Author: News Desk

Okara woman raped by ex-husband

A woman from Okara was subjected to sexual assault by her ex-husband on January 7, Express Tribune has reported.

The man, identified as Muhammad Azam, allegedly assaulted his ex-wife after breaking into her room in Okara within the jurisdiction of A-Division Police Station in the city.

Swiftly responding to the complaint, the police conducted multiple raids and arrested Mohammad Azam.

The initial investigation suggests that Azam is a resident of the 26-2R village, where he had married the victim, Anjuman Bibi, almost 13 years ago.

The couple had four children, but domestic disputes led to a divorce in 2020.

However, after the divorce, Azam allegedly entered into a relationship with his ex-wife’s younger sister, Sidra, consequently having two illegitimate children with her.

This relationship also came to an end and Azam married another woman named Saba, with whom he has one child.

Police have confirmed that on the day of the incident, Azam visited his ex-wife’s house accompanied by his present wife, Saba, to meet his children.

The couple decided to stay overnight because of bad weather conditions.

Later at night, the accused allegedly entered his ex-wife’s room and raped her.

The victim immediately contacted her brother, Usman Ashraf, who came to her aid, but Azam fled the scene before his arrival.

Local police officials were informed through an emergency call on 15, and they registered a case under the relevant sections for assault in the Pakistan Penal Code.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Rashid Hidayat told the media that the police took Azam into custody during a raid, and the victim has been sent for a medical examination.

Further investigations are underway.

The crime rate is rapidly increasing in the region of Okara as Punjab Police’s official website reports that a local footballer was also arrested on January 3 on charges of sexual assault.

The FIR suggests that the girl’s family approached the suspect to help her join the football academy as she was interested in playing football.

On the day of the incident, the suspect came to the girl’s house and asked her to provide admission-related information. The girl’s mother left the house to bring food.

Upon her arrival, she found her daughter weeping. The girl told her mother that the suspect assaulted her at gunpoint.

The mother called the police, but the suspect had escaped before the police arrived. The victim’s mother registered a case against the suspect on charges of rape and the police claimed to have arrested the suspect afterwards.

January 8, 2025
Imran Khan’s recent tweets causing delay in him meeting negotiations committee, says Sher Afzal Marwat

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat stated on Tuesday that the party’s negotiation committee meeting with former premier Imran Khan is delayed due to the party founder’s recent tweets.

Speaking on the ARY News programme 11th Hour, Marwat said that the government had not expected Imran Khan’s harsh tweets when the PTI was already involved in negotiations with them.

Founder PTI Imran Khan on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “In order to save the bogus and fraudulent government produced by Forms 47, PTI is being relentlessly crushed, and democracy, rule of law, and judicial independence are being buried. Shehbaz Sharif is nothing more than a puppet.”

“Even Shaukat Aziz, during Musharraf’s era, was a more powerful prime minister because, at least, elections then did not witness the level of rigging seen in February 2024. This illegitimate but fragile group propped up by the fraudulent Forms 47 is a disgrace on the name of governance,” he decried Shehbaz Sharif.

The dialogue between the opposition party and the government was initiated two weeks ago. However, a significant development is yet to come despite two rounds of negotiations over the past couple of weeks.

According to reports, major hurdles so far are the PTI negotiators’ lack of access to jailed Imran Khan and the party’s unwillingness to share its charter of demands with the government in writing.

Marwat, however, maintained that the party negotiation committee meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail is expected to take place in a couple of days.

The PTI firebrand asked why Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was not included in the government negotiation committee; however, in the same breath, Marwat said, “If [Interior Minister] Mohsin Naqvi had been part of the negotiation committee, the issues surrounding the meeting with Khan wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.”

Commenting on surveillance during the meeting with Imran Khan, Marwat explained that Islamabad High Court (IHC) has a clear direction that whenever the lawyers meet their client at the jail, there must be no camera, guard or mic in the cell.

He said that all political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI, must sit together to find a solution to political polarisation in the country.

PTI has so far put two key demands in talks with the government. These include the formation of a judicial commission comprising the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court to investigate the May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, events, whereas the other demand is to release all political prisoners, including party founder Imran Khan.

January 8, 2025
Saim will be included in Champions Trophy squad

Pakistani selectors have decided to include Saim Ayub’s name in the squad for Champions Trophy 2025. If Saim, who got injured during the on January 3 against South Africa, does not recover by the mega event, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will request the tournament’s technical committee for a replacement player.

The deadline for teams to submit their preliminary list of players for the Champions Trophy 2025 is approaching, as all teams can submit the list by 12 am on January 11.

Teams can change their squads without the approval of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until February 11, but from February 12, it will be mandatory to get the approval of the ICC technical committee for changes in teams.

Saim has reached London from Cape Town for treatment. He has been ruled out of cricket for six weeks due to a fracture in his right ankle.

He suffered the fracture while fielding on the first day of the second Test match against South Africa on January 3.

Read more about Saim Ayub?

January 8, 2025
Hassan Jahangir claims a Bollywood superstar copied his iconic style

What if the iconic Bollywood superstar you admire today, including Salman Khan, once looked up to Pakistani singer Hassan Jahangir for style inspiration.

Appearing as a guest on the FHM podcast, Hassan said that Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, once drew inspiration from his unique style.

“I was creating trends and introducing new styles even before Salman Khan became a star. I was the first singer to throw off my shirt during a concert, and that move was later copied by other stars.”

The Hawa Hawa singer acknowledged that, like many others, he grew up watching Bollywood films and listening to Indian songs. He recalled that during his early years, he noticed a pattern in the industry.

“In Bollywood, one person sings a song, another writes the lyrics, someone else arranges the music and another person handles the choreography.”

This realization sparked a defining decision for him, Hassan explained: “I decided early on that I would do everything myself, and that’s exactly what I did, I introduced new trends and styles.”

The Shadi Na Karna Yaro singer adopted the style of popular Bollywood stars like Mithun Chakraborty and Jeetendra but he claimed other actors copied his style. He pointed to the success of his hit song Hawa Hawa which became popular not only in Pakistan but also across India, playing everywhere from Gurdawaras to temples.

“After Hawa Hawa became a hit, I was not only popular in Pakistan, but I had also become a well-known figure in India,” he said.

January 8, 2025
Starlink internet packages for Pakistan revealed

Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by SpaceX under the leadership of Elon Musk, is set to launch in Pakistan. In a tweet on X (Previously Twitter) on Sunday, Elon said, “We are waiting for approval from the government of Pakistan.”

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access. The system aims to deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable. The network is composed of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), working in combination with ground transceivers.

Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan; however, here are the possible prices for internet packages.

Starlink offers various packages tailored to different needs:

Residential Package: 50-250 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 35,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 110,000.
Business Package: 100-500 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 95,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 220,000.
Mobility Package: 50-250 Mbps speed, priced at PKR 50,000 per month. The one-time hardware cost is PKR 120,000.

Note: These prices are estimated based on other regions, as Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan.

Starlink Prices in Other Countries

United States: USD 110 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of USD 599.
United Kingdom: £89 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of £499.
Australia: AUD 139 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of AUD 709.

If you’re new and interested in subscribing to Starlink for your residential place, here’s the process:

-Visit the Starlink website and enter your address to see if the service is available in your area.

-Sign up and pay a refundable deposit (usually USD 99) to secure your spot in the queue.

– You will receive the Starlink Kit, which includes the Starlink Dish, Wi-Fi Router, Power Supply, Cables, and Mounting Tripod.

– Install the dish in an area with a clear view of the sky, connect it to the router, and power on the system.

-Use the Starlink app to set up and manage your network, following the on-screen instructions.

-The dish will automatically connect to the satellites, and you can start using the internet service.

Starlink could revolutionize internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Want to know more about Starlink?

January 8, 2025
Younis Khan appointed mentor of Afghan cricket team

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has been appointed mentor of the Afghanistan cricket team for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesperson Syed Naseem Sadat said, “The ACB has given Younis Khan the responsibility of mentoring the Champions Trophy; he will join the Afghanistan team before the start of the tournament.”

Younis Khan had been the batting coach of the Afghanistan team in 2022.

Younis was one of Pakistan’s most successful batsman.

He played 118 Test matches, scoring 10,099 runs at an average of 52.05, including 34 centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a highest score of 313.

He appeared in 265 ODIs, accumulating 7,249 runs at an average of 31.24, with 7 centuries and 48 fifties.

He played 25 T20I, scoring 442 runs.

Want to read about PSL Draft 2025?

January 8, 2025
Ailing Bangladeshi ex-PM flown to London for treatment

Ailing former Bangladeshi premier Khaleda Zia has flown to London for long-sought medical treatment, a party spokesman said, months after a student-led revolution ousted a government that had prevented her from travelling abroad.

Zia, 79, served as prime minister of the South Asian nation twice but was jailed for corruption in 2018 during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, her successor and lifelong rival.

Hasina’s toppling and exile to neighbouring India after the August revolt against her autocratic government prompted Zia’s release from house arrest.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spokesman Zahir Uddin Swapan confirmed her departure shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

Zia was seen leaving her residence in a car for the airport in the capital, Dhaka, where she departed on a chartered flight provided by the Emir of Qatar.

State news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha quoted her doctors as saying that her treatment in London was expected to take a few months.

Zia has been in declining health for years, is confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis, and also suffers from diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.

Hasina’s government consistently refused requests for Zia to travel abroad for treatment after her conviction.

She has barely been seen in public since her release. Her last appearance was at an event to mark Armed Forces Day in November, where she appeared frail.

AZM Zahid Hossain, Zia’s personal physician and a member of the BNP’s standing committee, said she may also receive treatment at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in the United States after her stay in London.

“A three-member team from Johns Hopkins treated her in 2023 and recommended a liver transplant there,” he told reporters.

London is also the adopted home of her son Tarique Rahman, who has lived abroad since 2008 after fleeing his own set of convictions on corruption and other offences.

Tarique has had several of his convictions quashed since Hasina’s ouster and he is widely expected to return to his home country to lead the BNP to fresh elections slated for next year.

January 8, 2025
Nabeel Qureshi pays homage to legendary Bollywood actor Om Puri

Eight years have passed since the death of legendary Bollywood actor Om Puri, but for director Nabeel Qureshi, the memories of working with him are still fresh.

The Pakistani director took to Instagram to remember Puri on the eighth anniversary of his passing, and shared how hard it still was for him to believe that the icon was gone.

“It’s been almost 8 years now—January 5, 2017, was the day the legendary Om Puri left this world. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I had the rare privilege of working with him very early in my career. I was just 30 when I got the chance to direct this extraordinary actor, someone whose craft was larger than life, yet whose heart was even bigger [sic],” he wrote in an emotional Instagram post, sharing memories of their time together.

The Quaid-e- Azam Zindabad director described the late actor not just as a talented performer but as a warm and caring individual who left a deep impact on those around him.

“My connection with him went far beyond work. The bond we built while working together remains one of the most cherished chapters of my life. Om Puri Ji was so loving, caring, and full of warmth — a compassionate human being above all else,” Qureshi said.

He also recalled the unforgettable moments they shared in Pakistan, India and Dubai, with Puri’s hospitality and love for food leaving a lasting mark.

Qureshi also reflected on the wisdom Puri shared with him and producer Fizza Meerza. “We miss him deeply. Om Puri Ji was a man beyond borders, an artist who stood for peace and humanity.”

“May his soul rest in eternal peace. His legacy continues to inspire us, and his memories will forever be etched in our hearts,” he concluded.

Nabeel Qureshi has directed film such as, Na Maloom Afraad, Actor in Law, Na Maloom Afraad 2, Load Wedding, Khel Khel Meun, Quaid- e- Azam Zindabad, Jin Mahal, and his recent was Na Baligh Afraad.

Indian actor Om Puri (19 October 1950 – 06 January 2017) known for his performance in mainstream Hindi film as well as Urdum Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, English, Punjab, Gujarati, Telegu, and Marathi films. He has aslo won Padma Shri, Indian’s forth highest civilian honor in 1990.

Om Puri’s remarkbale career includes starring in several in several iconic films such as Kalla Kalla Bachitko, Chor Chor Chhupka, Ghasjiram Kotwall, Godhuli, Saanch Ko Aanch Nahin,Bahu Ki Awaaz, Aatank Hi Aatank, Brother in Trouble, Target, Tarpan and Kartayya.

January 7, 2025
Daughters burn father to death in Gujranwala

Two step-sisters living in the same house as their father tied him up with ropes and set him on fire in Gujranwala on January 1, 2025.

Ali Akbar died today in the hospital after succumbing to severe burn injuries.

A case has been registered on the complaint of Akbar’s sister, Bilqis Bibi, who stated that she was informed about the incident by her other sibling on the phone, who told her to reach Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, where Ali Akbar was being treated. She further stated in the First Information Report (FIR) that her brother had married twice, and the two women lived together. She accused the victim’s wives, named Saira and Nazia, of assisting the two teenage girls in intoxicating the victim and setting him on fire.

She even claimed to have the recorded confession of the four women.

Geo News has reported that Akbar had married three times and had 10 children before his first wife died. He was now living with two wives and all the children in a rented house.

As per the FIR lodged by the victim’s sister, one of the suspects is the daughter of Akbar’s third wife with her former husband, while the second suspect is the daughter of his second wife. Police have taken the two wives and the teenage girls into custody.

In a confessional statement to the police, the girls – aged 12 and 16 – have admitted to tying up their father while he was asleep and setting him ablaze using petrol extracted from a motorbike.

An investigation is underway to find out their motive.

Moreover, a case has been registered under Sections 302, 324 and 34 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

January 7, 2025
‘Gandapur brought Bani Gala offer to Imran Khan,’ reveals Aleema Khan

Aleema Khan, the sister of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has revealed that it was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur who brought her brother the offer to shift him from Adiala Jail to his residence in Bani Gala.

Speaking to media persons outside the jail in Rawalpindi, Aleema said that CM Gandapur had brought the house arrest deal to Khan who had no intentions of making a backdoor deal.

“If he [Imran Khan] intended to make a backdoor deal, he would have done it by now instead of facing 200 cases,” she said, but did not reveal who was behind the offer that Gandapur conveyed.

It may be noted that Khan, in a statement on X, had last month said he was offered to be shifted from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala under house arrest, but he had refused the relief offer, saying that it was “illegal incarceration” in the first place. Amid speculations about where the offer had come from, government members had rubbished claims of any such offer for the jailed former premier.

On her brother’s condition, Aleema on Tuesday said his request for the provision of books had been refused and personal doctors were not allowed to visit him. “Imran Khan was even barred from talking to his children.”

In a sarcastic jibe at the government and judiciary, she also said that her brother was disappointed that he had not yet been sentenced in the Al Qadir Trust case.

To a question about why members of PTI’s negotiation committee were not allowed to meet Khan in jail, the incarcerated party founder’s sister said she could not make sense of it given how Khan was allowed to meet others. “We are facilitated to meet Imran Khan even at 7 am.”

It merits a mention that negotiations between the government and PTI have hit a roadblock since after last week’s second round of talks due to either side’s reluctance in agreeing to certain terms.

While the government has been stressing the need for PTI to present its demands in writing, the PTI itself refuses to hold a third round of talks before meeting and discussing the situation with Khan in jail.

Meanwhile, media reports have quoted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as confirming that backchannel contacts have also been established for a possible solution to the political deadlock.

January 7, 2025