Author: newsdesk

  • Shah Mahmood says Dasu incident ‘accident’, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘terrorism can’t be ruled out’

    Shah Mahmood says Dasu incident ‘accident’, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘terrorism can’t be ruled out’

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi that the initial investigation into the bus tragedy near Dasu hydropower project in the Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not a consequence of a terrorist attack, according to a statement on China’s foreign ministry website reports Dawn.

    Nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistanis lost their lives on Wednesday in a blast that took place on the bus that was taking them to their workplace. They were going there for an ongoing project, as per a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). 

    “The Chinese side is shocked by the serious Chinese casualties in Pakistan, hoping that the Pakistani side could quickly find out its cause, conduct rescue and treatment work at all costs, deal with the aftermath in time, and prevent similar incidents from happening again,” read the statement.

    “If it is a terrorist attack, the criminals must be immediately arrested and severely punished,” said the Chinese ministry.

    Qureshi, on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, expressed sincere condolences to the Chinese side over the heavy Chinese casualties. He said that the preliminary investigation shows that the incident was “an accident and no background of terrorist attacks has been found.”

    However, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and said, “Initial investigations into Dassu incident have now confirmed traces of explosives, terrorism cannot be ruled out,” contradicting the statement by his party’s Foreign Minister.

    “Prime Minister Imran Khan is personally supervising all developments, in this regard Govt is in close coordination with the Chinese embassy we are committed to fighting the menace of terrorism together,” read the tweet.

  • PMA advises people to take precautions against ‘brain-eating’ amoeba

    PMA advises people to take precautions against ‘brain-eating’ amoeba

    The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has advised the residents of Karachi to take precautionary measures to avoid becoming a victim of Naegleria fowleri.

    According to details, Naegleria is a rare but deadly waterborne amoeba that grows in freshwater sources, reservoirs including poorly chlorinated water networks.
    It is advised to drink boiled water and not to wash face or bathe with polluted water.

    PMA officials Dr Qaiser Sajjad, Dr Samreen Sarfaraz and Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro shared this at a press conference at PMA House on Wednesday.
    They demanded that the government ensures to supply chlorinated water to residents to avoid any unpleasant situation.

    “Naegleria fowleri is a serious health issue. Recently, six deaths have been reported, five of them were from Karachi and one was from Balochistan, who also died in Karachi during treatment,” they said.

    They added: “We fear that unreported deaths would be higher than the reported ones. Unfortunately, safe water is not available to the vast majority of our population. People are compelled to consume contaminated water that causes waterborne diseases like typhoid, gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, E and cholera.”

    “The chief justice should take suo motu notice on this matter. It’s criminal negligence and responsible officials should be punished. We know that water has not been chlorinated at all for many years,” said Dr Mirza Ali Azhar heading PMA-Sindh chapter, adding that the general practitioners should be trained in disease diagnosis.
    “This contaminated water also carries a Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which enters into the brain through nostrils and starts damaging it and causes meningoencephalitis, which is fatal in 95 per cent cases and affected person dies eventually.”

    “Naegleria fowleri is found all over in moist soil, freshwater bodies, poorly chlorinated swimming pools and water supplying pipes. When water contaminated with Naegleria is sucked through the nose during bathing, rinsing the nose and ablution, it invades olfactory neuroepithelium and rapidly destroys brain tissue, which causes severe meningoencephalitis within 1-9 days,” they said.

    “The initial symptoms of the disease were headache, body ache, high-grade fever, drowsiness, fainting and coma,” they said, adding: “PMA is concerned over the fact that Naegleria fowleri has been reported from water being supplied by Karachi Water & Sewerage Board. The filtration and chlorination of potable water provided in the city is questionable.”

    They said that the water distribution system was defective allowing seepage of sewage in the domestic water supply that resulted in contamination and caused dangerous diseases.
    Besides, people should not have gone to non-chlorinated swimming pools, they added.
    The PMA representatives advised the people to put chlorine tablets (one tablet in 1,000 gallons of water) in their underground tanks.

    They said water tanks at homes, hospitals, schools, shopping malls and offices should be cleaned once a year.
    They said chlorine price has increased these days but people could use two tablespoons of bleach powder.

    People can make paste of it with water and put it into their water tanks at night. This would be enough for 500 to 1,500 gallons of water to help prevent Naegleria.

    The PMA requested all doctors, particularly general practitioners, to take it seriously if a patient shows symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headache and high-grade fever. Such a patient should be tested for Naegleria.

  • Bilquis Edhi, Maleeha Lodhi all praise for Imran Ashraf’s performance

    Bilquis Edhi, Maleeha Lodhi all praise for Imran Ashraf’s performance

    Bilquis Edhi praised Imran Ashraf for his brilliant performance in his latest blockbuster drama Raqs-e-Bismil that received acclaim from critics and viewers alike.

    Journalist Sumayya Rizwan recently posted a video, in which the philanthropist can be seen lauding Imran Ashraf and his character portrayal in the drama.

    “I really like him [Imran]. I have been watching Moosa and the last episode over and over again.”

    The actor reposted the video on his Instagram and said that it is an ‘award’ for him.

    “Bilquis Edhi sahiba, to be in your prayers and being liked by you is an award, a blessing,” wrote the actor.

    Similarly, former Pakistan’s Ambassador at the United Nations (UN), Maleeha Lodhi also praised the actor.

    “Outstanding performance by Imran Ashraf as usual in the last episode,” wrote Maleeha.

    The Dil Mom Ka Diya actor will next be seen in Adnan Siddiqui’s production venture Dum Mastam costarring Amar Khan.

  • Legal complaint lodged against Kareena Kapoor for hurting sentiments of Christian community

    A complaint has been filed against Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan over the title of her upcoming book as reported by Indian media. The Christian Community is hurt by the actress using the word ‘Bible’ in her title.

    A police official has even confirmed receiving a police complaint under IPC section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage reli­gious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or reli­gious beliefs) against the Jab We Met actress and two others.

    The holy word ”Bible” has been used in the book’s title and this has hurt the religious sentiments of Christians, Alpha Omega Christian Mahasangh president Ashish Shinde has stated.

    Kareena launched her book on July 9, and the book is the comprehensive guide to pregnancy. Kareena and Saif announced the birth of their second child earlier this year in February.

  • Afghanistan may seek India’s military assistance if talks with Taliban fail: Afghan ambassador

    Afghanistan may seek India’s military assistance if talks with Taliban fail: Afghan ambassador

    The government of Afghanistan may, at some point in the future, seek India’s military assistance if talks with the Taliban fail amid the withdrawal of US troops from there, Afghan Ambassador to India, Farid Mamundzay, has said in an interview to NDTV.

    “Should we not get to a stage in the peace process with the Taliban, then maybe a time (will come) where we would be seeking India’s military assistance, more military assistance in the years ahead,” said Farid.

    “We are not seeking India’s assistance with sending troops to Afghanistan. Their footprint in Afghanistan to fight our war would not be needed at this stage,” he clarified.

    The current situation in Afghanistan is “very dire” and “very problematic”, with the government forces actively fighting the Taliban in around 150 of the 376 districts, the Ambassador said.

    In another interview given to The Indian Express, Farid said, “We are faced with economic hardship,” reports Khaleej Times.

    “The Covid-19-induced lockdowns and the crisis had made deteriorating life even more jeopardised for the general public. We are going through a very difficult time,” he added.

    “Messages that India would continue to support Afghanistan should Taliban become part of the mainstream society again,” he explained. “India would continue to assist Afghanistan in education, politically, diplomatically. Those would go a long way I hope with the Taliban,” added Farid.

    Mamundzay avoided responding to queries related to tensions between India and Pakistan and its spillover in Afghanistan. He said Afghans were to a large extent independent and they decided for themselves.

    “But Pakistan holds a considerable amount of influence and leverage with the Taliban, who again is part of Afghan society,” explained the diplomat.

    “And our requests to Pakistan have always been to use, and productively utilise their influence to bring Taliban to the negotiating table, to make them agree to a process which would make this region prosper. We understand that Pakistan may not fully control the Taliban, but they have a good influence over them. And that influence should be used for, at least, on making this region peaceful and prosperous.”

  • Yumnah Ali bullied for being four years older than husband Zaid

    Yumnah Ali bullied for being four years older than husband Zaid

    Yumnah Ali celebrated her 30th birthday yesterday but became a victim of cyber hatred as netizens trolled her for being four years older than her husband Zaid Ali who recently ringed on his 26th birthday.

    Later, Zaid posted a sentimental birthday wish for his wife and mother of his child.

    “Happy 30th birthday my love! It felt like I met you just yesterday but here we are, ready to become parents. May Allah bless you with every happiness in the world and I can’t wait to grow older by your side, day by day.”

    Earlier in July, the content creator shared a birthday post saying he turned 26. Aside from Netizens trolling him for being ‘dishonest’ about his age, even his friends pitched in.

    Actor Bilal Abbas Khan also wished him with a humorous age-related remark.

  • Taliban snatch three billion Pakistani rupees from Afghan forces

    Taliban snatch three billion Pakistani rupees from Afghan forces

    The Taliban have snatched three billion Pakistani rupees that they found at checkposts of Afghan security forces along a Pak-Afghan border crossing, reports Geo News.

     A statement released by the Afghan Taliban said that around Rs3 billion in Pakistani currency was found from the checkposts of the Afghan forces in the Spin Boldak area of ​​Kandahar, which was evacuated by the Afghan security forces.

    “The (Taliban) Mujahideen have captured an important border town called Wesh in Kandahar,” Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement.

    Read More: ‘No smoking, shaving’: Afghan Taliban’s first orders

    “With this, the important road between (Spin) Boldak and Chaman and Kandahar customs have come under Mujahideen control.”

    Pakistan security forces confirmed the Taliban had captured the crossing. The Afghan defense ministry said it was checking developments.

    Analysts say the Rs3 billion amount was reportedly given by smugglers as a bribe to the Afghan forces. They say the Afghan intelligence agency, NDS, used the money to pay terrorists to plan attacks in Pakistan.

  • ‘No smoking, shaving’: Afghan Taliban’s first orders

    The Taliban issued their first orders in the form of letter to a local imam after capturing a remote district in Afghanistan’s north, which says that women cannot go to the bazaar without a male companion, among other directives, AFP has reported.

    As per Sefatullah, 25, a resident of Kalafgan district, the letter said “women can’t go to the bazaar without a male companion, and men should not shave their beards,” adding that whoever breaks the rules “will be seriously dealt with”.

    Last month, the Afghan Taliban took Shir Khan Bandar, a northern customs post that connected the country to Tajikistan over a US-funded bridge that spanned the Panj river.

    Sajeda who worked in a local factory told AFP that after Shir Khan Bandar fell, the Taliban “ordered women not to step out of their homes”.

    “There were many women and young girls doing embroidery, tailoring and shoe-making … The Taliban’s order has now terrified us,” she added further.

    The letter issued in the name of the Taliban’s cultural commission says, “All imams and mullahs in captured areas should provide the Taliban with a list of girls above 15 and widows under 45 to be married to Taliban fighters.”

    However, the Taliban denied issuing any such letter.

    “These are baseless claims,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban.

  • Sarah Khan’s brother gets trolled online, Nadia Hussain raises voice

    Sarah Khan’s brother gets trolled online, Nadia Hussain raises voice

    Falak Shabir surprised his wife Sarah Khan with multiple flowers and a heart shaped gold necklace. The Alvida actress was elated and expressed her gratitude on her social media handles. The venue was well decorated with pink balloons oozing romantic vibes.

    The roag singer captured a rare picture of the four Khan siblings together at the birthday bash in Karachi.

    A digital portal revealed that actress and model Nadia Hussain highlighted to them that Sarah’s brother Hamza Khan is getting bullied and trolled online. Most comments were in context of body shamming.

    Sarah’s younger sister Noor Zafar Khan is also an actress but her brother Hamza and sister Aisha aren’t a part of the entertainment industry.

    On the work front, Sarah will be seen next in Laapata opposite Ali Rehman Khan and Ayeza Khan.

  • Pakistani in Japan reaches out to homeless, detained foreigners

    Pakistani in Japan reaches out to homeless, detained foreigners

    A Pakistani, Haroon Qureshi, who arrived in Japan as a student some 30 years ago, is reaching out to those living on the margins of society.

    According to a report published in Mainichi, the national daily of Japan, Qureshi, a businessman from Pakistan, helps the homeless and those foreigners who have been detained by immigration authorities after failing to get refugee status.

    He is also involved in the running of a mosque in Tokyo, Otsuka Masjid.

    According to the Japanese daily, Qureshi’s efforts started just when he arrived in Tokyo to study computer programming in 1991. He began distributing food to the homeless in his neighbourhood in the capital’s Kita Ward.

    “Now, three decades on, he has enlisted Japanese university students in his goodwill endeavours, seeing their involvement as a vital part of raising society’s awareness of the plight of the less fortunate,” it said.

    Read More: Study reveals Pakistanis prayed for India during Covid-19 crisis

    The 55-year-old Qureishi said he believed there was a lack of understanding in Japan of why people ended up on the streets. He thinks the public’s attitude to the homeless is “cold.”

    “The reality is that many times the homeless suffer from mental health issues and cannot fit into society,” the daily quoted him as saying.

    So far, Qureshi had asked for students from Tokyo-based Keio and Tokyo universities to volunteer in his activities, which included serving meals to the needy.

    In collaboration with Tenohasi in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro area, students and volunteers from the mosque recently helped in providing food to over 360 people.

    “Today I witnessed a stark difference between normal people who were walking on the streets all dressed up, and those who had come to get food here,” the daily quoted Satoru Soejima, 18, who is studying Arabic at Keio University, as saying.

    Qureshi, meanwhile, also leads another project called Food Bank to help the students themselves, some of whom have gone hungry after losing part-time work because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    A soft-spoken man, he has also been helping those detained after their failed asylum bids since around 2000.

    In one month, Qureshi received around 30 letters on average seeking help from detainees, mostly from countries in Africa or elsewhere in Asia.

    “We may have different religions, colour or race. But I request everyone to try and feel the pain of other members of this huge (human) family, and do what they can,” he urged.

    In recognition of his services the Pakistan Embassy in Japan awarded him with a letter of appreciation.

    Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad invited three extraordinary Pakistanis living in Japan for their social work that has also been highlighted in the Japanese media, including Qureshi.

    According to the embassy, Qureshi was appreciated for his services that include providing food for the needy, financial help for the destitute and homeless, running an Islamic school and managing a graveyard for the Muslims.

    The ambassador appreciated Qureshi’s work while stating that it has contributed positively to Pakistan and Pakistanis’ image living in Japan.

    Qureshi thanked the Ambassador for the appreciation and vowed to continue and expand his humanitarian work, the embassy said.