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Author: News Desk

  • Man behind the kidnapping of Dua Mangi, Bisma Saleem surrenders

    Man behind the kidnapping of Dua Mangi, Bisma Saleem surrenders

    On Monday, the mastermind behind two high-profile kidnappings from Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA), surrendered himself before the court, Aamir Majeed reports for SAMAA.


    Agha Mansoor Hussain, who was designated a proclaimed offender (PO) by the Karachi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), surrendered before a District East Judicial Magistrate on Monday.


    Hussain was then placed on judicial remand and taken to jail.


    Dua Mangi was kidnapped on November 30, 2019. The Karachi-based teenager, who was kidnapped from outside a restaurant in DHA was kidnapped for ransom. She returned home a week later.

  • Did you know Argentina’s first World Cup victory in 1978 was inspired by Pakistan’s hockey team?

    Did you know Argentina’s first World Cup victory in 1978 was inspired by Pakistan’s hockey team?

    There is a lot to discuss and learn about the team that won the World Cup for the first time in 1978, Argentina, which has recently gained attention due to its amazing victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    Argentina, under Daniel Passarella’s guidance, defeated the Netherlands in Buenos Aires to claim the fifth FIFA World Cup. Did you know, though, that Abdul Waheed Khan, the Pakistani hockey manager who was responsible for the team’s record-breaking victory in the same year, served as an inspiration to Argentina’s Cesar Menotti when he managed Argentina’s football team?

    The tale that propelled Argentina to win in 1978 was uncovered via “The Paperclip” Twitter thread. Argentina hosted the hockey World Cup in March of that year, followed by the FIFA World Cup of football in June. Under the direction of former gold medalist Waheed Khan, the Pakistani hockey team arrived in Buenos Aires and put on an outstanding display. “During their victorious campaign, the green shirts created many sublime records. Their total of 35 goals was a new highest for a single edition of the World Cup, while only conceding 4 goals along the way,” according to one of the tweets.

    Many people’s attention was drawn to Pakistan by their outstanding performance. Menotti, the disobedient Argentine football team coach, was one of them. He attended the hockey game two months prior to the football spectacle. Menotti not only watched the games, but he also went to their practises and training sessions to take notes because he appeared so fascinated by their game.

    Waheed, born in the Indian hamlet of Raipur in the Bhopal district, moved to Pakistan in 1949. He had a detailed discussion with Menotti which “mainly centred around Pakistan’s attacking strategy”.

    The thread further read, “They discussed the strategy of double attack i.e. if a move from the right side fails then make all the effort to immediately initiate a move from the left side on the assumption that most of the opponents’ defense had become concentrated on one side.”

    Later, on June 25, 1978, Argentina went on to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time defeating Holland in the finals. Menotti even sent Waheed a telegram acknowledging how Pakistan’s hockey team’s “ploy came in very handy to him and the winning squad.”

    Thus, it can be seen how one team’s outstanding performance might even motivate other games to adopt the strategies and revel in the spirit and unity of sports like never before. Definitely a tale to keep in mind!

  • Saim Sadiq shares an emotional story behind a scene in “Joyland” on Alina Khan’s birthday

    Saim Sadiq shares an emotional story behind a scene in “Joyland” on Alina Khan’s birthday

    On Alina Khan’s birthday, director and writer of ‘Joyland’ Saim Sadiq took to Instagram to appreciate the actor’s talent and creative spirit by sharing how the two had bonded together before shooting a scene in Joyland where the audience meets Biba for the first time.

    You can read the full post below:

    A day before the shoot for Darling, Alina disappeared for hours. @sanajafri14 and I texted her to bring this particular pair of shoes with her that she had to wear for her first scene. The first scene this magnificently talented girl would ever shoot in her life. But Alina just wouldn’t answer anyone’s call.

    No one could trace her until 12 am at night when she finally called me from an unknown number. I could tell that she was trembling when she said she was stuck in “a situation” and just ran away from it and now needs a place to stay the night. I told her to come over.

    She finally arrived at 2 am. She had bruises on her neck from the assault that she had managed to run away from. Yet, all she cared about was that she makes it to set on time and not lose this opportunity. And in that escape, she lost her phone and handbag. All she managed to bring with her were the shoes and she kept assuring herself and me that everything was still fine because she had her shoes for her first scene. I gave her an ointment, she slept in my sister’s room and the next morning we started the shoot, cracking jokes and being chill as if nothing had happened.

    Years later, we shot for her introductory scene as Biba in Joyland and had the most cathartic experience of our lives. Both of us found a quiet room to discuss what we normally only joke about: the casualness with which we have to process the violence around us. We both cried and got the tears out of our systems because we didn’t want Biba to cry in the scene. She was going to show up with the blood on her shirt and there was going to be no explanation to where it came from. Because the everyday violence around us never ever makes sense. We hugged and cried again after packup because we knew… this was our scene.

    It’s hard for me to think of a person who is more unaware of their inspirational status in other people’s lives than Alina! You are a true heroine of our times!
    Happy Birthday, @onlyalinakhan ! Thank you for your talent, your spirit, and your magical artistry!

    You were born to be a movie star!

  • Shaheen Shah to marry Shahid Afridi’s daughter in Feb next year: report

    Shaheen Shah to marry Shahid Afridi’s daughter in Feb next year: report

    Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will tie the knot with his fiancé Ansha on February 3, 2023, Pro Pakistani has reported.


    Earlier, this year in July while answering a question about his engagement with Ansha, Afridi, the star bowler had said: “It was my wish and Alhumdulillah it is fulfilled now.”


    “I met her and will meet her soon. I found my heart and that’s enough for me,” remarked Shaheen Afridi while answering a question about getting engaged at an early age.


    The host further asked Afridi if his fiancé gets jealous of his female fan following, to which he replied, “I am not sure, maybe she feels something like that.”


    Shaheen and Ansha got engaged last year in March. Ansha is former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s daughter.

  • The significance behind the black cape Lionel Messi wore at the FIFA world cup ceremony

    The significance behind the black cape Lionel Messi wore at the FIFA world cup ceremony

    The most significant part of the FIFA world cup ceremony was when Messi had been invited to the stage to receive the trophy, the King of Qatar had given him a black cape to wear before he lifted up the world cup to celebrate with his team members.

    Since yesterday social media users, mostly people in the West, were mostly expressing disappointment about Messi’s pictures being ruined by a black cape and even saying that it had ruined a significant moment for the football player. Many Arab critics and journalists were quick to highlight the racism in the media coverage of the West, and its overt disregard for Eastern culture and tradition.

    https://twitter.com/tooba_tweets/status/1604839570843271168?s=20&t=BhJq5rzVxIrqyqoRk2HgWw

    As Eastern journalists and critics had shared, every time the FIFA world cup would take place in different countries, the winner would be crowned according to the traditions of the host. For instance in 2004 when the Olympics were hosted in Athens, the winners were crowned with an olive wreathe. But the negative coverage over Messi wearing the bisht is proof of how racism in the Western media will remain an unresolved issue

    The black cape that Messi had worn on the final ceremony is called the bisht and historically, it holds a lot of significance within Arabic culture. The bisht is worn by Arabian warriors after a victory. At the ceremony, when the King of Qatar had given Messi the cloak, it was giving someone the highest form of respect and signified him as the King of Football.

  • Nazia Hassan’s ex-husband files defamation suit against Zoheb Hassan

    Nazia Hassan’s ex-husband files defamation suit against Zoheb Hassan

    Late Singer Nazia Hassan’s husband, Ishtiaq Baig, has filed a defamation case against his former wife’s brother Zoheb Hassan in London. As per a report in Express.pk, Ishtiaq says that the latter has made serious allegations against him due to which his reputation has been damaged and he has faced severe backlash from people.

    It is impertinent to mention that a year and a half ago, Zoheb levelled serious allegations regarding Nazia’s death on his brother-in-law on the occasion of the Disco Deewane crooner’s 22nd death anniversary.

    According to police records, no evidence of poison was found in Nazia’s body, while Zoheb continued to describe his sister’s death as unnatural. However, Ishtiaq, the singer’s husband, has denied the accusations made by his wife’s brother several times. It should be noted that Nazia was battling cancer for a long time before her untimely demise. There is also a death certificate issued by the British authorities to verify the news.

    However, this is not the first time a legal suit has been filed between the two. In 2018, Zoheb revealed that Ishtiaq is in talks to make a film on his late wife “so he can feature himself and further profit from her name and fame.” The 56-year-old singer added that the Hassan family will be taking the legal route if any such thing is implemented.

    Taking to Facebook, Zoheb wrote, “The Hassan family has come to know that Nazia’s ex-husband is trying to make a film on her life so he can feature himself and further profit from her name and fame. Anyone entertaining this individual shall be duly and legally sued by our family as he has no legal right or basis to do so.”

    The Disco Deewane vocalist passed away in August 2000 at the age of 35, presumably from lung cancer.

  • Anushka Sharma calls out Puma for using her pictures without consent, Virat Kohli reacts

    Anushka Sharma calls out Puma for using her pictures without consent, Virat Kohli reacts

    Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on Monday took to her Instagram stories to slam sportswear brand Puma for using her images without her permission. In the picture, she is seen flaunting her toned abs in a neon yellow sports bra by Puma styled with a pair of cropped leggings.

    In an Instagram story, she reposted the picture shared by the brand and wrote, ”Hey, @PumaIndia? I’m sure you know that you have to take permission before you can use my imagery for publicity since I am not your ambassador.”

    The actress demanded the brand to take the post and wrote, “Please take it down,” along with angry emojis to express her displeasure.

    See the post here:

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    Her stern response comes after Puma India shared a picture of the actress on Instagram, with a caption that says, ”Hey #PropahLady, end the year in style with the PUMA End Of Season Sale!”

    In India, Puma’s roster of ambassadors, includes Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yuvraj Singh, MC Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Dutee Chand.

    In the past, the Bollywood actress Anushka has slammed many publications for clicking pictures of her and her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli without their consent. 

  • Lionel Messi’s World Cup win Instagram post crosses 45 million likes

    Lionel Messi’s World Cup win Instagram post crosses 45 million likes

    Lionel Messi finally received the World Cup trophy in what he declared to be his final game, regardless of the win.

    While the match appeared to be a straightforward victory for Argentina over a fatigued France team for much of the final, Kylian Mbappé’s extraordinary brace at the start of the final 10 minutes of regulation time transformed the game into a nail-biting thriller that has been hailed as one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

    Messi himself scored twice, including a goal late in extra time that appeared to finally give Argentina the victory. But Mbappé scored from a penalty spot seconds later to seal his hat-trick and trigger a penalty shoot after the game finished 3-3. Argentina ultimately won the penalty shootout 4-2 thanks to goals from Messi and Mbappé, who are also Paris St. Germain colleagues on the club level.

    He next shared pictures of himself rejoicing with the trophy along with a heartfelt Instagram post in which he congratulated his teammates, family, and Argentina’s supporters.

    Although it could be his last World Cup game, he still plans to play for Argentina. “WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! I dreamed it so many times, I wanted it so much that I still haven’t fallen, I can’t believe it,” Messi said in Spanish.

    “Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us. We demonstrate once again that Argentines when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do. The merit belongs to this group, which is above individualities, it is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the dream of all Argentines… We did it!!! GO ARGENTINA!!!!! we are seeing each other very soon,” Messi wrote in his latest Instagram post.

    The latest post currently has more than 45 million likes, making it the most popular Instagram post from a sportsperson.

    A post featuring Messi also held the previous record, but it was posted by his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The picture appeared to show Ronaldo and Messi engaged in a game of chess.

  • Bajwa wants to respond to Khan but can’t: Journalist Ansar Abbasi

    Bajwa wants to respond to Khan but can’t: Journalist Ansar Abbasi

    Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa cannot respond in public to the claims and accusations made against him by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan because of “codal limitations”, writes journalist Ansar Abbasi for Jang.

    The journalist revealed on Monday that it was not General (retd) Bajwa, but Imran Khan who controlled National Accountability Bureau (NAB) when he was the prime minister as he was paranoid about the Opposition and wanted to see them behind bars.

    Khan himself asked the ex-COAS to get a number of his opponents arrested. When Bajwa asked how he could take such a step, Khan gave reference of General Pervez Musharraf and his way of dealing with his political opponents. Upon hearing this, Bajwa reportedly reminded Imran that Musharraf was a dictator. Ansar Abbasi also disclosed that Bajwa told Khan to give him these orders in writing. However, Khan did not do that.

    The former army chief also warned Khan, advising him instead to focus on the economy instead of the Opposition.

    Abbasi has also written that “During his government’s tenure, Imran Khan himself has been heard complaining about the fear of NAB and its negative impact on the economy and civilian bureaucracy. But his urge to fix the opposition did not let him reform NAB.”

    Abbasi however does admit that General (retd) Bajwa is mostly blamed for keenly pursuing what is generally referred to as the “Imran Khan project”.

    He writes that when General (retd) Bajwa will speak, “what he tells will be no different from what former DG FIA Bashir Memon had alleged.” Memon claimed to have been pressurised by Khan to arrest his opponents.

    It is pertinent to mention that since his ouster, Khan has blamed the establishment and criticised them for being “neutral”. However, after General Bajwa retired in November, Khan has taken to criticising him directly. He has taken the name of General (retd) Bajwa on several occasions, saying that the retired army chief is responsible for ousting him.

    Days before retirement, General Bajwa, without taking any name, responded to Khan’s allegations.

    In what seemed like a criticism of Imran Khan, General (retd) Bajwa said that a false narrative was built and a campaign was started against the Pakistan army.

    “Many sectors used very inappropriate and undignified language while making the army the target of severe criticism. To criticise the army is the right of political parties and the people, but they should select their language carefully,” he said.

  • More than 10 million users think Elon Musk should step down as Twitter’s CEO

    More than 10 million users think Elon Musk should step down as Twitter’s CEO

    Less than two months after taking over as CEO of the social media network, Elon Musk faced outrage from Twitter users who voted in a poll for him to resign.

    According to the poll the billionaire started on Sunday night, almost 57.5 per cent of votes were in favour of Musk stepping down as the CEO of Twitter, while 42.5 per cent were opposed. There were over 17.5 million voters.

    Musk said on Sunday that he would follow the poll’s findings, although he did not specify when he would resign if the results called for it.

    In premarket trade, shares of Tesla Inc., the electric vehicle manufacturer that Musk leads, were up roughly 3 per cent at $154.70.

    The poll is the most recent development in Musk’s chaotic time in office as Twitter CEO since October, which has included firing thousands of employees and members of top management at a rapid clip, haggling over how much to charge for Twitter Blue, a subscription service, and restoring banned accounts like that of former US President Donald Trump.