Author: newsdesk

  • How electoral reforms will affect you

    How electoral reforms will affect you

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said the federal cabinet had approved two ordinances pertaining to the reforms in the country’s electoral system. The said electoral reforms consist of four parts; electronic voting machines (EVMs), e-voting for overseas Pakistanis, use of biometric authentication, and legislation,” the minister informed.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1389548245496500229

    Out of the approved ordinances, one is in relevance to the electronic voting, whereas the other aims to facilitate overseas Pakistani voters. The ordinance authorizes the Election Commission to use the EVM machine. However, Fawad Chaudhry added, PML-N and PPP are reluctant on providing this EVM facility to the overseas Pakistanis.

    He emphasized that the government has fulfilled its responsibility regarding legislation on the subject. “Technological work is to be done on biometric and e-voting,” Fawad added.

    Fawad said that after the ordinance, it is up to the ECP to include overseas Pakistanis in the voting process.

    The move comes after PPP’s NA-249 by-election victory, which was declared a “stolen” election by the PML-N.

    It also comes after PM extended an invitation to Opposition parties to sit down with the government and work on electoral reforms so elections can be made fair and transparent for all.

  • Mashal Khan requests people to stop pulling her into Ali Ansari, Saboor Aly’s engagement

    Mashal Khan requests people to stop pulling her into Ali Ansari, Saboor Aly’s engagement

    Mashal Khan has requested people to stop pulling her into Ali Ansari and Saboor Aly’s engagement, which took place a few days back.

    Soon after the couple announced the news, people start sharing clips of Aamir Liaquat’s Jeeway Pakistan where Liaquat was teasing Ali with Mashal’s name. Later, netizens also shared old pictures of Mashal and Ali making memes on them and trolling them.

    While Ali and Saboor continued to ignore them, Mashal has stood up and requested fans to stop dragging her into the entire situation.

    “It is so sad that a moment which is supposed to be of so much happiness for a couple has been turned into idle gossip,” said Khan. “It has come to my knowledge that several attempts are being made to pull me into Ali Ansari and Saboor Aly’s engagement announcement.”

    Congratulating the newly engaged couple, Mashal said: “Let’s not try to ruin someone’s moment, shall we?”

    Meanwhile, Ali recently shared an emotional photo with Saboor from their engagement ceremony in which both him and Saboor were teary-eyed. 

    Saboor having lost her mother and her fiancée having lost his father were emotional about their absence in the lives’ major event.

    “This picture is worth more than a thousand words. The tears falling down her face told me how much she was missing her mother, and deep down in my heart I was missing my father,” he wrote.

    “As much as we wished they were with us to be part of and share our happiness, we both know they are in a better place smiling from up above and sending down their blessings.

    “For everyone out there, value, respect and spend time with your loved ones. Here is to new beginnings and all kinds of emotions. I got you,” he wrote.

    Following the post, Saboor commented saying how her late mother would have been very happy had she been here while expressing her gratitude towards Ali. 

    “My mother would have been very happy for me today, I am so happy to have found a companion like you. Thankyou for everything,” she commented.

  • Sadaf Fawad reveals Fawad Khan’s hidden talent

    Sadaf Fawad reveals Fawad Khan’s hidden talent

    Fawad Khan and his family generally tend to stay away from social media and the media spotlight which is why we barely get a glimpse into their private and personal lives. Fawad’s wife Sadaf, in a rare interactive session on Instagram, gave a sneak peek into the couple’s private life and revealed Fawad Khan’s hidden talent.

    Read more – Did Fawad Khan predict his future success?

    In a Question&Answer session on SFK Bridals’ Instagram, Sadaf, while responding to a question on whether Fawad cooks said: “It’s a hidden talent of his. And he’s exceptionally good!”

    Sadaf Fawad

    When another user asked Sadaf if she likes to cook, the designer said: “Unfortunately I’m quite bad at it. Fawad cooks exceptionally well!”

    Sadaf Fawad

    Sadaf also shared that the couple has been married for 15 years.

    When someone asked what the hardest part is in being Fawad’s wife, Sadaf said: “It’s a privilege. Can’t deny that!”

    Sadaf Fawad

    Sadaf also talked about the couple’s three children and shared a quality of each. She said that both herself and Fawad are protective of their children and that Fawad is closer to Elayna.

    Sadaf Fawad
    Sadaf Fawad

    Sadaf also shared that prior to becoming a designer, she worked with various corporates.

    “The last one before an exit from the corporate world was TetraPak Pakistan,” she said.

    Sadaf Fawad

    Sadaf launched her own clothing brand in 2019 named SFK Bridals.

  • Honda increases bike prices for the fourth time in 2021

    Honda increases bike prices for the fourth time in 2021

    Honda has increased the prices of its motorcycles for the fourth time this year bringing the new CD70 (cash deposit) to Rs84,500.

    Furthermore, the famous Honda CG-125 has seen a price hike of Rs3,000 as it will now cost Rs139,500 against the old price of Rs 136,500. The price for CD70-Dream has jumped to Rs 90,500 after an increase of Rs2,600.

    New price list for Honda bikes after price increase
    New price list for Honda bikes after price increase

    The new price of CG-125 (self starter) is now 167,500, while the price of a CB-125F is Rs200,500. CB-150F is for Rs255,500 after an increase of Rs3,000.

    Earlier in April 2021, the motorbikes manufacturing company increased the prices up to Rs1,600 of Honda CD70, CD dream and Honda Pridor. The Honda CG125, CG 125F, Honda CG 125s, and Honda CB 150F each witnessed a price jump of Rs1,600.

    The increase in the prices is happening now for the fourth time in 2021. First, the company increased the prices on New Year’s Eve. One month later, the company announced another price increase on February 1.

    Honda Atlas has not provided any reason for price inflation. The value of the rupee had strengthened against the dollar and the general public was naturally expecting a decrease in the price, but Honda has lambasted people with four consecutive price hikes.

    Lastly, Honda Atlas is famous for monotony in technology and design. Since the 1990s, Honda hasn’t brought any technical or aesthetical innovation to its bikes. In an insult to injury, the general sentiment is that the quality of bikes has further deteriorated.

    How would you rate this attitude of Honda? Let us know in the comment section.

  • Female workers appointed at the Holy Ka’aba

    Female workers appointed at the Holy Ka’aba

    Saudi Arabian authorities have passed a significant reform by appointing female workers at the Holy Ka’aba to perform various duties. The core responsiblity of the workers will be to serve female worshippers who come to pray and visit the Holy Ka’aba.

    According to details, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has appointed an estimated 1,500 females in different departments. A total of 600 women have been recruited in the Technical and Service Affairs Agency.

    Previously, in a first, the Saudi Ministry of Interior had introduced historic reforms, appointing female security officers for the first time at the Grand Mosque.

    According to the preliminary findings of IMF- Saudi Arabia, the Saudi female labour force participation rate is estimated to have increased by 13 percentage points to over 33 per cent over the past two years. This increase in percentage will help boost productivity, growth, and household incomes as these women become employed.

    In a short period of just two years, the labour force participation rate of of Saudi women in the labour market expanded by an incredible 64 per cent in just two years.

  • PCB introduces parental support policy for cricketers

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a parental support policy for cricketers under which, women cricketers are entitled to take up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and will be guaranteed a contract extension for the following year. On the other hand male cricketers, who are expectant or new fathers, will also be entitled to up to 30 days of fully paid leave.

    According to a press release, the policy allows gives women cricketers “the option to transfer to a non-playing role until the commencement of their maternity leave leading up to the birth of their child.”

    Upon conclusion of the maternity leave, the player will be reintegrated into cricketing activities and provided adequate medical and physical support in respect to their post-childbirth rehabilitation.

    Similarly, if a woman player is required to travel for cricketing activities, the PCB will support the player by allowing her to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in caring for her infant child, with the travel and accommodation costs to be shared equally.

    Men players can take a fully paid leave within 56 days of the birth of their child.

    “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers and at every turn, it has taken measures to support them. In this relation, it is appropriate that we have a player-friendly parental support policy so that our professional cricketers can feel fully supported during an important stage in their lives, without worrying about their careers,” said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan in a statement.

    “To have this policy for our women cricketers was even more significant,” continued Khan. “Women play a pivotal role in the development of a society and our women cricketers have brought us laurels and recognition at the world stage.”

    “Now that we have a maternity leave policy, I am hopeful that it will attract more women and girls to take up the sport as this will help them strike the crucial work-life balance,” he added.

    Former captain of Pakistani women cricket team Sana Mir appreciated the decision taken by the board and congratulated everyone involved.

  • PM Khan urges OIC to oppose Islamophobia at all forums

    PM Khan urges OIC to oppose Islamophobia at all forums

    Prime Minister Imran Khan met the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of countries belonging to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday, briefing them on Pakistan’s efforts at the international level to create awareness about Islamophobia. He also stressed the need to collectively address the occurrences which surface due to it.

    PM Khan stressed that Pakistan’s efforts were always aimed at building a mutual consensus and promoting inter-faith harmony. He noted that Islamophobic acts fan inter-religious hatred and disharmony. “Falsely equating Islam with radicalism and terrorism was leading to the marginalisation and stigmatisation of Muslims,” he added.

    PM emphasised that the vilification of Islamic principles and religious personalities, wrongly justified under the garb of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, hurts the sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. He also underlined the need to establish legal safeguards aimed at protecting the sensitivities of all religious groups and said that the OIC has to make a collective effort to project the true image of Islam, and its message of peace and tolerance.

    This comes after TLP’s demand to expel the French Ambassador, resulting in a security situation in the country.

    Video:

  • Pakistan to receive first shipment of Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine this week

    Pakistan is expected to receive its first shipment of the Oxford-Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine by the end of this week under the COVAX program, Arab News has reported. The COVAX program is a global initiative to provide vaccines to countries lacking resources to procure or manufacture the vaccines on their own. 

    Quoting a top government official, the report said that Pakistan will receive the first shipment of 1.2 million doses of Oxford-Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine on Friday.

    Through the COVAX vaccine facility, Pakistan has planned to vaccinate 20% of its population free of charge.

    As per, Rana Muhammad Safdar, director-general health at the Ministry of National Health Services, the first shipment will arrive from South Korea on May 7.

    “We are committed to vaccinating our maximum population as quickly as possible,” asserted Safdar.

    Pakistan’s vaccination drive began on March 10 with priority given to healthcare workers and senior citizens above 60. Later, vaccinations for those aged 50-59 were started on April 21. Meanwhile, registration for ages 40-49 started on April 27. You can register yourself by sending your CNIC number to 1166. Walk-in vaccinations are available for those aged 50 and above. As per the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), more than 2.5 million people have been vaccinated till now.

    Pakistan is experiencing a deadly third wave of Covid-19, with the positivity rate at an all-time high. According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), 3377 cases and 161 deaths were recorded in the country in the last 24 hours.

  • Nasa Earth releases satellite images of Hingol National Park

    Nasa Earth releases satellite images of Hingol National Park

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shared satellite images of the Hingol National Park, located 120 miles from Karachi. The image was acquired in February this year.

    Read more – NASA shares picture of snow-covered Himalayan ranges from space

    Nasa Earth observatory describes Hingol Park with its “rocky terrain, mountain caves, and beautiful beaches” as “one of the natural wonders of Pakistan”.

    Hingol spans around 6,200 square kilometres (2,400 square miles) across three districts of the Balochistan Province: Lasbela, Awaran, and Gwadar,.

    The park is named after the Hingol River, which flows through this dry region year-round and is the longest in Balochistan. Before emptying into the Arabian Sea, the Hingol flows into an estuary that supports threatened fish, birds, and crocodiles. It is part of the largest national park for the protection of endangered species in the country. The park is also home to wild Sindh Ibex, Balochistan Urial, and Chinkara Gazelle.

    Located approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of Karachi, Hingol National Park features several distinct ecosystems. In the north, it includes an arid subtropical forest, while dry, mountainous terrain covers the western portion.

    In the east, the park is renowned for a group of mud volcanoes that spew methane and mud instead of lava. Along the coast, Hingol includes caves, beaches, and a marine ecological zone that is home to dolphins, sea turtles, and mangroves. The water body in the image above is an ephemeral lake near Sapat Beach.

    The park also holds a significance amount for Hindu community because of the Hinglaj Mata Mandar located there.

  • BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    The Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) has indefinitely postponed the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following several positive cases of COVID-19 across teams over the past couple of days.

    The decision was taken in an emergency meeting called after players of Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive for COVID-19. Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi’s Amit Mishra were the players who had tested positive and have now been put into isolation.

    The BCCI had contemplated moving the whole tournament to one city but the coronavirus outbreak in the IPL setup left them with no choice but to cancel the event.

    In a media statement, the IPL said the decision was “unanimously” taken by the tournament’s Governing Council along with the top brass of the BCCI.

    “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” the statement said. “This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.”

    “These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times,” read the statement further.

    “The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021,” it added.

    As per reports, IPL officials also consulted a few franchises for their take on the situation and it is believed that some suggested to call it off totally. Other reports have suggested that the tournament has been postponed for a few days only.

    Meanwhile, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirming the news said the decision was taken for the safety of all stakeholders as the number of cases in the tournament bubble continue to rise by the day.

    India on Tuesday reported 3,57,229 new case, taking the overall case count past the 2 crore mark to 2,02,82,833.