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Tag: Pakistan

  • No more meetings with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail but who ordered the ban?

    No more meetings with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail but who ordered the ban?

    The Punjab Home Ministry has implemented a temporary prohibition on incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from conducting meetings within Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

    Imran Khan, currently serving a cumulative sentence of 31 years in multiple cases, has been utilizing his time in the Rawalpindi facility since September 2023 for meetings with his legal team, family members, and party officials.

    The ban has been slapped on for two weeks, sources within the Punjab home department said, while media coverage is also prohibited in front of Adiala Jail’s gate 5.

    A security officer stated that media coverage is not allowed and directed that the media teams would stay a minimum of two kilometers away from Adiala jail.

    Tuesday and Thursday were reserved by the Adiala Jail administration for meetings with the PTI founder on the orders of the court, but now the meetings have been banned for two weeks.

    As per sources of The Current Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a prominent leader of PTI, was supposed to meet Imran Khan on Monday but later the meeting was shifted to Tuesday. According to the souce, Jail authorities claimed that barring Gandapur from meeting Imran would create rifts between provinces and ‘it wouldn’t be a nice message across the board’.

    The source said that after some hesitation, the meeting was allowed and in reaction, Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab and a prominent leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), retaliated and said that the jail has been converted into “Zaman Park” and this should stop.

    We reached out to Marriyum Aurangzeb for a comment on this matter but we haven’t got a response yet.

    Recently, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) announced the apprehension of three terrorists and the confiscation of a map of Adiala Jail, a hand grenade, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from their possession. Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani reported the recovery of automatic weapons and ammunition from the detained individuals, who were identified as Afghan nationals.

    In a separate incident last November, law enforcement discovered a suspicious bag containing an explosive device near Adiala Road in Gorakhpur, Rawalpindi, merely a kilometer away from the correctional facility.

    In January, the former Prime Minister, alongside Shah Mahmood Qureshi, received a 10-year sentence in the cipher case for the unauthorized disclosure of confidential communications sent by the country’s ambassador in Washington to the government in Islamabad.

    This was succeeded by a 14-year verdict imposed on Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, by an accountability court in the Toshakhana reference, for their alleged misuse of official privileges to trade gifts received during foreign visits while holding office from 2018 to 2022, collectively valued at over Rs140 million ($635,000). Additionally, the couple was fined a total of Rs1.57 billion.

    After these rulings, Khan and Bushra were further sentenced to seven years in the “un-Islamic nikah” case, along with a Rs500,000 penalty each, for their marriage before the completion of the 90-day iddat period following Bushra’s divorce.

    Moreover, both Khan and his spouse faced indictment in the £190 million case during the jail trial conducted at Adiala jail.

    PTI and Khan’s associates have persistently urged for his release, denouncing the charges as “fabricated” and expressing concerns for his safety while incarcerated.

  • Asfand Yar Wali’s wife passes away in Charsadda

    Asfand Yar Wali’s wife passes away in Charsadda

    Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfand Yar Wali’s wife and mother of Aimal Wali Khan, has passed away on Monday in Charsadda.

    Funeral prayers were held in the ancestral home Wali Bagh. The deceased was buried near the graves of Khan Abdul Wali Khan and Begum Naseem Wali Khan.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali Khan, former chief minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilor, Sardar Hussain Babak, former senator Farhatullah Babar, former federal minister Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, former and current parliamentarians, and a large number of ANP workers attended the funeral prayers.

    Aimal Wali Khan lowered his mother’s body in the grave.

    The ANP president didn’t attend the funeral prayers due to illness.

  • School timings in Ramazan

    School timings in Ramazan

    As the holy month of Ramazan begins, educational institutions across Pakistan have adjusted their schedules to accommodate fasting. Here’s a roundup of the revised timings issued by various provincial education departments:

    Sindh:

    In Sindh, schools operating in the morning shift will open from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, with the afternoon shift running from 11:45 am to 2:45 pm. On Fridays, the morning shift will end at 10:30 am and 1:15 pm, respectively. Colleges will have morning shift classes from 8:30 am to 12 pm, and evening shift classes from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.

    Punjab:

    The Punjab School Education Department announced that single-shift schools will operate from 8:30 am to 1 pm, except on Fridays when they will close at 12:30 pm. Second-shift schools will run from 1 pm to 4 pm throughout the week. Primary schools will start at 7:30 am and end at 11:10 am (10:05 am on Fridays), while middle, secondary, and higher secondary schools will run from 7:30 am to 12:15 pm (10:25 am on Fridays).

    KP:

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department announced that primary schools in the province will start classes at 7:30 am and finish at 11:10 am, except on Fridays when they will end at 10:05 am. For middle, secondary, and higher secondary schools, the timings during Ramazan will be from 7:30 am to 12:15 pm, with a conclusion at 10:25 am on Fridays.

    Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT):

    In Islamabad, educational institutions regulated by PEIRA will open at 8:30 am and close at 1 pm from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, they will close at 12:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) announced similar timings for single-shift institutions, with a slight variation for double-shift institutions where the morning shift ends at 12:30 pm and the evening shift starts at 1 pm (1:30 pm on Fridays).

  • Amar Khan’s father opposes her career in the media industry

    Amar Khan’s father opposes her career in the media industry

    Pakistani parents are very fond of telling their children what to do and which career to select. Even famous celebrities are not immune to parental disapproval.

    In a recent podcast with Frieha Altaf, Pakistani television and film actress Amar Khan discussed her parents’ divorce and her difficult relationship with her father.
    Amar Khan is the daughter of veteran PTV actor Fareeha Jabeen.


    Sharing her experience, Amar Khan expressed, “My father is not currently supportive. In the past, during some vacations, I met him. However, he wasn’t pleased when he learned about my entry into the media industry. Our relationship was quite formal. When I was about to enter the media industry, he sent me an email expressing his concerns. He wrote, ‘You are entering your mother’s profession, and I don’t want you to inadvertently bring shame to the family. I am not okay with it.’ In response, I assured him, ‘I will not bring shame to my mother or your family.’ Since then, we haven’t communicated. Despite my mother’s efforts to reconcile, I find it challenging to develop affection for him.”
    Amar Khan also discussed her parents’ divorce, stating, “I am the only child from my mother’s side. My parents separated; I didn’t spend much time with my father, so I am a single child, brought up in Lahore in a Punjabi family.”

  • Nimra Mehra opens up about her parents’ tragic passing

    Nimra Mehra opens up about her parents’ tragic passing

    Nimra Mehra, a rising star in the Pakistani music scene, has captured hearts with her hit song ‘Tu Subha Di Pak Hawa Warga.’ Despite her growing success, Nimra carries the weight of a profound loss – the tragic passing of her parents.
    In a recent appearance on Neo News’ Zabaradast, hosted by Wasi Shah, Nimra bravely opened up about the emotional turmoil she has endured since her parents’ demise.


    Speaking about her mother’s passing, Nimra shared, “I had just started working in the industry when my mother got cancer. I felt helpless. We struggled to pay for her treatment. In Pakistan, they say treatment is free, but we faced hefty bills for medicines and treatments. With only my father earning, it was tough. We had to manage despite having no money,” an emotional Nimra said.

    On another occasion, Nimra talked about her father’s passing. She shared, “My father died of a heart attack. At the time, I was sick with a fever. I got a call about his condition but couldn’t reach the hospital in time because of traffic during a cricket match of PSL. I urge the government to reconsider these traffic rules. Last year, I was stuck on Jail Road due to heavy security for players. Please prioritize people’s lives over protocols. I was stuck in traffic when my father passed away.” As Nimra recounted the painful memory, tears streamed down her face once again.


    Watch the video:

  • Which federal portfolio are the ministers getting?

    Which federal portfolio are the ministers getting?

    The portfolios of the newly appointed federal cabinet were announced on Monday as four-time finance minister Ishaq Dar became foreign minister this time. Banker Muhammad Aurangzeb, one of the highest paid heads of a financial institute in the country, took charge as finance minister.

    The notification was issued after 19 members of the cabinet were sworn in on Monday. There are some new faces included in the newly formed cabinet.

    Ex-caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also being tipped to be elected as a member of the upper house of Parliament, has been appointed the interior minister, while Ahad Khan Cheema who had also served during the interim setup was allotted the portfolio of Economic Affairs with the additional portfolio of Establishment Division.

    Khawja Asif has been allotted the defence ministry, and he will also see to matters of defence production and aviation. Ahsan Iqbal will keep control of the ministry for planning, development, and special initiatives.

    On Monday, State Minister Shaza Fatima Khwaja didn’t receive a specific job, but on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Shehbaz gave her the Ministry of Information Technology.

  • Famous faces visit sunday markets for Ramzan shopping

    Famous faces visit sunday markets for Ramzan shopping

    All that glitters is not gold. It may look very glamorous to be a well-known celebrity but fame comes with the loss of privacy, and stars everywhere have to pay that price.
    Hence, we saw Mahira Khan wearing a veil and enjoying a ride on Rickshaw in Bahawalpur with her team.

    Mahira’s secret trip came to light because of her makeup artist’s reels on Instagram but this is not the first and only time a celebrity has taken this route. While male actors mask up, the females try out a veil. Recent vlogs of senior actresses Bushra Ansari and Shagufta Ejaz of going to Sunday bazar for shopping show that nothing works better than a buqra for going incognito.

    Sunday Bazaars are the best hotspots for budget-friendly shopping in Pakistan, offering everything from groceries to gadgets. It’s not just the locals who flock there; even Pakistani celebrities love exploring these bustling markets. Recently, some familiar faces were spotted on Sunday market escapades, sharing their adventures via vlogs for fans to enjoy.


    Meet the Stars:


    Shagufta Ejaz: Renowned TV actress Shagufta Ejaz took fans on a tour of her Sunday Bazaar for Ramzan shopping. Ejaz donned a veil as well, stating, “If I will not cover my face, then it will become difficult to shop in Sunday Bazaar because fans will start meeting up.” She also showed the thrift side of the Bazaar where branded bags and other things were available.
    Watch her vlog :

    Bushra Ansari: The versatile Bushra Ansari, known for her roles in TV and film, also joined the Sunday market fun for Ramzan grocery . Covered up in an abaya and mask, she explored the market’s offerings, snagging kitchen gadgets and fresh fruits. Get a glimpse of her adventure:

  • Shebaz Sharif wants uninterrupted gas, power supply during Ramazan

    Shebaz Sharif wants uninterrupted gas, power supply during Ramazan

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities on Monday to ensure uninterrupted gas and power supply, aiming to help people during the holy month of Ramazan.

    In a high level meeting on the petroleum sector, the premier instructed officials to give all possible support to private sector, local, and foreign investors in exploring and refining gas and oil, as well as distributing these natural resources.

    Addressing the participants, Shehbaz said that the government is not meant to do businesses, rather its responsibility is to extend all kinds of facilities to the private sector and ensure protection of the rights of consumers, especially the vulnerable segments of society.

    The chief executive asked for steps to promote global investment in exploration of tight gas and undersea oil and gas reserves, regretting that Pakistan’s maritime area was huge in size when compared with Balochistan province, but no steps were taken to explore its hidden natural resources.

  • Sonam Bajwa on General Bajwa and ‘Respected Bajwa’

    Sonam Bajwa on General Bajwa and ‘Respected Bajwa’

    During a recent interview, Indian actress Sonam Bajwa shared her thoughts on Pakistan’s former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, the man she shared a surname with.

    While attending a Pakistani fashion brand’s launch in London, Sonam referred to a popular Pakistani internet joke comparing the two Bajwas.

    “I saw on Twitter from Pakistan, ‘The Bajwa we love,’ and then they wrote my name. I like it, I think it’s my surname. They also speak Punjabi, and we also speak Punjabi, so I am one of them.”

    The jokes center around Sonam being the better Bajwa after the Army Chief faced growing unpopularity. The Punjabi film actress was often tagged by Pakistani fans who simply call her ‘The Better Bajwa’ or ‘The Respected Bajwa’.

  • Gold price remains unchanged at Rs230,200 per tola

    Gold price remains unchanged at Rs230,200 per tola

    In a day of consistency, gold prices in Pakistan remained unaltered on Monday, mirroring the steady trend observed in the international market.

    According to data provided by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the local market reported no change in the price of gold per tola, maintaining a steady Rs230,200.

    Similarly, the 10-gramme gold price remained constant at Rs197,360.

    The international market echoed this stability, with the global rate of gold holding firm at $2,198 per ounce on Monday. APGJSA noted a premium of $20, maintaining the equilibrium of the precious metal’s value.

    In parallel, silver prices also exhibited stability in the local market, remaining fixed at Rs2,600 per tola.

    This unswerving trend further highlights the current stability in the precious metals market, providing insights for investors and enthusiasts alike.