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  • Gold price surges by Rs4,000 in two days, now at Rs272,500 per tola

    Gold price surges by Rs4,000 in two days, now at Rs272,500 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan continued to climb on Saturday, after increasing in the international markets.

    The price of gold in the local bullion market rose by Rs500 per tola, reaching a level never witnessed in the country’s history.

    According to All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of the precious metal was recorded at Rs272,500, breaking Friday’s record.

    It is worth noting that the last highest price of gold was recorded yesterday, when yellow metal’s rate was quoted by gold dealers at Rs272,000 per tola. Gold prices earlier witnessed a massive rise of Rs3,500 per tola on the previous trading day.

    Furthermore, the price for 10 grammes of gold also increased today, witnessing a surge of Rs429 and closing the day at Rs233,625.

    Considering international market, gold prices jumped further, with the APGJSA reporting the rate at $2,622 per ounce. This rate includes a $20 premium.

    Globally, the gold rate witnessed a hike of $10 during the day.

    Once more, silver prices were seen unchanged at Rs2,950 for one tola.

  • Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s album Chain of Light released after 30 years

    Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s album Chain of Light released after 30 years

    More than 30 years after it was recorded, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legendary voice returns with the release of Chain of Light, a lost album released on Friday by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records.

    The album was recorded in 1990 at Real World Studios. There are four tracks in the 41-minute album.

    The songs, including ‘Ya Allah Ya Rehman’ and ‘Aaj Sik Mitran Di’ take listeners back to the energy of Khan’s live concerts.

    The track ‘Ya Gaus Ya Meeran’ adds intensity, while ‘Khabram Raseed Imshab’ offers a joyful tone, highlighting the range of Khan’s legendary vocals.

    In addition to Nusrat on harmonium and vocals, the album features his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, tabla player Dildar Hussain, and chorus members Mujahid Ali, Rehmat Ali, Rahat Ali, Asad Ali, Ghulam Farid, and Khalid Mahmood.

    Peter Gabriel, founder of Real World Records, shared his admiration for Nusrat when the album was first announced in June.

    “What he could do with his voice was extraordinary,” said Gabriel. “We were proud to help bring him to a wider global audience. This album shows him at his peak.”

    The recordings were rediscovered in 2021 after being forgotten in storage during the label’s archive relocation.

    Gabriel called the rediscovery a “real delight,” noting that Chain of Light reveals Nusrat at his best.

    He passed away in 1997 at the age of 48, but he remains an influential figure in world music. His family members, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his sons, continue his legacy.

  • ‘Your memory will live on through our children and me’: Shagufta Ejaz’s emotional tribute to late husband

    ‘Your memory will live on through our children and me’: Shagufta Ejaz’s emotional tribute to late husband

    Posting a beautiful tribute filled with love, actor Shagufta Ejaz took to Instagram to talk to her husband Yahya Siddiqui who passed away a few days ago.

    On Friday, Ejaz posted a collage of family photographs, depicting sweet moments with her family.

    She wrote, “You may be gone however, your love, legacy, and memory will forever be etched in my heart and in the hearts of our children. Your presence blessed us so much, and I do really appreciate all of that time we had together. Your memory will live on through our children and me. Your love, guidance, and support shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

    Remembering him as a father, she wrote: “Our children were the lights of your life, and you were their rock, their hero, and their shining example. I remember the way you made us laugh, the way you always knew how to make us feel better, and the way you always put others before yourself. Your selflessness, kindness, and generosity inspired me every day.”

    “You may be gone, but your memory will live on through our children and me. We will continue to show your loved ones that life is worthwhile to live, everything to be achieved, and memories to be remembered,” Ejaz wrote.

  • Lahore High Court voids notification dismissing widow from govt job after second marriage

    Lahore High Court voids notification dismissing widow from govt job after second marriage

    The Lahore High Court invalidated a notification of the dismissal of a widow from her government job after she married again.

    A two-member bench of the provincial top court issued a written decision on Zoya Islam’s written appeal.

    The bench was headed by Justice Chaudhry Iqbal.

    The applicant argued that after the death of her husband, who was a government servant, she got the job of Naib Qasid in 2020. She married for the second time in 2021. However, on the basis of remarriage, she was dismissed from the job after being told that she was no longer eligible for the job.

    The court ruled that the job given to the widow of a government servant cannot be terminated after her second marriage. After the death of the husband, the widow will not be dismissed from the government job because the widow has the right to remarry.

    “This is the basic right of a woman given to her by our religion,” the court said in the written decision.

    The court further added that firing a widow from a job on the basis of second marriage is a violation of Sharia law.
    Lahore High Court quoted the Supreme Court’s decision asserting the unlawfulness of dismissing a widow from a job on account of remarriage.

    The court annulled the eviction notice given to Zoya Islam and allowed her to continue the job.

  • Sana Khan in tears as she reflects on a dark chapter of her life

    Sana Khan in tears as she reflects on a dark chapter of her life

    Former Indian actress Sana Khan has opened up about her experiences during her filming career and quitting it for a religious life.

    She recently appeared on Rubina Dilaik’s podcast, during which she talked about about her struggles as a Muslim in Bollywood.

    Dilaik asked Khan when and why she chose to return to her religion.

    In response, she said, “Sometimes we talk to people very well, but at that time our body language is not good. There was a time in my life when I started questioning myself why I was not happy.”

    While talking about Islam, she said, “As a woman, I didn’t realise when the devil made me naked.”

    “I don’t know when a shalwar-kameez, hair-oiled college-going girl got to shortcut and sleeveless, and I still cry when I think about it,” she added.

    “In our religion, a daughter is considered a blessing,” she added.

    Sana Khan said goodbye to Bollywood in 2020 and married Mufti Anas Syed in 2021. Since her marriage, she is living a happy life. Last year Sana Khan and Mufti Anas had a son.

  • ‘Rejected amendments over concerns about military expansion,’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman clarifies

    ‘Rejected amendments over concerns about military expansion,’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman clarifies

    Chief Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while criticising the twenty-sixth constitutional amendments draft, said he rejected the controversial constitutional amendments due to fears of expansion of military rule.

    Speaking to the media in Multan on Friday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the proposed amendment provides exemptions to the military and limits the scope of basic rights.

    Showing concerns over the secrecy of the constitutional amendments draft, the Chief of JUI-F remarked, “Eventually, they (incumbent government) gave us a copy, but I cannot say for sure whether both copies are identical. We do not know if there have been additions or subtractions in the new version.”

    He added, “We told the government that this is merely a headline; show us the actual draft first, and then we will discuss.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Maulana alleged that modifications in the constitution were introduced to protect the coalition government, predicting, “This government is unlikely to complete its tenure.”

    Meanwhile, appearing on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government will continue to pursue Maulana Fazlur Rehman over constitutional amendments.

    The Defence Minister advised JUI-F “Not to doubt the [ruling parties]’s intentions.”

  • Speeches against the army and judiciary will not be allowed: Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

    Speeches against the army and judiciary will not be allowed: Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

    Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said on Friday, “Pakistan’s constitution declares that there can be no talk against the armed forces and the judiciary; therefore, speeches against the army and the judiciary will be stopped.”

    In the past and the present, both the opposition and the government benches have discussed diverse topics, including the country’s institutions.

    Ayaz Sadiq said in an informal conversation with the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) yesterday: ‘I am not talking about retired judiciary members. I am talking about the present service that we cannot talk by taking their name in this way. Speeches against the judiciary and the army will not be aired; we will cut them. We give maximum time to the opposition on our website but will cut such speeches.”

    On the topic of the recent failed attempt by the coalition government to pass the constitutional amendments, the speaker expressed ignorance over the details of the draft.

    He also stated that law enforcement agencies have no role in postponing the sessions of parliament even though, in the past, that was true.

    “In the past, we were told that the NAB Chairman could not be called into the parliament, and the session of NA used to be cancelled,” revealed Sadiq.

  • ‘Don’t have to watch it’: Khushhal Khan talks violence in Duniyapur 

    ‘Don’t have to watch it’: Khushhal Khan talks violence in Duniyapur 


     
     
     Actor Khushal Khan has been making a name in the entertainment industry with impressive performances. He last starred in the web series ‘Barzakh’ in which he played the character of young Jaffer.
     
     During an appearance as a guest on Fuchsia Magazine, Khushhal Khan talked about the concerns surrounding his new project, Duniyapur.
     
     The host asked, “This isn’t a matter of concern, but in places where law and order isn’t taken very seriously, we’re showing such a drama that everyone is watching. Discussions have arisen about age ratings and whether it’s appropriate.”
     
     
     
     Khushal replied, “This is something we can discuss, it’s very explicit and has a lot of killings and that kind of content, now that everybody is watching, there’s no telling them to avoid it. Also, kids underage shouldn’t watch it if it’s explicit, if someone is sensitive to it, so it’s okay not to watch. If I had a problem with something, I wouldn’t watch it. I know myself well enough to decide that something isn’t for me.”
     
    He continued saying, “There’s a lot of content available online, and I have easy access to my phone and the internet, but I wouldn’t watch everything. The same goes for everyone else; if they’re sensible enough, they can judge by the trailers and teasers. Families can see the trailers beforehand, its right there in front of them. “
     
    “For every project we do in the future or have done in the past, if someone isn’t comfortable, they don’t have to watch it. Nobody is forcing you to. We would love for you to watch it and enjoy it, but if it makes you uncomfortable, that’s not our intention. Our intention is to entertain, not to make anyone feel uncomfortable”, the actor added.


    Khushhal also highlighted that there aren’t always explicit warnings for content in Pakistani dramas, saying,


    “I don’t think our dramas give those warnings. You know, smoking and alcohol are sometimes shown, and parents have to take control over what their families watch. There are even things that don’t show blood, for example, when a gunshot happens, blood isn’t shown, but that doesn’t make sense. If a bullet is fired, there should be blood.”
     
    “Logical things should be shown, not illogical things. Maybe there should be warnings that this drama has a certain level of violence, so small children shouldn’t watch it. There’s nothing wrong with a warning. Parents should be sensible enough to monitor what their kids are watching. Everything is out there, but as a parent, it’s your responsibility to supervise what your kids are viewing”, Khan added. 
     
    Reflecting on his own upbringing, Khushal Khan talked about his childhood and the importance of parental guidance in media choices.


    Khushhal Khan said, “My parents did the same with me; I was only allowed to watch certain movies at a certain age, and they monitored everything I watched. So, I would say parents should do the same. If I feel that something shouldn’t be shown to kids, then it shouldn’t be shown. My brother shouldn’t be watching certain things just let him watch Cocomelon.”
     
    Khushal Khan has starred in dramas such as  Qissa Merhabano Ka, Mubhabbat GumShuda, Wehshi and Muskhil.

  • FIFA announces first-ever Intercontinental Cup

    FIFA announces first-ever Intercontinental Cup

    The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced the launch of the first-ever Intercontinental Cup starting from September 22.

    The event will feature five teams, with the final scheduled to be played on December 18 in Doha.

    The first match of the event will take place between Al Ain (Winners of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League) and Auckland City (Winners of the 2024 OFC Champions League) on September 22.

    The winner of this match will face Al Alhy (Winners of the 2023–24 CAF Champions League) on October 29. On December 11, the CONMEBOL champion (Winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores) will face Pachuca (Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup).

    The winner of the match number two and three will head to head in playoffs on December 14 in Doha, while the winner of this match will face Real Madrid on December 18.

    The event name is derived from the previous Intercontinental Cup, which was last played in 2004 between teams from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and CONMEBOL.

  • PCB is in search of high-performance coach for red ball cricket

    PCB is in search of high-performance coach for red ball cricket

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued an advertisement seeking a high-performance coach for the red ball cricket team.

    According to Geo, the High Performance Coach will assist the Head Coach in game planning and will also work closely with the Head Coach in pre- and post-tournament preparations to enhance performance.

    As per PCB, five years of experience and minimum level 2 coaches are eligible to apply. Aspirants can submit applications till October 7.
    During the recent series against Bangladesh, Tim Nelson took over as high-performance coach, brought in by Red Ball coach Jason Gillespie from South Australia.

    Tim will probably be the Red Ball high-performance coach, while the advertisement is a necessary step in making regular appointments.