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Tag: UK

  • Pakistan responds to UK’s concerns amid Red List travel ban

    Pakistan responds to UK’s concerns amid Red List travel ban

    The Pakistan government has responded to the United Kingdom (UK) government’s reasons for keeping the former on its travel Red List in a detailed letter written by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.

     Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari shared the letter on Twitter and said, “The table exposes claims of UK govt, clearly it has been a political decision.”

    Mazari further tweeted, “UK’s Conservative govt with a strong Indophiles’ presence playing discriminatory politics against Pakistan on Covid.”

    Dr Sultan in his letter writes that Pakistan has “no interest in allowing” its nationals who pose a health risk to other societies to travel abroad. He said this is a shared global objective.

    Dr Sultan presented a table comparing key indicators from Pakistan and some other countries in the region, which currently sit on the Amber List, to illustrate what he referred to as “obvious disparities”. He said that when looking at countries’ track record of managing the epidemic, “numbers alone, without context, can be deceptive”.

    The SAPM explained how the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in Pakistan were being conducted and highlighted that testing is done through “agreed-upon national algorithms”. He explained how it makes for “accurate and timely data inputs”.

    “We feel that the number of tests being done is a large enough sample size to be a sensitive and accurate barometer of the epidemic and the number, especially when seen with the percentage positivity rate, has accurately reflected the rise and fall of all the waves seen so far,” Dr Sultan wrote.

    SAPM agreed that Pakistan does have limitations in whole-genome sequencing throughput, compared to the UK, which is the current leader in this arena. So far 854 samples have been sequenced during July and August 2021 and the details are shared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) regularly.

  • Pakistani exiles in UK not on ‘hit list’, Pakistan rejects Guardian report

    Pakistani exiles in UK not on ‘hit list’, Pakistan rejects Guardian report

    Pakistan on Tuesday “categorically rejected” a report published in The Guardian, which alleges that Pakistan was cracking down on dissidents abroad, adding that such accusations were baseless.

    Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that the unsubstantiated allegations appeared to be part of the rather “blatant on-going misinformation campaign” against Pakistan to malign the country and its state institutions.

    “Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy with a vibrant civil society, free media, and independent judiciary, which remains fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights for all its citizens without discrimination,” said the FO spokesperson. “Our strong commitment to the right to freedom of opinion and expression is demonstrated by the presence of scores of vibrant media channels and newspapers in the country.”

    Chaudhri said it was regrettable that any news outlet provided a “platform for the peddling of unsubstantiated and false narratives against Pakistan”.

    British security sources are understood to be concerned that Pakistan might be prepared to target individuals on British soil, said a report published in The Guardian.

    According to the report, there are further warnings given by other intelligence services across Europe to Pakistani dissidents, including rights activists from Balochistan, journalists, and members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

    “If there is illegal pressure, in particular on journalists in the UK, then I would expect the law enforcement agencies and the British government to take notice of that and to make an appropriate legal and/or diplomatic response,” said Mark Lyall Grant, former UK High Commissioner to Pakistan.

  • Pakistan on Red List for not providing Covid-19 data, UK claims

    Pakistan on Red List for not providing Covid-19 data, UK claims

    The British government has claimed that the Pakistan authorities did not send them the Covid-19 data on vaccination and testing, which likely explains why Pakistan is still on the United Kingdom (UK) travel ban Red List while India and several other countries have been removed from the ban list and moved to the Amber category, Murtaza Ali Shah reports for The News.

    Social media users, Pakistani and some UK officials also criticised the UK’s decision to not move Pakistan from the Red List to the Amber List but it has now come to light that the Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) did not share the data of vaccination and testing with the UK authorities.

    The Pakistani government officials have claimed that the UK authorities did not ask them for any data; that the Pakistan government has been sharing data with the British High Commission in Islamabad. The data was accessible on the NCOC’s Twitter and the UK government could have easily checked it before making and announcing a decision on the latest removals and retention of the travel list.

    Several British Pakistani MPs wrote objection letters after it was announced that Pakistan would stay on the Red List while India was taken off the list despite worse Covid-19 situation.

     One British Pakistani spoke to a senior UK government minister who told the MP that Pakistan had failed to provide data to the UK government. There was no lobbying effort from the Pakistani government, which was why Pakistan remained on the Red List. Both the MP and the senior government minister wanted to be anonymous.

    On Friday, NCOC head Asad Umar, and SAPM National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan conducted a virtual meeting with Pakistani-origin Labour MPs Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Afzal Khan, Lord Wajid Khan, Imran Hussain, Yasim Qureshi, Pakistan High Commissioner Moazzam Ali Khan, Naz Shah and Dr Rosena Khan.

    Five MPs, who spoke to Geo and The News, confirmed that the subject was discussed during the meeting whether Islamabad had given data to London or not – after two MPs asked the same question to Pakistani ministers. The MPs told Pakistan officials what the UK government had told them about not sharing the data.

    According to the MPs, Asad Umar told them that the data was publicly available on the NCOC forums including Twitter and Youtube and the UK authorities could have got it. According to one MP, Faisal Sultan said that he had not spoken to British High Commissioner Christian Turner in “4-5 weeks”.

    The MPs said they asked Pakistani ministers and Pakistan High Commission diplomats what efforts had they made to engage with the UK government through the Foreign Office and the High Commission to get Pakistan off the list. The MPs said Pakistani officials had no response.

    The Pakistan High Commission said on Friday that the Pakistani envoy met PM Boris Johnson at Sandhurst Academy and highlighted the issue of Red List.

    During their meeting with Asad Umar and Faisal Sultan, the MPs said that the UK government believed that Pakistan was performing lower in areas over positivity rate, percentage of genomic testing, and types of viruses, vaccination rates and testing.

    In comparison, other countries fared well and came off the Red List. One MP told the Pakistani officials that Pakistan had conducted under 300 genomics tests in the whole year while some countries were conducting 2,500 genomics tests a month.

    At the end of the meeting, Asad Umar tweeted: “Had a session with some UK MP’s regarding the continuation of Pakistan on the red list. Shared data regarding Covid disease surveillance and explained Pak strategy for Covid response. Will engage with the UK govt to ensure that red list decisions are based on science not politics.”

    One MP said that at the end of the meeting, Asad Umar shared with them the information sheets that were required. “It’s clear looking at these sheets that Pakistan has up-to-date data but I feel Pakistan authorities should have shared the same with the UK government and run effective lobbying. The UK MPs have been raising their voice because they are under pressure from their constituents but it’s the government’s responsibility to have engaged with the UK government,” said the MP.

  • VIDEO: Emirates ‘flight attendant’ on top of Burj Khalifa to celebrate UK travel rules change

    VIDEO: Emirates ‘flight attendant’ on top of Burj Khalifa to celebrate UK travel rules change

    Emirates shared a 32-second clip of a woman in their airline cabin crew uniform standing on top of the Burj Khalifa to celebrate the removal of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the UK’s Red List.

    In the video, the woman can be seen holding boards that read: “Moving the UAE to the UK Amber List has made us feel on top of the world.” The camera then pans out to reveal that the crew member is at the tip of the tallest building in the world, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which stands at 830 meters.

    The brave ‘flight attendant’ was played by skydiver and stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludvik. She expressed her gratitude on Instagram, “This is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and exciting stunts I’ve ever done. A big shoutout to Emirates Airlines for your creative marketing idea! It was a pleasure being a part of the team.”

    The shoot was carried out with the help of a helicopter and drones.

    Nicole was required to stand on the top for hours and the stunt required a vast amount of planning and safety measures to go ahead, as per sources.

    Last week, the British government announced that the UAE and Bahrain will be removed from the UK’s travel Red List. The airline will soon resume its services in the United Kingdom.

    Unvaccinated passengers arriving from Amber List countries need to isolate for 10 days upon their arrival but can be released after five days with a negative test result. However, those who have been fully vaccinated do not have to self-isolate but must provide a negative Covid-19 test within two days of arrival.

  • Leaked audio reveals what happened in the #JusticeForNoor case

    Leaked audio reveals what happened in the #JusticeForNoor case

    In a leaked audio of Therapy Works, a counselling centre, it was revealed that Zahir Jaffer was a therapist for students.

    Despite being suspended from the programme, Zahir was an observer for level 5, which is an advanced level where students are allowed to take clients, but was not practically involved in the programme.

    Zahir was, however, allowed to take students as clients.

    As per the leaked audio, some time back, Zahir had a fight with his mother while he was in the United Kingdom (UK) and the police had to be called. He had a history of hard drinking and drug use. Despite his history, Therapy Works admitted it was wrong on their part to enroll him into the programme, level 3.

    Other social media accounts are stating that Tahir Ahmed stated that when Zahir’s brother got married earlier this year, Zahir was enraged about not being the center of attention. After which he started behaving very erratically.


    Tahir recommended that Zahir see someone for therapy but Zahir’s father, Zakir Jaffer refused.

    Senior Journalist Salman Masood writes, “Zahir detained Noor against her will for almost two days at his house in an upscale Islamabad neighbourhood. He forced her to make a phone call to her parents and lie about being in Lahore when family and friends started searching for her. Her efforts to escape remained unsuccessful.”

    A guard at the house saw Noor Mukadam trying to escape as she jumped off the balcony. When she jumped off the balcony, she landed on the Air Conditioner Unit ( Condenser). Zahir too jumped off from the balcony and grabbed her. The guard tried to help her but Zahir grabbed her by her hair and took her back into her room and locked the door. There was no other way inside the room, reports Geo News.

    Therapy Works sent their people after Zahir’s father had called for help. The people who came to the scene went up the balcony using a ladder. One of the men got into the balcony and Zahir came running with a knife to stab him. He saw what Zahir had done to Noor. The Therapy Works team grabbed Zahir and tied him up.

    Meanwhile, a neighbour had gone to the Koshar Police station to inform them about the happenings at Zahir’s residency. By the time the police reached, the team of Therapy Works had tied up Zahir.

    Noor was murdered and then beheaded. SSP Investigation Ata-ur-Rehman said, “When we arrested him, he was sound and in his senses. He may have had a past history [of taking drugs] but at least at this time he was completely in his senses.”

    The SSP also stated that while initially, the police had stated that Noor had been shot, there was now no evidence of her being shot. They did find a firearm at the residence but there was no proof that the gun was used on Noor.

    SSP Investigation Ata-ur-Rehman, said that the statements of the victim’s parents, and the suspect’s father, besides two security guards, have been recorded.

    The interior ministry has decided to put the alleged killer of Noor Mukadam on the Exit Control List (ECL) at the request of the Islamabad Police.

    Tahir Ahmed is also under investigation for Therapy Work’s alleged role in the incident.

  • Domestic violence surges in England after a football match ends: Study

    The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) UK, which provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic abuse, reported that incidents of domestic violence in England increase during major sporting events.

    “Not everyone is looking froward to the match tonight, Instances of domestic abuse increase 26% when England play and 38% if they lose,” the tweet said.

    A study in 2014 by academics at Lancaster University looked at the number of reports of abuse to a police force in the north-west of England during three football World Cups. They found that such reports increased by 26 per cent when the national team won or drew, and by 38 per cent when the team lost (other studies suggest abuse is worse when England wins). A new study, published on July 4, goes much further. Ria Ivandic, Tom Kirchmaier and Neus Torres-Blas of the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) have analysed 523,546 domestic-abuse incidents reported to the Greater Manchester Police between 2012 and 2019, alongside detailed information on 780 games played by Manchester City and Manchester United in that period. They have been able to disentangle why intimate partner violence increases after games and to create a timeline of when women are most at risk.

    Research from the London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance indicated a match increased the risk of family violence.

    The study suggested that although domestic abuse declined during the two-hour period when a game is played, it started to increase afterwards and peaked between 10 and 12 hours later.

    Meanwhile, a study released in Australia also found out the link between the major sporting events and domestic violence. The study revealed that domestic violence increased 40.7 per cent in New South Wales on State of Origin game days.

    On July 11, England and and Italy faced each other in Euro Cup Final 2020, which was considered as one of the biggest games in the world of sports. Italy defeated England to become champions of Europe again, for the first time since 1968, breaking English hearts in the process at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

  • UK health secretary resigns after kissing his colleague amid lockdown

    UK health secretary resigns after kissing his colleague amid lockdown

    United Kingdom (UK) Health Secretary, Matt Hancock resigned from his position on Saturday after being filmed kissing his colleague, in breach of coronavirus social distancing rules.

    The former secretary in his letter of resignation wrote to the British Prime Minster Boris Johnson “owe it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down”. The PM said he was “sorry” to receive the resignation, reported BBC.

    The 42-year-old, reportedly, was under a great deal of pressure from his fellow Conservative party members when a local tabloid revealed that he is having an affair with Gina Coladangelo, a friend from his days at Oxford University who he hired as an adviser in March last year. Mr. Hancock has also ended his 15-year marriage.

    Hancock routinely appeared on television urging Britishers to follow strict rules. Earlier this month plans to ease lockdown in England further got delayed because of concerns over the Delta variant of Covid.

    Recently, the country’s former finance minister Sajid Javid has been appointed as the new Health Secretary. He was born to Pakistani immigrant parents in 1969, who are originally from Toba Tek Singh, Punjab.

  • Boris Johnson marries fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony

    Boris Johnson marries fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has married his fiancee Carrie Symonds in a secret ceremony on Sunday.

    “The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds were married yesterday afternoon in a small ceremony at Westminster Cathedral,” a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.

    “The couple will celebrate their wedding with family and friends next summer.”

    Known for his colorful love life, 56-year-old Johnson wed Symonds, 33, in front of close friends and family, the Mail on Sunday and The Sun newspapers first reported.

    The weekend nuptials were a surprise development, after reports earlier this week said the couple had sent out “save the date” cards for a wedding on July 30 next year.

    The pair got engaged in December, 2019, and have a one-year-old baby son, Wilfred. Their original plans to marry last year were delayed by the pandemic.

    Political colleagues sent congratulations to the couple as the news became official Sunday.

    “I think it’s a wonderful thing for both of them that they have made their marriage vows to one another,” senior minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News.

    Around 30 guests attended Saturday’s service — the maximum currently allowed under coronavirus rules — in central London, after being invited at the last minute, according to the Mail on Sunday.

    A small number of church officials were involved and Downing Street aides were not informed, sources told the paper.

    Symonds arrived at the lunchtime nuptials in a limousine and wore “a stunning long and flowing white dress” but chose not to wear a veil, it added.

    There were no descriptions of Johnson’s attire, with the mop-haired British leader infamous for his often dishevelled appearance.

    He had four children with his previous wife, lawyer Marina Wheeler, before they split in 2018. The couple only finalised their divorce last November.

    Johnson also reportedly has a daughter born as the result of an affair.

    When elected in 2019, he became the first prime minister to live at Downing Street as part of an unmarried couple.

    Symonds, a former head of communications for the Conservative Party who has not been married before, gave birth to their son just weeks after Johnson left intensive care as he recovered from a severe case of coronavirus.

    Meanwhile, he is only the second British prime minister to marry while in power, and the first in nearly two centuries. The last was Robert Jenkinson in 1822.

  • Arshad Khan ‘Chaiwala’ to open 10 café outlets in UK

    Arshad Khan ‘Chaiwala’ to open 10 café outlets in UK

    Arshad Khan Chaiwala is planning to open 10 outlets of his Cafè Chaiwala in the United Kingdom (UK).

    After successfully establishing his own brand of Rooftop Cafè in Islamabad, Arshad has emerged as a quietly confident entrepreneur. In an interview with ARY’s Bakhabar Savera, Khan had also shared that he plans to open branches of Cafè Chaiwala across Pakistan soon.

    Now, Arshad has announced that he will establish his chai business in London as well. In a recent post on his official Facebook page, Arshad shared a photo himself along with the the announcement of opening a Cafè Chaiwala outlet in London.

    “Cafè Chaiwala will Insha Allah open its first Cafè outlet in London [by the] end of this year,” said Arshad. He also quoted Napoleon Hill, saying “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort.”

    Khan has signed a Franchise Agreement for running the business in the United Kingdom with two of his investors and affiliates. The agreement which is unique in scope, lays the foundations for Cafè Chaiwala Arshad to become a global brand.

    The first Chaiwala Cafè was first launched in Islamabad October 2020 and since then four franchise agreements have been signed. The two investors, Nadir and Yawer have considerable experience supporting and developing franchises with former based out of the UK while the latter is based in USA.

    The first Cafè Chaiwala outlet will open in London by the end of this year. Reports have further detailed that the first phase of the UK expansion will entail 10 outlets.

    For those who don’t know, Jiah Ali was the photographer who took the viral photograph of Arshad. Arhsad was working at his chai stall when Jiah discovered him selling chai in an open-air Sunday Bazaar. Jiah was stunned by his deep blue eyes and his model-like looks so she photographed him.

    She later shared her work on Instagram, marveling at his striking good looks. That’s when Arshad won gigantic recognition as the ‘Chaiwala of Pakistan’.

    From humble beginnings as a tea maker at a small dhaba in Islamabad to doing business on international waters, Arshad Khan Chaiwala’s journey from rags to riches is quite an exciting one.

  • TikTok is being sued for misusing data of millions of children

    TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDan could face a damages claim worth billions of pounds (dollars) in London’s High Court over allegations that they have illegally harvested the private data of millions of European children, Reuters has reported.

    That case will be heard next week and affected children could receive thousands of pounds each if the claim is successful.

    “TikTok is a hugely popular social media platform that has helped children keep in touch with their friends during an incredibly difficult year. However, behind the fun songs, dance challenges and lip-sync trends lies something far more sinister,” Anne Longfield, the former Children’s Commissioner for England told BBC.

    Longfield alleged that every child that has used TikTok since May 25, 2018, may have had private personal information illegally collected by ByteDance through TikTok for the benefit of unknown third parties.

    “Parents and children have a right to know that private information, including phone numbers, physical location, and videos of their children are being illegally collected,” she added.

    Read more- 10-year-old girl dies trying TikTok’s ‘blackout challenge’

    A TikTok representative said privacy and safety were the company’s top priorities and that it had robust policies, processes and technologies in place to help protect all users, especially teenage users.

    “We believe the claims lack merit and intend to vigorously defend the action,” the representative said.

    Earlier this year in March TikTok was banned in Pakistan due to immoral content, but the ban was later lifted.

    The popular video-sharing app was banned for the first time in October last year. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had blocked TikTok after the company “failed to fully comply” with its instructions for the “development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content”. Later, the ban was lifted when the TikTok management assured authorities that it will block all accounts repeatedly involved in spreading obscenity and immorality.