Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Punjab College ‘rape’ case: CM Maryam forms investigation committee

    Punjab College ‘rape’ case: CM Maryam forms investigation committee

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has formed a high-level seven-member committee to investigate the alleged rape of a student at Punjab College in Lahore.

    The investigative committee chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman has been tasked to present findings of the alleged rape incident before the CM within 48 hours.

    The other members of the committee include the Secretary of Home Affairs, the Advocate General of Punjab, the Secretary of Higher Education, the Secretary of Special Education, and the Secretary of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education.

    According to the notification, the committee will examine all elements, including the college administration’s initial response and the manner in which the police managed the situation.

    Earlier, social media reports claimed that a student of Punjab College’s Campus 10 in Lahore was subjected to rape by a college guard named Aun, prompting mass protests across the city.

    Meanwhile, In the wake of this incident, celebrities from the entertainment industry, such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Maya Ali, Dure Fishan Saleem, Yumna Zaidi, Bilal Abbas Khan and Amar Khan, stepped up to voice their concern. They all shared on their Instagram stories to support the protesting students and demand accountability from the authorities.

  • SCO SUMMIT 2024: Pakistan Ready to Lead the Regional Unity.

    SCO SUMMIT 2024: Pakistan Ready to Lead the Regional Unity.

    Pakistan is geared up to host the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024, in Islamabad. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (SCO) is an intergovernmental entity that focuses on addressing political, economic, defense, and security matters within the Eurasian region. It is primarily overseen by the Council of Heads of State (HSC) and the Council of Heads of Government (HGC).

    The summit is not only a platform for diplomatic engagements, but also a significant opportunity for Pakistan to enhance its socio-political and economic standing. Holding this summit in Pakistan is a great opportunity to clarify how it can attract investment and contribute to regional connectivity.

    Origin and Founding Nations of SCO:

    The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 2001 and currently encompasses nine member states, comprising

    • China
    • Russia
    • Belarus
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Kazakhstan
    • Uzbekistan.

    In addition, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) comprises 3 observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia. Furthermore, the SCO has 14 dialogue partners, namely Sri Lanka, Turkey, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Myanmar, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates.

    The headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is situated in Beijing, China, where it effectively coordinates the organization’s growing range of activities.The member nations are committed to fostering peace, security, and economic cooperation within their respective countries.

    In 2017, full membership was conferred upon India, and Pakistan also attained full membership status within the SCO under the tenure of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during the governance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in 2017. Consequently, the total number of member countries reached eight as of 2024.

    Who is attending the SCO CHG Summit in Pakistan?

    Several heads of government from member countries will participate in the ongoing summit, including S. Jaishankar (India), Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan), Xi Jinping (China), Vladimir Putin (Russia), and other leaders from SCO member states, including heads of government from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, as the main speakers at the 2024 SCO summit.

    The Prime Minister of Mongolia, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, is participating as an Observer, and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, will attend as a Special Guest.

    In addition, representatives from international organizations, such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the European Economic Community, are also in attendance.

    Pakistan’s Role & Strategic Importance in SCO Summit 2024:

    Since becoming a full member in 2017, Pakistan has actively participated in SCO activities and contributed to the organization’s objectives.

    The SCO Summit 2024 holds great diplomatic significance for Pakistan, occurring at a crucial juncture amidst regional and global geopolitical shifts. With major powers re-evaluating their alliances and Asia emerging as a key center for economic and political activity, Pakistan’s membership in the SCO places it at a critical juncture of strategic influence. 

    Pakistan’s strategic location has long been considered a geopolitical asset. Through active participation in multilateral platforms such as the SCO, Pakistan can secure both economic benefits and diplomatic capital. The escalating prominence of China, Russia’s pivot toward Asia, and the escalating significance of Central Asia provide Pakistan with a renewed opportunity to assert itself on the world stage.

    In this SCO conference, Pakistan will prioritize the enhancement of regional infrastructure and economic ties, particularly through initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan holds a pivotal role in these initiatives, underscoring the significance of maintaining robust diplomatic relations with these nations. The summit will further fortify Pakistan’s ties with these regional powerhouses, creating opportunities for new agreements, collaborative ventures, and strategic partnerships.

    In its capacity as the host of the 2024 summit, Pakistan has the opportunity to leverage this platform for the promotion of its economic agenda, with a specific focus on trade liberalization, investment facilitation, and infrastructure development. The SCO summit presents the potential to create new pathways for trade by fostering regional connectivity through initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as well as by expanding trade routes between Central and South Asia. This forum will also help neutralize the tense situation between Pakistan and China that was created after the recent terror attack on Chinese individuals in Karachi.

    Security remains a critical focus of the SCO agenda. For Pakistan, which has faced significant internal security challenges, the summit provides an opportunity to share its experiences in counterterrorism and collaborate with regional powers on security strategies.

    Pakistan seeks to emphasize collaboration on matters of law and order, while also addressing security challenges such as terrorism, extremism, and separatism. These efforts are aimed at fostering a stable and peaceful environment within the region.

    Furthermore, as Afghanistan continues to pose security challenges after the Taliban takeover, Pakistan can collaborate with other SCO members to collectively address these complexities. By establishing itself as a significant participant in regional security discussions, Pakistan seeks to reduce threats while strengthening its influence within the organization. The relationship between Pakistan and India is a sensitive issue at this meeting. Despite ongoing tensions, both countries are members of the SCO, and this multilateral forum provides a rare opportunity for dialogue, albeit indirect. Pakistan’s invitation to India to attend the meeting indicates Islamabad’s willingness to engage diplomatically within a broader regional framework.

    While economic cooperation is essential, security remains an equally vital pillar for Pakistan within the SCO. The country continues to grapple with internal security challenges, particularly in its border regions, where terrorism and extremism remain persistent threats.

    The potential outcomes of this meeting may significantly influence the future trajectory of the SCO, underscoring the vital role of multilateralism in an increasingly intricate global landscape.

    This SCO Summit represents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to assert its role as a key player in regional dynamics. By hosting this event, Pakistan can demonstrate its commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among member states, which collectively account for about 40% of the global population and approximately 32% of the world’s GDP.

    Agendas of the SCO Summit 2024:

    This year the summit will be centered on key areas of cooperation and development prospects between member nations. 

    Counterterrorism: Member states will prioritize enhancing security cooperation to combat terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. The initiatives will focus on isolating countries that harbor terrorists.

    Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Climate change and environmental protection will be pivotal topics of discussion. Member states will address the urgent need to promote climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices to safeguard the planet for future generations.

    Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue: The summit’s overarching theme, “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity,” reflects the collective intent of member states to foster cooperation and promote peace through open dialogue and collaborative efforts.

    Economic Cooperation: Leaders will engage in deliberations regarding trade and investment initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration among member states.

    Regional Stability and Security: Discussions will revolve around enhancing stability, addressing ongoing conflicts, and promoting a multipolar world order. The summit will also review the SCO’s activities over the past two decades, laying the groundwork for strategic cooperation in the years to come.

    During this summit, Pakistan can emerge as a leader in promoting economic stability and security in South Asia by effectively managing diplomatic engagements and strategic partnerships. By leveraging its unique strategic position and advocating for mutual interests among SCO members, Pakistan can strengthen its significance on both regional and global stages.

  • ‘You are in hiding, yet asking workers to come out’; Ali Amin Gandapur lambasts Hammad Azhar

    ‘You are in hiding, yet asking workers to come out’; Ali Amin Gandapur lambasts Hammad Azhar

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar and Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur exchanged fierce words on the decision to call off a party protest scheduled for October 15 in Islamabad, Geo News has reported.

    During a political committee meeting, Hammad Azhar insisted on holding the protest at Islamabad’s D Chowk during the SCO summit. In response, Ali Amin Gandapur said, “You are in hiding yet are telling workers to come out for the protest,” the Chief Minister reportedly said.

    “I came to Islamabad two times, but PTI’s Punjab leadership was out of sight. Our members of the provincial assembly are in custody, and provincial workers had to be saved,” Gandapur said.

    “Don’t blame us; hold the protest. I will lead from the Punjab side,” Hammad Azhar aggressively responded.

    The party’s senior members were divided on Sunday on the scheduled protest at Islamabad D Chowk on the same day on which the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit was to begin.

    Saner elements in the PTI group, including Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and party Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, were in favour of calling off protests at Islamabad amid the SCO summit in Pakistan, Ansar Abbasi told Geo News.

    Moreover, former Speakers of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, Hamid Khan, Raoof Hassan, and Ali Muhammad Khan, were also against holding the protest on October 15 in Islamabad.

    Hammad Azhar, Shehbaz Gill, Khalid Khurshid, and Hafiz Farhat remained adamant about holding a protest at D Chowk, while Advocate Salman Akram Raja also endorsed the idea of protest.

    Shehbaz Gill and Hammad Azhar alike used the party’s social media to criticise the PTI groups who were resisting the decision to hold protests in Islamabad’s red zone.

    Chairman Barrister Gohar officially said that on the assurance of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, peaceful protests had been called off.

  • Bangladesh Cricket Board suspends head coach for slapping player

    Bangladesh Cricket Board suspends head coach for slapping player

    Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusingha for slapping a player.

    The board says that Chandika will be removed from the post after 48 hours of suspension.

    BCB had investigated the allegation during the World Cup 2023. A player had alleged that the head coach had slapped him.

    Phil Simmons has been appointed as interim coach.

    Hathurusingha has been the most successful coach for the Tigers according to results and performance in both his tenures,

    It is not the first time he faced such consequences. Earlier, his contract was prematurely terminated by Sri Lanka Cricket in 2019 for failing in various assignments and being unable to maintain good relationships with the team.

    He later challenged his sacking in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, and demanded 5$ million for loss of income and damages to his reputation. However, he withdrew his application after his desired addition of parties to the legal proceedings was rejected.

  • Celebrities speak out on alleged Punjab College rape incident

    Celebrities speak out on alleged Punjab College rape incident

    The Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC) faces intense protest after allegations of rape against a female student. News reports claim that a first-year student at PGC Campus 10 was allegedly raped by a security guard named Aun in the basement last week.

    In the wake of this incident, celebrities from the entertainment industry, such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Maya Ali, Dure Fishan Saleem, Yumna Zaidi, Bilal Abbas Khan,Nadia Hussain Khan and Amar Khan, stepped up to voice their concern. They all shared on their Instagram stories to support the protesting students and demand accountability from the authorities.

    Yumna Zaidi expressed her heartbreak, stating, “Out of words Heart broken .”

    While other celebrities posted pictures of PGC with the hashtag Protest for Girl.

    Apart from celebrities, in a press conference, Deputy Inspector General Operation (DIG) Faisal Kamran said, “A special team was formed to nab the suspect and investigate the matter further. The reports of the incident were only circulating on social media, and neither the victim nor her family had yet come forward.”

    On their Facebook account, the Punjab Group of Colleges issued an official statement about the incident, saying, “We would like to address the recent false claims circulating on social media regarding an alleged incident at one of the campuses of Punjab Colleges. Following a thorough and impartial investigation by law enforcement authorities, we can confirm that no such incident has been reported to the police or our campus administration, and no student, parent, or guardian has raised concerns.”

    “At Punjab Group of Colleges, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. We have implemented strict security protocols that are continuously monitored and updated to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus”, PGC added.

    On the other hand, amid the confusion, the father of one of the students appeared in a video with ASP Sherbano Naqvi to clarify the situation.

    He said, “In these videos, it is being propagated that our daughter is involved. However, there is no such thing, our daughter had an incident at home where she slipped and fell, which led to her being in the ICU. We have provided all the medical reports and documents related to this matter. Those who have daughters should at least try to feel this pain because since we saw the videos, we have been disturbed that our daughter’s name is being mentioned, even though she is at home and there is no issue.”

    Protests have continued, resulting in clashes with police that injured at least 27 students. The Government of Punjab has suspended the college registration.

    In a video posted by Punjab Police, ASP Sherbano addressed the situation.

    “Unfortunately, a law and order situation has arisen, and the sole reason for this is misinformation and propaganda on social media. We have heard on various social media platforms about a private college student who was allegedly raped and taken to a private hospital.

    “However, we are currently standing in a government hospital, and not only have we checked the records inside this hospital, but we have also checked all the records at that private hospital. The fact is that there has been no admission related to any girl who has been raped at that hospital,” she said.

    In response to the growing protests, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formed a six-member committee to investigate the case. Chief Secretary Punjab will lead the committee, which includes senior officials from the departments of home, education, and healthcare.

  • KP govt to implement Pashtun Qaumi Jirga demands: CM

    KP govt to implement Pashtun Qaumi Jirga demands: CM

    Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the provincial government will fully implement the demands of Pashtun Qaumi Jirga that fall within the domain of the constitution.

    Speaking on the provincial assembly floor on Monday, Ali Amin Gandapur said that Jirga’s recommendations will be discussed in the Full House Committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, The News reported.

    One by one, Pahtun Qaumi Jirga’s points would be discussed before before being sent to the federal government for implementation, the Chief Minister added.

    “We will not play politics or resort to point scoring but implement it for the sake of peace, prosperity and stability of our people and province,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Awami National Party (ANP) has made a recommendation unanimously before the Special Parliamentary Committee for deliberations to rename Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to “Pakhtunkhwa”, which neither political party rejected amidst the session.

    Earlier, President ANP KP Aimal Wali Khan claimed: “Khyber is our district and our Pass, and we value it, but a district’s name is linked to the province’s name.”

    “We don’t have any problem with it, however, since we were given an [Pashtun] identity so we should not be identified as KP or KPK,” he concluded.

  • Multan Test: Pakistan score 259-5 on Day 1

    Multan Test: Pakistan score 259-5 on Day 1

    Pakistan cricket team has scored 259 runs for the loss of 5 wickets on the first day of the Multan Test against England.

    Kamran Ghulam scored his first international century, becoming the 13th Pakistani to score Test 100 on his Test debut. Opener Abdullah Shafique scored seven runs, while captain Shan Masood returned to the pavilion scoring 3 runs,

    Saim Ayub scored 77 runs and was dismissed by Matthew Potts.

    Currently, Muhammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha are on the crease with 37 and 5 runs, respectively.

    TOSS:

    Pakistan won the toss and was elected to bat against England in the second test match. On the occasion of the toss, captain Shan Masood said, “It is an honour to play for Pakistan; we are all very excited; we have good spinners.”

    English captain Ben Stokes said,” We would have batted if he had won the toss.”

    Pakistan Playing XI:

    Kamran Ghulam made his debut today, and three spinners were included in the squad.

    Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mahmood have been included in the announced squad for the second Test.

    Apart from this, Aamir Jamal, Salim Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan, and Salman Ali Agha are part of the playing XI.

    FIRST TEST MATCH:

    In the first test match, England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs.

    Pakistan scored 556 runs in the first innings thanks to the centuries of Shaan Masood, Abdullah Shafiq and Salman Ali Agha.

    In reply, England scored 823 runs on seven wickets thanks to Harry Brook’s triple century and Joe Root’s double century in the first innings.

    Harry Brook scored 317 runs, while Joe Root scored 262 runs. This was the highest total against Pakistan in Test history.

    On the fourth day, Pakistan showed a very disappointing performance in the second innings, and six players returned to the pavilion for only 82 runs. Pakistan started their second incomplete innings on the fifth day with 152 runs for six out. Salman Ali Agha was at the wicket with 41 runs, and Aamir Jamal with 27 runs.

    Pakistan’s whole team returned to the pavilion with a total of 220 runs, and England won this match by 47 runs and an inning.

  • Hina Khan shares moving photo of chemo’s affect on her body

    Hina Khan shares moving photo of chemo’s affect on her body

    Fighting cancer is tough, with chemo and radiotherapy sessions, weakness, lack of appetite and other side effects.

    Indian actress Hina Khan is bravely sharing the harsh realities of her battle with stage three breast cancer.

    She was diagnosed in June 2023 and has been undergoing treatment since then.

    On Instagram, Hina Khan shared various pictures of herself and said that the chemotherapy is just about to enter the final stages.

    She shared photos of her eyes with an emotional note: “Do you want to know what is giving me courage and strength in this difficult time? From that one eyelash that was once part of my eyelashes, a powerful and beautiful brigade enhancing the beauty of my eyes.”

    She described the last remaining eyelash as brave and a warrior during this grueling treatment and wrote, “I’m nearing my last cycle of chemotherapy. This one eyelash is my source of courage. It’s with me.” is fighting this disease, we are seeing all this and will continue to see it, God willing.

    Hina Khan further said that she has not used fake eyelashes since a decade, but now she has to do it for shoots.

  • Usman Mukhtar chose Jaffaa to shed light on domestic violence

    Usman Mukhtar chose Jaffaa to shed light on domestic violence

    Friday’s episode of Jaffaa took a different approach from other dramas. It featured a domestic abuse scene like many dramas do, but what stood out was how the abuse was handled afterwards.

    Usman Mukhtar, one of the stars of the show, explained on instgram that one reason he joined the show was to highlight the serious issue of domestic violence, something he had witnessed with someone close to him.

    He wrote, “You know, every week after Jaffaa’s episode airs, I post a picture of myself and ask for your thoughts on the recent episode. But today is a bit different. One of the two main reasons I took on Jaffaa was to highlight the devastating issue of domestic violence, something I’ve witnessed firsthand through someone very close to me. While I’m not directly part of this storyline, @mohibmirza and @mawrellous amazing performances beautifully capture the emotional weight of abuse. Their portrayal speaks to the suffering so many women endure in silence, and I hope it resonates with viewers in a way that encourages change.

    Thank you to our incredible director, @danishnawazofficial , and our producer, @momina.duraid , for their remarkable work on Jaffaa. Tackling the sensitive issue of domestic violence is no small feat, and both Danish bhai and Momina Bhabi approached it with immense care and responsibility.”

    In episode 21, Mirza’s character Hassan attacks Hocane’s Zara during an argument about his anger and her use of birth control. What made the episode unique was the reaction to the abuse — Hassan’s grandmother tries to hide it, but Mukhtar’s character immediately understands what happened when he sees Zara. He confronts Hassan, telling him there’s no excuse for hitting a woman.

    By the end of the episode, Zara’s father arrives and slaps Hassan, ordering the police to arrest him.

    While violence is often shown in Pakistani dramas, it’s rare to see consequences for abusers. Jaffaa took a different path by showing people around the abuser speaking out and ensuring there are real consequences for his actions.

  • Kajol’s determined cop is in over her head in Do Patti trailer

    Kajol’s determined cop is in over her head in Do Patti trailer

    The trailer of Do Patti, a new murder mystery film on Netflix, is generating a lot of excitement.

    Set in a calm hill station, the story takes place in the fictional town of Devipur.


    Inspector Vidya Jothi, played by Kajol, is investigating strange happenings involving Saumya, played by Kriti Sanon, and her husband, Dhruv, played by Shaheer Sheikh.

    Kriti and Kajol are making a comeback after 09 years, since their film Dilwale (2015).

    This film also marks Kriti Sanon’s debut as a producer.

    The film is directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and written by Kanika Dhillion.

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

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

    During the trailer launch of Do Patti Kriti Sanon said,

    “Do Patti is incredibly special to me, not just because it’s my first film as a producer, but also because it allowed me to explore my own duality on-screen. This film has been like my baby, Kanika and I have nurtured it from the start, especially in our capacity as producers and it’s truly fulfilling to see this journey through with Netflix.”