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  • ‘Infiltrator’: Imran Khan reacts to Marwat’s attack against Salman Akram Raja

    ‘Infiltrator’: Imran Khan reacts to Marwat’s attack against Salman Akram Raja

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat received criticism from the party’s senior leadership and a response from party founder Imran Khan, hours after Marwat called out lawyer Salman Akram Raja.

    Aleema Khan, speaking outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Friday, quoted her brother as saying, “There is an infiltration within the party that is currently active.” She added, “Imran Khan had appointed Salman Akram Raja as the party secretary general.”

    Defending party secretary general Salman Akram Raja, Aleema stated that the lawyer was merely relaying Imran Khan’s message.

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    The row erupted when Raja, while speaking to a private news channel on Thursday, downplayed Marwat’s claims, which he often linked to party founder Imran Khan, saying, “Only two or four party members are deemed capable of having the right to speak about the party.

    “Marwat statement has nothing to do with the party’s official narrative. His [Marwat] statements are unimportant,” Raja said.

    Following statements from Raja, who questioned Marwat’s understanding of the party’s policy matters, Marwat assailed him.

    On the same day, while declaring Raja’s appointment as party secretary general to be inconsistent with the party constitution, PTI’s firebrand appeared at a private media outlet and stated that party Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Firdous Shamim Naqvi are public officeholders. “Salman Akram Raja is a stranger [to the party],” he asserted.

    Since the interview, key PTI leaders, including Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, former PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan, and Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, reacted to Marwat’s statements.


    Raoof Hassan

    Reacting to the heated exchange between Marwat and Raja, former PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan, while speaking to a private news channel on Friday, sternly said, “I’ve stopped talking about him [Sher Afzal Marwat] because no one has been spared their wrath, including me.”

    Responding to Marwat’s stance that Salman Akram Raja was not appointed party secretary general according to the party constitution, Hassan remarked that Raja is currently the de facto secretary general.

    “If nominated, a person can be a de facto party secretary general. Imran Khan nominated Raja,” Hassan clarified, setting the record straight about whether any unelected individual can become a de facto party secretary general according to the party constitution.


    Sheikh Waqas Akram

    PTI Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram also defended Salman Akram Raja’s position within the party.

    He took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “[…] For Khan’s followers, it’s not about the legality of the party position, it’s about what Khan said, and Khan’s Secretary general for PTI. is Salman Akram Raja, duly nominated by Khan. He also represents party in the dialogue committee and whole party endorses his stance regarding dialogue.”

    “Salman Akram Raja has played a very important role in managing our leader Imran Khan’s cases. Khan Sahib has faith in him and trusts him. Despite Raja Sahib’s hesitation, Khan Sahib insisted and nominated him as the secretary general of the party,” he wrote.

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    Ali Amin Gandapur

    While many party leaders have criticised Sher Afzal Marwat, CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur slightly defended him, saying, “Indeed, Marwat has made a lot of sacrifices for the party.”

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    Gandapur opined that Marwat’s minor mistakes should be forgiven, as he had worked hard for the party in subsequent years. He shared this in an exclusive interview with a private media outlet.

    “Marwat informed me by telephone that he had received a show-cause notice. I advised him to respond to the notice as per party policy and to present his point of view to Khan Sahib for clarity,” CM KP added.

  • ‘My hijab, my choice’: Noor Bukhari hits out at trolls

    ‘My hijab, my choice’: Noor Bukhari hits out at trolls

    Former actress Noor Bukhari has given a firm reply to those criticising her hijab, clarifying that her it is her choice.

    Lately, she has been facing criticism for her choice of a unique hijab style, with people on social media dismissing it as not being a hijab since it does not resemble the traditional one.

    The responses poured in after she shared pictures, after which she explained in her Instagram story that “my hijab is my choice.”

    Addressing the critics, she wrote, “You have no right to criticize my choice,” adding that “I should wear a hijab, wear a turban, or cover my head with a dupatta; there is no need for others to comment on it.”

    She also maintained, “If someone has to give an account of my grave, then they need to speak; otherwise, they should remain silent.”

    “Wearing the hijab or covering my head and hair is my own choice and will, others do not need to comment on it,” she stated.

    Noor Bukhari announced her departure from showbiz a few years ago to devote her time to practising Islam, after which she was also seen reciting naats.

    Although Noor Bukhari is no longer seen working in dramas and films, she appears at other events, including TV programs, and is also active on social media.

  • World’s most expensive and cheapest mobile phones

    World’s most expensive and cheapest mobile phones

    With constant technological advancements, mobile phones have become an essential part of our lives. But do you know which phones are the world’s most expensive and least expensive?

    Companies around the world are rapidly introducing new phones with advanced features and the latest updates. Some of these phones are so expensive that they are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

    However, there are two mobile phones that perform similar functions yet have a huge price difference.

    According to international media, the most expensive mobile phone currently available is the Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond.

    This phone is made from 24-carat gold and features a large pink diamond on its back, making it unique and exclusive.

    The price of this phone is astonishing, costing 48.5 million dollars, which is over 13 billion Pakistani rupees.

    This luxurious phone is owned by Anita Ambani, the wife of Mukesh Ambani, one of Asia’s richest men.

    On the other hand, the Freedom 251, launched by an Indian company, is the cheapest mobile phone in the world. Its affordable price makes it accessible to everyone.

    The cost of this phone is surprising as well. It is available for just 251 Indian rupees, which is about 813 Pakistani rupees.

    Want to read about Starlink internet prices in Pakistan?

  • American tourist praises Lahore’s traffic police

    American tourist praises Lahore’s traffic police

    A foreigner on a motorcycle trip to Pakistan was taken by surprise by a sweet interaction with a Pakistani traffic police official.


    Tourist Jacob Lum, who is from the United States of America, is on a year-long trip on his motorcycle. He is currently visiting Pakistan, a place he referred to as the most “underrated country” in the world.


    Jacob took to Instagram and shared a video of an interaction with a traffic warden in Lahore who stopped his vehicle because it is prohibited to drive a three-wheeler in the specific region, yet he was allowed to go ahead because he was a “guest.”


    The video features a middle-aged traffic warden who is seen admonishing the driver for taking the tourists on Mall Road when he knows it is prohibited in the area. However, he turns to Jacob and tells him politely, “We stop it only because it is dangerous.” He also adds, “But you are our guest, so I will allow him to take you to the city of Lahore.” Jacob thanked him, and the officer added: “I think you will enjoy your trip in Pakistan.”


    The video also shows the traffic warden welcoming Jacob, asking him to visit Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Mosque, Tollington Market and other Mughal and British heritage sites in the city and warning him against eating street food because it is “unhygienic”.


    Jacob wrote in the caption, “This video is a great example of the kindness of the Pakistani people. This interaction was one of the best I have had with the police. He was there to enforce the rules that 3 wheeler rickshaws (motorcycle/ tuktuk) are not allowed in the city. And instead of removing us from the taxi ride and forcing us to get another one, he just scolded the driver and then permitted him to carry on “because we are guests”. I thought that was really nice of him and he quickly changed the conversation to welcoming us to Pakistan and providing recommendations about what to see in the city of Lahore.”


    Jacob also posted about how has had multiple experiences with the police in other countries and while some just want to exert control, extort money or just show their dominance; most are essentially kind yet he chose to show the interaction with the Pakistani police officer because that won him over. 


    “What made this memorable for me is how happy and excited he was when he had the opportunity to inform Western tourists about what to visit. It was very clear that he is proud of his city and happy to see us here!”


    Jacob recounted that this was a “great start to my first day in the city and I felt extremely welcomed by the authorities.”


    “In addition to the police officer the immigration / customs office was also super friendly and very happy to welcome us to Pakistan,” the American tourist made it a point to mention.


    On a lighter note he added, “He also advised us to not eat the street food Ironically we were just taking the taxi back from going out searching for street food.”


    Jacob had previously shared other videos from his visits to Northern areas of the country especially Hunza valley and the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region. “I see why this land is being fought over,” he captioned the video he shot in GB.

  • Ayesha Omar started working at THIS young age

    Ayesha Omar started working at THIS young age

     Imagine being just eight-years-old and stepping into the world of television. That was actress Ayesha Omar’s reality, long before she became the household name we know today.

    Appearing in a recent podcast, the Taxali Gate actress revealed that, at age eight, she began co-hosting on Pakistan Television (PTV).

     The Bulbulay star shared that she co- hosted a show alongside the popular TV host, Muneeza Hashmi, who was also the managing director (MD) of PTV at the time. Muneeza had started a program featuring interviews with famous personalities, and Ayesha was included as a co- host.

     Ayesha recalled, “I started my hosting career with Muneeza Hashmi, who was the MD of PTV back then, and we did a show where celebrities shared their childhood stories.”

    Ayesha Omar also recalled interviewing well-known figures, such as Javed Miandad and Adnan Sami Khan, and how the program often featured light-hearted discussions about childhood memories from the celebrities’ lives.

    The Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat actress mentioned that the questions she asked in the show were genuine and childlike, often reflecting her own curiosity. 

    Ayesha Omar said, “The questions I asked were real questions I wanted to know as a child.”

    Earlier, actress and singer Ayesha Omar was a guest on UrduFlix’s “The Shoaib Akhtar Show” where she offered advice to young women who wanted to form a career in the entertainment industry.

    Omar stressed that the most essential tip for women to remember is that if they’ve shifted to a new city, it is safer to live in an apartment building rather than a house:


    “I was just giving this advice to a girl who had shifted to Karachi and was an actor. She was terrified because someone had smashed the windows of her car outside her house. I told her it’s essential that if she’s living alone, she lives in an apartment rather than a house. This is for all women who are divorced, or moving out of their parents homes and want to live independently, it’s the safest thing for them to live in apartment buildings. Given the realities of this country, we have to adjust to it. You can’t change them. You have to be careful, you can’t fight everything.”

    The second tip Omar revealed was to learn to be independent, and stop relying on other people to complete your tasks:

    “Take care of your health and your expenses on your own. You cannot expect that you’ll find help out there. It’s your body and your life so take care of it. I take care of my own food, clothes and makeup wherever I go, and there is a lot of joy in doing so. You’re less stressed out as well… I’ve learned that if there are 20 people whom you keep requesting to do your work, those 20 people won’t do it. So you must conserve your energy and do things on your own.”

    Sanam Jung was also a guest alongside Omar, and she also told aspiring actors to remember not to reveal your personal struggles to people in the industry.


    “Never share your home issues or financial problems with anyone in the industry, because they take advantage and they will take you for granted.They will know how desperate you are for work, so they’ll call you at inappropriate hours,” she said.

  • Tamim Iqbal bids farewell to  international cricket

    Tamim Iqbal bids farewell to  international cricket

    Bangladesh’s star cricketer and former captain Tamim Iqbal is retiring from international cricket. 

    Tamim announced his decision on Friday, the second time he has decided to retire after initially declaring the same in July 2023, only to retract his decision within 24 hours.

    Tamim shared his retirement news on social media, expressing that he has been away from international cricket for some time and has decided to end his career. He revealed that he had been contemplating the decision for a while.

    “A major event like the Champions Trophy approaching, I did not want to be a distraction. I had already distanced myself from the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s central contract for some time. The decision to retire or continue playing is a personal choice for any athlete or cricketer,” he wrote. 

    After a meeting with the Prime Minister, Tamim was asked about his potential return by Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto and the selection committee. However, Tamim had already made up his mind. He thanked everyone for considering him important enough to discuss his return.

    Tamim informed the selectors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board about his decision to retire.

    Tamim Iqbal made his debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals in 2007, followed by his Test debut in 2008. Over his career, he played 70 Test matches, scoring 5,134 runs; 243 ODIs, scoring 8,357 runs; and 78 T20 Internationals, scoring 1,758 runs.

  • Hazim Bangwar: Karachi’s fashionable officer goes viral in India

    Hazim Bangwar: Karachi’s fashionable officer goes viral in India

    What happens when a government official becomes a fashion icon? Hazim Bangwar, who has served as the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Karachi, has become a sensation not only in Pakistan but also in India, owing to his spectacular fashion and unique style.  Hazim’s stylish pictures and videos quickly went viral in 2023, and his popularity continues to grow.

     

    Before stepping into a government job, Hazim Bangwar lived in various countries including the US, where he dabbled in modeling. Later, he became part of the Sindh government, serving in multiple districts and towns within Karachi Division.

    While his fashionable image had already captured attention in Pakistan, it has now spread across Indian social media. Viral videos show Hazim rocking traditional yet trendy outfits, leaving many Indian viewers in awe.

    Indian social media users have been quick to react. Some praised Hazim, calling him the ‘Irfi Javed of Pakistan,’ while others criticized his fashion choices. 

    Hazim Bangwar’s rise to fame as Karachi’s fashionable AC was overshadowed by removal from the job on October 30, 2024. 

    He was removed from his position after issuing notices to three government officials, asking them to vacate their official residences, following orders from the Sindh High Court and the Karachi Commissioner.

                                                                                                                            

    The officials, Zahid Jamaica and Fatima Ahmed, were living in properties not meant for their office. Even though Bangwar was following court orders, his actions led to his dismissal. He has been directed to report to the Services and General Administration Department for further instructions.

     Currently he works as an Assistant Commissioner (General) of Karachi.

  • South Korea proposes industrial shift to Pakistan to strengthen bilateral trade

    South Korea proposes industrial shift to Pakistan to strengthen bilateral trade

    Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan attended a high-profile meeting in Seoul, where South Korean Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong proposed an avenue for collaboration to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

    Mr. Cheong’s plan effectively serves to shift Korea’s industrial base located in foreign countries to Pakistan. The proposed plan was implemented after dignitaries from both countries had signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

    Ministers from both countries signed a joint declaration, which would allow for EPA negotiations to begin. Analysts are commenting on how the joint declaration shows that both countries are committed to increasing investment flows, expanding trade and working collaboratively in economic matters.

    In an official announcement, the Commerce Ministry claimed that the EPA could promote mutually beneficial trade in goods and services, foster greater ties, and boost economic cooperation. He also stated that bilateral trade stands at $1.3 billion, which could be greatly boosted by the signing of the EPA.

    The value of the trade flow is heavily in South Korea’s favour, as Pakistan is not exporting enough to South Korea to equalise the trade deficit between the two countries.

    The reason behind this is that South Korea’s primary imports constitute goods such as Mineral fuels as well as electrical and industrial machinery, according to Pangea Logistics Network. These are all goods that Pakistan imports, resulting in Pakistan having little to offer pertaining to trade.

    While it may seem that Pakistan has nothing valuable to offer South Korea, the truth is far from that. Mr. Cheong stated that the availability of ‘cost-effective labour’ in Pakistan can benefit both countries.

    Essentially, South Korea wants to relocate its industrial base to Pakistan to exploit the fact that wages in Pakistan lag far behind the world average. Moreover, Pakistan is geographically close to ‘high-growth regions’ where South Korea could export its goods after manufacturing them in Pakistan.

    After the initial investment, a vast majority of profits generated from industrial activity will be repatriated back to South Korea. While this may seem exploitative as workers will be utilised for being ‘cost-effective’, there are immense benefits to be reaped for Pakistan as well, nonetheless.

    According to statistics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan’s current unemployment rate stands at a staggering 7.5 percent. However, with South Korea poised to set up an industrial base in Pakistan, experts predict that the unemployment rate will drop slightly. This is because South Korea’s interest will also positively signal to other countries that Pakistan is a safe destination for their investments.

  • Hania Aamir’s viral shoutout to Zakir Khan sparks buzz across borders

    Hania Aamir’s viral shoutout to Zakir Khan sparks buzz across borders

    Isn’t it amazing how a single Instagram story can sometimes break the internet faster than your Wi-Fi?

    Beloved actress Hania Aamir recently commented on Indian comedian Zakir Khan, which went viral on social media.

    She shared a video clip from Khan’s show on her Instagram story, praising his wit and sense of humour. She tagged the comedian and wrote, “What a crazy person you are.”

    Hania Aamir is not only popular in Pakistan but also in India for her acting and charming personality.

    She has also become the first Pakistani to reach 17.1 million followers on Instagram.

    Read more about Hania Aamir

  • ‘Six months are over, I’m here’: Fahim Burney recalls how Wahaj Ali earned his first role

    ‘Six months are over, I’m here’: Fahim Burney recalls how Wahaj Ali earned his first role

    What does it take to turn a casual conversation into a life-changing opportunity? For actor Wahaj Ali, it was six months of dedication and an unwavering belief in his abilities. 

    In an interview with Fuchsia Magazine, director Fahim Burney opened up about how he came to recognise Wahaj Ali’s potential as an actor and helped him take his first steps into the entertainment industry.

    He first met Wahaj Ali on Nadia Khan’s set, where Ali was working “as a very active and hardworking” line producer. “I called him over and joked about whether he could seriously pursue acting”, he remembers.

    Burney describes the encounter during which Wahaj asked for his guidance in acting: “I looked at him and teasingly said, ‘You think you can act?’ He confidently replied, ‘Tell me when you want to see me transformed.’ Amused, I gave him six months to work on himself and asked him to come to Karachi if he was serious.”

    The director realled that he had “almost forgotten about him” until one day, when he was casting for a project with Resham, someone mentioned Wahaj had come to meet him.

    “I didn’t even remember his name initially. But when he entered, I saw the transformation. He confidently said, ‘Fahim Bhai, six months are over; I’m here for the role.’ Impressed, I cast him as a devar (younger brother-in-law) in the HUM TV project. He acted alongside Resham and did a fantastic job.”

    Burney later worked with Wahaj on Mere Dil Mere, in which the actor shared the screen with actor Asfar Rehman and others.

    Reflecting on Wahaj Ali’s journey, he said, “Seeing his growth and dedication fills me with joy.”