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Author: News Desk

  • Mother of Zoheb, Nazia Hassan passes away

    Mother of Zoheb, Nazia Hassan passes away

    The mother of 1989s pop superstars Zoheb Hassan and the late Nazia Hassan has passed away.

    The news was confirmed by Zoheb Hassan, who took to social media to pay tribute to his mother Muniza Baseer in an emotional note along side pictures of him and Nazia with their mother.

    “Thank you for giving me a lifetime of unconditional love and unwavering support,” he wrote. “You were a lady known for her great strength, intelligence, beauty, and grace. Your legacy of kindness will continue to inspire all those who knew you.”

    Expressing his deep sorrow, Zoheb added, “Even though it is difficult to accept your physical absence, your memory shall always stay embedded deep in my heart and mind. Maybe this is the only way I can hold on to you.”

    He fondly remembered the cherished moments spent with his mother, writing, “I will miss our long conversations, your advice, and our shared laughter. You were and always will be my inspiration and guiding light… RIP.”

    The Hassan family holds a special place in the hearts of millions across Pakistan. Nazia and Zoheb Hassan rose to fame in the 1980s with their chart-topping hits, revolutionizing the pop music scene in Pakistan and India.

    Condolences have begun pouring in from fans and members of the entertainment industry, mourning the loss of a woman who was not only a devoted mother but also a source of strength behind two of the region’s most iconic musical talents.

  • Jennifer Lawrence slammed for ‘insincere’ Gaza comments after two years of silence

    Jennifer Lawrence slammed for ‘insincere’ Gaza comments after two years of silence

    Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence is facing backlash online after finally addressing the Israeli war on Gaza, calling it “no less than a genocide” during a press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

    While some praised her for speaking out, many on social media questioned why it took so long for the 35-year-old star to publicly comment on a humanitarian catastrophe that has already claimed over 65,000 lives and left more than 160,000 injured.

    “I’m terrified and it’s mortifying,” Lawrence said at the event, where she was being honored with the Donostia Award. “What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s unacceptable. I’m terrified for my children, for all of our children.”

    However, her words were met with skepticism online. Critics accused the actress of “performative activism” and “jumping on the bandwagon” months into a crisis that has sparked worldwide protests, calls for ceasefires, and condemnation from humanitarian groups.

    “She was doing propaganda for her bff Amy Schumer (in Variety no less) at the start of the genocide,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), referring to Lawrence’s defence of Schumer who came under fire for unabashedly siding with Israel. “I guess Jennifer finally got to her preferred number for murdered Palestinians to finally say something. I guess 650k dead was enough for her. She thought 10k wasn’t enough. Evil woman.”

    Another one wrote: “Melissa Barrera spoke up from the beginning, risked her Hollywood career, was fired, nearly blackballed, smeared, all for supporting a Free Palestine. Any other celeb speaking up after TWO years now that it’s “safe” and PR-friendly is just a f*cking ghoul and an opportunist.”

    Another wrote: “crazy how so many zionist celebrities are backtracking and acting like they’re good people now that the public opinion has shifted against Israel, do they think we’re stupid????”

    “I want ONE celebrity just one to be like “I fell for the propaganda and I’m sorry for being so dumb” like be HONEST about why you’re saying what you are now,” one user said.

    While on her video on Instagram, one user commented: “It was unacceptable 2 years ago as well, where where you sweetheart?” and another said: “Wow! Took her only 2 years and 680,000 killed Palestinians to finally speak up.”

    At the same press conference, Lawrence also spoke about attacks on free speech in the U.S., tying it to the role of cinema and artistic expression. “Our freedom of speech and expression is under attack… I wish there was something I could say, something I could do to fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation,” she said.

    But for many online, that sentiment rang hollow. “Seems insincere and forced,” one user said.

    “Celebrities waiting until it’s safe to speak, then acting like they’re heartbroken heroes, is part of the problem,” another comment read.

    While some supporters defended Lawrence, noting that any voice added to the outcry helps amplify awareness. “Can we plz be grateful for anyone speaking up against what is going on right now?? Instead of having ego battles of who spoke first or last. This isn’t about us and none of us owns this story apart from the Palestinian people living it every single day. Any voice is welcome as the goal is to stop this atrocity not winning at being a better human being on social media.”

    Lawrence’s film Die, My Love screened at the festival, but the red carpet moment was largely overshadowed by the controversy sparked by her remarks.

  • Kh Asif says Imran Khan’s incarceration is not for ‘tit for tat’ measure

    Kh Asif says Imran Khan’s incarceration is not for ‘tit for tat’ measure

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the incarceration of former premier and Patron in Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan is not for “a tit for tat” measure.

    During an interview posted on Zeteo on Friday, journalist Mehdi Hassan asked Asif, “Are you banning and cracking down on the PTI because you are worried about how popular they are?” In response, Asif stated that he was not denying the popularity factor.

    However, he stated that over the last two and a half years, the popularity [of PTI] has definitely gone down because of the country’s economic recovery. “And things are much more orderly since the last elections.”

    The defence czar told the journalist that he had been in prison “for six months without any charge”.

    Hasan’s question, “If it was unjust to you, is it not unjust to [Imran] Khan?” prompted Asif to say that he was not saying that the imprisonment of Khan “is a tit for tat” measure.

    However, Hasan then pointed out that Amnesty International had released a report on Imran’s arrest, while a United Nations group had said that there was no legal basis for Imran’s imprisonment and termed it arbitrary. To that, the defence minister said, “Well, I think they have an opinion with which I disagree.”

    “Pakistan has a situation whereby we are trying to recover from a very, very, misrule or bad rule or whatever you can call it — for three-and-a-half years,” Asif noted.

    Defence pact with Saudi Arabia

    Asif said that the recently signed Strategic Mutual Defence Pact between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) had “formalized” a relationship between the two countries that was previously “a bit transactional”.

    The development had come in the wake of Israeli strikes on Qatar’s capital, Doha, on September 09. The signing of the pact was announced in a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) last week, stating that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an act of aggression against both”.


    On being asked, “How much of it is a reaction to the Israeli bombing of Qatar?” Asif said, “It is not a reaction to what happened in Qatar because this was being negotiated for quite some time. So it’s not a reaction; perhaps it must have sped it up a bit but that is all. It was already in the offing.”

    Hasan then pointed out that Pakistan was the only nuclear power in the Muslim world, noting that the Kingdom had expressed interest in being the second. He also pointed out that Asif had previously stated that nuclear weapons “were not on the radar” for this pact.

    “Is Saudi Arabia protected by Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella per this agreement or not?” he asked.

    “We have had a very long defence relationship with Saudi Arabia, spanning five or six decades. We had a military presence over there, perhaps more than four or five thousand at the peak and we still have a military presence over there. I think we have just formalised that relationship which was previously a bit transactional,” Asif responded.

    “Formalised with or without the nukes?” Hasan probed. Asif said, “I will refrain from going into the details, but it’s a defence pact and defence pacts are normally not discussed publicly.”

    Hasan then pointed out that journalist Bob Woodward, who in his 2024 book War, had quoted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) telling a US senator that he could “just buy” a bomb from Pakistan.

    “I think that is just sensationalised […] No, I don’t believe that quote,” the minister replied.

    When asked by the journalist whether Pakistan’s “strategic” future is with China or the United States (US), the minister, citing the major export of arms from China, stated that the latter country is “reliable and they are our neighbours. We share borders and we share geography.”

  • PM Shehbaz says Pakistan wants peace in region after it delivered ‘bloody nose’ to India

    PM Shehbaz says Pakistan wants peace in region after it delivered ‘bloody nose’ to India

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in an unusually fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday, stated that after Pakistan delivered a “bloody nose” to India in the May conflict, it seeks peace in the region.

    “We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world, and this is my most sincere and serious offer before this assembly of world nations,” the prime minister said.

    Following the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), India launched strikes in Pakistan; however, it was given a major blow as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including three Rafales. 

    The 88-hour-long conflict ended when the United States (US) intervened and announced a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours on May 10.

    Recalling the May conflict, the premier said that the country confronted unprovoked aggression from its eastern front. “The enemy came shrouded in arrogance; we sent them back in humiliation, delivering a bloody nose,” he added.

    “India sought to extract political gains from a human tragedy by spurning my sincere offer of an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident…When our territorial integrity and national security were violated, our response was in accordance with the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

    He said, “Our falcons took flight and etched their answer across the skies, resulting in seven of the Indian jets turning to scrap and dust — a decisive response. A response to the aggressor that will echo through the annals of history.”

    Donald Trump, a man of peace

    Nonetheless, in a position of strength, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by President Donald Trump’s bold and vigorous leadership, Sharif said, expressing deep appreciation to him and his team for their active role in bringing about the ceasefire.

    “Who would have lived to tell what happened? And therefore, in recognition of Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promoting peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. I think this is the least we can do for his love of peace — truly, he is a man of peace.”

    Pakistan is ready for result-oriented dialogue with India

    “Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive, and result-oriented dialogue with Indian on all outstanding issues,” the prime minister said.

    Regarding India’s recent unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), the PM warned, “Pakistan has made it abundantly clear and led there be no doubt once again in anybody’s mind, as I said last year in this hall from this podium, we will definitely defend the inseparable right of our 240 million people on these waters. To us, any violation of this IWT represents an act of war.”

    Palestine must be liberated with full commitment and force

    Highlighting the Palestine issue, he said that the plight of the Palestinian people is one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our times.

    “This prolonged injustice is a stain on the global conscience and our collective moral failure. For nearly 80 years, the Palestinians have courageously endured Israel’s brutal occupation of their homeland in the West Bank, with each passing day bringing new brutality, illegal settlers who terrorise and kill with impunity, and nobody can challenge them or question them.”
    And in Gaza, he noted, Israel’s genocidal onslaught has unleashed unspeakable terror upon women and children in a manner not witnessed in the annals of history.

    Pakistan firmly supports the demand of the Palestinian people for the establishment of a sovereign state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Sharif as its capital, he said, adding, “Palestine can no longer remain under Israeli shackles; it must be liberated and liberated with full commitment and force.”

    Expectation from the Afghan government to take effective action against terrorist groups

    Describing Afghanistan as a direct concern to Pakistan, he said, “We believe that the key to development and prosperity lies in regional stability and connectivity. Pakistan continues to engage with all partners to extend humanitarian assistance, promote economic recovery, and encourage an inclusive political framework in Afghanistan.”

    “Above all, we expect the Afghan government to take effective action against terrorist groups and ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against any country,” he maintained.

  • PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to pay Haris Rauf’s ICC fine

    PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to pay Haris Rauf’s ICC fine

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to personally pay the fine imposed on fast bowler Haris Rauf by the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to media reports.

    During the high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Stadium on September 21, Rauf celebrated a wicket with a “0-6” gesture and later mimicked a plane crash. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a complaint, after which the ICC fined Rauf 30 percent of his match fee.

    The ICC also issued a warning to Sahibzada Farhan for celebrating his half-century by swinging his bat like a gun. Both players were found guilty of a Level 1 offense under the ICC code of conduct.

    Sources quoted in the reports confirmed that Naqvi will cover Rauf’s fine personally, showing his support for the pacer.

    Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined following a complaint from the PCB. The board objected to his political remarks made after India’s group-stage win over Pakistan on September 14. 

    At the post-match press conference, Suryakumar used the term “Operation Sindoor” while dedicating the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s armed forces. The ICC reviewed the complaint and sanctioned him under its code of conduct for inappropriate comments.

  • Five-year-old madrassa student beaten to death by teacher in Gujrat

    Five-year-old madrassa student beaten to death by teacher in Gujrat

    A five-year-old student of a madrassa died after his teacher and two accomplices allegedly beat him with sticks and kicked him at Karariwala Kalan village in Gujrat on Friday, media reports have stated. 

    The boy’s father Shah Zaman Khan of Swat, who currently lives in Amra Kalan village near Dinga town, said he received a call around noon that his son Eesa was in critical condition at Madrassa Jalalia Mazhar Islam.

    “When I reached the madrassa, I found my son brutally beaten by his teacher Hafiz Arfan, Afzaal and another unidentified suspect,” the father said in his complaint.

    Doctors at the Dinga Civil Hospital confirmed Eesa’s death soon after he was shifted there.

    The complainant’s elder son Musa, aged seven, also studies at the same madrassa. He told his father that the teacher and his aides had subjected his younger brother to severe physical assault. 

    Police reached the madrassa and collected evidence, while a Punjab Forensic Science Agency team gathered forensic samples from the crime scene. Doctors conducted an autopsy at the Kharian Tehsil Headquarters Hospital before handing over the body to the family.

    Police registered a case under sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the two nominated suspects and one unidentified accomplice.

    A Gujrat police spokesman said investigation teams have been formed to trace and arrest the culprits.

  • Aryan Khan’s series The Ba***ds of Bollywood gets Season 2 confirmation despite legal troubles

    Aryan Khan’s series The Ba***ds of Bollywood gets Season 2 confirmation despite legal troubles

    Indian actor Rajat Bedi has officially confirmed that Season 2 of The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Aryan Khan’s much-talked-about web series, is currently in development.

    The first season, which garnered significant attention for its bold satire and star-studded cameos, has received widespread praise for offering a gritty and humorous look into the underbelly of the film industry.

    In an interview, Bedi shared that the series has been a turning point in his life and career. “Suddenly, my life has taken a U-turn,” he said. “It feels like the rain is finally over and the sun is out shining bright.” Bedi, who plays the character Jaraj Saxena, a washed-up actor desperately seeking a comeback, has received critical acclaim for his performance, which many say mirrors his real-life journey in the industry.

    Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and helmed by Aryan Khan, the show explores the darkly comic world of Bollywood through the eyes of outsiders trying to make their mark. The series features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Lakshya, and Sahher Bambba, with memorable cameos from Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, and others.

    Bedi revealed that Aryan Khan personally reached out to him for the role while Bedi was in Canada. “He was a bit nervous when we first met, but his clarity of vision was impressive,” said Bedi. He also shared that Aryan allowed his son to assist behind the scenes as a condition for his own involvement in the project and that deeply impressed him.

    The show’s growing popularity has not been without controversy. Former Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation suit against the series, alleging it misrepresents real-life events related to the 2021 cruise drug case involving Aryan Khan. Additionally, a complaint was filed over Ranbir Kapoor’s on-screen use of a banned e-cigarette, prompting the NHRC to step in.

    Despite the legal tussles, anticipation for Season 2 is running high. Actress Ananya Panday’s recent social media posts have further fueled speculation about her involvement in the upcoming season.

    However, Delhi High Court on Friday questioned maintainability of the defamation suit filed by Wankhede, stating: “Your complaint is not maintainable here in Delhi. Look at the cause of action jurisdiction. If your case was that you were defamed at various places, including delhi, and maximum damage occurred in Delhi, we would have understood and still considered the matter here,” the HC said.

    No official release date has been announced as yet.

  • Noor Zaman storms into Nash Cup squash final in Canada

    Noor Zaman storms into Nash Cup squash final in Canada

    Pakistan’s young squash star Noor Zaman has reached the final of the ongoing Nash Cup in Canada after a commanding performance in the semifinal.

    According to reports, Noor outclassed Colombia’s Matias Knudsen in straight sets, winning 11-3, 12-10, 11-3. He wrapped up the match in just 28 minutes to seal his place in the final.

    In contrast, Pakistan’s Asad Irfan fell short in the other semifinal. He lost 3-1 against second seed Mostafa El Serty of Egypt.

    The Nash Cup final will now feature Noor Zaman against Egypt’s Mostafa El Serty, with a prize money of $31,250 at stake.

  • ‘She got slapped’: Indian users react to Shehbaz Sharif’s sharp response to question

    ‘She got slapped’: Indian users react to Shehbaz Sharif’s sharp response to question

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s blunt reply to an Indian journalist’s question on cross-border terrorism elicited strong reactions from Indian social media users.

    Upon arrival at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), when a reporter from Asian News International (ANI) asked the premier on Friday, “When are you going to stop cross-border terrorism?” he shot back that Pakistan is “defeating” India in cross-border terrorism. 

    Viewing PM Shehbaz’s sharp response, many Indian netizens took no time to slam the ANI and its reporter, with some raising questions about journalism ethics.

    A social media user, while calling the question “powerful,” expressed concern, saying, “Pakistan will try something similar with EAM (External Affairs Minister) Jaishankar tonight!!”.

    One netizen called it a “Media stunt”. The user said, “If Indians need to stop terrorism that emanates from Pakistan, the fight would have to be on the battleground and not on media space.”

    One social media account called it the “worst form of journalism,” and another rebuked the journalist, calling her “shameful”, for degrading the standards of the profession.

    “I feel sorry for the woman asking a question; she got slapped so hard in front of fellow journalists that she suddenly became defensive,” said another.

     
    One user advised the reporter to “stick to journalism not activism”. Another called out ANI, saying that it has asked “more questions to the Pakistani PM than he asked to the Indian PM in 4000 days.”

    “ANI must be taught how to interview,” one person maintained, while another stated that “Godi journalists [are a] source of embarrassment for Indians around the world”.

    One particularly scathing post read: “Entire ANI and its loonie toons are perfect clowns, who leave no stone unturned each week to bring SHAME upon India on the global stage.”

  • No trophy photoshoot before Pakistan-India Asia Cup final: Reports

    No trophy photoshoot before Pakistan-India Asia Cup final: Reports

    Pakistan and India will clash in the Asia Cup final on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but tensions between the two sides have already impacted pre-match traditions.

    According to media reports, the traditional photoshoot with both captains and the trophy will not take place on Saturday. Media reports, citing event organizers confirmed that no such event is planned, while a final decision on whether it takes place on match day will be taken on Sunday.

    Earlier in the tournament, the Indian team avoided handshakes with Pakistan players during two matches, and reports suggest a similar situation could unfold in the final. 

    With the atmosphere tense, the likelihood of both captains posing together with the trophy looks slim.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha will hold a pre-final press conference on Saturday at 7 PM Pakistan time. The team is also scheduled to train later in the evening at the ICC Academy in Dubai from 7 PM to 10 PM.

    The final between Pakistan and India is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.