Author: newsdesk

  • Sandeep Lamichhane gets clean chit in rape case

    Sandeep Lamichhane gets clean chit in rape case

    Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has got a clean chit in a rape case, making him available to play for his country in the T20 World Cup 2024.

    In September 2023, the Nepal Cricket Association suspended Lamichhane from the team after he was accused of raping an 18-year-old girl.

    On January 2024, Sandeep was sentenced to eight years in prison, while a fine of Rs300,000 (three lacs) was also imposed on him. Subsequently, he challenged the court’s decision in the High Court, stressing that he was innocent.

    Now a two-judge bench has overturned the Kathmandu District Court’s verdict that had sentenced the 23-year-old to eight years in prison, citing lack of evidence in the case. As he has now been declared innocent, he will be available for selection in Nepal’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA starting from June 1.

  • Faisal Vawda demands ‘evidence’ of interference in judicial matters

    Faisal Vawda demands ‘evidence’ of interference in judicial matters

    Independent Senator Faisal Vawda has criticised judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for their letter accusing spy agencies of interfering in judicial matters, saying we should stop targeting institutions.

    “Stop targeting the institutions, enough is enough. If there is any interference by institutions, then provide evidence, and we will stand together [against it],” said the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader during a press conference. 

    Vawda’s remarks came after he filed an application to ask the IHC registrar about revealing the exchange of a letter between former IHC chief justice Athar Minallah and IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar regarding Justice Sattar’s green card.

    The senator wrote a letter, mentioning the social media campaigns against Justice Babar Sattar, accusing him of holding dual nationality and business interests in a private school in the country.

    “A press release was issued that said Justice Sattar is Pakistani, but I didn’t get a reply. CJP Qazi Faez Isa, under Article 19, ordered that every Pakistani can get an answer,” he said.

    The former PTI leader stated that judges should be transparent and away from accusations.

    Vawda stressed that the accusations made by the IHC judges kept mentioning the names of agencies repeatedly. “Give evidence, and we will stand beside you,” he added.

  • Imran Khan gets bail in £190 million settlement case

    Imran Khan gets bail in £190 million settlement case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday approved founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s bail plea in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) settlement reference.

    A two-member bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, heard the petition and reserved the verdict a day earlier.

    The IHC said in its order today to release the former prime minister against surety bonds of Rs 1 million.

    The verbal orders were announced today in open court; however, the detailed verdict will be issued later.

    On the other hand, the PTI founder can’t be released until the suspension of his sentence in cipher and iddat cases.

    The former prime minister has been facing multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism, since being ousted via a no-confidence motion in April 2022.

  • Court acquits Khan in two May 9 vandalism cases

    Court acquits Khan in two May 9 vandalism cases

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was cleared of charges in two cases related to vandalism on May 9.

    Judicial Magistrate Sahib Bilal issued the acquittal order for the former prime minister.

    Both cases against Khan were filed at the Khanna police station in Islamabad.

    The Judicial Magistrate approved Khan’s acquittal plea due to insufficient evidence in the cases against him.

    The cases were registered against the PTI founder in 2022 for  long march and violation of Article 144.

  • Faysal Qureshi reveals his favorite co-stars

    Faysal Qureshi reveals his favorite co-stars

    During an appearance on Nida Yasir, Danish Nawaz, and Yasir Nawaz’s show, ‘Nadan Maizban,’ actor Faysal Qureshi shared which actors he wants to work with again. When asked who he thinks he has the best on-screen chemistry with, the Bashar Momin actor quickly said, “I always enjoy working with Naumaan Ijaz.” He also admitted, “I get intimidated acting opposite Naumaan.”

    Talking about his female co-stars, Faysal said, “I enjoyed working with Zara Noor Abbas. I only did two scenes with her because she didn’t continue with that drama.” He added, “Madiha Imam joined the team, and I saw Zara’s acting. She was amazing. Madiha is also very good.”

    Qureshi mentioned other talented actors he’s worked with. “I worked with Ushna Shah in Bashar Momin and Bheegi Palkain, and she was brilliant. Iqra Aziz is phenomenal. Sajal is excellent. Faryal Mehmood is also very good.”

    During the same interview, Faysal said he enjoys comedies more than other genres. He explained, “Coincidentally, all three of my ongoing dramas have me playing a negative character. If I play too much of the same thing, I stop enjoying it. I think comedy feels like a paid vacation. Serious characters can be draining.”

    Faysal also shared how he keeps his personal and acting life separate, especially after playing intense roles. He said, “By the time I go home, I’ve already forgotten the day’s dialogues and I don’t know the next day’s either. If we need to reshoot scenes, the set assistants remind me that we just shot the same scene yesterday, but I don’t remember. I still ask to read the script.”

  • Bid submission date for outsourcing Islamabad Airport extended again

    Bid submission date for outsourcing Islamabad Airport extended again

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has once again extended the deadline for outsourcing Islamabad Airport.

    According to ARY, the government aims to raise funds by outsourcing airport services, so the deadline is now extended by two months, until July 15. The CAA mentioned that companies from Turkey, Qatar, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries have shown interest in the project.

    CAA first announced the tender in March with deadline of May 15. But the deadline has been extend due to a lack of interest from potential bidders for outsourcing the airport.

    Before this, the federal government asked for applications to outsource Islamabad International Airport for 15 years. The Civil Aviation Authority told interested bidders to submit their applications with a Rs5,000 fee by November 8.

    The government also plans to outsource Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad International Airports.

    The Employee Unions of the CAA are against the decision to outsource Pakistan airports.

  • Sachin Tendulkar’s security guard allegedly shoots himself

    Sachin Tendulkar’s security guard allegedly shoots himself

    Former Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s VIP security guard Parkash allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself.

    According to Indian media, 39-year-old Prakash shot himself in the neck with his official gun. He was on vacation when he committed suicide, leaving behind parents, a wife and two young children.

    Senior Police Inspector Kiran Shinde of the local police station said that the incident took place around 1:30 pm today. Investigations are on to find out the reasons behind the alleged suicide.

  • Punjab Cabinet says ‘undue interference’ by institutions unacceptable

    Punjab Cabinet says ‘undue interference’ by institutions unacceptable

    The Punjab cabinet, on Tuesday, made a strong statement that it would not accept any ‘undue interference’ in the government’s authority by another institution.

    Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over the meeting and made it clear that the Punjab government believes in harmony between state institutions, but unfair interference in the executive authority was unacceptable.

    This statement came after the Lahore High Court passed a ruling to extend the stay order against the distribution of electric motorcycles by Maryam Nawaz among students.

    “It is the responsibility of all of us to uphold the sanctity of our office by exercising our powers within the constitutional limits,” Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the cabinet.

  • Australian doctor, after a year of experimental treatment, is cancer-free

    Australian doctor, after a year of experimental treatment, is cancer-free

    Australian doctor Richard Scolyer is cancer-free after undergoing the world-first treatment for a brain tumor based on his own pioneering research.

    BBC reported about his self-treatment journey earlier this year and called it a “gamble” as the detected cancer was in its fourth stage. It was so aggressive that most patients survived less than a year.

    The 57-year-old underwent experimental therapy based on his own research on melanoma, a type of cancer that starts in the skin.

    Dr. Scolyer, went ahead with the treatment, aided by his colleague and friend Professor Georgina Long. Both are co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia.

    The team used a treatment based on immunotherapy, which teaches the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells.

    Dr. Scolyer also became the first to be administered a vaccine personalised to his tumour’s characteristics.

    After a tough couple of months, at the start of the year – spent dealing with epileptic seizures, liver issues, and pneumonia, Dr. Scolyer says he is feeling healthier.

    The results so far have generated huge excitement that the duo may be on the cusp of a discovery that could one day help roughly 300,000 people, who aer diagnosed with brain cancer globally every year.

  • Gold prices rebound, increasing by Rs2,900 per tola

    Gold prices rebound, increasing by Rs2,900 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable turnaround on Wednesday, bouncing back after a downward trend observed over the past three sessions.

    This resurgence coincided with a global uptick in gold rates. In local markets, the price of gold per tola surged to Rs244,000, marking a substantial single-day increase of Rs2,900.

    According to data provided by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of 10 grammes of gold reached Rs209,191 following a rise of Rs2,487.

    Internationally, the price of gold also witnessed a rise during the day. APGJSA reported an international rate of $2,365 per ounce, with an additional premium of $20, reflecting an increase of $28.

    In contrast, silver prices remained steady at Rs2,650 per tola.

    Notably, the local gold market had reached a record high last month, with prices hitting Rs252,200 per tola.

    This positive turn comes after a decrease of Rs1,200 per tola observed on Tuesday in the gold prices in Pakistan.