Author: newsdesk

  • Election Commission sends notice to Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati for controversial comments

    Election Commission sends notice to Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati for controversial comments

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sent a notice to Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry.

    The ECP has decided to ask for proof from Swati as the latter accused the institution [ECP] of taking bribes and being on the payroll of ‘someone’.

    Last week, Swati said that the ECP was responsible for destroying Pakistan’s democracy and for rigging all elections. Swati added that such institutions should be “set on fire”. 

    Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry in a press conference said, “The ECP seems to be acting as a mouthpiece of the Opposition, so much so that it seems to have become the headquarters for Opposition parties”.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1436319497338621955

    The minister said that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) should “either take a look at his behaviour or join politics”.

    “You better not become a tool used by small political parties,” Chaudhry told the chief election commissioner.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1436322520362258440

    Fawad Chaudhry responding to the notice tweeted, “If a notice comes, will give a detailed answer.”

    In March, seeking to disband the election watchdog, the ruling party had called on the CEC to resign for “failing to hold the Senate elections in a transparent manner”.

    Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood said, “To ensure transparent elections are held is the responsibility of the election commission. This responsibility was not fulfilled,” he said. “The election commission failed to act as a neutral umpire hence it should resign,” added Mahmood.

    On the other hand, the ECP has given dates to the politicians from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) and Pakistan Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leaders’ pending cases, which are due tomorrow (Wednesday) i.e. September 15.

    Those who have been called by the ECP from PTI include Senator Faisal Vawda who has a total of three cases, MNA Farrukh Habib and Mian Asif Mehmood. From PPP, Qadir Ali Mandokhel and Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul among others have also been asked to appear.

  • Pakistani digital freight marketplace, ‘BridgeLinx’, raises $10 million

    Pakistani digital freight marketplace, ‘BridgeLinx’, raises $10 million

    A Lahore-based digital freight marketplace called BirdgeLinx has raised nearly $10 million in the country’s largest round. The round was led by Harry Stebbings’ 20 VC, Josh Buckley’s Buckley Ventures, and Indus Valley Capital.

    According to the details, the deal was oversubscribed twice and even included the participation of Wavemaker Partners, Quiet Capital, TrueSight Ventures, Soma Capital, Flexport, Untitled, and some of the largest business groups of Pakistan, including Maple Leaf Capital. This included several angel investors as well as founders of Convoy (US-based freight marketplace) and Bazaar (Pakistani B2B marketplace) also joined the round.

    BridgeLinx enables businesses to move freight by connecting them with carriers such as truckers, owner-operators, transporters, and private fleets through its online marketplace. The startup was launched nearly nine months ago and already the startup has claimed to have onboarded thousands of carriers who are moving thousands of shipments every week.

    Moreover, the platform offers an end-to-end solution for load execution starting from matching payments whereas businesses can use the startup’s mobile app to book different types of vehicles to move their load. In addition, clients can track their shipments in the app and oversee all shipment-related documents.

    Salman Gul, co-founder and CEO of BridgeLinx stated the following:

    “With logistics averaging at 10 per cent of GDP globally, deploying technology to optimise and create visibility across global supply chains is a trillion-dollar opportunity. At BridgeLinx, we are on a mission to redefine the way in which businesses manage supply chains – from procurement and shipping to warehousing and distribution. Our journey starts with road freight in Pakistan, and the talent-dense team we are building is incredibly privileged to be backed by some of the best investors from around the world.”

    According to Harry Stebbings of 20VC: “For me, the best investments combine incredible, category-defining entrepreneurs with macro headwinds. BridgeLinx is just that – a team of phenomenal entrepreneurs operating in a space with limitless potential.”

    Indus Valley Capital’s Managing Partner Aatif Awan also added: “BridgeLinx has cracked the code for making end-to-end freight work in a hassle-free manner and therefore signed up some of the top businesses in Pakistan. We believe this team is well on its way to bring unprecedented efficiencies to the country’s economy and are really excited to partner with them.”

    As of now, BridgeLinx aims to utilise the funds in order to “consolidate its position as a market leader by broadening its product stack and expanding across additional verticals, segments, and lanes” as mentioned by the startup.

  • #DoNotTouchMyClothes: Afghan women reject Taliban’s dress code for women

    #DoNotTouchMyClothes: Afghan women reject Taliban’s dress code for women

    Afghan women have started an online campaign using the hashtag #DoNotTouchMyClothes to challenge the Taliban’s conservative female clothing rules. Many Afghan women shared pictures of their colourful traditional dresses.

    Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, used hashtags #DoNotTouchMyClothes and #AfghanistanCulture to reclaim Afghan women’s traditional clothes.

    While posting a picture of herself on Twitter in a green Afghan dress, she stated: “This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress.”

    Referring to the women who wore long, fully veiled black gowns, covering their faces and hands at pro-Taliban rally, she tweeted: “No woman has ever dressed like this in the history of Afghanistan. This is utterly foreign and alien to Afghan culture. I posted my pic in the traditional Afghan dress to inform, educate, and dispel the misinformation that is being propagated by the Taliban.”

    After that, women across Afghanistan started posting pictures of themselves.

    This campaign was also in reaction to a video in which many women holding a pro-Taliban rally in the capital were seen saying that Afghan women wearing make-up and in modern clothes do not represent the Muslim Afghan women and we don’t want women’s rights that are foreign, reports BBC.

    Afghanistan’s Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani said that universities will be segregated and veils made mandatory for all female students. Earlier this month, the Taliban announced an all-male interim government.

  • Reema’s husband offers to perform high risk procedure for Umer Sharif, help with travel

    Reema’s husband offers to perform high risk procedure for Umer Sharif, help with travel

    Former Pakistani film actress and host, Reema Khan has disclosed that her husband Dr Syed Tariq Shahab has agreed to perform the high risk procedure of ailing comedian Umer Sharif in the United States.

    Reema turned to Instagram and shared a throwback photo with Umer Sharif and disclosed that Dr. Shahab agreed to perform the high risk procedure and is helping the family in transfer arrangements to America.

    She wrote, “Umer Sharif – one of the greatest comedians of the sub-continent and a real legend of all times. He always was working hard to make other people laugh and smile. Today it disturbs me to know that he is in pain and distress because of his grave illness.”

    “I am proud of my husband – Dr Syed Tariq Shahab who has agreed to perform the high risk procedure and is helping the family in his transfer arrangements to America,” she said. “I have requested him to do all he can to help Umer Sharif Sahib recover from this illness,” she added.

    Reema went on to say, “Thank you Tariq. I pray to Allah PAK to give Shifa in your hand and to give Umer Sahib full and complete recovery. Aameen.”

    Ailing comedian Umer Sharif is expected to travel to the US for medical treatment this week, said his wife Zareen Umer on Tuesday.

    She took to social media from Umer Sharif’s official account and thanked the federal government for helping arrange travel. She also thanked Murtaza Wahab and Chief Minister Sindh Murad ali Shah for arranging an air ambulance. She also thanked Anchor Waseem Badami for highlighting the issue.

  • Private torture cell found in Lahore’s Mayo Hospital

    A private torture cell has been found at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital, Jang News has reported. The torture cell was run by Zohaib, the janitorial supervisor at Mayo Hospital, who used to arrest and torture people.

    In a video received by Geo News, Zohaib can be seen torturing people.

    Zohaib picked up patients on suspicion of theft and drug trafficking and tortured them.

    Mayo Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Iftikhar fired three employees, including Zohaib. Dr Iftikhar said that he has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. As per reports, the inquiry committee will complete the investigation within 24 hours and submit a report to the MS.

  • All students will be declared ‘pass’ in board exams, confirms Shafqat Mahmood

    A decision has been made to pass all the students in board exams. The decision was made during the meeting of Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) which was chaired by federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, Dawn has reported.

    Speaking to Dawn, Shafqat Mahmood confirmed the decision and said 33 per cent marks would be awarded in each subject, which a student was unable to clear.

    “Education ministers of the country, including Sindh, participated in the meeting (physically and online) and took decisions,” the education minister added.

    Shafqat Mahmood further requested students to fully focus on their studies, adding, “There would be no reduced syllabus this academic session.”

    According to Dawn, the IPMEC has decided that the academic session would start in the country from August every year while board exams would be conducted in May-June instead of March-April.

    Federal Minister for Development Planning and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the government is reopening schools in five districts of Punjab and one district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from September 16.

  • Broken promise? Madrassas to implement SNC in six years

    Director National Curriculum Council (NCC) Dr Mariam Chughtai has said that the government is giving five to six years to madrassas (religious seminaries) to adopt the changes that need to be made to switch to the Single National Curriculum (SNC).

    Earlier, Mariam Chughtai has said that Single National Curriculum will help Madrassa students to to qualify for jobs.

    Responding to a question about not taking all stakeholders on board, Mariam added, “Let me also point out that every single child was being affected in 2017 as well. The Quran Naazrah Act was passed unanimously in the parliament by every single political party. Not one article in Dawn, not one webinar, not one question, not one tweet about it… but now because this curriculum impacts the children of the rich, suddenly there is a hue and cry about where are all the stakeholders.”

    She went on to add, “There was a call in the newspaper to participate [in SNC], not one university expect Agha Khan University applied for it.”

    “As far as the Aitchison question is concerned, it’s too quick to assume that Aitchison is rejecting it [SNC]. I read the principal’s statement and they said explicitly they are following SNC in spirit.”

    “Rest is all implementation-related, we are giving schools time, we are giving madrassas five to six years to accommodate the changes that need to be made,” Dr Chughtai added.

    Prime Minister, Imran Khan in December 2020 said that, “A uniform curriculum is important because it is the only way to streamline the country’s education system which is currently divided on the basis of Urdu-medium schools, English-medium schools, and Madrassahs,” he said.

    Single National Curriculum (SNC) is a ‘uniform’ system of education, which means the same curriculum for everyone. 

  • Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look triggers meme fest on Twitter

    Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look triggers meme fest on Twitter

    American socialite and model Kim Kardashian’s sartorial choice of attire at MET Gala 2021 triggered major meme fest on Twitter.

    She arrived at the red carpet dressed in an all-black outfit that also covered her face. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star joined other celebrities on the red carpet in an outfit designed by Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia. The reality star tied her hair in a ponytail and completed her look with matching heels. Not an iota of her face or any part of her body was visible in the body-hugging black dress.

    Soon after the pictures were shared on social media, netizens from around the world started making hilarious memes on her choice of attire. Have a look:

    https://twitter.com/lizaprigozhina/status/1437617480860581892?s=20

    https://twitter.com/XSourGrapezX/status/1437597166952927241?s=20

    https://twitter.com/NurseN3xtdoor/status/1437690459745398786?s=20
    https://twitter.com/orbancalifornia/status/1437585721145970694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1437585721145970694%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Ftrending-news%2Fstory%2Fkim-kardashian-s-met-gala-look-triggers-viral-memes-and-jokes-on-twitter-best-ones-1852548-2021-09-14
    https://twitter.com/sabrinsultana14/status/1437583069377093636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1437583069377093636%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Ftrending-news%2Fstory%2Fkim-kardashian-s-met-gala-look-triggers-viral-memes-and-jokes-on-twitter-best-ones-1852548-2021-09-14

    Earlier, Kardashian was photographed in a head-to-toe black leather ensemble when she arrived in New York City ahead of the MET Gala. Her all-black ensemble included a trench coat, black leather gloves and boots.

  • Chief Justice Gulzar rejects accusations of promoting ‘favourite’ judges

    Chief Justice Gulzar rejects accusations of promoting ‘favourite’ judges

     Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed has said that the recent agitation by the legal fraternity was “totally uncalled for”, reports Dawn.

    Reacting to the lawyers’ September 9 convention, which accused the judiciary of favouritism in the appointment of superior court judges, CJP said, “There had been 41 judges in the judicial history of Pakistan who were elevated to the Supreme Court bypassing the senior-most judges of the respective high courts, but none of such appointments was ever objected to earlier by the lawyers.”

    “Still my doors are open and representatives of the lawyers can come any time to discuss matters of significance,” added the chief justice.

    “The lawyers should have come to us instead of launching a sort of one-sided agitation without any discussion with the CJP on the issue,” he observed. This time, he noted, no one came to him for discussion.

  • Met Gala 2021: Twelve celebrities who nailed their look on the red carpet

    Met Gala 2021: Twelve celebrities who nailed their look on the red carpet

    After a year off due to Covid-19, fashion’s biggest event, Met Gala kicked off on September 13th.

    With its dazzling return, this year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Some outfits were hailed as old Hollywood glamour. From Kim Kardashian’s full-face covering look to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s bold debut.

    Here are the MUST-SEE looks from the red carpet this year:

    Kristen Stewart in Chanel

    The Spencer star graced the Met Gala with a very feminine look. She channeled her inner Barbie.

    Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

    Jenner attended the event in a stunning gown, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s dress in My Fair Lady. The dress also included the same jewel-embellished sleeves 

    Lil Nas X in Versace

    Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X turned plenty of heads on the red carpet as he showed off three stunning looks.

    Rihanna in Balenciaga

    The singer is known for her memorable appearances. She closed out the night with a stunning overcoat and matching hat.

    Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

    One of the most talked-about looks of the night. Television personality Kim Kardashian is not new to weird and jaw-dropping outfits and this time she did it again. She opted for a full black look and wore her hair in a ponytail.

    Cara Delevingne in Dior

    The English model flaunted a powerful feminist statement.  

    Gigi Hadid in Prada

    Former Victoria Secret Angel chose for simple and regal, took inspiration from the 60’s American Vogue.

    Serena Williams in Gucci

    The 39-year-old athlete hit the red carpet in a very unique ensemble, alongside her husband.

    Frank Ocean in Prada

    The singer’s date to the Met Gala was a green robot baby.

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Brother Vellies

    Democratic-congresswoman wore a white gown with the political slogan: ‘TAX THE RICH’ across the back for her first appearance at the Met Gala.

    Dan Levy in J.W. Anderson

    The Schitt’s Creek star made his debut at the fashion event of the year. He collaborated with Anderson to create a powerful ensemble that celebrates “the resilience and the love and the joy” of the LGBTQIA+ community.

    Carolyn B. Maloney

    Rep. Carolyn Maloney, showed up to the 2021 Met Gala on Monday demanding the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment while wearing a gown adorned with purple, white and gold colors.

    The ball was co-hosted by pop star Billie Eilish, tennis player Naomi Osaka, actor Timothée Chalamet and poet Amanda Gorman.

    The Met Gala was established back in 1948 as a way to raise money for social causes.