Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has claimed that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa was very close to current Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.
“There was information that General Bajwa was in contact with Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif. The plan was to bring Shehbaz Sharif [into power] and remove me,” said Khan in an interview with GNN.
“Ishaq Dar, Nawaz Sharif’s sons and Shehbaz Sharif’s son-in-law fled during his tenure. In the beginning, there were a lot of doubts, we couldn’t understand,” he revealed.
“When I see it now, it becomes clear that Bajwa doctrine was to not allow anyone to strengthen so much that they can’t be controlled,” he stated.
Talking about the current political situation, he claimed a “game” is still being played to stop him from coming back to power “by all means”.
“Even if you stop Imran Khan [from coming to power], how will you fix the issues faced by the country?” he asked.
Imran Khan has been criticizing General Bajwa since the latter retired on November 26 in 2022. However, in a press conference held in November, it was alleged by Director General Inter-Services Intelligence, General Nadeem Anjum, that Imran Khan had secretly met General Bajwa and offered him an extension in his tenure.
For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the price of gold passed Rs187,000 per tola.
On Monday, the price of 24-carat gold per tola increased by Rs3,300, reaching an all-time high of Rs187,200 compared to the last trading day’s sale of Rs183,900.
According to the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of gold increased by Rs3,300 per tola and Rs2,829 per 10 grammes, respectively, to settle at Rs187,200 and Rs160,494.
From Rs126,000 per tola on December 31, 2021, the yellow metal has increased by Rs57,900, or 45.95 per cent .
According to the group, the price of gold in Pakistan has been “overcost” by Rs6,500 per tola when compared to pricing in Dubai. This indicates that the price of gold in Pakistan is currently higher than it is on the global market.
The discrepancy between the official price of gold and the price it is being sold for is growing. The official price in the Sarafa market, as announced by the association, is Rs187,200 per tola. But the price at which it is being sold is reportedly higher.
According to Geo, due to the rupee’s depreciation against the US dollar during the present cycle, financial experts and goldsmiths predict that the price of gold may increase to Rs200,000 per tola.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad and the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) on Tuesday confirmed the presence of the XBB variant of Covid-19 in Pakistan, confirmed through genome sequencing of samples.
A review meeting was held on the Corona situation in the country under the chairmanship of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. The Premier commended the efforts put in by all the relevant officials and NCOC to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The meeting was informed in detail about the current situation of Covid in the world including the region and in Pakistan, new variants of the pandemic, measures taken to prevent them and status of vaccinations.
Attendants at the meeting were informed that there is no apparent threat to Pakistan from the new variant of Covid-19.
The same variant, BF.7, has recently been identified as the dominant one spreading in China’s capital Beijing, contributing to a wider surge of COVID infections in the country.
A man in India was arrested for murdering his wife after searching “how to commit a murder” on Google. As per details, Uttar Pradesh police said on Saturday that the accused, Vikas, had initially provided false information about a robbery.
However, police found incriminating internet searches including “how to commit a murder” on the suspect’s phone.
A few years after they were married, the two began having disputes over the suspect’s extramarital relations, leading to the plan to kill his wife. As per the police the suspect has been arrested.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is unhappy with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif for ignoring the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports ARY News.
According to the news outlet, PPP is annoyed at the fact that more importance is being given to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) in the province.
PPP has reportedly complained about the matter and expressed reservations over PM Shehbaz’s visit last week to Dera Ismail (DI) Khan on JUI-F’s request while ignoring PPP during his visit to Mangala Dam.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also assured his party leaders of raising this matter with the premier.
It is to be noted that PPP is a key ally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak was on the Geo show Hasna Mana Hai where she opened up about her life.
On how she met her husband:
Talking about how she met her husband, Khwaja Khizar Hussain, Khattak said that she had been helping her then-friend, Khizar, look for a bride by introducing him to her female friends. “He was my senior at BNU and he was single. He asked me to look for someone, since he wanted to get married. I was always a tomboy, not a girly girl, so he was never interested in me. Whatever rowdy discussions would be going on between boys, they would come and tell me,” she disclosed. Khattak further shared that she had found some gorgeous women who she felt were perfect for Khizar, but soon found out that they were taken. Then Saheefa and Khizer realized that they liked each other a lot. “We found something else instead,” she said of finding her soulmate.
When asked about her acting career, Saheefa said she hadn’t been involved in television projects since last year, because she’s disappointed by regressive content in the scripts. “It has been a year and a half since I acted, and I think I won’t go for it because the kind of scripts they offer I don’t like them. It’s all about the consistently wailing woman. In every drama she is turned into a mom, is consistently getting slapped and given divorce.”
Khattak talked about her first drama Teri Meri Kahani and said she was disappointed by how regressive the show was regarding the empowerment of women.
“My first drama was Teri Meri Kahani, in which I also had this type of character. I was this well-educated girl who was born and raised from the UK, and comes back here to get slapped, kicked out of the house. Basically for me its very weird because if a girl is very well-educated and independent, as well as a UK national…The problem was a strong independent girl, who literally has properties in the UK, why is she getting slapped around by a man and also accepting false accusations? It was that kind of drama, and the sad bit was that the girl suffers a lot in the story but in the end she forgives the man and goes back to him. And when you ask the production house that why is this happening, they defend their decision by saying the audience needs a happy ending,” she revealed.
Dropping out of college
When an audience member asked Saheefa about her decision to drop out of university years ago, the model revealed that she regrets that decision even today.
“It’s been good eight years since I dropped out and left my education. Every time things don’t work out, they did for me but it usually doesn’t for everyone. Today, I do regret that I left my education because at a lot of places that piece of paper is very important. I didn’t think like this before, had you asked me two years ago I would have said ‘Yes, drop out‘. Now, I have seen this very clearly that a degree is important so I wouldn’t suggest anyone to drop out until and unless you have a very good, solid plan.”
Bollywood actors Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Ranbir Kapoor were blessed with a baby girl on November 6th 2022. The duo has been on cloud nine ever since they announced their first pregnancy news.
The two welcomed their first baby at H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Girgaon. The actress delivered her baby girl at 12.05 PM. It is indeed a happy moment for the Bhatt and the Kapoors.
Alia was recently questioned about becoming a mother at the peak of her career. The Raazi star said, “There is no right or wrong in life. What works for me might not work for someone else. I have always been someone who listens to my heart. You can’t plan life. Life plans itself and you just have to follow that path. Whether it’s films or anything else, I always let my heart decide. Yes, at the peak of my career, I decided to get married and have a baby. But who says that marriage or motherhood will change anything to do with my work? Even if it does, so be it. I don’t care. I knew that in life, I would never regret the decision to have a baby. It’s a natural instinct. It’s the best decision that I have ever made. I have never been happier or more fulfilled.”
Baby’s Name Announcement
Bhatt shared a family photo, featuring her along with her newborn and husband-actor Ranbir Kapoor. Though the trio was blurred in the image, Ranbir can be seen holding their little munchkin. The image focuses on a jersey, which reads “Raha” in the capital.
Giving the context to her Insta fam, the new mom explained the meaning of Raha while revealing the name given by her mother-in-law, Neetu Kapoor. “The name Raha (chosen by her wise and wonderful Dadi) has so many beautiful meanings,” wrote the Highway actress.
Elaborating further, Bhatt penned, “Raha, in its purest form means divine path in Swahili she is Joy, / In Sanskrit, Raha is a clan, / In Bangla – rest, comfort, relief, / in Arabic peace, / it also means happiness, freedom & bliss,” in the caption. Before signing off, she wrote, “And true to her name, from the first moment we held her – we felt it ALL!,” followed by a red-heart emoticon.
Concluding her sweet note for her daughter, the Dear Zindagi actress added, “Thank you Raha, for bringing our family to life, it feels as though our lives have only just begun,” followed by a couple of sun emoticons. As soon as she shared the post, a section of her fans flooded the comments section with wishes. Meanwhile, her peers Athiya Shetty, Sophie Choudry, Sonakshi Sinha, and sister-in-law Riddhima Kapoor Sahani also showered love on the announcement post.
Strict Conditions:
According to Indian media, the couple has listed out a set of rules for family and friends to visit their baby. A strict ‘no picture’ rule will be applicable to anyone who pays a visit.
According to reports, the entire Kapoor and Bhat family are against exposing the baby to shutterbugs. In spite of repeated requests for respecting their private space, paparazzi chased the couple’s car while bringing their newborn home. Several videos and pictures of Alia and her baby girl are doing the rounds on the internet. However, as it turns out, all these pictures and videos are fake.
The Brahmastra duo will also not allow anyone to visit their baby without a covid negative certificate. As newborns are prone to infections, the couple is extremely cautious of the baby’s health. Alia and Ranbir have also requested media and friends to abide by their rules atleast until the baby turns one.
Professional Front
Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranbir and Alia have many interesting projects in their pipeline. The actress will star in Farhan Akhtar’s Jee Le Zaraa with Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra. She also has Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani with Ranveer Singh, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, and Dharmendra in the lead. Alia will also be making her Hollywood debut with the film, Heart Of Stone, alongside Jamie Dornan and Gal Gadot.
Ranbir, on the other hand, will star next in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol in the lead. Produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series.
Actor Feroze Khan recently hit back at a netizen who cursed him on Instagram. A netizen commented under Khan’s post, “Hope 2023 brings jail time”. The Khaani star was quick to respond, “Wait in the line of my detractors.”
The netizen commented on this amidst Feroze’s legal battle with ex-wife Syeda Aliza over child maintenance post their divorce.
Earlier, Khan clapped back at a netizen for referring to him as “Gareebo ka Shah Rukh Khan”.
National Security Committee (NSC) meeting will be convened on Monday (today) to take “key decisions” concerning security and the economy.
According to media reports, the meeting will also approve decisive action against terrorists.
The meeting will be a continuation of the one held last week.
Senior civil and military officials are expected to attend the meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif chairing the moot.
On Friday, last week, the NSC meeting decided to turn up the heat on militancy with relentless counter and preemptory measures to neutralise threats present in the country in any form.
In a statement, the PM Office said the participants of the NSC meeting unequivocally resolved that Pakistan’s national interests would not be compromised and no one would be allowed to undermine national security.
Pharmaceutical firms in Pakistan have threatened to start boycotts from January 5 after growing shortage of medicines and other life-saving drugs and to put pressure on the government to resolve the sector’s problems.
After the federal government introduced policies to increase prices of raw material, several medicines including insulin, are now unavilable in markets. According to the Pakistan Drug Lawyer Forum President Noor Meher, 91% of raw materials used to create these medicines are imported to Pakistan. He said that stocks of new medicines are sitting at Karachi port and Lahore Dry Port, however government authorities are not providing clearance to deliver these to stores. Meher revealed that the dire situation has now pushed pharmaceutical workers to protest on streets to demand the government’s attention for the sector’s problems.
In a letter to PM’s Principal Secretary Syed Tauqir Shah, the CEO of GSK Consumer Healthcare Pakistan, Farhan Haroon had written:
“We are incurring heavy financial losses on the production of the entire Panadol range due to an increase in the price of their raw ingredients and in the absence of due approval by the federal government on the recommendation of Drug Pricing Committee of Drug Regulatory Committee of Pakistan. Due to these challenges, manufacturing of Panadol range on negative margins is unsustainable and despite exhaustive efforts of the company to mitigate the issue through dialogue, the situation is now beyond our control, compelling us to declare force majeure.”
