In difficult times it is nice to see doctors of this country doing their best to offer solace to people.
A viral video on social media shows a group of doctors from Agha Khan University (AKU) reciting the naat ‘Faasalon Ko Taqaluf’ for a patient in order to calm them down.
Since it was uploaded on social media, the video has received over 79.6K views on Twitter, with many users praising the professionals for such a moving and kind gesture and going beyond the call of duty to help a patient.
The video was first shared by the Instagram page lifeataku. Underneath the post, people began sharing their experiences of doctors in hospitals offering solace to their loved ones when they were suffering. One user wrote:
“I was admitted in the hospital for multiple organ failure and was in ICU. I remember the nursing staff playing Surah Rehman twice a day for the patients on their phones. It was such a soothing and pure experience to listen Surah Rehman, Alhumdulillah.”
Another wrote:
“When in South City my dad was admitted and was on bipap in covid days , the staff was keeping mobiles full time on eith surah rehman and yaseen no doubt whoever died are martyrs insha Allah like my dad “
The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) is poised to recommend a substantial macroeconomic framework and the size of the federal development outlay amounting to approximately Rs900-1,000 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24. This recommendation comes ahead of the upcoming budget and is expected to shape the economic policies and priorities of the country for the next fiscal year.
In an effort to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the government plans to allocate Rs90 billion for the controversial Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) specifically designed for parliamentarians. This proposed allocation is a significant increase from the revised estimates of Rs111 billion allocated in the outgoing financial year.
Moreover, the government is currently working towards raising the allocation of the SDG Achievement Programme even further, aiming to reach Rs116 billion for the ongoing fiscal year. Notably, parliamentarians from Balochistan and Sindh provinces have primarily presented flood-related schemes under this program during the current fiscal year. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are also contributing $3 billion in loans for flood-related initiatives, highlighting the need to establish mechanisms that prevent overlap and ensure optimal utilization of funds.
A substantial portion of the development schemes in Sindh and Balochistan, ranging from 50 to 60 per cent, focused on flood-related projects during the outgoing financial year. However, concerns have been raised about one political party, a significant ally of the ruling coalition, demanding that funds on behalf of their parliamentarians be channeled through the party’s political leader for distribution among its members.
According to The News, the APCC, scheduled to meet today in the Ministry of Planning, will consider approving the macroeconomic framework, which includes a targeted real GDP growth rate of 3.5 per cent and a Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate of 21 per cent for the budget of 2023-24. These figures are based on a working paper prepared by the Ministry of Planning and reflect the government’s economic outlook and goals for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Ministry of Finance has provided an indicative budget ceiling of Rs700 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in the next budget. However, the Minister for Planning, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aspires to increase this amount to Rs800 billion. Additionally, a proposed allocation of Rs200 billion for the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) through public-private partnerships (PPP) would bring the total PSDP size to a proposed Rs1,000 billion at the federal level for the upcoming financial year.
In an effort to address infrastructure needs, the share of the National Highway Authority (NHA) in the proposed PSDP is expected to decrease, ranging from Rs90 billion to Rs100 billion, due to the NHA’s inability to fully utilise the allocated funds in the ongoing financial year. The government is also considering allocations for flood mitigation and reconstruction efforts, as well as the inclusion of the Diamer Basha Dam project in the upcoming budget for 2023-24.
As the APCC finalises its recommendations and the budgetary process unfolds, the government aims to strike a balance between addressing developmental needs, achieving SDGs, and ensuring efficient utilization of funds for the benefit of the nation.
Civil rights activist and lawyer Mohammad Jibran Nasir was picked up by armed individuals on Thursday, from Karachi, his wife, actress Mansha Pasha, has confirmed.
Pasha has revealed that she and her husband were coming back from dinner when a white Vigo almost crashed into their car. Fifteen men armed with guns came out and took Nasir with them.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of abduction.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the abduction of Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir.
The FIR states that the lawyer has been picked up by unidentified people.
The case has been registered at the Clifton Police Station under two sections of the Pakistan Penal Code — 365 and 34. The FIR has been registered on the complaint of Jibran’s wife Mansha Pasha.
Social media users are calling for Nasir’s immediate release.
@MJibranNasir is a good and brave man who has fought all the right battles. Picking him up helps nobody's cause. He should be released immediately.
🚨 ATTENTION: Lawyer & activist Jibran Nasir has been abducted by na maloom afraad from inside his car. We strongly condemn his abduction (which is a clear violation of citizen rights) & urge the govt & LEAs to ensure his immediate + unconditional safe release.#FreeJibranNasir
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) June 1, 2023
Very disturbing to hear about @MJibranNasir abduction.Hope Sindh police will assist his family and locate him immediately. Jibran has always spoken against violent extremism and rioting. Hoping for his safe and immediate return
Jibran Nasir is a lawyer by profession, a human rights activist and an independent politician.
Jibran Nasir participated in 2013 and 2018 general elections as an independent candidate from NA-247 and PS-111 constituencies of Karachi.
Jibran is known for his strong stance against hate speech and the lawyer has always been vocal about human rights violations.
Jibran has also worked with different non-profit organizations including, Elaj Trust, advocacy, Never Forget Pakistan.
After the Army Public School attack in 2014, Jibran took a stand against Taliban apologists. He was among the four people who held a candlelight vigil in front of Lal Masjid against then-chief cleric Abdul Aziz for refusing to condemn the attack.
Jibran has been at the forefront in different cases of human right violations such as the Khadija Siddiqui stabbing case. He has been part of the counsel for the father of slain aspiring model Naqeebullah Mehsud and against Shahrukh Jatoi.
He was the creator of the famous #ImagineKashmir campaign.
In 2021, Jibran tied the knot with actress Mansha Pasha.
The Rawalpindi Police have arrested a serial killer accused of the murder of three transgender women.
The suspect, Ali Hussain, killed two transgender women after raping them.
According to the police, the accused killed Zahoor, in February this year, Saif in April and another transgender woman in January 2020 in Rahim Yar Khan.
Separately, a transgender was allegedly raped in Raiwind on Wednesday.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Aralldice have finished their tour of Pakistan, revealing why they were visiting the country Pakistan a very short period.
The two visited Lahore Cricket Academy, Lahore Museum, Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan and Shahi Qilla. They also toured Punjab Safe City office to examine the city’s security apparatus for cricket tours.
Chairman Greg Barclay said that he wants to visit every single member of ICC to examine cricket facilities in each country. He praised Pakistan on bilateral cricket arrangements. Barclay said that cricket facilities and related programs are praiseworthy.
Now that international cricket is back in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is successfully playing its role in bilateral cricket arrangements.
He expressed hope that he will see Pakistan’s men’s and women’s cricket at the next level.
The recent tour of ICC’s Chairman Greg Barclay is the first ever visit to Pakistan. The two ICC officials also sat down with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi at the board’s head quarter and talked about the betterment of cricket and commercialism in the sport.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said in an interview to Independent Urdu, “A semi-martial law is already in place in the country” and “everything is happening on the wishes of those in power”. He passed the remarks while talking about the use of Army Act against civilians.
When asked whether he is hopeful that he will get the result of an inquiry into the May 9 events, Imran said that it is a simple matter. “CCTV cameras are everywhere.”
He continued by saying that peaceful protest is everyone’s constitutional right, adding, “The way the army picked me up from the High Court like I was a terrorist, the reaction of the people was expected.”
He further said that peaceful protest in front of GHQ is not a crime. However, while referring to May 9 events, Imran said that there is no justification of violent protests and neither is it his party’s policy.
Elaborating further, Khan said that it is very difficult to point out the real culprits in a mob, adding that the events gave a chance to the government to launch a crackdown against PTI.
Talking about his party members leaving the fold, Imran said that they have been pressured to leave.
The former prime minister was adamant that there is no law in Pakistan and no one is following the constitution.
Apple is set to make a major announcement at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the tech giant plans to introduce a new MacBook Air model with a larger 15-inch display. The highly anticipated unveiling is scheduled to take place during Apple’s event on Monday, June 5 at 10 AM Pacific Time.
The upcoming MacBook Air will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, as it is expected to feature a 15.5-inch display, as revealed by reliable display industry analyst Ross Young.
This represents a notable increase in screen size compared to the current MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch display. While the laptop had previously been offered in an 11-inch variant, Apple appears to be shifting towards larger displays to cater to user preferences.
What’s new?
According to renowned Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new MacBook Air will be equipped with the highly acclaimed M2 chip, which has been widely praised for its enhanced performance. The M2 chip boasts an 18 per cent faster CPU, a 35 per cent faster GPU, and a 40 per cent faster Neural Engine when compared to the previous M1 chip. These improvements make the new MacBook Air an enticing option for users considering an upgrade from the 2020 MacBook Air.
In addition to the improved performance, the larger chassis of the 15-inch MacBook Air will accommodate a bigger battery, potentially offering users a longer battery life. Apple’s current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip can last up to an impressive 18 hours per charge. With the larger form factor, it is anticipated that the 15-inch model may even approach the 20-hour mark, reaffirming Apple’s commitment to providing industry-leading performance-per-watt.
Another anticipated upgrade in the new MacBook Air is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, as seen in other recent Apple releases. While the 13-inch MacBook Air is currently limited to Wi-Fi 6, the 15-inch model is likely to benefit from the faster speeds, lower latency, and reduced signal interference provided by Wi-Fi 6E. Users will need to connect their devices to a Wi-Fi 6E router from brands like TP-Link, Asus, or Netgear to fully harness these advantages.
Moreover, the new MacBook Air could potentially support Bluetooth 5.3, following Apple’s recent integration of the technology into its latest devices. Bluetooth 5.3 brings improvements in reliability and power efficiency compared to its predecessor, Bluetooth 5.2, enhancing the overall wireless experience for users.
With the upcoming announcement of the 15-inch MacBook Air, Apple aims to cater to the demands of its user base by offering a larger display, superior performance with the M2 chip, extended battery life, and cutting-edge wireless connectivity. The unveiling at WWDC is eagerly anticipated by Apple enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike, and it further solidifies Apple’s commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional products to its customers.
Armie Hammer, who rose to fame with ‘Call Me By Your Name’ and left Hollywood after accusations of sexual assault, will not be charged, Los Angeles District Attorney has confirmed.
Hammer was accused of rape and sexual abuse by several women, with screenshots of graphic messages from the actor shared by the accusers. The actor has texted women “I am 100% a cannibal” and “I want to eat you.” The LAPD had announced that they were launching an official investigation on the former ‘The Social Network’ actor.
On Wednesday, a representative from the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that there was insufficient evidence to charge Hammer with a crime, due to the complex relationship between him and the woman:
“In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Hammer with a crime,” the statement read. “As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt … Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter, we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The woman, who went by the anonymous name House Of Effie on Instgram, had filed a case in 2021, claiming that Hammer had raped her in 2017, and had repeatedly slammed her head against the wall, bruising her face.
“During those four hours, I tried to get away, but he wouldn’t let me,” the woman said at the news conference. “I thought that he was going to kill me. He then left with no concern for my well-being.”
Effie has released a statement on Instagram addressing the announcement, revealing that it “cost me a great deal to have spoken out and filed a report against Armie’s abuse.”
“I felt a duty to speak out and file a report in order to try and hold Armie accountable for all the harm and trauma he had caused me and to protect other women from experiencing similar abuse. It has cost me a great deal to have spoken out and filed a report against Armie’s abuse. Since I came forward, I have received death threats, rape threats, incessant harassment. Many of Armie’s victims were afraid to come forward. My hope is that one day, rapists won’t get away with it.”
In 2022, a documentary called ‘The House Of Hammer’ was released on Discovery + which detailed the investigation of emotional and physical abuse the ‘Rebecca’ actor had inflicted over women, as well as an interview with his aunt, Casey, who had written a memoir about her family ‘Surviving My Birthright’, detailing the abuse and greed of the Hammer family.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday adjourned a hearing on a set of petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act 2023, aimed at limiting the powers of the head of the apex court.
The hearing was adjourned after Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan told Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial that the government has decided to review the bill as certain provisions within the law exhibit overlapping aspects.
The hearing was conducted by an eight-judge bench comprising the CJP, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.
On May 29, during the hearing of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) review petition with regard to elections in Punjab, Mansoor Awan told the apex court that President Arif Alvi has passed the Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023.
“The president has signed the Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023. Under the new law, a larger bench will hear review petitions,” he told the three judges bench hearing the petition.
The bill has been the center of debate since it was first presented, as it led to speculation that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be able to appeal against his disqualification.
Hollywood legend Al Pacino began trending on social media on Wednesday at incredible speed, making us all think, “Oh no!”
But then we saw why he was trending and were like “Oh no!”
Yup, Al Pacino joined the likes of Mick Jagger and Robert De Niro to announce that he and his 29 year old girlfriend Noor Alfallah, are expecting a child together.
The 83-year-old ‘Godfather’ actor, whose eldest child Julie is older than his current partner, began dating Alfallah in 2021 when the pandemic started. They were both spotted together last April at a diner.
Alfallah, who works as a music producer, previously dated Mick Jagger and Clint Eastwood.
And though the news is strange, it has unleashed a string of hilarious memes.
