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  • I have the last card, but I will not use it now: Imran Khan

    I have the last card, but I will not use it now: Imran Khan

    Aleema Khanum, the sister of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, while speaking to media outside Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Tuesday, quoted her brother as saying, “I have the last card, but I will not use it now.”

    Accompanied by her sisters, Noreen Khanum and Uzma Khanum, Aleema conveyed her brother’s message after visiting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on December 3.

    Aleema Khanum stated that the party will approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan and international institutions regarding the government’s brutal use of force against their party workers at D Chowk during the party’s protest last week. 

    Aleema Khanum defended Bushra Bibi when a journalist asked a question regarding the former First Lady’s ability to lead the party protest, saying, “Indeed, Bushra Bibi led the protest, and she was on the container.”

    Earlier, contrary to the above claim, Aleema Khanum, in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) on Tuesday, while responding to a question that Bushra Bibi is gradually taking the party leadership into her own hands, asserted, “There is only one leader, and that is Imran Khan.”

    She also stressed that the officials who allegedly ordered that gunfire be opened on protestors during Imran Khan’s recent party protest in the federal capital must be held accountable.

    Ruling out the widespread claims that incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s health had deteriorated in prison, Aleema Khan emphasised that her brother was absolutely fine.

     
    “He [Imran Khan] was in shock when we told him about the crackdown in D Chowk on party demonstrators,” Aleema Khanum added.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan, in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, noted, “I have demanded from the Supreme Court to form a neutral judicial commission to investigate the massacre of unarmed and peaceful citizens, and to ensure the harshest punishments for those who ordered and were involved in the killings.”

    “I instructed Bushra Bibi on how to take the protest to Islamabad. Whatever she did was in accordance with my instructions,” read a message posted on X.

    Imran Khan’s message further added that the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should unite and organise to prepare for the next phase of their struggle for “true freedom” against the mafia imposed on the country.

  • Waqar Younis Biography: Legend of Pakistani Cricket

    Waqar Younis Biography: Legend of Pakistani Cricket

    Waqar Younis is a well-known bowler for the Pakistan cricket team. He performed admirably as a fast bowler. Younis was born on November 16, 1971, in Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan. He rose to prominence because of his fast two-pitch and amusing two-pitch talent. Waqar earned the nickname “Sultan of Reverse Swing” because he could swing the ball at will. He continued playing cricket for over a decade and hung his boots as an icon. You have come to the right place if you are a fan of Waqar Yunis or looking for information about his cricket career. This blog will present different perspectives of his life, including those of Waqar Younus’ wife. Let me provide you with some background information on Waqar Younis.

    Personal Information

    Full Name

    Waqar Younis Maitla

    Date of Birth

    November 16, 1971

    Age

    53 Years

    Nationality

    Pakistani

    Profession

    Cricket player, Coach, & Sports Commentator

    Batting Style

    Right Handed

    Bowling

    Right-Arm Fast

    Early Life and Beginnings

    Waqar Younis comes from a middle-class family background. He has been interested in sports since childhood, so cricket was naturally his favorite sport. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Sharjah, and Waqar started practicing cricket regularly there.

    He wanted to return home to Pakistan to make his big break in national teams. Local selectors started to recognize his potential. First, he started playing cricket in the domestic league for Multan and then moved to Karachi. His brilliant performances in the bowling department made him the news most of the time.

    Entry into International Cricket

    Waqar Younis is prominent in the Pakistan cricket industry and achieved international fame at 17 years old in 1989. His first test match was against India, and it was also the first test match of Sachin Tendulkar. Waqar’s furious pace and extreme swing did not take long to leave an impact. He accounts for a few Indian batters that day who were victims at the start of his outstanding career.

    His One Day International (ODI) debut came soon afterward. Waqar quickly became a key member of Pakistan’s attack. Along with Akram, he formed a lethal combination, enhancing the reputation of pace bowling for Pakistan.

    Rise to the Heights

    Waqar Younis became a star at the beginning of the 1990s. He used to swing a relatively old ball back that created high speeds. He constantly harassed batters with his stunning yorkers and nifty bouncers.

    He accomplished the distinction of involving ODI 100 wickets in test matches in 20 encounters within three years, from 1991 to 1993. That specific record allowed him striking presence as a power bowler in contention in engaged cricket. Waqar was also the fastest to take 300 wickets in one-day internationals. Waqar’s pace and accuracy were the ultimate distraction to the opponent’s batsman.

    Waqar Younis Matlis Overall Stats

    Batting & Fielding Performance

     

    M

    I

    N/O

    R

    HS

    100s

    50s

    4s

    6s

    AVG

    S/R

    CT

    ST

    Test

    87

    120

    21

    1010

    45 v SA

    0

    0

    133

    16

    10.20

    47.95

    18

    0

    ODI

    262

    139

    45

    969

    37 v WI

    0

    0

    58

    21

    10.30

    67.05

    35

    0

    World Cup

    13

    6

    1

    32

    11 v BAN

    0

    0

    1

    0

    6.40

    50.00

    5

    0

    Bowling Performance

     

    I

    O

    M

    R

    W

    Best

    3s

    5s

    AVG

    E/R

    S/R

    Test

    154

    2704

    516

    877

    373

    0

    0

    133

    23.56

    3.25

    43.49

    ODI

    258

    2116.2

    143

    9919

    416

    0

    0

    58

    23.84

    4.68

    30.52

    World Cup

    11

    93.1

    8

    466

    22

    0

    0

    1

    21.18

    5.00

    25.40

    Achievements & Records

    Many exceptional things can be said about Waqar Younis’s cricket career. In his career, he suffered only 373 losses in Test matches. He played on 87 occasions, achieving a mean of 23.56. Waqar took 373 wickets in 87 test matches with a striking average of 23.56 and 416 wickets in 262 ODIs with an economy of 4.68.

    He is among the few bowlers who have taken five wickets in three successive ODI matches. The youngest bowler witnessed 400 international wickets. Specifically, he lived out his performances in the World Cup competition, such as the one he played in 1992 cricket. He significantly contributed to this event and used such competitions to help Pakistan succeed.

    When Waqar was in charge of the Pakistan team, his leadership emerged. He captained Pakistan in bests and one-day internationals and caused problems for some superior teams. His aggression and will to win games impressed the other players and enabled them to give their best.

    The Wasim-Waqar Partnership

    The actors Younis and Wasim combined forces and became one of the most potent bowling duos in cricket. They took controlling and intimidating batting arsenals to a different standard. Their ability to swing the ball in the direction opposite to one another made them dominant.

    The pair contributed immensely to some of the finest victories witnessed in Pakistan’s history. They were a perfect combination. Wasim was a master of the conventional swing, while Waqar mastered the art of the reverse swing. Pakistan won numerous trophies with their combined efforts. Moreover, they earned their place in the history of cricket.

    Retirement and Coaching Career 

    Waqar Younis played his last international match in 2003. Later, he pursued coaching and commentary as a career. His experience and knowledge enabled him to guide younger cricketers very effectively.

    He was Pakistan’s bowling coach several times. Many young bowlers, such as Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi, grew under his guidance. Waqar went on to become the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

    Personal Life

    Waqar Younis’s personal life is very discrete. Waqar Younis wife name is Faryal Waqar Younis. The couple has been together for 24 years and has three children. With all the success he has achieved, he remains a family-oriented person. He has also been active in charitable work. Waqar’s commitment to community service shows his true character off the field.

    End Note

    Waqar Younis is an outstanding cricketer. He is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in history because of his skills, records, and impact on the sport. Even after retirement, Waqar still serves the cricketing world through the coaching and mentoring aspects of the game. He has indeed performed remarkable feats for the sport in Pakistan. In this blog post, we discussed everything about his career. Moreover, we discussed things related to Waqar Yonus’s wife and children. Waqar Younis is still working in the Pakistan cricket industry.

  • ‘Naumaan Ijaz filled the gaps in my acting’: Saad Qureshi

    ‘Naumaan Ijaz filled the gaps in my acting’: Saad Qureshi

    Saad Qureshi, a talented actor and model renowned for his standout performance in Bismil, credits veteran actor Naumaan Ijaz for enhancing his acting skills and filling the gaps in his craft.

    Appearing as a guest on Gup Shap hosted by Vasay Chaudhary, Meer Abru actor shared valuable insights into his acting journey and the guidance he received from Naumaan Ijaz.

    “He taught me the right tools, beyond the basics of acting, he taught me the advanced techniques that I was missing. Even though I have studied acting myself, gone to acting schools, and am self-taught, there were some things missing that are specific to our drama industry requirements. He filled those gaps,” he said.

    “Acting is like an ocean, you’re always learning something new. I love him for that because he considers me like his own. The way he teaches Zaviyar, he also teaches me. I just love that about him”, Saad added.

    Vasay Chauhdhary then asked, “The feedback you’re getting from your close circle, you know, family, distant family, and your fans, is quite interesting?”

    “Initially, there was a mixed reaction because people didn’t fully understand the character. But as people started to grasp the family dynamics, a sense of sympathy developed with Moosa character,” Saad replied.

    The Bismil actor also shared an emotional moment he experienced with his father: “After Bismil, like yesterday night, I’ll tell you what happened. It was so overwhelming. My father kissed me on the forehead and said, ‘Son, you performed really well today.’ It’s about that feeling. When you succeed, as I have, my father opened the door, looked at me, gave me a push, and then closed the door. It’s a matter of fate. He loved me so much.”

    The co-host asked,“Is there a character you’ve played that really connected with the audience, a character you didn’t expect would do so?”

    Saad replied, “I played a character in ‘Pagal Si Mein.’ When I first got the offer for this role, I heard the title and thought, ‘What’s my role in this? It’s going to be a girl’s story.’ But then I read the script, and after reading it, I got emotionally attached to the character unexpectedly. That drama became a huge hit, and the character is still very famous among the audience.” 

     Saad Qureshi starred in dramas such as, Khuda Aur Muhabbat season 2, Ghairat, and Jaana Main Kaun, and currently, he is starring in Bismil.

  • School timings changed in Punjab

    School timings changed in Punjab

    The Punjab government has decided to change school timings as smog levels in the province are reduced. 


    The new timings will take effect from December 4, 2024. Schools will now open at 8:15 am. 


    Previously, the government decided to extend school timings as smog blanketed major cities in the province. On November 18, the government pushed school timings to 8:45 am and maintained that all outdoor activities would be restricted. 


    However, as the air quality has improved in the past week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has issued a notification announcing the resumption of normal winter timings in schools.


    “All public and private schools across Punjab will be required to open at 8:15 am starting from December 4,” the notification read. 


    The directive was issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1997, and it mandates immediate implementation.


    Imran Hamed Sheikh, the Director-General of Environment, while talking to the media, also stressed that any schools failing to comply with the new timings will face legal action, including fines and penalties.


    The official notification also directed all the commissioners and deputy commissioners in the province to ensure full compliance with the new timings with the primary aim of protecting the health of students and teachers.

  • Man kills cousin, cuts off his thumb to get money from ATM

    Man kills cousin, cuts off his thumb to get money from ATM

    A man in Sheikhupura has been arrested for killing his cousin before cutting off his thumb to withdraw PKR one million from the ATM. 

    Initial police investigations suggest that the man killed his maternal cousin with the help of accomplices. The dead man was later recovered from a car.

    The primary reason behind the murder was to get access to the victim’s bank account.  
    Resultantly, after the murder, the accused chopped off the victim’s thumb to withdraw money through an ATM. 

    24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday revealed that a police team found the body of a young man wrapped in a sack while checking a suspicious parked car. Finding the body with one thumb cut off led to the search for the murderer, which was completed within hours through the use of CCTV cameras and modern technology. 


    The police have established that the victim, Yasmin, was called by the suspect from Faisalabad. 


    Yasin’s body was placed in the trunk of the car. He was the only son of his parents.
    Geo News quoted police sources saying that the suspect and his accomplices were about to throw the body into a canal when they were caught.


    Further investigations into the cold-blooded murder are underway.

    Earlier in the year, a similar incident happened in America when a woman reportedly chopped off a man’s thumb and used it to access his financial apps and steal his money. 

    53-year-old Fasil Teklemariam was found dead with stab wounds on April 5 after police was called to his apartment for a report of an unconscious person, according to Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police.

    19-year-old Audrey Miller was arrested on June 17 in connection with his murder and was later charged with first-degree murder.

  • All eyes on Deemak as three legends make a grand comeback

    All eyes on Deemak as three legends make a grand comeback

    Senior actresses Bushra Ansari and Samina Pirzada, along with Faisal Qureshi, are set to make a much-anticipated return to the silver screen after a lengthy hiatus.

    The teaser of their upcoming film Deemak has finally been released, creating quite a buzz among fans and film enthusiasts.


    The story of Deemak, directed by the talented Rafi Rashidi, marks Ayesha Muzaffar’s debut as a writer in the film industry. The film promises to be an exhilarating journey, spearheaded by an exceptional script and a star-studded cast.


    Featuring a powerhouse of talent, the film’s impressive ensemble includes Javed Sheikh, Sonia Hussain, and Saman Ansari, among others. Although a short teaser gives a glimpse of the main characters, it leaves much to the imagination, keeping the plot under wraps.


    While the teaser showcases the stellar lineup of Samina Pirzada, Bushra Ansari, Javed Sheikh, and Sonia Hussain, it remains tight-lipped about the storyline, hinting at a dark and gripping horror narrative with elements of action.


    Though the teaser has left fans on the edge of their seats, the release date for the highly anticipated dark horror film has not been announced. However, it is expected to hit cinemas soon.


    Deemak marks a monumental return for actresses like Samina Pirzada and Bushra Ansari to the big screen after a significant gap. Faisal Qureshi is also set to make a comeback with this film after several years.


    Check the teaser below:

  • ‘I’m not quitting acting,’ Vikrant clears the air

    ‘I’m not quitting acting,’ Vikrant clears the air

    Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey surprised fans on Monday when he announced his retirement from the entertainment industry through a social media post.


    He shared a note on Instagram, writing, “I will meet my fans for the last time in 2025. The last few years have definitely been extraordinary. I am grateful to all of you for your immense love and support. As I move forward in my life, I realize that now is the time for me to fulfill some of my responsibilities as a husband, father and son that I could not fulfill before.”

    While thanking his fans, he further wrote, “So in the coming year 2025, we will meet each other for the last time, until the right time comes.”


    After Vikrant Massey’s message came out, his fans thought that the actor had retired. 


    However, on Tuesday, he offered a clarification: “I was not ‘retiring’ from the film industry but was just taking a break for some time.”


    According to Indian media, Vikrant issued an official statement through his spokesperson in which he said that his health was being affected by work, which is why he has decided to take a break.


    According to Vikrant, “I can only act, it has given me everything. But my physical and mental health is also being affected. I want to take some time.”


    Referring to the social media post, Vikrant further said that his post was misinterpreted as him quitting acting or retiring. “It is not like that, I just want to take some time for myself to focus on my health and family. I will return to films at the right time.”

  • Indian cricket team banned from open training sessions in Australia

    Indian cricket team banned from open training sessions in Australia

    The Indian cricket team has been banned from open training sessions for the entire series in Australia.

    More than 5,000 fans had come to watch a training session in Adelaide before the second Test match. A large number of fans kept shouting out to their favourite stars.

    Indian players felt uncomfortable during the open training session, and cricketers were also disturbed by attempts to take selfies during this time.

    Training is open with the nets being out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) while the arrival of fans during training sessions is also a tradition in Australia.

    A Cricket Australia spokesperson has said, “India has given its preference not to keep its remaining training sessions open; India has asked not to hold open sessions due to noise and distractions from the players’ training.”

    Only media coverage will be allowed during the Indian team’s training sessions.

    On the issue of open training sessions, Indian batsman KL Rahul has said, “This is different; we are not used to this thing; practice in the presence of the public at home grounds has been done mostly in T20 and ODI cricket.”

    India has a 1-0 lead in the 5-match Test series between India and Australia.

    India won the first match by 295 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

    Match Summary

    India triumphed over Australia by a massive 295-run margin in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 series. Led by Jasprit Bumrah, India dominated the match, showcasing exceptional performance in both batting and bowling departments.

    Day 1: India won the toss and chose to bat first. However, they were all out for 150 runs, with Rishabh Pant (37) and Nitish Reddy (41) showing some resilience. Australia managed to restrict India to 150 in their first innings.

    Day 2: Australia’s first innings saw them all out for 104, with Mitchell Starc top-scoring with 26 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler, taking a five-wicket haul, while Mohammad Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana also contributed significantly to Australia’s collapse.

    Day 3: India declared their second innings at 487/6, leading by 333 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) and KL Rahul (77) built a strong partnership, adding 200+ runs and putting Australia under pressure.

    Day 4: Australia faced a daunting target of 534 runs but were all out for 238. Travis Head top-scored with 89, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat. Bumrah and Siraj bowled fiery spells, ensuring a clear victory for India.

  • Jasleen Kaur speaks up for Palestine after winning Turner Prize 2024

    Jasleen Kaur speaks up for Palestine after winning Turner Prize 2024

    Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur won the prestigious Turner Prize on Tuesday, as the UK contemporary art award celebrated its 40th anniversary.

    Jasleen Kaur was honoured for her solo exhibition Alter Altar, which includes an installation of a Ford Escort car with a giant doily on it.

    She was announced the winner during a ceremony at the Tate Britain gallery in central London.

    The 38-year-old pipped Philippines-born Pio Abad, Manchester-born Claudette Johnson and English artist Delaine Le Bas to the award.

    Kaur walked away with £25,000 ($32,000), while the remaining shortlisted artists were awarded £10,000 each.

    The five jury members chose Kaur for ‘her ability to gather different voices through unexpected and playful combinations of material’.

    During her victory speech, she called for a ceasefire in Gaza and said “Free Palestine“.

    Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is awarded each year to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work.

    Previous victors include now-household names such as the duo Gilbert & George, Anish Kapoor, Rachel Whiteread, Antony Gormley, Chris Ofili, Steve McQueen and Damien Hirst.

    British artist Jesse Darling won last year’s prize for his sculptures and installations that invoke societal breakdown.

    The annual award seeks to encourage debate around new advances in contemporary art and is given to a visual artist based or born in Britain.

    But that debate has often spilled over into controversy. Ofili, for example, won in 1998 for incorporating elephant dung into his paintings.

    Hirst in 1995 exhibited pieces including a rotting cow’s head, while Tracey Emin’s 1999 entry ‘My Bed’ – an unmade double bed with stained sheets surrounded by soiled underwear, condoms, slippers and empty drink bottles – attracted huge attention.

  • Eight thousand armed men were present in PTI protest: Rana Sanaullah reveals

    Eight thousand armed men were present in PTI protest: Rana Sanaullah reveals

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Advisor for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, while appearing on Samaa’s program ‘Red Line’ on Tuesday, revealed that around eight thousand armed men were present in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)  protest at D Chowk.

    On Nov 13, PTI founder Imran Khan issued a “final call” for countrywide protests on Nov 24, demanding the restoration of his party’s “stolen mandate”, the release of detained party members including Imran Khan and the repeal of the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.

    Pakistan’s biggest opposition party initiated a protest march towards the federal capital on November 24, led by Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and  Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi.

    The former ruling party protest march ended after security officials launched a grand operation against the demonstrators on Tuesday (November 26) night, which ultimately forced the PTI leadership to retreat from Islamabad. However, multiple casualties were reported, including those of security personnel, after the protest concluded.

    “Some of them [protestors] were at the rooftop, and firing continuously,” Rana Sanaullah claimed. 

    Rana Sanaullah further added that PTI’s demonstrators were equipped with all types of weapons.

    Sanaullah denied the claims of the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omer Ayub Khan, that snipers were deployed in Islamabad during the PTI last week’s protest, stressing that 232 law enforcement officials were wounded, and six security personnel were martyred.

    Rana Sanaullah then took a jab at PTI for calling their last week’s protest march “peaceful” and asked, “Could there be a greater lie than this claim [peaceful protest]?”

    Responding to the government’s recently formed task force, Rana Sanaullah stated that the task force will ensure that people who break the law get punished.

    On November 29, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a task force, chaired by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, to identify the suspects allegedly involved in the violence in Islamabad during the PTI rally earlier this week and take strict action against them.

    Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and representatives of the security forces were also picked as members of the task force.