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  • Friday prayers banned for second week in a row in occupied Kashmir

    Friday prayers banned for second week in a row in occupied Kashmir

    Jamia Masjid in Srinagar was closed down last Friday, October 20, during Friday prayers to bar prayers for Palestine.

    Kashmir Life reported that a press release from masjid authorities stated that for the second consecutive Friday, “police officials once again closed the gates of Jama Masjid Srinagar and informed the Auqaf not to open the gates for Friday prayers”.

    Jammu Kashmir People’s Freedom League Chairman Muhammad Farooq Rehmani condemned authorities for barring Muslims from praying and banning them to pray for Palestine.

    He highlighted the restraining of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and others throughout Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) who had been praying for peace and safety in Gaza.

    He further called out on Modi and his approach towards Palestine as it contradicts the central stance of India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and other advocates of the freedom movement.

    India had taken a pro-Palestine stance in 1948 in the UNSC and voted against the Palestinian segregation to provide a separate state for the Jews in Palestine.

    He also reflected on undermining peace and freedom in Kashmir and Palestine, both, under India and Israel through forces.

  • PIA receives assurances of govt support during privatisation 

    PIA receives assurances of govt support during privatisation 

    Following a dire fuel crisis that significantly impacted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations, the interim Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, took decisive action on Monday.  

    He instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatisation process of the nation’s flag carrier. 

    Over recent weeks, PIA’s flight schedule has faced severe disruption, with numerous cancellations attributed to fuel shortages, exacerbated by the airline’s precarious financial situation.  

    Notably, on the preceding day, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) curtailed its fuel supply to PIA, resulting in the cancellation of 26 flights originating from various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gwadar, and others. 

    Chairing a comprehensive review meeting concerning PIA’s financial challenges, Prime Minister Kakar highlighted the urgency of finalising the privatisation process within the stipulated timeframe. He further insisted on the submission of regular compliance reports on this matter. 

    The Prime Minister assured that the government remains committed to supporting PIA until the privatisation process is successfully completed. He said that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) facing financial losses will be privatised to safeguard the national treasury. 

    During this meeting, the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing on PIA’s current financial status. 

    In August 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) approved the inclusion of PIA in the active list of entities slated for privatisation following parliamentary amendments.  

    Additionally, the CCoP consented to engage a financial advisor for the transaction concerning PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel in New York. 

    According to credible sources, a significant transformation occurred when PIA transitioned from a corporation to a public limited company registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1984.  

    This transition commenced in 2016 through a joint parliamentary session that resulted in the enactment of the PIAC (Conversion) Act, 2016.  

    This legislation gave rise to Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), a public limited company.  

    Notably, a substantial amendment was introduced, known as the ‘Explanation’ in Sub-section 4 of Section 4, which restricted the federal government from relinquishing management control in the airline business of PIACL while maintaining a minimum ownership stake of 51% in the entity. 

  • Here are the latest prices for all PTA-approved iPhone 15 models in Pakistan

    Here are the latest prices for all PTA-approved iPhone 15 models in Pakistan

    The recently introduced Apple iPhone 15 series has quickly gained immense popularity in Pakistan since its launch in September. 

    During its initial days on the market, the iPhone 15 series prices skyrocketed, reaching up to Rs900,000 for the top variant, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, on Pakistani online buying and selling platforms. 

    This steep price was due to its rarity at the time, with only a few stores and shopkeepers having the latest Apple flagship in stock. However, the prices for the iPhone 15 series in Pakistan have now stabilised. 

    Here are the prices for all PTA-approved iPhone 15 series currently available in Pakistan: 

    Apple iPhone 15 128GB: Rs374,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 256GB: Rs412,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Plus 128GB: Rs412,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB: Rs488,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro 256GB: Rs515,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro 512GB: Rs595,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB: Rs572,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB: Rs643,500 

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB: Rs730,500 

    Each of these iPhones comes with its original box, a Type-C to Type-C cable, and an official Apple 1-year online international warranty. 

    Apple, renowned for its exceptional camera quality, durability, and outstanding performance, continues to impress with the iPhone 15 series.  

    The devices are equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, the same one found in the iPhone 14 Pro models.  

    This chip features two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, offering modest improvements over the A15 chip. 

    With a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, the A16 Bionic chip has achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 2522 and a multi-core score of 6397.  

    It stands second only to the A17 Pro chip in terms of A-series chip performance within the iPhone 15 Pro models.  

    This performance ensures a seamless and powerful user experience for iPhone enthusiasts in Pakistan. 

  • World Cup 2023: Afghanistan defeats Pakistan by eight wickets in big upset

    World Cup 2023: Afghanistan defeats Pakistan by eight wickets in big upset

    In the ICC ODI World Cup, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan for the first time in a major upset and won at the event for the second time. Afghanistan easily chased down Pakistan’s target of 283 runs in 49 overs for the loss of 2 wickets, with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 87 runs.

    The Green Shirts had a good start against Afghanistan, with openers Abdullah Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq forming a partnership of more than 50 runs, but then Pakistan suffered their first loss at 56, as Imam ul Haq got caught on the score of 17 by Azmatullah.
    After the fall of one wicket, a partnership of 54 runs was established between Babar and Abdullah Shafiq, but then Abdullah returned to the pavilion after scoring 58 runs.

    Muhammad Rizwan also fell to Noor Ahmed after putting up eight runs, while Saud Shakeel was dismissed after scoring 25. Captain Babar Azam completed a half-century but he too returned to the pavilion after scoring 74 runs off 92 balls. In the final overs, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan batted responsibly, with the former scoring 40 runs off 27 balls and the latter putting up 40 runs off 38 balls. Shaheen Afridi remained unbeaten on three runs.

    Thus, Pakistan scored 282 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs.

    Chasing Pakistan’s target of 283 runs, Afghan batsmen attacked Pakistan bowlers from the start, with both openers Rahmanullah Garbaz and Ibrahim Zadran batting brilliantly to give the Afghan team 130 runs. The green shirts showed poor fielding due to which the bowlers could not put pressure on the opposition team.

    However, opener Garbaz scored 65 and Ibrahim got out after 87 runs. However, even after the loss of two wickets, the Afghan team did not come under any pressure, and captain Hashmatullah and Rahmat Shah batted responsibly and gave Afghanistan a win.

    Hashmatullah put up 48 and Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten while scoring 77 runs. Afghanistan achieved Pakistan’s target in 49 overs with the loss of two wickets.

    Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi took one wicket each for Pakistan.

  • Palestinian death toll crosses 5,000: What do we know about day 17

    Palestinian death toll crosses 5,000: What do we know about day 17

    The number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli onslaught has reached at least 5,087, the Health Ministry has confirmed, whereas 15,273 have been wounded.

    In the past 24 hours alone, at least 436 people, including 182 children, were killed.

    Israeli airstrikes hit areas around Gaza’s Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals. WAFA reports that a number of missiles hit the area surrounding Al-Shifa Medical Complex where currently the largest number of wounded are being treated as well as the largest number of medical staff working in the Gaza strip.

    The vicinity of Al-Quds Hospital, on the other hand, has been attacked for the second time.

    Al Jazeera reports that as per Palestinian officials, Israel has been directly threatening hospitals with evacuation, bombings, or bombing nearby areas, and creating uncertainty in the healthcare system.

    China’s call for ceasefire

    China’s Middle East special representative has asserted to do “whatever is conducive” to encourage a dialogue to lead to ceasefire and peace in the Middle East.

    China’s state media reported that Zhai Jun deemed the situation in Gaza as “very serious” and raised concerns over a potential escalation of conflict into the neighbouring countries, calling it “worrisome”.

    China attended the Cairo peace committee and has been in communication with foreign ministers including from Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Norway, as well as representatives from the UN and EU.

    Zhai also mentioned that China has been helping with emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestinians through the UN and via bilateral channels to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

    Two Hezbollah cells in Lebanon attacksTwo alleged Hezbollah cells in Lebanon were targeted by Israeli forces on Monday.

    123 Palestinians detained in occupied West Bank

    Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank have detained 123 Palestininas in the ongoing Israeli raids.40 people are said to be workers from the Gaza Strip.Israel, on the other hand, claims that 37 of the arrested are “Hamas members”.

  • PIA cancels more than 25 flights amidst fuel issues 

    PIA cancels more than 25 flights amidst fuel issues 

    In response to a severe fuel crisis, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) took the decision to cancel more than 25 flights on Monday, encompassing both domestic and international routes. 

    Among the affected routes were seven flights originating from Karachi, bound for Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, and Peshawar. 

    Additionally, six flights from Karachi to Multan, Dubai, and Islamabad, as well as four flights from Islamabad to Dubai, Dammam, Medina, and Jeddah, faced cancellations.

    PIA’s spokesperson revealed that this measure was necessitated by a limited fuel supply from Pakistan State Oil (PSO). 

    According to ARY News, the airline has strategically prioritised its profitable routes amid fuel supply challenges. Notably, PSO resumed a restricted fuel supply to PIA after the assurance of a daily payment of Rs100 million to clear the pending dues.

    Amidst these developments, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar issued directives to accelerate the privatisation process of PIA and other financially struggling state-owned enterprises.

    Insider sources revealed that the financial management of the national airline would be transferred to the Privatisation Commission. 

    This move aims to implement measures to curb losses and enhance the airline’s financial stability. The commission plans to integrate PIA’s financial operations with an updated system, ultimately improving its balance sheet and facilitating the privatisation process. 

    Meanwhile, PIA intends to operate 60 flights on Monday to minimise disruptions for passengers.

  • Indian father welcomes back divorced daughter with a ‘Baraat’

    Indian father welcomes back divorced daughter with a ‘Baraat’

    The father of a divorced daughter in Jharkhand, India, Prem Gupta broke away from all the norms and welcomed back his daughter with a grand procession similar to that of a ‘baraat’. In a viral video of the event, women can be seen chanting and welcoming the daughter with open arms. The beat of a drum follows her as she greets everyone.

    Mr. Gupta posted the video himself with a caption that stated, “When your daughter’s marriage is done with great pomp and show and if the spouse and family turns out to be wrong or does wrong things then you should bring your daughter back to your home with respect and honour because daughters are very precious.”

    As per the details, Sakshi Gupta got married to Sachin Kumar in April. A few days into the marriage she found out that the man was already married twice and that there allegations of harassment were filed against him. Divorce was filed with an alimony of INR 17 lakh that Gupta gave to her in-laws at the time of wedding is to be paid back to her. Sakshi is happy to have such supportive parents and Mr.Gupta has set an example to shatter the stigma around divorce.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/Cph8rs6-p7U?feature=share
  • Kazakhstan puts ban on Hijab in schools

    Kazakhstan puts ban on Hijab in schools

    Kazakhstan government, home to a population with 70 per cent Muslims, has announced a ban on head-scarves for students and teachers in schools and educational institutions.

    “Requirements for the school uniform prohibit the wearing of the hijab, since any attribute, symbol, element in one way or another implies propaganda of the dogma to which they relate. Ensuring the equality of all religions before the law, the principles of secularism do not allow the advantage of any religion,” the Kazakh Government’s website stated on October 16.

    The ban has initiated a fierce debate on different levels of the populace. The Government, however, has maintained that Kazakhstan is a secular country. The opposing group consider the ban a violation of the freedom of expression and conscience.

    Consequently, many students have dropped out of the school. Education Minister Gani Beisembayev confirmed that a total of 150 girls dropped out of school in the Atyarau region, whereas in Turkestan, two men reportedly beat a school director for not allowing the girls wearing hijab to attend lectures.

    As a sign of protest, many are posting videos of burning down their books or pictures of them wearing a hijab stating that they will not trade anything for their right to wearing the head covering.
    A member of Almaty Social Council in Qojaly believes that “First of all, you have to know that the hijab is actually a headscarf with which girls in Kazakhstan were covered from puberty, that is, from the age of 13.There is no religious connotation here. Second, the law enshrines the right to education, and the ban that has been enacted is an artificial barrier to exercising that right. Why do headscarves suddenly prevent Muslim girls from joining secular life? No one is banning the wearing of Christian crosses or tubeteika caps. In fact, we are talking about a certain form of segregation.”

    The Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbay Kazhy Taganuly, has proposed that the girls who want to wear hijab should join Madrassas or any Muslim Educational institution from grade 10 onwards. So far nobody has objected to this.

    Amidst all this, President Kassym-Jomart has expressed his determination to ensure “freedom of religion” as per the law of his secular state.

  • 23 journalists killed in Israeli airstrikes since October 7

    23 journalists killed in Israeli airstrikes since October 7

    The Israel-Gaza escalation has resulted in the killings of more than 4,700 people in Gaza —mainly Palestinians — as increasingly heavy Israeli air raids continue following October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

    Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been keeping a track of journalists who have been killed, injured, detained, or missing in the Israeli-declared war.

    Amidst Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, and extensive power outages, journalists are at risk at all times as they cover the situation in Gaza.

    As of yesterday, 23 journalists have reportedly been killed, including 19 Palestinians, three Israelis, and one Lebanese.

    The victims are identified as Khalil Abu Aathra, Sameeh Al-Nady, Mohammad Balousha, Issam Bhar, Abdulhadi Habib, Yousef Maher Dawas, Salam Mema, Husam Mubarak, Issam Abdallah, Ahmed Shehab, Mohamed Fayez Abu Matar, Saeed al-Taweel, Mohammed Sobh, Hisham Alnwajha, Assaad Shamlakh, Shai Regev, Ayelet Arnin, Yaniv Zohar, Mohammad Al-Salhi, Mohammad Jarghoun, and Ibrahim Mohammad Lafi.

    Additionally, eight journalists are reported injured and three are missing or detained.

    CPJ has also claimed to have been investigating a number of unconfirmed reports of other journalists being “killed, missing, detained, hurt or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ home.”

    According to CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, Sherif Mansour, “CPJ emphasises that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,

    “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. All parties must take steps to ensure their safety.”

  • 62,079 undocumented Afghans repatriated so far

    62,079 undocumented Afghans repatriated so far

    Many illegal Afghan citizens living in Pakistan are heading back to their homeland by October 31.

    So far, 62,079 undocumented Afghans have been repatriated.

    On October 22 alone, 2518 Afghans went back to Afghanistan.

    Among these 2518 Afghan citizens were 522 men, 218 women and 1778 children.

    Pakistan has accelerated the process of sending back illegal Afghans. As per reports, Afghans in Peshawar, Khyber and other areas have started selling their properties.

    Operations to arrest and deport illegal citizens have been under way.

    On October 4, the caretaker government set November 1 as the deadline for illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan, warning that action will be taken against them after the deadline. The decision was taken during an apex committee meeting on the National Action Plan (NAP) at the Prime Minister’s House.

    “We have given them [foreigners residing in Pakistan unlawfully] a deadline of November 1 to willingly return to their countries and if they don’t, all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of the state and provinces will deport them,” Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti had stated at a press conference.