Author: News Desk

  • Faiz Hamid facilitated 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz, Sher Afzal Marwat says Ali Amin tells him

    Faiz Hamid facilitated 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz, Sher Afzal Marwat says Ali Amin tells him

    Days after being expelled from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sher Afzal Marwat, citing Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, claimed that former intelligence chief General Faiz Hamid facilitated more than 600 kanals of land for YouTuber and former TV host Imran Riaz Khan.         

    Speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Friday, the KP firebrand claimed, “Ali Amin Gandapur told me that General Faiz Hamid facilitated more than 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz in Chakwal, where the latter built a palace, fish ponds, and a horse stable.”

    While raising questions about how Riaz made billions of rupees when he did not even have a motorbike, Marwat remarked, “Ali Amin also told me that he [Riaz] was the confidant of Faiz Hamid,” alleging that the ex-TV host had a close relationship with the intelligence agencies during PTI’s reign.

    “Imran Riaz came to me 10 times seeking a mining contract,” Marwat quoted Gandapur as saying, adding that he found Riaz every time he visited the CM House.

    He further quoted CM KP as saying that, in an “attempt to become a hero” through collusion with agencies, Riaz got arrested.

    Inquiring about how the YouTuber ran away from Pakistan merely with the help of mules, Marwat said that if the government had the intention of not letting Riaz leave, his passport could have been blocked within a minute. “Then how did he reach the United Kingdom?” he questioned, adding that Riaz’s passport was valid.

    Concluding his tirade on the former TV host, Marwat said that he had made a video exposing Riaz’s properties, which he planned to share soon.

    Separately, Marwat, while speaking to a private news channel, claimed that PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was behind his expulsion from the party.

    He said that Raja became the party’s secretary general through the “influence of powerful individuals”.

    “Non-elected individuals in the party are running the party matters,” he said, asserting that he would respond to those responsible for the propaganda against him.

    It merits a mention that following the instructions of party founder Imran Khan, Marwat was expelled from the party on Wednesday. He was sacked “due to his continuous violations of the party discipline”.

    Riaz, while confirming on his X (formerly Twitter) account last month that he had left the country, wrote, “….I am proud that my Lord granted me steadfastness against every injustice. I have endured the worst torture and terrifying imprisonment. I have been arrested 10 times and faced dozens of cases. I was even forcibly stopped from performing Hajj, but my Lord granted me patience. I have some important responsibilities to fulfil, and I will return to Pakistan soon, InshaAllah.”

    In an interview with the Sherin Zada YouTube channel, Riaz revealed that former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri, introduced him to individuals who accompanied him during his escape from the country.

    The former TV host clarified that he had been residing in Swat before leaving Pakistan. Prior to that, he had stayed at safe locations across Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Swabi.

  • Here are Rajpal Yadav’s favourite Pakistani comedians

    Here are Rajpal Yadav’s favourite Pakistani comedians


     
    Bollywood comedian Rajpal Yadav, known for his iconic roles in films such as Phir Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Chup Chup Ke, is a fan of Pakistani comedians. 

    Appearing as a guest on Nadir Ali’s podcast, Rajpal Yadav praised the late Pakistani geniuses Umer Sharif and Moin Akhtar for their unmatched talent.


     
    “Umer Sharif and Moin Akhtar were the kings of their craft, their talent kept you glued to the screen. You couldn’t afford to look away. Especially in ‘Loose Talk’ , every dialogue and gesture by Moin Akhtar was priceless,” the Indian star said in effusive praise. 

    The Dhol actor recalled listening to Umer Sharif’s audio cassettes, describing him as a naturally gifted artist.

    Umer Sharif, the Karachi-based superstar, revolutionised stage comedy with his ground breaking shows in the 1980s and 1990s. The comedian, who dabbled in films too, passed away of cancer in 2021 at the age of 66. 

    Moin Akhtar, largely known as the most influential humourist of the subcontinent, was a master of improv on television and theatre. The great artist passed away suddenly in 2011 at the age of 61, leaving his fans in Pakistan and India in deep mourning.

  • Feeling sad after a breakup? Atif Aslam has surprising advice

    Feeling sad after a breakup? Atif Aslam has surprising advice

    Can a breakup be the best thing to happen to you? Legendary singer Atif Aslam thinks so.

    The Aadat singer recently shared his thoughts on breakups in his vlog after a fan from Delhi attending his concert in Qatar asked him for advice on how to get over a breakup she recently underwent. The fan had recorded a video for a Q&A and asked him for advice.

    “You did the best thing,” he told her, adding that “If you initiated the breakup, then I am really proud of you.”

    Atif believes “breakups, makeups, and relationships” are not everything in life.

    “There are a lot of other things to do in life,” he added.

    “Make your career, flourish in it,” he advised his young fan, also asserting that financial stability is very important.

    “You should have enough money that your relationship comes to you itself and asks, ‘Bata, teri raza kiya hai?’ [Tell me, what is your wish],” he concluded lightheartedly.

  • Sent teetar, goose, desi chicken dishes to Imran Khan before leaving country: Aftab Iqbal

    Sent teetar, goose, desi chicken dishes to Imran Khan before leaving country: Aftab Iqbal

    Former TV host Aftab Iqbal claimed on Thursday that he had prepared and sent a breakfast of teetar (francolins), desi murgh (organic chicken), and geese to former premier Imran Khan a day before running away from the country.

    In an interview with ex-TV host Imran Riaz Khan on his YouTube channel, Iqbal said, “I personally cooked the food the entire night with the help of two assistants,” so that it could be sent to Imran Khan before Iqbal’s departure

    He further stated that after arriving in Dubai, he asked Imran Khan about the food via text; the latter responded that he had expected it for dinner instead of breakfast. “I have rarely tasted such delicious food. It was so delicious,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

    Recalling the time Imran Khan scolded him, Iqbal tells Riaz, “The last time I was berated by Imran Khan was on texts. Imran Khan told me that you sound very disappointed and dismayed. If you panic, then your listeners will panic as well.”

    “You are looking disappointed. I’m not enjoying talking to you today,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

    Iqbal then made a bizarre comparison between jailed Imran Khan and South African leader Nelson Mandela, claiming that Mandela did not endure as many hardships despite serving 27 years in prison in solitary confinement.

    Meanwhile, Riaz interrupted Iqbal by arguing that President Asif Ali Zardari served time in imprisonment while living in a palace, which was connected to his jail. Multiple people were present there to serve Zardari.

    “I’m a witness to Nawaz Sharif’s imprisonment. Nawaz Sharif Sahab’s doctor always remained with him. Mian Sahab enjoyed imprisonment as all of his meals were delivered from Raiwind,” Riaz said, adding that Imran Khan had not even eaten homemade food for a single day since he landed in jail.

    Both YouTubers offered no proof of their statements. 

    It should be mentioned here that Riaz had left the country last month. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that he had left the country. 

    “….I am proud that my Lord granted me steadfastness against every injustice. I have endured the worst torture and terrifying imprisonment. I have been arrested 10 times and faced dozens of cases. I was even forcibly stopped from performing Hajj, but my Lord granted me patience. I have some important responsibilities to fulfil, and I will return to Pakistan soon, InshaAllah,” Riaz wrote on X.

    Imran Riaz Khan, in his maiden interview after being run away from the country on the YouTube channel Sherin Zada, had claimed that former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri assisted him in escaping from the country. “Qasim Suri asked me to shave my beard, which I refused; however, I used spray to dye my beard black before leaving Pakistan,” he said.

  • Another milestone: Babar Azam matches Hashmi Amla’s 6,000-run record

    Another milestone: Babar Azam matches Hashmi Amla’s 6,000-run record

    Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has reached a remarkable milestone in ODI cricket, completing 6,000 career runs.

    As per the details, Babar achieved this feat during the final match of the tri-nation series against New Zealand at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

    He achieved the milestone with his 10th run during the innings, matching South African star Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to score 6,000 ODI runs, in just 123 innings.

    The 29-year-old has also become the fastest Asian batter to reach the mark, surpassing India’s Virat Kohli, who took 136 innings to achieve the same.

    Babar is now the 11th Pakistani batter to score 6,000 ODI runs. Before him, legendary players such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Saleem Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Ijaz Ahmed have all achieved this milestone.

    In this match, Babar returned to the pavilion after scoring 29 runs.

    PAK STRUGGLING AGAINST NZ

    In the final of the tri-nation series, Pakistan is struggling against New Zealand. Khushdil Shah and Tayyab Tahir are currently batting.

    The match is being played at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, where the national team did not get off to a good start. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored 10, Saud Shakeel 8, and Babar Azam was dismissed for 29 runs.

    After losing three early wickets for 54 runs, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha stabilized the innings with a responsible partnership of 88 runs. However, at the team’s total score of 142, Mohammad Rizwan also got out after scoring 46 runs. Salman also returned to the pavilion, scoring 45 runs.

  • Bakhtawar trolls Fawad Ch for ‘demanding’ president, PM’s resignation over headwear choices

    Bakhtawar trolls Fawad Ch for ‘demanding’ president, PM’s resignation over headwear choices

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, the daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari and the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has hit back at former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry for demanding “resignations” from her father as well as Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif over their choice of headwear.

    “Resignations should be demanded from Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif for their caps at Erdogan’s reception alone,” Fawad wrote in a social media post as pictures and videos of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s arrival in Pakistan went viral over the internet.

    The visuals from the reception showed President Zardari and PM Shehbaz receiving the Turkish president upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase on a two-day visit late Wednesday night.

    With Fawad taking to X to poke fun at the two leaders, Bakhtawar hit back with a picture of PTI founder and jailed former premier Imran Khan’s photo from one of his court hearings. The picture showed Khan wearing a makeshift black box-like bulletproof helmet to an anti-terror court for seeking his bail extension back in 2023.

    It may be noted that the now-jailed former PM was repeatedly spotted wearing the bulletproof box every time he left his Zaman Park residence in Lahore following the attempt on his life during a party rally in Wazirabad. Khan had received a bullet injury to his right leg back in November 2022 when an assailant opened fire at his container during a protest march across Punjab. The attack had led to widespread claims that Khan faced threats to his life and thus had to travel under high security.

    Erdogan in Pakistan

    Meanwhile, President Erdogan’s Pakistan trip has wrapped up. During his stay, both countries signed 24 agreements and memorandums of understanding to enhance their cooperation across various sectors, including trade, media, defence, and healthcare.

    “We aim to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion,” PM Shehbaz said as he bid farewell to the Turkish leader.

    While the visit marked a significant milestone in fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, the two leaders also held talks on regional and global issues, underscoring their mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations.

    The high-level meetings also saw the co-chairing of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council’s seventh meeting. Both sides reviewed reports from nine joint committees across various sectors, including health and information technology.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir also participated in the session.

  • Nikah goals: Kubra and Gohar tie the knot in Makkah

    Nikah goals: Kubra and Gohar tie the knot in Makkah

    Guys, its finally happening! Actors Gohar Rasheed and Kubra Khan are now husband and wife, even though we can safely assume that some wedding ceremonies are yet to take place. 

    The two stars have started a new chapter in their lives with a sacred Nikah ceremony in Makkah. 

    Gohar Rasheed shared pictures from their Nikah, including one where he and Kubra stood in front of the Kaaba. Another  picture showed both of them placing their hands on the Holy Kaaba.  

    Alongside the photos, The Man Jogi actor wrote: “12.02.25 Under the Kursi of Allah… 70 thousand Angels as Witness and Rehmat pouring down on us as rain… Qubool hai.” 
     

    Fans and fellow celebrities have flooded social media with love and prayers for the newlyweds.

  • Diljit Dosanjh has plans to come to Pakistan

    Diljit Dosanjh has plans to come to Pakistan

    Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh has a massive following across both sides of the India-Pakistan border.

    The singing sensation, fresh off a super successful global tour, including multiple concerts in India, has Pakistani fans salivating with a statement that he might be coming here at some point in the future. 

    During a live Q & A session on Instagram, Dosanjh was asked by a Pakistani fan if he has any plans of visiting the country. “Haan jee, Pakistan bhee aa jaan gay (Yes, I will come to Pakistan too),” Diljit replied. 

    He did add that right now he hasn’t made arrangements of the sort. 

    Dosanjh is one of the most popular stars of the subcontinent.

    In October 2024, during his Duluminati Tour, actress Hania Amir and her friends attended his concert at 02 Arena in London.

    He invited the Pakistani superstar on stage. Various videos of that moment have since gone viral on social media.

    Diljit expressed his admiration for Hania Aamir, calling her a superstar.

    He affectionately insisted when Hania initially refused to come up on stage, saying in Punjabi, “When a superstar is among us, and she’s just standing in the audience, it cannot happen that she doesn’t come on stage.”

    After much encouragement and loud cheers from the singer and the audience, Hania Aamir finally came on stage, where Diljit performed a few lines of his famous song ‘Lover’ for her.

    From Hania’s facial expressions, it was clear that this was a fan moment for her, and she was at a loss for words to express her feelings.

    She sincerely thanked the Indian singer for the gesture.

    She posted the pictures of her concert and thanked Dosanjh on her Instagram post with the caption, “hona ni mai recover. what a night. It was magic.The love, the respect, the soul. Impeccable.It was all heart.

    @diljitdosanjh sir ek he dil hai kitni dafa jeeto ge. Pyar aur sirf pyar ”

    “The entire team is just  An honour to have come across so many beautiful souls. Truly memorable. Thank you for all your love and warmth ” She wrote.

    After joining Dosanjh on stage at his London concert, Hania also received a heartwarming message from his manager Sonali Singh.

    Sonali took to her Instagram account to praise Hania Aamir, saying, “@haniaheheofficial you have no idea the impact you had on all of us that day. It’s how you make someone feel that truly lingers forever. You were the ray of sunshine I desperately needed on the day.”

  • New Zealand’s Ben Sears ruled out of Champions Trophy

    New Zealand’s Ben Sears ruled out of Champions Trophy

    New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a hamstring injury.

    According to New Zealand Cricket, Sears sustained the injury during a training session in Karachi on Wednesday, forcing him out of the tournament. As a replacement, Jacob Duffy has been added to the squad. Duffy was already with the team for the ongoing tri-series.

    The ICC event’s technical committee has approved the squad change for New Zealand.

    Meanwhile, several other key players have also been ruled out of the Champions Trophy. “Pakistan’s Saim Ayub and India’s Jasprit Bumrah have withdrawn because of injuries, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc has opted out for personal reasons.

    Additionally, Afghanistan’s spinner, AM Ghazanfar, will miss the tournament following fitness concerns, and South Africa will be without their pace spearhead, Anrich Nortje.

    With multiple squad changes ahead of the mega event, teams will have to adjust their strategies accordingly.

  • Groom abandoned alone as leopard crashes wedding

    Groom abandoned alone as leopard crashes wedding

    A leopard crashed a wedding in Lucknow, India, causing panic and chaos at the marriage ceremony taking place on Thursday night. 

    When guests started screaming outside, bride Jyoti Kumari quickly locked herself in a bridal restroom at the MM Marriage Lawn in the Para area. 

    “The makeup artist and I froze when we heard the commotion outside. Then came a deep growl. My hands started shaking, and I immediately bolted the door,” Jyoti told Indian media. 

    Meanwhile, groom Akshay Shrivastav was filming wedding videos on the terrace when his entourage heard growling and screams from the lawn below. 

    “I was standing there, waiting for my next shot, when I saw people running in all directions. The next moment, my team was gone, and I was stranded,” Akshay recalled. His friends and videographers abandoned him as they ran for cover. He was left alone on the terrace, waiting for rescue. 

    Both the bride and groom were rescued by police officials after a few hours. 

    Officials of the Forest Department and Police Department reached the venue and began a five hour long search to locate the leopard. 

    Videos going viral on social media show the leopard grabbing a rifle off a policeman at one point. The police officer was left with a bloody hand. 

    The animal was finally found at 3:30 am in one of the rooms on the first floor of the building. 

    Two cameramen were also injured as they ran down stairs after the animal caused guests to run in panic. 

    Wedding festivities resumed the next day.