Author: newsdesk

  • NZ to play Test match in Karachi after 22 years

    NZ to play Test match in Karachi after 22 years

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday released the match schedule of New Zealand men’s cricket team’s upcoming dual tours of Pakistan. NZ will play two Tests as part of their ICC World Test Championship title defence and three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures from 27 December to 15 January, before returning for five T20Is and five ODIs from 13 April to 7 May.
    The Karachi Test will be New Zealand’s first in the city since October 1990.

    “We had promised our passionate fans that we will deliver high-quality home international cricket in 2022. Today’s announcement of New Zealand’s double visit to Pakistan is part of that commitment,” said PCB Director, Zakir Khan.

    He also stated that, “New Zealand is one of the high-performing sides and the more we will play against the top teams in our backyard, the better we will get as a unit, which is crucial to our objective of featuring inside the top-three across all formats. The New Zealand matches will also provide opportunities to our youngsters to continue to watch and follow their favourite players in action, something they have missed when we were forced to play our international cricket offshore.”

    Here is the schedule:

    Pakistan vs New Zealand:
    27-31 Dec – 1st Test, Karachi (ICC World Test Championship)
    4-8 Jan – 2nd Test, Multan (ICC World Test Championship)
    11 Jan – 1st ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
    13 Jan – 2nd ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
    15 Jan – 3rd ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
    13 Apr – 1st T20I, Karachi

    15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Karachi
    16 Apr – 3rd T20I, Karachi
    19 Apr – 4th T20I, Karachi
    23 Apr – 5th T20I, Lahore
    26 Apr – 1st ODI, Lahore
    28 Apr – 2nd ODI, Lahore
    1 May – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

    4 May – 4th ODI, Rawalpindi
    7 May – 5th ODI, Rawalpindi

  • LC payments up to $50,000 to be released by SBP

    LC payments up to $50,000 to be released by SBP

    Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that $50,000 in letters of credit (LC) payments that are overdue will be settled this week.

    According to Geo, the decision was made following a discussion with the Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmed Dar said that the SBP chief will convey these instructions to clear LCs as a “first step” towards growth next month before departing for Washington DC to meet with International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Almost 4,400 requests for opening LCs, a payment mechanism used in international trade to provide an economic guarantee from a creditworthy bank to an exporter of goods, will be deducted after these decisions, according to the speaker, who revealed that there were a total of 7,952 cases still pending.

    For certain imports, including completely knocked down (CKD) vehicles, telephones, and various types of machinery, the SBP previously required prior approval before opening LCs or registering contracts. However, these directives were given on May 20.

    The Finance Minister also made it clear that Pakistan will not be refinancing its loans through the Paris Club. According to him, Pakistan will make sure to make timely payments to multilateral organisations for its national sovereign debt obligations. He claimed that in this regard, a strategy had been developed.

  • Aiman-Muneeb, Feroze Khan celebrate Eid Milad-ul-Nabi in Madina, share precious moments

    Aiman-Muneeb, Feroze Khan celebrate Eid Milad-ul-Nabi in Madina, share precious moments

    Celebrity duo Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt celebrated the 12th Rabi ul Awal in Madinah with daughter Amal and Muneeb’s siblings. The Baandi duo shared some special pictures from the Holy City on Instagram.

    Aiman Khan jets off to Mecca to perform Umrah with husband Muneeb Butt and family, share pics from 'dream trip' - Showbiz Pakistan

    Aiman Khan And Muneeb Butt Spend 12th Rabi ul Awal In Madinah

    Aiman Khan And Muneeb Butt Spend 12th Rabi ul Awal In Madinah

    Other celebrities like Feroze Khan, Dua Malik and Noor Bukhari also t posted pictures from their trip to Makkah and Madina. They all were spotted there with families. The celebrities thanked Allah Almighty for giving them an opportunity to perform Umrah in Makkah.

    Feroze Khan Ex Wife Aliza Posts About Bearing Trials & Tests At Young Age | Reviewit.pk

    The celebrities performed mandatory rituals along with their families and celebrated the birth of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) in the holy cities.

  • ‘Inshallah,’ says Nawaz Sharif when asked about becoming PM for the fourth time

    ‘Inshallah,’ says Nawaz Sharif when asked about becoming PM for the fourth time

    Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s pre-recorded press conference with his daughter PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was released on Sunday.

    During the interview, when Sharif was asked about the possibility of becoming PM of Pakistan for the fourth time, he smilingly said, “Inshallah” (Hopefully).

    The former premier began the interview by narrating the whole incident of his wife’s [Kalsoom Nawaz] illness and then her death. He said that he and Maryam were both in jail when they got to know about his wife’s death in London.

    He said when his wife was on her deathbed, people made fun of it. He said that one time when he was in court, he was informed that his wife’s health had worsened.

    “I went back to the jail and asked the jail superintendent to give me the phone so I can contact my family but he didn’t allow it.”

    He revealed that after three hours, he was informed about his wife’s death. He then said the bearers of the news were on their way to inform his daughter [who was also in Kot Lakhpat]. “At that point, I said no, I will do it and when I told her, she was in shock,” Nawaz said.

    He added that such events “are never forgotten and this loss can never be repaired or forgotten”.

    ‘We were the ones to say absolutely not’: Nawaz Sharif

    Addressing Imran’s stance of “absolutely not” to US airbases, Nawaz said, “We were the ones to say absolutely not. They offered us $5 billion but we said absolutely not. We don’t want it,” he was referring to the nuclear tests conducted during his tenure.

    According to Nawaz, when he was in power, his government had brought economic prosperity, finished loadshedding, increased employment, and eliminated terrorism but Imran Khan ruined it all. He said that now there is inflation everywhere.

    “He [Imran Khan] has taken a U-turn with regard to everything. He claimed that he would prefer dying by suicide instead of striking a deal with the IMF,” Nawaz said.

    Taking a jibe at Khan, Nawaz said that during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) tenure foreign relations had also been affected.

    ‘Revenge, not a court’s decision’: Nawaz Sharif

    Moreover, he alleged that he was punished and disqualified for life by the Supreme Court (SC) but now lifetime disqualification is being criticised as “draconian” by SC judges.

    Nawaz questioned whether there was a “valid reason” for the decision. “Disqualified for life and removed from the PML-N presidency. This is revenge, not a court’s decision,” he added.

    Regarding the recent alleged audio leaks of Khan, Nawaz said that “the one who plotted has turned out to be the biggest conspirer”.

  • PM Shehbaz, President wish nation on the occasion of Eid-Milad-ul-Nabi

    PM Shehbaz, President wish nation on the occasion of Eid-Milad-ul-Nabi

    The birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is being celebrated today with religious devotion. On the occasion of Eid-Milad-ul-Nabi, different political leaders have offered warm wishes to the nation.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation through his official Twitter handle.

    In his message, PM Shehbaz said: “Allah sent our last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a blessing for the believers”.

    President Dr Arif Alvi congratulating the nation, said: “His prophethood made visible the difference between good and evil, the darkness of ignorance was removed, the customs of non-believers were abolished, the name of the lone Creator of the universe was magnified and hearts of the humanity shone with the purity of the oneness of Allah.”

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in a tweet, extended his wishes. He said, “By fully following the principles of co-existence, cooperation, and tolerance mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), conflicts and tensions in the world can be ended.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan wished the nation on his Instagram handle.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, on the occasion, urged the nation to, “move forward following the path indicated by the Holy Prophet.”

  • WHO assures assistance in essential healthcare in flood- affected areas

    WHO assures assistance in essential healthcare in flood- affected areas

    World Health Organization’s (WHO) Country Representative Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala on Saturday said that essential healthcare services will be provided in flood-affected areas.

    During a media briefing on the WHO’s role in relief efforts in flood-hit areas, he said that WHO was working on a plan to aid in establishing effective healthcare systems.
    The WHO country director stated that his agency was fully aware of the destruction brought on by the recent floods in Pakistan, stressing that the flood seriously harmed the delivery of health-care services, leading to a variety of health hazards.

    He continued by saying that numerous diseases like cholera, malaria, dengue fever, skin infections, and typhoid were on the rise in the impacted areas.

    “In order to prevent mortality due to malaria, WHO is providing rapid diagnostic kits and anti-malarial medicines worth $2.5 million while technical support is also being provided to the federal and provincial governments to deal with malaria outbreaks. As larvicidal preventive measures are not possible in flood-affected areas, prophylactic treatment and post-exposure treatments are being arranged to treat malaria patients”, he added.
    WHO will hire an additional 107 technical specialists and staff to help manage the health emergency in Pakistan’s flood-affected regions.

  • PFA seizes 1,600 kg outdated meat and expired edibles during a raid in Lahore

    PFA seizes 1,600 kg outdated meat and expired edibles during a raid in Lahore

    On Saturday, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) foiled an attempt to move a massive stock of unhygienic and expired food from cold storage to some other facility.

    According to The News, PFA Director General Mudassar Riaz Malik and an enforcement team raided a cold storage at Bhobatian Chowk, Lahore based on vigilance-based evidence, and they seized a vehicle (a chiller truck) that was entirely loaded with 1,600 kg of outdated meat, 150 kg of expired butter, and 20 kg of cheese.

    He claimed that unhealthy food was being transported around just to avoid the PFA’s action, however the officials were able to foil the fraud mafia’s plans. Selling or providing expired stock along with new food is illegal and deceptive, according to the PFA DG.

    He asked everyone in the food industry to work with the PFA to comply with the law and fulfill the objectives of the reform.

  • ‘Ranbir, Ahad became successful on merit’: Aashir Wajahat opens up about nepotism in showbiz

    ‘Ranbir, Ahad became successful on merit’: Aashir Wajahat opens up about nepotism in showbiz

    Actor and singer Aashir Wajahat has opened up about nepotism in a recent interview. Director Wajahat Rauf and Producer Shazia Wajahat’s son is currently starring in ARY Digital’s Pinjra.

    Aashir said: “It definitely exists around us, not just in show business but everywhere. But in the end, you’re judged on the work you do.”

    He added: “Ranbir Kapoor comes from a family of performers and actors, which obviously helped him get work initially. But he ended up being the star and he is by giving good performances. In Pakistan, we have Ahad Raza Mir, who has a huge fan following which he has earned by producing good work. Every person should be judged on an individual level based on their talent and work irrespective of the family they’re born in because you don’t get to choose the household you’re born in and every parent would want to help their child in any way they can.” 

    The Karachi Se Lahore star also discussed his experience of working in Hadiqa Kiana and Omair Rana starrer, Pinjra, “My first reaction to the script and story was that it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s very rare that you see the story of a family or more specifically the problem that arises between parents and their children due to a generational gap. “

    He added: “Asma jee, God bless her soul was one of the sweetest people I ever met. She was an exceptional writer and an even better person. Obviously, I felt honoured when she told me she sees me as Azaan.” 

    Talking about his character Aashir revealed, “I don’t know if a perfect child exists but in his parents’ eyes he is definitely one. Good at sports, academically strong, and well-behaved. Obviously, this leads to his younger siblings constantly being compared to him and he knows this is wrong and will only complicate his relationship with them.”

    He said he had a great time while shooting for the drama. “Najaf Bilgrami, our director, and I had our visions aligned in terms of what the character of Azaan needed. Najaf Bhai really gave me the freedom and margin I needed to play Azaan.”

    Aashir revealed that he was shooting for his first main lead film ‘John’ at that time and had no plans to do television. However, he knew if he didn’t play Azaan he would regret missing out on a great scrip. He further added: “Asma jee told me she had written this character keeping me in mind, I just knew I had to do it.”

  • ‘Germany has role and responsibility with regard to situation in Kashmir’: German Foreign Minister

    German Foreign Minister (FM), Annalena Baerbock, has said in Berlin that the country has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir.

    Speaking at the joint press conference on Friday with her Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, she said, “Germany has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of the United Nations (UN), to find peaceful solutions in the region.”

    Talking about the tensions between India and Pakistan, the minister said, “We support all the engagement with regard to the ceasefire, however, there is a tension which minister [Bilawal] has described so we encourage both Pakistan and India to follow the track of the ceasefire, to follow the track of UN and intensify the political dialogue and also the political and practical cooperation in the region.”

    Moreover, Baerbock showed support for the county by saying that “Pakistan could rely on the support of the German people and government”.

    Bilawal, on the occasion, thanked Germany, and said that the total amount of aid from Germany had reached €60 million for that “we are incredibly grateful to the German people and the government”.

    He also highlighted grave human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and said that the alarming situation posed risks to regional peace and stability.

    The Pakistani foreign minister described his meeting with Baerbock as a “pleasure” and invited her to visit Pakistan.

    In a tweet, he said, “Pleasure meeting for the second time this year with Annalena Baerbock at the German foreign office. Invited her to visit Pakistan to witness firsthand devastation caused by floods in.”

    Bilawal reached Berlin on Friday on his first visit.

  • Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Rana Sanaullah in corruption case

    Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Rana Sanaullah in corruption case

    Non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued on Saturday in a corruption case for Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

    A spokesperson of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab said that it has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader after he failed to appear at an inquiry.

    Special Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Akbar issued the arrest warrant for the interior minister in case number 19/20, said the ACE spokesperson.

    “The warrants have been issued because Sanaullah failed to appear in the anti-corruption inquiry despite being summoned several times,” a spokesperson of ACE told Dawn.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on its official Twitter account, said that a police party has departed to arrest Sanaullah and will soon reach the Kohsar police station.

    “According to the rules, the process of arresting Rana Sanaullah will begin by informing the local police,” it added.

    A day earlier, the FIA took PTI Senator Saifullah Niazi into “protective custody” for questioning in the foreign funding case.