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  • Sajal Malik breaks silence after leaks claim, approaches FIA over fake videos

    Sajal Malik breaks silence after leaks claim, approaches FIA over fake videos

    As the series of alleged leaks targeting prominent social media personalities continues, TikToker and TV host Sajal Malik has broken silence, denying all claims regarding a video that netizens believed showed her along with an unidentified man.

    As per the details, Sajal, who is known for her roadshows on a Lahore-based TV channel and has garnered millions of views on her social media, has filed a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), saying that the videos being linked to her were fake.

    “Those videos are not mine. I haven’t done anything wrong, which is why I have come forward to clarify things,” she said in an interview with a digital media outlet.

    Sajal revealed that the campaign against her had caused her severe mental distress, and also criticised media outlets as well as social media pages spreading unverified content. “Please don’t attach fake videos to my name. At least verify the facts before sharing such serious claims.”

    A day earlier, TikToker Samia Hijab also denied connection to videos that were claimed to show her sharing an intimate moment with a man, stating that the clips were fake and AI-generated.

    Previously, compromising videos allegedly linked to Minahil Malik, Mathira and Amsha Rehman have also gone viral online, sparking conversations about digital safety and deepfake abuse in Pakistan’s entertainment scene.

  • Govt to issue first green Sukuk to raise Rs52 billion for hydropower projects

    Govt to issue first green Sukuk to raise Rs52 billion for hydropower projects

    Islamabad has decided to issue sustainable asset-backed Sukuk bonds to develop the infrastructure for three clean energy projects. According to reports, the federal government needs to generate Rs 52 billion to complete all three projects.

    These bonds are the first of their kind, as previous securities were not linked to projects solely focused on sustainable development. Moreover, the introduction of the Islamic Sukuk scheme may encourage higher levels of savings in the economy. This is because many people refuse to save funds by parking them in conventional banks or purchasing interest-yielding bonds.

    For reference, Sukuk are Islamic financial certificates that allow Sukuk holders to receive a portion of the profit generated from a project. According to reports, these sukuk bonds are to be issued as per the recently approved Sustainable Investment Sukuk Framework.

    The federal cabinet approved the framework earlier in April to attract greater sums of funds for domestic projects. This demand for loans comes despite Pakistan receiving $12.5 billion in foreign loans during the first nine months of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25.

    Key officials from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) claim that the initial Sukuk issuance may be in the ballpark of Rs30 billion. The MoF intended to finance the construction of three hydropower projects, namely the Shagarthang hydropower project and Nai Gaj and Garuk Dams.

    Construction efforts on the aforementioned hydropower projects are underway. However, reports reveal that the federal government has fallen short of funds, leaving lawmakers with the task of gathering over Rs50 billion for the projects to become operational.

    The reason behind the shortfall of funds lies in cost overruns linked to the three hydropower projects. Data from reports indicates that the cost of completing the Garuk Dam ballooned to Rs28 billion, leaving the government Rs5 billion short to finalise the project.


    Similarly, the Nai Gaj Dam and Shagarthang hydropower projects remain incomplete, as Islamabad requires Rs 22 billion and Rs 25 billion, respectively, to make both projects operational.  These issues arose largely as a result of cost overruns and an increase in the scope of the initially approved project.

    While the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) issued Sukuk bonds in 2021 to raise funds for an extension to Tarbela Dam, these bonds are reportedly the first ‘green Sukuk’ bonds Islamabad has issued.

  • ‘No thanks’: Iffat Omar turns down Punjab govt’s cultural adviser offer

    ‘No thanks’: Iffat Omar turns down Punjab govt’s cultural adviser offer

    Former model and actor Iffat Omar has turned down the Punjab government’s offer to take on the role of cultural adviser to Information Minister Azma Bokhari.

    “I’ve humbly declined the offer,” Iffat confirmed while speaking to Images.

    This statement comes after several news outlets and social media pages reported that Iffat had accepted the position and would be working on cultural programmes for Punjab.

    Iffat Omar now hosts a YouTube podcast, Say It All With Iffat Omar, where she engages with experts from various fields.

    In 2022, Iffat announced that she was stepping away from acting, stating that the work in the industry no longer appealed to her.

    “I have decided to quit showbiz because the work is so bad, and I criticise it myself. To do the work and then critique it doesn’t feel right,” she said at the time.

    However, she left the door slightly open for a return, saying, “If I’m ever offered a really great script, I’ll consider it; otherwise, I’m done.”

  • Talhah Yunus drops ‘Shikwa’: A dark, honest album that hits right in the feels

    Talhah Yunus drops ‘Shikwa’: A dark, honest album that hits right in the feels

    Talhah Yunus from Young Stunners just dropped his solo album Shikwa (Side A), and trust me, this one’s different. It’s not just rap; it’s poetry with pain, style with struggle. It feels like he’s sitting under a flickering streetlight in Karachi, cigarette in hand, telling his story, and you can’t help but listen.

    From the first track, Yunus sets the tone: moody, intense, raw. He teams up with Wazir Patar and Rap Demon to kick things off, and it sounds like a scene from a gangster movie. But right when you think the whole album will be full of attitude and fire, he switches gears and dives deep into emotions.

    The music is dark but smooth. No loud, flashy beats, just thoughtful production with icy vibes and beats that let Talhah’s voice stand out. He raps like he’s letting out years of thoughts, not showing off, but opening up.

    By the time you reach tracks like Shopping, you see another side of him. He’s not just flexing, he’s questioning the world around him. “Karachi is my home and my warzone,” he raps, turning the idea of luxury into survival.

    Talhah isn’t here to chase hits. He’s here to reclaim his story. There’s no nostalgia, just reflection. His collab with Talha Anjum in Dawgs is like two friends talking quietly after a storm. And Happen, with Faris Shafi, might just break you, it’s that emotional.

    100% brings a lo-fi vibe with Shareh, while Majaal, featuring Shamoon Ismail, feels like floating. But it all leads to the final track, Shikwa. It’s soft, poetic, and hits hard with the line, “Kya hi shikwa karein phir, teri ghalti nahi hai.” It’s the kind of song that stays with you long after it ends.

    Shikwa (Side A) connects to Side B, which dropped last year. Side B was all heartbreak. Side A? It’s the build-up: the denial, the confidence, the fall before the crash. Together, they tell a full story of love, loss, and self-discovery.

    This album isn’t just music, it’s Talhah Yunus laying it all out. Honest, raw, personal.

  • Could the next pope be Pakistani? Here’s what you need to know…

    Could the next pope be Pakistani? Here’s what you need to know…

    With the passing of Pope Francis, 88-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the election for his successor is to take place within the next 15 to 20 days. Among the contenders is Pakistan’s second cardinal, Joseph Coutts.

    The pope is the head of the Catholic Church who holds full authority over it and is considered a powerful and important figure, as well as a spiritual leader, for nearly 1.5 billion Catholics around the world.

    Pakistan’s Joseph Coutts qualifies to join the conclave – secret meeting where the cardinals gather to elect a new pope – because he was born on July 21, 1945, fulfilling the condition that cardinals, who are usually also bishops, must be under the age of 80. Joseph Coutts is three months short of 80 years, so he will be part of the election.

    Cardinal Coutts of Pakistan, if elected, will be the first pope from South Asia. However, it has been observed that usually cardinals from Europe are elected. But then there was also Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pontiff. 

    As for the rather secret process of choosing a new pope, cardinals gather under Michelangelo’s painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel in Rome to initiate deliberations regarding selection. In order to make the meeting secret, telephones and newspapers are removed, and the chapel is also swept for listening devices before and during the conclave.

    According to reports, there are 250 cardinals from more than 90 countries. However, there are only 135 cardinal electors due to the age restriction.

    Cardinals vote up to four times a day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. During this time, no one is allowed to enter the cardinals’ quarters except for maintenance staff, doctors and priests who hear their confessions — and even these individuals are required to take an oath of secrecy.

    A two-thirds majority is needed to elect the new pope and this process continues until only one candidate remains for the position of the pope. The longest papal conclave was in 1992, when it took five days to choose a new leader.

    The ballot cards are burned after each round of voting with chemicals added to make the chimney smoke black or white. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been chosen so far whereas white smoke indicates that a new pope has been elected.

    After election, the new pope is dressed in papal garments, following which, cardinals pay homage to the him and pledge their obedience.

    Among the forerunners are Pietro Parolin of Italy, Luis Antonio of the Philippines, Peter Turkson of Ghana, Peter Erdo of Hungary, Matteo Zuppi of Italy, Jose Tolentino of Portugal and Mario Grech of Malta.

  • Finance minister’s IMF meetings could help unlock second $1bn tranche

    Finance minister’s IMF meetings could help unlock second $1bn tranche

    Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has met with the chiefs of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) during the 2025 Spring Meetings of international creditors. According to reports, the high-profile meetings will continue until 26 April.

    Aside from his meetings with global lenders, the finance minister will hold discussions with his counterparts, central bankers, international credit rating agencies, as well as investment and commercial banks. The aim of the meetings will be to tackle issues plaguing most countries, such as sovereign liabilities and climate finance.

    Reports have revealed that the WB and IMF executives dialled in on Pakistan’s economic recovery plan. Moreover, the international lenders focused on how the government can implement reforms and stay on track to follow existing loan programs.

    As per reports, discussions with international creditors have been positive, with key figures reportedly describing the conversations as ‘constructive’.  This could spell great news for the economy, as Pakistan currently awaits an influx of funds from international sources, which can be unlocked once the IMF gives its approval. 

    The finance minister held a meeting with the Managing Director of the IMF. Analysts believe that this could help swing the IMF’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) review in favor of Pakistan. 

    Reports suggest that Pakistan is currently awaiting the disbursement of a second $1 billion tranche. While the finance minister’s visit could paint a positive picture, the IMF’s review team is still set to visit Pakistan on May 14. 

    Finance Minister Aurangzeb also met Ajay Banga, The World Bank’s President, to discuss medium-run reform policies. According to reports, these policies cover economic issues such as fiscal consolidation and energy sector reforms.

    Discussions with the WB’s president also led to the topic of development financing. Many believe that if the World Bank decides to grant funds to Pakistan, its macroeconomic indicators may improve.

    According to reports, the finance minister has already had six meetings since arriving in Washington, DC. However, several important meetings remain, such as those with dignitaries from the United States (US), China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The finance minister’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart is vital as both sides will visit Islamabad’s request to reschedule debt liabilities to alleviate pressure on Pakistan’s financing requirements. Reports have revealed that if successful, Pakistan could see $3.4 billion of debt rescheduled, providing the economy with some breathing room.

  • Gillespie reaches out to ICC over $5 million dispute with PCB: reports

    Gillespie reaches out to ICC over $5 million dispute with PCB: reports

    Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has taken legal action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claiming over $5 million in unpaid dues.

    In a recent interview with a local social media platform, Gillespie revealed that the PCB had still not paid his outstanding payments. He expressed disappointment over the situation but hoped it would be resolved soon.

    The PCB strongly refuted former Test head coach Jason Gillespie’s allegation of unpaid dues for his nine-month tenure, stating that the claim is untrue and that Gillespie violated the terms of his contract.

    However, the matter has now escalated, as Gillespie has filed a case with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Dispute Resolution Chamber. According to reports, he alleges that the PCB failed to honour the terms of his coaching contract.

    Sources within the PCB have confirmed that their legal advisors are preparing a response to the case. A PCB spokesperson commented, “We respect the legal process. This is a standard contractual dispute and will be resolved soon.”

    The ICC has reportedly issued notices to both parties, with a hearing expected next month.

    Meanwhile, this issue could negatively impact the PCB’s reputation on the international stage.

  • Atif recalls how Noori thought Aadat was ‘really bad, nonsense’

    Atif recalls how Noori thought Aadat was ‘really bad, nonsense’

    An Instagram account by the name of Anam S (@byyouraadee), which appears to be a fan page for Atif Aslam with almost every post featuring the singer or his family, has now caught everyone’s attention for a deeper reason.

    The page shared an old interview clip of Atif Aslam, with a heartfelt caption.

    “That same song became an anthem for the youth,” the fan wrote, referring to Aadat. “Although Atif and Ali Noor were on good terms later, it still breaks my heart whenever I think about that young newbie Atif, who must have gone to his senior with so much hope and excitement, only to be humiliated 🙁 Nobody supported him when he started, and yet he became THE ATIF ASLAM. AURA ♾”

    In the video, Atif Aslam opens up about his early struggles and how poorly his first song, Aadat, was received by some seniors in the industry.

    “When I recorded my first song, at that time, Noori were huge, huge! Everybody was crazy about Noori,” Atif recalled. “A friend of mine used to go to their band, so I told him, ‘Yaar, I want to play this song for them. I need their feedback.’

    “So, all six of them were sitting in a room. I played the song. After it ended, they started talking about ‘Aadat,’ and after listening to it, they said, ‘This is a really bad, nonsense song. Cheap. Why did they even make this song? There’s no need for this in the market. Why did you do it?’

    Only one person in the room said it was a powerful song. The rest dismissed it as meaningless.

    Despite the criticism, Atif didn’t give up, and that ‘nonsense’ song became one of the biggest youth anthems in South Asia.

    “And from that day on, Alhamdulillah, within a year and a half or two years, the same band was opening for me,” he added.

    Today, Atif Aslam stands as one of the most celebrated artists in the music world. This throwback clip serves as a reminder that even legends once had to fight for their place.

  • Popular Knafeh chocolate breaks global pistachio market

    Popular Knafeh chocolate breaks global pistachio market

    A trending chocolate bar, Can’t Get Knafeh Of It, crafted by the UAE-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, has taken the world by storm following a significant disturbance in the global pistachio supply chain.

    With increasing demand, shelled pistachios — the variety favoured for chocolates — have become so limited that retailers are resorting to rationing products that contain them. In the US, a poor harvest compelled producers to prioritise in-shell exports, further diminishing the availability of chocolate-quality kernels. Iran, the second-largest producer of pistachios globally, responded by boosting its exports to the UAE by 40% within six months.

    The Financial Times quotes Giles Hacking of nut trader CG Hacking as saying that, in a matter of months, the cost of pistachios has surged from $7.65 per pound to $10.30 per pound.

    This bar, which combines milk chocolate, kataifi pastry (the flaky, noodle-like strands found in knafeh), and pistachio cream, was initially developed in 2021 by British-Egyptian chocolatier Sarah Hamouda and her husband, Yezen Alani. It remained a niche indulgence until a single TikTok video in December 2023, which gained more than 120 million views, created global demand.

    Major confectionery companies like Lindt and Läderach hurried to capitalise on the trend, launching their own pistachio-filled bars only to find themselves competing for the same shrinking nut supply.

    While FIX continues to sell its original bar in limited quantities within the UAE, competing products have emerged worldwide, raising concerns for the brand regarding misleading consumers.

  • Law enforcement foils massive attack in DI Khan

    Law enforcement foils massive attack in DI Khan

    An attempted attack on a police checkpoint near Daray Pul in Dera Ismail Khan was foiled late Friday night, according to police officials.

    According to District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu, eight motorbikes carrying 18 to 19 armed terrorists attempted to launch a coordinated attack on the checkpoint.

    One group of attackers was spotted crawling towards the post, reportedly aiming to damage the surveillance camera installed there.

    Police officials said the personnel on duty noticed suspicious movement and took immediate action.

    The other terrorists immediately began firing in all directions in an attempt to overwhelm the troops. But the security forces acted swiftly and decisively, stopping the insurgents’ advance.

    Following the exchange of fire, the attackers were forced to retreat. No injuries or casualties were reported.

    The policemen operating the checkpoint were praised by the Inspector General of Police for their prompt action and attentiveness. According to him, their response prevented a significant security compromise and possible loss.