Military weapons worth $7 billion that were left behind by the United States (US) after its exit from Afghanistan are being used by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups for terrorism in Pakistan, claimed a report by Radio Free Europe.
The report said that the US left behind firearms, communications gear and armored vehicles which gave the militants a “vast war chest”.
The Taliban government has rejected claims that it has supplied TTP fighters with US weapons and equipment, however, the report stands contrary to their assertion.
Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks the TTP, said the group’s access to sophisticated combat weapons has had a “terrifying” impact, especially on the lesser-equipped police force in Pakistan.
Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.
According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months for terrorism since July 2018.
‘Kuch Ankahi’ has made an indelible mark on the Pakistani entertainment industry, for tackling sensitive issues like marriage pressure, body shaming, as well as infidelity. However, many audience members won’t know that the writer as well as the actor who plays the dad in the drama, Syed Mohammad Ahmed, has written countless scripts for film and television, including the iconic PTV drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ which was his debut effort.
Directed by the brilliant Sahira Kazmi, the drama is an adaptation of the Hollywood rom-com ‘While You Were Sleeping’ which is about a young woman, who is accidently mistaken to be the fiancée of a man in a coma. The drama is incredibly funny, with powerful performances by actors Marina Khan and Ali Haider, and if our audiences are hung up on the fact that there are no good dramas out there that outshine the way ‘Kuch Ankahi’ did, here are some reasons why they should definitely check out this cult classic.
1 The powerful chemistry between Hira (played by Khan) and Bilal (played by Haider)
Hira and Bilal are feuding opposites in the beginning of the drama, because the family completely takes her in once they find out she was Saad’s (played by Farhan Ali Agha) fiancee, but Bilal opposes this because he suspects that she is telling a lie. As the episodes progress, their rivalry turns into friendship and then in to love, giving us a healthy and meaningful relationship.
2 Powerful women lead the drama
Powerful, witty Hira immediately captures the hearts of the audience, especially due to the exceptional acting shown by Marina Khan. Hira works in a travel agency under her boss who was her late father’s best friend, and is like father figure to her. She has everything that any woman would want: friends, an apartment and lots of wealth, but deep down, Hira longs for a family so she won’t remain alone. If fans of ‘Kuch Ankahi’ love the sisters and their fierce devotion and dedication to each other, then they will love the way Hira loves and defends her family members, helps her sister in law tackle with the grief from divorce, and especially how drama refuses to pit women against each other.
3 Debunks the stereotype that divorced women can never find happiness
‘Kuch Ankahi’ has definately engaged Pakistani audiences with its refreshing script that provided us with complex female characters who refuse to be dictated around by patriarchal expectations, then they would also find ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ addictive because in the same manner, it engages with the societal disgrace that divorcees often face. Through the journey of Meher (played by Seemi Pasha), a divorced woman who is still recovering from the betrayal of her first marriage, she learns to empower herself through becoming friends with Hira, and forming a friendship with Sajjad, another divorcee who encourages her to keep living her best life.
4 Humorous and engaging side characters
A lot of times one of the biggest criticisms of Pakistani dramas has been that the side characters are incredibly dense, and limited to only showing up to push the main lead’s story forward. However the brilliance of Syed Mohammad Ahmed is that in his scripts, each character is interesting and keeps us engaged with the show. In ‘Kuch Ankahi’, fans are in love with the Tiktok star Neeha who is the househelp’s daughter, or Shakeel, the clumsy nephew. In a similar way, in ‘Tumse Ye Kehna Tha’ side characters like the neighbour Gringo or Buwa who add to the humor of the drama.
If you’re a citizen of Pakistani Twitter, then you would be familiar with cult dramas like ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, ‘Humsafar’ and ‘Tere Bin’, that have dominated social media with swoon worthy romances as well as dreamboats like Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali. We’ll admit it, we have been obsessed too.
But it might turn out that all that is old is not gold? And sadly, our fav heroes might not actually be the shehzada of our dreams but actually toxic men who needs to be re examined again.
A Twitter user shared a tweet of the main leads from the most popular Pakistani dramas: ‘Tere Bin’, ‘Zindagi Gulzaar Hai’, ‘Humsafar’ and ‘Mere Humsafar’, and in the caption she shared that arranged marriage might not be such a bad idea if it were with men like them.
But in today’s climate when more women are asking for better representation on television screens, a man like Ashar or Zarrun won’t sit well with audiences, regardless of how good looking Fawad Khan is. With that, more twitter users began sharing the ways audiences had overlooked how regressive and sexist these male leads actually were, and should not have been projected as the standard kind of man women should look for.
Users shared that in ‘Humsafar’, Khan’s character Ashar, kicks his wife Khirad (played by Mahira Khan) out of the house while she was pregnant because he suspects her to be cheating on him with her friend, Khizar.
Fawad Khan in zgh was a chauvinist in humsafar he was toxic didn’t trust his wife and on false accusation ninja kicked mahira out of his life… so yeah these images didn’t help ..marriages are still scary 🙆🏼♀️😶🌫️ https://t.co/vlovaXrLRL
Twitter users shared how toxic Murtasim was in ‘Tere Bin’ because he slapped Meerab in episode 5, and in the most recent episode he asks her to jump to prove she wasn’t having an affair behind his back.
Didn't watch ZGH..but except Hamza the rest 2 are male chauvinist and hypocrite literally. Hamza is maa ka ladla. So the 3 characters are already cancelled 😕🙄 https://t.co/KfMPT2ltQ7
We hope that the entertainment industry takes a note of this and works on improving their scripts to stop romanticizing toxic men, who can only offer the bare minimum to the women in their lives.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a press conference on Friday, demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial’s resignation after Justice Athar Minallah’s hard-hitting note that said that the suo motu case of the delay in holding polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab was dismissed by 4-3.
Calling the CJP “controversial”, Aurangzeb stated that when the court’s proceedings become controversial with judges of the top court refusing to accept the judgement, how will the people accept the verdict.
“Justice Minallah’s note is a question mark,” she said.
Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the minister said that it is not acceptable for the government that a breacher of the constitution is facilitated by the judiciary.
She added that parliament will decide about elections, not Imran Khan.
It is pertinent to mention that CJP Bandial is set to retire by September this year, after which Justice Qazi Faez Isa will become the new chief justice.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has reported that for the week ending on April 6, 2023, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation has increased by 0.92 per cent. This rise is mainly due to an increase in the prices of food items such as chicken (15.87 per cent), sugar (13.48 per cent), potatoes (5.11 per cent), bananas (4.95 per cent), wheat flour (3.10 per cent), gur (2.12 per cent), eggs (1.26 per cent), fresh milk (1.24 per cent), and non-food item long cloth (1.95 per cent).
The year-on-year trend indicates an increase of 44.49 per cent, which is primarily due to a surge in the prices of cigarettes (165.88 per cent), wheat flour (131.72 per cent), gas charges for q1 (108.38 per cent), diesel (102.84 per cent), eggs (98.34 per cent), Lipton tea (97.63 per cent), broken basmati rice (84.92 per cent), bananas (82.23 per cent), petrol (81.17 per cent), irri-6/9 rice (80.61 per cent), moong (68.14 per cent), potatoes (65.95 per cent), maash (56.70 per cent), and onions (55.75 per cent). However, a decrease in prices has been observed for tomatoes (50.39 per cent) and powdered chillies (6.48 per cent).
The SPI for the week under review has been recorded at 252.06 points compared to 249.75 points in the previous week, as per the latest data released by PBS on Friday. During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 27 (52.94 per cent) items increased, seven (13.73 per cent) items decreased, and 17 (33.33 per cent) items remained stable.
The average prices of commodities that have increased during the week over the previous week include chicken (15.87 per cent), sugar (13.48 per cent), potatoes (5.11 per cent), bananas (4.95 per cent), wheat flour (3.10 per cent), gur (2.12 per cent), long cloth 57” Gul Ahmed/Al Karam (1.95 per cent), eggs (1.26 per cent), fresh milk (1.24 per cent), irri-6/9 rice (0.80 per cent), shirting (0.75 per cent), beef with bone (0.71 per cent), broken basmati rice (0.69 per cent), curd (0.60 per cent), toilet soap Lifebuoy (0.56 per cent), lawn printed Gul Ahmed/Al Karam (0.55 per cent), prepared tea (0.44 per cent), powdered salt (0.39 per cent), Georgette (0.36 per cent), Sufi washing soap (0.31 per cent), mutton (0.18 per cent), moong (0.16 per cent), masoor (0.15 per cent), maash (0.09 per cent), cooked beef (0.04 per cent), cooking oil Dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each (0.04 per cent), and cooked daal (0.02 per cent).
The commodities that have recorded a decrease in their average prices are tomatoes (14.96 per cent), onions (12.66 per cent), LPG (3.73 per cent), pulse gram (1.20 per cent), vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib 2.5 kg tin each (0.71 per cent), garlic (0.16 per cent), and mustard oil (0.03 per cent).
Commodity
Year-on-Year Change
Week-on-Week Change
Cigarettes
165.88 per cent
N/A
Wheat flour
131.72 per cent
3.10 per cent
Gas charges for q1
108.38 per cent
N/A
Diesel
102.84 per cent
N/A
Eggs
98.34 per cent
1.26 per cent
Lipton tea
97.63 per cent
N/A
Broken basmati rice
84.92 per cent
0.69 per cent
Bananas
82.23 per cent
4.95 per cent
Petrol
81.17 per cent
N/A
Irri-6/9 rice
80.61 per cent
0.80 per cent
Moong
68.14 per cent
0.16 per cent
Potatoes
65.95 per cent
5.11 per cent
Maash
56.70 per cent
0.09 per cent
Onions
55.75 per cent
12.66 per cent
Tomatoes
-50.39 per cent
-14.96 per cent
Powdered chillies
-6.48 per cent
N/A
Chicken
N/A
15.87 per cent
Sugar
N/A
13.48 per cent
Gur
N/A
2.12 per cent
Long cloth 57” Gul Ahmed/Al Karam
N/A
1.95 per cent
Fresh milk
N/A
1.24 per cent
Shirting
N/A
0.75 per cent
Beef with bone
N/A
0.71 per cent
Curd
N/A
0.60 per cent
Toilet soap Lifebuoy
N/A
0.56 per cent
Lawn printed Gul Ahmed/Al Karam
N/A
0.55 per cent
Prepared tea
N/A
0.44 per cent
Powdered salt
N/A
0.39 per cent
Georgette
N/A
0.36 per cent
Sufi washing soap
N/A
0.31 per cent
Mutton
N/A
0.18 per cent
Masoor
N/A
0.15 per cent
Cooked beef
N/A
0.04 per cent
Cooking oil Dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each
President Dr Arif Alvi has sent back the Supreme Court bill for revision.
The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, which aims to clip the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan, sailed through both houses of parliament and was sent to the president to be signed into law.
However, the president sent the bill back to parliament for revision under Article 75 of the Constitution.
صدر ِپاکستان نے سپریم کورٹ (پریکٹس اینڈ پروسیجر) بل 2023 آئین کے آرٹیکل 75 کے تحت نظر ثانی کیلئے پارلیمنٹ کو واپس بھجوادیا
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 8, 2023
In his detailed reply, which he also posted on Twitter, the president said that he thought it fit and proper to return the bill, in accordance with the Constitution, with “the request for reconsideration in order to meet the scrutiny about its validity (if assailed in the court of law)”.
Alvi pointed out several aspects that need consideration after an in-depth consideration.
President Alvi said that SC Rules 1980 had been “made and in force duly validated and adopted by the Constitution itself” under enabling provisions such as Article 191 of the Constitution which empowers the top court to make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the court.
“These time-tested rules are being followed ever since the year 1980 —any tinkering with the same may tantamount to interference with the internal working of the Court, its autonomy and independence,” the letter stated.
The purpose of the proposed bill is to provide a procedure for exercising preliminary jurisdiction and appealing.
“It may be admirable, but can it be done without a constitutional amendment?” President Alvi questioned.
He further said it is a settled law that constitutional provisions cannot be amended by ordinary legislation. “The Constitution is the supreme law; the father of all laws,” he added.
The president further maintains that the Constitution is not a general law, but an embodiment of laws above fundamental principles, supreme law and other laws.
Article 191 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to make rules to regulate judicial proceedings and procedure.
Calling out the President, Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman tweeted, “President Arif Alvi sent the bill back to the Supreme Court for review and proved that he is not the President of the country but is still the Secretary-General of Tehreek-e-Insaaf. He has seen every decision of Parliament from Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s point of view. Even before receiving the bill, he had given his stand on it in an interview.”
لحاضہ وہ اپنی پارٹی پالیسی کی پیروی کر رہے ہیں، صدر کے آئینی عہدے کی نہیں۔صدر کہہ رہے کہ یہ بل پارلیمنٹ کے اختیار سے باہر ہے؟ساڑھے تین سال وہ صدر ہائوس کو آرڈیننس فیکٹری کی طرح چلاتے رہے، وہ پارلیمنٹ کے اختیارات سے کیسے واقف ہو سکتے ہیں۔ صدر پارلیمنٹ کو قانون سازی نا سکھائیں۔ 2/2
“He is following his party policy, not the constitutional position of the President. The President is saying that this bill is beyond the power of the Parliament. For three and a half years, he has been running the President’s House like an ordinance factory. How can he know the powers of the parliament? President, do not teach the Parliament how to legislate,” tweeted Rehman.
Naseem Shah, Pakistani right arm fast bowler, has once again been linked to Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela. A video went viral on social media recently in which the star cricketer seemingly proposes to Urvashi Rautela, however, the video is fake.
The video is heavily edited and merges two clips, presented to mislead the viewer.
The video is from a Gillette promotional event in which a journalist asked the cricketer about Urvashi. Shah replied that he did not know her and then the second question about his marriage in which he answered, “Aagar dulah tayyar hoi to shadi kar lyn gay”.
The master mind merge two clips and viral the video on social media to create a controversy but the fact is video is fake and edited. Previously there were rumors that Urvashi and Indian wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant are in a relationship but there has been no confirmation.
Naseem Shah is a talented Pakistani cricketer known for his impressive pace and promising potential. The youngster from Lower Dir made his debut for the national team in 2019, becoming the youngest player to play in a Test match at just 16 years old.
In response to increasing policy rates, the Pakistani government has announced significant raises in profit rates for all national savings schemes (NSS) from April 10, 2023. This decision follows the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) considerable increase in the policy rate to a record 21 per cent in its recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting to combat inflation.
The Finance Division announced on Friday, through a notification issued under Rule-II of the Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts Rules, 2003, that the rate of profit on deposits made in Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts and Behbood Savings Certificates will be 16.56 per cent per annum from April 10, 2023, until further notice.
Additionally, the rate of profit on deposits made in Shuhada’s Family Welfare Account will be 16.56 per cent per annum from April 10, 2023, until further notice.
The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has also increased the profit rate on Defence Saving Certificates from 9.29 per cent to 14.87 per cent. The profit rate on Regular Income Certificates has been raised to 12.84 per cent of the total investment.
Similarly, the profit margin on the three-year Special Saving Certificates and Special Savings Account has been increased to 17 per cent for the first five profits and to 17.8 per cent for the sixth profit. Furthermore, the return on Saving Accounts (running accounts) has been raised to 18.5 per cent. However, it’s worth noting that there will be a deduction of Withholding Tax and Zakat as per the rules.
King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II have profited almost £2 million from the sale of horses given by notable statesmen including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai, Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s al-Thani family, The Guardian has reported.
These were private presents, Buckingham Palace has claimed.
The late Queen had a history of accepting gifts of horses; during a state visit to West Germany in 1978, she was given two horses. Questions are being raised about guidelines for royal family for accepting gifts.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Emir of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, is by far the queen’s most benevolent supplier of racing and breeding stock. At least 34 horses presented to the royals appear to have come from him.
Estimate, who handed the queen one of her most cherished victory on the track in the 2013 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, is said to have been among the five horses Prince Shah Karim al-Husseini, the Aga Khan, gifted to the royal family.
Elizabeth received a total of 41 horses that competed in races during the past 15 years, racing in royal colours, according to a Guardian study.
Over the past ten years, 29 of them were put up for auction in public and brought in a total of £1.93 million.
Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi, has set rumor mills ablaze with a hint that two new teams might be debuting in next year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).
While answering a Q/A on Facebook, Afridi revealed the names of two teams when a desperate fan asked, “Is there any chance of new franchises in PSL? If yes then tell me tha names” In reply Javed Afridi wrote that Faisalabad or Sialkot will be debuting.
While there has been no official confirmation from the PSL management about the addition of new teams, the news has sparked excitement among cricket fans in Pakistan.
Previously, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) management committee chairman, Najam Sethi, had stated that the number of teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) can be increased to ten due to high demand.
“There is immense pressure to increase the number of teams in PSL, but unfortunately, Ehsan Mani and Ramiz Raja agreed with the franchises that only six teams will play in the next two years. However, it was an eight-team project. We have to convince the franchises to include two more teams.
No one will lose anything; if a franchise suffers a loss, the PCB will take responsibility. But there is a high demand to include two more teams, and it will be more successful with many people showing interest in being part of it. Let me tell you, even if there were ten teams now, all of them would be sold due to the high demand.” he said.
