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  • In celebration of Mawra Hocane’s birthday, here are her three performances we loved

    In celebration of Mawra Hocane’s birthday, here are her three performances we loved

    It was actress Mawra Hocane’s birthday yesterday, and what better way to celebrate the occasion than to highlight some of her best work? Within the short time we’ve seen her on screen, the actress has delivered a range of powerful performances in serials about marital rape, domestic abuse and the pressures of social media. Let’s take a jog down memory lane to highlight some of the actress’s best performances over her career.

    1 Qissa Meharbano Ka

    The drama is celebrated as a milestone in discussing marital rape. It explores the story of Meharbano, a wife stuck in an abusive marriage with her husband Muraad (Ahsan Khan). Social media users still remember how the actress took a defiant stance to ensure that the issue of marital rape is tackled in a sensitive manner, and in no way is her character’s abusive relationship is romanticised in the show. Mawra was applauded when she revealed in an interview that she requested director Iqbal Hussain and producer Momina Duraid to rewrite the script to ensure that such a toxic relationship is not justified.

     “I said that we can’t let it pass. How can a project backed by her and me – women who have voices – let a marital rape scene just pass. Because a lot of projects let it pass. And we are angry about that. So what are we doing differently?”

    2 Nauroz

    We are just twelve episodes in the drama, but audiences have already declared that this is the project that will cement Mawra Hocane as the actress no body can compete with. The drama follows the story of a sheltered girl Rishtina, who is thrust out into a new world after facing a threat, and resorts to living in slums after she is discovered by an influencer who introduces her to the world of social media. Mawra’s powerful performance has fans raving. The actress revealed in a recent interview that the shoot took a toll on her body to the point that she lost 6 kgs because of the trauma she underwent while filming some of the scenes.

    3 Sabaat

    Mawra’s ability to pick dramas with complex, powerful female characters shone through in this drama, which is still celebrated as one of the few feminist dramas made in Pakistan. She plays Anaya, a headstrong college girl who speaks out against harassment, and clashes with Hassan (placed by Ameer Gilani) after she defeats him in an engineering competition. As the two begin developing feelings for each other, their class backgrounds and opposing mindsets threaten to tear them apart.

  • Afghan Taliban capture 200 anti-Pakistan militants

    Afghan Taliban capture 200 anti-Pakistan militants

    The Afghan Taliban claim to have arrested 200 suspected militants for carrying out cross-border attacks against Pakistan.

    The news was reported as a delegation from Islamabad visited Kabul where the Afghan government hosted bilateral talks last week.

    They expounded on the crackdown against the proscribed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    Earlier this month, heavily armed militants attacked two Pakistani security posts in Chitral. The raid of September 6th killed four soldiers and 12 assailants for which TTP claimed responsibility.

    VoA spoke with Pakistani officials who said that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has “forbidden his forces from launching cross-border attacks against Pakistan, calling them haram or un-Islamic”.

    Moreover, he has also “ordered Afghans not to collaborate with or give donations to the TTP for its so-called jihad against Pakistan and barred the militants from running donation collection campaigns in Afghanistan”.

    The Pakistani officials claimed that according to their assessment, the Taliban are “consciously distancing” themselves from groups they were previously with at the time of insurgency. These groups are now involved in criminal activities in Afghanistan — extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and terrorism.

    The officials highlighted that Taliban leaders are now in control and responsible for the country and must show the world that they do not function like an insurgent group.

  • American millionaire drives at 16 mph in attempt to live forever

    American millionaire drives at 16 mph in attempt to live forever

    Bryan Johnson is an American entrepreneur who is allegedly spending millions of dollars on an attempt to live longer than most individuals.

    The 46-year-old biotech entrepreneur has a longing for feeling 18-years-old again, and in his efforts to achieve that, he has an expensive routine tied with hopes of reversing his age.

    Credit: Business Insider

    Insider reports that Johnson spends about $2 million every year on an experimental program called Project Blueprint. His goal is to reduce his biological age and live forever.

    Johnson wakes up at 5 a.m., takes more than 100 supplements per day, his diet is calculated and he has his dinner (final and third meal of the day) at 11 a.m.

    He also goes to gym for cardio and weight training; and undergoes treatments like red light therapy and ultrasounds. He exposes himself to a laser face-shield to reduce collagen loss and wrinkles.

    Johnson works from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., spends two and half hours for ‘family time’, relaxation, skincare, and dental care and goes to sleep by 8:30 p.m.

    He has kept his routine so calculated and is so adamant in living forever that he drives as slowly as 16 mph in Los Angeles since he believes that, “Driving is the most dangerous thing we do.”

    “What would be a more beautiful irony than me getting hit by a bus and dying?” he told TIME.

    He has also pointed out that according to the data compiled by his doctors, he has the bones of a 30-year-old and the heart of a 37-year-old, but doctors remain dubious of his lifestyle and its possible outcomes since there is not enough research to support the success of his project.

  • Pakistani team’s wholesome welcome in India is winning the internet

    Pakistani team’s wholesome welcome in India is winning the internet

    The Pakistani cricket team landed in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday to play in World Cup 2023. Videos of the overwhelming crowds that came to greet the team have set the internet on fire. Fans can be seen shouting the names of Babar, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. In some pictures, police men can be seen trying to take selfies with the cricket stars. This display of love for our boys in green on the other side of the border has moved social media to tears.

    Many were happy to witness politics and rivalry being set aside for the love of cricket that had united India and Pakistan. And soon the viral videos got a lot of appreciation from social media users.

  • Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was briefed on a concerning issue whereby a significant number of beggars are being trafficked abroad. Zulfikar Haider, the Secretary of the Overseas Ministry, brought this matter to light during a Senate panel discussion centred on the migration of both skilled and unskilled labourers from Pakistan.

    Haider revealed that an alarming 90 percent of beggars apprehended in foreign countries happen to be Pakistani nationals. This predicament has led to a notable strain on foreign jails, with reports from the ambassadors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia attesting to the overcrowding of their detention facilities due to these arrests.

    During the course of the discussion, Secretary Haider also pointed out a troubling trend where Japan has emerged as a newfound destination for such beggars.

    According to ARY News, Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hasan highlighting the varying demands placed on Japan for skilled workers from different countries, including India, Nepal, and Pakistan, each sending a distinct number of individuals to meet these demands.

    Senator Hasan further raised the issue of unemployment among engineers in Pakistan, highlighting that a staggering 50,000 engineers in the country are currently without employment opportunities.

    In the context of the Middle East, the senator provided statistics, noting that approximately three million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, while another 1.5 million have sought employment in the UAE, with an additional 0.2 million in Qatar.

    It is imperative to underscore that beggar syndicates are also exploiting minors, subjecting them to harsh weather conditions for personal gain. These syndicates have devised new tactics to extract money from people, contributing to a distressing trend whereby the number of beggars has doubled within a mere three-year span, as per recent reports.

  • ‘Sasural mein divorce’: A viral convo about the reason behind Priyanka not attending Parineeti’s wedding has the internet in fits

    ‘Sasural mein divorce’: A viral convo about the reason behind Priyanka not attending Parineeti’s wedding has the internet in fits

    Bollywood star Parineeti Chopra’s wedding to politician Raghav Chadha was the talk of the town all week. However, the absence of the actor’s cousin Priyanka Chopra, raised a lot of eyebrows.

    The ‘Quantico’ actress uploaded a congratulatory post on her Instagram account, gushing about how gorgeous Parineeti Chopra looked on her big day. But, more than the picture, the hilarious convo taking place in the comments grabbed attention. Two desi people were trying to decode why Priyanka had not attended the wedding.

    For context, the ghar kay halat kharab comment is about the divorce battle between Joe Jonas and actress Sophie Turner, who had filed a case against the ‘Jonas Brothers’ band member for wrongfully detaining their two daughters in the US.

    Desi people will never change, chahe koi apna ho ya phir Priyanka Chopra ho. The internet was in fits after watching this hilarious interaction.

  • 21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    Compared to the statistics of the 2018 general elections, the number of voters in Pakistan has increased by 21 million 24 thousand and 863 voters.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the total number of voters has reached 126,980,272, while the total number of voters in the country in the 2018 general elections was 105,955,409.

    The number of male voters in 2023 has increased to 68,508,258; while the number of female voters has increased to 58,472,014.

    This means that the number of male voters is 10,036,244 more than women.

    Province-wise increase in voters

    Punjab

    Voters in Punjab have increased by one crore 16 lakh 37 thousand (11,637,811).

    2018: 60,672,771

    2023: 72,310,582

    Sindh

    In total, an increase of 42 lakh 59 thousand (4,259,917) voters has been recorded in Sindh.

    2018: 22,391,244

    2023: 26,651,161

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    In total, 63 lakh 78 thousand (6,378,212) voters have increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    2018: 15,314,169

    2023: 21,692,381

    Balochistan

    The number of voters in the province has increased by 9 lakh 58 thousand (985,100) voters.

    2018: 4,299,494

    2023: 5,284,594 

    Islamabad

    Number of voters in the federal capital has increased by 2 lakh 76 thousand (276,107) voters.

    2018: 765,447

    2023: 1,041,554

    Age-wise voter statistcis:

  • 55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 55 percent of polling stations have been termed ‘sensitive’ for the upcoming general elections next year.

    ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan said, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee, that around 55 percent of polling stations to be established are sensitive.

    A ‘sensitive polling station’ usually refers to a voting site that is disputatious or requires more attention due to specific circumstances or factors that could become hurdles in a free and fair voting process. 

    A sensitive polling station could be one located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats. In such cases, the voting process can be made free and fair by providing extra security by the caretaker government.

    If a polling station is located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats, it can be considered a sensitive polling station. On the other hand, if a polling station serves a vulnerable population, like elderly citizens or people with disabilities, it could also be counted as a sensitive polling station.

    Similarly, if any polling station is located in remote or difficult-to-reach areas, it can also be considered sensitive because of logistical challenges.

    “A total 91,809 polling stations will be established, of which 49,919 have been designated as sensitive or highly sensitive,” Omar Hamid Khan said.

    The ECP secretary stated that 17,411 polling stations are highly sensitive, 32,508 are justly sensitive, and 41,809 are designated as ‘normal’.

    Omar Hamid Khan also told the senate standing committee that there are 266 National Assembly constituencies and 593 provincial assemblies. He also observed that one million polling staff would be required for the general election next year.

  • Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    On World Pharmacists Day 2023 on Tuesday, The News highlighted that 80,000 prescription errors have been reported in the past year at major health centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

    Prescription errors means that doctors either prescribed wrong medicine, incorrect dosage, or did not take into consideration the interaction between drugs, a potentially fatal error.

    “Of these 80,000 prescription errors, 96% errors were accepted and recognized by the prescribing physicians and surgeons and they rectified their prescriptions in consultation with clinical pharmacists to ensure patient safety”, Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, President of Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA), told a ceremony to mark the World Pharmacists Day 2023.

    He also highlighted that prescription error is the sixth leading cause of death in developed countries like America as 7000-9000 people die every year due to this mistake.

    He urged that there is an urgent need to “introduce clinical pharmacy services at all the public and private health facilities to prevent deaths and disabilities due to medication errors and adverse drug reactions”.

    A solution for that, as Shabir Ahmed provided, is pharmacovigilance centers across the country that will keep the prescription procedure in check by detecting, monitoring and preventing “adverse drug reactions” and keep patients safe.

  • PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has been running at a loss, has unveiled its privatisation plan. Sources indicate that this plan encompasses not only the privatisation of PIA but also the power distribution companies and the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills.

    Furthermore, it has been reported that the process of appointing a financial advisor for PIA’s privatisation is underway. While PIA’s affiliated institution will remain unaffected by privatisation, plans have been solidified to address issues related to PIA’s debt and government guarantees.

    According to ARY News, the Privatisation Commission sources have disclosed that, under the current circumstances, Pakistan Steel Mills cannot be privatised. However, efforts will be made to enhance the mill’s production and capabilities to attract potential investors.

    It’s worth noting that the restructuring plan for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is progressing rapidly. The PIA administration has invited applications from legal and corporate firms for assistance in this restructuring plan. The Department of Contract Management has been instructed to forward these applications by October 6.

    The assets of PIA, including properties, debts, aircraft, and employees, will be transferred to the new company, presenting PIA as a debt-free organisation to potential investors.