Author: newsdesk

  • Strong earthquake in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK

    Strong earthquake in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK

    Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir (AJK), and their adjoining areas were jolted by a strong earthquake around 2:30 pm on Thursday. However, strong tremors were felt for only a few seconds. In Islamabad, people were seen coming out of high-rise buildings.

    According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the epicentre of the earthquake was the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan and the depth of the quake was 213 kilometres.

    The earthquake was also felt in Peshawar, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and other regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Malakand, Upper and Lower Dir, Kohat, Swat experienced both light and strong jolts.

  • ‘Arain ki Barbie’, Resham’s Chingchi rickshaw ride goes viral

    ‘Arain ki Barbie’, Resham’s Chingchi rickshaw ride goes viral

    A video of veteran Pakistani actress Resham is getting a lot of attention on social media. In the video, Resham is riding in a chingchi rickshaw wearing a pink tracksuit. Towards the end, she is seen enjoying ‘Chole Bhatore’ at a restaurant.

    @reshamreal #foryou #therealresham #foryoupage #viraltiktok #resham ♬ AA Arif Lohar Roach Killa Deep Jandu Jazba Ent – Arif Lohar

    People on social media are leaving interesting comments about this viral video. Some are saying Resham looks like a 12-year-old girl based on her expressions while riding in the chingchi rickshaw.
    Others are calling her ‘Arain ki Barbie’ because she’s wearing a pink outfit and passionately eating onions. Onions and Barbie?

  • Fee increased for driving licenses in Punjab

    Fee increased for driving licenses in Punjab

    The Punjab government has announced a new fee schedule for different vehicles, which will be implemented from January 16.

    The driving license fee for motorcycles and motorcycle-rickshaws is reduced from Rs. 550 to 500 while the fee for other vehicles has been greatly increased.

    For instance, the license fee for the Motorcar Jeep has been increased from Rs. 950 to 1800. The detailed schedule is mentioned in the tweet below.

    According to the official statement released by the Lahore Traffic Police, you can now apply online via the website https://dlims.punjab.gov.pk/. You can also download e-challans from the same portal.

    Licenses can be applied for via helpline number 735. The fine for driving any vehicle without a license is Rs. 2000.

    Additionally, driving a bike without a helmet will also be fine with Rs. 2000.

  • ‘Aloo Baingan’ ranked one of the worst desi dishes by food, travel survey

    ‘Aloo Baingan’ ranked one of the worst desi dishes by food, travel survey

    In a recent survey, food and travel guide ‘Taste Atlas’ published a list, where Aloo Baingan was in the 60th position, with a 2.7 rating out of five.

    TasteAtlas, a global food review publication, compiles its list based on user ratings and reviews. Aloo Baingan received a 2.7 out of 5-star rating, which is apparently low enough to land it on the list. Although listed as Indian, the dish is equally popular in Pakistan.

    As per TasteAtlas, “Simple and flavourful, aloo baingan is a dish made with a combination of eggplants and potatoes, cooked together with onions, tomatoes, and various spices. The name of the dish specifies its key ingredients since aloo means potatoes, and baingan means eggplant.
    It is a type of sabzi (dry curry) that is usually served with flatbreads such as roti and naan. It is said that aloo baingan is even better if made in advance, as the flavours deepen while the dish rests.”

    The rating stirred the internet as everybody started expressing their likes and dislikes but it turns out that people share a love-hate relationship with baingan (eggplant).

    Netizen commented, “How can someone label a dish with baingan as one of the worst? Westerners seriously lack taste buds”.

    A user, Nabeel Ahmed commented that it is completely ‘unjust’ as the dish served with boiled rice is commendable. He urged the dish Aloo Baingan to be given due respect.

    Another user, Surbhi shared her preference as aloo baingan to be bearable because in her view Torai is the worst.

    A couple of internet users stated clearly that they do hate the dish and some declared to neither hate it nor like it much.

    The debate tickled a funny bone in some, as a user referred to the famous rhyme, “Aloo Kachalo Miyan Kahan gaye thay” by commenting, “I hate baingan since the day he kicked the aloo in Baingan ne laat mari or aloo ro raha tha”.

  • TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon launches fund for Palestinian children’s education

    TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon launches fund for Palestinian children’s education

    Lebanese-Malaysian TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon, also known as “Tube Girl,” is helping Palestinians by initiating a fund to assist Palestinian children. With a following of nearly 800,000 on TikTok, Sabrina has teamed up with Geutanyoe Malaysia, an advocacy group, to provide aid to Palestinian refugees in Malaysia. These refugees have come from Gaza and the West Bank

    Sabrina’s initiative focuses on education and she has established a fund dedicated to sponsoring the schooling of 14 Palestinian children at the Marifah International School in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia. Sabrina’s kind act is all about making sure these children can go to a good school and have the opportunity for a better future.
    Geutanyoe Malaysia has expressed sincere appreciation for Sabrina’s generous support, acknowledging her commitment to the cause through the creation of the “Sabrina Bahsoon’s Fund for Palestinian Children’s Education.”

    It added: “This contribution not only nurtures young minds but also serves as a safe haven for them in a context of protracted displacement. Together, this coordinated effort strengthens our resolve to empower the Palestinian community through education.”

  • Nepali cricketer sentenced to eight years in prison for rape

    Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichane was sentenced to eight years in prison in a rape case, while a fine of Rs300,000 (three lacs) was also imposed on him.

    A single bench of the Kathmandu District Court sentenced the leg sniper to eight years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs3 lacs on his conviction in a rape case. The court also ordered Lamichhane to pay another two lac rupees to the victim.

    Lamichhane’s lawyer Saroj Ghimer while talking to the media said that they would appeal against this decision in the High Court.

    In September last year, the Nepal Cricket Association suspended Sandeep Lamichhane from the team after he was accused of raping an 18-year-old girl.

  • Pakistan vs New Zealand’s T20 series trophy unveiled

    Pakistan vs New Zealand’s T20 series trophy unveiled

    The trophy for the five T20 match series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been unveiled.

    Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Kiwi captain Kane Williamson participated in unveiling of the T20 series trophy.

    In the first T20, the Pakistani team will enter the field under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi with four fast bowlers. Apart from Shaheen Afridi, the other fast bowlers will be Amir Jamal along with Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan, according to Geo News.

    Sources say that Muhammad Nawaz will be preferred over leg-break googly bowler Usama Mir in the first T20I, while Saim Ayub will open the innings with wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan.

    Former captain Babar Azam will play at number three while the aggressive Fakhar Zaman has agreed to play at number four.

    Azam Khan will play as a wicketkeeper if he joins the eleven-member team.

    The first match of the five-match T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be held in Auckland on Friday, January 12. Shaheen Afridi will lead the national team for the first time.

  • Ustad Rashid Khan passes away at 55, fans pour in heartfelt messages

    Ustad Rashid Khan passes away at 55, fans pour in heartfelt messages

    Hindustani classical singer and music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan died in Kolkata on January 9 at the age of 55. He is survived by his wife Soma Khan, two sons, and a daughter.

    The renowned singer had been battling cancer and was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata in November 2023.

    He was part of the Rampur-Sahaswan musical tradition and was the great-grandson of its founder, Inayat Hussain Khan.

    He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2022 for his contributions to the field of Art.

    After his demise, social media was filled with heart felt messages by his fans.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “Pained by the demise of Ustad Rashid Khan Ji, a legendary figure in the world of Indian classical music.”

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X that, “A hugely respected vocalist with unparalleled genius in creating music, he made us proud by settling here and making Bengal his home.”

    User Kanpriya wrote: “Lost count of the number of times I have listened to this master piece. “Aaoge jab tum saajna” is just an intro to the world of Ustad sahab’s music.”

  • Having trouble with renewing your passport? There’s a WhatsApp number you can contact for help

    Having trouble with renewing your passport? There’s a WhatsApp number you can contact for help

    The Department of Immigration and Passports has released a phone number and WhatsApp number for complaints and awareness on the issuance or renewal of passports.

    Afzal Nadeem Dogar’s report in Geo states that the Director General of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, explained that due to his efforts, the issuance of passports is going on as usual. However, if the public has any problems, they should call phone numbers 0519107072 and 0519107072 to register their complaints or get information.

    According to DG Immigration and Passports, in case of delays in receipts or printing of passports, citizens should send a photo of their passport token receipt to WhatsApp number 03368566685 so that their complaint can be redressed.

    To read more: Why aren’t you getting your passport?

  • Four employees die in Kandhkot election commission office after gas leak

    Four employees die in Kandhkot election commission office after gas leak

    Four people have died after gas leaked in the rooms of Election Commission office in Tehsil Kundhkot, Geo has reported on Wednesday.

    The election commission office says that the four were employees of the Commission. They were sleeping in the room when they suffocated from the leaking gas.

    According to the election commission, three of employees who died belong to Larkana, while one belongs to Kandhkot.

    The deceased employees include election officer Mushtaq Magsi, data entry operator Farid Ahmed, data entry operator Majid Ali and Abdul Rauf.