Author: News Desk

  • Wasim Akram’s statue becomes meme material after picture goes viral

    Wasim Akram’s statue becomes meme material after picture goes viral

    A statue of legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram, recently installed outside the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, has sparked a wave of memes online. The statue, intended to honour the “Sultan of Swing,” is being mocked by fans for its unrealistic resemblance to the former cricketer.

    The sculpture shows Wasim Akram in his iconic left-arm bowling action, wearing the Pakistan jersey from the 1999 World Cup. Although it was officially unveiled in April 2025, a picture of the statue only began circulating on social media today, causing a storm of reactions.

    Cricket fans expressed their disappointment over the execution of the statue, with many saying it fails to do justice to Wasim Akram’s greatness. Some even compared it to poorly-made wax figures or amateur fan art.

    One user joked that the statue looks like Wasim Akram during his struggling days trying to make it into the national team. Another dubbed it the “Temu version” of the legendary bowler.

    A fan sarcastically suggested that Wasim Akram should “get it updated himself from somewhere,” highlighting the lack of finesse in the statue’s features.

    Wasim Akram, who represented Pakistan from 1984 to 2003, remains one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, with 414 Test wickets and 502 ODI wickets to his name. His legacy continues to inspire generations, making the statue’s quality a point of disappointment for many.

    Here are some reactions from Twitter:

  • Simla Agreement no longer in effect, Khawaja Asif confirms

    Simla Agreement no longer in effect, Khawaja Asif confirms

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 between Islamabad and New Delhi to bilaterally resolve disputes regarding Kashmir, no longer remains in effect.

    Speaking to a reporter on Thursday, the defence minister stated that the LOC should now be viewed as the Ceasefire Line again. “We have now returned to the 1948 position,” he added, referring to the UN-mediated cessation of hostilities in the first India-Pakistan war.

    Asif explained that the Agreement was a bilateral accord between the two countries, with no involvement of the World Bank or any third party. 

    The Simla Agreement was signed in 1972 between the two countries in the aftermath of the 1971 war by former Pakistani premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indian ex-premier Indira Gandhi. 

    The agreement, inter alia, stipulated that neither party would take any action unilaterally, that the disputes between the two countries would be resolved bilaterally, and that the ceasefire line would become the LoC.

    The defence minister said that due to India’s escalatory action Simla Agreement has lost its significance.

    Commenting on the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), which had been unilaterally suspended by New Delhi following the April 22 militant attacks in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOKJ) in Pahalgam, Asif made it clear that no party can unilaterally withdraw from the Treaty. 

    “All actions related to the treaty must be mutual. India sometimes releases 6,000 cusecs of water, sometimes 25,000. India cannot arbitrarily control the flow of water,” he said.

    It should be mentioned here that Pakistan has declared that any attempts to divert or block its share of water will be considered “an act of war.”

  • Eid fun: Green Entertainment drops two must-watch telefilms

    Eid fun: Green Entertainment drops two must-watch telefilms

    Eid ul Azha is not just about qurbani and daawats, it’s also the perfect time to relax with your family and enjoy some quality entertainment. While the grills are being cleaned and clothes are being sorted out, Green Entertainment is here to make your festive days even more exciting with two brand-new Eid telefilms packed with comedy, romance, and drama.

    Whether you’re looking for light-hearted fun or a sweet emotional ride, these telefilms have something for everyone. Let’s take a look at what’s coming to your screens this Eid.

    Saiyyan Thanedaar 

    The first telefilm on the list is Saiyyan Thanedaar starring Sahar Hashmi and Ali Ansari. The story follows Filza, a lively girl who dreams of marrying a police officer. That dream seems to come true when Ramil enters the picture wearing the uniform of her dreams.
    But things aren’t as simple as they seem. While Filza falls for Ramil, there’s a twist: even Ramil’s own family doesn’t know he’s a cop. So, is he really in the police, or is he pretending to be a cop just to win her heart?

    With light comedy, cute romance, and a little mystery, Saiyyan Thanedaar is a full-on desi entertainer perfect for Eid night viewing.

    Written by Khurram Abbas and directed by Kashif Saleem, the film is produced by Tehreem Chaudhary and stars Samina Ahmed and others.

    Bechara Dil 

    Bechara Dil has Shahzad Sheikh plays Umer, a struggling stand-up comedian, while Aiza Awan plays Gul, a smart and sassy manager determined to help him succeed. Their on-screen chemistry adds the perfect spark to the story.

    This telefilm mixes comedy with heartfelt emotions offering not just laughs but also relatable moments. Whether it’s the ups and downs of chasing dreams or the charm of unexpected romance, Bechara Dil gives you all the feels in one fun package.

    Written by Adeel Razzaq and directed by Zaid Safdar Sandhu, the film is produced by Tehreem Chaudhry and Irrum Awan. It also features Ismat Zaidi, Dua Waseem, and more.

  • Key players likely to make comeback in Bangladesh tour

    Key players likely to make comeback in Bangladesh tour

    As the national cricket team gears up for upcoming assignments, including a T20I series in Bangladesh next month, Pakistan’s newly-appointed head coach Mike Hesson has started holding one-on-one meetings with key players during the ongoing training camp in Lahore 

    According to reports, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem are likely to make a comeback for the tour that would feature three T20Is and will take place in Bangladesh next month.

    During the camp, Hesson met with former captain Babar Azam and assured him that he remained part of the team’s long-term plans. The coach clarified that the doors of the national team were not closed on Babar, and he will be given opportunities when needed. Hesson also sought Babar’s input on improving team performance and asked which format he enjoyed playing the most.

    Afridi also had a detailed discussion with the coach and conveyed that he was fully available for both red-ball and white-ball cricket.

    However, reports indicate that the chances of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being included in the squad for the Bangladesh series are slim. Team management believes that young players have already impressed during the home series and deserve more chances moving forward.

  • Why Parwaish feels like a mirror for Gen Z and their Parents

    Why Parwaish feels like a mirror for Gen Z and their Parents

    Parwarish isn’t just about big family scenes or a typical love story, it’s about the silent struggles young people face when trying to follow their own path while staying connected to their roots.


     
    It is directed by Syed Meesam Naqvi, written by Kiran Siddiqui and produced by Big Bang production. 

    Parwarish follows Wali Jahangir, played by Samar Jafri, a young man who returns to Pakistan from the U.S. and steps into a world full of responsibilities he didn’t choose. His father, Jahangir (Naumaan Ijaz), wants him to become a doctor, while Wali secretly dreams of singing. His mother, Mahnoor (Savera Nadeem), feels unhappy and lost in this shift back to family life.

    Living in a joint family adds more pressure. Wali’s cousins Amal (Reham Rafiq) and Sameer (Abul Hasan) bring both warmth and conflict. Things change when Wali meets Maya (Aina Asif), Amal’s friend. At first, they argue a lot, but later, as they study medicine together, they come to understand each other deeply. 


    Maya’s story is just as powerful. She wants to become a doctor but agrees to get engaged just to keep her strict father happy. Her fiance (Waleed)  played by Hassaam Khan,  turns out to be overly controlling, adding emotional weight to her journey. Her growing bond with Wali feels natural and heartfelt.  


    The drama honestly and carefully shows the gap between parents and children. The drama also focuses on small, touching moments  like the sweet bond between Wali and his grandfather (Arshad Mehmud) or the funny family talks that feel very real. 
     
    The acting is impressive across the entire cast. I especially loved the character of Suleiman (Saad Zameer Fareedi) and Sameer (Abdul) both were portrayed  brilliantly.
       


    Samar Jafri  handles Wali’s character with truth and depth. Aina Asif is strong as Maya, while Reham Rafiq adds charm as Amal. Seasoned actors like Naumaan Ijaz, Savera Nadeem, Shamim Hilalay and Arshad Mehmud add even more  depth  to the story. 
      

    Parwarish is about parenting, pressure, and the power of love and understanding. It doesn’t rely on over-the-top drama. Instead, it wins your heart through emotions, relatable situations, and a story many young people and their parents will see themselves in. Every parent should watch this drama.

  • Pakistan to spend mega amount on first-ever human-crewed space mission

    Pakistan to spend mega amount on first-ever human-crewed space mission

    The federal government of Pakistan has earmarked Rs600 million in the upcoming 2025–26 budget for the country’s first human-crewed space mission, marking a historic step in the country’s space ambitions. The mission is part of a broader Rs24 billion allocation proposed for SUPARCO, the national space agency.

    Reports revealed that over Rs18 billion from the total will go toward the Multi-Mission Communication Satellite System. Additionally, Rs400 million has been proposed for a new Pakistan Lunar Exploration project, Rs1.8 billion for a Deep Space Astronomical initiative, and Rs1.7 billion for the Pakistan Optical Remote Sensing Satellite.

    Beyond the space sector, the government also plans to allocate more than Rs500 million for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), over Rs50 billion for the Cabinet Division, and Rs50 billion for constituency-based development schemes suggested by parliamentarians.

    Infrastructure projects include Rs134.2 million for Islamabad’s development, Rs100 million for restoring the National Archives, and Rs650 million for constructing a Hajj Complex in Lahore.

  • ‘Nautanki’; Indian netizens fume over Shashi Tharoor singing during trip

    ‘Nautanki’; Indian netizens fume over Shashi Tharoor singing during trip

    Indian social media users are bashing their country’s all-party diplomatic delegation which is visiting 33 countries with the aim of justifying its illegal strikes in Pakistan last month. Indian social media users say that the delegation appears more focused on personal enjoyment than on effectively presenting New Delhi’s stance on the global stage.

    The outrage was prompted by a video of delegation head, Indian National Congress’ Shashi Tharoor’s video in which he appears to be singing during a private get-together. 

    Conversely, Pakistan’s delegation, led by Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is engaging world powers at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting India’s disinformation campaign and its attempts to destabilise regional peace in the aftermath of the recent military escalation with India.

    Pakistan’s nine-member team includes well-known leaders such as former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, ex-Information minister Sherry Rehman, former defence minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, and ex-foreign secretaries Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua.

    A social media user shared the video of Shashi Tharoor on X (formerly Twitter), which showed Tharoor singing a song in front of enthralled Indian diaspora members. In the caption, the user wrote, “This is the nautanki (drama) happening on tax-payers money. Shameless.”

    “26 tourists have been killed in front of their wives, India has lost multiple fighter jets to Pakistan, Trump has bulldozed India’s longstanding policy to keep Kashmir a bilateral issue – But Shashi Tharoor & his delegation seem to have gone for a picnic” wrote Ashok Swain, professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.

    Earlier, another video of India’s delegation member and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Rekha Sharma surfaced online where she was singing “Tu Manay Na” before at a dinner, reportedly held in Algeria.

    “Our delegation going abroad sharpens India’s foreign policy through music. Believe it or not… These people were shameless and will remain shameless,” a netizen said. Another wrote, “26 people died in Pahalgam; none of the four terrorists have been caught. And the delegation sent on a world tour to spread a message of India’s stand on terrorism is enjoying singing songs and partying on taxpayer money.”

    “This is what our MPs are doing abroad. One formal speech in front of the ANI mic. Modi, Modi, Modi in front of NRIs. Sightseeing & shopping. Dinner party with the ambassador. Antakshari, Karaoke etc & enjoy. Our Tax money spent well (sic),” wrote another user.

    “They are the parliamentary delegation sent by the Modi government to enjoy a vacation in the name of spreading message of the action of India’s on Pakistan. Shamelessly singing and enjoying (sic),” one of the users wrote.

  • Dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on aid distribution site

    Dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on aid distribution site

    The genocide in Gaza deepened further on June 2 as Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of starving Palestinians gathered to receive aid, killing at least 31 people and injuring around 175, according to health officials in Rafah.

    The incident occurred at an aid distribution point, where large numbers of civilians had gathered amid severe shortages of food and medicine. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed multiple fatalities during the incident, further highlighting the dangers Palestinians face in accessing necessities.

    While the Israeli military denied targeting the crowd directly, it admitted to firing warning shots in the air to disperse what it called a “gathering near a sensitive area.”

    The situation has sparked renewed criticism from international organizations, particularly over the handling and oversight of aid delivery in Gaza. The United Nations and other global bodies have raised concerns over aid distribution being managed under the supervision of the U.S. and Israeli authorities instead of neutral humanitarian groups.

    Aid deliveries to Gaza were completely blocked by Israel from March 2, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The blockade led to critical shortages of food, water, and medicine, with several deaths reported, including children, due to hunger.

    Last month, Israel partially lifted the restrictions, allowing limited aid into Gaza. However, the UN’s senior humanitarian coordinator, Tom Fletcher, said the volume of permitted assistance was still far from sufficient. “The limited aid being sent is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of over two million starving people,” he stated.

    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also condemned the repeated deadly attacks near aid distribution zones. Calling for an immediate and impartial investigation, Türk said, “Civilians continue to die around aid distribution points for a third day in a row. This morning, we received reports of dozens more killed and injured.”

    He warned, “Palestinians are either starving or getting killed trying to access food. This military system endangers lives and violates international standards of humanitarian aid delivery, as the UN has repeatedly warned.”

    Meanwhile, Israeli bombardment across Gaza continues, further compounding the humanitarian disaster. The Israeli military has targeted areas where aid is being distributed in grave violation of international law.

  • Danish Taimoor under fire for bold role in ‘Man Mast Malang’

    Danish Taimoor under fire for bold role in ‘Man Mast Malang’

    Actor Danish Taimoor recently celebrated the success two of his dramas on Instagram, sharing a post featuring a ratings chart and writing: “First and second. Success does not need a spotlight, it speaks for itself, loud and clear.”

    However, his celebration came at a time when he is facing intense public criticism for his role as Kabir Khan in the drama serial Man Mast Malang.

    The drama has drawn backlash for its bold scenes, with many viewers demanding that it be banned.

    In several scenes, Danish Taimoor and actress Sahar Hashmi – who play a married couple in the drama – are shown in intimate situations that have angered audiences. In one widely discussed scene, the two are shown lying on a bed with their hands handcuffed together. In another, Danish Taimoor is seen tying his wife’s hands and feet with a rope.

    The drama also features multiple dance sequences between the lead pair. 

    Despite the backlash, Man Mast Malang continues to air and is surprisingly gaining popularity, as reflected by its online viewership numbers.

    Meanwhile, Danish Taimoor’s other drama Sher has also begun airing and is receiving a strong positive response from the audience.

    This week, two of Danish Taimoor’s dramas made it to the top five list. Sher ranked first, with its first two episodes garnering 25 million views, while Man Mast Malang came in second with 15 million views across three episodes.


    His Instagram post celebrating this milestone received mixed reactions. Many criticized the violent and overtly romantic scenes in Man Mast Malang.

    One user commented: “A young girl died due to the mentality cultivated by these same dramas. This is not success, it is exploitation.”

    Others expressed disappointment with Danish Taimoor’s choice of roles, stating that he is damaging his own image. One viewer wrote that his continued portrayal of such characters is “disappointing for his fans.”

  • DHA assault case victim forgives Salman Farooqi

    DHA assault case victim forgives Salman Farooqi

    The young man who was seen being attacked in a viral clip in Karachi’s DHA area told a local court on Thursday that he has forgiven the assault suspect, businessman Salman Farooqi.

    According to media reports, the hearing took place at the South Judicial Magistrate’s Court, where Sudheer appeared in person and confirmed that Salman Farooqi was involved in the incident.

    Sudheer said he did not know earlier that he had been called to court and came only after his lawyer informed him the same day.

    When the judge asked if anyone was forcing him to drop the case, Sudheer replied, “I have forgiven the accused. I have no objections to whatever decision the court may reach.”

    The court noted that while Sudheer confirmed the identity of the attacker, he did not want to take the case forward.

    The incident had taken place in Karachi’s Defence area, where Salman Farooqi was caught on camera physically assaulting Sudheer, who was on a motorcycle, while his sister was present.

    The video quickly spread on social media and led to widespread criticism and demands for action.

    Following the incident, Gizri Police Station registered a case against Salman Farooqi based on a complaint by eyewitness Muhammad Saleem. The charges included assault, issuing death threats, and public humiliation.

    However, despite the victim’s statement, the South Judicial Magistrate’s court on Thursday rejected the bail applications of both Salman Farooqi and Owais Hashmi. The court ordered that both accused be sent to jail on judicial remand while also directing the investigating officer to submit a progress report at the next hearing.