Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Sassur jee naraz; Shahid Afridi not happy with Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

    Sassur jee naraz; Shahid Afridi not happy with Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

    Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Shahid Afridi expressed disappointment at son-in-law Shaheen Afridi’s recent performance against India in a crucial match of Super 4 stage in Asia Cup 2023.

    Pakistan was defeated by a massive margin of 228 runs. Chasing the target of 357 runs, Pakistani team collapsed on 128 runs in 32 overs.

    Shahid Afridi said, “Shaheen would have to be consistent on his line and length. If you are not getting wickets in early two overs, you don’t have to be angry.”

    The senior Afraid was of the view that Shaheen should bowl on the same length as Naseem Shah. “The pitch was good for bowling but our bowling was not good,” the former captain said.

    He observed that some people were asking on social media why Pakistan had decided to bowl first. “If we ball like Naseem Shah in initial overs, the situation could have been different. Shaheen’s line and length were not good, he gets frustrated if he doesn’t get wickets in early overs because he is known as a wicket taker in the first over.”

  • There was and is only one Chairman of PTI: Shah Mehmood Qureshi still loyal to Imran

    There was and is only one Chairman of PTI: Shah Mehmood Qureshi still loyal to Imran

    Vice-chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that there was and is only one Chairman of the party, putting to rest any speculation about his loyalty to Imran Khan.

    Appearing before a special court in Islamabad for a hearing of the cipher case, the former Foreign Minister said that Pakistan is very dear to him. “I am confident that I have never betrayed my country,” Qureshi said as he talked to media while in handcuffs.

    “The gallows are near where I am incarcerated. I am loyal to my country. If I have been disloyal, then hang me,” Qureshi told members of the press, adding that he is in solitary confinement. “I am not allowed to walk around like other prisoners are. I also eat the same food as the other prisoners, I am not allowed food from home,” he said, describing the conditions inside Adiala Jail.

    Shah Mehmood said that he met his wife and children on Tuesday. “My family is going through torture,” he commented.

    Talking about PTI chairman Imran Khan, Qureshi said that no one can replace him. “Speculation and confusion are being spread about the chairmanship of the party,” he commented.

  • State institutions should respect ECP on delimitation process and election schedule: Law Ministers

    State institutions should respect ECP on delimitation process and election schedule: Law Ministers

    The interim federal and provincial law ministers have urged all state institutions to respect the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in matters related to the delimitation process and election schedule.

    The statement was issued by the law ministers after a meeting chaired by caretaker Law and Justice Minister Ahmad Irfan in Islamabad was conveyed in the form of a press release today.

    The meeting was held to discuss a matter related to the upcoming general elections in the country. The provincial law ministers, Kanwar Dilshad (Punjab), Muhammad Omer Soomro (Sindh), Arshad Hussain Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Amanullah Kanrani (Balochistan), attended the huddle.

    The conclusion of the important meeting was that the country’s electoral authority alone can announce the election date as per the constitution.

    “The Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent constitutional body,” the statement issued by the ministry read.

    The law ministry issued the statement a day after caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that President Arif Alvi has no power to announce the election date.

  • iPhone 15 abandons lightning port for USB-C, complying with EU mandate 

    iPhone 15 abandons lightning port for USB-C, complying with EU mandate 

    Apple has officially revealed the iPhone 15 series, which no longer features the lightning charging port. This change was mandated by the European Union (EU). The tech giant announced this development during its annual event held on Tuesday, revealing that the iPhone 15 would adopt a USB-C cable as the new “universally accepted standard.”

    In addition to the iPhone news, Apple also introduced a new series of the Apple Watch, boasting a more advanced chip. However, some analysts noted that this year’s announcements lacked the usual “headline-grabbing” updates that Apple is known for.

    Ben Wood, an analyst from CCS Insight, commented on this, stating, “It isn’t a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch. It reflects just how refined the iPhone and Watch devices are and how tough it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year.”

    Apple did provide a solution for users with existing lightning port accessories by releasing a USB-C-to-lightning port adapter priced at £29 ($36). This adapter allows users to connect their legacy accessories to the new USB-C-enabled iPhones or iPads. Notably, this marks the first time since 2012 that an iPhone will feature an alternative charging port.

    The USB-C cable, already compatible with various Apple laptops and iPads, will also work with the new versions of AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones.

    The EU had mandated that Apple transition away from its proprietary charging ports to simplify the lives of consumers, reduce costs, and promote the reuse of chargers to combat e-waste. However, some critics have voiced concerns about an increase in discarded cables in the future.

    In response to environmental considerations, Apple used its Tuesday launch event to make a series of commitments, including making the new Apple Watch range carbon neutral. They also pledged to increase the use of recycled materials in batteries and other components of the new Watch and iPhone.

    Furthermore, Apple confirmed its decision to cease using leather in any of its accessories and aims to become a carbon-neutral business by 2030.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, touted the iPhone 15 as the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made,” highlighting improvements such as brighter screens, enhanced camera systems, and a titanium frame for the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

    The Pro and Pro Max also feature an “action button” that can be customised for various functions. The new Apple Watch introduces gesture control, allowing wearers to answer or end calls with a simple double tap.

    Despite these enhancements, some experts questioned whether consumers would be willing to pay the high price tags for these devices, as they may not offer significant differences from their predecessors.

    The iPhone 15 starts at £799, while the iPhone 15 Pro begins at £999 in the UK.

  • Two women record statements against Gulshan-e-Hadeed School Principal

    Two women record statements against Gulshan-e-Hadeed School Principal

    Two women have recorded statements against the school principal accused of rape and blackmail in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Karachi.

    The case of alleged rape and blackmail of women by Gulshan-e-Hadeed School principal was heard in the court of the Judicial Magistrate of Malir. After physical remand was completed, police produced the school principal in the court.

    The two women also appeared in court, with the investigating officer requesting the court to record their statements.

    The investigating officer produced the Universal Serial Bus (USB) containing the videos in the court.

    The statements of both the women were recorded. One of them said that Irfan gave her a job and blackmailed her by making a video.

    The court extended the physical remand of the school principal for four days.

    Previously, the principal was taken into custody after allegations of raping and blackmailing women after videos of the rapes appeared on social media.

    The principal has reportedly admitted to raping women after promising them job opportunities, then recording their videos to blackmail them.

    Additionally, it was made known that the school was not registered with the relevant authority, functioning without any legal status. Consequently, it has been sealed.

  • Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) faces an imminent crisis, as a high-ranking official from the national carrier has issued a warning that flight operations may be suspended by September 15th if emergency funding is not promptly secured. This concerning development, as reported by Geo News, underscores the severity of the situation.

    In a statement to Geo News on Wednesday, a senior director at PIA highlighted that the operational fleet has dwindled from 23 to just 16 aircraft, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of numerous flights. The dire financial straits of the airline have led to significant disruptions.

    Furthermore, the official revealed that renowned aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, have halted the supply of crucial spare parts to PIA due to outstanding payments. This disruption, coupled with reduced flight operations, has incurred substantial daily losses running into millions of rupees for the national airline.

    In a distressing incident, one PIA aircraft was temporarily detained at Dammam airport, while four others faced a similar situation at Dubai airport, all due to unpaid fuel bills. These aircraft were eventually permitted to depart based on written assurances from PIA, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reinstating PIA services following an emergency payment of $3.5 million.

    The official’s somber warning emphasized that without an injection of Rs23 billion in emergency funds, flight operations may face suspension by September 15th.

    In response to this critical situation, a PIA spokesperson, in a statement, assured that exhaustive efforts were underway to avert the suspension of flight operations.

    Earlier reports had indicated that PIA’s financial challenges had severely impacted its flight schedule, resulting in the cancellation of both domestic and international flights. The airline had urgently requested government intervention to provide the necessary funds, and there were also reports of unpaid salaries to PIA employees.

    This financial turmoil for PIA had previously prompted the grounding of five leased aircraft, with the possibility of grounding four more due to ongoing financial constraints. The airline had sought an emergency bailout of Rs22.9 billion, which was unfortunately rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Additionally, the ECC declined requests for the deferment of monthly payments to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    In another setback, last month, the FBR had frozen 13 PIA bank accounts due to non-payment of Rs8 billion in Federal Excise Duty (FED), further compounding the airline’s financial woes.

  • Libya floods: 3,000 dead, 10,000 missing

    Libya floods: 3,000 dead, 10,000 missing

    Around 3,000 people have died while 10,000 are missing and 20,000 people have been displaced since heavy floods have hit eastern Libya, multiple international news outlets have said.

    Aid is being sent to Benghazi via plane carrying 14 tonnes of supplies and medical personnel even though the hard-hit areas are still difficult to reach.

    Additionally, relief convoys are being sent from west to east in divided Libya as the eastern region has been deemed a disaster zone by the internationally recognised Tripoli government.

    However, according to Al-Jazeera, “Authorities have struggled to reach Derna, because roads leading to the city are destroyed or cut off by flooding.” Moreover, communications with the city have been broken off, hindering information collection on casualties and damage.

    According to the Benghazi administration, more than 1,000 bodies have been recovered from the Mediterranean city of Derna.

    Storm Daniel

    Storm Daniel hit eastern Libya on Monday, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Two dams on the Wadi Derna River were destroyed and consequently, millions of cubic metres of water swept through the area.

    Al-Jazeera also spoke with National Council on Libya-US Relations who stated that “About 4sq km [1.5sq miles] at the heart of the city have been eroded completely.”

    Moreover, Tamer Ramadan, a member of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies delegation to Libya, referred to the issue of dealing with the flood that is “beyond the capabilities of the government, of the national society, of the people” and that assistance from international actors would be needed.

    Benghazi Minister of Civil Aviation Hichem Chkiouat managed to visit Derna and spoke with Reuters, “Bodies are lying everywhere – in the sea, in the valleys, under the buildings.”

    “I am not exaggerating when I say that 25 percent of the city has disappeared,” he added.

  • Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan on October 21, Shehbaz confirms

    Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan on October 21, Shehbaz confirms

    The president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed on Tuesday that PML-N head Nawaz Sharif will return to the country on October 21, Geo News has reported.

    “Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21,” Shehbaz told Geo after a meeting of the top leadership of PML-N in London, headed by the party’s head.

    While speaking to the media after the high-level party huddle in London, Shehbaz said that the date for Nawaz’s return was finalised after consultation with party members.

    The former prime minister mentioned that the credit for starting big development projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and an end to load-shedding in the country “goes to Nawaz”.

    “Nawaz returned with thanks the package which was offered to him for not making Pakistan a nuclear power, saying that Pakistan’s interest was much more valuable than $5 billion,” Shehbaz further said.

  • Chinese woman holds 16 corporate jobs for three years without showing up

    Chinese woman holds 16 corporate jobs for three years without showing up

    A Chinese woman, identified only as Guan Yue under a pseudonym, was recently exposed for a remarkable three-year involvement in a complex labor-fraud operation, as reported by local media. 

    Guan Yue’s participation encompassed maintaining 16 distinct corporate positions without physically attending any of them, contributing to a staggering labour-fraud scheme valued at nearly $7 million, according to China’s state-owned newspaper, Xinmin.

    The report detailed Guan’s meticulous record-keeping, in which she meticulously documented each hiring opportunity on paper. During job interviews, she would post images from these interviews on her company’s internal communication channels, misleading colleagues by implying client meetings. 

    As the volume of job offers exceeded her capacity, Guan would delegate these positions to acquaintances, earning a commission in the process. It’s important to note that Insider was unable to independently verify the details of this extensive investigation.

    Xinmin highlighted the pervasive nature of such labour fraud in China, with an estimated 700–800 organised groups regularly exploiting multiple job opportunities from employers. These groups have honed their skills in securing employment, mastering the art of interviews, and presenting impressive, albeit fraudulent, resumes.

    Remarkably, when their deception is exposed, these cases are seldom treated as criminal offences; instead, they are typically resolved through employment law channels, a system these groups have become increasingly adept at navigating. 

    In a notable instance, one of these groups successfully infiltrated a company, placing a member in the role of HR representative, who subsequently hired the rest of the group, as disclosed by the newspaper.

  • Sara Sharif case: Urfan Sharif’s five children sent to Child Protection Bureau

    Sara Sharif case: Urfan Sharif’s five children sent to Child Protection Bureau

    In a recent development in the Sara Sharif case, Jhelum police have shifted Urfan Sharif’s five children to the Child Protection Bureau in Lahore

    A day before, Sharif’s children, found in their grandfather’s house, were taken into protective custody by the police as the hunt continues for their father and stepmother.

    The children have been shifted to the Bureau after a local court granted permission to the police to do so. The children are said to be in the Bureau’s custody till the parents, Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool, are found and arrested.

    Dawn spoke with Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram Ali, who stated that the parents as well as Urfan Sharif’s brother (and Sara’s uncle) are still on the run and the police is “conducting raids at possible hideouts for their arrests”.

    He also clarified that the three suspects cannot flee Pakistan as FIA’s Immigration Wing has put staff on alert at all airports.

    Additionally, the parent’s relatives have not been complying and have even approached Lahore High Court against the police, claiming that the police have illegally detained around 10 relatives of Urfan. “The court was being misled through fabricated information”, RPO added.

    Dawn highlighted that the police had interrogated 10 to 15 of the relatives on Saturday in the search to pinpoint the couple’s whereabouts, after which they were allowed to leave.

    The RPO said the relatives are playing a “dubious role” and contributing to the couple’s “trouble”.

    Urfan’s father initially claimed to not have any information about his grandchildren, however, they were found at his place after the raid.

    “If they did nothing wrong in London, they should feel free to hand themselves over to the police”, said the RPO, referring to the couple, hoping that they will surrender soon since the children should not be kept away from the parents for too long.

    The case

    On August 10, 10-year-old Sara Sharif was found dead in her home in Woking, England, when her father, Urfan Sharif, called 999 from Pakistan.

    Nadeem Riaz, shop owner and a travelling agent, has known Sharif for 11 years. During an interview with The Times, he recalled that on August 8, he booked one way tickets to Pakistan on urgent basis, claiming that his cousin died.

    On August 9, Sharif, his wife Beinash Batool, their five children and Sharif’s brother Faisal Malik left for Islamabad from the UK on a British Airways flight.

    The next day, Urfan Sharif called 999 after which the police found Sara’s body at home. Surrey Police then began an investigation along with international partners. The same day, after arriving at Islamabad, the family travelled to Jhelum. The police kept on tracking them as they left for Domeli late on August 12, and then left Domeli the very next day. This was the last location tracked.

    On August 15, Pakistan police received a request from International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) via FIA to hunt them down.