Author: newsdesk

  • Hollywood star Will Smith is reading the Holy Quran

    Hollywood star Will Smith is reading the Holy Quran

    Hollywood superstar and Oscar winner has talked about finding comfort in spirituality and reading the Quran during tough times in the last two years. In a recent interview, the 55-year-old A-lidter shared that he’s fond of spiritual practices and faced challenges that made him reflect on his inner self.

    During this tough period, Smith explored various holy books, including the Quran.
    He said, “I read the Quran from cover to cover during the month of Ramazan this year.” Smith expressed admiration for the Quran’s simplicity and clarity, finding it easy to understand without confusion.
    He was particularly moved by the stories of Prophet Musa mentioned in the Quran. Smith highlighted the common thread running through different holy books, from the Torah to the Bible to the Quran, emphasizing their connection.
    Asked about how he raises his children, the American actor said, “My youngest son is now 23-years-old, and yet I am still working on raising them.

    “I thought that raising children would end at the age of 21, but it has just begun. All of my children are in their twenties, except for the eldest, who is 31.
    Their relationships have become more serious, and therefore they always need advice and help more than ever before.”
    Smith emphasized the importance of the concept that “every soul is responsible for itself” in the Quran, which he believes helps in raising his children and understanding them, as they will ultimately be responsible for themselves.
    Furthermore, Smith added that reading the Holy Book relieved him of his worries.

    Smith also expressed his love for Saudi Arabia. “I went on a tour of the NEOM project, saw the city of Jeddah, and made two trips to Riyadh and this was my third visit to Saudi Arabia. I enjoy my life here and feel like I belong here.”

  • Shehla Raza elected first woman president of Pakistan Hockey Federation

    Shehla Raza elected first woman president of Pakistan Hockey Federation

    Senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Member National Assembly (MNA) Syeda Shehla Raza has been elected President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

    Secretary PHF Haider Hussain called a meeting of the PHF Congress in Karachi today.

    Representatives of National Bank and Pakistan Customs also participated in the PHF Congress meeting. 54 out of 64 members participated in the Congress meeting.

    Shehla Raza has been unanimously elected as the president in the PHF Congress meeting. Shehla Raza was earlier serving as the Vice President of PHF. Apart from them, Shuja Iqbal Pasha was elected as Finance Secretary.

    The meeting of the second group of Hockey Federation will be held in Islamabad on Thursday under the chairmanship of Rana Mujahid.

  • Hassan, Hussain Nawaz are free from all cases

    Hassan, Hussain Nawaz are free from all cases

    The Accountability Court in Islamabad has taken a significant step in the cases involving Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    The court has acquitted them in the Flagship, Al-Azizia, and Avenfield cases, which are being handled by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    Earlier, the court also suspended the perpetual arrest warrants after the voluntary appearance of the brothers before the court after reaching Lahore on March 13.

    They were received by their father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at his residence, Jati Umrah.

    In addition to suspending the arrest warrants, the court also granted bail to Hassan and Hussain Nawaz. As part of the bail conditions, each of them had to provide bail bonds worth Rs50,000.

    Both suspects made their appearances in court to mark their attendance. The court has summoned the NAB for the following day regarding the bail applications of the brothers. Furthermore, the court has approved their request to appoint a pleader, and they have chosen Rana Muhammad Irfan for the task.

    This decision from the accountability court comes after seven years, ever since the warrants for the brothers were issued, declaring them absconders.

  • Another Khan debuting in Bollywood?

    Another Khan debuting in Bollywood?

    Arbaaz Khan, brother of superstar Salman Khan, recently talked about the rumors surrounding his son Arhaan Khan’s possible entry into the film industry, clarifying that the rumors are not true.

    Arbaaz revealed that although there have been talks about his son being launched in films by his brother Salman Khan, there is no truth to them. He emphasized that these are just rumors and nothing more.
    “I don’t know. They’re still rumors according to me. This news hasn’t reached my ears yet.”

    Arbaaz said that Arhaan is currently focusing on building his career and preparing himself for the future, “He is hardworking and dedicated, and I believe that with the right effort and a bit of luck, Arhaan will achieve success in the industry. He’s just a young boy. He’ll be 22 this year. He’s preparing himself for his future. He’s very hard working, sincere and dedicated. If all goes well, his focus is right and luck is on his side, I’m quite sure that he’ll make it because of his efforts.”

    Arbaaz Khan cleared the air about the rumors regarding his son’s film debut and expressed his support for Arhaan’s aspirations in the entertainment industry. He believes that with determination and dedication, Arhaan can achieve great things in his career.

  • Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hints at launching his new political party

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hints at launching his new political party

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has hinted at launching a new political party soon, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    “We are holding consultations and groundwork is in progress for a new political party,” he told the media while arriving for a NAB hearing. “The country needs a new political party,” he said.

    The senior politician requested that the president and prime minister abolish the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as it is necessary to save the country.

    “I don’t want withdrawal of cases against me but decision on all these cases,” he said.

    Abbasi also said on a question regarding his meet-up with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawab Sharif that “I am ready to meet him, when he will summon.”

  • Where is Nawaz Sharif traveling to very soon?

    Where is Nawaz Sharif traveling to very soon?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is set to travel to abroad next month, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    Reports indicate that Nawaz Sharif will go to Saudi Arabia to spend the last 10 days of Ramazan.

    After that, the former prime minister will travel to London for a routine medical checkup.

    However, he will return to Pakistan from London after a complete checkup.

    In October 2023, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif returned from London to Pakistan after self-imposed exile of almost four years.

  • Australia once again postpones Afghanistan series

    Australia once again postpones Afghanistan series

    Cricket Australia has once again postponed a series against Afghanistan. The T20I series between the two teams was scheduled for August this year.

    Cricket Australia has said in a statement on their official webstie, “We are postponing the bilateral series against Afghanistan. We have been in contact with their government over the past 12 months regarding the situation in Afghanistan.”

    Cricket Australia said, “We will continue to support the participation of women and girls, will be in touch with the ICC and the Afghanistan Board, and will continue to work for the restoration of the series in the future.”

    The ODI series has been postponed due to the situation in Afghanistan related to the rights of women and girls.

    They had also postponed the previous ODI series which was to be held in 2023.

  • Former ISI chief Faiz Hameed’s brother sent to Adiala jail

    Former ISI chief Faiz Hameed’s brother sent to Adiala jail

    Najaf Hameed, the brother of former ISI chief retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed has been sent to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on a 14-day judicial remand in a corruption case on Monday by a local court in Rawalpindi.

    The development comes after the suspect went to Senior Civil Judge Waqar Hussain Gondal’s court to ask for pre-arrest bail because a special anti-corruption court rejected his request for bail after he was arrested.

    Najaf is accused of acquiring wealth beyond his source of income.

    In his order, the senior civil judge stated: “Investigation officer/case officer has requested to send the above accused to the judicial lockup.”

    “Record reflects that offences allegedly levelled against the accused are non-bailable in nature. Therefore, as per the request of I.O./C.O. accused person is sent to judicial lock up and be produced along with report [challan] under Section 173 Cr.P.C before the concerned court on April 1, 2024,” read the order.

    Earlier,  Najaf Hameed was arrested after a Rawalpindi court rejected his plea on Monday in a corruption case.

  • Mazay Khatam; No more 1st class for PM and five-star hotels for ministers 

    Mazay Khatam; No more 1st class for PM and five-star hotels for ministers 

    In a bid to curb expenses, the federal government has rolled out a stringent travel advisory affecting top-tier officials, including the president, prime minister, chief justice, services chiefs, and bureaucrats. 

    Effective immediately, the advisory mandates specific classes for air travel, categorizing officials based on their positions.

    Cabinet Division said the president and the CJP will travel in ‘class-1’, whereas the PM, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, ministers, services chiefs, MNAs, federal secretaries, grade-22 officers, and ambassadors will travel in business class.

    Other officers of the federal government, attached departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and other institutions under the administrative control of various ministries/divisions will travel in economy class.

    Obligatory Visits Only

    According to the advisory, foreign travel of officers shall be allowed only in cases of obligatory visits and that too in the economy class.

    This move comes as part of a new foreign travel policy aiming to rationalize overseas visits, instill austerity measures, and enforce accountability.

    Key provisions of the policy include obtaining permission from an austerity committee for non-essential visits, providing comprehensive travel details to the Foreign Ministry, and a ban on simultaneous foreign trips by ministers and secretaries unless under unavoidable circumstances approved by the prime minister.

    No Five Star Hotels

    Additionally, the policy discourages stays in five-star hotels, prohibits support staff from accompanying government officers, and encourages teleconferencing as a viable alternative. Ministers, ministers of state, advisers, and assistants are limited to three foreign visits per year, with exceptions granted in special cases.

    Furthermore, ministers are prohibited from traveling during National Assembly or Senate sessions, and all foreign visit details must be submitted to the Foreign Ministry within 15 days.

    The guidelines also address diplomatic relations, mandating adherence to the ‘One China Policy’ for interactions with Taiwan and requiring special permission for contacts with Korea. Visiting India necessitates permission from the interior and foreign ministries.

    Lastly, hosting foreign companies is discouraged, and visits by experts and consultants are permitted only during bilateral discussions.

  • Significant increase in mobile phone imports in eight months

    Significant increase in mobile phone imports in eight months

    Imports of mobile phones have recorded a significant year-on-year increase in the first eight months of the current financial year.

    According to statistics released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, during the period from July to February 2024, 1.148 billion dollars was spent on the imports of mobile phones, which is 156 per cent more than the 448 million dollars of the same period of the previous financial year.

    According to the data, 161 million dollars was spent on the imports of mobile phones in February, which is 387 per cent more than February of last year.

    Compared to January, there was a decrease of eight per cent in imports of mobile phones in February on a monthly basis — 195 million dollars were spent on the imports of mobile phones in January.