Author: newsdesk

  • Sarah Ali Khan narrowly avoids horrifying accident

    Sarah Ali Khan narrowly avoids horrifying accident

    Bollywood actress Sarah Ali Khan narrowly escaped from burning during a promotional event for a film.
    Sarah Ali Khan is currently busy with the promotion of two films, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ and ‘Murder Mubarak.’
    She shared a new video on her Instagram, showing wax applied to her stomach.
    “When you are promoting two films, there is always some commotion. What can I do now? My stomach got burned, and I have to lie down. So everyone has to wait.”
    Sarah Ali Khan wrote in the post caption that the movie ‘Murder Mubarak’ will be out on Netflix on March 15, while ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ will premiere on Prime Video on March 21.

  • Adil Khan Durrani, Rakhi Sawant’s Ex-husband, gets married again

    Adil Khan Durrani, Rakhi Sawant’s Ex-husband, gets married again

    Indian actress and dancer Rakhi Sawant’s ex-husband, Adil Khan Durrani, has gotten married again after his relationship with the firebrand Sawant ended last year.

    According to Indian media reports, Durrani has tied the knot with Somi Khan, a former contestant from the popular reality show Bigg Boss. So far, Rakhi Sawant has not released an official statement on the matter.

    The report also says that Adil Khan Durrani’s second wedding happened on March 2, in Jaipur. The couple reportedly kept the ceremony private to avoid the attention Adil Khan Durrani received in the media when he married Rakhi Sawant.
    Adil Durrani has said that this isn’t his second marriage, but actually his first. He said that he and his wife are currently in Bangalore, and they plan to tell everyone about their marriage once they get back to Mumbai, promising to share all the details about the ceremony.

  • High achievers to get iPads in Punjab

    High achievers to get iPads in Punjab

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over a high-level meeting in Lahore on Thursday, focusing on matters concerning higher education scholarships and the iPad scheme.

    During the meeting, the chief minister expressed dissatisfaction with the incomplete briefing and called for a comprehensive plan for the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) Scholarship scheme.

    Emphasizing her commitment to modernizing higher education and other institutions, she instructed for a student survey to be conducted regarding the iPad and laptop schemes across the province to better understand their requirements.

    She said that the government will take further action regarding the laptop and iPad schemes after considering the needs of students.
    “It is necessary to have students’ feedback in this regard,” Chief Minister added.

    She further asserted that the education sector must not be directionless and aimless.

  • Hassan, Hussain Nawaz arrest warrants get suspended

    Hassan, Hussain Nawaz arrest warrants get suspended

    An accountability court has suspended the arrest warrants of Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz — sons of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif- in multiple cases, including the Al-Azizia, Flagship, and Avenfield cases.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the accountability court announced the decision after reserving the verdict a day earlier.

    As per the verdict, the arrest warrants are suspended until March 14.

    The arrest warrants against the brothers were issued seven years ago when the court declared them absconders.

    In today’s hearing, both brothers were represented by their lawyer, Qazi Misbah, while National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors Sardar Muzaffar, Usman Masood, and Sohail Arif also appeared in court.

    The petition for suspension of arrest warrants was filed as Nawaz Sharif’s sons are planning to return to Pakistan on March 12.

  • Fan insults me, takes a selfie, Saheefa Khattak’s reveals crazy fan story

    Fan insults me, takes a selfie, Saheefa Khattak’s reveals crazy fan story

    Saheefa Jabbar Khattak, model and actress, recently opened up about a bizarre encounter with a fan. After taking a break from dramas, she’s making a comeback with the Ramadan serial ‘Rafta Rafta’ on Green TV.

    During an appearance on Mazaq Raat, Saheefa stressed the importance of mental health and accessibility to support. She highlighted the financial barrier many face in seeking help, stating, “People do not have 3000 rupees per session for three days a week.” She proposed the idea of influential individuals creating communities and safe spaces for those who can’t afford professional help.
    The discussion took a surprising turn when she recounted an incident where a fan approached her while she was having dinner with her husband. “The lady came up to us and insulted me for a whole five minutes, criticizing women in showbiz for lacking respect,” Saheefa revealed. Despite the confrontation, the fan still requested a selfie with Saheefa before leaving.

    If the fan is reading this, or has watched the interview, maybe it’s time to reconsider how you behave in public.

  • Pakistan gears up for crucial IMF talks on $3 billion SBA programme

    Pakistan gears up for crucial IMF talks on $3 billion SBA programme

    Pakistan is set to commence vital discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerning the completion of the second review under the $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) programme.

    The formal invitation to the Washington-based lender is expected to be dispatched shortly after the formation and oath-taking of the federal cabinet, with negotiations anticipated to commence in the coming week.

    Simultaneously, Pakistan plans to request a new deal under the 36-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

    Sources have indicated that the size of the upcoming EFF programme is yet to be finalized, but Islamabad aims to explore the inclusion of climate finance to potentially increase the programme’s magnitude from $6 billion to $8 billion.

    A significant challenge facing the incoming finance minister is the pursuit of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) tax collection target of Rs890 billion for March 2024. Failure to meet this quarterly (Jan-March) target with the IMF may prompt additional taxation measures for the remaining fiscal year.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to receive a comprehensive briefing from the FBR team on the future strategy for revamping the taxation system.

    The FBR has, to date, collected Rs5.82 trillion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, experiencing a shortfall of Rs33 billion in achieving the February 2024 monthly target.

    To meet the targeted Rs9.415 trillion by June 30, 2024, the FBR must collect Rs3.58 trillion in the remaining four months (March-June) period.

    March 2024 holds particular significance, with the monthly target of Rs890 billion crucial for fulfilling the agreed third-quarter (Jan-March) period with the IMF.

    PM Shehbaz emphasized the immediate commencement of automation and digitization of the FBR, personally committing to monitor the entire process.

    According to The News, he urged the adoption of international best practices to enhance transparency, increase tax collection, and eradicate tax evasion, corruption, and smuggling.

    Expressing dissatisfaction with the current progress, PM Shehbaz directed the FBR to start the automation and digitization process immediately, urging the acquisition of services from international firms. He stressed the appointment of officers based on merit in the Track and Trace system.

    During the meeting, FBR Chairman Malik Amjad Tiwana briefed the prime minister on measures taken towards automation, tax net expansion, refund payments to exporters, and anti-smuggling efforts.

    PM Shehbaz, however, insisted on immediate progress, highlighting the collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Pakistan Army to combat smuggling effectively.

    As the meeting concluded, PM Shehbaz praised the efforts of caretaker finance minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar and her team, commending their adherence to the policies laid by the previous government to avert default.

    The prime minister expressed confidence in achieving progress and prosperity through diligent efforts and adherence to the right direction.

    The meeting, attended by key officials, emphasized the urgency of digitalized invoicing and the inclusion of 1.5 million more individuals into the tax net, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering economic stability and growth.

  • 7th consecutive rise: Gold price surges by over Rs2,700 per tola

    7th consecutive rise: Gold price surges by over Rs2,700 per tola

    In a remarkable seventh consecutive session, the gold market in Pakistan continued its bullish trend, witnessing a surge in the price of 24-karat gold by Rs2,750 per tola, reaching Rs228,150 on Thursday.

    Over the course of the past seven trading days, the domestic bullion market has experienced a significant uptick, with the price of gold appreciating by Rs13,350 per tola, marking a substantial 6.2 per cent increase. This surge is attributed to the notable rise in the international market.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association shared that the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold has reached Rs195,602 per tola, indicating a substantial rise of Rs2,358.

    Additionally, the price of 10-gramme 22-karat gold has also seen an upward trend, reaching Rs179,301.

    Contrastingly, silver prices remained stable today, with 24-karat silver maintaining its position at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme.

    On the global front, the international spot gold market continued its rapid ascent, reaching a peak of $2,161.48 per ounce.

    These gains have surprised many investors, especially considering the absence of major changes in expectations regarding the Federal Reserve’s rate-cutting decisions, as reported by Bloomberg.

    It’s worth noting that gold traditionally exhibits an inverse relationship with bond yields, further contributing to the complexity of recent market movements.

  • Taxali Gate celebrates International Women’s Day with free screening

    Taxali Gate celebrates International Women’s Day with free screening

    Did you know that ladies can now watch the recently released movie ‘Taxali Gate’ for free on the occasion of International Women’s Day?
    The makers have announced that they have arranged special shows for women across Pakistan on March 8, also known as International Women’s Day.

    The move has been made to honour all the hardworking women of the country. “You work hard every day, it’s time for you to relax and watch your favourite movie that coincidentally talks about your rights,” the makers said in an Instagram post.

    They said that Taxali Gate is paying a small token of appreciation to the women of Pakistan. A special show will be screened for women across Pakistan tomorrow, while the ticket will be absolutely free of cost.

    Women in Karachi can watch the movie for free at Cinepax and Ocean Mall. The movie will be available for the Islamabad audience at Cinepax and Jinnah Park Rawalpindi. Whereas, women in Lahore can watch Taxali Gate at Cinepax and Packages Mall.

    Directed by Abu Aleeha, the movie is a revenge-thriller courtroom drama that tackles rape, the complexities of the legal system, and class dynamics entrenched within society.

    The movie stars Ayesha Omar, Yasir Hussain, Mehar Bano, Umer Aalam, Iffat Omar, Nayyer Ejaz, Abu Aleeha, Babar Ali, Iftikhar Thakur, Alyy Khan, Khaled Anam, and Sheharyar Cheema.

  • Deceased donor saves seven lives by donating his organs

    Deceased donor saves seven lives by donating his organs

    Transplant surgeons at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI) in Lahore have successfully conducted Pakistan’s inaugural ‘split-liver transplant’ and the country’s first pancreatic transplant this week, officials announced on Wednesday.

    According to experts, around 8,000 patients need liver transplants each year after the vital organ fails or they get cancer in it.

    “With the help of a liver donated by a young man, who was pronounced brain dead at a Rawalpindi hospital, we have performed Pakistan’s first split-liver transplant. We divided the vital organ into two and transplanted them to an adult and a little boy, who were facing liver failure,” Dean and Chief Executive Officer PKLI&RC Dr Faisal Saud Dar told The News.

    Similarly, the pancreas of the deceased, a 32-year-old man, was transplanted to a Type-1 diabetes patient, Dr Faisal Dar said, adding that it was also the first pancreatic transplant in the history of Pakistan.

    The deceased donor, identified as Uzair Bin Yasin, had expressed his desire to donate all vital organs posthumously, including the liver, pancreas, both kidneys, and eyes. The organs were harvested to save the lives of seven individuals in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

    Dr. Faisal Dar personally retrieved the liver and pancreas from the donor on Sunday at a Rawalpindi health facility and expedited their transportation to PKLI&RC Lahore for the transplants on the same night. The liver was divided into two unequal halves, and separate teams performed the transplants on an adult and a child.

    Explaining the significance of split-liver transplantation, Dr. Faisal noted that it involves dividing a single deceased donor liver into right and left portions, which are then implanted into two recipients simultaneously. Typically, the adult patient receives approximately 60 percent of the liver, while the pediatric patient receives the remaining 40 percent.

    Regarding the pancreatic transplant, Dr. Faisal highlighted its success rate, stating that about 90 percent of patients no longer require insulin injections within the first year following the surgery, with more than two-thirds remaining off insulin thereafter.

    Dr. Faisal Saud Dar, renowned as the pioneer of liver transplantation in Pakistan, has performed over 2,000 liver transplants to date, including the recent historic split-liver and pancreatic transplants.

    “A few years back, we performed Pakistan’s first liver auto-transplantation at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Karachi, where the diseased liver of a young man was retrieved and after surgical removal of cancerous parts, it was re-transplanted to the patient. Now, we have performed Pakistan’s first split-liver and pancreatic transplants successfully, which are great achievements for us,” he added.

    The successful completion of Pakistan’s first split-liver and pancreatic transplants marks a significant milestone in the country’s medical history, showcasing advancements in organ transplantation and underscoring the potential to save countless lives through organ donation and transplantation initiatives.

  • Quetta Gladiators spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action declared suspicious

    Quetta Gladiators spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action declared suspicious

    The bowling actions of Quetta Gladiators off-spinner Usman Tariq has been declared suspicious.

    According to Geo News sources, the umpires reported Tariq’s action in Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the match against Karachi Kings yesterday.

    The spinner’s action has been questioned as he pauses before bowling, while a spinner can bend his arm up to 15 degrees but Usman’s arm only goes up to 12 degrees.

    Usman Tariq has taken two wickets in three matches in the mega event.