Author: newsdesk

  • Slam dunk Maryam: 92 News to shut down in the UK after Maryam Nawaz defamation case

    Slam dunk Maryam: 92 News to shut down in the UK after Maryam Nawaz defamation case

    Urdu language TV channel 92 News has shut down operations and transmission in the United Kingdom after Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched a defamation case in the UK High Court over a programme aired in the UK by the channel. The program allegedly made false accusations against Maryam of taking Toshakhana gifts in an alleged violation of rule, and in conspiracy with bureaucrats.

    92 News/Glaxy has previously apologised to Senator Ishaq Dar in the UK in a defamation case and also lost a defamation case to PMLN UK vice president Nasir Mahmood.

    Sources in 92 News (also known as 92 News HD Plus) in the UK and Pakistan confirm that the channel terminated its services from 31st July 2024 in the UK after being advised by its British lawyers. Lawyers allegedly told them that they would lose the defamation case at the trial level in the UK High Court later in the year, with potential costs of over £250,000 in legal fees and damages, likely to be rewarded to Maryam Nawaz.

    Last month, the channel sent out a notification to the UK govt’s TV regulator and Sky management that it was winding up the company (Glaxy Broadcasting Network Limited) that owns 92 News in UK and will stop broadcasting in the UK after 31st July 2024.

    The Programme on Maryam

    Maryam initiated legal proceedings against 92 News/Glaxy after anchors Amir Mateen and Sarwat Valim in the programme ’Muqabil’, on November 17, 2022, accused her of taking Toshakhana gifts. The anchors alleged that Maryam Nawaz took a watch from the Toshakhana worth a million for only PKR 45,000 with help from the bureaucracy in a ‘corrupt scheme’. The allegation was false as Maryam had not received any such gift, and her lawyers argued as much in the claim, seeking an apology and damages. Her lawyers stated, in court papers at UK High Court, that Maryam had suffered serious harm to her reputation by the imputations in the broadcast and therefore the channel should apologise.

    The channel accepted during the communications that it had no defence of the allegations but argued on technicalities that the anchors were fed news by social media after the Toshakhana scandals broke out.

    The case at UK High Court was registered for trial hearings later this year and before the trial could begin in just a few months, the channel decided to shut down its operations and move into liquidation to avoid paying heavy damages and costs. Maryam Nawaz was represented in the case by Stone White Solicitors.

    The show aired on 92 News in the UK and Pakistan after the federal government made the list of state officials who received Toshakhana gifts since 2002 public in accordance with the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) directives.

    The record stated that by putting just Rs20.17 million in Toshakhana, former premier Imran Khan was able to keep a watch (A Graff watch, No. AU750) set in 18-karat gold and diamonds valued at about Rs. 85 million, a pair of cufflinks worth over Rs. 5.6 million, a pen worth Rs. 1.5 million rupees, and an engagement ring worth Rs. 8.7 million.

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari also kept a number of items after depositing a total of about Rs. 16.1 million, including a BMW 760 Li with an estimated value of Rs. 57,828,705 and a Toyota Lexus LX 470 with an estimated value of Rs. 50,000,000.

    The record said by depositing Rs. 0.243 million in Toshakhana in 2013, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was able to keep one Rolex Watch Oyster Perpetual N Series 0835D018, one pair of cufflinks with a pen (worth Rs. 0.025 million), and four commemorative coins from the Central Bank of Kuwait (worth Rs. 0.015 million). Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of Nawaz Sharif, kept a bracelet worth Rs. 12.7 million and a pair of earrings worth Rs. 41.6 million by depositing Rs. 10.8 million in 2016.

    A PMLN spokesman in Lahore said Maryam Nawaz never benefitted from the Toshakhana and the allegation was false. “Maryam Nawaz launched a case in the UK against 92 News to clear her name and she stands vindicated as 92 News made it clear during proceedings it had no evidence. The channel confirmed the allegation was false and knew it would be heavily punished for running a fake news. Therefore it has decided to liquidate and end business in UK.”

  • Pakistan’s yearly inflation rate falls to 11.1 per cent in July 2024

    Pakistan’s yearly inflation rate falls to 11.1 per cent in July 2024

    In July 2024, Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation decreased to 11.1 per cent year-on-year, down from 12.6 per cent in June 2024 and a substantial 28.3 per cent in July 2023, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    On a month-on-month basis, the CPI inflation rose by 2.1 per cent in July 2024, a significant increase from the 0.5 per cent recorded in June 2024 but a slower rise compared to the 3.5 per cent increase in July 2023.

    The data further reveals that urban CPI inflation climbed to 13.2 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, up from 14.9 per cent in June 2024 and down from 26.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, urban CPI inflation increased by 2.0 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent in the previous month but lower than the 3.6 per cent recorded in July 2023.

    For rural areas, CPI inflation rose by 8.1 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 9.3 per cent in June 2024 and 31.3 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, rural CPI inflation increased by 2.2 per cent, a jump from 0.3 per cent in June 2024 but slightly lower than the 3.3 per cent rise in July 2023.

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation saw a year-on-year increase of 15.7 per cent in July 2024, down from 16.6 per cent in June 2024 and 29.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, SPI inflation rose by 2.0 per cent, up from 1.3 per cent in June 2024 and slightly lower than the 2.8 per cent increase in July 2023.

    The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation was recorded at 10.4 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 10.6 per cent in the previous month and 23.1 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, WPI inflation rose by 2.3 per cent, up from 0.4 per cent in June 2024 and similar to the 2.5 per cent rise in July 2023.

  • Gold price increases by Rs1,400 to Rs254,900 per tola

    Gold price increases by Rs1,400 to Rs254,900 per tola

    On Thursday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable increase. The price of 24-karat gold reached Rs254,900 per tola, marking a rise of Rs1,400.

    According to the Karachi Sarafa Association, the cost of 24-karat gold was reported at Rs218,536 per 10-gramme, up by Rs1,201. Meanwhile, 22-karat gold prices also saw an uptick, quoted at Rs200,324 per 10-gramme.

    In contrast, silver prices in the domestic market remained steady. The price for 24-karat silver was unchanged at Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486 per 10-gramme.

    On the international stage, spot gold traded at approximately $2,433 per ounce, experiencing a decrease of $12.30, or 0.50 per cent, from the previous session.

  • Proud papa Aamir Khan throws party to celebrate Junaid’s debut in ‘Maharaj’

    Proud papa Aamir Khan throws party to celebrate Junaid’s debut in ‘Maharaj’

    Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan recently made his acting debut in the film Maharaj.
    During the launch of Raj Pandit’s song, proud father Aamir said, “When Junaid’s film Maharaj was released, I was very stressed thinking if the audience would like his work or not.”

    The star has a surprise for us.
    “I have started learning to sing. I have been training for the last year with Sucheta Ji as my guru,” the Dangal actor added.

    Mahraraj was released on Netflix on June 21, 2024.

  • Girl riding her scooty falls in open rainwater drain, still missing

    Girl riding her scooty falls in open rainwater drain, still missing

    A girl fell in a storm drain in Rawalpindi while travelling to her office on a scooty.

    CCTV footage shared by ARY News shows the girl being swept away in the storm drain after slipping from her bike.

    A search and rescue operation by the District Emergency Service was launched. Spokesman Rescue 1122 said that a missing girl has been identified as Ammara, 20. She was a resident of Ghauri Town, Rawalpindi. She was going to her office when she got stuck in a heavy water wave.

    Initial reports suggest that the victim fell from the scooty and was swept away by the water stream into a nullah.

    Till the publishing of this story, Ammara hasn’t been found from the drain by rescue teams.

    “The search and rescue operation has been extended to the nullah’s linked spot at Swan river opening”, said the spokesperson to ARY News, adding that the missing girl couldn’t be found in the nullah where she reportedly fell.

    However, the operation to find the missing girl is underway.

  • X will be restored whenever government signals, says PTA chairman

    Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, stated that social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is currently banned on government request, will be restored only if the government authorises so.

    Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman reaffirmed that there have been no cyber attacks on telecom infrastructure in the past two years. He stated that the PTA engages platforms on complaints related to social media content violating Pakistani laws and can block social media platforms upon government directive. He noted TikTok’s prompt response to complaints compared to X (formerly Twitter), which acts on only seven per cent of reported violations.

    Responding to Senator Abdul Qadir’s query about unblocking X, Chairman PTA reiterated that the decision rests with the government. He also discussed the licensing process for IoT technology, revealing recent initiatives.

    Federal Minister of Law and Justice Nazir Tarar expressed concerns over posts on social media platforms that could provoke religious sentiments, emphasizing that protests often follow such incidents. He differentiated government actions on YouTube and TikTok from those on X, highlighting differing approaches.

    Chairman PTA addressed VPN usage in Pakistan, acknowledging a significant decline in X users (70%) due to VPN restrictions. He mentioned plans to whitelist specific VPNs for legitimate use in Pakistan.

    Chairman PTA also highlighted the tax burden on telecom users in Pakistan (34.50%), comparing it with rates in neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (20-40%), Bangladesh (21-33%), India (18.5%), and Nepal (26%).

  • ‘Their bodies, their choice’: Iffat Omar’s take on the Khalil ur Rehman sex tape

    ‘Their bodies, their choice’: Iffat Omar’s take on the Khalil ur Rehman sex tape

    Former supermodel Iffat Omar has spoken out in defense of controversial playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar following the scandal involving his leaked videos.

    Using X (formerly Twitter), Omar addressed the situation without directly naming Qamar. She pointed out the irony that those Qamar had often criticized might now be the ones defending the misogynistic writer.

    “If two consenting adults are together, their privacy is none of my concern. Their body, their choice.”
    Qamar recently made headlines after falling victim to a honey-trapping scheme, resulting in his release after a ransom was paid. The main suspect in the case claimed to possess two videos, each about an hour and a half long, showing Qamar getting intimate with the woman who had trapped him. The videos leaked online later.

    Qamar has alleged that the videos were made under duress at gunpoint. His defence seems in contradiction to the video, where he can be seen smoking while sitting with the woman and chatting with her casually with his feet up.

  • Drug dealer suspect’s lawyer wants same privileges as Imran Khan

    Drug dealer suspect’s lawyer wants same privileges as Imran Khan

    A lawyer for a man arrested in suspicion of being a drug dealer took Lahore High Court to task for denying his clients the privileges given to former Imran Khan, currently also in jail.

    A bail hearing was scheduled today at the Lahore High Court.

    During the proceedings, the suspect’s lawyer cited legal precedents, including cases involving the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, presiding over the bench, deliberated on the eligibility for bail in such cases. He stated that the accused involved in drug trade deserve punishment without bail, emphasizing the detrimental impact of drugs on society and its influence in educational institutions.

    The lawyer argued under Article 25 of the Constitution, the man deserved the same conveniences given to Imran in legal matters. “My client and the PTI founder should be considered equally under Article 25,” the lawyer asserted.

    Responding to this, Justice Mansoor questioned the relevance of Khan’s cases to the current bail application. The lawyer replied back that despite facing numerous cases, the PTI’s founder had been granted bail in a cipher case by the Supreme Court.

    “Imran Khan was granted bail despite facing over 200 cases, including terrorism charges,” the lawyer elaborated. “In contrast, my client faces only 14 cases and should similarly be eligible for bail.”

    Justice Shah differentiated between the nature of charges against the PTI founder and the suspect, emphasizing the severity of the charges in each case.

    The lawyer countered by highlighting the specific charge against the PTI founder, which carries the death penalty. “There is a cipher case against the PTI founder, a capital offense,” the lawyer pointed out.

    The lawyer also drew attention to the disparity in facilities between the PTI founder and his client while in custody. “The PTI founder enjoys better living conditions in jail, which are not available to my client,” the lawyer argued.

    After considering legal precedents and arguments presented, the three-member bench, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, approved the bail application of the accused, Obaidullah.

  • Bella breaks silence as fans boycott Adidas

    Bella breaks silence as fans boycott Adidas

    Bella Hadid has broken her silence after sporting giant Adidas dropped her under pressure from pro-Israel groups. The controversy started when Adidas featured Hadid in a campaign about the 1972 Munich Olympics but did not mention the 11 Israelis killed by the Palestinian group Black September at the same event.

    Hadid was wearing shoes inspired by Adidas’ SL72 sneakers, first released during the 1972 Munich Olympics. On Instagram, Hadid explained that she did not know about the tragic events linked to the Olympics when she agreed to the campaign. She said she would never knowingly take part in something connected to a tragedy.

    In her statement, Hadid said, “I want you to hear directly from me about my recent campaign with Adidas. I would never knowingly engage with any art or work that is linked to a horrific tragedy. Before the campaign was released, I did not know about the connection to the events in 1972. I am shocked, upset, and disappointed by the lack of sensitivity in this campaign.”

    Hadid made it clear that she would not have participated if she had known about the attack. She criticized herself, her team, and Adidas for not being aware of the historical context. She emphasized that she always speaks up against what she believes is wrong.

    Hadid also addressed the issue of antisemitism. “I do not believe in hate in any form, including antisemitism. I stand by this fully,” she said. She criticized linking the “liberation of the Palestinian people” to terrorism, saying it misrepresents Palestinians. Hadid declared her pride in being Palestinian and emphasized that there is more to their culture than recent negative associations.

    She stated, “I will forever stand by my people of Palestine while continuing to advocate for a world free of antisemitism. Antisemitism has no place in the liberation of the Palestinian people. I will always stand for peace over violence. Hate has no place here, and I will always advocate for my people and everyone worldwide.”

    Earlier in the summer, when the Adidas campaign was launched, the American Jewish Committee called the decision a “massive oversight or intentionally inflammatory.” Adidas pulled the campaign photos and apologized in mid-July for any upset caused, stating that the connections to tragic historical events were unintentional. That did not stop pro-Palestine people from staging a boycott of the brand.

    Adidas later apologized to Hadid and other partners involved, saying, “We made an unintentional mistake. We apologize to our partners, Bella Hadid, A$AP Nast, Jules Koundé, and others, for any negative impact and are revising the campaign.”

  • T-shirt wearing Turkish silver medal winner brings storm of memes to social media

    T-shirt wearing Turkish silver medal winner brings storm of memes to social media

    Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec has become a viral sensation at the Paris Olympics, not just for winning a silver medal in the Mixed 50-meter Pistol event but also for his unique style.

    Unlike other shooters who use ear protectors and special lenses for accuracy, Dikec appeared to be wearing only his prescription glasses and just a t-shirt with pants. He casually kept his non-shooting hand in his pocket as he aimed and fired, helping him win the silver medal.

    Dikec became instantly famous on social media, the face of a thousand memes.