Author: newsdesk

  • Petrol price goes up by Rs4 per litre

    Petrol price goes up by Rs4 per litre

    The government on Friday increased the prices of petroleum products by Rs4 per litre. The price of petrol has reached to Rs144.82 and diesel Rs141.62 per litre. The increase has been announced to meet the petroleum levy target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The increase in petrol prices will come into effect from January 1 (today).

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reacted to the news of increase in petrol prices. “Imran Khan given new year gift to public by increasing the price of petrol,” the PPP chairman said in a statement.

    “Imran Khan claimed that 2021 would be the year of prosperity, but 2022 has arrived, where have the claims gone.”

  • ‘Esra Bilgic is Yasir Hussain of Turkey’: Naumaan Ijaz makes striking statement on ‘Ertugrul’ star

    ‘Esra Bilgic is Yasir Hussain of Turkey’: Naumaan Ijaz makes striking statement on ‘Ertugrul’ star

    Actor Naumaan Ijaz stated on his chat show G Sarkar that the Ertugrul star Esra Bilgic is the Yasir Hussain of Turkey. Elaborating his answer he added that whenever she posts a picture it offends her followers here, hinting at her bold pictures which received flak from her Pakistani followers.

    Esra gained mass popularity in Pakistan after Ertugrul’s broadcast on Pakistani satellite for her character of Halima Sultan.

    Esra Bilgiç Husband, Height, Wedding, Kids, Family, Age, Interview

    After months of being patient and forgiving Pakistani viewers for their comments on her choice of clothes and outfits, Esra finally hit out at a troll who asked her not to wear “such dresses”.

    Esra Bilgic top 10 Bold Pictures that will Leave You Flabbergasted! - Lunar Gaze

    Under a recent Instagram post, a social media user by the name Astounding Ali commented: “Please don’t wear such dresses Halima baji, not good.”

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 118587179_655743048481879_6859646237549525657_n-1024x377.jpg

    READ MORE: ‘Ayeza has more followers, Pakistanis made her popular’: Yasir Hussain slams Esra Bilgic

  • 2021: Not-so-silly government blunders of the year

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) has completed three years of its mandated constitutional term. During these years, ministers and officials including the Prime Minister (PM) himself have made countless blunders.

    Here is a list of top blunders made by the sitting government.

    1- PM Imran Khan

    ‘Human rights and women rights are different’

    At the platform where PM Imran Khan was supposed to talk about the Afghanistan crisis, he said human rights and women’s rights are different. The speech resulted in a lot of backlash as a series of severe discriminatory rules were already enacted by the Taliban across Afghanistan.

    Blamed rape cases on vulgarity

    A sensitive topic in Pakistan, the premier commented on rape in Pakistan and later was schooled not only by Pakistanis but also his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith. While responding to a question about what the federal government is doing to curb the recent surge of rape cases and sexual violence especially against children. Khan instead of laying out his government’s plans blamed the rising cases on vulgarity.

    2- Punjab CM Usman Buzdar

    The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Usman Buzdar hardly remains in limelight. But when he does something he makes sure to be in the headlines. Just like previous Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, Buzdar paid a “surprise visit” to the tourism office and transferred the additional secretary “for being absent from duty” while not being aware that the officer held the additional charge of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director. She was at her other office. His government termed it as a ‘deliberate attempt’ to malign the CM.

    3- Fawad Chaudhry

    Quick question: ‘Adrak Garlic hota ha ya Lasan Ginger’. Well, if you are confused you gotta listen to our federal minister.

    Addressing a press conference on inflation, Fawad had a brain-freeze moment, when he couldn’t exactly recall what garlic meant in Urdu. The incident happened as the minister was talking about the decrease in price for garlic and onions. The minister was heard saying, “Garlic is adrak (ginger).” Isn’t it relatable?

    4- Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan

    In a horrific event that resulted in the loss of 65 lives. PTI’s leader Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan made a shocking statement. She said, “By the grace of Almighty Allah, ever since the government came into power, this is the first train accident that happened in this year 2021″. Later, she termed it out of context.

  • ‘Can’t explain that moment’: Babar opens up about T20 win against India

    ‘Can’t explain that moment’: Babar opens up about T20 win against India

    Pakistan’s all-format cricket team captain Babar Azam has opened up about how he felt beating arch-rival India in the T20 World Cup 2021.

    Azam hailed his side’s record win against India in the event. Pakistan successfully played to a 10-wicket win, ending their World Cup drought against the Men in Blue.

    Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi was the star of the show, taking three for 31 from his four overs. Despite a 57 from former Indian T20 captain Virat Kohli, the Indians were not able to notch up an intimidating total on the scoreboard.

    Chasing 152 for victory, skipper Babar (68) and his partner Mohammad Rizwan (79) steered the national team home with 13 deliveries to spare.

    “I can’t explain that moment. We were not thinking about the past record, trying to stay in the present. The way we started and finished had a different feel and buzz to it.. and the response from fans was amazing too. We hadn’t registered a win (against India) in the World Cups and Allah helped us change that. It was a team effort. We had belief. There was no overconfidence,” said Babar in a PCB Podcast episode on YouTube.

    The Men in Green reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after topping Group B. However, their impressive journey came to an end with a defeat to eventual champions Australia in the semis. Babar described it as a heartbreaking moment for Pakistan.

    “We had put in the effort… we had dominated the World Cup. But unfortunately, we couldn’t win that match. We made mistakes as a team but we need to learn from it and deliver a better performance next time,” said Babar, who finishes with the year with 939 runs from 29 T20 Internationals.

    “Doesn’t matter how you start when you finish well. We finished the year on an outstanding note. We played some positive cricket throughout the year and tried to leave an impact. We’ve had different Man of the Match contenders for every match. Unfortunately, we bowed out of T20 World Cup but we did learn from that defeat. We have had discussions on the mistakes and will try to improve day by day.”

    “Talking about performances, Rizwan and Shaheen were brilliant. Hasan too. Youngsters like Abdullah, Wasim and Dhani have been impressive too. It’s a plus point for us and hopefully, we carry on the momentum. We had assigned roles to players and that led to better performances. I had the belief that we had match-winners in our team and the boys proved that. Thanks to the fans too and we hope to get a similar kind of support next year,” said the 27-year-old batter.

    Babar stands on top of the table of both white-ball formats. While Rizwan stands on third position in the ICC T20I Batting Rankings for the first time in his career.

    Check out here:

  • ‘Ayeza aur Mahira ki race lagi hui hai’: Yasir Hussain makes revelations about female superstars

    Actor Yasir Hussain responded to a netizen who asked him if he wants to increase his followers on Instagram, the Jhooti star stated that he should ask this to Pakistani leading ladies, Mahira Khan and Ayeza Khan. Yasir beleives that they are in a race to garner maximum followers.

    Instagram is the most popular social media platform amongst Pakistani celebrities who use the app to interact and engage with their fans and followers. Celebrities also do their PR work and online endorsements on social media.

    With 10.7 million followers, the Chupke Chupke diva became the most followed celebrity of Pakistan in 2021, she often share pictures of her husband Danish Taimoor and her kids. Ayeza’s biggest strategy is that she posts a lot. The more you post the more followers and engagement you get on your profile. Ayeza posts multiple PR content or paid posts in a day.’

    Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan has 8.5 million followers. The Raees actress shares candid moments from her life on social media including pictures with no make-up which very few actresses can. She is not very active on social media but should post more considering the amount of work she does.

    READ MORE: ‘Looks good with only’: Ayeza Khan opens up about Danish Taimoor’s romantic on-screen pairings

    READ MORE: ‘Sub mere peechay kyun par jatay hain?’: Mahira Khan breaks silence over criticism on her acting skills

  • ‘Scattered, regional bias, do homework’: Sheheryar Munawar blasts troll for accusation of discriminating Sindhis

    ‘Scattered, regional bias, do homework’: Sheheryar Munawar blasts troll for accusation of discriminating Sindhis

    Actor Sheheryar Munawar is currently featuring in the successful drama series, Sinf-e-Aahan. The Parey Hut Love star recently hit out at a troll for accusing him and the drama’s makers to ignore Sindhi community’s representation in the hit drama.

    The drama features diverse characters from all the provinces of Pakistan.

    The Pehli Si Mohabbat hero stated that one should do their homework and should see Pakistan as one whole unite rather than as segregated regions.

    Syra Yousuf and Sheheryar Munawar's bold photoshoot goes viral

    Recently actor Syra Yousuf opened up on her scintillating shoot with the Ho Mann Jahan star, she said that when the shoot came out and went viral on social media, netizens commented that they will have fairy babies together if they get married, considering their good on-screen chemistry.

    READ MORE: Trouble in Paradise: Maya Ali, Sheheryar Munawar unfollow each other after an alleged break-up

    READ MORE:‘Teeli lagayi’: Sheheryar breaks silence on trolling for touching Nawazuddin’s feet in viral video

    READ MORE: ‘People said we’ll have fairy babies together’: Syra Yousuf opens up on shoot with Sheheryar Munawar

  • 2021: 11 beautiful Pakistani and Indian brides that shined this year

    2021: 11 beautiful Pakistani and Indian brides that shined this year

    The year 2021 has been an eventful year for new couples despite the Covid-19 pandemic. We have chosen a total of 11 beautiful brides from Pakistan and India belonging to different walks of life, who made the news.

    The glamorous Pakistani brides that made the list are:

    BAKHTAWAR BHUTTO-ZARDARI

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, daughter of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, tied a knot with lawyer Mahmood Choudhry on January 29. She chose to wear a lehenga with a combination of white and gold that resembled her mother’s wedding dress, along with the reflection of her own personality. The dress highlighted traditional and modern aesthetics. It was uniquely designed with handwoven embroidery by designer Wardha Saleem.

    MANSHA PASHA

    Actor Mansha Pasha got married to famous human rights activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir on April 10 in Karachi in an intimate wedding ceremony. The nikkah was solemnized by Islamic scholar, Javed Ghamidi on the internet. She opted for a white and silver elegant lehenga designed by Zuria Dor with matching jewellery. She wore a necklace and earrings with white pearls along with a teeka. She had a separate dupatta with gotta which enhanced the lehenga’s design. Fans flooded their Instagram with best wishes and prayers for the lovely couple when they announced their nikkah.

    MINAL KHAN

    Pakistani Actor, Minal Khan got married to Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram in a star-studded event on September 10. Minaal wore a red royal traditional dress with classic gold and pearl jewellery including a teeka, jhoomar, rings, earrings and necklace. Her dress was designed by fashion house Anas Abrar. According to the designer, 55 artisans put their hard work into the outfit. She wore jewellery by Ali Javeri Jewelers.

    MALALA YOUSAFZAI

    Pakistani Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai tied a knot with Asser Malik on November 9 in an intimate nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham. This is the most surprising event as no one was expecting it. She announced her nikkah on Twitter. Her husband is the General Manager High Performance of the Pakistan Cricket Team. She wore a simple pink dress with light embroidery and a dupatta with gotta. In jewellery, she wore only a teeka and a wedding ring. Her simplicity enhanced her natural beauty.

    AYESHA SAIF KHAN

    Ayesha Saif, daughter of Saif-ur-Rahman Khan (former head of Ehtsaab Bureau and a close confidante of Nawaz Sharif) married Junaid Safdar, son of Maryam Nawaz, on December 15 in Islamabad. She was wearing a full embroidery golden lehenga designed by Bunto Kazmi. It was complemented by green emerald and diamond jewellery. Their supporters were stunned over her beauty at the wedding and gave lots of blessings to her.

    MARIAM ANSARI

    Pakistani actor, Mariam Ansari tied the knot with Former Cricketer, Moin Khan’s son, Owais Khan in February and their Valima was held on December 25 in Karachi. She chose to wear an elegant ethereal beige lehenga designed by Elan. In jewellery, she opted for a pearl and stone studded choker and small teeka.

    STUNNING INDIAN BRIDES OF 2021

    DIA MIRZA

    Bollywood star, Dia Mirza exchanged wedding vows with an Indian businessman, Vaibhev Rekhi on February 15 in Mumbai. She wore a red banarasi silk saree with a golden border. She wore green and gold bangles with a teeka and drop chandelier earrings. Her fans congratulated her for breaking the stereotypes of getting married for the second time.

    YAMI GAUTAM

    Bollywood and South Indian actor, Yami Gautam married Uri: The Surgical Strike’s Director, Aditya Dhar on 4th June in the ceremony with limited guests. The intimate ceremony was held at Yami’s farmhouse in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. At her wedding event, she wore a traditional red saree that belonged to her mother. Her saree was covered with gold embroidery. Her maternal grandmother gifted the dupatta and the traditional Pahaadi Himachali Nath to the actor. Her heirloom jewellery includes a regal gold choker, teeka, and kalire decorated with cowries and coconut. She wore red and gold bangles.

    DISHA PARMAR

    Indian television actress, Disha Parmar exchanged her wedding vows with Indian singer Rahul Vaidya on July 16 in Mumbai. Their event was considered a big fat Indian wedding. She opted for an unusual dress, a red lehenga with broad motifs of peacocks at the bottom. The mirror work (ablas) was done creatively on her blouse. She opted for heavy accessories, including a choker with green pearls and earrings. She also wore a traditional nath and teeka with red bangles.

    PATRALEKHA

    Bollywood actor, Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha Paul got married on 15th November in Chandigarh after dating for 11 years. Patralekha chose to wear a red embroidered saree and dupatta as a veil designed by Sabyasachi. A sweet message was written around the border of dupatta in the Bengali language, “Amar poran bhora bhalobasha aami tomaye somorpan korilam (I surrender my heartfelt love to you).” Her elegant jewellery turned her into a graceful bride on her memorable day. She wore a matha matti with embedded stone and a heavy choker, nath and earrings. She also wore some gold kadhas and kundan bangles.

    KATRINA KAIF

    The most anticipated marriage of the year so far. Bollywood actors, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot on December 9 at the Six Senses Fort in Rajasthan. She opted to wear a bright pink lehenga with a gold embroidered blouse. The outfit was designed by Sabyasachi. She wore heavy jewellery which included a gold choker, jhumka earrings, a double matha patti, a traditional nath and custom made kaliras.

  • 46% of Pakistanis are fully vaccinated against Covid-19

    National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) Cheif Asad Umar has revealed 46 per cent of Pakistan’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

    In a tweet, the federal minister said, “Amongst the federating units, Islamabad leads with 77 per cent fully vaccinated persons. Punjab is at 51 per cent, Gilgit-Baltistan 46 per cent, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 45 per cent, Balochistan 42 per cent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 41 per cent, and Sindh at 37 per cent.”

    Umar also confirmed that 63 per cent of the country’s population has been administered the first dose of the vaccine.

    The country reported over 500 covid cases in a day on Friday, positivity rate stands at one per cent.

    Health experts have linked the rise in Covid-19 cases with the Omicron variant as nearly 89 cases of the new strain have been reported alone in Karachi.

  • Mosque constructed on land allotted for a park, Mufti says no to demolition

    Leading Islamic scholar and head of Darul Uloom Karachi, Mufti Taqi Usmani tweeted against the orders of the demolition of Madina Mosque which is located at Tariq Road, Karachi.

    On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered to demolish several structures that are constructed on unauthorised lands in Karachi including Madina Mosque.

    The apex court found out the mosque was constructed on the land that was allotted for the park.

    Mufti Taqi Usmani said in his tweet that the order of demolition of Madina Masjid on Tariq Road and construction of the park is totally “unjustified”. Thie mosque was constructed around 25 years ago on Tariq road and worshippers were using it since then.

    The Islamic scholar also said that the decree is incomprehensible without first hearing from the residents living in the neighborhood regarding the demolition of the mosque. He demanded that the court should review their order immediately.

    Meanwhile, authorities of Karachi held a meeting on Wednesday to implement the court orders since the construction of the mosque was done on illegal land.

  • Rizwan, Shaheen nominated for Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year

    Rizwan, Shaheen nominated for Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated two Pakistani cricketers, wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year award. The nominees are selected for their match-winning knocks, sizzling spells, superhuman efforts and impeccable leadership in the cricket.

    Alongside Rizwan and Shaheen, England skipper Joe Root and Kiwi captain Kane Williamson are also included in the list.

    Shaheen had a memorable year, bagging 78 wickets in 36 internationals at an average of 22.20. He took 47 in Tests, 23 in T20Is and 8 in ODIs.

    He stunned the cricketing world with his impressive spells in the T20 World Cup in UAE. His 3/31 against India was the best spell of the competition which handed Pakistan their first win over India in the World Cup history.

    On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan was the best among the batters in T20I and Tests. He scored 1915 runs in 44 internationals at an average of 56.32 with 2 centuries. He is the highest run-getter of the year while he also registered the record of scoring most runs in 2021.

    Rizwan also upped his game in Test cricket, scoring 455 runs in nine matches at an average of 45.50. Most importantly though, he was consistent throughout the year and played a variety of roles across all formats – be it getting Pakistan off to flying starts in the T20Is or stabilising things with the lower order in Test cricket.

    Aggregating a staggering 1326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89.

    Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, bagging 56 dismissals.