Current Final

Tag: Pakistan

  • Pakistan’s Population: A Brighter Future For All

    Population Experts and Government officials gathered in Islamabad to discuss improving population health in Pakistan.

    Islamabad, Pakistan – May 24, 2023 – Today marks the beginning of a two-day learning event by DAFPAK, a leading organization dedicated to improving population health outcomes in Pakistan, focused on ensuring a brighter future for Pakistan, titled “Pakistan’s Population: A Brighter Future For All.”

    Delivering Accelerated Family Planning In Pakistan (DAFPAK) is a £90m Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) programme that aims to improve family planning outcomes across Pakistan by improving access to family planning services for the most vulnerable and disseminating messages for the common good under a platform called KhairKhwah.

    “The British High Commission has been investing in family planning since 2012. Our current support programme, DAFPAK is the largest donor-funded program on family planning which has served over 8 million women and girls in mostly marginalized areas”, said Andrew Dalgleish, Acting British High Commissioner to Pakistan while addressing the event in Islamabad.

    Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, emphasized the urgency of addressing the population growth rate, stating, “Unless we control our population, we won’t be able to distribute resources in a manner where we can provide healthcare, education and bright futures to our people. Our future is linked to how fast we can control Pakistan’s population growth.”

    Rapid population growth in Pakistan has created immense pressure on the country’s resources, and it has become difficult to provide essential services such as healthcare and education to all citizens. The event aims to address these issues and come up with strategies to improve population health.

    Dr Sara Shahzad, Health Advisor, FCDO highlighted the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved partnerships with the private sector, and a holistic multi-sectoral approach towards family planning.

    Goodwill Ambassador for Population & Family Planning, Shehzad Roy, while addressing the event emphasised the significance of transforming mindsets alongside policy changes. “As a global ambassador of Family Planning, I would like to share that while inventing new policies is very important, what’s even more important is changing mindsets because only then we’ll be able to bring true change.”
    Over the course of two days, participants will share their insights on family planning, population growth, and its impact on the country. The event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.

    The event is being organized by Palladium Pakistan under DAFPAK-PSSD in collaboration with UNFPA, PSI, MSS, DKT, and M&C Saatchi in partnership with The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Islamabad, and provincial Health and Population Welfare Departments of Punjab, Sindh, and KP.

  • ‘Democratic values, freedom of expression, rule of law should be applied to everyone’: US state department on Pakistan political crisis

    ‘Democratic values, freedom of expression, rule of law should be applied to everyone’: US state department on Pakistan political crisis

    United States (US) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, while briefing the media in Washington on Tuesday, said that US is closely monitoring Pakistan’s political situation adding that his country has “no a position on one political candidate or another”.

    “We call for the respect and equal application of democratic principles, freedom of expression around – and rule of law around the world, and of course, in Pakistan we urge that these principles be respected for all people,” said Miller while replying to a question about a crackdown following May 09 protests.
    “We have already said that we are monitoring the situation in Pakistan, there is no position on any single political candidate or party, the enforcement of democratic values, freedom of expression, and the rule of law should be applied to everyone,” he added.

    On May 09, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets after Imran Khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court. In the ensuing riots, many military and government installations sustained damage, most notably, Jinnah House, the residence of Corp Commander Lahore.

  • Khawaja Asif says government is considering banning PTI

    Khawaja Asif says government is considering banning PTI

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said on Wednesday that the federal government is considering putting a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    While talking to members of the press in Islamabad, the federal minister said, “It is under consideration to ban the PTI,” citing what he called an attack on the very basis of the state by PTI.


    “The PTI has attacked the very basis of the state, that never happened before. It can’t be tolerated”.


    “The May 9 events were way different than those political movements which took place in the 1970s and 80s. They never targeted our defense institutions, they didn’t challenge the writ of the state, although they had political difference with the sitting government.”


    He further accused PTI chairman Imran Khan of coordinating attacks on military installations. “There is a lot of evidence and their people are telling themselves that they were briefed about this beforehand,” he said.


    “I feel that his struggle of a year … all his plans failed and this was his last move against the armed forces,” he added.


    On May 09, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets after Imran Khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court. In the ensuing riots, many military and government installations sustained damage, most notably, Jinnah House, the residence of Corp Commander Lahore.

  • ‘Louder message to the killer, murderers’: Twitter celebrates Mashal Khan’s sister’s graduation

    Storiya Khan Mashal, sister of slain student Mashal Khan, has graduated with a degree in BioMedical Engineering from State University Of Buffalo. In a tweet, Storiya Khan wrote that she has dedicated her degree to her brother Mashal Khan who was killed by a mob in 2017 at his university.

    “Graduated from The State University of New York – University at Buffalo with a Degree in Biomedical Engineering I have also completed my “Student Engagement Ambassador’s Internship and Peer Mentorship. I dedicate my degree to Mashal Khan the Martyr of Knowledge,” she wrote in her tweet.

    https://twitter.com/StoriyaM/status/1660991287867191298

    Twitter is celebrating Storiya’s graduation after the family faced the tragedy with courage. Have a look at the tweets here:

    Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was lynched by a mob and shot over allegations of blasphemy on April 13, 2017.


    In June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team concluded that the allegations of blasphemy against Mashal Khan were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against him.

    https://twitter.com/Biaacc85/status/1661164682051297281

    Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was lynched by a mob and shot over allegations of blasphemy on April 13, 2017.


    In June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team concluded that the allegations of blasphemy against Mashal Khan were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against him.

  • ‘They will not let you go without a press conference’; court orders Asad Umar’s immediate release

    ‘They will not let you go without a press conference’; court orders Asad Umar’s immediate release

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday morning accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar’s plea for bail and ordered that he be released immediately.

    However, Justice Gul Hasan Aurangzeb passed cryptic remarks to Asad Umar’s lawyer Babar Awan, stating that, “They will not let you go until you hold a press conference.”

    To which Babar Awan replied, “We are not going to hold a press conference.”

    The remarks seem to be in reference to PTI members holding press conferences to either denounce the May 9 attacks on military installations or announce that they are leaving PTI.

    On Tuesday, Shireen Mazari said in a short press conference that she’s leaving PTI and politics too, citing what her children went through during her detention.

    The IHC has ordered Asad Umar to delete two tweets and give in writing that he will not take part in protests.

    Justice Aurangzeb warned that if Asad Umar renegades on his affidavit to the court, he should be prepared to forget about his political career.

  • Twitter weighs in on the times movies and dramas downgraded from the originals

    Do you feel like sometimes the entertainment industry should maybe stop tearing apart masterpiece films by remaking them over and over again? Once a television show is done and over with, don’t try to re-vamp the hype by drawing up another couple of seasons. Instead maybe try to come up with more original shows?

    This debate began on Twitter when a user shared their distate with the recent season of ‘Khuda Aur Muhabbat’, starring Iqra Aziz and Feroze Khan, saying that Season 1, which had starred Imran Abbas, was much better.

    It led to more Twitter users coming up with their suggestions of shows and movies they feel weren’t necessary at all. Here are some of the replies, and honestly we’re shook.

    This even led to Bollywood fans jumping in to share their opinions about the films that had failed to surpass the original’s.

  • Twitter demands release of Imran Riaz Khan

    Twitter demands release of Imran Riaz Khan

    Twitter users are demanding the release of anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, who has been missing since May 11.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah appeared on Munizae Jahangir’s programme on Aaj News on May 22. During the show, he was asked about Imran Riaz Khan’s whereabouts to which he said that there is a possibility that Imran Riaz Khan has planted his own abduction to defame ‘agencies’.

    Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar yesterday revealed that there was no trace him at any police department across the country.


    Imran Riaz Khan was arrested by the police on May 11 from Sialkot Airport.

    The vlogger is a prominent supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Have a look at the tweets demanding his release:

  • Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Sections of the Indian media have announced that India will agree to the hybrid model with a few caveats attached.

    The uncertainty surrounding Asia Cup 2023 hosting venue is seemingly about to be resolved amicably on some give and take conditions, the two neighboring boards Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided, with both holding negotiations on what they can do for each other.

    Indian media reports have stated that if Pakistan will give written surety that they will travel to India for World Cup 2023 than they will accept the hybrid model proposed by PCB.

    BCCI will formally announce the decision at its May 27 meeting of the general body of the board.


    However, there are now questions on the statement of PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi in which he said without mincing his words that if India agreed on hybrid model then Pakistan will also propose a similar model for the World Cup in which the country will play their matches in Dhaka.

    If India has security concerns in Pakistan, likewise Pakistan has security concerns in India.


    In a recent statement Mr. Sethi cleared that he has not said that Pakistan will not play the International Cricket Council (ICC) mega event. It is the decision of the government, he said.

    According to hybrid model, India will play their matches at a neutral venue like UAE or Sri Lanka.


    According to sources, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will announce the Asia Cup schedule after India’s decision.

    It should be noted that the ICC World Cup is to be played in India this year, but before that, the Asia Cup will be hosted by Pakistan, in which India refused to participate, after which Pakistan also refused to go to India to participate in the World Cup. However, discussions are ongoing between the two boards on the hybrid model proposed by Pakistan.

  • Musarrat Jamshed Cheema to leave PTI along with husband

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Jamshed Cheema and his wife Musarrat Jamshed Cheema have decided to quit PTI, their lawyer confirmed on Tuesday.

    “I am confident that they will quit PTI as soon as they come out of jail,” their lawyer said after he met them both in jail.

    The husband and wife duo have been in jail since the last 12 days. They were arrested after the May 9 protests in which PTI supporters clashed with law enforcement agencies.

    The Cheemas are not the first to leave the party which has been besieged by politicians leaving it in droves. In the past week, many leaders, including Imran Khan’s close friend Amir Kiyani and Malik Amin Aslam, have quit PTI.

    Party Chairman Imran Khan, in an informal conversation with media in Islamabad today, said that people are not leaving the party by choice, they are being forced to leave.

    A rather confident Imran further said that parties do not end like this, they end in the way Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is ending.

  • Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Abdul Rehman in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V in 2022, has been arrested in Sweden. The breakthrough was confirmed by a senior police official on Monday.

    According to Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) South Asad Raza, Nisar was apprehended by Swedish authorities.

    “A Swedish police delegation has also arrived in Karachi,” the SSP said. He further said that the suspect will be transferred to Karachi in ten to fifteen days after the completion of all legal formalities.

    Karachi police also made contact with Interpol to request their assistance in arresting the suspect.

    According to the police, Nisar came to Karachi last year from Sweden in November. He lives there with his wife and two children.

    Murder:

    A heated exchange between Khurram Nisar and the police officer came to light in CCTV footage last year, in which the accused was seen pulling out his gun after getting out of a black car.

    Khurram is the son of a former Deputy Commissioner. According to the authorities, he had arrived in Karachi on November 5, 2021 from Sweden, before flying back in November the next year.