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Category: Lifestyle

  • SSAT – Become One of 3000 Top Scorers & Get Free Entry Test Preparation From STEP

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    Are you going to attempt the medical and engineering colleges’ Entry Test in 2023? If yes, now is the right time to gauge the level of your preparation, and become one of the 3,000 top scorers who will be able to get free entry test preparation from STEP.

    The STEP Scholarship-based Self-Assessment Test (SSAT) 2023 is now available, offering students a chance to assess their current standing and gain valuable insights into their Entry Test preparation.

    A Bit About STEP

    As the largest Entry Test preparatory network in Pakistan, STEP has a well-established reputation for providing high-quality education and equipping students with the necessary skills to excel in their academic pursuits. The SSAT is an excellent opportunity for students to experience the Entry Test environment and understand the test’s mechanics before taking the actual test.

    In addition to providing a comprehensive self-assessment, SSAT also presents students with an opportunity to win free Entry Test preparation from STEP. Being part of the largest educational group in Pakistan, STEP is dedicated to offering students the resources necessary to ace MDCAT & ECAT exams and achieve their academic goals.

    Identify Your Weaknesses & Strengths

    Students often struggle with determining their current level of preparedness for the Entry Test. Here at STEP, we understand that the competition can be fierce, and every mark counts. This is why we developed the SSAT, a comprehensive self-assessment test that can help you identify your areas of strength and weakness.

    Through this free self-assessment test, you will receive an experience that is similar to the actual Entry Test environment. This will help you to familiarize yourself with the test format, the level of difficulty, and the time constraints. Additionally, the SSAT will provide you with a detailed report on your performance, including a breakdown of your score by topic and question type. This information will allow you to pinpoint your weaknesses accurately and focus your efforts on areas where you need to improve.

    Eligibility Criteria For SSAT

    Anyone from Intermediate Part-II or repeater students who are aspiring to get admission in Medical & Engineering Institutions can show up for STEP Self-Assessment Test 2023.

    All students, from the Punjab Group of Colleges and Hadaf Group of Colleges or students from any other institution, can appear in this scholarship-based test.

    Note: ICS Students having combinations of statistics and economics are not eligible for SSAT 2023

    Register for SSAT For Free

    At STEP, we understand that time is of the essence for students, and we strive to make the process of registering for the Self-Assessment Test (SSAT-23) as easy as possible.

    You can now become a part of the SSAT-23 by registering online or by visiting your nearest Punjab College or Hadaf College Campuses. The registration process is entirely free of charge, and we encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity.

    Why STEP for MDCAT & ECAT Preparation?

    Proven track record of top positions: Our track record speaks for itself. Over the years, STEP has helped countless students achieve top positions in the MDCAT and ECAT exams. In 2022 alone, 1497 students secured admissions to medical colleges and 2216 to engineering colleges. Our students have consistently outperformed their peers, and we are proud to have played a part in their success.

    Likewise, 925 students of STEP made it to the University of Engineering and Technology, 987 to the National University of Sciences and Technology, 935 to FAST, 143 to PIEAS, and 42 to GIKI in 2022. The fact that so many of our students have secured admissions to Pakistan’s top medical and engineering colleges in a single year is a testament to the quality of education at STEP and the dedication of our students. We are proud to have played a part in their success, and we are committed to continuing to provide students with the resources they need to achieve their academic goals.

    Outstanding Team: Our team of experts is made up of highly qualified and experienced teachers and professionals who are dedicated to helping students succeed. They work tirelessly to create effective study materials and provide you with the support you need to achieve your academic goals.

    Bank of 60,000+ MCQs: We understand that practice makes perfect, and that’s why we have created a bank of over 60,000 MCQs to help you do thorough preparation for the Entry Test. These MCQs cover a wide range of topics and are designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge required to ace medical and engineering college exams.

    Free STEP BY PGC Mobile App: We know that students are busy and need to be able to study on the go. That’s why we have created the Free STEP BY PGC mobile app, which provides students with access to our study materials and practice tests on their smartphones.

    Register for STEP self-assessment test 2023 today and become part of Pakistan’s most successful and largest entry test preparatory network to boost your prospects of getting admission to top medical and engineering universities.

  • Royal family skips invitation to Harry, Meghan’s daughter’s christening

    Royal family skips invitation to Harry, Meghan’s daughter’s christening

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet has been christened last Friday in an intimate gathering of around 20 to 30 guests. However, none of Harry’s royal family were present, despite being invited.

    A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that Lilibet Diana was christened last week on Friday by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Reverend John Taylor.

    Among the attendees were Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, Lilibet’s godfather, Tyler Perry, and another unnamed godmother.

    Since the release of Prince Harry’s controversial biography ‘Spare’, there have been extensive reports of the divide between the younger son of King Charles and royal family members, who had also recently asked Harry and Meghan to leave Frogmore Cottage, where the family had stayed during their trips to Britain.

    British media has reported that the King will offer them an apartment at Buckingham Palace instead.

    When contacted by media outlets, the Palace did not comment on “personal invitations” as is routine.

    Harry and Meghan were officially invited to King Charles’ coronation, scheduled to take place in May. The Duke and Duchess are yet to confirm if they will attend what is perhaps the most important day in Charles life.

  • What was the significance behind the tunnel art installation at Aurat March?

    What was the significance behind the tunnel art installation at Aurat March?

    Aurat March has set up a performance art piece at their protests each year which highlights their central demand which is to create an equal space for both men and women in Pakistan.

    This year, the feminist movement revealed that a gaze tunnel titled “Chalien Auraton Ki Chaal” was installed at the march for men to pass through, in order to make them experience the kind of fear and claustrophobia women undergo when they are harassed on the streets.

    The March elaborated on the significance behind this art installation in a post:

    “The tunnel piece is an exercise in empathy, in conveying our gendered experiences of walking down the streets, in market places, through office doors. Ask any gender minority what they feel when they are in public spaces: each one of us will have many stories of harassment, of discomfort, of instances where the streets didn’t feel like ours. The art piece plays soundbites of our day-to-day public interactions. Aurat March is ultimately about reclaiming public spaces, of never settling for chaar-dewaris, but rather stretching ourselves more fully within and outside our homes. That demands introspection from men of them way they occupy public spaces. We hope this piece helps in that.”

    Another art installation ‘In Ko Viral Karo’ was also at display on the protest which featured pictures of Youtube bloggers along with the misogynist comments they made about participants.

    The movement addressed the significance behind this installation in the post:
    “The coverage of Aurat March we see on Youtube is far from reality. These Youtube ‘journalists’ sensationalized, misrepresented and harassed participants from Aurat March last year. We present direct quotes from their ‘coverage’”.

  • Sharmeen Obaid to launch museum to celebrate diverse food culture

    Sharmeen Obaid to launch museum to celebrate diverse food culture

    Pakistani-American filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid has announced that she is launching a project “Museum of Food” which will celebrate and preserve the food culture in Pakistan. 

    Announcing her new intitiative in an Instagram post, the two-time Oscar winner revealed that the idea was inspired by her grandmother who had taught both young women and men how to cook:

    “I grew up around my Nani’s dinning table…For as long as I can remember she was teaching young women and sometimes men how to cook…She diligently preserved all her recipes and every Friday an advert in the classified section would appear with the weeks menu under the banner: Mrs Azra Syed’s Cooking classes. Thousands of her students now live around the world carrying her recipes with them…My museum of food is an ode to her and her generation whose recipes are fast disappearing..”

    Obaid elaborated that this project was set up for people across Pakistan to send their food recipes that were celebrated in their families so that Pakistan does not lose its cultural heritage

    Read her complete statement below 

  • Divorced women fear imprisonment under Taliban regime

    The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has modified divorce laws, now requiring both parties, husband and wife, to be present in court in order to get a divorce.

    Under the previous Afghan government, women were granted the right to get ‘one-sided divorces’ in order to help them escape abusive marriages, according to The Washington Post.


    Women could testify about suffering abuse at the hands of their husband, even if he had refused to make an appearance in court.


    The Post clarified that the Taliban had not commented on ‘one-sided divorces’ being nulled or whether a woman can be married after gaining a divorce in such a manner. However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that both parties must appear before a judge to request a divorce under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.

    Under the Taliban regime, it has become more difficult for women to seek refuge after escaping an abusive marriage. A psychologist told The Post that local aid groups providing counselling and relief to abused women have been shut down. She also elaborated that under the new law, it has become more difficult to prove domestic violence.


    “Under the new law, women need to first go to the police station and provide multiple witnesses to prove abuse or if their husband is addicted to drugs,” she said.


    Women face more problems to find legal counseling as the Taliban have banned women from working as lawyers and judges. A lawyer speaking to the Post revealed that more women will find it harder to leave their abusive marriages if they cannot find proper legal representation to help them escape domestic violence:


    “The Taliban have created the perfect situation for men seeking revenge. The courts have lost their effectiveness and instead we see on the news women receiving [public] lashings for adultery.”

    Previously the Taliban regime caused international outcry after enforcing a policies that restricted women’s movement. Women were banned from attending high school and college, couldn’t travel anywhere without a male guardian and were restricted from attending parks, fairs or gyms.

    The United Nations received a report on the state of human rights in Afghanistan, which had criticized the Taliban regime for pursuing a policy ‘tantamount to gender apartheid’.

  • ‘Zero chance of survival’: World’s most premature twins celebrate first birthday

    ‘Zero chance of survival’: World’s most premature twins celebrate first birthday

    A Canadian girl and boy, born over four months premature, celebrated their first birthday with a Guinness World Records (GWR) nod as the world’s most premature twins. The chances of the twins surviving were quite low.

    When Shakina Rajendram went into labour after just 21 weeks and five days – over four months early – she was told that she would lose the pregnancy and nothing could be done to save her twins.

    Her babies were “not viable,” doctors said. “Zero per cent chance of survival.”

    Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah were born on March 4, 2022 at the gestational age of 22 weeks, or 126 days early — breaking by one day the previous record set in 2018 by American twins.

    Most hospitals do not attempt to save babies born before 24-26 weeks.

    But these two are alive and kicking.

    A photo of the twins sitting on a couch next to their GWR framed certificate shows Adiah looking surprised with her mouth wide open, while her brother Adrial appears pensive.

  • Hindu students attacked for celebrating Holi at Punjab University

    Hindu students at Punjab University were attacked by Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) on Tuesday for celebrating their religious festival Holi with the permission of the administration at Punjab University’s new campus.

    As a result, at least 15 students of the Hindu community were injured. Videos of the incident uploaded on social media show a group of IJT members thrashing the minority community members.

    Other videos showed the security guards carrying batons and beating the students while they were running from the scene.

    Sindh Council Secretary General Kashif Brohi said that 15 students from both the Hindu community and Sindh Council suffered injuries and moved away without celebrating the event, reports Dawn.

    He said the IJT activists started hurling threats after students had posted invitations [Holi celebration] on their Facebook page.

    On the contrary, IJT spokesperson Ibrahim Shahid told Dawn that they did not stop the Hindu community members from celebrating Holi. He said the attackers might have used their name but the IJT would ensure equality for minority community members to hold their religious events.

    He claimed they were holding Dars-i-Quran on the campus and were not present there.

    However, in the past, IJT was responsible for many attacks on students.

    Activist Ammar Ali Jan, condemning the attack, said: “It reflects a deep sense of paranoia that stems from our need to expel impurities” from our own past.

    He added that this sickness will continue unless we accept and celebrate the many histories and cultures that shape our country.”

  • Economy is a feminist issue, Aurat March releases its manifesto (and we couldn’t agree more)

    Aurat March has selected it’s theme for this year: Feminism in the Times of Crisis, and the social movement has released a statement on their Instagram page detailing their demands from the government to improve the economic conditions of the country.
    “The economic crisis in Pakistan is not just a financial problem, it is a humanitarian crisis that affects the most vulnerable people in our society. The government’s reliance on Western lenders is a short-term solution that will have long-term consequences for the poor and marginalized. The current economic policies of the government are exacerbating inequality and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. We must prioritize pro-poor growth and invest in the well-being of its most marginalized citizens,” the statement reads.

    The manifesto went on to address current talks between the Pakistani government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating how the measures implemented due to these loans will impact women, working class and the rural poor directly:
    “The government is relying on bailout loans from Western lenders like IMF to starve off an impending economic collapse. These loans come with conditions like privaitization of public institutions and services, removal of electricity and fuel subsidies, increase in indirect taxes, and cuts in social expenditures. These measures will impact those who are already marginalized. Women, working-class people, and rural poor are already caught up in the crushing cycles of poverty, struggling to survive amidst structural issues like mounting debt, and situational economic blows like COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and unprecedented destruction in the wake of the 2022 floods.”
    The movement went on to reveal that global rankings show Pakistan ranks the lowest regarding per capita income, health, and education in South Asia, and needs to introduce economic policies that prioritize the poor and marginalized of the country:
    “Global rankings increasingly evidence the need for Pakistan to prioritize pro-poor growth that ensures the wellbring of its most marginalized. The country has the lowest HDI rankings for per capita income, health, and education in South Asia. Even Bangladesh and Nepal, two of the least developed countries in the region, have better rankings. Pakistan’s expenditure on defense is higher than the combined expenditure on health and education.”
    The note ended with the movement demanding that the government introduce economic policies that prioritized the well being of the working class and poor of Pakistan:
    “We demand decent work and living wages for all residents, including regularization of temporary work and the expansion of social protection coverage. Secondly, IMF-driven policies that benefit polices that benefit global capitalism at the expense of all the poor and marginalized should be stopped. Finally, we demand rollback of budget cuts in public institutions, the reinstallment of HEC scholarships, and the implementation of survivor-centric welfare systemsn as well as quality education and healthcare for all.”

    Read their complete statement here:

  • Heartwarming video shows IBA students hosting farewell party for hostel cook

    Heartwarming video shows IBA students hosting farewell party for hostel cook

    A moving video of a hostel cook receiving a farewell party from students at IBA has been doing the rounds on social media.

    Zakir Lala, who was IBA’s oldest working employee, and had worked there for over 31 years, was given a farewell by students at the end of his tenure.

    https://twitter.com/idrikki541/status/1630915796766531584?s=20

    Speaking to BBC Urdu about why they chose to say goodbye with a grand gesture, one student revealed that Lala had taken care of them when they were alone in university.
    “Zakir Lala is one of the oldest employees of our hostel and this was the least that we could do for him,” he said.
    Lala revealed that he was moved and grateful for the love the students had showered on him.
    “I did not expect the amount of respect these children had shown me. I am very grateful to God that these students have sent their prayers,” he remarked.

    Twitter users have called this a “beautiful tribute” and a thoughtful way to celebrate Zakir Lala’s service.

    https://twitter.com/xtrracover/status/1631888669203222529?s=20

  • Aurat March not allowed to take place at same venue as Haya March, security to be withdrawn if location not changed, warns administration

    Aurat March not allowed to take place at same venue as Haya March, security to be withdrawn if location not changed, warns administration

    Aurat March, scheduled to take place on March 8 to protest injustices against women and minorities has been denied permission to hold a public rally by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider.

    While talking exclusively to The Current, activist and one of the volunteers of Aurat March, Leena Ghani, said that they had applied for a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) on February 13 for the march to be held on the decided date. However, the administration backed out at the last moment.

    “At the time, in a meeting with deputy commissioner Rafia, she assured us. However, later she sent a rejection letter,” Ghani revealed.

    She said that in the letter, the administration has also banned them from gathering at Lahore Press Club, from where the march typically starts every year.

    About the meeting they had with Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations on Friday, she mentioned that they kept on insisting on changing Aurat March venue. “It seems like they have promised Nasir Bagh to Haya March organisers for a gathering, that’s why they want us to pressurise now.”

    She also added that police have said that security won’t be provided if they don’t change the venue. However, the organisers remained adamant that security should be provided regardless of the fact that where they want to protest.

    Moreover, she mentioned that NOC is just a formality, and in the past, a verbal agreement used to take place.

    “NOC is not needed in order to exercise your constitutional right to march,” said Ghani.

    Now, she said that they are going to move Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge the decision.

    Sabahat Rizvi challenges denial of NOC to Aurat March

    Earlier, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Secretary Sabahat Rizvi challenged the decision of DC Haider.

    The development took place after DC’s decision was condemned and criticised by organisations including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

    Many people have argued that it is an attempt to suppress women’s voices and prevent them from exercising their constitutional rights.

    ‘We will march’: Aurat March determined despite NOC denial

    NOC was denied on the grounds of “security concerns, controversial banners and posters, strong reservations by the general public and religious organisations and the likelihood of clashes with members of Jamaat-i-Islami’s Haya March.”

    Reacting to the denial of the NOC, organisers have remained adamant that they will march on the decided date as they don’t require a NOC to exercise their constitutional rights.

    “Women, khawaja sara community, transgender persons, gender non-conforming people, and allies of the Aurat March have the right to assembly under Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” they said.

    They highlighted that “large crowds are allowed to gather for PSL, but a peaceful gathering of women and gender minorities is being silenced and denied their constitutional right to assembly.”

    They added the administration has forgotten that the courts have already upheld their right to hold Aurat March in 2020. 

    It is not the first time that the city’s authorities have imposed such a restriction. Last year, the organisers in Lahore had been urged to cancel the rally over safety concerns. The march was also arbitrarily cut short by the district administration despite being given permission.