The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which often shares pictures of the planet as seen from the space, has shared a picture of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges.
The long exposure shot sees not just the expanse of bright white mountain ranges but also captures the city lights of New Delhi and Lahore to the south and the arid Tibetan plateau, the “Roof of the world,” to the north.
Among these details is also a faint, orange airglow of atmospheric particles reacting to solar radiation. The horizon of the Earth adds the element of the beauty of this universe.
Following months of coronavirus lockdown, people were lucky to see the mighty Himalayan mountains from their cities due to reduced pollution.
The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world and are a sight to behold even on Earth. But the shot NASA shared from space is absolutely breathtaking. The picture has gone viral on social media with over a million likes and comments.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has taken a dig at the ministers of Prime Minister Imran Khan, comparing them to the pet dogs of Imran Khan.
On Sunday, when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was busy holding a massive gathering in Lahore, the PM chose to his spend his day with his dogs. The photos of PM and his two dogs also went viral on social media and made it to the press.
These photos were considered by many an attempt to give the impression that the PM was not intimidated by the PDM power show.
A reporter asked Bilawal to comment on the PM spending Sunday with his dogs on the day of the PDM’s much-hyped jalsa. The PPP chairperson responded that the reporter shouldn’t “use such words [dog] about the PM’s ministers”.
On Sunday, the PDM held a massive rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. According to the opposition, hundreds of thousands of people attended the gathering, whereas the government’s estimates put the number at 15,000 max.
This was a decisive rally of the first phase of the anti-government agitation, now the opposition has plans to march on Islamabad if Imran Khan fails to resign by Jan 31.
Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, in a recent tweet, announced that Pakistan’s first chess corner is being built in Karachi and netizens have the most hilarious responses.
Check out some of the funniest responses below:
Yahan 6 maheenay baad paan ki peekein na hueeeen tou sab ko meri taraf se treat https://t.co/4BdndXuapO
Queen Gambit effect. I am already loving it. We need to have it in other cities too. ❤️ @hamzashafqaat can we have one in Islamabad too? https://t.co/Jd2fSL62dm
Meanwhile, the Commissioner also announced that signboards reading ‘I love Karachi’ in ten different international languages will also be displayed at the chess corner, giving rise to more memes as people compared the boards to tombstones.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to hold the Senate elections in February instead of March, reported Geo News.
The decided to change the date of the polls was taken amid protests by the opposition parties, who have threatened to march on Islamabad in Feb if the prime minister fails to step down.
Unlike previous elections of the upper house, this time the voting will be through ‘show of hands’, the report claimed. However, in order to change the Senate election procedure, the government will need an amendment for which it doesn’t have the required majority or approach the Supreme Court.
Addressing a press conference following a weekly meeting of the federal cabinet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the government is striving to make the Senate elections “free and fair”.
“Controversies have always surrounded the Senate elections. It is such an old practice that it is assumed that in the elections, [horse trading] will surely take place,” he said.
He said the government has decided to move the apex court regarding the reforms in Senate elections. “The government seeks an election that is conducted through a “show of hands”, Faraz said, adding that the government expects to get guidance from the SC long before the elections.
Looks like it’s a good day for Meesha Shafi. After Zoheb Hassan thanked her for paying a beautiful tribute to his late sister Nazia Hassan, Daler Mehndi has praised her and Ali Pervez’s song Gal Sunn from Coke Studio 2020.
The celebrated Indian singer, in a heartfelt video message, praised the singers performance.
“I am ecstatic! Ali Pervez Mehdi has sung an amazing track in Coke Studio. Like Ali, Meesha Shafi has done a brilliant job with Gal Sunn as well,” said Mehndi. “I’ve been waiting for years now for Ali to come out with a song in the music industry. We were always in awe of his father, Ustad Pervez Mehdi and just like me, I’m sure other fans of Ali’s father must be happy today to see how well his son is carrying his name forward. I wish Pervez Sahab was alive today to see his son’s success.”
Mehndi’s video was shared by Ali on social media. Thanking the veteran musician, Mehdi said: “Such an honour Daler Mehndi pa ji! You are family to us! Can’t thank enough for your love and support stay blessed always! Love you!”
Meanwhile, Meesha said that she felt extremely “honoured and humbled” with the praises.
Getting appreciation from the the legendary @dalermehndi for #GalSunn and feeling extremely honoured and humbled 🙏🏼😭💃🏻🎶
Gal Sunn, which has over 3 million views on YouTube is a catchy, upbeat folk song with a contemporary funk element. According to a press release, the song represents the longing between lovers.
Talking about the song, Ali had said: “In these times, going through [Covid-19], I wanted people to listen to something positive and fun. That is why I created this song. I dance to it and I want everyone else to dance to it too!”
The man who hosted Dirilis Ertugrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan during his Lahore visit is allegedly facing at least eight cases, including those of fraud and robberies, and has not even paid the promised amount to the actor.
As per reports, Zameer struck a deal of one million dollars with the Turkish actor but paid only half of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8OrhkTGRA
According to reports, the eight alleged cases against Zameer are those of fraud, betrayal of trust, car theft and robbery.
The cases have been registered against the managing director of Chaudhry Groups of Companies.
In an interview with Daily Pakistan, Kashif Zameer said that a deal of Rs17 crore with Engin Altan has been finalized and he is the global brand ambassador of his company.
Previously, the Turkish series star was planning to visit Pakistan as the brand ambassador for Blue World City. Later, it was revealed that the project was an illegal housing scheme and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had even filed charges against Blue World City.
Pakistan former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about his spiritual side. While the cricketer, also referred to as the Rawalpindi Express is known for his aggression and hard talk, in an interview insisted on revealing another side of himself.
In the recent interview with Mira Sethi, Shoaib said, “In my life I have been taking lessons from Islamic scholars. I have read Islamic books for knowledge.”
“Then the fantasy of life started again. From the age of 16 till 36, I left everything and lived my life. I saw the world,” he continued.
He further said: “I’m not a scholar, but I’m very close to my religion. Our religion gives us freedom and advises us to give freedom to others too. Our forefathers were brilliant personalities as they were very close to our religion. I have even visited Karbala and it was a great experience.”
Talking about women and their choice of clothing, he said, “If you can’t help women at least give them space. Whatever they wear, it is between them and their Allah. Who are you to say anything? [Tum mamay lagtay ho? Saray thanaydar ban kay aa jatay ho].”
Talking about his wife, he said that she does the niqab and that it is her own decision.
Meesha Shafi’s rendition of Nazia Hassan’s iconic Boom Boom created waves across the country and had everyone grooving to the tune and remembering the late pop queen. The latest person to appreciate the rendition is Hassan’s own brother, Zoheb Hassan.
In a message posted to social media, Zoheb lauded Meesha’s tribute to his sister as well as the song’s producer Bilal Maqsood.
Responding to his message, Meesha said: “Of all the love and appreciation pouring in from all over the world, nothing can match the emotional value of this acknowledgement.”
“This means the absolute world to me and all those who worked on this tribute.”
“Millions of Nazia Hassan and Nazia-Zoheb fans continue celebrating their undying love for an iconic legend today just as passionately as they did decades ago,” she added.
Boom Boom was released as part of the Velo Sound Station produced by Bilal Maqsood and co-directed by Bilal and Yasir Jaswal.
Shafi, known for her powerful vocals and edgy style performed a dance club cover of Nazia’s 1982 pop hit. Her powerful voice with outstanding control and projection is heard reciting these evocative lyrics as the words waft down cloud-like on the oversize LED screen: “Can you feel this force, this sweet design. How our minds are together, how we are so aligned. Felt the hush in the world. The only sound I heard was the way you made my heart go Boom Boom.”
President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday approved Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020, under which special courts will be set up across the country to expedite trials of rape cases on a priority basis and award harsher sentences, such as chemical castration.
The special courts will dispose of the rape cases within four months, as per the ordinance that also abolishes the ‘two fingers’ virginity test in the rape cases.
The ordinance also suggests setting up of anti-rape crisis cells under the supervision of the prime minister, which will be authorised to conduct medico-legal examination within six hours of the incident.
A record will be prepared at the national level with help of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to register the perpetrators of sexual abuse. The ordinance prohibits revealing of the identity of rape victims, making it a punishable offence.
Police and government officials who show negligence in investigating the cases would be jailed for three years along with the imposition of fines. Additionally, police and government officials who provide false information would also be punished.
On Nov 7, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases had approved two ordinances to introduce harsher punishments, including chemical castration, for sex offenders.
According to a statement issued by the law ministry at the time, the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 would introduce the concept of chemical castration mainly as a “form of rehabilitation”.
Responding to the new ordinances after their approval by the cabinet in November, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had expressed her displeasure over lowering the statutory age for rape to 13 from 16.
“The age of alleged ‘consent’ has been moved to 13 from 16 in the new ordinance, which is terrible,” commented the lawmaker. “How will an adolescent be responsible for ‘consent’. This makes younger children even more vulnerable.”
Islamabad Zoo’s last remaining animals Bubloo and Suzie are all set to leave for Jordan on December 17. The two Himalayan bears were initially scheduled to leave Pakistan on December 10, but the government had barred the animals from leaving at the last moment despite court orders.
There, Suzie and Bubloo will find a species-appropriate home and the proper care they urgently need. Thanks again to the Pakistani authorities and community for their ongoing support in providing a better future for wildlife.📸: Hristo Vladev | FOUR PAWS
In a written order, the court said: “The natural habitat of Suzie and Bubloo was the high altitude plateau of Deosai National Park in the Himalayas. It was indeed inhumane to have deprived them of living in their natural habitat merely for the entertainment of the human species.”
“They have remained caged in the Marghazar Zoo for more than a decade. A zoo, no matter how well equipped, is no less than a concentration camp for living beings. They were born free and taking them out of their natural habitat and caging them was in violation of the natural rights bestowed upon them by the Creator.”
“They have suffered enough and they lack the ability to let the human species know what they must have gone through. Their abnormal behaviour while imprisoned was sufficient to speak volumes for the unimaginable pain and suffering.”
“The relocation of Kaavan the elephant, and the two Himalayan brown bears, Suzie and Bubloo, to appropriate sanctuaries has set a precedent for others to follow. They will always represent the people of Pakistan and their resolve to treat living species with respect and dignity,” it added.
The transfer of the former dancing bears to Jordan was first announced in early October, with the Jordanian government saying it would facilitate the relocation. Back then Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairman Dr Anisur Rehman had said that the two bears, including their import and export permits, are ready. He had said that he is confident that the bears will receive better psychological and physical treatment in the sanctuary abroad.
“The bear sanctuary is looked after by the (Jordanian) king’s aunt, Princess Alia, and she has given us an import permit within a day,” Dr Rehman had shared.
It was earlier reported that the bears are not being moved to Jordan permanently. They will reportedly be flown back to Islamabad once they have fully recovered and their enclosures at Islamabad Zoo are ready. Animals at the Islamabad Zoo are being relocated after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled that the zoo is not fit enough for them and lacks the necessary facilities.
Both the Himalayan brown bears suffer from psychological problems due to living in a substandard enclosure, with the female Suzie undergoing major surgery in the summer after a tumour was removed from her chest. Local vets were unable to stitch up seven inches open cut in the centre of her chest and she developed an infection. Four Paws vets, who arrived in August, operated on Suzie again and cleaned the infected wound. This was also the reason why sanctuaries within Pakistan refused to take them in.
“She is now recovering and healthy. Both bears are doing well physically now that we have put them on a better nutritional diet of fruits and vegetables. Suzie had diarrhea all the time because she was mostly fed milk,” a spokesperson for Four Paws, Marion Lombard, told local media outlets.
Friends of Islamabad Zoo (FIZ), who have been campaigning for the animals, in a note posted to social media, also addressed those who said that the bears should have been moved to a local sanctuary instead of an international one.
“Both the bears have no teeth and have been dependent on humans since birth,” wrote the animal rights body. “They will not be able to survive wild in the Deosai Plains and will need constant care.”
“Other than that from what we were told, Deosai now has 76 bears and adding two bears with no experience of living with other bears won’t be able to survive and will need to be kept confined.”
FIZ said that Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife is the ideal place for the two bears because it is located 3500 feet above sea level, double the height of Islamabad and is climatically suited to Himalayan brown bears. They added that their facilities are top-class and the bears will be well taken care of there.
Meanwhile, speaking to a local media publication, veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who is overlooking the bears move to Jordan, expressed his relief over the decision and said that Suzie and Bubloo would find a species-appropriate home and proper care in Jordan. Dr Khalil also oversaw the relocation of Kaavan to Cambodia.
“As a vet, I am delighted that in the end, humanity and the bears are the winners,” Khalil said.
