Author: newsdesk

  • Zartaj Gul to be removed from ECL: IHC

    Zartaj Gul to be removed from ECL: IHC

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered on Wednesday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) lawmaker Zartaj Gul’s name be removed from Exit Control List (ECL).

    Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard a petition filed by Zartaj Gul to remove her name from ECL.

    The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the PTI leader showed up before the court for the hearing.

    The court ordered the AAG to remove the MNA’s name from the ECL and present a report within a week.

  • ‘YouTubers meri shadi ki fikar na karain’; Fiza Ali hits back at vloggers

    ‘YouTubers meri shadi ki fikar na karain’; Fiza Ali hits back at vloggers

    Pakistani actress Fiza Ali has strongly denounced false rumors about her marital status, blaming social media platforms for spreading misinformation.

    In a recent statement, Ali expressed frustration over misleading reports claiming she had gotten married. She specifically criticized YouTube channels and bloggers for spreading fake news without checking the facts.

    Ali emphasized the negative impact of such false news on both her personal and professional life, stressing the importance of responsible journalism in the digital era.

    “Whenever I travel to places like London or New York for work or leisure, I often become the target of untrue stories,” Ali stated, visibly upset. “It seems whenever I’m away, rumors about my marriage start circulating.”

    In an earlier interview, Fiza Ali said, “I want a husband who will accept me and my daughter, Faral, and won’t stop me from working.”

    The actress urged social media users to be cautious and verify information before sharing, highlighting how spreading false news can emotionally harm individuals and cause distress.

    Ali’s candid remarks shed light on the growing concern about the unchecked spread of misinformation on the internet.

  • US Congress calls for probe into February 8 election rigging allegations

    US Congress calls for probe into February 8 election rigging allegations

    The United States House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted in favour of an impartial investigation into claims of election rigging in Pakistan following the February 8 polls.

    Pakistan’s general elections were marred by a nationwide mobile internet shutdown on election day, delays in results, leading to accusations that the elections were manipulated.

    The US house voted 368-7 over a resolution calling for “full and independent investigation of claims of interference or irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 election.”

    Furthermore, it also condemned “attempts to suppress the people of Pakistan’s participation in their democracy, including through harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunications, or any violation of their human, civil, or political rights.”

    Michael Kugelman, Director of South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center in Washington, said the vote margin was significant.

    In a social media post, he wrote, “85 per cent of House members voted on it, and 98 per cent voted in favour of the resolution.”

    PTI leader Shehbaz Gill also took to twitter to express his thoughts on the matter.

  • ‘Working with Sajal Aly was a dream’: Sheikh Mubashir

    ‘Working with Sajal Aly was a dream’: Sheikh Mubashir

    Rising star Sheikh Mubashir Mehmood has been winning hearts with his impressive acting skills. From his debut in ‘Jeevan Nagar’ to his recent ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’ fans have appreciated the star power he brings to the screen. His on-screen chemistry with Sajal Aly in their most recent project as Meenu and Roshan is particularly a fan favourite.

    Sheikh Mubashir appeared as a guest on Fuchsia, where he talked about his experience working with Sajal Aly in ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’.

    “I was always a huge fan of Sajal Aly, she’s an incredibly natural actress. As soon as I found out she was part of the project, I knew I had to be a part of it too. Working with her was an amazing experience, she made me feel so comfortable on set. New actors can feel intimidated, so she goes out of her way to be friendly and help you perform to your full potential. We became great friends and I admire how she approaches her work with such intellectual depth,” he said.

    That’s a lot of praise for Sajjal, who many costars name as their favourite collaborator.

  • Complete ban on cutting of forests, transportation of timber in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Complete ban on cutting of forests, transportation of timber in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has imposed a complete ban on cutting of trees in forests and transporting timber in the province.

    Provincial Forest Minister Fazal Hakim Khan stated that monitoring teams have been formed to protect forests, emphasising that illegal logging will not be tolerated.

    The Minister highlighted the inseparable link between forests and tourism, underscoring the province’s commitment to extensive reforestation efforts.

  • Government will file new cases against Khan to keep him in jail, says Rana Sanaullah

    Government will file new cases against Khan to keep him in jail, says Rana Sanaullah

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has said on Tuesday that the federal government has a plan to file new cases against incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan to delay his release from Adiala jail.

    Imran Khan was ousted from his office in April 2022 through the opposition’s no-confidence motion and is currently in Adiala jail facing multiple cases.

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan will stay behind bars in the iddat case even after getting relief in £190 million reference and Toshakhana.

    “Imran Khan’s main agenda is to destabilise the country and spread chaos and anarchy in the country that’s why the government will certainly try to keep him behind bars as long as possible,” Rana Sanaullah said while talking on Geo News programme’ Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    He also stated that the government will file new cases against Khan to keep him in jail for a long time as courts have granted relief to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in several cases.

  • Saturday will be off in Punjab govt schools

    Saturday will be off in Punjab govt schools

    Two weekly holidays have been announced in the government schools of Punjab, after which there will be two days off on Saturday and Sunday.

    Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said that public schools in Punjab will have holidays on Saturday and Sunday.

    He said that due to the teachers’ high workload, they decided to take Saturday off, while daily teaching hours in schools will be extended from Monday to Friday.

    He said Saturday will be used for teacher training, capacity building and other matters.

    Rana Sikandar Hayat further said that problems related to teachers’ promotions will also be solved soon, and the regularization plan for 14 thousand AEOs and SSEs is coming very soon.

  • Muhammad Wasim is new head coach of Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

    Muhammad Wasim is new head coach of Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Test cricketer Muhammad Wasim as the head coach of the national women’s cricket team.

    According to PCB, the coaching staff of the women’s team has also been changed.

    Former Test cricketer Abdul Rehman will be the spin bowling coach and Junaid Khan will be the assistant coach, while Hanif Malik will be the fielding coach and Hina Munawar will be the women’s team manager.

    Muhammad Wasim has previously served as the Chairman of the National Selection Committee from 2020 to 2022.

    A women’s team camp has been set up in Karachi to prepare for the Asia Cup. Up to 28 players will participate in the four-day camp, while teo practice matches will also be played.

    The Women’s Asia Cup will be held from July 19 to 28 in Dambulla, Sri Lanka where Pakistan will play their first match against India on July 19.

  • FIFA uses Arif Lohar’s song on birthday of Lionel Messi

    FIFA uses Arif Lohar’s song on birthday of Lionel Messi

    World football organization International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has fallen in love with Pakistani music, specifically an Arif Lohar song.

    FIFA used the song Tenu Moj Karawan, sung by the legendary Arif Lohar, to mark the birthday of world famous footballer Lionel Messi.

    Arif’s song was used along with highlights of Messi’s spectacular performance over the years.

    Take a glimpse here:

  • Pakistan to build $10 billion oil refinery to alleviate energy shortages

    Pakistan to build $10 billion oil refinery to alleviate energy shortages

    In a significant move aimed at tackling Pakistan’s persistent energy crisis, the government, in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), has finalised a groundbreaking agreement.

    According to the Information Ministry, this agreement entails the establishment of a state-of-the-art oil refinery valued at $10 billion within the country.

    This strategic initiative forms a crucial part of the government’s broader efforts to combat energy shortages, which have been a major impediment to national growth.

    Simultaneously, the government has embarked on ambitious petroleum sector projects aimed at exploring oil and gas reserves in coastal and marine regions of Pakistan. These ventures are expected to attract investments ranging from $5 to $6 billion, significantly enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure.

    In addition to these developments, recent strides in renewable energy infrastructure include the installation of a 150-megawatt solar power plant in Sukkur and a one-megawatt solar power facility in Hunza, established through Public Private Partnerships (PPP). These projects underscore Pakistan’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing dependency on traditional fossil fuels.

    Under the auspices of the SIFC, emphasis has been placed on prioritising hydropower, solar energy, and wind energy initiatives over coal and furnace oil, marking a pivotal shift towards sustainable energy solutions.

    This multifaceted approach not only aims to bolster Pakistan’s energy security but also aligns with global efforts towards environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

    The implementation of these initiatives is poised to catalyse significant advancements in Pakistan’s energy sector, fostering a more robust and sustainable economic future.