Author: newsdesk

  • Imran Khan to get bail within three months, predicts Najam Sethi

    Imran Khan to get bail within three months, predicts Najam Sethi

    Political commentator Najam Sethi has predicted that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, will get bail within three months.

    Appearing on Samaa News Najam Sethi stated on Thursday that former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will be in his home in Zaman Park or Bani Gala within the next three months.

    In response to the programme host Ayesha Naz’s question whether Khan would remain under house arrest or not, Najam Sethi stated that “there is no issue of Imran Khan being in house arrest, he will be free.”

    It may be noted here that former PM Imran Khan was arrested on August 5 last year from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case and has been in jail since then on multiple charges. 

    Imran Khan’s party had orchestrated protests in Pakistan’s heart, Islamabad, which resulted in multiple casualties.

     
    Referring to the PTI’s recent protest march towards the federal capital, Sethi said, “It was his [Imran Khan] last public card; he [Imran Khan] won’t t be able to use the public card for the next three to four months, and [Khan] knows that.”

    Responding to the PTI’s next probable march to the federal capital, Najam Sethi maintained that there would be “no long march for at least one year towards Islamabad.”

    Najam Sethi observed that by the time the grand operation started on Tuesday night, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur advised former First Lady Bushra Bibi to leave the federal capital.

    “Bushra Bibi was scared; her guards disappeared, and then she decided to leave the federal capital,” Sethi added.

    Furthermore, Najam Sathi reiterated that the federal government had helped CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s spouse to escape from the scene.

    Earlier, PTI sources told Geo News that prior to the Tuesday night grand operation on PTI demonstrators, the government facilitated Bushra Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur to escape from Islamabad.

    On Tuesday night (November 26), security forces launched a grand operation at D Chowk to disperse the protestors, leading to multiple casualties.

    Reportedly, prior to the operation, markets in all nearby areas were closed, and streetlights were also turned off; the operation was completed within two and a half hours, leading to the arrest of more than 500 protesters from D-Chowk and its nearby areas.

  • How much will PCB get from hosting the Champions Trophy?

    How much will PCB get from hosting the Champions Trophy?

    Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, but do you know how much money the country will get to host the mega event?

    According to reports, Pakistan will get $6 million for hosting rights to the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan will also have to pay $1.2 to $1.3 million as a premium to the insurance company to insure the tournament. Pakistan will get more dollars from gate money and hospitality, thus deducting the insurance amount and getting about $6 million.

    The ICC provides Pakistan with two instalments of $13 million from its income every year in January and July, while India gets 38 per cent of the annual share of ICC income, which is $90 to $95 million.

    An important International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting will be held today regarding the hosting of the Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan.

    A few hours before the decisive meeting for the future of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was in Dubai on an emergency basis since Thursday, where he held important talks with ICC CEO Jeff  Allardyce and top officials to inform them of Pakistan’s firm stance.

    Naqvi made Pakistan’s position clear to the ICC that the government has banned us from the hybrid model, so India will have to come to Pakistan. If the ICC wants to move forward, it should bring a new proposal in the best interest of cricket and member countries. Discussing the hybrid model proposal with Pakistan in the meeting will be a waste of time.

    Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear to the ICC that the Pakistan Board is firm on its stance regarding the Champions Trophy and that they will bear the scars and not allow themselves to be dishonoured.

    The ICC has not yet been able to announce the new schedule for the Champions Trophy due to Indian stubbornness, which is also worrying broadcasters, who fear a loss of millions of dollars.

    The ICC has called a board meeting for Friday, November 29. An ICC spokesperson has confirmed that this meeting will be held online, and the agenda has been sent to all board members.

    The scheduling and future of the Champions Trophy will be considered during the meeting, and various options for the Champions Trophy will be discussed.

    The PCB also told the ICC that if a formula is devised to play matches with India at a neutral venue, Pakistan will never go to India to play.

    On the other hand, according to a report by the cricket website Cricinfo, the option of holding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan without India may be discussed in the ICC board meeting. The choice of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy will also be addressed, in which most of the events will be played in Pakistan, but India’s matches will be held in another country.

    According to the cricket website, the board meeting will also discuss the proposal to hold the entire tournament in another country, with PCB as the host. However, the chances of a “minus India” formula are low due to commercial value.

    The PCB has already discussed the “minus India” proposal based on past examples.

  • Hareem Farooq opens up about battle with psoriasis

    Hareem Farooq opens up about battle with psoriasis


      
     What happens when a celebrated actress faces a skin disease while shooting a role that demands beauty and perfection? Actress and producer Hareem Farooq’s journey in Bismil reveals not just her character’s complexities, but also her own personal battle with psoriasis.
     

    In a recent interview with BCC Urdu, she discussed her role in the drama. 
     
    “I developed a skin condition called ‘Psoriasis’ during the shoot which caused red spots to appear on my face and other part of my body. The scars on my face may not look appealing to everyone, but they will encourage others who suffer from the same condition,” she said.  

    Psoriasis is a condition where the skin cells grow too quickly, causing red, scaly patches on the skin. 

    When asked about her physical transformation, the 22 Qadam actress shared that she initially considered losing weight before shooting Bismil.  


     

    “Before shooting started, I was going through a difficult phase in my life, which caused me to gain weight. I thought about losing it but eventually gave up. I had the option to delay the shoot by months, but I chose not to, I decided to shoot with the weight I had,” Hareem Farooq stated. 


       
    When asked about her work in the industry, Hareem explained, “Pakistan doesn’t have a film industry, so the same actors work in both films and dramas. All the other Pakistan actors, including me, work in films out of passion. If the country had a film industry, we won’t have to work in dramas.”


    Earlier, in a recent interview with Something haute hosted by Hassan Choudhary, Hareem Farooq talked about her role in Bismil.


     

    Hareem Farooq said, “When I first discussed the role of ‘Masooma’ in Bismil, my primary focus was to align it with the director’s vision. I always asked the director [Aehsun Talish], ‘How do you see this character?’ I wanted to ensure we were on the same page.”


    “The director described Masooma as someone who acts out of innocence, not malice. This resonated with me because I believe people are rarely inherently evil. Their experiences shape their actions. Masooma’s impulsive decisions reflect innocence… where she doesn’t consider long-term consequences… a characteristic I find relatable in real life,” the Bismil actress explained.

    Talking about Masooma’s intentions, Hareem shared, “I wouldn’t call her a gold digger because it wasn’t just about money. She was also running after security, wanting power, wanting change in her life. She wanted that lifestyle for herself. It’s a very selfish manner, but she cared about securing her future. Once she has something in her grasp, she won’t let go. I think Masooma’s relationship with TT [Nauman Ijaz] is more than just that of a gold digger… she is a selfish person, but not just running after money.

  • Death toll in Kurram surpasses 100

    Death toll in Kurram surpasses 100

    Clashes in Kurram Agency have claimed more than 100 lives as of Thursday. 

     

     

    Despite a ceasefire agreement between the parties, reports suggest that sporadic attacks between tribes have been happening in the border region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

     

     

    The clashes entered the second week today as one person was killed in Ghozghari, Upper Kurram, while gunfights continued in Ghozgahri, Matasangar, Maqbal and Kunj Alizai areas.

     


    A mortar shell also hit the Bassu Camp of Frontier Constabulary (116 Wing) in Upper Kurram, injuring two FC personnel.

     


    On November 24, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the parties in Kurram after the intervention of government and tribal officials. 

     

     

    Information Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Saif, claimed on Sunday that the two sides had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire in addition to returning the hostages and bodies of dead, but local police says that clashes between different tribes have not stopped.

     


    However, the exchange of prisoners and dead bodies has been completed, according to Dawn.

     

     

    Local tribal leaders, including an ex-MNA, handed over the four female and a male hostage to the Kurram Militia in the presence of the wing commander and Lower Kurram Assistant Commissioner. 

     


    Similarly, one of the warring parties handed over the dead bodies of victims to the district administration, which was later given to the relatives.

     


    Clashes have been going on intermittently for 8 days. The number of lives claimed so far has reached 110, while the number of injured has surpassed 150.

     

     

    According to the district administration, the Peshawar-Parachinar main highway has been closed for the last 8 days after an attack was reported on the convoy of 200 vehicles.

     

    Initially, 44 deaths were reported, but now the toll has reached 52.

     

     

    Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud says that trade with Afghanistan at the Kharlachi border has also been suspended due to the closure of the main highway.

     

     

    Talking to BBC Urdu, Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud says that various steps are underway to establish peace, and a Grand Peace Jirga is being sent to the area for negotiations.

     

     

    Additionally, due to the tense situation, internet and mobile phone services have also been suspended, which is why people are facing severe difficulties.

     

     

    National Assembly Member from the area, Hameed Hussain, has warned that the conflict would expand across the country if steps were not taken to stop these armed clashes.

  • Reema Khan marks 13 Years of marriage with grand event in Washington DC

    Reema Khan marks 13 Years of marriage with grand event in Washington DC

    A grand and colorful ceremony to mark the 13th wedding anniversary of famous Pakistani actress Reema Khan and Dr. Tariq Shahab was held in the US capital, Washington DC on Monday, 25 November, 2024.

     

    The event was attended by various important personalities, including the Pakistani ambassador.

     


    Reema Khan and her cardiologist husband, Tariq Shahab, were married on November 22, 2011.

     

     A large number of Pakistani and American friends attended the wedding anniversary ceremony.


    Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, and his wife Lubna Sheikh, were present there as well as famous American businessman Seeman and his wife Iram, renowned decorator Fakhra Khalid and their friends, TCF Coordinator for America Shami Kidwai, and Shakeel Kidwai.

     


    Other notable attendees included Sindh Health Minister Saad Khalid Niaz’s sister Shahab Saima Naz; prominent anesthesiologist Dr. Talha Siddiqui of Washington, DC; prominent businessman Shafqat Chaudhry of Washington, DC, and his wife Sarwat Shafqat; Dr. Saba Nawab and Dr. Habib Chotani; Asifa Butt and Dr. Zahid Butt of Medi Solo.

     


    A family relative Shahnoor Khan, who came from Hyderabad, India, to attend Reema Khan’s birthday party, was present at the ceremony with his family. Most of the attendees described the event as the “most charming ceremony.”

    On Instagram, she posted a picture and wrote a caption: ‘A good marriage is built on trust, respect, and love, where both husband and wife nurture a strong and meaningful relationship. It’s about supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, celebrating each other’s successes, and growing together as partners and friends. They create a foundation for happiness, peace, and a shared journey filled with beautiful memories. Here’s to cherishing and building these bonds every single day. ❤️❤️’”

     

    Earlier, Actor Reema Khan has joyfully reunited with her husband Dr Syed Tariq Sahab as he came back from Doha and shed light on the ‘disturbing’ situation of Afghan refugees.

    “Thank God my husband is back from Doha safe and sound. However what he told me about the refugees is very disturbing,” wrote the Nikkah star adding, “Infants, toddlers, pregnant women and elderly had to stand in 105 degree for hours to get on the plane.”

     

    Reema continued, “Although I am relieved that he is back home, but it perturbs me to know that the Afghan refugees were worried and distressed, not to know where they were headed and what their future holds.”

     

    Reema’s husband was in Doha, to help and take care of Afghan refugees who left the country after the Taliban took over.

  • Three people I know were killed in the PTI protest in Islamabad: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Three people I know were killed in the PTI protest in Islamabad: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    In an interesting development, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while appearing on a Dawn News program, revealed, “I personally know about three people who were killed by bullet injuries in PTI protests, two of whom are from my constituency.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) official page on X (formerly Twitter) shared the interview on November 28 as the party claims that security forces opened fire on protestors leading to multiple fatalities – a claim the government wholly denies.

    Abbasi’s revelation however came as a surprise as he criticised the government for the “extreme use of force” on the protestors warning that “one day they would all have to pay for this violence.”

    Journalist Arifa Noor asked Abbasi about the general perception being created by the state highlights the deaths of only security officials in the protests but not any civilians.

    Abbasi replied: “Tell the mother or father of that innocent civilian who lost his life in the protest that your son is alive. Unjust death is martyrdom. I personally know about three people who were killed by bullet injuries in PTI protests, two of whom are from my constituency. Their funeral prayers were offered yesterday.”

    The journalist remained stunned after Abbasi’s revelation and asked whether the families received the dead bodies, Abbasi replied: “Yes, they received the bodies as their funerals were offered. Look, it’s really strange that the government had to fire bullets at night when the area was in complete darkness. Were they attacked? They cannot justify open firing at the protestors in the federal capital, no less.”

    “I could even understand security forces firing at some violent protestors in the daytime. Even that is unjust and unacceptable. For the sake of an argument, I could understand that in the daytime, maybe a violent protestor attacked a security official and they killed that protestor. But they fired the bullets in complete darkness, what was the motive behind this policy? They had shut down electricity in the area deliberately,” remarked Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.


    “After killing the people, the government is doubling down and beating its chest that no one apart from the security officials has been killed. One day, they will have to accept what they’ve done,” said the former PML-N leader.

    It is worth mentioning that during the PTI’s tenure, corruption cases were lodged against then PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the Pakistan-Qatar LNG deal of 2015. 

    In 2024, NAB withdrew the cases against Abbasi and Miftah Ismail. Abbasi spent 138 days in jail before the first formal charge was brought against him. Miftah Ismail was in jail for 118 days when the first interim charge sheet was filed against all the accused.

  • VIDEO: ‘Salman Akram Raja resigned after Bushra Bibi abused him’

    VIDEO: ‘Salman Akram Raja resigned after Bushra Bibi abused him’

    Journalist Kashif Abbasi has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja resigned after wife of party founder Imran Khan and former first lady, Bushra Bibi, hurled abuses at him among other party leaders.

     

    Raja had on Thursday afternoon tendered his resignation to party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan citing “personal reasons”. The party chief had confirmed the receipt of resignation; however, he had said that the same had not yet been accepted.

     

    During his show later in the day, Abbasi claimed that the resignation came after the former first lady “humiliated and dishonoured” PTI leadership, “calling them bayghairat [shameless] and vultures seven times” in an earlier meeting. She once again used those words for party bigwigs in a meeting following the abrupt end to PTI’s Islamabad protests, the journalist added.

     

     

    Claiming this was the reason behind Raja’s resignation as well as discontent among senior leaders of the party, Abbasi also quoted Raja as saying that he was “not accountable to any family member of Imran Khan”.

     

    Meanwhile, journalist Shahzeb Khanzada claimed that Bushra’s behaviour was also the reason behind Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Sahibzada Hamid Raza’s resignation from the PTI core and political committees.

     

    Reports also quoted sources within the PTI as saying that Bushra’s insistence on marching towards D-Chowk was what led to party’s humiliation amid strong resistance from law enforcement. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur did not want to advance past Kulsoom Hospital but the former first lady kept insisting, they said.

     

    Speaking to a private media outlet, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat confirmed the claim. “The KP CM was stressed out as he did not want to proceed beyond the Kulsoom Hospital limit. He was not in favour of marching towards D-Chowk […] He even visited Bushra’s vehicle twice,” he said.

     

    The developments come following Tuesday night’s grand operation against PTI demonstrators in the federal capital. The crackdown prompted CM Gandapur and the former first lady to fall back and flee to KP where PTI is in power.


    Prior to the operation, the two had led a mammoth convoy to Islamabad, demanding the release of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan. Convoys led by the duo as well as other leaders of the party met with heavy resistance from law enforcement.


    With the three-day protests turning violent, multiple casualties were also reported.


    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had on late Tuesday night addressed media to announce that the capital city had been cleared of protesters after a join operation by police and Rangers personnel.

  • Pak-India relationship like KMKT’s Mustafa and Adeel: Emmad Irfani

    Pak-India relationship like KMKT’s Mustafa and Adeel: Emmad Irfani

     
    In a recent interview with India Today, the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor opened up about the love and appreciation his work has received from across the border.


     
     
    The host, Sana Farzeen, asked, “Tell me, when you get such love from India for your project, how do you feel? When your work is so appreciated from the neighboring country, how do you feel?”
     


    Emmad Irfani replied, “I mean, for an entertainer, applause is the best form of encouragement. What more could a performer ask for?”
     
    The Jaan-e Jahan actor reflected on the relationship between Pakistan and India and described it in a unique way.


     
    “I always believe that the relationship between Pakistan and India is like Mustafa and Adeel. They are probably brothers, raised in the same house, have blood ties, but they don’t see eye to eye. Their relationship is just like that of brothers, a story we tell, going back in time,” Emmad Irfani said.


     
    The Jalan actor discussed the long and thoughtful journey behind the project (Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum), emphasizing the dedication that went into it.
     


    Irfani said, “As for how it all started, the shooting began last year, and I was tapped by Badar Mahmood much before that. It took a sweet time, and everything didn’t happen quickly. In fact, if you ask me, Badar Mahmood, our director, I think his journey took about two and a half to three years, from the idea to the writing, from casting to shooting, and finally the release. So, I think it was made with a lot of patience, a labor of love.”


    Emmad Irfani portrayed the character of Adeel in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. 


    “I’ve been to India twice, once I visited Delhi, and another time I came to Bombay. It feels like the same surroundings, the same vibe, and everything appears the same. So, thank you so much. I mean, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum has totally introduced me to an audience that was unaware of who I was. It’s really one of the proudest moments of my life. I came for Bridal Asia in Delhi in 2002, and I came for Bridal Waves in Bombay in 2004,” Emmad shared.


    Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum was written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Badar Mehmood.

  • New ECB rules restrict English players from PSL but allow IPL participation

    New ECB rules restrict English players from PSL but allow IPL participation

    The English Cricket Board (ECB) has banned its players from playing in any franchise league during the English domestic season.

    British media say that English cricketers cannot play in several leagues, including PSL, MCL, LPL and CPL. ECB’s decision will also affect the Pakistan Super League (PSL), to be held in April next year. However, ECB has given players an exemption from playing the India Premier League (IPL) in the new policy.

    Due to the Champions Trophy, PSL Season 9 window has been kept in April and May. The English county season also takes place in the same months. The ECB’s decision is likely to cause financial loss to players playing franchise cricket, and there is a fear that this decision may cause some players to leave red-ball cricket.

    ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould said, “We have to protect the dignity of our game and the strength of our cricket competitions. No player will be given a No Objection Letter (NOC) to participate in any other competitions during the English Vitality Blast and The Hundred League.”

    The ECB says that the decision will improve the quality of domestic cricket.

  • We will bear the wounds, but not let ourselves be dishonoured: Mohsin Naqvi’s blunt stand for Champions Trophy

    We will bear the wounds, but not let ourselves be dishonoured: Mohsin Naqvi’s blunt stand for Champions Trophy

    The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has taken an unapologetic stand in light of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s stance on hosting the Champions Trophy.

    Speaking on Geo News’ Geo Pakistan program, senior sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti revealed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi went to Dubai yesterday, where he spent a busy day at the ICC headquarters.

    “Mohsin Naqvi held one-on-one meetings with ICC officials. The PCB Chairman met ICC CEO Jeff  Allardyce and other officials, but many PCB officials in Lahore are unaware of his departure for Dubai,” he revealed.

    “Mohsin Naqvi presented Pakistan’s position sternly to the ICC officials and also outlined Pakistan’s legal stance regarding the Champions Trophy. He is still in Dubai today, where he will join the ICC board meeting via video link,” Bhatti added.

    “Voting in the ICC emergency meeting regarding the hosting of the Champions Trophy is the last option.

    “If we talk about the hybrid model, then undoubtedly, the most popular venue is Dubai, which is close to both Pakistan and India and has a large number of citizens from both countries. However, Pakistan is not considering this option at the moment. If such a situation arises, Mohsin Naqvi will consult the Pakistani government again and respond to the ICC,” he said.

    He also speculated that there is a possibility that a decision regarding the Champions Trophy may not be made in today’s meeting, and the matter will be deferred to the next meeting, during which Jay Shah will take over the ICC presidency.

    “Jay Shah will be expected to fulfil the requirements of justice, but obviously, he will not do so and will follow the policies of the BJP,” Bhatti said.

    The ICC board meeting will begin at 3 pm Pakistani time. This will be the last meeting of Greg Barclay as ICC Chairman.

    According to Geo, Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear to the ICC that the Pakistan Board is firm on its stance regarding the Champions Trophy and that they will bear the scars and not allow themselves to be dishonoured.

    The ICC has not yet been able to announce the new schedule for the Champions Trophy due to Indian stubbornness, which is also worrying broadcasters, who fear a loss of millions of dollars.

    The ICC has called a board meeting for Friday, November 29. An ICC spokesperson has confirmed that this meeting will be held online, and the agenda has been sent to all board members.

    The scheduling and future of the Champions Trophy will be considered during the meeting, and various options for the Champions Trophy will be discussed.

    The PCB also told the ICC that if a formula is devised to play matches with India at a neutral venue, Pakistan will never go to India to play.

    On the other hand, according to a report by the cricket website Cricinfo, the option of holding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan without India may be discussed in the ICC board meeting. The choice of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy will also be addressed, in which most of the events will be played in Pakistan, but India’s matches will be held in another country.

    According to the cricket website, the board meeting will also discuss the proposal to hold the entire tournament in another country, with PCB as the host. However, the chances of a “minus India” formula are low due to commercial value.

    The PCB has already discussed the “minus India” proposal based on past examples.