Author: newsdesk

  • Army deployed in Islamabad after PTI workers martyr four Rangers

    Army deployed in Islamabad after PTI workers martyr four Rangers

    Four Rangers personnel and two police officers were killed on Monday night prior to the deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital.

    According to Islamabad police, a fast car drove over the cops on the federal capital’s Srinagar Highway.

    The federal government has deployed the Army in the federal capital by invoking Article 245 as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) convoy crossed sector G-9. 

    A notification issued by the Interior Ministry states that the army has been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

    Reportedly, security forces have also been empowered to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight.


    Furthermore, a group of armed men reportedly pelted stones and opened fire on security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, leading to another Rangers official getting injured, who was transferred in a critical situation to CMH hospital.

    Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack on security forces and directed the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.


    Shahbaz Sharif maintained that anarchist group seeks bloodshed, observing that this is not a peaceful protest but extremism.

    Following the funeral of martyred police Constable Mubashar Bilal in Rawalpindi at Police Line in Rawalpindi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the federal government had offered PTI leadership an alternative to stage their sit-in at Sangjani rather than entering the Islamabad’s red zone.

    “They come [to D-chowk], and we let them go; this cannot happen; now, we have shown leniency where necessary, but once the red line is crossed, the government will take extreme steps,” the Interior Minister clarified.

    Meanwhile, according to local police, PTI demonstrators have reached Zero Point Islamabad from where the red zone premises start and where the army had already deployed.

    Zero Point

    The protestors reportedly pelted stones towards security personnel, and police have been shelling to disperse the demonstrators.

    Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and former First Lady Bushra Bibi also accompanied the convoy, which reached Zero Point Islamabad.

  • Two players to debut against Zimbabwe

    Two players to debut against Zimbabwe

    The management of the Pakistan cricket team  has announced the names of playing eleven for the second ODI against Zimbabwe.

    The second ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be played tomorrow in Bulawayo, for which two changes have been made to the national team.

    Tayyab Tahir has been included in the team in place of Haseebullah, and Abrar Ahmed in place of Muhammad Hasnain.

    Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir will play an ODI for Pakistan for the first time.

    The Pakistan team for the second ODI includes Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Niazi, Amir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram and Abrar Ahmed. 

    Zimbabwe won the rain-hit first mat h by 80 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

    First ODI 

    In the first ODI of the three-match ODI series, Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by 80 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis method.

    The first match of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was played in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in which the host team set a target of 206 runs for Pakistan to win.

    In pursuit of Zimbabwe’s target of 206 runs, Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled, and six players on the national team were out for 60 runs. After 21 overs of the match, the match had to be stopped due to rain, and the game had to be ended due to continuous rain.

    Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by 80 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis method.

    Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl against Zimbabwe; Faisal Akram made his debut for Pakistan.

    Zimbabwe were bowled out for 205 runs in 40.2 overs, with debutants Faisal Akram and Salman Ali Agha taking three wickets each.

    Haris Rauf dismissed one player while Abdullah Shafiq ran out a batter. In addition, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Hasnain returned one player to the pavilion.

    Chasing a target of 206 runs, the national team had a disappointing start. Openers Saim Ayub scored 11, and Abdullah Shafiq returned to the pavilion after scoring one run. Kamran Ghulam could score 17 runs, while Salman Agha was out after scoring four runs.

    Pakistan’s fifth wicket fell for 49 runs, and the fifth player to be dismissed from the national team was Haseebullah, who was out for a duck.

    Pakistan’s sixth wicket fell for 58 runs, while Irfan Khan was bowled for seven runs. After that, after adding two more runs, the match had to be stopped due to rain. Captain Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 19 runs, while Aamir Jamal was present at the wicket with him but could not score any runs.

    Pakistan’s final XI included Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haseebullah, Salman Agha and Irfan Khan. In addition, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain and Faisal Akram were also part of the final XI.

  • Vaibhav, 13, becomes youngest player in IPL history

    Vaibhav, 13, becomes youngest player in IPL history

    13-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the youngest player to become a part of Indian Premier League (IPL).

    The two-day player bidding ceremony for IPL season 2025 began in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.  Franchises bought the best players for crores of rupees for their teams.

    While most franchises made big names part of their team, a 13-year-old Indian cricketer, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, also became a part of the IPL for the first time when Rajasthan Royals bought Suryavanshi for 11 million Indian rupees.

    Suryavanshi became the youngest player to be bought by any team in the history of the IPL.

    On the other hand, Lucknow Supergiants bought Rishabh Pant for 27 crore Indian rupees, after which Pant became the most expensive player in the history of IPL.

    IPL 2025 will be the 18th edition of this tournament, scheduled to be played between March and May next year.

    Who is Vaibhav?

    Vaibhav was born on 27 March 2011 in the village of Tajpur in the state of Bihar. He started his cricketing journey at the age of just four, and then at the age of 9, his father got him admitted to a cricket academy in a nearby town.

    Vaibhav made his first-class debut for the state of Bihar in January 2024 at the age of just 13 in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Mumbai.

    Vaibhav Suryavinshi also scored a brilliant century against the Australia U-19 team while representing the India U-19 team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in the Youth Test.

    The young player played a brilliant innings of 104 runs off 62 balls and became the youngest player to score a century in the Youth Test format.

    Suryavinshi also became the second fastest century scorer in the Youth Test format and the fastest Indian player to score a century in this format.

  • Here’s why Hareem Farooq couldn’t refuse Bismil’s ‘Masooma’

    Here’s why Hareem Farooq couldn’t refuse Bismil’s ‘Masooma’


    Actress Hareem Farooq couldn’t resist playing the role of Masooma in drama serial ‘Bismil’ and here why.     

    Appearing on Something haute hosted by Hassan Choudhary she talked about her role in Bismil.

    “When I first discussed the role of ‘Masooma’ in Bismil, my primary focus was to align it with the director’s vision. I always asked the director [Aehsun Talish], ‘How do you see this character?’ I wanted to ensure we were on the same page.”

      
    “The director described Masooma as someone who acts out of innocence, not malice. This resonated with me because I believe people are rarely inherently evil. Their experiences shape their actions. Masooma’s impulsive decisions reflect innocence… where she doesn’t consider long-term consequences… a characteristic I find relatable in real life,” the Bismil actress explained.

    Talking about Masooma’s intentions, Hareem shared, “I wouldn’t call her a gold digger because it wasn’t just about money. She was also running after security, wanting power, wanting change in her life. She wanted that lifestyle for herself. It’s a very selfish manner, but she cared about securing her future. Once she has something in her grasp, she won’t let go. I think Masooma’s relationship with TT [Naumaan Ijaz] is more than just that of a gold digger… she is a selfish person, but not just running after money.”

    A scene from a recent episode had viewers questioning Masooma’s confidence. When asked about it, Hareem said, “She had the confidence, which she had before, but now it was more about believing she could marry a business tycoon. It seemed like she thought, ‘If I marry a business tycoon, I’ve made it.’ It was a display of confidence that, in a way, was also a mix of ignorance and stupidity.”

    The 22 Qadam actress went on to describe how Masoom’s newfound belief in her invincibility led her to think that. “I know I’ve married a business tycoon, and now I’m untouchable.”

    She also said that the ending of Bismil will leave viewers with a powerful lesson.

    “Wait for the end of Bismil, it’s going to teach a huge lesson to a lot of people.” 

    She also talked about how the story was relatable for people. “I was shocked how it was the story of almost every household. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people in my circle opened up to me. They said, ‘You know, as kids, as wives, and as husbands, we’ve been through the same thing.’ It’s not something that’s uncommon. It’s very common. But the sad part is that betrayal is very common.”

  • A. R. Rahman initiates legal action over accusations following divorce

    A. R. Rahman initiates legal action over accusations following divorce

    Music maestro A.R. Rahman has initiated legal action against slanderers, warning them of dire consequences if objectionable content surrounding his divorce with his wife, Saira Banu, is not removed.

    Rahman and Banu announced their divorce a few days ago, ending their 29-year-long marriage.

    With Rahman’s bassist Mohini Dey also announcing her divorce with husband Mark Hartsuch a day later, claims of a possible love affair flooded social media.

    While his son rubbished all claims, Rahman himself appealed for privacy regarding his personal life amid emotional turmoil.

    With netizens continuing to speculate, Rahman has now initiated legal action against those responsible for the campaign. Reports claim his legal team has demanded the removal of fabricated content and served official notices to individuals and platforms behind the rumours.

    Rahman’s lawyer says they would proceed with defamation lawsuits if the material was not removed within 24 hours.

    Sharing the notice on his social media, Rahman expressed his disapproval of certain media outlets and YouTubers making baseless stories about his private life.

    “I will not tolerate any defamatory content about my family. Legal action will be taken if the false rumors are not removed within 24 hours,” he said.

    His lawyer said that some interviews and programmes had misrepresented facts, causing harm to the composer’s reputation and his family. “We are fully committed to protecting A.R. Rahman’s reputation and will not hesitate to file defamation lawsuits,” he added.

    Earlier, his son, Amin, has expressed disappointment over the circulating rumours regarding his father.

    Following the announcement of his divorce, AR Rahman, his former wife Saira Banu, and their children requested privacy, but the appeal fell on deaf ears.

    After 29 years of marriage, A.R. Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation on Tuesday evening, asking the public to respect their private lives. Despite this, rumours have been circulating, with some linking Rahman’s divorce to Mohini Dey’s recent split. Rahman’s son has dismissed these speculations as baseless and disheartening.

    On social media, Amin shared a picture of a child and his father, captioning it, “What’s the difference between these two? Just their age.”

    In his post, Amin further wrote, “My father is a legend, not just because of his work but because of the values, respect, and love he has earned over the years.”

    Amin expressed frustration over the spread of false and unfounded rumours, urging people not to circulate incorrect information regarding his parents’ marriage.

    He clarified in an Instagram post that there is no connection between A.R. Rahman’s divorce and Mohini Dey’s separation.

    Earlier, Rahman’s daughter Raheema also took to social media, writing, “Always remember, rumors are spread by haters and fools, and only fools believe them. Live life honestly.”

  • We don’t earn enough from dramas to run our kitchens: Saheefa Jabbar Khattak

    We don’t earn enough from dramas to run our kitchens: Saheefa Jabbar Khattak

    The reality behind entertainment industry isn’t as glamorous as it seems as actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has revealed why making a living in the industry is tougher than it looks.  

    Appearing as a guest on After Hours with Ushna Shah, the Rafta Rafta actress opened up about the financial realities of working in Pakistani dramas, her journey in acting and the valuable lessons she learnt along the way.  

    “Making a living through acting alone isn’t easy,” Saheefa said while opening up about the struggles of running a household.

    “In our dramas, we don’t make enough money to keep our kitchens running. It can’t run unless I’m doing four projects in a year and also working on social media… making appearances and hustling a lot,” she added.

    When asked what lessons she has learnt from her modeling and acting career, Saheefa said it had taught her how to be patient.

    “Acting has taught me a lot of patience and gratitude. We are very privileged… very, very privileged. We come to the set in a car, we have AC… we get food. Our job is tough, I don’t contest that… but when I see the rest of the crew members who hold things for us while we do a scene, who make sure the sunlight doesn’t affect us… when I see them getting one meal a day while we are waiting for our coffee before the shoot, it makes me realise how privileged we are.”

    The Log Kya Kahenge actress also reflected on the importance of choosing meaningful projects.
       

    “I waited for a good project and didn’t regret it. I’ve learned that if I regret something, everything turns negative. Now, I am back… I don’t want to say that whatever I’m doing, I’m proud of it [but] I like it. It resonates with me and my soul. I don’t approve of it, but I know this is how it is right now. In my 8-10 years, I’ve learned that out of 10-15 projects, there’s always one that speaks to your heart and you do it for that one project. Even if it took 8-10 projects to get to that point,” Saheefa said.

  • Lahore High Court orders schools to arrange transport for children

    Lahore High Court orders schools to arrange transport for children

    The Lahore High Court, in a recent hearing, ruled that schools should provide transport to children after the winter vacations, while the government has announced a relaxation of smog restrictions in the city.

    Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court issued a three-page order on petitions regarding the smog issue.

    During the hearing, the court praised the Transport Department’s efforts to curb smog. Additionally, Punjab’s Advocate General informed the court that the provincial government is taking steps to control smog, including filing cases against those who burn crop residues.

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government has further relaxed smog restrictions in the city.

    Geo News reports that Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of the Environment Department, has issued a notification outlining these changes.

    The notification states that construction work is now allowed in four districts of the province, including Lahore. Brick kilns using zigzag technology will also be permitted to operate.

    Government and private offices can now operate with full staff. However, the decision to close shops, markets, and shopping malls at 8 pm will remain in place.

    Indoor and outdoor dining in restaurants will be allowed until 10 pm, while barbecues must install a hood system to operate.

    Heavy traffic will only be allowed to enter the districts from Monday to Thursday.

    These decisions apply to Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and Faisalabad.

    Earlier, the government declared a health emergency in Multan and Lahore – the two most polluted cities in the province.

    The Punjab government, in response to the severity of smog, imposed a “green lockdown” in Lahore, restricting commercial activities in identified smog hotspots and planning strict actions against violators.

    Previously, Secretary of Schools Punjab Khalid Nazir Wattoo announced that winter vacations in Punjab will begin on December 20 and end on January 10. This year’s break will last 20 days, a change due to shifting weather patterns, smog, and climate change.

  • Sohail Ahmed shares Diljit Dosanjh’s reaction to hearing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s name

    Sohail Ahmed shares Diljit Dosanjh’s reaction to hearing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s name

    Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legendary and melodious voice continue to leave an unforgettable impact, even on international stars like Diljit Dosanjh. 

    In a media talk, senior actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed has shared how Diljit reacts whenever he hears music legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s name.

    “Whenever I mentioned the name of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, by God, his eyes would lower. He would say, ‘I have listened to music from all over the world, but Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is from this land and I cannot understand who he was… I still can’t figure it out. He was beyond anyone’s comprehension,” he said.

    “People from India greatly admire our poetry, which is unmatched. They say that the poetry of Pakistan, the old poetry we had in our songs, is very special. They love our actors and singers, and they give respect to our musicians. You can see that our singers have been featured in their films. Without our singers’ songs, they wouldn’t have been able to make their films,” Sohail added.

    The Jeevan Nagar actor also raised an important point, asking why Pakistani artists needed to go international to gain recognition, stressing that they should be respected and celebrated in their own country.  

    “So why do we think that a star has to go international to be recognised in Pakistan? Why can’t we respect our own artists when they perform here? I have seen Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan perform at the Data Darbar in Lahore. Even then, he was already Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.”

    Sohail continued to share a personal memory of a conversation he had with famous Master Manzoor Sahib about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s talent.

    “I remember very well that I once spoke to a very famous master, Master Manzoor Sahib, and he said that Nusrat Sahib was like no other. His voice didn’t have the same quality as others; he was unique. He didn’t believe in anyone else,” the Standup Girl actor added.

    In 2022, Sohail worked on the film Baba Bhangra Paunde Ne alongside Diljit Dosanjh.

     02 years back in 2022, While speaking exclusively to Hello Pakistan, the Diljit Dosanjh said, “I think all the characters in this film were made for these actors who are playing them – no one else could do the role of Sohail Ahmed but him only, it’s tailor-made for him like it is for the rest of the cast that is part of this movie.”         

    “I believe that the actors that this story deserves are all part of it – a great project comes together when the right characters are met with corresponding actors. The film has a lot of art in it–if there is a good script and a good character, the artist likes to work. An artist is only hungry for people to like his work. I hope everyone who liked the trailer of this movie will also like the whole movie.”

  • FACT CHECK: Did PTI workers stop Ali Amin Gandapur from ‘fleeing’ on Nov 24?

    FACT CHECK: Did PTI workers stop Ali Amin Gandapur from ‘fleeing’ on Nov 24?

    A video of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has circulated on social media, showing party followers surrounding him and preventing him from leaving.

    The video has been claimed to be from the November 24 PTI protests, but journalists assert it is old.

    In the video, Gandapur can be heard urging party workers to let him go to the rest area for ablution, pledging to return after offering prayers.

    PTI followers blocked Gandapur’s car, fearing that the KP CM might escape from the scene, as he had done during recent protests.

    Last month, Ali Amin Gandapur disappeared from KP House in Islamabad, leaving thousands of party workers behind, only to suddenly appear before the KP provincial assembly in the evening.

    “We will go, Adiala,” a party follower can be heard replying to Gandapur.

    The video quickly gained attention, with netizens trolling Gandapur, claiming he wanted to escape to KP again.

    However, the video is old, and many journalists have since apologised for sharing it.

    Journalist Waseem Abbasi corrected himself after sharing the old video clip, noting he had been informed that the video of Gandapur arguing with party workers was from a previous incident, and he deleted the post accordingly.

  • Winter vacation dates for Punjab schools announced

    Winter vacation dates for Punjab schools announced

    Secretary of Schools Punjab, Khalid Nazir Wattoo, has revealed in a statement that winter vacations in Punjab will begin on December 20 and will last until January 10, reports Geo News.

    This year, the vacations will last 20 days, unlike previous years. The change is in response to shifting weather patterns, smog, and climate change, which have prompted the Punjab government to redesign its policies for the coming season.

    Initially, the schools were shut down by the Punjab government due to smog earlier in the month. Moreover, the school timings, along with the timings for office goers, have been changed. 

    In previous years, the schools were also closed by the Punjab for the same reason.