Author: newsdesk

  • Saudi Arabia rolls out the ‘Lavender carpet’ for PM Khan

    Saudi Arabia rolls out the ‘Lavender carpet’ for PM Khan

    Saudi Arabia has announced that it is renouncing red for its dignitary visits – and opting for purple carpets instead. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Culture, which connected the change in ceremonial procedure to the violet-coloured plants currently in bloom across the Asir region in Saudi Arabia.

    The Kingdom said the decision to choose lavender as the new colour for ceremonial carpets better reflects Saudi national identity and the hospitality of the kingdom. The Kingdom further said that lavender is associated with Saudi generosity and hospitality. The pleasant change for ceremonial welcome is one of the many initiatives announced as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

    Lavender covers large areas of the country’s desert landscape in spring and the purple hue of the flower has been associated with royalty.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan walked the lavender carpet when he arrived in Saudi Arabia and was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    At the Oscars this year, the Academy too, rolled out a pink carpet instead of red for its guests. It’s a shade that is said to flatter the A-listers. A secret colour, one whose precise specifications the show’s organisers won’t reveal for fear of copycats.

  • Lookalikes turn out to be twin sisters after becoming friends on social media

    Lookalikes turn out to be twin sisters after becoming friends on social media

    A woman in Henan, China found her doppelgänger on social medial and later discovered that her “friend” was actually her twin sister.  

    According to the details, Cheng Keke and Zhang Li came across each other in January after Cheng’s younger sister spotted Zhang on the Chinese social media site.

    The two looked so similar that Cheng reached out to Zhang. After they became friends, they realised that they had similar hobbies and interests and the same blood group too.

    “We speak in exactly the same voice. When we are together, it is like looking in a mirror,” Cheng was quoted as saying by LADbible.

    Cheng then discussed her loolalike with her parents and came to know that she was adopted.

    read more – Woman discovers son’s bride is her long-lost daughter

    Zhang’s mother then told her that her family was unable to afford to give a good life to both of the sisters. She added that she had no idea where the other daughter is.

    However, Cheng’s family was keen to go for DNA tests. It was confirmed on April 29 that they are twins.

  • FIA bars Shehbaz from leaving the country

    FIA bars Shehbaz from leaving the country

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was stopped by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from leaving the country earlier today. According to the FIA, Sharif’s name is on the Person-Not-In-List (PNIL), which means that persons who are not on Exit Control List (ECL) or on black list can be stopped through PNIL. On Friday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) said Shehbaz has “one time” permission to fly abroad for medical treatment. Sharif was all set to take a flight to London but the FIA stopped him at immigration at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

    Talking to The Current, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said that this is a blatant violation of court orders despite FIA officials being present in court. “Such pettiness on behalf of the government has only exposed their nefarious designs.” Tarar, who is also part of the legal team in Sharif’s case, said that if this delay gives the prime minister satisfaction for a few days, “let him be happy”.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that Director General (DG) FIA has the authority to remove a name from a black list. “Shehbaz Sharif’s lawyers have not submitted any application to DG FIA to remove his [Sharif’s] name from the blacklist.” Chaudhry added that communicating something verbally does not mean there will be any change in the record. “The government will move the court against this decision.”

    Talking to the media, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the FIA has added Sharif’s name in another list. She said that despite written order by the LHC, stopping Shehbaz Sharif from travelling is tantamount to contempt of court. Marriyum Aurangzeb added that now we are being told by the FIA that the system has not been updated even though there were two FIA officials present in court when the LHC granted Sharif permission to travel abroad.

  • Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan is all set to be seen again on Indian screens with Yaar Julahay, a series of dramatic readings that will air on Zee Theatre.

    According to reports in the Indian media, Mahira will feature in the opening episode of the 12-part Zee Theatre series, which will be airing next week. She will be reading Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi’s classic story, Guriya.

    Guriya follows two best friends Mehra and Bano. Bano has a doll (Guriya) that resembles Mehra, but the latter doesn’t like that doll at all. With time, their fondness and hate for the doll grows. Towards the end comes an unexpected twist that unfolds the mystery around the doll.

    Yaar Julahay also brings to life stories of legendary Urdu and Hindi writers such as Gulzar, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Munshi Premchand, Amrita Pritam, Qurratulain Haider, Balwant Singh, Asad Muhammad Khan, Ghulam Abbas, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Intezar Hussain.

    Read more – Pakistanis can no longer subscribe to Zee5

    Other readers who are part of the series include Sarmad Khoosat, Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Yasra Rizvi, Fawad Khan, Sania Saeed, Irfan Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, and Faisal Qureshi.

    Humsafar maker Sarmad Khoosat, who is directing as well as reading, said in a statement that the series is inspired by ‘Dastangoi‘, a tradition of creating and telling stories that defines South Asia.

    “We have interpreted Dastangoi in a contemporary way and there is also live and recorded music along with suggestive details articulating the theme of the story. For instance, when I directed Mahira Khan for Guriya, the set was strewn with dolls. They created an eerie atmosphere that augmented the narration and enhanced the mood of the reading”, he added.

    Read more – The ‘Churails’ are the superheroes we wish we had

    Chief Creative Officer Special Projects ZEE Shailja Kejriwal, while speaking about the project said: “Each episode of Yaar Julahay features the immersive reading of a remarkable story that is as unique and complex as the subcontinent we live in. Each one of the featured writers has processed reality through characters that we can still identify with.”

    “It was a joy to work on these classic tales with Kanwal and Sarmad Khoosat because we have collaborated with them before and they always approach a project with a certain artistic sensitivity and deep respect for the material they are working with. Their sensibility was needed for a project as unique as this,” she added.

    The first episode of the series featuring Mahira is expected to air on May 15, 2021.

  • Wasim Akram ’embarrassed’ as British High Commissioner picks trash in Islamabad

    Wasim Akram ’embarrassed’ as British High Commissioner picks trash in Islamabad

    Wasim Akram has expressed his embarrassment and disgust after the British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner shared pictures of himself picking trash in Islamabad.

    “Now this is really embarrassing. Where are we heading?,” questioned Akram, who has been actively cleaning the beach in Karachi over the past couple of years.

    The former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team also thanked Dr Turner “for doing this almost every week.”

    “Safai Nisf Imaan [Hai],” asserted Wasim.

    Earlier on Friday, Dr Turner shared a picture of himself holding two bags of trash he collected after his morning walk on the Margalla Hills in Islamabad.

    “Another Friday morning walk, another two bags of litter,” said Turner. “Safaai nisf imaan hai (cleanliness is half of faith).”

    Dr Turner also tagged the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat, who praised him, saying “Great”.

    However, the DC’s comments did not sit well with netizens who called him out for being negligent towards his work.

    Shafqaat later clarified his comment, saying that his intention was misunderstood.

    “This comment is grossly misunderstood. I was just appreciating the efforts of Dr Christian to keep Islamabad clean,” said Hamza, adding: “I would request everyone to not litter in forests. It is everyone’s responsiblity to keep their surroundings clean.”

    He later also said that sanitation teams picked up 1600 tonnes of waste today (Friday).

    “Everyone please remember that cleanliness is a two-way street and everyone of us is responsible for it and not just the British High Commissioner,” urged Shafqaat.

    Meanwhile, last week, Dr Turner had urged the residents of the federal capital to keep Islamabad clean by avoiding littering at open and green places.

    “Meals are for sharing not littering,” Dr Turner had said, sharing a picture of two plastic bags stuffed with empty water bottles, tin cans and other waste material.

    “Please help keep beautiful Islamabad clean,” he had said.

  • ‘PM stands with the working class, not the elite’: Fawad Chaudhry

     Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry defended the prime minister’s remarks about envoys. “PM stands with the working class and not the elite.” PM Khan chastised Pakistani envoys recently over their missions’ indifferent behaviour towards the expat community.

    “If we can’t raise our voices for overseas Pakistanis, we don’t have any right to remain in government,” added Fawad Chaudhry.

    The minister stressed that Pakistan would have to uplift the working class to progress and to strengthen itself as a country. Fawad recalled that the PM had only instructed his ambassadors that the well-being and welfare of the overseas Pakistanis must be a priority.

    The information minister spoke about an incident involving an overseas Pakistani woman, saying that she was being subjected to unjust treatment over the past few years.

    “When she contacted an [Pakistani] embassy, she was told, ‘The police should take action against you for marrying thrice’,” said Chaudhry.

    Chaudhry said the prime minister had, on many occasions in the past, said he was proud of Pakistan’s ambassadors. He said a few embassies had “closed their doors” on overseas Pakistani labourers, adding that action should be taken against those found guilty. 

  • Shehbaz Sharif to go back to London

    Shehbaz Sharif to go back to London

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s petition for removal of his name from the no-fly list has been approved by the Lahore High Court.

    Shehbaz’s lawyer informed the court that the younger Sharif needed to travel to London for a doctor’s appointment on May 20. The court was made aware that the PML-N president has to be in the UK before that. “Shehbaz has already booked his ticket to Qatar for tomorrow’” said the lawyer, “Pakistanis traveling to the UK need to stay in Qatar for 10 days because of the travel restrictions.”

    The deputy attorney-general remarked, “Shehbaz’s lawyer has not presented his return tickets which means that the PML-N president does not plan on coming back.”

    On this, the court said that it is better if Shehbaz appears in person to provide an explanation.

    Shehbaz’s name was put on the Exit Control List as he is being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau in a number of corruption cases.

    He was released from jail on April 23 after a three-member bench of the Lahore High Court unanimously approved his bail in the money laundering case.

    NAB has accused Shehbaz of laundering money and owning more assets than his known sources of income.

    In December last year, the anti-graft watchdog had issued orders to freeze 23 properties owned by former Punjab chief executive and his sons, Hamza and Suleman, over claims they had acquired assets beyond their known sources of income and committed money-laundering.

    According to the NAB, an investigation against Shehbaz, Hamza, Suleman, and others had revealed that the PML-N president had acquired properties in the name of his wives Nusrat and Tehmina Durrani.

    PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal’s name added to the Exit Control List.

    The Interior Ministry on Friday added PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal’s name to the Exit Control List.

    Iqbal’s name was added to the ECL after the approval of the federal cabinet. The former minister is facing the Narowal Sports City reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Last November a reference was filed against Iqbal.

    It was initially approved at a cost of Rs34.74 million by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), which Iqbal headed. NAB maintains that Iqbal illegally directed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and NESPAK to increase the project’s scope, enhancing the cost to Rs97.52 million.

    NAB is investigating his involvement in the case, which is being heard by an accountability court in Islamabad. Iqbal has been summoned several times.

    NAB had made a request to add Iqbal’s name to the no-fly list.

  • PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has completed the first phase of it’s  COVID-19 vaccination drive in collaboration with Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    During this phase, Pakistan’s leading cricketers across all three formats and support staff were vaccinated.

    The PCB is one of the first cricket boards in the world to introduce a robust vaccination programme to ensure the health and safety of it’s players and support staff in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

    In the first phase, 57 men players, 13 officials of the men’s team and 13 NHPC men and women coaches were vaccinated. A number of franchise players and support staff besides PCB match officials involved in the February-March phase of the Pakistan Super League (three match referees, three umpires) were also vaccinated.

    Read more – PCB introduces parental support policy for cricketers

    The vaccination drive started on March 4 in Karachi and carried on for more than two months, before its conclusion on May 6 when eight players — part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against Zimbabwe — were given second doses in Harare.

    As per details, In the next phase, remaining domestic men cricketers, national women cricketers, age-group cricketers and support staff of the domestic, national women and age-group teams will be vaccinated. The second-phase is expected to commence shortly.

    PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers, especially in the ongoing pandemic, and keeping that in mind we requested the NCOC for vaccines during the Pakistan Super League 6. The vaccination drive started in Karachi and our first priority was to get the players and support staff involved in the tournament vaccinated.

    “After the initial round of vaccination in Karachi, we focused on getting the remaining members of the men’s squad, who were not involved in PSL 6, vaccinated before the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    “We remain grateful to the NCOC for recognising the importance of vaccines for our players and prioritising them for national interest as both players and support staff are constantly traveling for domestic and international cricket commitments and carry infection risks especially once outside the bio-secure bubbles.

    “The PCB is fully behind the government’s vaccination drive and once again urges people across Pakistan to get vaccinated in order to ensure the health and safety of their own selves and their families.

    “Our players — both men and women — and PCB management will continue to provide full support and backing to the NCOC vaccine awareness initiatives as they have done repeatedly since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.”

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Test Team, who is in Zimbabwe has elected to bat first against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in the second Test Match, after defeating the hosts 1-0 in the two-Test series.

  • ‘Chupke Chupke’s’ Aadi Khan calls out those spreading misinformation about his family

    ‘Chupke Chupke’s’ Aadi Khan calls out those spreading misinformation about his family

    Chupke Chupke’s Aadi Khan aka Kaddu (Waleed) called out media outlets for spreading misinformation about his family.

    In a note posted on social media, Khan said: “I just want to make sure everyone that me and Sami Khan [DJ from Suno Chanda] are brothers Alhamdulillah.”

    “We don’t have any sister. Please please aap bhi zaleel na ho or humein bhi na karein, biography likhne se pehly rabta kr liya karein. Kabhi apne comments parha karein to aap logo ko he galiyan par rhi hoti hai,” he added.

    Aadi is a young actor and elder brother of Sami Khan, who is famous for his role as DJ in Suno Chanda and it’s sequel.

    Aadi has worked in several Pakistani dramas including Nibah, Aye Muhabbat, Kam Zarf and Lamhay. He is currently part of Hum TV’s Ramzan special Chupke Chupke, in which audiences are loving his character.

    Review – ‘Chupke Chupke’: Feenu, Hashi and the evil nands keep the madness going

  • ‘Thank you, Bilawal,’ says Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Thank you, Bilawal,’ says Shehbaz Sharif

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari congratulated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday after a resounding victory by the PML-N in PP-84 by-election. In a statement tweeted by the PPP’s official Twitter handle, Bilawal Bhutto congratulated Sharif on PML-N’s win and also added that the “consistent wins by the Opposition show clearly how disillusioned people are with the PTI and its anti-people policies. The people of Pakistan continue to give their verdict against PTI, but the selected govt refuses to listen.”

    Shehbaz Sharif responded to this tweet by thanking Bilawal. “There is no doubt that the by-election results represent an overwhelming rejection of the anti-people policies pursued by the PTI government,” tweeted Sharif.

    The last few months have seen the leaders of the PPP and PML-N indulge in a war of words, both online and offline. In March, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted about a ‘substitute being fostered’, which some say was a dig at Bilawal Bhutto after Asif Zardari had asked Mian Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan during a meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

    When Bilawal was later asked whether Maryam’s comment was about him, he said that if he wanted to comment on the PML-N’s vice-president, he would have asked his party’s vice-president to comment on it.