Author: newsdesk

  • Junaid Khan to release a motivational web series

    Junaid Khan to release a motivational web series

    Looks like Pakistan has caught the web series fever because Junaid Khan is the latest celebrity to announce that he is launching an original motivational web series. Titled Keh Do, the series will focus on the actor’s personal experiences and thoughts.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJJafLAuaV/

    Read more – Nabeel Qureshi is making a web series on the Lyari Gang War

    According to a press release, Keh Do “will bring a candid Khan to the audience, putting forth his personal views and opinions about different topics, connecting with them in heart to heart conversations”.

    The series will consist of weekly episodes through which Khan aims to communicate with the audience without any barriers and reveal a more personal and real side of him.

    Khan, who believes his profession requires him to be more responsible while speaking about his upcoming venture said: “One doesn’t need to be confined to a single medium in order to articulate. I want to use this platform to connect with my audience.”

    He added, “I want to share with people how I handle different issues in my daily life, and maybe I can help others through this in some way.”

    Directed and produced by Moiz Abbas, the series will stream on Khan’s YouTube channel.

    The singer-turned-actor has recently been winning appreciation for his performances in Kashf and Kasak.

  • The Current Data: Province-wise breakdown of COVID-19 and how the numbers have dropped

    The Current Data: Province-wise breakdown of COVID-19 and how the numbers have dropped

    Before stepping down as the special assistant to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on health, Dr Zafar Mirza, who spearheaded Pakistan’s fight against coronavirus, said that all estimates made by international organisations regarding COVID-19 in Pakistan proved to be wrong and the world was acknowledging the government’s efforts as well as the decline in infections in Pakistan. 

    On July 27, he shared the “good news” that the country had recorded its lowest number of deaths due to COVID-19 within the past three months when the virus is said to have peaked. On the same day, the premier said Pakistan was “one of the few countries that had overcome the coronavirus challenge” and stressed the need for people to continue taking precautionary measures over Eid holidays and during Muharram.

    By the filing of this report, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country stood at 276,287. The deadly virus had claimed 5,892 lives while the number of recovered COVID-19 patients stood at 244,883.

    The number of COVID-19 cases reported in worst-hit Sindh is 119,398 while the death toll from the virus is 2,172. Across the province, 108,989 patients have recovered and a total number of 720,230 tests have been conducted.

    Meanwhile, the number of cases in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, which had briefly beaten Sindh to clinch the “worst-hit” tag from late April to late May, is 92,452. As many as 2,133 people have been so far died due to COVID-19 in the province while 82,512 people have recovered. The number of tests conducted in the province is 697,989.

    There are 33,724 patients of COVID-19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), of which 1,186 have lost their lives and 27,724 have recovered. A total of 208,869 people were tested.

    Islamabad, the federal capital, remains the fourth worst-hit territory where the virus was detected in 14,963 people of the total 177,467 who underwent COVID-19 testing. Out of the total number of patients, 165 people died and 12,377 recovered.

    The number of coronavirus cases in Balochistan is 11,654 and the death toll stands at 136. The number of recoveries is 10,080 while the number of tests is 56,919.

    Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) has 2,055 cases, 50 people have died there and 1,543 people have recovered. Meanwhile, the number of patients, who tested positive of 17,561 total tests conducted in Gilgit, is 2,042. As many as 1,658 have recovered and at least 50 have lost their lives.

    While the government is boasting about its smart lockdown policy that it says “has led to the significant drop in coronavirus cases with little impact on the economy”, it is worth mentioning that experts believe lower testing besides a massive shift in behaviours could also be the reason behind the drop. They, however, fear a second and deadlier wave that can wreak havoc if people flout social distancing guidelines during or after Eid.

  • Huawei overtakes Samsung, Apple as top smartphone seller

    Huawei overtakes Samsung, Apple as top smartphone seller

    Chinese phone maker Huawei has overtaken Samsung and Apple to become the top smartphone seller worldwide in the second quarter of 2020 due to strong domestic demand.

    Canalys, a global technology analysis firm, revealed that Huawei shipped 55.8 million devices and they have overtaken Samsung for the first time. Samsung has shipped 53.7 million units in comparison to Huawei.

    The findings marked the first quarter in nine years that a company other than Samsung or Apple has led the market, Canalys said. According to their latest report, Huawei sold over 5,000 more smartphones than Apple in the second quarter of the financial year.

    According to sales data, Huawei is most popular in Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain as well as Colombia, Egypt and South Africa.

    Although the sanctions from the United States (US) has choked Huawei business outside mainland China, yet it has grown to dominate its substantial home market.

    Huawei said in a statement it is a sign of “exceptional resilience”. However, overseas shipment fell nearly a third in the second quarter and Canalys analyst Mo Jia warned that strength in China alone “will not be enough to sustain Huawei at the top once the global economy starts to recover”.

    “Its major channel partners in key regions, such as Europe, are increasingly wary of ranging Huawei devices, taking on fewer models, and bringing in new brands to reduce risk,” Mo said.

  • FIR registered against those involved in setting fire to lions cage at Islamabad Zoo

    FIR registered against those involved in setting fire to lions cage at Islamabad Zoo

    Following the death of two lions – a male and female – at the Islamabad Zoo, DIG Operations Islamabad announced that an FIR (first information report) has been registered against those who set fire to the cage. According to details, the lions were injured due to mismanagement of caretakers who were trying to force them out of the cage by igniting a fire in their cage.

    https://twitter.com/DigIslamabad/status/1288902662960713728?s=20

    Advisor to the Prime Minister for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam also expressed his shock over the matter and said that an emergency meeting of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has been called to discuss the issue.

    Read more – Kaavan to be relocated to Cambodia

    In a video doing the rounds on social media, caretakers can be seen lighting a fire inside the cage in an attempt to force the lions to move out. Their act disturbed the lion, who is seen roaring and moving frantically inside the small cage full of fire and smoke. As a result of this, the animal sustained severe injuries and suffocation. Reports also stated that the lion was beaten with sticks. The lion was later shifted to a veterinary hospital where he succumbed to the injuries. Officials claim that the ill-trained caretakers did not belong to the zoo or Islamabad Wildlife Management Board but were sent to facilitate the lion’s transfer.

    However, IWMB Chairman Dr Anis Rehman while speaking to AFP discarded the initial reports and said that the lioness died in Islamabad while the lion died after reaching Lahore, clarifying that the lions did not die because of fire.

    “We are waiting for the postmortem,” Rehman said.

    Meanwhile, earlier a nine-year-old female lion from Marghazar Zoo died while being moved to a lion sanctuary in Lahore. A male lion who was transferred with her is reportedly seriously ill. He is being looked after by veterinarians at the Mohiuddin Private Breeding Farm on Ganda Singh Road in Lahore.

    IWMB Chairman Dr Anis Rehman said the lion possibly passed away “due to travel stress” while being relocated. The lions were moved at night between July 26 and July 27.

    Dr Rehman explained that the process of shifting animals in cages causes them stress. In addition to this, weather conditions are also not favourable for the animals. According to reports, officials at the Ministry of Climate Change said that it was not advised to shift the animals in this hot and humid weather.

    The death of the lions sparked outrage once again and social media users demanded action to be taken against those involved in their deaths.

    Friends of Islamabad Zoo, who have been actively campaigning against the inhumane conditions at Islamabad Zoo, expressed their grief at the “unbearable loss of animal life that has occurred due to mismanagement and unqualified employees”. They also condemned “this gross lack of oversight”.

    https://twitter.com/IsbZooFriends/status/1288782740305911810?s=20
    https://twitter.com/IsbZooFriends/status/1288783071643406338?s=20

    WWF-Pakistan also condemned the incident and hoped that those responsible are taken to task. They also said that “WWF-Pakistan has also stepped down from the Board of the IWMB” in protest.

    Unfortunately, the lions are not the only ones to die. According to Dawn, a female hog deer also died while being relocated. Dr Rehman said a male hog deer hit the female, wounding her, and she died during the journey to a sanctuary. Two ostriches, several exotic pheasants, two spotted deer, two elks, one Indian gazelle and a Belgian Blue cow have also reported having died en route. Animals at the Islamabad Zoo are being relocated to temporary sanctuaries after the Islamabad High Court ruled that the zoo is not fit enough for them and lacks the necessary facilities.

  • 99-year-old woman sets world record as oldest active pilot and flight instructor

    A 99-year-old California woman is now in the record books as the world’s oldest active pilot and flight instructor.

    Robina Asti gave her final flight lesson Sunday for a flight academy at Riverside Municipal Airport.

    Robina said she wanted to show that seniors are strong, vital, and can still contribute.

    “I love getting people to experience what it’s like to lift off this Earth,” she said. “It is so good.”

    She took student Brandon Martini with her. The previous record-holder, an Iowa man, flew at age 98. Robina has been teaching people how to fly for decades.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi urges people to rise above sectarian, political biases

    Hamza Ali Abbasi urges people to rise above sectarian, political biases

    Following the killing of an elderly man during the hearing of a blasphemy case against him at the Peshawar Judicial Complex on Wednesday, Hamza Ali Abbasi has urged authorities and the government “to take decisive action against individuals/organisations who are glorifying murderers”.

    “If we don’t legally/ideologically tackle them now, very dark times await us,” said Abbasi.

    The actor also urged his followers to “rise above sectarian and political biases and see Islam for [what] it really is”.

    Abbasi condemned the unfortunate incident and said that “if you support murder and oppression in the name of Allah, his Deen and his last Prophet (PBUH)…then know that you are among those evil people who knowingly attribute lies to Allah.”

    Later, Hamza emphasized his stance further, by penning a detailed note on his religious views, urging everyone to rise about sectarian, political and emotional biases.

    When someone criticised Hamza for “corrupting people around with your superficial Islamic knowledge”, Hamza said that he is merely a student of Islam.

    While Hamza condemned the incident, Shahroz Sabzwari posted a picture of the alleged killer with the caption ‘Salute Ghazi’.

    However, most Twitter users agreed with Hamza’s point of view.

    https://twitter.com/_lezayy/status/1288574028479901699?s=20

    The incident

    According to details, 47-year-old Tahir Ahmed Naseem, a resident of Pishtakhara, appeared before the court for the hearing of a blasphemy case against him when a man barged in and opened fire on him.

    The 24-year-old shooter, Khalid, was arrested by the police on the spot.

  • Army called to assist govt in dealing with Karachi flooding

    Army called to assist govt in dealing with Karachi flooding

    Pakistan Army has been called to assist the civil administration in dealing with the urban flooding situation in the business hub of the country, announced the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    According to the military’s media wing, the armed forces have been summoned in the city to assist the civil administration in dealing with the urban flooding situation.

    Separately, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan tasked him to clean rain-hit Karachi.

    According to the CM House spokesman, the meeting was also attended by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

    They discussed the situation developed in the city in the aftermath of the two-day rainfall that saw urban flooding in parts of the city.

    It is pertinent to mention here that  Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday asked NDMA to extend help in cleaning rain-battered Karachi.

    Taking to Twitter, the prime minister directed the NDMA chairman to reach Karachi immediately and oversee the cleanliness drive.

    “I have asked the Pak Army to also help in cleaning up the city,” he said.

    Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani at that time responded to the move saying that he does not know why the premier has asked Pakistan Army to assist the cleanliness of the metropolis.

  • PTA promotes 146 officers up to director-general level to a higher grade

    PTA promotes 146 officers up to director-general level to a higher grade

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved the promotion of 146 officers to a higher grade.

    According to a notification of PTA, the promotions were approved up to the level of Director-General level, which was approved by Chairman PTA.

    According to the notifications issued by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC-I), the PTA officers are promoted with immediate effects.

    Upon the recommendations of DPC-I, 40 officials were promoted in the next grade and posting of these employees will be issued subsequently in due course of time.

    Consequently, upon the recommendation of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC-II), 27 officials are promoted to the respective next higher grades and in their respective cadres with immediate effect.

    In addition to above, 79 officials were promoted under time Scale promotion with immediate effect in the light of Regulation 21(5), (6) and (7) of PTA Employees Service Regulations 2008.

    The list is attached below:

    Promotions-of-PDF-1Download
  • Government to reopen tourism after eid

    Government to reopen tourism after eid

    The National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) will submit a proposal for the reopening of tourism to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) after Eidul Azha holidays.

    According to media reports, a consultative meeting in this regard was held with all provincial and regional governments to discuss the appropriate time.

    Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) on Tourism Asif Mehmood, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Syed Intikhab Alam and NTCB and PTDC board member Aftabur Rehman Rana were among those present on the occasion.

    The participants discussed various options on reopening but collectively agreed that any decision on this matter should be taken by the NCOC after monitoring and evaluating the pandemic situation.

    Matters regarding safety and preparedness were discussed and the regional governments informed the NTCB chairman that tourism-related guidelines for operators, hotels, restaurants and tourist places were ready to operate.

    The officials on both sides believed that the time was right for the tourism sector to restart as the COVID-19 curve had started flattening across the country.

    The provincial and regional heads of tourism were told that necessary preparations and awareness should be undertaken so that opening of controlled tourism under standard operating procedures (SOPs) could be made possible after the final decision of NCOC.

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Sayed Zulfi Abbas Bukhari appreciated the support extended by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to tourism businesses in terms of renewal of licences and registration fees.

    He urged other provincial governments to consider similar support initiatives for tourism businesses that had suffered during the prevailing situation.

  • PTA unbans PUBG after company assures ‘complete control mechanism’

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to unban popular online multiplayer game PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds (PUBG) after getting assurance from the company for a comprehensive control mechanism.

    As per the details, a meeting was held between PTA officials and the legal representatives of Proxima Beta (PB), the company behind the development of the game.

    PB representatives briefed the authority on the concerns and queries raised by PTA regarding the misuse of the gaming platform.

    After the interaction between PTA and BP, the authorities expressed satisfaction on the commitments made by PB.

    They also emphasised on proactive engagement and a profound detailed control mechanism.

    The PB representatives welcomed PTA’s feedback on the issue and assured that the concerns would be taken seriously.

    While the game has been unbanned, further negotiations are reportedly underway with PUBG for registration in Pakistan.