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Author: News Desk

  • NA-249 by-poll: Others cry foul as PPP clinches victory in unexpected turn of events

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) came out on top after a close contest with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in NA-249 (Karachi West-II) on Thursday.

    According to unofficial results, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Mandokhel, in an unexpected turn off events, won the race against PML-N’s Miftah Ismail close behind.

    The NA seat was created in 2018 by amalgamating neighbourhoods that previously fell in two Upper House constituencies — NA-239 and NA-240 — during three general elections between 2002 and 2013.

    The constituency, with 339,591 registered voters, has emerged to be a highly contested seat with candidates belonging to almost every major political party fighting for it.

    Prominent candidates in the run were Miftah of PML-N, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Syed Mustafa Kamal, Amjad Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Qadir of PPP, Mohammad Mursaleen of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Mufti Nazeer Ahmed Kamalvi of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    Contrary to pre-poll surveys, the PTI was unable to reclaim the seat fallen vacant after Faisal Vawda’s resignation.

    The PTI, instead, couldn’t even make it to top three.

    Earlier, when Miftah was in the lead, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed that the “masses know who exactly is responsible for their troubles and woes”.

    “I have said it earlier and I will say it again, Imran Khan and PTI will not be able to campaign and if they do, this is how they will be welcomed,” she said.

    Her remarks were in response to a video shared by former journalist Talat Hussain showing PTI candidate for NA-249 Amjad Afridi being heckled by voters of the constituency.

    Earlier, taking strict notice of PTI lawmakers’ presence in the NA-249 constituency during the by-poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed them to leave.

    According to details, six PTI MPs Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Raja Azhar, Saeed Afridi, Bilal Ghaffar, Shah Nawaz Jadoon and Shahzad Awan were found to be violating the code of conduct by being present in the constituency during polling hours.

    The ECP issued their expulsion orders, directing police to expel them from the constituency.

    Since after the surprising turn of events, rigging allegations are pouring in against the ruling PPP of Sindh.

  • ZQ explains why she got tested for COVID 11 times

    ZQ explains why she got tested for COVID 11 times

    Zainab Qayyum, popularly known as ZQ, has explained that why she underwent multiple COVID testings during the pandemic.

    Responding to a news report which said that the actor got herself tested 11 times because of fear, Zainab Qayyum said: “Uff. Mein wehmi loony nahin different projects may acting karnay kay tehat yeh ehtyaati tadbeer ka hissa hai.”

    The actor further explained that she got “11 tests in the past nine months because I’ve been working on eight different projects with eight different sets of cast and crew. We have to be careful for ourselves as well as our costars.”

    Qayyum also bashed a local media publication for publishing a misleading headline.

    “Dunya News poori khabar dayni chayay na kay sunsannnnni waali headline,” said Zainab.

    Earlier, Zainab Qayyum had hit out at her colleagues and fellow actors for partying amid the pandemic.

    IN PICTURES: Fahad Mirza celebrates birthday sans social distancing

    “Honestly, as an actor, I don’t have a choice but to go to work where we work under the strictest SOPs,” said ZQ. “I haven’t met anyone apart from my costars on set for fear of being a silent carrier since last year. Have had 11 covid tests (all negative).”

    “Please don’t host [or] attend social events and then come on set to work with us,” she added.

    When a social media user appreciated ZQ for not attending any gatherings, she replied: “Because I am choosing NOT to go. I am responsible, not only for myself but also [for] my co-stars who I have to come on set and work with daily. I’m not going to put them or their families at risk, nor do I expect them to put me at risk either.”

    Qayyum is part of multiple on-air dramas including Geo Entertainment’s Qayamat and ARY Digital’s Shehnai.

  • Private schools request Cambridge for School Assessed Grades

    With the government announcing that all exams are cancelled until June 15, students are now demanding School Assessed Grades. In this regard, Jibran Nasir who has been a vocal advocate for the student throughout shared a screenshot of an email written to students by the CEO of Cedar College Karachi to inform them that schools in the city are uniting for a joint effort to get School Assessed Grades option for students.

    “In a situation that is evolving rapidly, I am happy to report that in the meeting that we had with school leaders of O’ and A’ Level schools from across Karachi, we reached a unanimous decision to write Cambridge International as one unified block requesting that they give our students the option to op for school/teacher assesses grades for the June 2021 exam series,” read the email.

    The email further stated, “We hope that the fact that we are all speaking with one voice, and have one message will have a greater impact on Cambridge International with respect to allowing Pakistani students the option of taking school assessed grades.”

    “May this become a nationwide effort. Schools are filling shoes of [the] government as Education Minister remains absent,” wrote Jibran in the caption.

    Jibran Nasir also shared names of other private schools who are in favour of School Assesses Grades and requested other schools to do the same.

    Students have been demanding Teacher and School Assessed Grades with the hashtags #ShafqatDestroysOurCareer and #ResignShafqatMahmood trending on social media. They argue that their study schedules have been disrupted because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Pakistan’s first media university to be set up in Islamabad, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has announced that the government plans to open the country’s first-ever media university in Islamabad, ARY News has reported.

    The minister said that the university will be opened in a vacant building in Islamabad, which has been empty for the past eight years.

    Fawad added that international professors will be called to teach at the university, adding that modern technology will also be taught there.

    The minister further said that this is for the first time in the country that animation, sound and lighting education will be given locally. He is hopeful that the media university will become the best varsity in the South Asia region.

    Fawad was recently reappointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting in a recent cabinet shuffle.

    Earlier, he also shared his plans on what he plans to do under his ministry.

    “The process that started in 2018 to initiate reforms in the Information Ministry is being resumed,” Chaudhry had said, adding that the project to make Pakistan Television HD will be completed by June 1. In addition to this, work on making PTV Sports HD is also in progress.

  • Against surveys: PML-N’s Miftah leads Karachi by-poll, PTI far behind

    Contrary to what surveys suggested, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Miftah Ismail is leading the race for Karachi’s NA-249 constituency, unofficial results from 54 of 276 polling stations show.

    While the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) are trailing behind, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for now rests at the bottom of the table.

    Earlier, the polling process continued rather peacefully with no untoward incident taking place.

    Voter turnout, despite strict security arrangements, was reported to be low, mainly owing to Ramzan, scorching heat and the fact that the election was conducted on a business day.

    CONTRARY TO SURVEYS:

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his PTI were the most popular in embattled NA-249 constituency of Karachi until earlier today.

    According to surveys by Ipsos, Pulse Consultant and Gallup Pakistan, PTI was likely to retain the seat that had fallen vacant after its Faisal Vawda stepped down; however, rival PML-N could give it a tought time.

    The Karachi West-II seat of the National Assembly lies in Baldia Town neighbourhood of the metropolis.

    It was won by PTI’s Vawda in the 2018 general election after beating PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif.

    As many as 276 polling stations comprising 796 polling booths had been established in the constituency.

    The constituency, with 339,591 registered voters, had emerged to be a highly contested seat with candidates belonging to almost every major political party fighting for it.

    Prominent candidates in the run were Miftah Ismail of PML-N, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Syed Mustafa Kamal, Amjad Afridi of PTI, Qadir Khan Mandokhail of PPP, Mohammad Mursaleen of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Mufti Nazeer Ahmed Kamalvi of TLP.

    With results still pouring in, a sudden turn of events hasn’t been ruled out by pundits.

  • Kareena Kapoor uses ‘Tom & Jerry’ to explain the importance of getting vaccinated

    Kareena Kapoor uses ‘Tom & Jerry’ to explain the importance of getting vaccinated

    Kareena Kapoor Khan has come up with a fun and engaging way to educate people, especially children on the importance of getting vaccinated. The actor used a short clip from Tom&Jerry to create awareness about the vaccination drive and the importance of getting yourself vaccinated.

    Read more – Vaccination registration for ages 40-49 begins

    “We don’t realise that our kids are also absorbing what’s going on and they are scared too,” wrote Kareena in the caption. “We were talking to Tim to try and explain why all the adults need to be vaccinated and I think this sums it up pretty well. It’s really that simple.”

    “But as we explain to our kids, we too need to be patient and help everyone who is trying to help us — medics, pharma, authorities and the millions of volunteers — please register and wait for your turn,” she added.

    In the short video, Tom has been shown as COVID and he attempts to shoot Jerry (our immune system) with a weapon. When Jerry gets his first dose of the COVID vaccine, he becomes bigger and when he gets the second one, he becomes even more bigger explaining how our immune systems get stronger with each dose.

    India is currently battling a deadly second wave of COVID-19 with cases hitting a new high with every passing day. The country has reported over 360,000 new cases and close to 3,300 related deaths in the last 24 hours, its biggest single-day hike since the onset of the pandemic.

    Starting May 1, all residents over the age of 18 will be eligible for vaccination. Private vaccination providers will also be able to sell and administer vaccines. But state ministers have warned there simply aren’t enough vaccines even if more people become eligible.

  • Adnan Siddiqui fondly remembers Irrfan Khan on first death anniversary

    On Irrfan Khan’s first death anniversary, Adnan Siddiqui, who shared the screen with him in the 2007 film A Mighty Heart, has penned an emotional note for the late Bollywood actor.

    “Outstanding actor, human being par excellence,” wrote Adnan Siddiqui praising Irrfan Khan. “Irrfan bhai, I must have done something right in my life to have known you professionally and personally.”

    “Your vacuum in cinematic world remains as stark even after a year,” he added.

    Earlier, Adnan had shared that Khan’s death had left him “disturbed and gutted!”

    “A fine soul gone too soon,” Siddiqui had said, while recalling the moments spent with him.

    Meanwhile, Khan’s wife Sutapa Sikdar in an emotional Facebook post said that the world “stopped at 11:11 on April 29” for her as she fondly recalled beautiful moments spent with her husband.

    Khan’s son Babil also remembered his father in a heart touching post.

    Other celebrities who remembered Khan on his death anniversary include Dia Mirza, Arjun Kapoor and Randeep Hooda.

    Irrfan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. He breathed his last at the age of 53 last year on April 29 after being hospitalized due to a colon infection. Khan, who has appeared in over 100 Hindi and foreign language films, has charted a fruitful career filled with cinematic gems.

  • Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana was given permission to break his Ramzan fast during a match of the English Premier League (EPL) on Monday. Fofana later thanked the EPL management and the Crystal Palace FC team for allowing him to do so.

    Halfway through Leicester’s 2-1 win, the Crystal Palace FC goalkeeper waited to take a goal kick to allow Fofana to drink some liquids before returning to play.

    The short in-game delay was agreed upon in the captain’s meeting prior to the game. 

    Thanking the management, Fofana wrote: “Just wanted to thank the Premier League as well as CPFC, Vicente Guaita [and] all the Foxes for allowing me to break my fast tonight in the middle of the game.”

    “That’s what makes football wonderful,” added the French footballer.

    Fofana was able to play the entire game after previously playing 61 minutes in a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion — all while fasting. 

    “He’s a young player in the middle of Ramadan so he’s obviously not eating during the day,” Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers told reporters. “I think it’s absolutely remarkable.”

    Meanwhile, it is believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a game has been paused to allow Muslim players to eat and drink mid-game.

  • ‘Ban on Eid travel’ – Govt announces strategy for Eid

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays in Pakistan from May 10 to May 15. The announcement came after NCOC’s meeting on Thursday which was chaired by Minister for Development and Planning Asad Umar.

    During the meeting, NCOC also recommended restricting international flights to Pakistan from May 5 to May 20, according to Samaa News. However, the detailed instructions will be issued by The Civil Aviation Authority.

    Comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be issued for Youm-e-Ali, Aitekaf, Shab-e-Qadar, Juma-tul-Wida, and Eid prayers by May 1, said the press release.

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had earlier advised the government to give Eid Holidays from May 10 to 16 as the country battles the most lethal wave of coronavirus.

    To reduce mobility during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitar NCOC has announced a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” strategy from May 8 to May 16.

    Here are the Comprehensive guidelines by the name of “STAY HOME-STAY SAFE — Eid-ul-Fitr-2021 from 8-16 May 2021” announced by NCOC:

    • All markets, businesses, and shops will remain closed except for essential services.
    • Chaand Raat bazaars will be banned.
    • Complete ban on tourism
    • Inter-provincial, inter-city, and intra-city public transport will be banned but private vehicles will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity.
    • Media channels will broadcast special Eid Holiday packages to keep public at home.

    Vaccinations for people in Pakistan aged 40 to 49 years will open May 3, the NCOC also decided in the meeting.

    Pakistan is experiencing a third wave of coronavirus. As per NCOC, Pakistan has recorded 5,450 new cases and 151 deaths with a positivity rate of 9.61%. The 151 death toll is the highest Pakistan has seen since the pandemic began.

  • Kate and William celebrate 10 years of marriage

    Kate and William celebrate 10 years of marriage

    To celebrate a decade of their marriage, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released photographs showing the couple snuggling in happy embrace, a contrast to the tensions that have gripped Britain’s royal family in recent weeks.

    The images show Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, and the former Kate Middleton in complementary shades of blue. One image is reminiscent of their engagement photo.

    They also shared a short heartfelt video of their entire family including their children.

    Second-in-line to the throne William, 38, and Kate, 39, married at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, after first meeting at university and then dating for more than seven years. They got engaged in 2010 after William proposed with Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

    “When I first met Kate I knew there was something very special about her,” William had said in an engagement interview.

    They now have three children — seven-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, three — and their family represents several generations destined to head the centuries-old institution for years to come.

    After 10 years carrying out solo and joint royal duties as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they have been formally known since tying the knot, the couple are among the most popular monarchy members.

    Kate recently drew widespread praise for her demeanor and style at Prince Philip’s funeral, with a striking photograph of her arriving by car wearing a black veil and face mask making waves around the world.

    The image drew comparisons with William’s late mother, Princess Diana.

    William is far more preferred than his 72-year-old father, with around a third of Britons wanting him to succeed his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, instead.

    Meanwhile, Kate is the third most popular family member behind the 95-year-old queen and William. Two-thirds of people had a positive opinion of her, according to a YouGov poll published Tuesday.