Author: newsdesk

  • Shaadi wala Ghar? Five apps you need to have in your phone

    Shaadi wala Ghar? Five apps you need to have in your phone

    Weddings are serious business in Pakistan. From those getting married to those attending the wedding, everyone is equally involved in the events and happenings of the shaadi. The festivities can range from a few hours to a few days but no matter what, these five apps need to be in your phone at all times because they will help make your life easier.

    Ride-hailing apps – Careem, Uber

    This goes without saying. Having a ride-hailing app in your phone is an absolute must because you never know where you’ll end up getting stranded with no one to pick you. Despite all their issues, Careem and Uber are life-savers in a busy household.

    Ghar Par

    Sometimes going to the parlour is just not possible. Either there is too much happening at home or there is no car available. In situations like these, Ghar Par will be your saviour. Ghar Par offers all beauty services from waxing to manicures to blow-drys and hairdos. Save yourself the hassle and call a beautician home.

    Mauqa

    One thing is for sure – household help is extremely unreliable and in crisis situations, they are usually the first ones to bail – there are exceptions ofcourse. Nonetheless, whenever things get out of control and there is no one to clean the mess or do the laundry, book a helper from Mauqa.

    Mauqa has trained staff and they charge by the hour.

    Bank Account App

    No matter which bank you use, keep your bank’s app downloaded on your phone so you’re able to transfer money in a second.

    Food delivery apps – Foodpanda, Cheetay, Road Runner

    Waisay toh all shaadi wala ghars have plenty of food available round the clock, there are times when the cravings get to you, especially at midnight, and you want to have your favourite junk food. In times like those, food delivery apps are perhaps your best saviour.

  • Even my friends will be happy with new NAB law: PM Imran

    Even my friends will be happy with new NAB law: PM Imran

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that his government has insulated the buisness community with the new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance and “even his friends would be happy with the new law as there were anti-graft cases against them as well”.

    Addressing ‘Top 25 Companies Awards’ by Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the premier said:

    After the changes in the NAB laws, several journalists and political analysts on social media are terming the ammendment as “NRO plus” and asking if PM Imran “is trying to save his corrupt friends”.

    Another journalist asked if NAB would no longer be allowed to probe Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal in the sports complex corruption case as he was a government employee back then and used federal funds.

    The federal cabinet on Friday had given its approval to the NAB Ordinance, 2019 after which the accountability watchdog will no longer be allowed to take action against government employees.

    The new ordinance also states that the property of government employees cannot be frozen without a court order and if NAB cannot complete an investigation against a suspect within three months, the accused will be allowed to have bail.

    Moreover, NAB will now only be able to proceed in corruption cases worth Rs500 million and more.

    In addition, NAB’s jurisdiction over matters relating to tax, stock exchange and IPOs has been curtailed and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBR), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and building control authorities will be the sole authorities tasked to take actino on all such matters.

  • Memes that broke the internet in 2019

    Memes that broke the internet in 2019

    Who doesn’t like memes? Memes not only make us LOL but also lighten our mood for a few seconds.

    The year is about to end and the meme game this year was pretty lit. The Current has compiled a list of the most trending memes of 2019. Gear up for a laughing riot.

    The disappointed cricket fan

    There were so many memes on this guy standing hopelessly.

    Peechay to dekho

    This young kid went viral with his Peechay to dekho video. He even appeared on some TV shows after his video went viral.

    Yeh to hoga

    These memes are simply too hilarious.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJeEEiNu2E
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cuQ2BBlXBs

    Angry cricket fan

    Considering the ICC Cricket World Cup took place this year, there were a lot of funny moments from the matches. Momin Saqib became a social media sensation after he candidly expressed his thoughts on Pakistan’s loss against India.

    Sarfraz Yawning

    Pretty self-explanatory

    ‘The Tea is fantastic‘

    All the Abhinandan memes and a cup of tea he had in Pakistan was surely fantastic. Even restaurants started using this phrase it on their posters. The famous musical band Akcent also trolled Abhinandan.

    Major Adnan Sami

    Following the Abhinandan memes, trollers started trolling Adnan Sami referring him as our undercover ISI agent.

    Royal Visit

    While the royal visit itself was very interesting, the memes were just the cherry on top.

    The ultimate ‘do takkay ki aurat‘

    We will enter 2020 with these Meray paas tum ho memes.

  • ‘Cricketers’ fitness unsatisfactory,’ says team management

    ‘Cricketers’ fitness unsatisfactory,’ says team management

    Pakistan’s cricket team management is not satisfied with certain players’ fitness despite a dominating win against Sri Lankan team in the recently concluded Test match in Karachi, Cricket Pakistan reported.

    According to the details, the management told some players after the Karachi Test that they will have to improve their fitness levels.

    The management believes that players must have a premium fitness level in order to compete with other teams and be a contender for the upcoming 2020 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in Australia.

    The players are asked to report at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on January 5 after which they will undergo their fitness test on January 6 and 7.

    The Men in Green are scheduled to play home Tests and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Bangladesh beginning from late Janurary, however, the series is not yet confirmed are Bangaldesh is reluctunt to play matches in Pakistan.

    The captain for Test format Azhar Ali and T20I captain Babar Azam are currently participating in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy final at the National Stadium, Karachi.

    The cricket team management has also decided to rest the two fast bowlers including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah ahead of Bangladesh series.

  • Nawaz ready to support COAS’s extension legislation, but has conditions: report

    Former prime minister (PM) has agreed to lend support for the legislation in army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension matter, but with a condition, The Express Tribune reported.

    According to the details, former premier is flexible to supporting the Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) government legislation to fix the army chief’s tenure but has reservations on giving a legal cover to giving extension to an army chief.

    The government reportedly before filing a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict in Gen Bajwa’s extension case tried to gain support of the opposition parties, including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), for required legislation.

    “The government had approached us through intermediaries”, reports quoted unknown officials from two opposition parties belonging to the PPP and the PML-N.

    But after failing to gather ‘desirable support’ from them, the government after nearly a month decided to file review petition in the apex court.

    Reports also reveal that a senior legal advisor of the PML-N has said that most party lawmakers believe that by supporting the ruling government on the extension issue could potentially harm the party’s own narrative which it has adopted since the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as PM on July 28, 2017.

    He furhter alleged that the government stage-managed the arrest of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and denied Maryam Nawaz permission to fly abroad to London after its failure to bend the PML-N and secure ‘unconditional support’ for the extension legislation.

    On the other hand, the PPP has reportedly set certain preconditions for supporting the legislation, which include proposed legislation on the NAB [National Accountability Bureau] law, the appointment of chief election commissioner, and elections reforms.

    On November 28, the Supreme Court had allowed the federal government to grant a six-month conditional extension to Chief of Army Staff (COAS). SC also directed the government to bring necessary legislation within six months’ time.

  • Another copyright violation for Coke Studio Season 12

    Another copyright violation for Coke Studio Season 12

    Ever since Coke Studio began in 2008, it has had its fair share of highs and low. After a disastrous Season 11, the music platform brought back Rohail Hyatt for the 12th season. Unfortunately, Season 12 didn’t impress audiences either and it hasn’t been a smooth sailing considering three of its songs have been taken down for copyright infringement.

    According to latest reports, the studio has been taken to court over the track Mundeya, sung by Ali Sethi and Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch. The song has also been struck down due to a copyright violation claim. The studio says that the song, also featured in the film Mukhra, was a tribute to its original singers: Madam Noor Jehan and Nadeem.

    The ownership of the song’s censorship certificate originally belonged to Muhammad Sadiq. After his death, the ownership was passed down to his son Muhammad Saleem, who is now taking Coke Studio to court for copyright violation.

    Saleem claims that Coke Studio did not seek any permission before remixing the song. Hence the studio has been directed to stop airing the song.

    Previously, Abrarul Haq’s Billo, Rachel Viccaji and Shuja Haider’s Saiyaan and Sanam Marvi’s Hairaan Hua were taken down for copyright infringement.

  • VIDEO: Indian rapper Raftaar criticizes Citizenship Amendment Act during his concert

    VIDEO: Indian rapper Raftaar criticizes Citizenship Amendment Act during his concert

    After the citizenship amendment bill, protests broke out in many cities in India. Police tried to stop the protestors and the brutality of police towards protestors was condemned by major names in India including Mahesh Bhatt and now Indian rapper’s Raftaar criticism over Citizenship Law has won many hearts.

    During one of his concerts in Mumbai, he heavily criticized the law. Giving the example of his loyal Muslim bodyguard and a friend Arshad, he said, ‘He takes care of me to the extent that nobody can even push me. If anyone asks him to leave this country, I am ready to take a bullet for it’

    https://twitter.com/TheDeshBhakt/status/1209405643825676288

    However, Raftaar also apologized for abusing on stage. He took to twitter and wrote ‘Before everyone starts jumping in and fighting on who agrees or disagrees with me. I want to apologize for abusing you on stage. That is something I shouldn’t have done.’

  • Another ‘leaked’ video is here and this time it involves Wasim Akram

    Another ‘leaked’ video is here and this time it involves Wasim Akram

    Looks liked ‘leaked videos’ are the latest marketing trend in town.

    Late Thursday night, a video of Wasim Akram speaking about change and ragra went viral on social media and became the number one trend in Pakistan.

    In the video, the former captain can be heard saying ‘’Soch badalne k liay tareekay badalne partay hain. Thori soch badalni parti hai.”

    When the other person in the video commented, “Yeh ragray khatay rahen gay“, Wasim remarked, “Samajh nahi aati, baatein bari bari aur performance zero.”

    Wasim’s words become inaudible following that and when the other person asks him to explain further, he chuckles, “Abhi bataoon ga, abhi dekhtay hain na kya hota hai.”

    Things took a turn when Shoaib Akhtar tweeted in support of the leaked video.

    People had questions.

    https://twitter.com/Shujaatsays/status/1210251528923156486?s=20

    Some people thought he was referring to the current situation of Pakistan’s cricket team.

    While others thought it was an advertisement for the washing powder Akram endorses.

    But most people were of the consensus that the acting was not very convincing.

    https://twitter.com/ablmir2/status/1210255294070218757?s=20

    While netizens were debating over what exactly the deal was, Wasim took to social media to request his fans to not share the video and that he will hold a press conference tomorrow at 8:50 pm to answer all questions.

    https://www.facebook.com/wasimakramliveofficial/posts/2766331500076957?__xts__[0]=68.ARCIu-wqwQdhW9Hkuq6pzVG4dXSWG3pvvnnoiDgBx899vu1-wUApBiv7B0Nx5FHHWvxIpBcQypp8xImRs6lFUySyFKcEIWLPlFjarj8tP_XzIPNfAXV56tIuOPuktHh4FO8dSeh1AJbHOdUqEjgu5o-MRVhl1yRe7ZhYjdAHMeOxTuqXLdMpDy7si6P3nwCK02HKg-Pm1ywhQy1ZQLlpjNAImc26Rq6FIZynC-_KK-FXpnYDqAWNfn_fXVYyx18oHn661mbOx0896pbW3pw37W0C261oaKsy7xi_Y_sXYe9iHBvQotY_Lr5AGX_t33ZCK-kr7jtcnLCeZ9NunSuvBQ&__tn__=-R
  • ‘Even Imran knows it’s a fake case,’ Sanaullah swears innocence on Quran

    ‘Even Imran knows it’s a fake case,’ Sanaullah swears innocence on Quran

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Rana Sanaullah, who was granted bail in the narcotics case against him earlier this week, has sworn his innocence over the Holy Quran, cursing the ones who lodged the “false case against him”.

    According to The News, demanding a judicial inquiry into the drug smuggling allegations against him, Sanaullah on Thursday told a private media outlet that his vehicle was stopped at Ravi Toll Plaza and his gunman was made to leave the vehicle.

    “My vehicle was taken to the ANF [Anti-Narcotics Force] headquarters and no conversation took place during that time,” he said.

    “I asked, what is the matter? I was told that ‘it’s an order from high-ups’,” Sanaullah said. “The next day, I was produced before a court and the court was informed that I was found in possession of drugs.”

    Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Faisalabad, hours after his release from prison, on Thursday he said, “Almighty Allah is my witness, I have never used heroin.”

    He questioned where the drugs seized from his vehicle were. He said a false and baseless case was lodged against him. “May I suffer the wrath of God, if I ever favoured a drug smuggler,” he added.

    The PML-N leader also cursed the ones who lodged a false case against him. He also said he would repeat the same statements in the National Assembly, holding a copy of the Holy Quran in his hands. “You can’t stop us through such cheap tactics, [I] will not back off. It has become a tradition that a person tells lies and then says he has to return to Almighty Allah,” he said.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The PML-N leader said even the prime minister knew the case against him was fake. “All this is being done to subdue the opposition. Before my arrest I was 100 per cent with my party but today be with the 1000 per cent,” he added.

    Sanaullah demanded the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) and the government order a judicial inquiry into the allegations of drug smuggling against him.

    Referring to the trauma that he suffered due to incarceration, he demanded relevant authorities take action against the injustice he was meted out.

    He said that the ANF had secured 15kg heroin from a godown and produced false witnesses to back up their claims against him. “If it was such a large network, why weren’t others [involved in drug trafficking] arrested?” he asked.

    On his arrival at Faisalabad after release on bail, the party workers warmly welcomed him. The workers raised slogans in favour of him and expressed happiness on his presence. “I am also thankful to party leaders for supporting me in a difficult time,” Sanaullah said.

  • IN PICTURES: Iqra and Yasir’s colourful mehndi

    IN PICTURES: Iqra and Yasir’s colourful mehndi

    Though Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz had a full-blown public proposal, their wedding events have been pretty low-key in comparison. The couple’s wedding festivities began with a bright, yellow mayun followed by an intimate mehndi. The nikkah is on December 28, according to a card shared by the two on their social media.

    Here is the radiant couple on their mehndi

    Their pictures are full of love

    Iqra looked lovely in a pale, yellow outfit by Faiza Saqlain

    Yasir was the ultimate cool cat in a plain, white shalwar kameez paired with a bottle-green velvet shawl

    The couple did not shy away from enjoying their mehndi and took to the dance floor to express their happiness

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6i_J9ZFnb8/

    All of the couple’s celebrity friends were in attendance including Nomi Ansari, Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui, Hania Aamir, Asim Azhar, Muneeb Butt, Aiman Khan, Minal Khan, Gohar Rasheed, Kubra Khan and Saheefa Jabbar Khattak. They all made sure it was a night to remember.

    There were qulfis also!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6i_X-LlD4Z/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6i-OyNFnk1/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6i9pJwF05b/

    Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly also made an appearance

    Rounding off the night with a grand selfie

    Picture credits – SS Photography by Saba Sahar