Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan wins the title of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan wins the title of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan has won the title of the IBSF World Snooker Championship which was held in Doha, Qatar. He defeated Iranian player, Amir Sarkhos.

    Ahsan, 16, becomes the youngest snooker player from Pakistan to win the title after Muhammad Asif, who won the title in 2012 and 2019 while veteran Mohammad Yousuf won the title of the World Snooker Championship in 1994.

    In the final match, Ramzan was leading the game with 2-0. He scored 63-60 and 91-0 in the first two frames. However, Amir Sarkhos won the four frames consecutively to put more pressure on Ramzan. Amir led with 2-4 in the game after 6 frames.

    Ahsan Ramzan was emotional after winning the final and his senior Mohammad Asif lifted him on his shoulders.

    Pakistan has won the IBSF World Snooker Championship for the fourth time.

    While talking to the media, Ahsan Ramzan expressed his joy. “I started playing snooker at the age of 6 or 7. It wasn’t an easy sail for me to get out of my home first to the streets of my vicinity, then to main roads of my city, and then play provincial and national championship before qualifying to get here.”

    He also highlighted his journey of struggle and thanked all his family, friends, and seniors for their unconditional support.

    “People usually see just one player on a snooker table, but there’s a long struggle and journey behind that one player,” he added.

    Ahsan Ramzan requested the Pakistani government and society to treat cueists with respect as they give to cricketers.

    “I wish that when I go back home, I also get the heroic welcome that any other world champion would receive, it is my wish that we — snooker players — also get the same treatment from the society that our cricketers receive from them.”

    “I want the government to support snooker; I want society to support snooker.”

    Ahsan Ramzan defeated world defending champion, Mohammad Asif, who is also a Pakistani, to reach the final.

  • Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials on Friday for attending an election rally in Lower Dir in violation of the ECP code of conduct.

    The ECP Lower Dir district monitoring officer (DMO) issued notices to PTI  officials for speaking at a public rally in transgression of the amended code of conduct.

    In the notice, DMO Hamidullah recommended that PM Khan cancels his plans, and now he has summoned him to appear before him on March 14 in person or through counsel, along with a written declaration in his defence.

    “It was conveyed to you that public office holder including prime minister cannot participate in election campaign or canvass in any local council or announce any development scheme after issuance of election schedule,” read the notice served to the prime minister.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister (CM) Mehmood Khan, federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak, and Murad Saeed were among those who received notices from the ECP.

  • Pak vs Australia: What’s the traffic plan for Karachi?

    Pak vs Australia: What’s the traffic plan for Karachi?

    Pakistan and Australia will face each other in the second Test at the National Stadium, Karachi, today (March 12). To maintain a smooth flow of traffic in the city, the traffic police have developed a traffic plan.

    Which routes will be closed?

    The route from Liaquatabad via the Hassan Square Flyover on National Stadium Road. An alternative, route from University Road can be taken to reach your destination. However, Hassan Square traffic from Stadium Road will continue as usual.

    Heavy traffic:

    From the Millennium Mall to New Town, all sorts of heavy traffic will be prohibited. To avoid any disruption, the public is asked to comply with law enforcement agencies and traffic cops.

    They should not park vehicles on any service road or main road.

    Guidelines for Parking:

    Residents of Central and West districts via Liaquatabad No 10 can park their cars and motorcycles at the Hakim Saeed Ground adjacent to the Baitul Mukarram Masjid on University Road.

    Residents of New Karachi, Federal B Area and Gulshan should park their vehicles at the above-mentioned location via Napa. Residents of East, Malir and Korangi districts will park their vehicles at the above location via Drigh Road, Millennium Mall and Nipa.

    Residents of District South, City, Sharea-e-Faisal or People’s Chowrangi, via Jail Road, can park their cars and motorcycles at the Hakim Saeed Ground.

    Spectators will be transported from parking points to the stadium via shuttle bus service.

    What’s the security plan?

    More than 5,000 personnel have been deployed in the city for security duty.

    Dr Maqsood Ahmed, chief of the Sindh Police Security Division, on Thursday, said that the comprehensive security plan had been prepared by the Security Division for the second Test.

    The first Test match between both the teams ended in a draw. However, Australian opener David Warner said that he is hopeful of a result-producing wicket in Karachi Test against Pakistan, which is being played today.

  • SHOCKING: Why was Sana Javed replaced with Urwa Hocane in ‘Neeli Zinda Hai’ after days of shoot?

    SHOCKING: Why was Sana Javed replaced with Urwa Hocane in ‘Neeli Zinda Hai’ after days of shoot?

    Actor Sonia Mishal is currently riding high on the success of Sinf-e-Aahan, the young star has reacted to Sana Javed’s response to recent allegations around her unprofessional conduct.

    Taking to Instagram, the Dumpukht diva opened up on her co-star’s claims that a campaign has been launched to defame her. She revealed why Sana was replaced with Urwa Hocane in the drama after several weeks of shoot. They had to reshoot all her scenes.

    “First of all no one in the world has time to run a ‘proper planned smear campaign’ againt you,” she slammed the Khaani star.

    Mishal also extended her support toward the ones who have mustered up the courage to speak up against the actor’s bad behaviour on the sets.

    Neeli Zinda Hai - Wikipedia

    “It makes me so happy to see all these people speak up because I’ve personally experienced her bad behaviours with such good makeup artists on set to a point where I was shocked and felt sorry for the poor hard working guys who she got replace ¾ times, “ she wrote.

    Sonia Mishal slams Sana Javed for sending legal notice to makeup artists

    “I stand with everyone who is coming forward with tis issue because everyone deserves equal amount of respect and love,” she expressed.

    Sonia Mishal slams Sana Javed for sending legal notice to makeup artists

    “We all work like a family especially our makeup artists who are not even paid enough for their skills,” she continued. “To watch them cry and worry on set broke my heart but then she was the ‘bigger star’,” Mishal IG story read.

    “All this legal (expletive) doesn’t mean anything it’s not going to scare people who’ you’ve hurt,” she concluded. 

    Sonia Mishal slams Sana Javed for sending legal notice to makeup artists
  • Indian government says missile fired at Pakistan accidentally due to technical malfunction

    Indian government says missile fired at Pakistan accidentally due to technical malfunction

    The Indian government has released a statement about a “high-speed flying object” that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal district, saying that it accidentally got fired due to a technical malfunction.

    The statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence says, “The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry.”

    “It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan. While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident.”

    Earlier this week, an object crashed in Mian Channu. On Thursday, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar said, “A high-speed flying object was picked up inside the Indian territory by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). From its initial course, the object suddenly manoeuvred towards Pakistani territory and violated Pakistan’s air space.”

    In his briefing he also said that “Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain”, adding that the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.

  • Gen Bajwa told me not to call Maulana Fazlur Rehman ‘diesel’: PM Khan

    Gen Bajwa told me not to call Maulana Fazlur Rehman ‘diesel’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major-General Qamar Javed Bajwa has asked him not to call Jamiat-Ulema-eIslam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman “diesel”.

    “I was just talking to Gen Bajwa and he told me not to refer to Fazl as diesel. But I am not the one who is saying that. The people have named him diesel,” the prime minister said. He was addressing a public gathering in Dir.

    The premier said that in a recent media talk, Fazl had said when he comes to power, he would “mend an institution”. This, the premier said, was a reference to Pakistan Army.

    https://twitter.com/UmerNaseem_/status/1502251719526424582

    “Today, Pakistan exists because of the army,” the prime minister said. “Will these people fix the army?”

    If today the world does not recognise Pakistan’s green passport, it’s because of these three stooges: Imran Khan

    Speaking about the three “stooges” — leaders of JUI-F, PPP, PML-N — who have joined hands against him, PM Imran said the chiefs of these three parties are among those who have been ruling the county for the last 30-35 years.

    https://twitter.com/ChicoJahangir/status/1502267420504899584

    “If today the world does not recognise Pakistan’s green passport, it is because of these three because these three mortgaged Pakistan,” he claimed.

    Speaking about the no-trust motion filed against him, he said he had been praying that the Opposition would take such a step

    I will take all three wickets with one inswing yorker: PM Khan

    “This has given me a chance to take three wickets in one ball,” he said, three wickets being a reference to Zardari, Shehbaz, and Fazl. “I am competing against these three dacoits and … I will take all three wickets with one inswing yorker.”

    He alleged that the Opposition had been demanding an NRO from him.

    “They tell me that they will topple my government if I don’t close corruption cases against them. But I tell them that I will not close the cases even if I have to give my life for it. I am not doing politics against you but fighting a jihad.”

    He continued that he had called on people to gather at Islamabad’s D-Chowk a day before the session for voting on the no-confidence motion, which is yet to be scheduled.

    The person who met Modi; how will he fix the Pakistan army?

    Without mentioning the name of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, PM Imran Khan said that the “biggest coward and the biggest liar” of Pakistan is residing outside the country.

    “They say I shouldn’t call him fugitive but the fact is that he is a fugitive and liar,” the premier said, adding that he started lifafa (envelope) journalism in Pakistan.

    “The person who tried to bribe former army chief Asif Nawaz Janjua with a BMW is planning to fix the Pakistan army,” he said, taking a jibe at the PML-N supremo.

    “The person who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nepal and invited the person who is torturing the Kashmiris to a wedding; how will he fix the Pakistan Army,” he questioned.

    Once again criticising them, he questioned: “Who will fix the army — PDM chief, who told the American ambassador that he is ready to serve him if given one chance, or PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari, who wrote a letter to the Americans to protect him from the army?”

    “Or will Shehbaz Sharif, who said that I did wrong by criticising the European Union, fix the institute?”

    PM Khan says only ‘animals are neutral’

    Speaking about PPP’s “Awaami March”, he said that after so much they brought people to Islamabad from Sindh and what was the message that he gave: “kaanpein tang rahi hain.”

    Taking a jibe at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the PM said that by the time Bilawal leaves politics, new words will be added to the dictionary like “kaanpein tang rahi hain, cheeni ugg rahi hai.”

    “This is what happens when you forcefully try to make a person a leader…kaanpein taangti hain,” he stated.

    He further added that Allah did not allow us [PTI] to be neutral as only “animals are neutral” because the animals do not distinguish between good and evil. “Humans stand with the good,” he concluded.

    Restrain your tongue: Shehbaz Sharif

    Responding to PM Khan’s speech, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said, “You are talking about sisters and daughters in a way that is not allowed in the civilised world and Islamic society. I want to warn you, restrain your tongue or we have to restrain.”

    Keep your fight political: Maulana Fazl

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday took a swipe at PM Khan and told him to “keep his fight political,” after the premier launched a verbal assault at the Opposition during a public gathering in Lower Dir.

    Fazl said: “Your foul language makes you ineligible to hold the post of the prime minister as there is no nobility in you.”

    The PDM chief claimed to have the majority to overthrow the PTI-led government and went on to call the premier “crazy.” 

    “We have experience in dealing with such situations,” he warned.

  • Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan reaches final of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan reaches final of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s 16-year-old Ahsan Ramzan has qualified for the finals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, which is being played in Qatar.

    Ahsan Ramzan defeated world defending champion, Mohammad Asif, who is also a Pakistani, to reach the final.

    Ramzan got emotional after beating his senior, Mohammad Asif with deciding frames 5-4 in the semi-final match.

    Mohammad Asif was leading a game with 2-0. However, the game became crucial in the third frame. The margin of victory in the frame decreased drastically as Ahsan Ramzan leveled the score with 2-2. He knocked out Asif in the ninth set.

    Ahsan Ramzan will play the final match today with Iranian player, Amir Sarkhosh who defeated Pakistani player with 5-4.

    Mohammad Asif was leading a game with 2-0. However, the game became crucial in the third frame. The margin of victory in the frame decreased drastically as Ahsan Ramzan levelled the score with 2-2. He knocked out Asif in the ninth set.

    Ahsan Ramzan will play the final match today with Iranian player, Amir Sarkhosh.

  • ‘FC, Rangers will handle security on the day of no-confidence vote’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘FC, Rangers will handle security on the day of no-confidence vote’: Sheikh Rasheed

    In a press conference, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) will handle the security of Parliament House, Parliament Lodges, and MNA Hostel in the capital on the day the National Assembly (NA) votes on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Sheikh also warned that he will not take into consideration the stature of a leader and take all-out action against anyone who disrespects the law.

    “I will trample those who take the law in their hands next time,” he said.

    The minister’s statement came a day after Parliament Lodges’ showdown on Thursday. A heavy contingent of the police raided the Parliament Lodges and arrested members of the Ansarul Islam — a volunteer force of the Jamat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) — who were invited to provide security to Opposition lawmakers.

    Recalling last night’s incident, the minister said, “Around 362 families live there [Parliament Lodges]. Of them, 53 are senators and 278 are MNAs. I don’t want to spread terror but we do not have some good reports as recently we caught a group from Bara Kahu planning terror activities in Islamabad.”

    Moreover, Rasheed claimed that there is video evidence that shows Senator Kamran Murtaza using extremely foul language against the police but the cops continued to calm him down. He blamed the Opposition for creating a scene.

  • ICC rates Pindi wicket below average, Babar Azam defends

    The Inter­national Cricket Council (ICC) rated the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia pitch “below average” and penalised it with one demerit point after the match ended in a dull draw earlier this week in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    In a report, Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC match referee for the Pak-Aus Test series said, “The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners. In my view, this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average.”

    In response, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that no Pakistani venue has received a demerit point before. However, it accepts ICC’s decision and has given assurance of the quality of pitches in upcoming matches.

    It is pertinent to mention that demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period. When a venue gets five demerit points, it is suspended from hosting international cricket matches for one year.

    Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has defended the Rawalpindi pitch. The cricketer said that no matter how a pitch is it is important for players to perform on it.

    However, Australian opener David Warner said that he is hopeful of a result-producing wicket in Karachi Test against Pakistan which is going to be played tomorrow (Saturday).

    After the Rawalpindi draw match, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry criticised PCB for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match.

  • Qavi Khan-Faran Tahir starrer film gets banned in Pakistan for controversial content

    Qavi Khan-Faran Tahir starrer film gets banned in Pakistan for controversial content

    The internationally acclaimed film, I’ll Meet You There, has been banned by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan (CBFC) for not displaying a true image of Pakistani and Muslim cultures.

    Veteran actor Qavi Khan and Pakistan-British actor, Faran Tahir, who got famed for Iron Man are starring in the film.

    The film was released in 2021 worldwide and it was set to release in Pakistan. However, CBFC did not issue a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the film.

    While talking to The Express Tribune, the Senior officer said, “I’ll Meet You There was reviewed by the full board of CBFC, and after watching it was decided that the film is not suitable to be given NOC for a release in the country. There were several controversial topics and details that opposed our policy. The board unanimously agreed on a ban.

    The director of the film, Iram Parveen Bilal has recently given an interview to The Variety, and said in response, “I’ve been mulling over the decision by the Central Board of Film Censors, calling our film I’ll Meet You There a ‘negative image of Muslims.’ A film that was made with blood, sweat, and tears by a Muslim, financed by Muslims, and made in the face of a post 9/11 world and a Trump presidency; a film whose very purpose was to combat Islamophobia and to create a positive portrayal of Muslims. A film already released abroad and celebrated widely by the Muslim Pakistani diaspora and seen as a needed and humanised representation of our people. How could that intention be reframed so oppositely and so negatively?”

    Tahir has also shown disappointment over the banning of the film. He emphasised that Pakistanis living abroad are labeled as ‘‘not reflecting true Pakistani culture.’ They represent their country with pride and love however our own people hurt us.

    He said, “It is disheartening, disappointing, and shameful that issues that Pakistani ex-pats face in their lives are trivialized and labeled as ‘not reflecting true Pakistani culture.’ We, Pakistanis, represent our country with love and pride every day while living in foreign lands. We do this to support our families and loved ones. We do this to support our country financially and in every other way. We do this with nothing but love for our country and yet to be cast aside by our very own is deeply hurtful.

    The film portrays a modern and moving portrait of three generations of a Muslim-American family. Faran Tahir is playing the character of a cop, Majeed, and his teenage daughter, Dua who is portraying the role of a gifted ballerina. Their life changed when Majeed’s father unexpectedly visited their home from Pakistan.