Author: newsdesk

  • Sri Lankan president to step down after massive protests

    Sri Lankan president to step down after massive protests

    Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to step down amid the ongoing protests against the economic crisis the country is facing. His resignation has been sent to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

    “Rajapaksa has officially informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will be resigning as previously announced,” read a statement from the prime minister’s office.

    However, the whereabouts of the president are unknown.

    His resignation came after a large-scale demonstration that took place on Saturday, during which hundreds of thousands of people poured into Colombo and occupied the president’s residence and office, and prime minister’s residence.

    Protesters sang and lit fireworks in the streets to welcome the announcement.

  • ‘Community is being persecuted’, Ahmadi spokesperson on arrest of three for performing Qurbani

    ‘Community is being persecuted’, Ahmadi spokesperson on arrest of three for performing Qurbani

    On Sunday, a first information report (FIR) was filed in Faisalabad against Ahmadi community members for “hurting Muslim sentiments”, reports Dawn. As per the FIR, the religious sentiments of Muslims were hurt by the members of Ahmadi community by performing animal sacrifice.

    Saleemuddin, a spokesperson for Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya Pakistan, told Dawn that three people have been arrested as a result of the FIR. “The community is being persecuted,” he added.

    According to the FIR, the people who have filed the complaint were in a mosque following Eid-ul- Azha prayers where they learned from their sources that Ahmadi community members were slaughtering animals inside their home.

    They then “climbed the roofs of nearby houses, after which they saw that the Ahmadi community members were sacrificing a goat at one place while other members were cutting the meat of another animal at a different place”.

    “The Islamic sentiments of the complainants and other Muslims were hurt by this and [the complainants] recorded a video which can be presented as evidence,” the FIR added.

    “By performing a ritual in line with Islamic beliefs and presenting themselves as Muslims despite being Ahmadis, they have committed a cognisable offence, according to Muslim ummah’s belief, and this has grievously hurt Muslim sentiments,” the complainants stated.

    The FIR was registered at Faisalabad’s police station Thikriwala against five people under Section 298-C of the Pakistan penal code.

  • ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, who harassed and chanted slogans at him at a restaurant earlier this week, had come to meet him and apologised for their actions.

    Taking to Twitter, Iqbal said, “The family involved in the incident came to Narowal and apologised for their actions in the meeting, expressed remorse and embarrassment.”

    “We are all Pakistanis and have a right to disagree with each other but that should not turn into hatred and one must maintain mutual respect,” said Iqbal.

    A day earlier, Iqbal said that the incident highlighted the culture PTI Chairman Imran Khan was teaching his followers.

    The planning minister said the “disease of extremism and hatred” in society was affecting Pakistan like “cancer”.

    Read More: Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Addressing PTI supporters, he urged them to carefully consider if their leader was as sincere to them as they were to him. “Imran has a track record of using people and throwing them away like tissue paper,” he claimed.

    “Since over a decade, Khan has been running his ‘chor’ campaign, however, he could not even prove a single allegation during the four years he was in power,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of a politician to train their workers; however, Khan has failed to do so.

    “I think Khan needs a psychologist,” he asserted.

  • How did Imran, Shehbaz, Bilawal, and Alvi celebrate Eid?

    How did Imran, Shehbaz, Bilawal, and Alvi celebrate Eid?

    Pakistan celebrates Eid-ul-Azha under tough circumstances with Covid on the rise yet again. With the country’s crucial economic conditions, political leaders urged the nation to revive the spirit of sacrifice and help the poor.

    President Dr Arif Alvi offered Eid prayers in his Karachi hometown at the Tooba Masjid.

    “I pray to Allah Almighty to accept the Ibadah, Haj and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah. Amen!”

    “Eidul Azha reminds us of the submission and obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) before the command of Allah Almighty,” said President Alvi.

    “Sacrifice is not merely an act of animal slaughter, but its real goal is to sacrifice personal desires for accomplishing a higher purpose. This spirit of sacrifice grants such an ability to human beings that they keep following the righteous path despite the most trying circumstances,” he added.

    Alvi said: “As our dear country faces economic challenges, there is a dire need to effectively utilise this spirit of sacrifice.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, along with his son and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, offered Eid prayers at his family residence at Jati Umra in Lahore.

    Shehbaz said: “Allah Almighty made sacrifice an extraordinary ritual to show immense admiration for the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS). The real meaning of sacrifice is obedience and submission to Allah. Allah sees the intention of His obedient men and on that basis gives the reward.”

    According to the government’s official Twitter account, the prime minister telephoned the president and congratulated him on Eid-ul-Azha. Alvi also congratulated Shehbaz and “the two leaders expressed goodwill towards each other”.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan offered Eid prayers at Bani Gala.

    “As we celebrate and thank Allah for his blessings this Eid that commemorates sacrifice, let us remember and pray for those who are without their loved ones & for the people of IIOJK and Palestine suffering oppression under brutal occupation,” said Khan.

    In another video shared on Khan’s Instagram handle, he can be seen distributing bags to people.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, meanwhile, offered Eid namaz in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

    Bilawal said: “Eidul Azha reminds us that determination and sacrifice for the greater good pave the way for success.”

  • Ahmad Shahzad wants Brad Pitt to do his biopic?

    Ahmad Shahzad wants Brad Pitt to do his biopic?

    Cricketer Ahmad Shahzad recently indulged in a conversation with anchor Syed Yahya Hussaini on his show. When Yahya asked him that which actor does he wants to play his role in his biopic, the 30-year-old athlete replied that he wants Hollywood legend Brad Pitt to essay him on the big screen.

    Netizens gave a polarised reaction to his desire.

    Public Makes Fun Of Ahmad Shahzad For His Expectations From Brad Pitt
    Public Makes Fun Of Ahmad Shahzad For His Expectations From Brad Pitt

    Last year Shahzad was blessed with a baby girl, He tweeted,  “I have been blessed with a daughter. Allah is great.”

    Following the good news, friends and fans extended their best wishes to Shahzad. Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed congratulated Shahzad.

    Read More: PSL set to resume on June 9, final on June 24

    Cricketers Fakhar Zaman, Umar Amin, Shadab Khan and other players also congratulated Shahzad on the birth of his baby girl.

    Shahzad got married in 2015 with his childhood friend Sana. The couple had a baby boy, Ali Ahmad Khan, in 2017.

  • Five tips to eat healthy on Eid-ul-Azha

    Five tips to eat healthy on Eid-ul-Azha

    Eid Mubarak everyone! This Eid is all about having good food, but having food in large quantities can affect our health. To avoid getting sick this Eid, it is important to be mindful of what you are eating. Here are five tips you can follow to stay healthy on Eid.

    Eat meat, but don’t overeat!

    Eid is all about sharing feasts with your loved ones. Although there is nothing wrong with eating your favourite meat dishes, it is still crucial to keep your intake in check. Eating a lot can upset your stomach and you may regret being sick for the entire Eid holidays. On a day like Eid-ul-Azha, it can be a little frustrating to hold oneself back. After all, everyone is permitted to have cheat days. So, do not deprive yourself but rather indulge in a little bit of everything.

    Add vegetables to your diet:

    If you want to stay healthy during Eid-ul-Azha, then you should not restrict your diet to only proteins. Prepare stir-fried vegetables, grill or broil some alongside the meat. By consuming these wholesome vegetables with the meat, you will supply your body with the fiber it needs. Fiber also helps avoid heartburn and constipation.

    Stay away from fried food:

    During the Eid celebrations, you might be tempted to eat fried foods. As if eating meat is not enough, frying it makes it even heavier due to the added fat. Therefore, it is more difficult for your body to process it. So avoid fried food.

    Avoid soft drinks:

    Soft drinks are tempting, especially in this hot weather. Furthermore, we might not be aware of how much of the fattening soft drinks we actually consume because they are frequently served at Eid gatherings. Try replacing soft drinks with water.

    Take a walk:

    After eating, remember to take a walk. It is important to digest what you eat. Heavy meals require over six hours to digest. It would help if you walked regularly after every meal to make your immune system healthy and active.

    These tips will help you stay healthy this Eid. In addition, don’t forget to share your food!

  • Five vegetarian dishes that you can eat this Eid

    Five vegetarian dishes that you can eat this Eid

    With Eid-ul-Azha tomorrow, Muslims all around the globe will be sacrificing animals to remember the practice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). Meat lovers usually crave meat but on Eid-ul-Azha, seeing meat all around diminishes the craving and sometimes, develops an urge to eat vegetarian food. Moreover, vegetarians also wonder what to eat on Eid. In this article, we will go over easy and delicious vegan food that you can make on this Eid.

    1- Bhindi Pyaz (Okra or Ladyfinger)

    Pakistani star vegan food, bhindi, can be prepared by stir-frying bhindi with onion, garlic, tomatoes and a few other everyday masala. Quantities of masala may vary depending on your taste in food. It is best served with chapati. You can also fry bhindi filled with chat masala and serve it to guests as an alternative to crispy meat.

    2- Lobia ka Salan

    Lobia ka salan is another Pakistani traditional food that is famous because of its fulfilling taste. It is prepared with Lobia in onion tomato gravy base and can be served in a bowl with chapati. It tastes equally well with boiled rice, which is a cherry on top.

    3- Matar Pulao

    Matar pulao is yet another famous dish among Pakistanis. It is prepared with rice, green peas and blend of other spices. It is usually served with sliced cucumber salad to add to its flavour. It is one of the best vegan food that could be served to vegetarian guests visiting your place.

    4- Alo Kabab

    When it comes to vegetarian food, it will not be fair to not mention aaloo kababs. Mashed potato mixed with sliced cauliflower, green capsicum and masala depending on your taste serves as best and quick dish that you can have at Eid. Its appetising smell and circular crispy shape can bring water to anyone’s mouth.

    5- Mixed vegetables

    Last but not the least, another vegetarian and gluten-free dish that you can eat during this meaty Eid is mixed sabzi. If you are a veggie lover, then it is a must try. It can give you plenty of vegetables in one dish. You can even purchase frozen mixed vegetable packs from any super market. There is no need to spend time on slicing different vegetables. All you need is to follow the instructions given on the pack and you are good to go.

  • Eid-ul-Azha: This is how you can wish your loved ones

    Eid-ul-Azha: This is how you can wish your loved ones

    We often get confused how to wish our loved ones on Eid, and don’t find the right words. Here are some heartfelt and cool Eid greetings and messages that you can share with your family and friends to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha.

    Eid-ul-Azha Mubarak.

    May the magic of this Eid bring more happiness in your life and may you enjoy it with all your close friends and may it fill your heart with surprises. Eid Mubarak!

    May the plate of your life always be full of juicy kababs and tikas, loaded with delicious sauce. Happy Eid!

    Be a reason someone smiles today. Eid Mubarak.

    Best day of the year has arrived, it’s meat time, let your mouths be filled with juicy kababs today. Eid Mubarak!

    Chaanp, Raan, Kababs, and Barbeque are here to announce Eid-ul-Azha. Adorn your most favourite attire and get ready to eat meat. Eid Mubarak!

    May Allah accept all your sacrifices on the occasion of Bakra Eid and may Allah accept all your prayers. Happy Eid-ul-Azha!

    May the sacrifice and abundance of food this Eid remind us to practice gratitude.

    May Allah sends His blessings of our feast on every family with goodness, compassion, and tolerance.

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif was about to resign on May 27: report

    PM Shehbaz Sharif was about to resign on May 27: report

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif decided to resign from his position on May 27 due to the tough conditions set up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reports Noor Aftab for The News.

    “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was not ready to fulfill conditions of the IMF that was mounting pressure on the government to increase prices of the petroleum products to an unprecedented level.”

    It has been reported that at the time PM Shehbaz and the former finance minister Ishaq Dar were supporting the proposal to dissolve the National Assembly and hold fresh elections instead of accepting IMF’s demands.

    However, later Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) realised that if PM Shehbaz resigned, it would be a loss for the PML-N. The party then decided that the coalition government would continue to work and they also needed a finance minister to deal with the economic issues.

    Shahid Khaqan says Dar isn’t coming back

    Former PM and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Dar is not coming back to Pakistan “in the near future”.

    “I don’t think former finance minister Ishaq Dar will return to Pakistan in near future. All decisions are taken by the party leadership in consultation with the senior party members”, said Shahid Khaqan, adding that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail would continue his work in the future as he has been doing exceptional work to restore Pakistan’s fractured economy.

    The debate about Miftah’s replacement escalated soon after speculations about Dar’s return and him confirming the same to BBC Urdu.

    Now, the development has sparked a debate that whether PML-N leaders are divided into two groups over the selection of a finance minister.

    Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique showed his support to Dar while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Abbasi are in favour of Miftah Ismail.

    Meanwhile, according to The Express Tribune, Miftah said that though he has support from the federal cabinet and the PML-N, there are a few party members who are criticising and opposing him.

  • Nida Yasir reveals her secret fitness formula, skincare regime

    Nida Yasir reveals her secret fitness formula, skincare regime

    Morning show host Nida Yasir recently revealed her fitness on Good Morning Pakistan. The veteran presenter consumes a special vegetable soup on a regular basis to stay fit and lose weight.

    The Nadaniyaan diva also responded to a netizen on Instagram in which she revealed her latest diet regime.

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    Nida also stated that when asked on Momina’s Mixed Plate that her complexion looked different as in old photos she did not use sunblock and had a lot of sun exposure.

    She also never took care of skin and looks. Now, she has started taking care of herself and she has also taken glutathione injections which have improved her skin.

    has commented in regards to some recent media coverage by various portals, she stated that her statements have been taken out of context.

    The Nadaaniyaan diva commented under actor Muneeb Butt’s post who issued a clarification regarding a viral video.

    The Kathputli star recently opened up about the ‘Formula 1’ parody video made by her husband Yasir Nawaz. Actors Junaid Khan and Hiba Bukhari appeared on the show to promote their forthcoming drama Berukhi, while discussing social media, Junaid asked Nida about her response to the parody video.

    He also asked, ‘Yasir ko apne kuch kaha to nahi?” The Nadaniyaan diva revealed that more members of the family, including her own children were involved in the process and they helped him record the parody video which she wasn’t very happy about.