This month’s Sindh Premier League (SPL) in Karachi has been postponed after a clash of dates with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s domestic tournament, the Patron’s Cup.
The Sindh Premier League was scheduled to begin in Karachi from December 14, while the PCB Patron’s Cup is scheduled to start from December 16, and players could not get NOC for the (SPL) due to the PCB domestic tournament.
The new dates of the Sindh Premier League will be announced later.
The Caretaker Minister for Finance recently presided over the inaugural meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Technical Assistance Mission, focusing on the digitisation of the budgetary process.
The mission, led by Fazeer Rahim and Sybi Hida, senior economists from the Public Financial Management Division, along with IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan, Esther Pérez Ruiz, discussed strategies for enhancing the efficiency of the budget-making process through digitisation.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted the importance of tailoring the IMF’s recommendations to the specific needs of the ministry.
The goal is to streamline and improve the effectiveness of budgetary procedures through the integration of digital technologies.
The Technical Assistance Mission is committed to providing practical and implementable solutions tailored to the ministry’s requirements.
This collaborative effort seeks to modernise and optimise the budgetary framework, aligning it with contemporary digital practices.
In related developments, discussions have surfaced regarding Pakistan’s pursuit of another loan package from the IMF upon the completion of the ongoing standby agreement.
The caretaker government has initiated consultations for the forthcoming IMF programme, and sources indicate that talks with the IMF are likely to commence in the current month.
Finance ministry officials have clarified that the elected government will carry forward the measures initiated by the caretaker government.
It is anticipated that the newly elected government will be responsible for finalising and signing the IMF programme, assuming governance responsibilities.
Indus Motor Company (IMC) celebrated the launch of the 4th generation Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) at its manufacturing facility in Karachi.
This marks a significant achievement for IMC, emphasising the ‘Made in Pakistan’ initiative and showcasing the strong bond between Japan and Pakistan. Notable figures present at the ceremony included Federal Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani, Toyota’s top leadership and the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Mitsuhiro Wada.
Yoshiyuki Takai, expressing optimism about the Corolla Cross HEV’s reception in Pakistan, highlighted the environmental benefits of increased hybrid vehicle adoption.
Gilani, on behalf of the government, congratulated IMC and reiterated the commitment to support hybrid and electric technologies, aligning with the Auto Policy 2021–26. IMC’s CEO, Ali Asghar Jamali, emphasised the company’s dedication to sustainability, revealing an investment exceeding $100 million in manufacturing the first locally produced HEV.
The Corolla Cross HEV boasts a smooth and efficient 1800-cc engine with hybrid and gasoline options. Jamali also outlined IMC’s contribution to the local automobile sector, encompassing a comprehensive value chain, part manufacturers, authorised dealerships, and a substantial workforce of over 450,000 people.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
Pakistani actress, television producer and host Nausheen Masood has passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was well known for her role in the famous comedy drama ‘Dolly Ki Ayegi Barat’.
Her death was announced by her ex-husband Tariq Quraishi in a Facebook post:
“My ex-wife, Nausheen Masud, passed away this morning after a long and tough battle with cancer. She loved her two sons immensely. They were her babies, her advisors and her eyes lit up whenever she saw them. May she rest in peace leaving behind wondrous memories for her sons.”
Celebrities have offered condolences on the actress’ passing. Adnan Siddiqui wrote:
“Farewell to the remarkable Nausheen Masud, dear friend and beautiful soul. Her warmth and style added magic to every moment we shared on and off camera. Grateful for the memories we co-created. Rest peacefully, Nausheen.”
Farewell to the remarkable Nausheen Masud, dear friend and beautiful soul. Her warmth and style added magic to every moment we shared on and off camera. Grateful for the memories we co-created. Rest peacefully, Nausheen. pic.twitter.com/xqn97UGcHl
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) December 6, 2023
GEO anchor Shahzad Iqbal shared an endearing memory of Nausheen pushing him to debut in front of the camera. Shahzad wrote on X about admiring Nausheen who was his first boss when he began working.
“I am sure it’s sad news for many who knew her but it’s extremely sad on personal level as well. I owe her big time for giving me my first break. I had always admired Nausheen Masud as a VJ on a music show in mid 90s and later she happened to be my first Boss when I started working. She hired me as an Associate documentary producer but later she literally forced me to come in front of the camera, first as a business reporter and then as an Anchor. May be she had more faith in me at that time than myself. And there are many more who started their TV careers because she believed in them. May Allah rest your soul in peace.. Please pray for the departed soul.”
GEO anchor Shahzeb Khanzada also took to Twitter to share his condolences on the actor’s passing, and shared his experience of working with Nausheen during the beginning of his career.
Extremely Sad to know about her death. Nausheen Masud was a very kind person and great human being. She hired me on my first job and showed trust and faith that gave me the confidence to speak up what I believed in. May Allah rest her soul in peace https://t.co/DbkxZz6P5Q
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) December 6, 2023
Actress Zainab Qayoom shared her heartbreak in a tweet, mourning the passing of the actor.
Nausheen Masud Allah Nighebaan~
— Zainab Qayoom~ZQ (@zainaconda) December 7, 2023
اِنّا لِلّهِ وَاِنّا اِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُوْن
اللہ پاک جنت الفردوس میں جگہ دے آمین۔
The Supreme Court has ruled that haq mahr must be paid by the husband whenever the wife demands it, not just in the event of divorce. Mahr is the mandatory payment or gift from the groom to the bride at the time of marriage. It is a fundamental part of an Islamic marriage contract and is considered the bride’s exclusive right, reports The Express Tribune.
In a petition to the court, a husband had contended that since he had not divorced his wife, he was not liable to pay the mahr.
Rejecting the contention, a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Pakistan Isa referred to a 2001 judgment in which the Supreme Court had held that mahr can be demanded even when a marriage continues and that the husband is under obligation to pay the amount agreed upon at the time of the wedding.
Referring to that case, the bench lamented that the wife had to file a suit for recovery of her mahr and maintenance and the husband unnecessarily involved her in legal proceedings that reached the court after six-and-a-half years.
Chief Justice Isa criticised lower courts that did not penalize the husband for filing unnecessary appeals. “If the man was fined for filing unnecessary appeals, it would not have taken too long to decide the case. Filing of unnecessary appeals is paralyzing the judicial system,” he observed.
The CJP said that the courts should not hesitate to impose fines to end unnecessary litigation.
The chief justice ordered Khalid Parvez, the petitioner, to pay a Rs100,000 fine, the cost of legal proceedings along with mahr to his wife Samina, and dismissed his appeal, reported Dunya News.
“Mahr has to be paid whenever demanded by the wife,” said a three-page written order authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa in a case related to non-payment of the money. The court also noted that mahr is an Islamic concept mentioned in the Holy Quran— Surah An-Nisa verse 4 and Surah Al-Baqrah verses 236-7. It is specifically recognized by the law of Pakistan in Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1962.
On December 12, a larger bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, comprising nine members, is scheduled to hear on the presidential reference regarding the reconsideration of the judgment on Bhutto’s death sentence.
It has been decided to schedule a presidential reference hearing to declare the execution of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as judicial murder.
According to sources, the presidential reference regarding Zulfiqar Bhutto’s execution is likely to be scheduled for hearing next week.
According to the sources of Geo News, a larger bench will hear the presidential reference related to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Sources also said that the presidential reference will be heard under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faiz Isa.
It should be remembered that in 2011, the PPP government, through the then President Asif Ali Zardari, filed a reference in the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the execution of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Now, after a long gap of almost 11 years, the reference is going to be fixed for hearing again.
In a significant political development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence after a gap of almost 15 years.
According to the sources of Geo News, the meeting lasted for almost 40 minutes, with both leaders discussing the possibility of a political alliance for the upcoming general elections on February 8 next year.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders, including Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, and Azam Nazeer Tarar, also attended the huddle.
PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Salik Hussain and Shafay Hussain were also in the meeting.
The gathering occurs amidst heightened political engagement, with parties actively conducting election campaigns and forming electoral alliances to strengthen their position in the polls.
Nawaz, a three-time former prime minister, came back to the country in October after nearly four years of exile in London. His return was aimed at energising his supporters in preparation for the elections.
Earlier, the PML-N supremo succeeded in wooing electables from Balochistan to join his party ranks and also forged an electoral alliance with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Journalist Rana Ghulam Qadir has published a report in The News about the shocking drop in the number of applications submitted for the Hajj 2024.
The report states the last date for receiving Hajj applications is approaching. The Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Tuesday that the number of applications received in five days from November 27 to December 5 was disappointing. One week is left till the ending date.
The number of Hajj quotas under the government scheme is 89,605. Out of this, the quota of the sponsorship scheme has been fixed at 25,000. According to the ministry, the number of Hajj applications received in the last ten days is 12,600.
Out of them, 800 have come under the sponsorship scheme while the remaining one comes under the regular scheme.
In the past, a large number of applications was submitted in the initial days, but this year the number is very low. There is a possibility that there may not be a required number of applications as per the Hajj quota, especially since the target of the sponsorship scheme seems difficult to achieve.
Officials of the ministry said that if the target is not met by December 12, the deadline will be extended.
One reason for the low demand is inflation and the other reason is that Hajj is in June and the ministry is already moving six months in advance. The ministry sought the applications early so that Hajj arrangements could be improved.
An application asking to separate Justice Ejazul Ahsan from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on the issue of a complaint against Supreme Court (SC) Justice Mazahir Naqvi in the SJC has been filed.
Mian Dawood Advocate filed a constitutional petition in the SC in which the Federal Government and the Secretary SJC have been made parties, while the order sheet of the case of former CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar is also attached to the petition.
It has been argued in the petition that Justice Ijaz should be removed from the council hearing the complaint against Justice Mazahar, and another senior judge should be made a part of the SJC in his place.
It has been said in the petition that the reference to corruption and misconduct against Justice Naqvi is under hearing in the Judicial Council. On the complaint of the petitioner, the Judicial Council has issued a second show cause notice to Justice Mazahar. In relation to the Ghulam Mahmood Dogar case, Justice Ijaz was part of the bench that heard the case; therefore, legally and in principle, no judge who heard the case of Ghulam Mahmood Dogar can be a member of the Judicial Council.
It has been further stated in the petition that Justice Ejazul Ahsan being a member of the SJC is against Articles 10A and 9 of the Constitution. Justice Ejaz will not be able to meet the demands of justice in the council.
T-Series is once again at the centre of controversy with another artist calling out the music house and Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam for plagiarising a Pakistani song.
Omer Nadeem took to his Instagram account to call out Sonu for stealing his 2009 track ‘Aye Khuda’. He shared two videos in a post, one of Sonu’s recent track and the other one of his track.
“I’ve reached a point in my life where I couldn’t care less about these things,” wrote the singer. “But hey, if you’re going to do it, at least toss a little credit to the OG track. If you’re gonna pull this off, could’ve at least done it with some finesse. Huge fan of Sonu Nigam, but let’s be real, this is light years away from the real deal.”
Fans are criticising T-Series for once again ripping off Pakistani artists. Actress Armeena Khan was among them as she called out the Bollywood singer for stealing tunes.
This is not the first time T-Series has been accused of plagiarism. Previously, singer Farasat Anees called T-Series a “disgrace” for copying his popular track ‘Biba’. The singer shared clips from both songs on his Instagram account and expressed his thanks to Indian fans who supported him.