Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    An alleged audio of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been leaked in which she is instructing Khan’s focal person for Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid to make a statement against Khan’s opponents and run a campaign to ‘prove them traitors’.

    In the alleged leaked audio, Bushra Bibi can be heard saying, “Khan Sahib told you to run a hashtag of treason. I have been getting calls from people that your social media was very active but after a week, it is not. You should have been very active nowadays.”

    She also allegedly said that Aleem Khan and others will talk filth about Khan, her friend Farah and her as well. “They will make so much fuss and they will also give testimonies of the people but you don’t have to make any issue of it just link them all with treason,” says Bushra Bibi.

    In the audio clip, Bushra can be reportedly heard instructing Khalid to build a narrative that all the PTI dissidents had joined foreign conspirators to save themselves.

    The former first lady allegedly asks Khalid to direct his team to take up the issue of the government not buying oil from Russia and link it with how Imran Khan was being betrayed.

    “You cannot let this matter die down,” Bushra Bibi allegedly says to him, asking him to make a trend so people know that the country and Khan are being betrayed.

    “I am only telling you this, you don’t have to discuss this issue with anyone. They are after him [Imran Khan] because of this. But you have to link it with treason,” she concludes.

    Responding to Bushra Bibi’s audio, PTI’s Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan condemned saying that is it unethical. He further said that there is nothing wrong in it if Bushra Bibi has linked conspiracy to treason.

    This is not the first time an audio clip has surfaced on social media involving Bushra Bibi.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders played an audio tape between Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz and his daughter, revealing how allegedly Farah Gogi “demanded a gift” for former first lady Bushra Bibi.

  • Govt announces five Eid holidays

    Govt announces five Eid holidays

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday approved a five-day public holiday from July 8 to July 12 (Friday to Tuesday) on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

    “Further action may be taken accordingly,” the letter from the PM Office read.

    Earlier, the Cabinet Division sent a summary to PM Shehbaz Sharif to get his approval for a three-day public holiday.

    The first day of Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across Pakistan on July 10 (Sunday), Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad announced last week.

  • Pakistan Customs seizes a massive amount of methamphetamine and illegal goods

    Pakistan Customs seizes a massive amount of methamphetamine and illegal goods

    Pakistan customs department has seized illegal goods worth approximately Rs60 million in separate incidents over the past week, indicating that the campaign against the smuggling of contraband goods into and out of Pakistan is in full swing.

    The Exports Collectorate prevented an attempt to smuggle a sizable amount of drugs into Australia. The Exports Examination-PICT team has made a drug seizure of 47 kilogrammes of ice. Officials reported that Fida Hussain, a suspect, was detained by Customs authorities after they registered a case, according to Express Tribune.

    The Enforcement Collectorate Karachi team reportedly stopped two oil tankers close to the Mochko checkpoint and found 30,000 liters of Iranian diesel that had been smuggled. The seized tankers and smuggled diesel are estimated to be worth a total of Rs27.5 million.

    Another incident involved a trailer truck that was loaded with urea and was headed for Karachi when it was illegally crossed into Balochistan by the Enforcement Karachi at the Mochko checkpoint.

    Deputy Commissioner Keamari has received the truck and seized urea for further legal action. The truck hauling urea is estimated to be worth Rs29 million.

  • ‘There will be no place in hell to hide’: Feroze Khan grills Miftah Ismail for his recent remarks

    ‘There will be no place in hell to hide’: Feroze Khan grills Miftah Ismail for his recent remarks

    Actor Feroze Khan took to his Instagram stories to grill Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail for his recent statement amidst the petrol hike. Khan is appalled at the comic remarks by Miftah Ismail on the recent inflation hikes.

    The Finance Minister recently mentioned in a speech that citizens rush to petrol stations whenever he appears on television. The Khaani hero feels his humorous remarks are insensitive and grilled the politician by saying that he will get no place in hell to hide.”

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.

    The Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 star recently responded to a fan who termed his smile as ‘poison’. Feroze laughed it off and responded that “where does such phrases come from?”

    He recently appeared on Tabish Hashmi’s show TBH (To Be Honest) and he talked about his one insane female fan. The Khaani star recently hit back a troll who commented a derogatory remark on his picture.

    The Ishqiya star said that while he was the VJ for a show, he had an experience with a female fan when he had to use the washroom in the middle of the show.

    The Dil Tera Hogaya actor added: “I was going to the washroom with my team, they were escorting me to the place , later on, I sent the team back and went to the washroom, while I got back , I noticed the sound of someone walking behind me, when I saw around, it was the girl’s face whom I was watching for many months, the face was already fixed in my mind because I saw her a lot on my sets, she just used to come & watch me.”

    He kept on saying, “I asked to her, Yes ?, she said that she needs my number, she grabbed me from my collar and asked for it “, “I then gave my uncle’s number because I was stuck in a weird situation at that time, also I thought how can someone be so aggressive for the number”, said Feroze.

    “My uncle then called me and said someone called and asked about you, uncle smiled too”. Feroze further said that then another day he called and said “please settle this thing, it’s getting out of hands, she is desperately asking for your number from me.”

    Feroze stated that he loves the appreciation that his followers shower him with, but that devotion may be dangerous.

  • Video: Man marries alligator, kisses it after wedding

    Video: Man marries alligator, kisses it after wedding

    A man in Mexico has tied the knot with an alligator, Reuters has reported. In a vibrant wedding that took place in June, a Mexican mayor of a tiny town married his alligator bride.

    In video and pictures that have gone viral on social media, the man can be seen kissing the alligator. The seven-year-old alligator is referred to as ‘little princess’. It is thought to be a goddess who represents mother earth; her union with the local leader represents the union of people and the divine.

    “We ask nature for enough rain, for enough food, that we have fish in the river,” said Sosa, mayor of the small fishing village on Oaxaca’s steamy Pacific coast.

    “It gives me so much happiness and makes me proud of my roots,” said Elia Edith Aguilar, known as the godmother who organised the wedding.

    “It’s a very beautiful tradition,” she added.

  • ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Miftah is facing immense criticism from within PML-N’: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.

    “FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders,” tweeted Khawaja Asif.

    “He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah.”

    Miftah Ismail had recently said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of PM Shehbaz.

    There was news circulating of Dar taking the charge of the finance ministry, to which he said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”

    Ismail is under pressure since the government announced multiple hikes in petroleum products and the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme.

  • ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said if the need arises, fresh, effective and updated tear gas will be used against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters who are ready to hold a rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground today.

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that a pistol was recovered from a man who was present at the rally venue.

    The police have arrested the man and he is now being investigated.

    In a press conference today (Saturday), Sanaullah said that the expired tear gas, which he claimed was bought by his “predecessors”, had finished. “Now they [police] will get everything effective, fresh and updated if the need arises.” However, he advised participants at PTI rally not to cause chaos. “It would be better if they don’t create a situation.”

    He said that in the future, any such “seditious” rallies won’t be tolerated in the capital.

    Regarding a question about PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the federal minister said he should “correct” his matters and refrain from “creating rebellion and instability” in Pakistan.

    “All the political parties in the country at the moment are on one side, trying to solve the ongoing crises, while Imran Khan is busy abusing everyone and playing the politics of hatred,” the interior minister added.

    Prior to this, PTI alleged that the Islamabad police had used expired tear gas against them on May 25. Later, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan had stated that expired tear gas shells were not used.

    On Friday, the Staff Duties Directorate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi permitted PTI to organise its jalsa at Parade Ground in the federal capital.

    The permission is only valid for July 2. The NOC was given on the condition that the public gathering shall not disturb or disrupt the fundamental rights of the citizens of Islamabad and adjoining areas nor shall it block Islamabad Expressway or any other road. The gathering shall end at midnight.

  • Pakistani mobile manufacturing businesses are laying off workers due to economic challenges

    Pakistani mobile manufacturing businesses are laying off workers due to economic challenges

    There has been significant upheaval in the economy as a result of the new tax structure, rising inflation, and the power shortage.

    The Samsung mobile factory, which is owned by Lucky Motors, experienced a similar situation when it had to lay off a number of employees because Pakistan was short on raw materials.

    In addition to Samsung, there have also been reports of firing close to 1,000 workers at the Vivo mobile factory.

    Lucky Motor Corporation was permitted by PTA to manufacture Samsung mobile devices in August 2021, which sounded like a great news in terms of job creation and GDP contribution, among other things.

    In various economic sectors, each economic measure can have numerous impacts. As per economic theory, a nation’s high rate of inflation discourages investment since it makes it less certain that those investments will be lucrative. Humongous unemployment is being caused by this, along with an import ban and a recently implemented “super tax” in Pakistan.

    Additionally, businesses like Careem and Airlift recently stopped operating in some sectors and let go of a number of employees.

    In the year 2020, Careem fired 31 per cent of its workforce due to a pandemic. A number of the staff members at SVWL, Airlift, and Careem Food were let go in 2022. limited their operations or nearly shut down.

  • Secretary Cabinet directed to release list of gifts received by PMs, presidents of Pakistan since 1947

    Secretary Cabinet directed to release list of gifts received by PMs, presidents of Pakistan since 1947

    The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed the secretary cabinet to release the list of all the gifts received by all the prime ministers (PMs) and presidents of Pakistan since 1947. In addition, it has directed the secretary cabinet to provide the details of the amount at which the presidents and PMs had purchased those state gifts.

    The PIC took the decision at the request of lawyer Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi.

    In a tweet, Abuzar Niazi termed the decision as a “victory”.

    Talking to The Current, Abuzar said, “It is is a landmark decision by the Information Commission of Pakistan. A right step towards transparency and accountability. Freedom of information is a fundamental right protected under Art 19 A of the Constitution. People have the right to know everything which is of public importance.”

  • Google to delete location history of users visiting abortion clinics in the US

    Google to delete location history of users visiting abortion clinics in the US

    In response to mounting concerns that their information could be used to prosecute people seeking reproductive care and other personal services, Google said that it will automatically delete records of user trips to sensitive areas, including abortion clinics in the United States (US).

    Without mentioning abortion, Google stated on Friday that it would keep fighting back against improper or excessively broad requests for data by the US government.

    “Some of the places people visit — including medical facilities like counseling centres, domestic violence shelters, abortion clinics, fertility centres, addiction treatment facilities, weight loss clinics, cosmetic surgery clinics, and others — can be particularly personal,” Google said in a post on its website. “If our systems identify that someone has visited one of these places, we will delete these entries from Location History soon after they visit.”

    Google also said that it will release updates that would let those who use its Fitbit wearables to track their periods to remove numerous logs at once.

    The development came a few days after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, a landmark ruling that granted the right to abortion. The court determined that there is no constitutional right to an abortion, leaving it up to the states to decide whether or not to allow abortions.