Blog

16 Atomic Energy Commission officials kidnapped

Unidentified armed men have kidnapped 16 employees of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission accompanied by a driver in the southern Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The local police say that the incident took place on Thursday morning in the area of Qabul Khel, known to have a huge collection of uranium mines operated under the Atomic Energy Commission.

The security official further said that all the employees were traveling in a van when armed men stopped their vehicle near Painda Khan area, took the employees with them and set their vehicle on fire.
Locals told BBC that the employees were kidnapped from Lakki Marwat en route to Mianwali, located on the border of Punjab province.

It is not yet known where the kidnappers have taken the employees.

However, security forces and police officials have cordoned off the area and a search operation is underway to recover them with help from the local peace committee.

Reportedly, a few hours after the kidnapping, alleged videos of the kidnapped employees have emerged online, in which they are seen saying that they are in a safe place with the Taliban. The hostages appealed to the government to accept the kidnappers’ demands and rescue them.

However, BBC reports that they have not been able to independently verify the videos.

The banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threatened to target the Pakistani military’s economic projects in a statement last week.

The situation in Lakki Marwat has been tense for the past year and a half, with repeated attacks on law enforcement officials.

Two days ago, unidentified assailants shot and killed two police officers in the Ghaznikhel area of Lakki Marwat, after which the local peace committee and police personnel chased the armed attackers and killed one of the gunmen in a clash.

January 9, 2025
Shae Gill’s real name will surprise you

Shae Gill shared that her actual name is Anushae, from which her nickname ‘Shae’ was derived. It was given to her by university friends who compared her to a character from the Game of Thrones series. The name stuck and eventually became her stage name.

Shae also spoke about her journey to unexpected stardom. Initially dreaming of a corporate career, she studied commerce and planned to become an entrepreneur.

“I never thought about becoming a singer,” she admitted. But life took a different turn during her university years. With encouragement from her friend Iman, she began posting singing videos on Instagram, which led to her breakthrough performance on Coke Studio.

“It happened by accident, but I am grateful to God for this fame,” she said.

Working with the legendary Ali Sethi was a career highlight for Shae Gill.

“I was in awe of him. His knowledge, especially from his Harvard education, is truly inspiring,” she admitted.

Shae Gill also talked about her dream collaboration, expressing excitement about working with singer and comedian Chahat Fateh Ali Khan.

“If I get the chance, I would love to work with Chahat Fateh Ali Khan,” she shared enthusiastically.

Shae Gill even picked Chahat over Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as her preferred collaborator.

When asked about her fitness routine, Shae laughed, admitting she doesn’t follow one. “I stay in shape because of my hectic schedule,” she explained.

Earlier, Shae Gill became the breakout star of 2022 after Pasoori, her debut duo with Ali Sethi on Coke Studio, dazzled listeners across the globe. She is now singing at international concerts and has become an Equal Ambassador for Spotify.

So what’s next for the singing sensation? We have seen Pakistani singers making their way to the big screen or television, like Atif Aslam, who had starred in the film ‘Bol’ and then ‘Sang-e-Mah’. Will Gill be following in on their footsteps?

In an interview with Aamna Haider Isani, Gill revealed that she did receive offers to act in dramas and play the role of asinger, but she rejected it.

“If the script would have been nice then I would have been ok..” she admitted.

Later on in the interview, Gill agreed that a lot of Pakistani singers have decided to perform as actors, but she will only do so if she finds a good script:

“My generation doesn’t really watch dramas all that much. We do, but very few. I’ve seen Udaari, I’ve seen Humsafar, a little bit of Bhaagi…they were outstanding..But if a good script comes along, then I could try.”

January 9, 2025
Burials in Karachi will be on govt rates from now onwards

The Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, has set government rates for burials in all registered graveyards of the space-strapped city.

The official rate as per the new rules will be Rs 14,300, Wahab confirmed, adding that banners stating the rate have also been put up in all graveyards.

He warned graveyard staff that anyone found charging a higher rate would have to face strict action. Citizens have been instructed not to pay more than Rs 14,300 while also having the facility to complain about anyone overcharging them on 1339.

“We have initiated action against the mafia that demolishes graves,” Murtaza Wahab said on the occasion. He also stated that staff not registered with the Municipal Corporation will not be allowed to work in graveyards.

Like other major cities in Pakistan, Karachi faces an acute shortage of burial space. A burgeoning population and lack of space have led to astronomical burial charges, with many graveyards demanding upwards of Rs 40,000. In select graveyards this rate can go up to Rs 100,000.

January 9, 2025
Key Australian player set to miss Champions Trophy

Australia has faced a major setback with the loss of a key player ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Australian chief selector George Bailey revealed that captain Pat Cummins suffered an ankle injury during the fifth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite being scanned after the match.

In a press conference, Bailey confirmed, “Cummins is currently on parental leave but did not provide a definitive answer on whether he will be part of the Champions Trophy squad.”

Cummins missed the first Test of the series as he and his wife welcomed their second child. His injury has now raised doubts about his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.

Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket team opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out for six weeks after sustaining a right ankle fracture while fielding on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa on January 3.

January 9, 2025
Mariyam Nafees stuns in Le Morne Brabant

Fans love Mariyam Nafees for her acting, but her latest baby bump pictures are stealing the spotlight.

Recently, the Jaan-e- Jahaan actress stepped into a new chapter of life as she prepares to embrace motherhood. Mariyam Nafess shared delightful updates from her vacation in Maruitius, where she and her husband Amaan Ahmed are enjoying a babymoon.

In her latest Instagram post, Mariyam captioned, “Carry me to the moon on the Babymoon, my baby daddy ♥.” Dressed in a gorgeous beach outfit, she posted against the breathtaking backdrop of Le Morne Brabant.

The serene environment perfectly complemented her glowing look, leaving fans mesmerized.

As Mariyam Nafees embarks on this beautiful journey, her fans continue to shower her with love and best wishes.

January 9, 2025
Elon Musk’s unhinged attacks on countries now targets Pakistan

CEO Tesla and the richest man on earth, Elon Musk, has continued his streak of attacking different countries on Twitter by replying “True” to an Indian parliamentarian’s tweet accusing Pakistanis of being the only ones involved in the UK’s sex grooming gangs scandal.

Indian Member of Rajya Sabha, Priyanka Chaturvedi, recently posted on X, “Repeat after me, they are not ASIAN Grooming Gangs but PAKISTANI grooming gangs. Why should Asians take the fall for one absolute rogue nation?”

Elon replied to her post by writing just “True”.

The debate around the sex grooming gangs has reignited with Elon Musk accusing the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being “complicit” in the scandal. Starmer, in a statement, replied, “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims. They’re interested in themselves,” while calling out the opponents for being “desperate for attention”.

Notably, the grooming gangs scandal surfaced in the UK back in 2010.

Investigations revealed that contrary to right-wing propaganda, 42 percent groomers were white, while only 14 percent were defined as Asian or Asian British. Meanwhile, 17 percent were black.

Elon Musk is actively spearheading the movement against leftist or centrist governments around the world. The billionaire expressed support for Donald Trump in America during the US Elections in 2024, and after he won the elections, he went on a spree of supporting the far-right in the world.

He trolled outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who dismissed Trump’s suggestion that he might use “economic force” to merge Canada with the US. Trudeau had posted, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”

Musk made fun of him by saying, “Girl, you’re not the governor of Canada anymore, so it doesn’t matter what you say.”

Additionally, the tech billionaire has also expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He praised the party by posting, “Only the AfD can save Germany.”

The AfD propagates against the immigrant population in the country.

He also appreciated Meta’s announcement of ending its fact-checking programme in the USA by calling it “cool.”

January 9, 2025
Here’s how people are already using Starlink in Pakistan

Amid widespread outages and slow connection speeds across the country, local IT companies have found a way to “illegally” use services offered by Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.

Reports quoted a senior executive at an IT company as saying that they were using Starlink’s services since they needed reliable and uninterrupted connection to cater to overseas customers.

According to the official, the company had ordered all required equipment from the United Kingdom (UK), and even though the service was costlier, it had taken away their worries of losing business.

“Starlink’s standard residential package is GBP 79 [around PKR 27,000] while business packages start at GBP 110 [around PKR 37,000] per month. Our company has acquired their upgraded package, the monthly fee for which is about GBP 750 [over PKR 2.5 lacs]. Their rates are very high, but we are no longer worried about internet outages and disruption of business activities,” they said.

It merits a mention that Starlink has not yet been issued a license by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). While the usage of such a service prior to official approvals remains illegal, local IT companies are doing so with the involvement of third-parties abroad.

According to Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Starlink has already been registered with the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

A license to operate, however, is yet to be issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Earlier, Elon Musk had also confirmed that they were awaiting an approval from the government of Pakistan.

Starlink internet packages for Pakistan revealed

Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by SpaceX under the leadership of Elon Musk, is set to launch in Pakistan. In a tweet on X (Previously Twitter) on Sunday, Elon said, “We are waiting for approval from the government of Pakistan.”

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access. The system aims to deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable. The network is composed of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), working in combination with ground transceivers.

Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan; however, here are the possible prices for internet packages.

Starlink offers various packages tailored to different needs. These prices are estimated based on other regions, as Starlink has not officially launched in Pakistan.

Want to know about the price of Starlink in Pakistan?

January 9, 2025
‘Very easy for me to cut off their food, heating’: Who is Maryam Nawaz talking about?

In a vague jibe at the opposition, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has said that as the provincial chief executive, it was in her power to cut off food, heating and other amenities for her opponents.

While CM Maryam did not name anyone, netizens speculate whether her statement was aimed at jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan, who, when in power, publicly boasted getting air-conditioners and televisions removed from the jail cells of then incarcerated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.

Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony at the University of Sargodha under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme on Wednesday, CM Maryam called out the opposition, saying, “It is easy for me to cut off one’s food, heater and fan in my authority as the chief minister.”

Recalling the ordeal of her father Nawaz Sharif, uncle and now PM Shehbaz Sharif, and brothers as well as herself, she said they faced hardships for nearly six years. “My father, my uncle and my brother remained in jail during the [current] opposition’s reign.”

CM Maryam was referring to the sentences awarded to her family, herself and other senior leaders of the PML-N in connection with corruption cases that they maintained were politically motivated.

Calling out the ousted premier for facing “karma”, the Punjab CM said that she was arrested in front of her father. “I was locked up in Adiala Jail when I received the news of my mother’s death.”

She lambasted the opposition over their politics of agitation and said she did not understand how someone who used youngsters as political fuel could go to bed at night.

CM Maryam also urged students to not go against the country under any circumstances. “Someone who asks you to take over or set your country ablaze is not your friend.”

Continuing to refer to May 9 riots, she also commented on the sentencing of former premier Khan’s nephew Hassaan Niazi’.

“He had rightly been punished as his conduct was an absolute disgrace to the nation,” she said, but, added that she couldn’t imagine what his parents were going through seeing their son sentenced for 10 years.

On December 26, 2024, a military court awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to Hassaan Niazi in connection with the ransacking of the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence (Jinnah House) in Lahore.

January 9, 2025
Imran Ashraf wants to work with this Bollywood actress

What if Imran Ashraf and Bollywood’s Tamannaah Bhatia worked together for an on-screen project?

During his program Mazak Raat, a member of the audience asked the show’s host, Imran Ashraf Agha, and actor Mustafa Hassan, which actress they would like to work with in their next project.

Ashraf revealed that he would like to collaborate with Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia for a movie.

“As far as I am concerned, I want my next project to be with Tamannaah Bhatia,” he replied.

“I have never worked with the talented actress Saba Qamar. It would be a great honour for me if she agrees to work with me,” the Rasq-e-Bismil actor added.

Tamannah Bhatia has starred in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films.

Her many films include Paiyaa, Himmatwala, Ayan, Jailer, Entertainment, Baahubali 2, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, Aranmania 4, Vedaa, Rebel, Happy Days, Babli Bouncer, Bhola Shankar, Racha, Chanda Sa Roshan, Aagadu, and Siruthai.

Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Imran Ashraf’s dream collaboration will come true.

January 9, 2025
This top leader believes Imran’s sister, wife Bushra want him to stay in jail

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed the existence of two separate groups within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging they wanted party founder Imran Khan to stay in jail so that they could “take over the party”.

Appearing on a private news channel, the PM’s aide claimed that the groups, led by Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and wife Bushra Bibi, wanted the incarcerated premier to stay in jail forever. “They [Aleema and Bushra groups] want Khan to remain in jail. In fact, they want him to stay there forever because after that, they could take over the entire party.”

He went on to say that the general public deserved to know this.

When asked about Aleema’s alleged leaked chats criticising Bushra and suggesting to ban her from visiting Khan in jail, Sanaullah said that the ongoing talks between the government and PTI had left some people within the party worried.

“Some people in the PTI are worried and want talks between the government and the PTI to not be successful. These are the same people who are spokespersons of Khan outside [Adiala Jail],” he said and went on to claim that according to the leaked chats, they wanted Khan to stay in the same situation.

“In fact, they want Khan to be in a much worse situation,” he added.

To a question about the authenticity of the leaked chats, Sanaullah said that the government also only saw the alleged chats on social media. “[Then] I got them verified from my sources,” he added.

“If Aleema Khan says these screenshots are fake then she should come out and defend herself. I would be glad if she could prove her innocence. Because it is extremely unfortunate that, even though he [Imran Khan] is our opponent, his close relatives and allies are betraying him.”

When asked about his recent press conference and newfound sympathy for the jailed former premier, Sanaullah said he wanted the public to know that these were the kind of people surrounding Imran Khan.

“I know the cult won’t believe me but a common person must know that this is the kind of party that ruled over the country for nearly three years,” he said.

January 9, 2025