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Author: News Desk

  • Saba Qamar doesn’t like Karachi

    Saba Qamar doesn’t like Karachi

    Karachi natives say that the city is unlike any other in the country. But superstar Saba Qamar isn’t that enamoured with the coastal metropolis.

    The actress opened up about her feelings toward Karachi, candidly admitting that she doesn’t enjoy staying in the city and only travels there for work.

    In a recent appearance on a Green TV podcast, the Cheekh star discussed her ongoing drama Pamaal, revealing that only 15 days of shooting remain to be completed. She expressed her fondness for the project, saying she wishes filming would never end because she has been “loving the experience.”

    However, when asked whether working outside her hometown Lahore was difficult, Saba made a surprising confession. Whispering playfully, she said, “I don’t like Karachi, if there’s any project in Karachi, please shift it to Islamabad.”

    The actress further revealed that she always accepts projects based in Islamabad. “Whatever project I’m offered in Islamabad, I always say, yes, I’m coming,” she said, adding that she is drawn to the city’s atmosphere. “The city has a vibe. And now I have explored that the city has a mysterious vibe.”

    When the host remarked that the city’s mystery might resemble her own, Saba smiled and asked, “Am I mysterious?”

    She was asked whether she would ever move to Karachi for work, Saba instantly responded, “Astaghfirullah, never,” before clarifying that she regularly travels to Karachi for shoots but prefers to return home afterward.

    Ranking her favorite cities, Saba said, “Islamabad, then Lahore, and then Karachi.”

    The actress also opened up about her personal life and career priorities. When asked if fellow actor Usman Mukhtar’s “lucky charm for marriage” might work for her too, she laughed and said, “Such things take time. I’m focused on entertaining my audience right now. Marriage and kids happen only when time, the person, and destiny align.”

    Discussing on-screen romances, Saba admitted she enjoys performing romantic scenes despite initial awkwardness. “Romance isn’t something we are taught growing up, which makes such scenes challenging,” she explained, adding that male actors often become overly serious during such moments. “Chemistry and comfort are key to making the scenes believable,” she said.

    Fans have praised her recent romantic performance with Usman Mukhtar in Pamaal, while her emotional portrayal in Case No 9 continues to win hearts across Pakistan.

  • Fact check: Did Balochistan govt blacklist Salman Khan after Balochistan remarks?

    Fact check: Did Balochistan govt blacklist Salman Khan after Balochistan remarks?

    A social media storm erupted over the weekend after claims surfaced online stating that the government of Balochistan had declared Bollywood superstar Salman Khan a “terrorist” and placed him on the country’s “terror watchlist” following his recent remarks about Balochistan at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh.

    However, the alleged document circulating online is fabricated.

    The controversy began after a video clip from the Riyadh event went viral in which Salman Khan, sharing the stage with Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, spoke about the wide popularity of Indian films in the Middle East. The actor said, “If you release a Hindi movie here (in Saudi Arabia), it will be a superhit. Even Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam films earn a lot because people from different countries live here — there are people from Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, all working here.”

    The remark in which Balochistan and Pakistan were mentioned separately, drew criticism from some Pakistani social media users, who accused Khan of implying that Balochistan was a separate entity from Pakistan. Soon after, an image of an alleged government notification dated October 16, 2025, began circulating online, claiming that Salman Khan had been added to Pakistan’s Fourth Schedule under the Anti-Terrorism Act as an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator.”

    However, no official statement or confirmation of such an action has come from the Balochistan government, Interior Ministry, or any verified Pakistani government accounts. None of Pakistan’s major newspapers or official websites have reported any such move and there are no traces of such notification on official website of Balochistan government.

    Several Indian media outlets have also confirmed that the viral document lacks essential features of an official Pakistani notification — such as proper letterhead, reference number, official seals, or verified signatures. Moreover, the document carries factual inconsistencies, including a date mismatch that suggests it was created before Salman Khan even made the alleged remark on October 7.

    According to Indian media outlets, the document was first shared by a social media user named Nasir Azeem who had claimed this was an official notification from Balochistaan government, which actually is not true.

    In conclusion, the claim that the Balochistan government has declared Salman Khan a terrorist or blacklisted him is completely false. The viral “official” document is doctored, and no such order exists in any government record.

  • Mian Mansha lauds PM’s five-star hotels plan for capital, but warns against public sector partnerships

    Mian Mansha lauds PM’s five-star hotels plan for capital, but warns against public sector partnerships

    Business Tycoon Mian Muhammad Mansha has praised Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s plan to build new five-star hotels in Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2027, but warned against public sector partnerships for the same.

    In a post on X, Mansha called it an “excellent and necessary step” to showcase Pakistan’s hospitality on the global stage, but questioned why the government was planning to develop these hotels through public sector entities.

    “[…] I am concerned about the proposed execution. While the government is pursuing disinvestment & privatization of SOEs, this vital hotel project is being pushed as a public sector undertaking with CDA [Capital Development Authority] & EOBI [Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution],” he said.

    Mansha added that hotel development was a specialized and capital-intensive business that must run on market-driven business lines to succeed.

    “Public sector partnerships here are rarely feasible and risk failure,” he added and advised the government to invite private investment instead of relying on public institutions.

    “We should be empowering private investors who are already seeking to develop quality hotels in Islamabad, not creating new public sector competition or administrative hurdles for them.”

    Last week, PM Shehbaz directed the CDA to immediately begin work on new five-star hotels in the federal capital to accommodate international delegates expected for SCO 2027.

    While laying the foundation stone of the 1.3-kilometer Shaheen Chowk Underpass on Friday, the premier emphasised that hotel development must be prioritised alongside the new Convention Centre project as, he said, both facilities were vital for hosting the high-profile international summit.

    According to CDA officials, the government plans to construct luxury hotels on two CDA-owned plots in Sector G-5. The body is actively seeking investment partners to launch the project.

    Reports quoted officials as confirming that a recent meeting between the CDA and EOBI had explored collaboration opportunities.

  • Bakhtawar bashes ex-CIA official for calling Benazir, Zardari ‘corrupt’ in viral interview

    Bakhtawar bashes ex-CIA official for calling Benazir, Zardari ‘corrupt’ in viral interview

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, the daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari and the late former prime minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto, has bashed American whistleblower, author, journalist and former intelligence officer John Chris Kiriakou over his claims regarding alleged corruption by Benazir as premier.

    Appearing on ANI Broadcast – the Indian news agency’s interview series – Kiriakou, who worked for the United States’ (US) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), had recalled his interaction with the late former PM during her time in exile in Dubai.

    He spoke of Benazir and Zardari’s “$5 million house” and collection of Bentleys, saying it made him wonder if they were “not ashamed” given how people back in Pakistan “did not have shoes to wear and food to eat”.

    Instagram Post

    “I understand that corruption is a problem there, but that level of corruption?” Kiriakou had questioned in the viral video, which prompted Bakhtawar to set the record straight on Sunday.

    “The implication that she was born with nothing and had to be dependent on something illicit to afford her lifestyle is incredibly dishonest and just absolutely false. She was paid $100,000 for a single lecture whilst in exile. This doesn’t even include any of her inheritance or agricultural land(s),” she commented on the video.

    Bakhtawar went on to say she pitied Kiriakou’s envy of a successful woman’s house that came with incredibly hard work and sacrifice.

    “She worked to maintain her lifestyle & family even when wanted by a military dictator & fighting politically motivated cases (that saw her own father hung) but relentlessly continued to work and fight whilst her husband was imprisoned for over 11 years. Pathetic to attack and attempt to defame someone who is no longer in this world for some desperate clicks with nothing but absolute disinformation.”

    As for her father, Bakhtawar said, he was wealthy in his own right and could buy whatever car he wanted.

    “Again, the implication that the only means of success must translate into crime is absolutely ludicrous – he came from a land owning family who had multiple business ventures including building and owning the first cinemas in Pakistan in the 1960’s,” she added.

    “The state of Pakistan & rampant poverty was certainly not a fault of my parents like you try and make it out to be – though you could spend 5 minutes to see what accomplishments they did for the working class despite their very privileged backgrounds and the difference it did make – not that we need your validation it does come in the form of votes from the very same people you very colonially assume cannot afford to eat,” Bakhtawar concluded.

  • Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau go public with romantic walk in Paris

    Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau go public with romantic walk in Paris

    American singer Katy Perry and Former Prime Minister (PM) of Canada, Justin Trudeau made their relationship public after being photographed holding hands in Paris while heading to the Crazy Horse cabaret to celebrate Perry’s 41st birthday.

    Pictures and short video clips quickly circulated on social media platforms, showing the pair walking from a car to the venue. Trudeau dressed in a black suit and Perry in a red satin gown.

    The footage spread across social media like wild fire.  Earlier sightings that date back to July show the two dining at Le Violon in Montreal. Subsequent sightings hinted at more private meetups, including a set of pictures from September that allegedly showed them on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara.

    The Paris outing is seen as the most public indication yet that their relationship has moved from private meetings to visible dates. Neither Perry nor Trudeau has commented directly on the night, but reports described it as a birthday date.

    Meanwhile, during a recent concert, a lighthearted moment went viral when a fan proposed to Perry onstage — prompting her to joke that he was “a little late” and should have asked sooner.

    Reports trace the start of the Perry–Trudeau timeline to July 2025, when photos of their Montreal dinner were first released, prompting follow-ups. By September, social media pictures of the yacht outing had made things unofficially official. Various media outlets have described the pair as having an easy connection while balancing Perry’s touring schedule and Trudeau’s public life.

    Perry was previously married to Russell Brand from 2010 to 2012, had public relationships with John Mayer and Diplo, and was engaged to Orlando Bloom from 2019 until their reported split in June 2025. Perry and Bloom share a daughter.

  • BJP minister blames Australian women cricketers for getting harassed in India

    BJP minister blames Australian women cricketers for getting harassed in India

    Madhya Pradesh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kailash Vijayvargiya has blamed Australian women cricketers themselves for the recent harassment incident in Indore.

    Two days ago, two Australian women cricketers were harassed when a man on a motorcycle allegedly touched one of them inappropriately while they were walking from their hotel to a café. Police later arrested a suspect. 

    However, instead of condemning the act, Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is a member of the ruling right-wing BJP, said that the players were at fault for going out without informing the authorities.

    The BJP minister said, “It was their mistake to go out without informing anyone. They will learn a lesson from this incident and will be more careful in the future.”

    He added that the harassment of the Australian players also showed a failure of local security arrangements.

    Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi’s opposition party Congress strongly condemned the minister’s statement, calling it a reflection of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s mindset.

    Congress leader Arun Yadav said, “The minister’s remarks reflect the disgusting and shameful mentality of the BJP. The entire nation is embarrassed by the incident.”

  • Alizeh Shah wipes Instagram account, opens up about grief

    Alizeh Shah wipes Instagram account, opens up about grief

    Alizeh Shah has surprised fans by deleting all her pictures from Instagram and announcing a temporary break from social media.

    Taking to Instagram Stories, the Ehd-e-Wafa star shared a heartfelt video statement, saying she had removed all her posts and was stepping away from the platform to reflect on her life.

    “I have deleted all the pictures from Instagram, and I am happy about it — mostly ashamed because I really don’t know what I was doing with my life, and it was all out of grief,” she admitted in the video.

    Alizeh further revealed that she didn’t know when she would return but made it clear that her deleted posts and the version of herself that shared them, were gone for good.

    “I don’t know when I will come back, but those pictures will never come back, and neither will that Alizeh. So, yeah, it’s a little goodbye,” she said.

    Following her announcement, Alizeh’s video quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans expressing mixed reactions. Many applauded her decision to prioritize her mental health, while others questioned the sudden move.

    With over 4.3 million followers, the actress had a prolific account. Now she has replaced her display photo with a simple orange-colored solid background.

    Over the past few years, Alizeh Shah has often found herself in the spotlight for both her bold social media presence and off-screen controversies. From daring fashion choices and music videos to public spats with co-stars and senior artists, she has remained a polarizing figure in the entertainment industry.

    The actress previously admitted that many of her past actions stemmed from a period of grief and depression. She also claimed to have been mistreated by influential figures and openly spoke about her struggles.

    Despite her controversies, including an on-set altercation where she reportedly slapped a co-actor and her much-publicized rift with veteran singer Shazia Manzoor, Alizeh continues to enjoy a strong fan following for her performances in hit dramas such as Ehd-e-Wafa and Ishq Tamasha.

    As Alizeh Shah bids farewell to Instagram, at least for now, it is worth noting that this isn’t the first time she has done that, but fans are left wondering what the next chapter of the actress’s journey will look like and whether a “new” Alizeh will eventually return.

  • Rawalpindi man alleges Multan prison officer raped him after TikTok friendship

    Rawalpindi man alleges Multan prison officer raped him after TikTok friendship

    A young man from Rawalpindi has alleged that a prison police officer from Multan raped him, recorded the assault, and then blackmailed him out of thousands of rupees after the two formed a friendship on TikTok.

    According to a private media outlet, the jail employee allegedly expressed affection for the young man, gave him a burger laced with sedatives, and then sexually assaulted him. The officer reportedly recorded an indecent video during the assault, which he used to blackmail the victim into transferring thousands of rupees to his mobile number.

    The victim, exhausted by the police officer’s demands, approached the New Town Police, who registered a case against the accused and began an investigation.

    The young man, who works at a private company in Rawalpindi, filed a complaint with the New Town Police. He stated that the police official, stationed at Central Jail Nishter Multan, consistently pressured him for friendship on TikTok.

    The youth explained that the officer shared details about his personal life, including a divorce, saying, “I like you and want to be friends.” For six months, the officer contacted him multiple times every day and invited him to Multan. When the victim refused, the officer stopped contacting him for a short period before sending messages via WhatsApp.

    The victim’s application further detailed: “When I didn’t respond, he contacted me again on TikTok on June 1st, got my number, and spoke to me. He said he was arranging a two-month posting to Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, just for me. I objected and asked why, and the accused said he was infatuated and had fallen in love.”

    The officer then allegedly messaged the victim, asking for Rs 5,000 via EasyPaisa. A few days later, he contacted him again, claiming someone had stolen money from his box while he was on duty and that he had no money left for food. He then demanded more money.

    Out of sympathy and friendship, the young man reportedly sent the officer an additional Rs 5,000 via EasyPaisa. The officer repeatedly insisted on meeting in June, eventually showing up near the victim’s house. They met, had lunch at Commercial Market, and then the officer asked to visit Islamabad. Returning late from Islamabad, the officer claimed it was too late to go to Adiala Jail and suggested they rent a room at a hotel in Faizabad.

    The victim, who was exhausted, fell asleep in the hotel room. He woke up later that night and found the jail officer was gone. The officer returned shortly with burgers.

    “He forced me to eat the burger. After that, I lost consciousness. He then raped me and made a video, which he sent to me on WhatsApp to blackmail me,” the victim stated.

    The young man claims the police officer has so far blackmailed him into giving him Rs 65,000. He seeks justice, the deletion of the video, and the return of his money.

    Police officials confirmed that they have registered a case. They noted that the incident the plaintiff describes reportedly occurred about four months ago, and they are currently investigating the matter.

  • Head coach of women’s team faces removal after poor World Cup performance

    Head coach of women’s team faces removal after poor World Cup performance

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to remove women’s team head coach Mohammad Wasim from his position after a string of disappointing results.

    According to reports, PCB has decided not to renew Mohammad Wasim’s contract, which ends soon. He was appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s team in 2024.

    Reports added that the decision was made after the team’s continuous decline under his coaching. Despite having full support from the board, Wasim failed to deliver results. Pakistan’s women’s team could not win a single match in the recent Women’s World Cup, exposing serious issues in performance and strategy.

    Several players complained that Wasim did not provide proper coaching, reports added. Despite being a former batter himself, the team’s batting unit has become one of the weakest under his tenure. His behavior was also described as harsh, leading to poor relations with the batting and bowling coaches as well as several players.

    Reports added that Wasim had also been part of the selection process for the women’s team and had made key appointments in the support staff, but the overall performance remained disappointing. The bowling department continued to decline, and fielding standards also failed to improve, with numerous dropped catches during the World Cup.

    Reports suggest that the PCB may appoint a new head coach next week.

    Pakistan’s women’s team performed poorly in the ongoing Women’s World Cup held in Sri Lanka and India. The team failed to win any of its seven matches, losing four while three ended without a result due to rain.

  • Pakistan to wear pink-themed kit in first T20I against South Africa for breast cancer awareness

    Pakistan to wear pink-themed kit in first T20I against South Africa for breast cancer awareness

    The Pakistan cricket team will wear a special pink-themed kit in the first T20I against South Africa to support breast cancer awareness.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has joined the Pink Ribbon campaign as part of its efforts to promote awareness about breast cancer.

    PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed Syed said that during the first T20I in Rawalpindi, South African players and match officials will wear pink ribbons to show their support for the cause.

    He added that Pakistan will play the opening match in a special pink-themed kit, while the stumps used in the match will also be pink.

    “Raising public awareness about breast cancer through cricket has always been one of PCB’s key initiatives. During the match, commentators will share awareness messages during the live broadcast,” said Sameer Ahmed Syed.

    He also announced that the Pink Ribbon Hospital in Lahore will offer free screening and check-ups on October 28.

    The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will be played from October 28 to November 1.