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  • Gujranwala: Woman burnt alive by husband is now dead

    Gujranwala: Woman burnt alive by husband is now dead

    Update: Shumaila, the woman who was burnt alive by her husband Naseer and his first wife Robina has expired in a hospital in Lahore. She was admitted to the hospital five days back but could not survive the severity of her burns. The incident happened in a village near Gujranwala, Chak Behlol.

    Further investigation has revealed that she got divorced from her first husband to marry Naseer who was already married. The constant tussle between the two wives led to this tragic situation where she was burnt alive by Naseer and his first wife in the presence of a crowd of villagers who kept making videos.

    Naseer is already in the custody of the police.

    Previously, a harrowing video of a woman being burnt alive-in a village near Gujranwala-has gone viral on social media. The crowd watching kept making videos whereas Shumaila, the woman, was burning.

    An FIR has been registered after a delay of two days. Shumaila’s husband, Naseer, has been arrested and the search for his other wife is going on.

    Shumaila, the victim, has told the police that the husband sprayed petrol on her while the other wife was his accomplice in setting her on fire. The two have been constantly fighting since the man married for a second time.
    The woman is in critical condition, being treated in a hospital in Lahore.

  • iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    iPhone 15’s remarkable sales performance surpasses iPhone 14

    Apple announced a remarkable performance in its earnings for the September quarter, with a notable year-over-year increase in iPhone revenue, despite only a brief period of iPhone 15 sales factored into the results.

    However, other hardware divisions within the company experienced declines, leading to a fourth consecutive quarter of overall sales downturns. Apple generated $89.5 billion in revenue for the quarter.

    CEO Tim Cook expressed that the iPhone 15 lineup exhibited stronger early traction compared to the 14 series.

    He stated, “When you examine the performance of the iPhone 15 during that period and compare it to the iPhone 14 in the same timeframe last year, the iPhone 15 outperformed the iPhone 14.” Cook also noted that the Pro and Pro Max models were currently facing supply constraints.

    The Mac division encountered a substantial 34 per cent decline in revenue year over year, prompting Apple to hold its M3 event earlier in the week, where they introduced updated MacBook Pros and a refreshed iMac.

    Cook characterised the current PC consumer market as “challenging” and expressed optimism for a better quarter for the Mac in the upcoming December quarter, citing the presence of the M3 and new products.

    iPad revenue saw a 10 per cent decrease due to the absence of recent models, while wearables revenue experienced a more modest 3 per cent decline.

    Apple’s services unit continued to be a reliable source of revenue, with a 16 per cent year-over-year increase. Cook highlighted that “every main service achieved a record.”

    Looking ahead to the holiday shopping season, Apple’s CEO is optimistic about the company’s position, stating, “We now offer our most robust product lineup ever for the holiday season, including the iPhone 15 series and our first carbon-neutral Apple Watch models, a significant milestone in our commitment to making all Apple products carbon neutral by 2030.”

  • Cost of living rises: SPI records increase in weekly inflation 

    Cost of living rises: SPI records increase in weekly inflation 

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) recorded a slight increase of 0.71 per cent for the week ending November 3, 2023, compared to the previous week.

    According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the combined index stood at 279.08 on November 3, 2023, up from 277.11 on October 26, 2023, and significantly higher than the index of 214.88 recorded a year ago on November 3, 2022.

    Out of 51 items, the prices of 12 items increased, 14 items decreased, and 25 items remained stable. 

    The most notable price increases were seen in tomatoes (25.58 per cent), onions (25.25 per cent), chicken (10.79 per cent), potatoes (1.61 per cent), Lipton tea (1.58 per cent), eggs (1.30 per cent), garlic (0.50 per cent), basmati broken rice (0.19 per cent), georgette (0.28 per cent), and firewood (0.05 per cent).

    Conversely, significant price decreases were observed in gur (2.66 per cent), bananas (1.78 per cent), 5-litre cooking oil (1.62 per cent), 1 kg vegetable ghee (1.23 per cent), LPG cylinders (1.05 per cent), masoor pulse (0.93 per cent), wheat flour (0.62 per cent), washing soap (0.41 per cent), and mustard oil (0.32 per cent).

    The weekly SPI percentage change across different income groups revealed an increase in SPI for all quantiles, ranging from 0.64 per cent to 0.86 per cent.

  • PTI leader Asad Qaiser arrested

    PTI leader Asad Qaiser arrested

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has been arrested in Islamabad.

    Former National Assembly Speaker’s brother, Abdul Waheed, posted on his Facebook account, “My brother has been abducted from Banigala House.”

    Waheed claimed that Qaiser was arrested by men dressed in plain clothes

    As per Taaha Ahmed, coordinator at ARY News, “@AsadQaiserPTI has been arrested by Anti Corruption Team, from Bani Gala, Islamabad. Asad Qaiser is nominated in a corruption case for purchasing of medical equipment for Gaju Khan Medical College Swabi, KPK.”

  • Nikkahkhwan to pay fine of Rs. 30,000 if found involved in ceremonies playing music

    Nikkahkhwan to pay fine of Rs. 30,000 if found involved in ceremonies playing music

    A committee of religious scholars in a village called Tabi Murad in Lakki Marwat have imposed a ban on playing any sort of music in engagement and marriage ceremonies, while also barring clerics from offering funeral prayer for those who arrange such programs or else they will have to pay a huge fine of Rs30,000.

    In a strict warning, endorsed by 30 local scholars, it is stated that a hafiz or a cleric should not officiate a Nikah if they are playing music. To make it more stern, they have asked the clerics to not attend funeral rites of those who play music in their ceremonies. The clerics are cautioned to confirm these facts before solemnising marriages.

    Locals have appreciated the decision because they believe that these programs disrupt the peace of the area while the scholars have stressed that this ban is imposed on the repeated requests of the residents of the village.

  • Pakistan should not make more enemies, cautions Taliban Refugee Minister

    Pakistan should not make more enemies, cautions Taliban Refugee Minister

    The Taliban government’s refugees minister, Khalil Haqqani, has said in an interview with AFP that, “They [Pakis­tani authorities] should not give Afghans a hard time, they should not make more enemies.” The statement was said in the context of the mass exodus of refugees from Pakistan under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.

    Authorities on the Afghanistan side have established centres several kilometres from a border crossing along with camps for families in what was described as an “emergency situation” by the Afghan officials. “We are constantly in contact with them [Pakis­tani authorities] asking for more time. People must be allowed to return with dignity,” he reiterated.

    Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi also visited the Torkham border and asserted that the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is in violation of International laws. He also mentioned that the ones coming back are their brethren and this is their home. To address all their problems will be the first priority of the government.

  • ‘Like living under Covid’, say Pakistan due to ‘stifling’ World Cup security

    ‘Like living under Covid’, say Pakistan due to ‘stifling’ World Cup security

    Players are not allowed to venture out of their hotel without heavy security, forcing them to spend most of time in rooms

    Pakistani cricketers present in India for the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 feel confined like they are back into COVID era due to the tight security that team director Mickey Arthur described as “stifling”.

    Arthur’s comments came a day ahead of the team’s crucial match against New Zealand which Pakistan must win to keep their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals.

    Several Pakistan players have already suffered fever and flu at various stages of the tournament which fast bowler Hasan Ali attributed to “room sickness”.

    Players are not allowed to venture out of their hotel without heavy security, forcing them to spend most of their time in hotel rooms.

    “As a Pakistan team, we play a hell of a lot of cricket so being on the road is nothing new for these guys,” Arthur said.

    “What has been tough is the fact that we’ve been under a massive amount of security. So, I’ve been sort of taken aback.

    “I found it difficult. It’s almost like we’ve been back in the COVID times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room.

    “So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room to everybody else. That’s been the tough aspect.”

    Pakistan are playing a tournament in India for the first time since 2016.

    Arthur said that outside of playing and training, the team have not had many outings since their arrival in the last week of September.

    “The boys are used to being on the road but when they’re on the road, they’ve still been able to get out and go and have meals, for example, at different places, and get out on their own accord.

    ‘It’s been tough’ 

    “We haven’t been able to do that this time. And that’s been tough. That has been quite stifling.”

    Arthur said no decision has been made yet on all-rounder Shadab Khan’s participation in the remaining matches after he suffered a concussion against South Africa.

    “Shadab went through a preliminary test today,” said Arthur.

    “He came through that OK, but we’re in no position yet to make a decision on him.”

    This was Shadab’s third concussion, having collided with a Sussex team-mate in a Twenty20 match in the UK in May 2023 and at the Asia Cup last year.

    Meanwhile, Arthur admitted Pakistan have not played up to their potential in India.

    “I’ll be brutally honest, I don’t think we’ve played to our full potential in this tournament yet. I thought the Bangladesh game was the first game where we actually put a complete game together.”

    Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Kolkata on Tuesday, their third win in seven games.

    They now not only need to beat New Zealand on Saturday and defending champions England (Kolkata on November 11) but also hope other results go their way.

    “We got ourselves into a position before the Bangladesh game where it was kind of out of our hands and it’s come back in a funny way into our hands again,” said Arthur.

    Arthur admitted South Africa’s 190-run defeat of New Zealand on Wednesday has handed them a lifeline.

    “South Africa did us a little bit of a favour as well so it’s kind of pushed it back into our hands, albeit a long shot and we need to win big in both our remaining matches,” he said.

  • 1,200 children still buried under rubble: What we know about day 28

    1,200 children still buried under rubble: What we know about day 28

    Israel disconnects with Gaza

    The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has announced that Israel has cut off all contact with Gaza, and that Palestinian workers will no longer be employed in the country.

    “Those workers from Gaza who were in Israel on the day of the outbreak of the war will be returned to Gaza,” it stated in a post on X.

    The Security Cabinet has also planned on cutting down all funds for the besieged enclave from the Palestinian Authority funds.

    US drones fly over Gaza to track captives

    According to Al Jazeera, two US officials told the Reuters news agency that surveillance US drones have been flying over Gaza to search for hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.

    The surveillance has reportedly been going on since more than a week now.

    US officials believe the 10 Americans who remain “unaccounted” may be among the 200 plus hostages in Gaza.

    Gaza workers in Israel

    Gisha, an Israeli NGO, published a statement on the Israeli cabinet’s decision on Friday to return Palestinian workers in Israel since October 7 back to Gaza.

    Gisha, HaMoked and other human rights groups had submitted “Letters, petitions and individual inquiries to Israeli authorities regarding hundreds of Gaza residents, including both workers and people who had entered Israel with permits to receive medical treatment, who were present in Israel on October 7 and had since been unlawfully, secretly detained by Israeli authorities”.

    They are reportedly detained in Israeli military bases in the occupied West Bank, disconnected from the world and without access to legal representation.

    “Israel refused to disclose the names and whereabouts of all the people it was holding, as well as the legal grounds for their detention. We have reason to believe that the holding conditions in these facilities were extremely dire, and that detainees were subjected to extensive physical violence and psychological abuse, as well as being held in inhumane conditions,” the statement said.

    1,200 children still buried under rubble

    Gaza Ministry of Health spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra reported on the latest statistics: 1,200 children are still buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings, 136 paramedics have been killed, 25 ambulance vehicles have been completely destroyed, and 126 hospitals and another 50 medical centres have been targeted.

    Tear gas aimed at worshippers in Al-Aqsa

    Al Jazeera correspondents have reported that Israeli forces have used tear gas against Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem’s Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood after stopping them from Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque.

    Cross-border fire between Israel-Lebanon border continue

    The Israeli army claims to have killed a group of Hezbollah fighters on Thursday in Lebanon and targeted one of their sites.

    The army reportedly struck in response to an attack from Lebanese territory towards a military position in northern Israel near the border.

    Credits: Al Jazeera

  • Abrar Ahmed likely to replace Shadab against New Zealand

    Abrar Ahmed likely to replace Shadab against New Zealand

    Pakistan’s Shadab Khan has suffered a concussion for the third time in a year, putting his participation in the World Cup match against New Zealand in doubt.

    The concussion injury will be evaluated today. If Shadab is not fit then Abrar Ahmed can be included in the team in his place.

    On the other hand, many players of the Kiwi team are also suffering from injuries with fast bowler Matt Henry being the latest addition to the list after suffering a hamstring injury in the match against South Africa.

    Meanwhile, Jimmy Neesham also suffered an injury due to a ball hitting his wrist, while Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman and Kane Williamson are already suffering from injuries.

    Pakistan will play its next match against New Zealand tomorrow in Banglore.

  • ‘Kisi media walay ko elections mein doubt hai to apni biwi ko bataye, awam ko nahi’: Chief Justice

    ‘Kisi media walay ko elections mein doubt hai to apni biwi ko bataye, awam ko nahi’: Chief Justice

    Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, issued a firm warning to the country’s media during a hearing of multiple pleas seeking timely elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.

    “If media raises suspicions about the elections, they will be committing a violation of the constitution,” he remarked, adding that journalists cannot simply grab a microphone and say there are doubts about the elections.

    “An anchor or reporter cannot raise doubts about whether the elections will happen or not,” he stated.

    Faez Isa warned that if rumors or speculations are spread about the elections, action will be taken by PEMRA.

    The head of the apex court stressed that, “Media outlets should know that they do not have the right to lie. Media freedom has been granted in the constitution.”

    He further said that if a media person has suspicions about the elections, he will not tell the public, but he can tell his wife.

    The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the government to ensure the conduct of general elections on February 8, a day after President Arif Alvi and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja unanimously agreed on the aforementioned date during a meeting held at the President’s House.

    A three-member bench headed by CJP Isa and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan heard the case.

    The court, in its order, mentioned that the notification of the general election date has also been issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), stating that no party has any objection to holding elections on February 8.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa asked everyone in the courtroom as well as the Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, if they had any objection to the election date, but all replied in the negative.

    “After all the requirements are fulfilled, the Election Commission should announce the election schedule,” CJP Isa said.
    The chief justice said: “Elections will definitely be held on February 8, God willing.”