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Author: News Desk

  • In its first episode, Sar-e-Rah salutes female taxi drivers

    In its first episode, Sar-e-Rah salutes female taxi drivers

    Pakistani dramas aren’t the first place to turn to if we happen to be looking for entertainment, but it seems like the tide is finally turning. After the ever popular Kuch Ankahi, ARY’s new drama Sar-e-Rah, is exploring the issues faced by women in this society. In its first episode it welcomes female taxi drivers to public spaces.


    The drama explores the lives of four women and an intersex man, and the struggles they face in society. This episode opens with the life of Rabia, a woman who has been waiting for five years for her aunt and fiance Faraz to finalize her wedding date. When her father, the head of the family, suddenly has a heart attack and it begins impacting the family’s household expenditure, Rabia decides to follow his footsteps to become a taxi driver.


    The episode wasn’t afraid to explore the kind of push back and harassment women face at the hands of men when they venture in to public spaces. In one scene, a customer arrives as Rabia’s car and notices that a woman driving . He starts exclaiming “God’s wrath is upon us!” and walks away muttering that this was a sign of the Day of Judgement. Rabia’s family members, especially her fiance, taunt her with the age-old saying ‘Log Kya Kahengee’ if a woman is boldly stepping out in the streets to make an earning. To whom Rabia gives a powerful response by reminding them that no one is more honorable than a woman who chooses to look after her family by making an earning.

    Twitter users are already fans of Saba Qamar’s powerful acting, calling it a well needed show that has arrived at the right time.
    “I’m very excited about Sar e Rah and the engaging, progressive and uplifting narrative it has taken off with. So many issues are being addressed in a natural and (so far) non preachy or patronising way. Can’t wait for the next episode,” wrote drama critic Aamna Isani.

    “Such a unique & powerful concept. This show is giving OG Pakistani show’ vibe . Hats off to #SabaQamar for always trying to do something different,” another user wrote.

    Users especially showered praises on a powerful scene where a customer guides Qamar’s character to never be afraid to charge her customers the price she deserves, and also reminds her to keep her confidence strong and stare back at the same men leering at her.

    We had been waiting for a long time to see Pakistani dramas get on with the times and start wriiting stories that reflected the lives and struggles of women in Pakistan, and it seems like that time has arrived. The drama is a breath of fresh air for welcoming female taxi drivers in to the public sphere, and we are anticipating how it will play out in the next few episodes!

  • ‘PTI will consider participation in APC if we receive official invitation from PM’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘PTI will consider participation in APC if we receive official invitation from PM’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said on Twitter that if Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif sends an official invitation for the All-Parties Conference (APC) set to take place on February 7 in Islamabad, then his party will consider attending.

    Fawad tweeted, “Shehbaz Sharif came in media and invited PTI for the All-Parties Conference. But Tehreek-e-Insaf has yet not received any invitation in this regard. If we receive an official invitation, we will consider participation.”

    Khan rejects PM Shehbaz’s invitation to APC

    PTI Secretary General Asad Umar has confirmed on Friday, February 4, that party Chairman Imran Khan will skip the federal government’s APC.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif invited the former prime minister and his party at an apex committee meeting in Peshawar.

    Umar, while speaking to the press outside the Lahore High Court, said: “How can we sit with them [PDM-led government] while cases are being registered against us?”

    Stating that the constitution is being violated by registering cases of treason against opponents and all the government resources are devoted to arrests and detentions, he said to the members of the press.

    Earlier today, during the apex committee meeting in Peshawar, Shehbaz Sharif, without naming Khan, said: “I have also invited the person who does not want to even shake hands with me,” stressing that all parties are invited to APC and Apex committee meetings. ‘I hope that it will not be rejected,” said the Premier.

    “We need to fight the menace of terrorism by setting our differences aside and moving forward,” said the PM.

    Recalling his time as opposition leader in the National Assembly, the premier said: “Whenever he [Imran Khan] wrote a letter to me, he never wrote my name on it, however, I always responded with my name and my signature on the letter.”

  • ‘It works two ways’: Khan again victim blames Journalist Gharidah for getting harassed

    ‘It works two ways’: Khan again victim blames Journalist Gharidah for getting harassed

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan yet again victim blamed journalist Gharidah Farooqi for being harassed at a rally where she had gone to cover the event.

    In an interview with Isaac Chotiner of The New Yorker, Khan was asked if his comment about Farooqi was taken out of context.

    The former Prime Minister responded: “No. No. No. It wasn’t out of context. Look, in our society, we were . . . it was just in one particular rally where they were all men, and she was right in the middle of this male crowd. It’s just that . . . I mean, anyone who knows Pakistani society, or most sorts of societies like India or Pakistan—if you put yourself in that position, you are going to be vulnerable.”

    “It’s just common sense. Yes, the men are to be blamed if they do anything. But also it works two ways, you should all . . . in our society, normally, people would avoid putting themselves in that position. It’s as simple as that,” added Khan.

    “We have brilliant women journalists in this country. They are doing a great job. But they don’t have to put themselves in positions—and let me just say, it was a specific situation I was talking about, because we actually tried to get her out of the situation,” said Khan.

    Chotiner probed Imran further, stating that there seems to be a certain universalism in Khan’s thinking about democratic government, but, when he speaks about cultural or social issues, about girls’ education or how women respond to being mistreated by men, there’s not so much universalism.

    Khan replied, “I’m appalled. I just feel that sometimes the Western press picks up selective things. How can anyone blame women for rape? Tell me, how can any sensible person ever make such a stupid comment? Look, the rapist is always to be blamed. Always. Simple. Full stop. I was looking at the crime charts, and the crime charts reported to me by the police officers showed that sex crimes were going through the roof in my country. So we got to the bottom of it. Why is this happening?”

    “In the case of a woman getting raped, she’s marked for life. But even worse is when children get abused; that stays with them for the rest of their life. The ideas that came forward were, one, that we must bring down the level of temptation in our society, because you have a lot of frustrated people. Now, this is coming from civil society. And secondly, how do we educate children in schools to stop this child abuse?”

    Khan, in October last year, passed sexist comments about journalist Gharidah Farooqi, saying: “Woh mardon mei ghussay gi toh aisa hi hoga” (If she will enter into men’s sphere, then this is what will happen).

    During a meeting with the delegation of the National Press Club and the Rawalpindi/Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), Khan said that “Farooqi goes into the crowd and then complains that she is being harassed”.

    He also said that he will ask his party workers to act appropriately.

  • Honda City 1.2 manual now costs more than Rs4.3 million after latest price hike

    Honda City 1.2 manual now costs more than Rs4.3 million after latest price hike

    Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HACL) has once again raised its car prices for the second time in two weeks. The company attributed the increase to rising inflation and a depreciating local currency.

    Below are the new prices for all Honda cars:

    CarOld Price (Rs)New Price (Rs)Hike (Rs)
    City 1.2 M/T4,069,0004,329,000260,000
    City 1.2 CVT4,199,0004,469,000270,000
    City 1.5 CVT4,449,0004,739,000290,000
    City Aspire 1.5 M/T4,629,0004,939,000310,000
    City Aspire 1.5 CVT4,799,0005,119,000320,000
    Civic 1.5T M-CVT6,849,0007,299,000450,000
    Civic Oriel 1.5T M-CVT7,099,0007,599,000500,000
    Civic RS 1.5T LL-CVT8,099,0008,649,000550,000
    HR-V VTi 1.56,399,0006,799,000400,000
    HR-V VTi S 1.56,599,0006,999,000400,000
    BR-V S 1.55,299,0005,649,000350,000

    The automobile industry is facing challenges due to foreign exchange limitations and parts supply issues. The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) and the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) have jointly sent a letter to the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmed, highlighting the dire situation.

    In the letter, the organizations state that the industry is facing the brink of collapse due to restrictions imposed by the SBP on imports and a lack of support from banks in the automotive sector. This has resulted in sporadic plant closures and lay-offs among assemblers and suppliers.

    The joint letter from PAAPAM and PAMA advised that failure to take corrective action would result in negative consequences such as widespread job loss, reduction in government income, the shutdown of car assembly plants, and capital loss. The letter emphasized that the negative effects of the letter of credit (LC) issue have contributed to the collapse of the automobile industry.

  • ‘Sports minister Wahab Riaz ka bhi lehaz nahi kiya’: Twitter lauds Iftikhar for hitting six sixes in an over

    ‘Sports minister Wahab Riaz ka bhi lehaz nahi kiya’: Twitter lauds Iftikhar for hitting six sixes in an over

    Iftikhar Ahmed hit six sixes in a row in a Wahab Riaz over during an exhibition match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in Quetta on Sunday. He scored 94 runs in 50 balls at Nawab Akbar Bugti Stadium in Quetta.

    Wahab Riaz, while lauding Iftikhar’s performance wrote on Twitter, “Wonderful display of batting by @IftiAhmed221. Unbelievable shots and the command he has shown was amazing. I’m disappointed but happy for you brother. Keep going.”

    In a video shared by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Wahab and Ahmed can be seen bantering post match.

    Twitter is appreciating Ahmed’s brilliant batting display in the exhibition match.
    Have a look at the Twitter reactions:

    https://twitter.com/penduProduction/status/1622156939726655489
    https://twitter.com/MustafaSays_/status/1622450167575384065

    https://twitter.com/taimoorze/status/1622156994714144769

  • Wikimedia Foundation requests PTA to unblock Wikipedia

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Friday that it was blocking access to Wikipedia on grounds of refusal to remove sacrilegious content, after restricting the website for 48 hours.
    Now, Wikimedia Foundation has released a statement on their official Twitter account, giving their side of the story.

    “On 1 February, we received a notification from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority stating “the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours” for failure to remove content deemed “unlawful.” As of 3 February, our data shows this has extended into a full block.”

    The Foundation emphasized that the right to access to knowledge was for everyone, and in restricting Wikipedia, PTA was denying a country with the 5th largest population in the world that right. They urged the Pakistani government to remove the block and allow Wikipedia to function freely within Pakistan.

    “We believe that access to knowledge is a human right. A block of @Wikipedia in Pakistan denies the 5th most populous nation in the world access to the largest free knowledge repository. If it continues, it will also deprive everyone access to Pakistan’s history and culture. We hope that the Pakistan government joins us in a commitment to knowledge as a human right and restores access to @Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects promptly, so that the people of Pakistan can continue to receive and share knowledge with the world.”

  • 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Turkey kills at least 76 people

    7.4 magnitude earthquake in Turkey kills at least 76 people

    At least 76 people have been killed and 440 injured after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s southern provinces early on Monday morning with the tremors felt as far as away as Syria and Lebanon. An additional 440 people have been injured with numbers expected to rise.


    The strongest of the numerous strong aftershocks, measuring 6.7 magnitude, was felt throughout the region.

    Syria has reported 42 deaths so far as rescue operations continue after day break.

    Social media has been flooded with numerous videos of the earthquake and it’s aftermath. In one video, an apartment complex collapses, raising billows of dust visible even in the dark. Others show people stuck under rubble while survivors move to help them.

    Turkey’s disaster agency has appealed for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations.

  • Petrol pumps to face strict consequences for creating artificial fuel shortage

    Petrol pumps to face strict consequences for creating artificial fuel shortage

    The inflation crisis in the country has been exacerbated by an artificial fuel shortage in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Petrol and diesel supplies have been cut off at several pumps for two days.

    Petrol pump owners were only supplying petrol of Rs250 for motorcycles and Rs500 for a car. Dealers and pump owners are causing the shortage in order to make extra profit when fuel prices are announced to increase. During the day, 60 per cent of pumps have ceased supplying fuel, rising to 80 per cent at night until midnight. The dealers and owners are waiting for the government to announce a fuel price hike until midnight.

    In response to the fuel shortage, Rawalpindi’s Deputy Commissioner, Shoaib Ali, has ordered assistant commissioners to take immediate action against petrol pumps for not supplying fuel. Despite previous fines, notices, and applications for FIRs against Oil Marketing Companies, the government has been unable to control the artificial petrol crisis in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and across the country. There is speculation that the government will raise fuel prices by Rs20 to Rs30 per liter, leading to over 60 per cent of dealers and pump owners halting supply for two days to increase profits. Despite having tanks filled with petrol, they have stopped supply.

    Assistant Commissioner Syed Asad Abbas informed The News that the DC has ordered strict action against petrol pump owners for causing an artificial fuel shortage for two days. The AC has begun taking action, including sealing pumps and filing FIRs against them. Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have reported a lack of fuel at several petrol pumps for two days, with long lines of motorists observed at Pakistan State Oil (PSO) pumps while other pumps were not providing fuel.

    Motorists were seen frantically searching for fuel as it was unavailable at many petrol pumps in areas such as Tipu Road, Murree Road, Jhanda Chichi, Kutcherry Chowk, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Mall Road Saddar, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, and others. The long lines of vehicles at petrol pumps also caused traffic congestion throughout the city.

    Petrol pump managers, speaking to The News on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that fuel supply had been cut off, with some blaming unknown reasons for the shortage. They warned that if the supply did not resume, motorists could experience severe fuel shortages in the future. Taxi drivers, who rely on daily earnings to support their families, were particularly affected by the situation and expressed strong criticism of the government for failing to provide basic services to the public.

  • Five years jail and arrest without warrant for criticising army and judiciary in new draft bill: Dawn

    Five years jail and arrest without warrant for criticising army and judiciary in new draft bill: Dawn

    A bill has reportedly been prepared by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) led government where up to a five-year imprisonment sentence can be given to “whoever scandalises or ridicules the Pakistan Army and judiciary through any medium”, reports Riazul Haq for Dawn.

    It is to be noted that the bill is to amend the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)

    The newspaper has reported that the summary and the bill will be forwarded to the federal cabinet soon.

    It says that whoever makes, publishes, circulates any statement or disseminates information, through any medium, with an intention to ridicule or scandalise the judiciary, the armed forces or any of their members will be found guilty. And the punishment may extend to five years or with a fine which may go as high up as Rs 1 million or both.

    Moreover, it says that the offender will be arrested without a warrant and the offence will be non-bailable and non-compoundable and can only be challenged in a sessions court.

    Dawn also reached out to PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who said that he had not seen the draft but there had to be “some limit” to defaming someone.

    “Everywhere in the world there is a defamation law and this does not happen that anyone comes up willy-nilly and says whatever they want,” he was quoted saying by Dawn.

    However, later he denied his comments in a tweet as reported by Dawn, and said that he “simply cannot lend support to any draconian legislation”.

    “I believe that Pakistan needs defamation laws with financial recourse to protect everyone from unsubstantiated accusations,” he explained.

    PML-N’s Rohail Asghar also made it clear that no such laws should be passed by the government as he believed that there should be space for criticism.

  • Pakistani traders threaten to launch nationwide protests if new taxes imposed

    Pakistani traders threaten to launch nationwide protests if new taxes imposed

    Traders in Pakistan have threatened to launch a nationwide protest in response to the government’s potential imposition of new taxes to meet the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditions. The Central Organisation of Traders has called for the government to reduce the salaries of army generals, judges, and parliamentarians instead.

    On Saturday, representatives of the Central Organisation of Traders spoke to the media in Islamabad and announced their plan for a protest movement starting on February 13th if the new taxes are introduced. The leaders of the organization warned the government that the current economic situation in the country cannot withstand further taxation of the general public and the trading community.

    They expressed dismay that the state of the economy of a nuclear country was in dire straits and the situation was worsening with each passing day, and said that the public should not suffer because of the “flaws or crimes committed by the leaders of this country.”

    “Our reaction will be severe if more taxes worth billions of rupees were imposed, as being reported in the media,” Kashif Chaudhry, the organisation’s president, said, asking the stakeholders, including the ruling elites, to make “sane decisions” if they want to improve the economy.

    Mr Chaudhry has proposed that the government reduce the expenses of high-level officials such as the President, Prime Minister, legislators, judges, army officers, and bureaucrats. He believes the government should immediately decrease “non-productive expenditures” by half.

    The trader representatives have also made demands of the government. They have called for the creation of both short-term and long-term economic policies and for more consistent income tax collection across all sectors, instead of imposing billions of dollars in new taxes.

    “I assure the government that the business community was ready to contribute to steering the country out of the current economic crises and we traders are ready to pay fixed taxes,” he said.

    Khawaja Salman Siddiqui, the chairman of the organization, criticized Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. According to Siddiqui, Dar was appointed by the PML-N to stabilize the economy and prevent the depreciation of the rupee, but he failed to deliver on his responsibilities.

    Mr Siddiqui said putting an artificial cap on the dollar’s rate led to a wide gap between the interbank and open market rates, and despite the demand to remove the cap, Mr Dar “remained stubborn and did not listen to anybody.”

    Other speakers called for the implementation of the decision of the Federal Shariat Court to make Pakistan’s economy interest-free to “eradicate exploitation in the system.”

    According to Dawn, the speakers also suggested an amnesty program that would allow wealthy individuals to repatriate their foreign wealth. The government could then borrow money from these individuals and provide them with profits instead of taking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank with unfavorable conditions.