Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • PSL 2020: Strict security arrangements in Karachi cause discomfort to citizens

    PSL 2020: Strict security arrangements in Karachi cause discomfort to citizens

    Strict security arrangements in place for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoff matches in Karachi, starting on November 14, have become a cause of discomfort for citizens of the metropolis.

    According to reports, a large area around the National Stadium Karachi (NSK) was cordoned off on Wednesday by security forces for the practice match between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans. A huge contingent of police and other law-enforcing agencies was deployed inside and outside the venue hindering the movement of residents in the surrounding areas.

    According to details, authorities have also blocked the road from Karsaz to the stadium for heavy traffic, and no public transport is allowed on that road. The entry points at the KDA scheme along the Karsaz Road have also been sealed with the help of heavy containers.

    People living in the surrounding areas have been restricted to their homes for the last three to four days causing them a lot of inconvenience. People argued that if there was no audience attending the matches, then why was the need for the areas to be sealed.

    The PSL playoffs were suspended on March 17 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially, the play-offs were scheduled in Lahore but were shifted to Karachi due to weather issues.

    In the qualifier, on November 14 the table-toppers Multan Sultans will face second-placed Karachi Kings. In the first eliminator, former champions Peshawar Zalmi will lock horns with the third-placed Lahore Qalandars.

    The second eliminator will be held on November 15 between the losers of the qualifier and winners of the first eliminator. The final take place on November 17.

  • The lowest form of life are those who hurt and torture children, says Wasim Akram

    The lowest form of life are those who hurt and torture children, says Wasim Akram

    Wasim Akram has expressed his disgust and anger towards those who torture and abuse children.

    Sharing a video of a little boy, who was abused by his father, the former captain wrote: “In my book, the lowest form of life on this planet are those who hurt and torture children. This video is absolutely heart wrenching to watch.”

    “I’m sick to my stomach,” added the cricketer.

    Read more – Wasim Akram’s message for trolls is winning the internet

    In the video, the child can be seen complaining about his father, who abuses him regularly for not gathering enough income in the day.

    “My father gives me electric shocks,” revealed the child. “I have 4 siblings.”

    Similarly, Wasim’s wife Shaniera Akram also said that abusing a child is the “purest form of evil”.

    Last month, Shaniera spearheaded ‘The Polished Man’ movement in Pakistan to raise awareness about child abuse.

    Posting photos of some of the most prominent faces in Pakistan, Shaniera wrote: “Some of the toughest men Pakistan has ever produced are showing their softer side and coloring one nail to represent the millions of children who suffer every day at the hand of an adult. Our Pakistani heroes say ‘We WILL NOT tolerate child abuse in our country’.”

    Shaniera explained that though the ‘Polished Man’ campaign has been around for years, 2020 has witnessed the highest level of child abuse in Pakistan.

  • Bollywood actor Asif Basra found dead, suicide suspected

    Bollywood actor Asif Basra, who was recognised for his roles in Jab We Met, Koi Po Che! and Ek Villian was found hanging at a private guest house in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. He was 53.

    According to reports, Basra’s body was discovered by the police and a team of forensic experts is on the spot to investigate the death. Initial investigation has revealed that Basra committed suicide by hanging himself with the leash of his pet dog. As per the police, Basra had returned from a stroll in the locality along with his dog, just before the alleged suicide.

    It is also being reported that the actor had a property on lease in the area for the past five-six years and often visited it. Some reports have also suggested that the actor, who was under depression, was staying there with a British woman. However, no suicide note has been recovered from the place.

    Basra was born in Maharashtra’s Amravati in 1967. He moved to Mumbai in 1989 to pursue a career in acting. In a career that spanned over two-decades, Basra played supporting parts in many popular films including Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Krrish 3, Hichki as well as the Hollywood film Outsourced.

    The actor’s most recent outing was Amazon Prime Video’s smash-hit series Paatal Lok.

    Basra’s suicide comes almost five months after his Kai Po Che! co-star Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment on June 14.

    Several Bollywood stars including Emran Hashmi, Manoj Bajpayee and Raees director Rahul Dholakia expressed their shock over his sudden death.

  • PML-N ready to talk with establishment ‘on one condition’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has hinted at opening up a dialogue channel with the military establishment while ruling out any backdoor negotiations.

    In an interview with BBC Urdu, the PML-N leader said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leadership would consider talking to army generals but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will have to go home first.

    She claimed that the establishment approached a number of her party leaders, but no one has approached her directly with an offer to sort things out. She said the PML-N respects the army as an institution, but it has no authority to transgress beyond its role enshrined in the constitution.

    According to Maryam, there will be no secrecy in talks with the army generals, everything will take place in front of the people of Pakistan.

    Responding to her critics who said the PML-N’s anti-narrative was harmful to the party, Maryam said the anti-establishment line that the party has adopted has attracted thousands of people across Pakistan. The massive gatherings in Gujranwala, Karachi, and Quetta are proof of the PML-N’s popularity, she added.

    In a comment on the interview, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the PML-N only wants an end to the cases against its leadership.

    In a tweet, he said if the PML-N is not willing to talk to the military or the government, then it is difficult for him to comprehend their narrative.

  • Sony PlayStation 5 is now available for sale

    Sony PlayStation 5 is now available for sale

    Seven years after a successful run of PlayStation (PS) 4 – the only console with over 112 million units sold worldwide – the new PS5 is now officially available in markets for sale.

    The news comes days after Microsoft released its next-generation console, the Xbox Series X.

    PlayStation 5 comes in two different models, one with disc compatibility which will cost $499, while the the other is a digital version that will let users buy games online and will cost $399. The digital version is slimmer in comparison to the disc compatible version.

    In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, the PS5 will not be available for in-store sales and can only be purchased through online stores in western countries.

    Sony is expecting a boost in sales soon as holiday season is right around the corner and also because the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for home entertainment. The Japanese conglomerate expects to sell 7.6 million PS5 units by March next year.

    Analysts predict that Sony will sell 17.9 million consoles by the end of 2021 and will hit the 67 million mark by 2024.

    Those in the UK wanting to get the console will have a slightly longer and frustrating wait as it launches on November 19 in UK markets.

    “In a completely ideal world, we would like to launch everywhere in the world on the same day,” said Jim Ryan, the PlayStation boss. “We just needed an extra few days to get everything in order to be able to have a proper, professional, seamless PlayStation-style launch.”

  • Fawad, Sanaullah favour live coverage of corruption trials

    Fawad, Sanaullah favour live coverage of corruption trials

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Rana Sanaullah have endorsed the live broadcast of graft trials for greater transparency.

    The lawmakers were participating in a talk show hosted by senior journalist Hamid Mir. During the show, Mir asked Fawad if he would support the plea of PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi seeking live coverage of his trial in an accountability court. At this, Fawad said he would fully support it.

    According to the science and technology minister, the live coverage of trials was standard practice in the UK. “Pakistan follows many practices and laws of the UK, why can’t it do it in terms of trials,” he added.

    He said the people must know what are the charges and what is defence.

    At this, Sanaullah said he also supported the idea of the televised trials, adding that his narcotics case should also be aired.

    On Wednesday, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi filed a petition in an accountability court of Islamabad, seeking live media coverage of his trial proceeding in LNG-Terminal project reference.

    The plea argued that Article 19-A grants the public the right to know factual information about a trial. People would get the authentic information about the trial through live coverage, he added.

    “There are other public benefits; let the people know whether their representatives are innocent or corrupt or they have been involved in false and politically motivated cases; let the people see whether complaints are ‘stock witnesses’, whether the case is politically motivated,” the application quoted by Dawn newspaper said.

  • Did you know Usman Buzdar is a crorepati?

    Did you know Usman Buzdar is a crorepati?

    After both the upper and lower houses of the parliament, details of assets and liabilities of Punjab Assembly members have also been released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), according to which, Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is a millionaire or crorepati with his 10 immovable properties alone amounting to Rs35 million (Rs3.5 crores).

    According to details, while some members of the provincial assembly also own offshore properties, others run businesses besides owning agricultural lands.

    It has also emerged that CM Buzdar, on top of his 10 immovable properties, also has a 14-kanal bungalow in Taunsa Sharif and four kanals in Dera Ghazi Khan. His spouse, on the other hand, owns three pieces of land, whereas Buzdar himself also owns agricultural land in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan besides three tractors, two vehicles and Rs7.7 million (Rs77 lacs) in his bank account.

    Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi owns three properties worth Rs69.4 million (6.94 crores). He also has shares in three properties and owns a house each in both Lahore and Islamabad. The former CM also has shares in the Zahoor Palace Gujarat, has Rs9.9 million (Rs99 lacs) capital in a flour mill and Rs13.5 million (Rs1.35 crores) unsecured debt.

    On top of this, he has Rs12.7 million in his bank account while his wife has assets worth Rs93.1 million in her name, including jewelry worth Rs2.1 million.

    The assets of Hamza Shehbaz, who is the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, are worth Rs414 million (Rs41.4 crores). He owns Rs30 million (Rs3 crores) of agricultural land given by his brother Suleman Shehbaz, and has invested Rs130 million (Rs13 crores) in the country.

    Hamza also has Rs10 million (Rs1 crore) in his bank account.

    Provincial Minister Aleem Khan and his wife have properties worth Rs159.2 million (Rs15.9 crores). His daughter and wife have assets worth Rs7.8 million (Rs78 lacs) in England and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and stock shares worth Rs117.7 million (Rs11.77 crores).

    Aleem also has an unsecured loan of Rs1.21 billion and owns three luxury cars worth Rs32.1 million (Rs3.21 crores) in addition to 65 tolas of gold. He also has Rs10 million (Rs1 crore) cash and Rs139.1 million (Rs13.91 crores) in his bank account.

    Punjab Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan owns two properties worth Rs8.5 million (Rs85 lacs) while he and his spouse have a total of Rs7.9 million (Rs79 lacs) in their bank account.

    Provincial Minister Raja Basharat owns more than Rs29.3 million (Rs2.93 crores) assets, while Provincial Minister Raja Rashid Hafeez owns more than Rs111 million (Rs11.1 crores) assets.

    The documents also state that Ejaz Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has total assets of only Rs274,000 (Rs0.27 million) and no car or jewelry or businesses at home or abroad. The lawmaker with the least assets and liabilities is Sajida Yousuf, who has only Rs217 in her bank account. She has no car, no jewelry and no property at home or abroad.

  • Younis to remain batting coach for two years

    Younis to remain batting coach for two years

    Former captain Younis Khan will continue as the men’s batting coach of Pakistan until the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022, the Pakistan cricket board (PCB) said on Thursday.

    Younis is the only Pakistani batsman in Test cricket’s 10,000-run club and accompanied the side on their tour of England this summer.

    “The PCB will also be utilising Younis Khan’s expertise and skills when he’s not on national duty as he will help local batsmen hone their skills,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said in a statement.

    “This is part of the PCB’s strategy to appoint highly-qualified and respected coaches across all major centres of the country so that we can start producing cricketers who can represent Pakistan with distinction.”

    The board said the appointment of Younis will be “until, at least” the 2022 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November.

    Younis scored 10,099 runs and 34 hundreds in 118 Tests, and also played 265 one-dayers and 25 T20 internationals for Pakistan.

    The 42-year-old said he was pleased to take up the job on a long-term basis.

    “I am particularly happy that my scope of work has been extended beyond the national duties,” he added.

    “I am equally interested and keen at working at the domestic level by identifying potential batsmen and then helping them improve their skills.”

  • Netflix renews the trending ‘Emily in Paris’ for a second season

    Netflix renews the trending ‘Emily in Paris’ for a second season

    Time to pop the champagne and bring out the bowler hats. Emily is staying in Paris for another season.

    Read more – Every Pakistani girl wants to be ‘Emily in Paris’

    Netflix has announced that it has renewed the trending Emily in Paris for a second season. The announcement came via a fictional memo sent from Emily’s place of work, Savoir, by her dry boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu).

    “Despite her overconfident manner and lack of prior experience in luxury goods marketing, she has nonetheless managed to charm some of our hard-to-impress clients during her short time at Savoir,” reads the note. “Call it Bonne chance, or American ingenuity —I’m leaning towards the former— her results are impressive.”

    “We love having Emily in Paris! But please don’t let her know that.”

    The series, despite its problematic and stereotypical portrayal of French people and culture, dominated the Netflix Top 10 list for weeks and continues to trend at number six on Netflix Pakistan.

    Emily in Paris follows Emily (Lily Collins), a bright, vivacious and a tad bit annoying marketing executive from Chicago, who unexpectedly finds herself in Paris for a new job. She is tasked with revamping the company’s social media strategy. Emily’s life in Paris is filled with intoxicating adventures and surprising challenges as she juggles winning over her work colleagues, making friends and navigating new romances.

    Season one of the series ended on a cliffhanger, as Emily finally got together with her dreamy neighbor Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) after he almost left town with his girlfriend.

  • Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

    Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

    Mumbai Indians on Tuesday defeated Delhi Capitals in the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 becoming the most successful IPL team in history. The defending champions lifted the trophy of IPL for the fifth time, following which the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked their followers if the team was “the greatest domestic T20 side ever.”

    Soon after the post by ICC, a debate erupted in which some Twitter users pointed out that the council is forgetting Sialkot Stallions, the most successful Pakistani domestic team, which under Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik’s captaincy has six National T20 Cup wins in Pakistan. This record is jointly held by Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions and South Africa’s Titans.

    Many teams have registered pretty long winning streaks in recent times but have fallen a long way behind the biggest winning streak ever recorded in Twenty20 cricket but Stallions hold the record as they won 25 consecutive matches in the T20 format which they played across six domestic competitions. The dream run came to a tragic end in October 2010 when Sialkot fell 14 runs short of a 198-run chase against Rawalpindi Rams.

    Mumbai now needs only one more title to equal the aforementioned record. Though Mumbai has two Titles of Champions trophy, it does not fall under the domestic radar. Hence, it is premature to announce them the greatest domestic T20 side ever.

    Meanwhile, check out some arguments on Twitter below: