Author: News Desk

  • Army postpones Defence Day ceremony in solidarity with flood victims

    Army postpones Defence Day ceremony in solidarity with flood victims

    The Pakistan Army on Wednesday (August 31) postponed the Defence Day ceremony — to demonstrate solidarity with flood-affected Pakistanis. The ceremony is held every year on September 6 at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

    The announcement was made by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Major General Babar Iftikhar, in a tweet from his twitter account.
    “In solidarity with the flood-affected people of Pakistan, central ceremony at GHQ to commemorate Defence & Martyrs Day on 6 September has been postponed,” he wrote.


    “Pakistan Armed Forces shall continue serving our brothers and sisters struck by unprecedented floods,” he added.

    Devastating floods have left Pakistan reeling, with the death toll now standing at 1,191. According to the data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 422 people have lost their lives in Sindh, 253 in Balochistan and 264 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    It has been estimated that nearly one-third of the country is submerged in flood waters with more than 30 million people displaced from their homes. The raging waters have also wrecked havoc on the country’s infrastructure, with a number of roads, houses, schools and bridges damaged by the floods.

    The armed forces are engaged in rescue and relief operations along with provincial and federal administrations.

  • ‘Shame on her, stupid, tiny mind’: Mathira blasts Kiran Butt for age-shaming Mehwish Hayat

    ‘Shame on her, stupid, tiny mind’: Mathira blasts Kiran Butt for age-shaming Mehwish Hayat

    Actor Mathira has lashed out at model and host Kiran Butt for age-shaming superstar Mehwish Hayat. Kiran recently asked Khalil-ur-Rehman on Ahmad Ali Butt’s show that people speculate by Mehwish’s age a lot these days so is this the reason Qamar wouldn’t work with her?

    Mathira commented under a blog’s post who shared this video clip. The Raasta diva slammed Butt for her remarks. Mathira also wrote, “I bet Kiran is one of those girls who are stuck on 25 (years of age) for the next 25 years.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HGrRk_p-dA&t=6s

    Earlier this month, Mathira took to her Instagram stories to hit out at fellow actress Kiran Tabier for her recent comment about the Blind Love diva. A fan recently told Kiran that she looks like Mathira’s twin sister.

    The Parizaad star expressed her disappointment on the same and sarcastically told the netizen that if she’s a woman, her thinking needs a salute.

    Mathira to Kiran

    Mathira responded to it by saying, “Being compared to me is not swearing or a bad word. But if u think then that’s your head Anyways. Apki Soch ko salam Karna Chahie. Why do people think I am that bad?”

    In March 2022, Mathira schooled senior actress Naima Khan for her remarks about a women’s body on Nida Yasir’s morning show. Naima Khan said on the show, “I get uncomfortable whenever I see someone fat. Though young girls are against me, I replied to them that I thought you are Aunty standing here. You should look like a girl.”

    She also discussed in the morning show that young girls should maintain their bodies so that they could prevent diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes.

    Netizens have expressed serious concerns over these statements on social media.

    Mathira referred to Naima an ‘aunty’ and told her to focus on herself. She thinks that Naima has an uneducated and toxic thought process, the Blind Love diva couldn’t comprehend how Naima could utter something so unethical during a morning show.

  • Govt may add 9,000 MW solar energy to national grid as an alternative power source

    Govt may add 9,000 MW solar energy to national grid as an alternative power source

    The federal government intends to prioritise the addition of 9,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to the national grid.

    According to Express Tribune,  the government may spend money on producing 6,000 MW of solar energy. A scheme to install 2,000 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power on 11 kV feeders is also being considered. The government has chosen a number of locations in south Punjab for this purpose.

    By solarizing the public-sector buildings, the government will also add 1,000 MW of solar energy to the national grid.

    Through a single-stage, two-envelope bid process and a tariff indexation of 70 per cent every three months, the authorities will implement a straight-line tariff. In this regard, it aims to provide friendly nations with competitive tariffs.

    The government may acquire all the electricity produced on a 25-year BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer) basis due to increased demand. It also intends to guarantee power off-take and offer the land for the projects.

    Additionally, the government intends to exempt all investors from import customs and other taxes, as well as from income tax on gains and profits for the first ten years.

    Incentives for the 4MW solar generation to be installed at 11kv feeders through a bid process may also be announced by the Ministry of Energy.

    In this context, the government can propose a straight-line tariff and a quarterly 50 per cent Pak CPI indexation with a 15 per cent maximum. Additionally, a bid/lease procedure will be used to install the solar rooftop system.

  • It was my dream to play for Pakistan: Pakistan-born Hong Kong Captain

    It was my dream to play for Pakistan: Pakistan-born Hong Kong Captain

    Nizakat Khan, a Pakistan-born Hong Kong captain, stated in an interview with Geo News that playing for Pakistan was his dream.

    He said that moving to Hong Kong prevented him from pursuing his dream.

    “Mera to dream tha Pakistan kay liye khailun lekin phir Hong Kong shift ho gaya (It was my dream to play for Pakistan, but I moved to Hong Kong”, said Khan.

    He expressed his excitement over playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022.

    Speaking of their match against Pakistan, he shared, “We are confident that we will play well against Pakistan.”

    Khan further added that he tried to follow in the footsteps of Pakistani skipper Babar Azam.

    “Babar Azam is consistently performing. I try to follow in his footsteps in batting and captaincy,” he said.

    Nizakat Khan will play against Pakistan for the second time in the Asia Cup.

    Hong Kong scored 116 runs in 37.1 overs in the first game despite losing 10 wickets. On 11 deliveries, Khan scored 13 runs. However, Pakistan easily reached the mark in 23.4 overs.

  • UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres will pay a ‘solidarity visit’ to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan on September 9.

    “With the tragic situation facing millions of men, women and children impacted by historic floods in Pakistan, the Secretary-General will travel to the country next week for a solidarity visit,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

    According to Dujarric, the UN secretary-general will arrive in Islamabad and will go to the areas most impacted by the unprecedented climate catastrophe. He will also have conversations with displaced families and humanitarian agencies working on the ground.

    He is expected to remain in the country for two days and will leave on September 11.

    Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said it will contribute in a big way to our collective effort to highlight the impact of this disaster.

    On Tuesday, the UN appealed to the world to collect $160 million in aid for the Pakistani flood victims.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres called upon the international community to take more steps to fight global warming and its impacts.

    “Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”

    During the ongoing monsoon season, Pakistan received about 186 per cent higher rainfall than its 30-year national average.

    One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by unprecedented floods and the overall death toll is now more than 1,100.

  • FBISE announces intermediate part II result

    FBISE announces intermediate part II result

    The Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) part-II yearly exam results have been announced by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

    Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), was the chief guest at the official results declaration ceremony conducted earlier today at the FBISE headquarters in Islamabad.

    The highest performers from each academic group received Detailed Marks Certificates (DMCs) from the minister.

    Students can check their results through FBISE’s website or by sending an SMS to 5050 with the format: FB(Space)[Roll Number] to obtain results on mobile

    Additionally, students can phone (051) 9269555-59 to find out their scores.

    Moreover, candidates who provided their mobile numbers on the admission form will receive results from FBISE through SMS.

    The HSSC part-I yearly exam result date is expected to be released later.

  • At least 73,000 pregnant women expected to deliver next month in flood-affected areas

    At least 73,000 pregnant women expected to deliver next month in flood-affected areas

    According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at least 650,000 pregnant women in flood-affected areas are in desperate need of maternal healthcare. As per UNFPA, 73,000 pregnant women are expected to deliver next month.


    “Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support,” the agency said, adding that pregnancies and childbirth cannot wait for emergencies or natural disasters to be over as this is when a woman and baby are vulnerable and need the most care.
    “UNFPA is on the ground, working with partners, to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers continue re­­ceiving life-saving services even under the most challenging conditions,” ac­­ting UNFPA Pakistan Repre­sen­tative Dr Bakhtior Kadirov said.

    You can donate clean delivery kits to women in need in flood-affected areas.

  • Disappointed by IK, High Court directs Khan to submit his response again

    Disappointed by IK, High Court directs Khan to submit his response again

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to resubmit his response in the contempt of court case within the next seven days.

    IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said he was “disappointed” by the written response submitted by Khan in the case. He asked him to review it and submit it once more.

    The court adjourned the hearing till September 8.

    Khan reached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in reference to contempt of court case against him. Police set security on high alert around the IHC.

    Last week, Khan was given pre-arrest bail in the terror case filed against him for threatening Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior police officers at a public rally, shortly after he appeared before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad.

    The ATC accepted the former premier’s bail plea against a surety of Rs100,000, stopping the police from arresting Khan till September 1.

    Khan appeared in the ATC in person where Judge Raja Jawwad Abbas heard his plea.

    Head to Islamabad if Imran Khan arrested

    PTI asked its supporters to take to the streets and head to Islamabad if their leader gets arrested.

    “If Imran Khan is arrested, come out on the streets and then head to Islamabad the next day. Clear directions from the party given,” tweeted PTI’s official account.

    Prior to this, Khan had secured transit bail till August 25 from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Read moreIHC to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran for controversial remarks regarding sessions judge

    On August 21, a first information report (FIR) was registered against the former prime minister under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening an additional sessions judge and senior police officers of the Islamabad Police at a rally in the federal capital’s F-9 Park on August 20.

  • Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that if Imran Khan in any way gets disqualified, then those those who make this decision should think how will they survive.

    “It is for those who can disqualify Imran, not for the PTI, to think that how would they survive (in their positions) if they oust Imran Khan,” said Chaudhry on HUM News.

    “Pakistan is at the edge of revolution. If a judgement is given against Imran Khan Sahib, the people of Pakistan will decide the fate,” said Chaudhry.

    Fawad said that when Bhutto was ousted out of power, he was not at the peak of his popularity. But on the contrary, massive public support is with Imran Khan today.

    Speaking on another political programme aired on Dunya News, Chaudhry said that he found a commonality in the cases of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Yusuf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif, as all these leaders had lost their popularity among the masses when they were ousted.

    “Imran Khan is at the pinnacle of his popularity. No one can afford that politics in Pakistan runs without him,” said Chaudhry. When the anchorperson asked Fawad if he means that the courts cannot penalise a popular leader, Fawad said they could not punish (a popular leader) in political cases. His comments were in relevance to the contempt of court case against Khan.

    The anchorperson told Fawad that the courts had convicted popular leaders like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Talal Chaudhry and Nehal Hashmi, Fawad advised the anchor against comparing Imran Khan with the likes of Talal or Nehal.

  • ‘Won’t work with Mehwish, tired of writing for Humayun, rejected Naumaan’: Khalil-ur-Rehman makes blasting revelations

    ‘Won’t work with Mehwish, tired of writing for Humayun, rejected Naumaan’: Khalil-ur-Rehman makes blasting revelations

    Writer-director Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar recently appeared on SAMAA TV ‘s show Super Over, hosted by actor Ahmad Ali Butt. The Sadqay Tumhare writer made some revelations about his colleagues, Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Mahira Khan and Naumaan Ijaz.

    Qamar talked about his feud with superstar Mahira Khan, and said that he has forgiven her for calling him out post his brawl with Marvi Sirmed, but he will never forget any of it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HGrRk_p-dA&t=6s

    The Raees star tweeted on March 4th, 2020, after Sirmed and Qamar’s heated argument on the show Aaj Ayesha Ehtesham Kay Saath.

    “This same man who abused a woman on TV is revered and given project after project because of what?”

    While talking about Mehwish Hayat, who recently made Pakistan proud with her stint in the Disney+ superhero series Miss Marvel, Qamar said stated that London Nahi Jaunga was his last film with her.

    He continued by saying that Hayat has worked a lot in the industry and now others should get a chance too.

    Moreover, he also mentioned, “I’m tired of writing roles for Humayun Saeed as well.”

    The Pyarey Afzal writer also disclosed that the famous actor Nauman Ijaz proposed a partnership in Khalil’s first drama serial Dastak aur Darwaza.

    The writer said, “I auditioned Nauman Ijaz, and he failed, and then Usman Peerzada was selected.”