Entertainment
Punjab moves to ban ‘extremist party’ after violent TLP protests
- Punjab to take action against extremist party inciting violence, hate.
- Punjab govt to include Afghan citizens in tax net.
- Provincial govt proposes stricter laws for illegal weapons.
The Punjab government has decided to approach the Centre to impose a ban on an “extremist party” following the recent wave of violent protests orchestrated by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
At a high-level meeting on law and order, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, the provincial leadership approved “historic” and “extraordinary” measures.
Without naming any party, the statement issued by the provincial government said those involved in inciting violence, spreading hatred and violating the law will be arrested “immediately”.
It further said that extremist party’s leaders and workers responsible for the deaths of law enforcement agencies’ personnel and involved in damaging public property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts.
The leadership of the party is also expected to be placed on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which places strict limits on their movement and activities.
As part of the broader clampdown, the provincial government plans to seize all of the party’s properties and assets, which will be handed over to the Auqaf Department. It’s also moving to ban the group’s posters, banners, and advertisements entirely. Their social media accounts will be shut down, and any associated bank accounts frozen. The statement has also signalled that any misuse of loudspeakers, in violation of the Loudspeaker Act, will be met with tough penalties.
The move comes as part of a broader crackdown aimed at restoring public order and reinforcing the writ of the state and rule of law after recent unrest across the province.
Earlier this week, the law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on TLP protesters and dismantled their protest camp in Muridke, resulting in violent clashes and dozens of arrests.
According to the senior police official, one station house officer (SHO) on duty was martyred, and 48 police personnel sustained injuries, 17 of whom were wounded by gunfire during the clashes with TLP protesters.
TLP protesters tried marching towards the federal capital despite the ban on public gathering under Section 144, resulting in days of turmoil across
The TLP march also left at least 40 government and private vehicles burnt and several shops set ablaze.
At least three TLP workers and a passerby died in the violent clashes, while reports showed that at least 30 civilians were also wounded.
Inclusion of Afghan citizens in tax net
In the same meeting, the Punjab government has also decided to focus on undocumented Afghan nationals living in the province. It plans to include Afghan citizens in the tax net and start collecting real-time data on those staying illegally.
Meanwhile, a whistleblower system is being introduced to allow people to report illegal residents while keeping their identities confidential.
The government will also carry out targeted operations against unregistered foreigners and their businesses, with deportations to follow under federal guidelines.
Stricter arms laws
Moreover, the provincial government is also coming down hard on those possessing illegal weapons. Citizens have been given one month to register their legal firearms at local service centres. Arms dealers across the province will have their inventories checked, and no new licences will be issued during this time. The province has also asked the federal government to step in and regulate weapons manufacturers and factories.
One of the most significant changes is the stiffening of penalties for possessing illegal weapons. From now on, offenders could face up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs2 million. The crime will now be considered non-bailable.
Entertainment
Britney Spears contacted by people close to her after DUI arrest
Britney Spears has spoken to both her mother and her two sons following her DUI arrest earlier this week, with those closest to her now rallying around the singer in the aftermath of what sources describe as an deeply emotional night.
According to TMZ, Lynne Spears called her daughter as soon as she heard about the arrest, with the conversation between the two described as “positive” and “hopeful.”
Britney also spoke to her sons Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, after being released from jail on Thursday morning, though she has not yet seen any family members in person.
The outreach comes at a particularly raw moment.
Spears was pulled over near the Borchard Road off-ramp in Newbury Park, Ventura County, at around 9:28 p.m. on Wednesday after officers reportedly observed her driving her black BMW “erratically at a high rate of speed.”
She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol, and an insider told Page Six that officers also found an unknown substance inside her car at the time.
Her chemical test results remain pending and the investigation is ongoing. She was released at 6:07 a.m. Thursday.
Sources paint a picture of a woman who was visibly distressed throughout the process.
Spears was “crying and very tearful” while being booked, according to Page Six.
“She was incredibly emotional,” a source told the outlet. “It’s been a very hard couple of months.” The same insider said Spears “felt ashamed and embarrassed” and is “very sorry” for what happened.
“She doesn’t want to let anyone down, including her fans. The last thing she wants is to be judged publicly all over again.”
Her manager, Cade Hudson, was blunt in his public statement, calling the incident “completely inexcusable” while expressing hope that it might mark a turning point.
Entertainment
Maisie Peters surprises fans in Australia with Ed Sheeran
Maisie Peters gave her Melbourne audience an unexpected treat on Wednesday night when Ed Sheeran walked out on stage to join her for a surprise duet, a moment that clearly meant a great deal to both of them.
Sheeran, 35, appeared at Peters’ show on 4th March during her Before the Bloom Tour in Australia, performing his 2017 hit Castle on the Hill alongside the 25-year-old singer.
Peters shared a clip of the performance on Instagram, captioning it with heartfelt warmth. “Thank you @teddysphotos for singing the best song ever with me at my show in melbourne tonight,” she wrote.
“Still remember watching you play this one all 60 something gigs we did together, and it was so magical getting to join you on it for one. The best to ever do it.”
Sheeran is currently in Australia as part of his own Loop Tour, which will next take him to the Dominican Republic on 9th May before wrapping up in November.
Peters, meanwhile, is gearing up for a busy year.
Her third studio album, Florescence, is due for release in May, following her 2023 sophomore record The Good Witch.
Entertainment
Savannah Guthrie visits “Today” studio, says she intends to return to show
Savannah Guthrie stopped by the “Today” show studio to see colleagues on Thursday, NBC News said in a statement shared with CBS News. It was the first time Guthrie had been in the studio since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared over a month ago.
NBC said that Guthrie plans to eventually return to “Today.” The network did not specify when that might happen.
“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues,” the company said. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”
During her visit to Studio 1A, Guthrie embraced staff and crew, according to “Today.” She reportedly thanked her colleagues for “caring about my mom as much as I do,” the show said.
“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me,” she said. “And I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be.”
Courtesy NBC/Today/Handout via Reuters
“I have every intention of coming back,” Guthrie also said, according to the show. “I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to. You’re my family. And I would like to try.”
Guthrie’s last appearance on “Today” was January 30, 2026, two days before Nancy was reported missing. Guthrie has spent most of the past month with her siblings and their families in Arizona, where her mother and sister live.
Law enforcement have said they believe the 84-year-old was taken from her Tucson home overnight in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. No suspects or motive have been publicly identified. Law enforcement is continuing to analyze forensic and digital evidence related to the case.
Guthrie has shared search updates on her social media and recently said that while the family understands they may not find Nancy alive, they “still believe in a miracle.” Guthrie has offered a $1 million reward for information about her mother’s disappearance.
Possession of Nancy Guthrie’s home was recently returned to her family, and the FBI moved its command post from Tucson to Phoenix. A law enforcement source told CBS News the investigation was still continuing at full speed and that the move would allow for law enforcement to operate more efficiently for the long-term.
-
Politics1 week agoWhat are Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities?
-
Business7 days agoIndia Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
-
Business1 week agoAttock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
-
Fashion1 week agoPolicy easing drives Argentina’s garment import surge in 2025
-
Politics1 week agoUS arrests ex-Air Force pilot for ‘training’ Chinese military
-
Business7 days agoGreggs to reveal trading amid pressure from cost of living and weight loss drugs
-
Sports7 days agoLPGA legend shares her feelings about US women’s Olympic wins: ‘Gets me really emotional’
-
Fashion1 week agoTexwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026
