Author: newsdesk

  • Video: Mother protects son’s grave as Israel demolishes Muslim graveyard

    A Palestinian woman on Monday resisted Israeli police trying to push her from her son’s tombstone, located at the Al-Yusufiye cemetery in East Jerusalem, as she tried to hug it, reports Anadolu Agency.

    In the video, Alaa Nababta can be seen throwing her body on the ground near her son’s grave and crying.

    “Bury me here,” cried Nababta.

    “You will only exhume my son over my dead body,” she told the Israeli police who were unable to stop her from reaching her son’s grave.

    Nababta while talking to Anadolu Agency said that the Israeli authorities are after Palestinians in the city “whether they are alive or dead.”

    “Here is our cemetery, where else do we bury them?” asked Nababta.

    She added: “Every day we come here fearing that the grave will be bulldozed.”

    “As a mother, what do you think my feelings will be when I watch them try to raze my son’s grave? Pain, pain, and heartbreak.”

    On Monday, the Israeli municipality crews in Jerusalem and the Israeli Nature Authority, to establish a Jewish national park, renewed razing a part of the Al-Yusufiye cemetery, located near the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

    Dozens of Palestinians whose family members have been buried in the area for centuries arrived in the cemetery, fearing that the graves of their relatives will be razed.

  • Ostrich running on Lahore street dies after being caught by the neck

    Ostrich running on Lahore street dies after being caught by the neck

    An ostrich running on Lahore’s canal road died when a man tried to catch the bird from it’s neck while it was running, Geo News has reported. The video of the ostrich running on one of the busiest roads went viral on social media.

    The bird was rushing along the main road, causing a severe traffic jam. It died of strangulation after people choked off its air passage during its capture. The bird’s dead body was later moved from the road.

    As per reports, there were two ostriches seen on the road and the search for the other bird is apparently underway.

  • US Senator indirectly urges President Biden to call PM Khan

    United States (US) Senator Bob Menendez said that he has asked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge President Joe Biden to have a conversation with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in an effort to rebuild the Pak-US relationship, reports Geo News.

    While addressing a fundraising event, Menendez said, “I think it would serve us well to have such a conversation and, you know when we have these conversations, they are honest, and that means they are also transparent.”

    “Where there is an agreement, we build upon it and where there is disagreement, we talk about how do we get through that disagreement,” said Menendez.

     “I hope, I can expand on it — not just about Pakistan in the context of a military or security dimension, but much greater– talking about an incredibly large population that is very young; there is tremendous opportunity to build upon the economic dynamism that we create,” he told the members of the American-Pakistani Political Action Committee (APPAC).

    US President Joe Biden, who assumed office in January this year, has not yet telephoned PM Khan.

    Earlier this month, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman on her visit to Pakistan said, “I am sure that this contact [between President Biden and PM Khan] will take place soon, so I don’t think it should mean anything else.”

    However, in August, the premier himself commented on the situation and said he was “not waiting for a phone call from the US President”.

  • ‘Good relations’: Williamson hopes there are no grudges between Pak-NZ

    ‘Good relations’: Williamson hopes there are no grudges between Pak-NZ

    The captain of the New Zealand Cricket team, Kane Williamson, on Monday said that he hopes Pakistan cricket team will keep no grudges against New Zealand.

    Read More – ‘A real shame’: NZ captain displeased with his team’s decision

    Addressing a press conference in Sharjah, he said that Pakistan and New Zealand enjoy good relations and that the upcoming T20 World Cup match between two teams “will be played in right spirits”.

    Kane Williamson’s comments came in response to the question asked if he expects any acrimony or grudges following the last-minute pullout of the New Zealand cricket team from their Pakistan tour.

    Replying to the question, the NZ skipper said that the situation was very disappointing. “I know the team members were very much looking forward to the occasion and playing cricket in Pakistan, and it was ‘a real shame’ that it wasn’t able to go ahead,” he said on the eve of the match.

    “The focus now is here at the T20 World Cup and no doubt after last night’s performance, Pakistan have some momentum and are feeling pretty good about their cricket,” he said.

    “But there are also a lot of good relations within the two teams. Over the years, they have played a lot against each other, and several players have played with each other, as well. I am sure it will be played in the right spirit,” Williamson said.

    Williamson praised the spectacular performance of Pakistan against India. “It was a fantastic performance. I think Pakistan has come to the T20 World Cup full of confidence, having played in these conditions more than most.”

    “They certainly put it on the show last night and showed why they are one of the favorites in the competition,” he said shedding light on Pakistan’s performance against India.

    “Tomorrow, I am sure they’ll be very strong again, so, for us, it is focusing on the cricket that we want to play and trying to adjust to conditions,” he added.

    Pakistan is set to play New Zealand in their second match of Super 12s today (Tuesday).

  • Minal Khan takes a dig at Indian singer Jubin Nautiyal after Pakistan’s victory

    Minal Khan takes a dig at Indian singer Jubin Nautiyal after Pakistan’s victory

    Actor Minal Khan shared a meme on Indian singer Jubin Nautiyal, after India lost to Pakistan on the cricket field on Sunday. The Jalan star shared, “Jubin Nautiyal, se bolo hamara tum Jeeto Ya Haaro copy kar le.”

    Jubin Nautiyal is known for taking inspirations from old songs. One of the latest released song of the singer is ‘Dil Galti Kar Baitha Hai’,  which is a copied version of Pakistani drama’s OST ‘Bol Kaffara Kia Hoga’. Asim Azhar  also called out the artists the involved in the song on his official Twitter and called them ‘cheater’.

    Pakistan crushed India by 10 wickets after a terrific inning by Babar and Mohammad Rizwan. Babar and Rizwan’s 152-run partnership for Pakistan was not just a match-winning stand, but also the biggest opening partnership in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup and Pakistan’s second-biggest partnership in a T20I for any wicket.

  • LHC issues notice to Pemra for restricting ‘hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas

    LHC issues notice to Pemra for restricting ‘hugs, caressing, bed scenes’ in dramas

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notice to the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday, seeking its reply on a plea challenging a notification wherein television channels had been directed to refrain from airing caress and hug scenes in Pakistani dramas, reports Dawn.

    In the plea taken up by Justice Jawad Hassan on Saturday, the petitioner contended that Pemra’s notification was “illegal” and “contrary to the ethos of the Pemra Ordinance 2002”.

    It argued that Pemra had no authority to issue directions such as those mentioned in the notification and that the media regulator’s move was based on “malafide, ulterior motives and was in sheer violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner”.

    The petitioner said the issuance of the notification was indicative of the “sick mentality of Pemra authorities and termed the directives discriminatory”.

    Moreover, “the impugned advice has been passed without any prior discussion with the stakeholders or the affectees of the advice [and] therefore, is violative of the Article 10-A of the Constitution,” the petitioner argued in the plea.

    On October 21, Pemra issued its official notice, which said, “In continuation to earlier directions of the authority issued from time to time wherein, it was conveyed that Satellite TV channels are indulged in airing objectionable dramas/ content based on indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes and gestures sensitive/ controversial unnecessary detailing of the event(s), which are highly disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the commonly accepted standards of decency.”

    It also added, “On the prevalent trends in Pakistani drama industry, Pemra is not only receiving numerous complaints from the general public on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP) and media/ What’s App groups.”

    “All Satellite TV channels are hereby directed to refrain from airing caress/ hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the dramas through In-House Monitoring Committee and edit/ amend the same by giving due consideration to above reservations and apprehension of the viewers.”

  • Mohammad Rizwan backs Shami after Indian social media abuse

    Mohammad Rizwan backs Shami after Indian social media abuse

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has backed Indian cricketer Mohammad Shami after he received hatred on social media by Indians for the loss against Pakistan.

    Taking to Twitter, Rizwan wrote: “The kind of pressure, struggles & sacrifices a player has to go through for his country & his people is immeasurable. @MdShami11 is a star and indeed of the best bowlers in the world.”

    He further requested fans to “respect your stars. This game should bring people together and not divide them.”

    Earlier, many notables extended their support to the Indian pacer. Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan also came to Shami’s defence after the player was being subjected to abuse on the basis of his religion, with people accusing him of being a traitor.

    Along with him, many people from the cricketing fraternity extended their support to the 31-year-old player.

    South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took to Twitter and said: “People who abuse players on social media because of a rough performance are IDIOTS!”

    “Neither the players or real sports loving fans appreciate that kind of behaviour,” he added.

    The left-armer also cheered his colleague, calling him a “champ”.

    Shami conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs at an economy rate of 11.21. Rizwan and Babar Azam clinched the match from India, beating the neighbours by 10 wickets.

  • ‘Below the belt, will hit you hard’: Farhan Saeed slams New Zealand’s team, Saba Qamar cheers team Pak

    ‘Below the belt, will hit you hard’: Farhan Saeed slams New Zealand’s team, Saba Qamar cheers team Pak

    Actor Farhan Saeed is optimistic that Pakistan will beat New Zealand today in the T20 World Cup Match. The Prem Gali star took to his Twitter account to share his thoughts ahead of the match.

    “The Unfisnished Business : New Zealand is a great team , but what you did was below the belt. So yes its personal! We are not a arrogant nation , so its not about the result but KNOW that Pakistan will hit you hard today,” wrote Farhan in a tweet.

    A-list actress Saba Qamar cheered the local team ahead of their match with New Zealand’s team.

    Thee second most anticipated match of T20 World Cup will be played today between Pakistan and New Zealand. Pakistani’s are looking forward to the match because in September the New Zealand team had unilaterally postponed the series with Pakistan minutes before the first match was scheduled to start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a move that had shocked fans and officials.

    New Zealand Cricket announces their 20-man contract list for the 2021-22 season | CricketTimes.com

  • Federal Shariat Court declares ‘compensation marriages’ to resolve disputes un-Islamic

    A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Meskenzai, observed that the tradition of giving away a minor girl to settle disputes was against the teachings of Islam, Malik Asad reports for Dawn.

    Taking up a petition filed by Sakeena Bibi, the bench held that Ulema had come to an agreement that vani, or swara, was against the teachings of Islam.

    Swara is a tradition where girls, often minors, are given for marriage or servitude to a distressed family as compensation to solve disputes, often murder. It is a punishment decided by a jirga (group of tribal elders).

    The petitioner challenged the custom of vani for many reasons. According to the petition, the tradition which is being practiced in jirgas and panchayats seizes the fundamental rights of a woman or minor girl. The petitioner requested the court to declare this custom as illegal.

    Dr Mohammad Aslam Khaki, Jurist Consult at FSC, said vani violated at least four basic rights. According to him, since the girl is offered by the accused family, she in most of the cases is not provided with even basic facilities, hence subjected to discrimination.

    Secondly, she is wedded to a man without her consent. Thirdly, she is not entitled to dower, and fourthly, she cannot file legal suit for khula — dissolution of marriage.

    According to Dr Khaki, the legitimate way to settle a murder is payment of diyat or blood money, which is allowed in Islam. However, traditional forums especially in rural areas consider vani or swara as a legitimate way to settle disputes. But Ulema do not accept the practice as Islamic.

  • Pakistan breaks 70-year inflation record in three years: report

    Pakistan breaks 70-year inflation record in three years: report

    Inflation in Pakistan has broken a 70-year record in the last three years, with food prices doubling, while the prices of ghee, oil, sugar, flour, and poultry have reached historic levels, reports The News.

    According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) report, electricity rates have increased by 57 per cent from Rs 4.06 per unit to at least Rs 6.38 per unit, from October 2018 to October 2021.

    “By the first quarter of October, the price of an 11.67 kg cylinder of LPG had gone up by 51 per cent from Rs1,536 to Rs 2,322. Similarly, the price of petrol had gone up by 49 per cent in three years from Rs 93.80 per litre to Rs138.73 per litre,” says the report.

    “The price of edible ghee increased by 108 per cent to Rs 356 per kg.”

    “Sugar has increased by 83 per cent in three years and the price of sugar sold at Rs 54 per kg exceeded Rs100,” according to the report.

    “The price of a 20 kg bag of flour has gone up by 52 per cent to Rs1,196 in three years.”

    “The price of chicken remained at Rs 252 per kg from October 2018 to October 2021, however, chicken meat is being sold at Rs 400 per kg in the markets.”

    “The cost of chicken eggs has also increased by 47 per cent to Rs170 per dozen.”