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  • What is the government’s new name for the TTP?

    What is the government’s new name for the TTP?

    Journalist Iftikhar Firdous has posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Pakistan’s interior ministry has ordered all government officials to use the term “Fitna al Khawarij” (FaK) for the banned terrorist organisation Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in all official documents.

    According to the notification issued by the interior ministry, TTP has tried to damage Islam by distorting its image.

    Historically, the Kharijites were an Islamic sect which emerged during the first civil war, called the First Fitna, in the Islamic community.

    The website Islamqa.info defines Khawarij as followers of whims and desires who have deviated from the path of Sunnat.

    Social media reacted sarcastically to this government decision.

  • PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to bring electricity prices down

    PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to bring electricity prices down

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing electricity bills amid ongoing protests across Pakistan over soaring power costs.

    Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Friday, PM Shehbaz emphasised that the issue of electricity tariffs should not be politicised, describing such actions as an insult to the public.

    PM Shehbaz’s comments come in response to widespread demonstrations led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and other groups. Protesters, who have rallied in various cities and blocked major roads, are demanding the removal of taxes that have contributed to a significant increase in electricity bills.

    The escalating energy costs have particularly burdened low- and middle-income households.

    Despite negotiations between the government and protest leaders, there has been no indication that their demands will be met. JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has stated that the party is prepared to maintain its protests to oppose the government’s stance on rising electricity prices.

    The federal government implemented a 26 per cent increase in electricity rates for the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30. On July 13, an additional 20 per cent hike was introduced, compounding the financial strain on consumers already grappling with high inflation.

    Experts have suggested that no immediate reduction in electricity prices is expected due to the government’s reliance on energy and petroleum products as sources of revenue.

    During the cabinet meeting, Sharif acknowledged the financial burden on the salaried class, revealing that the government has allocated Rs50 billion to support consumers through July, August, and September.

    Additionally, he noted that the government has reduced electricity costs for industries by Rs8.5 per unit and continues to protect consumers using up to 200 units of electricity.

    Sharif emphasised that while some taxation is necessary, excessive tax burdens on taxpayers are not justified.

  • Ishq-e-Bilal: Five unforgettable dramas starring Bilal Abbas Khan

    Ishq-e-Bilal: Five unforgettable dramas starring Bilal Abbas Khan

    Actor Bilal Abbas Khan has made a name for himself as a fearless and versatile actor who continually challenges barriers in the roles he chooses (we obviously love him). He is now preparing himself to captivate audiences in ‘Mann Jogi.’
     
    Here are the five of Bilal Abbas’ most unforgettable performances:
     
     
    O’ Rangreza
     
    Bilal played a tough character in O’ Rangreza. The drama is about a man who is obsessed with a famous actress and treats his wife badly. His daughter tries to win his approval by copying the actress and being the perfect child. The drama is written by Saji Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar.


    Cheekh
     
    Cheekh is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Badar Mehmood, The main plot of Cheekh is the trials and tribulations of a woman, Mannat, who seeks justice for the murder of her friend, Nayyab.
    Bilal Abbas Khan delivered a remarkable performance, showcasing his range and depth as an actor. His character, Wajih Taseer, remains one of his most memorable roles, alongside seasoned actors Saba Qamar. Bilal also got nominated for Best Actor at the Hum Style Awards for his role.


     
     
    Pyar Ke Sadqay
     
    The story of Pyar Ke Saday is of Abdullah and Mahjabeen, who are madly in love with each other and attempt to overcome several challenges while trying to be together . They come together in the unexpected arranged marriage. The drama is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Farooq Rind. Bilal played the character of Abdullah, a sensitive and emotional young man.


     
    Ishq Murshid  
     
    Bilal Abbas’s recent hit drama Ishq Murshid can’t be missed. He played two characters in the drama as Shameer Sikander and Fazal Baksh. Abbas played both characters really well. The drama received was a huge success, reaching the highest TRP and massive views on YouTube. Bilal and Dur-e-Fishan Saleem (Shibra) chemistry was praised and loved by fans. Ishq Murshid is written by Abdul Khaliq Khan and directed by Farooq Rind.


    Mann Jogi
    An upcoming drama, Bilal will be appearing along with Sabeena Farooq and Mirza Gohar Rasheed. Bilal will be playing the role of a spiritual leader in Mann Jogi. The drama is written by acclaimed writer Zafar Mairaj and directed by Kashif Nisar.

  • We’ll win next time: Five out of seven Pakistani athletes out of the Olympics

    We’ll win next time: Five out of seven Pakistani athletes out of the Olympics

    One more Pakistani athletes has been eliminated from the Paris Olympics, after Faiqa Riaz was eliminated from the women’s 100-meter race.

    Faiqa, who set a new national record of 11.70 seconds at the National Athletics Championship, finished sixth out of nine athletes at the Olympics, covering the distance in 12.49 seconds.

    Earlier, Pakistani swimmers Jehanara Nabi and Ahmed Durrani and shooters Kishmala Talat and Joseph Gulfam were eliminated.

  • Gold price hits all-time high of Rs257,300 after Rs2,400 surge per tola

    Gold price hits all-time high of Rs257,300 after Rs2,400 surge per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan soared to a record high following remarks from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who suggested that an interest rate cut might be considered as early as September.

    The price of 24-karat gold surged by Rs2,400, reaching Rs257,300 per tola. On the international stage, spot gold prices climbed to around $2,460 per ounce, marking a 3 per cent increase for the week.

    Powell, speaking at a press conference after the Fed’s decision to maintain its benchmark interest rate, indicated that if economic data remains favourable, the central bank could potentially reduce interest rates during its next meeting on September 17-18.

    In Pakistan, 24-karat gold has risen by Rs37,300 per tola, or 17 per cent, since the start of the year. This compares to a 24.5 per cent gain in the country’s key stock index over the same period.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported the price of 24-karat gold at Rs220,593 per 10-gramme, up by Rs2,057. Additionally, 22-karat gold was priced at Rs202,210 per 10-gramme.

    Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained stable, with 24-karat silver selling for Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486 per 10-gramme.

  • Google chrome introduces three new AI features

    Google chrome introduces three new AI features

    Google Chrome has introduced three new features based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

    These three features are being introduced for the desktop version of Google Chrome.

    First feature is Google Lens in Chrome, which has been modified so that it can be used for image search. You need to click an item on a web page clicking on the lens icon tool in Chrome, details related to it will be shown on the side panel.

    In the side panel, users will be able to use multi-search for color, brand and other details and get answers to their queries through Google Gemini.

    Chrome is also introducing a feature called Tab Compare, which will combine tabs of multiple items into one window and provide a brief explanation of each item with the help of AI. This feature will be helpful for online shopping as users will be able to see the price and other details of items from different companies at one place.

    Third feature will help you search for anything. For example, you can search for ‘Best biryani in DHA | In the last two weeks,” and it will show results from the last two weeks.

    All three features will be available to users in the US first, in the coming weeks, but Google hasn’t confirmed it for other countries.

  • Turkey blocks access to Instagram

    Turkey blocks access to Instagram

    Many users living in Turkey complained on the X platform that they could not refresh their Instagram feed, an issue verified by AFP journalists.

    On Friday, the BTK communications authority announced on its website that the Meta-owned platform had been blocked.

    It did not give a reason, but a BTK official told Turkish media that it was because of “criminal content” on Instagram that the latter had been asked to withdraw.

    The president’s communications director, Fahrettin Altun, had on Wednesday accused Instagram of censure, saying it was “preventing people from publishing messages of condolence for the martyr Haniyeh”.

    Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was killed in Tehran on Wednesday in an attack blamed on Israel.

    Erdogan decreed a national day of mourning in memory of Haniyeh, who played a key role in talks aimed at ending nearly ten months of war in Gaza.

    “This is a very clear and obvious attempt at censure,” Altun said on X.

    An anonymous BTK source denied the move was due to Instagram blocking posts about Haniyeh, telling website Medyascope that it was over “insults to Ataturk”, the founding father of modern Turkey, and “crimes” including “drug games (and) paedophilia”.

    He said the platform would be blocked permanently if it didn’t resolve the problem.

    According to Turkish media, 50 million of the country’s 85 million people have an Instagram account.

    Digital law expert Yaman Akdeniz said the decision had likely been taken by the president’s office or a government ministry.

    He said BTK needed to get the decision approved by a judge, and it was unlikely that a judge would approve it.

    “The censure imposed on Instagram is arbitrary and can be neither explained nor justified,” he said on X.

    The decision to freeze the platform at 03:00 am on Friday sparked derision on other social media networks such as X.

    “Instagram is blocked in Turkey. Life is over,” wrote user “CringeOfMaster” alongside a picture of a grieving man.

    “BTK’s job isn’t to cut off the internet but to get it working faster,” said IT professor Cem Say, noting that Turkey ranked “111th in the world for internet speed”.

    This is not the first time that Turkish authorities have temporarily blocked access to social media sites, notably following attacks.

    Wikipedia was blocked between April 2017 and January 2020 over two articles that alleged a link between the presidency and extremism.

    Although Erdogan’s government is regularly accused of muzzling freedom of expression, the move to stop Wikipedia caused shock because of the huge amount of online information that became inaccessible.

    In April, Facebook owner Meta suspended its Threads social network in Turkey following a decision by authorities there to prevent it from sharing information with Instagram.

  • TLP’s Pir Zaheerul Hassan Shah still at large as police continues hunt

    TLP’s Pir Zaheerul Hassan Shah still at large as police continues hunt

    The News has said that previous media reports of arrests of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) vice emir Pir Zaheerul Hassan Shah turned out to be not true as the police are struggling to arrest him.

    Reportedly, Shah has fled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since late Monday when the government tightened the noose around TLP leaders for targeting the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

    “We have zeroed in on the cleric. We are not far from getting a hand on him,” said an official to The News.

    Previously, the culprit had announced a head-money of Rs10 million on Qazi Faez Isa in reaction to a decision of a three-member bench in the Mubarak Sani case.

    Meanwhile, FIRs have been filed against more than 1500 TLP members across the Punjab province after the government took a firm stance against the right wing religious party.

  • Mustafa and Sharjeena’s friendly romance” takes over the internet

    Mustafa and Sharjeena’s friendly romance” takes over the internet

    The drama ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ has introduced Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir to viewers as a new couple. Since opposites usually attract, Hania and Fahad are playing opposing roles to each other. The story of ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ is drawing in viewers and developing quickly. After getting married, Mustafa and Sharjeena are trying to move ahead.

    Mustafa helps Sharjeena adjust into his home by becoming more kind and helpful despite his casual careless attitude. Their bond is interesting to watch.

    The main plot of the drama revolves around the concept of opposites attracting, where Hania, aka Sharjeena, portrays the role of a bibliophile and class topper with a practical approach, while Fahad’s character is a little laid-back.


    ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ 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.


    Fans are loving the chemistry between the lead actors, especially in episode 8. Here are some reactions from viewers:

  • WATCH: Fans think Sardar Kamal knew about his death

    WATCH: Fans think Sardar Kamal knew about his death

    The last interview of renowned Pakistani actor and comedian Sardar Kamal has gone viral on social media following his sudden passing on July 30 in Lahore.


    In the interview, Kamal, who died after a heart attack, shared a touching gesture he made for his son, revealing that he had recently transferred the ownership of his house to him. He told his son, “Hold this in trust. My father gave it to me, and now I’m passing it on to you.” Kamal advised his son to continue this tradition, stating, “In the future, you will pass this trust on to your children. What happens next is up to you.” He explained that property is a family trust, emphasizing its importance: “These lands and properties are trusts. Today, I’ve given them to my son, and tomorrow, he will give them to his children. This cycle will continue.”


    Fans have speculated that Kamal may have had a premonition of his death, as the interview was completed shortly before his passing.


    Friends from the entertainment industry, including those who worked with him on Mazaqarat, have shared their sorrow and admiration for the comedian. Lollywood actor Muhammad Afzal Rambo said, “My relationship with Kamal was like that of a friend and a brother. He will always live in the hearts of people. Our bond goes back to 1991. He was a great artist and a wonderful person.”


    Actress Resham described him as a great human being, noting, “When I last saw him on Mazaqarat, he was very happy, and it brightened my day to see him. I worked with him on many films and dramas. I pray for him.”


    Fan reactions
    “I love him more than anything. Even though he was a comedian, his funny remarks on Mazaqarat always had a message,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
    “I usually don’t watch TV shows, but when I found out Sardar Kamal was on Mazaqarat, I started watching it. I’m a regular follower of his official YouTube channel,” another fan posted.


    These heartfelt messages from Kamal’s friends and fans highlight the deep respect and affection they had for him, celebrating his legacy and the joy he brought to their lives.