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  • Noor Bukhari, Shaniera Akram’s feud takes an unexpected turn

    Noor Bukhari, Shaniera Akram’s feud takes an unexpected turn

    Amidst Shaniera Akram’s digital feud with actors Feroze Khan and Imran Ashraf, veteran actor Noor Bukhari slammed Shaniera for being nosy.

    “Please ignore her she has commitments on every celebrity,” the former host penned on Instagram.

    “She commented on one of my and Resham’s posts, and we completely ignored her. I don’t even know who she is.”

    Bukhari then lent support to Imran Ashraf, who clarified his driving reel with son Roham, and added, “You don’t need to explain as every parent is aware of their child’s safety and well-being. More power to you. Stay blessed, we all pray for you and your family.”

    Akram then took to her Instagram story and addressed Bukhari’s criticism. “Are you kidding me?” the activist wrote. “I never said anything to you, Noor other than disagreeing that Humayun Saeed was too old to play romantic heroes. Give me a break.”

    Akram continued, “I’m sorry if it offended you or anyone else, but it kills me to see people, especially ones with big followings, doing dangerous things with their kids and then posting on social media. It’s just not okay with me.” In the next story, Akram wrote, “And please get over yourself. You know exactly who I am and what I stand for.”

    Later, Bukhari apologised to Akram while agreeing with the latter about the kids’ safety issue. “You are absolutely right on the safety part of our kids,” she shared on her Instagram story. “I apologise that I misunderstood you. I feel no shame to apologise as my comment was not in good taste. I’m sorry.”

    Surprised by Bukhari’s apology, Akram thanked her and shared, “Wow, thank you! Really didn’t expect that. At least this is cleared up and we can move forward.”

    Earlier this year Akram come forward to share her thoughts on the ageist remarks made by Noor about Humayun Saeed.

    “I don’t know about this. From my experience, I think many incredible love stories happen a lot in the second half of life,” said Shaniera Akram.

    “So many people haven’t found their true love or are still looking for it. There are many unmarried, divorced [and] widowed people in the world — don’t rule them out. Theirs is the true story of finding love,” she wrote in her Instagram story.

    Taking to the Instagram story section, Noor said that the storyline of London Nahi Jaunga is extremely weak. She also took a jab at Humayun, believing he should be doing more mature roles. Bukhari added that “Love doesn’t happen in this age.”

    The much-anticipated Lollywood film was released on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha and its leading cast includes Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Kubra Khan and Vasay Chaudhry.

  • New Zealand back in Pakistan after cancelling tour in 2021 over security threats

    New Zealand back in Pakistan after cancelling tour in 2021 over security threats

    New Zealand’s cricket team arrived in Pakistan today (Thursday), a year after cancelling their previous tour over security threats.

    The Kiwis— led by veteran fast bowler Tim Southee are here to play two Tests and three One-Day Internationals (ODI). Upon reaching their hotel in Karachi, they were welcomed with Sindhi ajraks.

    New Zealand sparked deep frustration in Pakistan in September 2021 when they failed to show up at Rawalpindi Stadium and announced they were flying home due to threats.

    The visitors will rest today before starting training in Karachi on Friday. The first test match begins on December 26, while the second Test will be played in Multan from January 3, followed by the ODIs on January 10, 12 and 14 in Karachi.

    New Zealand last visited Pakistan to play test cricket in 2002 and last played an ODI series here in 2003.

    For the Test series, Pakistan announced a 16-man squad on Wednesday, with a recall for fast bowler Hasan Ali while Shaheen Shah Afridi will miss out on the series due ta a knee injury.

    The arrival of the Kiwis comes just days after England whitewashed Pakistan at home in a three-match Test series.

  • December 30: ‘TLOMJ’ set to release in Indian Punjab

    December 30: ‘TLOMJ’ set to release in Indian Punjab

    Pakistani blockbuster film, The Legend of Maula Jatt is set to be released in Indian Punjab on December 30th.

    While we wait for the official confirmation, the sources report that India’s multiplex cinema chain, PVR Cinemas have listed it as an upcoming release with “8 Days to Go”.

    The TLOMJ’s trailer is also apparently running in cinemas in East Punjab, showcasing a 30th December release date.

    Furthermore, a YouTube Channel named Punjabi Screen Entertainment also featured a video uploaded on December 16th, announcing the film’s release in Indian Punjab.

    The video also shows a recording from a theatre playing the trailer of “The Legend of Maula Jatt”, which ends with announcing a December 30 release date.

    Recently the cast member of the film, Gohar revealed that Bollywood director Karan Johar called director Bilal Lashari after watching the film to admire him for his fantastic work.

    The Digest Writer star said that Johar regarded The Legend of Maula Jatt as a milestone for Pakistan and a moment of pride for the entire nation. The K3G director watched the film in Dubai.

    Karan Johar spotted watching The Legend of Maula Jatt in Dubai - Oyeyeah

    Rasheed, who played Maakha in the blockbuster film, added that this appreciation was a huge thing for the whole team of Maula Jatt.

    The Legend of Maula Jatt has become the highest-grossing Punjabi film globally with over PKR 225 crore collections, globally.

  • Pakistan’s GDP growth expected to remain below 3–4% in FY23: SBP

    Pakistan’s GDP growth expected to remain below 3–4% in FY23: SBP

    In its annual economic health report released on Wednesday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) slashed its predicted GDP growth from the previously disclosed range of 3–4 per cent for the current fiscal year, citing flood-induced destruction and the stabilisation policy as important contributors.

    However, the central bank stated that economic growth was stronger than anticipated in the 2021–22 fiscal year as real GDP increased by 6 per cent compared to 5.7 per cent a year earlier in its Annual Report on the State of Pakistan’s Economy, which mainly covered the previous fiscal year that ended on June 30.

    According to Geo, the GDP grew by 6 per cent in the previous fiscal year. In its monetary policy announcement from October, the SBP already reduced the economic growth to around 2 per cent.

    According to the research, increased agricultural output and a broad-based expansion of large-scale manufacturing (LSM) were the main forces behind this gain.

    Macroeconomic imbalances returned during FY22 as a result of a combination of unfavourable global and domestic circumstances.

    When widespread flooding struck a significant portion of the nation at the beginning of the current fiscal year, the SBP claimed that the economy was in the middle of a stabilisation phase.

    According to the report, the flooding was predicted to have an impact on the nation’s real economic activity through a number of channels. It was feared that losses in agriculture resulting from the destruction of crops and livestock would spread to the rest of the economy through a number of backward and forward links.

    According to the bank, the extensive devastation of infrastructure in the afflicted provinces might also harm the nation’s chances for growth this year.

    Due to the deteriorating economic climate, the SBP avoided stating a range for the growth rate of the current fiscal year. Due to the high rate of inflation and the scarcity of gas and electricity, industries have either stopped operating entirely or substantially reduced their production.

    The SBP’s restriction on the opening of letters of credit (LCs) for imports in an effort to save money is a significant contributing factor.

    In the event that the gas supply is not restored and no LCs are opened, the All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association has warned to declare layoffs within days.

    According to the textile industry, up to 500,000 people who were either directly or indirectly employed by the business have lost their jobs. However, there are no official statistics in this regard.

  • 75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    According to public health experts, approximately 75 per cent of Pakistanis suffer from various mental health problems. The majority of Pakistanis, according to Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA) Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, are either sad or under stress.
    Public health experts and intellectuals have portrayed a bleak picture of Pakistanis’ mental state.

    Prof Shahzad Ali Khan, while addressing the launch of the 24th Thematic Calendar by Jahan-i-Maseeha Adbi Forum (JMAF), said that the majority of the population is suffering from different mental health disorders including depression and anxiety.
    He continued by adding that the majority of young people in Pakistan, view everyone as corrupt and incompetent, despite the fact that similar problems, such as inflation, unemployment, and recession, affect young people everywhere.

    “Initially, teachers and academia of our society were targeted and they were defamed. Later, character assassination of physicians and healthcare professionals was carried out and the same treatment was meted out to politicians,” he added.

  • Banned TTP is Pakistan’s absolute redline, Bilawal warns Afghan Taliban

    Banned TTP is Pakistan’s absolute redline, Bilawal warns Afghan Taliban

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the Afghan Taliban have been told that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is Pakistan’s redline.

    “We will not ignore it if we find out that the Taliban are not stopping TTP,” warned Bilawal Bhutto while talking at the Atlantic Council in Washington DC on Tuesday evening.

    “As far as the TTP is concerned, it’s absolutely our red line. It is something that we will not tolerate,” reiterated the foreign minister.

    Emphasizing that Pakistan will be willing to consider each and every option to ensure the safety and security of it’s people, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed concern over a recent spate of attacks by the TTP. The Foreign Minister said that if the Taliban carry out operations against the extremists, Pakistan will provide help if needed.

    He said that there was no new agreement on cooperation with the United States for anti-terrorism.

    “We urge that frozen funds be released for the Afghan people not for the Taliban. They [Taliban] promised US and the world to take action against extremist groups,” said Bilawal.

    He acknowledged that there’s room for improvement in Pakistan’s Afghan policy — as there is in America’s — and stated, “We need to be serious about what we can do going forward”.

    “Are we going learn from our mistakes to ensure that we do not repeat them,” he asked. “The answer to that question is going to define the safety and stability of Afghanistan, the safety and stability of Pakistan and the safety and stability of our region.”

  • Malala condemns Taliban ban on university education, says ‘can not lock up women’s minds’

    Malala condemns Taliban ban on university education, says ‘can not lock up women’s minds’

    Nobel laureate and social activist Malala Yousafzai has condemned the ban on higher education for Afghan women by Taliban administration.

    “The Taliban may lock all the classrooms and university gates in the country — but they can never lock up women’s minds. They cannot stop girls from seeking knowledge. They cannot kill the quest to learn,” the wrote in a tweet.

    The Taliban on Tuesday banned women from universities in Afghanistan. The statement was made by the minister of higher education, who stated that it will go into effect right away.

    “You all are informed to implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice,” said the letter signed by the minister for higher education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem. The letter was issued to all government and private universities.

    The decision is being condemned across the globe, with U.N.’s mission in Afghanistan asking the Taliban-run administration to “immediately” revoke the ban.

    The US government has declared the ban ‘unacceptable’, with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, announcing that he was “deeply dismayed” at the development.

  • ‘Regressive movie’: Ratna Pathak Shah slams India’s Oscar-nominated film ‘RRR’

    ‘Regressive movie’: Ratna Pathak Shah slams India’s Oscar-nominated film ‘RRR’

    Veteran Indian actor Ratna Pathak Shah has termed SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster film RRR starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR as a regressive movie.

    At a recent event, Ratna took a dig at Rajamouli’s magnum opus, said: “Films like RRR are so popular today. But it’s a regressive film. It looks backward while we should look forward. We just feel whatever we are doing is good because we are part of the mother of democracy India.”

    “Until filmmakers will not see their work critically, we will have to watch films like RRR. But we don’t like criticism. Our ego gets hurt. This atmosphere is created by so many big people and, unfortunately, we have accepted it,” said the Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na star.

    RRR has been a recognized film not only on a domestic level but also internationally. The film portrays the story of two freedom fighters Allu Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Apart from Charan and NTR, it also stars Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn in supporting roles.

    Ratna Pathak Shah calls RRR 'regressive film', says 'it looks backwards, while we should...' - India Today

    Earlier this year Ratna even termed the Hindu festival of Karwa Chauth as regressive. The Golmaal 3 star spoke about how women in the 21st century, are still observing age-old traditions like Karwa Chauth – a Hindu ritual in which the wife prays for her husband’s long life by fasting.

    On the work front, Shah is currently busy promoting her upcoming Gujarati film Kutch Express which is set to release on January 6, 2023.

  • ‘No difference between Hamza Shehbaz and Bilawal for me’: Zardari

    ‘No difference between Hamza Shehbaz and Bilawal for me’: Zardari

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that he does not see any difference between his son, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz.

    In a statement, he said that after Pervaiz Elahi is removed from the post of chief minister of Punjab, the next chief minister of the province should be elected from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rather than the PPP.

    Zardari explained that he would not like to select the next Punjab CM from his party because the seat deserves a candidate from the PML-N due to its majority across the province.

    The statement comes as the combined Opposition of PPP and PML-N in Punjab seek to oust CM Pervaiz Elahi after he didn’t seek a confidence vote today (Wednesday).

    Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) might give the post of CM to PPP after Zardari was said to be campaigning in Lahore to get the seat.

  • Ramiz Out: PM approves Najam Sethi’s appointment as chairman PCB

    Ramiz Out: PM approves Najam Sethi’s appointment as chairman PCB

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved Najam Sethi’s appointment as chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Geo News has reported.

    The official notification of the appointment will be issued later.

    Najam Sethi served in 2013 as head of PCB. However, he faced a legal battle with Chaudhry Muhammad Zaka Ashraf, another former chairperson of PCB. He later took up the position again in 2014 but Shahryar Khan replaced him and Sethi was given the charge of the executive committee.

    In 2017, he was appointed again as PCB chairperson but after one year he soon gave up his position in 2018.

    Najam Sethi was the person who launched the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2016 and was the president of PSL at that time.

    This is a developing story.