Current Final

Blog

  • Wasim Akram says no to important position in PCB: Reports

    Wasim Akram says no to important position in PCB: Reports

    Former captain and Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram has refused to take up an important post offered by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), multiple reports have stated.

    According to Express News, the former captain was offered to become the chief executive officer (CEO) or adviser to the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but due to other engagements, he is not available for the full-time job.

    Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi is also the Federal Interior Minister. He is often criticized for giving little time to cricket. To solve this problem, he decided to hand over affairs of the game to a former cricketer.

    He contacted Wasim Akram and asked him to take over the post of PCB’s chief executive officer or his advisor. It will be a full-time job, and he will see all cricketing matters. However, the former captain apologized to the Chairman and said he now permanently resides in Karachi because of his family. He often has to go to Australia. He can’t live in Lahore again, the report has claimed.

    After this, board officials approached Waqar Younis, who agreed to take over, but the board has not formally announced the appointment.

    Waqar has also been associated with PCB in various capacities earlier, but each time, it ended in an unpleasant manner.

    The post of CEO does not exist in the new constitution, but the constitution can be changed.

  • Abubakar Shak fires back at critics of his British accent

    Abubakar Shak fires back at critics of his British accent

    Abubakar Shak’s british accent in ‘Khudsar’ has earned him both praise and criticism but he’s not letting the haters get to him.

    During an interview with BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rasheed, he was asked about becoming a viral sensation. “My first scene, in which I asked about my stepmother, went viral. I didn’t want to use words like ‘My foot,’ as those are used by others. All I did was read the script. I wanted to change, but I was unable to do so. I brought it up to the director as well,” he replied.

    Abubakar also talked about his accent: “I grew up in England, so my accent’s a mix of geographically a lot of places like Swansea, Cardiff, London, Glasgow, and Manchester.”

    When asked about the criticism to his accent, he replied,
    “But even if I was putting on some fake Britisher, why is it bothering you so much,” he asked the trolls.

  • The best VPNs for use in Pakistan

    The best VPNs for use in Pakistan

    Use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must in Pakistan where many sites are blocked by the state including a site as important as X (formerly Twitter).


    While the irony is that the site is very actively used by both government officials and the public, it’s still used via VPNs.


    A VPN establishes a digital connection between your device and a remote server owned by a VPN provider, creating a point-to-point tunnel that encrypts your data, masks your IP address, and lets you bypass website blocks and firewalls on the internet.


    To ensure that online experiences are safer, more accessible and more secure, we bring you a list of VPNs that are best for Pakistanis to use:

    • ExpressVPN
    • High-Speed Servers: Offers fast, reliable performance that is ideal for streaming and browsing.
    • Robust Security: Utilizes AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and trusted server technology for enhanced privacy.
    • User-Friendly: Simple setup and intuitive apps across various devices.
    • Bypass Censorship: Effectively circumvents geo-restrictions and online censorship.
    • Advanced Protocols: Includes Lightway protocol for speed and reliability.
    • 24/7 Support: Accessible customer service via live chat and email.
    • NordVPN
    • Extensive Server Network: Over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, offering diverse and fast connections.
    • Double VPN & NordLynx: Double VPN is for extra encryption, and NordLynx (based on WireGuard) is for high speeds.
    • Strong Privacy: No-logs policy, CyberSec ad blocker, and Onion over VPN for added privacy.
    • Obfuscated Servers: Hides VPN usage to bypass sophisticated censorship.
    • Dedicated IP: Option for a static IP address for specific uses.
    • User-Friendly: Intuitive interface and reliable performance.
    • Surfshark
    • Affordable: Competitive pricing with feature-rich plans.
    • Unlimited Devices: Allows unlimited simultaneous connections on one account.
    • Robust Security: AES-256 encryption, CleanWeb ad blocker, and MultiHop for double VPN.
    • Camouflage Mode: Conceals VPN usage to avoid detection.
    • NoBorders Mode: Facilitates use in highly restrictive environments.
    • Whitelisted Feature: Customizes VPN usage for specific apps or websites.
    • CyberGhost
    • User-Friendly: Easy-to-use interface with straightforward setup.
    • Dedicated Streaming Servers: Optimized servers for streaming platforms and bypassing geo-blocks.
    • Strong Privacy: No-logs policy, NoSpy servers in the company’s data centres, and multi-layer encryption.
    • Streaming Profiles: Configures VPN settings for various activities like streaming or torrenting.
    • Secure Wi-Fi: Automatic activation of VPN on unsecured networks for added protection.
    • Private Internet Access (PIA)
    • Customizable Settings: Offers extensive options for encryption and protocols.
    • Strong Privacy: No-logs policy and MACE ad/tracker blocker for enhanced privacy.
    • Affordable Plans: Cost-effective with flexible payment options, including cryptocurrencies.
    • Port Forwarding: Improves performance and access to specific services.
    • Transparency: Regular security audits and a commitment to operational transparency.

    Extra VPNs that claim to be reasonable and secure are:

    • PureVPN
    • Global Network: Extensive server locations in 140+ countries.
    • Strong Encryption: AES-256 encryption and secure protocols.
    • Streaming and Bypassing: Effective at unblocking popular streaming services.
    • Dedicated IP Option: Available for specific needs.
    • Ivacy
    • Affordable Plans: Cost-effective with good features for the price.
    • Strong Privacy: No-logs policy and robust security.
    • Wide Server Coverage: Servers in numerous locations worldwide.
    • Split Tunneling: Allows traffic routing through or bypassing the VPN.
  • Tom Cruise set to pull major stunt at Paris Olympics

    Tom Cruise set to pull major stunt at Paris Olympics

    Olympics 2024 are set to conclude with a bang, courtesy of Hollywood’s own daredevil, Tom Cruise. The Top Gun actor will perform a heart-stopping skydiving stunt to mark the end of the Games in Paris and hand over the torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympiad.
    Cruise attended the opening ceremony of the Games.


    During the women’s swimming competition, Cruise said, “It’s awesome. Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”

    Preliminary data from Comcast’s NBCUniversal shows that 28.6 million US viewers watched the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, making it the most watched summer Games opening night since London in 2012.

  • Fact Check: Viral video of Mahrang Baloch’s arrest actually from 2020

    Fact Check: Viral video of Mahrang Baloch’s arrest actually from 2020

    A video circulated on social media on Thursday shows Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch being dragged into a police van, suggesting that she has been arrested.

    Dawn.com, however, conducted a fact check and confirmed that the video is from 2020.

    This spread of misinformation coincides with renewed unrest in Balochistan following protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Gwadar on July 28. The protests were against human rights violations and exploiting the province’s resources. The demonstrations led to arrests and violent clashes with security forces.

    Since then, the arrest of prominent leaders has intensified the protests.

    Currently, the BYC has signed an agreement with the provincial government to end the protest, as their demands, including the release of all those arrested, have been met.

  • ‘Drunk hai, issey nikalo’: KP speaker on MPA Iqbal Wazir

    ‘Drunk hai, issey nikalo’: KP speaker on MPA Iqbal Wazir

    In footage that went viral on social media platform X, MPA Iqbal Wazir of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) can be seen giving a slurred speech in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly while speaker Babar Saleem Swabi calls him “drunk.”

    “Iqbal Wazir’s behaviour is not appropriate,” exclaimed the speaker, before calling the sergeant-at-arms to kick him out of the premises. Meanwhile, a verbal spat continued between Wazir and other members of the KP Assembly.

    “He is not in his senses,” the speaker can be heard saying in the small clip.

  • Tajik Judo champion refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand after defeating him

    Tajik Judo champion refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand after defeating him

    A Tajik Judo Olympian Nurali Emomali reportedly said, ‘Allahu Akbar’ and refused to shake his Israeli opponent’s hand after defeating the Israeli at the Paris Olympics 2024.

    In a 66-kilogram Judo competition, Nurali defeated his Israeli rival Baruch Shmailov. While leaving, he not only refused to shake hands with him but also looked at him and said, ‘Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)’.

    The Tajik athlete is not the first player to refuse to shake hands with an Israeli competitor in the Paris Olympics. Earlier, a Moroccan athlete also refused to shake hands with the same athlete after losing to him.

    Read this: T-shirt wearing Turkish silver medal winner brings storm of memes to social media

    In a later match for the Olympic medal, Emomali took on Japan’s Hifumi Abe in the quarter-finals but fell due to an arm injury, forcing him to withdraw from the tournament.

  • No visa-free entry into Pakistan for two countries

    No visa-free entry into Pakistan for two countries

    The Ministry of Interior has informed the Federal Cabinet that Indian and Afghan citizens will not be given visa-free entry under the program launched for businessmen from friendly countries.

    According to a Business Recorder report, the Cabinet was informed on July 24, 2024, that in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of visa-free entry for businessmen and tourists from other countries, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with key stakeholders and the PM Office, has developed various proposals for visa reforms.

    Previously, the Prime Minister had directed a further relaxation of the visa system to attract businessmen, investors, and tourists from friendly countries.

    The Ministry has also taken several initiatives, including signing visa-free entry agreements with Nepal and the Maldives. Additionally, a ‘Visa on Arrival’ facility was available for 108 countries on the Business Visa List (BVL) and 64 countries on the Tourist List.

    Businessmen traveling to Pakistan now need only to complete the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) form 24 hours before travel, after which the visa will be issued electronically.

    Visas will now be issued through the electronic travel authorization form, which has reduced the required fields from 161 to 30 for basic information only, according to the Ministry.

  • PTI founding member killed in Lahore

    PTI founding member killed in Lahore

    Update

    In a new twist to the story, police claim that the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding member Dr Shahid Siddique was planned by his son.

    Siddique was shot dead in Valencia Town, Lahore, on August 2 when he was returning from the mosque after offering Friday prayers. His son was present at the crime scene but remained unhurt.

    Police alleged that Siddique’s son, Qayyum, planned his father’s murder with a friend because he wasn’t allowed to marry a girl of his choice by his father.

    Qayyum had made a deal of Rs. 5 million for the murder of his father in January for the same reason, said police, adding he paid Rs20 million for the second attack on Siddiqui. Dr Shahid was attacked in January as well, but police remained unsuccessful in finding the culprits at the time.

    Police said that the same son who was the mastermind behind the murder led his father’s funeral prayer.

    Previous

    One of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s founding members, Dr Shahid Siddique, was shot dead in Valencia Town, Lahore, yesterday as he returned from the mosque after offering Friday prayers.

    As he was returning from the Khizra Mosque in the H-block of Valencia Town, an unknown man approached him and opened fire.

    The victim suffered four bullet wounds and was taken to a nearby hospital where he passed away.

    IG Punjab Usman Anwar ordered immediate action to arrest the perpetrator(s) and sought a detailed report from DIG Operations.

    PTI leaders expressed shock and condemned the incident, with Zulfi Bukhari saying that he was “devastated to learn the assassination of Dr Siddique.”

  • Emmad Irfani talks about life and love after son’s death

    Emmad Irfani talks about life and love after son’s death


     
    Actor and model Emmad Irfani has captivated audiences for years with his looks and remarkable acting talent.

    Recently, Irfani appeared as a guest on Haute Talk, hosted by Amna Isani.
    During the interview, the host asked the former supermodel about the tragic death of his son. “You went through a personal tragedy, and I don’t know how comfortable you are talking about it, but could you share how it impacted your work?”

    Getting emotional about his son Zaviyar’s passing, Emmad replied,
    “Yes, his death did affect my work. And I will just say don’t cry because it’s worse, smile because it just happened. He was an angel sent from the heavens. Before that, I think he taught me a lot about life; before that, I was snowboarding through life. After becoming a father, I realized why I was here, and I believe that this is the power of true unconditional love. You work on yourself, you become better, and you realize that there are people who depend on you. He came for a specific purpose, and he wanted to tell me to make something out of myself.”
     
    The actor said that he has changed since the incident, becoming a different person. “Although this is a major setback and there can never be healing, I have learned that one may move on in life by using their work as therapy. Work and time have the ability to heal,” Irfani said.
     
    Currently Emmad Irfani is starring in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, which airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 PM on ARY Digital. The drama is written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Badar Mehmood, and produced by Big Bang Entertainment.