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Author: News Desk

  • Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shown concern on consecutive defeats of Quetta Gladiators. Talking on a TV show, Afridi said that Sarfaraz Ahmed has to step down as captain of Quetta Gladiators.

    He said that Sarfaraz should play only as a team member and focus on his own performance first to manage the pressure upon him. Afridi added that the responsibility for Quetta’s consecutive defeats lies on team management who has no alternative captain.

    Responding to a question about Sarfaraz’s performance, Afridi cited an example from Islamabad United and said: “There should always be a player standing by on the bench who can take the place if the team falls short of any player.”

    “This strategy is nowhere to be seen in Quetta Gladiators”, he added.

    The former star cricketer also mentioned that several changes had been made in the team.

    While citing another example from Karachi Kings, he said that the team is not performing exceptionally well, however, its captain Imad Wasim can be seen performing and leading his team.

    The captain’s performance has an important role in the team’s performance, Afridi emphasised.

    He further added that Sarfaraz has played a number of matches for Pakistan and he performed very well in those matches.

    “Prior to the start of the league, I had talked to Nadeem Umar. He asked me for some advice. I had said the same then: Remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta as soon as possible but keep him as a team member so that as a player he could perform well and he could absorb the pressure of his own performance and enjoy his game-play’.”


    Quetta Gladiator squad for PSL 8
    Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)

  • SC crisis continues as Justice Faez Isa refuses to hear cases, summons court registrar over changes in benches

    SC crisis continues as Justice Faez Isa refuses to hear cases, summons court registrar over changes in benches

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Yahya Afridi of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) have taken notice of the procedure for scheduling hearings in the apex court, summoning Registrar Ishrat Ali to appear before them.

    The court summoned the registrar to appear before the two Justices along with all records, stating that there is no “transparency” in his office.

    The development came after Justice Faez Isa, the second senior most judge in the court, found his bench changed in the morning from what it was yesterday. The future Chief Justice said that the cases whose files he had read yesterday had been changed while the judge who was with him on the bench had been changed too.


    “I am a judge of the Supreme Court, I have also been the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court for five years. We want transparency, if the registrar transfers the case from one bench to another, how will there be transparency,” Justice Isa asked.

    Faez Isa also said that it seems that a registrar is more powerful than a judge like him. “I cannot hear the cases dated 2010 because the registrar appoints the cases for hearing. Can I call the registrar and ask that put up such-and-such case before the bench?”

    The honourable judge asked the registrar what is the policy of assigning cases. “On April 2, 2022, the court ordered the registrar to fix the procedure for fixing cases, there is no such thing as transparency in fixing cases in the registrar’s office.”

    Ishrat Ali said that cases are set for hearing only with the approval of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Justice Yahya Afridi then asked that Justice Hasan Rizvi was on ​​the bench, why did the bench change. “What is the procedure for fixing cases?”

    Former President of the Supreme Court Bar, Amanullah Kunrani said that people are tired of asking but our cases are not taken up.

    Justice Faez Isa asked the registrar that why was Justice Yahya Afridi and his bench changed? “Changing the bench without informing raises suspicions in the public mind,” said Isa.

    The Registrar said the Chief Justice’s staff officer verbally instructed that the roster must be changed. Justice Isa said he apologises that he cannot hear his cases today due to the sudden change of bench.

    He also said that a judge’s oath and code of conduct require equal treatment. “Article 10A is included in the fundamental rights, which says that there must be legal reasons for changing the bench.”

    “Arbitrary decision was made by making a bench of will, the dignity of the judiciary will be lower due to lack of transparency. Transparency requires that the case which was entered first should be heard first,” said Justice Isa.

  • Man who couldn’t read or write as a teenager becomes sociology professor at Cambridge

    Man who couldn’t read or write as a teenager becomes sociology professor at Cambridge

    Jason Arday, who was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay as a child, has become the youngest black professor at Cambridge University. Ardy couldn’t read or write until he was eighteen, and only started speaking at 11 years of age. Arday has revealed that as a child, he was told that he will need to live at an assisted living facility. However, he refused to let the diagnosis break his spirit, writing ‘Work at Oxford or Cambridge’ as one of his life goals on his mom’s bedroom wall.

    Speaking to the BBC, Arday recalled how reading about Nelson Mandela’s struggles and later witnessing South Africa win the 1995 Rugby World Cup made him determined that if he “didn’t make it as a football player or a snooker player,” then he would “save the world.”

    Arday spoke to The Times about the numerous rejections he received from academia because he didn’t have a mentor who taught him how to write.
    “Everything I submitted got violently rejected. The peer review process was so cruel, it was almost funny, but I treated it as a learning experience and, perversely, began to enjoy it.”
    Eventually, he completed two masters degrees from the University of Surrey and later recieved his PhD from Liverpool John Moores University in 2016.
    “A lot of academics say they stumbled into this line of work, but from that moment, I was determined and focused — I knew that this would be my goal. On reflection, this is what I meant to do,” Arday revealed to The Times.
    With his position as a Sociology Professor at Cambrdige, Arday said that he hoped to find more ways people from marginalized backgrounds can find acceptance in academia.
    “My work focuses primarily on how we can open doors to more people from disadvantaged backgrounds and truly democratize higher education,” he said.

  • PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    Lahore Qalandars continued their winning streak on Monday, thrashing Islamabad United in the 16th fixture of PSL 8 by 110 runs at the Gaddafi stadium Lahore.

    Choosing to bat first, Qalandars set a massive target of 201 runs with the help of a sensational knock by young player Abdullah Shafique. Islamabad United’s strong batting lineup was eviscerated by Qalandars’ bowling attack, knocking them out in just 13.5 overs by conceding only 90 runs and a thrilling bowling display from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.


    United, on the other hand, were left to revisit their planning.
    Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had the stumps flying against Peshawar Zalmi in his first over a day earlier, did not bowl another classic against United.
    In reply to the huge total, United could not establish a productive partnership after Gurbaz and Munro put up 56-2 in the powerplay.
    Zaman Khan gave Lahore a much-needed breakthrough after openers Colin Munro and Gurbaz (23) helped Islamabad make a good start.

    Zaman delivered a slow short bowl that was mistimed by Gurbaz and Fakhar Zaman took a blinder to send the Afghan batter back to the pavilion.

    Soon after Gurbaz’s departure, Shaheen introduced David Wiese, who got the better of Colin Munro, reducing Islamabad to 54-2.

    The left-handed batter scored 18 runs off 14 balls.

    In the next over, fiery pacer Haris Rauf struck as he sent Rassie van der Dussen (3) packing.

    Wiese delivered again as he sent Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan (4) back to the pavilion after a successful review.

    In a bid to shore up the run rate, Asif Ali went for a six but ended up getting caught by Haris off Rashid Khan.

    Wiese added to Islamabad’s miseries by trapping Azam Khan for an lbw. The wicket-keeper batter, who scored 96 runs against Quetta Gladiators in their previous match, was sent packing after he scored only four runs.

    The wizard Rashid claimed his second scalp of the evening by bowling out Tom Curran (10).

    For Lahore, Wiese claimed three wickets, while Rashid and Raza took two scalps each. Zaman and Haris secured a wicket each.

    Playing XI for both teams

    Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

    Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali

  • Iran: Hundreds of schoolgirls poisoned to stop them from getting education

    A top Iranian health official informed the semi-official said on Sunday that a recent wave of widespread illnesses at girls’ schools in Iran were brought on by intentional poisoning using “chemical chemicals.”

    Iran’s deputy education minister, Younes Panahi , on Sunday said that , “It was found that some people wanted all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed.”

    “It has been revealed that the chemical compounds used to poison students are not war chemicals, and the poisoned students do not need aggressive treatment, and a large percentage of the chemical agents used are treatable,” he told a press conference.

  • Twitter users collectively agree that the chemistry in ‘Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha’ is at its peak

    Twitter users collectively agree that the chemistry in ‘Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha’ is at its peak

    ARY drama serial ‘Mujhay Pyar Hua Tha’ aired its 12th episode last night and Twitter users have collectively agreed that there’s no jori that deserves more praises than Maheer and Saad.
    In the episode, we witness the couple begin their married life together and slowly open up to each other. What is wholesome is how despite the fact that their marriage was arranged at the last minute, Saad still assures her that he would never restrict her to living the way he wants and will respect her wishes as he did as a friend before.

    We also witnessed some light husband and wife banter between the two, which has made fans declare that no one has served chemistry in the past like the way Hania Amir and Wahaj Ali are. Have they defeated ‘Humsafar’s’ long-held topslot?

    We have to agree with the rest of Twitter that Saad is one of the finest male leads we have watched on television screens. A caring and compassionate man who is gentle to the women in his life? Is kind and selfless to his lover, despite the fact that she may not be on the same page as him, but promises not to impose his feelings or force her into marrying him? Respects the fact that Maheer loves someone else and assures her that he will help her, regardless of the pain he feels? Print this in history books please.

    And we’re particularly marking down the days until the next episode releases because it looks like Maheer and Saad will be serving more couple goals, and keeping us singles crying in our sleep.

  • International petrol, diesel prices drop, but no relief for Pakistanis

    The government has decided not to reduce the prices of diesel and petrol for local consumers, despite a significant decrease in their international prices. This decision is intended to offset previous exchange losses and raise taxation.

    On February 28, 2023, the average fortnightly prices of petrol and diesel in the global market will be used for the next price revision. According to industry sources, the average price of diesel for the next fortnightly review has dropped by $7 per barrel, which equates to a reduction of Rs30 per litre for domestic diesel prices.

    The global average price of diesel has fallen to approximately $100 per barrel compared to $107 per barrel in the previous fortnight. Similarly, the average price of petrol has dropped to $90 per barrel for the next review of prices compared to $93 per barrel in the last fortnightly review, which translates into a reduction of Rs10 per litre for consumers in the local market.

    According to Geo, the appreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the dollar in the last two weeks has also contributed to the reduction in import prices of diesel and petrol. However, industry sources do not expect any significant reduction in the prices of diesel and petrol for domestic consumers.

    The government is expected to adjust the exchange losses, which were not passed on fully to the oil sector in the last several reviews. For example, an exchange loss adjustment of Rs88 per litre was due on diesel, but the government only transferred Rs12 per litre on this head, leaving the remaining amount to be adjusted. The same is true for petrol, with an exchange loss adjustment of Rs34 per litre due, but only Rs12 per litre being given to the oil industry.

    Under the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government may increase the petroleum levy (PL) on diesel to Rs50 per litre, as it now has room to do so. Currently, the PL on diesel is Rs40 per litre.

    If the government does not impose GST, sources expect a cut of Rs10 per litre in diesel prices, which would otherwise deprive local consumers of the drop in diesel prices in the global market.

    However, official industry sources do not anticipate any reduction in the price of petrol for local consumers, which would otherwise have been down by Rs10, as per the trends of its price in the global market.

  • Govts spent Rs65m on foreign tours in one year, Rs57m on vehicles

    Govts spent Rs65m on foreign tours in one year, Rs57m on vehicles

    The National Assembly (NA) was informed on Monday that an amount of Rs65.21 million (Rs6,521,1504) was spent on the foreign visits of federal ministers, state ministers, and advisors and special assistants to the PM from January 1, 2022 to December 2022. 

    In response to a question asked by Ghous Bux Mahar of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), the lower house was informed about the amount spent on the foreign visits.

    According to the report published in The News, “The list presented by the Cabinet Division, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel tops the list with expenditure of Rs10.42 million (Rs10,420,163) incurred on his foreign visits, while Rs3.78 million was spent on Minister for Board of Investment Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Rs4.91 million (Rs49,14,459) on the foreign visits of Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, Rs1.84 million (Rs1,846,632) on the foreign visits of Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mehmood, Rs5.89 million (Rs5,893. 142) on the foreign visits of Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Rs9.35 lakh on the foreign visits of ex-minister for defense production Zubaida Jalal, Rs2.5 million (Rs2,586,321) on the foreign visits of Minister for Defense Production Israr Tareen, Rs3.167 million (Rs3,167,951) on the foreign visits of Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Rs2.60 million (Rs2,604,456) on the foreign visits of Khurram Dastgir, Rs3.5 million (Rs3,500,222) on the foreign visits of Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum Division) Dr Musadik Malik, Rs1.5 million (Rs1,529,964) on the foreign visits of ex-minister for economic affairs Omar Ayub Khan, Rs9.12 lakh on the foreign visits of ex-minister for federal education and professional training Shafqat Mehmood, Rs178,401 on the foreign visits of federal minister for federal education and professional training Rana Tanveer Hussain, Rs912,239 on the foreign visits of ex-finance minister senator Shaukat Tarin, Rs4.59 million (Rs4,569, 160) on the foreign visits of ex-finance minister Miftah Ismael, Rs2.45 million (Rs2,451,289) on the foreign visits of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Rs4.096 million (Rs4,096, 290) on the foreign visits of Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus, Rs1.54 million (Rs1,541.475) on the foreign visits of Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, Rs619,157 on the foreign visits of Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rs1.8 million (Rs1.849,433) on the foreign visits of Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haq, Rs818,646 on the foreign visits of Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Rs805,954 on the foreign visits of Minister for Maritimes Affairs Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Rs3.117 million (Rs3,117,488) on the foreign visits of Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi, Rs1.58 million (Rs1,587,652) on the foreign visits of Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Justice Shazia Marri and Rs791,256 on the foreign visits of Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor.”

    “Similarly, Rs39,850 was spent on the visits of ex-advisor to the PM on national security Moeed Yousaf to Kabul and Rs19,296 on China visit. Ex-Advisor to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood spent Rs466.285 and Rs481,854 on visits to Dubai.”

    “An amount of Rs328,332 was spent on the foreign visits of ex-SAPM on social protection and poverty alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar to Dubai, Rs195,309 on the foreign visit of ex-SAPM on climate change Malik Amin Aslam to Saudi Arabia, Rs457,383 on the foreign visit of ex-SAPM on tourism coordination Azam Jamil to Dubai and Rs1,437,139 on the visit of SAPM on poverty alleviation Faisal Karim Kundi to Egypt and Rs1,333,960 on visit to Istanbul.”

    “It was informed that Rs57.36 million (Rs573,260,000) had been spent on the purchase of eight new vehicles for the protocol squad of foreign guests.”

    “In a written reply to a question by Sikandar Ali Rahoupoto, the National Assembly was informed that the vehicles include one 29 seater Toyota VIP Coaster (Model 2022) costing Rs17,154,000, 14 seater Toyota high roof van (Model 2022) costing Rs10,772,000 and six 1800cc Toyota Corolla Cars (Model 2022) coting Rs29,400,000.”

  • DHL limits operations in Pakistan due to outbound remittance restrictions

    DHL limits operations in Pakistan due to outbound remittance restrictions

    International logistics company, DHL, announced that it will partially suspend some of its operations in Pakistan due to restrictions on outbound remittances by the government.

    DHL Pakistan has informed its customers that it will suspend its “Import Express Product” and restrict outbound shipments to a maximum weight of 70kg per shipment for all customers billed in Pakistan from March 15.

    According to Dawn, the company has stated that the last pick-up date will be March 14, and shipments picked up on or before this date will still be delivered.

    The decision comes as the PMLN-led coalition government and the State Bank of Pakistan have imposed restrictions on outward remittances for foreign companies operating in Pakistan amid fast-dwindling foreign exchange.

    DHL has stated that the remittances sent by DHL Pakistan cover the cost of DHL’s international aviation, hub, gateway, and last-mile delivery incurred through its global network for the shipments sent/received by valued customers. The company has added that this constraint has made it unsuitable for DHL Express to continue providing the full product offering in Pakistan.

  • Fakhar Zaman rewarded with iPhone 14 and plot for a brilliant performance against Zalmi

    Fakhar Zaman rewarded with iPhone 14 and plot for a brilliant performance against Zalmi

    On Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Fakhar Zaman struck a jackpot with his impressive 96-run innings against Peshawar Zalmi.

    The explosive knock featured three boundaries and 10 maximums, propelling Lahore Qalandars to a 40-run victory.

    In recognition of his match-winning performance, the franchise awarded him a plot of land and an iPhone 14. Sameen Rana, the Chief Operating Officer of Lahore Qalandars, noted that Fakhar had been eagerly anticipating this reward and praised his exceptional play.

    Fakhar’s 96 runs were scored off 45 deliveries, and he was dismissed on the final delivery of the 18th over by Rovman Powell.