detained activists. This comes as the second such incident in less than a month. Last month, former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was part of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, was also detained along with other activists after Israeli forces intercepted vessels carrying humanitarian workers. Turkiye planning special flights to bring back activists Turkiye was planning special flights from Israel to fly out its citizens and some activists from third countries who joined a global aid flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces while trying to break the Gaza blockade, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. Küresel Sumud Filosu’na gerçekleştirilen hukuka aykırı müdahale sonucunda alıkonulan vatandaşlarımızın güvenliğini ve ülkemize sağ salim dönüşlerini sağlamak için ilgili tüm kurumlarımızla birlikte çalışıyoruz. Bugün düzenleyeceğimiz özel uçak seferleriyle vatandaşlarımızı ve… — Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan) May 21, 2026 Fidan said on X that all Turkish institutions were working to ensure the security and safe return of Turkish nationals. Broadcaster NTV separately said Turkish Airlines has sent three planes to Israel for the repatriations. Gaza flotilla activists who were detained by Israel and later pinned to the ground to the taunts of Israel's far-right ​police minister were released from prison and would be deported to Turkiye today, officials said. The activists were arrested at a port in ‌southern Israel after the Israeli navy intercepted their protest flotilla in international waters. Their treatment by police officers under Itamar Ben-Gvir's direction drew an international outcry and a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir and at least one other minister in Netanyahu's government, transport chief Miri Regev, posted campaign-style videos of themselves visiting the port and lambasting the protesters, attention-grabbing antics ahead of potential early elections in Israel. Flotilla organisers said they aimed to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, something aid bodies say is ​still in short supply despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid. The ⁠flotilla departed from southern Turkiye this week before being intercepted on Wednesday. Past flotillas, including one carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were also intercepted by Israel, with participants ​later deported. In a statement, Israeli rights group Adalah said the estimated 430 activists had been released from prison in southern Israel and would be deported via the Ramon airport near ​Eilat on the Red Sea. Read More: Israeli forces detain Saad Edhi, other volunteers after intercepting Global Sumud Flotilla Spain's foreign minister said its diplomats ​in Israel had been informed that some 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart from Israel at 3pm local time (1200 GMT). Taunting of activists comes ahead of Israeli election Ben-Gvir's ​video showed officers forcing an activist to the ground after she chanted "Free, free Palestine". The video also shows dozens of detained activists kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, in what ‌appears to ⁠be an outdoor Israeli port facility. In the background, soldiers armed with long guns can be seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel. Israeli navy escorts vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Ashdod Port, in southern Israel. Photo: REUTERS During Israel's two-year intensified military assault in Gaza since October 2023, Israeli troops frequently lined up detained Palestinians on the ground, with their hands bound. "Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything," Ben-Gvir says in the video as he walks by the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag. Also Read: UN special rapporteur urges Mediterranean states to protect Global Sumud Flotilla Posting her own video at Ashdod port, transport ​chief Miri Regev, a member of Netanyahu's political ​party, said: "This is what should be ⁠done to supporters of terror who came to break the siege on Gaza." Netanyahu, who leads the most right-wing government in Israel's history, said Ben-Gvir's conduct was "not in line with Israel's values and norms". US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said he "betrayed the dignity of ​his nation". Ben-Gvir's political base includes some of Israel's most nationalist voters, a bloc that Netanyahu's Likud party has in the past ​tried to woo ahead ⁠of national elections, the next of which is due by October 27. This week, Israel moved closer to a snap election after lawmakers gave an initial nod to dissolve parliament, with opinion polls showing Netanyahu would lose the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attacks. International outcry with Israeli envoys summoned The detention and taunting of the activists led France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the ⁠Netherlands to ​summon top Israeli diplomats in their countries. Canada and Spain are among the countries that have imposed sanctions on ​Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing allegations that they incited violence against Palestinians. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that whatever one thinks of the flotilla, "our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated ​with respect and released as quickly as possible."

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Adiala inmates use unique code words for daily life

Originally built in 1986 for 3,000 prisoners and later expanded to accommodate 4,000 inmates, Adiala Jail currently houses nearly 7,000 prisoners and undertrial inmates, making it one of the largest prisons in Asia. The prison includes local and foreign inmates from countries including the United States, Britain, Nigeria, India and Bangladesh. During a recent hearing in the Islamabad High Court regarding meetings with the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, government representatives stated that the superintendent of Adiala Jail was "the king of the jail" and operated with full autonomy in decision-making. Inside the prison, inmates and undertrial prisoners have developed their own unique code words for various sections and practices of jail life. According to prisoners, inmates who regularly pay money and gifts to jail staff are called "Sab Acha" prisoners or "Tori" prisoners, meaning prisoners with influence and privilege. Such inmates can sleep and move around freely, use mobile phones and receive food from home. They are also provided mattresses and comfortable bedding. Prisoners unable to pay are forced to sleep on bare floors near washrooms without sheets or mats. These areas are referred to by inmates as the "Motorway". The diluted tea served at breakfast is called "Scale" in prison slang. A small piece of meat with watery gravy served once a week is referred to as "Diesel" while half-cooked bread served three times daily is known as "Nafri". Watery lentils served in jail are called "Langar". According to inmates, prisoners are made to sit without shoes during visits by the jail superintendent, judges or other officials to prevent anyone from throwing footwear. Prisoners who stand up, complain or look directly at officials during inspections are allegedly considered guilty of serious misconduct and later subjected to physical punishment. If two prisoners fight, both are reportedly confined to a small punishment cell known as "Qasuri", where inmates can only sit or lie down. Prisoners placed in "Qasuri" are not even produced before courts during hearings. Inmates returning from court appearances undergo complete body searches and any recovered money, cigarettes or items are confiscated. Prisoners claimed cigarettes were extremely expensive inside the jail, with a pack of Gold Leaf selling for Rs800 and Capstan for Rs500. With the onset of summer, prisoners, women inmates and children living with their mothers in jail were reportedly suffering from heat rashes. Prisoners appealed to philanthropists to donate room coolers, fans and solar panels to improve living conditions inside the prison, where electricity outages are frequent. They also urged welfare organisations distributing free meals in markets to send food to prisoners as well. Several prisoners whose sentences have been completed reportedly remain imprisoned because they cannot pay fines imposed by courts. Inmates appealed to philanthropists to help pay such fines so that poor prisoners could secure their release. Prisoners also demanded immediate operationalisation of the Islamabad jail project so that around 3,000 inmates could be shifted from Adiala Jail, reducing overcrowding and allowing prisoners to sleep in rooms instead of on the "Motorway".

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Cambridge reschedules postponed A-Level mathematics paper for June 8

Cambridge International Education (CIE) on Wednesday announced that the replacement exam for the postponed A Level Mathematics Paper 32 would now be held on June 8 as part of the June 2026 examination series, while also confirming the use of assessed marks for all candidates of A Level Mathematics Paper 52 and AS Level Computer Science Paper 12. On May 7, CIE announced the cancellation of the AS Level Mathematics (9709/12) exam for students in administrative zones 3 and 4, following the leak of the question paper. Almost a week later, it was further confirmed that another leak involving the AS Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709) had been circulated online before the examination. Meanwhile, the AS Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709) was postponed. Read: Cambridge cancels AS Level Mathematics paper after leak, announces new date In a statement issued today, CIE said the postponed exam would now take place on June 8. “The Cambridge International AS & A Level results release date of August 11 remains unchanged,” the statement said, adding that the British Council would soon share detailed information regarding the conduct of the examination. https://ift.tt/eqOYG0I Cambridge also confirmed that, along with Mathematics Paper 52 (9709/52), the AS Level Computer Science Paper 12 (9618/12), taken on May 12, was also “shared prematurely in Pakistan against our strict regulations”. The statement clarified that “the wider circulation of the leaked material in Pakistan does not necessarily indicate that the source of the leak originated in Pakistan,” adding that investigations into the source of the breach were ongoing. “Our priority is to make sure we are fair to students who did not cheat, which is the vast majority,” Cambridge said, adding that this meant making sure those who cheated received no advantage so that all students applying to university competed on an equal basis. The CIE said that it would use its “well-established approach” of assessed marks for all candidates for AS & A Level Mathematics Paper 52, in zones 3 and 4 and for all candidates for AS Level Computer Science Paper 12 in Pakistan. It described assessed marks as a “well-researched method”, also used by other UK-based examination boards, and commonly applied in cases where candidates were absent from an exam due to acceptable reasons such as illness or injury. Also Read: Cambridge confirms 2nd leak of A-level Mathematics paper, postpones May 15 exam “Using assessed marks means we will disregard the mark for the paper and instead calculate a mark for each student based on their performance in the other components in the syllabus for which they are entered and completed work,” the statement said. CIE said the method removed any “possible unfair advantage” students may have attempted to gain through cheating and ensured that all candidates were treated equally. It added that the method “cancels out the effect of an easy or difficult paper and reflects any difference in difficulty”, while candidates could still obtain full marks. While acknowledging the students' problem, the examination body said it recognised that students were dealing with the issue “at an important point in their education” amid confirmation of leaks involving Cambridge International AS & A Level papers. On exam security, Cambridge said it had been facing “sustained and focused efforts to steal our exam papers” during the June 2026 examination series and was actively responding to the threat. “The theft of this and other exam papers remains the subject of a detailed investigation,” the statement said. It added that legal action was being pursued against perpetrators in coordination with law enforcement authorities and social media platforms. Read More: Govt takes notice after another Cambridge Maths paper allegedly leaks “We will apply sanctions to those who share or misuse confidential exam materials, including permanent disqualification from our qualifications and operations,” the statement warned. Cambridge further said that examination security challenges were “not unique to any single board” and that security protocols governing the production, handling, storage and distribution of papers were constantly being updated in response to changing threats. The statement also advised students to remain cautious of scams, misinformation and malpractice. Although the issue of CIE paper leaks is not new and was also reported last year, this examination session has seen a spate of leakages as A and O Level examinations under the Cambridge system are currently being held across the country for the May-June session. The papers were leaked online, with several students claiming that they had already begun circulating before the examinations. The series of leaks prompted the federal government to take notice, with Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressing concern over the repeated incidents. “Hardworking students cannot be allowed to suffer because of such incidents,” the minister had said, adding that similar cases had also surfaced last year and that Cambridge should further strengthen its examination system. The minister had directed the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen to immediately convene a meeting with Cambridge authorities and take urgent measures to safeguard students’ interests.

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UK NSA conveys British govt's appreciation of Pakistan's role in regional diplomacy to PM Shehbaz

The United Kingdom’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Jonathan Powell on Wednesday conveyed the appreciation of the British government for Pakistan’s “constructive role in regional diplomacy” to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif amid efforts to yield a solution to the conflict between the United States and Iran. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Powell called on the premier at the Prime Minister's House. “Powell conveyed the appreciation of His Majesty’s Government for Pakistan’s constructive role in regional diplomacy, including its ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation in the broader region,” the statement said. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “robust and forward-looking engagement” with the UK, which he described as a longstanding strategic partner. Mr. Jonathan Powell, the UK’s National Security Adviser, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Islamabad, 20 May 2026. pic.twitter.com/M5kK7pQwor — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 20, 2026 While conveying his best wishes to his British counterpart, Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister recalled the warm and cordial telephone conversation between the two leaders last month, during which they expressed a shared desire to further strengthen Pakistan-UK ties. The British NSA also congratulated the prime minister on the government’s economic reform efforts and expressed Britain’s interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, trade, investment, and development.

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Balochistan transporters suspend mineral loading over security, extortion concerns

The Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association announced on Tuesday it would suspend the loading and transportation of chromite, marble and other minerals across the province, citing repeated attacks on vehicles, lack of security, and widespread extortion by various elements. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Association President Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani said transporters suffered losses worth millions of rupees due to the burning of trucks and bursting of tyres. He warned that any truck or company owner who loads minerals would be solely responsible for any profit or loss. “From today onward, no truck will load chromite or marble from Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Muslim Bagh or Loralai,” Shahwani declared. Loading of food items and other general goods will, however, continue as normal. Read: Gwadar Port tariff rates slashed He said the attacks had been occurring for a long time on national highways. Recent incidents were reported in areas including Mastung, Khad Kocha, Armagai in Kharan district, Washuk, and Khuzdar, where nearly a dozen trucks were targeted. Eight trucks were set on fire while the rest sustained damage to their tyres. Shahwani complained that neither the mine contractors and owners nor the provincial government had provided any support or compensation to the affected transporters, turning mineral transport into an unbearable ordeal. He further alleged that no highway in Balochistan was safe. Looting occurred in broad daylight at gunpoint, with money being forcibly taken from trucks and buses. At several check posts, including Rukshan, Barori, Barija in Jhal Magsi district, Rakhni, and Dana Sar, personnel allegedly forced parked food trucks to surrender diesel. The association chief also pointed to “humiliating” behaviour by the station house officer of Sakran Police Station at Hub Chowki towards transporters. He claimed that trucks and trailers heading from Balochistan to Karachi were regularly subjected to extortion. Despite directives issued by the chief minister to end police and other departments’ extortion culture and remove illegal check posts, the practice continued unabated, he added. Shahwani also raised the issue of a recent fire at the Lakpass Customs Warehouse, in which transporters’ vehicles worth billions of rupees were destroyed. He demanded the formation of a high-level inquiry committee under the supervision of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the incident and take action against those responsible.

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Fact-check: Viral video of giant bull at Karachi cattle market is AI-generated

Multiple accounts have been sharing a video across social media platforms since May 18, 2026, claiming that it shows a giant bull at the Karachi cattle market. However, the clip is AI-generated. Cattle markets have begun being set up all over Pakistan in anticipation for Eidul Azha that will be celebrated on May 27, 2026. How it started On May 18, a social media user shared a video on Instagram featuring a man standing with a giant black bull. “500kg bull in Karachi. Can anyone guess how much is the demand?” the caption reads. The post gained 2.8 million views. A local Pakistani digital media outlet, Nation Point, also shared the same clip with the following caption: “Giant bull stuns visitors at Karachi cattle market, price reportedly set at Rs20 million.” The post gained 238,900 views. Another user shared the same clip with a similar caption, accumulating 74,000 views. On X, a user shared the viral video with the caption: “What a tall bull. It seems like he’s not a creature of this era. What do you think his weight would be?” The post gained 60,800 views. Other social media users also shared the video on X, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, and here; on Instagram, as can be seen here; and on YouTube, as can be seen here and here. The posts collectively accumulated about 15,000 views. Methodology A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest surrounding Eidul Azha cattle markets in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. A keyword search was conducted to verify whether any credible Pakistani media outlets had recently reported on a “giant bull” at Karachi’s cattle market; however, no such reports were found. The viral video was further analysed for visual discrepancies, which showed that the bull in question appears drastically larger than any known real-world cattle breed, towering over surrounding people and animals to a biologically implausible extent. The scale difference between the bull in the viral video, other animals and nearby individuals appears exaggerated and inconsistent. Additionally, a blurry effect can be observed around the animal in the video, a common indication of AI-generated or digitally manipulated visuals. The man holding the rope also appears disproportionately small in comparison to the bull. Moreover, the individual standing behind the alleged giant bull on the left side of the frame at the 0:07 mark, dressed in white clothing, appears anatomically distorted, with his upper body facing towards the animal while his legs and feet are unnaturally positioned in the opposite direction, indicating likely AI-generated manipulation. The viral video was also analysed using AI detection tools. Hive Moderation flagged the video as 99.7 per cent AI-generated. Similarly, Decopy AI and Undetectable AI rated the clip as having 100pc and 86pc AI probability, respectively. Fact-check status: False The claim that a viral video shows a giant bull at the Karachi cattle market is false. The viral video is fabricated and digitally manipulated using AI. This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.

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