A number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, including at least three lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), escaped police custody when unknown assailants attacked prisoner vans in Islamabad.
As per the details, unknown gunmen opened fire on three prisoner vans near the Sangjani Toll Plaza in Islamabad as police were transferring 187 accused to Attock jail following their court appearance in the D-Chowk Protests case against the PTI.
Three KP lawmakers, namely Anwar Zaib, Liaquat and Yasir Qureshi, as well as KP government employees among others fled during the attack, police said.
According to the police, it seemed like an ambush as the armed men had already taken position before the arrival of the vans at the toll plaza. The attackers burst tyres of the vans and later opened fire on the cops, leaving several policemen wounded who were swiftly shifted to the hospital.
In conversation with a private media outlet, Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Ali Nasir Rizvi said that the escaped prisoners had been recaptured.
He confirmed that the fleeing inmates also included three MPAs who had also been taken into custody again.
The Islamabad police chief claimed that four out of the 18-20 attackers, including an MPA’s son, a policeman, and two other individuals, were also apprehended by security officials.
Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s stars, posted an Instagram story addressing influencers, bloggers, news platforms and YouTubers who, lately, claimed she had botox that went wrong, resulting in a crooked smile and a weird way of speaking.
In an Instagram story posted on October 25, Alia addressed the rumours and clickbait articles without naming publishers who claimed she has undergone ‘botched’ botox procedures, because of which half of her face is ‘paralysed’.
One such article that went viral was published by a major news platform: Hindustan Times . “Absolutely no judgment towards anyone who chooses cosmetic corrections or surgery — your body, your choice. But wow, this is beyond ridiculous!” Alia Bhatt wrote.
“To the random video floating around literally claiming I’ve had botox gone wrong (and to the numerous clickbait articles) — I have a ‘crooked smile’ and a ‘weird way of speaking,’ according to YOU,” she added.
Calling out the platforms, the Highway actress also said, “This is your hypercritical, microscopic judgement of a human face. And now you’re confidently tossing around ‘scientific’ explanations, claiming I’m paralysed on one side? Are you kidding me?”
Bhatt expressed her frustration over the damaging nature of disinformation concerning her and the scrutiny which women encounter.
“These are serious claims being casually thrown out there with zero proof, no confirmation, and nothing to back it up. What’s worse, you’re influencing young, impressionable minds who might actually believe this garbage. Why are you saying this? For clickbait? Attention? Because none of it makes sense,” she voiced her concern.
Bhatt also asked people to take a minute to address the “absurd lens through which women are judged and objectified on the internet” because of their looks.
“Our faces, bodies, personal lives, even our bumps are up for critique”, she added, “We should be celebrating individuality, not tearing it apart under a microscope.”
“These types of judgements perpetuate unrealistic standards, making people feel like they’re never ‘enough’. It’s damaging, and it’s exhausting and the saddest part? A lot of this judgment comes from other women. Whatever happened to ‘live and let live’?” she pleaded.
Alia Bhatt, with her 85.6 Million followers on Instagram, has spoken about the issue at a time when a broader conversation on misinformation and disinformation on the internet is one of the major concerns, under which celebrities are also an easy target.
A number of celebrities have spoken about how this affects their mental health and self-image in this age of social media. Recently, Alia herself spoke about having ADHD and the impact of her sister suffering from depression.
Dawn Images shed light on the misconception regarding botox leading to paralysis. Botox treatments, which help reduce facial wrinkles, do not cause paralysis as the effects of this procedure generally wear off within three to four months as the treated facial muscles regain their function.
High doses and improper use, however, can trigger temporary issues such as drooping eyelids, asymmetry, or even difficulty swallowing.
In rare cases, the side effects may last several months, but they so reverse with time and care.
The summit is set to be attended by presidents from two dozen nations. In their opinion, this is the most significant event Russia has held for many years and is a message to the West amid wars in Ukraine. The annual BRICS currency summit began on Tuesday and is being held in Kazan, Russian President Putin’s hometown.
The three-night conclave will be Russia’s largest gathering of world leaders in over two decades. Moreover, it comes at a time when the Kreim is embroiled in a war on Ukraine backed by Western nations.
What is BRICS?
BRICS globally refers to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The group started in 2006, and Brazil, Russia, India, and China convened for the first BRIC summit in 2009. A year later, South Africa was included as well. The alliance’s aim is to counteract the West’s economic and political monopoly. The group sets priorities and has discussions once every year during the ensuree summit, which all members host in turn.
In 2023, BRICS reached the international forum to call Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates after they applied to join the club. So far, Saudi Arabia transfers have grown formally; the others have been achieved.
New BRICS Currency
No announcement was made about launching a new BRIC currency at the 2023 BRICS summit. It was hosted in South Africa; however, this topic has been debated for a long time in several BRICS forums. In the BRICS, diverse local currencies hinder smooth trade among member states. Except for Russia, all current members possess separate local currencies. It is rational to have a single currency for trade and other reasons.
There were speculations that this new Brics nations currency would be launched at the next conference of BRICS, scheduled for 2024. Still, during an interview, former Russian diplomat Yury Ushakov opened up on the issue of BRIC currency. He presented for discussion BRICS Pay, which is a payment system built around blockchain technology, though BRICS has not officially launched it.
The BRICS nations, particularly China, have been on a gold-buying spree. Therefore, there is speculation that the BRICS currency will be gold-backed. This common nations currency will facilitate international trade and transactions and be usable by national and domestic businesses.
Is the U.S. Dollar In Trouble?
For the first time, BRICS leaders have expressed their intentions to use more national currencies than the dollar. Since last year, Brics nations currency value has increased due to the Fed’s interest rate hikes and the Russia-Ukraine war, which made dollar debt and numerous imports expensive.
On the 22nd of February, when it became clear that Russia would be sanctioned, people began to wonder whether the East would move away from the dollar.
“The momentum of the de-dollarization process, which is systemic due to the current development, has been getting faster,” Putin said at the summit on Tuesday.
The dollar remains the primary currency for most international trade. As of 2017, 88% of all global currency trade involved the dollar, as evidenced by the Bank of International Settlements Data.
The shift towards de-dollarization is not simple. It necessitates the compliance and independent decisions of every currency trader, lender, and borrower from nations across the globe to transition to another currency. The potential impact of this transition cannot be overstated.
What’s Next For BRICS Nations Currency
South American countries expressed interest in joining the “BRICS” countries, not Southeast countries. Russia made a case for Southeast Asian countries to join BRICS. A little later, Turkish President Erdogan met with President Xi Jinping and remarked about Turkey’s interest in joining BRICS. However, it’s been months since we last heard of Indonesia, the Philippines, or other Southeast Asian nations making formal requests to join the bloc.
In the first innings of the Rawalpindi Test match, Pakistan scored 73 runs against England for the loss of three wickets in response to England’s 267.
In the first innings of the third and final Test match of the series being played in Rawalpindi, England’s team was all out for 267 runs against Pakistan. The English openers provided a start of 56 runs for the team, but Zak Crawley scored 29 and opener Ben Duckett scored 52 before getting out. Middle-order batsman Ollie Pope was out for 3, Joe Root and Harry Brook for 5 each, captain Ben Stokes for 12, Rehan Ahmed for 6, and Jack Leach for 16.
For the English team, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith put up a partnership of 107 runs for the seventh wicket, but Atkinson lost his wicket after playing a resisting inning of 39 runs. Later, Jamie Smith also returned to the pavilion after scoring 91 runs. For Pakistan, Sajid Khan took 6 wickets, Nauman Ali took 3, and Zahid Mahmood took 1.
Earlier, England won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan. The English team captain Ben Stokes, after winning the toss, decided to bat first, saying they would try to put up a big score against the Green Shirts in the first innings and put them under pressure. On this occasion, the national team captain Shan Masood said that they would have preferred to bat first after winning the toss, but the attempt would be to attack with spinners initially and get quick wickets from the English batsmen.
Pakistan’s squad: Captain Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood.
England’s squad: Captain Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.
Supreme Court senior judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has refused to sit at special or larger benches formed by the committee after Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023 amendments passed through a Presidential Ordinance last month.
In a letter addressed to the committee, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Shah expressed his concerns about the formation of benches, writing: “I will not participate in special benches formed by the new committee and will only attend sittings of regular benches to hear the cases of ordinary litigants in the larger public interest.”
“We often forget, when in power, that people of this country are watching our actions and that history never forgives,” he remarked.
He quoted Sir Thomas More from A Man for All Seasons: “I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.”
There has been significant controversy over the appointment of the next CJP after the coalition government successfully passed the 26th amendment, which gave more power to the Special Parliamentary Committee to appoint the next Chief Justice.
Before the amendments, Justice Shah, being the senior judge, would have become the next CJP after Justice Isa. The committee, however, nominated Justice Yahya Afridi as the next CJP, bypassing the other two senior judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar.
In an interesting development, prominent journalist Fakhar Durrani revealed why the government didn’t want Justice Mansoor Ali Shah as the next chief justice of Pakistan.
Speaking on ‘Fact Check Pakistan,’ he disclosed that things started turning against Justice Shah after he announced the reserved seats verdict on 12 July.
On July 12, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf eligible for reserved seats of Women and non-muslims.
Chaired by Chief Justice Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, the 13-member larger bench was hearing the appeal filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council party against the Peshawar High Court’s (PHCs) recent reserved seat verdict.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, a second senior judge in the top court (counting Qazi Faez Isa as the first), had announced the majority eight-member verdict on reserved seats and ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the allotment of Women and non-muslim seats to PTI.
The other eight member judges, along with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, were Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Muhammad.
Fakhar Durrani stated that following the verdict on reserved seats, Justice Shah reportedly sent a WhatsApp message to one of his wives, which the country’s agencies intercepted and informed the government about it.
“Main ne tumhary leader kay liye ye kar diya hai,” Fakhar Durrani quotes the message.
He also said that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s further conversation was collected, which was reportedly biased towards Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Based on Shah’s tilt toward PTI and the fear that Shah Could give the government a tough time, the ruling government decided to pass the 26th Constitutional Amendment before October 25, the date when Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa would retire as CJP, Durrani added.
Durrani also claimed that Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while giving the reason for the judiciary’s past controversial verdict and citing the top court verdict on the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, convinced Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F)
“There should be a process of accountability for judges, and parliament should have a role in the appointment of judges,” Bhutto had said.
Clarifying why Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s message was not made public, the journalist claimed that the message was not public by the government amid fear of being disgraced internationally.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has not responded to this latest development that journalist Fakhar Durrani claimed.
Bushra Bibi is a controversial and widely recognized name that makes sense of Pakistan’s socio-political framework. She is now a prominent public figure married to former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistanis view her as a wife and an agent of change in society. This article focuses on Bushra’s biography: her age, her first husband, and what sort of person she is.
Early Life
Bushra Bibi was born in the Punjab Province of Pakistan on December 22, 1970. She was born into a religiously conservative family, which helped quicken her development as a dependable and efficient woman. Her father was a traditional religious, influencing how Bushra saw the world. Since childhood, Bushra has focused on matters of the spirit, studying, and practicing religion. The surroundings in which she lived shaped her the most.
Bushra Bibi Age
Bushra Bibi age is 54. She shares these years with her followers in terms of maturity and wisdom. Even though she married Imran Khan, Bushra managed to conceal certain aspects of her life, letting her actions and words fulfill that purpose. Moreover, she can also be considered a source of inspiration for countless young women in Pakistan.
First Marriage: Bushra Bibi First Husband
Bushra Bibi first husband was Khawar Maneka. Later, she separated from him due to some conflicts. Their marriage lasted for two years, and they had two daughters together. Reports indicate that the bushra bibi first husband and her still retained mutual respect and would amicably co-parent.
For many women, Bushra’s first marriage was quite successful. She grasped certain aspects of family life, the various responsibilities of marriage, and the many roles, such as being a mother. Having such knowledge would be beneficial for her in her current marriage. She has been in the limelight for most of the time due to her children and her family forming the primary basis of the ideas that she focuses on.
Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan
2018 marked the most significant point in Bushra’s life as she worked on her marriage with Imran Khan. Imran Khan, turning from sportsman to politician, has been a vital figure in Pakistan’s politics. There was a deep spiritual bond between the two. Bushra can also be called Khan’s spiritual embodiment in their relationship, where passion is mutually appreciated.
The couple’s marriage quickly extends the passing images of similar marriages in Khan’s politics, but also because of Bushra’s Salafi ilk. They always discuss spirituality and self-improvement. Moreover, many people in the country look up to them as role models. There is respect for one another, as seen in their joint events.
Bushra Bibi Photos: A View of Her Life
You can see Bushra Bibi photos on various social media platforms. However, she tends to favor unique clothes, including a burka and a niqab that cover her face. She maintains such a mode of dressing because of her beliefs regarding society. Many who support her stand for her beliefs regard her as modest and respectful. Bushra has chosen not to show her face, which she considers superficial publicly, and instead concentrates on her spirituality.
The burka’s civilian aspect may explain why Bushra Bibi photos of face mostly resonate in a limited number. However, as the Bushra Bibi photos appear, they mostly show her giving to charity or with her husband at social gatherings. These images portray a loving and fiercely strong woman actively involved in many charitable causes. When Bushra is out in public, she remains fully covered, inviting enthusiasm from people while still practicing her faith.
Her Public Image
She presents herself as a person of graceful modesty, seeking to foster a well-appreciated public image. She is particularly noted for participating in charitable causes that reflect her life purpose. Her character and virtue are such that she leaves no stone unturned to serve the different sections of society.
Bushra is regarded as a woman of fortitude and courage. Her faith and spiritual life nurture all her public hats, making her a more interesting person. She has participated in and initiated many charity projects in education, health, and women’s empowerment. Such activism strengthens her already positive image.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media is one of the most essential tools in the modern world, and it can profoundly shape a person’s public image. Bushra has reached out to people through her Instagram and Twitter accounts. Most of her followers share and support her messages of inspiration, love for the Creator, and kindness.
Bushra has been a contact person for kind people. This social media activity benefits her professional image, as it creates an avenue for her to share her views with her fans. Appreciating her creativity, those who live the life of social networks are simply in awe of her.
Bushra Bibi is more than an ordinary woman; her life is an encouraging story for many people to date. She releases inner strength, determination, steadfastness, and kindness wherever you place her. Her evolution as a person and a spiritually searching individual has potential teachings for many people in Pakistan and overseas. In this article, we discussed everything about Bushra Bibi. Additionally, we discussed Bushra Bibi photos and her first husband.
1. Social media apps are still interrupted from time to time, while the internet remains slow and yet, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reported that incidents of WhatsApp hacking are rapidly increasing in Pakistan.
1,426 complaints have been received in the last four months. The FIA, so far, has recovered 549 hacked accounts, but 877 complaints remain under investigation.
This increase also calls for users to strengthen their online security through strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and caution with suspicious links.
Hacking tactics include creating fake WhatsApp profiles using stolen photos of victims’ friends and family. They then send messages to gain the victims’ trust and ask for personal information or verification codes to access their accounts.
2. India is likely to support Pakistan’s bid to join the BRICS bloc, an alliance that challenges the economic monopoly of the West, Indian media has reported. Indian media has speculated that following Russia’s influence on India, News Delhi may vote in favour of Pakistan joining the BRICS.
“One of the key takeaways of the summit is likely to be India’s green signal to Pakistan’s long-pending bid for membership in the bloc,” ABP Live reported.
Pakistan applied for membership in BRICS in August 2023; following this, other countries, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia, also formally applied to become members of the bloc.
3. The Council of Islamic Ideology has recommended that the government make the practice of giving three talaqs at once punishable. In a meeting chaired by Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naimi, the Council also suggested increasing the punishment for violating the Dowry Act from six months to one year and adjusting marriage expenses to equalise costs. They decided to send a previously prepared draft on this subject to the federal government.
Punjab police have proposed making domestic violence a non-bailable offence and amending the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act (PPWVA-2016) to include a Rs 1 million fine for offenders. IG Police Dr. Usman Anwar submitted this proposal to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, citing concerns that most domestic violence suspects escape legal action. Currently, only 6% of incidents result in FIRs due to a lack of clear legal definitions. The proposed changes aim to strengthen protections for women and ensure better enforcement against domestic violence in Punjab.
4. The IMF forecasts that global economic growth will stabilise at 3.2% in 2025 and rise to about 3.3% by 2026. This outlook comes amid ongoing inflation and geopolitical uncertainties that are slowing recovery in major economies. In its World Economic Outlook report, the IMF cautioned that persistent inflation, rising energy costs, and geopolitical conflicts could disrupt global trade and investment, affecting some regions more than others.
5. Chinese military drills have been exercised around Taiwan for the past five years, but now, the practice has intensified since Taiwanese polls in April that elected President William Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has labelled a “dangerous separatist”.
On October 14, Beijing launched large-scale military drills, which included the army, navy, air force and rocket force, after which Taiwan’s defence chief cautioned that a Chinese blockade would be considered an act of war and could have a severe impact on international trade.
These drills came soon after Lai delivered his National Day speech on October 10 and were issued as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces”.
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Gold price in Pakistan resumed its record high run on Wednesday and surpassed the Rs285,000 per tola mark for the first time in history.
According to All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the latest increase comes after the 24-karat gold price witnessed a single-day gain of Rs2,000, bigger than the increase it witnessed on the previous trading day, closing Tuesday’s session at Rs285,400 per tola.
The price of ten-gramme gold was also seen up by Rs1,714, clocking in at Rs244,684.
Internationally, the yellow metal’s rate surged by $20 to $2,757 per ounce. This price also includes a premium of $20.
Experts say that the latest surge in global and local bullion markets is due to conflicts in the Middle East and confusion regarding the upcoming elections in the US.
In such circumstances, gold is seen as a hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
The price of gold in Pakistan is currently Rs65,700 per tola up since the start of this calendar year. For those unaware, the price of gold, according to APGJSA, on the first trading day of 2024 was recorded at Rs219,700 per tola.
Senior actress Asma Abbas has admitted that her husband did not allow her to work in showbiz for 18 years after marriage, which is why she had been absent from the drama industry.
Recently, she gave an interview to journalist Maleeha Rehman, in which she openly discussed her career and other matters.
“After marriage, my husband stopped me from working in the entertainment industry. He did not like the entertainment industry,” she said.
“With my husband in the army, he kept getting transferred, which made it difficult for me to work in show business, so I did not work for 18 years of marriage,” she added.
“Later, my husband came to understand the entertainment industry, after which he allowed me to work in dramas after 18 years of marriage,” Abbas said.
She also talked about her daughter Zara Noor Abbas and said, “At the beginning of her career, my daughter made many friends in the entertainment industry, but she got cheated.”
“Zara Noor Abbas did not understand; she made mistakes and considered everyone in showbiz as her friend, but she soon realised that the entertainment industry is not like that. There are deceptions, and after receiving losses, she understood,” she added.
Asma Abbas, while talking about awards shows, said, “In Pakistan, only lux and hum awards are held, and there too many people are ignored.
“I know that I will never get an award, and I do not need an award now.”
“I played a good role in the play ‘Chupke Chupke’, and the entire team was given an award, but the award was not far away. I was not even nominated and invited,” she said.
“I hoped that my daughter Zara Noor Abbas would win awards in the future,” Abbas expressed.
“I never instructed my daughter not to work in the entertainment industry, nor did I impose any strictness on her.”
Talking about her marriage and career, she said, “I married a serving army colonel at the age of just 23.”
