Author: optimum_tech

  • World Athletics Championships: Arshad Nadeem Qualifies for Final

    World Athletics Championships: Arshad Nadeem Qualifies for Final

    Pakistani Arshad Nadeem qualifies for finals of the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023, being held in Budapest. He has also qualified for the Paris Olympics with a throw of 86.79m in the final attempt. 

    Nadeem’s first attempt was 70.63m while the second was 81.53m.

    Nadeem recorded his career’s best throw of 90.18 metre in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which is also a record throw of the quadrennial event.

    India’s Neeraj Chopra has also qualified for the finals. of the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023, which is being held in Budapest. The Olympics gold medallist recorded a throw of 88.77m in his first attempt itself, which was enough to secure his place in the final. 

    It also happens to be among Neeraj’s best throw of the year, surpassing his previously recorded 88.67m and 87.66m attempts in the Doha Diamond League and Lausanne Diamond League respectively. 

    A total of 37 javelin throwers have been divided into two groups, with a total of 12 athletes to qualify for the final. Nadeem was in Group B along with world number one Jakub Vadlejch, who also automatically qualifies for finals in his second thrown of 83.50 meters. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra was in Group A. The Automatic qualifying mark for the final was 83 metres or at least the top 12. 

    The final of javelin throw will be held on Sunday, August 27.

  • Who is Shoaib and why is Governor Sindh promoting him?

    Who is Shoaib and why is Governor Sindh promoting him?

    Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori was recently seen in a video talking about, of all the things, his new haircut. The background music and his facial expressions might seem a bit serious but he flaunts his hair cut and style with panache while recommending Shoaib Salon.

    It made us wonder, who Is SHOAIB?

    His Facebook page states that he is a “renowned Stylist & Hair Dresser” who is based in Karachi and has “experience of 12 years.” I rather enjoyed his Instagram profile bio more which says, “Playing with fire and scissors.”

    Shoaib’s timeline is filled with pictures of Pakistani celebrities, his salon and him at work for Express News’s program transmission but what we found fascinating was this BTS video of Kamran Tessori getting ready.

    Not only Mr. Governor, but his son, Zahid Khan Tessori, also loves the salon and you’ll get a special 20 percent discount if you go and take his name.

    Shoaib has also gotten a picture framed with Kamran Tessori for his salon.

  • Who completed the rescue operation in Battagram?

    Who completed the rescue operation in Battagram?

    The world’s eyes turned to Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon after news reports appeared emerged that a chairlift carrying children and adults got stranded hundreds of feet above the ground midway through its journey across a valley in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two of the three cables connected to the pod snapped, leaving the children tethered midair between 7am to 8am.

    The cable car was privately run by locals for transportation across rivers as there were no roads or bridges in the remote area.

    The cable car, along with passengers, remained dangling in the middle of a deep ravine surrounded by towering mountains and a rocky surface along side the Jhangri river for more than 12 hours.

    At 11:56 am, the official account of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) tweeted that a helicopter has been sent for rescue operation in collaboration with Pakistan Army and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

    At the same time, interim Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted that directions have been given to relevant authorities to ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the eight people stuck in the chair lift.

    The dramatic and dangerous rescue began with army helicopters and SSG commandos saving a child at around 6:30 pm via a sling lowered from the helicopter on the fourth attempt after three failed ones. Four helicopters were being utilized and the rescue operation was being led by GOC SSG.

    As day light was almost ending and unfavorable weather conditions were rising, a ground operation started with the help of locals. Initially there was a claim that two children have been rescued via sling operation but later it was confirmed that only one was successfully rescued.

    Rescuer and employee of a local company specializing in retrieving vehicles and dead bodies from rivers, Sahib Khan, who along with Ali Swati, Ilyas and Hammad participated in the rescue operation by zip lining. While talking to Reuters he said:

    “The incident happened at around 7:00 a.m. , we arrived there around 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. The helicopters were coming and going, but they did not give us permission to make an effort at saving the kids. However, when evening set in, they said ‘you can go ahead’. They had rescued one child, seven were still stranded. We started our operation, and thank God we rescued all seven of them. By the grace of Allah, all of them are fine.”

    While talking to Hum News, Ali Swati, founder of Heaven’s Way Zipline Pvt Limited, said that he was contacted by Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, Bilal Shahid Rao, who told him the army helicopter is time taking and risky and the people can be rescued by zip lining.

    “It took us 3 to 4 hours to rescue 7 people. One person was rescued by the Army. Our own lives were at risk. We planned this for 20 to 25 minutes, checking our harnesses and the amount of weight they can endure.”

    He further added that the people stuck there had spent more than 15 hours stranded mid-air. One child, who was unconscious, had already been given water by the army, which helped him in gaining consciousness. The effectees were afraid that they all might fall due to the addition of zip liners and another “dolli”.

    “We made them all relax for five minutes. Then my staff member Ilyas moved in the dolli and gave everyone their equipment. We secured them on the wire too to ensure safety,” he added.

    The rescue operation was concluded around 11pm, almost 15 hours after the ordeal started for stranded locals.

  • Police chief suspects the Jaranwala incident is foreign conspiracy

    Police chief suspects the Jaranwala incident is foreign conspiracy

    Editor’s note: While the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has made claims that this incident is a conspiracy, it has not come as shock to a lot of Pakistanis since similar incidents have happened in the past.

    Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar suspects potential foreign involvement in the recent violent riots in Jaranwala, where a communally stoked mob wreaked havoc by torching five churches.

    In an exclusive interview with SAMAA TV, IGP Anwar stated that the timing and calculated actions of the main suspects in the incident have raised suspicions of a well-coordinated plan.
    “While it is too early to conclusively establish external involvement, the Joint Investigation Team is set to delve into this angle”, he added.

    IGP Anwar believes that the perpetrators wanted to turn away the focus from the plight of women who are facing heinous acts in a neighboring country.

    “The sheer size of the unruly crowd, estimated to be around five to six thousand people, posed a significant challenge for law enforcement. The risk of loss of life, if the authorities had engaged in a direct confrontation, was a major factor in their approach,” said IGP.

    “We understand the frustration and concerns regarding our response,” IGP Anwar acknowledged, “but it was crucial to ensure the safety of innocent lives amidst the chaos.”

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, while addressing the participants of the annual internship program at General Headquarters said that Jaranwala incident is sad and unbearable.
    The COAS said that such elements have no place in our society.

    The COAS also said there is no scope for such Jaranwala incidents of intolerance and extreme behavior against minorities.

    “All citizens are equal to each other regardless of religion, gender, caste or creed,” the Army’s top general said.

    The COAS warned that no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands and people guilty of such crimes will be brought to justice.

    Key suspects arrested

    Over 130 individuals involved in the torching of the churches have already been apprehended, with the primary suspects also under custody, said Mr Usman.

    The identification of more than 170 individuals has been facilitated through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), aiding the ongoing investigation.

    The Incident

    Disturbing reports have been received from Jaranwala, Faisalabad, where multiple churches have been burnt amid allegations of blasphemy against a Christian community member. As per locals, the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area have been burnt so far. Christian colonies all around the city have been evacuated and there is a complete shutter down in the city.

    As per the videos and pictures circulating on social media, a police officer can be seen addressing the mob, trying to calm them while the crowd is demanding the death of the accused.

    In another video a man can be seen in a masjid, announcing that Christians have committed blasphemy and is urging others to gather outside the mosque to protest within the boundaries of law.

    In a separate video, a group of young boys and men can be seen chanting violent slogans.

    In a recent update, the Jaranwala police on has registered terror cases against more than 600 people for “vandalising multiple churches and torching homes belonging to the Christian community.” 

    As per reports, Lahore-Multan motorway was blocked by the protestors near Jaranwala. X (formerly Twitter) user Khurram Mushtaq tweeted:

    “Lahore-Multan motorway road is blocked near Jaranwala by people of adjacent villages to protest against alleged blasphemy by a Christian. I fear they will convert into a fierce/violent mob soon. Administration should engage them as early as possible.”

    https://twitter.com/KhurramMushtaq/status/1691728619263955234

    According to Journalist Asad Toor, police have registered a Blasphemy case against some Christian community members.

    A resident of Jaranwala, while talking to The Current, said that the entire Christian community is terrified. He said that the this is not a sudden incident. One of his house helpers, who belongs to the Christian community, arrived at their house around 6 o’clock in the morning and told his mother that the city may witness unrest. She further said the accused brothers were residents of the same colony and the matter seems to be a case of personal grudge.

    Another source told The Current that a girl was being teased by some members of the Muslim community and when they were scolded, the aftermath spiralled out of control, leading to blasphemy allegations which led to violent protests all around the city.

    The district administration has imposed section 144 for seven days, prohibiting all kinds of assembly, except for events organized by the government. Following the orders issued by the caretaker prime minister, the Punjab government has given directives to form a high-level inquiry committee to probe into the incident.

    “This was a well thought out plan to disrupt peace and a high-level investigation is underway regarding the desecration of the Holy Quran and incidents that take place afterward,” a spokesperson for the provincial government said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, last night Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar also reached Jaranwala to monitor the situation. The officers also held a meeting with the Aman Committee members and other locally influential religious and political parties’ leaders to engage the protesters.

    Meanwhile, Punjab government has removed Jaranwala AC Shaukat Masih from his post and made him an officer on special duty (OSD). Sources said the AC, who is also a Christian, was made OSD to pacify the violent protesters who were pressing the government to immediately transfer the officer.

    Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, took to X (former Twitter) and condemned the incident and said, “I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.”

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged the administration to ensure safety of the Christian community and their churches.

    Senator Sarfraz Bugti tweeted, “Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes.”

    Former Interior Minister of Pakistan and President of PMLN Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said, “The culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, and the law should take its due course.”

    Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, tweeted that the situation is troublesome and police is trying to resolve the situation.

    Bishop Azad Marshall, President Bishop Church of Pakistan & Educator, said, “We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan.”

    The situation is changing by the hour in the city and netizens have taken to social media to raise their concerns.

    President Pakistan Muslim League Kasur, Rana Sikandar Hayat, urged authorities to take immediate action.

    Politician and Activist, Ammar Ali Jan, stated that the police is helpless in front of bigots.

  • Exclusive: Man who made fake bomb threat on Malaysian flight is former Pakistani model Arif Ali

    Exclusive: Man who made fake bomb threat on Malaysian flight is former Pakistani model Arif Ali

    On August 14th, a Malaysia Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back when an agitated man claimed he had “explosives” in his backpack, Australian police said.

    The 45-year-old was arrested after the plane returned to Sydney and has been charged with one count of making a false statement about a threat to damage an aircraft.

    Videos of the man went viral where he can be seen praying on a prayer mat in the airplane’s aisle and repeatedly asking people if ‘they are a slave of Allah’.

    The Current has confirmed with multiple sources that the man is a former Pakistani model and actor, Muhammad Arif Ali. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from NCA in 2002. He worked as an architect at a number of firms in Karachi and Lahore from 2002-2016.

    He was also featured in renowned Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haq’s song, “Preeto” and as an actor he was in a Pakistani sitcom, “Kollege Jeans”, which revolves around the campus life of the National College of Arts, directed by Jawad Bashir.

    Most of his entertainment industry friends say that they lost contact with him while one of our sources confirmed that, “I lost contact a long while ago but I heard that he has developed extremist views”.

    We followed his social media and here is what we found:

    His Behance profile as an architect was made in January 30th, 2012, where he shared different projects he worked on during his career.

    His Facebook profile is open and shows that he lives in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. People have started commenting on his public posts.

    His YouTube channel “food for thought” is made up of shorts and videos, mostly based on his religious views. The last video on August 12 2023.

    His Instagram profile was made in June 2014 and has a throwback video with his “Kollege Jeans” co-actors. His former colleagues and his lawyer say they hope he is given a psychological assessment and is dealt with in a fair manner, saying that he likely suffers from mental health issues.

  • Wardah Noor is trying to end poverty, one empowered youth at a time

    Khudkaar, now known as xWave, started when Wardah Noor, 23, visited far-flung areas of district Layyah during a ration drive in the lockdown period. She observed how laborers were distraught while their economic conditions worsened day by day. That urged her to start something sustainable in case such circumstances arise again and “people have something to eat at home.” She decided to take a gap year from her university and work on the idea for a couple of months.

    She was enrolled in B.A. LLB from LUMS at the time. The first half of Wardah’s gap year was consumed in traveling across Pakistan including KP and Sindh, visiting different institutes in Karachi, and residing in Islamabad for some time to see what is happening in other cities. That’s when she learned that skills training and development is something that might result into sustainability. In the second half, she started crowdfunding; her friends who were running other social ventures donated laptops, furniture, books and, “that’s how we started in Layyah.”

    “During crowdfunding, we asked people that a minimum of Rs100 and a maximum of whatever they can pledge for a year. We used to meet our monthly expenditures, and for furniture, different people donated different things,” she said. She started the venture in a room at her home where they initially made a computer lab and, in another section, women were taught stitching.

    She was able to secure The Spark Fund- Global Fund for Children through which they managed the finances for next year. Till now they are crowdfunding and simultaneously applying for grants. Recently they have started enrolling wealthy students who pay a certain amount of fee which helps in covering a small part of expenditure. She believes that this venture has given a direction to her life.

    “This has given me a purpose which gives me satisfaction too. I have the energy to get up every morning and work on this idea. I initiated another startup during my gap year. I prepared a curriculum for overseas Pakistanis to give them Urdu tuition and I taught people the Urdu language because it is not their first language,” she added.

    She explains that this helped her in saving money, but it distracted her from her focus. She eventually took a decision at the start of this year, ending the Urdu tuition startup and giving all her energies to enhance xWave. The salary she has started drawing from xWave after a donor’s funding is 5 times less than what she was earning from her Urdu startup, but this gives her satisfaction, and she is determined to live and die for the cause. What gives her energy, and an adrenaline rush is knowing the success stories of her students and fellows.

    Shazia Gull, a 23-year-old young woman, hailing from Layyah couldn’t continue her studies due to personal reasons. She used to stay at home and got to know about this center through her cousin. She secured admission there and started learning illustration and 2D animation. She had no source of earnings prior to this.

    She says, “I am working on multiple projects, I have a full-time job at xWave, and earning a good amount of money. I am instructing about teaching-related courses at Coursera to enhance my skills and earn more.”

    Another student of xWave, Muhammad Zain Abbas, also a resident of Layyah, got to know about this institute through his college teacher. He joined last year to learn video editing. “I made my account on Fiver a year ago and I have earned 150 dollars so far. I bought a decently working mobile phone as it was important for my work and I am hopeful that I will earn around 5000 dollars per month in the future,” he said.

    According to data released by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), 2022 saw a growth of 2.74% as the remittance inflows stood at $397.328 Million as compared to 396.243 Million in 2021. There were around 3 Million freelancers in Pakistan in 2022, as per the report released by MoITT, which have possibly increased in 2023.

    Pakistani freelancers earn an average of $20 per hour, and the majority of freelancers in Pakistan are under the age of 30. The most popular payment gateway for freelancers in Pakistan is Payoneer.
    The global freelance industry is valued at $3.5 Billion, and the Pakistan industry accounts for 9% of the global market.

    According to data released by Payoneer and Upwork, women make up 47% of the freelance market in Pakistan, which is more than the 35% global average.

    40% of freelancers in Pakistan are from Punjab, 29.5% from Sindh, 14.7% from KPK, 10.5% from Balochistan, and 5.3% from Azad Kashmir.

    Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi collectively account for 88% of Pakistan’s freelancing industry.

    Wardah Noor is an inspiration for young Pakistanis, and she advises others to dream big.

    “Keep struggling, you have unlimited opportunities and endless avenues to learn from. Don’t look for shortcuts to be rich overnight; learn as many skills as you can consistently. You can achieve anything in your life,” she says.

  • Maria B has yet another factually incorrect take on transgender people

    Maria B has yet another factually incorrect take on transgender people

    Designer Maria B has yet again decided to court controversy. The fashion maven took to social media to disperse more of her opinions about transgender communities, because she knows them better than the experts from the community, right? On Friday, the face behind the fashion brand ‘Maria B’ tweeted how the biggest threats to women universities were “biological men” aka transgender women, who were invading women’s bathrooms. She called for a ban on giving admission to transpeople in women’s colleges.

    “Women Universities in Pakistan are under attack. Biological men are now being given admission in our safe spaces for women. Female bathrooms are now being invaded by biological men who feel like women….As it is we live in a Conservative society where parents hesitate sending their daughters for higher education. Forcing biological men into women’s universities under the garb of transgenders will be a great disservice to women’s education. Watch how parents will start stopping their daughters from getting education bcz there are MEN PRETENDING TO BE WOMEN in the universities.”

    The fashion designer went on to slam women rights organisations like Aurat March for “not standing up for women’s rights” and “shutting women’s voices”.

    However, reports from universities all around Pakistan would disprove Maria B’s take that the transgender community is the biggest reason why parents are refraining their daughters from going to universities. Because from all the recent cases of sexual harassment and rape reports from colleges, we can’t help but deduce that the majority of the perpetuators behind these assaults are men.

    Take for instance, the recent case in Ghazi University where a young woman complained of being sexually assaulted and threatened by two male professors who were black mailing her younger sister.

    READ MORE: Accusations of sexual assault, blackmail leveled against two professors in DG Khan

    Or the matter of the ex-head security officer at Islamia University in Bahawalpur, who was caught in July with multiple illicit videos of women and female staff on his phone. He was allegedly black mailing women with threats to leak the videos.

    READ MORE: Police arrest university’s chief security officer for objectionable videos of female students, drug possession

    In June, another male employee at King Edward Medical College was caught making videos of women in washrooms, an action which launched protests as several women revealed they had consistently filed complaints with the KEMU administration about the pressence of male staff members in female bathrooms.

    READ MORE: Employee at King Edward Medical University caught making video of female student in washroom

    In not one of these stories is it mentioned that a transgender woman was caught harassing or black mailing a woman. However recently, reports circulated on social media of a transgender activist who was forcibly converted in a rehabilitation centre Focus Life, where she detailed reports of being tortured, sexually harassed and abused for her gender identity.

    READ MORE: Transgender activist Zaakraa’s story takes sinister turn, wipes all previous posts

    So there you have it folks, it is not transgender women who are making other women feel unsafe in universities, but it is the way institutes turn a blind eye to male privilege, sexual harassment, and protection of harassers that keeps women feeling unsafe in these places.

  • Transgender activist Zaakraa’s story takes sinister turn, wipes all previous posts

    Transgender activist Zaakraa’s story takes sinister turn, wipes all previous posts

    TRIGGER WARNING: discussion of abuse, torture, homophobia

    Zaakraa has wiped out all of her social media posts, and posted a video saying she didn’t mean what she said previously, and had said it because she had anxiety.

    “I had uploaded my last video on the recommendation of someone, and at that point I was panicking and severely depressed. I am sorry for everything, and for insulting anyone.”

    Meanwhile, transgender activists Hina Baloch and Mehrub Moiz Awan have alleged that Zaakraa has been ‘kidnapped’ by the facility after she made public allegations of suffering abuse, torture and beatings while she stayed there.

    Mehrub Moiz revealed she was on the phone with Zaakraa for eight seconds when she heard screaming and a voice saying: “Dr Imran is here.”

    Hina Baloch requested friends from Lahore to spread the word so she may be found.

    Soon after Zaakraa took to Instagram, deleting her previous videos.

    A transgender activist who goes by the name Zaakraa has appeared back online after disappearing from social media for six months.

    She has posted videos on her Twitter and Instagram page, stating that her parents forced her to take conversion therapy at the Focus Life Rehabilitation Centre, detailing the torture and abuse she was subjected to at the hands of the doctors.

    In the video, Zaakraa says that for three months, she was stripped naked, beaten, and slapped by staff when she refused to eat because of her eating disorder. She also revealed that Dr Samina, who was present at the clinic, would question why Zaakraa was so invested in Aurat March, and other issues related to women. Another psychiatrist, Dr Imran, was informed by Zaakraa’s sister about his bisexuality. He berated the activist for his support for Aurat March and Moorat March.

    https://twitter.com/BubblesKhanum2/status/1688117427241095168?s=20

    The Current reached out to Zaakraa for a statement. She responded as follows:

    “I want Focus Life Rehab to be held accountable.”

    Zaakraa also shared pictures on her social media account of the doctors who she says were responsible for the torture and abuse during the time she was there.

    https://twitter.com/zaakraaaa/status/1688171062243315712?s=20

    We have reached out to Focus Life for a statement, and will update the article with their response.

    Prominent transgender activists like Mehrub Moiz Awan have expressed outrage on social media and called for the organisation to be shut down.

  • If you loved ‘Fairy Tale’ then watch the classical drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’

    If you loved ‘Fairy Tale’ then watch the classical drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’

    Since ‘Fairy Tale’ is set to arrive back this month with another incredible new season, we get that fans are rewatching the episodes over and over again. For the first time, a Pakistani drama managed to actually enrapture women, with a non-problematic male-lead as well as a fun-loving, well written female lead. Yes its true that there is nothing good to watch out there that won’t make you cringe in the first 15 minutes. But plenty of our followers need to discover classical dramas, their incredible story lines about powerful, hilarious women not abiding by toxic patriarchy, and one of them is Syed Muhammad Ahmed’s ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’.

    Directed by Sahria Kazmi, the five episode drama starred Marina Khan as Hira, a witty and fearless woman whose crush on a stranger accidently leads her to be mistaken as the fiance of a man in coma. Many Twitter users even began drawing a comparison between Hira, and the protagonist of ‘Fairy Tale’ Umeed Pasha, played by Marina Khan, as a viral tweet showed.

    And honestly, we’ve been waiting for the public to realize this so we could write another piece to praise this classical drama and just to write about how brilliant Fairy Tale is for catering to an audience nostalgic about the brilliant dramas of the 90’s. So if, like us, you’re patiently waiting till August 5 arrives when Season 2 of Fairy Tale drops, watch ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’

    1. Brilliant, hilarious and talented female leads

    It’s no shocker that Umeed won the hearts of Pakistani women because of how similar she was to the women from dramas like ‘Tanhaiyaan’ and ‘Dhoop Kinare’, stories of head-strong, independent women who were complex and completely unlike the wailing women trope we see in dramas these days. Hira Muzzaffar from ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ is a wonderful example of how progressive 90s dramas were. She lived alone, was independent and fearless about pursuing what she loved. She didn’t hide away her love, and expressed it bluntly. And she didn’t adhere to the crazy tropes our dramas today think all women want, like being slapped by useless men, or engaging in some cold war with her saas.

    1. Wholesome family dynamics

    If you loved the crazy family dynamics of family members like Aghoo Jaan, Pasha Saab, Mimi and Nigo aunty from ‘Fairy Tale’, then ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ will draw you in without any haste because of how every single character has a hilarious role, there is no part where it feels like the episodes are dragging. Every character, like Hira’s boss Sajjad, has a special part in the episodes, even if a small one.

    1. Wholesome, well-written male leads

    We’ll get to the meat of what made a drama like ‘Fairy Tale’ so engaging for audiences: because of the rare occasion where men aren’t toxic, worthless creatures and are actually the opposite of that. Many users loved the male lead Farjaad from ‘Fairy Tale’ because aside from the splendid acting of Hamza Sohail, this intoverted and shy man matched the fierce and loud Umeed in an amazing way. Rather than taming her fire, he encouraged her to embrace it, and kept loving her regardless of how clumsy or oppinionated she was. In the same way, Bilal from ‘TSKT’ and Hira stand out because of their hilarious banter and how he becomes the loving family she had constantly longed for.

  • WHO applauds four countries for full adoption of anti-tobacco measures

    WHO applauds four countries for full adoption of anti-tobacco measures

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Brazil, Mauritius, the Netherlands, and Turkey for wholly implementing recommended measures against tobacco usage.

    The recent announcement was made in a report released by the global health body, which is advocating for a broader implementation of known strategies that have proven effective against smoking.

    These measures include bans on tobacco advertising, placing conspicuous health warnings on cigarette packaging, increasing tobacco taxation, and offering support to help smokers quit the habit. As part of the recently endorsed full measures, Mauritius and the Netherlands join Brazil and Turkey as leaders in the anti-tobacco initiative.

    The report confirms that as of now, 71% of the world’s population, or around 5.6 billion people, are safeguarded by at least one of these tobacco control measures. This represents a significant upturn from the figures recorded in 2007.

    The global prevalence of smoking has seen a decline from 22.8% in 2007 to 17% in 2021, averting an estimated 300 million additional smokers.

    Despite these efforts, smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death, annually accounting for 8.7 million fatalities, which include 1.3 million deaths resulting from second-hand smoke inhalation.