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  • Vacation but visa nahi mil raha? Here is a list of countries that have visa on arrival for Pakistanis

    Vacation but visa nahi mil raha? Here is a list of countries that have visa on arrival for Pakistanis

    Summers are already here and the recent devaluation of the national currency has made it nearly impossible for travelers to pursue journeys.

    If you have a Pakistani passport, it’s not an easy task to get a visa of the country you love. But we have some suggestions to make your summer vacation memorable and budget-friendly.


    Currently, there are a total of four countries that allow Pakistan visa on arrival. These countries are as follows:

    Maldives

    The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning coral reefs. The Maldives is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including swimming, sunbathing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing.


    most famous tourist spot in maldives

    Things to do in Maldives

    Swimming and sunbathing:The Maldives has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.

    Diving and snorkeling:The Maldives is home to stunning coral reefs, making it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

    Fishing:The Maldives is a great place to go fishing, with a variety of fish species to catch.

    Sailing:The Maldives is a great place to go sailing, with calm waters and beautiful scenery.

    Spa treatments:The Maldives is a great place to relax and pamper yourself, with many resorts offering a variety of spa treatments.

    You do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the Maldives on holiday. All tourists, of all nationalities, can receive a 30 day visa free of charge on arrival in the Maldives.


    SamoaSamoa tourist visa is not required for citizens of Pakistan for a stay of up to 60 days.
    Samoa is a beautiful island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i, and several smaller islands. Samoa is known for its stunning natural beauty, including pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning waterfalls.

    samoan traditional dance


    As a tourist, there are many things to see and do in Samoa. Here are some of the top activities and attractions:

    Beaches: Samoa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Lalomanu Beach to Aganoa Beach, there are plenty of stunning spots to soak up the sun and enjoy the crystal-clear waters.

    Waterfalls: Samoa is also known for its incredible waterfalls. Some of the most popular include Togitogiga Falls and Fuipisia Falls.

    Cultural Activities: Samoa is a rich and vibrant culture. Visitors can experience traditional dance performances, attend a Fiafia Night, or visit a village to learn more about Samoan customs and traditions.


    Tuvalu

    Tuvalu has made visa-free access or visa-on-arrival access for almost every country globally, including Pakistan. These visas are valid for 30 days and will cost travellers approximately 100 AUD.
    Enjoy the Beaches: Tuvalu is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the world. Visitors can soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters and enjoy the stunning views.

    Snorkeling and Diving: Tuvalu’s coral reefs are home to a diverse array of marine life, making it a great destination for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can explore the reefs and see colorful fish, sea turtles, and even sharks.

    Visit Funafuti Atoll: This is the capital of Tuvalu and offers visitors a chance to see the local way of life. Visitors can explore the town and visit the local shops, enjoy the markets, and learn about the history and culture of Tuvalu.

    Attend a Cultural Event: Tuvalu has a rich cultural heritage, and visitors can experience traditional dance performances, attend a Falekaupule Meeting, or participate in a local celebration or festival.

    It is important to note that visa policies for each country can change quickly and without notice, so it is recommended that travelers check with their local embassy before departing. Additionally, visa on arrival may not be available for all types of travel such as business or education purposes, so travelers should also verify the purpose of their travel is eligible for visa on arrival.

    In conclusion, while the list of countries offering Pakistan visa on arrival is relatively small, it does provide some relief for those who may have difficulty obtaining a traditional visa. As always, travelers should research their destination before embarking on any trip to ensure all necessary documents are secured to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

  • History made as Shahzadi Rai becomes first transgender to serve on Karachi Metropolitan Corporation

    Shahzadi Rai announced on her Twitter account on Wednesday that she has become the first transgender person to serve on the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the first such appointment in history. In a tweet she said:

    “I’m excited to share that I have submitted my papers KMC for transgender/Khawajasara reserved seats. It is the first time in Pakistan’s history that such an opportunity has been available, and I am grateful to the @PPP_Org @BBhuttoZardari @SyedNasirHShah @BakhtawarBZ @SaeedGhani1.”

    Speaking to The Current, Rai talked about her goals to help empower the transgender community and ensure that protecting human rights for all remains a priority for the organisation:

    Our priority is that any policy or project initiated should be inclusive for transgender people. We want to work for all the people in Karachi and make life better for them, whether it is men, women or khawaja sira people. We want to implement human rights because I am a feminist and a human right’s activist for the last 12 years, so when we enter politics we shouldn’t forget about our basic principles.”

    Since her announcement, civil society bodies and transgender activists on Twitter have offered congratulations on the historic feat, welcoming it as a necessary step towards including the transgender community into all kinds of policy making.

    https://twitter.com/Bubbleskhanum/status/1661354767380099072?s=20

  • Student dies from heatstroke during board exam in Sindh

    A tragic accident took place at the Government Degree College in Khairpur, Sindh, when a student, Mehtab Ali, passed away during Grade XI intermediate board examinations due to load shedding in extreme heat.

    According to The Nation, Ali fainted during his exam and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away despite attempts to revive him.

    While students are giving their final examinations, the ongoing power outrage has exposed them to the heatwave, putting many at risk of suffering from heat strokes or nose bleeds. The Sindh Minister for Board and Education, Ismail Rahoo, has encouraged authorities to ensure that examination halls have uninterrupted power supply so that such fatal incidents can be avoided.

  • Revolutionary brain implants enable paralysed man to walk again after 12 years

    Revolutionary brain implants enable paralysed man to walk again after 12 years

    In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a paralysed man has regained the ability to walk through the power of his thoughts, thanks to electronic brain implants. Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year-old Dutch man who had been paralysed for 12 years due to a cycling accident, can now walk, stand, and climb stairs, all by simply thinking about it.

    The experimental system involves electronic implants that wirelessly transmit Gert-Jan’s thoughts from his brain to his legs and feet through a second implant on his spine. Although the technology is still in the early stages of development, a leading UK spinal charity has hailed it as “very encouraging”.

    Describing his experience, Gert-Jan expressed his joy, saying, “I feel like a toddler, learning to walk again.” He emphasised the pleasure of being able to stand up and share a beer with his friend, a simple pleasure that many take for granted.

    The research, published in the journal Nature, was led by Swiss scientists. Professor Jocelyne Bloch, the neurosurgeon who performed the intricate surgery to insert the implants, explained that while the system is currently in the research phase, the ultimate goal is to make it available to paralysed patients.

    Harvey Sihota, the CEO of UK charity Spinal Research, praised the development as a significant step forward for neurotechnology and its potential to restore function and independence to individuals with spinal cord injuries. He acknowledged that there is still progress to be made before the technology becomes widely accessible.

    Gert-Jan underwent the operation in July 2021. During the procedure, Professor Bloch inserted two disc-shaped implants into Gert-Jan’s brain, above the regions responsible for movement. These implants wirelessly transmitted his brain signals to sensors attached to a helmet on his head. An algorithm developed by the Swiss team translated these signals into instructions to move his leg and foot muscles via a second implant on his spinal cord.

    After a few weeks of training, Gert-Jan was able to walk with the assistance of a walker. Although his movements are slow, they are smooth, marking a significant breakthrough in the field. Professor Grégoire Courtine, who led the project, described the sight of Gert-Jan walking naturally as “so moving” and a paradigm shift in available treatments.

    This technology builds upon previous work by Professor Courtine, where only a spinal implant was used to restore movement. Notably, other patients have also experienced successful treatment with spinal implants, allowing them to regain mobility. However, their movements were pre-programmed and somewhat robotic, requiring synchronisation with a computer.

    Gert-Jan, who previously only had a spinal implant, now enjoys greater control over his movements. Instead of feeling controlled by the system, he feels in control himself. Although the systems cannot be used continuously and are still bulky and experimental, patients like Gert-Jan use them for short periods a few times a week as part of their recovery. Interestingly, the act of walking during these sessions has helped train their muscles and restore some movement even when the system is turned off, suggesting nerve regeneration.

    The ultimate goal is to miniaturise the technology and make it suitable for everyday use. Professor Courtine’s company, Onward Medical, is actively working to improve and commercialise the technology. Looking to the future, Professor Courtine envisions applying the brain-spine interface shortly after an injury, highlighting the tremendous potential for recovery.

    This remarkable achievement provides hope for individuals with spinal cord injuries and paves the way for advancements in neurotechnology that can significantly improve their quality of life.

  • Pakistan’s Population: A Brighter Future For All

    Population Experts and Government officials gathered in Islamabad to discuss improving population health in Pakistan.

    Islamabad, Pakistan – May 24, 2023 – Today marks the beginning of a two-day learning event by DAFPAK, a leading organization dedicated to improving population health outcomes in Pakistan, focused on ensuring a brighter future for Pakistan, titled “Pakistan’s Population: A Brighter Future For All.”

    Delivering Accelerated Family Planning In Pakistan (DAFPAK) is a £90m Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) programme that aims to improve family planning outcomes across Pakistan by improving access to family planning services for the most vulnerable and disseminating messages for the common good under a platform called KhairKhwah.

    “The British High Commission has been investing in family planning since 2012. Our current support programme, DAFPAK is the largest donor-funded program on family planning which has served over 8 million women and girls in mostly marginalized areas”, said Andrew Dalgleish, Acting British High Commissioner to Pakistan while addressing the event in Islamabad.

    Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, emphasized the urgency of addressing the population growth rate, stating, “Unless we control our population, we won’t be able to distribute resources in a manner where we can provide healthcare, education and bright futures to our people. Our future is linked to how fast we can control Pakistan’s population growth.”

    Rapid population growth in Pakistan has created immense pressure on the country’s resources, and it has become difficult to provide essential services such as healthcare and education to all citizens. The event aims to address these issues and come up with strategies to improve population health.

    Dr Sara Shahzad, Health Advisor, FCDO highlighted the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved partnerships with the private sector, and a holistic multi-sectoral approach towards family planning.

    Goodwill Ambassador for Population & Family Planning, Shehzad Roy, while addressing the event emphasised the significance of transforming mindsets alongside policy changes. “As a global ambassador of Family Planning, I would like to share that while inventing new policies is very important, what’s even more important is changing mindsets because only then we’ll be able to bring true change.”
    Over the course of two days, participants will share their insights on family planning, population growth, and its impact on the country. The event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.

    The event is being organized by Palladium Pakistan under DAFPAK-PSSD in collaboration with UNFPA, PSI, MSS, DKT, and M&C Saatchi in partnership with The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Islamabad, and provincial Health and Population Welfare Departments of Punjab, Sindh, and KP.

  • Seven arrested for renting smartphones to minors for online games and obscene content

    Seven arrested for renting smartphones to minors for online games and obscene content

    A total of seven individuals have been apprehended in the Faqirabad area of Peshawar for their involvement in renting out smartphones to children.

    The suspects allegedly facilitated the children in playing online games, including PUBG, and accessing explicit videos at their establishments, according to the police.

    The law enforcement authorities took action following the circulation of a viral video on social media that depicted children utilizing smartphones.

    Subsequently, a raid was conducted at two shops in the vicinity, resulting in the confiscation of 45 phones. These shops were found to be renting out smartphones for Rs60 per hour.

    Yesterday, three of the suspects were arrested, and an additional four were apprehended based on information provided by the initially detained individuals.

    The police have sealed the shops to discourage similar operations and have initiated an investigation into the matter, alongside registering a case.

  • ‘Social media poses risk to mental health of teenagers’: expert

    US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on Tuesday, warning about the consequences social media usage has for women and children. He said that it is imperative now more than ever that tech companies, policymakers and parents take immediate action to ensure that children are protected.

    “For every family, it may not be feasible to stop your child from using social media or there may be benefits,” he told the Associated Press, “But drawing boundaries around the use of social media in your child’s life so there are times and spaces that are protected, that are tech-free, that can be really helpful.”

    According to The Guardian, Murthy revealed that it was terrifying that not enough research has been done to understand the harm social media has over children:

    “The bottom line is we do not have enough evidence to conclude that social media is, in fact, sufficiently safe for our kids. And that’s really important for parents to know.”

    The advisory is a part of Dr Murthy’s ongoing investigation in to the mental health crisis of American youth. The report pointed out that more than 95% of American teenagers between the ages of 13 to 17 years old are active on social media platforms, while a third said they use these apps constantly. The report also pointed out that there has been a noticeable rise of children and adults dealing with anxiety and depression due to social media usage.

    This report has arrived in the wake of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen revealing in 2021 that according to research conducted by Facebook, 13.5% of teen girls say Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse, and 17% of teen girls say Instagram makes eating disorders worse.

    “And what’s super tragic is Facebook’s own research says as these young women begin to consume this eating disorder content, they get more and more depressed. It actually makes them use the app more,” Haugen revealed. “They end up in this feedback cycle where they hate their bodies more and more.”

  • ‘Louder message to the killer, murderers’: Twitter celebrates Mashal Khan’s sister’s graduation

    Storiya Khan Mashal, sister of slain student Mashal Khan, has graduated with a degree in BioMedical Engineering from State University Of Buffalo. In a tweet, Storiya Khan wrote that she has dedicated her degree to her brother Mashal Khan who was killed by a mob in 2017 at his university.

    “Graduated from The State University of New York – University at Buffalo with a Degree in Biomedical Engineering I have also completed my “Student Engagement Ambassador’s Internship and Peer Mentorship. I dedicate my degree to Mashal Khan the Martyr of Knowledge,” she wrote in her tweet.

    https://twitter.com/StoriyaM/status/1660991287867191298

    Twitter is celebrating Storiya’s graduation after the family faced the tragedy with courage. Have a look at the tweets here:

    Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was lynched by a mob and shot over allegations of blasphemy on April 13, 2017.


    In June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team concluded that the allegations of blasphemy against Mashal Khan were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against him.

    https://twitter.com/Biaacc85/status/1661164682051297281

    Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was lynched by a mob and shot over allegations of blasphemy on April 13, 2017.


    In June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team concluded that the allegations of blasphemy against Mashal Khan were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against him.

  • Buckingham Palace reject’s request to send remains of Ethiopian prince to family

    Buckingham Palace has once again rejected a request from Ethiopian officials to send back the body of Prince Alemayehu, who passed away at the age of 18 in the United Kingdom.

    Born in Magdala in 1861, Alemayehu was only seven years old when the British arrived in Ethiopia in 1868 and laid seige to Tewodro’s mountain fortress which led to a fierce battle that ended with the death of the emperor, Tewodros II.

    The British stole many valuable artefacts and heirlooms, along with the Empress Tiruwork Wube and her son, Prince Alemayehu. By the time the young prince arrived in the UK, he was an orphan after his mother died during the journey.

    After his arrival, Queen Victoria took sympathy upon the boy, taking up financial responsibility for his expenses.

    Alemaheyu was first sent to a public school, and then to a military college in Sandhurst where he was bullisd. A private tutor was hired to teach him at his home in Leeds, where he became ill and began refusing treatement, fearing he was poisoned.

    The prince also reportedly longed to go back home, as correspondence had shown, but this idea was constantly shut down.

    Alemayehu passed away at his home at the age of 18.

    Queen Victoria had written about her sadness in her diary:

    “Very grieved and shocked to hear by telegram, that good Alemayehu had passed away this morning. It is too sad! All alone, in a strange country, without a single person or relative, belonging to him,” she wrote.

    “His was no happy life, full of difficulties of every kind, and was so sensitive, thinking that people stared at him on account of his colour… Everyone is very sorry.”

    Demands for the return of the remains of Prince Alemaheyu date back to 2007, when the country’s then-president Girma Wolde-Gior sent a formal request to Queen Elizabeth II, but nothing came of it.

    Recently, a spokesperson from the Buckingham Palace sent a statement to the BBC explaining their refusal to send the remains back to his home, stating that shifting his remains would disturb the other bodies buried at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

    “It is very unlikely that it would be possible to exhume the remains without disturbing the resting place of a substantial number of others in the vicinity,” the palace responded.

    They further mentioned in the statement that the Royal Palace has awlays accomodated those from Ethiopia who wished to visit the prince’s resting place, and were aware of the need to honor Prince Alemaheyu’s memory.

    Speaking to the BBC, Faisal Minas, a descendant of the Royal Family in Ethiopia, said:

    “We want his remains back as a family and as Ethiopians because that is not the country he was born in. It was not right for him to be buried in the UK.”

  • Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Abdul Rehman in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V in 2022, has been arrested in Sweden. The breakthrough was confirmed by a senior police official on Monday.

    According to Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) South Asad Raza, Nisar was apprehended by Swedish authorities.

    “A Swedish police delegation has also arrived in Karachi,” the SSP said. He further said that the suspect will be transferred to Karachi in ten to fifteen days after the completion of all legal formalities.

    Karachi police also made contact with Interpol to request their assistance in arresting the suspect.

    According to the police, Nisar came to Karachi last year from Sweden in November. He lives there with his wife and two children.

    Murder:

    A heated exchange between Khurram Nisar and the police officer came to light in CCTV footage last year, in which the accused was seen pulling out his gun after getting out of a black car.

    Khurram is the son of a former Deputy Commissioner. According to the authorities, he had arrived in Karachi on November 5, 2021 from Sweden, before flying back in November the next year.