Seven people, including five schoolchildren, a police officer and a passerby, were killed in a blast on Friday morning near Civil Hospital Chowk in Mastung, Balochistan.
“So far, seven individuals have been martyred, including five school students, and 17 others have sustained injuries,” Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai confirmed to the press.
According to the commissioner, the blast occurred at around 8:35 am near a high school for girls at Mastung Civil Hospital Chowk.
“It appears that an IED [improvised explosive device] attached to a motorcycle was detonated near a police mobile,” he said.
Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani said the explosion damaged a police van and multiple auto-rickshaws present near the site of the attack.
District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Medical Superintendent Nisar Ahmad Baloch told a private media outlet that 30 injured, mostly schoolchildren, were currently being treated at the DHQ as well as Nawab Hospital in Mastung.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti have condemned the blast.
“We will avenge the murder of innocent children and people. The menace of terrorism can only be fought with unity,” CM Bugti wrote.
Could the dragons of Westeros finally be coming to the big screen?
At least one “Game of Thrones” movie is in very early stages of development, trade outlets The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline reported Thursday.
The original HBO “Game of Thrones” television show became a global cultural phenomenon during its eight-season run from 2011-2019, garnering huge audiences and a record 59 Emmys.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novel series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the hit show about violent, feuding noble families has already spawned TV spinoff “House of the Dragon,” with more small-screen adaptations confirmed to be in the works.
But while Martin and “Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss have discussed potential movies based on the universe in the past, parent company Warner Bros Discovery has been opposed to bringing the franchise to theaters.
The Hollywood Reporter suggested Thursday that recent leadership changes at the studio, and the success of franchises that have hopped between big and small screens such as “The Batman,” “Dune” and the upcoming “Harry Potter” TV series, may have finally prompted a change.
Warner Bros “has been quietly developing at least one film” set in the “Thrones” universe, it reported.
Deadline said there have been only “preliminary discussions,” and no stars are yet attached to the proposed movie.
“We have no comment on this,” a Warner spokeswoman told AFP.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders are once again airing their dirty laundry in public view; this time, the brawl is between Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and maverick Sher Afzal Marwat.
It all started when Sher Afzal Marwat, while talking to Matiullah Jan, stated that he did not vote for Hamid Khan group in the recent Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections.
“I did not want to vote for Hamid Khan’s candidates in the SCBA, neither did I want to vote for the other group’s candidates, so I did not vote,” said Marwat.
Matiullah Jan, with a surprising reaction, asked Marwat whether his action put PTI at a disadvantage.
He replied: “How did I put PTI at a disadvantage? Hamid Khan passes some statements or other arguments against me. He should be thankful that I did not campaign against his candidates; otherwise, I could uld have had 30-40 votes. Nobody came to me to ask for any votes.”
A day later, Secretary General PTI Salman Akram Raja told reporters, “Sher Afzal Marwat must control himself, we are giving him a chance, if he wants to play a role in party, if he does not show discipline, we will take action.”
In a since-deleted post on X, Marwat wrote: “I am very saddened by the statement issued by Mr Salman Akram Raja adv against me. I was willing to work with you, but neither you are my boss nor do you have any authority to control me. Please bear in mind for all times I am only answerable to Khan sb and Chairman Barrister Gohar. Nobody else matters. Thank you.”
Marwat the Maverick has seen his star wane after constant battles within the party forced him to leave the centre stage. The media’s darling, Marwat, landed in hot water with his colleagues over his outspokenness in the early part of this year.
In his recent attack on PTI, Marwat alleged last week that the KP government, led by Ali Amin Gandapur, did not want Imran Khan to be released from jail. A day later, he said Ali’s actions could pave the way for Governor Raj in the province.
This isn’t the first time that the PTI leaders have been witnessed fighting with each other. Last month when, PTI’s Hammad Azhar insisted that the protest be held despite the SCO starting on the same day. Gandapur replied: “You are in hiding yourself yet you are telling party members to come out and protest.” He then pointed his guns towards PTI Punjab. “I came to Islamabad twice [to protest] but PTI Punjab leadership could not be found anywhere.”
John Elia is the most searched poet on the internet to this date. His poetry has also been appreciated by the young generation in today’s world. Since 2010, Jaun Elia’s die-hard followers have increased exponentially, and this trend has been on an upward curve every passing day. However, he is not quasi-popular among the current poets. John Elia Shayari recognizes no borders. The fire of his pen is now traveling far and wide around the world. Jaun Elia became famous after his life, but the fame did not leave him. You can see the beauty of the words in his poems.
Jaun Elia was born on 14 December in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. His actual name is Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi. Moreover, he was known in the literary world as Jaun Elia or John Elia, a Pakistani Urdu poet, philosopher, biographer, and scholar.
He was the sibling of Rais Amrohvi and Syed Muhammad Taqi, who were both journalists and psychoanalysts. His linguistic skills included Urdu, Arabic, English, Persian, Sanskrit and Hebrew.
One of the well-known poets from Pakistan, his sophistication turned him into a creative outcast as he “received education comprising philosophy, logic, history of Islam, Sufi Order of Islam, religious sciences of Muslims, literature written in the West, and the Kabbala.” Jaun Elia died in Karachi, Pakistan, on the 8th of November 2002.
Read Also: The Most Popular Singer of Pakistan Entertainment Industry Aima Baig
John Elia Poetry in Urdu
جو گزاری نہ جا سکی ہم سے
ہم نے وہ زندگی گزاری ہے
میں بھی بہت عجیب ہوں اتنا عجیب ہوں کہ بس
خود کو تباہ کر لیا اور ملال بھی نہیں
یہ مجھے چین کیوں نہیں پڑتا
ایک ہی شخص تھا جہان میں کیا
زندگی کس طرح بسر ہوگی
دل نہیں لگ رہا محبت میں
ساری دنیا کے غم ہمارے ہیں
اور ستم یہ کہ ہم تمہارے ہیں
بہت نزدیک آتی جا رہی ہو
بچھڑنے کا ارادہ کر لیا کیا
کون اس گھر کی دیکھ بھال کرے
روز اک چیز ٹوٹ جاتی ہے
کس لیے دیکھتی ہو آئینہ
تم تو خود سے بھی خوب صورت ہو
کیا ستم ہے کہ اب تری صورت
غور کرنے پہ یاد آتی ہے
کیسے کہیں کہ تجھ کو بھی ہم سے ہے واسطہ کوئی
تو نے تو ہم سے آج تک کوئی گلہ نہیں کیا
مستقل بولتا ہی رہتا ہوں
کتنا خاموش ہوں میں اندر سے
مجھے اب تم سے ڈر لگنے لگا ہے
تمہیں مجھ سے محبت ہو گئی کیا
علاج یہ ہے کہ مجبور کر دیا جاؤں
وگرنہ یوں تو کسی کی نہیں سنی میں نے
ہم کو یاروں نے یاد بھی نہ رکھا
جونؔ یاروں کے یار تھے ہم تو
اس گلی نے یہ سن کے صبر کیا
جانے والے یہاں کے تھے ہی نہیں
دل کی تکلیف کم نہیں کرتے
اب کوئی شکوہ ہم نہیں کرتے
کیا کہا عشق جاودانی ہے!
آخری بار مل رہی ہو کیا
کتنی دل کش ہو تم کتنا دلجو ہوں میں
کیا ستم ہے کہ ہم لوگ مر جائیں گے
اور تو کیا تھا بیچنے کے لئے
اپنی آنکھوں کے خواب بیچے ہیں
سوچتا ہوں کہ اس کی یاد آخر
اب کسے رات بھر جگاتی ہے
یارو کچھ تو ذکر کرو تم اس کی قیامت بانہوں کا
وہ جو سمٹتے ہوں گے ان میں وہ تو مر جاتے ہوں گے
بن تمہارے کبھی نہیں آئی
کیا مری نیند بھی تمہاری ہے
میری بانہوں میں بہکنے کی سزا بھی سن لے
اب بہت دیر میں آزاد کروں گا تجھ کو
زندگی ایک فن ہے لمحوں کو
اپنے انداز سے گنوانے کا
میں رہا عمر بھر جدا خود سے
یاد میں خود کو عمر بھر آیا
اب مری کوئی زندگی ہی نہیں
اب بھی تم میری زندگی ہو کیا
کتنے عیش سے رہتے ہوں گے کتنے اتراتے ہوں گے
جانے کیسے لوگ وہ ہوں گے جو اس کو بھاتے ہوں گے
نیا اک رشتہ پیدا کیوں کریں ہم
بچھڑنا ہے تو جھگڑا کیوں کریں ہم
یاد اسے انتہائی کرتے ہیں
سو ہم اس کی برائی کرتے ہیں
یوں جو تکتا ہے آسمان کو تو
کوئی رہتا ہے آسمان میں کیا
وہ جو نہ آنے والا ہے نا اس سے مجھ کو مطلب تھا
آنے والوں سے کیا مطلب آتے ہیں آتے ہوں گے
اب نہیں کوئی بات خطرے کی
اب سبھی کو سبھی سے خطرہ ہے
اے شخص میں تیری جستجو سے
بے زار نہیں ہوں تھک گیا ہوں
کیا تکلف کریں یہ کہنے میں
جو بھی خوش ہے ہم اس سے جلتے ہیں
جان لیوا تھیں خواہشیں ورنہ
وصل سے انتظار اچھا تھا
مجھ کو عادت ہے روٹھ جانے کی
آپ مجھ کو منا لیا کیجے
اب تو ہر بات یاد رہتی ہے
غالباً میں کسی کو بھول گیا
اک عجب حال ہے کہ اب اس کو
یاد کرنا بھی بے وفائی ہے
کوئی مجھ تک پہنچ نہیں پاتا
اتنا آسان ہے پتا میرا
نہیں دنیا کو جب پروا ہماری
تو پھر دنیا کی پروا کیوں کریں ہم
کام کی بات میں نے کی ہی نہیں
یہ مرا طور زندگی ہی نہیں
Jaun Elia was not an ordinary poet. His poetry contains some essence that seems to be part of someone’s life. The pain he has portrayed, whether harsh or sorrowful, has touched the hearts of the people. The situation of our people is that they hardly pay regard to the great people in their lives. He also pointed out that we enjoy remembering the deceased only. This is a small attraction for the legendary poet John Elia.
Actress Ayesha Toor believes that women often face less harassment in the metropolitan city of Karachi in comparison to other cities in Pakistan.
During her recent appearance on the FHM podcast, she shared her experiences living in Sindh’s capital, shedding light on the city’s complexities and impact on women.
“Karachi is a city full of problems. There are no roads, there are incidents of theft and robbery, and there are many problems, including water and electricity, but despite all this, I like the people of Karachi,” she said.
Talking about the treatment of women in Pakistan, Toor asserted that “When you leave home in Karachi, the people [men] will see you once, but then they will turn their backs and carry on with their work. People here do not harass women.”
“If there is any problem on the road, people come to your help,” Toor further pointed out.
“The people of Karachi do not have enough time to create problems for women. If I talk about myself, I have never faced as many problems in Karachi as I have encountered in Punjab,” she reflected on her experiences.
“I do not see as much dominance of men in Karachi as I see in Lahore or Islamabad. Although there is a lot of hospitality and love in Lahore, but male temperament is dominant there, while in Karachi, it is not like that”, Ayesha concluded.
The host, Adnan Faisal, also asked Ayesha Toor about her daily gym routine, to which she responded by discussing the balance between exercise and diet, especially in the context of cultural food preferences.
“In my opinion, the gym is just 20 per cent of the effort. Pakistani people say that home-cooked meals at night are very healthy, and dishes like karahi are common,” she said.
“To be honest, I love eating. I’m Punjabi and Pakistani, and life without karahi isn’t enjoyable; I have to eat karahi. My biggest issue is not food but my sugar addiction. I am addicted to sugar, and it’s a serious addiction,” she added, saying that she has struggled in trying to overcome her sweet tooth.
“My food is very clean and healthy, prepared in pure desi ghee. I pay attention to what I’m eating. But as soon as it hits 9 PM, I think, ‘Life is short; I need to eat cake,’ so I have a slice of chocolate cake almost every other night. It seems that your calorie deficit is probably not working out, considering the indulgences you allow yourself in the evening”, Ayesha admitted.
Farmers and tractor producers watched on as officials in Pakistan’s high commission in Kenya facilitated the export of Pakistani tractors. These tractors are headed to their new home in Tanzania: Masai Trekta Company Ltd’s tractor depot.
The export deal marks a significant moment for ATS (ATS tractors), which does not operate on the same scale as other tractor giants in the industry, such as Millat and Ghazi tractors, which have a 70 per cent and 29 per cent market share, respectively. Aside from ATS, other tractor manufacturers are likely to benefit too.
This is because the tractor manufacturing industry has seen a great decline in the recent past, with some plants even shutting down across the country. The situation was so serious that even the Minister for Industry and Production, Rana Tanveer, referred to it as “the sinking tractor manufacturing industry”.
However, experts predict the demand for tractors will increase, not just from Tanzania but also from other neighbouring African countries. This spells great news for tractor manufacturers as they will be able to increase their profit levels due to the increased sales volumes.
Additionally, the sale of tractors will also open up further export avenues for Pakistani businesses. This could include – but is not limited to – the export of tractor spare parts by the 400 companies that produce them. Currently, 90 per cent of all parts used in local tractors are sourced internally, which means that Pakistan is capable of providing international customers with service parts for their tractors.
If these tractors experience problems abroad, Pakistani tractor technicians and mechanics will be paid to fix them. This is bound to create additional skilled labour jobs in Pakistan.
Moreover, tractor manufacturing plants that were previously shut down are expected to reopen and operate closer to full capacity. The result will be an increase in the hiring of unskilled employees at these plants. This is expected to ease the current unemployment rate, which stands at 5.5 per cent.
While tractor manufacturers are expected to benefit, the same can’t be said for business owners in the agricultural sector. The fact of the matter is that a rise in international demand for Pakistani tractors will hurt agricultural landowners and farmers in Pakistan. This is because the price of tractors will rise alongside the demand. As a consequence, Pakistani farmers are expected to suffer as the higher price tags will make it tougher to purchase them.
Lawmakers in Islamabad are undoubtedly elated, though, as tractor exports will help bring in valuable foreign reserves for the cash-strapped country. The export deal is likely to be a cause of relief as just last month alone, the trade deficit rose by 20.4 per cent to an alarming deficit of $1.78 billion.
While further exports are not guaranteed, experts speculate that new export deals are on the horizon. Only time will tell if tractor exports can save the “sinking industry”.
The Pakistani rupee (PKR) weakened by 5.77 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the US dollar (USD) in Thursday’s interbank market, closing at Rs277.85 per USD.
This was a slight drop from Wednesday’s close of Rs277.79.
In the open market, exchange companies quoted the dollar at Rs276.84 for buying and Rs278.72 for selling.
During the day, the local unit touched a high of Rs277.90 and a low of Rs277.80 against the greenback.
It is worth noting that since the start of the fiscal year, the PKR has appreciated by 49.12 paisa, or 0.18 per cent, against the US dollar. For the calendar year, it has strengthened by Rs4.01, or 1.44 per cent.
PKR’s performance against other foreign currencies
Currency
Thursday’s rate
Wednesday’s rate
Change
US Dollar (USD)
Rs277.85
Rs277.79
5.77 paisa (-0.02%)
British Pound (GBP)
Rs361.02
Rs361.34
31.39 paisa (+0.09%)
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Rs1.8260
Rs1.8126
1.34 paisa (-0.74%)
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Rs73.98
Rs73.97
1.34 paisa (-0.02%)
UAE Dirham (AED)
Rs75.65
Rs75.63
1.57 paisa (-0.02%)
Euro (EUR)
Rs301.69
Rs300.72
96.55 paisa (-0.32%)
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Rs39.03
Rs38.99
3.68 paisa (-0.09%)
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Rs321.12
Rs320.24
88.10 paisa (-0.28%)
Exchange rates
Against the British Pound, the PKR gained 31.39 paisa, or 0.09 per cent, closing at Rs361.02, up from Rs361.34 the previous day.
Against the Japanese Yen, the PKR dropped 1.34 paisa, or 0.74 per cent, ending the session at Rs1.8260, down from Rs1.8126.
The rupee also weakened by 1.34 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the Saudi Riyal, closing at Rs73.98, and by 1.57 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the UAE Dirham, finishing at Rs75.65.
Against the Euro, the PKR decreased by 96.55 paisa, or 0.32 per cent, closing at Rs301.69, down from Rs300.72.
The rupee lost 3.68 paisa, or 0.09 per cent, against the Chinese Yuan, finishing at Rs39.03.
The local currency also declined by 88.10 paisa, or 0.28 per cent, against the Swiss Franc, closing at Rs321.12.
PKR’s closing on Wednesday
A day earlier, on Wednesday, the rupee had weakened by 5 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the US dollar settling at Rs277.79.
It fell by 94 paisa, or 0.26 per cent, against the British Pound, closing at Rs361.34.
The rupee gained 38.59 paisa, or 0.12 per cent, against the Swiss Franc, ending at Rs320.24.
Against the Japanese Yen, the rupee strengthened slightly, closing at Rs1.8126.
The PKR dropped by 1.33 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the Saudi Riyal, closing at Rs73.97, and fell by 1.36 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the UAE Dirham, closing at Rs75.63.
Against the Euro, the rupee dropped by 48.46 paisa, or 0.16 per cent, closing at Rs300.72.
The PKR also depreciated by 9.60 paisa, or 0.25 per cent, against the Chinese Yuan, closing at Rs38.99.
Pregnancy can be a challenging journey, but having a supportive sister can make it easie
During her appearance as a guest on Amana Isani Haider’s podcast, Minal Khan shared the challenges she faced and how her sister, Aiman Khan, stood by her side.
“After I conceived, my sister was the first person I told. She was already three months pregnant, and she was so happy for me. She told me, ‘Now you don’t need to think about anything, Minal. I’m here. It’s not difficult; I know you’ll be scared, but I’ll take you along with me on this journey.’ Thanks to her support, I didn’t feel left out,” she said.
Reflecting on her postpartum experiences, the Nand actress revealed the difficulties she faced after giving birth.
“After pregnancy, Alhamdulillah, it went smoothly, but postpartum was very difficult. I got sick right after delivery with a severe infection. I had high fever, one night reaching 106 degrees, and my sister, husband and mother were just standing there, praying. In that moment I realized how vulnerable I was… I couldn’t even take a minute off because I was a mother now,” Minal added.
When asked if it was a planned pregnancy, she said replied, “Yeah… the baby came as a surprise but very very very good surprise that we will cherish all our live InshaAllah.”
On her plans to become a mother Minal said she didn’t want to plan her family in her 30s. “I wanted to have a family before reaching my 30s so that I have my own life, my health is stable and I am able to focus on my career again, not start it from scratch in my 30s.”
Minal Khan has starred in dramas such as ‘Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti’, ‘Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah’, ‘Nand’, ‘Mere Meherbaan’, ‘Mol’ ‘Mithu Aur Aapa, ‘Joru Ka Ghulam’, ‘Malkin’, ‘Beti To Main Bhi Hun’ and ‘ Ishq Hai’.
Minal and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram tied the knot on June 11, 2021, in Karachi.
It may be noted Aiman Khan and Minal Khan last made headlines when they stepped into the world of skincare with their new brand, Skin Recipe. The launch event, held in Karachi, attracted a host of social media influencers, celebrities, and the actresses’ family members. The buzz surrounding the Skin Recipe launch is spreading like wildfire on social media, with pictures and videos from the event circulating on Instagram.
A video showing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur addressing a charged crowd has gone viral, sparking concerns over his words hinting at a bloody revolution.
“This time before we leave, we will tell our families that if we do not return, perform our funeral prayers,” Gandapur said while speaking at a ceremony in KP.
“We have understood that here, one does not get their rights through decency, respect, or according to the law […] the blood within us is red, the colour that symbolises a revolution. When the colour of blood is red… it tells us that problems won’t be solved without bringing a revolution,” he warned, adding that the time for a “decisive battle” had arrived.
CM Gandapur further said that when people asked for their rights as per the Constitution, they were thrown into jail and subjected to oppression or fake FIRs [First Information Reports] were filed against them.
The KP CM also announced the restoration of student unions in the province, saying, “We will provide full opportunities for students to emerge through student unions, which could enable them to raise their voices.”
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by CM Gandapur, recorded at least two major protests at Islamabad’s D Chowk. Another massive protest rally was held in Lahore as well.
The demonstration was against the ruling coalition’s proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment and sought the release of PTI founder Imran Khan from jail.
Holidays have been announced from November 1 to January 31, 2025 for special children in Lahore.
A notification issued by the Punjab government states that special children have been stopped from coming to school and the government has decided to give them leaves from November 1 to January 31, 2025.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for Special Education Sania Ashiq issued the notification in which she stated that on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, special children will be given leave from schools as reports suggest that those suffering from broncho-vascular, cardiovascular and immunodeficiency diseases specially get affected by the smog in the environment.
Sania Ashiq stated that special children of all government and private institutes will be given leave under the Punjab Environment Act 1997. She asserted that the purpose of this leave is to protect them from diseases because health experts have declared the atmosphere of Lahore as dangerous for them.
Soaring environmental pollution is increasing the chances of developing chest diseases, throat diseases, respiratory diseases, colds, coughs, allergies and others are high among special children.
The Punjab government has already imposed a “green lockdown” in Lahore which will take affect from today and under this the restrictions will be imposed on identified smog hotspots.
