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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Asal issue pai focus karein’: Nadia Hussain defends Samiya Hijab

    ‘Asal issue pai focus karein’: Nadia Hussain defends Samiya Hijab

    Pakistani actor and model, Nadia Hussain has stepped forward to defend social media influencer Samiya Hijab, who has alleged that she was attacked by a man named Hassan Zahid.

    Taking to her Instagram account, Nadia posted a video in which she said, “Abuse is abuse, doesn’t matter if the girl was in a relationship or married to the man. If it was in the starting of the relationship or in the end, even after 20 or 40 years, physical, emotional, verbal or financial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. What Samiya is saying is right.”

    She also said that if the duo had a relationship in the past and now she does not want to continue with him, “it was her right.” She also added, “If a woman does not want to continue her marriage and wants a divorce just because her husband is abusive, she has a right to do that and get out of that relationship.”

    “Whenever a woman is forced against her will, it is wrong. If a woman is threatened, raped or is physically abused, you cannot ask her to keep quiet.”

    She also mentioned that society does not want women to speak up against these crimes because people cannot accept that a woman has a voice.

    She urged people to focus on the main issue, which is “abuse” and don’t judge Samiya for being in a relationship with him in the past.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Samiya took to her Instagram to break silence on her relationship with the suspect and hit out at trolls posting old pictures of the two, claiming she received gifts and cash from him.

    Samiya said that no woman should be forced to remain in an abusive relationship or marriage. Samiya revealed that the man did propose to her but she made it clear that she would only get married after four or five years.

  • Ring, candle-light dinner, chocolates: How Aima Baig got a fairytale proposal from Zain

    Ring, candle-light dinner, chocolates: How Aima Baig got a fairytale proposal from Zain

    Pakistan’s sweetheart, singer Aima Baig, just gave fans a glimpse into one of the most memorable moments of her life, the day Zain asked her to marry him.

    Taking to Instagram, Aima shared a series of dreamy pictures from the day her now-husband, Zain Ahmed, popped the big question. The romantic snapshots have quickly gone viral, melting the hearts of her fans and followers.

    In one of the pictures, Aima proudly flaunts her sparkling diamond ring — a symbol of Zain’s love for her. Another picture shows a dessert plate with the words “Will You Marry Me?” written in chocolate, adding a deliciously sweet touch to the whole affair.

    Last month, Aima Baig and Zain Ahmed tied the knot in a simple yet beautiful ceremony in Canada, surrounded by close family members. Their wedding photos flooded social media, with fans showering the couple with love, prayers, and congratulatory messages. Many fans were taken back by the announcement because no one saw it coming.

    For those who don’t know, Zain Ahmed is the creative director of the well-known Pakistani fashion brand Rastah, a firm favourite among Hollywood’s young and famous, bringing his own flair and style to both fashion and clearly, romance too.

  • Proposed schedule for South Africa’s tour of Pakistan revealed

    Proposed schedule for South Africa’s tour of Pakistan revealed

    South Africa is set to play an all-format series in Pakistan, the proposed schedule for which has now been revealed.

    According to reports, the first Test will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from October 12 to 16, while Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host the second Test from October 20 to 24.

    Rawalpindi will also host the opening match of the ODI series on October 28. The next two matches will be played at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on October 31 and November 2, marking the return of international cricket to the city after a long gap.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier announced that Faisalabad would host the first two T20Is against Bangladesh in May, which would have marked the return of international cricket to Iqbal Stadium after 17 years. But due to rescheduling of PSL matches, that series was eventually played entirely in Lahore.

    The T20 series will begin in Multan on November 5, with the other two matches scheduled for November 8 and 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    The schedule is yet to receive a final approval and remains subject to changes after discussion between the two boards.

    While a South African delegation recently visited Pakistan to review arrangements for the series, reports said they did not inspect the facilities in Multan, making the city a less likely option for hosting.

    Earlier this month, the South African women’s team was also scheduled to play three T20Is in Pakistan.

    South Africa last played a Test series in Pakistan in January-February 2021 under the captaincy of Quinton de Kock, when the hosts completed a clean sweep. Pakistan also won the T20I series 2-1.

  • ‘Bhutto India mein bhi zinda hai’: Internet react as PPP’s Dilan Teer Bija takes over India

    ‘Bhutto India mein bhi zinda hai’: Internet react as PPP’s Dilan Teer Bija takes over India

    Music has no boundaries and this has been proven many times in the past. But this time, a Pakistani political song – Dilan Teer Bija of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – is trending in India and they are loving it.

    While the song is being loved by the people of Indian Hyderabad who are dancing to it on wedding functions, content creators and the general public are taking to social media to talk about its virality, drawing reactions from netizens on either side of the border.

    “Bhutto India mein bhi zinda hai,” wrote a Pakistani user.

    One user on the Indian side revealed that the song was a hit in Mumbai too.

    Another wrote that music had no border and language barrier and the song is universal.

    The song Dilan Teer Bija [literally: an arrow to your heart] is a meaty ditty based on a funky, beat-heavy rendition of Baloch folk music, sung by Shabana Noshi and composed by Zahoor Khan Zeibi. The song was recorded in a music studio in Karachi’s Lyari at the height of what was called the ‘Lyari Disco Scene’ in the 1980s, as part of former Prime Minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto’s election campaign.

    This song, originally in Balochi, is one of the oldest anthems that are still played at every public gathering of the PPP.

    It was also played at the mehndi function of President Asif Ali Zardari and the late former PM Benazir Bhutto’s daughter Bakhtawar. Videos from the event showed the family and friends grooving to it.

    While many remixes have been produced over the years, the melody of the original track is unmatchable. Even if you are not a supporter of the party, you can’t stop loving the song.

  • Google fined $425 million in US privacy case, €325m in France over cookies

    Google fined $425 million in US privacy case, €325m in France over cookies

    A United States (US) federal jury on Wednesday ordered Google to pay about $425 million for collecting data from smartphone apps even when users had activated privacy settings, the company confirmed.

    “This case is about Google’s illegal interception of consumers’ private activity on consumer mobile apps,” attorneys for the plaintiffs charged in a class action suit filed in July 2020.

    The verdict came at the end of a trial in San Francisco, just a day after a federal judge in Washington DC handed Google a victory by rejecting the government’s demand that it sells its Chrome web browser as part of a major antitrust case.

    “This decision misunderstands how our products work, and we will appeal it,” Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said. “Our privacy tools give people control over their data, and when they turn off personalisation, we honour that choice.”

    In the privacy lawsuit, plaintiffs argued that Google intercepted, tracked, collected, and sold users’ mobile app activity data regardless of the privacy settings they selected. “Google’s privacy promises and assurances are blatant lies,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys said in the lawsuit.

    The case adds to mounting scrutiny of how the tech giant balances its ad-driven business model with user privacy. Google has been working to phase out online tracking cookies and replace them with alternatives that are less intrusive but equally effective for advertisers.

    Cookies, which are small files saved to browsers, allow websites to monitor user activity and are a cornerstone of digital advertising.

    On the same day as the US verdict, France’s data protection watchdog National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) hit Google and fast-fashion retailer Shein with record fines for failing to comply with cookie consent rules. CNIL fined Shein €150 million ($175 million) and Google €325 million, accusing both companies of setting advertising cookies without securing users’ free and informed consent.

    Google said it would review the decision and insisted it had complied with earlier CNIL demands. This is the third fine CNIL has imposed on Google over cookies, following penalties of €100 million in 2020 and €150 million in 2021.

  • Rawalpindi court sentences man to death for rape, murder of 13-year-old boy

    Rawalpindi court sentences man to death for rape, murder of 13-year-old boy

    A district court in Rawalpindi has sentenced a man to death and imposed a fine of Rs1 million for the abduction, rape and brutal murder of a 13-year-old boy.

    Judge Afshan Ejaz Sufi delivered the verdict in the high-profile case that involved the kidnapping and sexual assault of the child, followed by his murder with a knife in 2023. 

    The crime took place in the jurisdiction of Dhamiyal police station, where the FIR was registered.

    The court found the accused guilty on all counts and handed down the maximum punishment, citing the severity and cruelty of the act.

  • Crackdown against officials as FBR admits to corruption in auctioning of smuggled vehicles

    Crackdown against officials as FBR admits to corruption in auctioning of smuggled vehicles

    In a bid to reinforce transparency and institutional accountability, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a sweeping crackdown on the misuse of its digital auction system for confiscated vehicles.

    The initiative follows alarming revelations in July regarding irregularities within the auction module of the WeBOC – tax watchdog’s web-based platform – originally introduced in August 2021 to streamline the clearance and registration of smuggled vehicles sold through official auctions.

    Designed to allow Motor Registration Authorities (MRAs) to verify auctioned vehicle details online, the system was meant to reduce manual errors and prevent document manipulation. However, recent findings exposed serious breaches: out of 1,909 vehicles listed in the system, 103 were fraudulently entered using fake user credentials. Of these, 43 vehicles were successfully registered by MRAs, giving them a false veneer of legitimacy.

    The probe has revealed a broader network of collusion involving car dealers and officials from registration authorities. In response, FBR has suspended two senior Customs officials — one deputy collector and one assistant collector — whose credentials were exploited in the scam.

    Recognising the scale of the fraud, FBR has called for the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Customs, and intelligence services.

    The JIT began its inquiry following a formal complaint filed by FBR on July 10.

    On August 28, the FIA registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the implicated officers. To date, Customs Enforcement has filed seven FIRs and arrested 13 individuals linked to the scheme.

    In an official statement, FBR reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out corruption. “We remain fully committed to upholding the integrity of public service at all levels and at all costs,” it said.

  • Rana Sanaullah confirms Field Marshal Asim Munir will remain army chief till Nov 2027

    Rana Sanaullah confirms Field Marshal Asim Munir will remain army chief till Nov 2027

    Advisor to Prime Minister (PM) on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Thursday confirmed that Field Marshal General Asim Munir will remain the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) until November 2027.

    “His [COAS Asim Munir] tenure will end in November 2027,” Sanaullah said, appearing on a private media outlet, adding that if the field marshal is not given an extension, he will retire.

    When asked whether the option of extension exists as yet, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) top brass Sanaullah said it is in the “law”, reminding the host of Munir’s predecessor, who had gotten an extension in the past. “Some individuals even took extensions for themselves,” he added.

    Lauding General Munir’s leadership during the conflict with India in May this year, Sanaullah said that the former earned the field marshal rank, noting that the army chief’s achievements make him most deserving of an extension.

    The former Punjab law minister asserted that the current National Assembly (NA) will complete its term by 2029, ruling out incarcerated former premier Imran Khan’s political moves as unrealistic. He added that the government is open to talks if Imran Khan wishes to pursue politics, whether from jail or outside.

    Sanaullah asserted that PM Shehbaz Sharif is pursuing stability for Pakistan, while PTI founder Imran Khan seeks civil unrest, emphasising that the events of May 9 were not a political protest but an attempt at civil war.

    Addressing claims suggesting that the formation of new provinces is under deliberation, the PML-N leader clarified that there is no discussion on creating new provinces, but tweaks to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award are under consideration to address financial imbalances. 

    He said the federation is under severe fiscal pressure, while provinces have greater capacity, and consensus will be sought to resolve the issue.

    His remarks appeared to be in line with the experts’ view that, in the upcoming 27th Amendment, ostensibly to be tabled in November this year, provinces will be asked to shoulder the finances of natural disasters.

  • State Bank to allow crypto, issue digital rupee

    State Bank to allow crypto, issue digital rupee

    In a landmark shift, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced plans to legalise virtual assets and roll out a central bank-backed digital currency.

    As per the details, Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain told the Senate Finance Committee that the SBP will issue a digital rupee, which will serve as a legitimate channel for acquiring virtual assets. This initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive regulatory framework governing digital transactions.

    During the briefing, Senator Afnanullah Khan highlighted the urgency of regulation, noting that Pakistani citizens have already invested an estimated $21 billion in cryptocurrencies.

    The proposed legislation outlines consumer protection measures and aims to ensure secure investment practices. The SBP is currently working with technology partners to develop the digital currency infrastructure, which will be distributed through designated offices across the country. A formal legal structure for cryptocurrency is also in development, with regulatory guidelines to follow upon finalization.

    Dr Hussain added that the framework would extend to cross-border transactions, aligning Pakistan’s digital asset policies with global standards. A new regulatory body — Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority — is set to be formed under Section 6 of the draft ordinance. Its governing board will include top officials such as the SBP governor, federal secretaries from finance, law, and IT, and heads of the FBR, SECP and Digital Pakistan. The director general of the FIA will also be part of the board.

    The Senate Finance Committee recommended expanding the board to include a member of the national assembly and a senator. It also proposed that the authority’s chairperson possess a minimum of five years’ experience, with an age cap of 55 years.

    The bill also incorporates compliance measures in line with FATF, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terror financing (CTF) protocols.

    It was discussed that the initial funding for the authority will come from the government, with future income expected through licensing, fines, and service charges. A legal consultant from the Ministry of Law and Justice emphasised that the authority would function independently to maintain a secure digital asset ecosystem.

    Further suggestions from the committee included waiving the age limit for chairpersons serving a second term and introducing a percentage-based fee structure for service providers and exchanges. Senator Mohsin Aziz questioned the proposed $10,000 transaction cap, arguing for unrestricted limits.

    Concerns around data privacy were also raised with Senator Afnan urging accountability for service providers in safeguarding user information. He warned against potential exploitation of data trends for financial gain.

    Final deliberations were postponed until the next meeting.

  • Sania Saeed believes not every couple is worthy of children

    Sania Saeed believes not every couple is worthy of children

    Talent power house Sania Saeed has said that not every married couple is worthy of having children.

    In a recent interview, Sania talked about the mental and physical health of parents who are not in a position to have children.

    “People in our society are not even capable of having children and they are incapable of giving an upbringing. They are not worthy of it, because of their weak mental and physical state,” Sania said in a morning show.

    While talking about the importance of upbringing of children, she added, “People should think before having children that if they are ready to have them? Are parents prepared to cope with the situation?”

    She even mentioned that the young parents in Pakistan are suffering from mental health issues and many women are suffering from postpartum depression after giving birth. 

    The actress said that couples in our society are not capable of supporting each other in hard times. On this, the host said, “In our society, elders suggest the couple if things are not working between them, plan on having a child to sort things out.” To this, Sania replied, “We want to bound people with responsibility but only a capable and a conscious person can bear responsibility. If a person cannot even manage his or her own emotions, then how will that person be able to manage a toddler who can drive anyone crazy.”

    She said that people in our society don’t even visit the mental health professionals and they are not in power to make decisions, “How will they be able to bear such responsibility,” she questioned. 

    “We are afraid of taking help, we don’t recognize the need of it and I have personally heard people saying that ‘I don’t believe in this mental health drama and the psychologists. Nothing happens after talking to the psychologists’”.

    Sania Saeed got married to Shahid Shafaat in 1998, and they divorced in 2025. The former couple did not have any children.