Category: Uncategorized

  • ‘Madam Zeba ko batana ke Imran Khan aya tha maazrat karnay’: Khan ne maangi mafi

    ‘Madam Zeba ko batana ke Imran Khan aya tha maazrat karnay’: Khan ne maangi mafi

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan appeared before the court of Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry on Friday to apologise for his remarks against her at a public rally.

    However, when Khan arrived at the court of Zeba Chaudhry, she was reportedly on leave and not present at the court.

    He asked the court Reader to stand witness to his appearance in Chaudhry’s court to offer an apology.

    Addressing the Reader, the former Prime Minister said, “Madam Zeba ko batana hai ke Imran khan aya tha, mazrat karna chahta tha agar un ke ilfaz se koi dil azari hui ho,” he told the reader. (Tell Madam Zeba Chaudhry that Imran Khan had visited and wanted to apologise if any of his words hurt her sentiments).

    Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to frame charges against Khan in a contempt of court case registered against him for his controversial remarks about Zeba during a rally in Islamabad on August 20.

    However, after many delays, Khan apologised to the high court, saying, “Mai khaatoon judge se zaati taur pe maafi maangta hoon”, (I personally apologise to the female judge).

    Following this, the high court remarked that it would not be appropriate to conduct contempt proceedings against Khan. The PTI chairman also requested the high court to allow him to apologise to Judge Zeba Chaudhry in person.

    In August, Khan addressed a party rally to express solidarity with then-arrested PTI’s Shahbaz Gill and threatened Chaudhry. He said, “Zeba! Be ready, we will take action against you.”

    Chaudhry had approved Gill’s two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police.

  • International acclaim: Ali Sethi makes it to ‘TIME100 Next list’

    International acclaim: Ali Sethi makes it to ‘TIME100 Next list’

    Pakistani musician Ali Sethi, has been featured in the TIME100 Next list after churning a global chartbuster in the form of Coke Studio 14’s Pasoori.

    “Proud to be included in the 2022 TIME100 Next list — that too with a write-up from guru Amitav Ghosh. [In] this old-world portrait of me by Umar Nadeeem, I am wearing ZN ALI and looking pyaar-se [lovingly] at the pre-colonial past,” he wrote on his Insta while sharing the news.

    The American magazine stated that Sethi’s song Pasoori has become a global sensation with close to 400 million views on YouTube. Even more remarkable, the song has found a huge following in neighboring India despite the escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

    “Sethi’s great gift is that he is able to use an ancient form of music from the region, the classical raga, to challenge and expand notions of gender, sexuality, and belonging. “Pasoori” is a virtuoso demonstration of how artists can, in subtle ways, subvert the restrictions that are being imposed upon them by new forms of authoritarianism and intolerance,” Time wrote about Ali Sethi.

    ‘Pasoori‘ has been written by Sethi and Fazal Abbas, while the composition has been done by Sethi and Zulfiqar J Khan, popularly known as Xulfi. The music has been produced by Abdullah Siddiqui and Xulfi.

  • ‘Relief activities for floods could continue for next two years’: Ahsan Iqbal

    ‘Relief activities for floods could continue for next two years’: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has said that relief activities after the devastating effects of floods across the country could continue for the “next two years”.

    “Natural disasters are a result of climate change, however, we are coming up with plans to deal with them in the future. For now, the government has allocated Rs40 billion for 20 underdeveloped districts.”

    The federal minister said that the armed forces, provincial governments and district administrations are working actively to provide relief.

    “The floods have caused wide-scale destruction”, he added while urging the nation to unite and help those affected by floods.

    On Thursday, Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman announced that the Parliament has approved the country’s largest “Living Indus” initiative that is aimed at protecting the cradle of civilizations which was under serious threat due to environmental degradation and anthropogenic activities.

    The floods have also raised questions on whether Pakistan will be able to pay its debts on time. Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have sought climate justice to compensate for the destruction.

    It is pertinent to mention that the US is so far the largest donor to flood relief and rehabilitation funds. Washington has provided about $56 million to Pakistan since July.

    Devastating floods are responsible for killing more than 1,600 people and the damages to the infrastructure is estimated at nearly $30 billion.

  • ‘Worst projection’: Zara Noor Abbas bashes Kim Kardashian for her latest video

    ‘Worst projection’: Zara Noor Abbas bashes Kim Kardashian for her latest video

    Actor Zara Noor Abbas is currently garnering praise for her stellar dance performance at the Hum Style Awards. The Khamoshi star has often been frank about battling body shaming in the entertainment industry.

    Now the talented performer took to her Instagram stories to slam American model and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian for projecting uncomfortable and problematic beauty standards.

    Zara stated her opinion while sharing a video of the Keeping up with the Kardashian s diva. Kim was seen being severely uncomfortable and struggling to even walk up the stairs and sitting in her car because of her tight bodycon shimmery outfit.

    The reality star suffered a wardrobe malfunction at the Milan Fashion Week.

    The 41-year-old siren took to Instagram on Monday to share the hilarious moment she was forced to leap up a set of stairs in an extremely tight-fitting dress.

    Kim Kardashian suffers embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at Milan Fashion Week

    Kim donned a figure-hugging silver Dolce and Gabbana gown, showing off her hourglass curves.   

    Kim uploaded the side-splitting clip, paired with hilarious music, to her Instagram, sharing the funny moment with her 300 million followers.

  • ‘Our state institutions have carried out an exercise to secure PMO’: Tarar

    ‘Our state institutions have carried out an exercise to secure PMO’: Tarar

    Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that state institutions have taken steps to secure the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and changed some standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    “Our state institutions have carried out an exercise to secure the PMO and ensure [security],” he stated.

    “Some SOPs have been changed which I think is a government responsibility as oftentimes many sensitive matters are discussed in such places and there should be an environment where you are 100 per cent satisfied that you’re making national decisions in a secure environment,” he told reporters.

    He explained that basic SOPs were already in place for “sensitive buildings”, adding that further orders have been issued to make security measures effective and
    “It will be an effort to introduce a culture and environment, not just in the PMO, but in all departments where you can ensure that sensitive information will not be leaked.”

    These steps were taken after several audio leaks surfaced of PM Shehbaz and former PM Imran Khan.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had informed Imran Khan multiple times that the PM House is unsafe for important conversations.

    “The army chief told Imran Khan that the points that what we discuss here is recorded and leaked later on,” he said, adding that, “General Bajwa had said Nawaz Sharif stepped out of PM House when he wanted to talk to him about some vital issue.”

    The PTI leader said that it is unacceptable for PM Office to be hacked, regardless of who is premier — whether Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif or Imran Khan.

  • ‘Imran Khan aur is ka coach shamil hain’, Maryam Nawaz claims that she knows who is behind audio leaks

    ‘Imran Khan aur is ka coach shamil hain’, Maryam Nawaz claims that she knows who is behind audio leaks

    After getting acquitted by Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz accepted that four recent audio leaks were hers.

    While speaking outside the court, Maryam claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his “coach” were behind these audio leaks.

    “I know who is doing all of this. Yeh Imran Khan aur is ka coach shamil ha” (Both Imran Khan and his coach are involved), she said.

    In response to a question, Maryam said a nexus comprising “Imran, his coach and a couple of TV channels” were behind the audio leaks.

    Reaction to her audio leaks:

    She also reacted to the leaks in which an unknown person and her uncle [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] could be heard talking about purchasing machinery for her son-in-law’s plant from India. She claimed that “Imran Khan should be ashamed because Raheel purchased the first half of machinery during his tenure as PM”.

    According to her, “Raheel submitted an application to purchase the second half of machinery but PM Shehbaz told him that now Pakistan has stopped importing things from India”. She added after that the “Matter was closed then”.

    Commenting on the audio in which she asked PM Shehbaz to discontinue the PTI’s Sehat Card initiative, Maryam insisted that the health project was launched by PML-N supremo Nawaz.

    “I asked the PM to own the programme launched by his party and I never said to discontinue the initiative,” she said.

    ‘Imran Khan did forgery in PM Office’: Maryam Nawaz

    On Imran Khan’s audio leaks, Maryam Nawaz said, “Imran thinks of Pakistan as Oval Ground and Qadaffi Stadium. He used to tamper then as a cricketer, now he is passing instructions that do tampering with minutes of the meeting.”

    In the audio leak, which was released on Wednesday, Khan discusses how to frame the narrative around the alleged conspiracy that resulted in the ouster of his government. He tells his then principal secretary Azam Khan: ‘Iss par hi khelna hai’, (let’s play with it) without mentioning the name of the United States and they discuss how to form a team on the issue.

    Maryam Nawaz also took a jibe at former First Lady Bushra Bibi, saying that “She told Ex Focal Person Digital Media to former PM, Arslan Khalid, to make a statement against Khan’s opponents and run a campaign to prove them, traitors, while her husband who was in power at the time did forgery in PM Office.”

    She also demanded that a “high-powered” joint investigation team (JIT) — consisting of government ministers, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials and law ministry representatives — be formed to probe the alleged audio leak of Imran Khan and Azam.

    “I believe the facts that have emerged should lead to his [Imran’s] arrest and he must be jailed straightaway,” she said.

    ‘NAB made a video of me while I was in night suit’: Maryam Nawaz

    Moreover, she said when NAB arrested her in Karachi, a person made a video of her without consent while she was in her night suit.

    “If they release this video, nothing can be more shameless and cheap”, she added.

    She also said, “If the video releases, people will see how they treated me in jail”.

    On Thursday, IHC acquitted Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield reference, nullifying the conviction handed to them in 2018 by an accountability court.

  • ‘A dark day’: PTI reacts to Maryam Nawaz’s acquittal

    ‘A dark day’: PTI reacts to Maryam Nawaz’s acquittal

    Following the verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Thursday (today), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have said that today is, “Another dark day in the history of Pakistan”.

    PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter to say that “The country’s institutions have lost the trust of the public”.

    “Beyond any doubt, it is another dark day in the history of Pakistan”, he added.

    Another PTI leader and former Energy Minister Hammad Azhar claimed that “PML-N itself seems to be a bit embarrassed after today’s ruling”.

    In a tweet, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar made a claim that “Imran Khan’s government was removed so that imported government leaders could get their cases dismissed”.

    The former ruling party leader Babar Awan said, “Jitna bara daku, itni bari kursi“. (The bigger the thief, the bigger the chair). He added, “The jail department would teach lessons about the Sharif family to prisoners so that they can get NRO II as well.”

    The verdict:

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield reference, nullifying the conviction handed to them in 2018 by an accountability court.

    After the victory, Maryam said that she was thankful to Allah for making Nawaz and herself proud today. She also took a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan, telling him that he is a “helpless” person now and whether or not he decides to answer for his deeds, history will ensure that he answers for it.

  • Gen Bajwa told Imran Khan that it is not safe to talk at PM House, says Fawad

    Gen Bajwa told Imran Khan that it is not safe to talk at PM House, says Fawad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had informed former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan multiple times that the PM House is unsafe for important conversations.

    “The army chief told Imran Khan that the points that what we discuss here is recorded and leaked later on,” he said, adding that, “General Bajwa had said Nawaz Sharif stepped out of PM House when he wanted to talk to him about some vital issue.”

    The PTI leader said that it is unacceptable for PM Office to be hacked, regardless of who is premier — whether Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif or Imran Khan.

    Fawad said he doesn’t support the PM’s telephones being tapped.

    Fawad’s comments come after several audio leaks of PM Shehbaz Sharif along with federal minister were leaked.

    On Wednesday, September 28, an audio of Khan was leaked as well.

    Khan can be heard talking about the alleged foreign conspiracy against him with his then principal secretary Azam Khan.

    He tells Azam Khan: ‘Iss par hi khelna hai’, without mentioning the name of the United States, and they then discuss how to form a team on the issue.

    The “cipher” lies at the heart of PTI’s claim that the US plotted with individuals within Pakistan to remove Khan from office. It is based on then-envoy Asad Majeed’s meeting with State Department employee Donald Lu.

  • Maryam Nawaz, Capt Safdar acquitted in Avenfield case

    Maryam Nawaz, Capt Safdar acquitted in Avenfield case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in the Avenfield reference, nullifying the conviction handed to them in 2018 by an accountability court.

    A two-member bench, comprising of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presided over today’s hearing during which the court heard arguments from both sides.

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif was handed 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond known income and one year for not cooperating with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Meanwhile, Maryam was given 7 years for abetment after she was found “Instrumental in concealment of the properties of her father” and one year for non-cooperation with the bureau.

    Safdar was given one year jail time — for not cooperating with NAB, and aiding and abetting Nawaz and Maryam.

    Congratulating Maryam and Capt Safdar, PM Shehbaz tweeted, “The edifice of lies, slander & character assassination has come crumbling down today.”

    “Maryam Nawaz’s acquittal in the Avenfield Reference is a slap in the face of so-called accountability system that was employed to target Sharif family,” tweeted the PM.

    Maryam also received a phone call from her father, she congratulated him for the win.

    Later, talking to the media, Maryam said that she was thankful to Allah for making Nawaz and her proud today.

    Maryam asked PTI Chairman Imran Khan what would he do now as he has been proven “a liar” and “a conspirator”, while Nawaz has come out on top.

    Maryam told Khan that he is a “helpless” person now and whether or not he decides to answer for his deeds, history will ensure that you answer for it.

    In response to a question that the case was registered against her before PTI came into power and that some other powers were behind it, Maryam said: “Who was the beneficiary of all this? Had Nawaz remained here, then even in three lifetimes, Imran could not have come into power.”

  • FBR must collect Rs120 billion in two days to meet monthly target of Rs684 billion

    To reach its monthly goal of Rs684 billion by the end of the current month, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) must collect approximately Rs120 billion in the final two days of September.

    The FBR’s preliminary revenue collection as of September 2022 was over Rs565 billion compared to the target of Rs684 billion, representing a shortfall of over Rs119 billion.

    To reach the monthly goal of Rs684 billion, the FBR needed to collect about Rs60 billion every day during the final two days of September 2022, according to Brecorder.

    The government would be forced to implement emergency collection measures, such as imposing a sales tax on petroleum items, if the FBR is unable to meet the monthly target of Rs684 billion. To avoid taking emergency revenue measures, the FBR has increased efforts to reach the desired revenue collection objective.

    The tax collecting system currently has a difficult task ahead of it: achieving the assigned revenue collection target of Rs684 billion in September 2022.

    In order to maximise revenue collection, tax authorities have developed a plan in conjunction with the chief commissioners of the LTOs and heads of MTUs.

    The final day to pay advance tax instalments was September 25, and the majority of the corporate sector had already paid their owed advance tax instalment by that date.

    The FBR examined the big tax offices’ and medium tax offices’ revenue results via the video link. The meeting also covered the potential reduction in income collection under a few heads as a result of the severe floods.

    In comparison to the target of Rs483 billion, the FBR had tentatively collected net revenue of Rs489 billion for August 2022, representing an increase of Rs6 billion.

    In comparison to the set revenue collection target of Rs926 billion during the first two months of July and August in 2022–2023, the FBR has collected Rs948 billion. The Board has so far surpassed the specified target in the current fiscal year 2022–2023 by Rs22 billion.

    The FBR collected net revenue of Rs489 billion during August 2022, exceeding the objective of Rs483 billion compared to Rs448 billion collected during the same period last year, according to provisional figures.