Author: newsdesk

  • Mohammad Wasim denies rumours of rift with Misbah-ul-Haq, Babar Azam

    Mohammad Wasim denies rumours of rift with Misbah-ul-Haq, Babar Azam

    Chief selector Mohammad Wasim has rejected claims of a rift with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam. Over the past couple of days, different media reports suggested that both coach and the captain were unhappy with the team selection for the upcoming tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    Wasim, while talking to a local media outlet, said that he has heard about the rumours of a rift between the trio but there are no legitimate grounds for these speculations.

    “I have been hearing about the same rumours [of rift] but I don’t believe there is any truth in this,” said Wasim. “We have a standard procedure which was followed during the selection of the teams for the South Africa home series and it was similarly followed this time around as well.”

    “The selection committee had three meetings with the captain and the coach whereas there were separate meetings of the selectors as well. So I don’t really know where are these rumours coming from.”

    The Men in Green are scheduled to face South Africa in three ODIs and four T20Is after which they will travel to Zimbabwe.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq is also not happy with how things have panned out after the announcement of the squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe by Chief Selector Wasim.

    While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Inzamam revealed that skipper Azam is unhappy after his suggestions were ignored while selecting the team.

  • ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’ actor shares casting couch encounters that ‘broke’ her

    Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi actor Saba Bukhari has opened up on her experience with the casting couch and shared the advice she got from different ‘men’, and ‘directors’ in the industry and how those words broke her from Inside.

    “He said that: Tum may itna confidence toh hai nahi k tum is media may agay ja sako (You don’t have enough confidence to go forward in media industry),” wrote Saba alongside a picture of herself.

    “He said that: Masla yay hai tum good girl ho aur iss field may good girl nahi chalti (The problem is that you are a good girl and good girls don’t survive in this field).”

    “He said that: Aisa kaisay ho sakta kisi nay tum par attempt na kia ho (How is this possible that no one ever made a move on you).”

    “He said that: Hum tumhay kaam q dain or paisay bhe dain jab k yaha larkian kam k liye sonay ko tayar hain (Why should we give you work and money when girls are ready to sleep for work).

    “All these lines, words from different men’s (person’s) (director’s) broke me inside [and shattered] my dreams,” concluded the actor.

    Featuring Yumna Zaidi, Yasra Rizvi, Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Naumaan Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, and Omair Rana in the lead, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is a harrowing tale of child abuse and human trafficking in Pakistan. The drama has been written by Amna Mufti and directed by Kashif Nisar and is a Kashf Foundation Presentation.

    A few weeks back, the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority issued a notice to the makers of Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and directed TV One to review the drama’s content and modify it according to the regulatory body’s guidelines.

  • Imad Wasim shares adorable video with newborn daughter

    Imad Wasim shares adorable video with newborn daughter

    Imad Wasim has shared the first glimpse of his daughter with his fans on social media.

    Sharing a video of himself with his newborn, the Pakistani all-rounder said that it was the first time that he was holding his daughter.

    “Holding my baby girl for the first time,” said Imad in the caption. He added that it was the “best feeling” that he ever had.

    The Karachi Kings captain had announced the birth of his daughter earlier this month. The cricketer had also shared that the family had named her Syeda Inaya Imad.

  • ‘India has to take the first step’: PM Imran at Islamabad Security Dialogue

    ‘India has to take the first step’: PM Imran at Islamabad Security Dialogue

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the first Policy Advisory Portal at the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue. The portal has been developed by the National Security Division (NSD) to engage over hundred think tanks and academia in policy making, said the Prime Minister’s Office.

    PM Khan said that when his government came to power, he tried to resolve issues with India.

    “We just have one issue, which is Kashmir,” said the premier, adding that August 5 happened, which “led to a total breakdown between both countries.”

    PM Khan said he hopes that the right of self-determination given to the Kashmiris as per UN Security Council resolution would be given to the Kashmiris.

    “It would benefit India if there is a resolution on the Kashmir issue. If we achieve peace through dialogue, it will change the entire landscape of the region. There is a lot of poverty in India. Our trading and economic ties should be strong, which will increase regional connectivity. It will help India that it can have regional connectivity up to Central Asia. India has to take the first step after August 5, otherwise, we cannot move forward.”

    While inaugurating the Advisory Portal, Prime Imran Khan appreciated the initiative and said that Pakistan has immense young talent in this country.  “This is a step in the right direction”, he said.

    The advisory portal will be a dedicated and integrated platform through which major think tanks and universities working on the subject of comprehensive national security will be able to share policy recommendations directly with the national leadership.

    “The aim of the portal is to bridge the gap between intellectuals and policymakers,” said SAPM on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Dr Moeed Yusuf who conceived the portal. 

    Islamabad Security Dialogue is a two-day international conference. Two sessions of the Islamabad Security Dialogue were held on Wednesday, while three sessions will take place on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will inaugurate the second day. 

    Being held mostly in a virtual format, the Dialogue is being attended by officials, global and regional experts and media. The main theme of the Islamabad Security Dialogue is Comprehensive Security Framework that will enable the country to unfold its untapped potential in becoming a hub of global and regional development.

    The NSD plans to make the Islamabad Security Dialogue an annual event to parallel the world’s leading security dialogues.

  • Mehwish, Adnan, Sanam congratulate Riz Ahmed on his Oscar nomination

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in Amazon Studio’s Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    Read more – Obamas to adapt Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’ for Netflix with Riz Ahmed in the lead

    The actor, while responding to the nomination said that he was “honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances”.

    “I am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement,” the actor added.

    Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui and Sanam Saeed celebrated Riz’s big achievement and congratulated the actor on social media.

    “Congratulations Riz. You have created history with your nomination as the first Muslim for lead actor at the distinguished Academy Awards,” said Siddiqui. “Hard work and talent always get recognised.”

    “Pakistan is proud of you,” added the actor.

    Mehwish Hayat also expressed her delight over the nomination, saying: “In a world where we’re fighting for fairer representation in mainstream media, a Muslim nominated for Best Actor for the first time since 1929 is one hell of a big deal.”

    Sanam Saeed also congratulated her ‘dosst‘, saying: “Proud moment, you totally deserve it.”

    “Go on then keeping making waves and bringing about change,” she added.

    The 2021 Oscar nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

  • ‘I’ve done it’: Bushra Ansari celebrates as she receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    Bushra Ansari has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Sharing a video of herself receiving the shot, the veteran actor wrote: “Yyyyyeeee. I’ve done it.”

    She urged her followers to get the vaccine saying that it was necessary for themselves and their loved ones.

    “This vaccine is so important to get for our friends and family,” said Ansari in her video.

    She also joked about getting the jab first since she is a senior citizen.

    “I never had fun being a senior citizen until today,” she joked.

    Earlier, Reema Khan, Samina Peerzada, and President Dr Arif Alvi along with his wife shared pictures and videos of themselves getting vaccinated for the novel coronavirus.

  • Contempt case against ECP possible, warns govt

    Contempt case against ECP possible, warns govt

    Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that the government will begin contempt proceedings against the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), including the chief election commissioner (CEC) if they do not resign from their posts.

    Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar on Tuesday, Fawad said that the government is working with the Attorney General of Pakistan and will go for contempt of court proceedings against ECP officials. He warned that the ECP officials should step down themselves or legal options will be exercised.

    Earlier, the government had demanded election commission officials to resign and reconstitute the election body as it “failed to act as a neutral umpire”. 

    Meanwhile, ECP has sent notices to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its own scrutiny committee to appear before the watchdog on March 22 to explain their stance over keeping secret the foreign funding documents of the ruling party.

  • PCB to bear former cricketer Tauseef Ahmed’s medical expenses

    PCB to bear former cricketer Tauseef Ahmed’s medical expenses

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced that it would bear all treatment costs of former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed, who recently underwent two stents during angioplasty.

    According to details, Tauseef Ahmed will remain under observation for 12 hours, said PCB’s spokesperson while talking to media, adding that Tauseef has been an asset to Pakistan Cricket.

    “I am in touch with Tauseef Ahmed. [Once discharged from the hospital], he will stay at the National High-Performance Centre until he is able to travel,” said the spokesperson.

    The former spinner is currently undergoing treatment at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, where his angioplasty was successfully carried out.

    According to Tauseef’s nephew Saifuddin, Ahmed has been given two stents during the procedure.

    “After 12 hours of observation at the recovery centre, he will be transferred to another ward,” said Saifuddin, adding that neither Ahmed nor his family faced any problems at the hospital.

    Saifuddin says he is “hopeful that Ahmed will be discharged from the hospital soon.”

    The former cricketer had suffered a heart attack while attending a wedding ceremony Sunday night.

    Meanwhile, several cricketers including Ramiz Raja, Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez prayed for Ahmed’s swift recovery.

  • Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Prince Harry has spoken to his father and brother after he and his wife Meghan Markle raised allegations of racism in the royal family during an explosive TV interview, a friend said Tuesday.

    In the interview, Harry said that his father Prince Charles had cut him off financially and at one point stopped taking his calls, and also described his damaged relationship with Prince William.

    The British monarchy has been rocked by the couple’s allegations that an unnamed royal asked how dark their child’s skin would be before he was born.

    “I did actually call them to see how they were feeling, and it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too,” Gayle King, a US television presenter and friend of the couple, said on CBS.

    “The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive, but they are glad they have at least started a conversation.”

    King said the couple were “frustrated” that alleged racism in the royal family had dominated the news agenda since the interview was broadcast on March 7.

    “All they wanted all along was for the royals to intervene and tell the press to stop with the unfair, inaccurate, false stories that definitely have a racial slant,” King said, adding that no one had spoken to Meghan as yet.

    She added that Harry and Meghan wanted “healing” in the family, but that Meghan had “documents to back up everything” she had said in the interview with Oprah Winfrey.

    As for what Meghan and Harry hope will happen in the future, King explained, “The family has to acknowledge that there are issues, and right now, no one is acknowledging, ‘Houston, we have a problem here.’ That’s really all they want. They want a conversation.”

    The allegations, which the royal family said would be investigated, have plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the death of William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

    Meghan, a former actress, told Winfrey she was “naively” unprepared for life as a royal and had contemplated suicide while pregnant with their first child. On the other hand, Prince Harry said that he felt let down by his father Prince Charles and that his late mother Diana would have been angry and upset at the way the British royal family had treated his wife Meghan.

    “My family literally cut me off financially,” Harry had said. “But I’ve got what my mum left me and without that we would not have been able to do this.”

    Meanwhile, William while responding to the interview had said: “We’re very much not a racist family,” while Buckingham Palace, in a statement, said that they will address the couple’s grievances privately.

  • Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali has shut down relationship scandals with co-actors.

    Ali, who was recently seen with Bilal Ashraf on Time Out with Ahsan Khan opened up about her link ups with co-actors.

    Upon being questioned about her pairing with Sheheryar Munawar, Ali said: “When I started my journey as an actor, everyone linked me with Osman Khalid Butt.”

    “I think there’s a certain pairing that delivers a chemistry fans love or adore. Hence, they start to ship the two celebrities as couples,” said the actor.

    The Mann Mayal actor further shared: “When we were at the premiere of Parey Hut Love, people called us a ‘Filmy Jodi’ which, for me, was a compliment. But this does not mean I will limit myself to only be seen with Sheheryar. From all the actors whom I have worked with, I absolutely adore Bilal Abbas.”

    Adding onto the expectations of being an actor, Ali added, “People aren’t familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve come to the conclusion that these netizens are prepared to pen negative feedback, waiting for something to pick on.”

    “I always tell people that we are public figures, not public property. Pick on our work! Be it negative or positive, we will happily entertain you. But judge till what we show you and not beyond the lines that are set for you to never cross,” said Ali.

    The actor has recently made a comeback on our TV screens with Munawar in ARY Digital’s Pehli Si Muhabbat.

    Meanwhile, when asked by Vasay Chaudhry onhis show Ghabrana Mana hai, that if he [Sheheryar] is single, the actor quickly replied, “Yes definitely I am single.. Alhamdulillah!”