Author: newsdesk

  • Zainab Qayoom shares: ‘I’ve left my marriage plans in Allah’s hands’

    Zainab Qayoom shares: ‘I’ve left my marriage plans in Allah’s hands’

    Former supermodel Zainab Qayoom, also known as ZQ, has talked openly about marriage and happiness in a recent Ramadan show. The ex-model and host from Pakistan shared her honest thoughts on relationships, highlighting the importance of faith and being content with whatever life brings.

    During a chat with Nadia Khan and actor Aijaz Aslam, Zainab shared her views on finding love later in life. When asked about marriage, she spoke with a mix of self-reflection and faith in God’s plan. ‘I’ve left it to Allah,’ she said.

    Zainab talked more about her thoughts on marriage, saying that as you grow older, you become more used to your ways. “The older you get, you’re more set in your habits,” she explained. “It’s quite difficult. It’ll probably be a miracle.” She also mentioned that even though she might want it, she doesn’t want to feel bad about something that might not be meant for her. “I talk to God, I act, which I love, and I meet diverse, interesting people on sets. I’m happy,” she added.

    Talking about proposals, Zainab asked Aijaz if she seems unapproachable. She said, “I think my prayer has come true. I told Allah that I am not a good judge of character, keeping in mind my past record. I said, ‘Whatever You send should reach me, otherwise, let it go.’ It’s been thirteen years since my first divorce.” She stopped talking, accepting that this is how things have turned out for her so far. “I can’t go back in time,” Zainab concluded.

  • Emirates bans Usman Khan for five years

    The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has imposed a five-year ban on top-order batsman Usman Khan for violating their contract.

    In a statement issued by the UAE Cricket Board, it was said that Usman Khan misrepresented to the ECB and took advantage of the facilities, he was bound to play for the UAE but now he is not doing so.

    ECB had also given an annual contract to Usman Khan while he played as a local player of the Emirates in the recent ILT Twenty20.

    According to the ECB, Usman Khan violated the contract with it, as a result of which he will not be able to participate in any event under the UAE Board for five years.

    Usman Khan represented Multan Sultans in the PSL as an overseas player, after which the Pakistan Cricket Board included Usman Khan in the camp of the Pakistan team.

    After coming to the Pakistan camp, Usman Khan sent a notice to the UAE to terminate the agreement.

  • The hero cop who refused to surrender to militants

    According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) police, a police personnel deployed on the security of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) of Polio team was martyred in Ragzai, South Waziristan, KPK.

    LQAS is a global standard practice to check the efficacy of any immunization campaign conducted in the region. Since Polio campaigns are regularly implemented across the country, LQAS procedure is being conducted as well to check the quality of polio vaccination campaigns.

    Rahemullah Mehsud was surrounded by militants when they asked him to give up and lay down his weapons, however the brave son of the soil refused to surrender and said people of Waziristan would remember him as a coward if he did so and laid down his life in the line of duty. The story has been posted on X by journalist Iftikhar Firdous.

    According to KPK Police, during the last year, the number of martyred police personnel was 137 – a grim reminder of the country’s worsening security situation.

  • Stand Up Girl finale divides fans.

    Stand Up Girl finale divides fans.

    Green Entertainment’s famous drama serial, ‘Stand-up Girl’, has come to its end. Directed by Kashif Nisar, written by Awais Ahmad & Adeel Afzal, the series stars Sohail Ahmad, Zara Noor Abbas, Danyal Zafar, Saba Faisal, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saqib Sameer, Maira Saeed, and Adeel Afzal. The story revolves around stand-up comedian Zara, who falls in love with her friend Kabeer and decides to leave him.

    The last episode of the drama series ‘Stand-Up Girl,’ leaving fans disappointed with its conclusion.
    Many fans wanted Zara and Kabir to have a happy ending.

    But Zara decided to end things because Kabir’s sudden disappearance hurt her. Fans were sad because they expected the drama to end on a lighter note. Some liked the ending, saying Zara chose peace over betrayal. One person on social media said, “We shouldn’t trust rich brats like Kabir.” Fans loved the part where Nana Ji performed stand up show with Zara. They praised Zara Noor Abbas for her great acting and Danyal Zafar for his presence on screen.

  • Is PTI getting cozy with the establishment again?

    Is PTI getting cozy with the establishment again?

    Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Ali Amin Gandapur visited Corps Commander House Peshawar on an Iftar invitation and received a security briefing on the province from military officials.

    Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister KPK on Information, clarified to Geo News that it was an iftar invitation and denied rumors on social media that the provincial government held a cabinet meeting at Corps Commander House.

    After the Iftar, mutual discussion on the security situation was held between them.

    More importantly, according to Geo News, Imran Khan was apprised of the said meeting and taken into confidence. Imran Khan displayed complete trust in Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

    Party leadership, especially CM Gandapur, is being criticized by their devout followers on social media for attending this meeting.

  • UN survey forecasts modest growth for Pakistan’s GDP amid inflation projections

    UN survey forecasts modest growth for Pakistan’s GDP amid inflation projections

    Pakistan is projected to experience a real GDP growth rate of 2 per cent in 2024, with a slight increase to 2.3 per cent expected in 2025, according to a United Nations economic survey.

    The survey, titled ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2024: Boosting Affordable and Longer-term Financing for Governments,’ released on Thursday, also forecasts a decrease in the inflation rate from 26 per cent to 12.2 per cent in the same period.

    The report highlights the challenges faced by Pakistan’s economy in 2023, citing political unrest and a significant flood that disrupted agricultural production.

    To address fiscal pressures, Pakistan, along with Sri Lanka, sought external assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with additional support from bilateral partners such as China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

    Both countries are implementing fiscal adjustments, including debt restructuring in Sri Lanka and subsidy removal in Pakistan’s power sector.

    Despite moderate tax gaps in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the report suggests that improving tax policies and administration alone may not suffice to bridge development financing gaps, emphasising the need for broader improvements in socioeconomic development and public governance.

    The macroeconomic conditions in the developing Asia-Pacific region remain challenging, with a disparity in economic growth among different economies.

    While some larger economies experienced a rebound in economic growth, others saw only moderate growth in 2023. Pakistan’s GDP growth rate for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023–24 stood at a modest 1 per cent, below earlier projections ranging from 2–3 per cent.

  • Pakistan anticipates final IMF tranche approval in late April

    Pakistan anticipates final IMF tranche approval in late April

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its Executive Board meeting, anticipated for late April, is crucial for approving Pakistan’s final tranche of approximately $1.1 billion (SDR 828 million). 

    This sum represents the last portion of the $3-billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) initiated in June of the previous year.

    Julie Kozack, IMF Communication Director, revealed this information during a media briefing, highlighting the significance of the staff-level agreement reached on March 19 between IMF staff and Pakistani authorities. 

    This agreement, subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, acknowledges Pakistan’s strong program implementation by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the interim government, as well as the new government’s commitment to ongoing policy and reform endeavors aimed at transitioning Pakistan from stabilisation to robust, sustainable recovery.

    Kozack emphasised the improvement in Pakistan’s economic and financial position since the completion of the first review, with growth and confidence steadily rebounding. 

    Looking ahead, she mentioned the possibility of a successor IMF-supported program to address Pakistan’s fiscal and external stability challenges and foster inclusive growth, indicating the IMF’s readiness to engage in discussions with Pakistani authorities.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves witnessed a modest increase, reaching $8.04 billion as of March 29, although still considered low for an import-dependent economy, raising concerns about potential future pressure. 

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurganzeb has acknowledged the need for another IMF bailout, with discussions slated for the upcoming Spring meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and IMF scheduled for April 15-20, 2024, in Washington DC, where Aurangzeb is expected to lead Pakistan’s delegation.

  • ‘Didn’t mean to cause offence’, Adnan Siddiqui in sticky situation after ‘women like makhis’ comment, apologies

    ‘Didn’t mean to cause offence’, Adnan Siddiqui in sticky situation after ‘women like makhis’ comment, apologies

    Update: After the internet slammed Adnan Siddiqui’s comments comparing women to flies, the actor has issued an apology. In an Instagram story he said, “I regret any unintended offence. I hope to speak with greater clarity and sensitivity in the future.”

    Veteran TV actor Adnan Siddiqui has landed in hot waters due to a comment he made on a show, a statement perceived as misogynistic. As a guest on Nida Yasir’s show ‘Shan e Suhoor’, Adnan made a strange comment that made the host uncomfortable. Nida distanced herself from Adnan’s comment, but he stood by his words. “Women are like bees, the more you chase them, the further they’ll fly away, but when you sit calmly, they will come to you on their own.” He continued, “When I was trying to catch a bee, it wasn’t coming to my hand, but when I sat down calmly, it came and sat on me.”

    Notably, Siddiqui used the word ‘makhi’ that could mean a house fly or a honey bee.

    The Internet is reacting to the video and there is a lot of negative commentary on the video

  • Heat-wave coming in Punjab and Sindh

    Heat-wave coming in Punjab and Sindh

    The Meteorological Department has predicted that heat waves will hit the plains of Punjab and Sindh in coming days.

    Provincial Disaster Management Authority has cautioned that the plains of Punjab and Sindh will be effected by heat waves, especially big cities due to which there is a possibility of an increase in the intensity of heat this month.

    The spokesperson of the PDMA Punjab has said that the irrigation department has been informed about the situation.

    According to the spokesman, strong winds, dust storms, rain and hailstorms are also expected in April. There is a risk of flooding in rivers due to heavy rains in northern Punjab.

    In Sindh, heat intensity is likely to increase in most places.

    According to the Meteorological Department, the weather is likely to remain hot in most places in Sindh from April 7 to 9.

    Day temperatures in the upper and central areas of Sindh may reach 38 to 40 degrees celsius, while the temperature in lower Sindh is likely to be 36 to 38 degrees celsius.

    During April 7 to 9, temperature in Karachi can also reach 36 to 38 degrees celsius, says the Meteorological Department.

  • Nora Fatehi says early days in Bollywood were ‘painful’

    Nora Fatehi says early days in Bollywood were ‘painful’

    Nora Fatehi, the Canadian-born Bollywood actress and dancer who has shot to fame, reflected on her early days and struggles in Bollywood, describing them as “painful”.
    During a recent interview, Nora discussed the efforts she made to establish herself in the industry, and the challenges she faced during her initial days in India.

    “When I arrived in India, I had only 5,000 rupees, and at that time, I had no idea what 1,000 dollars meant. I used to live in an apartment with nine mentally ill girls, two of whom I shared a room with.”
    She alleged that the agencies through whom she wanted to enter the showbiz world were also involved in her harassment.
    “While living with nine girls in an apartment, I used to question myself about the difficult situation I had put myself in. Even today, those initial dreadful days still shock me,” she recalled.

    “In the beginning, talent hunting agencies made me work more and paid me less. I survived for a long time on just one egg and bread. It was one of the most difficult times for me. I also needed treatment after moving to India, but I did not have enough money to go to a good hospital for my treatment.”