Iraqi actress and well-known TV personality Enas Taleb is suing The Economist for using her picture in an article related to obesity. She stated in an interview that she has started legal proceedings in the United Kingdom (UK).
In an article titled ‘Why women are fatter than men in the Arab world’, The Economist published a photo of Enas Taleb. The picture was taken at the Babylon International Festival in Iraq. Enas said that the image was used out of context without her permission and violated her privacy. She also claimed it had been photoshopped.
The article argued that Arab women are overweight due to poverty and restrictions on leaving their homes.
Taleb said she was preparing to sue the publication in an interview with Newsline, “I have decided to take legal action against The Economist for their cover story. I am demanding compensation for the emotional, mental and social damage this incident has caused me. My legal team and I are arranging the next steps.”
Talking to al-Arabiya TV, Enas labelled the article as an “insult to the Arab woman in general and Iraqi women in particular”. She questioned why The Economist “takes interest in fat women in the Arab world and not in Europe or the USA”.
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) agreement with Pakistan to release two tranches totaling $1.17 billion as part of a loan facility that was stalled is nearing completion, as the Letter of Intent (LoI) from the fund may arrive in a few days.
Pakistan is likely to receive the LoI, which the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail, will jointly sign, according to The News.
The IMF mission leader had to rush to Australia for a personal engagement, according to senior officials at the Finance Ministry, thus the Fund was likely to submit the LoI “anytime soon.”
The IMF board would also discuss adding $1 billion to a $6 billion programme agreed upon in 2019 at its meeting scheduled for August 24.
The government may impose higher taxes on cigarettes, tobacco leaves, fertiliser, and other items in order to appease the IMF.
Additional taxes are being considered for a variety of sectors. Through a Presidential Ordinance, tax rates on cigarettes and the processing of tobacco leaf might be increased.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is expected to have a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, reports The News.
The summit is scheduled to be held on September 15 and 16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
PM Shehbaz is likely to meet the country heads of China, Russia and Iran as well.
Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended a meeting of the SCO FMs on July 28.
The Punjab government on Wednesday lifted all restrictions imposed on businesses across the province to remain open late into the night.
The ban had been in place since June.
Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi lifted the ban on the demand of the traders.
Business centres, markets and shops will remain open on Sundays as well. In addition, markets, shops and businesses will remain open after 9pm, said the chief minister.
Earlier in June, former CM Punjab Hamza Shehbaz stated that markets across the province would close at 9pm as the government sought to conserve electricity following the country’s power crisis.
The Moroccan Agency of International Cooperation (AMCI) has offered scholarships to Pakistani students who want to enroll in public higher education, technical, and vocational institutions in Morocco for the academic year 2022–2023.
The deadline for Higher Education Commission (HEC) to receive nominations is set for September 20, 2022.
How to apply for the scholarship:
An unofficial English translation of the French form is given for the convenience of applicants
Candidates should choose “Learning Opportunities Abroad” after registering and filling out their profiles.
All applicants should note that all nominations from Pakistan will be routed via HEC. Applicants should send two sets of AMCI application (French form) along with required documents as mentioned on page-2 of the AMCI application form, in spiral binding and one copy of HEC application form with documents separately in spiral binding on or before, September 20, 2022.
On the basis of the greatest academic merit, HEC will narrow down the list of qualified candidates. Moroccan authorities or universities may test or interview selected Pakistani nominees.
It is worth noting that French is the primary language of instruction, and only students who have demonstrated proficiency in the language will be allowed to study in Morocco.
On Tuesday, model Mehreen Syed took to Instagram to announce the news. “Mashallah, Allah’s mercy. Congratulations,” she wrote. Judging by her caption, the couple has been blessed with a baby girl.
Later Shahroz also shared the adorable interaction between his eldest daughter Nooreh with her half-sibling Zahra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=17s
Their appearance on Fahad Mustafa’s Jeeto Pakistan fueled the pregnancy speculation further as the Nand star was seen telling her to be careful at many junctions.
Fellow models Abeer Iftikhar and Huma Khan and makeup artist Sara Ali dropped down in the comment section and sent their love to the couple.
The duo tied the knot in May 2020 and their union attracted a lot of buzz as the timing overlapped with Shahroz’s divorce from his ex-wife Syra Yousuf. The announcement of his marriage with Kanwal came with several video statements clarifying infidelity was not the reason that led to the dissolution of his marriage with his former wife.
In The Couple Show hosted by Hina Altaf and Agha Ali, the Alif star said that she always knew when she met Sabzwari that he will be the father of her children.
In April, Behroze Sabzwari announced that he has become a grandfather for the second time during an appearance on Rabia Anum Obaid’s Ramazan show Piyara Ramazan.
This is Kanwal’s first child and Shahroz’s second as he shares a daughter named Nooreh with actress Syra Yousuf.
In line with improved market sentiment, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) kept strengthening versus the US dollar, closing at Rs221.91 on Wednesday in the inter-bank market.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency appreciated by 0.96 per cent or Rs2.13 against the dollar to settle at Rs221.91.
The uptick on Wednesday marked the seventh straight rebound for the currency, which last month touched an all-time low of Rs239.94 against the US dollar. Since then, it has increased by almost 8 per cent.
Pakistani rupee significantly increased last week, rising 6.8 per cent to settle at Rs224.04 in the interbank market.
The rupee maintained its strength throughout the week as Pakistan reported a smaller trade deficit and a significantly lower import bill in July, relieving pressure on the currency that had previously been battered by the dollar.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also stated that the board meeting is tentatively scheduled for late August once adequate financing assurances are confirmed.
An official source in Abu Dhabi later emphasised in a public statement the UAE’s plan to invest $1 billion in Pakistani businesses across a range of economic and investment sectors, bringing Pakistan one step closer to closing what the IMF refers to as a financial gap.
Market analysts anticipate significant growth in the upcoming days, assuming Pakistan manages to arrange its finance requirements.
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi commented on the recent arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case.
Talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Elahi said, “I have given a statement against him [Shahbaz],” adding that these are honourable institutions.
“The Pakistan army protects the border of our country, Aqal hai tumhaaray mein (Are you in your senses?).”
When asked if PTI should distance itself from Shahbaz Gill’s statement, Elahi said, “Definitely yes.”
He further said Khan himself says that “a person who speaks against the army is not a Pakistani”.
فوج مخالف بیان پر شہباز گل کو ڈانٹا کہ یہ بڑی بری بات ہے، تحریک انصاف کی قیادت کو بالکل شہبازگل کے بیان سے الگ ہونا چاہیے، وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب چوہدری پرویز الٰہی#GeoNews#GeoPakistanpic.twitter.com/GBtRTZuWtp
Commenting on Gill’s arrest, Imran Khan termed it an ‘abduction’. He said, “Shahbaz Gill was arrested without any arrest warrant. His driver was tortured and his vehicle was damaged. He should have been given a chance to defend himself.”
About the rumours about his arrest, Khan said that his arrest is a small thing, he can “sacrifice” his life for haqeeqi azadi.
“If someone breaks the law, then there must be an action. Has any show-cause notice been issued to ARY News or given any reason for its suspension? The channel’s transmission was suspended without giving any chance to give a clarification. This is not acceptable in a democratic society. Democracy does not allow someone to take a decision solely and close the channel.”
While Speaking on ARY News, PTI leader Asad Umar said Gill’s words have been misinterpreted.
He further claimed that personally, he has “never heard Gill giving anti-army statements”.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Murad Saeed lashed out at the government after the arrest of his fellow party member. He claimed that this is all the government’s propaganda against PTI as they themselves talk against the army and then link it to PTI.
He further said that the government registers fake FIRs.
The PTI leader said that “handlers and facilitators” can’t compete with the public as they come out on roads whenever Khan asked them to.
“Imran Khan is our redline, don’t cross it, or else you will suffer the consequences.”
ملک کی خودداری کا سودا کرنے والو نے شہباز گل کو اغوا کیا۔ کل رات بھی جانثاران عمران خان نے واضح پیغام دیا اور پلان ناکام بنا دیا۔ بارہا بتایا کہ امریکی غلام رجیم چینج آپریشن کے تحت ہمارے ملک کو نئ جنگ میں دھکیل رہے ہیں لیکن مجرمانہ خاموشی https://t.co/DcsUg9rIhc
‘Script was prepared under the supervision of Imran Khan’: Rana Sanuallah
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, August 9, Interior Minister Rana Snaullah said, “The comments were according to the script prepared under the supervision of PTI Chairman Imran Khan which was carried forward by Fawad Chaudhry and Shahbaz Gill.”
Sanaullah went on to say that “hateful and seditious” remarks made by Gill were in line with the conspiracy in which a private news channel was also involved.
“Inquiry will be held regarding who are the people behind Gill and the private channel as no further investigation is needed on Gill’s statement,” he added.
The interior minister further alleged that the incident proves that the PTI was responsible for running a negative social media campaign on the tragic incident of an army helicopter crash in Balochistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the T20I rankings on Wednesday. Pakistan’s all-format captain, Babar Azam, has retained his top spot in the rankings. He is at the top of the rankings with 818 points.
Babar last played T20I in April but his consistent runs in the T20I format have helped him stay ahead of other players.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav is on the second spot with 805 points. Last week, he stood at 816 points, just two points away from Babar. Another Pakistani player, Mohammed Rizwan, is in the top 10 ranking with 794 points and is on the third spot.
Babar continues to be the only batter in the world ranked in the top five in all three formats of the game. Babar is ranked first in T20I and ODIs, and third in Tests.
Karachi police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against ARY Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Iqbal in connection with the controversial remarks made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill during a news transmission.
The police have also arrested Ammad Yousuf, the head of news and Senior Executive Vice President of ARY News.
The FIR said that a clip of a news bulletin, aired on August 8 by ARY News, had gone viral on social media, in which Gill had made “hateful remarks” against the Pakistan Army. Producer Adeel Raja, Yousaf, and anchorpersons Arshad Sharif and Khawar Ghumman have also been nominated in the case registered on August 8.
Meanwhile, ARY News reported that Yousaf was arrested in Karachi late on Tuesday night (August 9). Yousaf was arrested without a warrant from his residence located in Karachi’s DHA.
“Police officers along with plain-clothed persons forcibly entered the house of Ammad Yousaf. The raiding team diverted the CCTV cameras of Yousaf’s house, and jumped into the house from the top of the main entrance,” reported ARY News.
ArshadSharif flies to Dubai
After Yousaf got arrested, anchorperson Arshad Sharif left the country after his name was nominated in the FIR.
According to family sources, Arshad sharif has flown today morning from Peshawar to Dubai.. pic.twitter.com/iDpfnVu6aD
ARY News distances itself from Shahbaz Gill’s statement about army
ARY News and Salman Iqbal distanced themselves from Gill’s statement.
In a statement read out by ARY’s senior anchorperson Kashif Abbasi on his show, ‘Off the Record’, said that Salman Iqbal and the management condemns Shahbaz Gill’s statement.
Pemra issues show-cause notice to ARY News for airing ‘hateful, seditious’ content against govt
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday issued a show-cause notice to ARY News for airing what it called “false, hateful and seditious” content based on “absolute disinformation with a clear and present threat to national security by instigating rebellion within the armed forces”.
Prior to the issuance of the notice, ARY News went off air in many parts of the country on Monday (August 8).
