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  • Motaz is now in Qatar but others are still in Gaza. Here is who you should follow for updates on the genocide

    Motaz is now in Qatar but others are still in Gaza. Here is who you should follow for updates on the genocide

    Motaz Azaiza, the photojournalist called “The Eye of Gaza”, has evacuated the besieged strip after showing the world the reality of living in Palestine. He has landed in Qatar and has kickstarted the mission of taking the cause of advocating for the plight of Palestineans forward by participating in talk shows for Al-Jazeera. His absence on ground is missed.


    There are plenty of journalists on ground who are risking their lives to show the world the war crimes being committed by Israeli forces and the genocide of poor Gazans.


    Bisan is the leading journalist after Motaz. She is working with leading news portals and has shown daily life in Gaza since October 7. In her own words, she has been displaced more than thrice in the course of the last 100 days but is determined to keep documenting the genocide that is taking place in Gaza.


    Hind Khoudary, a reporter who has worked closely with Motaz and is still in Gaza, is taking refuge in Motaz’s home reporting the havoc inflicted upon Gaza by Israel.


    Hamdan Dahdouh is also one such journalist who is directly reporting from the ground showing through his camera lens what the seige has done.


    Roba Khaled is a TRT Arabi journalist and has been reporting from the ground while being a mother to an ailing daughter.


    Motasem Mortaja is a journalist working for different platforms and his Instagram account is a video library of the more than 100 days of war in Gaza.


    Saleh Aljafarawi is a young content creator and influencer from Gaza who is showing the world the horrors of war.


    Ali Jadallah is an award-winning photojournalist capturing raw emotions from the strip.


    Wael abo Omar is another journalist now sick with a cold, but not letting the mission of informing the world slip until he is alive.

    Belal Khaled has been reporting from day one and documenting the genocide up close.

  • Actress Saeeda Imtiaz says wives change quickly, like prime ministers

    Actress Saeeda Imtiaz says wives change quickly, like prime ministers

    Saeeda Imtiaz is not happy about men in Pakistan getting married multiple times.

    The actress wrote about marriage on her Instagram account, saying, “After seeing the situation in Pakistan, I don’t think I would like to marry a Pakistani boy.”

    She said, “There are no weddings here, I will find a man from another country.” Pointing out that prime ministers here changes after “every 2 years”, she said, “So after a few years the wives also change.”

    While Saeeda Imtiaz didn’t mention Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed directly, some people think her comments were in response to the news of the cricketer’s divorce from Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and subsequent marriage.
    Shoaib Malik’s marriage to Sana Javed surprised many on social media, and it has been a hot topic in both Pakistan and India since the past three days. People, including celebrities, have been sharing their reactions to this unexpected news on social media.

  • Army to be deployed for ‘free and fair’ February 8 polls

    Army to be deployed for ‘free and fair’ February 8 polls

    The caretaker federal cabinet on Tuesday approved a summary requesting the deployment of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces troops to help civil institutions in ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful general elections scheduled for February 8.

    The development occurred during a huddle between the caretaker cabinet and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

    According to the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, “The troops will perform duties in sensitive constituencies and polling stations and will also act as a rapid response force.”

    The federal cabinet unanimously approved the deployment of Pakistan Army and civil armed forces personnel at sensitive polling stations across the country for the upcoming general elections, based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior.
    The Pakistan Army also promised to provide essential assistance for the upcoming general election set to take place on February 8 next month.

    Soldiers, along with Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, will perform election duties.

  • Only 20 per cent students passed Inter Arts 1st year

    Only 20 per cent students passed Inter Arts 1st year

    The results for first-year (Part-I) examination announced by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) raises concerns as more than 50 per cent of the students have failed.

    According to the inter board spokesperson, 72 per cent of the candidates failed in arts first year (private) and 80 per cent in arts (regular).

    He added that 11,046 candidates participated in the Arts (regular) exams in which only 2,298 candidates were successful while 2,795 candidates participated in the Arts private exams in which 792 candidates passed all the papers.

    Additionally, 63 per cent of the candidates failed in Commerce (private) as 1,986 candidates participated in the exams, out of which 744 candidates passed all the papers.

  • Saif Ali Khan admitted to hospital for surgery

    Saif Ali Khan admitted to hospital for surgery

    Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been admitted at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for surgery.
    It has been reported in Indian media that he has a fractured knee and shoulder, but the details of how that happened are not known yet. There has been no official statement from Saif’s team about the incident.


    Saif’s wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, is with him at the hospital. They reached the medical facility at around 8 a.m. on Monday, January 22. Despite trying to get a response from Saif’s team, there has been no official comment about the situation.

    Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are parents to Two children, Taimur and Jehangir Ali Khan. Saif was previously married to actress Amrita Singh, with whom he has a daughter, actress Sara Ali Khan, and a son, Ibrahim Ali Khan.

  • Another cricketer of Pakistani origin falls victim to Indian harassment

    Another cricketer of Pakistani origin falls victim to Indian harassment

    Another Pakistani-origin cricket has fallen victim to the India’s discriminatory visa policies. India has not yet issued an Indian visa to English cricketer Shoaib Basheer, who is of Pakistani origin.

    Shoaib Basheer has been ruled out of England’s first Test. Despite being part of the British squad, he could not travel with the team on Sunday.

    The young off-spinner will return to England after a camp in Abu Dhabi, and reapply for a visa to India.

    English captain Ben Stokes expressed displeasure over Indian behavior towards Shoaib Basheer, stating, “It is quite disappointing to see such behavior towards a young player. He is not the first player this has happened to.”

    It should be remembered that because of his connection with Pakistan, Australia’s Usman Khawaja was also issued an Indian visa late last year, while at least two journalists of Pakistani origin living in Britain were also deprived of coverage of the World Cup last year.

  • Which anchor is a good cricketer? Inzamam ul Haq spills the beans

    Which anchor is a good cricketer? Inzamam ul Haq spills the beans

    Pakistan media anchors, like the rest of the country, are very fond of playing cricket. We know that many of them play cricket quite regularly, including Kashif Abbasi and Talat Hussain. But has one of the legends of the game ever praised an anchor’s cricketing skills? Well, that has happened now.

    During a live show on Geo News on Friday, former Pakistani batsman Inzamam ul Haq revealed which anchor is also a very good cricketer.

    While discussing Zaka Ashraf’s resignation as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman on Friday, Inzamam ul Haq joined a live call on Geo News with anchor Shehzad Iqbal. During the conversation, Inzamam ul Haq said, “Look Shehzad, I am telling you a little thing, you also play very good cricket and you are a very good batsman I don’t think most people know.”

    Coming back to the topic, Inzamam said, “Zaka Ashraf’s tenure as PCB chairman was not good for Pakistan cricket. He was elected to organize PCB elections but he did not and resigned without organizing elections. He did some good things too in his duration, but the duty for which he was elected, he didn’t do.”

    Ashraf resigned on Friday as PCB chairman, leading to Shah Khawar being appointed as acting chairman of PCB on Tuesday.

  • Shah Khawar appointed acting Chairman of PCB

    Shah Khawar appointed acting Chairman of PCB

    Shah Khawar has been appointed as the acting chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday.

    According to Geo news sources, Interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has officially nominated Mohsin Naqvi to the Board of Governors (BOG) of PCB while Election Commissioner Shah Khawar is the Acting Chairman as per the PCB Constitution.

    Caretaker Federal Minister IPC Fawad Hasan Fawad has confirmed in a conversation with Geo News that Mohsin Naqvi has been nominated as a pattern representative in the BOG of Pakistan Cricket Board, the notification of which has also been issued.

    He said, “Mohsin Naqvi has been nominated in BOG in place of Zaka Ashraf, the Prime Minister has also accepted the resignation of Zaka Ashraf”.

    “I had a meeting with Shah Khawar in which he was told to complete the BOG of Pakistan Cricket Board soon and complete the election process”.

    It should be noted that as per Clause 2 of Article 7 of the PCB Constitution, as soon as the post of Chairman becomes vacant, all the powers are transferred to the Chief Election Commissioner and constitutionally he will be bound to complete the process of election of the board within four weeks. After the election, the elected chairman can take charge of his office within a week.

    In the present situation, the way for Mohsin Naqvi to become the chairman of PCB has been paved because Mohsin Naqvi will have retired from the duties of caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab by the date of PCB election and taking over charge by the general elections of February 8.

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    An analysis by Bloomberg Economics reveals that Pakistan’s economy witnessed its best performance in the past three decades under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister thrice.

    The report compares economic indicators during Sharif’s tenure with those of his rivals, including Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), using a misery index that combines inflation and unemployment rates.

    According to Bloomberg Economics, the analysis utilized an average of the misery index values over the years when each major political party ruled Pakistan since 1990.

    The results indicate that Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) outperformed both PTI and PPP in managing economic challenges.

    With general elections scheduled for February 8, Bloomberg suggests that Nawaz Sharif seems poised to return to power for the fourth time, especially as Imran Khan faces legal issues and incarceration.

    Despite Khan’s popularity, with a 57% approval rating according to a recent Gallup poll, Sharif has experienced a surge in popularity from 36% to 52% in the past six months.

    The past three decades saw the PML-N rule Pakistan four times under Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. The PPP under the Bhutto dynasty has held power three times, while Khan was in office for a four-year term ending in April 2022 when he was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote.

    “Bloomberg Economics used an average of the index values over the respective years when each of the major political parties ruled the country since 1990. A higher value indicates more economic hardship for citizens,” the publication said, explaining its conclusions.

    Bloomberg Economics Misery Index Results for Pakistan showed the Pakistan Muslim League scored 14.5 percent, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 16.1 percent, and the Pakistan Peoples Party 17.2 percent.

    Pakistan is currently grappling with economic challenges, including seeking a financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Inflation is close to 30 percent in Pakistan, the currency was Asia’s worst performer last year and foreign exchange reserves have slumped.

    The incoming government, as per IMF conditions, will need to implement potentially unpopular policies such as withdrawing subsidies and raising taxes. The IMF forecasts a 2% growth in Pakistan’s economy for the current fiscal year after experiencing a contraction in the previous year.

    Despite the positive economic indicators during Sharif’s governance, the report underscores the formidable tasks awaiting the new government in addressing the country’s economic hardships.

  • What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    As per official data, last year Canada issued nearly one million study permits, about three times that of a decade ago, and now they are changing their policy.

    In response to a housing shortage aggravated by explosive growth in foreign student numbers, Canada has announced a temporary two-year cap on the intake of international students.

    Last year, the country issued nearly one million study permits, triple the figures from a decade ago, according to government data. The new proposal aims to reduce the intake by almost a third.

    Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, revealed that the Liberal government will implement a two-year cap on student visas, resulting in the issuance of approximately 364,000 visas in 2024.

    The plan also includes limitations on post-graduate work permits for foreign students, potentially encouraging them to return to their home countries.

    Previously viewed as a straightforward path to permanent residency, these permits will now be subject to stricter regulations.

    However, those pursuing master’s or post-doctorate programs will still be eligible for a three-year work permit.

    Additionally, spouses of international students enrolled in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for permits, Miller stated.

    The acceptance of new study permit applications in 2025 will be reassessed at the end of the current year.

    The government’s decision comes in response to the surge in international students, creating a housing crisis and driving up rents across the country.

    December 2023 saw a 7.7 per cent year-on-year increase in rents nationwide, according to Statscan. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity has been dented mainly due to the affordability crisis, and opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a commanding lead over Trudeau in opinion polls ahead of an election next year.

    Concerns about the quality of education provided by some institutions have also prompted the government to reevaluate its immigration policies.

    The move will not only affect the housing market but will also have economic implications. International students contribute approximately C$22 billion ($16.4 billion) annually to the Canadian economy.

    This decision will likely impact educational institutions that expanded their campuses in anticipation of a continuous influx of students.

    Ontario, the most populous province, has been the primary recipient of international students. Some businesses, including restaurants and the retail sector, have warned of potential labor shortages due to the cap on foreign students.

    Canada’s move will have repercussions for Canadian banks, as international students are required to have Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) of over C$20,000, covering living expenses.

    Most foreign students, approximately 40%, hail from India, with China coming in second at around 12%, based on official data from 2022.

    In response to these changes, the University of Toronto has expressed its readiness to collaborate with all levels of government to ensure that the allocation of study permits considers institutions like U of T and addresses challenges in the system.