Author: newsdesk

  • Harbhajan Singh’s wife responds to backlash, clarifies why Singh supported Shahid Afridi

    Harbhajan Singh’s wife responds to backlash, clarifies why Singh supported Shahid Afridi

    Harbhajan Singh’s wife, Geeta Basra has responded to the trolling he received by Indians after he extended humanitarian support to Shahid Afridi’s foundation amid coronavirus crisis.

    Speaking to Hindustan Times, Geeta said, “Harbhajan knows what his country means to him and doesn’t want to explain an act of humanity. He lives for India and will die for India. His country will always come first. Whenever he has played cricket, he did it with his heart. And everyone knows what India means to him.”

    She continued, “This goodwill gesture was to help Afridi, with whom they have played cricket and have years of friendship. Afridi is doing his bit for his country. They tried spreading the word to their fans all over the world, inspiring more people to support his good work.”

    “Let’s not bring religion or anything else into this. Even the virus isn’t making any discrimination. They would’ve done the same if anyone from any of the other teams like West Indies or England would’ve sought help,” Geeta added.

    Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh had earlier this month faced massive criticism for supporting Afridi in his fight against coronavirus.

    Both players in a video message had urged people to contribute and called on other cricketers in the two countries to make similar appeals. However, their own people had trolled them and called them out for offering their help to Pakistanis.

    Yuvraj, at that time, had responded to the matter by saying, “I really don’t understand how a message to help the most vulnerable gets blown out of proportion! All I tried to achieve was to help people in our respective countries by providing healthcare. My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

    However, the spinner Harbhajan, kept silent on the issue. The bowler’s wife has now spoken up on why his husband decided to not respond to the criticism.

  • Teenager in India attempts to smuggle friend in a suitcase

    Teenager in India attempts to smuggle friend in a suitcase

    When his apartment complex banned all visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak and a strict lockdown in place, a teenager in Mangalore, India attempted to smuggle his friend inside his building in a suitcase.

    According to a report in Gulf News, the teenager stepped out of the building on a scooter, with a huge suitcase and returned with his friend inside of it.

    The matter came to light when the suitcase moved while being taken into the apartment complex. The people at the apartment grew suspicious and eventually told the security guards and the building association. The suitcase was opened and the building authorities were shocked to find the teenager’s friend inside it.

    The authorities reported the matter to the police who then called the parents of the two youngsters.

    The teenager’s family told the police that he lives alone in the apartment. The teenager also told the police that he had made several requests to the building authorities and appealed to them but representatives said that such appeals were never made.

  • Mushk Kaleem calls out Iman Aly for her ‘condescending statement’ on current models

    Mushk Kaleem calls out Iman Aly for her ‘condescending statement’ on current models

    Iman Aly’s unfiltered responses on Iffat Omar’s show continue to spark outrage.

    Model Mushk Kaleem, who late last year also walked the ramp at the Milan Fashion Week for Italian designer Stella Jean, recently called out Iman for her “condescending statement about the current models of our industry.”

    “According to her, the models who are working in our industry right now don’t have ‘adequate general knowledge’,” wrote the model.

    “I’m appalled that someone I’ve grown up admiring and revering would make such a statement,” she added.

    Iman’s casual remarks on the show had earlier also stirred controversy. The model turned actor had first claimed that Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees had first been offered to her. She further said: “90% of the movies made in Pakistan today are still offered to me first. But I only take the scripts I fall in love with. If I don’t like the lines, it feels like work, like slavery.”

    In another segment, Iman had remarked Humayun Saeed would be a “doodh dahi bechnay wala” (dairy product salesman) if he was not an actor. She also labelled Fawad Khan as a “failed standup comedian” and Mehwish Hayat a “cosmetologist’s assistant.” She also said that Mahira should have stayed a VJ.

    For those who don’t know Kaleem is a business graduate from the Institute of Business Academy. She worked at a corporate firm before joining the fashion industry as a model. Over the year, she has become a regular at all fashion shows across Pakistan, opening and stopping the show for many renowned designers. Kaleem has also modelled for Élan’s latest lawn collection.

    Meanwhile, Iman is gearing up for the release of Tich Button in which she will be sharing the screen with Feroze Khan, Farhan Saeed and Sonya Hussayn. The film was expected to hit screens on Eid-ul-Fitr but the coronavirus outbreak appears to have halted the release.

  • Punjab is offering a free online course on coronavirus control

    Punjab is offering a free online course on coronavirus control

    A short online course on prevention and control of coronavirus has been launched in Pakistan by the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) in collaboration with the online microlearning platform Gnowbe.

    The duration of the course is 30 minutes and it is open to the general public. It is free of cost and those who complete the course will receive an international certification from the School of Health Sciences at Singapore’s leading university Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

    An Urdu version of the course is also available so that a larger number of people can access it.

    Termed “Stay Protected with Infection Control and Prevention 101 Program” the online course will teach the nature and transmission of the virus.

    The course will consist of informative videos, tutorials and quizzes. There are two main topics: Infection Transmission, which details the chain of infection and transmission of diseases, and Infection Prevention, which includes sessions on prevention by hand hygiene and wearing personal protective equipment.

    It will be very helpful for those working on the frontline like the Prime Minister’s Tiger Force, field volunteers providing food and critical services, bank employees and law enforcement officers where the infection has the highest chances of spreading.

    In Singapore, Gnowbe has already been using its e-learning platform to provide the free course to the general public in eight. The partnership with PSDF will add Urdu to the menu as well.

    If you are interested in taking the course, use the following links to access it.

    For English: https://learn.gnowbe.com/infection-prevention-control-101

    For Urdu: https://be.gnowbe.com/signup/bundle/seykj3?gdid=ng9vvdz36rr6ob7womle

  • ‘They are our friends’: Shaniera Akram asks followers not to hate on chipkalis

    Chipkali (lizard) season is upon us. Every now and then we see a lizard scutter across the wall giving us mini heart attacks.

    Over the weekend, two celebrities Sarwat Gillani and Armeena Khan shared experiences of their run-in with these animals, prompting Shaniera Akram to urge everyone not to hate on these ‘innocent lizards’.

    Following Shaniera’s tweet, a leading media outlet reported that Shaniera and Armeena were involved in a public spat, Armeena said that she loves Shaniera and admires her for her efforts.

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1249654717304705024?s=20

    On the other hand, Twitter also had a lot to say about Shaniera’s tweet.

    https://twitter.com/kaalakawaa/status/1249605288300351494?s=20

    Read more – Totkay to get rid of lizards

    Meanwhile, here’s what happened when a lizard jumped out of a plant Sarwat Gilani

    sarwat

  • HSY opens up about losing two friends to COVID-19

    HSY opens up about losing two friends to COVID-19

    Pakistani fashion designer Hassan Shehryar Yasin aka HSY, who used to host a popular talk show with celebrities, has recently started holding live Instagram sessions with celebrities keeping in the mind the current coronavirus lockdown.

    The designer recently had a session with actor Osman Khalid Butt in which they discussed the pros and cons of interacting with fans amid lockdown and also addressed the mental effect it has on them. During the session, HSY revealed that two of his friends had passed away abroad due to COVID-19.

    It all started when Butt talked about how the lockdown is affecting his mental health. He said, “I started beating myself lately for not taking up the opportunities I could when I had the time. When the lockdown began I wanted to be productive at home but now it’s getting to me. People who work hard really need to take it easy on themselves because this situation is not normal. We are under lockdown and it’s okay to be depressed.”

    To this HSY replied, “Everyone is going through the same, I spoke to Shehryar Munawwar and Mawra Hocane the other day and both of them were tired of the negativity, the negative comments of the public and for not being able to work.”

    He then urged people to be kind to themselves and others. “I also lost two of my friends from coronavirus, one of whom was New York and no one knows. But it is pointless talking about that with anyone here. But all these people not taking the situation seriously and pulling others down need to stop.”

    The designer also shared a trick he uses to calm himself down in such stressful situations.

    “It’s the rule of five. I count five things around me that I can see, four things around me that I can hear, three things around me that I can feel, two things around me that I can smell and one thing that I can taste. Once I do this I feel calmer and more thankful.”

  • ‘Disgruntled’ Aleem Khan to be re-inducted to Punjab cabinet days after ‘contacting PML-N’

    ‘Disgruntled’ Aleem Khan to be re-inducted to Punjab cabinet days after ‘contacting PML-N’

    After a break lasting over a year, senior member of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Punjab minister Aleem Khan, who according to reports was “disgruntled” ever since a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigation was launched into his assets, is making his way back to the provincial cabinet, coincidentally days after he contacted the rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    As per the details, the development comes after a meeting between Aleem and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on the behest of Prime Minister Imran Khan, which had followed a telephonic conversation between the “disgruntled” PTI leader and PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah to  discuss the fast-changing political scenario, especially in Punjab.

    Sanaullah had immediately brought the conversation to the attention of party chief Shehbaz Sharif, who had reportedly told him to wait for orders regarding befriending Aleem for any changes in the provincial house where the PTI sits on the treasury benches following a neck-and-neck with the PML-N and owing to the support of Chaudhrys of Gujrat’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML) as well as independent lawmakers.

    Sources had last week informed The Current that the PML-N leadership would assess all political options but was likely to keep a safe distance from “segments of PTI allegedly involved in the wheat or sugar crises” and who had allegedly made billions through government subsidies and subsequent price hike.

    When contacted, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah had confirmed having a detailed telephonic conversation with Aleem and that the two discussed the current political situation in the country. To a question, he had said it was too early to say if the PML-N and the disgruntled PTI group led by Aleem would put in any efforts to bring in-house changes in Punjab because his party had a principled stance in that respect.

    “First we want electoral reforms and then we seek fresh general elections but there can be an interim arrangement till the completion of these goals,” Sanaullah had said, adding that if someone said that Aleem had the support of only 20 to 25 PTI lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly, they would be underestimating him.

    “I personally know his real strength among the ranks of the PTI.”

    The little telephonic conversation between the PML-N and disgruntled PTI leader had followed a meeting between PML-N’s Khawaja brothers and Punjab Assembly speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi — an important ally of the PTI government in Punjab.

    With reports claiming that the fate of PTI’s Buzdar administration in Punjab was hanging in balance, it has been learnt that Aleem would soon be re-inducted to the provincial cabinet.

    “It was quite obviously an attempt to keep Aleem and friends from joining hands with the PML-N for any changes in the Punjab Assembly,” sources said and added the PML-N, however, seemed confident about the bond it was forging with the PML to turn tables on the ruling party.

    While Aleem has neither confirmed nor denied claims regarding his re-induction to the cabinet, The Current has learnt that he will be handed back his previous position of senior minister or “de facto provincial chief executive” along with the reins of the Local Government Department.

    He is also likely to be given the control of the Punjab Food Department and an additional charge of the Planning and Development (P&D) Department, sources said and added that Aleem will be administered oath within a day or two.

  • KP public health director tests positive for COVID-19

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Public Health Director Dr Ikramullah Khan has tested positive for the new coronavirus — COVID-19 –, provincial Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra revealed on Monday.

    The minister paid tribute to Dr Ikramullah, thanking him for his service and calling him an asset everyone was proud of. He also lauded the efforts of “thousands of other frontline workers” fighting the virus in the province and all across Pakistan.

    The minister was of the view that the next few months would be difficult on many fronts but he and his team members were committed to beat the virus with “resolve, discipline and unity”.

    KP’s focal person on coronavirus, Zain Raza, also wished Dr Ikramullah “speedy recovery and health”, acknowledging his role as being on the frontline of the province’s coronavirus response team.

    https://twitter.com/smzrz/status/1249608325085396992?s=20

    The number of infections in Pakistan, by the time this report was filed, stood at 5,478, of which 744 cases were from KP.

  • Coronavirus: Supreme Court orders sacking of Dr Zafar Mirza

    Coronavirus: Supreme Court orders sacking of Dr Zafar Mirza

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday told the federal government to remove Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza from his post as coronavirus continues to spread across the country amid the alleged incompetence of the authorities concerned.

    According to reports, the apex court, while hearing a suo motu case regarding the situation arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak, expressed displeasure over the performance of Dr Mirza in dealing with the pandemic and ordered the government to remove him.

    A five-member larger bench of the apex court — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed — was hearing the case.

    During the hearing, the CJP expressed anger and said the top court was not satisfied with the performance of premier’s aide as a health advisor.

    The top judge also asked the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) about the ongoing inquiry against Dr Mirza by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The AGP informed the court that FIA was investigating him for alleged smuggling of face masks to China.

    “Removing Zafar Mirza from the post at this point will not be suitable for the country as it can worsen the health crisis,” the government’s lawyer told the court.

    CJP Gulzar had on Friday taken his first suo motu notice over “insufficient facilities” in the country to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

    He had issued notices to the AGP and health as well as interior secretaries besides also summoning all chief secretaries and advocate generals.

  • Indian film body issues warning against working with Pak artists online

    Indian film body issues warning against working with Pak artists online

    The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has warned Indian singers and musicians against working with Pakistani artistes and said that failure to comply would lead to “strict disciplinary action”. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the film body issued this warning after a collaboration between Indian artistes and Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was brought to its notice.

    “We are pained to inform all members that despite being fully aware that FWICE has issued a total non-cooperation circular advising all members not to work in any manner whatsoever with all Pakistani artistes, singers and technicians, some members are blatantly violating the non-cooperation circular,” a letter from FWICE read.

    “We have been informed that more such Entertainment products and songs are being planned and made. We have to strictly inform all the members of our affiliates to kindly note that the non-cooperation circular is valid and subsisting and anyone found cooperating or working in any manner with any Pakistani artistes, singers and technicians, in any mode or media of entertainment will be subject to strict disciplinary action,” the letter further added.

    “One should also realise that while the entire world is fighting against the coronavirus, Pakistan is still busy killing our soldiers on the borders. Kindly note no violation of this circular will be allowed and we are sure all members will follow our advice in their own interest,” it added.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4huVgFBxQ/?utm_source=ig_embed

    A live session between Rekha Bhardwaj, Ali Sethi and Farida Khanum had also recently gone viral on social media.

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-KQYm2B1Iw/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Pakistani artistes were banned from working in India after the 2016 Uri attack.