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  • ‘Inflation has benefitted traders and industrialists’: Hammad Azhar

    ‘Inflation has benefitted traders and industrialists’: Hammad Azhar

    Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar has said that inflation has increased in Pakistan because it is a global trend. He added that “inflation has benefitted traders and industrialists”.

    “Our competition is with inflation, not with the Opposition,” said Hammad.

    Azhar was addressing a press conference in Lahore along with Punjab Minister for Local Bodies Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed. Hammad, while talking about the local government elections, said, “To win the local body elections, we will benefit from the experience of senior leaders like Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed and give honest leadership to Lahore.”

    “In order to win the elections, the internal differences of the party will be eliminated. The party’s organisation in Lahore will be announced in the next few days. We will win the local bodies’ elections through hard work and make Lahore a stronghold of PTI,” he added.

    On January 22, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf nominated Hammad Azhar as the party’s candidate for the mayorship of Lahore.

    




    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    PM’s hawk adviser Shahzad Akbar resigns, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘more important work awaits’
    
			
    PM’s hawk adviser Shahzad Akbar resigns, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘more important work awaits’
    
			
    

    Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar said on Monday that he had resigned from his post.
    




    Taking to Twitter, Akbar said that he had tendered his resignation today to PM Khan.
    




    “I sincerely hope the process of accountability continues under the leadership of PM IK as per the PTI’s manifesto. I will remain associated with the party and keep contributing as a member of the legal fraternity,” he added.
    




    


    




    Reacting to the news, federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said, “It was never easy to take on Mafias but way you worked and handled cases is admirable.”
    




    


    




    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Mohammad Zubair tweeted, “Jumping the ship at the right moment, Shahzad Akbar has proven to be a smart person.”
    




    


    




    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Anny Marri said, “Sinking ship – meet the first of the rats. More to come….”
    




    


    




    In July 2020, Akbar was appointed as an adviser to the premier. 
    




    Akbar — former deputy prosecutor for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) — was appointed as a special assistant to the prime minister on accountability in August 2018.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Shaheen Shah Afridi declared ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
    
			
    Shaheen Shah Afridi declared ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
    
			
    

    Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. He is the first Pakistani and the youngest ever player to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. Shaheen took 78 wickets in 36 internationals at an average of 22.20 with his best bowling figures of 6/51. 
    




    


    




    The 21-year-old was on fire throughout 2021, knocking some of the best batters over across all three formats of the game. He especially had a year to remember in Tests and T20Is, reaching his peak during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE where he impressed one and all with his sheer speed and skills. 
    




    Shaheen took seven wickets in six matches during the tournament in Pakistan’s run to the semi-final. He ruled the shortest format throughout the calendar year, scalping 23 wickets in 21 matches with his death bowling improving rapidly.
    




    After a slow start to the year in Test cricket in New Zealand, Afridi turned the tables during the home series against South Africa. He continued his brilliant form throughout the rest of the year in the away tours of Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh. Overall, he claimed 47 wickets in only nine matches at a staggering average of 17.06.
    




    Afridi’s perfect spell against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 was the cherry on the top, taking 3 wickets of just 31 runs. Afridi sent then captain Virat Kohli, openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to the pavillion. 
    




    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), taking to Twitter, said: “incredible3 The world of cricket is richer and so watchable because of you. A proud moment for the fans who through you can now see a new beginning… @iMRizwanPak @babarazam258 @iShaheenAfridi @ICCAwards.”
    




    


    




    Several people congratulated the cricketer on his achievement, including the PCB and former captain Shahid Afridi.
    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    
https://twitter.com/AhmadDaniyal33/status/1485549184858136583?s=20

    




    


    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Usman Mirza Case: Court rejects acquittal plea  of co-accused
    
			
    Usman Mirza Case: Court rejects acquittal plea  of co-accused
    
			
    

    A court in Islamabad on Monday rejected the acquittal plea filed by Umar Bilal, a co-suspect, in the couple harassment case. Umar Bilal filed an application seeking his acquittal, after the female victim in the case retracted her statement. 
    




    The verdict was announced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Atta Rabbani. The court observed that the trial has entered its final phase.
    




    Read more- Follow up: What happened in the Usman Mirza case?
    




    The state is pursuing prosecution in the case, as the victims retracted their statements and refused to recognise the accused people. 
    




    On January 11, the female victim refused to identify any of the accused and said she does not want to pursue the case. However, a journalist reported that the couple has reportedly taken one crore rupees from Usman Mirza.
    




    The case was highlighted last year in July, when a video of Usman Mirza harassing a couple went viral on social media.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Babar Azam named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
    
			
    Babar Azam named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
    
			
    

    Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam has been named the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for his achievements as a captain of Pakistan cricket team and his individual performances.
    




    Babar scored 405 runs in six matches at an average of 67.50 with two centuries. He played only six ODIs in 2021, but he made vital contributions in the two series that Pakistan played this year.
    




    He was the second-highest run-scorer with 228 runs and was the Player of the Match in both of Pakistan’s wins in the 2-1 series victory against South Africa. The architect of Pakistan’s chase of 274 in the first ODI, Babar made a century and laid the foundation with an 82-ball 94 in the final ODI where the visitors posted 320 batting first.
    




    He was the lone warrior for Pakistan when they were swept by England 3-0. He accumulated 177 runs in three games but found no support as none of the other batters managed to score more than 100 in the series.
    




    Azam’s best performance this year came in a losing cause in the final ODI against England.
    




    With the series already lost, Pakistan were playing for pride as well as crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points in the third ODI at Birmingham. Put in to bat first, Pakistan posted 331, with Babar scoring close to half of the team’s runs.
    




    Read More – ICC receives criticism for not naming Babar Azam T20 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament’
    




    Not only in ODIs but Babar was also good with the bat in the ICC T20I World Cup 2021. Azam registered the most number of runs in a maiden T20 world cup with 303, which makes him the first batsman to score 300 runs in the T20 World Cup 2021.
    




    Twitter is flooded with congratulatory notes for the 27-year-old skipper. We have collected a few, have a look:
    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    


    




    
https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1485513152708157443?s=20

    




    


    




    


    




    
https://twitter.com/AhmadDaniyal33/status/1485514895932248067?s=20

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Taliban meet Afghan women activists and journalists in Oslo
    
			
    Taliban meet Afghan women activists and journalists in Oslo
    
			
    

    A delegation of the Afghan Taliban, led by Foreign Minister (FM) Amir Khan Muttaqi, met women activists and journalists in Oslo, Norway.
    




    “It was a positive icebreaking meeting,” feminist activist Jamila Afghani told AFP. 
    




    “They listened patiently and responded to most of our concerns. Let’s see what their actions will be, based on their words,” she added. 
    




    Anas Haqqani, a leader of the most violent faction of the Taliban movement, is also a part of the delegation. 
    




    Following the talks, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted: “Afghanistan is the shared home of all Afghans. They need to work together for the political, economic and security prosperity of the country.” 
    




    


    




    Taliban representatives will meet delegations from other western nations [United States (US), France, Britain, Germany, Italy and the European Union (EU)] today (Monday) and will be certain to press their demand to unfreeze $10 billion by the US and other western countries as the country is currently facing a humanitarian crisis. 
    




    It has been confirmed by Norwegian FM Anniken Huitfeldt that the meetings are not for legitimation or recognition of the Taliban. 
    




    So far, the Taliban have visited Russia, Iran, Qatar, Pakistan, China and Turkmenistan.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Bismah Maroof to lead Pakistan in Women’s World Cup
    
			
    Bismah Maroof to lead Pakistan in Women’s World Cup
    
			
    

    




    Bismah Maroof has become the captain of Pakistan’s cricket team for the ICC Women’s World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand. The tournament will be played from March 4 till April 3. 
    




    The selection committee led by Asmavia Iqbal, which includes Saleem Jaffar and Taufeeq Umar, announced the complete squad. 
    




    An experienced all-rounder, Nida Dar has been appointed as Vice-Captain for the ICC Women’s World Cup.
    




    The committee also announced the comeback of leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima and opener Nahida Khan in the national team.
    




    Bismah is returning from a two-year break after she gave birth to her daughter in December 2020. 
    




    According to the new parental policy of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a support person will be responsible for taking care of her child to keep her focus on the tournament.
    




    Bismah Maroof said, “It is a great honour for me to lead my country into another World Cup. I am thrilled to be back in action and do what I love and have dedicated my life to.”
    




    She added, “The recent selection matches proved to be fruitful for me and the whole side as we got some match practice under competitive and challenging environment leading into the mega event. The aim is to reach the World Cup semi-finals and I believe this team has the potential to pull it off.”
    




    Pakistan Women’s cricket team will start their preparations for the pre-departure camp of 10 days in Karachi from January 27 and will leave for New Zealand on February 8. 
    




    Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar (vice-captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, and Sidra Nawaz
    




    Traveling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi, and Tuba Hassan
    




    Pakistan’s fixtures at ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022:
    




    6 March – Pakistan v India at Bay Oval, Tauranga
    




    8 March – Pakistan v Australia at Bay Oval, Tauranga
    




    11 March – Pakistan v South Africa at Bay Oval, Tauranga
    




    14 March – Pakistan v Bangladesh at Seddon Park, Hamilton
    




    21 March – Pakistan v West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton
    




    24 March – Pakistan v England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
    




    26 March – Pakistan v New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
    




    




    




      
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Exclusive: Zarnish Khan opens up about marrying at seventeen and bond with Mikaal Zulfiqar
    
			
    Exclusive: Zarnish Khan opens up about marrying at seventeen and bond with Mikaal Zulfiqar
    
			
    

    Actor Zarnish Khan recently appeared on The Current Life series. Zarinsh revealed three qualities of co-star Mikaal Zulfiqar, “He is a lot of fun, I think our chemistry is very good, and he is very easy to work with.”
    




    Upon answering a question about how did she feel on winning the ‘Best Actress Soap’ at Hum Style awards in 2015 for Susraal Mera, she said, “When I started working, I was very young and I did not know much, so I did not know how much it is exciting to win an award.”
    




    She continued by saying that it was overwhelming to win an award for her first project, first in terms of lead. The Sun Yaara diva also said that her mum passed away, the day she heard about the news of wining the award, because of that she had mixed feelings.
    




    She also told The Current that her favorite childhood book is Notebook. Her favourite actress is Saba Qamar and favourite actor is Nauman Ijaz, she revealed.
    




    Zarnish Khan was married when she was only 17 years old. She said she would recommend it marrying at that age because one is very flexible and adaptable at that age. 
    




    Watch the complete interview here: 
    




    


    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Overseas Pakistanis used like ATM in PTI, says former information secretary
    
			
    Overseas Pakistanis used like ATM in PTI, says former information secretary
    
			
    

    Former central information secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Ahmad Jawad on Sunday announced that he will file a lawsuit against the party for terminating his membership.
    




    The ruling PTI had expelled Jawad from the party for “violating the party’s constitution” on social media and “slandering” senior leadership.
    




    Talking to Geo News, Jawad said that his termination from the party’s membership is “illegal”, adding that, “PTI voters and workers have seen the true colours of Imran Khan now.”
    




    The ex-PTI member said that in the last 74 years, “No one ha deceived the nation like PTI did, while overseas Pakistanis were used like Automated Teller Machines (ATM).”
    




    Taking to his Twitter, Ahmad said, “Imran Niazi Sahib your assumption will be proved wrong. The nation will not be fooled again, your container role will never be successful again in this country.”
    




    


    




    According to a statement issued by the PTI’s Standing Committee on Accountability and Discipline (SCAD) on January 12, a show-cause notice was served to Ahmad Jawad, asking him to explain his position within seven days of the receipt of the notice but the disgruntled leader did not respond to the notice.
    




    


    




    ” A House of garbage which started as an ideology of Change A deception which wasted two decades of this nation You can walk on toughest path with open eyes, but you will fall on a flat path with closed eyes,” tweeted Ahmad to the accusations written in the show-cause notice.
    




    


    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Assumed I would be an item girl’: Alizeh Shah offered item number after viral smoking video
    
			
    ‘Assumed I would be an item girl’: Alizeh Shah offered item number after viral smoking video
    
			
    

    Pakistani Actor Alizeh Shah has recently opened up in an interview about her smoking video that went viral on social media in which she was smoking a cigarette. She said that she was also offered an item song after her video went viral.
    




    While talking to Journalist Maliha Rehman, Shah said that she was hesitent to meet her and she does not like interviews.
    




    Shah talked about many projects, future projects and her work in famous projects like Ehd-e-Wafa and actor Mahira Khan’s film Superstar. But she also opened up to Maliha about her controversies, saying: “It’s not fair, but that’s how it is. That’s why you and I are sitting here, right?”
    




    Read More – ‘Mujhe do ge kaam?’: Alizeh Shah lashes out at Humayun Saeed
    




    “I remember shooting in a mall for my first big project, Kun Fayakun, opposite Imran Abbas, and these girls came up to me and they were so excited. One of them had an entire photo album in her cellphone with my pictures. I was amazed. They hadn’t seen my acting but they knew me from Instagram. I think I had a really small following of about 300,000 at the time.”
    




    Continuing, Shah went on to say: “There have been times when little girls come up to me and they’re just transfixed. And older women who watch dramas really love me. I’m their favourite!”
    




    While talking about a recent Twitter video controversy, which showed Alizeh smoking in a car, Alizeh said: “Do you know I was with my family in that car? If my family does not have any issues, who are these nameless, faceless people on social media who decide to judge me?”
    




    On a question that why does she not address the issue? She elaborated: “I have realised that it’s wiser to stay quiet. Often, when a woman takes a stand and decides to defend herself, people make life even more difficult for her. It’s easier for me to just disconnect from social media. I know that controversies don’t last for longer than two days and, after that, these very people will be watching my drama and getting excited about it.”
    




    She further revealed: “You know, I even got offered an item song right after that video got leaked? One video with a cigarette in it and it was assumed that I was ready to be an item girl! The song had some crazy lyrics, about kalashnikovs for eyes. My friends and I were in hysterics when we heard it!”
    




    Read More – ‘Yasir ke scenes katwaye, dur bithwaya, badtamizi ki’: Naveed Raza makes blasting revelations about Alizeh Shah
    




    This is not the first time that the actor got attacked by netizens or people. Shah was criticised by the social media when she had shared pictures of herself with facial acne. Shah was even attacked by some people from the entertainment industry when she had a feud with her drama’s co-actor and producer Yasir Nawaz. Netizens even lambasted the actor for having a tattoo.