Author: newsdesk

  • Queen Elizabeth enjoys horse ride as Britain eases coronavirus lockdown

    Queen Elizabeth enjoys horse ride as Britain eases coronavirus lockdown

    Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was photographed riding a 14-year-old Fell pony in Windsor Home Park as the country eases lockdown to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

    The Queen has been living at Windsor Castle, west of London, during the lockdown with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip.

    As per reports, Windsor is said to be the Queen’s favourite royal residence and the 94-year-old regularly rides in the grounds of Windsor.

    She has issued several rallying messages to the nation from there, including televised addresses that have been a rarity during her 68-year reign.

    The last public picture of the Queen was taken as she was driven away from Buckingham Palace to her Windsor Castle home.

    The Queen leaving Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic 

    274,762 cases have been reported in the UK so far and a lockdown has been imposed to curb the virus spread.

  • Waqar Younis advises Afridi, Gambhir to ‘calm down’

    Waqar Younis advises Afridi, Gambhir to ‘calm down’

    Waqar Younis has urged all-rounder Shahid Afridi and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir to end their social media war and has called for India and Pakistan to resume playing cricket.

    After being fierce on-field rivals, Pakistan’s Afridi and former Indian opener Gambhir have often been involved in heated social media exchanges over the troubled Kashmir region. Gambhir is now a lawmaker in the Indian parliament, while Afridi has his own foundation and is a vocal activist.

    According to AFP, Waqar advised the pair to “calm down” in an online chat show.

    “The banter between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi has been going on for a while now. I think they both got to be smart, sensible, and calm down,” said Waqar.

    “It has been going on for way too long. My advice to them is to maybe catch up somewhere around the world and talk it out if you cannot really calm it down.”

    Read more – Waqar Younis to quit social media after ‘hacker likes porn video from his Twitter account’

    India and Pakistan have not played a series since 2012-2013 and have hit a new peak in tensions over Kashmir, which they have fought over since their independence in 1947.

    Waqar, 48, said a cricket series would boost relations between the arch-rival neighbours.

    “I think that it would be the biggest hit of the world,” said Waqar. “I think Pakistan [and] India should play and should play on a regular basis to avoid depriving cricket lovers.”

    Earlier, Shoaib Akhtar had also proposed a three-match Indo-Pak series to raise funds to help the governments of India and Pakistan fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

  • Zara Noor Abbas defends her decision to promote fairness products

    Zara Noor Abbas defends her decision to promote fairness products

    The murder of a black man George Floyd, allegedly by a police officer, in Minneapolis has sparked protests and outrage all over the world. While in the United States, people are taking to the streets to protest, in other parts of the world people are expressing their anger on social media. Celebrities and prominent personalities across the world are also raising their voice on the matter.

    Among those celebrities in Pakistan who raised their voice was Zara Noor Abbas who said that “racism is a war. Not a threat to humanity”.

    “It’s a war that we have to fight against so much so that we have to re-invent, re-grow, re-think every thought and idea about classism. Differences. Sexism. Everything,” she wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CA4ovechb6H/

    Under Zara’s post, a social media user called her out for promoting a fairness product. In response, Zara commented that the products she endorses do not “promote killing or racism”.

    “Stop making this out of context when it is not the agenda,” she remarked.

    Read more – Zara Noor Abbas defends Sadaf Kanwal for her comment on Shahroz Sabzwari’s photo

    Celebrities across the border are facing similar flak for promoting fairness products. Social media users have called Priyanka Chopra and Disha Patani “hypocrites” for condemning the murder of Floyd on one hand and promoting fairness creams on the other.

  • Cops in KP to be called ‘Sheru’, which is also the name of PM Imran’s dog

    Cops in KP to be called ‘Sheru’, which is also the name of PM Imran’s dog

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Tangi has objected to the provincial authorities’ decision to not call personnel of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police by informal names, highlighting that one of the names approved for the cops is that of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s pet dog.

    According to media reports and a written order issued by KP Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Headquarters, a copy of which is available with The Current, no informal names such as “mama ji”, “khan ji” and “pehlwana” will be used for the police, which “undermine the sacrifices rendered by the force”.

    Instead, the personnel will only be addressed by their own names or by approved nicknames that are “jawaan“, “sheru” and “sahib“.

    With the order making headlines, it drew a strong reaction from the PPP leader who said that “Sheru [tiger]” was the name of one of PM Imran’s dogs.

    “This is unethical,” he said in a statement, adding that the personnel of KP police weren’t employees of Bani Gala.

    IMRAN & HIS SHERU:

    The premier has had a total of five pet dogs, all of which have been a focus of interest in several media reports.

    In 2011, former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf gifted a puppy to Imran before the former’s self-imposed exile. The puppy was born at Musharraf’s farmhouse, and according to the premier’s former wife Reham Khan, his name was Sheru, who was an Alsatian.

    In September 2014, Imran in a television talk show revealed that Sheru had died three months earlier. However, in April 2018, reports and social media rumours emerged that he had removed Sheru from his Bani Gala residence on the advice of his third and current wife Bushra Bibi.

    According to local media, a new quarter was then built for the dog outside the main residence building, as his wife was not comfortable with pet animals inside the house.

    However, the premier, during a press conference had later denied the media reports, saying that Sheru died three to four years ago.

  • ‘My Plans vs 2020’ memes accurately sum up the year 2020

    ‘My Plans vs 2020’ memes accurately sum up the year 2020

    There is no doubt 2020 isn’t exactly all that great. The coronavirus pandemic has led to the loss of life, jobs, social events, and much more. Amid all the crisis, a meme trend ‘My plans vs 2020’ has taken over the social media that might lighten our mood for at least a few minutes.

    Read more – ‘Follow me for more recipes’ memes are hilarious

    https://twitter.com/_3llz_bellz_/status/1262744850501263361?s=20

    https://twitter.com/ThanosErika/status/1262762094069350403?s=20

  • 670,000 coronavirus infections in Lahore alone?

    670,000 coronavirus infections in Lahore alone?

    A summary forwarded to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar by Primary & Secondary Health Secretary Captain (r) Usman last month estimated that there could be 670,000 cases of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — in Lahore alone.

    The summary was forwarded to Buzdar on May 15, Geo quoted the secretary as saying, and reported that it contained results of samples collected from hotspots, residences and offices in Lahore.

    As per the summary, 6 per cent of the total samples collected, tested positive for COVID-19. In some towns, the percentage of positive cases went up to 14.7 per cent. The report said that there wasn’t a single area in Lahore where the infection had not reached. 

    Members of the Technical Working Group — formed to ascertain the number of coronavirus affected persons in the city — have recommended imposing a complete lockdown for four weeks and quarantining persons aged above 50 years. The group has also advised the government to declare it essential for people to stay inside their homes. 

    Lockdown restrictions have, however, only been eased since before Eidul Fitr last month.

    Amid soaring cases, the Punjab government has decided to further ease lockdown restrictions that were imposed to contain the outbreak. Buzdar last week chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Coronavirus Measures, wherein it was agreed that recommendations for the opening of the different departments and institutions, according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) defined by the government, would be forwarded to the federal government.

    In the meeting, Buzdar said that a request would be made to the federal government to provide 1,500 ventilators. He added the instructions of the federal government regarding opening of restaurants, cafes etc, would be followed by the provincial government.

    The Cabinet Committee allowed the Punjab Public Service Commission to conduct interviews of one thousand lady doctors. It was also decided in the meeting that the Drug Regulatory Authority Of Pakistan (DRAP) would be approached for permission to prepare ventilators and respirators at the local level.

    It was decided the National Command and Operation Centre ( NCOC ) would take final decision to reopen the parks’ proposal, new working hours for the commercial enterprises and two-day holidays.

  • Uzma Khan wants men to be held accountable for their actions

    Uzma Khan wants men to be held accountable for their actions

    While the accused have filed for pre-arrest bails, Uzma Khan has issued a statement condemning “all sort of character assassination and personal attacks on myself and anyone involved in this case, even those nominated in the FIR”.

    Read more – Uzma Khan case: All the latest updates

    Uzma said that her fight is legal and the “blatant maligning and mud slinging is only reflective of our society’s deep-rooted misogyny and patriarchy”.

    “It is also an attempt to make me withdraw from the case,” she said, adding that she will continue to fight for justice.

    The actor further said that she is “totally shattered. Probably beyond repair”, but begged her followers to “not make this a fight of women attacking other women”.

    “It is in fact a symbolic reflection of how women are categorically taught to malign and blame solely other women rather than also hold men accountable.”

    “This is a fight of mighty powerful against the weak and vulnerable,” she said, requesting everyone to her support her till she lasts.

    https://twitter.com/uzmaaaK/status/1267178353129332736?s=20

    Read more – Power and privilege trumps all?

    Earlier, Uzma’s lawyers Khadija Siddiqui and Hassaan Khan Niazi had also urged everyone to refrain from character assassination.

    Niazi also shared that the accused have applied for a pre-arrest bail and clarified that there has been no settlement between the two parties.

    THE INCIDENT

    On May 23 (Chaand Raat) Malik Riaz’s daughters – Amber and Pashmina – along with Usman’s wife Aamna stormed into Uzma’s house with 12 gunmen where they assaulted and injured Uzma and her sister and threatened to kill them.

    They vandalised the house, broke things and even attempted to sexually assault the girls by telling their armed guards to touch them. Moreso, they filmed everything including the women which is a breach of their privacy. The lawyer added that Riaz’s daughters took away all the belongings of the two sisters, including their clothes and shoes and said that they will set them on fire.

    Videos of the incident went viral on social media, sparking public outrage. Uzma, in her official statement, named her perpetrators and vowed that she will stand up against their tyranny.

    “I have been shamed, blackmailed, harassed, been threatened to kill in the past three days. I feel I have nothing to lose now and I have decided to fight the strongest people of Pakistan. For me, it is either I get justice or I will be killed but there is no turning back now.”

    “I will fight against daughters (Amber Malik & Pashmina Malik) of Malik Riaz, who stormed into my house around midnight with 12 men,” she added.

    https://twitter.com/uzmaaaK/status/1265607087431782402?s=20
  • Netflix censors images of meat for Indian audiences

    Netflix censors images of meat for Indian audiences

    Netflix has started censoring meat for its Indian audiences. Netflix users took to social media to highlight how meat is being censored in Vikings on Netflix India.

    People started debating on the issue on Twitter. Some people even turned this into a Hindu-Muslim debate.

    Netflix India did issue a formal explanation when the debate heated up. Netflix is just trying to be respectful towards the Hindu religious sentiments of not eating meat.

    However, it is unclear that this censorship was voluntary or demanded by the Indian government. This wouldn’t be the first time India went heavy-handed with censorships demands.

    Previously there have been demands for the streaming platform’s original series Sacred Games and Leila to be censored for hurting political sentiments.

  • Law minister resigns again; this time to represent govt in Faez Isa case

    Law minister resigns again; this time to represent govt in Faez Isa case

    Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Farogh Naseem resigned on Monday to represent the government in the Supreme Court (SC) in the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

    This is the second time that Naseem, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) stalwart, has resigned from his post. Previously, he had resigned in November last year to represent Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa before the apex court in the case pertaining to the extension in his tenure as the army chief.

    Confirming the news of his resignation, Naseem said, “I will ensure that the respect and dignity of judges is maintained. I have no personal agenda. I have the greatest respect for the Bar.”

    READ: ‘Farrogh Naseem can go to jail for representing Gen Bajwa with a suspended licence,’ PBC says

    Last year in September, Justice Isa filed a fresh application requesting the SC to form a full-court bench comprising all eligible judges to hear his petition against the presidential reference filed over non-disclosure of assets in his wealth statement.

    Justice Isa had requested that the case be heard by a full court bench comprising all eligible judges of this court since the matter pertained to reference against an SC judge and as per precedent of this court in the case of ex-chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry versus president of Pakistan, PLD 2010 Supreme Court.

    Justice Isa had said matters narrated in accompanying civil miscellaneous application dated August 26 – “which may for the sake of brevity be read as a part hereof” – demonstrates the necessity for hearing by such full court bench.

    “The petition also raises a number of important constitutional questions, including that of the independence of the judiciary, formation of an independent opinion by the president, obtaining federal cabinet’s approval and other vital issues of surveillance, and the manner and method of collecting evidence against a judge of the Supreme Court and his family,” he had said in his application.

    READ: New top lawyer excuses himself from fighting Justice Faez Isa case for PTI govt

    On Friday, Justice Isa questioned the eligibility of Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability Shahzad Akbar’s appointment as the head of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) and for public office.

    A 10-member judge bench, led by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, will resume hearing the case on June 2, which was earlier scheduled to be taken up on March 30. The apex court had postponed the hearing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    On the last hearing on February 24, the federal government had sought a three weeks’ adjournment in the case.

  • RFAK, Adnan Siddiqui express grief over the death of Bollywood composer Wajid Khan

    RFAK, Adnan Siddiqui express grief over the death of Bollywood composer Wajid Khan

    Bollywood music composer Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid fame has reportedly died from complications due to COVID-19 early Monday morning in India. He was only 42 years old.

    Music composer Salim Merchant, who first confirmed the news of Wajid’s death, said the composer was hospitalised recently at Surana Hospital, Chembur where his condition deteriorated.

    “He had multiple issues. He had a kidney issue and had a transplant a while ago. But recently he got to know about kidney infection… He was on the ventilator for the last four days, after his situation started getting worse. Kidney infection was the beginning and then he got critical,” Salim said.

    Following the news of his death, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Adnan Siddiqui, who have worked with the composer on several projects, expressed their grief at the loss of their “brother”.

    In an emotional video message, Khan said that Wajid Bhai “left too soon” and prayed for the deceased.

    Meanwhil, Siddiqui said that this was the “deepest loss of 2020” for him personally.

    “Gone too soon, am shattered beyond repair,” said the actor, recalling that his fondest memories of Mumbai were with Wajid and his brother Sajid.

    Siddiqui also shared that his “weekends are not complete without chatting with both the brothers and they will be incomplete without you Wajid”.

    “I will forever remember you as ever smiling, singing songs on the phone bhai…why did you go away so soon,” wrote Siddiqui.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3konhnJFm/

    Read more – Adnan Siddiqui recalls the last time he met Irrfan Khan

    Wajid along with brother Sajid made their debut as music directors with Salman Khan’s Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Over the years, they had composed the music for several of Khan’s films including Hello Brother, Garv, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, God Tussi Great Ho, Wanted, Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, Veer and Dabangg (1, 2 and 3). Rahat had collaborated with Wajid on several songs for Salman’s films including the super hit Tere Mast Mast Do Nain.

    Bollywood also took to social media to express their shock and grief at the composer’s untimely death.

    https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/1267290668034072577?s=20