Author: newsdesk

  • Suicide bomber Shari Baloch’s Twitter run from abroad; husband held

    Suicide bomber Shari Baloch’s Twitter run from abroad; husband held

    Habitan Bashir Baloch, husband of the female suicide bomber, Shari Baloch has been arrested by security officials, a day after scope of the investigation into the Karachi University (KU) blast was expanded, reports ARY News on Wednesday.

    According to the TV report, Habitan Bashir Baloch was arrested by the security personnel.

    The TV channel, quoting sources, claimed that the Chinese ambassador in Pakistan was informed regarding arrest of the suicide bomber’s husband, Habitan Bashir Baloch.

    The Chinese envoy was briefed on the latest developments in a session chaired by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah at Chief Minister’s House in Karachi.

    The participants of the session were apprised that it is the first arrest after the KU blast.

    Meanwhile, the report claimed that investigation agencies have unearthed more details about the woman suicide bomber Shari Baloch who attacked Chinese citizens at KU on April 26.

    The report, quoting investigators, revealed that the last tweet from Shari Baloch’s Twitter account was made from a foreign country.

    “The IP and MAC address recovered from her last tweet have disclosed that her account was being operated from a western country. The handlers also tried to camouflage the location by using a VPN,” the TV channel informed.

    Authorities have also found details about Shari’s meetings prior to the blast at KU. Shari used to meet regularly with her husband at his brother’s house. Dr Haibtan Baloch was staying in a private hotel in Karachi. Authorities have doubts that Haibtan was among the masterminds of the attack.

    The police raided a house in Gulistan-e-Johar Karachi where they found Shari’s two kids.

    Some locals also assisted in carrying out the attack, the investigators claim.

    On the other hand, the investigators have found the association of some relatives of the Karachi University’s (KU) female suicide bomber Shari Baloch with the banned Baloch Students Organization (BSO).

    The ARY News claimed that investigators believed that Shari Baloch joined the banned BSO through her relatives.

  • Pakistan to host Cricket World Cup for veteran players in 2023

    Pakistan will host Cricket World Cup for veteran players in the next year 2023. The age limit for players to play in the tournament would be 40 and above.

    According to Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), 12 teams will play in the tournament which will commence on September 23, 2023, at six venues in Karachi while the final match will be played on October 8.

    Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman PVCA told the media: “Pakistan will be joined in the World Cup by old rivals – India, Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, USA, Zimbabwe, Wales, UAE, and Namibia.”

    He added, “It is going to be a major event and we will take all steps to make sure that we host it successfully.”

    “We have a number of leading cricketers who would be eligible to compete in the World Cup. We are hoping that top players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, and Mohammad Hafeez will play for Pakistan. We are going to field a very strong team and will be the favorites to win the World Cup,” he further said.

    There is a new concept that will give an opportunity to former cricketers to play on the fields again while young audiences and players will also get another chance to see their seniors playing on the grounds.

    Every match will be of 45 overs and local TV channels will broadcast the matches of Pakistan including the semi-finals and finals live.

    The Veterans World Cup, aged above 50, was first launched in Australia in 2018. However, its second edition was canceled due to a covid pandemic.

  • Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reports.

    According to a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Britain’s Prime Minister wrote PM Shehbaz a letter on April 26 in which he stated that the UK and Pakistan have enjoying deep relations, bolstered by strong people-to-people contacts. In his letter, Boris Johnson noted that the United Kingdom and Pakistan have been locked in bonds supported by strong people-to-people links.

    “He also recalled their meeting in 2016 during his visit to Pakistan and the discussions held on a number of shared interests including girls’ education, health, economics and trade relations,” the statement issued by the ministry read.

    “PM Johnson looked forward to working together including in addressing global challenges,” the statement read.

  • CDA to spend Rs80 million on maintenance of street lights in Islamabad

    CDA to spend Rs80 million on maintenance of street lights in Islamabad

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) would spend about Rs80 million on street light repairs and maintenance to keep the city lit at night.

    On several main highways, intersections, connecting roads, marketplaces, and streets in Islamabad, the Authority’s Street Light Department will install new street lights and replace damaged street lights and transformers, according to a CDA spokesman on Wednesday. The tender will be published in national publications soon before work begins.

    He said the administration was committed to providing the necessary resources to the street lighting division in the best interests of the capital city and its citizens, under the leadership of CDA Chairman Aamer Ali Ahmed.

    The continuous functioning of street lights was necessary to offer inhabitants safe transportation and to ensure the city’s security at night, according to the spokesman.

    Allocated Budget for Sectors

    According to information, a budget of about Rs20 million has been put aside for the construction of new street lights on different important highways and linking roads between GT Road and Haj Complex, as well as Sector I-14/2-3.

    Moreover, about Rs19 million has been set aside for the installation of new and contemporary street lights on Sector I-11/2’s key highways, link roads, and marketplaces, as well as the upkeep of broken street lights.

    Read more: Shopkeepers fined in Islamabad for not adhering to DC rates

    Similarly, Rs16 million has been set aside for sector I-16 in order to ensure sufficient illumination on major highways, service roads, and marketplaces. In addition, Rs11 million would be spent on lighting from Sector I-10, Faqir Appi Road, to Victory Pipe Industrial Area.

    The administration has agreed to spend Rs11 million to install new and modern street lights in Sector I-14-1, I-14/3, and I-14/4 to ensure sufficient lighting, and Rs7 million to install new street lights in Sector H-11 from NUST University to Srinagar Highway.

  • Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar met Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and advised him not to criticise the judiciary.

    The meeting took place at the latter’s Lahore residence in Zaman Park on Wednesday wherein they deliberated the judiciary’s role vis-à-vis the ongoing political crisis and constitutional matters among other issues.

    According to media reports, the PTI chief had invited former CJP Saqib Nisar to his Zaman Park residence with the aim to `consult’ legal experts on various prevailing constitutional as well political issues.

    The PTI chief discussed with the former CJP legalities regarding oath-taking by the Punjab chief minister-elect since the Lahore High Court had advised the governor to administer oath on Thursday (today).

    Talking to ARY News following the meeting, Justice (r) Saqib Nisar lauded the country’s judiciary for doing “great work”.

    He said he advised the former prime minister to not criticise the judiciary. He said he also discussed with Khan the constitutional crisis in Punjab, as well as the issue of the oath-taking of the newly elected Punjab chief minister.

    Earlier, addressing PTI workers’ convention in Lahore on Wednesday, Imran Khan said that his party will observe Ramadan 27 (a possible Shab-e-Qadr) as “Shab-e-Dua” (Night of Prayers) and urged all Pakistanis to join PTI’s Shab-e-Dua for the “real freedom of Pakistan”.

    He also asked party representatives to launch a public campaign at UC level in their constituencies for preparations regarding the party’s Islamabad march. “I want two million people to reach Islamabad on my call,” he added.

  • UN chief arrives in Ukraine

    UN chief arrives in Ukraine

    Following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced his arrival in Kyiv on Wednesday. “I have arrived in Ukraine after visiting Moscow,” he wrote on his official Twitter account as he landed ahead of talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

    “We will continue our work to expand humanitarian support and secure the evacuation of civilians from the conflict zones. The sooner this war ends, the better — for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world – it will be ,” Guterres tweeted.

    During talks in Moscow on Tuesday, Guterres repeated calls for both Russia and Ukraine to work together to set up “safe and effective” humanitarian corridors in war-torn Ukraine.

    “Despite the fact that the military operation is ongoing, we still hope that we will be able to reach agreements on the diplomatic track,” the Russian leader said in televised remarks.

  • Pakistan to broaden ties with US for the bright future of IT sector

    Pakistan to broaden ties with US for the bright future of IT sector

    Pakistan is taking steps to establish a welcoming environment for the digital industry, and now is the right time to elevate tech relations with the United States (US) according to Ambassador Masood Khan.

    The United States is willing to assist, and we are ready to join the IT revolution by integrating and adopting breakthroughs in US technologies, Khan said at the Pakistan Tech Summit 2022 in Silicon Valley, California.

    According to the Pakistani ambassador, the Forum provides a venue for Pakistani business leaders, tech startups, and technology professionals to come together and establish affinities, expand contacts between Silicon Valley and the Pakistani startup ecosystem, and team up for Pakistan’s better future.

    He said that more than 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, and the country’s burgeoning middle class is likely to surpass the 100 million mark in the near future. This youth bulge, paired with a rising middle class, envisioned a bright future for the country’s IT sector.

    He claimed that tech entrepreneurs in Pakistan have made half a billion dollars in the last 18 months, largely due to US funding, and that the sector is poised to create tens of billions of dollars in the next decade.

    Ambassador Khan stated that the Pakistani government will continue to take initiatives to make the tech industry more welcoming. He stated that laws are being made more business-friendly, that ease of doing business is a focus, and that venture capitalists are being offered incentives.

    The Envoy mentioned many incentives being offered to boost the tech sector, including the ability for investors to return their funds, data protection legislation in the works, and intellectual property challenges being handled.

    Read more: US launches $23 million project to enhance Pakistan’s power sector

    “We want to open a consulate general in the Bay Area to connect Silicon Valley with Pakistan in order to promote and assist the growth of entrepreneurs in Pakistan,” the Ambassador continued.

    During the conference, he invited participants to share the results of their discussions and to identify areas where the government and embassy could assist.

  • Khloe Kardashian makes revelations about developing ‘anxiety’ from social media trolling

    Reality television star and entrepreneur Khloe Kardashian never fails to speak up about what’s on her mind, and this time she claims that social media is no ‘fun’ anymore for her.

    After being trolled for her highly photoshopped images and pressured by her fans to post more natural photos of herself, Khloe now reveals that now has “Anxiety” due to Instagram.

    Recently, the Hulu diva spoke about the anxiety that she has regarding her Instagram after fans accused her of Photoshopping her images. On the premiere episode of the family recently arrived Hulu series The Kardashians, Khloe claimed that the social media platform is no longer fun. Later in the second episode, Khole was seen in a conversation with her close friend Malika Haqq before her interview with late-night host James Corden.

    In that instance, Khloe Kardashian said, “I have such anxiety about going. It’s never the interview, it’s always the aftermath. Now you have to listen to everyone say this, or judge you or over-analyze something you say and pick this apart.” Later while speaking with the cameras, she continued, “Social media used to be fun and silly. There’s definitely always trolls. Now, everything is so critical. The way I look, my situation with Tristan, is my hair done the right way, this, that. I’ve got to the point where it’s literally safer to stay home.”

    Replying to that Malika Haqq said, “Anxiety is real and the amount of criticism and scrutiny you have to deal with is also real, but I do like that you do deal.” She also said, “You could disappear and decide you don’t want this to be your life anymore because someone doesn’t have something nice to say to you.” Later in the scene, the KUWTK star was seen talking to the camera and stating that she is currently living by the mantra “f*** the haters” and claims that tuning out criticism is “much easier said than done”.

    Continuing her conversation she said, “It’s so deteriorating on your self-esteem, your confidence, the way that you view yourself. Even posting photos on Instagram, I’m anxious, even when I barely did retouching. I’m still so afraid to post it because people are going to say I did this.”

  • This 8-year-old started driving two years ago

    This 8-year-old started driving two years ago

    We have previously heard or seen 13-year-olds driving confidently on Pakistani roads, but this time a YouTube video of an 8-year-old boy driving a full-fledged Toyota SUV with his 10-year-old sister has stunned everyone.

    The video posted on the internet was shot by his own father, who owns the white Toyota Fortuner. The boy claimed in the video that he has been driving since he was six years old, which is even more surprising given that he is struggling to look out the window, confirming that he is unable to obtain a clear view of the road.

    In the comments section, the majority of viewers critiqued the video for encouraging underage driving and putting others’ lives at risk, while others applauded the boy’s driving skills. It is worth adding that this is not the first time a video of this kind has gone viral. Earlier, a kid who seemed to be 11–12 years old was recorded months ago driving a Toyota Land Cruiser on a busy road.

    Read more: This Mercedes has a smaller engine than the Honda Pridor

    Promoting underage driving is becoming a worrisome trend in Pakistan, which the government must address promptly.

  • Kangana Ranaut opens up on being sexually harassed at the age of six

    Kangana Ranaut opens up on being sexually harassed at the age of six

    The reality series Lock Upp has lately been gaining a lot of attention on social media and most of it has to do with the secrets that are revealed by the contestants every once in a while. In a recent episode of the show, contestant Munawar Faruqui was seen opening up on the traumatic sexual abuse he went through, as a child and everyone seemed visibly moved by his claims.

    Host Kangana Ranaut also decided to join the conversation as she shared her own experience with child abuse.

    For the unversed, the show kicked off in February this year and has been experiencing record-breaking viewership numbers, ever since. Its premise revolves around a group of controversial celebrities who have to survive on minimum utilities while fulfilling a bunch of tasks to keep themselves safe. It is being produced by Ekta Kapoor and actor Karan Kundrra is also a part of it as a jailor.

    In the Judgement Day Special episode of Lock Upp, inmate Saisha Shinde was under the threat of getting eliminated when Munawar Faruqui decided to reveal one of his secrets to save her for the week. He shed some light on how he was sexually abused by two of his relatives for five years at a time when he was too young to even understand what was happening. He further explained how he had to face both of them every day, which was one of the reasons why he could never really speak about it in the past.

    Lock Upp: Munawar Faruqui admits he is married and has a son, fans react

    Host Kangana Ranaut was extremely touched by his story and added to the discussion by revealing how she had been a victim of s*xual abuse as well.

    “This is something that even I have witnessed. I was too young, and there was a guy in our hometown, who was a few years older than me. So, he used to touch me inappropriately… but I didn’t understand his intention at that time.”

    “That guy was exploring his sexuality, so he used to call us, asked us to strip down our clothes, and he used to check us…. we were around 6-year-old.”

    Earlier the Woh Lamhe diva strongly criticised a video of a little female vlogger who recreated a scene of Alia Bhatt’s upcoming biopic film, Gangubai Kathiawadi.

    An Instagram influencer, Kiara Khanna who is also known as ‘chhoti Alia Bhatt’, re-enacted a dialogue of Alia from her upcoming film which went viral across social media. She shared two screenshots on Instagram stories and tagged Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani.

    She penned, “Should this child imitate a sex worker with a beedi in her mouth and crude and obscene dialogues? Look at her body language, is it ok to sexualize her at this age? There are hundreds of other children who are being used similarly.”

    The film is based on the life of a real sex worker based in Mumbai who is mentioned in the book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ by S. Hussain Zaidi. This film is being released under the banner of Bhansali Productions with the collaboration of Pen India Limited. Ajay Devgn and Vijay Raaz will also be seen in interesting roles.

    Prior to it the Queen actress, also slammed Deepika Padukone‘s newly released film, Gehraiyaan.

    She wrote, “I am also a millennial but I identify and understand this kind of romance … in the name of millennial/new age/urban movies don’t sell trash pls … bad movies are bad movies no amount of skin show or p*rnography can _ save it … it’s a basic fact koi gehraiyaan wali baat nahi hai (there is no depth in it).”