Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Taliban fighters no longer allowed to carry weapons in amusement parks

    Taliban fighters no longer allowed to carry weapons in amusement parks

    Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday that Taliban fighters will no longer be allowed to carry their weapons in amusement parks in Afghanistan.

    In a tweet, Mujahid said, “Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are not allowed to enter amusement parks with weapons, military uniforms and vehicles. They are obliged to abide by all the rules and regulations of amusement parks.”

    Taliban fighters have spent most of their lives in a 20-year insurgency against the United States (US) and its backed government in Afghanistan.

    After their takeover, Reuters spoke to Taliban fighters and they revealed that they had never been to Kabul until the Taliban took control of the capital [Kabul] on August 15. Some were eager to visit amusement parks before returning to duties around the country.

    In October, some pictures of the Taliban with machine guns in an amusement park went viral on social media.

  • PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak

    PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has left for China on a four-day official on Thursday to attend the ceremony of the Olympic Games Beijing 2022 where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. PM Khan is accompanied by a high delegation including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Special Assistant Khalid Mansoor.

    Prime Minister Office (PMO), in a tweet, said, “The visit would mark the culmination of celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between and with more than 140 events organized to showcase the resilience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”

    This visit would be PM Khan’s fourth visit to China. Previously, he went on a two day (October 8-9) visit to China in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

    Prior to the premier’s departure, cabinet members who are accompanying him termed this visit to China of great significance.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi revealed that many Chinese companies are “desirous” of investing in Pakistan. According to him, the visit will further expand bilateral relations and promote high-level exchanges.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin stated that it is a “very important” trip politically and economically. He added that China would be asked to relocate some of its required industry needs to Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf stressed that the trip is important in regards to solving the Afghan crisis. He said that the issue will be discussed during the visit as well.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, while highlighting the years of friendship between both countries, said “Pak-China relations are deeper than the oceans and higher than the Himalayas.”

    Planning Minister Asad Umar said the trip has come at a “very important time”. A special book has been prepared which will explain why Pakistan is a prime destination for investment and will be presented to the Chinese leadership, Umar shared via Twitter.

  • Pak army successfully stops terror attacks in Balochistan, heavy terrorist casualities

    Pak army successfully stops terror attacks in Balochistan, heavy terrorist casualities

    Two separate terrorist attacks have been successfully repulsed by the Pakistan Army in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Noshki.

    In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “both attacks have been successfully repulsed while inflicting heavy casualties to terrorists”.

    According to the ISPR, terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan. They said that after the Taliban’s takeover we were told that attacks from the war-torn neighbour will stop but they have increased.

    The attacks occurred late Wednesday evening, resulting in four soldiers embracing martyrdom and killing 15 terrorists. The terrorist tried to enter a security forces’ camp from two locations. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks.

    Today’s incidents are the latest in a string of attacks in Balochistan and come a week after ten soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces’ checkpost. Similarly, an incident occurred on January 30, when 17 people were injured in a grenade attack in the province.

    Following the news, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, in a tweet, said that the nation stands united behind the security forces of Pakistan.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has also issued a statement, praised the services of the security forces.

  • President plays popular game Wordle, shares score on Twitter, deletes later

    President plays popular game Wordle, shares score on Twitter, deletes later

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi shared his score in the popular game Wordle on Twitter but seems like he got some backlash for it. He tweeted today (February 3), deleted it hours later.

    President’s son Awab Ali in a tweet wrote, “I know he enjoys puzzles – so it was definitely something he would get hooked onto An internal family competition is a new rage, including a few of his grandkids.”

    President also faced backlash on social media for playing the game.

    Wordle has caught the attention of Pakistani Twitter for a while now. Miftah Ismail is among the many politicians who regularly shares his Wordle score on Twitter.

    More recently, former wife of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, shared her Wordle score on Twitter but the replies to her tweet were not related to the game.

  • ‘Modi could visit Pakistan in a month’: Mian Mansha hints at backdoor diplomacy with India

    ‘Modi could visit Pakistan in a month’: Mian Mansha hints at backdoor diplomacy with India


    Business tycoon Mian Muhammad Mansha claims that he is aware of backchannel diplomacy being pursued by India and Pakistan.

    Talking to the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, Mansha said that there should be “no permanent enemies” and the two arch-rivals should work to resolve their differences.

    “If the economy does not improve, the country may face disastrous consequences. Pakistan should improve trade relations with India and take a regional approach to economic development. Europe fought two great wars but ultimately settled for peace and regional development. There is no permanent enmity.”

    He further insisted that the two countries need to resolve their issues and increase trade.

    “If things improve between the two neighbours, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Pakistan in a month,” said Mansha.

  • ‘Doctors recommend Nawaz Sharif to get married, suffers from broken heart syndrome’, Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill

    ‘Doctors recommend Nawaz Sharif to get married, suffers from broken heart syndrome’, Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill took to Twitter and made fun of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s medical reports.

    Gill tweeted, “Dr Sahib [Fayaz Shawl] has indirectly tried to recommend that Nawaz Sharif should get married.”

    Gill’s remark comes after Nawaz Sharif’s latest medical report was submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on February 1, which said that he suffers from broken heart syndrome possibly caused by the demise of his wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, who passed away on September 11, 2018 in London after a long battle with cancer.

    The three-page medical report – authored by Dr Fayaz Shawl, advised Sharif against undertaking any travel “without undergoing a definitive treatment in London”.

    “If he [Sharif] returns to solitary confinement, he may develop what we call the takotsubo syndrome due to stressful environment” and it could have “devastating consequences”, Dr Shawl warned in the report.

    Twitterati reacted to Gill’s tweet. Here are some reactions.

    Dr Osama Siddique said, “This man does have one qualification that no one can beat. And that qualification is that he is deeper than anyone breathing. Which is to say that he routinely sinks lower than anyone else conceivably can.”

    https://twitter.com/DrOsamaSiddique/status/1488573184001855488

    Amber Danish wrote, “Public’ll never forget that PM let Nawaz Sharif go. Now Why such hues and cry?Kindly make a note that PTI Govt is solely responsible for it.”

  • Nawaz Sharif’s son claims an ‘almost official’ person contacted Nawaz’s doctor, sent abusive e-mail

    Nawaz Sharif’s son claims an ‘almost official’ person contacted Nawaz’s doctor, sent abusive e-mail

    Hussain Nawaz, son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, lashed out at the government and said that neither Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan nor his party members have any say when it comes to Nawaz’s health. He was speaking on Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada asked Hussain why the medical reports of Nawaz Sharif are not being sent to Pakistan and why was the family sending a doctor’s opinion and not legitimate reports for the medical boards to examine. “We don’t need it, Dr Shawl is a world-renowned doctor. Whatever he says is enough,” responded Hussain.

    Khanzada further questioned that Sharif addresses the people, gives speeches, visits restaurants but just doesn’t come back to Pakistan. He asked if the family didn’t trust the courts of Pakistan anymore, to which Hussain said, “There must be a reason as to which Nawaz Sharif is not coming back. Everyone is concerned about his health.”

    Hussain further said the courts have not yet asked for the medical reports of Nawaz Sharif, adding, “Let’s not talk about what has not happened yet.”

    Referring to the contact of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the doctors in London written in the affidavit signed by the family on Nawaz’s departure to London, Hussain said, “They [government] should reveal who did they contact to ask about Nawaz’s health. Did they write a letter? They should provide names of the people they contacted.”

    Hussain further said that the family doesn’t care about these contacts anymore. He also revealed that Dr Shawl was contacted and abusive e-mails were sent to him.

    “An abusive, disrespectful e-mail was sent to a professional like Dr Shawl. He has complained about it to us as well. Who did this?” said Hussain.

    Khanzada, interjecting Hussain, said, “Did someone from the officials sent the e-mail to Dr Shawl?” Hussain responded, “It’s almost official. Ask any neutral person, who can have a problem with Dr Shawl. Who can take out his/her anger and frustration on a professional?”

    Khanzada said that it is indeed disrespectful and further asked if the government contacts Dr Shawl, will he present his medical opinion on Nawaz Sharif? “He will stand by the content mentioned in the report and will co-operate,” responded Hussain.

    On the question of a viral video of Nawaz Sharif where he was spotted visiting a factory with his son Hussain Nawaz and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other people, Hussain said that the video was four to five months old, adding that he took his father outside for a “change in environment” as he was not feeling well.

    Hussain clarified and said that due to Covid-19 SOPs, factories in the United Kingdom (UK) are understaffed.

    Hussain further added that visiting someone’s factory is not a sin and Nawaz Sharif went out for just two hours.

    Hussain Nawaz also lashed out at the incumbent government over the leaked video of PML-N supremo Nawaz, asking why the government did not bring this video to the media before.

    Nawaz Sharif’s latest medical report was submitted in the Lahore High Court on February 1. According to the submitted report, Nawaz’s doctor has stopped him from travelling.

    Nawaz Sharif’s medical report was been prepared by Dr Fayaz Shawl, Director Interventional Cardiology, and has been submitted to the court through Amjad Pervez Advocate.

  • ‘Mushkil, museebat se bachaye’: Hareem Shah meets Altaf Hussain in London

    ‘Mushkil, museebat se bachaye’: Hareem Shah meets Altaf Hussain in London

    TikTok Star Hareem Shah has met MQM founder Altaf Hussain in London. Hareem, while talking to Geo News said that “Altaf Hussain is a respected elder for me, and his prayers mean a lot,” she told Geo News. “I also pray for his acquittal [in the hate-speech trial].”

    “I have only learned about him through the media, and we shouldn’t blindly trust everything [projected on the media],” but the way he treated me, he earned my respect,” she said.

    “But Altaf Hussain stood up from his chair and told the guard not to stop me. He then talked to me for a long time and prayed to God to ease my difficulties,” she added.

    Altaf Hussain prayed for Hareem Shah’s prosperous future and gave her blessings. “Allah apko Har mushkil, har masly, har musbeet aur paresshani say Bache,” said Altaf to Hareem. “May God bless you and may God give you a prosperous future,” he continued.

    Read more- Money Laundering: Sindh High Court stops FIA from taking action against TikToker Hareem Shah

    Hareem Shah, recently made to news after she landed in a legal mess after her latest snack video released on the platform in which she can be seen sitting down with two stacks of British pounds. Showing the money, the social media star said that this was the first time she had carried a “heavy amount” from Pakistan to London.

  • IMF approves one billion dollar loan tranche for Pakistan

    IMF approves one billion dollar loan tranche for Pakistan

    The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board has approved the $1 billion loan tranche of their programme for Pakistan.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin taking to Twitter confirmed the news.

    “I am pleased to announce that IMF Board has approved 6th tranche of their programme for Pakistan,” he wrote.

    https://twitter.com/shaukat_tarin/status/1488928059562545159

    The sixth review was scheduled for January 12, 2022, and later January 28, but was postponed twice on Pakistan’s request, to attain more time for implementing IMF conditions.

    In order to meet another condition of the IMF, the government had successfully managed to get the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2021, cleared from the Upper House of Parliament — which was the last stumbling block in reviving the stalled programme.

  • Taliban deny reports of involvement in Kazakhstan unrest

    Taliban deny reports of involvement in Kazakhstan unrest

    A spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, has rejected all media reports of their involvement in fuelling the unrest in the Central Asia country, Kazakhstan, reports The Express Tribune.

    “We strongly reject such allegations and reports,” Mujahid claimed.

    He further added, “We have reiterated many times that the Afghan soil wouldn’t be used against any country, and we believe in zero interference in the affairs of other countries.”

    The Taliban spokesman also demanded a peaceful solution to the unrest in the country.

    “We believe in and demand a peaceful solution to the unrest of Kazakhstan and assure that we will not pose any threat or danger to the peaceful environment of the neighbourhood.”

    In January, several people were killed in the clash with security forces during a protest over a high price of the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Almaty city, Kazakhstan.

    Initially, the protest began in the western region of Mangystau province and spread to other parts of the country.

    President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposed a state of emergency in the Almaty city and hydrocarbon-rich western region of Mangystau effective from January 5 until January 19.