Author: newsdesk

  • Higher consumption of BBQ the reason behind smog, PDMA tells court

    Higher consumption of BBQ the reason behind smog, PDMA tells court

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday heard petitions regarding environmental issues, including smog. During the hearing, an official of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) told the court  that increase in the consumption of grilled fish and BBQ in the winter season was one of the factors contributing to pollution and smog.

    The official also asked the court to order early closure of these (BBQ) shops. However, the suggestion was not approved by the court.

    Lahore recorded the worst air quality in four years on Wednesday (December 15).

    Read more-Lahore’s air quality reaches 981, normal air quality should be below 50

    An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 981 was recorded near the Mall Road, Samaa has reported. As per United States Environmental protection agency, the hazardous category indicates an AQI of 301–500. The ‘good’ category is 0–50, which is followed by ‘moderate’ at 51–100 while anything in the 101–301 AQI range is considered unhealthy.

    Meanwhile, in November, Provincial Minister of Punjab for Environment Protection Muhammad Rizwan claimed that there has been no smog in Punjab, including Lahore, for the last two years.

  • Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had a fiery exchange of words while conversing with anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News’ political talk show, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    The issue under discussion was the allegation of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, who claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses were once catered by PTI’s disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen.

    Khanzada while asking questions in relevance to the comments of Justice Wajihuddin could not get a clear answer from the minister, leading to a fiery exchange of words.

    “If you have to talk continuously, you can sit in front of the mirror and talk,” Fawad told Khanzada.

    Fawad told Khanzada that he doesn’t let him speak while Khanzada interjected and said that Fawad goes off-topic and said “I am looking for an answer, you start making a speech.”

    Responding to Khanzada’s comments said, “There is a context and background to questions. If you say something out of context it will turn out ridiculous, just like our questions [regarding Justice Wajih’s allegations] are ridiculous.”

    “You are finding the questions ridiculous because they are based on reality, and you trying to interpret them as such. If you want to do comedy, I will tell you to go to Khabarnaak which [airs] at 11 o’clock. This is a serious show, give us answers seriously,” responded Khanzada.

    “You think your programme is serious, maybe others have a different point of view regarding this,” said Fawad.

    Khanzada responded, “We have called you may be that is the reason you are finding [my show] a comedy show but trust me it’s a serious [political talk] show. Now that you are the information minister we have called you, otherwise, it’s a serious show.”

    Twitterati reacted to this rather interesting exchange of words.

  • ‘Sirf Allah se hota hai’: Mohammad Rizwan after scoring 2,000 record T20 runs in a year

    ‘Sirf Allah se hota hai’: Mohammad Rizwan after scoring 2,000 record T20 runs in a year

    Pakistan’s opening batter Mohammad Rizwan entered the history books during the third T20I between West Indies and Pakistan in Karachi. The wicket keeper-batter became the first-ever player to score 2,000 T20 runs in a single calendar year.

    “Sirf Allah se hota hai. Allah k ghair se nahi hota,” he credited his milestone to the Almighty Allah.

    He further dedicated his victory to his fans in Pakistan: “These records are for my beloved Pakistan. Grateful to you all for your tremendous support and love.”

    Rizwan, in a post-match interview shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has given credit to Misbah-ul-Haq and other staff for allowing him to play at his suited batting position which empowered and helped him successfully throughout the year.

    He achieved the feat in Pakistan’s last T20I game this year. Having played an important hand in helping his side reach the semifinals in this year’s T20 World Cup, Rizwan carried over his form into the three-match T20I series against the visiting Windies contingent.

    He scored 78 in the first T20I, 38 in the second T20I, and finally 87 in the third T20I to breach the 2k-landmark. No other batter has been able to do it in the shortest format. This puts into perspective the incredible year Rizwan has had, consistently putting up scores at the top of the order.

    Meanwhile, he was officially signed by Sussex for a major part of the next year. He will join the English side after Australia’s tour of Pakistan concludes in April.

  • Influencer claims to make $50,000 a week by selling her ‘farts’

    Influencer claims to make $50,000 a week by selling her ‘farts’

    Stepanka Matto a Czech-American YouTuber, social media influencer, reality TV show star and model has claimed to make $50,000 in a week by selling her farts in a jar. She sold each jar in $1000.

    Stepanka’s November 19 post read, “Due to popular demand, I have finally decided to start selling my jarred farts over on my unfiltrd page! Alongside my spicy content, you can now also purchase my farts in a jar! I’m super excited to share this with you all, and after seeing how many people wanted this, I figured I’d finally give the people what they wanted. The sale starts today and lasts only ten days! First 100 orders get their farts 50% off – only $500.”

    On November 21, Stepanka Matto published a post claiming only three jars of her farts were left, and the rest 97 were sold in just two days.

  • ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the inauguration of Skardu International Airport would benefit tourism in Pakistan and foreigners would come to this area to find jobs.

    During a day-long visit to the region on Thursday, PM Khan inaugurated the Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road.

    He predicted that tourists, including overseas Pakistanis and domestic tourists, would arrive in large numbers after the upgrade to the airport as well as the road.

    “We can make at least $30-$40 billion from tourism just in Gilgit Baltistan,” PM claimed.

    Explaining his vision, PM said that “no country can truly develop until it elevates its poor and improves its backward and neglected areas”.

    “It is my desire that by the time our five years are complete, the life in backward areas is better and the lives of people below the poverty line are improved,”he added.

    The airport in Skardu was previously only operational for domestic flights. However, its status was elevated on December 2 when it began welcoming international flights.

    A spokesperson for the National Highway Authority (NHA) said that the 167-kilometre Jaglot-Skardu road is the “main strategic road” that connects GB with the Karakoram Highway at Jaglot.

  • After 20 years of enmity, Nawaz calls Pervaiz Elahi from London

    After 20 years of enmity, Nawaz calls Pervaiz Elahi from London

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, after a gap of 22 years, seems to be heading towards mending the long-standing enmity with the Chaudhry brothers.

    Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister of PML-N Ishaq Dar called Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    During the telephonic conversation, Nawaz Sharif said, “You [Pervaiz Elahi] and Shujaat Sahib must meet me whenever you come to London.”

    Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, on behalf of himself and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, congratulated Nawaz Sharif on the marriage of Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar.

    The PML-Q is presently an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab.

    There have been several attempts before for a reunion between PML-N and PML-Q but none have been successful so far.

  • Shahbaz Gill says Captain Safdar looks like a waiter at son’s wedding

    Shahbaz Gill says Captain Safdar looks like a waiter at son’s wedding

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Political Communication, Shahbaz Gill criticised the outfit Captain (R) Safdar was wearing at his son, Junaid Safdar’s wedding.

    The wedding ceremony of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son took place on December 14 in Islamabad. Pictures and videos of the events went viral on social media. Netizens praised the singing skills of Junaid Safdar and Maryam Nawaz and political figures from the ruling government shared their thoughts on the wedding festivities. Among them, Shahbaz Gill did not waste time to comment on the outfits worn by the Sharif’s family.

    During a press conference in Lahore, Shahbaz Gill said, “Our nephew Junaid Safdar looked good and our sister Maryam Nawaz’s outfit didn’t fail to impress either”.

    However, Gill made fun of the outfit Captain Safdar was wearing at his son’s wedding.

    He said, “He looked like a waiter. He should have worn something nice.”

    Gill also raised his eyebrows on the singing of Indian songs at the events.

    “Everyone sang Indian songs at Junaid’s wedding event; They could’ve sung Pakistani songs as well,” Gill objected.

    While further discussing the wedding celebrations, Gill said that he is not against singing but they should have sung Pakistani songs. He added that he does not care even if they sing Pakistani songs on a “beat of Tabla” or to the “tune of a harmonium.”

    The reception of Junaid Safdar is set to be scheduled for December 17 in Lahore.

  • New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    Pakistan-origin doctor, Dr Naeem Rashid has been honoured with the most prestigious bravery award, the New Zealand Cross. Rashid sacrificed his life to save others during the Christchurch mosque massacre in 2019. His award was received by his wife, Ambreen Naeem.

    Ten people, who risked their lives to protect innocents during an attack, are awarded various bravery awards in New Zealand.

    New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, “The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day.” she added, “Each of them put their life on the line to save others. If not for their collective actions, the loss of life could have been even greater.”

    On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist gunman, Brenton Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers. The attacker went to another mosque, Linwood Mosque, and took seven innocent lives. He broadcasted the whole attack on Facebook.

    Dr Naeem Rashid challenged the attacker in Al Noor Mosque, disregarding his own safety. When the gunman entered and began firing in the main prayer hall, people started to flee but Rashid ran towards him.

    “In so doing, he enabled others to escape and paid the ultimate price with the loss of his own life. I want to acknowledge Dr Rashid’s wife and family particularly, who will know all too well that his acts that day were a reflection of who he was as a person,” Ardern said.

    Rashid’s wife, Ambreen Naeem, expressed gratefulness while receiving an award and said, “Today we can’t see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world.”

    Another survivor, Abdul Aziz who is an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    Abdul Aziz, an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    He said, “It feels good, like you’ve done something good in your life.”

    New Zealand also has given “New Zealand Bravery Decoration” and “New Zealand Bravery Medal” to eight people who have shown great courage to safeguard innocent lives in the Christchurch attack 2019.

  • US forms a commission of to investigate their failure in Afghanistan

    The US Congress has formed a commission to look into what mistakes were made during the 20-years war in Afghanistan.

    “The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the war in Afghanistan and make recommendations to inform future operations with tactical and strategic lessons learned, including the impact of troop increases and decreases and date-certain deadlines,” the legislation said.

    President Joe Biden also reiterated that issue should be investigated within three years.

    The commission will also examine the steps taken by Biden’s three predecessors and what mistakes they might have made in handling Afghan crisis.

    The US Congress has also recommended a $768 billion defense package approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It would include nearly $28 billion for a nuclear weapons programs, training, equipment, command and control, advisory efforts and situational awareness.

  • Remaining Windies players test negative for Covid, series still alive

    Remaining Windies players test negative for Covid, series still alive

    The third T20I between Pakistan and West indies will be on time after the Covid-19 tests of all the visiting players were negative on Thursday.

    The Covid tests of five more members of the West Indies squad came positive, after which the ongoing series between the two teams was facing the dangers of cancellation.

    The third T20I between the two teams depended on the Covid tests of the Windies players and now there are reports that the coronavirus test of all the players of the visiting team has turned negative.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given a green single to the production team to go to the stadium for the match.

    The decision to play ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies will be taken after the meeting of both the boards. The three-match ODI series between the two teams will start on Saturday.

    The Men In Green are leading the series with 2-0 and the third match will be starting at 6pm at the National Stadium Karachi.