A report by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee’s (CPLC) documenting the rate of street crimes in Karachi during the first 10 months of 2019 has stated that almost 36320 mobile phones were snatched and stolen during street crime incidents in the provincial capital.
Apart from that approximately 21,000 motorbikes and 13,000 cars were either stolen or taken on gunpoint from citizens. The committee also shared that over 60 people including policemen were killed in the last three months.
Compared to January 2018, there was a sharp rise in street crimes in January 2019.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Police has set up the ‘Street Watch Force’ to control street crimes in Karachi. The police department has established the force comprising of 1,870 police personnel who perform their duties on bikes.
The annual Hum Awards took place in Houston and it was a glitzy affair, though we did feel a bit that the star quotient was less this year. There was no Fawad Khan, Ahad Raza Mir, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Osman Khalid Butt or Sajal Aly. In fact, the stars of Hum TV’s latest film Superstar – Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf – also didn’t make an appearance.
Nonetheless, the night was lit and there were some fun performances and skits to keep viewers and those in attendance hooked.
Starting with red carpet pictures of couples
Noman Ejaz & wife
Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane
Yasir Hussain & Iqra Aziz
The divas
Kubra Khan
Mawra Hocane
Sanam Jung
The show began with everyone reciting the National Anthem.
After which Haroon performed his evergreen Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan.
Mikaal Zulfiqar & Ali Rehman Khan hosted the show and entertained the audiences with their antics on stage, while Ahmed Ali Butt brought his quirkiness.
Azaan Sami Khan and Hania Aamir gave a scintillating performance – perhaps a nod to their upcoming film.
Asim Azhar paid a tribute to Alamgir.
Abida Parveen mesmerised the crowds with her performance.
Mehwish Hayat and Ahsan Khan wrapped up the event with a grand finale.
Here’s a list of everyone who took home an award.
Best Director
Kashif Nisar for Dar si jati hai Sila
Most Impactful Character
Noman Ijaz for Dar si jati hai Sila – Winner
Best Drama Writer
Bee Gul for Dar si jati hai Sila & Saima Akram Chaudhry for Suno Chanda
Best On-screen Couple
Iqra Aziz and Farhan Saeed for Suno Chanda (Popular and Jury Winner)
Days after rumours regarding frog meat being used by restaurants across its provincial capital, Punjab has decided to set up frog farms, but for an entirely different purpose.
Reports quoted Punjab Fisheries Assistant Director Mian Ghulam Qadir as saying that the department has forwarded to the government a summary in this regard. “There are no turtle or frog farms in Pakistan and medical colleges that need any [for dissection], have to go hunting for them in the wild.”
He added that if the provincial cabinet approves the plan, besides saving time wasted in hunting, it would generate employment opportunities.
“On top of this, breeding turtles and frogs domestically will not only preserve the species, but they can also be exported to countries like Thailand and China where they eat them,” Qadir said, adding that they are also quite expensive in the international market.
LAHORIS BEING SERVED FROG MEAT?
Last month, reports claimed that frog meat was being served across Lahore in shawarma and burgers. The news took social media by storm soon after pictures showing two suspects arrested with sacks full of dead frogs, started doing rounds over the internet.
The reports were debunked by authorities upon clarification that the two arrestees were only delivering the frogs to a laboratory that supplies them to medical universities. Medical students dissect the frogs and practice suturing on them.
Anyone and everyone who has been to New York City has tried – and raved about – Halal Guy’s chicken and rice. The dish is so popular that there are copycat recipes of it online. I’ve tried making it once but to tell the truth, is not as easy as it looks.
The key is the sauce and the rice and of course, the chicken. You really need to get all three down to create that New York synergy.
The Halal Guys in New York. Check out those lines
A new hole in a wall restaurant in Karachi, Walla, situated in the upcoming restaurant hub on Khayban-e-Shahbaz, is run by a Pakistani who spent many years abroad. He’s come back because he believes there is a big market for a shawarma and chicken and rice joint in Karachi – and says that business has been good.
Walla
I went in specifically to have the chicken and rice – and to see if it lived up to it’s inspiration.
Walla, which means “I Promise” in Arabic is a strange name for a restaurant but maybe since it has an instant Arabic recall, it was the name of choice. With a black and orange theme, an animated Shaikh with shades, it’s not your regular dhabba-style “Arbi Shawarma” joint. Seems like it’s got an uplift, perhaps an ode to the modernism being declared by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
The interior
I called and ordered ahead:
“Just the chicken and rice?” the person taking my order asked.
“Yes, with extra sauce.”
The white sauce was on point. Perfectly seasoned, with the right amount of garlic and yogurt. I could have just sat there and taken tiny spoonfuls of the sauce with nothing else. This particular chicken and rice also had a red sauce, which felt a little unnecessary – and also under seasoned. If they really wanted to keep the red sauce, they should just mix a little more than necessary Sriracha in the white sauce and be done with it.
I added a lot of white sauce and a sliver of red
The chicken was tender and flavourful, perfectly balanced. It had the tang of lemon and the zest of coriander but the knife in the heart of this almost, almost perfect dish was the rice.
I assume the chef thought that a Pakistani palette would require Pakistani masala. So instead of the rice being slightly tinted with yellow turmeric, the rice was shoved into haldi like no one’s business. With a mix of other masalas, the taste of the rice was so overpowering, it took over the whole chicken and rice and that’s where it’s New York inspiration disappeared into the Times Square sir. Poof.
Meanwhile, I didn’t try the shawarma but I’ve heard good reviews.
While Walla did not match up to Halal Guys, much to our disappointment, it was a close second and decent place one can go in case the cravings get unbearable. As for the rest of those who haven’t tried Halal Guys, you’ll probably enjoy it more.
The Excise Department of Sindh has decided to introduce new, technologically advanced number plates for vehicles and motorbikes with Ajrak logos by 2020.
As per reports, the manufacturing of these number plates, installed with chips and Ajrak logos, will take place in the first phase.
These modern number plates will contain all details about the vehicle including its model, owner, and other information. Stealing vehicles will also be caught by this initiative.
The approval for the number of plates will be first taken from
the provincial cabinet and CM Murad Ali Shah.
Earlier in September, it was revealed that 15,000 vehicles of various government organisations and departments are being used without their original number plates.
The Excise Department confirmed that different departments of the Sindh government have not received original number plates for the allotted vehicles. Under the Sindh police, 8,000 government vehicles do not have original number plates, according to the report.
Mostly, the vehicles belong to senior officers which are being
used with duplicate number plates.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has decided to hand over Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to China for its revival through government to government deal, Geo Newshas reported.
According to the details, PM is also exploring options to finance multi-billion-dollar railways Mainline (ML-1) during his upcoming visit to Beijing.
PM will take up five issues during his visit, he will offer China to get Pakistan Steel Mills, finalise deal on modernisation of ML-1, financing of Bunji hydropower project, agriculture and social sectors-related projects in and outside the ambit of CPEC.
Pakistan’s top leadership will give assurances to the Chinese side that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not slow down, but its next phase would be pursued with zeal and vigour despite passing through under the IMF [International Monetary Fund] programme.
PM Imran will leave for a three-day visit to China on Monday, where he would also discuss Kashmir dispute.
A woman named Saima gave birth to a baby girl ‘Fareeha’ on the back seat of a cab when she was on her way to the hospital.
Saima, her husband Sibtain Hussain and the mother-in-law were with her but it was the Careem captain Iqbal Khan who asked them to still go to the hospital to ensure their safety.
While it is not uncommon for babies to be delivered en-route to hospitals in cabs or even in rickshaws, but guess, what was new this time? The ride-hailing cab service sent their best wishes to the baby girl with a gift of free rides for life.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) patron-in-chief Gohar Ijaz has said that COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa told businessmen that “the sitting government will continue to rule the country”, The News International reported.
According to the details, Gohar while talking in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that Thursday’s meeting of the army chief with the businessmen was arranged to give confidence to them.
He added that the COAS said they fully support the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the business community should also support him. Gohar said the business leaders assured that they will stand by the PM and will also guide the government in case it makes any mistakes.
The APTMA patron-in-chief said that the army chief assured the businessmen that no undue cases will be instituted against them through the National Accountability Court (NAB) and no businessman will face injustice.
“The business community continuously holds meetings with the economic team and military leadership and the meeting with the COAS was not an unusual thing”, added Gohar Ijaz.
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Top business leaders of the country had earlier called on COAS General Bajwa on Wednesday night to convey their serious concerns about Pakistan’s stagnating economy.
Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton are all set to visit Pakistan later this month and excitement levels for their visit is high.
Kensington Palace on Friday released a detailed statement on their visit and turns out that the couple will be visiting quite a few tourist spots in the country.
“From the modern leafy capital Islamabad to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West, the visit will span over 1000km and will take in Pakistan’s rich culture, its diverse communities, and its beautiful landscapes,” read the statement.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 4, 2019
The statement added that the purpose of the visit is “to pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan and “focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation.”
Kate and William will visit programmes which empower young people. The statement said that the Duke and Duchess are looking forward to “spending time meeting young Pakistanis and hearing more about their aspirations for the future.”
Earlier this week, William and Kate, visited Prince Karim Aga Khan in London at the Aga Khan Center.
Speaking at the event, the Duke and Duchess said they are excited to visit Pakistan to meet its people and to witness and experience its beautiful culture. The Duchess added that she is looking forward to trying out the spicy food.
Meanwhile, Kate wore a green dress for the event and accessorised her look with 835 rupees earrings from Pakistani brand Zeen which caused quite a stir.
