Author: newsdesk

  • Mubasher Lucman wants Pakistan to establish ties with Israel

    Mubasher Lucman wants Pakistan to establish ties with Israel

    A day after the reports of a secret meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, journalist and anchorperson Mubasher Lucman urged the Pakistani state to revisit its foreign policy and “establish diplomatic ties with Israel”.

    The anchorperson who appeared on an Israeli news channel to supposedly comment on the controversy surrounding the latest push of Arab countries to normalise ties with Israel said that it was time for Pakistan to be “friends with everyone”, including Tel Aviv.

    https://twitter.com/TeamMLucman/status/1328780163283226624

    According to Lucman, Pakistan needs to put itself first and stop fighting for the rights of other nations — Palestinians in this case. “I am one of those people who believe both countries should shake hands and establish diplomatic ties,” said Lucman, as he went on to call Israel a “vibrant country”.

    The journalist also undermine the struggle for self-determination of the Palestinian people, while trying to play down the atrocities committed by the Israeli troops against the Palestinian people. “People in Pakistan do not know much about Israel, except that it is a zionist state carrying out ‘whatever it is doing against Palestinians’”.

    “The Israeli nation is a great nation in their own way. They are fighters, they are survivors,” said Lucman, comparing it with Pakistan which is a “great country in its own right with many accolades”.

    Lucman also commented on a recent media reports that claimed Pakistan was being pressurised by the US and another Muslim country to recognise Tel Aviv. He said: “If Israel and Pakistan ever ever have to shake hands, it must not be due to a third party, it must be directly. We don’t need to be subservient to anyone, be it the US or Saudi Arabia.”

    He also said the “animosity between Pakistan and Israel” existed for over 70 years now, and both states needed to educate their masses if things have to “progress” from this stage to the next.

    Earlier this month, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan would not accept Israel unless Palestinians get their right to self-determination. He also told a journalist that US outgoing President Donald Trump and a Muslim country wanted Pakistan to accept Israel, which it cannot do.

    MBS-NETANYAHU MEETING:

    On Monday, Netanyahu allegedly met MBS in Saudi Arabia, which observers see a step towards recoginsation of Tel Aviv by Saudi Arabia. There has been widespread speculation, within Israel and the US, that Washington may push for other Arab states to follow suit before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.

    However, the reports of the meeting were denied by the Saudi foreign minister. “I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo. No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud wrote on Twitter on Monday.

  • Mahira Khan, Dr Sania Nishtar among BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020’

    Mahira Khan, Dr Sania Nishtar among BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020’

    A proud moment for Pakistan as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar and Mahira Khan make it to BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020‘ list.

    According to BBC, the list includes “100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020”.

    “This year 100 Women is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times,” said the publication.

    Writing about Mahira, BBC said: “Mahira Khan is no ordinary actress – she is outspoken against sexual violence, refuses to endorse skin-lightening creams and supports the fight against racism. She wants to tackle social issues in her native Pakistan by changing the narrative in films and on TV.”

    “Mahira is a national goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, raising awareness of the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. She’s been a firm favourite with audiences ever since starting out as an MTV video jockey (VJ) in 2006. Mahira is also a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son,” it added.

    Mahira Khan with son Azlan

    Similarly, talking about Dr Nishtar, BBC wrote: “Dr Sania Nishtar is a leader in global health and sustainable development. Since 2018, she has been spearheading the transformative Ehsaas Poverty Alleviation programme, which has improved the livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis by providing mobile banking and savings accounts, and other basic resources.”

    “As SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Sania has helped to empower the masses by taking the necessary first steps toward the development of a welfare state in Pakistan.”

    Explaining the process behind the selection, BBC stated: “The BBC’s 100 Women team drew up a shortlist based on names gathered by them and suggested by the BBC’s network of World Service languages teams. We were looking for candidates who had made the headlines or influenced important stories over the past 12 months, as well as those who have inspiring stories to tell, achieved something significant or influenced their societies in ways that wouldn’t necessarily make the news. The pool of names was then assessed against this year’s theme – women who led change – and measured for regional representation and due impartiality before the final names were chosen.”

    The list also includes Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s all-female coalition government, Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and Marvel films and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a coronavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, one name on the list has been left blank as a tribute to countless women “around the world who have made sacrifices to help others”.

  • Meet the first-ever female PSP officer of Balochistan

    Meet the first-ever female PSP officer of Balochistan

    Women of “conservative” Balochistan have little space in the political, cultural, economic, or social fields. Conditions are even worse for Balochistan’s women in rural areas.

    Surviving all these hurdles, Pari Gul Tareen has been posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Quetta Cantt. Tareen is the first woman in the history of the province to be appointed to this post.

    She hails from the Pishin area of ​​Balochistan and is the first woman in the province to join the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) after passing the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam.

    CHANGING TIMES:

    Tareen is, however, not the only one to have made the country proud in these changing times.

    Nigar Johar had earlier this year been promoted by the Pakistan Army to become the first woman lieutenant general.

    According to the military’s media wing, Johar, who hails from the Panjpeer area of Swabi district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), also holds the accolade for becoming the first woman surgeon general of the Pakistan Army.

    Earlier, in 2017, Johar had become the third woman officer to reach the rank of major general.

    Swabi has produced a number of generals, but it was the first time that a woman had reached the said army rank.

  • Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Mohammad Hafeez’s induction into Pakistan’s squad for the New Zealand tour has led to a rift between the all-rounder and cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja.

    According to reports, the war of words got intensified after Hafeez stated that his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Raja.

    The episode began after Ramiz Raja showed disinterest over Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) backing experienced players and not giving enough chances to the youth ahead of the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup in India.

    The former Pakistan cricketer asked senior cricketers like Hafeez to retire gracefully and give opportunity to the youngsters to showcase their skills on a stage like the upcoming World Cup.

    Disagreeing to Raja’s views, Hafeez gave a controversial statement during a conversation with Cricket Pakistan.

    “I acknowledge Ramiz [Raja] services for Pakistan cricket as a player. I respect his opinion but I have reservations over his cricketing sense and game awareness. If you talk to my 12-year-old son, even his game awareness is better than Ramiz Bhai,” Hafeez told Cricket Pakistan.

    “If Ramiz bhai wants to continue saying such things to boost his YouTube channel, then I can’t stop him but I will continue to play for Pakistan as long as I’m fit and performing,” he further added.

    Hafeez asserted that as long as he is fit and performing on the field, he deserves a place in the Pakistan dressing room.

    “If I’m unable to meet the fitness and performance standards, or believe there is a better product ready for Pakistan, I’d happily leave. I’m very satisfied with my cricketing career,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

  • PM approves national intelligence body for effective coordination among spy agencies

    PM approves national intelligence body for effective coordination among spy agencies

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the formation of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee for effective coordination among the over two dozen intelligence organisations in the country.

    According to a report in Dawn.com, the committee will be headed by Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. According to the report, though the terms of reference of the body have yet to be finalised, the proposal for the body was submitted to the premier after a thorough discussion between the intelligence agencies.

    The move is part of the long-awaited reform of the intelligence apparatus, which aims at clarifying the role of respective agencies, improving their coordination, and optimising their capabilities, said the report.

    In past, the civilian government made multiple attempts to reform intelligence agencies, but to no avail, specifically due to differences over the leadership of the new body.

    In 2008, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government placed the ISI and Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the “administrative and financial” control of the Ministry of Interior, but the notification was retracted following a backlash from the military officials.

    Similarly, attempts by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government to reform the intelligence agencies of the country failed.

  • No, Meesha Shafi does not want to date Babar Azam

    No, Meesha Shafi does not want to date Babar Azam

    Meesha Shafi has shut down all rumours and reports that suggested that she would like to date Captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam.

    In a story posted to her Instagram, Meesha shared a post by Babar Azam Fan Army which stated that the singer is a big fan of Azam’s, adding that Meesha would “love to date him”.

    Rubbishing the claims, Shafi wrote: “I have no idea who this is or why it exists. It makes zero sense. 100% concocted out of thin air.”

    “This quote is fabricated,” she added and requested Instagram to remove it.

    Later, Meesha also shared that she received an apology from the Instagram account that posted the news and that she now “considers this ridiculous matter closed”.

    Meanwhile, Shafi is gearing up for the 13th edition of Coke Studio and is looking forward to spinning “some musical magic” with Rohail Hyatt.

  • Child marriage: Rape charges added in Arzoo Raja case

    Child marriage: Rape charges added in Arzoo Raja case

    Sindh police have added rape charges in the FIR [first information report] against the purported husband of teenage Christian girl Arzoo Raja who married the minor after forced proselytisation.

    Along with Syed Ali Azhar, six other people, including two lawyers and justice of peace, were also booked in the case. They have been charged under Section 3 (punishment for male contracting party), Section 4 (punishment for solemnising a child marriage) and Section 5 (punishment for parent or guardian concerned in a child marriage) of the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act.

    Azhar has also been charged with Section 375 (v) (sexual intercourse with a minor) of the Pakistan Penal Code. 

    The brothers and a friend of the prime suspect were absolved of all charges for lack of evidence, whereas the kidnapping charge was also struck down following Arzoo’s denial, who has been sent to a shelter home by the court.

    Meanwhile, a report in Geo News claimed that Arzoo Raja has tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation at Panah Shelter Home.

    CASE:

    Prime suspect Ali Azhar allegedly abducted Arzoo from Karachi’s Muhalla Railway Colony West Camp Road locality on Oct 13, according to the family, which registered a kidnapping case on the same day. On Oct 15 police summoned them to the local station and showed them documents claiming that Arzoo was 18 years old and had willingly converted to Islam to marry Azhar.

    Subsequently, a plea was filed in the Sindh High Court and the court allowed Arzoo Raja to stay with her alleged husband. However, following an uproar, a review plea was filed and the court ordered the formation of a medical board to determine the age of the girl.

    The medical board report found out that the girl was a teenager, strengthening the family’s claims that their girl was abducted was forced to convert for marriage.

  • Looking back at Princess Diana visit to Pakistan

    Looking back at Princess Diana visit to Pakistan

    Twenty-five years ago, Princess Diana’s controversial BBC interview sent shockwaves through the royal family, in which she confessed that “there were three in the marriage”. That interview is now back in focus as season four of the hit series “The Crown” has everyone talking about the princess and her marriage. The series is featured on Diana’s character and the love triangle is one of the main storylines in the new season and the love for Diana is now renewed. Everyone wants more of the princess and for Pakistanis, how can we forget her visit to Pakistan?

    She visited Pakistan more than once in her short life period – once in 1991, and then again in 1996 and 1997. 

    Princess Diana in Pakistan: Throwback shots of Prince William's mother visiting the country in the 1990s | London Evening Standard
    Princess Diana Visiting Kinnaird College For Women In Lahore, Pakistan in September 1991

    In 1991, she made her first official solo trip to Pakistan. Her bodyguard at the time, Ken Wharfe, released a book about his experiences working for the Princess, in which he described her Pakistan tour as hugely positive.

    “The headlines screamed that Diana had taken Pakistan by storm, that her visit had been a resounding success,” wrote Wharfe, “the tabloids predictably hailed her vociferously as the jewel in the royal family’s crown”.

    Princess Diana in traditional attire during her visit to Pakistan

    Her first visit lasted four days, in which she dined with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and visited various places including Badshahi Mosque and Kinnaird College, a family welfare center in Islamabad and Khyber Rifles in Khyber Pakhtunkhua.

    Five years later, she returned to Pakistan at Imran Khan’s invitation for the fund-raising of Pakistan’s first charity cancer hospital, Shaukat Khanum. Diana was accompanied by Lady Annabel Goldsmith, the mother of Khan’s wife at the time, Jemima Khan. Diana spent the rest of her trip visiting sick children and attending other fundraising events.

    Princess Diana with Imran Khan and Jemima Khan, infront of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Lahore

    As a focal person in the construction of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, she visited Pakistan again to attend the opening ceremony of the hospital. This was her final trip to Pakistan, before her death in a tragic car crash in Paris.

    Watch the previous royal visits to Pakistan

  • Comedian Dave Chappelle opens up about his conversion to Islam

    Appearing as a guest on the latest season of the Netflix series My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, acclaimed American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle opened up about his spiritual journey.

    “I wanted to have a meaningful life, a spiritual life, not just what my hands can hold,” he said. “I felt like I’ve always had this notion that life should mean something.”

    Chappelle, 47, revealed that his conversion came about through his visits to his local pizza shop as 17-year-old growing up in Washington, DC. He recalled that it was the positive vibes of the Muslim staff that caught his attention.

    “The pizza shop was across from my house and it was, like, all these Muslim dudes that worked in there,” he said. “I used to go in there and crack jokes. And I am also a naturally curious guy and I would ask [the owner] questions about his religion and the guy was so passionate about it. It was very compelling. I liked the perspective of it.”

    Chappelle also expressed his weariness surrounding the public discourse about Islam.

    “It’s been presented in the public space in such a narrow and dismissive view,” he said. “It’s a beautiful religion. And the ideas in that religion are reflected in all the major Abrahamic faiths. You’ll see these ideas in both Christianity and Judaism, you know. It is the idea that this place does mean something, you know?”

    In the interview, the actor also shared one of his favourite stories from Islamic history – the one which centered on the origins of Zamzam water.

    “The thing that comforts me about it is the idea that all of this is from a singular source and the source is ultimately kind. And even though we may not understand the intentions of this source, we’re all connected and bounded by it”, he said.

  • Shafqat Mehmood becomes the new hero for Pakistani students

    Shafqat Mehmood becomes the new hero for Pakistani students

    Soon after Federal Minister for Education, Shafqat Mehmood announced that educational institutes across the country will be closed from November 26 to January 1 in a bid to control the COVID-19 spread, Pakistani social media was filled with memes as students rejoiced over the decision.

    Read more – A new meme trend is breaking the internet

    https://twitter.com/Abyy_chal/status/1330783745452990466?s=20