Captain of the Pakistan national women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof has announced that she is taking a break from cricket due to her pregnancy.
“I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons,” wrote Maroof on Twitter. “I would like to wish the Pakistan women’s team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket.”
“Request for prayers and support,” she added.
I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons. I would like to wish the Pakistan women's team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket. Request for prayers and support. Thank you 🤗
Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again reshuffled the federal cabinet, appointing Shaukat Tareen as new finance minister.
Tareen has replaced federal minister Hammad Azhar, who was appointed as the country’s finance minister a few weeks ago when the premier replaced him with Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
Other changes include Khusro Bakhtiar as the minister for industries and production, Shibli Faraz as the minister for science and technology, replacing Fawad Chaudhry, who has been appointed as the minister for information and broadcasting, replacing Faraz.
Omar Ayub has been appointed as the minister for economic affairs, replacing Khusro Bakhtiar.
Last month, Faraz had shared the premier’s intentions on reshuffling the cabinet, saying that he was bringing in a new team.
Prior to that, the government had asked Hafeez Shaikh to step down and appointed Azhar in his place.
Faraz said decisions were made keeping in view the realities of the country and that the PTI regime wished to give relief to the poor.
“When a new individual comes along, they come up with new ideas,” he had said.
Reports had earlier quoted sources as saying that PM Imran was considering bringing about important changes to the cabinet on a “big scale”, adding that ministers who did not perform up to the expectations will be removed from their portfolios.
Armeena Khan on Friday shared a behind-the-scenes video (BTS) from the sets of Mohabbatain Chahatain to highlight mental health issues. Khan’s character in the drama Tara commits suicide in the last episode using a mirror.
“I film an incredibly difficult scene, where my character commits suicide,” said Armeena in the video. “There are several points I wish to make very very quickly.”
“Number one, you are not alone if you are suffering. I don’t want you to suffer, I need you to seek professional help,” says Armeena. “Secondly, women should not pit against each other. You support each other, what’s yours is yours, what’s mine is mine, we should not go after each other’s destinies. We should support each other.”
“Thirdly, suicide is never the answer. I understand we all have demons, but unfortunately my character fails to overcome hers. But this is not the way,” she continued.
Urging those facing issues to seek professional help, Armeena said: “Please stay safe and do not take any of this seriously, because ultimately it is just a TV drama.”
With Muslims across the globe celebrating Ramazan 2021 with zeal and zest, Atif Aslam has lent his voice to recite a special Naat for this year’s Ramzan Salam-e-Ajizana.
Aslam has recreated the most renowned Kalaam of Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan – Mustafa Jaan-e-Rehmat Pe Lakho Salaam – for the holy month of Ramzan.
Besides Aslam, Ali Pervez Mehdi, Nouman Javed, Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi, and Kumail Jaffery also took part in the recitation. All five can be seen standing with their hands folded in respect.
The video has been directed by Nouman Javaid and produced by Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi.
Aslam’s naat recitations have been highly appreciated. The singer earlier recited Wohi Khuda Hai and Asma-Ul-Husna winning appreciation from fans across the world.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa has alleged that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) acted “maliciously” against him and never gave him the chance to defend himself, adding the SJC did a massacre of justice.
The SC judge made the comments on Thursday while presenting his arguments for a review petition against the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling on the presidential reference filed against him.
Criticising former chief justice Asif Saeed Khosa, the judge said that the former top judge “stabbed me in the back” without listening to his point of view. “My fellow judges in the SJC declared me a madman,” said Justice Isa.
He further said that his fellow judge, Justice Azmat Saeed, had been a friend and had disappointed him (Justice Isa) with his judgement on the matter. “Today, the former judge is a favourite of the ruling party,” Justice Isa alleged.
The judge complained to the bench that Law Minister Farogh Naseem had made “serious allegations” against him and his wife. “The decision to quash the reference against me was based on the Constitution and law. My wife was not a party to the case, yet the decision was against her,” said Justice Isa.
He alleged that Naseem had “no respect for the court” and that “his ministry is more important to him”. “This is the first time that a law minister has declared the Constitution of Pakistan to be in conflict with fundamental rights,” said the SC judge.
He further complained to the court asking why, even after the end of the hearing, the law minister kept submitting written arguments to the court.
He also asked why the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was ordered to complete its investigation before the detailed verdict was issued in his case, alleging that Tax Commissioner Zulfiqar Ahmed went ahead with the investigations only due to the court’s pressure. He further added that President Arif Alvi “did not even bother” to respond to the three letters he sent to him on the presidential reference.
“I did not even get a copy of the reference, but it was run on the media. Fifth generation war was started against me and my family,” said Justice Isa.
Talking about his verdict in the Faizabad dharna case, Justice Isa claimed that the government wants to remove him from the apex court over his verdict in the Faizabad sit-in case but vowed that he will fight “till the last drop of blood” and not give up.
Justice Isa regretted that everyone other than former Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi filed a review petition challenging his findings. “[Even the] PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) and MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) also filed an appeal against the Faizabad sit-in decision. The PTI’s review petition said that I am not qualified to be a judge. I really am not qualified to be a judge because I talk about fundamental rights,” said Justice Isa.
The SC judge appealed to the court to hear the instant case in the mornings so it can be wrapped up at the earliest because Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik, part of the bench, is retiring soon.
However, one of the judges reminded him that time had been lost due to a related petition filed by Justice Isa himself.
“You are just now remembering that there is less time,” observed Justice Bandial, reminding the judge that he “wasted the complete month of March by filing an application for the live coverage of his hearing”.
Justice Isa responded that he had requested live coverage of the case as it was “important” to restore his “image”, which he believes has been tarnished in front of the public.
“A person’s image is in the hands of Allah and you should trust him,” said Justice Bandial in response.
Justice Isa retorted saying that he was more worried about the SC, and that he himself was “nothing in front of it.”
The court, after hearing the arguments, adjourned the hearing till April 19.
Sarah Khan has shared that she has returned home from the hospital and is doing better. The actor had recently been admitted to the hospital after contracting typhoid.
The actor shared a short clip with the caption “Ramzan Mubarak. Karachi 2021” to update her fans on her health. In the clip, Sarah can be seen lying down with her husband Falak Shabbir’s hand on her face.
Khan had earlier been hospitalised due to ill health. Her manager had confirmed to The Current that the actor has contracted typhoid due to which she had to be admitted to the hospital.
Sarah’s husband, Falak Shabbir was the first to share the news of his wife’s ill-health, posting a picture of Sarah lying on a hospital bed on Wednesday.
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez and former New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez called off their engagement because “we are better as friends.” The former couple announced their breakup on Thursday just months after denying their four-year relationship was on the rocks.
“We have realised we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” Lopez, 51, also known by her nickname J.Lo, and Rodriguez, 45, known as A-Rod, said in a joint statement.
“We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,” said Lopez and Rodriguez.
One of the biggest celebrity couples in the United States for the past four years and sometimes known in the media as J-Rod, Lopez and Rodriguez said they would largely remain mum about the split out of respect for their children from previous relationships.
“We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support,” Lopez and Rodriguez said.
In March, they denied reports they had split, saying they were “working through some things.” At the time, several reports citing unidentified sources close to the couple had claimed that the pair had called off their engagement.
Rodriguez and the Love Don’t Cost a Thing singer, who sang at US President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January, began dating in early 2017 and announced their engagement in March 2019.
Late last year, Lopez said the couple had postponed their wedding twice because of the pandemic.
Lopez began her career as a dancer and a singer and produced and starred in the 2019 movie Hustlers. She has appeared in other movies and on television, including The Boy Next Door, which has been trending in the Top Ten on Netflix Pakistan.
Senior members of the royal family will not wear military uniform at Prince Philip’s funeral, in a break with tradition designed to avoid embarrassing Prince Harry, British media has reported.
The Duke of Sussex, who lost his military titles after stepping down as a senior working royal, faced being the only senior male royal not in uniform, despite having served two tours in Afghanistan. According to protocol, he is required to wear civilian dress, although he would be allowed to wear his medals.
On the other hand, the Duke of York Prince Andrew, who stepped back from public duties following the controversy over his friendship with the disgraced financial and sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein, was due to be promoted to the rank of admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but this did not go ahead following the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.
The dilemma that exists is the fact that both the royals are the only ones to have seen active service – Harry in Afghanistan and Andrew in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
As a result, the 94-year-old queen decided all royals should wear mourning suits to avoid any embarrassment. It was “the most eloquent solution to the problem”, said a source while talking on the matter.
At a ceremonial royal funeral like Prince Philip’s, it has been traditional for uniforms to be worn. They were worn at the last ceremonial royal funeral, that of the Queen Mother. However, a no-uniform rule was adopted for the private family funeral of Princess Margaret, when mourning dress was worn, and for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was by then no longer an official member of the royal family.
The decision is a break with tradition for ceremonial royal funerals and will contrast with the strong military presence that will be on show to honour the duke, who served with distinction in the second world war.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 17. Preparations for the funeral are underway and a specially built Land Rover will carry his coffin from Windsor to St George’s Chapel. The car had been designed by the Duke himself, reportedly 18 years ago.
Prince Philip “had a hand” in the design of this Land Rover Defender. At 2:41pm on Saturday, the Bearer Party will carry the coffin and place it on the back of vehicle. pic.twitter.com/2N98dcUN3X
The funeral ceremony will just have 30 guests in attendance, in line with government regulations. Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch’s three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be among those present.
Other guests include the children of the queen’s late sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives — Bernhard, the hereditary prince of Baden; Donatus, prince and landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Countess Mountbatten, Penelope “Penny” Knatchbull, who was Philip’s carriage driving partner and one of his closest friends, is also invited.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson opted against attending to free up a space.
Attendees including the Queen will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
Furthermore, William and Harry will not walk side by side in the procession, Buckingham Palace has revealed, giving traction to reports of rifts between the two. According to details, Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philips, is positioned between them and William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
As young boys in 1997, the pair provided the most poignant image of their mother Princess Diana’s funeral as they walked, heads bowed, behind her coffin. Prince Philip had accompanied them, alongside their father Prince Charles and uncle Charles Spencer.
The funeral will be Harry and William’s first public meeting since Harry’s shock move to the United States last year and Oprah’s bombshell interview. The brothers have reportedly fallen out over Harry’s departure.
A woman hailing from the Swabi district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa became a man after successful surgery on Friday.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the woman’s brother Inamul Hassan said that his sister is an EDO education at Razzar Tehsil in Swabi. She earlier had two surgeries in Haripur district as well.
The unmarried woman is in her 40s and lives with her parents in a village, Yar-e-Hussain.
“A final decision about her sex would be announced after full recovery from procedures,” stated Inam.
Photo via The Express Tribune
Expressing his joy for having another brother in the family, Inam said he has six sisters and two brothers but now would have an elder brother as Umer Qureshi, referring to his sister with her new name.
A senior official in the district education office said that it will be the decision of the provincial education ministry to let her continue on the position of EDO or change it as she is not a “woman” anymore.
She needs a medical certificate from relevant doctors after going through such procedure as it is a legal requirement in such cases, the official explained.
“I cannot comment on her future assignments as it’s purely provincial ministry’s domain and what rights would she enjoy at her office… all I can say is that she would need to produce medical certificates,” he added.
“The gender changing procedures conducted abroad are considered legal, but here due to legal restrictions and religious reason, we hide our patients from the public while the family also keeps quiet,” a doctor, who wished not to be named, told The Express Tribune.
He explained that the process required two surgeries, one for changing the gender and the other for dominating the sex they were given by the nature, adding such patients have symptoms of both genders but procedures can be different from being simple to complex depending on the body structure of the patient.
“After the procedures, we always issue the patients certificate for changing their names and genders in legal documents. If they are serving in public offices then they need to make changes in the respected department as well,” he added.
He further said that the people should not hesitate for such procedures if they have such symptoms.
“Don’t be shy about what you really are. Such procedures are mostly conducted in Thailand or other countries, but it needs legal coverage in Pakistan to avoid legal restrictions.”
He revealed that he usually performs 20 to 30 such procedures a year but people refuse to receive their certificates and try to hide the changes.
Indians have fallen in love with Pakistani media persons, lauding them and calling them “journalists with spines” after a video of a group of the same boycotting a press conference went viral on social media.
In the viral video, one of the journalists, namely Riaz Gondal, can be seen calling out government officials for making media persons wait for hours for the press conference. “We have been waiting for two hours. Corruption in Jhelum is rampant. All government officials are looting the people in the name of welfare,” he tells the officials upon their arrival.
“But since you have wasted our time, we are boycotting your press conference,” Gondal adds as all journalists then remove their mics from the podium.
Though the exact details are not yet available, a social media user claimed that journalists boycotted the deputy commissioner’s press conference.
The video has been watched and shared over a million times, especially across the border — where media is time and again accused of being a lapdog of the government.
Here’s how Indians showered praises on the professionals on this side of the border:
