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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Even Albaik isn’t coming to Pakistan’; Miftah’s humorous response to KP advisor

    ‘Even Albaik isn’t coming to Pakistan’; Miftah’s humorous response to KP advisor

    Awaam Pakistan Party leader Miftah Ismail took an unveiled jab at the incumbent government when an adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, said on Thursday that despite signing several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with multiple countries, only Saudi Arabia’s popular fast food chain Albaik agreement was finalised.

    During a show on a private media outlet, Aslam, while calling out the incumbent government, asked, “Just tell me, if Pakistan progressed so much, then how much Foreign Direct Investment actually came into Pakistan?”

    Ismail chimed in, saying that Aslam was mistaken about Saudi’s popular food chain coming to Pakistan, “Albaik is not coming to Pakistan. If they were, they would have at least mentioned the city where they are opening the branch.”

    “So, I’m expecting that even Albaik is not coming to Pakistan,” he said, and the whole panel, including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Ahsan Afzal, Muzammil Aslam, and the programme host Mohammad Malick, burst into laughter.

    Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan had earlier said in Jeddah that Albaik will open outlets in the country’s major cities. He had also met with the Albaik owner, Rami Abu Ghazala.

    As per media reports, during Kamal’s visit to Albaik’s plants, the Saudi food giant had confirmed that its plan to launch operations in Pakistan was in its final stages following the signing of an MOU.

    The commerce minister appreciated the contributions of Pakistani workers within Saudi businesses like Albaik and welcomed the brand’s entry into Pakistan, highlighting its potential to enhance the country’s fast-food industry and consumer market.

    In another significant meeting, he met with Pakistani investors and business leaders in Jeddah, recognising their contributions to Saudi Arabia’s economy. He acknowledged that 1.7 million Pakistanis travelled to Saudi Arabia in the past five years, making it the top destination for Pakistani emigrants.

    In November 2024, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, while speaking to the media in Lahore, had also indicated that Albaik was gearing up to come to Pakistan.

    Tarar said, “Saudi investments are growing. Agreements [between both nations] have now exceeded $6 billion. Al Baik is on its way to Pakistan, and Aramco has opened its first fuel station here.”

    Underscoring Pakistan’s improving global economic standing, the information minister pointed out that multiple allied countries are now looking to expand their investments in the country. He further said that Qatar intends to invest $3 billion, while Azerbaijan has plans to contribute $2 billion.

  • PCB plans ‘thrilling surprise’ for Champions Trophy opening ceremony

    PCB plans ‘thrilling surprise’ for Champions Trophy opening ceremony

    The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, and a grand opening ceremony has been planned for the tournament.

    As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gears up for the launch of the year’s biggest cricketing event, reports have claimed that the host board has planned a “thrilling surprise” for spectators.

    According to reports, details have emerged for the surprise that was earlier hinted at by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for the opening ceremony that will take place at the National Stadium Karachi before the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

    While the event is expected to be a spectacular show, its highlight will reportedly be an aerial display by Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets that will perform breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers.

    Pakistan’s elite Sherdil Squadron will add to the excitement with a smoke trail show, reports said and added that rehearsals for the aerial show were already underway.

    Additionally, another opening ceremony will take place on February 16 at Hazoori Bagh in Lahore, featuring a special musical performance by renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam.

    Champions Trophy anthem: ICC drops banger by Atif Aslam

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the official anthem of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy featuring famous Pakistani singer Atif Aslam.

    The teaser, posted on the ICC’s social media platforms, gives a sneak peek of the excitement surrounding the event, which will take place in Pakistan.

    The full anthem is highly anticipated as the Champions Trophy returns after an eight-year break.

    Singer Atif Aslam, known for his powerful voice and global appeal, brings his unique style to the anthem, which is expected to connect with cricket fans worldwide.

    The tournament is historically significant, marking the return of a major ICC event to Pakistan after almost 30 years.

    The 2025 Champions Trophy will feature the top eight ODI teams, with matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

    The tournament was initially planned to be held entirely in Pakistan, but the format changed after India decided not to send players due to security concerns. Despite this, the Pakistan Cricket Board has promised full security for all participants.

    Pakistan is the reigning champion, having won the 2017 edition in England and Wales. Australia and India are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, each with two titles.

  • Punjab police arrest SHO accused of corruption

    Punjab police arrest SHO accused of corruption

    Punjab police has registered cases against two of its own SHOs in their own police stations and arrested one in a rare example of self accountability. 

    According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran, the SHO of Defence A police station Mian Sajad has been charged with accepting bribes of PKR 1.7 million from three drug trafficking suspects and letting them go. The SHO is now under arrest. 


    Faisal Kamran also confirmed that a case of acting beyond authority under Section 155 has been registered against Salman Akbar, the SHO of Faisal Town, and constable Maqbool Shaqir. 

    Police are conducting raids to find the SHO.

  • Why do celebrities avoid talking about religion? Yasra Rizvi reveals the truth

    Why do celebrities avoid talking about religion? Yasra Rizvi reveals the truth

     
    Actress and writer Yasra Rizvi has opened up about why many celebrities hesitate to talk about religion in public. 


     
    Appearing as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, the Aagan actress shared her thoughts on religious discussions in the entertainment industry.


     
    Yasra believes that entertainment industry personalities avoid speaking about religion because they fear criticism. 

     “People often taunt us, saying, ‘Now actors will teach Islam?’” she said.    

    Yasra Rizvi urged celebrities to come forward and share the true teachings of Islam.   

     “If we, as Muslims, don’t spread the right knowledge, then who will,” she questioned. Yasra  warned that if people continue to shy away, misconceptions will grow, and society will suffer.  


     
    The Wo Dobara actress emphasized the importance of properly teaching Islam to the younger generation.  
     
     
    “Most parents treat Islam like a school subject, limiting it to Quran reading and religious studies,” Yasra Rizvi explained.

  • Video: Huge whale swallows man, then spits him out

    Video: Huge whale swallows man, then spits him out

    A video of a humpback whale accidentally swallowing a man in a kayak and then spitting him out has gone viral on the internet. 

    The video shows Adrián Simancas of Chile kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale surfaced, engulfing Adrián and his yellow kayak for a few seconds before letting him go unharmed. 

    The father kept on filming while telling his son to remain calm. Adrián told Associated Press that he thought he would die. “I thought I was dead. I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”

    Even after the whale spat him out, he remained afraid that the huge animal would hurt his father. However, the whale nonchalantly swam away.

  • Lahore: Gang war threat averted as two key stakeholders make peace

    Lahore: Gang war threat averted as two key stakeholders make peace

    In a major development, the risk of a gang war in Lahore has been averted as two key stakeholders have made peace, Geo News reported citing sources.

    Lahore had been at the brink of an all-out gang war since after the assassination of Truckanwala family’s Ameer Balaj Tipu who was shot dead at a wedding ceremony in February last year. The death and subsequent allegations had led to the murder of a relative of the accused party that had then filed a case against an ally of Balaj’s family.

    Amid conflicting claims regarding the situation while both sides maintained they had nothing to do with the killings or gang-related activities, peace has reportedly been achieved.

    According to reports, Khawaja Tareef Butt aka Teefi Butt and Qaiser Butt groups made peace at a meeting held at the former’s residence with Shafqat Bagga Butt, Israr Butt and business community leaders in attendance.

    During the meeting, Qaiser Butt, who was nominated in the murder case of Teefi Butt’s brother-in-law Javed Butt, announced cutting off ties with the Truckanwala family, reports said.

    The development comes months after the Organised Crime Unit (OCU) of Lahore police started to track down the shooters who murdered Javed Butt and seriously injured Teefi’s sister.

    The names of three suspects, including slain Ameer Balaj’s two brothers, Ameer Mussab and Ameer Fateh, and Qaisar Butt, were included in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) on the recommendations of Lahore police high-ups.

    Of them, Fateh and Qaisar Butt were nominated in the murder case. Two other assailants were also included in the FIR, registered on the complaint of Javed Butt’s son Hamza Javed.

    A senior OCU official had said that all Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) cameras installed near the crime scene on the Canal Road were found “dysfunctional”.

    Reports quoted him as saying that the PSCA cameras were the primary source for police to track down those involved the street crimes and murder cases. In the past, the Lahore police, particularly, the OCU, has traced and arrested many criminals, resolving several high-profile cases with the help of the PSCA cameras.

    “Our investigators were left shocked to find that all the five PSCA cameras [near the crime scene] on the Canal Road were not functioning,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in the FIR, complainant Hamza Javed stated that his mother, who got injured in the attack, had recognised the both nominated suspects when they allegedly opened fire on his father’s vehicle.

    Hamza said that the four attackers riding two motorcycles opened fire when his father slowed down the vehicle near the FCC Underpass, leaving Javed Butt dead on the spot.

    According to the postmortem report, Butt received five bullets in various parts of his body.

  • Flying to Saudi Arabia? PIA says you need a polio vaccination certificate

    Flying to Saudi Arabia? PIA says you need a polio vaccination certificate

    A spokesperson for the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has advised passengers flying to Saudi Arabia to bring along a polio vaccination certificate with them. 

    The Kingdom has made polio certificates mandatory for flying to the country, the spokesperson clarified, adding that many passengers have faced hassle and delays at airports without certificates. 

    The vaccine can be taken at least four weeks before travelling but inoculation should not be more than six months old. The spokesperson stressed that the vaccine is necessary for all kinds of travellers, whether they are on Umrah visa, tourist visas or work permits. 

    However, travellers who are on transit in the Kingdom for less than 12 hours are not required to present a vaccination certificate. 

    The rules will apply to all airlines, not just PIA. “Travel to Saudi Arabia will not be allowed without a polio vaccination certificate, so avoid problems as these guidelines apply to travel through all airports and all airlines,” said the spokesman.

    On Thursday, Pakistan reported its second case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in 2025 in Badin, Sindh. The first case was detected in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

    2024 saw 74 confirmed cases of polio in Pakistan, with 27 detected in Balochistan, 23 from Sindh, 22 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

  • The wait is over, actress Mehwish Hayat is returning to television

    The wait is over, actress Mehwish Hayat is returning to television


     
     For the past year, there had been speculation about A-lister Mehwish Hayat’s return to the silver screen, especially alongside Ahsan Khan. Now, a trailer has confirmed that a drama is officially on its way. 

    The teaser, released by 7 Sky Entertainment, show Mehwish Hayat in a powerful and action packed role. With intense visuals, dramatic music and fast paced sequences, it hints at a gripping story filled with suspense, romance and revenge.   


     
    Mere Qatil Mere Dildar  is written by Fatima Faizan, Amber Azhar and it is directed by Siraj -ul-Haq and produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi. 
     
    The cast includes Ahsan Khan, Hira Mani, Usman Peerzada, Afshan Hayat, Nayyar Ejaz, Zainab Qayyum, Usama Tahir, Sohail Sameer, Nida Mumtaz, Shamil Khan, and Zahra Aamir.

    Earlier, actress and model Mehwish Hayat, who has captivated audiences with her versatile TV and film performances, is returning to the TV screen after eight years with Ahsan Khan.

    Hayat has starred in dramas such as Massi Aur Malika, Shehr-e-Dil Ke Darwazay, Bin Tere and Dil Lagi. She has also worked in films like Na Maloom Afraad, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Actor in Law, Load Wedding, London Nhi Jaunga, Teri Meri Kahaniyaan and Daaghaz Dil, which was her latest film she did.

    Hayat was also featured in Hollywood in Ms. Marvel series in 2022.

    The drama ‘Meray Qatil Meray Dildaar’ has not been released yet, and the writer’s name has not been disclosed, but Siraj Ul Haq will direct it.

    Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi will produce the drama for Geo Entertainment.

    Ahsan Khan’s last drama was Sukoon, which aired on ARY digital.

    Fans now look forward to seeing Mehwish Hayat and Ahsan Khan together on Television screens.

  • Internet divided after Maria B ‘harassed at Aurat March’

    Internet divided after Maria B ‘harassed at Aurat March’

    After another back-and-forth between the Lahore court’s refusal and then allowing the socio-political demonstration, this year’s Aurat March Lahore took place on February 12 — Pakistan’s National Women’s Day — as folks marched from the Press Club to the Faletti’s Hotel.

    However, this was yet another year of backlash from naysayers who focused on placards against Pakistan’s fashion designer-turned-activist Maria B.

    One of the targets following the march was Leena Ghani, an artist and women’s rights activist, after she reshared an X (formerly Twitter) post, which, alluding to the placards, claimed that Maria B was “harassed” at the Aurat March.

    “ Maria B Harassed at Aurat March: A Call for Justice It is highly concerning and disappointing that a Pakistani successful business woman symbol of woman empowerment , Maria B, was harassed and defamed at the Aurat March rally, and the posters slogan against @RealMariaButt @mishilicious was posted from Aurat March’s official social media accounts also,” read one post on social media.

    It went on to say it was shocking that under a female chief minister, and with a female police official in a position of authority, such “harassment of a woman occurs”.

    “We demand that those who participated in this should be held accountable #دھندہ_ہے_پر_گندہ_ہے,” it added.

    To this, Leena responded in her stories saying, “Oh NOOO! Poor bully Maria B, queens of hate-mongering, was harassed at Aurat March… because of a placard. Public accountability hits differently, huh? Thoughts and prayers.”

    People on social media also reacted to the placards, some in support, while others harshly condemned it.

    One woman wrote, “What is this logic? Is Maria B not a woman? If aurat March participants are advocating for our rights, so why this discrimination? In both rights and among women? [sic]”

    A man suggested, “She should file a defamation case against the organisers of Aurat March.”

    Another jumped in as saying, “This reveals a hidden agenda to not just hurt Pakistan’s social fabric but also target Pakistan’s major economic contributors so they can hurt Pakistan to get their way. Seems like they’re killing many birds with one stone.”

    Several others shed light on the reasoning behind the anger against Maria B, reminding people of her dangerous activism that has put lives at stake in the name of religion and using advocacy for Palestinian rights to promote her fashion brand.

    One user wrote, “And what maria b is doing for fame? [sic]”

    Another added, “Loved every bit… religion sellers like maria b. Deserve every bit of it.”

    One recalled, “she’s hardly a role model, i remember her sending her servant back to his village when he was suffering from covid. also while she talks about islam and culture .. she hardly practices it in her professional or personal life… she’s selling religion nothing else. [sic]”

    Calling for equality across domestic, social, and political spheres, this year’s Aurat March was themed as a tribute to the founding members of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF) Lahore, among whom are notable names like lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir, Madiha Gohar, Lala Rukh, and Farida Sher. These women played an instrumental role in the 1983 march when WAF and the Punjab Women Lawyers Association gathered on Mall Road in Lahore and marched towards the Lahore High Court to protest the discriminatory Law of Evidence and other Hudood Ordinances.

    Maria B. under fire

    In August 2024, Maria B was under fire after being accused of copying designs for her Palestine campaign.

    The fashion designer launched a capsule line called the Falesteen Collection. The collection includes T-shirts, two-piece and three-piece lawn suits featuring prints of the black-and-white keffiyeh, colourful houndstooth patterns, and watermelon, symbolising Palestine’s resistance.

    One of the designs featured a map of Palestine with a boy merged into the pattern, along with the Palestine flag wrapped in olive branches.

    This design caught the attention of artist Leena Ghani, who noticed it was copied. She shared Maria B.’s campaign on her Instagram stories and tagged the page Palestine Quebec, which confirmed that Turkish artist Hacı Balina Atölye created the design.

  • ICC reveals prize money for Champions Trophy 2025

    ICC reveals prize money for Champions Trophy 2025

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the prize money for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host.

    According to the ICC’s official statement, the winning team will receive a hefty prize of $2.24 million (equivalent to over PKR620 million), while the runner-up will be awarded $1.12 million (approximately PKR311 million).

    Similarly, the semi-finalist teams will each receive $560,000 (more than PKR155.5 million).

    Compared to the 2017 edition, the total prize money for the teams has increased by 53%.

    Each victory in the group stage will earn the winning team $34,000, while the fifth and sixth-placed teams will receive $350,000. The teams finishing in seventh and eighth place will be awarded $140,000 each.

    Moreover, all eight participating teams will be guaranteed a participation fee of $125,000 for competing in the event.