Author: newsdesk

  • Mohsin Baig case: Court says FIA misused its power, issues show-cause notice

    Mohsin Baig case: Court says FIA misused its power, issues show-cause notice

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued show-cause notice to the Director of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, Babar Bakht Qureshi, on Monday for misusing FIA’s powers in the arrest case of journalist Mohsin Jamil Baig.

    The FIA cybercrime wing and the police arrested and raided Daily Jinnah and Online news agency Editor Mohsin Baig’s house. He was accused of initiating a debate on News One’s programme ‘G for Gharidah’. He made some controversial references towards Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Minister for Communication Murad Saeed.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah asked, “Why should we not register contempt of court case against the FIA? Do they think they are above the law?”

    During the hearing, Justice Minallah grilled the FIA director, reminding him that the court had told the agency to not make arrests. “This court will take action against you. Your job is to protect people and not to restore the reputation of an elite person.”

    Justice Minallah also posed some questions related to the arrest. He asked Qureshi that when there were four people in the programme, why only Baig was arrested.

    Justice Minallah further said that the agency has always abused its authority, adding that the court will not allow the FIA to infringe on anyone’s fundamental rights.

    When asked about PM Khan’s ex-wife Reham Khan’s book and which reference was given by Baig in the show. Additional Attorney General Qasim Wadood, who was present before the court, replied that he had not read the book.

    “Does everyone know what is written in the book?”, CJ asked.

    Justice Minallah said that this court has repeatedly said that you should be careful but the message being given is that there is no freedom of expression.

    However, the Director of FIA continued his argument that the reference to the book is defamatory and added, “We must discourage obscenity.”

    CJ Minallah stated that the biggest obscenity is not respecting the constitution, adding that prohibition is an abuse of power.

    Responding to contempt of court notice, Quershi pleaded to the CJ, saying we are like your children, have mercy. To which the CJ responded, “You are not my child and I am not your father.”

    Subsequently, the hearing was adjourned and Justice Minallah asked Qureshi to submit his response. The court also summoned Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan in the next hearing on February 24. Previously, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) approved the three-day remand of journalist Mohsin Baig.

  • ‘When Khan will be speaking in Moscow, Putin will not be worried about what army is doing in the absence of PM’: Fawad

    ‘When Khan will be speaking in Moscow, Putin will not be worried about what army is doing in the absence of PM’: Fawad

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that everyone — from Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to a common soldier — stands behind Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Speaking in Geo News‘ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Chaudhry said, “The citizens of Pakistan stand behind PM Imran Khan as well.”

    “Institutions want to see a person in charge who is loyal to Pakistan,” added Fawad.

    “When Imran Khan will be speaking in Moscow, Putin will not be worried about what the army is doing in the absence of PM Khan,” said the minister.

    The federal minister said a person should have the tendency to resolve issues amicably and work along with the institutions.

    “If soldiers are being martyred in Kargil and if then PM (Nawaz Sharif) goes to India to expand steel business, who will stand by him?” asked Fawad Chaudhry.

  • Wasim Akram thanks Waqar Younis after induction to PCB Hall of Fame

    Wasim Akram thanks Waqar Younis after induction to PCB Hall of Fame

    Former Pakistan captain and bowling ace Wasim Akram thanked fellow bowler Waqar Younis after he congratulated him on his achievements throughout his career.

    “Thanks buddy, wouldn’t have been possible without you at the other end,” Akram wrote on Twitter.

    Sharing pictures of Akram, Younis congratulated Akram for his contribution to Pakistan cricket.

    “Pride of performance, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, ICC [and] PCB Hall of Fame. 916 inter [wickets] with three hattricks,” he wrote sharing some stats of his bowling career.

    Calling him a “legend”, former Pakistan cricket team coach Younis said heroes come and go but “legends are forever”.

    Akram had been formally inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame.

    The 1992 World Cup winner Akram, who took a total of 916 wickets and scored 6,615 runs in his international career from 1984 to 2003, was inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame by veteran West Indies cricketer Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards.

    Vivian Richards, one of the all-time greats and an ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, presented Akram a commemorative cap and plaque before the beginning of the 28th match in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), played between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators.

    Akram is now one of the eight Pakistani stalwarts who are members of the PCB Hall of Fame.

  • Identical twins marry identical twins, give birth to identical sons

    Identical twins marry identical twins, give birth to identical sons

    Two recently born babies are both cousins and genetic brothers due to an extremely unlikely scenario. Brittany and Briana are identical twins who married identical twins Josh and Jeremy Salyers and then gave birth to babies within months of one another.

    Brittany and Briana shared their story on Instagram, and soon their fans were trying to figure out the unique connection between the babies.

    They uploaded an Instagram post of their adorable sons Jett and Jax and said they are; “Cousins, genetic brothers, and quaternary twins.”

    Many people took to the comments section, confused at how this was possible. As one wrote: “Their mothers and fathers are identical twins. Both sets of parents then had kids. Same exact DNA created both.”

    Then a second wrote: “Identical twins share the same DNA and both sets of parents are identical.”

    “If this family took an ancestry DNA Test it would show these babies as siblings, not cousins!”

    They had a joint wedding on August 5, 2018, live in the same home in Virginia, US (United States), and are now expanding their families together.

    Previously, the pair broke the pregnancy news on their shared Instagram page and said they wanted to fall pregnant at the same time writing: “Guess what!!?? BOTH couples are pregnant!”

    The post continued: “We are thrilled and grateful to experience overlapping pregnancies and to share this news with you all!”

    “Our children will not only be cousins but full genetic siblings and quaternary multiples! Can’t wait to meet them and for them to meet each other!”

  • Shoaib Akhtar reacts to viral picture of Pakistani holding Virat Kohli’s poster in PSL matches

    Shoaib Akhtar reacts to viral picture of Pakistani holding Virat Kohli’s poster in PSL matches

    Former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has reacted to a viral picture of a Pakistani fan of former Indian all-format captain Virat Kohli, who was holding Kohli’s posters in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

    Akhtar took to Twitter and shared the picture of the Pakistani fan, saying: “Someone spreading love at the #GaddafiStadium.”

    The fan’s picture has gone viral on social media when he was noticed holding the picture of Kohli with the phrases, “I want to see your [Kohli] century in Pakistan #Peace.”

    Meanwhile, Kohli has been rested from the T20I series with Sri Lanka which will start from February 24. While he is part of the currently on-going three-match T20I series against West Indies, in which he even scored a half-century on Sunday.

  • Fazl to host dinner for Zardari to discuss no-confidence motion today

    Fazl to host dinner for Zardari to discuss no-confidence motion today

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will meet Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad to discuss the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, reports Geo News.

    According to the media outlet’s sources, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief will also host a dinner in honour of the former president.

    The two leaders are also likely to discuss a plan of action regarding the no-confidence motion, which will be tabled by Opposition parties to oust PM Khan’s government.

    Zardari has been staying in the capital for a couple of days and holding low-profile meetings. 

    It is pertinent to mention that the meeting of the two leaders will be the first since PPP’s exit from PDM. 

  • Ali Noor responds to harassment controversy with picture of grave, says victim has ‘audacity not to accept his heartfelt words’

    Ali Noor responds to harassment controversy with picture of grave, says victim has ‘audacity not to accept his heartfelt words’

    Singer Ali Noor took to his Instagram to respond to his recent harassment controversy. The singer has been in the news after journalist Ayesha Binte Rashid accused the singer of sexual harassment. She took to her Instagram handle to share screenshots of an alleged WhatsApp conversation with the singer.

    Ali, while sharing a picture of a grave with his name written on it, said, “Ayesha Binte I am done being concerned about you. I sent you an apology for putting my entire life at stake and you have the audacity to not accept my heartfelt words.”

    The singer also denied allegations of sexual harassment, “I deny all allegations of sexual harassment against me I never admitted to them to start with. I was already not in a good place. Now I am gathering the courage to move on to the next word. I have absolutely no guilt. I hope you finally find your solace and an answer for my children,” he concluded. However, Ayesha has shared screenshots of Ali’s reply to her messages in which he thanked Ayesha for the “Wakeup call.”

    The singer also used the hashtag #stopmockeryofmetoo.

    In another story, he said, “To the few left that still loves me… Remember I am no sexual abuser. Also, remember.. every human being matters wishing better life for everybody.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that Ali earlier announced that his new song is going to be released on the 22nd. The month is not mentioned.

    People on social media have mixed reactions to Ali’s posts. Some are assuming that the singer is threatening suicide and others are of the view that the singer is “not sorry.”

    https://twitter.com/talkingcurves/status/1495614937481330691

    https://twitter.com/MehroozW/status/1495609804148326405

  • PM’s aide Razak Dawood encourages trade with India, calls it ‘need of the hour’

    PM’s aide Razak Dawood encourages trade with India, calls it ‘need of the hour’

    Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Commerce, Textile, Industry, and Production, and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that trade with India is the need of the hour and beneficial to both countries.

    Dawood said “As far as the ministry of commerce is concerned, its position is to do trade with India. And my stance is that we should do trade with India and it should be opened now.”

    “Trade with India is very beneficial to all, especially Pakistan. And I support it.”

    Earlier this month, business tycoon Mian Muhammad Mansha claimed that he is aware of backchannel diplomacy being pursued by India and Pakistan.

    Mansha further insisted that the two countries need to resolve their issues and increase trade.

    “If things improve between the two neighbours, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Pakistan in a month,” said Mansha.

  • Video: Atif Aslam pays tribute to Lata Mangeshkar at Dubai concert, fans cheer

    Video: Atif Aslam pays tribute to Lata Mangeshkar at Dubai concert, fans cheer

    Singer Atif Aslam sang a few iconic songs of late singer Lata Mangeshkar at his recent concert in Dubai and paid a musical tribute to her.

    In the video, shared by multiple fan accounts on Twitter and Instagram, the Tu Jaane Na crooner can be seen performing on stage as a large picture of Lata Mangeshkar is projected on the screen behind him. 

    Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most acclaimed playback singers in the world, with over 6,000 songs and a bunch of top honours to her credit. She was the first Indian to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Her career spanned nearly 80 years and she believed there is no retirement for an artist.

  • ‘Will come back stronger’: Babar Azam’s note after unsuccessful PSL stint

    ‘Will come back stronger’: Babar Azam’s note after unsuccessful PSL stint

    Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, who was leading Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings for the first time, did not have a great season this year and Kings lost nine out of 10 matches in this year’s edition, making an unwanted record.

    After their last defeat by the hands of Quetta Gladiators, Babar took to Twitter and penned a note in which he pledged to “come back stronger”.

    “We did not hold up our end. Lots to reflect, learn & improve from this entire experience of #PSL7. In sha Allah, we will come back stronger. Also, quite grateful to all the fans for their immense support and belief,” he tweeted.

    Karachi Kings was not only the team to have the longest streak of defeats with eight consecutive losses in the tournament but it created another unwanted PSL record on Sunday after losing to Quetta Gladiators.

    The Gladiators thrashed Kings by 23 runs in match 28 of the PSL at the Gaddafi Stadium, after which the team was also eliminated from the race to the playoffs in the tournament, with only two points in 10 games.