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  • ‘I don’t deserve to play’: Kamran Akmal refuses to play in PSL 2022

    ‘I don’t deserve to play’: Kamran Akmal refuses to play in PSL 2022

    Pakistan’s veteran cricketer Kamran Akmal, the most-capped player in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, has refused to take part in the next edition of the league after being picked in the draft in the lowest category of players by his team Peshawar Zalmi.

    Peshawar picked Kamran but the wicket keeper-batter refused to play as he feels he doesn’t “deserve to play in this category”.

    “Last 6 seasons it was a great journey. Thank you for supporting me through thick and thin M.Akram bhai @JAfridi10, @darensammy88, @WahabViki. I think I don’t deserve to play in this category…Thank you once again.. @PeshawarZalmi Best of luck. Thank You all the fans for supporting,” Kamran Akmal tweeted.

    The six PSL franchises on Sunday finalised their squads in the quest to lift the trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 27.

    Defending champions Multan Sultans selected Australia’s Tim David, who was previously with Lahore Qalandars, in the Platinum Category, while their other notable picks included West Indian duo of Odean Smith and Rovman Powell, and Pakistan trio of Anwar Ali, Imran Khan Snr and Rumman Raees.

    Meanwhile, Zalmi’s potential final squad is as follows:

    Hazratulah Zazai – Platinum

    Liam Livingstone – Platinum

    Wahab Riaz – Platinum

    Haider Ali – Diamond

    Sherfane Rutherford – Diamond

    Shoaib Malik – Diamond

    Hussain Talat – Gold

    Saqib Mahmood – Brand Ambassador – Gold

    Usman Qadir – Gold

    Arshad Iqbal – Silver

    Kamran Akmal – Mentor – Silver

    Salman Irshad – Silver

    Sameen Gul – Silver

    Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Silver

    Mohammad Aamer – Emerging

    Sirajuddin – Emerging

    Ben Cutting – Supplementary

    Mohammad Haris – Supplementary

  • Wife planned assassination of Sindh Bar Council Secretary: police

    The initial investigation of police revealed that the wife of a secretary of the Sindh Bar Council plotted the murder of her husband, Irfan Ali Mahar, who was assassinated by unknown assailants earlier this month in Karachi. She was frustrated by the domestic abuse she was facing when she asked her brother to assist her in the murder.

    On December 1, Mahar left his house to drop off his daughter at school. He was driving near Chappal Plaza in Block 13 of Gulistan-i- Jauhar when two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire and shot him multiple times.

    The acting police chief of Karachi and Counter-Terrorism Department officials held a press conference on Sunday to reveal the initial findings of the case.

    Acting Karachi police chief, Ghulam Nabi Memon said in the press conference that prime suspects including accomplices who assisted them have been arrested, one of them is the brother-in-law of the deceased.

    Memon further added that Mahar’s wife planned to assassinate her husband with the help of her sister and brother as she was infuriated, due to quarrels and property disputes between them.

    Mahar’s wife persuaded her brother to kill his brother-in-law and gave him Rs 220,000 on different occasions. Later her brother asked his friend, Wajid Jakhro to assist him in murdering his brother-in-law, Mahar.

    Memon revealed that Mahar’s wife gave the information to her brother on the mobile phone regarding Mahar leaving the residence for dropping off his daughter at school on December 1. The suspect chased him and killed Mahar at the spot when he was coming back to the house after dropping off his daughter at school.

    The police claimed that they recovered the murder weapon, motorbike, helmet along Call Data Record (CDR) of the suspects.

    The motorcycle was ridden by Jakhro while Mahar’s brother-in-law opened fire on Mahar leaving him to die at the spot. They have no affiliation with any political party, the acting police chief said.

    The representatives of Sindh Bar Council who were in the press conference were satisfied with the ongoing investigation.

  • NCOC confirms first case of Omicron variant in Pakistan

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in Pakistan.

    “The National Institute of Health, Islamabad has been able to confirm that a recently suspected sample from Karachi is indeed the ‘Omicron variant’ of SARS-CoV2. This is the first confirmed case but continued surveillance of identified samples is in place to identify trends,” a tweet from the official Twitter handle of the Centre read.

    In another tweet, NCOC stressed upon the importance of getting vaccinated to stay safe from new variants.

    On December 8, the first suspected case of the Omicron variant was detected in Pakistan. The case was detected in a 57-year-old female patient, who was unvaccinated. As per, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho the patient had no travel history.

  • ‘Braindead journalists’: Twitter reacts to Hassan Ali shutting down journalist during PSL drafts

    ‘Braindead journalists’: Twitter reacts to Hassan Ali shutting down journalist during PSL drafts

    Pakistan cricket team’s star pacer Hassan Ali always remains in the discussion for some reason or the other. Once again, Ali is in discussion and this time the matter is a bit hot. This time the bowler had an argument with a journalist, whose video has now gone viral on social media. The draft event of the seventh season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held on Sunday December 12 in Lahore, where the incident took place.

    A press conference was also held on the sidelines of the draft event of PSL 2022. Ali also participated in this event and Ali, who plays for Islamabad United in PSL, was answering questions, when a journalist wanted to ask him a question but he refused to listen to his question.

    In the viral video, it can be seen that the journalist asked Ali a question but before hearing the question, he said: “Next question.” The journalist who asked the question was Anas Saeed. Anas tried to ask the question again, but Hassan again deferred by saying “next question”. Here a brawl started between the two.

    Anas asked Hassan to listen to his question, then Hassan said: “I don’t want to answer you.” Hassan further said: “You first sit on Twitter and write good things and then I will reply. You should not be personal with anyone. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can’t stop you, but we have the right.”

    Ali looked quite upset during this and did not listen to Saeed’s question. The video of this spat between the two went viral on Twitter. Anas Saeed re-tweeted it and wrote, “Journalists have to face such allegations in every round, sometimes stealing eyes by calling it a caste allegation will not do anything. I will come back strong.”

    In another video, the journalist can be heard saying that rumours about Hassan circulate on social media while Hassan instantly said: “Next question please.”

    Earlier, Saeed took to Twitter and posted Ali’s video in which he was having a fun time with his teammates Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmad. While Anas Saeed took to Twitter and pointed out that taking off the masks on a flight is against the Covid-19 protocols.

    Meanwhile, several sports journalists critised the cricketer while many fans extended their support for him.

    https://twitter.com/TheWhimsicalAli/status/1470085866471182343?s=20
  • ‘Shaan-e-Pakistan’, Justice Rana Shamim’s son announces the formation of own political party

    ‘Shaan-e-Pakistan’, Justice Rana Shamim’s son announces the formation of own political party

    Advocate Ahmed Hasan Rana, son of former chief judge Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim, has announced the formation of his own political party.

    In a video shared by journalist Murtaza Ali Shah, Ahmed can be seen saying, “This [party] is only on WhatsApp right now, we have not officially registered it. Like-minded people, my friends from my school, college, and the university have got together to form this [political] party.”

    “Its name is Shaan-e-Pakistan, but there is some time required to launch it. We need funds. We are trying to establish it on our own, and trying our best to generate funds on our own. [We don’t want that we get stuck] like Imran Khan sahib,” said Ahmed.

    Talking about his strategy in running his political party, Ahmed said that he idolises the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said he will not bring a different political manifesto than the prime minister.

    “There should be a Madina ki riyasat, education should be free, there should be ease of doing business. One really needs to do things and not just talk,” said Ahmed.

    “Imran Khan has been trying but could not deliver from the past three years. All he says is ghabrana nahi hai [don’t worry]. He has failed to make a single policy,” added Ahmed.

    When asked how differently will Ahmed perform than the premier he said, ” I am a lawyer and we are told to make a policy first, implementation comes second.”

    “Khan sahib is doing the same as his predecessors Benazir and Nawaz, he is asking for another chance. I can do better than Khan sahib, I am certain of it,” said Ahmed.

    Ahmed was still drinking his famous “juice” while conversing about his future political plans.

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle most ‘photogenic royals’

    Photography experts are claiming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are the most photogenic royals and have captured headlines amounting to an unmatched 2.4 million Instagram hastags.

    A spokesperson for the photography company Printique has said that, “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are a royal inspiration when it comes to romance.”

    “They constantly prove life in the spotlight is no match for their priorities of love and happiness. Also, for their commitment to a flourishing family life.”

    He added, “Meghan Markle is one of the most influential women in the world today. She and Prince Harry have a powerful and enduring online presence.

    “They have the potential to spark real change through their charity work and desire to make the world a better place,” he continued.

    “Harry and Meghan no longer have official positions within the Royal Family. However, it’s clear that they, much like Princess Diana, are royals of the heart and deeply loved around the world,” said the spokesperson.

  • Twitter reacts to PM Modi’s hacked account news

    Twitter reacts to PM Modi’s hacked account news

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Twitter account was hacked late Saturday.

    A deleted tweet from Modi’s official handle declared India had adopted Bitcoin as legal tender and was distributing the cryptocurrency to citizens.

    Later, the Indian Prime Minister Office clarified that “The Twitter handle of PM was very briefly compromised. The matter was escalated to Twitter and the account has been immediately secured. In the brief period that the account was compromised, any Tweet shared must be ignored.”

    Soon the hashtag #ModiAccountHacked started making rounds on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/Phdcapital2020/status/1469971836234461184?s=20
  • ‘Have fallen in love over five times’: Ali Ansari makes striking revelations on love life

    ‘Have fallen in love over five times’: Ali Ansari makes striking revelations on love life

    Actor Ali Ansari got candid abut his love life in a recent interview on ARY News. The Aina star stated that he has fallen in love multiple times and then fell out of it due to various circumstances.

    Ali had a public break-up with actress Mashal Khan in 2020.

    Wait! Did Mashal Khan Just Strike Back At Ali Ansari By Flaunting Her  'Engagement' Ring?

    The Kasa-e-Dil hero then got engaged to Saboor Aly in May 2021.

    The Rang Mahal star stated, “If you haven’t experienced heart breaks in life than you haven’t experienced anything.”

    “I have had a heartbreak twice and has fallen in love three-four times, or five times.”

    He added, “In the beginning all the love affairs seem like a success that’s why it is prolonged but I feel that the difference in school of thoughts of two individuals make them part ways.”

    Ali also mentioned that people compare his looks with Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi. “I am not showing off but I have gotten that the most.”

    Video: ‘Rang Mahal’ fame Aruba Mirza’s confessions about Ali Ansari shock Faysal Qureshi, Nida warns Saboor

    Aruba

    Earlier this year actors Faysal Qureshi and Aruba Mirza appeared on Nida Yasir’s morning show, the Sotan star revealed that Ali Ansari is very naughty, he also acts naughtily on the sets of their drama.

    She added further that the Khaani star brings elements of fun when they’re working together.

  • ‘People said we’ll have fairy babies together’: Syra Yousuf opens up on shoot with Sheheryar Munawar

    ‘People said we’ll have fairy babies together’: Syra Yousuf opens up on shoot with Sheheryar Munawar

    pActor Syra Yousuf has opened up about various topics, from her magazine shoot with Sheheryar Munawar to her widely speculated divorce with Shahroz Sabzwari, the media’s wide and insensitive coverage of the issue and how she battled with that phase in a recent interview.

    Syra Yousuf and Sheheryar Munawar's bold photoshoot goes viral

    On her scintillating shoot with the Parey Hut Love star, Syra said that when the shoot came out and went viral on social media, netizens commented that they will have fairy babies together if they get married, considering their good on-screen chemistry.

    Syra Yousuf and Sheheryar Munawar Sizzle in Latest Magazine Shoot - Latest  Breaking News | Top Stories |Sports |Politics |Weather

    The Mera Naseeb diva spoke about how her personal life was sensationalised across the board, with her divorce being highlighted in the media repeatedly. Syra shared, “I don’t feel betrayed because I didn’t expect much. But I do find it very insensitive because where you are recycling a story and making connections again and again for the sake of likes and numbers, it’s very important for you to understand that someone else is actually living through what you are constantly talking about.” 

    Speaking about how, initially, the media storm made her feel vulnerable, the Project Ghazi star added, “I felt very exposed. I just kept wondering when people would stop talking about it so that I could process it on my own.”

    On the work front, Syra is currently starring seen in ARY’s Sinf-e-Aahan, written by Umera Ahmed and helmed by Nadeem Baig.

    Sinf-e-Naazuk to Sinf-e-Aahan: Sajal, Yumna, Syra, Kubra & Ramsha unite for  mega project
  • عورت ہو انسان نہیں

    عورت ہو انسان نہیں

    میری والدہ کی زندگی میں دو  چیزیں ہیں جو پچھلے 16سال سے  نہیں بدلیں ۔ ایک ان کا  ٹی وی چینل جو کہ ہمیشہ ہم ٹی وی رہا ہے اور ایک میں بذاتِ خود جس کو نا چاہتے ہوئے بھی ان کو دیکھنا پڑ رہا ہے اور چونکہ میں نے اپنی والدہ کے آخری دم تک ساتھ نبھانے کا وعدہ کر رکھا  ہے تو میری زندگی میں بھی ہم ٹی وی اٹل حقیقت کی طرح موجود ہے ۔ وہ جیسے کہتے ہیں کمبل مجھے نہیں چھوڑتا ،ایسے ہی ہم ٹی وی مجھے نہیں چھوڑتا ۔

    میں باقی چینلز کے بارے میں نہیں جانتی لیکن ہم ٹی وی پر پچھلے 16 سال سے  میں نے صرف ایک ہی چیز دیکھی ہے ۔ مظلوم عورت، سسکتی، بلکتی عورت۔  مجبور عورت ، مار کھاتی عورت اور مار کھانے کے بعد آخر میں اسی شخص سے محبت کرنے والی عورت ۔ میری والدہ کے کمرے سے میں نے سوائے ان کی ہنسی کے ،کبھی کسی قسم کی ہنسی نہیں سنی ۔ کیونکہ ہم ٹی وی پر  کوئی نہیں ہنس رہا ہوتا ۔ مرد  چلا رہا ہوتا ہے اور عورت  رو رہی ہوتی ہے ۔ 100 قسطوں میں سے 98 قسطوں میں عورت روتی رہتی ہے اور 100ویں قسط میں اچانک عورت کو مرد سے پیار ہو جاتا ہے اور ایسے ہو جاتی ہے پیار کی جیت۔

    اس سب کے بعد میری والدہ کو  بھی ہنستے ہوئے ڈرامے سمجھ ہی نہیں آتے ۔ وہ کسی ہنسی مذاق والے  پروگرام پر یہی کہتی ہیں “اے کی اے؟” (یہ کیا ہے؟) میں ان کو الزام نہیں دونگی کیونکہ روتی، بلکتی  اور تڑپتی عورت کو  دیکھنے کی ان کو عادت ہو چکی ہے۔اب ہنستی ہوئی عورت یا سجی سنوری عورت کچھ عجوبہ سا لگتی ہے ۔ کچھ یہی حال میری والدہ کا ہوا جب انہوں نے نیا ڈرامہ “دوبارہ ” دیکھنا شروع کیا ۔ اس ڈرامے میں حدیقہ کیانی جو کہ مہرو کا  کردار ادا کر رہی ہیں کی چھوٹی عمر میں شادی ہو  جاتی ہے ۔ ساری عمر خاوند کے مطابق زندگی گزاری ۔ہر طرح کا شوق ختم کر دیا ۔ بچے بھی ہو  گئے ۔ اور  جب خاوند کی وفات ہوئی تو  مہرو نے ایک آزادی کو محسوس کیا ۔ مہرو کو لگا کہ وہ اپنی زندگی کے 20 سال واپس جی سکے گی ۔ اس نے شوخ چنچل کپڑے پہننے شروع کیئے ۔ اس نے بچوں کے ساتھ فٹبال کھیلا ۔ اس نے پارک میں واک شروع کی۔ اور مہرو نے اپنے ہی بیٹے کی شادی پر خوب چمکیلے کپڑے بنوائے ۔ مہرو نے واقعی 20 سال بعد اپنے آپ کو پانے کی کوشش شروع کر دی ۔ لیکن ہر رشتہ دار نے ،دوست نے اور حتی کہ اپنے ہی بیٹے نے  مہرو کو ہر قدم پر یاد کروایا کہ “تم بیوہ ہو مہرو۔ تمہیں یہ چیزیں نہیں جچتی۔تم بس خاوند کی یاد میں زندگی گزارو “۔ خاوند نہیں رہا ، تو تم بھی ختم ہو جاؤ ۔ وہ مہرو، جس کا بچپن چھینا ، جس کے 20 سال صرف بیوی بن کر گزرے ، نا کہ عورت ، اب جب اس مہرو کو سانس لینے کا  موقعہ ملا ، اس کے سانس کو خاوند کے سانس کے ساتھ بند کرنے کو کہا گیا ۔ اسے یاد کروایا گیا  کہ تم بیوہ ہو۔ بیوہ۔بیوہ، بیوہ۔

    میری والدہ کو مہرو کے بچپن میں شادی سے ہمدردی ہوئی  لیکن ان کے لیے یہ بات شدید ناگوار ہے کہ ایک “بیوہ عورت” اتنا سجے کیوں ؟ ایک بیوہ عورت اپنے خاوند کی یاد میں گھٹ کے مر کیوں نہیں رہی؟ میں یہ دہرانا چاہوں گی کہ میں اپنی والدہ کی سوچ پر حیران نہیں ہوں ۔ وہ اس جنریشن سے ہیں جب عورت صرف بیوی اور ماں ہوتی تھی،اور کچھ بھی نہیں ہوتی تھی ۔ اور ماں یا بیوی خود مختار کیسے ہو سکتی ہے؟

    یہ تو خیر قصہ ایک بیوہ عورت کا ہے ۔ جب میں یہ کالم لکھنے کی ناکام کوشش کر رہی تھی تو اسی وقت مریم نواز کی کچھ تصویریں سوشل میڈیا پر شیئر کی گئی۔ وہ بھی ان کے بیٹے کی شادی کی تقریب میں سے تھیں ۔ مریم نواز اپنے اکلوتے بیٹے کی شادی پر  بہت ہی جوش و خروش سے تیار ہوئیں ۔ میں یاد کرواتی جاؤں کہ  نہ وہ بیوہ ہیں اور نہ ہی کوئی اور مسئلہ ۔ وہ اپنے خاوند کے ساتھ ویسے ہی ہیں جیسے میں ہم ٹی وی کے ساتھ ہوں۔لیکن مریم نواز کی سجاوٹ سے جو صفِ ماتم بچھا ، وہ دیکھنے سے تعلق رکھتا ہے ۔ کسی نے انہیں یاد کروایا کہ وہ 170  سال کی ہیں ، انہیں شرم آنی چاہیئے۔ کسی نے ان کو یاد کروایا کہ وہ نانی ہیں ، جیسے نانی ہونا کوئی گالی ہو۔ کسی نے ان کو یاد کروایا کہ وہ چور ہیں ۔ پھر کسی نے یہ بھی کہا کہ سرجری سے ایسی ہوئی ہیں ۔ مجھے یقین ہے کہ ان کی سجاوٹ کو اگر پتا چلے کہ اس سجاوٹ کے بارے میں کیا کہا جا رہا ہے تو یہ سجاوٹ بھی ملک چھوڑ کے چلی جائے ۔

    ان دونوں قصوں کو دیکھ کر میرے ذہن میں بس ایک ہی بات آئی ۔ ” تم عورت ہو ، تم مرکیوں نہیں  جاتی ؟” وہ معاشرہ جہاں 60 سال کے رنڈوے کو بھی کنواری لڑکی چاہیئے، وہاں ایک بیوہ عورت کے ناچنے پر اتنا واویلا؟ وہ معاشرہ جہاں مرد دوسری شادی سب کچھ چھوڑ کر کر لے ، وہاں ایک عورت کے اپنے بارے میں سوچنے پر اتنا واویلا ؟ وہ معاشرہ جہاں” چاند سی بہو لاؤنگی ” ہر کسی کا ارادہ ہے ، اسی  چاند کی روشنی پر اتنا واویلا؟

    عورت ہو عورت بن کر رہو کہنے والوں سے کوئی تو کہے ، انسان ہے، انسان بن کےرہنے دو !