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Author: News Desk

  • Humayun Saeed, Akcent congratulate Asif Ghafoor on promotion

    Humayun Saeed, Akcent and Aijaz Aslam among other celebrities have congratulated former DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor on his promotion from Major General to Lieutenant General.

    “Congratulations to you my friend for being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.” wrote Akcent’s Adrian Sina on social media.

    “I can’t wait to have the fantastic cup of tea again,” added the lead singer of the Romanian pop band.

    Sina had visited and met with General Ghafoor last year after his concert in Lahore and had a “fantastic cup of tea” with him at the ISPR Headquarters.

    Humayun Saeed wished him all the best for his future endeavours.

    Aijaz Aslam and Fahad Mustafa also extended their regards.

    On Wednesday, six major generals were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

    In a tweet, the military’s media wing said those promoted included Maj Gen Akhtar Nawaz , Maj Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, Maj Gen Salman Fayyaz Ghani, Maj Gen Sarfraz Ali and Maj Gen Muhammad Ali.

    Asif Ghafoor, who is among the most prominent recipients of the promotion, has previously served as the ISPR director-general. He was appointed to the post in December 2016, replacing Lt Gen Asim Bajwa as the military’s spokesperson. Gen Ghafoor has now been posted as Inspector General Communication and Information Technology.

  • IN PICTURES: Rabab Hashim glows in green on her mehndi

    IN PICTURES: Rabab Hashim glows in green on her mehndi

    Rabab Hashim, famous for her roles in Qarrar and Piya Mann Bhaye, has gotten married to Sohaib Shamshad. Pictures from the actor’s big day have gone viral on social media.

    Rabab looked stunning in a green lehnga on her mehndi, which reportedly took place Wednesday Night.

    The bride shared a sweet moment with her father on her mehndi.

    Junaid Khan and Maryam Nafees were also spotted at the event.

  • Dollar down by Rs1.77 in two days, Rs159.28 is the new rate

    Dollar down by Rs1.77 in two days, Rs159.28 is the new rate

    Continuing with the previous day’s momentum, Pakistani Rupee gained another 81 paisas against the United States Dollar (USD) in the interbank on Wednesday.

    According to a State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) tweet, USD opened at Rs160.09 and closed at Rs159.28. The local currency had gained Re0.96 against the greenback on Tuesday.

    Money dealers in the market attributed this rally of rupee against USD to encouraging economic indicators as well as the global downfall of the greenback. On the other side, they added, importers are being careful in buying goods from their foreign suppliers owing to the second wave of COVID-19.

    On Tuesday, rupee had weakened against USD. The buying rate of USD was Rs160.4 while it was sold at Rs161.2 at the opening of trading in Pakistan’s currency market on November 24.

    Other currency rates had then been recorded as follows:

    CurrencyBuyingSelling
    Australian Dollar116118 
    Canadian Dollar121123
    China Yuan24.45 24.6 
    Euro188.5192 
    Japanese Yen1.551.58
    Saudi Riyal4343.5 
    UAE Dirham43.5544 
    UK Pound Sterling212.5 215.5 
  • These are not my videos, says Bakhtawar

    These are not my videos, says Bakhtawar

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari has hit out at all those sharing fakes videos and pictures from her alleged dholki.

    Responding to a Twitter user, Bakhtawar said: “These are obviously not my videos nor have anything to do with me. If reading isn’t your speciality (clearly says 27th on the leaked cards) then perhaps basic vision will allow you to see Bakhtawar is not in any of these videos neither are her very identifiable family members.”

    The Twitter user Anees Jillani, who had shared the videos later deleted them and apologised to Bakhtawar for posting them without verification.

    Videos and pictures which are circulating on social media show people celebrating and dancing without any masks or SOPs.

    Meanwhile, arrangements for Bakhtawar’s upcoming engagement on November 27 are in full swing at Bilawal House in Karachi. According to details, a catering committee has been set up for the event and all members of the staff have been assigned duties. Decorations for the event will be completed by Thursday night. The ceremony is expected to be held in the open area of the Bilawal House Karachi.

    Reports have also stated that Bakhtawar’s father Asif Ali Zardari is personally monitoring all the arrangements for the event.

    Moreso, it is mandatory for all those, including staff members, entering Bilawal House to undergo a coronavirus PCR test.

    Bakhtawar’s fiancé-to-be Mahmood Choudhry will be arriving in Pakistan with his family today (Thursday).

    Unfortunately, Bakhtawar’s brother Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be unable to attend his sister’s wedding as he has tested positive for COVID-19.

    He will hopefully be able to attend the wedding which is expected to take place in January 2021 in Karachi.

  • End of tour? Six Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand

    At least six members of the Pakistan Cricket Team — that is under managed insolation facility — have tested positive for coronavirus in Christchurch, confirmed the New Zealand Cricket and International Cricket Council.

    Two of the six results had been deemed “historical”, while four are dubbed as fresh cases. It is not clear at this stage if the six who tested positive are players, staff members, or others in the touring party. They will move into quarantine in the managed isolation facility.

    “All six squad members would be moved to the quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility, while the team’s exemption to train had been put on hold until investigations had been completed,” reports in foreign media stated.

    Pakistan, who arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday, were set to face the Black Caps in three T20s and two test matches, starting on December 20. However, the team was supposed to go under a two-week isolation period as a precautionary measure against coronavirus. According to the NZ cricket board, some of the Pakistan players also flouted the restrictions on their first day of managed isolation.

    “We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” the board said.

    “While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the Government system is working,” NZC said in a statement. It further added that the health and safety of the touring teams was of paramount importance.

    In September, the NZ sports minister had said that if a player “tests positive it would probably mean the end of the tour as games couldn’t be played”.

  • Bilawal tests positive for coronavirus, goes into isolation

    Bilawal tests positive for coronavirus, goes into isolation

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has tested positive for coronavirus a day after the test results of his political secretary Jameel Soomro came back positive.

    In a tweet, Bilawal shared that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms. “I have tested positive for #COVIDー19 & am self isolating with mild symptoms. I‘ll continue working from home & will be addressing PPP foundation day via video link. Wear a mask everyone, see you on the other side IA,” the PPP chief shared.

    The PPP chief was planning to host Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gathering at Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium in Multan on November 30 to mark the party’s 53rd foundation day. However, now he will be addressing the event via video link.

    Meanwhile, Bilawal House, Karachi, also went into lockdown after Soomro tested positive for the virus. Its staffers, including security guards, were barred from entering the house without negative test reports. According to reports, the directives were issued by former president Asif Ali Zardari.

    It may be mentioned here that the PDM — an anti-government alliance that the PPP is a part of — held a rally in Peshawar last week in spite of ban on the political gathering in the wake of an increase in COVID cases. There has been a significant increase in the cases over the past few weeks, with Pakistan reporting over 3,000 cases on Nov 25 — for the first time since July.

  • Sheheryar Munawar hits back at troll who called him ‘ghareebon ka Bradley Cooper’

    Sheheryar Munawar hits back at troll who called him ‘ghareebon ka Bradley Cooper’

    Not one to lose his cool, Sheheryar Munawar recently hit back at a troll(s) who called him “Ghareebon k Bradley Cooper”.

    Responding to the user Nasir Ali, who posted the comment on Sheheryar’s post, the actor said: “Ghareeb isn’t a stigma. Thank you for associating me with a group that works hard day and night to earn for themselves and their families.”

    For reference, this the picture from the actor’s recent shoot under which Ali had posted the comment.

    Read more – Syra Yousuf, Sheheryar Munawar turn up the heat with their latest photoshoot

    Meanwhile, responding to another social media user who advised him to say his prayers, Sheheryar said: “Alhumdulliah. 5 waqt partha hoon. Kabhi kabhar rab ki meharbani se tahajud bhi naseeb ho jaati hai.”

    The actor further said that the matter is between him and his God and that his work is also a form of worship for him.

    Munawar also advised the social media user to stop judging people on Instagram and focus on his own deeds.

  • Football legend Maradona passes away at 60

    Football legend Diego Maradona of Argentina passed away at the age of 60 on Wednesday.

    According to reports, the 1986 World Cup winner passed away at home in Tigre after suffering a heart attack.

    Maradona was recovering at home following brain surgery in Buenos Aires, where he was successfully treated for a possible bleeding on the brain earlier this month.

    Last Friday, Maradona was sedated by medics after the former footballer suffered issues related to alcohol dependency following his surgery, with doctors describing the legend as suffering from a “mix” of serious issues, including cardiovascular and liver issues.

    It was stated that Maradona would require constant support, including admission to an alcohol addiction clinic, following his discharge from hospital.

    However, according to Argentinian newspaper Clarín, while recovering at home, Maradona suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly afterward.

    A national hero in his home country, Maradona also captained Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final in defence of their title, losing to West Germany.

    Domestically, he won two Series A titles with Napoli, including a league and cup double in 1987, as well as the UEFA Cup, his only European trophy. 

    A short tenure at Camp Nou with Barcelona nevertheless saw the barrel-chested Maradona win three domestic cups in 1983, before falling out with management.

    He is celebrated as one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the field.

  • Islamabad to get a ‘car cinema’ next month

    Islamabad to get a ‘car cinema’ next month

    Islamabadis are in for a treat as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to open a drive-in cinema in the city next month.

    Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat shared the news while responding to a Twitter user, who suggested that a car cinema should be opened in Islamabad given the rise in COVID-19 cases.

    “Sir given, we have Covid-19 on the rise and there can’t be any big gathering in the city, how about DC office plan a car theatre every weekend in F9 until things are back to normal. Food vendors can put stalls and serve in cars,” said Twitter user Faizan Khan.

    Replying to his tweet, DC Islamabad hinted that the Islamabad administration is planning to launch a car cinema next month.

    Later, the official Twitter account of CDA Islamabad tweeted that that authority is working towards setting up an “open-air cinema of international standards” in the city.

    Drive-in cinemas have gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people are forced to maintain physical distance. Several countries around the world have set up car cinemas to keep their citizens entertained during the lockdown while following SOPs.

    International airport in Lithuania
    Dortmund, Germany
    Marl, Germany
    Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
    Austin, Texas
    Seoul, South Korea
     A technical museum in Speyer, Germany

  • Scotland becomes the first country in the world to make sanitary products free

    Scotland has become the first country in the world to offer free and universal access to menstrual products, including tampons and pads.

    According to reports, the Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, under which the Scottish government will introduce a nationwide program that will place a legal duty on all local authorities to make feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads freely available for those who need them.

    It means period products will be available to access in public buildings including schools and universities across Scotland. According to the new rules, it will be up to local authorities and education providers to ensure the products are available free of charge.

    Read more – Condoms in gutters blamed for Karachi’s sewerage problems

    The campaign for free menstrual products was spearheaded by Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, who told media outlets that it was “a proud day for Scotland”.

    “This will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates,” said Lennon. “There has already been great progress at a community level and through local authorities in giving everyone the chance of period dignity.”

    She added: “Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important.”

    Period poverty – the struggle to pay for basic sanitary products on a monthly basis – reportedly surged during the coronavirus pandemic. Research has revealed that period poverty has a significant impact on women’s hygiene, health and wellbeing.

    The new law was praised by a number of equality and women’s rights groups as well as politicians from across the parties represented in the Scottish Parliament.

    “It’s an important message in the middle of a global pandemic that we can still put the rights of women and girls high up the political agenda,” remarked Lennon.