Author: newsdesk

  • Will get back Pakistani Kashmir if parliament wants: Indian army chief

    Will get back Pakistani Kashmir if parliament wants: Indian army chief

    Recently-appointed Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane has said that the army would act on “getting back” Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) “if the parliament was willing and orders to such effect were received”.

    Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the army chief was asked if the Pakistan-administered region of the disputed territory could be a part of India as stated by the political leadership. In response to the question, Naravane said that there was a parliamentary resolution stating that the “entire Kashmir was a part of India”, and hence the army would take appropriate action if it received orders to take AJK back.

    “There is a parliamentary resolution that entire region is part of India. If parliament wants it, then it [AJK] also should belong to us. When we get orders to that effect, we’ll take appropriate action,” the Indian army chief said.

    This is not the first time the new Indian general has indulged in provocative posturing. In an earlier statement, Naravane had said that India “reserve[d] the right to preemptively strike at sources of terror”.

    He had told the Press Trust of India that India had “evolved a strategy of resolute punitive response against sponsored terrorism”.

    Pakistan had rejected the statement, calling it “irresponsible”. The Foreign Office had in its statement said Pakistan was fully able to respond to any Indian aggression in AJK and that New Delhi should not forget Islamabad’s befitting response to its aggression in Balakot last year.

    ISPR RESPONDS:

    Meanwhile, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that Pakistan’s armed forces will give an “even stronger” response than given in February 2019, if India attempts any military action across the Line of Control (LoC).

    Reacting to the Indian army chief’s statement, the ISPR chief said it was a part of routine rhetoric to divert attention from domestic issues in India.

    “Statements by Indian COAS to undertake military action across LOC are routine rhetoric for domestic audiences to get out of ongoing internal turmoil. Pakistan Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond to any act of Indian aggression [sic],” he tweeted.

  • PTI-MQM alliance hanging in balance because of Google’s Tania Aidrus: report

    PTI-MQM alliance hanging in balance because of Google’s Tania Aidrus: report

    Future of the coalition government in centre hangs in balance ever since the resignation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as the federal minister for information technology and telecommunication, which reportedly came because of former Google executive, Tania Aidrus.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government on Sunday suffered a severe blow as Siddiqui of MQM-P — an ally of the PTI — announced his decision to leave the federal cabinet over “unfulfilled promises” on part of the ruling party.

    Amid speculations over the fate of the ruling party that is in power owing to the support of its allies, reports have claimed that Siddiqui’s resignation came because he “was extremely unhappy with his ministry due to continuous intervention by Aidrus”.

    Aidrus had resigned from Google for Pakistan and is currently heading Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Digital Vision programme in the country.

    According to The News, while PTI has strongly rejected the allegations leveled against Aidrus, and sources in the ruling party have said that she is acting within the rules and regulations; people close to Siddiqui have said he felt like a stranger in his ministry while Aidrus had started holding meetings with the premier and heads of other institutions directly.

    “Besides that, she also issued directions to institutions responsible for running the affairs of the ministry and Federal Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui had complained about it to the minister several times in this regard.”

  • No, Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar is not married to ‘Kaaf Kangana’ heroine Eshal Fayyaz

    No, Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar is not married to ‘Kaaf Kangana’ heroine Eshal Fayyaz

    Meray Paas Tum Ho writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar has rejected reports of his second marriage to Kaaf Kangana actor Eshal Fayyaz. Eshal has also rejected the claims.

    In a post shared on social media, the writer said that he strongly condemns and rejects the “absurd and baseless news” of his marriage with Eshal.

    https://www.facebook.com/krqofficial/posts/124047542443636?__tn__=-R

    Late last week reports started circulating that the critically acclaimed playwright was married to Eshal after it was revealed that he has two wives.

    On the sets of Kaaf Kangana

    Meanwhile, Eshal also denied the rumours. In a video, she said, “There is no truth in rumours that are doing the rounds. I haven’t got married to anyone, I am very much single.”

    “My relationship with Khalil ur Rehman Qamar is that of an actor and a director, nothing more than that,” she added.

    Eshal asserted that nobody has the right to spread fake news about anyone “without even knowing them.”

    “This is fake news. I am currently working on dramas and films, and will let you know whenever I decide to get married. For now, I have no plans of getting married and am only focused on my work,” she concluded.

    Eshal further shot down the rumours by posting a message on her Instagram stories in which she highlighted that she has immense respect for Qamar as a mentor and director.

  • Chitral citizens booked over disrupting US hunter

    Chitral citizens booked over disrupting US hunter

    A case was registered against three people in Chitral for meddling into the hunt of a United States (US) citizen, who was hunting Markhor in the area. 

    As per reports, the district forest
    officer (DFO) in the area said that an American hunter visited the Toshi-II
    game reserve in Chitral to hunt Markhor.

    “He obtained a permit for trophy hunting after paying a fee of US$150,000.”

    As soon as the US citizen set up his
    prey and was ready to shoot it a citizen fired a warning shot that made the
    animal run away.

    “The fire caused the hunter to change
    his location,” DFO said adding that three people were booked in the case over
    the violation.

    On December 12, an Italian citizen hunted the first Markhor of the season. According to the Gilgit – Baltistan wildlife department, Carlo Pasco successfully hunted a markhor from the conservation area.

    The hunter paid $85,000 as permit fee for hunting the rare wildlife species. The Wildlife department claims that 80% of the amount paid by hunters is given to the local community to invest in themselves and the conversation of these animals.

    The markhor is a large Capra species in
    Central Asia, Karakoram and the Himalayas. It is listed as one of the
    endangered species since 2015.

  • Adnan Siddiqui praises Amir ‘the king’ Khan

    Adnan Siddiqui praises Amir ‘the king’ Khan

    While everyone else is praising Adnan Siddiqui for his stellar performances in Meray Paas Tum Ho and Ye Dil Mera, Adnan is showering praises on Amir ‘the KING’ Khan, who he ran into at a sheesha spot in Leeds.

    Sharing pictures of himself and Amir, the actor wrote, “He might be a Britisher, but the deep rooted Pakistani in him made me feel even more prouder. Was a pleasure interacting with you, Amir. More power to you!”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7LIDHans0U/?utm_source=ig_embed

    The sheesha place where the two hung out also shared pictures of them and looks like it quite an intense chilling session.

  • Mansha Pasha is a headstrong journalist in ‘Kahay Dil Jidhar’

    Mansha Pasha is a headstrong journalist in ‘Kahay Dil Jidhar’

    After the smashing success of Laal Kabootar, Mansha Pasha is returning to our screens with Kahay Dil Jidhar in which she will be playing a badass journalist.

    Starring opposite her is Junaid Khan who is playing the role of a police officer.

    According to the very short teaser, the film is a “Journey of friendship, life transformation and self-discovery.” It appears that Mansha and Junaid will be playing two friends who find themselves at crossroads when their beliefs coincide.

    Sharing the teaser on her social media, Mansha wrote, “Making a film is like going on a journey together. First with the film crew, and co-actors, then with the post production team and distributors. But now we begin this journey with all of you – the ones who make it whole, the people who this journey was meant for.”

    On the other hand, Junaid simply expressed his excitement for his “first cinema feature.”

    “This one is just the beginning. There is a lot more coming,” he wrote.

    Kahay Dil Jidhar is being directed by Jalal Roomi and has been penned by Kamran Bari, who is also acting in the film. Atiqa Odho and Sajid Hasan are also part of the star cast.

    A release date for the film has not yet been specified but media reports suggest that the film will release on March 20.

    https://youtu.be/45Qw0PPKJZQ
  • The Royal Fab Four: Which one are you?

    The Royal Fab Four: Which one are you?

    Edit quiz
  • Hina Altaf reveals the actor she hates doing romantic scenes with

    Hina Altaf reveals the actor she hates doing romantic scenes with

    Hina Altaf has often found herself in the middle of a controversy.

    The actor recently appeared on the first episode of talk show To Be Honest hosted by stand up comedian Tabish Hashmi. The show’s format is based on honesty and the host extracts some hard truths from the guests under the disguise of witty and fun banter.

    When asked by the host about her favourite actor when it comes to doing romantic scenes, Hina was quick to reply Emaad Irfani. However, at the same time she also went on to express her annoyance at co-actor Faisal Rehman’s behaviour during romantic scenes.

    “I’ve done a romantic scene with Emmad Irfani and I got carried away,” revealed Hina.

    She continued, “Romantic scenes tend to be challenging with Faisal Rehman. ‘Yahan ungli pakarni hogee, woh banda hath pakr lega’  (Scenes that need just holding fingers, he tends to grab the whole arm). I have to keep my guard up always. I even scared him once by saying ‘Me Too’. After this he kept his distance,” the actor giggled.

    Hina and Faisal have been part of two dramas: Aatish and Gumrah.

    In an interview last year, Faisal had said that “Hina and I have become great friends actually. We started off badly, as she has a lot of anger. But we’ve been great friends since Gumrah (2017) and we’re still friends, and I still want to keep working with her.”

    Hina also shared her experience with TV host Aamir Liaquat. According to her, Liaquat has a tendency to spit while speaking. Recalling the experience when she met Liaquat on his game show, Hina talked about how intense he gets while speaking.

    “Whenever he talks, spit drips from his mouth. When he talks loudly I feel that the seat will break. Beside that I like him and respect him,” Hina remarked.

    Hina also discussed how social media at times tends to throw things out of proportion and revealed the kind of messages she gets on social media.

    Watch the video here:

  • Wedding at Lahore Fort’s Royal kitchen sparks furor

    Wedding at Lahore Fort’s Royal kitchen sparks furor

    A wedding at Lahore Fort’s 400-year old Royal Kitchen sparked public outrage after pictures and videos from the event went viral on social media. This prompted the chief minister, chief secretary and other high authorities to take serious notice of the matter and they pledged action against all those involved in the incident.

    https://twitter.com/hijabtufail/status/1215655380711301121?s=20

    According to reports, renowned industrial group Fatima Fertilizer Company had booked the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a corporate event. However, they decided to host a mehndi there instead. The Walled City of Lahore Authority said that the company was given permission to hold a corporate dinner but they went against the rules and that legal action will be taken against them.

    The permission letter, addressed to Major Asjad Nawaz Cheema, which is being circulated on social media clearly stated that fireworks, live cooking, hooks and nails among other things are strictly prohibited.

    The letter also only gave permission for a ‘private dinner’. WCLA DG Kamran Lashari also shared that the application had said that the dinner would consist of 100 participants (business people) only. However, there were close to 400 people at the event.

    The kitchen was rented out for Rs500,000 with a refundable Rs100,000 security deposit.

    Chief Secretary Punjab took notice of the incident while the WCLA suspended the fort’s in-charge Bilal Tahir for negligence and also formally requested for an FIR to be lodged against Fatima Fertilizer Company.

    Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also condemned the incident and said in a press release that “Organising a marriage ceremony at the Lahore Fort is a serious offence.”

    Meanwhile Fatima Fertlizer Company Limited rejected the media reports and the claims of the WCLA and said that the function was held in line with the instructions of the WCLA.

    “It was neither mehndi nor valima, it was just a dinner hosted by our company in honour of its guests,” said the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager. “We are a responsible firm and we can never think of flouting the laws, rules & regulations, policies and guidelines of the public and private sector organisations.”

  • Malala Yousafzai’s Bollywood biopic ‘Gul Makai’ looks promising

    Malala Yousafzai’s Bollywood biopic ‘Gul Makai’ looks promising

    Gul Makai, a film based on the life of youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is all set to release on January 31. The movie trailer is out and it looks intriguing.

    The trailer starts with the scenic beauty of a valley and a girl’s voice can be heard as a voice-over saying, “Pashtuns never celebrate when a female child is born.”

    The short trailer shows Taliban militants torturing the residents of Swat Valley after which the frame shifts to Malala where she is delivering a speech. She says that if the Taliban has the power of weapons they should celebrate the power of the pen.

    “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world!” 

    The movie is directed by H.E. Amjad Khan. Reem Sameer Shaikh will play the lead role of Malala while Atul Kulkarni and Divya Dutta will play the role of Malala’s parents. The film will hit the screens on January 31 – though it is unlikely that the film will release in Pakistan.