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Author: News Desk

  • Imran tells spokespersons to stop sharing details of party meetings with media

    Imran tells spokespersons to stop sharing details of party meetings with media

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has stopped the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokespersons from sharing the details of the party meetings with after details of a spokesperson meeting were released to the media.

    According to reports, the PM is not happy with the fact that the details of the party spokespersons meetings, organised on a regular basis to discuss the internal affairs and future strategy, make it to the newspapers even though there pertain to the internal affairs of the party.

    According to the PM, the meetings of the party spokespersons are held to strengthen the party narrative and these decisions should not be made public. He said the details of the meeting have been “misreported” on multiple occasions while directing the party spokesperson to keep these details under wraps.

    Recently, a news about PM aide Nadeem Afzal Chan’s resignation was being reported in the media before the resignation reached the PM, prompting a stern response from Imran. Recently, PM Imran Khan had also expressed annoyance with his ministers, saying if someone had a problem with the government narrative, they should step down from the cabinet.

  • Pro-Modi anchor knew about ‘highly confidential’ Balakot strikes in advance

    Pro-Modi anchor knew about ‘highly confidential’ Balakot strikes in advance

    Republic TV Editor Arnab Goswami knew about the Balakot strikes three days before the Indian air force bombed an alleged militant camp inside the Pakistani territory, revealed a Whatsapp chat between Goswami and Partho Dasgupta, the former head of India’s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BRAC).

    According to Indian media reports, the purported chat is mentioned in a transcript that is part of a 3,400-page supplementary chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Police in their investigation into the alleged Television Ratings Point scam.

    In the conversation on Feb 23, 2019, Goswami said that ‘something big will happen’ and three days later, the IAF planes carried out a strike in Pakistan, bringing the two countries on the brink of a full-fledged war. The conversation also suggested that the strikes were conducted to boost ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) popularity ahead of the national elections.

    There are also many instances in the transcripts that show Goswami boasting about his proximity to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. There is another instance where he says that “all the ministers are with us”, reported The Hindu.

    In other conversations, Goswami also complained about other news channels getting better ratings than his (Republic TV) and Dasgupta assures him that necessary steps will be taken to “clean the data”, it reported.

    Following the release of these Whatsapp conversations, #ArnabGoswamiExposed started trending on Twitter, with Indian users demanding accountability of those involved in the episode.

  • Peshawar imposes smart lockdown in several areas

    Peshawar imposes smart lockdown in several areas

    The local administration in Peshawar on Saturday has imposed a smart lockdown in different areas of the city after a surge in COVID-19 cases.

    According to details, the lockdown has been imposed in:

    • YakaToot Bazar
    • Hayatabad Phase 4, streets 4,5 and 6
    • Hayatabad Phase 3, streets 1 and 2
    • Warsak Road
    • Khushal Town

    People in the aforesaid areas have been asked to avoid unnecessary movement.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan has reported 2,432 new infections during the last 24 hours.

    In the past 24 hours, 45 people lost their lives taking the death toll to 10,908.  2,793 patients have recovered from the virus in a day.

    The country has reported 516,770 cases so far.

  • Imran Abbas among 2020’s ‘100 Most Handsome Men’

    Imran Abbas among 2020’s ‘100 Most Handsome Men’

    It comes as no surprise that Imran Abbas has been listed among 2020’s ‘100 Most Handsome Men’.

    Sharing the news on social media, the actor said that he was honoured to be part of the list.

    While some followers congratulated the actor for his feat, others felt he was showing off. However, Abbas was quick to respond to them telling them that he was proud to represent his country internationally. However, he later turned off the comments section of his post.

    Read more – Imran Abbas spills it all in his latest Q&A session on Instagram

    Others on the list include stars like Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo.

    Not only Abbas but Fawad Khan was included in the nominations from Pakistan among the most handsome men of 2020.

  • Peshawar’s Charlie Chaplin spreads happiness during tough times

    Peshawar’s Charlie Chaplin spreads happiness during tough times

    A man from Peshawar, Usman Khan has taken the initiative of spreading smiles after the area where he has lived has witnessed decades of suicide attacks, explosions, and threats from hardline militant groups.

    The stand-up comedian wears Charlie Chaplin’s trademark oversized shoes, baggy pants, cane and black bowler hat and performs across the city.

    “The sole purpose of this art is to bring a smile to the faces of people,” 30-year-old Khan told Arab News while walking on the streets of Peshawar.

    “For the past decades, Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have faced terrible times. I know I can’t perform as well as the great Charlie Chaplin, but with limited resources, I am doing my best to spread happiness,” said Khan.

    He added: “I have adopted Chaplin’s character and style in such a deep way that I perform even when I am sleeping. My wife has complained about this.”

    Khan shared he started watching Chaplin’s films from childhood and was soon able to copy his iconic walk.

    Now, when he travels through Peshawar imitating the famous actor, crowd around him claps for him and ask for selfies.

    “This man has been among the few sources of smiles during the toughest times,” local shopkeeper Wali Afridi said. “Khan is now a kind of star in this area; he comes to our shops and takes what he wants and performs a few comic sketches.”

    Four friends of Khan help him with his routine. The team is now recreating many of Chaplin’s old routines on video. They are hopeful that social media will help them gain larger audiences and turn their passion for comedy into an earning profession.

    “Cheerful faces and crowds around us encourage us to do more funny videos,” Khan said, posing with a local for a selfie.

  • IN PICTURES: South Africa cricket team arrives in Pakistan

    The South African cricket team has arrived in Pakistan to play two tests and three T20 international matches. It is the first tour by the cricket team since 2007. The South African team is led by Quinton de Kock.

    As per reports, the visiting side has cleared two COVID-19 tests before coming to Pakistan and will be tested again for COVID-19. Till then, the squad will remain in quarantine. However, they will be allowed to practice after testing negative for coronavirus.

    According to an official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): “The South African team will be training at the Karachi Gymkhana cricket ground from January 17-22 in a biosecure bubble before moving to National Stadium for a full-fledged training session.”

    Both sides will undergo another round of COVID-19 testing before the first test match.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team will reach Karachi on January 19 and commence their practice session from January 21.

    Earlier on Friday, the board announced a 20-player squad for the Test series against South Africa (SA). As per details, the squad includes nine uncapped players.

    The five-day matches will be staged in Karachi from January 26-30 and in Rawalpindi from February 4-8, T20 fixtures will be played in Lahore from 11th February to 14th of February.

  • VIDEO: OLMT officials torture labourers for taking shelter in metro station

    VIDEO: OLMT officials torture labourers for taking shelter in metro station

    Police have arrested five alleged employees of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) for torturing labourers who, after taking shelter, were trying to light a fire near the elevators of the Awan Town train station.

    The video of the assault that went viral on social media garnered criticism, as people demanded action against the suspects over violence against the homeless workers.

    The officials– wearing orange jackets, included a woman as well, arrived at the scene after the fire alarms went off. They beat up the labourers with sticks who were forced to remain in a squatting position as punishment, the video showed.

    The staff also abused the workers while beating them continuously despite their apologies. According to police, the labourers were trying to keep them warm by starting a fire in the Awan Town station when they were held by the OLMT security officials.

    https://twitter.com/SardarAbdulRe16/status/1350061815745679360

    After backlash on social media, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Lahore police chief.

  • Naeem Bukhari removed as PTV chairman

    Naeem Bukhari removed as PTV chairman

    The government has removed Pakistan Television Chairman Naeem Bukhari after an order of the Islamabad High Court that asked the cabinet to review the decision taken in violation of a court order.

    According to Geo News, Bukhari, who was also PM Imran Khan’s lawyer in the Panama Papers case, was removed through a circulation summary. The cabinet also restored Aamer Manzoor as the managing director of the state-run television who was removed by the corporation’s board of directors on January 1.

    Earlier this week, the IHC said the appointment was made in violation of the Supreme Court ruling in a similar case pertaining to Ataul Haq Qasmi.

    During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had said the government ignored the guidelines set by the SC in a decision pertaining to the posting in the said position. It had said there must be a clear reason for relaxing the upper age limit for 65-year-old Naeem.

    It had advised the counsel for the PTV chairman to peruse the decision of the top court that had set aside the appointment of Qasmi.

    It may be noted that the apex court had declared the appointment of Qasmi illegal in Nov 2018 over loopholes. It had said the government had failed to appoint a full-time managing director in accordance with the law.

    During today’s hearing, the IHC CJ said the cabinet did not take a clear decision to relax the age limit for the incumbent chairman. He said the matter will be referred to the federal cabinet so a decision could be taken in light of the SC decision.

    At this, the counsel said the cabinet had approved the summary for the appointment of Bukhari. “You should have informed the cabinet about the top court’s decision so that it could have avoided the embarrassment,” the IHC CJ said.

    The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.

    BUKHARI BECOMES PTV CHAIRMAN:

    In November, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had notified Bukhari, who has a vast experience of doing TV programmes, as chairman of PTV. The appointment was made after a court ruling in Sept 2020 declared the appointments of PTV chairman Arshad Khan and independent members of the board of directors illegal while directing the government to fill the vacant slots in accordance with the law. 

    Bukhari, who has worked as an anchorperson and commentators on PTV for decades, had joined PTI in June 2016. At the time, he called Imran Khan the “only political leader who had the courage to speak the truth”. Bukhari also represented Imran when he went to the Supreme Court against then prime minister Nawaz Sharif following the Panama Papers leak.

    The pleas that were later admitted by the apex court which disqualified Nawaz Sharif for being “dishonest” under Article 62 (1)(f).

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had also hired the services of Bukhari as a special prosecutor to take up cases against close confidants of Sharif brothers — former Lahore Development Authority chief Ahad Cheema and former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad.

  • Zayn Malik features ‘Chaudhvi Ka Chand’ in new album

    Zayn Malik features ‘Chaudhvi Ka Chand’ in new album

    Zayn Malik has surprised fans with a song in his new album Nobody Is Listening which features Muhammad Rafi’s Chaudhvi Ka Chand.

    The track titled Tightrope has been creating quite a buzz on social media and has struck a chord with Bollywood music lovers. Zayn can be heard crooning the chorus, adding a new flavour to the song. The British-Pakistani singer has often discussed his fondness for Bollywood music and films in several interviews.

    Meanwhile, the 11-track album has elements of pop in it, while being laidback at the same time.

    Earlier, before releasing his new album, the singer-songwriter casually dropped his phone number on social media to hype fans up for the launch date and give a preview of his new music.

    This is not the first time that Zayn has sung a Bollywood track. A few years ago, Zayn had released covers of Allah Ke Bande and Allah Duhai Hai.

    Listen to the track:

  • Main leads of ‘Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida’ have ‘deadly’ suggestions for season two

    Main leads of ‘Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida’ have ‘deadly’ suggestions for season two

    As Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida comes to an end with the tragic death of Ulfat, the main leads of the drama have some deadly ideas for a second season.

    Mansha Pasha, who played Shafaq in the drama, said: “[In] Season 2, Ulfat comes back as a ghost and she and Shafaq are still fighting on Shahaan.”

    On the other hand, Sonya Hussyn, who played Ulfat said; “Season: 2 Ulfat, Shafaq k kehnay pe Shahan ko chamatay kara rahi hai or Shahan soch soch k pagal hogya k akhir par kahan sy rahi hain. Wahh oneliner soch k hi maza aagya.”

    Meanwhile, Zahid Ahmed, who played Shahaan, said: “Please kill me in the first episode of season 2.”

    Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida’s plotline revolved around a love triangle. Audiences had compared the drama to Anil Kapoor and Sri Devi’s Judai, but Mansha clarified that the story is inspired by the Sindhi folk tale Lilan Chanesar.

    Meanwhile, promising to meet again, Sonya bid goodbye to her character in a social media post.