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Tag: Pakistan

  • Video: Woman Qazi performs Nikkah ceremony

    Video: Woman Qazi performs Nikkah ceremony

    A woman in India has performed the nikkah of a couple, Indian news agency, IANS has reported. The video is being widely shared on social media. The woman who performed the nikkah is Dr Syeda Saiyadain Hameed, former chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University.

    The nikkah of Gibran Rehan Rahman and Ursila Ali took place on Friday at the mansion of the country’s third President, with close friends and family in attendance. The groom, Gibran is the great-grandson of former President Dr Zakir Hussain.

    Dr Hameed said that the added significance of this Nikahnama is the Iqrarnama (agreement) “which enlists the conditions mutually agreed upon by the bride and groom, pertaining to the equal rights and responsibilities along with respect and regard for all aspects of married life.”

    “The terms set forth in the nikaahnama were prepared under the auspices of the Muslim Women’s Forum, an organisation of which the groom’s great-grandmother Begum Saeeda Khurshid was a founding president,” she added.

  • Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday said that he did not join politics to know the prices of aaloo and tamatar (potatoes and tomatoes) but decided to become a politician for the sake of the country’s youth. 

    Addressing a rally in Hafizabad, the premier promised the people of Punjab that his government will work on the development of the province, something which he claimed would be “unprecedented” in the history of the country.

    I joined politics for the sake of the country’s youth: Khan

    “I didn’t join politics to know the prices of potatoes and tomatoes. I joined it for the sake of the country’s youth,” the premier said. “If we want to become a great nation, we will have to support the truth, and this is what I have been preaching for the last 25 years.”

    The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan wanted equal ties with all the countries. “But as a prime minister of a country with a 220 million population, it is my first and foremost duty to protect people’s rights and interests of the country. I will not allow any policy that harms our motherland. I will not compromise on the national interests just for seeking the pleasure of any country,” he stressed.

    Past PMs of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president

    Taking a dig at the Opposition and how leaders of different parties criticised him for issuing statements against the European Union (EU) envoys, the premier said that in the past, prime ministers of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president and used Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal’s slip of the tongue “kaanpein taang rahi hoti thein” as an example. 

    The premier went on to say that when he rebuked the envoys of European countries for asking Pakistan to explicitly condemn Russia for attacking Ukraine, Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were “trembling”.

    “My criticism of EU was justified,” the premier said, adding that Opposition leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thought it was “grave injustice” to chide EU envoys.

    The prime minister said that whenever a foreign diplomat came to meet Shehbaz Sharif, he would quickly change into a suit and a tie.

    “Since I know the West better than everyone else, I can assure that they do not respect people who polish their boots,” he said. “They respect nations who stand up for themselves.” 

    On the ‘terrorist’ living in London

    PM Imran Khan also spoke about the US War on Terror and the ensuing drone attacks in Pakistan, calling it a “violation of human rights”. He also talked about a “terrorist” living in London for the last 30 years, saying that this terrorist was responsible for the killing of more people than those killed by US drones. 

    He said he once told a group of European representatives whether they would allow the use of drones against a terrorist and criminal sitting in London who had killed scores of people in Karachi. The premier was apparently referring to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.

    PM Imran further said the United States carried out 400 drone strikes inside Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 but governments led by PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) never opposed them.

    “We want cordial relations with all countries but will not compromise on national interest… I would not bow down to anyone nor would I allow the nation to give in before anyone.”

    On the contrary, the prime minister said, he had always opposed those attacks, staged sit-ins, and gave statements in the United States and the United Kingdom, calling these attacks a grave violation of basic human rights and global principles.

    ‘One-million-strong’ power show at D-Chowk

    The premier then talked about transforming Pakistan into an exemplary welfare society, based on the model of the State of Madinah.

    “I formed Rehmatul-Lil-Alameen Authority in the country so that every Pakistani child becomes aware of the life and teaching of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and stay on the path of the truth.”

    As part of the PTI-led government’s strategy to thwart the Opposition’s no-trust bid, it was decided during the meeting that a one-million strong rally would be staged at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of the no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament.

  • Twitter spots Vicky Kaushal watching Pak VS Aus Test series in Karachi

    Twitter spots Vicky Kaushal watching Pak VS Aus Test series in Karachi

    While all the cricket fans are disappointed by the performance and pace of cricketers during the ongoing historic Pakistan-Australia Test series, one thing has proved to lighten up our mood.

    Twitterati spotted Indian actor Vicky Kaushal’s doppelganger watching the second Pak vs Aus Test series in Karachi.

    Known as Salauddin Khan, the doppelganger posted a side profile picture of himself on Saturday with a caption, which says: “First ever experience in the stadium. And guess what. It was shitty.”

    https://twitter.com/salao786/status/1502652116367720452?s=20&t=-JYKalQSMOFXcd9RHjkOeg

    After this, people immediately started commenting on his uncanny resemblance with Kaushal.

  • Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan

    Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr Faisal Sultan has announced that the government has decided to shut down the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC).

    According to Dr Sultan, PM Khan himself is expected to formally announce the shutting down of NCOC by the end of next month. He said that the responsibilities of the NCOC will be carried out by the National Institute of Health.

    March 27 will mark the 2nd anniversary of the establishment of the NCOC.

    NCOC was established after the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan. The centre is the main entity in charge of Pakistan’s national Covid-19 effort’s policies and implementation.

    In recent months, the rate of Covid cases in Pakistan has gotten low after almost three years of fighting the global pandemic.

  • ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    Pakistan took notice of the clarification by the Indian Defence Ministry regretting the “accidental firing” of the Indian-origin missile into Pakistani territory and demanded a “joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident”.

    In a statement issued today (March 12), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the grave nature of the incident raised several fundamental questions regarding security protocols and technical safeguards against the “accidental or unauthorised launch of missiles in a nuclearised environment”.

    “Such a serious matter cannot be addressed with the simplistic explanation proffered by the Indian authorities,” said the Foreign Office (FO) statement.

    Pakistan said some of the questions that need to be answered include:

    • India must explain the measures and procedures in place to prevent accidental missile launches and the particular circumstances of this incident.
    • India needs to clearly explain the type and specifications of the missile that fell in Pakistani territory.
    • India also needs to explain the flight path/ trajectory of the accidentally launched missile and how it ultimately turned and entered Pakistan?
    • Was the missile equipped with self-destruct mechanism? Why did it fail to actualise?
    • Are Indian missiles kept primed for launch even under routine maintenance?
    • Why did India fail to immediately inform Pakistan about the accidental launch of the missile and waited to acknowledge it till after Pakistan announced the incident and sought clarification?
    • Given the profound level of incompetence, India needs to explain if the missile was indeed handled by its armed forces or some rogue elements?

    “The whole incident indicates many loopholes and technical lapses of serious nature in Indian handling of strategic weapons,” said the statement, adding that the Indian decision to hold an internal court of inquiry is “not sufficient since the missile ended up in Pakistani territory”.

    “Pakistan, therefore, calls upon the international community to take serious notice of this incident of [a] grave nature in a nuclearised environment and play its due role in promoting strategic stability in the region,” the FO said.

    Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf tweeted yesterday that it has taken more than two days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.

    “This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians,” said Yusuf.

  • Appeal filed against acquittal of Zahir’s parents, seven others

    Appeal filed against acquittal of Zahir’s parents, seven others

    On behalf of Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, different appeals have been filed by lawyer Shah Khawar in Islamabad High Court (IHC), reports Arab News. The appeals challenge the acquittal of Zahir’s parents, Asmat Adamjee and Zakir Jaffer. The appeal also challenges the acquittal of domestic helper Jamil, and six Therapy Works employees including its CEO Tahir Zahoor.

    The appeal states, “Digital evidence is available against the accused. The acquittal of the trial court was against the law.” “The accused should be punished in accordance with the law,” it added.

    A sessions court on Feburary 24 sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam. The staff members at Zahir’s house who aided in keeping Noor in Zahir’s house, Iftikhar and Jameel, were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict. All other accused were acquitted, including Zahir’s parents and TherapyWorks staff.

  • FIFA to lift suspension imposed on Pakistan Football Federation soon after banning it last year

    FIFA to lift suspension imposed on Pakistan Football Federation soon after banning it last year

    Federation Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) has reportedly regained control of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters. The action will also pave the way for FIFA to lift the suspension on PFF.

    The newly appointed chairman of FIFA’s appointed NC Haroon Malik announced the development on Twitter. He said, “Congratulations to the football family on the return of Football House. The FIFA NC recognises and lauds the contributions of Dr Fehmida Mirza in achieving this momentous milestone. We thank the entire football family for their support. It is now time to move forward together.”

    Last year, a group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain Shah was elected as PFF president in the 2018 elections but not recognised by FIFA.

    FIFA said its decision to suspend the PFF was prompted by the “hostile takeover”, which constituted a serious violation of its statutes.

    However, the normalisation committee will likely resume its day-to-day affairs of PFF headquarters from Monday.

    According to Geo News’ sources, the NC has already prepared an 8-month-long roadmap for elections in the PPF. The process will start later this month and will be supervised by the Government of Pakistan.

  • Indians call Pakistani response “very, very mature” on accidental Indian missile in Pakistani territory

    Indians call Pakistani response “very, very mature” on accidental Indian missile in Pakistani territory

    Indian journalists, former Indian diplomats, and others have said that the Pakistani response to an accidental Indian missile misfiring into Pakistani territory has been “very, very mature”.

    https://twitter.com/DilliDurAst/status/1502550520070045700

    Many also said that this accident is extremely dangerous and “shocking”.

    Former Indian diplomat K. C. Singh tweeted, “Such gross failure of command & control in a nation with nuclear weapons reflects very poorly on India. Imagine if it had been fired towards China. Retaliation may’ve been in kind or worse.”

    Journalist Sushant Singh wrote, “Nuclear weapon states don’t fire a missile into an adversary’s territory, accidentally or otherwise. Period.”

    Journalist Shekhar Gupta tweeted, “This is so worrying and, frankly embarrassing. A supersonic cruise missile strays from one nuclear weapon power into another. Stuff Cold War nightmares were made of. This could’ve led to unintended disaster. Good the Pakistanis kept their counsel.” He also wrote that Indian “warrior TV channels would’ve gone ballistic—with warheads, of course”.

    Author Jyotsna Mohan tweeted, “If Pakistan had ‘accidentally’ fired a missile 100kms into India, imagine how many would have gone to fight at the border from their couches and twitter.”

    Indian national security analyst Nitin A. Gokhale said the accident “should worry the brass”.

    Journalist Nirupama Subramanian said that Indian should have acknowledged missile fiasco “immediately after it happened instead of keeping quiet for 48 hours after the incident, and making a statement only after Pakistan announced it”. She added, “It’s a zero error job. no room for #galtisemistake.”

    Pakistan’s response to the Indian statement

    Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf tweeted that it has taken more than two days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.

    “This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians,” said Yusuf.

    Indian Ministry of Defence statement

    The Indian government on Friday (March 11) admitted that “a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile“, which in Mian Channu in Pakistan. The Indian statement came a day after Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar held a press conference about the supersonic missile from India. “Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain”, said DG ISPR, adding that the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.

  • Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan wins the title of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan wins the title of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan has won the title of the IBSF World Snooker Championship which was held in Doha, Qatar. He defeated Iranian player, Amir Sarkhos.

    Ahsan, 16, becomes the youngest snooker player from Pakistan to win the title after Muhammad Asif, who won the title in 2012 and 2019 while veteran Mohammad Yousuf won the title of the World Snooker Championship in 1994.

    In the final match, Ramzan was leading the game with 2-0. He scored 63-60 and 91-0 in the first two frames. However, Amir Sarkhos won the four frames consecutively to put more pressure on Ramzan. Amir led with 2-4 in the game after 6 frames.

    Ahsan Ramzan was emotional after winning the final and his senior Mohammad Asif lifted him on his shoulders.

    Pakistan has won the IBSF World Snooker Championship for the fourth time.

    While talking to the media, Ahsan Ramzan expressed his joy. “I started playing snooker at the age of 6 or 7. It wasn’t an easy sail for me to get out of my home first to the streets of my vicinity, then to main roads of my city, and then play provincial and national championship before qualifying to get here.”

    He also highlighted his journey of struggle and thanked all his family, friends, and seniors for their unconditional support.

    “People usually see just one player on a snooker table, but there’s a long struggle and journey behind that one player,” he added.

    Ahsan Ramzan requested the Pakistani government and society to treat cueists with respect as they give to cricketers.

    “I wish that when I go back home, I also get the heroic welcome that any other world champion would receive, it is my wish that we — snooker players — also get the same treatment from the society that our cricketers receive from them.”

    “I want the government to support snooker; I want society to support snooker.”

    Ahsan Ramzan defeated world defending champion, Mohammad Asif, who is also a Pakistani, to reach the final.

  • Indian government says missile fired at Pakistan accidentally due to technical malfunction

    Indian government says missile fired at Pakistan accidentally due to technical malfunction

    The Indian government has released a statement about a “high-speed flying object” that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal district, saying that it accidentally got fired due to a technical malfunction.

    The statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence says, “The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry.”

    “It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan. While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident.”

    Earlier this week, an object crashed in Mian Channu. On Thursday, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar said, “A high-speed flying object was picked up inside the Indian territory by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). From its initial course, the object suddenly manoeuvred towards Pakistani territory and violated Pakistan’s air space.”

    In his briefing he also said that “Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain”, adding that the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.