Author: newsdesk

  • ‘I rejected Bollywood offers, including ones from Raj Kapoor’: Sajid Hasan

    ‘I rejected Bollywood offers, including ones from Raj Kapoor’: Sajid Hasan

    Actor Sajid Hasan, well-known for his candid opinions and versatile roles since his PTV days, recently revealed in an interview with VOA Urdu that he had been receiving Bollywood offers for quite some time.

    “I was offered films by Raj Kapoor himself when I first started my career in dramas through Hasina Moin’s plays. But I turned them down, as I didn’t feel comfortable with the romantic genre. I was clear about my choices and didn’t want to compromise on the kind of work I wanted to do. Those films weren’t for me, and I’m glad I stood by my conviction.”

    Sajid Hasan has worked in drams and films appearing in popular dramas like ‘Dhuwan’ and ‘Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan’, and in films such as ‘Bol’ and ‘Actor in Law’.

  • Boy, 14, stabs man to death over ‘sectarian argument’ in Gujrat

    Boy, 14, stabs man to death over ‘sectarian argument’ in Gujrat

    A 14-year-old boy in Gujrat reportedly murdered a middle-aged man following an argument over a sectarian issue at Chak Chohdo village on Sunday.

    Teenager Rehan, son of the Imam of the village mosque, allegedly had a brief altercation over a sectarian issue with a fellow resident, Syed Nazeer Hussain Shah.

    As per a report filed by Dawn, the boy repeatedly stabbed the victim with a knife and fled the scene. The injured man was shifted to the Kunjah Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in a critical condition, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

    Doctors handed over the body to the victim’s family after the autopsy.

    A team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) also collected evidence from the crime scene. A case has been registered against three suspects – Rehan, his uncle and father- on the complaint of Shabeer Hussain Shah, the brother of the deceased.

    Locals and the police say that the prime suspect seems to be a religious fanatic.

    Raids are being conducted to arrest the suspects. However, the crime charges would only be ascertained after an interrogation.
    Incidents of religious fanaticism have gained momentum over the past few months, with a number of incidents of mob lynching and harassment of minorities.

  • National Assembly, Islamic Ideology Council unite in condemning Swat mob lynching incident

    National Assembly, Islamic Ideology Council unite in condemning Swat mob lynching incident

    The National Assembly of Pakistan on Sunday passed a resolution condemning the recent Swat mob lynching incident, demanding action against the culprits.

    The resolution, presented by Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar, was approved by a majority vote.

    “Action must be taken against the perpetrators of such heinous acts,” stated the resolution.

    It further underscored the need for both federal and provincial governments to ensure the protection of minorities.

    “Although we may have our differences, we must unite on certain fundamental issues. Any incident akin to the one in Swat, regardless of where it occurs in the country, should prompt immediate and decisive action by the respective governments,” stated the law minister.

    Furthermore, the Chairman of the Islamic Ideological Council (IIC), Dr Allama Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, also strongly condemned the incident, saying, “No individual or group is allowed to punish anyone legally, morally, or according to Sharia.”

    He further said that the accused should be identified through forensic and mobile geo-location in the Swat case and punished according to the law.

    Chairman IIC also said that in Islam, burning a person’s body is a great sin; there is an intense punishment for this act.

    On June 20, an unfortunate incident took place when a man accused of blasphemy was lynched and burned by a violent mob in Swat district.

  • Sonakshi Sinha marries Zaheer Iqbal in a ‘happily ever after’ wedding

    Sonakshi Sinha marries Zaheer Iqbal in a ‘happily ever after’ wedding

    A delightful love story comes to a happy ending! Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are now married, ending all doubt and speculation.

    The ceremony took place at Sonakshi’s apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, on 23-06-2024 Sunday evening.
    They shared their wedding pictures on Instagram with the caption, “On this very day, seven years back (23.06.2017) in each others eyes, we saw love in its purest form and decided to hold on to it. Today that love has guided us through all the challenges and triumphs… leading up to this moment… where with the blessings of both our families and both our gods… we are now man and wife. Here’s to love, hope and all things beautiful with each other, from now until forever. Sonakshi, Zaheer 23.06.2024.”

    The wedding rituals were performed in Mumbai city and the event was attended by their families and closet friends, including Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, and a special appearance by Salman Khan, who made a stylish entry.
    The two of them were dressed in the same off-white attire: Zaheer was wearing a kurta and Sonakshi was wearing a beautiful saree.

    Shatrughan Sinha’s attendance at the party ended rumors that he didn’t approve of the wedding and wouldn’t come. Earlier, he had told Times Now he was “waiting to be informed” about his daughter’s wedding. “All I can say is, aaj kal ke bachche consent nahin lete maa-baap ke, sirf inform karte hain (Nowadays, children don’t seek permission; they simply inform their parents).”

  • Punjab govt to launch digital school on wheels

    Punjab govt to launch digital school on wheels

    Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz has announced the initiation of the Digital School on Wheels project in Punjab during a meeting with delegations from IT companies. Under the initiative, 1000 teachers from government schools will receive free digital courses.

    A delegation from Google for Education also expressed interest in supporting Punjab’s first official autism school project. Google for Education is said to offer free certification courses for 15,000 university students.

    CM Punjab asserted that a positive societal change cannot occur without reconstructing the education system. The government is committed to enhancing the system by addressing its shortcomings.

  • Hasan Iqbal Chisti slammed for misogynistic song against girl’s education

    Hasan Iqbal Chisti slammed for misogynistic song against girl’s education

    Clerical singer Hassan Iqbal Chisti, known for singing controversial songs that he claims are devotional, is again under fire for yet another rendition against girl’s education, titled ‘Apni Dhi Schoolo Hata Le| Othy Dance Kardi Payi Ae|’ [Take your daughter out of school, she is dancing there.]

    Chishti was slammed by social media for his misogynistic approach.

    Social activist Asma Azam lambasted him: “They can see girls dancing in the school but not the children getting raped in the Madrassas. Is it approved or Halaal for them?”

    Another netizen, Maria Amir, wrote, “As if there isn’t enough ridiculous bigoted, backwards propaganda against girls education in our part of the world already, scum like this are now making ‘music videos’ …. so they can hate on ‘girls dancing in school.”

    Sumaira Khalid posted, “Is dancing for clerics like these Halaal?”

    Mohammad Hassan expressed his anger over this song cum kalam by writing that this satanic cleric should be sent to jail and beaten for this. “It is a matter of shame for those who support these clerics.”

  • Is Pakistan considering striking TTP in Afghanistan under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam?

    Is Pakistan considering striking TTP in Afghanistan under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam?

    The Khorasan Diary has posted an alert on X (formerly Twitter) on June 23 that a high-ranking official from the government told the outlet that the government may start surgical strikes against the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) inside Afghanistan.

    The post read, “A high-ranking Pakistani official has revealed that the government may authorise cross-border operations against Pakistani Taliban hideouts as part of the newly announced nationwide operation against militant outfits.”

    It further elaborated, “Pakistani government will not hesitate to pursue and neutralise terrorist targets across the border,” the official stated on condition of anonymity.”

    In recent years, terrorism in Pakistan has seen a surge as it accuses neighbouring Afghanistan of inaction against the TTP.

    Pakistan also conducted cross-border strikes against the terrorists inside Afghanistan this year as the Afghan authorities shifted the blame on Pakistan that dealing with TTP is Pakistan’s own responsibility.

  • Govt, opposition not on same page about new military operation, Azm-e-Istehkam

    Govt, opposition not on same page about new military operation, Azm-e-Istehkam

    During Sunday’s turbulent National Assembly (NA) session, the government and opposition were contentious over the matter of a new military operation, Azm-e-Istehkam, to eliminate terrorism from the country.

    Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voiced concerns during the session that they were not taken into confidence about the new operation.

    After this, PTI walked out of the session and returned after an hour, leading to the PTI MNAs’ address. Opposition party leaders chanted slogans during the session, including “End the operation” and “We want peace.”

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had announced a fresh military operation, named Azm-e-Istehkam, on Saturday to eradicate militants from the country.

    The Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) consist of top authorities from all the provinces, approved the new anti-terrorism operation. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was also part of the decision-making committee after increasing terrorist attacks in the country, especially in KP and Balochistan.

  • PCB makes domestic cricket mandatory for joining national team

    PCB makes domestic cricket mandatory for joining national team

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to review the contracts of domestic cricketers, while participation in domestic cricket has been made mandatory for joining the national team.

    Under Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, a three-hour long important meeting regarding quality domestic cricket was held at the National Cricket Academy Lahore, where it was decided to strengthen the domestic cricket system.

    Mohsin Naqvi said in this meeting, “The quality of domestic cricket will be promoted at all levels, from club level to national level. Tournaments will be organized continuously. The best coaches will be hired, and players will be groomed in a professional manner. This will reduce the international gap. Players will be selected based on performance and skills.”

    The meeting also reviewed the structure of domestic cricket in India, Australia, England, and New Zealand.

    PCB also decided to change the selection committee, and as a result, senior manager Wahab Riaz could be sacked.

    Earlier, Naqvi said that he would make major changes to the national cricket team and that a big surgery would be done in the team.

  • 10 bodies found in Karachi in nine hours: rescue officials

    10 bodies found in Karachi in nine hours: rescue officials

    Geo news has reported that 10 bodies were found in Karachi in a span of nine hours on Sunday.

    Rescue officials revealed that all the individuals were likely drug addicted, adding that three bodies were discovered at the KMC ground in Lyari’s Lashari neighborhood while other were found in Golimar, Jahangir Road, Landhi Godam Chowrangi, Defense Phase Seven, Orangi Town Sector 15, and Khamisu Goth.

    The bodies were initially taken to respective police stations and then to the mortuary.