A video of an unknown man misbehaving with motorway police is making rounds on the internet, claiming that he is the nephew of Major General Asif Ghafoor, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The video shows that the guy is misbehaving with police officials when they asked him to move his vehicle on the side of the road. The man while replying to officials demand said, “I am a son of an MNA and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and army chief are my friends”.
He also said that he is a captain and all these officials will get dismissed.
وزیر اعظم عمران خان اور آرمی چیف جنرل باجوہ میرے دوست ہیں اور جنرل آصف غفور میرے ماموں ہیں, میں کیپٹن ہوں کوئی نارمل بندہ نہیں۔ چالان ہونے پر ایک شہری کی ٹریفک پولیس اہلکار کو دھمکی pic.twitter.com/zfdYKEziqg
One of the world’s best travel portals, Traveller by Condè Nast, has rated Pakistan as the number one holiday destination for 2020.
The list is compiled by CN Traveller’s “well-travelled editors for the places they’re most excited about – in this instance not just for the next 12 months, but heading into a new decade.”
According to the authors, Pakistan is “the adventure traveller’s must-visit” destination.
Writing about the country, the award-winning magazine said, “Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan’s tourism industry has been stymied for the past two decades. But ancient valleys, relaxed visa restrictions and a high-profile royal visit in the offing mean this remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves.”
It further read, “Because this is a place of exquisite landscapes, where green spaces are overlooked by towering mountains. In fact, Pakistan has more peaks taller than 22,965ft than China and Nepal combined, making it an almost magnetic spot for adventure travellers and intrepid hikers.”
“Visitors can follow in Michael Palin’s steps while traversing the 12,250ft Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo field, or meet with the Kalash people of the Hindu Kush, famed for their cowrie-shell headdresses and brighter-than-bright embroidery. In Lahore, the sight of 100,000 worshippers crammed into the sandstone 17th-century Badshahi Mosque will leave you breathless, while Mughal-era architectural masterpieces stand resplendent on bustling street corners.”
Founder and CEO of adventure-tour operator Wild Frontiers Jonny Bealby said that Pakistan’s improving tourism was because of “a focus on security measures and the election of Imran Khan, who has vowed to increase international tourist numbers.”
Meanwhile, the royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has also boosted Pakistan’s image as a popular tourist destination.
It is pertinent to mention here that the PTI government is making strong efforts to boost tourism in the country that will not only spread the soft image of Pakistan but also it will also bring the revenue into the country – the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor is proof of that.
Other destinations that featured on the list include Kyoto (Japan), Rijeka (Croatia), Panam, Rabat (Morocco) British Virgin Islands, Frisian Islands, Denmark, Qingdao (China), Lebanon, Portland (Maine, US), Dakar (Senegal), Egadi Islands (Sicily), Paris (France), Siargao (Philippines), Galway (Ireland), Kangaroo Island (Australia), Salvador (Brazil), Armenia (Kyrgyzstan) and Plymouth (UK).
Previously, UK publication The Independent also wrote that travel experts are recommending Pakistan as a must-visit destination for 2020.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Pakistan this autumn put the country back into the spotlight. Plus, it’s now easier to get there from London, thanks to new direct British Airways flights to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad,” read The Independent’s article.
A woman in Peshawar has been booked for aerial firing on Friday, after her videos went viral on social media, The Express Tribunereported.
According to the details, an FIR [First information report] has been registered against Saba Jaffer, who is a resident of Hayatabad – an upscale neighbourhood of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) provincial capital.
The police after the videos went viral, took notice of the incident by filing a complaint against the suspect.
The authorities are conducting raids to get hold of the Saba as the investigation in the matter is underway.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the lawyers involved in Punjab Institute of Cadiology (PIC) to seek public’s apology and correct their ranks, The News Internationalreported.
According to the details, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najfi, took up the petition seeking cancellation of FIRs [FIrst Information Report] registered against lawyers and their immediate release.
Justice Najfi during the hearing said that it seemed the law of jungle is prevailing in Pakistan, as lawyers attacked the PIC, adding that no society could exist long under law of jungle.
The court asked Azam Nazir Tarar, a Member Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), who appeared in the court on behalf of lawyers as to how lawyers dared storm a hospital?
“What would be your reaction if such invasion of bar council’s office takes place?”, the judge asked, adding that it had not happened even in war times. “Black sheep are present among lawyers and they should be kicked out”, the judge remarked.
Petitioner’s lawyer said that the entire lawyer community felt regret over the PIC incident and condemned the incident soon after it happened. Justice Najfi asked Azam Tarar could you present a single justification of attack on a hospital and said that the lawyers should seek public apology and correct their ranks.
The judge added that the court was hearing the case with heavy heart and pain.
Justice Anwarul Haq Punhun who is the other member of the bench, asked whether any bar council had shown willingness to take action against the delinquent lawyers.
To this, Azam said that the bar council was going to take action against them and their practice licences would be suspended.
However, Justice Najfi said that apparently lawyers were aggressor, adding that the arrested lawyers would have to seek bail from the trial court.
“The judges had taken oath to do justice in accordance with the Constitution and law of the land, he added.
The court then adjounred the hearing and directed provincial law officer to furnish record of cases and details of arrested lawyers by Dec 16.
The World Bank has allocated a loan of $406.6 million to Pakistan for the development of the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC) Project.
As per reports, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar supervised the signing ceremony of the KPEC at the division.
According to the Economic Affairs Division, the project will construct a 48 km long 4-Lane, dual high-speed carriageway from Peshawar to Torkham. This project will boost economic development and improve areas adjoining expressway falling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The government is also planning to develop special economic zones around the corridor.
The Khyber Pass has long been one of the most important trade routes and strategic military locations. Settled in the mountains, Khyber Pass divides Pakistan and Afghanistan forming the bridge between Central and South Asia.
Italian hunter Carlo Pasco has hunted the season’s first Markhor trophy in Skardu town.
According to reports, Pasco successfully hunted a flared-horned markhor in Skardu.
The hunter had paid a permit fee of $85,000 to hunt a markhor in the region.
An Italian hunter Carlo Pasquale Campanini hunted a 47-inch Astore Markhor in the controlled hunting area in Skardu. This is the most expensive hunt of 2019 season as the hunter has paid US $83,500 as license fee, 80% of which goes to the local community. https://t.co/C1qigzF5Tqpic.twitter.com/bvDsLCU6tf
Late last month, it was reported that the wildlife department of Gilgit Baltistan has auctioned four licenses for hunting the markhor, the official national animal of Pakistan after the Ministry of Climate Change agreed to the licenses, including for trophy hunting of the much in demand flare-horned Astore markhor, a large goat species native to Pakistan.
Each license was sold for over $80,000, of which 80 percent will go to the villages where the hunt takes place for developing their infrastructure.
Tennis champion Sania Mirza’s sister Anam Mirza tied the knot with former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin’s son Asaduddin in Hyderabad.
Anam took to social media to make the announcement. The two looked resplendent in their wedding finery on their big day.
Meanwhile, Sania Mirza looked lovely in a teal outfit. Husband Shoaib Malik was missing from the wedding celebrations – the former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team is currently in Dhaka for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Following the nikkah, the couple also hosted a reception the next day.
Prior to the nikkah there was a sangeet.
Anam with baby Izhaan Mirza Malik
Anam and Asad began dating earlier this year after Anam’s divorce in 2018.
Meray Paas Tum Ho is the biggest drama on air these days. Each episode receives millions of views within hours of being uploaded on Youtube and sparks debate on almost all social media channels.
The latest episode saw Mehwish and Shehwar finally about the tie the knot when Shehwar’s first wife, Maham, played by Savera Nadeem slaps a dramatic entry.
While the slap itself created waves, turns out Ayeza’s ivory and hot pink outfit, by designer Zainab Chottani also was a big hit.
According to Samaa News, the designer has been receiving tonnes of queries about the dress, which has already become a bestseller.
“I have received an influx of queries about the bridal dress,” the designer said, adding, “Since we are overbooked till April 2020, people are pre-booking the same dress for their weddings in June and July.”
Speaking about how the outfit ended up in the scene, Zainab shared: “They wanted to shoot the pre-wedding sequel in our studio when Mehwish goes for wedding shopping. Later they borrowed the dress for the scene.”
There was a even a bit of argument over the price of the dress – while the designers insisted on quoting Rs 3 lakhs, Chottani refused, saying it was too low a price for the Rs 795,000 (7 lakhs 95 thousand). The two then agreed to mention Rs 6 and a half lakhs.
Meray Paas Tum Ho has been directed by Nadeem Baig and written by Khalil ur Rahman Qamar. The drama also starrers Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui and Hira Mani.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday after recent signals from Riyadh indicate that the kingdom’s leaders were not happy with Imran’s decision to attend Kuala Lumpur summit scheduled to be held in Malaysia later this month, Dawn reported.
According to the details, PM Imran will reportedly reassure Saudi leadership that ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain firm despite Islamabad’s engagement with other Muslim countries.
The reports further reveal that Saudis are seeing the summit an an attempt by Malaysia to present an alternative to the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the progressively dysfunctional OIC works under the de-facto leadership of the Saudis.
Other leaders which are participating in the summit include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani among others.
Pakistan has expressed its keenness to attend the summit as the Foreign Office (FO) in its recent statement has said, “The KL summit would provide Pakistan with an opportunity to exchange views and find solutions to challenges facing the Muslim world, particularly the governance, development, terrorism and Islamophobia”.
“The summit will also provide us an opportunity to foster cooperation in diverse areas with the participating countries”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal while responding to questions about PM Imran’s sudden visit to Saudi Arabia has said, “High-level political exchanges between the two countries are the hallmark of this brotherly bilateral relationship. You have witnessed the high frequency of leadership level exchanges, especially since last August”.
Dr Faisal further said, “The PM has undertaken at least three visits to KSA since May this year. Any further information about any future visit will be shared accordingly.”
The Islamabad High Court on Friday got its first female judge.
According to reports, Justice Lubna Saleem Pervaiz was administered the oath by Chief Justice Athar Minallah at the high court.
Two other judges, Fiaz Anjum Jadran and Ghulam Azam Qambrani, were also sworn in.
Meanwhile, Justices Aamer Farooq, Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb attended the ceremony.
Earlier in December, Chief Justice Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa had revealed that the judiciary is working towards inducting female judges in the Supreme Court.
Addressing the concluding session of Women Judges Conference in Lahore, Justice Khosa had said that more than 300 female judges are working in the district courts of Pakistan and that they were doing a brilliant job.
“Our women judges have proven their abilities through their verdicts and by the way they have handled complex cases,” Justice Khosa had said, adding, “We have as many as 300 women judges in district courts and we hope to soon have at least one or two in the Supreme Court. I had the opportunity to propose two names and they are being actively considered.”
