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  • ‘She would have been a grandmother for the first time’: Bakhtawar, Bilawal remember mother

    ‘She would have been a grandmother for the first time’: Bakhtawar, Bilawal remember mother

    The 14th death anniversary of Benzair Bhutto Shaheed is being observed today. Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Billwal Bhutto and Bakhtawar Bhutto took to social media to remember their mother.

    Bilawal shared a picture of his mother and wrote, “Remember, remember, the 27th of December.”

    Bakhtawar re-shared Bilawal’s post and wrote, “Our mother Shaheed Benazir Bhutto missed more now than I did when I got my grades for college or whilst graduating, even when I was planning my wedding, marriage ceremony, months of pregnancy- now with my newborn – she would have been a grandmother for the first time this year.”

    Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007. She was elected as prime minister of Pakistan twice. She was the first woman to lead a Muslim country.

  • No transport for women travelling without hijab, male relative: Taliban

    Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership has announced that women who seek to travel long distances should not be offered transport if they are not wearing hijab and are not accompanied by a close male relative, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).

    The guidance was issued on Sunday by the country’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The ministry spokesman Sadeq Akif Muhajir told AFP: “Women travelling for more than 72 kilometers (km) should not be offered a ride if they are not accompanied by a close family member.”

    Previously, the government had also called on women TV journalists to wear hijabs while presenting. They also directed people to stop playing music in their vehicles.

    Taliban also banned women from acting in dramas due to which they received immense backlash.

    Since August, the Taliban have been imposing severe restrictions for women in the country despite promising the fulfillment of their rights.

    However, activists hope that the Taliban’s battle to gain international recognition and get aid flowing back into Afghanistan will lead to them making concessions to women.

  • BTS leader RM and member Jin get Covid-19 after fellow member Suga

    A K-pop group, BTS leader RM and member Jin who is famous for his visuals also diagnosed with Coronavirus. Their fellow member Suga also tested positive for covid on Friday.

    The group took off from their activities and were spending the vacation in the United States (US). RM returned back home, South Korea on December 17 and initially got negative result before entering self-quarantine as per the official procedure. However, at the time of release from quarantine, the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result came out as positive. Currently, he is not having any symptoms.

    On the other side, Jin returned back on December 6 and tested negative both times but he has shown some symptoms of flu and took PCR which turned to be a positive this time. He has mild symptoms and currently taking treatment at home.

    The management of BTS, BigHit released an official statement regarding their health.

    BTS members RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Saturday, December 25.

    After returning on Friday the 17th from the United States following his personal schedule as part of his official vacation period, RM immediately underwent PCR testing, was found negative and entered into self-quarantine in his home as mandated by COVID-19 control procedures. However, he underwent PCR testing today before his scheduled release from quarantine and was found to be positive for COVID-19; he is currently exhibiting no particular symptoms.

    Jin returned to Korea on Monday, December 6 and underwent PCR testing immediately after his return and again before his release from self-quarantine, and was found negative on both occasions. However, feeling flu-like symptoms this afternoon he underwent PCR testing and was found positive for COVID-19 late this evening. He is exhibiting mild symptoms including light fever, and is undergoing self-treatment at home.

    Our company will continue to provide support for the rapid recovery of RM and Jin, placing our highest priority on the health and safety of our artists. We will continue to cooperate fully with the requests and guidelines of healthcare authorities.

    Thank you.

  • Equal citizens

    Recently, we heard about two bakeries in Karachi that refused to write ‘Merry Christmas’ on cakes. Both Delizia and Aunty Munaver turned away customers who wanted cakes with Christmas greetings. It is deeply disturbing to see such acts of bigotry in a country whose founder and others who fought for its freedom believed in rights for all and equality regardless of caste, creed, and faith. Yet we see how non-Muslims in Pakistan continue to face discrimination on a regular basis.

    Today, when we celebrate Christmas with our Christian brethren and wish them a day full of joy, we hope that our society will change for the better. Today is also the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who taught us the meaning of tolerance and who believed in pluralism and inclusiveness.


    We often repeat and quote Jinnah’s August 11 speech but it is important to reiterate what he said again and again: “We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state.”

    This is what Pakistan stands for as this is what our founder taught us. It was good to see many people raising their voices against those bakeries that refused to write Merry Christmas on their cakes. It was social media outcry that led to Delizia bakery management on the backfoot and saying that it was an individual act. Whether it was an individual act or not can be ascertained as this isn’t the first time that such an incident took place. This year, we saw the horrible lynching of a Sri Lankan national. The government took strong exception to the incident and promised to take action against all those responsible. But the incident also showed how intolerance has seeped into our society. It is this bigotry and intolerance that has to end. On the birth anniversary of Jinnah, we should pledge to make this Jinnah’s Pakistan and not a Pakistan where extremism prospers. Once again, Merry Christmas to all those celebrating. 

  • Senior citizen found dead in Karachi under mysterious circumstances

    An elderly man was found dead in unusual circumstances at his residence in Orangi Town, Karachi, during the presence of a welder who was working inside the house.

    According to the statement given by the welder, Salam, to the police, the older man fell on the floor and got injured. He put a pillow on the face to stop the bleeding. Later, he hid himself under the bed after his family members knocked on the door.

    The family members immediately took the elderly man to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

    The welder was caught by the family members. They called the police when they found him lying beneath the bed for several hours. The police arrested the man due to the mysterious death of the citizen, Hashamuddin.

    A hammer was also recovered from the suspect, which the police has sent for forensic examination. The police officials said that the interrogation is still underway from Salam as it is claimed to be a mysterious incident.

  • Saba, Mawra, Shoaib and other celebrities pen Merry Christmas wishes to fans who are celebrating

    Prominent Pakistani celebrities took to their social media to wish ‘Merry Christmas’ to those who are celebrating this festive occasion.

    Qissa Meherbano Ka star, Mawra Hocane uploaded photos of a decorated Christmas tree and wished that we could be more respectful to all religions and celebrations around us because it gives a reason to smile.

    Actress and model, Sunita Marshal share her photo on her Instagram wishing happily Christmas while wearing a red party hat.

    Baaghi diva, Saba Qamar wished Quaid Day to the whole nation and Christmas those are celebrating on her Twitter.

    Janaan actress, Hareem Farooq also wished the similar greetings

    Pakistani singer, Aima Baig took her picture with a bright Christmas tree and wished happy holidays to everyone

    Former Cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar also did not miss an opportunity to wish ‘Merry Christmas’ to all the people around the globe.

    Meray Paas Tum Ho fame actor, Adnan Siddiqui also penned down the beautiful prayers to the Christian community on his Twitter.

    Actress and model, Nadia Hussain, tweeted wishing happy holidays and Christmas to the Pakistani Christian community.

    Actress, Ushna Shah, tweeted greetings in a unique way. She wished Christmas in the traditional Spanish language which means Merry Christmas.

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1474458616690323456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1474458616690323456%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1189104

    Famous Pakistani actress and Video Jockey (VJ), Anoushey Ashraf shared an emotional message to the Christian community on her Instagram story while taking a photo with a Christmas tree that Jinnah would have wished them lots of happiness and a very best to a new year ahead.

  • ‘Nightmare, Saif locked himself in a hotel room’: Kareena Kapoor tests negative for Covid-19, excited to meet sons

    ‘Nightmare, Saif locked himself in a hotel room’: Kareena Kapoor tests negative for Covid-19, excited to meet sons

    Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor has tested negative for Covid-19 and has reunited with her children Taimur & Jeh  and husband Saif Ali Khan.

    The Bodygaurd diva was spotted today with family while heading for a Kapoor family’s Christmas lunch.

    Kareena on Friday announced that she has been tested negative for the deadly virus.

    “I have tested negative for Covid19. Thank you to my darling sister for being our anchor through this nightmare… My BFF Amrita we did this… my darling friends and family, my Poonie, Naina, and everyone for praying… My fans for your DMs… The BMC for being so amazing and prompt… SRL Dr. Avinash Phadke Labs for being the best… And lastly my dear husband for being so patient to be locked in a hotel room… away from his family. Merry Christmas everybody stay safe! Ok bye have to kiss my babies like never before – Kareena Kapoor Khan.”

    Kareena was tested positive in earlier this month.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif satisfied with script’: Is Nawaz Sharif coming back to Pakistan in 2022?

    ‘Nawaz Sharif satisfied with script’: Is Nawaz Sharif coming back to Pakistan in 2022?

    Speculations are rife that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is returning to Pakistan.

    Senior journalist Saleem Safi took to Twitter and hinted at Nawaz Sharif’s return from London. Safi tweeted, “Mian Nawaz Sharif is planning to come back to Pakistan in January. According to the plan, he will go to jail on his return. Then he will appeal the courts for relief and removal of previous sentences.”

    “The transfer of DG NAB Lahore is linked to this chain of events while Nawaz Sharif is satisfied with the script,” tweeted Safi.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, without taking any names, took a jibe at the return of Nawaz.

    The minister tweeted, “Those who wait for deals to return home will always be dwarfs in politics.”

    “The PML-N should get ready to polish the boots, but the only difference is no one is putting the foot forward to get the boots polished,” tweeted Fawad.

    Fawad further said, “You are a reminder of the dark age of Pakistan. The direction of the winds is not on your side anymore. When there is light, the darkness disappears and this is what happened in Pakistan.”

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Shahbaz Gill tweeted, “Nawaz Sharif’s visa extension in the United Kingdom (UK) has been rejected – currently on appeal but he knows visa will be rejected and he will be deported. This is being presented as a political decision – cowards are never brave.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan during a meeting of the party spokespersons held in Islamabad on Friday questioned how a plan could be hatched to bring PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif back to the country.

    Talking about the Opposition parties, the premier said there have been rumours of ending former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s sentence. “How can the sentence of a convicted person be overturned?”

    The premier recalled that the court had disqualified Nawaz in the Panama Leaks case, and to date, he was unable to provide a money trail for his assets.

  • Indian conjoined twins get a job, two salaries

    Conjoined twins from Amritsar Sohna and Mohna landed a job at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in India. The job has allotted them both two salaries, of about 20,000 Pakistani rupees each, a total of around 40,000 Pakistani rupees.

    The twins were born in New Delhi on June 14, 2003 with two hearts, arms, kidneys and spinal cords, but a shared liver, gall bladder and legs.

    After their birth, the twins were abandoned by their parents and raised in an orphanage.

    Sohna, along with Mohna, look after the electrical appliances at PSPCL, an official said. The twins have an ITI diploma (electrical).

    The twins thanked the Punjab government for providing them this opportunity.

    The twins have an affinity toward music and can play harmonium and sing hymns.

  • ‘Gaaliyan mili’: Ahsan Mohsin opens up on being trolled after marrying Minal Khan

    Celebrity couple of Minal Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram are set to appear together on Ahsan Khan’s chat show.

    The Udaari star recorded a behind the scenes video with the couple and asked them about the biggest change in their life after getting married.

    The Mera Rab Waris actor stated that now he is being trolled on social media and gets abused on a regular basis.

    Minal was quick to react to his statement by adding that these are the after effects of being accustomed with a renowned celebrity.

    minal (68) | Pakistani Dramas Celebrities

    Even before their marriage the couple was targeted for their online PDA and later their honeymoon pictures garnered polarising response from the netizens.

    Love is in the air for Minal Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram - Daily Times

    Earlier this year when the couple ventured on their honeymoon in Maldives and Dubai, they decided to post intimate updates, social media users arrived to the comment section and bashed the couple with brutal trolling.