Author: newsdesk

  • Former ‘party’ girl reveals how Islam ‘saved’ her, ‘men don’t bother me now’

    Former ‘party’ girl reveals how Islam ‘saved’ her, ‘men don’t bother me now’

    Persephone Rizvi, from England’s Huddersfield town has revealed to BBC how Islam “saved” her life. Rizvi started by explaining that she used to party a lot. “The party wouldn’t stop until four or five AM in the club.”

    She went on to add that she was struggling to see a purpose in her life and she wanted to do better for herself. “I was using alcohol as my coping mechanism and going through emotionally-draining experiences that I couldn’t really make sense of. I was struggling to see a purpose in my life and I wanted to do better for myself. I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Rizvi adding, “So I became a Muslim.”

    She then opened about her journey of becoming a Muslim. “One of my friends there, Haleemah, was Muslim. I did the Ramadan fast with her, and that was my first exposure to Islam. I wasn’t thinking about joining a religion at that point – it was more of a personal challenge. My ego was saying, ‘It’s 30 days of fasting, I can do that.’”

    “When I first fasted I was still partying and drinking, but my attitude started to change. I started having these moments of, ‘I am better than this, I’m worth more.’ That month of abstinence made me feel a sense of selflessness and gratitude, and gave me the self-care package I needed so desperately. That was my calling card to Islam.”

    “My dad is Black British and went to (a Christian) church, and my mum wanted us to have a knowledge of faith, but they didn’t force it on us. There aren’t any practicing Muslims in my family,” she said while talking about her family. “My parents are super supportive – they’ve actually fasted with me a few times,” she said.

    She continued by saying that when she became a Muslim, she did not tell anyone until one day she went into her house with her headscarf on and said, “I’m Muslim now!”

    Her parents were shocked to see her in a headscarf but they were not unhappy.

    Rizvi then continued by talking how wearing a headscarf changed her life. “I feel more comfortable. I can get from A to B without anyone stopping me – the way I used to dress, I used to get stopped loads. On a ten-minute walk to uni, I got stopped about five times. Men now don’t bother me at all.”

    “That’s why I say Islam saved me, because now I know the best way for me to handle those dark times. I wouldn’t have coped this way, by praying and taking care of my mental health as well as physical, if it wasn’t for Islam,” said Rizvi while talking about how Islam saved her.

  • ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, while speaking to anchorperson Saleem Safi during Geo News programme ‘Jirga’, was asked to comment on Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s statement on the government’s talks with the Tehreek-I-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Chaudhry had said that neither the state nor the government is ready to fight extremism.

    “I do not agree at all that the state does not have the capability to deal [with TLP],” stated Yusuf.

    “I had also said this publicly that a red line has to be drawn because the policemen martyred [during clashes with TLP] were also the state’s responsibility.”

    He cited the example of the infamous Lal Masjid episode, saying that the media at the time had called upon the state to use force as its writ was being challenged right in the heart of the capital.

    “And when the state used force, all of you [the media] stood against the government,” he added.

    Fawad Chaudhry had said the state and government are “not fully prepared” to deal with extremism, adding that they had to “take a step back” while dealing with the TLP.

    “Religious extremism was seen more in regions that are in India now. Areas over here (Pakistan) never had religious extremism to the extent [seen today],” he said, regretting that “Pakistan faces a grave danger today.”

    “We don’t have any potential threat from India. We have the sixth largest army in the world, we are an atomic power, and India cannot compete with us,” he continued. “We face no danger from America. We face no danger from Europe. The biggest danger we face [today] is from within [Pakistan].”

  • PTA lifts ban on TikTok

    PTA lifts ban on TikTok

    The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has lifted a ban from TikTok, the authority said in a tweet. “PTA has restored the services of TikTok on assurances of the Platform to control immoral / indecent content.”

    PTA further added, “As a result of continuous engagement, senior management of the platform assured PTA of its commitment to take necessary measures to control unlawful content in accordance with local laws and societal norm

    TikTok has assured PTA that the users who are continuously involved in uploading unlawful content will be blocked from using the platform. “Keeping in view the assurances, the Authority has decided to lift the ban on TikTok forthwith,” said PTA in a statement

    “PTA will continue to monitor the platform in order to ensure that unlawful content contrary to Pakistan’s law and societal values is not disseminated.”

    Earlier, on November 3, TikTok Head of Public Policy-Emerging Markets and Head of Global CSR, Helena Lersch, along with her team visited the (PTA) headquarters. During the meeting PTA agreed to work with TikTok to build a framework to guarantee that all content shared on the site is legal and safe for society.

    TikTok was banned for the fourth time in Pakistan on July 21, 2021 for its failure to take down “inappropriate content”.

  • Did Hassan Ali make the fastest ball record, leaving Shoaib Akhtar behind?

    Did Hassan Ali make the fastest ball record, leaving Shoaib Akhtar behind?

    Hassan Ali bagged Player of the Match award during Pakistan’s first T20 international of their three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday, which the Men In Green won by four wickets.

    It seems that even the technical team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium were impressed. So much so that they ended up making an error while recording his bowling speed, reporting it as 219kph.

    Pakistan’s legendary speedster Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest ball at 161.3 kph and it is next to impossible to bowl at a speed of 219kph.

    Meanwhile, Ali did become the player to take the most number of international wickets in 2021, including Tests, T20Is, and ODIs as he reached the mark of 64 after he picked up 3-22, helping Pakistan restrict Bangladesh to 127-7.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi is right behind him with 62 wickets, while Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera and South Africa’s Tabriz Shamsi have taken 50 wickets each.

    Meanwhile, netizens were sure that the world record has been made. Here are a few tweets:

    https://twitter.com/pakhtoon_lad/status/1461640955824640008?s=20

    https://twitter.com/FahadKhilji02/status/1461679953108512782?s=20
  • ‘Jis mulq me’: Salman Saqib slams PM Imran Khan’s electronic voting announcement, Areeba reacts

    ‘Jis mulq me’: Salman Saqib slams PM Imran Khan’s electronic voting announcement, Areeba reacts

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that electronic voting is the only way to ensure transparency and prevent rigging in the elections, a statement from the PM Office said Thursday.

    Actor Salman Saqib took to his Instagram stories to slam this decision by the PM.

    The Chupke Chupke star stated that in a country where the electoral petrol pumps are a scam, how can then the digital voting process be transparent?

    Actress Areeba Habib liked Salman’s post hinting at her support to his statement.

    PM Khan made these comments during a meeting in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process.

    PM Khan further said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for Pakistan and they would definitely be involved in the electoral process.

    “Overseas Pakistanis are an asset of the country, they must be involved in the election process. Electoral reforms, electronic voting, and voting process for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon,” he instructed the concerned officials.

    On June 10, the National Assembly had passed the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, which pertains to fair, free and transparent election through the utilisation of technology and modern gadgets.

    However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed severe concerns over some clauses in the electoral reforms bill passed by the National Assembly, including voting rights for overseas Pakistanis as well as use of EVMs, and has assessed that many proposed amendments may violate constitutional requirements, reports Dawn.

    ECP says the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis cannot be given till the required legislation by parliament is made regarding various practical aspects, including whether they should have extra seats in the Assembly, what kind of procedure should be adopted for them to vote, etc.

    ECP says the use of EVMs cannot be adopted till it is determined whether these machines are capable of conducting free and fair elections; whether they can operate in conditions of hot weather, load-shedding, etc.; how the accuracy, secrecy, and transparency of votes can be ensured; and whether without proper testing, the ECP can ensure free and fair elections with these machines.

  • ‘Anil Kapoor’s wife, Akshay’s mother’: Bushra Ansari makes revelations about three Bollywood offers

    ‘Anil Kapoor’s wife, Akshay’s mother’: Bushra Ansari makes revelations about three Bollywood offers

    Veteran actor Bushra Ansari appaered on the first episode of Shaista Wahidi’s morning show. On being asked by the host, the Mera Naseeb star opened up about Bollywood offers on the show.

    Bushra stated that she was approached to play Anil Kapoor’s wife in a Bollywood film some years back, which was later taken up by Shefali Shah.

    Dil Dhadakne Do - Wikipedia

    Considering that the only film in which Anil and Shefali worked together in the last decade is Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakne Do which also starred Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra, Bushra would have been a part of this hit ensemble but there were some miscommunication regarding the scripting process.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AETi-TNON_g

    She added further that two years back, prior to the Pulwama attack she was offered to play Akshay Kumar’s Sikh mother in a big budget film by the biggest production house of India. Akshay was last seen as a Sikh in Karan Johar’s Kesari costarring Parineeti Chopra.

    Ve Maahi - Kesari - Akshay Kumar - Parineeti Chopra - Arijit Singh - Asees Kaur - Tanishk Bagchi - FillumDekho

    The Pardes diva stated that even the negotiations for the signing amount were formalised.

    Although her first Bollywood offer was the art film, Khamosh Paani in 2003 but she couldn’t sign it because of her family life, especially her daughter’s schooling. She was replaced by Bollywood star Kirron Kher in the film.

    Khamosh Pani - Silent Waters (2003) Full Movie Watch Online Free - Hindilinks4u.to
  • Chemical castration removed from criminal law amendment, announces PTI’s Maleeka Bokhari

    Chemical castration removed from criminal law amendment, announces PTI’s Maleeka Bokhari

    In a press conference on Friday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) parliamentary secretary on law Maleeka Bokhari announced that the bill passed on the chemical castration of rapists has been revoked.

    “We have amended the criminal law and decided that the chemical castration clause will be taken out,” said Bokhari.

    She said the decision was taken after the Islamic Ideology Council, a state-run body that interprets laws from an Islamic perspective, found chemical castration un-Islamic.

    While talking about the Anti-Rape Bill 2021, Bokhari announced the abolishment of the “two-finger virginity test”. Moreover, according to her Pakistan’s rape conviction rate is less than 1- 2 per cent that’s why the government has introduced the setting up of Special Courts to avoid delays in the proceedings of rape cases.

    Furthermore, under the new bill, she announced that National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) would register sex offenders so the government would have a record of such people.

    “In an effort not to disclose the victim’s identity instead of open trial, video trials would take place under the new Anti-Rape Bill”, she added.

    The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trail) Bill 2021 also includes:

    1- Creation of anti-rape crisis cells in public hospitals to ensure prompt registration of the FIR, medico-legal examination

    2- Use of modern devices during investigation and trial.

    3- The accused is barred from the cross-examination of a rape survivor.

    4- Evidence pertaining to the ‘immoral character’ of the victim is inadmissible in court.

    5- Setting up a public reporting mechanism.

  • Adeel Afzal aka Nasaaz from ‘Parizaad’ praises Ahmad Ali Akbar for his support

    Adeel Afzal aka Nasaaz from ‘Parizaad’ praises Ahmad Ali Akbar for his support

    Actor Adeel Afzal aka Nasaaz from Parizaad has grabbed attention after his exceptional acting in the drama. While talking about Ahmad Ali Akbar, he shared how he helped him during the shoot to portray his character.

    The multi-talented and versatile Adeel recently appeared in an interview with ‘Fuchsia Magazine’. Adeel while sharing his journey from the drama serial Parizaad, mentioned that, “During Covid times, I got a call from Zahid, who works for HUM TV. Zahid said that we are working on a script and we have a character for you, will you be able to play this character? I agreed because I had nothing to do at that time. After six months he called me and asked me to come on the set for the shooting of Parizaad, without giving any audition.”

    “I enjoyed portraying the role of Nasaaz, because it was quite similar to my own personality and some of the people around me. I was overwhelmed by the response audience gave. The first day at the set was quite tough, in fact I was a bit nervous because of the new people around me,” added Adeel Afzal.

    Adeel further said that “Ahmed Ali Akbar has played an important role in highlighting my character. He has always been there for me during my scenes. Before shooting Ahmed came to me and helped me out with my script. His acting and support helped me to portray Nasaaz’s character the way I did.”

  • Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan has sealed their first victory against Bangladesh after Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Shadab Khan contributed in clinching the match from the home team.

    Bangladesh posted a total of 127 runs but it became tense in the middle after Pakistan lost Fakhar’s wicket on his 36-balls’ 34. But with the vital hits from Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, they sealed the game for Pakistan with four balls to spare.

    Captain Babar Azam posted 7 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan could only score 11 runs. Khushdil Shah also posted 34 runs off 35 balls, contributing a decent share in the total.

    Pakistan needed 2 runs in the last over and Shadab hit a six to seal the deal for the Men in Green.

    Hassan Ali, with a comeback performance, took 3 wickets while giving just 22 runs in his 4 overs and bagged Player of the Match award.

    Pakistan will be playing their next match of the series tomorrow, November 20.

  • Ahsan Mohsin Ikram reveals his ‘new friend’ Hania Aamir, shares special moment

    Ahsan Mohsin Ikram reveals his ‘new friend’ Hania Aamir, shares special moment

    Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram took to his instagram stories to share a selfie with A-list actor Hania Aamir along with his star wife Minal Khan on a flight.

    The trio can be seen bonding well and even posed for a smiling selfie.

    Minal and Hania have always been cordial.

    Minal Khan with Hania Amir

    Newlyweds were recently seen vacationing in Nathia Gali after a brief trip to Lahore. The Parchayee duo also watched the T20 match between Pakistan and India there.

    Minal’s younger brother Huzaifa Khan can also be seen in a picture posted by the Jalan star.