Author: newsdesk

  • PSL season 9 trophy unveiled

    PSL season 9 trophy unveiled

    The trophy of season nine of Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been unveiled in Lahore on Tuesday. PSL 9 will be held in four cities- Karachi, Lahore, Multan- while Rawalpindi will host the final on March 18 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

    Like the previous edition, 14 matches of PSL 9 will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from February 17 to 27.

    After that, action will shift to Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi and National Bank Stadium in Karachi where 16 matches will be played from February 28 to March 12. In the opening match, two-time champions and current title holders Lahore Qalandars will face Islamabad United, winners of the 2016 and 2018 editions.

  • Man kills wife and children before committing suicide in Chakwal

    Man kills wife and children before committing suicide in Chakwal

    The head of a household in Chakwal, suffering from financial problems, committed suicide after killing his wife and children.

    According to the police, Shafqat Saleem committed suicide after killing all four of his children and his wife in Muzdalifah Town area in Chakwal city.
    Police say that Shafqat Saleem shot himself after calling the police on the 15 helpline. His other victims were two daughters aged 14 and 16 years, and two sons aged 13 and 17 years.

    According to the preliminary investigation as reported by Geo, the victim had financial problems that he could not cope with.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur will be Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister

    Ali Amin Gandapur will be Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister

    The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has told media that senior leader of his party and member of the provincial assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur, will be the chief minister of the province.

    According to the results of general elections, PTI-backed candidates have a simple majority in the KP province.
    Imran Khan also said that his party is ready to talk with all parties except the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

  • Mahira Khan denies pregnancy rumours

    Mahira Khan denies pregnancy rumours

    Newly-wed Mahira Khan has denied rumors that she is pregnant after her marriage to longtime friend and beau Saleem Karim.

    Talking about the rumors on social media, the superstar said, “It is not true that I am pregnant, and I have not left the Netflix series.”

    Her statement came in response to news carried by Indian media which said that Mahira Khan is expecting a second child after her marriage, and will become a mother by August or September this year.

    Indian media reports cited a user’s post on Reddit on February 10 that claimed Mahira Khan had pulled herself out of several projects because she was pregnant.

    The report said that the 39-year-old actress has withdrawn from two major projects including the OTT series ‘Jo Bachey Sang Samet Lo’.

    Although the post has been deleted on Reddit, rumors circulated until the actress denied them.

  • Video: Football player killed by lightning during match

    Video: Football player killed by lightning during match

    A football player was killed by lightning during a soccer match in Indonesia, causing panic in the stadium.

    It can be seen in the video that the football players were playing a friendly match on the field when it suddenly started to rain with thunder and lightning. According to local media, a 35-year-old player of the “FLO” Subang team, Spitan, was killed by lightning.

    The tragic incident is the second incident of lightning striking an Indonesian footballer in the past 12 months. A young soccer player in Bujonegoro, East Java, was killed by lightning during the 2023 Soeratin U-13 Cup. In 2023, a 21-year-old Brazilian footballer was also struck by lightning on the pitch.

  • Gold price remains steady at Rs214,300 per tola with no fluctuations

    Gold price remains steady at Rs214,300 per tola with no fluctuations

    The cost of 24-karat gold in the local bullion market remained unchanged at Rs214,300 per tola on Tuesday, according to the Karachi Sarafa Association. 

    Similarly, the prices for both 10-gramme 24-karat and 22-karat gold stood at Rs183,728 and Rs168,416, respectively. 

    Last week, a decline in international prices led to a Rs1,700 drop in the domestic market for 24-karat gold per tola.

    Silver prices also maintained stability in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver selling at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10 grammes. Meanwhile, on the global stage, international spot gold traded near $2,025.7 as of 12:50 pm, marking a 0.35 per cent increase for the day.

    Investors are closely watching for the release of crucial US inflation data later today, which may provide further insight into the timing of the Federal Reserve’s potential interest rate adjustments.

  • After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.

    But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.

    So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?

    According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.

    However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.

    The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.

    Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”

    He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
    “It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.

    So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.

  • Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slams brands for delaying payments

    Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slams brands for delaying payments

    Famous actress and model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has slammed Pakistani brands for delaying payments for their advertisement campaigns.

    Taking to Instagram, Khattak wrote, “I’m fed up with these big brands and multi- billion-dollar companies. It’s a recurring nightmare, negotiate low payments, impose a ridiculous 90-120 day payment cycle and then, to top it off, delay payments while boasting about how much work they’ve given us. Enough! Paying for our services isn’t a favor; it’s a transaction. We’re not here to endure your payment delays – we’re the ones selling your brand. Cut the excuses and pay us for our craft.”

    The model went on to stress that regardless of the amount, artists shouldn’t be obliged to justify their financial needs to the brand repeatedly. “What’s owed to me should be paid without constant explanations. It’s exhausting to keep reminding the team that I need my payment to maintain my financial cycle. As an artist, the repeated requests for my own payment feel utterly disrespectful.”

    “I can’t fathom how these mediators, drawing their salaries from these brands, can be so rude. Phrases like “what’s the big deal, wait for the payment” or “we won’t work with you with this attitude” are unacceptable. Their repeated responses like “I’ve told you a hundred times, the purchase team is sorting this” showcase incompetence. Sir and Ma’am, you lack the ability to communicate with someone frustrated due to your own incompetence and shortcomings.”

    Journalist and fashion model Minahil Rehman also shared a post on social media, writing, “Another day, another rant about non-payments and it makes me wonder when it’ll ever end?”

    “Saheefa Jabbar Khattak rants about brands that wrap up campaigns and then consistently delay payments and are rude with models who are only left with no choice but to ask for payment that is rightfully their’s! Unprofessionalism can lead to the ruin of an industry and it doesn’t look like things are getting any better in Pakistan.”

  • New PM’s oath may be administered by Arif Alvi’s successor

    New PM’s oath may be administered by Arif Alvi’s successor

    President Arif Alvi won’t administer the oath to the new prime minister because a successor will be elected before the premier’s election.

    Members of the newly elected National Assembly (NA) might take their oath on February 26, three days before the deadline to convene the house for its first session, with a similar ceremony happening the next day.

    The members, who have been elected for both houses, would no longer be members of the provincial assembly if they took the oath in the national legislature.

    Parliamentary insiders informed The News on Monday evening that they must conduct the election for the Senate’s 53 members, chairman/deputy chairman, and subsequently the president of the country, before March 8. They emphasised the limited time available for organising the presidential poll.

    The sources said that if the election of the president is held a week earlier, incumbent Arif Alvi will not administer the oath but the new president will. The sources pointed out that once the members of the national and provincial assemblies take the oath, they will be eligible to cast their vote first for Senate elections.

  • After a not-so-victory victory, what is Nawaz thinking?

    After a not-so-victory victory, what is Nawaz thinking?

    The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.

    But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.

    So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?

    According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.

    However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.

    The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.

    Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”

    He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
    “It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.

    So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.

    ‘What a joke’; PTI’s Khosa on PMLN’s two PM plan

    PTI’s Latif Khosa, who won in Lahore against PML-N’s Khwaja Saad Rafique, has said that the only party poised to form the government is PTI as they are the clear winners of the February 8 general elections.

    Commenting on PML- N and PPP’s reported plan to ‘share the Prime Minister slot’ if they make an alliance, Khosa said, “What joke is being done with democracy?”

    “Who are they — who have been rejected by the people — to divide among themselves…No Assembly or Parliament can function without Imran Khan.”

    He also added that since PTI was a registered party, the winners should not be called Independents, should be given reserved seats and allowed to make the government with Imran Khan as their leader.

    Khan is currently in jail, serving sentences in three cases.

    Not a good idea to hand over government to another party after three difficult years:  Khawaja Asif

    PML-N senior leader and former defence minister Khawaja Asif has rebutted alleged claims that Nawaz Sharif was despondent after the February 8 election result not adding up in the party’s favour.

    While speaking with Shahzeb Khanzada on a Geo News program on Monday, Asif asserted that “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government. PTI is habitual of crying foul after every election,” adding that PPP has also accepted the results.

    He claimed that independent candidates are joining PML-N by choice and that the party is not offering them any bribes.

    A crucial meeting with MQM, according to Asif, went well. The veteran politician said that while Karachi has problems related to water and terrorism, Nawaz Sharif has solved the problems of the city before.

    He also stated that the party will make Punjab an example as to how the government should be run in the provinces while admitting to the shortcomings and promising to provide service and relief to the people.

    Pointing towards PTI, he said the party has a pattern of delaying every election. PPP, on the other hand, has accepted the election results and PML-N’s seats have started to increase, whereas independent candidates want to come join on their own.