Author: newsdesk

  • IK should say sorry to PM Shehbaz after Daily Mail’s apology, PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb

    IK should say sorry to PM Shehbaz after Daily Mail’s apology, PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, on Thursday, talked about the apology issued by the British newspaper Daily Mail, saying that the paper had failed to produce even a single piece of evidence in the court to prove its allegations against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    The federal minister also said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and the former advisor on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, levelled baseless and false accusations against the Sharif family.

    Aurangzeb added that they did it to satisfy their egos.

    Moreover, she pointed out that Imran Khan handed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference to Daily Mail. Hence, an apology should be tendered by Imran Khan and Shahzad Akbar, not just the British newspaper. She asked that they should now apologise to PM Shehbaz and the nation. The minister also alleged that David Rose, the Daily Mail journalist who wrote the now-deleted story, conspired with Imran Khan against Shehbaz Sharif.

    The statements have come forward after Daily Mail tendered an apology to the premier and withdrew all allegations of corruption against him and his son-in-law Imran Ali Yousaf.

    The case:

    In July 2019, renowned media law firm Carter-Ruck sued British newspaper The Mail on Sunday, online news site Mail Online and its journalist David Rose on behalf of Shehbaz Sharif for publishing a “politically motivated” article. The story, published on July 14, 2019, had suggested that Shehbaz and Yousaf “stole British taxpayers’ money” given to Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) set up to help the victims of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.

  • ‘Dream debut’: Adam Gilchrist, other cricket legends love Abrar Ahmed

    Debutant Abrar Ahmed has stunned the cricketing word with figures of 7 for 114 in 22 overs in a sensational fast-forwarded second Test in Multan between Pakistan and England.

    Ahmed became the 13th Pakistan bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.

    Have a look at the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/iShaheenAfridi/status/1601143551479279621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1601143551479279621%7Ctwgr%5E07834f19e05cd521afcd0c429512387c329b6047%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpropakistani.pk%2F2022%2F12%2F09%2Finternational-superstars-in-awe-of-abrar-ahmeds-talent-after-dream-debut%2F

    Pakistan are 1-0 down in the three-match series after losing the first Test in Rawalpindi.

  • Twitter Blue will reportedly cost $11 for iPhone users instead of $7.99

    Twitter Blue will reportedly cost $11 for iPhone users instead of $7.99

    Twitter plans to increase the pricing of its Twitter Blue subscription product to $11 from $7.99 if paid for through its iPhone app and to $7 if paid for on the website.

    According to The Information, the move was likely in response to Apple’s 30 per cent cut on any payments made by users via apps on the iOS operating system.

    According to the report, the lower cost on the website was also likely to encourage more customers to join up there rather than on their iPhones. If prices will also change for the Android OS was not mentioned.

    Musk, who gained ownership of Twitter in October, is going to roll out the micro-blogging site’s verified service with different coloured checks for individuals, companies, and governments after a bungled initial launch led to a surge in users impersonating celebrities and brands on the website.

    Requests for comment from Twitter, Apple, and Google—which owns the Android operating system—were not immediately responded to.

    Musk cited a number of issues with Apple in a series of tweets last week, including the 30 per cent fee the iPhone manufacturer charges software developers for in-app purchases.

    Additionally, he posted a meme that said he would be prepared to “go to war” with Apple rather than pay the commission.

    Musk later met Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, at the company’s offices. Musk then tweeted that the misunderstanding regarding Twitter’s removal from Apple’s app store had been cleared up.

  • Balochistan High Court orders cancellation of all FIRs against Azam Swati

    Balochistan High Court orders cancellation of all FIRs against Azam Swati

    The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Friday ordered that all first information reports (FIR) registered against Senator Azam Swati of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for his controversial tweets against senior military officers should be cancelled.

    Five FIRs were registered in Balochistan against Swati for tweeting against army officials.

    Balochistan police had arrested the PTI senator last week from Islamabad, detaining him in their custody after a local court in Quetta approved the law enforcement agency’s request for a physical remand.

    The court has directed police to quash all FIRs registered against the senator in the province and release him if he was not booked in any other cases.

    Swati was first arrested by the FIA on charges of posting controversial tweets about the armed forces in October and was later released on bail.

    The senator has since alleged that he was tortured in custody and demanded the removal of two military officials, one of whom he used foul language against in his tweet on November 26.

    On November 27, the FIA arrested Swati for the second time over a “highly obnoxious campaign of intimidating tweets […] against state institutions”.

  • ‘Sweetest gift ever’, Twitter praises husband for gifting wife a donkey for their wedding

    A newly married Pakistani couple are going viral for a unique reason. Azlan Shah has given his wife a baby donkey to his wife Warisha Javed Khan as a wedding gift.

    “I always knew that @warisha.jk loves baby donkeys so here’s a wedding gift to her from my side,” he wrote on an Instagram post while sharing the pictures of their big day.

    “P.S: we didn’t separate this baby donkey from his mother, we brought her along,” the post added.

    Twitter users are appreciating the ‘cute’ wedding gift.

  • Gold price hits record high as economic conditions push people to buy precious metals

    Gold price hits record high as economic conditions push people to buy precious metals

    On Thursday, the price of gold increased by 1.4 per cent to break the Rs166,000 per tola barrier as it proceeded to set new milestones.

    According to figures provided by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of gold increased by Rs2,250 per tola and Rs1,929 per 10 grams to settle at record highs of Rs166,400 and Rs142,661.

    A day earlier, the price of gold reached a record high of Rs164,150 per tola as investors sought safety in the safe-haven metal amid growing worries about the nation’s economic situation getting worse.

    In the meantime, domestic silver prices held steady at an all-time high of Rs1,860 per tola and Rs1,594.65 per 10 grams.

    As the precious metal often reflects world prices, which have been under pressure this year as a result of the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive tightening efforts, the gold surge is particularly notable.

    The price of gold increased by $10 per ounce on the global market, reaching $1,784.

    The country’s gold prices were reaching new highs, but gold traders regret that the lucrative nature of the industry had vanished.

    Here, only investors are purchasing gold. In contrast, artificial jewellery is being used during weddings and other rituals.

  • Pakistani journalist goes viral explaining why we shouldn’t feel sorry for Germany’s World Cup exit

    Pakistani journalist goes viral explaining why we shouldn’t feel sorry for Germany’s World Cup exit

    Germany kicked out of the World Cup in the group stages for the second successive tournament, they’re missing a standout goalscorer and they’re very much a side in transition.

    However, according to Pakistani journalist Ahmer Naqvi, we absolutely should not be feeling sorry for them.

    After analysing Germany’s recent elimination from the competition in great detail, Naqvi gained widespread attention.

    The German team is the “angel of death” of football, according to Naqvi, as they have crushed more nation’s World Cup hopes than any other team.

    He begins by outlining all the great footballing nations that were eliminated from the World Cup after falling to Germany by saying, “I’ll take us back in history a bit, right.”

    He starts off with the great Hungary side of 1954 alongside Ferenc Puskas. They were defeated by West Germany despite being “one of the finest sides of all time.”

    The journalist then discussed Johan Cruyff’s legendary 1974 Netherlands team, which is renowned for introducing the idea of complete football. They were eliminated once more by West Germany.

    He continued by talking about France’s “golden square” team from 1982, which was defeated by Germany in the semi-final and was famed for playing with four in midfield. Germany and Austria also made sure Algeria was eliminated from the same event, ending the first-ever opportunity for an African team to go to the next round.

    He also mentioned West Germany’s victories over Diego Maradona’s Argentina in 1990, the demise of South Korea in 2002, the defeat of England’s “golden generation” in 2010, and their resounding 7-1 victory over Brazil in 2014.

    “Don’t have any sympathy for this team… If football was a video game, [Germany] would be the final boss… I will bring out the world’s smallest violin,” he adds.

    The clip went down a storm with social media users, with one commenting: “I couldn’t give a monkeys about football but this is absolute solid gold entertainment and storytelling.”

    Here are a few more reactions:

  • Justice Ayesha Malik is part of this year’s BBC 100 inspiring women

    Justice Ayesha Malik is part of this year’s BBC 100 inspiring women

    The first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, (SCP) Justice Ayesha A. Malik, has been listed as one of the 100 most influential and inspiring women of 2022 by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC ).

    On Wednesday, BBC revealed the names of 100 influential and inspiring women from around the world who made it to the privileged list for this year. Among the honourees is Justice Malik, the only Pakistani woman to have been featured on the list.

    The BBC highlighted that Justice Ayesha has authored judgments protecting the rights of women, including her “landmark judgment which banned the so-called two-finger test of rape victims” which was performed during the examination of sexual assault cases.

    “Alongside her role on the Supreme Court, Malik also conducts training for judges around the world and has inaugurated conferences for women judges in Pakistan, encouraging debate around and including the gender perspective in the justice system”.

    Earlier this year, the 56-year-old judge made history after being sworn in as the top court’s first female judge. She will become the first woman Chief Justice of Pakistan after Justice Yahya’s retirement in January 2030.

    Her elevation to the apex court was hailed by human rights activists and civil society across the country.

  • ‘Pasoori’ beats ‘Butter’, ‘Srivali’, becomes ‘Google’s most ‘hum to search’ song of 2022

    ‘Pasoori’ beats ‘Butter’, ‘Srivali’, becomes ‘Google’s most ‘hum to search’ song of 2022

    Coke Studio Pakistan’s Pasoori has become the most Googled ‘hum to search’ song of 2022. Ali Sethi and Shae Gill’s iconic track has left behind chartbusters like BTS’ Butter, Siravali and Chaand Baaliyan.

    Sethi and Coke Studio’s producer, Xulfi, former EP frontman, took to social media and expressed gratitude. 

    The greatest developments in search on the well-known search engine over the previous 11+ months are summarized in Google’s “Year in Search 2022.” Google has compiled a list of the top 10 searches in a variety of categories, including persons, movies, current events, and much more.

    “Can’t thank the universe enough. Just can’t,” Xulfi shared while posting a screenshot of a news article. “And can’t thank all of you, the people, enough too. Ap subka dilse shukriya for giving us your love, your attention and your kindness that made our, your Coke Studio‘s Pasoori the most Googled song in the world in 2022.”

    Adding how the song beat BTS’ track, the Waqt Crooner penned, “Surreal knowing that BTS is second in the list. It’s a music act we researched before the season. And then Imagine Dragons, one of my favourite music acts, is on the list too. Just unbelievable. Congratulations Team.”

    The 14th installment of Coke Studio has been praised globally for its fresh take on the celebrated show. As Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi) held the reigns this year, there was one song that truly surpassed all expectations. Sethi and Gill’s Pasoori transcended borders and managed to win the hearts of fans the world over.

  • Daily Mail apologises to PM Shehbaz for ‘error’ in 2019 article

    Daily Mail apologises to PM Shehbaz for ‘error’ in 2019 article

    Daily Mail tendered an apology to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif while withdrawing all allegations of corruption against him and his son-in-law Imran Ali Yousaf.

    In an article published on July 4, 2019 Daily Mail had accused the Premier of “stealing British foreign aid money”.

    The British publication also removed the said article, written by David Rose, from all platforms of Mail publishers.

    The United Kingdom-based publication has failed to prove the allegations levelled by its journalist David Rose in an article against Premier Shehbaz about the alleged misappropriation of public funds.

    Since the publication of the report, Shehbaz Sharif has maintained that he was not involved in any wrongdoing and also approached a court in the United Kingdom (UK) challenging the allegation — resulting in an apology from the newspaper.

    Apology from the Daily Mail

    In a clarification published on its website today, the British publication said: “In an article concerning Mr Shahbaz Sharif entitled ‘Did the family of Pakistani politician who has become the poster boy for British overseas aid STEAL funds meant for earthquake victims’ published on 14 July 2019 we reported on an investigation by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau into Mr Sharif and suggested that the money under investigation included a not insubstantial sum of British public money that had been paid to the Punjab province in DFID grant aid.”

    It said that the premier “has never been accused by the National Accountability Bureau of any wrongdoing in relation to British public money or DFID grant aid”.

    “We are pleased to make this clear and apologise to Mr Sharif for this error,” Daily Mail added.

    What did the article say in 2019?

    In July 2019, UK’s Daily Mail newspaper accused Prime Minister Shehbaz of “embezzling tens of millions of pounds of public money and laundering it in Britain’”

    The report, quoting Pakistani investigators, claimed that “some of the allegedly stolen money came from DFID-funded aid projects”.

    The report — titled “Did the family of Pakistani politician who has become the poster boy for British overseas aid STEAL funds meant for earthquake victims, asks DAVID ROSE” — said the newspaper was given exclusive access to “some of the results of a high-level probe ordered by [then] prime minister Imran Khan”.