Author: newsdesk

  • Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari has said that his party knows how to take Pakistan out of the crisis it is currently facing.

    While addressing an election rally in Kahuta, the former President said that the PPP will build a medical college in the city.

    The PPP co-chairman also said, “We will solve the problems of people and also provide gas facilities in the area.”

    He told the people of Kahuta that he will keep coming to them.

    Earlier, the former president said in an interview that the Bilawal Bhutto-led party could even clean sweep Karachi and win from all constituencies of the metropolis if not for certain hindrances.

  • Jay Shah elected president of Asian Cricket Council for third consecutive time

    Jay Shah elected president of Asian Cricket Council for third consecutive time

    Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Cricket in India (BCCI), has once again been elected as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), marking the third time he has held on the seat.

    A meeting of the Council was held in Bali, Indonesia, in which Pakistan was represented by Acting Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shah Khawar and COO Salman Naseer.

    According to Geo News reports, Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah has been elected as the president for the third year in a row.

    During the last Asia Cup, jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, continuous rains in the island nation affected many matches, due to which Jay Shah was severely criticized.

  • ‘Vote ko Izzat Do’ with a new twist

    ‘Vote ko Izzat Do’ with a new twist

    In a recent appearance on the Hum News program ‘Faisala Aap Ka with Asma Shirazi,’ Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif stated that ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’ has a different meaning.

    When asked why the civilian supremacy narrative of ‘Vote ko Izzat do’ can’t be heard anymore, he said, “It means respecting the person who voted for me and fulfilling the trust they have shown in me.”

    He claimed that the May 9 riots were a deliberate conspiracy against Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, masterminded by Imran Khan, the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his party.

    Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the distinction between statements and conspiracies. He alleged that on May 9, the founder of PTI and his team conspired to create divisions within the military, leading to betrayal against Pakistan. He criticized PTI for diverting the nation from progress to chaos.

    Sharif expressed his views on various matters, including the loss of PTI’s iconic electoral symbol ‘Bat,’ attributing it to the party’s missteps. He also commented on Imran Khan’s recent 10-year jail sentence, emphasizing that the issue is about upholding the law, irrespective of whether decisions are perceived as good or bad.

    Responding to a question about PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s invitation for a public debate, Shehbaz Sharif said, “I’m in favor of Bilawal’s debate challenge but let him extend the invitation in his province for a fair comparison.”

    Regarding political decisions, Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that if the majority is not attained through elections, consultations would be held. He confirmed that Nawaz Sharif would be the candidate for the premiership, subject to consultation, and the decision on the Chief Executive of Punjab would be made through consultation with Nawaz Sharif. The decision for the presidency would be made by the parliament.

    Stressing the importance of political and economic negotiations, Shehbaz Sharif called for the completion of the five-year term in Parliament. He recounted an incident during tensions with India, where the founder of PTI allegedly refused to attend a meeting, leading the then head of the army, General Bajwa, to return in disappointment.

  • Atif Aslam returns to bollywood after seven years

    Atif Aslam returns to bollywood after seven years

    Pakistani pop star and songwriter Atif Aslam, who ruled the Bollywood music landscape a few years ago, is now returning to the Indian film industry after a gap of almost seven years.

    The superstar singer is lending his vocals to romantic songs for the film ‘Love Story of 90’s’.

    The film is a Amit Kasaria directorial venture and will be produced by Sangani Brothers. It will star Adhyayan Suman alongside Miss Universe Diva, Divita Rai.
    Expressing excitement about the momentous collab, the producers stated, “We are very ecstatic as Atif Aslam has sung the very first song in our film LSO90’s. Fans of Atif Aslam will be thrilled. He is making a return in Bollywood through our film.”

    The Sangani brothers elaborated on the challenge of bringing Atif on board, stating, “It was a challenge to bring Atif Aslam on board as he focuses on the storyline and the ensemble of the cast. He was really impressed and prepared to lend his voice to the film’s song. It’s a moment of pride and joy for us.”

    The title song of Punjabi film ‘Jee Ve Sohneya Jee’, starring Pakistani heartthrob Imran Abbas, has sung by music maestro Atif Aslam, has been released on Tuesday. With dramatic cords and low beat, it has the ability to grow on the audience.

  • Late winters turn northern areas into snowland

    Late winters turn northern areas into snowland

    As late winter tightens its grip on the northern parts of the country, Naran, Kaghan, Shogran, and Murree, are transforming into winter wonderlands. The recent snowfall has not only captivated tourists but also prompted local authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors.

    In Naran, Kaghan, and Shogran, heavy snowfall has persisted for the third consecutive day, with Babusar Top expected to remain under its winter coat until the coming Sunday, according to Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) official Mozam Ali.

    Notable snowfall accumulations include 1.5 feet in Shogran, 2.5 feet in Naran, 3.5 feet in Babusar, and seven inches in Kaghan.

    The Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) road has been opened up to Rajwal, allowing tourists to explore beyond this point. To assist both tourists and locals, the KDA has established a tourist facilitation center at Balakot.

    The typical winter pattern in these areas involves initial rains in the last 10 to 15 days of November, followed by snowfall in December.

    However, climate change has disrupted the pattern, resulting in a lack of rain and snow. This deviation has significantly decreased tourist activity in the region, causing concern among those involved in the sector.

    Meanwhile, in the popular hill station of Murree, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has proactively initiated snow clearing and garbage removal operations following the season’s first snowfall.

    The efforts of the RWMC have allowed motorists to move easily in and around Murree, ensuring normal traffic flow.

    RWMC CEO Rana Sajid Safdar’s instructions to deploy additional workers during the snow season have proven effective in maintaining cleanliness despite the influx of visitors.

    The Murree district administration, under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Abbas Sherazi, has finalized arrangements for the snowfall season.
    Tourists are being provided with weather updates and travel advisories at all entry points, with a special control room set up to facilitate inquiries and assistance.

    The district administration advises tourists to take necessary precautions, follow traffic rules, and stay informed about weather conditions before traveling to Murree.

    Strict actions are being taken against parking rules violators to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. In case of difficulties, tourists can seek assistance from dedicated tourist facilitation centers and the 24/7 operational control room.

  • People verbally abused me for dropping Warner’s catch in World Cup, reveals Usama Mir

    People verbally abused me for dropping Warner’s catch in World Cup, reveals Usama Mir

    National cricket team’s leg-spinner Usama Mir has revealed that trolls verbally abused him through private messages for dropping David Warner’s catch in the ODI World Cup played in India in September last year.

    While talking to Geo Super, Usama Mir said “We could not give a good performance during the matches in India, which is a pity”.

    He continued: “I dropped David Warner’s catch, but it was one that anyone could catch. Later, people’s reaction was extremely bad. Some people used bad words for me on social media, and some used private messages and verbally abused me”.

    Usama said, “People make you Don Bradman with one performance but with a bad performance these same people make you fall. Pakistanis should support us because we are playing for our country, not for any other country.”

    During the 18th match of the World Cup, first Usama Mir and then Abdullah Shafiq dropped David Warner’s catch when the batsman was on 10 runs. Usama Mir caught Warner on Shaheen Afridi’s ball. Warner scored 163 runs off 124 balls with the help of 9 sixes and 14 fours and won the Player of the Match award.

  • Nawaz Sharif says he never revealed diplomatic document to save his government

    Nawaz Sharif says he never revealed diplomatic document to save his government

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was given a 10-year sentence in the cipher case, by saying that he had never revealed any diplomatic document to save his government.

    Sharif used strong words to slam Khan in an election rally in Bahawalnagar district on Tuesday, accusing him of plotting a “conspiracy” that compromised national security.

    The PML-N supremo also praised the people of Haroonabad for coming out in large numbers to welcome him.

    “Despite being subjugated, I had never revealed any state secret nor compromised national security,” Nawaz said while pointing fingers at Khan, adding that he “attacked” the country’s integrity to save his rule.

    “I am still standing before the nation despite facing cruel oppression. I had been ousted from the premiership for not receiving a salary from my son. I was removed from the premiership thrice which also resulted in losses to the country.”

    Nawaz Sharif also said that inflation was under control as well as farmers and common people were happy in his previous tenures.

    The PML-N supremo blamed Khan for shaking the foundations of the country during his four-year rule.

  • Israeli forces disguised as doctors kill three in West Bank hospital

    Israeli forces disguised as doctors kill three in West Bank hospital

    Israeli forces disguised as doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff burst into a hospital in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday and shot three Palestinians dead, one of whom was lying paralysed in bed.

    A border police counter-terrorism unit and a unit from the internal security forces, known as the Shin Bet, entered Ibn Sina hospital on the outskirts of the city’s refugee camp early Tuesday, CCTV footage of the aftermath of the operation showed.

    The shooting was carried by undercover operatives while the men were sleeping at the hospital, according to the statements issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Israeli army.

    The Israeli military identified one of the men killed as Mohammad Jalamneh, aged 27, who it claimed was planning an imminent attack and had been transferring weapons and ammunition to other members, Al Jazeera reported.

    The two other men killed, brothers Basil Ayman Al-Ghazzawi and Mohammad Ghazzawi, were hiding inside the hospital and were involved in attacks, the military alleged. “A gun was found on a wanted person, which was confiscated by the forces.”

    CCTV footage from the hospital showed a group of about 10 people, dressed in civilian clothes, pacing through a corridor, armed with assault rifles and moving into the hospital.

    The hospital’s director, Dr Naji Nazzal, said the Israeli team had entered the hospital at around 5:30 am and made its way stealthily to the third floor, ringing the bell to enter the ward where the men were sleeping.

    “They executed the three men as they slept in the room,” he told Reuters.

    Hours later, a bloodied blue hospital pillow pierced by a bullet remained on a bed, while a folding bed nearby was also stained with blood, apparently from a shot to the head.

    Targeted attacks

    Dr Nazzal said Mr Basil had been receiving treatment since October 25 for a spinal injury which had paralysed him.

    According to the medical staff, one of the three Palestinians killed in the hospital was being treated for an injury received during a previous army raid months ago, Al Jazeera reported.

    “The Israeli army often surrounds and in some instances has attacked the three Palestinian hospitals in Jenin during nightly raids on the city,” he said.
    “But this is the first time they have entered a civilian medical facility in what seems to have been a well-planned, targeted assassination operation that Palestinian authorities are calling another violation of international law,” he said, adding that there were no attempts to arrest these men.

  • Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 14 years in Toshakhana case

    Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 14 years in Toshakhana case

    An accountability court on Wednesday morning sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference.

    The Accountability Court’s Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict and disqualified Imran Khan for 10 years, imposing a fine of Rs1.573 billion (787 million each) on the couple.

    At the last hearing, which took place at Adiala jail, the court recorded Bushra Bibi’s statement under Section 342.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Khan also told the court that his wife has nothing to do with the case and is being dragged into it against her will.

    At the beginning of today’s hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir asked Imran Khan if he had submitted his statement. To this, Imran Khan said he will submit his statement once his lawyers arrive.

    “I have been deceived, as I was only called to mark my attendance for the hearing,” said the PTI founder.

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide e-textbooks to students in future

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide e-textbooks to students in future

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the recommendations of the reform committee regarding textbook size and the format in which they will be provided to students in the future, reports Geo.

    According to the official announcement, the heads of government schools will collect the old books from the students and will encourage them to keep the books in good condition. It also said that 100 per cent of new books will be published for nursery to third class, 80 per cent new books will be published for fourth and fifth class and 20 per cent old books will be used.

    Similarly, 50 per cent new books will be published for sixth to twelfth standard while 50 per cent old books will be given to students of sixth to twelfth standard.

    The declaration also stated that the size of government textbooks will be reduced up to 8th grade in the year 2025-26 and the size of textbooks will be reduced without changing the syllabus.

    The reform committee has suggested to use soft copies of books on mobile phones and laptops of students in the year 2025-26.

    Previously, it was decided that to cope with the financial crunch in the country, the size of textbooks will be reduced and half of schoolchildren will be given old course books hoping this will save over three billion rupees for printing books.

    To read more: Financial crunch in KP: Textbook size to be cut down