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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Some moments aren’t meant to be rated’: Hania Aamir calls out wedding outfit criticism

    ‘Some moments aren’t meant to be rated’: Hania Aamir calls out wedding outfit criticism

    Actor Hania Aamir has spoken out against the growing trend of harsh fashion criticism directed at brides, saying such moments deserve empathy rather than judgment.

    Sharing her thoughts on Instagram stories this past weekend, Aamir said fashion critique has its place but weddings should not be treated like fashion shows. “Fashion critique makes sense on runways, campaigns, red carpets,” she wrote, “but I’ve seen too many brides turned into review material on their wedding day, and I genuinely don’t understand the point.”

    She questioned why people feel the need to criticise brides on one of the happiest days of their lives. “Why is it so important to tear apart someone who’s just trying to live one of the happiest days of her life? Some moments aren’t meant to be rated. They’re meant to be felt. Empathy will always be more stylish than criticism,” Aamir added.

    Actor Maya Ali supported Aamir’s message by re-sharing her post and urging people to stop judging real brides. “Very well said, love,” she wrote, adding that criticism should be avoided “especially for real brides”. She ended her message with a prayer for newlyweds, writing, “Khush aur abaad rahein aap sab.”

    Aamir’s remarks came after actor Sabeena Syed faced online criticism over her wedding outfit, particularly her Ali Xeeshan bridal gharara. Several fashion bloggers and social media users openly reviewed her look, treating her shaadi ka jora like a fashion moment.

    Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz son Junaid Safdar’s wife, Shanzeh Ali Rohale, also faced online trolling after wearing two Indian designer outfits at her wedding. 

    Maheen Khan, daughter of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also faced online criticism over her wedding outfit choice after photos from her mayun and nikah ceremonies went viral. Some critics questioned her decision to wear designs by an Indian designer instead of local labels.

  • Who knew Jeffrey Epstein was into shalwar kameez?

    Who knew Jeffrey Epstein was into shalwar kameez?

    Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice have added a peculiar twist to the public’s understanding of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among millions of pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos released on Friday, one email stood out: a note informing Epstein that a shipment of five Pakistani outfits was on its way in 2017.

    The outfits, shalwar kameez ordered from a supplier named Zubair Khan, quickly became the subject of online discussion and ridicule. Users on social media were quick to question the context and significance of the purchase.

    Some took a sarcastic approach. “Looool he apparently worked at NADRA as well,” one user wrote, while another joked, “Hope he overcharged for the outfit.” Others mocked the attention given to such mundane details. “Something is seriously wrong with this Bcz why we treating him like a celebrity, and sharing useless details about his life like isn’t an achievement,” read one post.


    Speculation about the outfits themselves ranged from cultural commentary to dark humor. “Shalwar Kurta isn’t necessarily a Pakistani dress yes it’s a national dress but it’s prevalent throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Zubair Khan is Indian,” a user noted.

    The idea that the email might hide a more sinister meaning also surfaced. “Do you really believe they were actually talking about actual shalwar kameez? These could be code words just like pizza and grape soda,” one user suggested, echoed by another asking, “Are you sure it’s not code word for something more sinister?”

    Even the more hilarious angles found a place online. “Devastating: the worst person you know has excellent taste in drip,” read one post, while another questioned, “This chain called Junaid Jamshed is popular in the Middle East?” Some attempted mundane explanations. “He might possibly be attending an Indian wedding or something. This is probably the most mundane email of the bunch.” 

    The reaction threads reveal a mix of humor, disbelief, and unease as people parse Epstein’s unusual tastes. The shalwar kameez email has become a microcosm of the public’s fascination and revulsion with the life of one of the world’s most notorious figures.

  • ‘Not a political issue’: CM Bugti calls for military action in Balochistan

    ‘Not a political issue’: CM Bugti calls for military action in Balochistan

    Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti has said that the province’s problems are not political and could only be addressed through a military response, confirming that at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel lost their lives during recent militant attacks.


    Speaking to a private media program, CM bugti dismissed claims that a large numbers of militants had taken part in the coordinated assaults, stating that the actual number of attackers was between 200 and 250. 


    He stressed that militant groups deliberately use civilians as human shields during attacks in urban areas. The provincial chief executive also estimated that the total number of terrorists, their sympathisers, and facilitators in Balochistan ranges between 4,000 and 5,000.



    Bugti linked the resurgence of organised militancy since 2021 to what he described as a policy of appeasement following 2018, saying that militants were able to regroup and grow stronger after a new government took office. 


    “When a new policy came, we started appeasing them. Because of this, by 2021, they became organised. In 2023 and 2024, they became even stronger,” he added, noting that his government reviewed this policy after assuming office in 2024.


    Security forces have continued operations across the province. Over the past two days, 177 terrorists have been killed during coordinated sweeps, including 22 more during overnight operations following Saturday’s attacks, according to security officials.


    The military’s media affairs wing said that the spate of assaults was carried out by Fitna-al-Hindustan, a designation highlighting India’s alleged role in supporting terrorism in Balochistan.


    The attacks on Saturday targeted more than 10 cities and towns, primarily aiming at security and government installations. Suicide bombers, including female attackers, were involved, resulting in the deaths of 15 security personnel and 18 civilians.



    Following the assaults, security forces launched cordon and sweep operations across towns, cities, and rural areas to eliminate remaining militant presence. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said peace had been restored in Balochistan and that security forces were now engaged in a mopping-up operation.


    Mobile internet services, suspended since Saturday, continued to remain shut for the third consecutive day in Quetta and other cities. Balochistan’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Hamza Shafqaat, said services were expected to be restored on Tuesday.

  • ‘I stand behind my government’: Shahid Afridi backs Pakistan’s decision to skip India match in T20 World Cup

    ‘I stand behind my government’: Shahid Afridi backs Pakistan’s decision to skip India match in T20 World Cup

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed support for the government’s decision not to play against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

    Sharing his views on X, Afridi said, “I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India at the #T20WorldCup, but I stand behind my government’s decision.”

    Afridi added that this situation is a test for the ICC. “This is the moment for @ICC [International Cricket Council] to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent and fair to every member,” he said.

    Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez also shared his reaction on X. He said, “Started *No Handshake* from India… I am surprised by Pakistan’s withdrawal from the most important game of the ICC tournament. This is not an ideal situation for fans of cricket. Worried.”

    The decision follows Bangladesh’s request to the ICC to move all its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The request came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid threats from Hindu extremist groups. 

    Bangladesh argued that if India cannot ensure the security of a single player, it becomes difficult to guarantee the safety of an entire team.

    Instead of resolving the issue, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament. Pakistan described the decision as unfair, pointing out that the ICC had previously granted India a separate venue when it refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. 

    Pakistan said it stands with Bangladesh, calling the denial of the same consideration an injustice.

    Earlier, Pakistan had stated that its participation would depend on the government’s decision. However, after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week to discuss participation in the event, the government announced on Sunday that Pakistan’s national team will skip the high-voltage match against India scheduled for February 15.

  • ‘Behroze Sabzwari ko pasand nahi’: Nadia Khan takes a playful dig on tight clothes

    ‘Behroze Sabzwari ko pasand nahi’: Nadia Khan takes a playful dig on tight clothes

    Pakistani TV host Nadia Khan recently made take a playful dig about senior actor Behroze Sabzwari’s past controversial comments on women’s clothing.

    During a recent talk show, Nadia responded to a discussion about her attire in television dramas. Actress Atiqa Odho praised Saba Qamar’s character and her wardrobe in a drama and complimented Nadia’s outfit, adding that her clothes could be a little more fitted.

    Reacting to Atiqa’s comment, Nadia said, “Behroze Sabzwari did not like tight clothes, so I have to be careful. He strictly says fitted clothes are not acceptable, so I thought I should keep that in mind so no one gets upset.” 

    This playful remark comes in reference to a previous interview in which Behroze Sabzwari said, “Women who wear tight clothes look extremely unpleasant.”

    He also added, “Clearly, not everyone has cars, and some women sit on motorcycles in outfits that are not appropriate.”

    Nadia Khan began her television career in 1993 with the PTV children’s programme “Daak Time”, hosted with Uncle Sargam. She later rose to fame as a morning show host, presenting “Breakfast with Nadia” on ARY Digital in 2003, a programme that helped define the modern morning show format in Pakistan.

    She is best known for “The Nadia Khan Show” on Geo TV, which first aired in 2006 and ran for hundreds of episodes, featuring celebrity interviews and lifestyle segments. The show earned her Masala Lifestyle Awards for Best TV Presenter in 2008 and 2009.

    Nadia has also appeared in popular dramas such as “Koi To Ho”, “Aisi Hai Tanhai”, “Kaisi Aurat Hoon Main”, and “Pehchaan”. In recent years, she hosted the game show “Croron Mein Khel” on BOL Network and created a lifestyle YouTube channel where she shares beauty and fashion content.

    Currently, she co-hosts the drama review show “Kya Drama Hai”, where she discusses and rates current television serials with other panelists.

  • Ex-Google employee alleges company AI was used to spy on civilians in Gaza

    Ex-Google employee alleges company AI was used to spy on civilians in Gaza

    A whistleblower complaint filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that Google provided assistance in 2024 to an Israeli military contractor despite company policies that restricted the use of artificial intelligence for weapons and surveillance.

    The complaint, submitted by a Google employee who no longer works at the company, was filed on a confidential basis and reviewed by US media outlets, including The Washington Post. It alleges that Google’s cloud services division responded to a customer support request linked to an Israel Defense Forces email address and an employee of CloudEx, an Israeli technology firm described in the complaint as working with Israel’s defense establishment.

    According to the filing, the support request was made in July 2024 and sought help improving the performance of Google’s Gemini AI system in identifying drones, vehicles and people in aerial video footage. Internal documents attached to the complaint state that Google staff provided guidance and carried out internal testing related to the request.

    At the time, Google’s publicly stated AI principles said the company would not apply artificial intelligence to weapons-related purposes or to surveillance uses that could violate accepted norms. The whistleblower argues that the assistance described in the documents conflicted with those principles.

    The complaint further alleges that Google may have violated securities laws by including its AI principles in public disclosures while acting in ways that were not consistent with them. It states that this may have misled investors and regulators about how the company applied its policies.


    The whistleblower filed the complaint anonymously, citing concern about retaliation. The filing states that Google’s internal AI review process was applied in most cases but was not enforced in the same way in matters involving Israel and the genocide in Gaza.

    Israel has been accused of committing  multiple war crimes in Gaza including the indiscriminate killing of civilians. Palestinians in Gaza have alleged that the drones spied on civilian families and led to strikes that killed scores. 

    Google denied the allegations. A company spokesperson said the interaction amounted to “a general support response comparable to what any customer would receive” and did not involve specialized technical assistance. The spokesperson also said the account involved showed “minimal spending on AI services,” adding that such usage would not allow meaningful deployment of the technology.

  • New portal being launched to curb housing scams

    New portal being launched to curb housing scams

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is preparing to roll out a new digital platform aimed at curbing housing fraud by giving the public direct access to verified information about private housing schemes across the country.


    The Online Property Information System (OPIS) will allow citizens, including overseas Pakistanis, to check approved layout plans of housing societies and confirm plot locations before making investments. The system has been developed after NAB collected verified layout plans for over 1,000 housing projects nationwide.


    NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi region’s Director General, Waqar Chauhan, said that the platform is ready for launch and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming days.


    “With this system, people will no longer have to rely on agents or unofficial sources. Anyone, even from abroad, will be able to verify the layout and legal standing of a housing scheme online,” he said while speaking to a private media outlet. 


    Officials say OPIS is designed as a preventive tool to counter the activities of land grabbers and fraudulent developers by bringing provincial governments, regulators and local authorities onto a single platform.


    The portal will provide verified details on the legal status, approved layout plans and available land of private housing societies, helping buyers safeguard their savings from unapproved or fake real estate projects.


    To ensure accuracy, NAB has coordinated with provincial secretaries, regulatory bodies and local governments to supply authenticated data. The information will be housed in a central national database, allowing early verification and reducing the risk of fraud before financial losses occur.

  • Trump in the crosshairs as Trevor Noah opens Grammys with political jabs

    Trump in the crosshairs as Trevor Noah opens Grammys with political jabs

    Trevor Noah used his opening appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards to deliver repeated jabs at US President Donald Trump, placing political references at the centre of his monologue during music’s biggest night on Sunday.

    The most direct remark came later in the ceremony following Billie Eilish’s Song of the Year win, when Noah linked the award to Trump in a joke referencing Greenland. “That is a Grammy that every artist wants — almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton”.

    Noah, hosting the Grammys for the sixth and final time, set the tone earlier in the night by addressing Nicki Minaj’s absence from the ceremony and tying it to her recent White House visit and public support for Trump. “Nicki Minaj is not here,” he told the audience. “She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues, actually.”

    He followed the remark with an impression of Trump, saying, “‘Nicki, I have the biggest ass. I have it. Everybody’s saying it, Nicki. I know they say it’s you, but it’s me. Womp womp womp. Look at it, baby.’” The comments were met with cheers from the audience.

    Minaj has been nominated for a Grammy 12 times but has not won. Her most recent nomination came in 2024 for “Barbie World,” which appeared in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film.

    Trump was referenced again when Noah spoke about Lauryn Hill’s return to the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999. Drawing a comparison with the political climate at the time, Noah said, “Back in 1999, the president had had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world, and Diddy was arrested. Boy, how times have changed.”

    As he acknowledged the audience, which included Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Jamie Foxx, Pharrell and Doechii, Noah described the gathering as resembling “Jeff Bezos’ wedding, but with way more Black people.”

    Political references continued throughout the ceremony, with Noah also joking about his decision to step down as host. “This is my sixth and final time hosting,” he said. “I believe in term limits. Leave when your time is up.”

    The remarks came amid reported protests in several US cities against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers deployed under Trump’s mass deportation initiative.

  • ‘I am accountable to Allah’: Javeria Saud responds to trolls over outfit criticism

    ‘I am accountable to Allah’: Javeria Saud responds to trolls over outfit criticism

    Pakistani TV host Javeria Saud has responded to criticism over an outfit she wore during a fashion show held in the United Kingdom, saying she is answerable only to Allah and not to public opinion.

    Javeria recently walked the ramp at Pakistan Fashion Week in the UK, where she showcased her clothing collection. 

    She appeared on the runway alongside her daughter Jannat and film actress Sana Nawaz. For the show, Javeria wore a black sari paired with a silver blouse and a long jacket.

    Soon after pictures and videos from the event surfaced online, several social media users criticised her look, describing it as bold. Some questioned the contrast between her fashion show appearance and her image as a Ramadan transmission host. One user asked, “Is she the same person who appears on Ramadan show with her head fully covered”, while another wrote, “I did not expect this from her.”

    Addressing the backlash, Javeria shared her response through Instagram stories. She wrote, “I’m wearing a full body suit in 1°C so yes, I’m perfectly fine and fully covered. Besides, I’m accountable to no one but Allah.”

    She also spoke about online trolling in a recent interview, where she dismissed negative commentary. “Some people are used to leaving negative comments. They will always do that. Such people are bitter and jealous of the whole world. No matter what you do, they will remain unhappy,” she said.

    During the same interview, Javeria talked about her upcoming work and revealed that she is currently working on a production titled “Nikkammay”. She explained that the project reflects a social issue, saying it focuses on people who avoid hard work and constantly make excuses to escape responsibility.

    Highlighting her past work as a writer, Javeria pointed out that “Yeh Zindagi Hai” remained on air for around six and a half years. She described it as a rare achievement in Pakistan, as the drama maintained strong ratings throughout its long run. She added that she also wrote “Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat Hai” after that.

    Speaking about Ramadan transmissions, Javeria said they are once again part of her schedule. “I really enjoy doing Ramadan transmissions. For me, it is a great learning experience, and I get to learn something new every year,” she said.

    Javeria Saud has been a familiar name in Pakistan’s entertainment industry for decades. She began her career as an actress and later expanded her role as a producer and writer. She has appeared in popular television dramas such as “Manchalay Ka Sauda” and “Yeh Zindagi Hai”. Over the years, she has also produced several television projects and regularly hosts Ramadan transmissions on Pakistani television. 

    She is married to actor Saud Qasmi, and together they have remained active figures in the drama industry both on and off screen.

  • Karachi FIA pulls off biggest recovery in its history

    Karachi FIA pulls off biggest recovery in its history

    A petroleum company accused of causing a Rs47 billion loss to the national exchequer has begun making payments in what is being described as the largest recovery in the history of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi.


    The development was revealed in a detailed report submitted to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by FIA Karachi Corporate Crime Circle chief Ayaz Mehr, who has been overseeing the investigation.


    According to the report, the company allegedly failed to deposit petroleum levy amounts collected on fuel sales into the government treasury between 2019 and 2022. The unpaid levy, officials say, was withheld through fraudulent means, causing losses estimated at Rs47 billion.


    The fraud case was filed by Ashfaq Ahmed, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. Thirteen individuals were nominated as accused, including the company’s owners, two women, and members of its board of directors. Among those named is former K-Electric managing director Tabish Gohar.



    Investigations into the case continued for two years under different investigating officers. Following the prolonged probe, the company agreed to repay the outstanding amount to the government.


    As part of the recovery process, the company has deposited an initial cash installment of Rs1 billion. In addition, post-dated cheques worth Rs46.4 billion have been submitted, along with an unconditional and irrevocable bank guarantee.

    Confirming the development, FIA Karachi Corporate Crime Circle head and Deputy Director Ayaz Mehr said the report detailing the recovery and investigation has been formally submitted to the Public Accounts Committee.