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Author: News Desk

  • VIDEO: Bushra Bibi ‘threatens’ PTI lawmakers in viral audio leak

    VIDEO: Bushra Bibi ‘threatens’ PTI lawmakers in viral audio leak

    Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has allegedly threatened lawmakers of the party while directing them to mobilise support for the upcoming November 24 protest.


    As per the details, an audio leak from a party meeting in Peshawar on November 18, allegedly featured Bushra Bibi as telling PTI MNAs and MPAs that distribution of party tickets would be made on the basis of their participation in the protest scheduled for the federal capital.


    Jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan had last week given the “final call” for a nationwide protest against alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections, and the passage of the 26th Amendment. His wife Bushra Bibi has reportedly taken charge amid reservations by incumbent party leadership regarding a protest demonstration.


    While PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has confirmed the authenticity of the nine-minute audio recording, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Saif has rejected claims that she chaired a party meeting in Peshawar last week.


    In the leaked audio, Bushra Bibi can allegedly be heard as quoting her husband and saying that every MPA should join the main procession in Islamabad with 5,000 workers whereas all MNAs should bring along 10,000 workers. No excuses shall be accepted in this regard, she can be heard as saying.
    “If a worker is injured, local MNAs and MPAs will take care of them. No one should get arrested nor allow others to be detained,” she said.

    Bushra Bibi also directed lawmakers to “plan in advance” in case there was a possibility of their arrests while en route to the federal capital. 


    “Prepare a plan in advance to avoid getting arrested,” she said, also telling party lawmaker to appoint three successors who could lead the caravans to Islamabad in case of senior leadership’s arrest.


    “Social media activists and YouTubers should share videos of the caravans in real-time,” she said.
    The former first lady also said that the November 24 protest was a “test of loyalty to the PTI founder”, expressing confidence that around 500,000 people will take to the streets.


    “Grouping at this critical time does not demonstrate loyalty to Khan,” she said in reference to reports of infighting within the PTI.


    Bushra Bibi had last month secured bail in the Toshakhana case after being incarcerated for nine months. The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Imran to 14 years in jail.

  • $5 million deal in Shark Tank Pakistan shatters US version’s global record

    $5 million deal in Shark Tank Pakistan shatters US version’s global record

    A Pakistan-based commodity sourcing company, Saraaf, has secured a deal of whopping Rs1.5 billion ($5 million) in Shark Tank Pakistan, shattering the global record for volume of any deal in the hit investment show around the world.


    As per the details, Saraaf made history by securing the deal which is one of the largest in the show’s history. The founders of the company raised Rs80 crores of 20% equity and an additional Rs70 crores as a line of credit with 3% royalty to expand its operations and achieve ambitious goals.


    Previously, the highest-ever investment made by investors in any country’s version of Shark Tank was $2.5 million in the American version of the show. 


    Saraaf, which specialises in premium onyx, cotton and minerals, has over 25 years of experience and is known for dominating Pakistan’s onyx and marble exports. Their mission is to become Asia’s largest business-to-business (B2B) sourcing platform.
    Shark Tank Pakistan is the latest instalment of the business reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of investors known as “sharks.” The show aims to inspire and support Pakistan’s startup ecosystem by providing funding and mentorship to promising business ideas.


    The sharks on the panel include experts like Faisal Aftab, Rabeel Warraich, Romanna Dada, Junaid Iqbal and Usman Bashir, who were impressed by Saraaf’s business model and potential for growth.


    Usman Bashir, the founder and CEO of Braketime! – an unstoppable force in the Pakistani-American business landscape – was the one to strike the deal with Saraaf.


    The Pakistani version of the show has already seen some exciting pitches, including one from Arshad Khan, the famous “blue-eyed Chaiwala,” who secured a deal for his chai business. Shark Tank Pakistan is a great platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and potentially receive the investment they need to grow their businesses.


    While the show had been a hit with audiences in the United States (US) for better part of a decade, it gained popularity with Pakistani audiences after first season of Shark Tank India was aired in 2021.


    Much like other instalments, Shark Tank India features a panel of potential investors or angel investors, who listen to entrepreneurs’ pitch ideas for a business or product they wish to develop. The self-made multi-millionaires judge the business concepts and products pitched, deciding whether to invest their money to help market and mentor each contestant.

  • PTI supporters slam Barrister Gohar for joining British King’s birthday celebration

    PTI supporters slam Barrister Gohar for joining British King’s birthday celebration

    The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, posted a video on November 18 of an exclusive event celebrating His Majesty The King’s 76th Birthday in Islamabad. The long guest list included PTI’s Chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, which irked the party supporters.

    In the short video clip released by the official account of Marriott, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, former CM Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan and former diplomat Tariq Fatemi were cutting a cake with British High Commissioner.

    Former DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General (retd) Asif Ghafoor was present at the event as well. 

    Barrister Gohar’s presence at the party, however, drew strong criticism from netizens on social media.

    One user commented: “Khan is in jail this guy is eating cake.”


     
    Another irritated netizen wrote, “How did you manage to gather every Pakistan that the people of Pakistan absolute hate? Well, but then you’re a bunch of hypocrites anyway.”

    “Every colonial slave in one video….fascinating,” remarked another PTI supporter by the username Mooman. 

    Freelancer geopolitical analyst Talha Ahmad, with a considerable following on X, wrote: “In the last two days, funerals have taken place from dozens of houses. This aristocrat is busy celebrating the birthday of his real king in his little world unaware of the situation. In this system, the life of a common man is just a minor news. The news that gets lost somewhere in the noise of this apathetic society the other day.”

    Meanwhile, PTI supporters also criticised the original post, pointing out that since the government had banned the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and the use of VPNs in Pakistan, it was contradictory for the High Commissioner to be using both.

    One party supporter wrote, “Jane what VPN are you using as X is banned in Pakistan officially so are you disobeying the laws of the land as an ambassador in Pakistan or are you exempt from every law too? @FCDOGovUK”

    X user Javed Hassan, wrote: “It is disappointing to see the PTI chairman celebrating the King’s birthday when his majesty’s government has done little to promote human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan. The event is cringeworthy in its colonial undertones when the host country struggles with democracy.”

    “Pakistan is a vassal state of the West. These brown puppets ignored Allama Iqbal’s birthday on November 9 but are bending over backwards to celebrate the King’s birthday, as if he were one of the ideological founders of Pak. Which VPN are you using, Viceroy @JaneMarriottUK?” posted another netizen.

    Another user pointed out the bad optics for the ruling elite as Pakistan reels from a surge in terrorism, writing, “Let us party, sing and make merry to the good health of the King. It isn’t like our country lost 50 plus to terrorism these past few weeks and despondency is touching the sky. Must be some other country where all this is happening.”

  • Here’s why Laila Zuberi turned down Raj Kapoor’s Bollywood offer

    Here’s why Laila Zuberi turned down Raj Kapoor’s Bollywood offer

    What would you do if a Bollywood legend like Raj Kapoor offered you a role in his film?  For veteran actress Laila Zuberi, the answer was simple: stay true to Pakistan. 

    Appearing as a guest on  Tabish Hashmi’s Hasna Mana Hai, Laila revealed a significant offer she once received and declined from Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor.

    One of the audience members asked, “You have done many famous and hit dramas, Mashallah. Have you ever received an opportunity or an offer from another country, and you chose Pakistan over that?”

    To this, Laila replied, “Yes, absolutely, something like that happened once. We were invited to the Sharjah Cup, where we met Raj Kapoor Sahab, and he offered me a role in his film. 

    “We even had some pictures taken, and he asked me for an autograph. He said they show our dramas at his Pune Academy for teaching purposes. It was a very proud moment for me, but I thought that I should work for Pakistan.”

    In the same conversation, the Jafaa actress shared a surprising and slightly unsettling experience with an overly excited fan.

    “Another time, a fan followed me around so much that she said, ‘I want to wash your feet,’ and she was that persistent. One day, she came to me and said her only wish was for me to give her the water I used to wash my feet so she could drink it. I was quite disgusted by the thought and couldn’t bring myself to do it,” Laila shared.

    The host, Tabish Hashmi, asked, “I heard that beggars have often interacted with you in life. Once, when you were playing the role of a gypsy in a drama, a group of nomads approached us. Where was this?”

    Laila Zuberi also spoke about her immersive acting experiences, including playing a nomadic girl in the drama Khak Ja.

    “This wasn’t on set. We were shooting a drama called Khak Ja in Quetta. I was playing the character of a nomadic girl wearing tattered clothes and looking rugged. We were shooting on the streets, and many beggars gathered around us. The producer asked them to move because the shoot was in progress. The beggars replied, ‘You’re making something for her. Why not make something for us too?’” she explained.

    Laila Zuberi starred in dramas such as  Aabroo, Chhaon,  Koshish, Guest House, Durr-e Shehwar,  Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri, and  Pagal Khana, and is currently starring in Jafaa.

  • Shahid Aslam appointed Pakistan men’s cricket team batting coach

    Shahid Aslam appointed Pakistan men’s cricket team batting coach

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Shahid Aslam as the new batting coach for the national cricket team.

    Pakistani cricket team’s batting lineup faced difficulties in Australia, where they were unable to play 20 overs.

    The board has confirmed Aslam’s appointment and he will be going to Zimbabwe and South Africa as a batting coach.

    The spokesperson for the board has stated that a spin bowling coach is also being sought for the Pakistan team, who will be appointed soon.

    Shahid has been appointed as the coach on the recommendation of Aqib Javed. He was part of the team’s support staff for many years, and he is famous for getting the batters to practice and throwing throw-downs for hours.

  • Autistic child falls to death inside manhole at Children’s Hospital

    Autistic child falls to death inside manhole at Children’s Hospital

    A special child with autism drowned in an open manhole in Lahore’s Children’s Hospital. The deep and deadly manhole was located near the office of the medical director (MD) of the hospital. 


    The three-year-old child was identified as Muhammad Basim Ikhlaq, and he had been brought to the hospital for a therapy session for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).


    The body was recovered after two hours because of his mother’s hyperactive efforts, knocking at the door of every admin official of the hospital.


    The death of the minor took place on Saturday due to the alleged negligence of the hospital management, which also tried to silence the victim’s family, reports said.


    Reportedly, the child was recovered by a janitor because the hospital insisted on not seeking Rescue 1122’s help to search for the body as they did not “want the matter to go public”.


    A private media outlet quoted hospital sources as saying that the child fell into the manhole as his father went to buy a toy for him, leaving him with his mother. The manhole was not visible as the hospital had hidden it with grass, they said.


    “Had the hospital administration called Rescue 1122, my son could have been recovered alive,” said Basim’s father, Ikhlaq Ahmad. 


    He also lambasted the hospital for a two-hour delay in taking action, asserting that his wife ran from pillar to post but no one came to help and recover the then missing child.

     They could have at least checked the security cameras installed in the vicinity where the child had been left to play, he said.


    Ikhlaq said that his wife even rushed to the hospital’s mosque to make an announcement for the missing child after coming back from a nearby police station where the clerk and SHO “wasted time” by referring the case to each other.


    Upon Ikhlaq’s arrival, some attendants of other patients came to help, alerted the hospital’s administration and “engaged” a sweeper to look for the child in the five-foot deep manhole.


    “It was a very painful and terrible time for me and my wife when the sweeper recovered the body of my son from the manhole,” Ikhlaq lamented. He said that hospital higher-ups also refused to help them shift the body to their native city of Kasur.


    “I had to call my maternal uncle, who is a property dealer in Gulberg, and we took the body to Kasur.”


    Ikhlaq said that his wife used to bring their child to the hospital for every appointment and exclaimed that “she was still in trauma”.


    He appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to hold an impartial inquiry into the criminal negligence that led to his son’s death.


    The hospital, on the other hand, revealed that the manhole was situated inside a greenbelt right behind the office of the MD, Professor Tipu Sultan. An official defended the presence of the manhole by stating that the area was under constant surveillance but also admitted that it was a threat to the lives of children and patients as attendees often waited in greenbelts and parks.


    Institute of Child Health/Children’s Hospital Vice Chancellor Prof Masood Sadiq also defended the institute by saying that the incident took place inside a greenbelt that had been cordoned off. He also shifted the blame to the mother of the victim.

  • US forces arrest gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother

    US forces arrest gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother

    Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother, Anmol Bishnoi, has reportedly been arrested in the United States (US).

    According to Indian media reports, authorities in the US state of California have taken Anmol into custody. “We have received information from sources that Anmol Bishnoi, who runs gang activities from the US along with Goldy Brar, was arrested in California four to five days ago. We are trying to get more details on the matter.”

    Reports quoted a law enforcement officer as saying that official channels were being used to obtain more information regarding the incident.

    Anmol was last seen in Fresno, California, but it is not clear where he was arrested.

    This is the second major incident of the arrest of a wanted gangster. Earlier, Arshdeep Singh Gul (Arsh Dala) was arrested in Canada late last month.

    Authorities in the US were already in touch with Mumbai Police regarding Anmol Bishnoi’s presence, reports said and added that Mumbai Police was also investigating Anmol Bishnoi’s involvement in cases such as the shooting incident near Salman Khan’s residence and the murder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique.

    Reports said that authorities were also preparing to apply to the US for Bishnoi’s extradition to India.

    India’s National Investigation Agency had earlier included Bishnoi to its list of most wanted criminals and had also announced a reward of Rs1 million for catching him.

  • ‘Country’s honour comes first’: Mohsin Naqvi on holding Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    ‘Country’s honour comes first’: Mohsin Naqvi on holding Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has said that the country’s honour comes first, and come what may, Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan.

    “Pakistan’s honour comes first, the rest will come later. The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan… our contact is only with the International Cricket Council (ICC), and we are waiting for their response. If India has reservations, they should talk to us. We will address them,” the PCB chairman said in conversation with media personnel in Lahore.

    He hoped for the best, saying that sports and politics were two separate things. “We stand by our decision and will remain so. The ICC will soon announce the schedule for the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi added.

    When talking about renovation work at Gaddafi Stadium, he said it was progresssing rapidly. “The development work at Gaddafi Stadium will be completed on time. All enclosures will remain in place, no enclosure is being demolished.”

    To a question about reports of changes within the management of the cricketing board, the PCB chief said, “Wahab Riaz is working continuously, no one was removed… and Mohammad Yousuf is also not being allowed to go anywhere. I am bringing cricketers together. How can I let them go? Abdul Razzaq is also very important to me.”

    To another question, Naqvi clarified that the Champions Trophy tour had not been cancelled. “It has only been rescheduled.”

  • Kohli follows THIS Pakistani cricketer on Instagram

    Kohli follows THIS Pakistani cricketer on Instagram

    Indian star cricketer Virat Kohli has not only made his mark on the cricketing field, but is also quite popular on social media as one of the most expensive athletes to advertise with.

    While he is the most followed cricketer as well as Indian personality on Instagram with a whopping 271 million followers, Kohli himself only follows 282 people, one of whom is a Pakistani cricketer.

    Any guesses? Hint: it’s not Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi or Shahid Afridi. Well, Kohli does not follow any cricketers currently playing for Pakistan. Rather, he only follows former Pakistani fast bowler, skipper and ‘Sultan of Swing’ Wasim Akram.

    Wasim is considered one of the world’s greatest bowlers. After retirement, he has also held coaching responsibilities in the Indian Premier League.

    Why did Wasim Akram deny PCB’s job offer?

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain Wasim Akram has opened up about why he declined a job offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    During an online press conference in Melbourne, he said, ” I received a job offer, but I’m not someone who can work a 9 to 5 job.”

    Talking about the Champions Trophy 2025, he said, “Positive signals are coming from India regarding the Champions Trophy. The PCB has made several offers to the Indian Board, and India should come to Pakistan.”

    Akram highlighted the massive fan following that Indian players have in Pakistan, saying, “Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav have many fans here. Fans are eagerly waiting for them. People from both countries should interact more, and India should consider this.”

    On his personal experiences, he mentioned, “I haven’t been to India for six or seven years, and I miss the food and people there. Indian players would enjoy coming to Pakistan.”

    Discussing the upcoming series in Australia, Akram noted, “Conditions in Australia are tough, and it won’t be easy for Pakistan. Winning even one ODI would be a significant achievement, and the T20 series should be good.”

    Akram praised Fakhar Zaman, stating, “Fakhar Zaman is an impact player. I’m sure Fakhar didn’t write the social media statement himself. Whoever wrote it should have informed him about the potential issues related to the central contract. This is a lesson for Fakhar to be more mindful of his social media posts, and the PCB was right to be upset about the matter.”


    The former national team captain also praised Mohsin Naqvi, saying, “Mohsin Naqvi is doing excellent work for cricket and can run the cricket board professionally.”

    In response to a question about Rizwan’s captaincy, Akram said, “Mohammad Rizwan has captaincy experience and is a good choice. He should focus on his game.”

    Regarding criticism of creating pitches for home advantage, Akram remarked, “We don’t need enemies when we have enough critics within. Criticism of home advantage is incomprehensible. I’ve been advocating for turning pitches for the past 5-6 years, even if it means losing. I’m glad that someone finally considered this, and after losing three consecutive Test matches, we won two consecutive Tests.”

    Expressing his happiness about the future of Pakistani cricket, Akram added, “I’m pleased that young players are being given opportunities to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Players like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah should focus on their game, leave social media, go home after playing cricket, and enjoy. Babar Azam should also forget about captaincy, play cricket, and score runs.”

    Pakistan will be hosting the Champions Trophy next year in February and March.

  • Tauseeq Haider of ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ hints at season two of hit drama serial

    Tauseeq Haider of ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ hints at season two of hit drama serial

    Television host and actor Tauseeq Haider, who recently received praise for doing justice to his role of Murtaza in ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’, might have just hinted at a possible second season of the hit drama serial.

    Appearing as a guest on the Tabish Hashmi’s Hasna Mana Hai, Haider was interacting with the audience when someone asked him about his character’s attitude towards Fahad Mustafa’s character in the drama.

    “You recently did a new drama, ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’. Throughout the drama, you humiliated Fahad Mustafa’s character a lot. But when he succeeded in the end, why didn’t you praise him? You criticised him till he wasn’t doing anything. When he succeeded in the end, you didn’t praise him at all. Why is that?” a member of the audience asked.

    The Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor replied, “Look, son, we should leave something for season two, right?” 

    Earlier, Haider also addressed some questions about his personal life that have been doing the rounds on social media.

    “My question is regarding social media rumors that you never got married. Is there any truth to it?” another member of the audience asked.

    “No, these are not rumors… this is the truth,” Haider confirmed.

     The drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, which wrapped up with a grand finale in cinemas nationwide, has become a huge hit, with fans showing love for Mustafa and Sharjeena.  

    This success adds another milestone to Fahad Mustafa’s already impressive career.

    Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum is written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Badar Mehmood.

    Last week, in a recent with Something Haute hosted by Hassan Choudhry, Fahad Mustafa revealed the story behind the iconic shirt scene from Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.

    The host asked, “The idea of creating highly realistic characters and showing Hania and you switching outfits, whose idea was that?”

    Fahad replied, “You know, intimacy has its own height, we’re quite restricted when it comes to television, and many scenes that we showcased in the cinema were innocent and very cute. There wasn’t a cringe worthy moment or anything that would make you feel uncomfortable.”

    “We thought, what could be the height of romance? If you’re truly in love with someone, what would you do, but then again, how could we show that? We can’t dance or do much else here. I think the maximum we could do was hold hands, and that’s about it”, he said.  

    Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor shared how the beloved shirt scene came to life.

      “There’s a scene where she comes out of the bathroom, and I ask her, ‘what are you doing?’ We decided to just play with it. What I liked most was how the audience connected. If you show them things that happen to them or things that are normal, that’s where the romance lies. Romance isn’t about descending from a helicopter with flowing hair”, Fahad Mustafa added.