Author: News Desk

  • Release political opponents, urges Maulana

    Release political opponents, urges Maulana

    In a recent address at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) social media convention in Peshawar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of JUI-F, conveyed his desire to see imprisoned politicians released from incarceration.

    He emphasized that political parties need to direct their attention towards internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed his reluctance to organize public gatherings against his incarcerated political opponents, stating that such actions do not befit the current circumstances.

    Addressing the return of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman encouraged the nation to welcome him.

    He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, asserting that his governance had led the country into an economic crisis. He also pointed out that the pending court cases against the PTI leader could result in his disqualification, preventing him from participating in future elections.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman further highlighted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) announcement of elections in January, asserting that holding elections is a constitutional right.

  • India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    Indian police have received an email threatening to blow up Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his namesake stadium in Ahmedabad.

    According to Indian media, the email, sent by a terrorist group, threatened to blow up Indian PM Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with bombs.

    The terrorists reportedly demanded 500 crore INR (Indian Rupees) as ransom and the release of gangster Ravi Bishnoi.

    People have been deployed to attack the Narendra Modi stadium, the email reportedly said, adding that the Prime Minister will also be attacked.

    Indian police have said that they have received the email from the National Investigation Agency, and have issued an alert to all security agencies including NIA Ahmedabad.

    Read More: Why is India hosting the World Cup with empty stadiums?

    Indian police said while trying to trace the ID from which the email was sent, it seemed that the email came from Europe. The police say that they will review security for the upcoming matches of the World Cup, and if necessary, increase it.

    Indian police have blamed Khalistan Tehreek leader Gurptunt Singh Pannu for threatening to attack during World Cup matches

  • How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a much anticipated central contract on Wednesday. This central contract will run for three years from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 in which 25 players will be offered a deal. According to PCB, match fees have been hiked by 12.5% for T20, 25% for ODI (One Day International) and 50% for test matches. The salaries of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi increased by 200% according to the new central contract.

    All players included in the central contract are divided into four categories.

    A category:
    Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are placed in category A. They will get Rs 6 million per month according to the new central contract.

    B category:
    Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Nasim Shah are placed in category B. They will get Rs 4.1 million per month.

    C category:
    Abdullah Shafiq and Imad Wasim are placed in the C category where they will get Rs 1.75 million per month.

    D category:
    Iftikhar Ahmed, Hassan Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Muhammad Haris, Ihsanullah, Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Agha Salman, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Zaman are placed in D category. They will get Rs 1.13 million.

    Read More: Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    Remember that all players are allowed to play two foreign leagues in the season while PCB will review the player’s performance every 12 months.

  • How many Pakistanis have never eaten noodles?

    How many Pakistanis have never eaten noodles?

    Gallup Pakistan has conducted an interesting survey on the consumption of noodles by Pakistanis.

    Originally invented in China, noodles are devoured around the world and are usually easy-to-make, especially the packaged variety.

    Gallup Pakistan has released a new poll based on public opinion, according to which a surprising 59 per cent of Pakistanis have never eaten noodles, nor do they know what it tastes like.

    However, 39 percent of Pakistanis declared noodles as their favourite dish.

  • No social media allowed for Punjab Government employees

    No social media allowed for Punjab Government employees

    The Services and General Administration Department Punjab has issued a letter to government officers restricting them from expressing their personal opinions on social media and commenting on conventional as well as social media.

    In view of the increasing trend of using social media among newly recruited government officers, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on Grade 17 officers, including assistant commissioners, on expressing their opinions on social media and media.
    The letter says that according to the civil services rules, giving statements in the media and social media based on one’s personal opinion is a violation of the rules.

    The letter says, “The young officers of PAS/PMS in BS-17, posted against various slots in the field as well as in the Secretariat, are considered as the face of the Provincial Government. However, it has been observed with grave-concern that these officers often engage themselves with social media i.e. Websites, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microblogging, TikTok, YouTube etc, without taking into consideration of its fall out amongst public at large, especially using the social media in official capacity.”

    It further states, “Often, the views/ comments/ conduct/ personal opinion of the officers, may either harm the national security; or offend public order, decency or morality; or amount to contempt of court or defamation or incitement to an offence; or propagate sectarian creeds and capable of embarrassing the government, which is tantamount to misconduct and inefficiency under the rules.”

    It also warned that strict action will be taken against those violating the instructions.

  • ‘Comedy should be done on the expense of others’: Ahmed Ali Butt

    ‘Comedy should be done on the expense of others’: Ahmed Ali Butt

    Actor and former singer Ahmed Ali Butt has released the first episode of his podcast series ‘Excuse Me’, featuring comedian and host of ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, Tabish Hashmi. A clip from the episode is going viral in which Tabish opened up about the time he performed stand- up comedy in colleges, stating that the main purpose of such events was to pick people from crowds and mock something about them.

    “This was 2009-2010, we were all misogynist, mocking people for skin tone, body shaming them and even for short height,” remarked the comedian. “We didn’t know what we were doing was wrong.”

    To which, Ahmed Ali Butt responded that this kind of comedy was not wrong at all, elaborating:

    “I don’t think such a thing as this is wrong. Comedy is always done at the expense of others. Otherwise you shouldn’t do comedy at all.”

    Watch the complete clip here

  • What is Form 45 and why is it important in elections?

    What is Form 45 and why is it important in elections?

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently made changes to Form 45, a document used for counting results.

    According to the ECP, from now on, date and time will also be entered into Form 45. The Commission said that objections to the amendment can be submitted till October 20.

    What is Form 45

    Form 45, commonly known as the “Result of the Count” form, is a significant record in the Pakistani electoral process. It plays a pivotal role in documenting and revealing voting outcomes at specific polling stations. Here, we delve into the importance of Form 45 and its role in Pakistan’s electoral process:

    Purpose: Form 45 is a cornerstone of transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s elections. Its primary goal is to create an official record of voting outcomes at specific polling stations. This documentation is indispensable for compiling and verifying results at the constituency level.

    Contents: Form 45 includes details like the polling station number, constituency name, the total number of registered voters at that station, the total votes cast, and a comprehensive breakdown of votes garnered by each candidate.

    Signatures: Form 45 is signed by the Presiding Officer responsible for overseeing the voting process. Additionally, representatives of candidates present at the polling station also sign the form as witnesses. These signatures are crucial for confirming the accuracy of recorded results.

    Transparency and Verification: Form 45 is instrumental in maintaining transparency throughout the voting process. It empowers candidates and their representatives to independently validate results recorded at the polling station and cross-reference them with the final results. This robust verification process minimizes the potential for irregularities or manipulation in election outcomes.

    Compilation and Reporting: After polling concludes, the Presiding Officer completes Form 45 and promptly submits it to the Returning Officer overseeing the respective constituency. The Returning Officer’s role is pivotal, as they collect and consolidate Form 45 from all polling stations within the constituency to determine final election results.

    Public Accessibility: In a dedicated effort to promote transparency, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) mandates Presiding Officers to prominently display Form 45 outside polling stations for public scrutiny. This transparency measure enables voters, candidates, and their representatives to openly observe, verify, and validate election results, fostering confidence in the electoral process.

  • 150 still missing after glacial burst in Kolkata

    At least 42 people have reportedly died after flash floods swamped following a glacial lake burst its banks in the Indian Himalayas in Kolkata this week.

    150 missing people are still missing.

    On Wednesday, a cloudburst led to severe rain, causing Lhonak Lake to overflow and a consequential avalanche resulting in the flooding of Teesta river.

    It is said to be one of the worst calamities in the region in more than 50 years.

    Accoeiding to authorities in Sikkim, 22,000 people have been affected.

    “We got calls from people that river levels could rise at 3am and we ran for our lives,” Reuters quotes Javed Ahmed Ansari, 44, a resident of Teesta valley, who owns a river rafting business.

    “We ran towards the hill in the jungle … We saw houses getting swept away. I can now only see the first floor of our house which is filled with sand, everything is submerged.”

    According to Reuters, officials involved in the project said that scientists and government authorities had beenbworking on an early warning system for glacial floods at Lhonak Lake which could have given people more time to evacuate if it was fully operational.

  • Is Nawaz Sharif leaving the London office?

    Is Nawaz Sharif leaving the London office?

    Former Pakistan Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, announced that October 6 is his last day at the London office, indicating his imminent departure to Pakistan.

    While talking to journalists, Nawaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to all reporters who have covered his activities in London, regardless of their stance, be it in favor or against him.

    Recognizing the pivotal role journalism plays in society, Nawaz Sharif stressed the significance of the public’s reliance on journalists’ opinions. He underscored the importance of journalists avoiding sensationalism and defamation, instead calling for constructive criticism and reform.

    Notably, Nawaz Sharif questioned the effectiveness of protests staged by Pakistanis in London over the past four years, particularly those involving figures like Maryam Aurangzeb. He suggested that if people wished to engage in protests, they should do so within Pakistan.

    During a press conference in Lahore, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the question regarding Nawaz’s return shouldn’t be repeated since he will be coming back.

    He also redefined the party’s slogan of ‘vote ko izzat do’.

    “Giving respect to the ballot doesn’t mean it is an anti-establishment slogan. It means serving the voters,” he said, asking whether raising anti-establishment slogans would help overcome the people’s problems.

    He also clarified a comment which was “wrongly attributed” to him. “I had never said that I am a darling of the (military) establishment. Actually, a journalist during a media interaction the other day had said that I had been a darling of the establishment for decades.”

    It is pertinent to know that the former three-time prime minister will return to Pakistan on October 21 and address a public gathering at 6 p.m. at Minar-e-Pakistan on the same day, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah revealed on Tuesday.

  • Here are all the winners from the Lux Style Awards

    Here are all the winners from the Lux Style Awards

    The prestigious Lux Style Awards were held in Karachi last night, celebrating the best of fashion and entertainment. The night’s hosts were Fahad Mustafa, Saba Qamar, Ahmed Ali Butt and Dur-e-Fishan Saleem, while several celebrities took home some of the biggest awards of the night.

    Veteran celebrities were honoured for their contributions to Pakistan’s entertainment industry, like Reema Khan took home The Youngest Lifetime Achievement Award, after Saba Qamar honoured the actress with a medley performance, and Marina Khan received the Lux Changemaker’s Award.

    Two of biggest celebrations last night was when two fan-favourite celebrities walked home with the biggest awards of the night. Yumna Zaidi was the belle of the ball last night when she bagged two awards for her performance in ‘Bakhtawar’ making her the most awards actress in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, and Pasoori got it’s well needed due after breaking out as an international hit with Ali Sethi walking home with two of the biggest awards of the night. While in the film category, Kamli was honoured with Saba Qamar receiving the Best Actress award, and the film receiving the Best Film of the year award.

    Here is a complete list of all the winners from last night:

    FASHION

    CRITICS CHOICE CATEGORY

    Emerging Talent of the Year

    Abeer Asad

    Fashion Model of the Year (Male/Female)

    Maha Tahirani

    Fashion Forward Brand of the Year

    Hussain Rehar

    Fashion Photographer/ Videographer of the Year

    Aleena Naqvi

    Fashion Hair and Make-up Artist of the Year

    Sunil Nawab

    Fashion Stylist of the Year

    Tabesh Khoja

    Most Stylish Musician of the Year

    Meesha Shafi

    FILM

    VIEWERS CHOICE CATEGORY

    Film of the Year

    Kamli

    Best Film Actor of the Year

    Feroze Khan – Tich Button

    Best Film Actor of the Year Female

    Saba Qamar – Kamli

    Film Playback Song of the Year

    Peela Rung – Parde Mein Rehne Do

    CRITICS CHOICE CATEGORY

    Best Film Director of the Year

    Sarmad Sultan Khoosat – Kamli

    Best Film of the Year

    Quaid E Azam Zindabad

    MUSIC

    VIEWERS CHOICE CATEGORY

    Singer of the Year

    Ali Sethi – Pasoori

    Song of the Year

    Kahani Suno – Kaifi Khalil

    Most Streamed Song of the Year

    Pasoori – Ali Sethi and Shae Gill

    CRITICS’ CHOICE CATEGORY

    Music Producer of the Year

    Abdullah Siddiqui and Xulfi – Pasoori

    TELEVISION

    Best TV Play

    Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi

    Best TV Long Serial

    Betiyaan

    Best TV Actor (Male)

    Arsalan Naseer – Paristan

    Best TV Actor

    Yumna Zaidi – Bakhtawar

    Best Original Soundtrack

    Mere Humsafar

    CRITICS CHOICE CATEGORY

    Best Emerging Talent

    Dananeer Mobeen – Sinf-e-Aahan

    Best Ensemble Play

    Sinf-e-Aahan

    Best TV Actor (Male)

    Bilal Abbas Khan – Dobara

    Best TV Actor (Female)

    Yumna Zaidi – Bakhtwar

    Best TV Director

    Saife Hasan – Sang-e-Mah

    Best TV Play Writer

    Mustafa Afridi – Sang-e-Mah