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Author: News Desk

  • ‘When we rise, we go straight to the top’; Babar Azam still has hope

    ‘When we rise, we go straight to the top’; Babar Azam still has hope

    A video of a Pakistan team practice session has been widely shared on the X account of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In the video, players were seen practicing in the net while Babar Azam gives them a pep talk.

    Despite three consecutive defeats in the ICC World Cup, the captain of the national team, Babar Azam, did not lose heart and encouraged the players.

    ‘We have done this many times, we have risen from the bottom but when we rise from the bottom we go straight to the top, all the players remember that time.”

    He said, “It would be easy if we stick by each other. We have to walk shoulder to shoulder with each other, we have done it before, we have come back and we can still do it. Don’t give up”.

  • ‘I wish Pakistan loses next four matches of the World Cup’: Kamran Akmal

    ‘I wish Pakistan loses next four matches of the World Cup’: Kamran Akmal

    After Pakistan’s consecutive defeats to India, Australia, and Afghanistan in the ICC ODI World Cup, the national team is being heavily criticized.

    While speaking on the sports transmission of a private TV channel, Pakistan’s former wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal said, “Everyone is saying that the Pakistan team must win the next four matches, but I wish that Pakistan loses its next matches too”.

    The former cricketer said, “If we want Pakistan’s cricket to be improved, then the team should not win the next match. If the national team wins and enters the top four, then they will start the same thing again.”

    As soon as Kamran Akmal said this, the anchor immediately pointed at him and said, “What are you talking about? I don’t want to see Pakistan lose.” To which Kamran Akmal replied, “This is not about losing the match but it will destroy their ego”.

    The video clip is going viral on social media and users are also commenting on it.

  • ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    Child star Aina Asif was a guest on ‘Mazaaq Raat’ where an audience member asked her about the controversial ending of the drama ‘Mayi-Ri’. The serial centered around the forceful marriage of a 15-year-old girl to her cousin, and the birth of their daughter. The drama’s ending divided opinions when Ainy divorces Fakhir, decides to live with her single mother to raise her daughter and completes her education.

    The ending was applauded by some users for showing divorce as something that empowers a woman rather than shameful, with Ainy choosing to live her life on her own terms. While other users slammed the show-makers for ‘glamorising divorce’.

    READ MORE: ‘Mayi Ri’ ends with mixed responses from fans

    Aina defended the scene as something that was necessary to depict in order for audiences to fully understand why child marriage is wrong. “There could have been a different ending, but we have to emphasise that child marriage is wrong. We were trying to show that.”

    Aina further stressed the drama’s characters Ainy and Fakhir were good for each other but their timing was wrong, hence they had to part ways.

    Watch the clip

  • Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Iconic Bollywood couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were the first guests on Season 8 of Koffee With Karan, where the duo spilled secrets about their relationship. This marks the first time the two made an appearance together as a married couple on television.

    Speaking about how they got engaged, Ranveer revealed he had proposed to Deepika back in 2015 by popping the question at a gorgeous location. The ‘Rocky and Rani’ actor said that after consulting his mother and sister, he purchased the ring that was “far above my means at the time.”

    As reported by India Today, the actor and Deepika were set to leave for a vacation to Maldives. They were on a boat ride when Ranveer got down on one knee with the ring and proposed.

    ‘We go to the Maldives. And I’ve secretly carried the ring with me. We do the sandbank adventure. A boat takes us out in the middle of the sea and there’s just one tiny sliver of sand in the middle and all around is just infinite sea. They drop you there and put up a tent. It was literally just her and me in the middle of the sea. I was like, this is just perfect”

    Ranveer recalled Deepika was overwhelmed with emotions because she was shocked, and said yes right away.

    The couple further revealed that convincing Deepika’s parents was the hardest part of their journey. Deepika recalled that they met her at parents after returning from Maldives, and went directly to Padukone’s house in Bangalore. Ranveer said he had prepped everything to tell her family:

    ”We’re having this wonderful evening. I am trying to charm them. Then she whispered ‘I am going to tell them now’ and I was like ‘Don’t’ ”.

    Deepika opened up how she blurted the news out during dinner, and her mother’s face “had just gone cold”, Ranveer mentioned.

    ”After all the hugs and celebrations, I’ve gone to my room and I put my ear to the door. Outside, Amma and Deepika are having it out. She’s (Deepika’s mother) saying ‘Who is this guy? He’s proposed marriage and you’ve said yes also?’ Is this any way?’ With my ear on the door, I was like ‘God save us’ ”.

    But despite her initial concerns, Deepika said her mother truly loves Ranveer now.

    “It took a lot of years and work on my part to make a place in Amma’s heart. It has happened. And I am one of Amma’s favourite people in the world.”

    Perhaps what was even more wholesome about this entire interview was when the couple released a snippet of their wedding video during the episode. Watch and weep at your own risk.

  • First flight carrying asylum-seeking Afghans departs from Islamabad to UK today

    The first flight carrying asylum-seeking Afghans will depart from Islamabad International Airport for the United Kingdom on Thursday.

    200 Afghan refugees are reportedly going to fly out today.

    The Independent has reported that around 3,000 Afghans, many of whom worked for the British army, are to be given UK residency after the Afghan Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021.

    For the time being, the UK has accommodated them in Pakistan since 2022, whereas hundreds have been stuck and await their turn to get relocated.

    The Independent wrote that in “A U-turn of government policy, ministers have pledged that all Afghans eligible for the UK’s resettlement schemes will no longer have to wait for accommodation to be confirmed before coming to Britain”.

    This u-turn was taken after Pakistan gave an ultimatum to all undocumented foreign nationals to leave by November 1 after which they will be deported.

    A British High Commission delegation met senior officials from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Tuesday.

    According to the senior CAA official, around 2,000 Afghan refugees will be repatriated by mid-December through one or two weekly chartered flights from Islamabad to the UK.

  • Danish Kaneria requests BCCI and Narendra Modi to remove lifetime ban

    Danish Kaneria requests BCCI and Narendra Modi to remove lifetime ban

    Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria appealed to BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help him remove a life time ban on him.

    During an interview to AJJ TAK, Danish Kaneria said, “I would like to appeal to PM Narendra Modi and also to the Indian cricket board to help me to remove life time ban on cricket that was imposed by ECB (England and Wales cricket Board).”

    ECB banned Danish Kaneria for being involved in a spot-fixing case in 2012.

  • Why did Afghan cricketer Gurbaz thank Babar Azam on social media?

    Why did Afghan cricketer Gurbaz thank Babar Azam on social media?

    Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rehmanullah Garbaz thanked Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam on social media for a special gift.

    In his message on social media, Rahmanullah Garbaz thanked Azam for the bat the Pakistan captain had gifted him, writing, “You stay strong and shine.” He also wrote that the greatest gift from a great player, calling Babar Azam a humble personality.

    Two days ago, Babar Azam gifted his bat to Rahmanullah Garbaz after the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

  • Pakistan’s Haider Ali wins gold at Asian Para Games

    Pakistan’s Haider Ali wins gold at Asian Para Games

    Pakistani athlete Haider Ali has won the gold medal in the ongoing Asian Para Games in China.

    Haider Ali won the gold medal in the men’s discus throw event at the Asian Para Games. Ali also won the gold medal for Pakistan in the 2021 Para Olympics.

  • Shae Gill, Maanu headlining concert to raise humanitarian aid for Gaza

    Shae Gill, Maanu headlining concert to raise humanitarian aid for Gaza

    As the number of Palestinians killed in Israel’s bombing of Gaza continues to rise, Pakistani musicians are coming together for a fundraiser to help provide humanitarian aid for the strip.

    Shae Gill, Natasha Noorani, Maanu and five other artists are performing at a fundraiser at COLABS campus in Gulberg. COLABS announced on their Instagram account that the event will be held on October 27, with all proceeds from the event going to Anera Organisation in order to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

    Commenting under their post, the organisation mentioned the event will include a panel talk with Palestinians settled in Pakistan who are innvolved in taking the initiative forward.

    “COLABS as a brand understands the sensitivity of the cause, and initiates a dialogue of how companies can do their part to raise funds.

    Sounds of Solidarity with Gaza is a first of its kind fundraiser where we host events that support a cause that we truly believe in. We have gathered artists from around the city who believe in the cause and can leverage their influence to raise funds for millions of people affected in Gaza, where humanitarian aid is severely limited.

    100% of the proceeds will be going directly to Anera Organization, to provide urgent aid to affected families amidst the unfolding crisis in Gaza. The fundraiser will be covering a panel talk with Palestinians settled in Pakistan who are helping us take this initiative forward, followed by artist performances using their art and talent to create an impact.

    We urge people to donate however they feel comfortable and join the cause.”

  • Here’s when PayPal and Stripe payment services will be available in Pakistan

    Here’s when PayPal and Stripe payment services will be available in Pakistan

    Dr Umar Saif, Pakistan’s interim Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, shared noteworthy developments on Wednesday regarding the imminent availability of PayPal and Stripe payment gateways within the country. Addressing the flourishing freelancing community, he drew attention to the current scarcity of financial tools to facilitate payments within this sector. 

    During these discussions with major industry players, including PayPal, Stripe, and Wise, a compelling case for Pakistan was presented, despite reservations, including those arising from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). 

    Dr Saif expressed optimism, foreseeing promising updates on PayPal and Stripe services in the coming four to six weeks, heralding positive implications for the freelancer community. 

    Highlighting the substantial size and potential of Pakistan’s IT freelancing workforce, the country ranks as the world’s second-largest online workforce, boasting approximately 1.5 million active IT freelancers. Nonetheless, the sector’s growth has been stymied by infrastructure limitations. 

    To address these challenges, the E-Rozgar programme is set to offer interest-free loans to the private sector, with plans for establishing co-working spaces capable of accommodating 500,000 individuals. Dr Saif also revealed a collaborative initiative with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to introduce standardised testing for IT graduates. 

    The significance of Pakistan’s IT sector cannot be understated, with around 19,000 companies contributing substantially to both employment and the national economy, boasting official exports worth $2.5 billion. 

    Another pertinent issue discussed by Dr Saif is the reluctance of some IT companies to maintain foreign exchange reserves and revenues abroad due to constraints on repatriating US dollars. Despite conservative estimates placing Pakistan’s IT exports at $4–4.5 billion, the reality is obscured by restrictions on US-dollar spending. 

    Fueled by cooperative efforts between the IT ministry and P@SHA, a positive development has emerged. IT companies can now retain 50 per cent of their revenue in US dollar accounts and receive corporate debit cards from banks, facilitating international payments without hindrance. 

    In addition, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has played a crucial role in assisting IT exporters. The SBP recently increased the permissible retention limit for IT exporters, allowing them to hold 50 per cent of their export proceeds in Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts (ESFCAs) with the aim of bolstering IT and IT-enabled services exports.