Author: News Desk

Clean Gilgit-Baltistan Project by Nestlé Pakistan sees installation of first waste segregation machine in Gilgit

Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Abrar Ahmad Mirza inaugurates the machine to facilitate Gilgit-Baltistan Waste Management Company for smart waste management.

Staying true to its vision for a waste-free future, Nestlé Pakistan recently installed the first waste segregation machine in Gilgit, under its Clean Gilgit-Baltistan Project.

Inaugurated by Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Abrar Ahmad Mirza, the machine is situated in one of Gilgit-Baltistan Waste Management Company’s collection sites and will facilitate the sorting and segregation of different types of plastics and paper waste ushering in smart waste management in the region.

Acknowledging Nestlé’s contribution, Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Abrar Ahmad Mirza said, “We are delighted that Nestlé is making great efforts to reduce packaging waste in the region, and the progress of Clean Gilgit Baltistan Project is a testament in this regard.”

Earlier, as part of the CGBP program, Nestlé installed three compressing and baling machines, one each in Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu. The company also installed 122 benches and waste bins made of recycled plastic at popular tourist spots in the region and donated 15,000 reusable bags for distribution among the communities. In the last five year, these efforts culminated into waste management facilitation of over 6000 tons of plastic packaging in the region, making a positive environmental impact.

Highlighting Nestlé’s global vision, Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé Pakistan said, “We are accelerating our actions to reduce the environmental impact of various kinds of packaging waste. Our vision is that none of our packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfill nor in oceans, lakes and rivers.”

“Tackling packaging waste requires a collective action of leveraging public private partnerships to find improved solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle,” he added.

Senior Minister Local Government & Rural Development Abdul Hameed, Minister for Planning & Development Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Commissioners of Gilgit & Hunza, and other senior government officials representing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Gilgit-Baltistan Waste Management Company (GBWMC) were also present on the occasion.

Under the CGBP program, Nestlé Pakistan has committed donation of a Waste Segregation Machine for Skardu, installation of additional 100 benches in Gilgit-Baltistan region and launch of Waste Management trainings for hospitality sector in partnership with GBWMC and EPA among other activities in 2025.

Gilgit-Baltistan is major tourist destination in Pakistan, serving as a hub for trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the Karakoram mountain range.

This initiative marks Nestlé Pakistan’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste by improving its management and recycling, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 17 – Responsible Consumption & Production and Partnership for Goals.

October 21, 2024
26th Amendment: PPP chief all praise for Maulana Fazlur Rehman in parliament

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to Chief Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman in parliament over his support for the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

“Other than President Asif Ali Zardari, the second person I respect for their politics is Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” he said while addressing the National Assembly session on Sunday night.

“Maulana’s efforts contributed the most to the success of the 26th Constitutional Amendment,” he maintained.

Praising the political parties who voted in favour of the Constitutional Amendment bill, he forgot to mention the name of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).nehen his fellow lawmakers reminded him, he humorously stated, “How we can forget BAP, without BAP amendments can’t be passed.”

Recalling the former dictators who ruled the country for around 33 years, he, in euphemistic words, declared the judiciary responsible for facilitating Martial laws over the past years.

October 21, 2024
PTI followers lash out at party leaders for betrayal

After the coalition government succeeded in getting the 26th Constitutional Amendment bill passed from both houses of the parliament on October 21, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) followers on social media expressed disappointment with party leadership.

Meanwhile, PTI’s official X handle posted pictures of two senators, Faisal Saleem and Zarqa Taimoor, and six MNAs with the caption, “They took votes from the people in Imran Khan’s name and sold their vote to the same mafia against whom the people gave him a mandate! These traitors will be counted among the darkest characters in the history of Pakistan!”

PTI has publicly called out six MNAs: Aurangzeb Khaji, Mubarak Zeb, Usman Ali, Zahoor Qureshi and Chaudhry Ilyas. However, PTI fans have pointed out at the fact that Zain Qureshi, the son of incarcerated PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, should also be named.

Zain Qureshi had been incommunicado since last week with his sister expressing concerns on X about his disappearance. She took was called out by PTI followers on social media asking why her concerns came to light this late.

PTI MNA Zain Qureshi posted a clarification video on his X handle early in the morning, emphasising that he is not going to vote for the government’s proposed bill.

However, it seems his clarification does not have any weight in front of his followers with all the comments criticising him for his alleged betrayal.

One user pointed out that a government-affiliated account by the name ‘Farhan Virk’ posted Zain Qureshi’s video on X (formerly Twitter) 22 minutes before Zain himself.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat claimed last night, “Nine lawmakers have been sold, five have come forward, four have been sold on reserve money. Their price was set around a billion rupees per person. Asif Zardari has paid them.”

October 21, 2024
26th Constitutional Amendment passed: Here’s what you need to know

The coalition government’s much-awaited 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill has been passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly in the wee hours of Monday morning.

The Constitutional Amendment bill has been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, following the approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The bill, containing 22 clauses, was presented by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar in the Senate where it secured 65 votes, a two-thirds majority in the Upper House.

Following the voting, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani stated, “Sixty-five members are in favour of the motion regarding the passage of the bill, and four members are against it. So, the motion is carried out by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate, and consequently, the bill stands passed.”

The 26th Constitutional Amendment bill was tabled at the National Assembly following approval from the Upper House and passed with a two-thirds majority as 225 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill in NA, while the magic number in the Lower House was 224 votes.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council’s 12 Member National Assembly (MNA) opposed the Constitutional Amendments In the National Assembly.

“225 members cast their votes for ayes, 12 for nos. Consequently, the bill is passed by the assembly by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the assembly,” the Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said.

Following the passage of the bill from the NA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked, “Today’s amendment, the 26th, is not just an amendment, but an example of national solidarity and consensus. A new sun will rise, emanating across the nation.”

The key points of the 26th Constitutional Amendment

The much-debated Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has been dropped from the Constitutional Amendments bill. However, it has been suggested that constitutional benches be formed in the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan to deal with constitutional matters.

The Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC), headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and including the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court, two senators and two MNAs, a Law Minister and the Attorney General of Pakistan will form the constitutional bench and ensure that all provinces get representation on it.

The minimum number of judges in the constitutional bench would be five.

A 12-member special parliamentary committee, including eight members from the National Assembly and four Senators, would be responsible for sending the names of the three most senior judges of the top court to PM Pakistan for the appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The Chief Justice’s retirement age is fixed at 65 years of age.

October 21, 2024
PCB selection committee approaches Muhammad Amir, claims senior journalist

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committe has approached fast bowler Muhammad Amir, asking about his availability for ODI cricket, journalist Aijaz Waseem Bukhari has claimed.

Talking on his YouTube channel BBN Sports, he said, “Yesterday, I informed you that Muhammad Rizwan would be the captain. Today, there’s more news regarding the Pakistan-Australia series. The selection committee has made an important decision: senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who were dropped during the Bangladesh-England series due to poor performances, will likely be part of the squad for the challenging Australian tour.”

“Australia is a strong team, especially on their home ground, and considering the current fragile state of Pakistan cricket, the selection committee feels it’s risky to send a young and inexperienced squad to face them. After the Australia tour, Pakistan will play Zimbabwe, where younger players are expected to get their chance”, he added.

Talking about Muhammad Amir’s inclusion in the team, he said, “PCB selection committee is in contact with Muhammad Amir about his potential return to ODI cricket. A key update is that while Shadab Khan is being rested, some players, such as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Haris, are likely to be part of the squad.”

The Pakistan cricket team has to go on a tour of Australia next month for a white ball series.

After the Australia tour, Pakistan will play three ODI and three T20 matches with Zimbabwe.

October 21, 2024
Reshma’s timeless song ruined in Bollywood plagiarized version

Bollywood has once again been accused of copying a classic Pakistani song, and this time, Kriti Sanon is at center of the debate. A song from her latest film ‘Do Patti’ is being compared to the iconic Akhiyaan Nu Rehn De originally sung by the late Reshma.

The lyrics of the remake are written by Kausar Munir, and the song is sung by Shilpa Rao. However, many fans feel that the magic of Reshma’s original has been lost.

Reshma had sung some iconic songs such as Laal Meri, Hai O Rabba Nahion Lagda Dil Mera, and Lambi Judai. She died in November 2013 in Lahore after suffering from throat cancer since many years.

Currently, Kriti Sanon upcoming film is Do Patti directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and written by Kanika Dhillion.

The film will be released on October 25, 2024, on Netflix.

Do Patti’s cast includes Tanvi Azmi, Brijendra, Kala, Kajol, Kriti and Shaheer.

Here are some comments from fans who are not happy with this remake:

October 21, 2024
BankIslami Redefines Pakistan’s Financial Landscape with Riba-free Banking for All

Karachi, October 18th, 2024: BankIslami, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in Pakistan, has launched a pivotal initiative by promoting its riba-free banking services accessible for people of diverse background and faith. The move reflects BankIslami’s mission to advance ethical and inclusive banking in Pakistan’s financial landscape, which aligns with the principles of Shariah compliance while upholding social responsibility and transparency.

Riba (interest) is prohibited in almost all religions due to its unjust nature. This is why Islamic banking appeals to people of all faiths, promoting inclusivity by offering fair and transparent financial alternatives. Furthermore, the global Islamic finance industry, now valued at over $3 trillion, is growing rapidly, showing increasing demand for ethical and Shariah-compliant solutions.

The initiative comes amid growing interest in alternative banking models, and BankIslami is raising awareness about the benefits of riba-free and ethical banking to encourage wider participation in the country’s financial system.

The launch event, held at Mohatta Palace, Karachi was attended by dignitaries including the Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad and Deputy Governor SBP Saleem Ullah, I.G. Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, leaders from the banking industry leaders, public sector, and other industries, reflecting a broad endorsement of BankIslami’s efforts towards financial inclusivity and ethical banking.

The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Jameel Ahmad, remarked: “At the State Bank, we envision a Pakistan where Islamic finance drives growth and benefits everyone. We aim for a fair and modern financial system, accessible to all, regardless of background or financial status. BankIslami’s vision of ‘Saving humanity from Riba’ highlights a commitment to making banking inclusive for all. The State Bank is proud to support the growth of Islamic banking in Pakistan.”

Rizwan Ata, CEO of BankIslami, stated: “This initiative aligns with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of equality and fairness for everyone in all walks of life. By offering riba-free solutions, we aim to foster transparency and trust across the banking sector. Our goal is to create a system where every citizen feels empowered to achieve financial stability.”

Imran H. Shaikh, Deputy CEO, BankIslami, added: “Islamic banking isn’t just for Muslims, it is for everyone who believes in fairness. At BankIslami, we’re breaking down barriers and opening doors. We’re not just about numbers; we’re about people, community, and a banking experience that respects and includes everyone. Together, we can drive positive change and bring the benefits of riba-free banking to all. “

BankIslami has engaged clerics from various religious backgrounds to foster understanding and trust in the benefits of joining the Islamic banking network. This collaboration creates a platform that highlights the ethical and inclusive nature of Islamic finance, with benefits to individuals and society as a whole.

BankIslami aims to improve access to Islamic banking for underserved communities and individuals previously excluded from the formal banking system. With shared risk, profit and partnership, asset-backed transactions, and an ethical approach to banking, BankIslami emphasizes inclusivity, fairness, and caution against practices that harm people.

About BankIslami:

BankIslami Pakistan Limited, a subsidiary of JS Bank, is one of the largest Islamic commercial bank networks in the country, with over 500 branches in more than 210 cities nationwide. BankIslami Pakistan Ltd. was the first Islamic commercial bank to receive the Islamic banking license under the Islamic banking policy of 2003 from the State Bank of Pakistan on March 31, 2005. The Bank offers Shariah-compliant retail banking, investment banking, consumer banking, and trade finance products. As a subsidiary, BankIslami is part of the larger JS Group, one of Pakistan’s most diversified and progressive financial services groups.

For more information,

please visit: https://bankislami.com.pk/

October 21, 2024
FACT CHECK: When did this happen in ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’

The drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum is currently the most trending show in India and Pakistan. Viewers love the drama, particularly for the chemistry between Mustafa and Sharjeena.

Fans have even given the couple a cute nickname, “Musjeena.” However, today I came across a video that left me shocked. It was an AI-generated video that featured scenes from the drama, but it depicted Mustafa and Sharjeena in a kissing scene that never took place. This was inappropriate, as such content is not part of Pakistani dramas. So, it was obvious that this video was AI-generated.

AI is a powerful tool that offers many benefits by making our work easier, but unfortunately, some people are misusing it, which is causing significant harm.

Hania Aamir spoke against her fake AI-generated videos circulating on the internet.

She expressed concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence on her Instagram account, questioning the absence of laws governing its use.
She shared a screenshot of the news from a private news website on her Instagram story.

According to the news shared by the actress, videos went viral on social media, and the girl’s face resembled that of Hania Aamir.

She clarified that these videos were not hers but were created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), making them appear convincing. She also questioned whether there are any laws to address this issue.

After the videos of a girl resembling Hania Aamir went viral, some social media pages supported the actress and confirmed that the videos were AI-generated.

Some social media users claimed that the girl in the videos is an Indian influencer who resembles Hania Aamir and frequently posts from various accounts.

She shared a screenshot of the Instagram account in question, which is run by Anureet Sandhu, a user with over 22,000 followers and more than 100 posts, many of which were AI-generated videos with her face.

The actress asked her followers to report the account, saying, “She has blocked me, but can you all report this account?”

Shortly after her post, the account’s name was changed to Core Sandhu, seemingly to avoid being caught. Later, the user renamed it Sandhu Core.

The videos have now been removed, after fans reported the profile.

Further investigation revealed the account was created in India, and its location was listed as Chandigarh.

According to a screenshot shared by Hania, the account’s name has changed 18 times since it was created in September 2022.

The incident has sparked new discussions about the ethical usage of AI technology and the need for stronger laws to prevent its misuse.

October 21, 2024
Nursing college student in Lahore attempts suicide after principal’s verbal abuse

The video of a nursing college student with a bandaged wrist and a branula sticking on one hand has been circulated widely on social media. The girl claims to have tried to take her own life due to the Principal’s verbal abuse.

Syeda Iman Fatima claims to be a student of Public Health at Lahore’s Fatima Jinnah Nursing College. She allegedly attempted suicide after being harassed by the college principal.
In the video, she is seen saying that her principal used abusive words for her and demoralized her by objecting to her character.

“It’s not just me, she behaves the same with all the students. I couldn’t tolerate this, so I went to my room and tried committing suicide,” Imaan says in her statement.

She also claims that she stayed in the hospital for one whole day, but the college administration did not call her parents despite her requests. The student pleaded to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz to intervene. “It has been five to six months that Madam [principal] has been doing this.”

Geo reports that DG Nursing Tahira Sagheer said that the first-year nursing student tried to commit suicide due to the inappropriate words and harassment of the college principal, but fellow nurses stopped the student from cutting her wrist.

She confirmed that the student belongs to Gujranwala and has requested leave from the principal.

“An application has been submitted by the student to the health secretary, and a hearing will be held with him tomorrow,” she said.

The principal, student and eyewitness nurses have been called in, and action will be taken if the allegations are proven to be true, DG Nursing stressed.

October 21, 2024
Saud, Shadab and Iftikhar Ahmed likely to be rested for Australia tour

The selection committee of the Pakistan cricket team has finalized the national white ball squad, with new faces likely to be tried in the team.

According to Samaa, Umair Bin Yusuf, Irfan Khan Niazi, Kamran Ghulam, Sufyan Muqeem, and Muhammad Hasnain are likely to join the team, while Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed might be dropped.

Saud and Shadab are contenders for captaincy, along with Muhammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.

Sources said that head coach Gary Kirsten has refused to make Saud Shakeel part of the white-ball plan. However, he has not yet been informed about it.

Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed are ruled out for poor performances, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are expected to be included. Babar and Shaheen were rested from the Test series against England.

The announcement of the national white ball squad is expected today.

October 21, 2024