Category: National

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  • VIDEO: Buzdar’s driving skills on Cholistan Jeep Rally track go viral

    Driving skills of the provincial chief executive of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, on the track of Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally’s 16th edition have taken the internet by storm.

    The Cholistan rally started back in 2005 and has since progressed by leaps and bounds. The incumbent Punjab chief minister (CM) has shared plans to make it an international event.

    This year, the event was held from February 11 to 14 with the participation of over 100 racers from all over Pakistan in different categories.

    The rally route was extended to 500 kilometres and also included major forts of the desert, namely Dingarh, Marrot, Khan Garh, Bhijnot, Moujgarh and Jamgarh.

    It was won by Sahibzada Sultan while Mir Nadir Magsi and Jaffar Imran secured the second and third positions, respectively.

  • This girl just made Pakistan proud but here’s why you might’ve missed it

    This girl just made Pakistan proud but here’s why you might’ve missed it

    While the nation is going crazy over the viral ‘pawry’ girl, Zara Naeem, an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) student from Lahore scores the highest marks in the financial reporting exam conducted in December 2020.

    The ACCA is the gold standard in accountancy with recognition in over 179 countries worldwide, opening doors to well respected and fulfilling careers opportunities round the globe.

    Zara credited this success to her father, who always encouraged girls to pursue their dreams by removing artificial barriers.

    Zara’s father retired after an outstanding career in the military. He also holds a masters degree and passionate to see his child doing big things for the country.

    “My father is a true role model for me. I grew up seeing him reaching great heights in his military service that always inspired me to follow in his footsteps. Seeing his gold medal that he was awarded with his MBA made me challenge myself to live up to his legacy by dedicating myself fully to my studies,” said Zara Naeem.

    While explaining the reason for choosing ACCA for education, she said, “ACCA was a natural choice for me. Most military families move every few years, so I always knew I needed a qualification that ensures flexibility and offers global mobility. With over 527,000 students in nearly 179 countries studying and sitting the same exams, ACCA is the best option for those who wish to go places.”

    Zara has big dreams for her life. She wants to start her consultancy firm after attaining ACCA membership. She is confident that her firm will win international clients due to her globally accepted qualification and worldwide connections that ACCA membership offers.

    Despite much disruption globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACCA was able to run almost 153,000 exams across the vast majority of its markets worldwide. For the health and safety of its students, additional measures were implemented in line with relevant governmental advice.

    The ACCA qualification rigorously tests the skills and competencies that a modern-day accountant needs with a firm grounding in ethics and professionalism. It prepares students for a rewarding career as a qualified and ethical finance professional.

  • COVID-19: Pakistan begins registration of senior citizens for vaccination

    COVID-19: Pakistan begins registration of senior citizens for vaccination

    The Head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar announced on Monday that the government has started registration for COVID-19 vaccination of citizens above 65. The vaccination drive for them will begin in March.

    “Pleased to announce that registration for getting COVID vaccine is now open for all citizens 65 and above,” wrote the minister on Twitter.

    Umar said those interested in getting themselves vaccinated can write down their CNIC number and send a message on 1166. 

    “InshAllah vaccinations for this age group will start in March,” he added.

    Read More – Here’s how you can register for COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Taimur Jhagra praised the NCOC, SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan and NCOC head Asad Umar for their efforts.

  • Maryam accidentally tweets picture of Khadim Rizvi’s welcome, mistaking it for her own

    Maryam accidentally tweets picture of Khadim Rizvi’s welcome, mistaking it for her own

    In yet another faux pas, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has accidentally retweeted, and then deleted, a picture of welcome of the late Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) leader Khadim Rizvi, mistaking it for her own in.

    As per the details, Maryam retweeted the picture of Rizvi’s welcome at the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore, falling for the claim that the rose petals-covered roads were from Daska where she arrived on Saturday ahead of a by-election in the NA-75 constituency.

    The election on February 19 comes after the seat fell vacant following the demise of the PML-N’s Syed Iftikharul Hassan Shah.

    “Alhamdulillah,” Maryam had written while retweeting the picture that can no longer be found on her Twitter.

    It wasn’t later when people, especially members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), pointed out what was wrong with the tweet.

    Earlier, Maryam said that the by-election in Daska was not just an election but a “battle”.

    The PML-N has given ticket to late MNA Shah’s daughter Nosheen Iftikhar.

    In her speech, Maryam blamed the government for rising inflation in the country.

    “When their ministers are told that inflation has increased and people are dying of hunger, they say decrease your expenses,” the PML-N leader said, referring to Information Minister Shibli Faraz’s recent statement.

    She added that the government had promised to create 10 million jobs in Pakistan but not a single man in Daska got any job.

  • VIDEO: CM Buzdar’s arrival in Cholistan straight out of a Hollywood movie

    VIDEO: CM Buzdar’s arrival in Cholistan straight out of a Hollywood movie

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday reached Cholistan in Bahawalpur via helicopter, with a 10-plus-vehicle motorcade receiving him at the landing site in the desert.

    Here’s a viral video of Buzdar’s convoy in Cholistan, which appears to be nothing less than one from a Hollywood flix.

    Earlier on Saturday, the provincial chief executive visited Tourism Development Corporation Punjab resorts.

    He inaugurated various development projects for Bahawalpur. He also participated in the ceremony of Cholistan Desert Rally 2021. He inaugurated TDCP Cholistan desert resort and double-decker bus service for the tourists for Bahawalpur. Usman Buzdar inspected the double-decker bus and purchased the first ticket worth Rs300.

    The route of double-decker bus includes SD High School, Commissioner House, DC Chowk, Bahawal Club, CMH Chowk, Museum, Central Library, BVH Hospital, Fawara Chowk, Noor Mehal, Ahmedpuri Gate, Darawar Gate, Farid Gate, Mori Gate, and zoo.

    Usman Buzdar announced to name after Civil Hospital Bahawalpur to Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi. Usman Buzdar said that tourism was very close to his heart, COVID-19 affected the tourist activities, now the same was being restored.

    He said that another promise made with the people of Bahawalpur had been fulfilled. Double-decker bus service was a gift for the citizens of Bahawalpur from PTI government. People would be able to visit tourist and historical places through this double-decker bus. Special rates had been fixed for the elderly and differently-abled people.

  • Good news for Gillani after arrival at ECP with two other prime ministers

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday approved former prime minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gillani’s application to transfer his vote to Islamabad; after he arrived at the election watchdog’s office with two other former premiers.

    Gillani is reportedly being fielded for the federal capital seat in the upper house of the parliament by the join opposition, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

    The former premier’s vote has been registered at his address of Sector F-8 in Islamabad, making him eligible to contest the Senate elections from the federal capital.

    He had moved the ECP on Friday and arrived at the election watchdog’s office on Saturday with his successor Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    Earlier, Abbasi’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced to support Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Gillani in the Senate elections.

    The decision was taken after a meeting between Abbasi and Gillani to hold consultations to field a joint candidate of the PDM.

    The two former premiers, Ashraf and Abbasi, acted as the proponent and seconder in candidate Gillani’s papers.

    Meanwhile, Farhatullah Babar has been named as PDM’s joint candidate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

  • Who ‘WhatsApp-ed’ Justice Qazi Faez Isa against PM Imran?

    Soon after claiming that it was the son of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader Chaudhry Shujaat who had “WhatsApp-ed” to inform Justice Qazi Faez Isa that he received development funds from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, journalist Gharida Farooqi has tweeted a clarification.

    As per the details, Gharida on Thursday tweeted quoting sources that it was Ch Salik who had sent Justice Isa the details and proof of the premier sending him development funds.

    “The PM [had] today submitted [his] reply to the Supreme Court (SC) that the news regarding funds was fake,” she wrote while mentioning Thursday’s hearing of the apex court case over notice of Rs500 million uplift funds in light of the forthcoming Senate polls.

    It wasn’t later that the journalist once again took to Twitter and clarified that it wasn’t Salik.

    “I got a call from Ch Salik after my [earlier] tweet. He categorically denied it and said he didn’t even know Justice Isa. Whereas, Justice Isa said so in the SC today while referring to NA 65 [constituency],” she said.

    It may be noted that Ch Salik of the PML had been elected to the National Assembly from the said constituency in a 2018 by-election.

    While Gharidah’s clarification led to a spat between her and PM Imran’s aide Dr Shahbaz Gill, who said that the SC had dismissed the case, here’s what journalist Umar Cheema had to say:

    Earlier, the Supreme Court disposed of the case, declaring PM Imran’s response satisfactory.

    During the hearing, Justice Isa had inquired if it was the premier’s job to distribute envelopes of money to members of the National Assembly.

    The judge revealed he had received documents via WhatsApp indicating that heavy funds had been provided to a lawmaker from the ruling PTI’s coalition party from the NA-65 constituency, reports said.

    “Can funds be given to certain constituencies? Is it in accordance with the law to give funds for the road,” he inquired.

    The Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan responded to the apex court judge, saying the WhatsApp documents “are your complaint and would be reviewed”.

    “I am not the complainant, I am just pointing [it] out; perhaps, you did not listen to me,” the judge replied.

    In response, the AGP said, “You have been sharing your observations for a long time. It is I who has not been heard. You received a message on your WhatsApp, so you are a complainant.”

  • Tariq Jamil says didn’t criticise PM Imran over violence against govt employees

    Tariq Jamil says didn’t criticise PM Imran over violence against govt employees

    Cleric Tariq Jamil has said that he has not criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan over the use of violence against the government employees who were protesting at D-Chowk for better wages.

    On Wednesday, the Islamabad police resorted to tear gas shelling near the Pakistan Secretariat as they tried to push back the workers, who are protesting for a pay raise. Several protesters were detained as well.

    In the backdrop of this violence, a tweet started making round on social media wherein the senior cleric was purportedly lashing out at the government for thrashing its employees.

    “I have nothing to do with this statement. This is fake news. For authentic news about me, stay connected to verified platforms,” tweeted the cleric, adding: “May Allah preserve us from spreading false news.”

    PROTEST AT D-CHOWK:

    Protesting government employees on Wednesday faced the wrath of authorities in Islamabad as they headed towards the Parliament House on Constitution Avenue. Demonstrators started bypassing the containers because of which the police once again had resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse them.

    At least two dozen protesting employees were taken into custody under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO).

    However, the government and the protesters reached an agreement on Thursday as PM Imran Khan agreed to give them a 25 per cent pay raise and release their employees.

  • 80-year-old man marries 75-year-old beloved after feuding families settle their dispute

    80-year-old man marries 75-year-old beloved after feuding families settle their dispute

    An 80-year-old man has married his 75-year-old beloved after two feuding families made peace with each other.

    According to details, Attar Mio married his childhood love Naziran Bibi proving that true love conquers everything. Both the citizens are from the village of Manurian in Kangangpur.

    Attar Mio and Naziran Bibi fell in love when they were young but could not get married due to strong opposition from Attar Mio’s family. Mio had to let go of his desire to marry his love at the time because of the intense feud between the families.

    After waiting all these years, he finally extended his proposal to Naziran Bibi’s family in 2021, following which the two got married.

  • More Punjab lawmakers to leave PTI soon, says MPA ‘close to Tareen’ after quitting party

    More Punjab lawmakers to leave PTI soon, says MPA ‘close to Tareen’ after quitting party

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab lawmaker Khurram Laghari, who hails from Muzaffargarh, has parted ways with the ruling party over “the failure of the government to pay heed to the problems in his constituency”.

    According to Laghari, he was not satisfied with the performance of the PTI-led provincial and federal governments. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan failed to make good on his promises; therefore, it was useless for him to stay in the PTI anymore.

    Lagahri claimed that there were some other MPAs who were disgruntled with the Buzdar-led government and they would soon bid goodbye to the PTI as well. “I joined PTI after winning the election on an independent seat,” he said, adding that the promises made to him remained unfulfilled.

    Laghari had joined PTI in July 2018 after winning the election after he was reportedly convinced by Tareen to join Imran-led party in Punjab.

    In Oct 2020, the Punjab lawmaker had quit his posts as adviser to chief minister and member of price control committee because of the alleged non-cooperation of the bureaucracy, Dawn had reported.

    However, it was alleged that Laghari was removed from the posts because of his contact with PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen. According to reports, Laghari said to be close to Ali Jahangir Tareen and visited him in Dubai thrice with Multan Sultan cricket team.

    It may be noted here that the lawmaker quit the party a month ahead of the Senate elections slated to be held on March 13. The government has introduced an ordinance to hold elections by open vote instead of the secret ballot.

    The opposition has challenged the ordinance in the courts, while, the Supreme Court, that is hearing a presidential reference with regards to the open ballot, said that it would have struck down the ordinance had it not been conditional.