Author: newsdesk

  • Prime accused of APS attack, Ehsanullah Ehsan, claims breaking out of military jail

    Former spokesperson of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Ehsanullah Ehsan, who is a prime accused in the 2014 Army Public School (APS) Peshawar massacre and has also claimed responsibility for life attempts on Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and journalist Hamid Mir, has claimed to have escaped from the custody of Pakistani security authorities along with his wife and two children.

    According to The News, Ehsan, whose real name is Liaqat Ali, released an audio message to confirm his dramatic escape from the custody of Pakistani security agencies.

    “I am Ehsanullah Ehsan. I am the former spokesman of TTP and Jamaatul Ahrar. I had surrendered to Pakistani security authorities on February 5, 2017, under an agreement. I honoured this agreement for three years, but Pakistani authorities violated it and kept me in a prison along with my children,” he alleged in the statement released to the media.

    He claimed he had faced hardships during his imprisonment for three years, was compelled to make a plan for escape from their custody, and executed it on January 11, 2020.

    “On January 11, 2020, with the help of Allah, I succeeded in escaping from custody,” Ehsan claimed, adding that he would release a detailed statement later and mention the agreement he had made with Pakistani security authorities.

    “I will also mention on whose approval this accord was made with me. And what were the terms and conditions of the agreement and which prominent figure had assured me that the agreement will be implemented,” he said and added that he would also share details of the conditions in which he and his family were held in Pakistan.

    Speaking to The News later, Ehsan claimed he had arrived in Turkey along with his family. However, he refused to mention how he had managed to escape and safely shift to another country. “I can’t tell you more than that I am in Turkey at the moment along with my wife, son and daughter. Don’t ask me how I reached here as I can’t tell you right now,” the report quoted the former TTP spokesperson as saying.

  • Chinese doctor who raised alarm about coronavirus dies

    Chinese doctor who raised alarm about coronavirus dies

    The coronavirus crisis in China has extended as the number of people infected by the virus hits 31,000 and the doctor who issued an early warning about the outbreak died from the virus on Friday.

    According to reports, more than 630 people have died by the virus that ophthalmologist Li Wenliang and his colleagues had first brought to light in late December.

    The disease has since spread across China, forcing the government to lock down cities with of tens of millions of people. Global panic has also risen in wake of the disease as more than 240 cases have emerged in two dozen countries.

    Li, 34, died early Friday, Wuhan Central Hospital said in a post on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform. The news triggered grief on social media and the doctor was hailed a hero for his services in his field.

    Earlier on December 30, Li had sent out a message about the new coronavirus to colleagues in Wuhan, the central city where the virus was born but was later called by police for spreading rumors. He later contracted the disease while treating a patient.

    State-run newspaper Global Times and state broadcaster CCTV first reported on Weibo that Li had died late Thursday, only to delete their posts after the death rapidly surged to be among the top topics on the popular platform.

  • Five-year-old raped inside US Embassy compound in Delhi

    Five-year-old raped inside US Embassy compound in Delhi

    A man has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl in the grounds of the United States (US) Embassy in New Delhi, CNN quoted police sources as saying.

    According to reports, the girl was playing outside the embassy’s staff quarters before she “was lured and raped by a neighbour”. Reports quoted Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner Eish Singhal as saying that the girl, who is the daughter of a housekeeper employed by the embassy, later identified the 25-year-old male suspect, who has been arrested and charged with rape.

    “She was able to identify him point blank and there is no doubt over this,” Singhal said, adding that the suspect remains in custody.

    The incident has appalled embassy staff. In a statement to CNN, a US Embassy spokesperson said they were deeply disturbed by the alleged misconduct. “We promptly took action when we were informed of the allegation, and brought this matter to the attention of the police. Of course, we are cooperating fully with them,” the spokesperson said.

    An investigation has been launched, and a court date is yet to be set. In the wake of the brutal 2012 Delhi gang rape — which brought worldwide condemnation and still haunts the collective memory of women in India’s capital –, lawmakers passed a series of amendments to the existing rape laws.

    The amended law lengthened prison terms and introduced the death penalty in cases in which the victim is younger than 12 years of age.

  • Foreign license? You can now drive in Islamabad

    Foreign license? You can now drive in Islamabad

    After overseas Pakistanis complained on the Pakistan Citizens’ Portal about being issued tickets because they had foreign licenses, the Islamabad police’s traffic division has issued a notification that the rules are being changed.

    Foreign driving licenses will not be penalized anymore but they have yet to make clear if all foreign licenses are allowed.

    SSP Farrukh Rasheed has issued the notification and the police says that they will quickly implement the decision.

  • Fawad Ch says PML-N’s Khawaja Asif ‘lobbying to become prime minister’

    Fawad Ch says PML-N’s Khawaja Asif ‘lobbying to become prime minister’

    Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif “is lobbying to become the prime minister (PM)”.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, the minister claimed that Asif wanted both former PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother, PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif, to seek British citizenship and leave Pakistan for good. “He wants the entire [Sharif] family to move there [United Kingdom], and that he be granted the reins of PML-N.”

    When asked by anchor and host Arshad Sharif as to what would that mean for other senior leaders such as ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Fawad said Asif believes he played an important role in securing Nawaz the permission to seek medical treatment abroad. “He thinks he is on really good terms [with the Sharif family] nowadays, and so is the best candidate,” the federal minister added.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    To this, the journalist asked if Asif was in contact with federal cabinet members and that was how he managed to pave way for convicted former premier’s foreign travel. Fawad, however, did not answer the question.

  • Police arrest woman for supplying drugs in a rickshaw

    Police arrest woman for supplying drugs in a rickshaw

    Police officials claimed to have arrested a woman along with her partner from the Sohrab Goth area of Karachi over charges of providing ice drug to posh areas and universities using an auto-rickshaw.

    As per reports, the woman used to sell ice and other types of drugs through rickshaw that was usually driven by her husband or son so that she could not be caught by the police

    The arrested woman, Gul Bibi, and her accomplice identified as Inayat used to smuggle ice drug from Balochistan.

    During the raid, the police team seized ice drugs and other narcotics from their possession. According to police, the gang had been arrested twice in the past while further investigation is underway.

  • Islamic body to decide if minorities in Pakistan can hold liquor licenses

    Islamic body to decide if minorities in Pakistan can hold liquor licenses

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) the authority to decide whether minorities in Pakistan can hold liquor licences.

    According to reports, this was announced in a verdict by the IHC as it heard a petition against the issuance of these licences.

    The court said that the CII the authority to decide this as licences are being granted on the basis of religion. The petition was disposed of after it was forward to the CII.

    The Pakistan United Christian Movement and Centre of Rule of Law had filed the petition in the Islamabad High Court. The petitioners said alcohol is also prohibited in Christianity but licenses are being given in its name.

    The petitioners also presented a list of 340 liquor licence holders to the court.

  • Lahore’s top designer declares bankruptcy

    Lahore’s top designer declares bankruptcy

    Lahore-based designer Fahad Hussayn, known for his opulent designs and extravagant fashion shows, has declared bankruptcy.

    The designer made the announcement in an Instagram post in which he expressed his heartbreak over the decision.

    Hailing from Faisalabad, Fahad showed keen interest in fashion from a very young age. According to his official bio, “Where an average child would be out with friends playing cricket, Fahad would lock himself in a room with his guru, his mother, and discuss endless possibilities that could lead to a masterpiece.”

    After obtaining his basic education, Fahad continued to pursue his passion at BNU where he studied textile designing before venturing into the world of fashion and glamour. Over the years, Hussayn has established himself as a household brand. Fahad always ensured his presence at fashion weeks, where he would put up larger than life shows. Those who attend his shows say that Fahad’s show is an experience, not a show.

    Fahad has also been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Lux Style Awards and has dressed countless celebrities.

    Hum Bridal Week 2019
    Loreal PFDC Bridal Couture Week 2019
  • Five sunny pictures that prove yellow is here to stay

    Five sunny pictures that prove yellow is here to stay

    Yellow made a splashing appearance on the fashion scene a year or two back and is still in fashion because celebrities continue to don outfits in the colour. Check out these divas make a style statement in all-yellow outfits.

    Minal Khan

    Hair pulled in a bun, bright pout and an all-yellow dress. Hello spring!

    Kareena Kapoor Khan

    Bebo is looking like a ray of sunshine in this yellow and gold saree.

    Naimal Khawar Khan

    Naimal Khawar showing us how to do a morning wedding.

    Navin Waqar

    Who knew a bright yellow pantsuit could look this good? Navin is pulling off this attire with panache.

    Fouzia Aman

    This marigold yellow Umar Sayeed outfit is the stuff of dreams.

    Mansha Pasha

    I’d like to walk through 2020 in that neon yellow blazer.

  • How to manage ‘annoying’ cellphone notifications

    How to manage ‘annoying’ cellphone notifications

    Apps and websites regularly push alerts to your devices. Though they are sometimes useful, in most cases they are annoying and unwanted. Here’s what you do to get rid of this once and for all.

    Early Decision

    The first time you open a newly downloaded app, it may ask for permission to send you notifications. You can say no. Alerts from apps like weather or local news media can be important but most e-commerce apps only send unnecessary coupon alerts in unlimited numbers. These notifications are not personalised and consequently, you feel like you’re running a grocery store.

    Opting out here does not mean you can never get those notifications. Later, if you decide you really want those alerts, you can always enable them in your system settings for notification alert. Here is how you can do it:

    Configure your smartphone settings

    For Android

    Some apps may have notification controls in their own settings, but you can also manage alerts in your device’s Settings section. Just look for “Notifications” or “Apps & Notifications.” In the Notification settings, look for a list of apps and select the one you want to change.

    In some situations, a user wants more personalization so in that case, you can tweak your apps by further digging into the settings as shown below.

    For IOS Apple

    In IOS 13 (mobile operating software for iPhone, tap the button at the top of an app’s settings screen to allow or disable notifications. If you decide to keep the notification on, you can adjust where and how it appears on your device. If you don’t want a banner alert popping up on the lock screen, you can downgrade it directly to the IOS Notification Center area so you can browse all your updates at once later on.

    By utilizing these settings, if not completely, then to a great extend your problem with notification bombardment would be curtailed.