Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • US envoy to Afghanistan resigns two months after chaotic withdrawal

    US envoy to Afghanistan resigns two months after chaotic withdrawal

    United States envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad is stepping down, the State Department has announced, less than two months after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country, reported Al Jazeera.

    Zalmay Khalilzad led the US dialogue with the Taliban. The Taliban took control in August after capturing the capital Kabul.

    In a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Zalmay Khalilzad acknowledged that “the political arrangement between the Afghan government and the Taliban did not go forward as envisaged”, reports BBC.

    “The reasons for this are too complex and I will share my thoughts in the coming days and weeks,” he wrote, saying he was stepping aside as the US entered the “new phase of our Afghanistan policy”.

    He added that he was “saddened” for the Afghan people given the current outcome.

    Khalilzad will be replaced by his deputy, Tom West, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Monday, noting that West will work closely with the US embassy, which is now based in Doha, on US interests in Afghanistan.

  • VIDEO: ‘Buddha ho gaya hai’: Babar Azam to Shadab Khan

    VIDEO: ‘Buddha ho gaya hai’: Babar Azam to Shadab Khan

    Pakistan crushed West Indies by seven wickets in their T20 World Cup 2021 warm-up fixture in Dubai on Monday.

    Apart from Pakistan’s dominance with both bat and ball, the match also saw a hilarious banter involving Babar Azam and Shadab Khan.

    During the first over of West Indies’ innings, Lendl Simmons took a quick single on the second ball, prompting the Pakistan captain to point out Shadab’s lack of agility on the field.

    “Buddha ho gaya hai. Jawani vich tera run out si (You’ve gotten old otherwise it would have been a wicket for you if you were young),” stump mic caught Babar as saying.

    This video caught Twitterati’s attention and got viral in minutes.

    Pakistan will open their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against arch-rivals India in Dubai on October 24.

  • Kumail Nanjiani dons Pakistani designer’s customised attire at ‘Eternals’ premiere

    Kumail Nanjiani dons Pakistani designer’s customised attire at ‘Eternals’ premiere

    Eternals’ premiere in Los Angeles turned out to be a star-studded affair with stars like Angelina Jolie gracing the red carpet. Kumail Nanjiani who is a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and podcast host attended the premiere in a Sherwani.

    Nanjiani wore a Sherwani by a Pakistani designer Umar Sayeed.

    The Stuber star revealed to the Hollywood Reporter, “I wanted to wear a Sherwani because 1. They look awesome and 2. My costume in the film always reminded me of Sherwanis. And I wanted to use a designer in Pakistan, not just a Pakistani designer in the U.S. So I called my mom, she gave me names of three amazing designers in Pakistan.”

    His stylist, Jeanne Yang, and the actor ultimately connected with the House of Umar Sayeed, a designer based in Karachi, Pakistan, via Instagram.

    Directed by Oscar-winning Chinese director Chloé Zhao (The Rider, Nomadland), Eternals is the 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

  • PDM announces nationwide protests against inflation from October 20

    PDM announces nationwide protests against inflation from October 20

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday announced countrywide protests against rising inflation and poor economic policies from October 20, reports Dawn.

    Speaking to the media after the PDM meeting, Maulana Fazl said that the nation is suffering due to high inflation, adding that the PDM stands with the public shoulder to shoulder.

    “Rallies and demonstrations will begin from the district level while all PDM component parties will meet at the provincial level. PDM will lead rallies and demonstrations, stand shoulder to shoulder with people and get them their due rights,” Maulana Fazl said.

    “We will go a step further and hold wheel-jams and long march, but step by step,” he said and also called for fresh general elections in the country.

    “We are not discussing local bodies polls – the main issue is holding of free and fair general elections in the country. There is no reason of holding local government elections when there is no legitimate government in the country,” said Maulana Fazl.

  • VIDEO: Babar shows ultimate sportsman spirit by calling back Shimron Hetmyer

    VIDEO: Babar shows ultimate sportsman spirit by calling back Shimron Hetmyer

    Pakistan Cricket Team’s captain, Babar Azam, showed the ultimate sportsman spirit as he called back West Indian batter, Shimron Hetmyer, to bat during the 2021 T20 World Cup warm-up match on Monday.

    Hetmyer was adjudged out after he was caught by wicket-keeper, Mohammad Rizwan, off the bowling of right-arm pacer, Hasan Ali. While the decision looked correct, Hetmyer said that he did not touch the ball with his bat and complained that he was wrongfully given out.

    Babar decided to go against the decision of the umpire and decided to bring the batter back to the crease as the batter could not take a review because it was not allowed in the warm-up matches.

    Take a look:

    Pakistan brushed defending champions West Indies aside in their first warm-up game, crushing Kieron Pollard’s side by seven wickets with 27 balls to spare. In a comprehensive all-round bowling performance, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali found themselves amongst the wickets while keeping the run-scoring down, before a majestic half-century from Babar Azam, and an unbeaten 24-ball 46 from Fakhar Zaman put West Indies out of their misery.

    West Indies had won the toss and opted to bat first, but found themselves tied down by a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.

    Pakistan will face South Africa in their next warm-up match on Wednesday. While the Shaheens will be playing their first match of T20 World Cup on Sunday against India.

  • ‘All is settled, new DG ISI notification to be issued this week’: Fawad

    ‘All is settled, new DG ISI notification to be issued this week’: Fawad

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “All the matters have been resolved” and announced that the notification of the new director-general (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency would be issued this week.

    Chaudhry denied speculations that a new summary with names of candidates for the position of ISI chief had been sent to the Prime Minister (PM), reported Dawn.

    While mocking the Opposition, Fawad said, “It [Opposition] is thinking that there are some differences between the government and security institutions but its euphoria is gradually fading.”

    Fawad also invited the Opposition to work collectively with the government but rejected any possibility of holding discussions with its leaders on corruption cases.

    On inflation, Chaudhry said, “We don’t live on another planet. If there is a worldwide increase in the prices of oil, then we will also witness a hike in the prices.”

  • Eid Milad-ul-Nabi: PM, President extend greetings to nation

    On the occasion of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi: Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Dr Arif Alvi, among others, have extended their greetings to the nation.

    Imran Khan, in his message said that the arrival of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in the world brought a revolution in every aspect of human society, Radio Pakistan has reported.

    He said it was the affect of the life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that Arab tribes who were victims of internal chaos for centuries, emerged as a nation.

    The Prime Minister said in this state system, minorities were protected, poor and needy were taken care of and rights and obligations of the state and citizens were determined.

    He said the government has formed Rahmat-tulil-Aalameen Authority to apprise the people and the world about the life and teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

    President Dr Arif Alvi in his message said that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) united people for the Oneness of Allah Almighty and it is his character that made worst enemies as each other’s well-wishers.

    The President said that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) established such a welfare state where the rich and poor enjoyed equal rights.

    Lauding the efforts of the present government in turning Pakistan into a model welfare state on the patterns of Riasat-e-Madina, President Alvi hoped that all resources will be utilized for this purpose.

  • Sadaf Fawad, Fatima Ahmad glamp-up Atif Aslam’s better half Sara’s extravagant birthday celebrations

    Sadaf Fawad, Fatima Ahmad glamp-up Atif Aslam’s better half Sara’s extravagant birthday celebrations

    Singer Atif Aslam’s wife Sara Bharwana recently celebrated her birthday with friends and family members.

    Bharwana took over husband’s Instagram on Friday to pen herself a sweet birthday note on behalf of the singer.

    “You are undoubtedly the most funniest, cutest , hardworking , smartest , wittiest , beautiful person I have ever known,” began Sara in the hilarious post.

    She quipped, “The other person in this picture is my Husband Marrying me was the best decision of your life – I love you Oh wait … happy birthday to me,” adding partying face emojis.

    Sara’s post invited birthday wishes from Atif’s fans in only a few hours.

    The Aadat singer also a hosted a birthday party for his wife Sarah. The guest list included Fawad Khan’s wife Sadaf and Ahmad Ali Butt’s better half Fatima.

  • Ayesha Omar, Nadia Hussain and Aijaz Aslam enjoy together in Dubai

    Ayesha Omar, Nadia Hussain and Aijaz Aslam enjoy together in Dubai

    Prominent Pakistani celebrities were spotted together at the Dubai Expo 2020, touring the Pakistan Pavilion.

    The list of celebrities headlined by Ayesha Omar, Aijaz Aslam and Nadia Hussain also includes anchorperson Waseem Badami and singer Fakhar-e-Alam.

    Have a look at the pictures and videos:

    The Dubai Expo-2020 will run from October 1 this year to March 31, 2022. It will be an excellent opportunity for Pakistan to connect around the world as 25 million people from 192 countries will visit the Expo.

  • Kabul’s last Jew fearing Taliban divorces wife to be in Israel

    Kabul’s last Jew fearing Taliban divorces wife to be in Israel

    Zebulon Simentov, who is known as the last Jew of Kabul, divorced his wife over a Zoom call so that he can be allowed to enter his Holy Land, reports Dawn.

    Under Jewish religious law, a husband must agree to grant his wife divorce, which Simentov had refused to do for many years. But last month, he finally agreed to avoid any legal procedures from his wife, who lives in Israel.

    Simentov fled Afghanistan last month after the Taliban takeover and landed in Turkey on Sunday on what his rescuers say is a final stop before travelling to Israel.

    Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, whose non-profit group Tzedek Association funded Simentov’s journey, said he had spent the last few weeks living quietly in Pakistan.

    “We are relieved we were successful in helping Zebulon Simentov escape from Afghanistan and now into safety in Turkey. His life was in danger in Afghanistan,” said Margaretten.

    He said his group had looked into bringing Simentov to the United States (US) but decided that Israel was a better destination as he has many relatives, including five siblings and two daughters, already in Israel.

    Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in the Islamic States, greeted Simentov at the airport in Istanbul upon his arrival.

    He said he had an appointment to take Simentov to the Israeli consulate to arrange his entry to Israel. Under Israel’s “Law of Return”, any Jew is entitled to Israeli citizenship.

    Simentov was born in Herat, Afghanistan, in 1959 and used to run a kebab shop.