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  • Yasir Hussain clears the air; Called for legalising theatre dances, not pornography

    Yasir Hussain clears the air; Called for legalising theatre dances, not pornography

    Renowned actor Yasir Hussain has addressed rumors claiming he called for the legalization of pornography, clarifying that he only advocated for the legalization of theatre dances in Lahore to boost government revenue.

    Previously, social media and news outlets alleged that Hussain supported the legalization of pornography after he mentioned “adult entertainment should be legalized” during Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast.

    In a recent interview on Faysal Qureshi’s podcast ‘Pressure Buhat Hey,’ Yasir explained, “The dances in Lahore theatres are considered ‘adult entertainment’ because children do not attend them.”

    Hussain suggested that the government could generate income if these performances, which he said require expensive licenses globally, were legal. He proposed that instead of the standard Rs1,000 ticket price for regular theatre shows, these performances should charge Rs4,000, with the extra amount going to the government.

    “So much revenue could be generated if it were legal. Currently, these shows happen daily, but illegally. If they were legal, the only change would be that the government benefits financially,” he said.

    Hussain pointed out that the government often raids theatres, collects money, and shuts them down, only for the shows to restart days later. He emphasized that this system brings no benefit to the government.

    He further added, “If we were truly pure, Pakistan wouldn’t be ranking first or second in porn consumption. We are involved in this, so why not legalize these dances?”

    He also urged the censor board to assign age ratings to films, a practice used worldwide, to allow the Pakistani film industry to grow. He said that if a movie was restricted to a certain age group, only the producer would face a partial loss, but the film shouldn’t be banned entirely for adults.

    He added that banning content on YouTube was pointless since it could be uploaded on other platforms. He also suggested that PEMRA should impose stricter regulations on television content, as children can easily access inappropriate material with a remote.

    Hussain criticized a recent scene in a TV show where twin sisters accidentally switch husbands, calling it inappropriate and not humorous. He argued that content deemed suitable for films should not be allowed on television, while the same content is being restricted in cinemas.

  • PCB to hold high-level meeting to determine the future of Pakistan cricket

    PCB to hold high-level meeting to determine the future of Pakistan cricket

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to hold a high-level meeting and workshop to determine the future course of Pakistan cricket.

    Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi will preside over the meeting. The meeting and the workshop have been named Connection Camp, which will likely be held on September 22.

    Red and White Ball Head Coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, as well as the Heads of International, Domestic, and High Performance, will also attend the meeting. Future decisions will be made based on the suggestions made at the Camp. There will also be a discussion regarding the change of white and red ball captains.

    Gary Kirsten returned home after submitting his report in July, while Jason Gillespie went to Australia after the series against Bangladesh.

    A new white ball captain for the Australia tour is possible.

  • ‘Non-veg khila ke Musalman banayega’; Class three Muslim boy expelled from Indian school over biryani

    ‘Non-veg khila ke Musalman banayega’; Class three Muslim boy expelled from Indian school over biryani

    A video of a Muslim mother arguing with the principal of an Indian school has gone viral in which she is complaining about expelling her son from the school.

    A school in northern India expelled a young student for bringing non-vegetarian biryani for his lunch, sparking an official investigation.

    The incident happened in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district where a three-member investigation committee has been constituted to look into the matter.

    In the footage, the principal can allegedly be heard saying, “Your child says that he wants to convert everyone to Islam by making them eat non-vegetarian food.”

    The child believed to be between five and seven years old, brought meat biryani in his tiffin for lunch.

    Principal Avnish Kumar Sharma denied the allegations, stating that the child had damaged a temple on school grounds and offered biryani to classmates, which upset other parents. “I called a parent-teacher meeting, but his mother accused me instead,” the principal told The Indian Express.

    On allegations of the child’s intentions to “demolish temples” in the future, the distressed mother can be heard confronting the principal by saying he is responsible for verbally abusing her son and locking him in a room as punishment. She further revealed that her son had been facing religious discrimination in the school for the past three months, which she called the “Hindu-Muslim” thing.

    The controversy has raised concerns over religious intolerance and discriminatory practices prevalent in India as incidents of cow vigilantism and lynching of Muslims have also been reported in the recent past.

  • Zainab ke Papa reaches 10 million subscribers with his family vlogs

    Zainab ke Papa reaches 10 million subscribers with his family vlogs

    In today’s digital world, YouTube has become a unique platform where people do almost anything to become famous. Despite criticism, YouTubers have made a name for themselves by sharing their everyday lives and making family vlogs.

    Recently, famous YouTuber, Arshad Khan, better known as ‘Zainab ke Papa’, celebrated a significant milestone by reaching 10 million subscribers by sharing his family’s daily life. He joins the ranks of popular content creators and YouTubers such as Ducky Bhai, who has 7.89 million subscribers, Sisterology with 4.69 million, and Muaz Safdar with 4.15 million subscribers on YouTube.

    The trend of daily vlogging has also caught the attention of actors, who now use YouTube to connect with their fans, sharing everything from personal moments to behind-the-scenes stories. However, this addiction to views has led to more people sharing every aspect of their lives, even domestic arguments, to boost subscribers.

    Here are the comments of fans congratulation them on hitting 10 million subscribers on YouTube:

  • COAS Gen Asim Munir calls for unity, declares bond between army and people vital

    COAS Gen Asim Munir calls for unity, declares bond between army and people vital

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has said that political differences should not cause hatred among people and termed relations between the army and the people the foundation for defeating any enemy.

    Speaking on a Defence Day ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Gen Munir said, “For national unity, it is essential that political differences do not turn into hatred.”

    The Army Chief highlighted the protection of minority rights to achieve national unity as per the constitution of Pakistan.

    Commenting on Operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” (Resolve of Stability), he said, “Operation Azm-e-Istahkam is part of the National Action Plan. In this long war, not only the Pakistan Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies but also a large number of civilians, especially from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, have made great sacrifices.”

    He added, “The malicious goals aimed at weakening national unity will not succeed.”

  • Ahsan Iqbal recalls how PTI govt prevented him from undergoing physiotherapy after he was shot

    Ahsan Iqbal recalls how PTI govt prevented him from undergoing physiotherapy after he was shot

    Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal recalled the unfortunate incident of May 2018 when he was shot by a religious extremist, saying, “Even today, when I see my crooked and broken arm, Imran Khan’s face comes before me.”

    Iqbal appeared on a Dawn News programme with anchor Adil Shahzeb, claiming that former Prime Minister Imran Khan did to the opposition during his tenure while he had maximum facilities in Adiala Jail.

    “On the third day of my second surgery, the doctors said that if I didn’t do physiotherapy, my hand would become crooked. Despite court orders, Imran Khan did not allow me to undergo physio for two and a half months, due to which the hand became crooked,” lamented the federal minister.

    Iqbal said, “This was the kind of vengeance Imran Khan’s government was undertaking, but we did not make such a fuss about it.”

    Ahsan Iqbal said that he was not telling this story to take revenge on Khan but to let the people know that “What they did to us did not happen to them [PTI leaders].”

  • Senator Mandviwalla claims everyone in Pakistan is using hashish

    Senator Mandviwalla claims everyone in Pakistan is using hashish

    Senator Saleem Mandviwalla recently commented on the increasing use of cannabis in Pakistan, stating, “Everyone in the country is consuming hashish.”

    The remarks were passed during a Senate Finance Committee meeting chaired by Mandviwalla. Ministry of Science and Technology officials briefed committee menbers on the Hemp Control and Regulatory Authority Bill.

    Mandviwalla argued over whether cannabis or hashish is harmful to health to which officials from the Ministry responded, “We need to assess the level of intoxication in it,” implying that hashish, to some extent, falls under the category of entertainment.

    Benefits of hemp

    Officials informed the Senate committee that hemp is cultivated on 50,000 acres in Pakistan, and at present, hemp can only be used for hashish production.

    Discussing the benefits of hemp, officials highlighted that it can be used to produce cotton and improve soil fertility.

    The officials further told the committee, “If hashish is legalised, it could generate $5 billion in revenue.”

    Last month, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) seized drugs worth over Rs20 million during various operations across the country. These anti-drug smuggling operations led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of over 234 kilogrammes of narcotics, says the spokesperson of ANF.

    All suspects have been charged under the Anti-Narcotics Act, with investigations underway.

    Notably, the bill and policy were initially developed by the Ministry of Science, but disputes arose between the Ministries of Science and Anti-Narcotics over their roles. It was eventually decided that the Ministry of Defence would take the lead in this sector.

  • Did CJP Isa really seek an extension? X exchange settles the debate

    Did CJP Isa really seek an extension? X exchange settles the debate

    An interesting exchange occurred between The News’ journalist Fakhar Durrani and lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii on X, formerly Twitter, regarding the alleged “judicial package” or extension in the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

    The exchange between the two started when Abdul Moiz took to X to condemn Senator Irfan Siddiqui’s recent op-ed in Jang magazine commending Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who is the next in line to become the CJP.

    Moiz wrote, “This soft signalling by the PMLN through irfan sb of their acceptance of SMASH as CJP is frankly too little and too late. Not that it would have made a difference to begin with.”

    Fakhar Durrani disagreed with Moiz saying, “Jaferii bhai my humble suggestion, if someone’s propaganda is exposed they should accept their mistake gracefully instead of blaming others that they have failed.”

    He further said that Express Tribune’s court reporter Hasnat Malik was the first to report in a May 16 article that CJP Isa did not want an extension.

    Jafrii took Fakhar’s bait, asking him why Hasnat has consistently reported about the alleged judicial package.

    Fakhar Durrani replied, “Have you relied on the sourced material which he published on Express Tribune? Is there any report published in Express Tribune which resulted in shaping your opinion that QFE is adamant to get extension? Or you are solely relying on his YouTube reports?”

    He stated that journalists must follow a code of conduct and editorial policies when publishing on a credible platform. In contrast, YouTube is an “unchecked platform where there’s no editorial check and balance.”

    Jafrii sarcastically replied that one cannot deem a source credible and non-credible simultaneously, referring to Hasnat Malik’s stories.

    Fakhar then replied in detail, saying, “As a lawyer, whatever you say in the street/outside courtroom, can you repeat the same before the court? Every profession has some set of principles, ethics and code of conduct.”

    Durrani further stated, “The same applies to journalism. When you report for your official media organisation, you have to follow certain principles and answer your editors’ questions. Most of the time, you have to prove your story with evidence before the editors, and then it gets published.”

    Abdul Moiz did not back down and replied, “It is because of the YouTube journalism of @HasnaatMalik @Matiullahjan919 @AsadAToor @saqibbashir156 @AhmedASarfraz @SohailRashid8 and co that qazi sb became chief. Their journalism today has allowed the legal fraternity and the judiciary to galvanise together and see the forest for the trees.”

    Fakhar Durrani then replied in detail to YouTuber Matiaullah Jan’s dialogue with reporters Hasnaat Malik and Saqib Bashir and the image of a letter by CJP Isa dated August 28 in which he explicitly stated that he wanted the meeting regarding High Court Justices on May 3, but due to majority opinion, it was deferred.

    He asked, “Do you think these journalists can’t read the minutes of the meeting or a letter. They do. But even then they are trolling and propagating that QFE deferred the meeting because he wants to get extension. Lastly. I never get excited. One can argue when you come up with logic. If a learned lawyer like you start labeling any dissenting voice as if they are in sync with establishment, there will be no debate.”

  • ‘Military court trial likely for Imran Khan,’ government sources say

    ‘Military court trial likely for Imran Khan,’ government sources say

    Criminal evidence against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and military evidence against former spymaster General Faiz Hameed pertaining to the May 9 riots, has been collected.

    Government sources told The News that the decision to hand Khan over to an army official on the pretext of an Army Act trial is yet to be made.

    Based on evidence, Khan’s trial will undoubtedly be in the military court. However, civilians could be exempted as their cases are pending in the Supreme Court, revealed the sources.

    A Cabinet Committee declared former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan guilty of the May 9 riots in the report prepared by the caretaker government.

    Report reads. “Evidence shown to the cabinet committee indicates several leaders were included in planning the May 9 riots, and Imran Khan contributed actively.”

    It further read, “Investigations conducted so far suggest there were 34 individuals who masterminded the strategy of violent street power, actively contributed to planning the violence and mayhem.”

  • Appearing on Gharidah’s show insult to this movement, Shahbaz Gill tells Fawad Chaudhary

    Appearing on Gharidah’s show insult to this movement, Shahbaz Gill tells Fawad Chaudhary

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shahbaz Gill and former PTI minister Fawad Chaudhary had a rare public disagreement on X (formerly Twitter) after the latter appeared on Gharidah Farooqi’s show.

    After Fawad shared a clip from the GTV show on X, Gill termed her a “journalist-like tout” and said that appearing on her show was an “insult to this entire movement.”

    Fawad replied by writing that journalists and politicians are a permanent reality. “Space should be given to those who oppose your point of view,” he stated.

    Gill, however, remained adamant. Naming Zahid Hussain, Muhammad Malik, Benazir Shah, Arifa Noor, Hamid Mir and Muhammad Hanif as people who “criticise us vehemently and we respect them”, he again targeted Gharidah.

    “This woman is not a journalist. She did not carry out journalism. She carried out filth.”

    He then went on to say that some hands are stained by “the blood of our people”.

    “They will be held accountable,” he concluded.

    Gharidah Farooqi has repeatedly alleged that she has been targeted on social media by PTI-affiliated accounts, both during the party’s ruling period and afterwards.