Author: newsdesk

  • Children and women will be exempted from bio-metric verification, says Sarfraz Bugti

    The spokesperson for The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan and caretaker Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, held a discussion with Afghan High Commissioner Ahmed Shakaib, deciding that children and women will be exempted from scanning by NADRA. Only male adults will be scanned for verification.

    “The interior ministry issued directions that females and children below the age of 14 will not be scanned for entry by NADRA. Only male adults would be scanned during the voluntary repatriation,” reported Dawn. Only a “head count” of women and children will be done for record purposes.

    The decision was made keeping in context the heavy influx of Afghan citizens on the borders as the deadline for leaving has passed and deportation has started. A huge number of people are also coming in for voluntary repatriation and it was feared that the situation could spiral out of control. This directive could smoothen the process a bit.

    Authorities are asked to be gentle as any aggression will lead to consequences. A special helpline number has been set up by the ministry and every complaint will be catered to on an emergency basis. The Afghan Embassy has also been asked to send a representative who can work closely with the Interior Ministry.

    So far, 165,000 Afghan immigrants have left for Afghanistan during voluntary repatriation. On Thursday, a total of 19,344 undocumented immigrants left via Torkham.

    Officials at the border crossing in Angoor Adda in KP’s South Waziristan district said that 294 Afghan immigrants, including 129 children, voluntarily left for Afghanistan on Thursday.

    Out of 572 refugees taken into custody, 200 were sent back as they produced valid documents while 384 were sent to Chaman for deportation. 1,176 Afghans volunteered to reach Chaman on their own.

    The crackdown in Punjab will start today as per the officials.

  • ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    Kim Kardashian is once more going viral for all the wrong reasons. The reality TV star was publicly criticised for her vocal support for Israel a few weeks ago as well as her ongoing silence on the genocide in Gaza which has now claimed close to 9000 civilian lives.

    Kim posted pictures of her family celebrating Halloween, where her sons were seen dressed as injured football stars with bruises and bandages.

    Twitter users were outraged, pointing out that the costumes bore an uncanny resemblance to photos of injured Palestinian children in football jerseys. Approximately 4000 children have been killed, as per the Gaza Ministry of Health.

    “Isn’t scary to think that an actual child in Gaza actually looks like this now? But sure Kim have fun this Halloween…” a user commented.

    “even if it wasn’t intentional, how many braincells do you need to read the room when social media is flooded with bloodied and broken children’s bodies stop looking up to these brain dead celebrities.” Another user posted.

  • ‘This is so sad’: Armeena Khan calls for end to Afghan refugees deportation

    ‘This is so sad’: Armeena Khan calls for end to Afghan refugees deportation

    Pakistani actress Armeena Khan has called for an end to the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Armeena wrote:

    “It would be CRIMINAL of me not to talk about 1.7 million Afghans who are being displaced from Pakistan, their homes being bull dozed. This is absolutely vile! How can we treat them this way? I cannot talk about Gaza without talking about the plight of the Afghans. This is so sad.”

    When a user tried to school her, Armeena slammed him on the double standards of Pakistanis who are protesting for a Free Palestine but on the other hand, are pushing Afghan refugees out of their country.

    “People like you are no different than the war mongering factions of the Israelites. Two sides of the same coin. Spare the Palestinians your hypocrisy. The Pakistani Afghans are also your Muslim brothers and sisters.”

    Veteran actress and model Iffat Omar also joined in by sharing a picture of a boy stranded on a truck and writing in the caption “This is really heart breaking.”

  • Hamas reportedly sent texts to families of Israeli captives

    Hamas reportedly sent texts to families of Israeli captives

    Families of Israeli civilians who are under Hamas’s captivity have reportedly received text messages in Hebrew from senders claiming to be Hamas, asking recipients to click on a link to access information on the hostages.

    “We offered your government a prisoner exchange, but it did not accept,” the text read.

    “This is our message: the release of all prisoners in exchange for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.

    To know the condition of all your prisoners, stay in touch with us.”

    ”

  • Imran’s doctor denies report that Khan being slow poisoned

    Imran’s doctor denies report that Khan being slow poisoned

    Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, has denied reports that Imran Khan is being slow-poisoned in Adiala jail, Geo reported on Friday.  

    Shile talking to journalists after visiting Imran Khan in Adiala jail, Dr. Sultan said that the PTI chief is “fit” and not under the influence of any slow poison.

    “The former prime minister is hale and hearty,” he said.

    On the other hand, Imran Khan denied his involvement in May 9 riots, stating before the joint investigation team (JIT) that he was in jail when the incident occurred, he told the JIT in the presence of his lawyers.

    The JIT, led by SSP (Operations) Rawalpindi Faisal Saleem, comprised SP (Potohar) Waqas Khan, DSP (New Town) Malik Allah Yar, an inspector, and a sub-inspector, was present in Adiala jail for 45 minutes and asked tough questions to the former prime minister.

  • “It’s inhumane”: Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan describes conditions Gaza doctors are working in

    “It’s inhumane”: Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan describes conditions Gaza doctors are working in

    Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, a paediatric intensive care doctor for Doctors Without Borders and a co-founder of the GazaMedicVoices social platform, reflects in an interview on the on-going struggle of doctors in Gaza who are working under dearth of basic medical supplies.

    “I refuse to let my imagination go to the places where reality has taken us in these last three weeks.” she said.

    “Everyday I feel like things can’t get worse, and then they seem to get worse.”

    Dr. Tanya asserted Gaza doctors are “World class experts in the field of medicine and in the field of mass casualties” but she goes on to remark that having to carry out medical procedures without pain control or anaesthesia “makes it sound very barbaric.”

    With “hands tied” and being “stripped of every tool” used in modern medicine — from anaesthesia to ventilators and monitors — it is an unfathomable place to be in, she described.

    “I can’t fathom being in the position that they are in,” she stated, highlighting that the doctors in Gaza are working every day despite the trauma they are seeing, despite fear for their family’s well being, despite fear for their own life, and constantly being threatened to be bombed in the health facility because they “refuse to leave” their patients and evacuate.

    “I’ve never been in that position and I don’t know many people that have been in that position to be honest. The conditions that we’re seeing in the Gaza strip right now are unthinkable.” she added, calling it “unprecedented in modern times”.

    She further highlighted in her interview that the children there are coming in with 70-90 per cent of their bodies burned, stressing that doctors would normally and “obviously” give them immediate pain control. And a regular change of dressing would be carried out under sterile conditions; and if the burns are extensive, they are put to sleep for the process because it is so “exquisitely painful”.

    But in Gaza, pain relief is not an option.

    Dr. Tanya also quoted the doctors currently serving in Gaza who, to describe their situation, used words like “inhumane”, “intolerable”, “unbearable”.

    “They are crying out to the outside world and many of them are giving up. They’re saying the world has come together to eliminate us,” she reiterated.

    Others say, “They are deaf and blind to our suffering. All we have is God.”

  • ‘The gora complex is still present among Pakistanis’: Shaista Lodhi

    ‘The gora complex is still present among Pakistanis’: Shaista Lodhi

    Actress and aesthetic surgeon Shaista Lodhi appeared as a guest at the late night talk show ‘Mazaaq Raat’ where she criticised Pakistani obsession with fair skin.

    The actress revealed that several women come to her clinic to improve their skin tone by makin it fairer.

    “Literally, I say to them do you want to look like pigeons? Kyun kay wo already is tarhan ki complexion ki hoti hain kay aur zarorat nah hain. Ab sirf rang phat sakta hai.”

    Previously, speaking on ‘The Talk Talk Show’, Lodhi opened up about coming across clients who came to her after being bullied by their husbands on their physical features. She recalled a patient coming along with her husband, who jokingly suggested to the surgeon to make his wife look like her.

    Previously, speaking on ‘The Talk Talk Show’, Lodhi opened up about coming across clients who came to her after being bullied by their husbands on their physical features. She recalled a patient coming along with her husband, who jokingly suggested to the surgeon to make his wife look like her.

    READ MORE: ‘A patient revealed she was kicked out of her house by her husband because of her stretch marks’: Shaista Lodhi

    “You can see the way women are treated in our society,” lamented the ‘Pardes’ actress. “That girl was sitting in a corner and politely laughing while I wanted to slap him right away. But that woman kept silent, even though it must be torturous for her to stay with such a man who keeps taunting her with things like ‘Tumharay baal hain’, ‘tumharay boaht ziada baal hain’..”

  • Accused of slapping Miandad, Rashid Latif sent legal notice to PJ Mir

    Accused of slapping Miandad, Rashid Latif sent legal notice to PJ Mir

    Former Pakistan team captain Rashid Latif has sent a legal notice to former cricketer and analyst PJ Mir for damages of one billion.

    In a tweet on X, former captain Rashid Latif wrote that I never slapped Javed Miandad or raised my voice in front of him. Javed Miandad is not only a legendary cricketer but also the pride of Pakistan.

    Rashid Latif wrote in his tweet that he made my debut under his captaincy and learned a lot from him. “I respect Javed Miandad like my father. “

    Rashid Latif mentioned the legal notice in his tweet and wrote that a notice has been sent to PHONE Mir to pay one billion in damages. Rashid Latif wrote that PJ Mir should apologize for his statement within 14 days, if he does not apologize, he has the right to take legal action against PJ Mir.

    According to media reports, PJ Mir had alleged role in 1993, Rashid Latif had slapped Javed Miandad in the dressing room.

  • Dubai Golden Visa price in 2023: What’s driving the high demand? 

    Dubai Golden Visa price in 2023: What’s driving the high demand? 

    Dubai has seen a remarkable surge in the issuance of Golden Visas during the first half of this year, marking a substantial 52 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to a report. 

    Additionally, data from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) reveals a substantial 63 per cent increase in the issuance of residency visas this year. The report also highlights a noteworthy 21 per cent boost in the tourism sector. 

    What is the price of Dubai Golden Visa? 

    The price of Dubai Golden Visa varies depending on the category of visa you are applying for. However, the general cost is as follows: 

    Real estate investor visa: AED 2 million 

    Public investor visa: AED 5 million 

    Entrepreneur and startup owner visa: AED 500,000 

    Exceptional Talents Visa: AED 500,000 

    Scientists visa: AED 500,000 

    Skilled professionals visa: AED 250,000 

    Student visa: AED 100,000 

    Humanitarian Pioneers Visa: AED 100,000 

    Doctors and nurses visa: AED 100,000 

    Exceptional coder visa: AED 100,000 

    The UAE introduced the Golden Visa scheme to offer additional security for those looking to make their future in the UAE. There are numerous advantages for Golden Visa holders, including: 

    Long-term residency: Golden Visa holders can live, work, or study in the UAE for five or ten years. 

    100 per cent business ownership: Golden Visa holders do not need to find a national sponsor for almost all business activities. 

    Employment: Golden Visa holders can apply for jobs with any company in the UAE. 

    UAE driving licence: Golden Visa holders from one of 32 approved countries are automatically eligible for a UAE driver’s license. 

    Understanding Golden Visas 

    Golden Visas represent a category of residency-by-investment programmes, offering individuals and their families the opportunity to secure residency or even citizenship in a foreign nation by making substantial investments in the host country’s economy. 

    Typically, such programmes necessitate a minimum investment in real estate, government bonds, or other approved investment vehicles to qualify. The term “Golden Visa” derives from its advantageous privileges, including unrestricted travel within the host country and potential tax benefits. 

    Benefits of getting a Golden Visa 

    While the primary allure of a Golden Visa for many is the prospect of gaining residency or citizenship, not all programmes confer citizenship solely in return for investments.

    Here are some of the most common advantages offered by countries with Golden Visa programmes: 

    Residency or Citizenship: A Golden Visa affords you and your family members the privilege to reside and work in the host country. In certain cases, your investment may eventually lead to eligibility for citizenship. 

    Travel: Residency status permits unrestricted travel within the country hosting the programme. In most European countries with Golden Visa programmes, this privilege extends to travelling within the European Union, simplifying business and leisure travel without the need for additional visas. 

    Education: Many Golden Visa programmes provide access to local education systems, encompassing public schools and universities. 

    Healthcare: Golden Visa holders often enjoy access to local healthcare benefits, contingent on the host country’s programme. 

    Tax Benefits: Certain Golden Visa programmes offer tax incentives, such as reduced personal income tax rates or exemptions on foreign income. 

    Real Estate Investment: The primary pathway to securing a Golden Visa is through investments in real estate, which also presents opportunities for capital appreciation and rental income. 

  • World Cup 2023: India defeats Sri Lanka by huge margin of 302 runs

    World Cup 2023: India defeats Sri Lanka by huge margin of 302 runs

    In the 33rd match of the ICC World Cup, India qualified for the semi-finals by defeating Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 302 runs in a one-sided match.

    Sri Lankan captain Kaushal Mendes won the toss and invited Indian captain Rohit Sharma to bat first. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started the innings on behalf of India, but the openers of the unbeaten team of the tournament could not provide a long partnership in front of the Sri Lankan bowlers.

    Sri Lankan bowler Madhushanka bowled Indian captain Rohit Sharma on the second ball of the first over and sent him to the pavilion with just four runs. After the fall of one wicket, a wonderful partnership of 189 runs was established between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. India’s second wicket was Shubman Gill on 193 runs when Madushanka caught him on 92 runs, after which Madushanka himself sent Virat Kohli to the pavilion for 88 runs.

    Shreyas Iyer played a brilliant inning of 82 runs off 56 balls, KL Rahul 21, Surya Kumar 12, Jadeja 35 and Mohammad Shami got out after scoring two runs.

    The Indian team scored 357 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

    For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madhushanka dismissed five players while Chimera took one wicket.

    Chasing India’s target of 358 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting line proved to be a wall of sand, collapsing in spectacular fashion. None of the batsmen could play in front of the devastating bowling. Chasing 358 runs, the Sri Lankan team collapsed for 55 runs in 19.4 overs. Kasan Rajitha scored 14 runs and Angelo Mathews scored 12 runs, while Madhushanka was dismissed for five runs.

    Mohammad Shami dismissed five players by while Mohammad Siraj took three wickets for 16 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each.