Senior journalist Najam Sethi has claimed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently “summoned” six cabinet ministers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and put forth three topics for “some plain talking”.
While the veteran journalist did not name the ministers, according to him, the PTI government’s “abysmal performance” was discussed as what was hurting the image of the military and other bigwigs.
Sethi claimed that removal of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief ministers (CMs), and the need for the federal government to constitute a more efficient and credible team “at least for putting the economy on track”, was also discussed.
“Time’s running out, he implied darkly,” the journalist claimed in his The Friday Times editorial.
“As a consequence of such ‘advice’, Imran Khan has blithely sacked Nadeem Babar and Hafeez Shaikh, even though he was lauding their singular expertise not so long ago. Indeed, he had pitched Mr Shaikh to the Senate so that he could continue as full-fledged minister of finance.”
He further wrote, “Some more chopping and changing is on the cards. But given Imran Khan’s track record of picking his political teammates, we shouldn’t expect any qualitative improvement in performance.”
Sethi also opined that change in Punjab, in particular, “would be a hard bone to swallow”.
Saba Qamar celebrated her birthday Sunday night in Lahore with her closest friends and family in an intimate birthday bash. Celebrities spotted at the event included Bilal Saeed and Ali Azmat and model Aimal Khan.
Check out pictures from the event below:
The birthday girl looked lovely in a fitted blue dress with a pink pout.
Saba, who has a string of releases lined up for the coming year, last week announcedthat she has called it off with Azeem Khan due to “personal reasons,” just a week after she had shared that she was getting married soon.
Police in India’s Uttar Pradesh have arrested a wanted criminal who had escaped imprisonment for 15 years by pretending to be dead.
According to reports, family members of the prime suspect, Aniraj Singh, had submitted a fake death certificate to the police showing that he had died in the fire tragedy in Meerut in the 2006.
“During an inquiry, it was found that to avoid life imprisonment, he had made a fake death certificate and was working as a security guard in Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur with his wife and children,” the official said.
Singh had come out of jail on bail for a few days in 2004 and then did not appear before the court on the scheduled day of his case hearing following which the police started a manhunt. However, authorities stopped investigations into his case after receiving his fake death certificate.
The 2006 Meerut Fire tragedy happened on the evening of April 10, 2006. Around 67 people lost their lives in the tragedy. The fire spread through a consumer fair among about 2,000 people in Victoria Park in the city, creating panic and rush.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir on Sunday said that SBP would implement those policies benefiting economy of Pakistan.
Monitory policy adopted by SBP is supporting the economy of Pakistan, he said in an interview with a private television channel.
Commenting on approaching International Monitoring Fund (IMF), he said: “We had to seek support of IMF because of weak economic condition.”
During COVID-19 pandemic, he said the government had to lift loan from IMF amounting to Rs250 billion. Appreciating the steps taken by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to avert coronavirus pandemic, he said that the SBP and the ruling party had successfully managed to cope the difficulties arisen due to spreading virus that played havoc around the world.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:
In reply to a question about policy rate, he said that the banks have implemented the policy rate that stood at 13 per cent. To another question about SBP’s working in future, he said that the banking system as autonomous body would have better results.
Renowned Indian sculptor Manjit Singh Gill has paid homage to Pakistan’s legendary singer Shaukat Ali with a big sculpture. Ali passed away on April 2 in Lahore.
According to a report in the Indian Express, Gill’s artwork was installed at a park in Ghal Kalan village. The report added that India’s Punjab also grieved Ali’s death.
Speaking to the publication, Ali’s son Imran Ali said that the singer was battling liver cirrhosis for more than a year and was being treated for it.
“He had recovered but four months back [but] his condition deteriorated again and his liver stopped working completely,” said Imran.
Ali sang his first song Pagdi Utaar Chora in 1962 and received a silver jubilee award for it.
Meanwhile, Gill is renowned for his statues worldwide. Previously, he made a sculpture of philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi and Punjabi poet Bashir Husain Najmi, more popularly known as Baba Najmi.
Hey, *|MERGE1|*. It is April 4th. The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced that Ramzan will begin from April 14 so we only have 10 days left. Coming Ramzan feels similar to the last one; we were in lockdown then and we are in lockdown again, but as the vaccination process is speeding up, we can see light at the end of the tunnel.
This Ramzan along with religious obligations, I’m also going to focus on my own character development and work on my toxic traits, especially those that affect others, and ahem, also eat less fried items. What are your goals for this Ramzan? ?
It will by sunny and breezy in most cities of Pakistan, with a sandstorm expected in Quetta. ?
Happy Sunday!
Laila-The Current
MORNING MEME
No plan to privatise PIA
The National Assembly (NA) was informed on Friday that there is no plan to privatise any of the assets of national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said this during the question hour while speaking on the floor of the House.
He said that the present government is very keen to make the national flag carrier self-reliant and a profitable entity. Efforts are underway to improve the financial health of the airline by reducing its losses through various means. He also said that loss-making routes have been closed and flights on profitable routes have been added, which has resulted in reduction of losses.
Incumbent government fails to control inflation ahead of Ramzan
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) witnessed a new round of inflation (increase in prices of goods and services) up to 9.1 per cent from 8.7 per cent in February.
Inflation took place primarily due to price increase in food items, clothing and footwear, say the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Non-food items also witnessed a price hike due to higher energy rates in Pakistan. Due to the shortage of production, at the beginning of the current Fiscal Year (FY), inflation stood at 9.3pc in July that eased down to 8.2pc.
While all of this becomes super hard to understand, it basically means we can’t afford what we could. We’re all becoming more vegetable lovers now since meat is so expensive. Right?
If 2021 could not get any stranger, metal objects fell from the sky in Karachi.
I just hope it has nothing to do with the aliens. According to details, eyewitnesses said that heavy objects fell at three different areas in Pak Colony and the Site area. A grave at Mayo Shah Cemetery and roofs of three houses were damaged by the metal pieces.
Authorities have sent the heavy iron objects for an analysis and the situation will be clear after they have been investigated.
Malaika Zahid, a teenage boxer from Balochistan, fought against all odds to chase her dreams. Malaika is the recipient of many national awards. Listen to this week’s Sunday Superstar’s story to know how she convinced her mother and other relatives, through her determination and hard work.
The Duke of Hastings will not be returning for ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
THIS broke our hearts! Regé-Jean Page will not return for the second season of record-breaking Regency romance Bridgerton, Netflix said Friday, prompting howls of despair from fans of the dashing Duke of Hastings.
On this day: 4 April ZULFIKAR ALI BHUTTO’S EXECUTION
On this day, 38 years ago in 1979, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed after being deposed in a military coup by his appointed army chief Zia-ul-Haq. He was hanged before dawn at the Rawalpindi jail for the alleged murder of a political foe.
Current Baba’s prediction
An unexpected gift could arrive today
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As many as 22 Indian police and paramilitary forces personnel were killed and 30 others wounded in a gun battle with Maoist rebels in a central Indian state, police said on Sunday, in the deadliest ambush of its kind in four years, reported AFP. ‘ Some 2,000 security personnel were on the hunt for a Maoist rebel leader in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh state on Saturday when they were ambushed.
“So far it is confirmed that 22 security personnel were killed,” Chhattisgarh police’s Additional Director General (ADG) Ashok Juneja said of the almost three-hour battle in the Maoist rebel stronghold.
The injured personnel were admitted to two government-run hospitals in Bijapur and Chhattisgarh’s capital city Raipur.
More than a dozen others remained missing, he said, adding that an unknown number of Maoists were also killed in the encounter.
Juneja said the rebels looted weapons, ammunition, uniforms and shoes from the security forces who were killed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the “sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten”, while Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on Twitter that India would “continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress.”
My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote on Facebook on Sunday that Shah had assured him of “all the necessary help” from the national government against the militants.
The toll was the worst for Indian security forces battling the far-left guerillas since 2017 when 25 police commandos were killed in the attack.
Seventeen police from a commando patrol were killed in an attack by more than 300 armed rebels in Chhattisgarh in March last year.
Sixteen commandos were also killed in the western state of Maharashtra in the lead-up to India’s election in 2019, in a bomb attack that was blamed on the Maoists.
The Maoists, also known as Naxals, have waged an armed insurgency against the government for decades.
Leaders of the hardline leftist militant group say they are fighting on behalf of the poorest, who have not benefited from a long economic boom in Asia’s third-largest economy.
A woman on Sunday asked Prime Minister Imran Khan the question that many have only been desiring too amid harsh economic conditions.
“Ghabrana nahi hai [do not panic],” the premier has time and again said since taking reins of the country, promising the nation of better days if they stay strong during the journey to “Naya Pakistan”.
However, people have been, for a long time now, being taking digs at the government and dragging the very popular phrase through the mud as they lose faith in the incumbent government’s ability to bring change.
“The situation is worsening by the minute. Inflation is out of control. Should we run our households or pay for our kids’ education?” a woman asked PM Imran on live call during an interactive session with the public.
She went on to say that Ramzan was just around the corner and rupee was also strengthening against the dollar but the people had been provider no relief.
“Please fulfil your promises or allow us to panic,” she said, leaving the premier cracking.
Seemingly controlling his laughter, PM Imran, in response, said that controlling inflation was the topmost priority of the government.
Addressing the caller by her name, he said, “Ambreen, you need not be frightened [over inflation] because the government is working towards tackling this problem.”
—
When asked by another caller what the government plans to do in the light of rising incidents of rape and sexual violence, especially against children, he said there were some fights that governments and legislation alone couldn’t win and needed the society’s help.
He said it was important for societies to protect themselves against vulgarity and the situation was much worse than what made its way to media. He said when he went to the UK, during the ’70s to play cricket, the “sex, drugs and rock n roll” culture was taking off.
The premier added nowadays, divorce rates “have gone up by as much as 70% due to vulgarity in that society”.
He said the whole concept of modesty in Islam has a purpose to it which is to “keep temptation in check”.
The premier spoke about how Bollywood followed the trends of Hollywood and now, the “same is happening there”, explaining why he brought the show Ertugrul to Pakistani screens.
Earlier, he said prices of vegetables and other food items were on the rise as the farmers who supplied them wanted their products to be sold at high prices in the market.
“The middlemen are making a lot of money from this,” he said.
The PM said his government was working towards an ingenuous solution through which they are aiming to connect the primary producers of these items to the final consumers.
He said the masses will see the positive effects of the rupee strengthening against the US dollar, adding that the local currency’s performance had already led to a decline in prices of diesel.
The premier spoke against “hoarders and mafias”, saying they were responsible for the hoarding of necessary food items in the country.
“For the first time, we are going after mafias in Pakistan,” he said. “The FIA completed its inquiry for the first time to bring to everyone’s knowledge how a few people hoard basic food items so their prices skyrocket and they make profits out of it,” he said.
He also revealed the government was working towards revolutionising the agriculture sector so Pakistan is self-sufficient in basic food items and other products.
During the broadcast, the premier also spoke of his government’s determination to root out corruption, shared details of upcoming education and health sector reforms, besides lashing out at the opposition.
Speaking to a local magazine, Zaidi shared that before her divorce, she requested her husband to leave their house as their children were growing up but he refused because the other woman had told him to end things with her first. Zaidi has two children – a daughter and a son.
“I don’t understand why women cry after divorce for a person who is leaving them,” said Zaidi. “Crying is for when your husband passes away and you are in shock. I always wished that my house would not break or my husband should not divorce me. And even if he has no relations with me, his relationship with the children should not be bad so that it does not affect them.”
She shared that after being in a relationship with the other woman for two years, her husband forcibly divorced her at the behest of his second wife.
“I told him to do whatever you want but do not break our family as our children are growing but the other lady made sure to end our family,” said Ismat.
The actor went on to say that when her husband divorced her, her in-laws stepped in to support her.
“After the divorce, my husband wanted me to leave the house but my in-laws were very supportive. They said no one will leave the house and no extra person will enter this house. She will live here because we brought her,” said Ismat, adding that she was married for 23 years.
“After my divorce, I have been really strong because my in-laws were really supportive and they even kept me in their house.”
She shared that because of their support, she started working in the television industry right after her divorce and has been working since.
Zaidi has been part of several super hit dramas including Mann Mayal, Beti, Meri Guriya, Deewangi, Meherposh and most recently Fitoor.
Atif Aslam, Adnan Sami Khan, Shaan and Asim Raza among others have expressed their grief over the demise of legendary Pakistani folk singer Shaukat Ali, who passed away on Friday in Lahore.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shaukat Ali Khan,” said Aslam. “His immense contribution to traditional folk music stands unparalleled.”
“My heartfelt condolences to his family. May Allah forgive him and grant patience to his loved ones,” he added.
Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shaukat Ali Khan Sb. His immense contribution to traditional folk music stands unparalleled. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May Allah forgive him and grant patience to his loved ones.#AtifAslam#Aadeez#ShaukatAliKhan
Adnan Sami Khan also extended his grievances, saying: “I’m extremely saddened to learn that the legendary folk singer of Pakistan, Shaukat Ali Sahib has passed away.”
“His contribution to music is priceless and he had an incredible voice,” said Sami, remembering the maestro.
I’m extremely saddened to learn that the Legendary Folk Singer of Pakistan, Shaukat Ali Sahib has passed away. His contribution to music is priceless & he had an incredible voice!!
“Saddened to learn about the loss of legendary folk singer Shaukat Ali Sahab,” said Zafar, sharing the musician’s classic song Kadi Tey Has Bol. “Deepest condolences to the family.”
Saddened to learn about the loss of legendary folk singer Shaukat Ali Sahab. Deepest condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace. Kadi Ty Has Bol – Shaukat Ali | EMI Pakistan Originals https://t.co/68PjDsEO90
Shaan also remembered the legendary singer, saying: “Rest in peace Shaukat Ali Sb.”
“Indeed you have served this nation with all your love, talent and hard work,” added the Pakistani superstar. “Your contributions will always be remembered by all of us.”
Rest in peace shukat Ali Sb indeed you have served this nation with all your love , talent and hard work . Your contributions will always be remembered by all of us May ALLAH bless your soul ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ufAlnsNZrp
Other celebrities and notable personalities who remembered Ali include Yasir Hussain, Asim Raza, Muhammad Basharat Raja, Naz Baloch, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Faisal Javed Khan.
معروف گلوکار شوکت علی کے انتقال کی خبر سن کر بہت دکھ ہوا (اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْن)۔ شوکت علی نے اپنے فن خصوصا پرجوش ملی نغموں سے پاکستان کا نام روشن کیا۔ پروردگار مرحوم کو جنت الفردوس میں جگہ دے اور غمزدہ خاندان کو صبر جمیل عطا فرمائے۔ آمین۔
— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) April 2, 2021
Sad demise of legendary folk singer Shaukat Ali, he will be always remembered for his patriotic songs. pic.twitter.com/FZRmEoLa6N
Saddened to hear of Legendary Shaukat Ali sb’s passing. He played a vital role in instilling affection for the country in hearts of everyone and in motivating & encouraging soldiers’ morale and rallied the nation. May ALLAH rest his soul in peace. Ameenhttps://t.co/fHOqV010ik
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) April 2, 2021
Deeply saddened by the death of renowned singer Shaukat Ali. His artistic life is a memorable chapter of the country’s history, his songs & folk singing will always be remembered. May Allah forgive him & give patience to the family. Ameen!
— Muhammad Basharat Raja (@RajaBasharatLAW) April 2, 2021
