Author: newsdesk

  • Saudi Women’s Premier League starts today

    Saudi Women’s Football Premier League will start from today, with three matches scheduled on the first day.

    A total of 10 teams are participating in the League, and more than 90 matches will be played during 18 rounds.

    More than 200 women players are participating in this season from 20 countries.

    The Saudi Arabian Football Federation also launched a marketing campaign in this regard last week, urging fans to come to the stadium to watch the matches and support their teams.

    Saudi Arabia, once conservative, is now promoting women’s sports. The Women’s Premier League shows the country’s effort to support women in football and create more opportunities for them.

  • Pakistan can no longer afford non-filers: Finance Minister

    Pakistan can no longer afford non-filers: Finance Minister

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has confirmed that the government is preparing to eliminate the category of non-filers, aiming to reduce the burden on those who actively file taxes.

    “It’s time to remove the non-filers category,” he stated in an interview with Voice of America during his visit to New York, USA.

    “Pakistan is probably the only country in the world with this concept. Either you are a filer, or you’re simply not paying taxes,” Aurangzeb explained. “The government is set to abolish this category.”

    He further added, “The government cannot afford this anymore.”

    This announcement follows remarks by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood, who said that the government had decided to do away with the non-filers category.

    For the 2023 tax year, 6 million returns have already been filed, and the government expects more following strict measures introduced against non-filers.

  • ‘The Glassworker’ makes history as Pakistan’s first animated film submission for Oscars 2025

    ‘The Glassworker’ makes history as Pakistan’s first animated film submission for Oscars 2025

     

    Pakistan’s first hand-drawn 2D animated film has been selected as the official entry for the Oscars – Academy Awards – in the Best International Feature Film category.

    Director and writer of The Glass worker Usman Riaz shared the news on his Instagram.

    “We are proud to announce that The Glassworker has been selected as Pakistan’s submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. This marks the first time a 2D hand-drawn animated film from Pakistan has been chosen for this prestigious honor” the caption read.

    “The Glassworker represents a decade of passion and perseverance. I am deeply humbled by the selection and hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, showcasing the talent and creativity Pakistan has to offer”, Riaz added.

    The film was released on July 26, 2024 in Pakistan.

    It is directed by Usman Riaz and Mairam Riaz Paracha and produced by Geo Films.

     

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Usman Riaz (@usmanoriaz)

     

  • 48 cocaine capsules found in African man’s stomach at Multan airport

    48 cocaine capsules found in African man’s stomach at Multan airport

    An Angolan national was arrested at Multan Airport in an attempt to quash cocaine smuggling. The foreigner had arrived from Muscat. He allegedly swallowed dozens of cocaine capsules and was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

    Express News reported that the alleged smuggler was carrying 48 capsules filled with cocaine in his stomach.

    The total weight of the recovered capsules was 624 grams, said the ANF spokesperson.

    The arrest was made as part of an operation against drug smuggling.

    The spokesperson stated that foreign nationals, particularly from African countries, have been involved in drug smuggling activities in Pakistan. Most of the foreigners arrested in connection with smuggling cases this year have been from African nations.

    The arrested foreign national has been charged under the Anti-Narcotics Act, and an investigation is going on to uncover more details about the smuggling operations.

    This is not the first time ANF has arrested a foreign national. A Nigerian man was found with 38 cocaine-filled capsules hidden in his stomach last month, at Lahore airport.

    Express Tribune reports that this year, authorities have already conducted seven operations, arresting eight Nigerian individuals, and recovered 11,420 kilograms of drugs.

  • Hareem Shah joins British politics: Find out which party she supports

    Hareem Shah joins British politics: Find out which party she supports

    Social media star Hareem Shah has announced that she is going to take part in UK politics so that she can become a member of the British Parliament later on. Hareem shared that she joined a major UK political group after being invited to do so by one of its leaders.

    Now, while talking to representatives of Geo News, Hareem Shah said, “I have formally entered British politics and campaigned for the Liberal Democrats in the recent election.”

    She said, “I have started working for the Liberal Democrats in Britain, for this I am grateful to them for considering me worthy and making me a part of their party. I will try to live up to the expectations of the Liberal Democrats. May I fulfill and play my best role while living in this country.”

    “Sitting in the British Parliament and doing something for the political party with the status of being a Pakistani is a great achievement for me. Some of my other friends are also working in this party. Besides, many Pakistanis are also working for this party.”

    She further added, “I liked UK in terms of education after which I also got admission here based on merit and now I am continuing my studies here in LLB.”

    She said that she had obtained a Masters from Pakistan and is also a Hafiz-e- Quran. “Now I am doing LLB from UK and for this all my fees are paid by the British government, along with accommodation, gym expenses and even college. The British government also pays for the transport costs.”

    Hareem left Pakistan more than a year ago and hasn’t been back since. She now lives in London permanently.

  • What is Laiba Khan looking for in her future husband?

    What is Laiba Khan looking for in her future husband?

    Actress Laiba Khan looks for one main quality in a life partner.

    During her recent appearance as a guest on ‘Mazaq Raat’, hosted by Imran Ashraf, she talked about what it is she seeks in a life partner.

    Ayesha Shakoor asked, “You mentioned that you want to settle down quickly, what kind of life partner do you desire?”
    Laiba replied, “I want someone who respects me, someone who ensures that I am respected in his home. I want him to support me and understand me emotionally.”

    Then Imran Ashraf said, “The girl who had no interest in acting and had never dreamed of becoming a superstar… has acting caught her interest now?”

    “I can leave this industry,” Khan mused. “When I entered it, my family told me that once you taste fame, money, and recognition, you won’t be able to leave it.”

    She stated that when she joined the field, she had a plan to dedicate a certain number of years to the industry. “I initially planned to give it five years, and now I’m in my fifth year. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I have no idea what to expect,” the actress added.

    Currently, Laiba Khan is starring in Kaffara, written by Shafia Khan and directed by Muhammad Iftikhar Iffi.

  • Pakistani documentary on Qawwali wins International award

    Pakistani documentary on Qawwali wins International award

    Pakistani music documentary ‘Songs of the Sufi’ has won the Best Documentary Audience Choice Award at the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival.

    The documentary tells the story of classical Qawwali through the families of Qawwals, fans, devotees and music scholars.

    The documentary is filmed combining mystical art, Mughal miniature paintings, qawwalis, interviews and true storytelling by renowned Pakistani artists.

    Mystical poetry is a wonderful art form that explores history, culture and the universal message of love. Jigar Shah, director of the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, said, “I am very happy that this documentary has won in our festival.”

    He further said, “Shahrukh Waheed and Kamran Anwar have presented this masterpiece on the big screen in a very good manner.”
    Shah Rukh Waheed, the director of documentory, said, “We feel very good that our documentary is being appreciated by the audience from all over the world.”

    He added, “This is our tribute to the art of Qawwali and Qawwal families for keeping this sacred art alive and we want to share it with the world.”

    Producer Kamran Anwar said, “We are happy with their response, adding that we are thankful to the judges and viewers who have appreciated the film.”

  • Selection committee takes U-Turn on squad announcement for match against England

    Selection committee takes U-Turn on squad announcement for match against England

    The National Selection Committee has taken a U-turn on the squad announcement for the Test match against England.

    The national selection committee could not bear the pressure of criticism on social media for excluding Kamran Ghulam. The selection committee will add three reserve players to the squad.

    Kamran Ghulam, Zahid Mehmood and Muhammad Ali are likely to be included as the reserve players, and the team management may give a chance to one of the reserve players in the second or third test. The reserve players of the Pakistan cricket team will continue to play in the Champions Cup.

    The announcement of the reserve player will likely be after the Champions Cup.

  • Usman Wazir knocks out Indian opponent in in 65 seconds at World Youth Boxing

    Pakistan’s Usman Wazir knocked out his Indian opponent in the first round in one minute and five seconds in the World Youth Boxing Championship in Bangkok.

    He was fighting against India’s Thilak Selvam in the Thai Boxing Arena. After the first round started, the Indian boxer could not withstand Usman’s powerful punches for more than a few seconds and sat down in the ring.

    The Indian boxer had just regained his breath when Wazir landed another punch, but the Indian boxer could not handle it. Seeing the situation, the referee declared Usman Wazir the winner technically.

    This is Usman’s 14th consecutive victory in the boxing ring. After defeating the Indian boxer, Usman Wazir appealed to the prime ministers of both countries to establish good relations.

  • Which actresses are on Mahira Khan’s favorite list?

    Which actresses are on Mahira Khan’s favorite list?

    While exploring the vibrant streets of London, superstar Mahira Khan took a moment to connect with her fans in a question and answers session on X (formerly twitter).

    She revealed who is her favorite actress and elaborated on important lessons that she learned during her career. From advice from Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan to her favorite actress, here are some responses she gave to questions.

    When a fan asked, “What all learning did you receive from SRK while working on Raees?”

    She quoted the tweet to say, “Give happiness a chance baby.”

    In response to a question about her favorite actress on television, Mahira Khan said, “Man everyone is so good ⚡Right now on tv- Yumna, Sajal, Hania, Kubra, Mawra, Sehar, Sabeena,naeema… and many more. Endless list.”

    Her favorite actor:

    “So many but I’ll tell you, I really enjoted Ahmed Ali Akbar just ❤”

    A fan suggested to Mahira, “You should launch a production house that makes short series for tv, may be films eventually we need good contemporary tv series for millennials and Gen Z that can reach out to global audience too more than current tv.”

    “It’s complicated, especially if you’re not churning out dramas which then can provide the money needed to make stuff like short series or films. I’m really trying to put a few stories together.. maybe collaborate with other production houses.. let’s see! InshAllah,” the Humsafar actress added.