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  • Punjab govt to ban protests, political gatherings in Lahore for six days

    Punjab govt to ban protests, political gatherings in Lahore for six days

    The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Lahore after authorizing it in other cities of the province.

    The Home Department has issued a notification announcing the implementation of Section 144 in the city for six days from October 3 to October 8.

    The notification said that there will be a ban on all kinds of public and political gatherings, sit-ins, meetings, demonstrations, protests and all other such activities within the limits of Lahore for six days.

    It further stated that in view of the security threats, any public gathering can be an easy target for terrorists, so the decision to implement Section 144 has been taken on the recommendation of the district administration.

    Notably, in the current wake of circumstances, section 144 has also been implemented in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Chiniot and Jhang in other districts of Punjab.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has also called for a protest cum procession at Minar-i-Pakistan Lahore on October 5.

    The Punjab government has already tabled an amendment bill in the provincial assembly to allow Section 144-a, a remnant of colonial-era law to ban public gatherings, to be enforced for at least three months.

  • Nazish Jahangir accused of scamming actor for money, car

    Nazish Jahangir accused of scamming actor for money, car

    Rising actor Azaan Aswad Haroon has claimed that actress Nazish Jahangir not only extorted money from him but also took his car while pretending to introduce him to the showbiz industry.

    In an interview with Urdu Point, Aswad Haroon said, “A few years ago, I did a telefilm with Nazish Jahangir for the first time, after which we became friends.”

    He added that at the time she gave him the “illusion” of introduction to the entertainment industry. “She started extorting money from me,” he claimed, adding that, “Nazish Jahangir first demanded Rs 15 lakh from me and later asked for more money while the actress kept asking me for expensive gifts and requesting that I get costly items.” He alleged that later Nazish asked him for a car under false pretenses. “I gave the actress a Honda car worth Rs 55 lakh.”

    “Nazish Jahangir used to ask me for air tickets—sometimes to Dubai, sometimes to London, and sometimes to Lahore and Karachi—and I kept giving her everything, trusting her blindly.”

    He said that after a long time, when he was not introduced to the industry, he demanded that the actress return his money. “At which point she called me to a farmhouse, where several armed men took me hostage and subjected me to torture. I was rescued from the farmhouse by my managers and driver, after which I registered a fraud case against Nazish Jahangir at the Defense C police station, in which the money and vehicle were also mentioned,” he added.

    Last week a Sessions Court of Lahore canceled the actress’ bail for not appearing in court in the fraud case.

    Despite the news of a fraud case against her and the accusations leveled by rising actor Aswad Haroon, the actress has not released any statement yet.

  • Son of legendary cricketer announces retirement

    Son of legendary cricketer announces retirement

    Legendary cricketer Abdul Qadir’s son Usman Qadir has announced on social media that he is retiring from Pakistani cricket.

    Spinner Usman Qadir has represented Pakistan in one ODI and 25 T20 matches.

    Sources privy to the decision told Geo News that Usman decided to retire after matters pertaining to a mandatory NOC issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) upset him. He was facing difficulties obtaining the NOC for a long time.

    Geo News reports that Usman Qadir was also very disappointed with the attitude of the international cricket department at PCB. He now wants to look for cricket opportunities in other countries.

    In the social media post, Usman expressed gratitude for his journey with the national cricket team. “I’m thankful for the support of my coaches and teammates who have been with me every step of the way,” he posted.

    Additionally, he remembered his late father in the farewell note: “As I step into this new chapter, I will be continuing my dad’s legacy, embracing both my love for cricket and the lessons he instilled in me.”

  • Sunn Mere Dil is coming very soon to your screens

    Sunn Mere Dil is coming very soon to your screens

    The wait is almost over for fans of Wahaj and Maya Ali, because the drama serial Sunn Mere Dil is all set to air on October 9, on your TV screens.

    The story of the drama promises to appeal to anyone who has ever fallen in love.

    Sunn Mere Dil features a talented cast including Amar Khan, Saba Hamid, Hira Mani, Usama Khan, Syed Mohammed Ahmed, and Shavir Kadwani.


    The drama is written by controversial writer Khalil-Ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Haseeb Hassan, who recently directed Jannat Say Agay.


    In Sunn Mere Dil, Maya plays the character of Sadaf, and Wahaj plays the character of Abdullah.


    The drama is scheduled to air on Wednesday and Thursday on Geo Entertainment at 09:00 PM.
    Here is the latest teaser:

  • Four Adiala jail officials dismissed over prisoner murder inquiry

    Four Adiala jail officials dismissed over prisoner murder inquiry

    The Punjab government has terminated four officials from Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, including Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram and Assistant Superintendent Riaz Khan.

    A notification issued by the Punjab government read that officials were dismissed after being found guilty in an inquiry into the murder of a prisoner in Adiala jail.

    It further read that the inquiry was initiated on February 29 following the death of a prisoner in the cells. The inquiry declared seven officials guilty, including Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram, and four of them were recommended by the Punjab government to be dismissed from employment.

    It should be mentioned here that Deputy Superintendent of Adiala jail Rawalpindi Muhammad Akram, along with other officials, were also apprehended over the allegation of the facilitation of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan in Rawalpindi Adiala jail.

  • ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ will NOT be screened in India

    ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ will NOT be screened in India

    Pakistan’s blockbuster film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ has been banned in Indian cinemas just before its highly anticipated debut on the country’s screens.

    According to Indian media, superstar Fawad Khan and A-lister Mahira Khan’s blockbuster movie ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ was scheduled to be released in theaters in Indian Punjab today, but its release has now been postponed.

    Indian media reported that the film distributor of ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ in India and Pakistani, Nadeem Mandviwala, confirmed the news about the postponement of the film’s release and said that the film had been stopped due to a court order.

    Nadeem Mandviwala said, “Unfortunately, the film’s release has been stalled once again, and nothing can be done until the court gives its verdict.”
    Earlier, Hindu extremists in India had also threatened to stop the release of the film.

    Raj Thackeray, head of the Hindu extremist party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, threatened theater owners in the state of Maharashtra, stating that the film would not be released there under any circumstances.

    ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ was released in 2022 and did record-breaking business worldwide.

  • ‘I wrote the song, I didn’t get any credit for it’; Javeria Saud on Ishq Murshid OST

    ‘I wrote the song, I didn’t get any credit for it’; Javeria Saud on Ishq Murshid OST

    The hit drama serial Ishq Murshid has become a huge success on television and YouTube, setting viewership records with its engaging story.

    One of the most impressive parts of the drama was its original soundtrack (OST) which has become very popular among the fans.

    You all know the OST of Ishq Murshid is written and sung by Ahmed Jahanzed, but there is a twist in the tale.

    Recently, Javeria Saud appeared as a guest on Subh Ka Samaa where she claimed that she did not receive credit for writing the song.

    Madeha Naqvi asked her, “Ishq Murshid was written by you as well, right?”

    Javeria replied, “Yes, I wrote the song, I didn’t get any credit for it, they’re friends, and I’ll let people know, sometimes, it’s the blows from friends that make you strong.”

    Reflecting on her experiences, Javeria recalled writing the famous song for Khuda Aur Mohabbat drama.

    “For example, the song from Khuda Aur Mohabbat that I wrote is still being played today. People love it so much that when they produced the next seasons of that drama, they didn’t change the song at all, in any season.”

    The drama Ishq Murshid was written by Abdul Khaliq Khan and directed by Farooq Rind.

  • IMF director says Pakistan’s 24th loan programme could be last if conditions met

    IMF director says Pakistan’s 24th loan programme could be last if conditions met

    Director of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission for Pakistan, Nathan Porter, has claimed that if the country faithfully follows the IMF’s economic advice, the current programme would be the last for Pakistan.

    Appearing in an interview with Voice of America, the IMF director said that after the economic crisis of 2023, Pakistan’s economy has been improving, which he deemed crucial for the foundation of economic progress.

    Responding to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement declaring that the 24th IMF loan programme would be the last for the country, Nathan Porter said that this could be possible if Pakistan sincerely acted on economic reforms.

    Commenting on Finance Minister Aurangzeb’s statement regarding the tough conditions imposed on Pakistan, the IMF director rejected the claim, adding, “IMF recommended solutions which the concerned country needed to get out of the economic uncertainty.”

    Porter further said the IMF’s stance on Chinese loans to Pakistan was the same as its perspective on the loans of other countries.

  • Dr. Mahrang Baloch among Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024

    Dr. Mahrang Baloch among Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024

    Activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, has been named in Time magazine’s ‘2024 Time100 Next’ list.

    The list featured her for “advocating peacefully for Baloch rights”. She is one of the 19 advocates Time selected for the list.

    “I am deeply honoured and delighted to be named among the top 100 emerging leaders of the world by TIME,” Dr Mahrang wrote in a Facebook post with a link to the whole list.

    She further added, “I dedicate this recognition to all Baloch women human rights defenders and families of victims of forcefully disappeared people.”

    The Times Magazine’s list recognizes 100 young individuals “who are not waiting long in life to make an impact,” including artists, athletes, and advocates. Dr Mahrang was selected for her peaceful advocacy and “for all the hope she represents.”

    The magazine also honoured her for her leadership in a December 2023 march to Islamabad, where she, along with hundreds of women, marched against extrajudicial kidnappings of Baloch people and demanded “justice for their husbands, sons, and brothers”.

    Dr Mahrang came to the spotlight as a primary school student who spearheaded protests after her father went missing in 2009 from outside a hospital in Karachi.

    At the time, being the eldest of six siblings, she raised her voice and registered her protest by burning her school books in front of Quetta Press Club. Her father’s mutilated body was later found in 2011.

    In December 2023, she led a march and a large sit-in in Islamabad to protest against missing people.

    The Current also named Dr Mahrang Baloch as the Person of the Year in 2023.

    As per a recent report, a total of 197 missing persons cases were reported in the first half of 2024 alone, with most being in Balochistan.

  • US flags India ‘country of particular concern’ amid worsening religious freedoms

    US flags India ‘country of particular concern’ amid worsening religious freedoms

    The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on October 2 has called for Narendra Modi-led India to be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” for worsening religious freedoms in the country.

    “Individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and places of worship have been demolished,” read the damning report, which highlights human rights abuses in India.

    The report also criticised the Modi government’s 2019 decision to disenfranchise religious minorities through Citizenship Amendment Act.

    The report also revealed how Indian government officials use misinformation and disinformation to incite violence against religious minorities and their places of worship.

    “The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reinforced discriminatory nationalist policies, perpetuated hateful rhetoric, and failed to address communal violence disproportionately affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples),” noted the US federal government’s report.