Author: newsdesk

  • Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets, a project to be implemented in public spaces in Bahawalpur along the highways, has now expanded to government offices across South Punjab.

    In the last leg of the project, 433 toilets are to be constructed in government offices throughout the region. They are designed specifically for working and visiting women-a major step towards promotion of gender equality and facilitation of women.

    The initiative commenced at the South Punjab Secretariat under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab, Captain (R) Saqib Zafar.

    The foundation was laid by the Secretary Services South Punjab, Engineer Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen. He, while addressing the ceremony, informed the attendees about a survey that has been carried out to identify optimal locations for these facilities. The administration of all three divisions have been asked to complete the project by November 9.

    He stated that the project is proof of determination of the management towards the cause of ensuring the well being of women. It also signifies the commitment to the purpose of creating an inclusive and accommodating environment for the female workforce.

  • Inappropriate behavior with Babar Azam and team; Gautam Gambhir angry at Indian spectators

    Inappropriate behavior with Babar Azam and team; Gautam Gambhir angry at Indian spectators

    Former India opener and current World Cup commentary panel member Gautam Gambhir expressed anger at Indian spectators for their inappropriate behavior towards the Pakistan team in Ahmedabad during the Pak-India match on October 14.

    In a column published in Khaleej Times, Gautam Gambhir wrote, “Though our team India has won three out of three matches, I don’t think we have won the hearts of Indian cricket team supporters.”

    “Our turnout at the ground during matches other than the Indian team has been extremely low which makes me wonder if we really love the game or are just obsessed with Indian superstars,” he wrote.

    Gambhir also criticized the behavior of Indian fans towards opposing teams and wrote, “During the first match between Afghanistan and India in Delhi, the spectators abused Naveen-ul-Haq and continuously chanted Kohli-Kohli in front of him because in IPL there was an argument between the two, then later, we abused Babar Azam at the toss in Ahmedabad while shouting unnecessary slogans at the Pakistani batsmen while returning to the pavilion.”

    Read More: Pakistani cricketers show solidarity with Palestine

    Gambhir further wrote that it is unimaginable that a society which gave the world the “concept of ‘the whole world is one family’ could be so contradictory”.

    Addressing his nation, the former cricketer wrote, “If we want to win the bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, we have to adopt a more neutral attitude.”

    He mentioned that Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur also criticized the atmosphere and said that it does not seem like an ICC event.

    “Also when I was commentating there in Ahmedabad, I was not at all proud to see such bigoted behavior,” Gambhir wrote.

    The former cricketer wrote that he is in favor of competition in sports and supporting any team but, added, “That does not give us the license to abuse and humiliate the opposing team.”

  • PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly release a detailed written order regarding the issuance of the party’s election symbol.

    Highlighting the importance of justice and fairness, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, the party’s counsel, submitted an application on Wednesday to the Commission, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive decision in the interest of transparency.

    Senator Zafar underscored that the Election Commission’s earlier notice to the PTI, rejecting the allocation of the cricket bat symbol due to purported intra-party election discrepancies, was a misstep. He contended that the PTI had indeed conducted intra-party elections on June 9, 2022, in accordance with its constitution.

    According to Senator Zafar, the Election Commission’s subsequent decision on August 30, 2023, had validated the PTI’s stance on the legitimacy of the intra-party elections and had signaled the allocation of the bat symbol.

    However, despite the Commission’s initial commitment to issue a detailed decision following the verbal announcement, the order had not been provided even after 41 days.

    “PTI is the largest political party in the country, which is contesting the upcoming elections. Not issuing a detailed decision even after 41 days is a clear violation of fundamental rights, including articles 4, 9, 10A, 15, 16, 17 and 26 of the Constitution,” he said.

    Ali Zafar insisted that according to the Constitution, ECP was bound to hold free, fair, impartial, and transparent elections, while avoiding detailed decisions was a deviation from this constitutional mandate.

    He further added that under the Constitution of Pakistan, the ECP was bound to organize and conduct the election in a manner that was honest, just, fair, and in accordance with the law, but the non-issuance of the detailed written order was contrary to this.

    “The entire world is watching the proceedings of the ECP and the delay in the decision is unnecessarily creating contrary false rumors as if the decision orally announced on Aug 30, 2023, is going to be varied,” he said.

  • Want a pet that will live for a hundred years? This Giant Sulcata tortoise needs a home

    Want a pet that will live for a hundred years? This Giant Sulcata tortoise needs a home

    A woman living in the Canadian region of British Columbia, near the city of Richmond, was paid a surprise visit from a giant tortoise of the endangered African breed Sulcata in the backyard of her farmhouse.

    Shelly Smith, a dog trainer, initially presumed the animal to be a rock poking out from the rows of spinach but it turned out that it was moving too-not all of a sudden but at a slow speed.

    She called a local animal shelter. Interestingly, while she was asked about the size of the tortoise, she blurted out that “it was bigger than the platter you’d use to serve 24 people a Thanksgiving turkey.”

    The tortoise has been named as Frank the Tank and is now living with a foster family until it finds a permanent home.

    The Sulcata breed of tortoise is endangered but keeping them could be very overwhelming because of the size they grow to and the care they demand so it is common for owners to abandon them. They are relatively cheap (almost 500 Canadian dollars) but these are the kinds of pets which are passed onto the next of kin in the will. Apart from the huge size they grow up to, they can live almost 150 years.

    Frank the Tank currently weighs 35 pounds and is expected to grow to 50 pounds. His age at the moment is unknown but it appears he probably has a century in hand.

    The veterinarian at the shelter house said, “You really have to plan on what you have to do with him after you die.”

  • Women’s police station in Rawalpindi rocked with allegations of theft

    Women’s police station in Rawalpindi rocked with allegations of theft

    A female constable working at a women’s police station has reportedly accused the station house officer (SHO) of theft and blackmailing staff.

    The spokesperson for the police, on the other hand, has deemed the complaint baseless allegations to dodge accountability.

    The complaint lodged by Lady Constable Anita Naseem states that a woman named Arisha Khalid met SHO Irum Khanam to submit an application. At the time of her visit, she lost her purse.

    CCTV footage shows SHO Irum Khanam taking money from the purse and putting it away under a blue chair.

    According to the report, since SHO Irum Khanam was mindful of the camera, she pressured Anita Naseem to keep hush about the incident and threatened her. It is also, allegedly, not the first time for SHO Khanam to take money from others.

    Apart from violating departmental rules, the complainant said that she has been subjected to psychological suffering.

    An inquiry into the matter is under way with the Headquarters SP leading the investigation. The initial findings of the inquiry did not support the accusations against the SHO.

  • Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    South Korean actor Park Seo-Joon is all set for his Hollywood debut with the superhero film ‘The Marvels’. The ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim’ actor will reprise the role of Prince Han, the poster released on Marvel’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shows.

    The film also stars ‘Ms Marvel’ star Iman Vellani, Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. It is all set for release on November 10. The official trailer was released on July 21.

    Park Seo-Joon has appeared in hit Korean dramas like ‘Fight For My Way’ and ‘Iteawon Class’.

  • ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

    He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”

    Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.

    Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.

    “Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.

    The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.

    “We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

    He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

    “We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.

    “The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.

    In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.

  • PCB dismisses objections over cricket team’s support for Palestine

    PCB dismisses objections over cricket team’s support for Palestine

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed objections over the national cricket team showing their solidarity for Palestine on social media.

    Pakistan cricket team is currently playing the ICC Cricket World Cup in India. On October 10, the national team’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Muhammad Rizwan, tweeted in support of Palestine, dedicating his performance in the win against Sri Lanka to the people of Gaza.

    After his tweet, many Indian fans and anchors raised objections and complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) which dismissed the objections and replied, “This is outside of the field and not in our domain, only their Cricket Board can take any action”.

    Last night almost all of the national cricket team including Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad, Usama Mir, Umar Akmal, Asif Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Muhammad Nawaz, Abid Ali, Kamran Akmal, Azhar Ali, Noman Ali, Amer Yamin, Wasim Junior, Sohail Tanveer, Muhammad Abbas, Faheem Ashraf, Sahibzada Farhan and others posted pictures of the Palestinian flags on their social media accounts.

    A storm of criticism was raised on social media by Indian fans, many of their cricket experts and anchors.

    According to sources, PCB has dismissed all objections, stating: “The team’s expression of solidarity was a personal decision.”

  • Nawaz Sharif gets green signals from courts; three bails granted

    Nawaz Sharif gets green signals from courts; three bails granted

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) approved the request of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, providing him with bail in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases until October 24.

    In July 2018, Nawaz Sharif, who had been removed from office, received a 10-year prison sentence in the Avenfield properties corruption case, for assets that exceeded his known income, and an additional one-year sentence for failing to cooperate with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    In the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, he was handed a seven-year prison term and subsequently taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

    On the other hand, an accountability court has deferred the arrest warrant of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana case, as the NAB raised no objections.

    The court announced the decision after reserving a verdict on Nawaz’s petition seeking postponement.

    A day earlier, the former prime minister filed a petition in an accountability court to restrict authorities from arresting him on his return to the country on October 21.

    During today’s hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Qazi Misbah, requested the court to suspend the arrest warrant as he is coming back to Pakistan and wants to appear before the court himself.

    The legal team of PML-N supremo has also filed a bail petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to prevent officials from arresting him on October 21.
    During the hearing, Qazi Misbah argued that Nawaz Sharif wanted to appear before the court on October 24, telling the judge that his client was not well, which is why he didn’t appear before the court.

  • Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    American-Palestinian supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid are receiving death threats after their vocal support for the liberation of Palestine. The siblings are known for expressing their anger towards Israel’s apartheid policies in Palestine. Bella also declared that she was not afraid of losing jobs act the cost of activism.

    According to TMZ, phone numbers of members of the Hadid family, including their father Mohammad Hadid, who was a survivor of the 1948 Nakba, brother Anwar, and mother Yolanda, were leaked. Spammers then sent them graphic descriptions of how they would murder them. Sources told the publication the family received threats through emails, social media as well as on phone calls, and the patriarch Mohammad is considering taking this up with the FBI.

    READ MORE: There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    A few days ago, Gigi Hadid was directly targeted by an official Instagram account associated with Israel. The account criticised her on her Instagram post calling out the difference between anti-zionism and anti-semitism. Gigi had earlier shared a neutral stance expressing her sorrow over the Israeli lives lost, as well as Palestinians, praying for peace to prevail.

    In a series of posts, the Israeli account criticised her for ignoring the fake news about 40 beheaded Israeli babies, which has since then been debunked by several publications.

    READ MORE: Israel official account attacks Gigi Hadid on Insta, gets crushed on Twitter