Author: newsdesk

  • Prisoners in Pakistan exposed to diseases in overcrowded jails: HRW

    Prisoners in Pakistan exposed to diseases in overcrowded jails: HRW

    According to a report released by Human Rights Watch, Pakistani authorities have systematically deprived prisoners of adequate health care, leaving thousands at risk of disease and death.

    The report, titled “A Nightmare for Everyone: The Health Care Crisis in Pakistan’s Prisons,” highlights the widespread deficiencies in prison health care in Pakistan and the impact on a total prison population of over 88,000 people. Outdated and discriminatory bail laws have contributed to severe overcrowding, with most prisoners still awaiting trial or conviction.

    Pakistan’s prison system is one of the world’s most overcrowded, with cells designed for a maximum of three people holding up to 15. This overcrowding has compounded existing healthcare deficiencies, leaving inmates vulnerable to communicable diseases and unable to obtain even basic health care, let alone emergency medical treatment.

    Human Rights Watch interviewed 54 people, including former inmates, lawyers, prison health officials, and advocacy organizations working on prisoner rights, and found that the principal cause of overcrowding is the dysfunctional criminal justice system itself. Most inmates are under trial and have yet to be convicted, and the majority facing criminal trials are poor and lack access to legal aid.

    The crisis in prison health care reflects deeper failures in access to health care across Pakistan, exacerbated most recently by an economic crisis. Corruption among prison officials and impunity for abusive conduct contribute to serious human rights abuses.

    The report calls for urgent, systemic reform of Pakistan’s prison system, including changing bail laws, expediting the trial process, and prioritizing noncustodial sentences to reduce overcrowding. Pakistani governments at the federal and provincial levels should urgently adopt measures to bring health care in its jails and prisons in line with international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

  • Bollywood set to make biopic on legendary Pakistani host, Begum Nawazish Ali

    Indian streaming platform EORTV has announced that they are in the process of making a biopic based on the life of the queer icon and Pakistani television host Ali Saleem, who was famous for his cross-dressing alter ego Begum Nawazish Ali. His popular talk show ‘Late Nights With Begum Nawazish Ali’ featured interviews with actors, politicians and even religious figures. In 2010, Saleem, along with actress Veena Malik, were the first Pakistanis to take part in the famous reality show ‘Big Boss’.

    Saleem had described himself as gay, bisexual and even transgender.

    According Deepak Panday, the CEO of EORTV, the channel was planning to approach actor Mallika Sherawat for the role. He also elaborated on the reason they had chosen to film this story:

    “This is a strong story, a story of boldness and courage. The character is multifaceted and needed someone as courageous and undaunted as the Begum thyself. I am planning to approach Mallika Sherawat for this role as she would be apt for a fearless performance like this. It is important to create stories like these that can encourage more and more people to be open about their sexuality and sexual preferences. This is going to be a story of an unapologetically fearless man who’s leading a life of his own choice in spite of living in a politically warm environment”.

    He further went on to say:

     “Begum Nawazish Ali’s background and childhood is interesting but the journey he makes in due course of his life is even more interesting. He has interviewed the who’s who from business, politics, entertainment with gusto. He has courted satire and controversy but managed to make a place in the hearts of the common man. His life will make for very compelling content on screen”.

  • ‘Ready to sit with anyone’: Khan willing to attend MPC if election date on agenda

    ‘Ready to sit with anyone’: Khan willing to attend MPC if election date on agenda

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has shown readiness to attend a Multi-Party Conference (MPC) if it is convened to discuss mechanisms and dates for elections.

    “I am ready to sit with anyone and all of those who are prepared to hold elections within the Constitution,” said Khan while talking to Kazim Khan, president of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors.

    Talking about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Khan said, “Rana is more of a terrorist than an interior minister and this coward would be proceeded against for hurling threats on my life.”

    “He [Rana Sanaullah] is preparing the ground for my political or physical elimination as he is the key player. He is one of the three characters, who are after my life: both political and physical. I have already named other two (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a high-ranking official of intelligence setup) and the interior minister has been cast as third character, who is now (mentally) preparing people for the eventuality,” said Khan.

    In a televised address, Khan said if elections are delayed beyond April 30, even for a day, it would mean there is no constitution or law in the country and his party would resist any such move. “I have told PTI candidates to continue their campaign for elections as if polls are going to held on April 30.”

  • Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, commonly known as the Islamabad Police, have conferred the honorary title of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) upon the celebrated Pakistani fast bowler, Haris Rauf.

    The appointment was marked by a ceremony held by the ICT in Islamabad, during which Rauf was attired in police uniform and the title was bestowed upon him by the IG of the Islamabad Police, Dr Akbar Nasir Khan.

    Rauf expressed his enthusiasm at being appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the ICT Police on Twitter.

    Rauf has made significant contributions to the Pakistani cricket team by claiming 72 T20I wickets and 30 ODI wickets. Recently, he was also spotted at the Wagah Border with the PSL 8 Trophy, which he won with the Lahore Qalandars.

    It is noteworthy that this trend of police departments appointing Pakistani pacers as goodwill ambassadors seems to be gaining traction, as earlier this year, Naseem Shah was also conferred with the DSP rank and appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Balochistan Police. The event was marked by a function held at the IG Balochistan Police Office in Quetta.

  • Election suo moto: Supreme Court will hear the case tomorrow

    Election suo moto: Supreme Court will hear the case tomorrow

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone polls in Punjab was taken in haste.

    During the hearing, the criticism from top court judges, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail was also discussed.

    “Two honourable judges gave a decision. It’s the opinion of those two judges but is not related to the current case. Do not bypass a sensitive matter,” remarked the CJP.

    However, the two judges also said that the suo motu proceedings initiated by the CJP were “wholly unjustified”, besides being initiated with “undue haste”.

    About the polls matter, CJP Bandial remarked that the court does not want to drag this matter. He also said that elections are necessary for a democracy.

    The hearing was then postponed till 11:30am tomorrow (Wednesday).

    CJ Bandial says he respects colleague’s criticism, resumes hearing over polls

    After criticism of the unfettered powers enjoyed by Bandial by his fellow judges Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, the head of the apex court said that the note is his colleagues’ opinion.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the five-member larger resumed the hearing on election suo moto, with Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail sitting on the bench.

    ‘One-man power show’: Chief Justice under fire by his own colleagues

    On March 27, the top court judges said that the suo moto taken by the top court over the delay in elections was rejected by four judges so there is no point in the proceedings of the case.

    Turning their guns toward CJP Bandial, the two judges said that the SC can’t rely on him for its decision. Using strong words against the CJP, both of them were of the view that institutions should review this “one-man power show”.

    “When one person has too much power, there is a risk that the institution may become autocratic and insulated, resulting in one-man policies being pursued, which may have a tendency of going against the rights and interests of the people,” the document read.

    They said that CJP has unlimited powers and he can enjoy that tirelessly.

    Regarding the election matter, the top court judges directed Lahore High Court (LHC) and Peshawar High Court to settle the problem in both provinces.

    It should be noted that the Supreme Court had taken notice itself regarding the date of the election in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and initially a 9-member larger bench was formed on it. However, later, a five-member bench heard the case and announced that elections should be held within 90 days.

    Earlier, a bench headed by Bandial heard a plea by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the Election Commission’s decision to delay Punjab elections till October 8.

  • Seven times Pakistani celebrities had cringe-worthy ideas about marriage, home making

    Pakistani celebrities should stick to their day jobs of making cringe worthy dramas and films, rather than sharing their totkay about how to make marriages last and tips on how to keep their susral happy.

    Muneeb Butt made news yesterday when he revealed that they did not have a chef, because his wife Aiman Khan cooks during Ramazan, stating that it improves the emotional connection between wife and husband.

    Jee sir, humein batain aap nay kya kiya hai jis say aap ki marriage mein emotional connection improve hui? Or is it just women who need to work to keep the spark alive.

    Sadly, this wasnt the only time celebrities did not think before speaking. We have witnessed a spectacle of events in the past few years of some cringe-inducing home making and housewifery tips from the mouths of the leading public figures of Pakistan.

    Like the time model Sadaf Kanwal lectured women on how to become their hubby’s nanny by cleaning up after him because obviously feminism and Aurat March is breaking up our families.

    Or the time Sanam Saeed stepped in to suggest that every woman should give their husband the same attention as they would provide to a child. Video courtesy of ARY DIGITAL

    Let’s not forget the moment when veteran actress Meera tried to prove her cooking skills with a 35 minute recipe that involved clean water, olive oil and thora sa namak. Video courtesy of Samaa

    Or if you need a tip on how to woo your wife on national television? Agha Ali has the best advice. Video courtesy of ARY DIGITAL.

    Ya phir any advice on how to pick your ideal man? Hira Mani has the best tip which involves back stabbing your best friend. Video courtesy of BOL Network.

    How to ensure women are respected in their homes and not treated as domestic labor? Nida Yasir thought she was hitting the jackpot when she decided to invite saas and their bahus on national television and encourage them to reveal their petty critiques to everyone. Video courtesy of Ary Digital.

  • Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    In the spirit of Ramzan, the Sikh community in Peshawar has continued its tradition to serve Iftar to fasting Muslims with the objective of promoting love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different faiths.

    Sikh families living in the Mohalla Jogan Shah area of the walled city take turns to arrange food; as a result these ‘dastarkhawans’ work round the month.

    The community not only makes arrangements for Muslim brothers but also distributed rations among the needy and poor. Each of the ration packs consists of essential items including cooking oil, rice, pulses, chickpeas, beans, sugar, and tea.

    Chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the National Peace Council for Interfaith Harmony Jatinder Singh said that the objective behind this practice by Sikhs is “to promote love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different”. Pointing out that his community had lived in the country for generations, he said they wanted to convey a message of mutual coexistence among its citizens.

    Sikh traders also announce special discounts in their shops during Ramzan besides donating money to the needy.

  • US disassociates itself from Zalmay Khalilzad’s statements on Pakistan and Imran Khan

    US disassociates itself from Zalmay Khalilzad’s statements on Pakistan and Imran Khan

    The United States (US) has come forward to clarify that its former envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad’s disapproval of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s attempted arrest and his view on Pakistan’s political situation doesn’t reflect the country’s foreign policy.

    State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Zalmay did not speak for the administration of President Joe Biden as he is a “private citizen”.

    On March 14, Zalmay tweeted that Khan shouldn’t be arrested as it will deepen the crisis and called for early elections. He also said that Pakistan “despite great potential, is underperforming and falling far behind its archrival, India.”

    After these statements, Pakistan’s Foreign Office advised him to refrain from offering advice on the country’s domestic issues. 

    Zalmay had served as the special envoy for Afghan reconciliation under both the former US President Trump and current President Joe Biden administrations.

  • Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Ace batsman and new recipient of one of the most important civilian awards, Babar Azam, is in the limelight again after a picture of him performing Umrah has gone viral.

    Netizens are claiming that the captain of the cricket team is performing umrah again this Ramadan.

    In the photo, the skipper can be seen wearing the Ahram at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. After the picture surfaced online, fans congratulated Babar for performing another Umrah as the latter was in Saudi Arabia last Ramadan too.

    Now Geo News has said that the this is fake news and Babar Azam is not performing Umrah this year. He was resting, having skipped the Afghanistan three-match T20 series too Sources told Geo Super that Babar Azam is not in Saudi Arabia and currently he is at his home in Lahore.

    The right-handed batsman will be participating in a first-ever Ramadan Cricket Tournament in Lahore, starting tomorrow. Reliable sources said that the cricketer is planning to perform Umrah later this Ramadan.

    Meanwhile, on Monday evening Babar shared a video while playing golf in Lahore.

    The superstar is set to lead the Ghani Institute of Cricket (GIC) in a Ramadan tournament. His team will also feature Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Usama Mir, and Abbas Afridi.

  • 20 Umrah pilgrims dead, dozens injured in the bus accident in Saudi Arabia

    At least 20 Umrah pilgrims died and 29 were injured on Monday in a bus accident in southern Saudi Arabia.

    Local media has reported that the pilgrims, all of the different nationalities, were heading towards Masjid ul Haram in Mecca to perform Umrah.
    The accident, which occurred as a result of brake failure, took place on a road linking Asir province and the city of Abha.

    Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the death of the pilgrims.

    In a statement released on Tuesday, he commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.

    Saudi civil defence and Red Crescent Authority teams rushed to the site of the accident and cordoned off the area.

    The deceased and the injured have reportedly been transferred to nearby hospitals.