Author: newsdesk

  • Sarah’s siblings Hamza and Aisha exclusively captured on her birthday by Falak Shabir

    Sarah’s siblings Hamza and Aisha exclusively captured on her birthday by Falak Shabir

    Star singer 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.

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

    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.

    Falak and Sarah are excited to celebrate their first wedding anniversary on July 16th. The duo intends to make their fans a part of their celebration and they have a surprise planned for them on the occasion of their marriage anniversary.

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

  • Iran launches state-approved ‘halal’ dating app to encourage marriage

    Iran on Monday introduced a Muslim dating application to boost marriages in the country and help young people find a partner for themselves.

    As per details, the app, Hamdam which means  “companion” in the Persian language allows users to “search for and choose their spouse.”

    It is the only state-sanctioned platform of its kind in the Islamic republic, according to Iran’s cyberspace police chief, Colonel Ali Mohammad Rajabi.

    While dating apps are popular in Iran, Rajabi said that all other platforms except Hamdam are illegal.

    Developed by the government’s Tebyan Cultural Institute, Hamdam´s website claims it uses “artificial intelligence” to find matches “only for bachelors looking for permanent marriage and a single spouse.”

    Tebyan head, Komeil Khojasteh said family values were endangered by outside forces.

    “Family is the devil’s target, and (Iran’s enemies) seek to impose their own ideas” on it, he said, adding that the app helps create “healthy” families.

    According to Hamdam’s website, users have to verify their identity and go through a “psychology test” before browsing.

    When a match is found for the user, the app “introduces the families together with the presence of service consultants”, who will “accompany” the couple for four years after marriage. The registration is free for the users.

    Iran’s authorities, including the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have cautioned many times against the country’s rising rate of marriage and declining birth rates.

    In March, Iran’s conservative-dominated parliament passed a bill titled “population growth and supporting families.”

    It mandates the government to offer significant financial incentives for marriage and to encourage people to have more than two children while limiting access to abortion.

    The law awaits approval by the Guardian Council, which is tasked with checking that bills are in accordance with Islamic law and the constitution.

  • Ayeza Khan goes big on décor for daughter Hoorain’s 6th birthday, Gülsim Ali sends love

    Ayeza Khan celebrated her eldest daughter Hoorain’s sixth birthday and went big on décor for her celebration party. She took to social media to share her feelings and birthday’s visuals with her fans.

    The Mere Paas Tum Ho actress stated “My Barbie turns six today, a big day for her and for us. Can’t believe she is growing up so fast, my little fashion icon, I am so proud of her”.

    The Thora Sa Haq diva added “it’s such perplexing feeling to see your kids grow, because while I want them to grow and see the world and learn from it themselves, and be more mature, I also wish I could just stop the time and be with my babies forever at this moment. My life feels complete when I am with them, I can’t ask for anything else”.

    She thanked her fans further for sending gifts and wishes for Hoorain.

    Have a look at more pictures:

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

  • 12 dead as a bus carrying Chinese workers plunged into ravine

    12 dead as a bus carrying Chinese workers plunged into ravine

    Nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistanis lost their lives on Wednesday. Chinese workers and accompanying Pakistani staff were proceeding to their workplace for an ongoing project, as per a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). 

     “The bus plunged into a ravine after a mechanical failure resulting in leakage of gas that caused a blast. Further investigations are underway,” said MoFA.

    “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation,” read the foreign affairs ministry’s statement.

    The ministry added, “The Government and people of Pakistan extend sincere condolences to the families of Chinese and Pakistani workers who lost their lives in the incident. We also pray for quick recovery of the injured.”

    The Foreign Office said Pakistan attaches great importance to the safety and security of “Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan”.

  • Father reunited with kidnapped son after 24-year search

    Father reunited with kidnapped son after 24-year search

    A man reunited with his kidnapped son after a 24-year hunt across China. After travelling half a million kilometres across China on a motorbike, handing out missing-person flyers, which cost him his savings and left him with huge debts, Guo Gangtang was finally reunited with his son.

    As per reports, Guo Gangtang, 51, began searching for his then 2-year-old son after he was kidnapped in 1997 from their home in a village in the eastern province of Shandong.

    When he tried to find his son, he found no trace but Guo did not give up and began a decades-long search.

    Guo travelled China on a motorcycle with a flag that had his lost son’s picture and carrying a bag full of flyers.

    Read More: Woman discovers son’s bride is her long-lost daughter

    Police in June tracked down a man matching his son’s description in central Henan province, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

    After a DNA test confirming the relationship, a family reunion with his son Guo Xinzhen was arranged on Sunday.

    The 26-year-old, Guo Xinzhen, is now a teacher.

    Guo’s son was found after the Ministry of Public Security launched a nationwide campaign this January to solve cold cases involving child abduction.

    Police have located and rescued 2,609 missing or abducted children this year, including adults who had gone missing or were kidnapped as kids. One victim was traced after 61 years.

    Guo’s motorcycle journey of around 500,000 km (311,000 miles) took him to most of China’s provinces. He also went through 10 motorcycles.

    In 2012, Guo set up a website “Tianya Xunqin”, which translates as “Find your family on the edge of the world”. It has since helped dozens of people locate family members, he told local media.

    Guo Gangtang’s story has been covered extensively by local media over the years and inspired the 2015 hit film “Lost and Love” starring Chinese megastar Andy Lau in the role of a character based on Guo.

    “I’ve found my son, and I want to get back to normal life as soon as possible,” Guo said in a video on his Tiktok social media page on Tuesday.

  • Women traffic police officers deployed in Karachi

    Karachi Traffic Police has deployed female police officers for the first time in the city. Geo news has reported that four female traffic wardens have been deployed at Sharah-e-Faisal and Clifton areas.

    The deployed female police officers are also trained motorcyclists. The duty of these officers include “monitoring the traffic and spreading awareness among motorcyclists”. They are also expected to assist people with broken cars and call for further assistance if required.

    As per traffic police officials, the female traffic police officers do not have the authority to issue challans or charge people for disobeying traffic regulations.

    A video of the newly deployed female traffic police officers was shared by the Karachi Traffic Police on social media.

  • ‘Those who have not read a book in their life will now decide the future of children in Punjab’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Those who have not read a book in their life will now decide the future of children in Punjab’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Tuesday said, ” I am amazed that those who have not read a book in their life will decide the future of children in Punjab.”

    Fawad expressed concerns over the news that the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) confiscated an Oxford University Press (OUP) Social Studies book for grade 7 on Monday for including Malala Yousufzai’s picture. He said that when he looked into the matter, he came to know that the Punjab Assembly has formed a board to look into such matters.

    The minister said removing Malala’s image is not a problem of a political party, instead, it is a reflection of the division in society.

    “It is quite unfortunate that this division exists,” he added.

    “Political parties are not the issue,” said Chaudhry. “Every political party has some conservative voices that have a negative approach owing to the prevalent syllabus being taught in the country,” he added.

    Highlighting the Punjab government’s decision to remove a chapter on reproduction, Chaudhry said that in this way, we will mentally impair the next generation.

    “We already have many conservative individuals around us. And in the future, if we don’t pay attention to our curriculum and teachers, social problems will increase,” said Fawad. He further added, “Extremism is already high in Pakistan.”

    Reacting to the removal of Malala’s book from Peshawar University during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) last tenure, Fawad stressed that governments should not submit to pressure.

    “This depends on individuals and their mindsets, as conservative mindsets lead to extremist trends,” added the minister.

     Fawad said that such conservative decisions by individuals will make Pakistan lose the position it has created for itself while fighting the war on terror.

  • Chaman border is now closed after reports of the Taliban capturing the crossing on the Afghan side

    Chaman border is now closed after reports of the Taliban capturing the crossing on the Afghan side

    The Afghan Taliban have claimed that they have captured the important Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan, reports Geo News.

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

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

    “The Taliban have taken control of the Afghan side of the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing,” a Pakistani security source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

    “They have raised their flag and removed the Afghan flag.”

    “The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman is on high alert,” said Levies officials. “Additional security has been deployed at the gate.” Pakistan has also suspended activities at the Chaman crossing point.

    “We are in contact with the local leadership of the Taliban on resuming trade and movement of people,” said Levies officials.

    Earlier this week, after seizing about one-third of Afghanistan’s districts, the Taliban swept through the northeastern Badakhshan province, reaching the mountainous border with China’s Xinjiang region.

  • ‘Massively disturbing this 3-0 score line’: Ramiz Raja reacts to Pakistan getting whitewashed

    ‘Massively disturbing this 3-0 score line’: Ramiz Raja reacts to Pakistan getting whitewashed

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Ramiz Raja has reacted to Pakistan’s “disturbing” 3-0 whitewash by England in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series on Tuesday.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “What started off as an aberration, a momentary glitch became a norm! Massively disturbing this 3-0 scoreline!!”

    Pakistan’s Babar Azam-led unit suffered a three-wicket defeat in the third ODI despite posting a gigantic 331-run total on the scoreboard.

    On the other hand, he was angrier while giving his views on his YouTube Channel. “I’m not surprised with the result in today’s game. This was on the cards as this team had already mentally disintegrated.”

    He said that Pakistan never recovered from the shocking defeat in the first ODI, which led to bad headlines about the team across the globe.

    “It has become a trend that we have stopped learning from our mistakes,” Raja said. “Whenever there is added pressure, we make more mistakes. As in today’s game, we made fumbles and dropped catches on the field. Similarly, our bowling was below par due to the added pressure.”

    “They started bowling half-trackers and shorter lengths on a straight pitch, which is nothing less than inviting batsmen to hit you all around the park,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Azam became the quickest to reach 14 ODI centuries milestone in just 81 innings. This also makes Azam the first-ever Pakistan skipper to score an ODI century against England in England.

    On the list of quickest to 14 ODI centuries, the 26-year-old is followed by Hashim Amla (84 innings), David Warner (98 innings), Virat Kohli (103 innings) and Quinton de Kock (104 innings).

  • ‘Why do we want the models to be white and sultry,’ Zara Shahjahan on fake beauty standards

    ‘Why do we want the models to be white and sultry,’ Zara Shahjahan on fake beauty standards

    Pakistani fashion designer, Zara Shahjahan, called out social media users over demeaning comments related to beauty standards.

    The designer explained how she and her team were left with no choice but to hire models from Turkey. “Let’s talk about these pictures. So I had a shoot in Turkey. My team left a day earlier and the day me and the model had to leave, Turkey announced 15 days of quarantine. We were left with no choice but to hire models from there,” she wrote in a social media post.

    Sharing a picture of a model from her recent campaign, she wrote, “I tried to find girls who look South Asian and finally found these two very stunning Mexican models who flew from LA for the campaign. We were very happy, the campaign look really beautiful and we launched, but what happened after is quite disturbing.”

    Read More: Generation joins Ali Xeeshan’s campaign to raise breast cancer awareness

    “These pictures started getting a lot of hate. ‘They look like maids’ is one comment which disturbed me the most,” the designer added.

    “Are we these people? Why do we want the models to be white and sultry?” Zara questioned.

     She concluded her post by thanking God for her loyal customers, “Thankgod for my loyal customers who know my brand and the collection was sold out but I don’t seem to get the irritation of a lot of women to these two pictures.”