Author: newsdesk

  • No ban on reporting, court assures journalists

    No ban on reporting, court assures journalists

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has clarified that court reporting is not banned and assured journalists that they can do it but must avoid “irresponsible reporting.”

    The IHC, in a significant move, announced its stance during a hearing of a case challenging the petition of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) ban on broadcasting court proceedings on news channels.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said in a statement that media organizations are free to cover court proceedings but should avoid irresponsible reporting.

    Pemra submitted its reply during the hearing.

    Meanwhile, the court asked additional attorney general about the potential involvement of federal government in the matter. “This is Pemra’s matter, not the federal government’s,” he responded.

    Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, one of the petitioner’s counsel, stated that Pemra’s law does not restrict reporting on pending cases.

    After that, IHC adjourned the hearing till June 11.

  • Complaint registered against ‘bad mannered’ Ambani wedding in Italy

    Complaint registered against ‘bad mannered’ Ambani wedding in Italy

    Ananat Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding events are making waves on social media but locals and police in Portofino were enraged by the loud music and bad manners on display by the wedding party.

    While the wedding is set to take place in July, Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in Asia, booked the whole Italian village of Portofino and took over 800 guests there for a four-day cruise.

    While the guests must have enjoyed the luxury, locals, and tourists who were stopped from accessing the main attractions were less than thrilled and took to social media to voice their disappointment.

    “Many billionaires have come to party here, but no one has ever taken away access to the main part of the city. Who do they think they are? They can’t just come in and throw their party and make it difficult for people to do their daily chores,” Express Tribune quoted an angry local.

    Another News source reported that a number of complaints were registered to the police as the cruise pulled into the port of Genoa and pumped out loud music until dawn.
    The manager of the Puny restaurant in Genoa refused to serve lobster sandwiches to the party-goers despite an offer of 10,000 euros, stating that he found their behaviour to be “offensive, bad-mannered and incorrect.”

    “I have my customers and an illustrious history to protect,” added Andrea Miroli, the manager at the restaurant.

    The pre-wedding celebration had a long list of guests, including Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Jeff Bezos, and world-renowned Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli.

  • Gold price in Pakistan drops by Rs400 per tola despite global surge

    Gold price in Pakistan drops by Rs400 per tola despite global surge

    On Wednesday, the price of gold in Pakistan saw a decrease, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs240,600 per tola, marking a Rs400 drop per tola. This decline in gold prices reflects a broader trend tied to the reduced purchasing power of consumers.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported that the price of 24-karat gold per 10 grammes also fell, reaching Rs206,276, a decrease of Rs343. Similarly, 22-karat gold experienced a drop, now priced at Rs189,086 per 10 grammes.

    While gold prices declined, silver prices remained stable in the domestic market. The price of 24-karat silver stood unchanged at Rs2,820 per tola and Rs2,418 per 10 grammes.

    On the international stage, spot gold traded near $2,331 an ounce, a modest increase of $2.5 or 0.11 per cent from the previous session, reflecting the dynamic nature of global precious metal markets.

    The sustained decrease in local gold prices, despite global fluctuations, underscores the economic challenges faced by consumers in Pakistan, influencing their ability to invest in gold.

  • Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelby in ‘Peaky Blinders’ film

    Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelby in ‘Peaky Blinders’ film

    Cillian Murphy, Oscar-winning actor who played Thomas Shelby in the superhit series Peaky Blinders, will star in a new Netflix movie based on the show. The film, also called Peaky Blinders, will be directed by Tom Harper and produced in partnership with BBC Films. Filming is set to start later this year, but the plot and additional cast members have not been announced yet.

    Murphy said, “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me. … It is very gratifying to be recollaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of ‘Peaky Blinders.’ This is one for the fans.”

    Tom Harper, who is directing the upcoming ‘Peaky Blinders’ film, said: “When I first directed ‘Peaky Blinders’ over 10 years ago, we didn’t know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. ‘Peaky’ has always been a story about family – and so it’s incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.”
    Steven Knight, who produced the ‘Peaky Blinders’ television series, wrote the film’s script and is producing it alongside Guy Heeley, Cillian Murphy, and Caryn Mandabach.

    For the role he played of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the US physicist who designed the atomic bomb, Murphy received his first Oscar for Best Actor, closing a dazzling awards season that also saw him win a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and other honors.

  • Reduction of sentence for Punjab prisoners expected on Eid ul Azha

    Reduction of sentence for Punjab prisoners expected on Eid ul Azha

    The Interior Ministry of Punjab has prepared a summary to reduce punishment and release prisoners on Eid-ul-Azha. The summary, prepared by the Home Department, will be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval.

    Male prisoners over 70, female prisoners over 60, and women incarcerated with children under five will benefit from the leverage. As per the summary, prisoners must have completed two-thirds of their sentence and be required to have good conduct for commutation and release.

    Secretary of Interior Punjab Noor Ul Amin Mengal visited the Central Jail Lahore, where he inspected the jail kitchen, hospital, prisoner barracks, and industrial and vocational center.

    The Secretary ordered that food be provided to the prisoners per the rules of hygiene.

    Previously, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz announced the remission of sentences for those imprisoned in Punjab jails and the release of 155 of them on payment of diyat (blood money) on their behalf by philanthropists. She visited Kot Lakhpat jail and had a luncheon with the female prisoners.

  • ‘Talent isn’t enough’: Shaheera Albasit opens up about nepotism in the industry

    ‘Talent isn’t enough’: Shaheera Albasit opens up about nepotism in the industry

    Actress Shaheera Jalil Albasit recently spoke about the prevalence of favouritism and nepotism in the country’s entertainment industry.

    In an interview with ‘Something Haute,’ she shared her personal experiences with the issues.”Favouritism, nepotism, everything exists in the industry. It is there,” Albasit said, highlighting the widespread nature of these practices.

    When asked if she had personal experiences with favouritism and nepotism, she admitted, “I have, especially at the beginning of my career, when I used to go for auditions, I would feel that.”

    However, she noted that it can be difficult to pinpoint specific instances, as they often operate within the boundaries of industry rules and regulations. “But one cannot deny the privilege of nepotism. It simply means you are facilitated with all the resources since childhood, even if you don’t want them,” she explained.

    “But I’ve also realized that this industry is very cut-throat and often hard work and effort of an individual take over their talent and all the other factors. So one must accustom oneself accordingly and if you have decided to join this industry, just be prepared to give your all to it to prove your mettle,” the actor concluded.

    Currently, Albasit is starring in the popular drama serial ‘Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet’ alongside Iqra Aziz and Hamza Sohail.

  • FIA arrests social activist Sarim Burney from Karachi

    FIA arrests social activist Sarim Burney from Karachi

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested social activist Sarim Burney from Karachi on charges of human trafficking, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

    Authorities apprehended him when he landed in Karachi from a tour to the United States (US) of America. A source in FIA revealed that authorities arrested Burney on a complaint by the US government.

    Sarim Burney allegedly adopted 25 children and illegally smuggled them to the US, the FIA source added.
    The source claimed that the FIA has started an investigation into the matter.

    The activist runs the Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, a non-profit trust “representing the oppressed and less privileged population”, according to the organisation’s website.

    As per the website, the trust provides “legal services for child abuse, harassment, sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence, violation of human rights, workers compensation rights and other serious crimes.”

  • Mohsin Naqvi meets Pope Francis

    Mohsin Naqvi meets Pope Francis

    Interior Minister of Pakistan Mohsin Naqvi on June 4 met the head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis at the Vatican City during his European visit.

    The minister received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Vatican City. The News reported that both leaders discussed ways to promote peace, brotherhood, interfaith harmony, and dialogue.

    The Pope conveyed a message of peace to the people of Pakistan and also mentioned that the Prime Minister of Pakistan had sent him an invitation to visit the country, stating, “I will try to visit Pakistan”.

    He also expressed concerns over the situation in Palestine and stressed that interfaith dialogue is essential for resolving issues.

    Naqvi thanked the Pope for his stance on Palestine and praised his services in promoting global peace and harmony.

  • Security guard shot dead TikToker for making video on Pak-India match

    Security guard shot dead TikToker for making video on Pak-India match

    A security guard in Karachi shot dead a TikToker for filming in Sakhi Hasan Sarena Mobile Market on Tuesday.

    According to Express News, the body of TikToker Saad Ahmed was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for an autopsy. The deceased was a father of two children. He was currently unemployed but was trying vlogging for a living.

    According to the police, security guard Ahmed Gul was arrested, and his weapon was seized.

    As per reports, Gul initially, asked Saad not to shoot the video, but when he continued to do so, the guard shot him at close range. Saad Ahmed died on the spot.

    A shopkeeper in the vicinity told the media that the person who was shot was making a video of the shopkeepers and other people in the market to ask their opinion about the India-Pakistan cricket match on June 9. It is not known what led to the firing, but while talking to the shopkeepers in the market, the TikToker’s behavior was good and they did not see anything offensive.

    Saad’s friend in the hospital said, “Saad Ahmed was very friendly and helpful to people. He was doing vlogging due to lack of a job, while he had also applied for jobs in various institutions. He was the only son of the deceased parents and had started TikTok and Vlogging a few months back.”

    Footage of the incident also surfaced online in which the security guard can be seen shooting Saad Ahmed.

  • ‘Punjabis must stop being ashamed of their language’: Abdullah Sultan

    ‘Punjabis must stop being ashamed of their language’: Abdullah Sultan

    Anchor and journalist Abdullah Sultan recently appeared as a guest on ‘Masarrat Misbah show.’
    Where he discussed how Punjabi parents restrict their children from speaking in their own tongue and how Punjabis do not own their language.

    Abdullah said that “Pakhtoon kids speak Pashto while Sindhi kids speak Sindhi with pride and never feel embarrassed about their mother tongue.”

    He also said, “Punjabis should take pride in their language, as it is the medium of some of the most beautiful poetry and music. Children should be encouraged to learn and speak their mother tongue, using it to communicate with each other and celebrate their cultural heritage.”