The Pakistani passport has been ranked as the fourth worst passport for international travel, according to the Henley Passport Index.
The Henley Passport Index is a ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It has placed Pakistan on the 104th position.
Last year the Pakistani passport had been rated as the
fifth-worst passport to hold.
It shares the fourth spot with Somalia followed by Syria,
Iraq and Afghanistan. Pakistani passport holders still enjoy visa-free access
to 32 countries.
Japan came at the top spot as the world’s most powerful
passport. Other Asian countries on the list are Singapore, which is in the
second spot, and South Korea with Germany is in third place.
European countries also performed well with Finland on
fourth and Spain, Luxembourg and Denmark coming fifth. Sweden and France took
the sixth spot on the list.
The United States fell two places down coming on eighth,
sharing the spot with United Kingdom, Norway, Green and Belgium. Canada ranked
ninth.
The United Arab Emirates also climbed up 47 places to sit
in 18th place, with a visa-free or visa-on-arrival score of 171.
Here are the 10 most powerful passports in the world:
1. Japan (191 destinations)
2. Singapore (190)
3. South Korea, Germany (189)
4. Italy, Finland (188)
5. Spain, Luxembourg, Denmark (187)
6. Sweden, France (186)
7. Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland, Austria
(185)
8. United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Greece, Belgium
(184)
9. New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia
(183)
10. Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary (181)
Here are the five least powerful passports in the world:
Arab-American actor Ramy Youssef who won a Golden Globe Award for best comedy actor for his role in the comedy series Ramy sent fans in frenzy after he thanked God and said ‘Allahu Akhbar’ while accepting the award.
Starting his acceptance speech with Allahu Akbar and thanking Allah, Ramy said, “We made a very specific show about an Arab Muslim family living in New Jersey and this means a lot to be recognised on this level.”
He then revealed that his mom was actually rooting for Michael Douglas, who was nominated in the category for his role Netflix’s The Kominsky Method.
“Egyptians love Michael Douglas,” Youssef remarked.
Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon presented the award to Youssef.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Youssef said, “I was going to say it anyway. I’m very thankful to God, and my show is about someone who believes in their faith, so I naturally don’t always feel like I’m on the same page with the comedic styles of Ricky Gervais on that subject.”
He also joked on how he is unknown compared to his fellow nominees.
“Look, I know you guys haven’t seen my show. Everyone’s like, ‘Is this an editor?’ We made a very specific show about an Arab Muslim family living in New Jersey, and this means a lot to be recognised on this level” he said.
Ramy explores the experience of a young Egyptian-American Muslim man living in New Jersey, who believes in God and embraces his heritage, while blending them with his American life. The comedy is loosely based on Youssef’s life and his experiences as a stand-up comedian.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, who made headlines for slapping journalist Mubasher Lucman on Sunday, has shared as to why is he no longer friends with the anchor he was once seen sharing rather fun moments with.
“It was Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s maiden interview and only six journalists could be invited for it,” Fawad said in an exclusive conversation with The Current, as he started to shed light on how it all started.
The former information minister said that senior anchorperson Kamran Shahid was coincidentally present in the federal capital at the time of Imran’s first interview as the country’s chief executive, and was invited. “Mubasher got upset because he was excluded,” Fawad said as he explained what later became a bone of contention between the two.
When asked if journalists and politicians should be friends, he said the two should be like “colleagues”.
Fawad further said that he would discuss the issue on the floor of the National Assembly later in the day, which he was doing by the time this report was filed.
FAWAD SLAPS MUBASHER:
On Sunday, the federal minister slapped the anchor during a spat over Lucman’s allegations against Fawad regarding TikTok star Hareem Shah.
According to reports, Geo News bureau chief for Lahore, Raees Ansari, said the event took place at the wedding reception of Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Laghari’s son. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leaders, Jahangir Tareen and Ishaq Khakwani, were also present at the event.
Ansari revealed that Tareen and Fawad were talking about the allegations that Lucman had levelled on the minister during a TV show, salaciously linking the federal minister to Shah, who recently made headlines after accusing government officials, including lawmakers, of sending her indecent pictures.
It was at that moment that Lucman arrived at the event, triggering a war of words between him and Fawad over the issue. The federal minister reportedly protested against the claims, later slapping and shoving the anchor. The altercation stopped when people intervened and broke up the fight.
Soon after, both Fawad and Lucman left the event.
Chaudhry tacitly admitted to the act, slamming the TV anchor on Twitter, saying: “People like Mubashir Lucman have nothing to do with journalism… they are [sexual slur] who have barged into journalism.”
“It is everyone’s duty to expose [such journalists],” he tweeted.
FIR AGAINST FAWAD:
Meanwhile, Lucman, who had refrained from publicly commenting on the incident, has submitted an application to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the minister.
According to Dawn, Lucman, in his application submitted to the Model Town police station late Sunday night, said he was attending the event along with Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Tareen and various federal and provincial ministers.
He said he was talking to his friends when Fawad attacked him along with 10-12 of his “mussala ghundas (armed goons)”.
“They subjected me to severe violence,” the anchorperson said, adding that after threatening him of serious consequences and of murder, they left the site of the incident.
He claimed that prior to this incident, the federal minister had called and threatened to have him killed if he did not stop his allegations.
Lucman further stated in the application that a case should be registered against Fawad and others, while the federal minister says he would move the cyber-crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against the journalist.
As per an application submitted to Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) by the minister’s protocol officer, an FIR against the journalist for defaming and threatening Fawad, as well as his protocol officer, has also been sought.
The protocol officer has also accused Lucman and his accomplices of stealing his wristwatch.
Repeated attempts were made to contact journalist Mubasher Lucman, but he was unavailable.
Three men who robbed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nephew’s house have been arrested by the police.
According to reports, the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) also recovered the looted valuables from their possession.
PM Khan’s nephew’s Shershah Khan’s house was robbed in the early hours of Saturday.
According to the FIR registered by Shershah, three unidentified persons entered his house around 4 am and stole a Rs3 million cheque, jewellery and an old pistol that belonged to his grandfather. The FIR added that the robbers forced Shershah’s wife to sign the cheque.
Police had suspected the involvement of the gardener’s son and media reports had suggested that the robbers entered through a door that was accidentally left open.
Shershah is the younger son of PM Khan’s sister Aleema Khan.
Shershah Khan with PM Imran’s sons at a family wedding
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s new Education Minister Akbar Ayub hasn’t studied beyond matric, Geo News has reported.
In a major cabinet reshuffle made by the KP chief minister (CM) on Saturday, Ayub was handed reins of the education department. He was earlier serving as the minister for communication and works department.
According to reports, KP provincial assembly’s official website shows that Ayub’s educational qualification is matric. The same has been listed in an affidavit submitted by the education minister, which also states his occupation as a businessman and a landlord.
A copy of Akbar Ayub Khan’s documents submitted to the ECP.
Speaking to Geo News, the minister said that his education qualification “did not matter”. Ayub said he was experienced in educational and administrative affairs.
Backing his statement, KP Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said Ayub had vast administrative experience.
“It does not matter what degree he holds,” said Yousafzai. “He has studied from a reputable institute and is a capable man.”
In a separate video message, Yousafzai said one should not question Ayub’s capabilities solely due to the fact that he had not studied beyond matriculation level.
“He left for Canada to pursue the construction business while he was in grade 12,” said the information minister. “He is a skilled man and we should extract benefit from his experience and capabilities.”
Yousafzai said the education minister could speak to foreign diplomats and dignitaries as “his English is the best”. He said since education had been bifurcated into two parts, Ayub was given charge of the elementary education, not secondary.
“He has to run an institute and for that, he has ample experience in the past as a minister,” he said.
Twitter on Sunday lost it after the staff at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India used hair dryers and steam irons to dry the pitch after rain delayed the start of the first Twenty International (T20I) between India and Sri Lanka.
As per the details, in the beginning, it just looked like a passing shower, but then it was pouring down minutes. Around 8 pm though the heavens relented, the rain had already affected the state of the pitch with wet patches.
Just when ground staff started its repair work, rain returned to make things worse. This time though, more care was taken with an extra cover being placed on the 22 yards. However, the damage was already done, and when it all cleared around 8:45 pm, the ground staff much to everyone’s surprise brought out a hair dryer, steam iron, and vacuum cleaner to dry the wet patches.
The hair dryer and steam iron are being used now to dry the pitch. Sri Lanka should have taken R Premadasa stadium rain covers to India 🇱🇰🏏 #INDvsSLpic.twitter.com/tQxR50axPL
Indian captain Virat Kohli had opted to field first after winning the toss. However, just as pacer Jasprit Bumrah was getting ready to bowl the first delivery, rain arrived and stopped the play.
The match was eventually called off due to a damp pitch. The teams now head to Indore for the second T20I on January 7.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry slapped anchorperson Mubasher Lucman at Punjab’s irrigation minister, Mohsin Legharis, son’s valima.
Other PTI representatives were present at the Valima when the incident occurred, including Jehangir Tareen.
After the incident, Fawad Chaudhry criticised Lucman, saying that Lucman cannot be considered as a journalist.
مبشر لقمان جیسے لوگوں کا صحافت سے کوئ تعلق نہیں یہ وہ طوائفیں ہیں جوصحافت میں گھس گئ ہیں، ایسے صحافتی دلالوں کو بے نقاب کرنا سب کا فرض ہے۔ https://t.co/5YQhc8eQMK
Fawad tweeting citing the story of him slapping Mubasher
Fawad had earlier tweeted that ‘so called journalists’ malign ministers and respectable people for viewership.
ایف آئ اے cyber crime wing کو فعال کیا گیا ہے انشااللہ جلد ایک بڑا بلیک میلر گروپ جیل کی سلاخوں کے پیچھے ہو گا۔ ان کے پیچھے کون لوگ ہیں پہچانے جا چکے ہیں ، انتظار کیجئے مکمل کہانی سامنے آئے گی۔
“There was a scuffle that broke out. A small fight broke out. In a fight, as usually is the case, he may have got one (slap) in, I may have hit one,” said the minister during Geo News talk show “Naya Pakistan” on Sunday evening.
“I have been a minister earlier as well. I will not tolerate personal attacks against myself. We are all human beings and will react when someone makes such false allegations.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it will deduct salaries of the players who do not meet the fitness requirements.
According to a press release by the cricket board, “A player failing to meet the minimum fitness requirements will be fined 15 per cent of his monthly retainer, which will remain effective until he achieves the standards. Player failing consecutive tests will risk the chances of retaining his central contract category and may face demotion.”
All centrally contracted players have to undergo the fitness test which will be held on January 6 and 7. The available players will attend the two-day testing, which is aligned to their contracts.
Meanwhile, “Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan, who will be occupied with their commitments in the Bangladesh Premier League, will undergo the tests on 20 and 21 January.“
Players will be tested in five major areas namely fat analysis, strength, endurance, speed endurance and cross-fit, with all areas carrying equal marks.
Currently 19 top players are under contract in A, B and C categories and get monthly salaries ranging from 1.1 million to 0.5 million rupees based on their contract.
Director of International Cricket PCB Zahir Khan said that the players have been informed about the board’s expectations and sanctions, adding, “This time we have decided to enforce penalties, which is in accordance with the contracts, as part of our objective to make the players more accountable and responsible for maintaining high fitness standards throughout the year.”
Meanwhile, Imam ul Haq posted a picture of himself with his teammates “getting ready for the fitness test” while enjoying the winter sun and fresh oranges.
Category A – Babar Azam (Central Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan)
Category B – Asad Shafiq (Sindh), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Shadab Khan (Northern) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern)
Category C – Abid Ali (Sindh), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (Northern), Mohammad Amir (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Southern Punjab), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab)
The Punjab police arrested four people, including a couple, for hacking into an ATM in Jhelum’s Dina.
According to reports, the police were able to arrest the suspects with the help of CCTV camera footage. A case has also been filed.
The hackers would use a skimming device to hack into the machine and record the data of people who came and used the ATM. Jhelum DPO Hamid Abid said the group put the device in the morning and took it out at night. He said “The Dina SHO searched for the group for several hours and then finally caught them red-handed when they came to remove the device at night.”
Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) ministers criticised the Anti-Narcotics force (ANF) for poorly handling the drugs possesion case against former law minister Rana Sanaullah, which became a huge embarrasment for the government, The Express Tribune reported.
According to the details, Director General (DG) ANF Major General Muhammad Arif was briefing the federal cabinet about the case against Sanaullah on Tuesday where he faced tough questions from the ministers.
Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari asked why the arrest was not videotaped as “it is a norm to record video of every case these days”.
Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema also reportedly asked for video evidence and proof of the offence and reminded his colleagues that “hollow swearing does not matter if there is no evidence in such cases”.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI government faced embarrasment due to the “mishandling” of the drugs possession case against PML-N leader.
Agreeing to Fawad Ch the communications minister Murad Saeed, also blamed the agency for mishandling the case which provided the opposition parties an opportunity to criticise the government.
The ANF chief while responding to the criticism said, “The ANF is an independent institution and will continue its work in accordance with the law,” adding that the agency took action on the basis of evidence only.
“We have irrefutable proof against Rana Sanaullah. A strong case has been prepared and everything will come to the light once the trial starts,” said Maj Gen Arif.
The agency’s chief later briefed the prime minister (PM) Imran Khan seperately in the presence of Shaharyar Afridi, Minister for Narcotics Control, about some secret aspects of the case. PM Imran after briefing directed the ANF to proceed the case according to the law.
The PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah was earlier arrested in July by ANF after alleged recovery of a sizeable quantity of drugs from his car. He was later granted bail on December 24 by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The court in its detailed verdict questioned why formal documentary proceedings of drugs’ seizure were not conducted at the time of arrest, and why ANF sent a sample of only 20 grams of the heroin recovered from Sanaullah’s car for testing when the seized quantity was a much higher 15 kilogrammes.
