Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistani contestant at ‘The Voice’ moved social media, judges with her voice

    A Pakistani contestant on the popular Hollywood singing show ‘The Voice’ is garnering praise on social media for her powerful singing, which even received applause from the judges on the show!

    https://twitter.com/superkhadijaman/status/1635330298446778368?s=20

    Tasha Jessen, who was born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, sung ‘Rivers’ by Leon Bridges. Three judges on the show, Chance The Rapper, Niall Horan and Blake Sheldon, all turned around and wanted Jessen to become a member of their team.

    At her audition, Jessen revealed that she came from a family of singers but as a Christian born in Pakistan, it was incredibly hard for her to chase her dreams:

    “Growing up, my parents were super musical; my whole family sings,” said Jessen. “But life was hard in Pakistan because Pakistan is an Islamic country, and I was the one Christian kid in school.”

    Jessen explained that she stuck out like a ‘sore thumb’ and because of the ongoing religious persecution against Christians in Pakistan, her family fled to Thailand.

    “We had so much chaos happening around us, and we forgot about music,” she explained.

    Jessen later married Maverek and moved to United States last year, and often collaborated with her husband to sing at a local church in Colorado.

  • ‘Shameful’: Shehzad Ghias, Twitter users criticise Youtuber Mooro for Twitter threat

    On Tuesday police forces were deployed at Imran Khan’s house in Lahore to arrest him for avoiding court hearings under the ongoing Toshakhana case, leading to several clashes between police and protestors.

    Celebrities like Haroon Shahid expressed their support for Imran Khan, however he was criticized on Twitter for mocking a policeman who was injured at the protests. YouTuber Shehzad Ghias shared a screenshot of the tweet on his Twitter account. YouTuber Mooro sent him a threat in reply which sparked backlash.

    Mooro had defended his stance by saying that Ghias had been threatening his friends for a long time and ‘playing the victim’ all along.

    “Here is my position, its not about politics, this man, shehzad has embarassed and has been trolling my friends with his toxic tweets and false allegations over the years while holding a moral high ground and pretending to be victim and innocent its a ploy to gain attention.”

    To which Ghias responded by saying that he had spoken out against Ukhaano, another YouTuber who had harassment and sexual assault allegations against him, which he will stand by.

    “He has blocked me so no clue why he is continuing to tweet about at me. Saw the screenshot of his tweet though. He’s talking about the harassment and assault allegations against Ukhano. I stand by everything I’ve said”

    Twitter users criticized Mooro’s insensitive language and for refusing to condemn a fellow PTI supporter trolling an injured policeman online.

    https://twitter.com/MinahilT6/status/1635766266836267008?s=20

  • ‘Whatever is happening is the result of your actions’; IHC slams Imran’s lawyers

    ‘Whatever is happening is the result of your actions’; IHC slams Imran’s lawyers

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday morning slammed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal team as a hearing began on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging arrest warrants for the Chairman on security grounds.

    PTI had filed the plea on Tuesday and requested a hearing on the same day. However, the Registrar raised objections because there was no biometric verification on the application.

    IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq began hearings by asking Imran Khan’s counsel if they had removed the Registrar’s objections. PTI lawyer Khawaja Haris replied that what is happening in Lahore is known.

    “Whatever is happening is a result of your actions,” replied the Chief Justice.

    He also said that the plea is yet to be fixed, and he will hear it once it is fixed for hearing. Khawaja Haris asked the court to fix 12PM for the hearing.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan tweeted on Wednesday morning that the real intent of arrest was to “abduct and assassinate” him.

  • ‘Here for you’: Celebrities send their solidarity to Imran Khan after arrest attempt by govt

    Celebrities are offering solidarity to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan as attempts to arrest the former Prime Minister continue.

    On Tuesday, police reached Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence to arrest him with warrants for not appearing at court hearings in Islamabad.

    Clashes between the police and PTI supporters left 54 officers and eight civilians injured while Imran Khan managed to avoid arrest.

    Amidst the political turmoil and clashes between protesters and police forces who had deployed tear gas in order to disperse crowds, Pakistani celebrities took to social media to stand in solidarity with Imran Khan.

    Actor Haroon Shahid took to Twitter, urging the people of Lahore to never give up.

    Actor Muneeb Butt expressed dissapointment by calling yesterday’s violence “blatant fascism at its peak”.

    Singer and actor Farhaan Saeed also condemned the arrest attempt and said that the people of Pakistan will always side with him

    TikTok star Janaat Mirza shared a video uploaded by Imran Khan on her Instagram stories, and wrote in the caption: ‘May Allah paak protect you’

  • Donald Blome assures Pakistan of US cooperation on IMF deal

    The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, expressed hope for a deal between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that Washington was prepared to support the country’s efforts to resume its stalled $6.5 billion bailout program.

    Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Blome assured journalists that the IMF bailout package for Islamabad would take its final shape in a couple of days. He added that the United States was ready to cooperate with Pakistan to help address the issue and expressed a willingness to help Islamabad with its ongoing terrorism challenges.

    Blome recently visited important cities in Pakistan to meet with groups from different walks of life and noted that there had been significant progress in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    Pakistan and the IMF have been in discussions regarding a stalled bailout package since late last year, with the country seeking a $1.1bn tranche to address its worsening balance of payments crisis and to enable friendly affluent capitals to provide assistance to overcome ongoing financial complexities.

    Both sides are engaged in negotiations to reach a mutually agreeable package that would help the cash-strapped nation come out of its ongoing economic turmoil.

    Interestingly, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had previously stated that Pakistan would strike a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the IMF in a few days, as the government remained committed to completing the loan program signed in 2019.

    However, after failing to convince the lender, Dar had reportedly contacted the US envoy earlier this week to get “lenient treatment” from the Fund, which has been persistent with its demands.

  • Agar mujhe kuch hota hai, toh aap ne jiddojehad karni hai, says Imran Khan before possible arrest

    Agar mujhe kuch hota hai, toh aap ne jiddojehad karni hai, says Imran Khan before possible arrest

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has said in a video message said that even if he gets arrested his supporters have to continue fighting for Haqeeqi Azadi.

    He said that he might get arrested or killed because the police have arrived to arrest him.

    It is pertinent to mention that an arrest warrant was issued for Khan on Monday in the Toshkhana case because of his continuous absence from the hearing of the case.

    ‘Aaj issay giraftar kareinge’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that Imran Khan will get arrested and be presented before the court.

    Addressing a rally in Sheikhupura, the minister said that the arrest is taking place on the court’s orders.

    ‘Halaat mat kharaab karein, DIG Operations aap mujhse aakay baat karain: Qureshi

    PTI Leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the DIG Operations should come and talk to him.

    Talking to the media, Qureshi said that the tense environment should not be allowed to worsen, adding that PTI doesn’t want any loss of life or material.

    “I am requesting the DIG to show me the warrant, I will read it, and discuss it with the party chairman, so that we can reach a mutual consensus,” he said.

    ‘Inshallah’; Police determined to arrest Imran Khan today

    Talking to the media, one of the Islamabad police officials who arrived in Lahore to arrest Imran Khan said that they won’t go back until they implemented the court’s order and arrest the PTI chairman.

    He stated that PTI’s supporters are unnecessarily resisting the arrest and taking the law into their hands.

    PTI workers ka police par pathrao

    Earlier, a heavy contingent of police reached Zaman Park to arrest Imran Khan in the Toshakana case — the only case in which his arrest warrant is not suspended.

    A large number of PTI supporters gathered at Zaman Park and tried to stop the police by throwing stones at them.

  • In just 24 hours, woman who married herself considered divorce

    In just 24 hours, woman who married herself considered divorce

    After only 24 hours of being her own spouse, a woman who claimed to have married herself has said that she is considering getting a divorce. 25-year-old Sofi Maure took to social media in February to inform her fans and followers that she had “married herself”. She also posted pictures donning a white bridal gown and a gold tiara. 

    “Today, in the most spurious moments of my life, I bought a wedding dress and cooked a wedding cake to marry myself,” she said.

    Social media users had strong thoughts about her decision with some supporting Sofi, while others said the whole thing was for “attention”.

    Despite the support from some followers, it seems the loved-up solo bride was soon left questioning her commitment – as just a day later, on 20 February, she declared that divorce was imminent.

    “Update: one day I’m married to myself and I can’t take it anymore, I’m seeing how the divorce issue is just in case,” she said.

  • Pakistan will not visit India for WC 23 if India does not come for Asia Cup 2023

    Pakistan will not visit India for WC 23 if India does not come for Asia Cup 2023

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket board Najam Sethi has talked about the controversy surrounding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. India has threatened Pakistan several times that their cricket team will not come to the neighbouring country, pressurising the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to change the venue and shift the tournament to UAE.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said that the government will take a final decision on whether the national team will travel to India for this year’s World Cup.

    Sethi stated unequivocally that PCB will deal on a vice versa basis with the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) which has said that it will not send its team to Pakistan to feature in the Asia Cup ahead of the World Cup.

    Pakistan is also due to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and clarity on what happens is due to come during meetings of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the ACC in the United Arab Emirates on March 20.

    “Our stance is that if the BCCI continues to take a stand against Pakistan, we will also boycott to visit India,” Sethi told reporters at a news conference. “It is an unsolved matter. We have to speak with the ACC and ICC and take a position. I have asked to the Govt to take the decision about visiting India.

    “India says that there are security issues in Pakistan whilst teams from the entire world have no issues with it. If I say that we also have security threats in India due to communal environment there, it carries weight. It’s a complex issue and we have to keep in front the input of the government and our security agencies.”

    Recently Indian former opening batter and misanthropist against Pakistan Gautam Gambhir say “Personally I think Jawans are more important than a cricket match 2 points are matter nothing, Country comes first.”

  • Maula Jatt’s iconic gandasa sells for over Rs 1.4 crore at charity event

    Maula Jatt’s iconic gandasa sells for over Rs 1.4 crore at charity event

    The iconic gandasa from the Pakistani blockbuster ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ was sold at a charity auction for more than Rs 1.4 crore.

    At the charity event organized by Sahara Life Trust in Toronto, Canada, props from the film were auctioned off to Pakistani expats. Actor Fawad Khan was also present at the event.

    The replica of the iconic gandasa which had been Maula Jatt’s sole weapon in the film was auctioned off for $50,000 (approximately Rs1.4 crore) at the charity event, with the funds being donated to helping cancer patients.

    Since its release last year, ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ had broken records by becoming the first Pakistani film to earn 1000 crore, almost USD 10 million worldwide.

  • After much drama, IK’s arrest warrant suspended

    After much drama, IK’s arrest warrant suspended

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest warrant has been suspended till March 16 in a case registered against him for hurling threats at a female judge, Zeba Chaudhry.

    At the outset of the hearing today (Tuesday), Khan’s legal team challenged the arrest warrants.

    A day earlier, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued by a district and sessions court in Islamabad.

    According to Geo News, Islamabad Police reached Lahore via helicopter to arrest him, however, he was not incarcerated.

    In August 2022, Imran Khan threatened police officials as well as the judiciary over the alleged custodial torture of Shahbaz Gill and announced that his party would file cases against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the DIG and Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

    Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Khan in Judge Zeba Chaudhry case

    On Monday, a district and sessions court in Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan for failing to attend hearings of a case registered against him for hurling threats at a female judge.

    The PTI filed a plea requesting an exemption for personal appearance for Khan.

    However, Judge Rahim issued a warning that non-bailable arrest warrants could be issued for the former prime minister if he failed to appear before the court on Monday.