Author: newsdesk

  • No reserved seats for PTI backed Sunni Ittehad Council: Election Commission

    No reserved seats for PTI backed Sunni Ittehad Council: Election Commission

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the request of the Sunni Ittehad Council on the issue of reserved seats.

    The issue of reserved seats came to light after independent candidates of Tehreek-e-Insaf joined the Sunni Ittehad Council. On the plea of ​​the Sunni Unity Council, the ECP ruled that it could not get the quota of reserved seats for women and minorities.

    The decision said that the Election Commission informed all political parties that they needed to submit their names for the reserved and minority seats, but the Sunni Ittehad Council did not do so.

    The Election Commission in its decision also stated that it is a legal requirement to provide the list of specific seats before the elections, and the failure of the Sunni Ittehad Council to provide the list of specific seats on time is a legal defect.

    The ECP ruling stated that the chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council contested the election as an independent despite the election symbol and the party confirmed that its candidates had contested as an independent.

    The decision said that it has clearly stated in Article 51 of the Constitution that the political parties who win seats in the National Assembly will be entitled to specific seats. The decision was a 4 – 1 dissent, with Member Punjab Babar Hasan Bharwana, writing a dissenting note.

    Bharwana said in a dissenting note that he agrees with the four members that the seats cannot be given to the Sunni Ittehad Council. But these specific seats cannot be distributed among other political parties and these seats should be kept vacant under Article 51 and 106 of the Constitution. He also said that the seats should be kept vacant until Article 51 and 106 of the Constitution are amended.

  • ‘Grammar, Geography’; CM Maryam’s school visit gets mixed reactions

    ‘Grammar, Geography’; CM Maryam’s school visit gets mixed reactions

    Maryam Nawaz has been in the spotlight since the day she took oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab. She recently visited a government school in Lahore where she entered a classroom and asked the students what they are studying to which the students replied, “Conjunctions, Grammar.” She picked up a book from a child, checked the cover and responded, “Oh Geography.” To this, the students collectively replied, “No, English.”

    The interaction has been garnering a lot of reactions on social media. A user commented that people should understand that the textbooks in government schools are always compiled together and that is why she got confused. In the longer version of the video, it can be seen that a teacher explained the same to her.
    Another netizen commented that even if we accept this explanation it makes no sense how she understood geography as conjunction.

    Amidst all the conversation around the videos some also showed their awe seeing the spaciousness of a government school in Lahore as they lamented the condition of schools in rural areas.

    A Twitter user commended her for visiting a school and showing her commitment to education.

  • Maryam Nawaz announces first public cancer hospital in Punjab

    Maryam Nawaz announces first public cancer hospital in Punjab

    Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has announced plans to build the first government cancer hospital in Punjab. The hospital will be built near Valencia town in Lahore, as per SAMMA. 

    The newly-elected chief minister visited the potential site for the hospital and received a briefing about the project. The CM also approved the construction of a hotel building for the attendants of cancer patients.

    Maryam Nawaz said that cancer patients will get free treatment in the hospital.

    The Punjab chief minister also announced that the government will provide the best medical professionals and state-of-the art equipment to treat cancer patients.

    She declared that screening for diseases will start in the province, adding that when she vacates her office after five years, she wants a state-of-the-art hospital in every city. She also announced free medicines in all emergency departments of government hospitals starting today. The Rescue 1122 service has been asked to launch a motorway ambulance service.

  • When is Ramzan starting in Pakistan?

    When is Ramzan starting in Pakistan?

    The holy month of Ramzan is around the corner with less than two weeks left.

    According to weather analyst Jawad Memon, although the Ramzan moon will rise on March 10, it will not be visible on that day. “The moon will be clearly visible on March 11,” he said. The first Taraweeh will take place on the night of March 11 as there is a 95 percent probability that the first Roza will be on Tuesday, March 12.

    Like every year, the meeting of the Central Royat Hilal Committee will be held in Islamabad, in which all the zonal committees will be meeting in their respective domains.

    Earlier, Gulf News reported that astronomers have predicted that the main connection will be on March 10 at 9 am. Resultantly, the moon will be visible only after sunset in most Islamic countries on March 10.

    However, astronomers believe that the chances of seeing the moon in the entire Arab and Islamic world on March 10 are very low.

    Ramzan is expected to start on Tuesday, March 12 in most Islamic countries including Pakistan.

  • Atif Aslam, Saboor Aly among Pakistani celebs enjoying AP Dhillon’s Dubai concert

    Atif Aslam, Saboor Aly among Pakistani celebs enjoying AP Dhillon’s Dubai concert

    AP Dhillon is arguably the biggest name in Punjabi music, with fans spread all over the globe, including Pakistan. Recently, the singer held a concert in Dubai, and many Pakistani celebrities were spotted there, enjoying his music live.

    Saboor Aly, Atif Aslam, Ali Ansari, Dananeer Mobeen, and Ken Doll were among those seen dancing and sharing moments from the concert. Take a look at some of these moments:

    @galaxylollywood Fan’s unforgettable night catching Atif Aslam’s surprise appearance at AP Dhillon’s concert! #AtifAslam #APDhillon #GalaxyLollywood #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Galaxy Lollywood

  • Most expensive ticket for India-Pakistan match sells for $175000: report

    Most expensive ticket for India-Pakistan match sells for $175000: report

    The most expensive ticket for the India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup to be held in the United States and West Indies in June this year has sold for $175000.

    According to a report filed in US TODAY, the resale tickets for the Pakistan vs India match on June 9 in New York are being sold for at least double the original prices on the website.

    The most expensive ticket for the India-Pakistan match is around 4 crore 87 lac rupees ($175000) including tax fee of $50000, the total price of the ticket is 6 crore 26 lac rupees ($225000).

    ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup general tickets are being resold on resale websites such as StubHub and SeatGeek 10 days after going on sale. The match tickets starting at 1,670 rupees ($6) in official sales.

    The most expensive ticket for the India-Pak match was $400 for premium seating without tax.

    The ICC had made it clear that no additional fees would be charged over and above certain taxes, with VIP tickets for the same match being offered for over $40,000 on the resale website, with a fee of $10,000, the total value of which becomes more than 50 thousand dollars.

    The cheapest India-Pakistan match ticket on StubHub was $1,259 till Friday. The lowest priced ticket for the match on SeatGeek was $1,166 without taxes or fees as of Friday afternoon.

  • Singer Amjad Pervaiz passes away of kidney failure

    Singer Amjad Pervaiz passes away of kidney failure

    Renowned singer Amjad Pervaiz, known for many hit songs, has sadly passed away due to kidney failure at the age of 79. His family has confirmed that he had been struggling with renal disease for some time.
    The family announced that Amjad Pervaiz’s funeral will be held on Monday, March 4, after noon prayer at Main Boulevard Mosque in Shadman, Lahore.

    Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has expressed sadness over Amjad Pervaiz’s passing. “His music will always be remembered and appreciated,” she said.

    Amjad Pervaiz was born in Lahore in 1945. His father was a chemistry professor, and his grandfather was the principal of Islamia College Lahore. Despite his academic background, Amjad Pervaiz pursued his love for music.
    He started singing as a child at Radio Pakistan, Lahore station. With the help of music teacher Ustad Salamat Ali and others, he became a famous singer.
    Amjad Pervaiz’s music has touched many hearts and will continue to do so. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved his songs.

  • HRCP condemns Senator’s proposal to ban social media

    HRCP condemns Senator’s proposal to ban social media

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has opposed a proposed Senate resolution seeking a ban on social media platforms.

    The rights body has warned the members of the senate that such “ill-judged measures that violate people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression” represent an erosion of democracy.

    HRCP released the statement on Sunday, a day after it was reported that the Senate is going to discuss today (Monday) a resolution moved by Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi calling for a complete ban on some social media sites—X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

    Tangi was expelled by the PPP last month. The senator is set to retire on March 11.

    His resolution had argued that the platforms are adversely affecting the younger generation in the country as they are being used to promote norms that are against religion and culture. “[The platforms are also] creating hatred among the people on the grounds of language and religion,” it said.

    The resolution also “noted with concern” the use of such platforms against the interest of the country for spreading negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces of Pakistan.

    “The HRCP calls on civil society and digital rights activists to mobilise against all efforts to impose such arbitrary curbs, including reports of a ban on all VPNs, and demands that X be restored immediately,” the statement said.

    Previously, Senator Brahmand Tangi, who was expelled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) one month ago, had moved a resolution in the senate asking that all social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and Instagram be banned in Pakistan to protect the next generation from what he has dubbed their “negative and devastating” effects.

    Tangi was expelled by the PPP last month after he went against party policy and remained silent on a resolution asking for delay in Balochistan and KP general elections. However, DAWN has reported that the party has till now not moved a reference against him.

    The resolution has alleged that social media platforms were being used to promote norms “against our culture and religion” and creating hatred among the general populace.

    The document also charges the platforms with being used to run “malicious” campaigns against the army and spreading fake news.

    PPP has said that the senator should not use the party’s name anymore, swiftly distancing itself from the controversial resolution. Nonetheless, it will be on Monday’s agenda.

    Senator Tangi is set to retire on March 11.

  • Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as Pakistan’s 24th PM

    Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as Pakistan’s 24th PM

    Shehbaz Sharif has taken oath as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan today (Monday) at President’s House in Islamabad.

    President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath to the newly-elected premier. The oath-taking ceremony began with a holy recitation.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president was elected the 24th prime minister of the country on Sunday, after completed his previous 16-month tenure from April 2022 to August 2023.

    It will be the second time that Shehbaz Sharif will serve the nation as prime minister. The PML-N president got 201 votes against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) opponent Omar Ayub Khan, who got 92 votes in the National Assembly (NA) on Sunday.

    Shehbaz’s victory was expected, as he enjoyed the support of seven other parties apart from the PML-N. The PM-elect is backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and the National Party (NP).

    The sources of Geo News claimed that caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will welcome Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House.

  • Rizwan has heartfelt message for the late Alamgir Tareen after Sultans reach playoffs

    Rizwan has heartfelt message for the late Alamgir Tareen after Sultans reach playoffs

    Multan Sultans became the first team to reach the playoffs in the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Team captain Muhammad Rizwan issued a message for the late Alamgir Tareen on Instagram.

    Rizwan shared a picture of Tareen and wrote, “As Multan Sultans secure a place in the PSL playoffs, I remember Alamgir Tareen. His kindness and humble presence in the dugout lifted us all. Let’s make dua for him and remember to cherish and care for those around us, recognizing the silent battles they may face.”

    Tareen, well-known businessman, owner and managing director of Multan Sultans, committed suicide via gunshot at his home in July last year. In a note that he left behind, he said that he wanted his illness to end.