Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Hamari matt mari gaii thee’: Sher Afzal Marwat on PTI’s association with Faiz Hameed

    ‘Hamari matt mari gaii thee’: Sher Afzal Marwat on PTI’s association with Faiz Hameed

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat on Sunday regretted his party’s intense dependence on ex-spymaster General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s policy towards the relocation of Fitna al Khawarij ( Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) within Pakistan.

    “Hamari matt mari gai thi kay General Faiz Hammed hamara pasandida banda tha,” Sher Afzal Marwat regretfully said while talking to Samaa’s Absar Alam.

    General Faiz Hameed and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa were involved in the “TTP’s resettlement in Pakistan,” insisted Sher Afzal Marwat.


    Days after the United States (US) forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the former Director General (DG) of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Gen Faiz Hameed, visited Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, on September 4, 2021.

    Speaking to the News5 channel, Hameed smilingly said, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” 

    The terrorist group, during the PTI’s federal government, reportedly returned to the northern districts of Buner, Bajaur and Mohmand, and forced local businesses to pay protection money.

    PTI allegedly helped the Fitna by relocating them to western Pakistan, and the ex-spymaster was the key player in that development.

    On Feb 2, 2023, the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, in an address, defended the resettlement of the terrorists in Pakistan from Afghanistan, noting, “The PTI government had two options: either kill all of them or reach an agreement with them and allow them to settle in the province. These returning fighters had many issues that needed to be resolved for peace in the province.”

    “When the Afghan war ended, some 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani tribal fighters wanted to come back,” Khan said and clarified that all stakeholders were on board regarding the resettlement of terrorists in Pakistan.


    When asked about PTI’s lack of effort in protesting against the deteriorated law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sher Afzal Marwat claimed: “It is the duty of security institutions” to restore law and order rather than political parties.

    Meanwhile, commenting on the ongoing teachers’ protest in the KP province, Marwat claimed that teachers can protest as long as they want, and it is their “right” to protest.

    Teachers have been protesting at Jinnah Park Peshawar against the provincial government for more than five days for not upgrading their pay scale from BPS 12 to BPS 14.

    Moreover, teachers are demanding permanent posts for those teachers who were hired in 2022 by the provincial government on a contract basis.

  • Did Trump just tweet in Imran Khan’s favour?

    Did Trump just tweet in Imran Khan’s favour?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) followers on social media have been engaging with a blue tick verified account seemingly run by United States (US) President-elect Donald J. Trump, resharing a video that was posted by the handle, featuring a short clip from an interview of former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    The post on X (formerly Twitter) has garnered more than 250,000 views with 13,000 likes and almost 5,000 re-tweets, while the screenshot of the post has also gone viral in multiple WhatsApp groups in Pakistan. 


    On November 10, the account posted a clip of Khan’s interview with Fox News from 2019, when he visited the US and met then-president Trump. In the interview, Khan appreciated Trump for being a “completely straightforward man and my whole delegation – we loved the meeting”.


    Firstly, the verified account by the username ‘Donald J. Trump Potus Commentary’ itself states in its bio that it is “not affiliated with Trump.” Upon further research, the account has a history of posting in Urdu and commenting on local politics of Pakistan. One of the posts in Urdu on October 24 stated: “History has forgotten Justice Munir and Justice Qazi Faez Isa will be remembered for judicial regression.”


    It may be noted that several past tweets have also been deleted by the user since after netizens found out about the account’s history.

    However, PTI followers have been engaging with the post, with one user commenting: “It’s appalling that such a courageous and honest leader is languishing behind bars on false charges . Please help get Khan out .”


    Another user pointed out that the account has nothing to do with Trump, writing, “Pakistanio [sic] is account ka Donald Trump say koi taluq nahi hai Only the ppl of Pakistan protesting in mass numbers can free IK. Focus on that. Rest is all noise.”


    As the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, swept the polls in the US last week, congratulatory messages poured in from across the world. However, unbeknownst to the American public and the president-elect himself, PTI’s leadership and followers have pinned their hopes on the incoming US president to get justice for Imran Khan.


    PTI blamed the US for conspiring against its government when Khan was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in 2022. Khan, in an infamous rally, had waved a page in front of a charged crowd, which was allegedly the cypher sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington.
    However, later, Khan and his party changed their narrative as the American-Pakistani community continuously lobbied among US politicians to pressure the Pakistan government to release the incarcerated former prime minister.

  • Pakistan considering ‘minus India’ formula for Champions Trophy: report

    Pakistan considering ‘minus India’ formula for Champions Trophy: report

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is taking a tough stance on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send its team to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan: considering a ‘minus-India’ formula in response.

    The PCB has decided to use the examples from the 1996 and 2003 World Cup in its initial stance to adopt a tough stance against India.

    In 1996, Australia and West Indies refused to play in Sri Lanka, while in 2003, New Zealand refused to play in Kenya and England refused to play in Zimbabwe. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded points to the teams that were present on the ground for the scheduled matches, putting the teams that refused to participate at a disadvantage.

    Geo reports that based on these examples, the PCB will assert that the ICC has never changed a venue in the past when teams failed to show up, and as a result, Pakistan will adopt a firm stance.

    Pakistan may also propose a ‘minus India’ Champions Trophy on this basis, as India has not yet spoken about the Champions Trophy in writing. PCB will insist to the ICC that India submits all its positions in writing, sources have claimed.

    Earlier, it was also reported that Pakistan would write a letter to the ICC in light of the government guidelines in the next day or two, for which the Board had also completed a legal consultation.

    Earlier, the PCB denied all claims about the Indian team refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

    PCB source told The Current, “All speculations about Indian cricket board’s letter to PCB or India not coming to Pakistan are baseless. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s press conference in Gaddafi Stadium on November 8 is the latest update on this issue.”

    Mohsin Naqvi said that there should be no politics in the game and assured that the Board will continue preparations despite India not coming.

    On the other hand, reports claimed that the government of Pakistan is likely to make tough decisions regarding India’s refusal to come to the Champions Trophy.

    The government is considering that if India does not participate at the agreed venues, Pakistan will not play any future matches with India, and until relations with India improve, they will not play any game with India in any tournament.

    They are of the view that Pakistan always makes goodwill gestures, but India is always involved in politics.


     
    If India does not participate in matches in Pakistan and the host country doesn’t agree on the hybrid model, then there is a strong chance that Sri Lanka will replace India.

  • ‘I questioned everything’; Hamza Ali Abbasi talks about finding Islam

    ‘I questioned everything’; Hamza Ali Abbasi talks about finding Islam

    Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has opened up about his journey to rediscovering Islam, revealing how deep, personal questioning led him to embracing his faith.

    Talking on Hamza Sheikh Sabherwal podcast, he revealed the pivotal moments that shaped his spiritual transformation.

    The host asked him, “I want to know if your life was always like this from the beginning, or if you have a transformation story?”

    Hamza Ali Abbasi replied, “I have a very simple and boring transformation story, there’s nothing sensational in it. Often, when people turn toward God, there’s usually a significant event, like someone’s passing, an accident, or a realization. But for me, there wasn’t anything like that. In my teenage years, I had a very rational question that felt necessary to answer: I’m alive now, but one day I will die.”

    The Alif actor continued: “From all around, I would hear talk of every kind of religion, not just Islam but Christianity, Judaism, and all religions and that God exists. Most importantly, the concept of the hereafter. Learning about these concepts, that I would be accountable before God, and the result of that would be either paradise or hell, these are big matters, not small ones. I wanted to know if there was any truth to these concepts or not, and if there was, to what extent.”

    Reflecting on his mindful journey, Abbasi admitted that his pursuit of answers led him to questioning faith.

    “For me, it was important to ask these questions and equally important to find answers to them. I had no interest in discussing religious matters, I’d say it was my compulsion, my necessity. This pursuit of answers initially pushed me towards some form of agnosticism,” the megastar recalled.

    Talking about his faith and accountability, the Pyaaray Afzal actor explained, “If there’s no truth in these concepts, then life in this world is all there is. Then it’s just ‘YOLO’, you only live once. In that case, whatever benefit there is here is the only benefit, and whatever loss is here is the only loss. But if there’s any truth in these concepts, then all my efforts and, this is a very rational approach, all my efforts should focus on success in that accountability.”

     Hamza Ali Abbasi is set to make his comeback in the highly anticipated drama serial ‘Faraar’ written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain and Musaddiq Malek. The drama will air on 17 November on Green Entertainment.

  • Indian CEO offers X user a job after liking his suggestions

    Indian CEO offers X user a job after liking his suggestions

    Indian food delivery app Zomato’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepinder Goyal, whose app is now synonymous with food itself in India, recently shared updates on some of the new features in the app on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. 


    The updates were in continuation of the new feature update called ‘Food Rescue’, announced by Goyal on November 10 earlier this month. While many of his followers shared their opinions about the update, one user’s review, in particular, caught the eye of the Indian billionaire.


    The new feature attempts to reduce food wastage by redirecting cancelled orders on Zomato to other potential customers. 


    Goyal, while shedding light on the feature, wrote, “Canceled orders will now pop up for nearby customers, who can grab them at an unbeatable price, in their original untampered packaging, and receive them in just minutes.”


    An X user by the name of Bhanu shared some positive critique to prevent misuse of the new feature:


    1. Should not be applicable to COD (Cash on Delivery)
    2. Cancellation should not be allowed if the delivery reaches 500 m to the delivery point 
    3. Chances of twi idiots sharing meals ordering and cancelling at the same time getting a discount place 
    4. Less than two cancellations are allowed per month.


    These pointers impressed CEO Goyal and he offered Bhanu to “work together” with him.

     
    Goyal wrote, “All this and more already in place. Good thinking, by the way. Who are you and what do you do? Would love to know you more, and see if we can work together? 🙂 DM [Direct Message] me please if you wanna chat more.”


    However, Bhanu seemed to be happy in his workplace as he responded to the offer to work for the food delivery company by respectfully sharing that he is based in Bangalore and is working already. “Thanks a lot. I am from Bangalore. Regularly use Blinkit. I regularly give suggestions to improve services via Twitter by tagging your company. Always thinking to reduce negative impact and improve service delivery. Working as a PM in a startup company.”


    The interaction caused a flare of surprise among Indian users and made it to the headlines for news outlets around the globe, especially in India.

  • PCB reacts to ‘India’s Champions Trophy refusal’

    PCB reacts to ‘India’s Champions Trophy refusal’

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied all claims about the Indian team refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025.

    PCB source told The Current, “All speculations about Indian cricket board’s letter to PCB or India not coming to Pakistan are baseless. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s press conference in Gaddafi Stadium on November 8 is the latest update on this issue.”

    Mohsin Naqvi said that there should be no politics in the game, and assured that the Board will continue preparations despite India not coming.

    Mohsin Naqvi, while talking to the media after reviewing the ongoing development work at Gaddafi Stadium, said, “The Indian media has reported that the Indian team is not coming to Pakistan, but the Indian board has not yet informed us in writing about sending the team. If the Indian team informs us in writing, I will go to the government, and then we will follow the government’s decision.”

    “For two months, there have been reports in the Indian media that their team is not coming. We want no politics in the game. There was no discussion about the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, and there will be no discussion. Pakistan has always shown goodwill, but it should not be expected every time. If there is any situation, the CB should be informed in writing,” he added.

    The Indian media is claiming that the Indian Cricket Board has written to that the PCB that the team is not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is demanding to hold the matches of the Indian team in Dubai, while the BCCI informed the authorities about their concerns that they want to play the matches at neutral venues and Dubai is the best place for that, as per Indian media.

    On the other hand, there was news that the government of Pakistan is likely to make tough decisions regarding India’s refusal to come to the Champions Trophy. The government is considering that if India does not come, then Pakistan will never play any match with India in the future.

    The government is considering that until the relations with India improve, they will not play any match with India in any tournament. Pakistan always makes goodwill gestures, but India always involves politics.

    If India didn’t come to Pakistan and the host country doesn’t agree on the hybrid model, then there is a strong chance that Sri Lanka will replace India.

  • Pakistan becomes champion of Baseball United Classic

    Pakistan becomes champion of Baseball United Classic

    Pakistan has became the champion of Baseball United Classic, defeating the United Arab Emirates by 12-1 in the final.

    Pakistan’s team remained undefeated in the tournament. A total of nine countries participated in the Baseball United Classic tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

    Pakistan cricket team also delighted its fans by defeating Australia in the ODI series after 22 years at its home ground.

    The decisive match of the one-day series between Pakistan and Australia was played in Perth, where Pakistan bowled out Australia for 140 runs. Pakistan achieved the target of 141 runs in the 27th over with the loss of 2 wickets.

    Match Summary (Pak vs Aus)

    Chasing the target, opener Abdullah Shafique scored 37 runs, whereas Saim Ayub scored 42 runs and fell victim to Lance Morris’s ball.

    Apart from this, Captain Muhammad Rizwan scored 30 runs while former skipper Babar Azam scored 28 runs.

    Bowling first, Pakistan bowled Australia out for a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs as one batter did not return to the pitch due to injury.

    Sean Abbott scored 30 runs for Australia, Jack Fraser McGurk got out after scoring only seven runs and Matthew Short played an innings of 22 runs.

    Captain Josh Inglis could only score 7 runs, Aaron Hardy scored 12 runs, and Cooper Connolly was retired for seven runs.

    Glenn Maxwell became a victim of Haris Rauf for the third time in the three-match series and returned to the pavilion on duck. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis could only score eight runs and Adam Zampa scored 13 runs.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took 2 wickets, and Mohammad Hasnain took one wicket.

    Australia had defeated Pakistan in the first ODI by two wickets, but Pakistan made a strong comeback, winning the second ODI by nine wickets and the last by eight.

  • ICC delays Champion Trophy schedule reveal amid Indian concerns

    ICC delays Champion Trophy schedule reveal amid Indian concerns

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has delayed the event for the announcement of Champions Trophy 2025 schedule as India are yet to confirm their participation.

    According to reports, the schedule issue could not be resolved, and so the ICC has postponed the event scheduled for November 11.

    Discussions regarding the schedule are ongoing between the PCB and boards of participating teams, reports said.

    Meanwhile, a PCB official was quoted as saying that the postponed event pertained to the flag-off of the trophy tour and tournament branding launch.

    Outdoor activities are difficult in Lahore these days, and the schedule of the event has neither been confirmed nor announced.

    Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan next year in February and March.

    Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the next Champions Trophy, as per Indian media.

    The Indian board has reportedly decided to reverse its decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan, as confirmed by the Indian Express. Pakistan has been informed of this decision.

    The BCCI has expressed concerns regarding security about playing in Pakistan and prefers neutral venues, with Dubai being the top choice.

    Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi, however, has claimed not to have received any letter from BCCI, adding that “the Indian board has not said anything in writing so far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model and there will be no discussion.”

    Earlier, there were reports that the Indian Cricket Board agreed to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but India refused and wanted to conduct the tournament under a hybrid model.

    Other teams, however, have confirmed they will send their teams to Pakistan for the event.

    The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches to be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

  • Pakistan crush Australia, win ODI series by 2-1

    Pakistan crush Australia, win ODI series by 2-1

    In the deciding match of the three-match ODI series, Pakistan defeated Australia by eight wickets, clinching the series by 2-1.

    Chasing the target, opener Abdullah Shafique scored 37 runs, whereas Saim Ayub scored 42 runs and fell victim to Lance Morris’s ball.

    Apart from this, Captain Muhammad Rizwan scored 30 runs while former skipper Babar Azam scored 28 runs.

    Bowling first, Pakistan bowled Australia out for a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs as one batter did not return to the pitch due to injury.

    Sean Abbott scored 30 runs for Australia, Jack Fraser McGurk got out after scoring only seven runs and Matthew Short played an innings of 22 runs.

    Captain Josh Inglis could only score 7 runs, Aaron Hardy scored 12 runs, and Cooper Connolly was retired for seven runs.

    Glenn Maxwell became a victim of Haris Rauf for the third time in the three-match series and returned to the pavilion on duck. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis could only score eight runs and Adam Zampa scored 13 runs.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took 2 wickets, and Mohammad Hasnain took one wicket.

    Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field in the decider.

    Australia had defeated Pakistan in the first ODI by two wickets, but Pakistan made a strong comeback, winning the second ODI by nine wickets and the last by eight.

  • Diljit Dosanjh posts a video with Qaseeda Burdah Shareef

    Diljit Dosanjh posts a video with Qaseeda Burdah Shareef

    Indian Punjab singer Diljit Dosanjh is winning hearts worldwide with his ‘DIL-LUMINATI TOUR year 2024’ and his recent visit to Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque  with his team has added even more excitement to his tour.   

    A video posted by Diljit on his Instagram account shows the superstar being given a tour of the mosque, marveling at its intricate design and rich histoy. What made the video even more special was the inclusion of ‘Qaseeda Burdah Shareef’ a famous naat, playing in the background. The gesture deeply resonated with his followers and highlighted his respect for the cultural and religious significance of the place.  


    Fans quickly took to the comments section to express their admiration for Diljit Dosanjh and his inclusive attitude.  
    One fan wrote, “He got up and chose peace ✌ ♥️ respecting all religions is sigma move.” 

    Another expressed saying, “So much respect for him. There can be no one like him ❤️”    
    Diljit’s visit and his message of peace and respect have made a big impact, showing his commitment to spreading love and unity among different cultures and religions. 
     Today on November 9, Diljit Dosanjh will perform at Abu Dhabi at ENBD Golden Circle, Suite. 

    Earlier, during the Delhi segment of his Dil-luminati tour, Diljit Dosanjh touched millions of hearts with kindness. 
     
    A viral video showed a young fan enjoying the Dosanjh concert from her terrace near Diljit concert asking, “Diljit uncle thoda tez chila dou.”

    He responded on Instagram saying, “Beta, come I have tickets for you and your family.”  

    True to his word, Diljit gifted passes to the girl and her uncle for the next show.

    The girl Naina’s uncle Kunal Sharma thanked Diljit in an Instagram post.  

    “Thank You  Diljit Sir ❤ for making  our Day ❤ ,You made our day providing  us FANpit passes,” Kunal Sharma wrote.

    Last month, Diljit Dosanjh made history by becoming the first South Asian artist to appear on the cover of Billboard Magazine. Known for blending Punjabi folk music with rap and hip-hop, Dosanjh will be featured on the cover of the first-ever print edition of Billboard UK, which will be released in December.

    Despite controversy over unpaid dancers during his Dil-Luminati tour, it has proved to be one of the most successful so far by any South Asian artist. The special edition of Billboard will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from the tour, shared by his manager, Sonali Singh, according to Billboard.