National cricket team’s leg-spinner Usama Mir has revealed that trolls verbally abused him through private messages for dropping David Warner’s catch in the ODI World Cup played in India in September last year.
While talking to Geo Super, Usama Mir said “We could not give a good performance during the matches in India, which is a pity”.
He continued: “I dropped David Warner’s catch, but it was one that anyone could catch. Later, people’s reaction was extremely bad. Some people used bad words for me on social media, and some used private messages and verbally abused me”.
Usama said, “People make you Don Bradman with one performance but with a bad performance these same people make you fall. Pakistanis should support us because we are playing for our country, not for any other country.”
During the 18th match of the World Cup, first Usama Mir and then Abdullah Shafiq dropped David Warner’s catch when the batsman was on 10 runs. Usama Mir caught Warner on Shaheen Afridi’s ball. Warner scored 163 runs off 124 balls with the help of 9 sixes and 14 fours and won the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was given a 10-year sentence in the cipher case, by saying that he had never revealed any diplomatic document to save his government.
Sharif used strong words to slam Khan in an election rally in Bahawalnagar district on Tuesday, accusing him of plotting a “conspiracy” that compromised national security.
The PML-N supremo also praised the people of Haroonabad for coming out in large numbers to welcome him.
“Despite being subjugated, I had never revealed any state secret nor compromised national security,” Nawaz said while pointing fingers at Khan, adding that he “attacked” the country’s integrity to save his rule.
“I am still standing before the nation despite facing cruel oppression. I had been ousted from the premiership for not receiving a salary from my son. I was removed from the premiership thrice which also resulted in losses to the country.”
Nawaz Sharif also said that inflation was under control as well as farmers and common people were happy in his previous tenures.
The PML-N supremo blamed Khan for shaking the foundations of the country during his four-year rule.
Israeli forces disguised as doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff burst into a hospital in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday and shot three Palestinians dead, one of whom was lying paralysed in bed.
A border police counter-terrorism unit and a unit from the internal security forces, known as the Shin Bet, entered Ibn Sina hospital on the outskirts of the city’s refugee camp early Tuesday, CCTV footage of the aftermath of the operation showed.
The shooting was carried by undercover operatives while the men were sleeping at the hospital, according to the statements issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Israeli army.
The Israeli military identified one of the men killed as Mohammad Jalamneh, aged 27, who it claimed was planning an imminent attack and had been transferring weapons and ammunition to other members, Al Jazeera reported.
The two other men killed, brothers Basil Ayman Al-Ghazzawi and Mohammad Ghazzawi, were hiding inside the hospital and were involved in attacks, the military alleged. “A gun was found on a wanted person, which was confiscated by the forces.”
CCTV footage from the hospital showed a group of about 10 people, dressed in civilian clothes, pacing through a corridor, armed with assault rifles and moving into the hospital.
The hospital’s director, Dr Naji Nazzal, said the Israeli team had entered the hospital at around 5:30 am and made its way stealthily to the third floor, ringing the bell to enter the ward where the men were sleeping.
“They executed the three men as they slept in the room,” he told Reuters.
Hours later, a bloodied blue hospital pillow pierced by a bullet remained on a bed, while a folding bed nearby was also stained with blood, apparently from a shot to the head.
Targeted attacks
Dr Nazzal said Mr Basil had been receiving treatment since October 25 for a spinal injury which had paralysed him.
According to the medical staff, one of the three Palestinians killed in the hospital was being treated for an injury received during a previous army raid months ago, Al Jazeera reported.
“The Israeli army often surrounds and in some instances has attacked the three Palestinian hospitals in Jenin during nightly raids on the city,” he said. “But this is the first time they have entered a civilian medical facility in what seems to have been a well-planned, targeted assassination operation that Palestinian authorities are calling another violation of international law,” he said, adding that there were no attempts to arrest these men.
A Venezuelan man accused of burning his ex-girlfriend alive in a town square in Peru last year has been extradited to Lima, authorities said Tuesday.
Sergio Tarache Parra stands accused of dousing 18-year-old Katherine Gomez with gasoline and setting her alight on a central square in the Peruvian capital in March 2023.
She had broken up with him days earlier.
Tarache was tracked down and arrested in Colombia the following month.
Security cameras captured Gomez’s attacker fleeing the scene of the crime, and Peruvian police offered a reward equivalent to $12,500 for information leading to his capture.
Gomez was admitted to hospital with burns to 60 percent of her body and died after six days of agony in a case that shocked Peruvians.
Prosecutors are requesting life in prison for Tarache.
The country has one of the region’s highest femicide tallies in absolute numbers, according to the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, though not one of the highest rates per 100,000 people.
In a crime similar to the one that claimed Gomez, a man boarded a bus in Lima in 2018, poured gasoline on his ex-girlfriend Eva Agreda, and set her alight. She died days later.
An accountability court on Wednesday morning sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference.
The Accountability Court’s Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict and disqualified Imran Khan for 10 years, imposing a fine of Rs1.573 billion (787 million each) on the couple.
At the last hearing, which took place at Adiala jail, the court recorded Bushra Bibi’s statement under Section 342.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Khan also told the court that his wife has nothing to do with the case and is being dragged into it against her will.
At the beginning of today’s hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir asked Imran Khan if he had submitted his statement. To this, Imran Khan said he will submit his statement once his lawyers arrive.
“I have been deceived, as I was only called to mark my attendance for the hearing,” said the PTI founder.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the recommendations of the reform committee regarding textbook size and the format in which they will be provided to students in the future, reports Geo.
According to the official announcement, the heads of government schools will collect the old books from the students and will encourage them to keep the books in good condition. It also said that 100 per cent of new books will be published for nursery to third class, 80 per cent new books will be published for fourth and fifth class and 20 per cent old books will be used.
Similarly, 50 per cent new books will be published for sixth to twelfth standard while 50 per cent old books will be given to students of sixth to twelfth standard.
The declaration also stated that the size of government textbooks will be reduced up to 8th grade in the year 2025-26 and the size of textbooks will be reduced without changing the syllabus.
The reform committee has suggested to use soft copies of books on mobile phones and laptops of students in the year 2025-26.
Previously, it was decided that to cope with the financial crunch in the country, the size of textbooks will be reduced and half of schoolchildren will be given old course books hoping this will save over three billion rupees for printing books.
In a significant move to enhance security features and align with technological advancements, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has kicked off the process of designing and issuing a new series of banknotes covering all existing denominations.
The SBP, in an official statement released on Tuesday, emphasised the complexity of the issuance process, which involves multiple meticulous steps and stages that demand careful planning and coordination among various stakeholders. Despite the general timeline of 2-3 years for launching a new banknote series, the SBP aims to expedite the process and complete it within the next two years.
As an initial step towards the design process, the SBP has organised an art competition for the new banknote series. This competition is expected to yield diverse and creative ideas and themes that will form the basis for the subsequent phases of development.
The finalised concepts will be shared with renowned professional banknote designers, who will be selected through a competitive process to transform these ideas into the final printable designs for each denomination.
The final designs will then undergo scrutiny by the federal government for approval, ensuring that they meet the necessary standards and security features. The SBP assured the public that the existing banknote series would continue to remain in circulation even after the introduction of the new series.
Any decision regarding the withdrawal of the existing banknotes will be executed gradually and in a phased manner, contingent upon the successful issuance and sufficient circulation of the new banknotes.
The central bank highlighted that the periodic introduction of new banknote series, occurring approximately every 15–20 years, is a common practice among central banks. This practice aims to bolster the integrity of banknotes and integrate the latest technological developments in design and security features, ensuring a secure and reliable currency system for the nation.
The domestic bullion market experienced an upswing on Tuesday as the price of 24-karat gold surged by Rs700 per tola, reaching Rs216,100.
This price hike was reported by the Karachi Sarafa Association, which also noted a Rs600 increase in the 10-gramme 24-karat gold, now standing at Rs185,271. The 10-gramme 22-karat gold was priced at Rs169,832.
In contrast, silver prices remained stable in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver being sold at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme.
The sudden spike in domestic gold prices can be attributed to the rise in international prices. Currently, international spot gold is trading at $2,039.598, marking a 0.24 per cent increase compared to the previous session’s closing.
Last week, we witnessed the second consecutive weekly loss in the international gold market due to diminishing expectations of a rate cut. However, the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East has triggered a surge in the demand for safe-haven assets, particularly gold, signalling a bullish trend.
Despite the persistent pressure on domestic gold caused by the continuous strengthening of the Pakistani Rupee (PKR), the market dynamics shifted due to the sudden upturn in international prices.
The impact of the PKR’s strength was outweighed by the growing appeal of gold in the wake of geopolitical uncertainties.
Investors and analysts are closely monitoring the evolving situation both domestically and internationally as they assess the potential impacts on precious metal markets.
The fluctuating trends in gold prices highlight the intricate relationship between global events and their influence on the financial landscape.
Fraeeha never had an issue with her blood pressure in her 27 years of life, but things changed after she got married. She has been married for a year and it was her parent’s choice with whom she’ll spend the rest of her life.
She always visited a homeopathic doctor for any medical issues before her marriage and continued to do so till the physician told her to get her husband tested for infertility issue. Her husband got tested in June 2023 and that’s when everything changed for her.
Faizan’s sperm count was low, so the doctor recommended they take medicines. Even before a month passed, her periods got delayed. “I took the test, it was negative. There was nothing in the ultrasound, but the doctor still gave me medicines for growth,” she said while lamenting how this made her hypertensive and she never recovered from it. She was taken to the emergency room in a nearby hospital as her blood pressure was high. She fainted once she reached there.
As much as medical science has advanced, there is still a lot to be researched and taken into consideration regarding women’s bodies and the impact of different medications on them. Her husband ordered her not to tell anyone about his fertility issues and Fareeha was the one who took the brunt of its impact. She and her brother got married in the same month. When the other couple got pregnant within a month, everyone started asking her why she wasn’t pregnant yet.
Male infertility is characterized by a man’s inability to initiate a pregnancy with his female partner. Various factors can contribute to male infertility, such as insufficient sperm production or the presence of unhealthy sperm. Genetic issues, like cystic fibrosis, or a blockage in the genital tract, may also be underlying causes.
Certain predisposing factors, such as a history of genital infections, testicular injuries, or experiencing early or late puberty, may increase the likelihood of male infertility.
Treatment strategies are tailored to address the specific cause of infertility. Options may include artificial insemination, the use of medications, or surgical interventions, depending on the identified factors contributing to the fertility challenges.
Doctor Zarina Ashraf, a gynecologist by profession, recommends that a couple should wait for two years at least before starting medicines in case there is no issue of fertility in one of them. But this case was different. Fareeha and Faizan’s case was not something she hadn’t dealt with before but she still felt upset when she got to know that Faizan was not taking the medicines properly.
Fareeha said, “I sometimes have to treat him like a child. I must convince him to take medicines. He sometimes needs extra pampering to keep taking the pills. It is exhausting but I keep my spirits high.”
She is still among the ‘lucky ones’ whose spouse got tested and believes in treatment. Alina was not that lucky. She was married to Salman for nine years and she terms them a ‘nightmare’.
“Salman used to beat me up, he told me multiple times that I am a useless woman since I can’t bear a child. All my tests were normal while he never agreed to get tested as he believed that fertility can never be a problem for men,” she stated in a shaking voice with tears in her eyes.
Unlike Fareeha, who only got the chance to get an education till the intermediate level, Aleena got a master’s degree before getting married. She succeeded in her career but gave in to family pressure on marriage and still regrets it.
“I have forgotten the number of medicines I’ve taken. Doctors always said that there was no issue with me, but my husband forced them to give me medicines. He used to beat me black and blue if I ever missed a pill and, in the end, all I am left with is hypertension, irregular periods, body fat, trauma, and a divorce,” she said.
Aleena’s husband remarried and due to the wealthy background and influence of the girl’s family, he eventually got tested and doctors declared that he was infertile. The girl took Khula and left him, but this hasn’t given Aleena any closure. She is just relieved that the world eventually got to know the truth but the marks on her body and mental trauma are still there for her to deal with.
“I have been practicing for more than 20 years and I have barely seen men who are easily convinced to get tested let alone seek treatment in case of infertility,” explains Zarina. She further added that societal pressure is also usually on women and men easily get away with it. She has now set a rule that in case of infertility treatment, the couple must sit together in her office and get counseling. Zarina believes that this has helped in changing the dynamics a bit but there is still a long way to go.
Doctor Mehboob ur Rehman Asif runs a hospital in Lahore and often sees men with fertility issues. “They usually go for Hakims first instead of a professional doctor. Along with fertility issues we also see patients who have erectile dysfunction (ED), but they come to us after they have tried things like salajeet or other herbs,” he said.
He further stated that a lot of such men usually know inherently that the fault lies in them but barely acknowledge it in from of their wives. Her life partner, Doctor Rabia Nisa, who is also a gynecologist by profession, makes sure to recommend such patients to her in case the husband refuses to get tested or seek treatment.
The couple has been treating and counseling such cases for years but Rabia still thinks that in the end women are impacted more in such situations. “We see mothers-in-law and other family members verbally or even sometimes physically abusing the woman for not being pregnant. When we initially tell the patient that their husband needs to get tested, the first reaction is a no and that is primarily out of fear,” she said.
Asif also agrees that such behavior exists adding that sometimes the husbands get aggressive too. “In most of the cases, their immediate reaction is anger or denial. Even if they know before their marriage that they have ED or any other issue, men rarely admit immediately that they have an issue. Mostly it is their ego and sometimes shame which become a reason behind this behavior,” he adds.
Male Infertility in Pakistan
According to a study conducted by the Pakistan Journal of Public Health, approximately 21% of couples in Pakistan face infertility issues. Furthermore, the same study found that male factors contributed to infertility in 37% of cases, female factors in 51%, and both male and female factors in 12% of cases.
According to a study, “Prevalence of Infertility in a Cross Section of Pakistani Population” by Riffat Shaheen, Fazli Subhan, Sikandar Sultan, Khaula Subhan, and Faheem Tahir from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan (RS), and Department of Reproductive Physiology/Health, Public Health Laboratories Division, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan, during the three years of their research out of 534 women presented for inability to conceive, indicating frequency of infertility in this population as 7%.
A standard protocol of investigations revealed several causes for fertility deprivation.
In the examined study, conducted at a public sector tertiary care hospital in the capital, it was observed that, over a three-year period, only 534 patients sought consultation with a history of infertility.
This pattern reflects the prevailing socio-cultural dynamics in Pakistan, where individuals with financial means typically opt for private medical practitioners, leaving public facilities mainly utilized by the economically middle and lower classes.
Despite being a significant portion of the Pakistani population, this demographic lacks awareness regarding available health facilities for investigating and treating infertility.
The study states, that to address this issue, there is a need to raise awareness among this segment of the population, leveraging the network of lady health workers. By facilitating referrals to major hospitals equipped with units for managing infertility cases, couples can undergo investigation and receive necessary treatment or counseling.
The data generated from these interactions could contribute to a consolidated national database by integrating it into the existing Health Management Information System (HMIS). This integration would enable the government to estimate the prevalence of both primary and secondary infertility cases, facilitating the development of targeted strategies for the welfare of individuals affected by infertility.
How is male infertility diagnosed?
Diagnosing male infertility involves a comprehensive approach by your healthcare provider.
The process typically includes a review of your health history and a physical examination. Various tests are conducted, such as:
Sperm Count (Semen Analysis): Your provider will collect at least two semen samples on different days to assess several factors. This includes the volume and uniformity of the semen, its acidity, as well as the quantity, motility, and morphology (shape) of the sperm.
Blood Tests: Hormone levels are evaluated through blood tests to identify any abnormalities and rule out other potential issues contributing to infertility.
Other Tests: Additional tests are performed to pinpoint the cause of sperm defects or reproductive system health problems. Imaging tests, like ultrasound, may be employed to examine the testicles, blood vessels, and structures within the scrotum.
Testicular Biopsy: If the semen analysis indicates a low sperm count or absence of sperm, your healthcare provider may conduct a testicular biopsy. This involves the removal of a small tissue sample from each testicle, which is then examined under a microscope to determine the root cause of the fertility issues.
Asif recommends that mandatory sex education in the early years of a child and constant sensitization among the public can change things. “The government needs to take a lead on this. Our society needs to stop shaming men for infertility and till the time men don’t stop making it an ego issue, this is not going to get better. We, as a society, need to be more accepting and at the same time be kinder and more empathetic towards women,” he adds.
In the latest interbank session on Tuesday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) displayed resilience, appreciating by 9.32 paisa against the US dollar. The closing rate settled at PKR 279.55, marking a positive shift from the previous day’s closing at PKR 279.64 per USD.
During the trading day, the local currency experienced an intraday high (bid) of Rs279.66 and a low (ask) of Rs279.6. In the open market, exchange companies quoted the dollar at Rs278.71 for buying and Rs280.86 for selling.
In a significant development, the central bank opted to maintain the policy rate at 22 per cent, a decision unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. This decision is amidst the Pakistani rupee’s consistent upward momentum, celebrating its eleventh consecutive weekly victory against the US dollar.
Against other major currencies, the PKR demonstrated strength. It gained 29.66 paisa against the euro, closing at 302.68 compared to the previous value of 302.98. The British Pound became more affordable by 53.78 paisa, closing at 354.86 compared to 355.4 from the previous day.
The Swiss Franc witnessed gains of 45.64 paisa, closing at 324.6 compared to 324.15 from the previous session.
However, against the Japanese yen, the PKR experienced a marginal loss of 0.6 paisa, closing at 1.898 versus 1.892 a day ago. The Chinese Yuan, on the other hand, gained 0.5 paisa, closing at 38.9514 against 38.9464 from the previous session.
The Saudi Riyal closed at 74.54 with a loss of 2.58 paisa from its value of 74.57 a day ago, while the U.A.E. Dirham decreased in value by 2.54 paisa from 76.136 a day ago to 76.111.
Reflecting on the broader financial landscape, during the current financial year, the PKR has appreciated against the dollar by 6.44 rupees, or 2.3 per cent. Meanwhile, the current calendar year has witnessed the PKR appreciate by 2.31 rupees, or 0.83 per cent.
In the money market, the benchmark 6-month Karachi Interbank bid and offer rates experienced a modest increase of 13 basis points, reaching 20.58 per cent and 20.83 per cent, respectively.
