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Author: News Desk

  • TRIGGER WARNING- ‘If rape is imminent, then enjoy it’: PPP’s Nabil Gabol’s disgusting remarks once again get slammed on social media

    Trigger warning: rape jokes, kidnapping, assault, sexual harassment

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) politician Nabil Gabol has proved that one can be a legislator in the highest offices and yet resort to making extremely offensive, misogynist jokes whenever they can.

    Twitter users have decried PPP for claiming that they are a progressive party, but providing important positions to men like Gabol who make misogynist and degrading comments about women on public platforms. A clip from a YouTube podcast, The Pakistan Experience with host Shehzad Ghias, is going viral on Twitter where Gabol was a guest and where he said: “When rape is imminent, then just enjoy it.”

    To which activists like Soul Sister’s Founder Kanwal Ahmed responded with “Gross”.

    Journalist Zebunnisa Burki shared the clip on her Twitter page and lamented the fact that men in powerful positions are never held accountable for talking about women in a vulgar manner like he has.

    Founder of ‘Digital Rights Foundation’ and lawyer Nighat Dad criticized Gabol on her Twitter account for casually using rape as a punchline because of the way it malign’s the struggles of survivors of sexual violence, and especially called for politicians to be held accountable for their words because they hold positions of power and influence.

    https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1642617390767677441?s=20

    Dad also shared a clip from Gabol’s previous interview with Youtuber Nadir Ali which took place in 2022, where the politician was seen making sexually suggestive comments about women politicians.

    https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1642625211735457794?s=20

    In the same interview, a user shared a clip of Gabol openly claiming that he kidnaps girls and takes them under his possession.

    Recently, Gabol had given an interview to Nadir Ali, where a Twitter users shamed him for his sexual comments about the TikTok star Ayesha, and for asking for her number.

    https://twitter.com/shezanmango/status/1642158091625201665?s=20

    Writer and columnist Fatima Bhutto shared the clip from Gabol’s interview with Ghias, and in the caption she condemned his comments for exposing the ‘criminal mindset of the Sindh government.”

    Bakhtawar Bhutto, the sister of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, condemned Gabol on Monday morning in a tweet.

    His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only & is in noway a representation of our party. Incase it wasn’t already abundantly obvious- we absolutely & unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party.”

    However, users demanded that Gabol be removed from the party, calling the tweet a tone-deaf response to criticism.

    Minister of Climate Change Sherry Rehman has responded to the controversy in a tweet saying that strict action was underway.

  • Muhammad Amir gears up to comeback in international cricket

    Muhammad Amir gears up to comeback in international cricket

    Selectors of the national cricket team have hinted that left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Amir is gearing up to wear the Pakistan cricket team kit once again.

    Sources have said that an important official of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently met Muhammad Amir’s manager and gave a green signal to the left-arm pacer by advising him to be prepared while gearing up for a comeback.


    According to a media report, the selector has warned Amir to just focus on his cricket and avoid giving unnecessary statements in the media, which might create controversy.

    The report further added that he will soon be asked to take his retirement back, so he needs to keep practicing and keep himself fit till then.

    Amir called time on his international career in 2020 in protest over the treatment he had received from the then-management, led by Misbah ul Haq.

    However, after Najam Sethi took charge of PCB, the management committee chairman said in a media interaction that Amir would be considered for selection like other players, if he takes his retirement back.

    “Mohammad Amir can play international cricket for Pakistan if he takes his retirement back. I always took a strong stance against match-fixing. I believe no convicted player should be spared, but at the same time, a player should be allowed to resume international cricket once he has completed his years of penalty,” said Sethi.


    Muhammad Amir is the key-bowler for Karachi Kings. The bowler’s remarks often land him into controversy.

    Despite retiring, Amir continues to play in leagues around the world and recently represented Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL).
    Recently Pakistan’s former captain wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed praised Amir, stating that he is better than any other left-arm pacer on the team right now.

  • Karachi teenage girl allegedly marries her kidnapper

    Karachi teenage girl allegedly marries her kidnapper

    A teenage girl who had been reported missing from Karachi has allegedly married her kidnapper in Lahore, according to police, Dawn has reported.

    The girl’s family had filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 365-B of PPC while the police had conducted raids in Peshawar and Lahore to find her.


    The police have claimed that the girl married the kidnapper with her consent. The family had named Abdullah in the FIR, and according to Korangi-SSP Sajid Amir Sadozai, the girl’s marriage documents are being verified.


    The girl had gone missing on February 13. The case is currently under investigation, and further details are yet to be revealed.

  • Nadra confirms data theft of Army Chief’s family

    Nadra confirms data theft of Army Chief’s family

    In a news report published on Sunday in The News, it was stated that the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) is set to finalise an inquiry identifying those behind a data leak involving the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir’s family.

    Journalist Azaz Syed wrote that NADRA has issued a detailed statement confirming the data theft of Army Chief’s family, according to the same news outlet.

    According to the report, “Nadra finalises probe into illegal access to COAS family’s data, dated April 02, 2023, it is to clarify that the subject probe into illegal access to COAS family’s data is a continuation of Nadra’s stringent measures to protect the citizens’ data from unauthorised access, when he sought help from premier security agency upon assumption of charge as chairman Nadra in June 2021.”

    Multiple users of different organisations had accessed General Asim Munir’s data before he was appointed COAS. Other than Nadra, nine institutions, including law enforcement agencies, banks and housing authorities, accessed the COAS’s family data.

    About the ongoing inquiry, COAS’s family data was accessed in absence of Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik, who was on ex-Pakistan leave (on official assignment) in November 2022.

    Last November, illegally-accessed information was reportedly used in an attempt to block the appointment of the current army chief.

    In October 2022, five senior Lieutenant-Generals were contending for the position of Pakistan’s new army chief. During this time, a junior data entry operator at NADRA, Farooq Ahmed, allegedly accessed the data of a female family member of Gen Munir and collected the family’s details and identity card numbers.

    This data was later used in the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to track international travel destinations the family had travelled to.

    The prime minister had an investigation launched into the data leak.

    As regards to the ongoing probe into the COAS family’s data, the NADRA chairman ordered the inquiry which is in the closing phase. Culprits, from DGs to the data entry operators, have been identified.

  • Ishaq Dar to attend IMF, World Bank meetings in US

    Ishaq Dar to attend IMF, World Bank meetings in US

    Finance Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, will lead a delegation to the United States to attend the annual spring meeting of the Breton Wood Institutions (BWIs), comprising the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, from April 10 to 16.

    The delegation includes officials from the Finance and Economic Affairs Division and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor. The delegation is expected to present new proposals to the IMF and World Bank for the provision of dollar inflows.

    IMF and Pakistan will also discuss the possibility of combining the remaining 10th and 11th reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, worth $6.5 billion, if the pending 9th review is completed. The EFF program, signed in 2019, is set to expire on June 30, 2023, and cannot be extended beyond the deadline.

    The delay in the 9th Review’s completion, scheduled for December 2022, has resulted in the delay of the 10th Review, which was to start in February 2023. The 11th Review was scheduled to begin on May 3. The delay in the 9th Review will increase the cost of correcting the situation.

    The government of Pakistan has taken difficult decisions to revive the IMF program, but there is no easy solution to the country’s ailing economy. The IMF is seeking verification from Pakistan’s bilateral friends, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, to provide additional assistance of $6 billion until the end of June 2023.

    SBP’s foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $4.2 billion, which is insufficient to meet obligations related to foreign debt servicing, including principal and markup. It remains to be seen how the completion of the bailout program will proceed, given the delay in the 10th Review.

  • Pakistan to receive first-ever shipment of low-cost oil from Russia in May

    Pakistan to receive first-ever shipment of low-cost oil from Russia in May

    Minister of State for Petroleum, Musadik Malik, announced on Sunday that Pakistan will receive its first-ever shipment of low-cost oil from Russia next month, which is expected to benefit the general public.

    In an interview with a private news channel, the minister confirmed that the government had finalised a deal with Russian authorities following successful dialogues. The shipment is expected to arrive in May via cargo. The minister also ensured that the government will pass on the cost savings to consumers.

    Regarding power and gas tariffs, Malik stated that the government is planning to introduce different tariffs for the poor and elite classes. He stated that the government has already made progress in this regard and hopes to issue separate billing for the underprivileged and elite class. The new tariff structure is expected to provide relief to the poor segment of society.

    Last month, officials from the Petroleum Division had disclosed that Pakistan was in talks with Russia to procure crude oil at around $50 per barrel, which is $10 per barrel lower than the price cap imposed by the G7 countries on oil imports from Russia due to its conflict with Ukraine.

    The officials had shared that Moscow was keen on completing all the prerequisites, such as the mode of payment, shipping cost with premium, and insurance cost, before signing the agreement with Pakistan.

  • Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Pakistan gamer Arslan “Ash” Siddique has won the Tekken 7 competition at EVO Japan 2023 on Sunday after beating South Korea’s Meo-IL.

    The Lahore-based player has now won three EVO titles. In 2019, he won the Tekken 7 tournament in Japan as well as the Evolution Championship Series in the United States.

    In August last year, he finished third in the EVO 2022 Tekken 7 competition.

    On Sunday, Siddique played as Zafina to dominate Meo-IL, who was using Geese Howard, 3-0 in the tournament’s final leg.

    Arslan Ash is a well known taken 7 player. He represents Pakistan at different platforms of E- gaming.

    His third trophy win at EVO Japan 2023 for Tekken 7, is now in direct competition for Knee’s record. Jae-Min “Knee” Bae holds the record for three EVO wins. He won his first back in 2013 at the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 event and subsequently, 2 more at EVO 2018 and 2022.

    Previously, Pakistan’s Arslan Ash won EVO Japan 2019 and the EVO Championship series. He went toe-to-toe against Rangchu for the upper bracket finals and Meo-IL in the Grand Finals. He mained Zafina, showcasing some flashy moves.

    This was the last time we’ll see Tekken 7 at an EVO event. Bandai Namco is planning full steam ahead for a Tekken 8 release. We don’t know when we’ll get our hands on those juicy Heat Smashes, Heat Bursts, and new juggle combos. But we’re eagerly waiting.

    Ash thanked his sponsors, fans, and the growing Pakistani Tekken Community for achieving this milestone in his eSports career. We might get to see him at EVO Las Vegas, adding another trophy to his name.

  • ‘Cringe’: Twitter slams Varun Dhawan’s defence for kissing Gigi Hadid at Ambani event

    ‘Cringe’: Twitter slams Varun Dhawan’s defence for kissing Gigi Hadid at Ambani event

    Events hosted by the Ambanis are among the most anticipated nights in Bollywood. Indian film royalty as well as international stars arrive dressed to the nines to provide a spectacular night filled with entertainment.

    However, as much as we plebeians can gape at this show of money, there was a moment that did not sit well with twitter users. A viral clip showed a performance by Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan pulling Hollywood model Gigi Hadid on stage and spinning her around before kissing her cheek.

    The performance was planned, as Hadid posted a clip on her Instagram stories, with the caption saying: “Thank you Varun Dhawan for making my Bollywood dream come true.”

    But Dhawan drew backlash on social media because of his response to a twitter user and defending his behavior by trolling critics for being ‘woke’.

    The reply irked users, leading to many pointing out that even though the dance was planned, kissing Hadid was crossing boundaries.

    https://twitter.com/shak3342/status/1642491754195582980?s=20

    Twitter users pointed out that this was not the first time Dhawan had crossed boundaries, as they shared old clips of him crossing boundaries with other Bollywood actresses.

  • Nawaz to visit Saudi as royal guest

    Nawaz to visit Saudi as royal guest

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will perform Umrah in the last days of Ramzan on the invitation of the royal family.

    Nawaz is set to visit the Kingdom on the invitation of the Saudi ruler, with the former Prime Minister being a royal guest in the country.

    The news of Sharif’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia has led to speculation that he may use the opportunity to return to Pakistan. However, there has been no official confirmation from Sharif or his party about his plans to return.

    The PML-N supremo was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds in October 2019, and, he was allowed to travel to London for treatment for four weeks. However, Nawaz has not returned since then.

  • Najam Sethi denies talks with ICC about Pakistan’s World Cup matches

    Najam Sethi denies talks with ICC about Pakistan’s World Cup matches

    Najam Sethi has denied speaking to International Cricket Council (ICC) about playing World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified that the ‘hybrid model’ was strictly pertaining to the Asia Cup since India will not travel to Pakistan.


    “Referring to the media talk in Rawalpindi/Islamabad on Thursday, Mr. Najam Sethi said he had briefed the media on the hybrid model he had presented to the Asian Cricket Council officials for the ACC Asia Cup to end the impasse that had been created following the BCCI’s decision to not send its team to Pakistan.

    “This proposal – to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions within the ACC,” a PCB media release stated.

    Sethi said that he was misquoted by a section of the media.

    “At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or made any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far,” Sethi said in the press release.
    The PCB through media release gave a rejoinder to one of its local English news agency.

    “In this background, the PCB is disappointed that a leading English language newspaper has misquoted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented Mr. Sethi’s comments and gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect.
    “At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.” However, to pacify the country’s media, PCB in its press release did mention that the concept of a ‘hybrid model’ could be discussed later but even the bigwigs know that any such recommendation will be rejected at the onset. “This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time,” it stated in the end.

    It must be mentioned that there is very little chance that Asian Cricket Council will pass the budget to allow Pakistan to play its Asia Cup matches at home instead of UAE or Qatar.
    The only possibility will be that PCB will have to bear the entire cost, including the logistics of the broadcasters in order to host matches in their country.