Author: newsdesk

  • What did celebrities share on Independence Day?

    What did celebrities share on Independence Day?

    Pakistani celebrities also celebrated Independence Day with enthusiasm. Many models, actors, sports stars, and singers took to social media to extend their congratulations to the nation. They shared thoughtful messages and expressed their Independence Day wishes.

    While some addressed the country’s political, economic, and social challenges, they still conveyed their heartfelt greetings for the occasion. Many celebrities posted pictures of themselves in green and white outfits.

    Here are the pictures, wishes, and messages from Pakistani celebrities celebrating the 77th Independence Day with traditional spirit:

  • Khan calls Faiz Hameed ‘an asset’ that was wasted

    Khan calls Faiz Hameed ‘an asset’ that was wasted

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, while talking to journalists in Adiala Jail, broke his silence on the recent arrest of former ISI chief Faiz Hameed, saying, “I have no connections with Faiz Hameed’s arrest.”

    On Monday, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced that it had taken Hameed into custody over allegations of land grabbing and stealing valuables from the owner of Top City Housing Society.

    It also stated that court-martial proceedings had been started against the former spymaster, who was once considered very close with former prime minister Khan.

    Khan also criticised this military’s treatment of Gen Faiz, calling him an “asset that was wasted.”

    He suggested that accountability is good but should be “across-the-board accountability.”

    Khan recalled that ex-army chief Gen Bajwa removed Hameed at the behest of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, and after that, a heated exchange occurred between Khan and Bajwa.

  • TV host Madiha Naqvi confirms divorce between Agha Ali and Hina Altaf

    TV host Madiha Naqvi confirms divorce between Agha Ali and Hina Altaf

    Famous TV host Madiha Naqvi has confirmed that the popular celebrity couple Agha Ali and Hina Altaf have divorced.

    Recently, renowned actresses Shagufta Ejaz and Vaneeza Ahmed appeared on Madiha Naqvi’s morning show, where they discussed various topics, including their careers.

    During a segment of the show, the actresses were shown pictures of famous Pakistani actors and asked to guess their identities based on clues about their work and popularity.

    Ejaz was shown a picture of Agha Ali but did not recognize him.

    Madiha Naqvi and Vaneeza Ahmed provided clues without naming Agha Ali, hinting that he is from Lahore, the son of a famous actor, has played roles as an angry man, and that he and his wife had hosted a show together.

    Eventually, Madiha Naqvi mentioned that Agha Ali had “unfortunately” separated from his wife, actress Hina Altaf.

    “They have not remarried and are currently leading single lives,” she said.

    Shagufta Ejaz failed to identify Agha Ali until she was shown his picture.

    Fans of Agha Ali and Hina Altaf are disappointed following Madiha Naqvi’s confirmation.

  • We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    Sources have revealed the names of the three most senior retired military officers who were taken into army custody for acting as messengers between former Chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and senior politicians.

    The officers identified are Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar and Brigadier (retd) Naeem and Colonel Asim, who were allegedly involved in a communication network with politicians.

    Both Brigadiers are from Chakwal and are considered close associates of the former spymaster.

    Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement claiming that three senior-ranking officers had been taken into custody for compromising military discipline.

  • PTA responds to internet service problems across Pakistan

    PTA responds to internet service problems across Pakistan

    The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) addressed complaints about slow internet across Pakistan on Thursday.

    A Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting, led by Palwasha Khan, discussed the issue, according to ARY News.

    Senators Afnanullah Khan and Humayun Mohmand highlighted that many e-commerce platforms are leaving Pakistan due to poor internet speeds. Khan also noted that users are experiencing difficulties uploading or downloading media files on WhatsApp.

    “You’ve messed up the business activities,” Senator Humayun pointed out to PTA and IT ministry officials at the meeting. In response, the IT Secretary stated, “The problem with internet services is due to cellular networks, not WiFi.”

    The PTA official added that they have not yet received any formal complaints about slow internet speeds in the country.

    The PTA officials were expected to provide information about firewall installations during the meeting, but due to their unavailability, the meeting was postponed.

    The Pakistani government has installed a firewall across Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to manage social media. This decision followed the introduction of the Defamation Law 2024 by the Punjab government. The firewall aims to control social media and regulate internet traffic using deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to monitor data in detail.

  • What did Shah Rukh Khan reveal about his upcoming movie role?

    What did Shah Rukh Khan reveal about his upcoming movie role?

    Shah Rukh Khan received the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera (Career Leopard) at the 77th Locarno Film Festival on August 10.

    During an interview with Variety magazine, Shah Rukh was asked about his next project to which he revealed that his upcoming film is called King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by the director of Pathaan, Siddharth Anand.

    “It is an action drama, it’s a Hindi film. It’ll be interesting. I’ve been wanting to do a film like this for some time, and I really wanted to do a film like this for seven, or eight years,“ he said.

    The Dunki actor also praised filmmaker Sujoy.

    “We just felt Sujoy would be the right choice, because we wanted it to be very emotionally correct. We are all coming together to make a cool, massy, action, emotional film,” he added.

    Shah Rukh Khan will play a don in his upcoming movie alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan, who will portray the villain.

    Talking about the preparation for the film, Shah Rukh Khan said, “The character in King requires me to lose some weight and engage in rigorous stretching exercises.”

  • No, Khawaja Asif, there are no global firewalls to restrain social media

    No, Khawaja Asif, there are no global firewalls to restrain social media

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that safety firewalls are being implemented to ensure checks and balances on uncontrolled social media sites. He made this statement during his appearance on the talk show ‘Faisla Aap Ka’ with journalist Asma Sherazi.

    ‘’Everything will be fine after some days,’’ he said.

    Khawaja Asif added that developed, democratic countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) also have protective systems to filter out content and websites deemed anti-state and anti-society.

    “Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) also have filters or use different technologies to address spam, phishing attacks, and other unwanted content, but these are all private companies,” explains Jason Pielemeier, the executive director of the US-based Global Network Initiative (GNI), in a conversation with Geo Fact Check.

  • Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers have been taken into custody by Pakistan’s Army in connection with the recent arrest of Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, according to a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    This comes after the arrest of former spymaster Faiz Hamid earlier this week.

    “In connection with the FGCM proceedings of Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed, three retired officers are also in military custody for their actions prejudicial to military discipline,” noted the ISPR press release.

    The ISPR further stated that the retired officers were arrested for violations of military discipline.

    “Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,” the press release read.

    Faiz Hameed was taken into custody by the army on August 12, over allegations of land grabbing and seizing valuables from the owner of Top City Housing Society.

  • Banks in Pakistan to issue more loans this year to support agriculture, SMEs

    Banks in Pakistan to issue more loans this year to support agriculture, SMEs

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad revealed that banks will significantly increase loan issuance this year to support the agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors.

    The Governor’s address highlighted substantial improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic conditions. Ahmad reported a major decrease in inflation, which fell to 11.1 per cent in July 2024, down from 28.3 per cent in July 2023.

    He also pointed out a remarkable reduction in the current account deficit, which had been $17.48 billion in fiscal year 2022 but dropped to $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2023 and further to $0.68 billion in fiscal year 2024.

    Foreign remittances have risen to $30.25 billion in fiscal year 2024, an increase from $27.33 billion the previous year. Meanwhile, foreign reserves have improved to $9.3 billion despite ongoing debt repayments.

    Governor Ahmad noted that there are no restrictions on imports and highlighted a significant rise in IT exports, both of which are positive signs for the economy.

    These improvements, according to the Governor, are the result of effective policies by both the government and the SBP. He outlined several initiatives designed to enhance financial inclusion, including the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, the National Financial Literacy Program, and Banking on Equality.

    He also praised ‘Raast,’ Pakistan’s new instant payment system that allows for quick digital transactions between individuals, businesses, and government entities. Additionally, the Asaan Mobile Account service enables people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, to open digital branchless banking accounts.

    The SBP has made efforts to inform the public about these digital financial services through its field offices and commercial banks, focusing on services such as Raast, QR Codes, Asaan Mobile Accounts, and Asaan Digital Accounts.

  • COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, hosted a reception in honour of Pakistan Army veterans on Independence Day that brought together many retired army officers and soldiers.

    In a press release, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated, “COAS paid heartfelt tribute to the contributions of the retired personnel, lauding their dedication and instrumental role in shaping the nation’s history.”

    “COAS also cautioned against the insidious threat of fake news and propaganda being perpetrated by inimical elements to weaken the bond between the people of Pakistan and the Armed Forces,” said the ISPR press release.

    However, in an interesting development, netizens noticed a peculiar absence of some officers in the pictures circulating on social media.

    Former COAS Gen (retd) Bajwa was not seen in the picture even though Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif and Gen (retd) Kayani were present.

    Likewise, General (retd) Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Gen (retd) Zaheer-ul-Islam were also noticeably absent from the reception.

    This comes after the Pakistan Army arrested former spymaster Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, in charge of corruption and misuse of authority.