Author: newsdesk

  • ‘I got married at 17, but wouldn’t recommend it’: Annie Zaidi

    ‘I got married at 17, but wouldn’t recommend it’: Annie Zaidi

    Getting married young may seem exciting, but it’s not always easy. Veteran actress and writer Annie Zaidi who got married at just 17, shared her thoughts on the challenges during an appearance on Subh Ka Samaa Madeha Kay Sath.

    When the host asked, “Was there any decision you feel you should have made earlier,” Annie Zaidi replied, “Getting married late. One shouldn’t rush into marriage. I was only 17 when I got married, and I wouldn’t recommend anyone to marry that young.” 

    The Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actress elaborated on the pros and cons of early marriage saying,

    “Although there are pros and cons, like your kids growing up with you, and you being able to play and bond with them, what about your own personality and life? I grew up later, I lacked awareness and maturity at that age, and that uncertainty makes you take wrong decisions, struggle, and battle with yourself. It’s a lot.”

    The host asked, “In your opinion, what is the right age for marriage?”

     “It should be around 23 or 24. By then, you’ve completed your studies, gained some maturity, and understand life better. When you’re too young, you don’t even know how to manage your life, let alone raise children. It becomes challenging,” Zaidi replied.

    Earlier, in an interview with Fuchsia Magazine, Zaidi shared her admiration for Fahad Mustafa, recounting how she initially reacted and her experiences working with him on set.

    “The first time I met him was at the hospital scene, when I looked at him, he was just like he is now in the loser and love-struck mode, behaving exactly the same off-screen as he did in his role. I thought to myself, ‘Who is he?’ ‘What is he doing?’

    Later, when I saw him act during shooting and watched the serial, I was so impressed by him. In his off-screen scenes, he was just as natural and immersed in the role.”

    As she watched him act, both on and off the screen, Annie became even more appreciative of his talent.

    “When a scene ends, he returns to being normal, having regular conversations. But on set, he’d slip right back into character, completely dedicated. I remember thinking, ‘This is a real actor,’” Annie said.

    She starred in drama such as Chhaon, Teesra Aadmi, Tawan, Uraan, Fitoor and last starred in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.

  • Champion Trophy’s likely hybrid model revealed: Report

    Champion Trophy’s likely hybrid model revealed: Report

    A proposed version of the hybrid model of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champion Trophy has come to light.

    Indian cricket website Cricket Buzz has claimed that 15 matches have been scheduled for the event from February 19 to March 9, out of which Pakistan will host 10 matches and one semi-final. A proposal to shift five games, including the other semi-final and the final, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is under consideration.

    If Pakistan accepts the hybrid model (which is unlikely), then broadcasters will have to face serious operational and logistical challenges. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may be given concessions and additional money if it accepts the proposal. 

    Reports say that bookings for venues, hotels and travel arrangements will also have to be made for a semi-final and a final.

    The ICC is still not able to make a final decision on where India’s matches should be held, while South Africa’s name is also under consideration for hosting the Trophy, but the South African board has clearly refuted the reports. 

    In case the meeting decides on the basis of voting that the matches should be held under the hybrid model, it will be the first time that the tournament has been shifted to another place due to the non-participation of just one team from the event, there is no such example in the past.

    14 members, including board members participating in the board of directors meeting, will be able to cast votes.

    After this decision, Pakistan may withdraw from tournaments to be held in India, which include the Women’s World Cup and Men’s Asia Cup next year, as well as the T20 World Cup in 2026.

  • PTI calls off Islamabad protest

    PTI calls off Islamabad protest

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called off its Islamabad sit-in for the time being following Tuesday night clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

    PTI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account issued a press release on Wednesday morning that reads, “In view of the government’s brutality and the government’s plan to turn the capital into a slaughterhouse for unarmed citizens, [we] announce the suspension of the peaceful protest for the time being.” 

    On Tuesday night, security forces launched an operation at D Chowk to disperse the protestors.

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    Reportedly, prior to the operation, markets in all nearby areas were closed, and streetlights were also turned off; the operation was completed within two and a half hours, leading to the arrest of more than 500 protesters from D-Chowk and its nearby areas.

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    In some videos posted on social media, scenes of D-Chowk after the operation are shown, and dozens of broken windows of vehicles can be seen on the federal capital’s Jinnah Avenue. 

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    PTI, in its statement shared on X, appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Yahya Afridi, to take suo motu notice of the alleged “brutal murder of martyred [party] workers” and order legal action against the prime minister and interior minister as well as Islamabad and Punjab police chiefs for “attempt to murder”.

    Two demonstrators were killed and over 60 injured in clashes between security forces and protestors on Tuesday night.

    The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) confirmed the civilian death toll.

    On the contrary, the PTI, in a statement, claimed that “dozens” of its workers were shot at directly and killed, saying that the party had the details of eight deceased.


    Meanwhile, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan will address an “emergency” press conference today.

  • Cricket Australia remembers Phil Hughes on 10th death anniversary

    Cricket Australia remembers Phil Hughes on 10th death anniversary

    On November 27, 2024, Cricket Australia honoured the memory of Phillip Hughes on the 10th anniversary of his tragic passing.

    10 years ago today (2014) in Sydney, Philip was hit on the head by a ball bowled by Sean Abbott during a Sheffield Shield match, losing his life to the injury.

    Today, the players observed a minute’s silence in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania in memory of Philip Hughes.

    Emotional scenes were seen at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

    Sean Abbott was also among those paying tribute at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and he became emotional on this occasion, which was encouraged by his fellow players.

    On the completion of 10 years after the death of the former cricketer, a loving message was also issued by the family of Philip Hughes.

    He represented Australia in 26 Tests, 25 ODIs and one T20I match.

  • ICC calls board meeting on Champions Trophy hosting issue

    ICC calls board meeting on Champions Trophy hosting issue

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called a board meeting on November 29 to consider the future of Champions Trophy 2025 due in Pakistan next February.

    According to reports, the meeting will be held online, and the agenda will be sent to all board members.

    The scheduling and future of the Champions Trophy will be considered during the meeting, reports said, adding that various options will be discussed during the meeting. These options include a hybrid model, a complete transfer from Pakistan or the postponement of the tournament.

    The board’s preference is to adopt a hybrid model; however, the PCB has already opposed the same.

    The ICC will take a final decision on the Champions Trophy after considering all opinions and suggestions by the board members.

    India has refused to come to Pakistan and participate in the tournament whereas Pakistan is adamant on its stance of not accepting any hybrid model.

    Meanwhile, due to Indian stubbornness, the ICC has not yet been able to announce the schedule.

    The ICC is facing pressure from broadcasters to announce the schedule at the earliest and as per broadcast rights. The ICC may also face legal action if Pakistan-India match is not held.

  • What was said in ‘strict message’ sent to Imran Khan? Muneeb Farooq has the details

    What was said in ‘strict message’ sent to Imran Khan? Muneeb Farooq has the details

    Senior journalist Muneeb Farooq on Monday revealed that a strict message was sent through Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership to incarcerated party founder Imran Khan regarding the party’s ongoing violent protest.

    Muneeb Farooq, on his YouTube channel, stated that the party founder had been told to behave or face repercussions for altercations with law enforcement. 

    On Monday night, Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with former speaker of the  National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Shibli Faraz, met the party founder in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi to discuss the next strategy as the protest goes on. 


    “Don’t listen to Bushra Bibi’s directions [on protest],” the journalist quoted the strict message that had also been conveyed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders on November 25.

    The political analyst further stated that both the establishment and the federal government had refused to accept PTI’s three demands.

    PTI demanded the revocation of the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate.

    Last night, Naqvi seemed to confirm talks with the protesting opposition party, saying that the government had offered the Sangjani area for protest; however, reportedly, consensus was not reached between the government and Pakistan’s biggest opposition party.

    The Sangjani was the same venue on the outskirts of the federal capital where the PTI held its Sept 8 rally.

    Meanwhile, multiple PTI demonstrators have reached Islamabad’s roundabout D Chowk, and it can be seen that party followers are embracing security officials at the top containers of D Chowk in social media posts.

    However, the PTI convoy led by Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi crossed the federal capital Blue Area and was only a few Kilometers (KM) short of reaching D Chowk.

    Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that former First Lady Bushra Bibi was dead set on getting people killed.

    Tarar alleged that Bushra Bibi used others’ children as pawns, noting, “There is still time to stop and go back.”

  • CCTV footage debunks claims of Rangers’ vehicle crushing security personnel

    CCTV footage debunks claims of Rangers’ vehicle crushing security personnel

    The release of a CCTV footage on social media has rubbished earlier claims that four Rangers personnel were crushed by security vehicles amid violent protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in and around Islamabad.

    The PTI, on founder Imran Khan’s call, has marched on the federal capital in protests that went violent with clashes between party workers and law enforcement personnel. The law and order situation took a turn for the worse as at least four Rangers personnel and two cops were martyred on Tuesday morning at around 3 am.

    With law enforcement claiming that the Rangers personnel were crushed by a fast-moving vehicle from one of PTI’s convoys, the party claimed that the vehicle belonged to paramilitary personnel themselves.

    Safeer Ali, an eyewitness of the incident and brother of the civilian who was also killed in the incident near Islamabad’s Chongi Number 26, claimed that he looked on as “fleeing police and Rangers deliberately ran people over as they sped away”.


    The claim, which went viral after Ali’s interview to senior journalist Matiullah Jan outside Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), was, however, debunked after the release of CCTV footage of the incident.

    The CCTV footage showed a Rangers check-post with a group of paramilitary troops standing at ease. In the background, a private vehicle can be seen crushing a separate group of Rangers personnel as it speeds away.

    “The video clearly shows that the witness lied about the details of the incident in his interview. He had said that, ‘I was standing there with my brother and PTI supporter who was a former FC [Frontier Constabulary] soldier. Rangers crushed him while fleeing. [The video shows] no witnesses or Rangers fleeing. They are standing at ease,” journalist Waseem Abbasi wrote while sharing the CCTV on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

    Meanwhile, the federal government, in wake of violent protests and deaths of security personnel, has deployed army in Islamabad by invoking Article 245 of the Constitution. 

    A notification issued by the Interior Ministry said that army has been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

    Security forces have also reportedly been authorised to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight.

    By the time this report was filed, PTI demonstrators had reached their destination, D-Chowk, amid intense tear-gas shelling.

  • Malaika Arora spotted with mystery man amidst separation from Arjun Kapoor

    Malaika Arora spotted with mystery man amidst separation from Arjun Kapoor

    A video of Bollywood actress Malaika Arora holding hands with an unidentified man outside a local hotel has gone viral on social media.

    The footage, which shows Malaika along with her sister Amrita Arora also present, has sparked curiosity among fans about the identity of the mystery man.


    The clip comes to light at a time when Malaika Arora and actor Arjun Kapoor have publicly confirmed their separation. 


    The couple, who started dating in 2018 and made their relationship official in 2019, recently announced their split during the promotions for Arjun Kapoor’s latest film, ‘Singham Again’.


    Malaika Arora, who divorced Arbaaz Khan in 2017, was seen in a stylish white top and olive green pants, while the mystery man wore a pink shirt and blue jeans.


     Fans have been speculating about the nature of their relationship and the identity of the man.


    The video has intensified the buzz around Malaika’s personal life, especially following the news of her separation from Arjun Kapoor.

    Earlier, his father Anil Arora committed suicide by jumping from the terrace of the sixth floor of the building. The incident occurred at around 10:30 am on 11 September, Wednesday at his home in Bandra.

    According to media reports, police reached the spot and recovered the body, initiating an investigation into the suicide.

    DCP Crime Branch Raj Tilak Roshan shared the latest update, saying, “We are conducting a thorough investigation and our team, along with forensic experts, is actively involved in the process.”

    After the news of Malaika Arora’s father’s demise, her close friends and other Bollywood celebrities have gathered to offer their support and condolence to her.

    Arbaaz Khan, Malaika’s ex-husband, also arrived at the Arora parents’ home. His father Salim Khan, his wife, and his son Sohail Khan also arrived to offer condolences.

  • Second ODI: Pakistan crush Zimbabwe by 10 wickets

    Second ODI: Pakistan crush Zimbabwe by 10 wickets

    Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in the second ODI match played at Queens Sports Club Ground in Bulawayo.

    Pakistan easily achieved the target of 146 runs in the 19th over without losing a wicket. Saim Ayub scored the first century of his ODI career and scored 113 runs, while Abdullah Shafiq remained unbeaten on 32 runs.

    Earlier, Zimbabwe had given Pakistan a target of 146 runs to win, and the host team returned to the pavilion after scoring 145 runs in 32.3 overs.

    Debutant Abrar Ahmed took four wickets, Salman Ali Agha took three wickets, and Saim Ayub and Faisal Akram took one wicket each, while one batter was run out.

    Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan.

    In this match being played in Bulawayo, two players from Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir, are playing an ODI for Pakistan for the first time.

    It should be noted that in the rain-affected first match, Zimbabwe won by 80 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method and took a one-nil lead in the three-match series.

  • VIDEO: Army personnel hug PTI protesters atop containers at D-Chowk

    VIDEO: Army personnel hug PTI protesters atop containers at D-Chowk

    The political situation in Pakistan is becoming tense by the minute as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters have entered Islamabad on former prime minister Imran Khan’s “final call”, meeting heavy resistance from law enforcement along the way.

    With violent overnight protests resulting in the deaths of at least six security personnel, including four Rangers, the federal government has deployed army to quash the protests and keep PTI workers from advancing to D-Chowk.

    Amid high-running tensions, a video that went viral on X (formerly Twitter), showed PTI protesters climbing on top of containers set up to block access to D-Chowk. With army personnel present on the containers already, they were seen helping and embracing the protesters.

    The move was welcomed by authorities and protesters alike. Unconfirmed reports claim that army personnel also made announcements over loudspeakers, urging PTI workers to remain peaceful because the military won’t open fire on its own people.

    Earlier in the day, a fast-driving car ran over law enforcement personnel on the federal capital’s Srinagar Highway.

    As tensions between law enforcement and protesters ran high, the federal government deployed military in Islamabad by invoking Article 245 of the Constitution.

    A notification issued by the Interior Ministry said that army had been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

    Reportedly, security forces have also been empowered to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight. Furthermore, a group of armed men reportedly pelted stones and opened fire on security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, leading to another Rangers official getting injured. He was shifted to hospital in critical condition.

    Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while talking to the media, said the government had talked and engaged with protesters “in every possible way”.

    “They hold talks and then pull out,” the minister claimed, adding that roads were opened so that PTI workers could make their way to Sangjani instead of D-Chowk.

    “The PTI leadership wants to hold talks, but a secret hand is controlling the party and it is stronger than all others. They have some other motives,” he said.

    Naqvi’s comments came after reports claimed that PTI leadership, including founder Imran Khan, had approved shifting the protest to Sangjani amid violent clashes. The same was disapproved by Khan’s wife and former first lady Bushra Bibi, who said she would continue leading protesters to D-Chowk till she had spoken to her husband herself.