Actor Sidra Niazi, who is basking in the glory of her drama serial Badzaat opened up about her connection with former Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi. The Qayamat star said, “Niazi is not a big tribe and members of the clan are connected with each other.” She said that they have family terms with Imran Khan but people of her generation are not familiar with him.
“My father and uncle know him [Imran Khan],” she added.
Recalling her memories, Sidra Niazi said that when she was a child and her grandmother was alive, Imran Khan used to visit her house.
“My uncle was a columnist, hence, Imran Khan used to meet him,” the actress added.
Earlier this year on Geo’s show Jashan e Cricket, host Shahzad Iqba t asked Sidra about voting for Imran Khan in the next elections as she belongs to the Niazi community herself to which she replied, “Niazi hun aqal se aari nahi,” (Just because I am Niazi does not mean I am nuts).
She further added that she will decide who to vote on merit. While responding to a question, she said that the demand for a ban on Aurat March is wrong. In an answer to another question, she said that she feels unpleasant about Imran Khan’s comments regarding women.
The data has been compiled by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) and the Centre for Research, Development and Communication (CRDC). The cases that have been reported in mainstream media are added in the report.
Punjab
A total of 77 cases of physical assault were reported in Punjab — 93 women in Punjab were abducted, 47 cases of sexual assault cases were recorded. As far as domestic violence cases are concerned, Punjab reported 58 cases. Three honour killing incidents took place. At least five cases of workplace harassment were reported in the province. In July, 42 children were sexually abused and 30 children were kidnapped. Meanwhile, 10 children were murdered and eight child labour cases were reported. 10 cases of physical violence against children were recorded. The province also reported three cases of child marriage.
Sindh
Sindh recorded 34 physical assault cases. A total of 20 cases of abduction took place, 16 women were subjected to rape, 15 cases of domestic violence were reported and in the name of honour killing, four women were killed in Sindh. Moreover, two work harassment incidents were reported in the province. Over July, 21 children were sexually abused,13 children were kidnapped from Sindh, 14 children were physically abused while five children were murdered in the province. Three cases of child marriage were reported.
Islamabad
Six incidents of physical assault occurred in the capital and 15 cases of kidnapping were reported. 10 cases of rape were reported. Four cases of domestic abuse were reported. Ten children were sexually abused and eight children were kidnapped. Two incidents of physical abuse against children were reported and two children were murdered.
Balochistan
The province had no reported case of physical assault. Two cases of abduction were reported during the month of July. Balochistan reported one rape incident. When it comes to domestic violence, Balochistan registered zero such incidents. Three children were sexually abused in Balochistan and four children were kidnapped. No physical abuse case was reported. Two children were murdered.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
16 incidents of physical assault were reported, three cases of abduction occurred, 11 cases of rape were reported and17 cases of domestic violence were reported in KP. 32 children were sexually abused and 27 children were kidnapped. 11 cases of physical violence against children were reported and three children were murdered. One child labour case was reported.
Actress Meera is known for her candour in interviews and press interactions, she always manages to land herself in a controversies. Now an old interview of Meera with Times of India is resurfacing on social media in which the Nazar actress made revelations about Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt.
The Main Sitara actor claimed that because of Mahesh Bhatt she had to leave Bollywood and when she tried to come back, he did not even allow her to return. She was quoted saying, “Working with Bollywood was a great experience. I got a lot of love from the Indian audience. But the journey of Bollywood was not easy for me. There were many difficulties but I did not give up. In the early days Bollywood was completely new to me. I didn’t know anyone in Mumbai except Mahesh Bhatt. It took a long time to get to know people. Mahesh Bhatt introduced me to the industry. I used to respect Mahesh ji a lot. He was my mentor and mentor. I will also give the credit of my success to him.”
Further in the interview, Meera told that when she entered the cinema world with the film Nazar, I got offers from many famous directors like Ram Gopal Varma, Mani Ratnam, Subhash Ghai. They wanted to work with me but Mahesh Bhatt did not want it. Bhatt wanted me to work only with him. Further, Meera told that one night when she met Subhash Ghai and she told this to Mahesh, he got very angry, shouted at her, and slapped her 2-3 times.
Talking about the time when Bhatt slapped her, she revealed “I got offers from many famous directors like Ram Gopal Varma, Mani Ratnam, Subhash Ghai who wanted to work with me. But Mahesh Bhatt did not want me to work with anyone other than him. One night I met Subhash Ghai. When I told this to Mahesh ji, he got very angry, shouted at me, and slapped me two-three times.”
The Naagin star also alleged that Mahesh used to call her his ‘special one’ and told her she was like ‘worship’ to him. However, the filmmaker had denied all such allegations and called Meera ‘bizarre’. Mahesh Bhatt also opined that Meera was a vulnerable person who was going through a vulnerable phase back then.
This time the Baaji diva has been trending on social media for an Eid special interview, that she did in 2017 with famous media personality, Sohail Warraich. The Baaji actress confessed in the interview that when she went to India for her film Nazar’s shooting, she was proposed to by the Murder 2 actor, Emraan Hashmi, which she declined.
Meera added that Mahesh Bhatt, her film’s producer also presented her with a marriage proposal by Ashmit Patel, who was her co-star in the film. She was quick to mention that her family had issues over their religious differences and she couldn’t go against the will of her parents.
Earlier this year, Meera shared a picture with Indian actor Neha Dhupia from a shoot done over a decade ago. Several people liked the picture, while many trolled the Baaji actor.
McKinsey Global Institute has forecasted that demand for higher skills such as decision making, critical thinking, complex information process, and creativity will grow by 19% by 2030. If anything, this forecast translates into the fact that future careers will be way more challenging than the present ones. Why? Because the same will require cross-marketability skills and interdisciplinary knowledge. This is where STEP Schools steps in as it imparts 21st-century knowledge through the STEAM approach.
STEP Schools is part of the Punjab Group of Colleges, a name synonymous with educational excellence in Pakistan. The brains behind STEP Schools realized that the traditional methods of teaching relying on rote memorization and repetitive classroom lectures do not cater to the needs of an increasingly complex and tech-driven world. So, they designed a 21st-century curriculum driven by 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) and incorporated the STEAM approach into it.
STEAM
The 21st-century method deployed by STEP Schools opts for a multi-dimensional approach to the student’s learning experiences both in and out of the classrooms. STEP Schools’ 4C-driven curriculum shifts focus on developing and fostering analytical, decision-making, critical, and creativity skills in children from an early age. Likewise, project-based learning increases students’ engagement and offers special attention to each student in the class.
The core of 21st-century learning is the notion that learning is a lifelong process.
Broad & Flexible Teaching Strategies
At STEP Schools, our teachers deploy a wide array of broad and flexible strategies vis-a-vis the needs of the students and the context of the situation. These strategies champion interdisciplinary & hands-on learning and student engagement over conferring information. At STEP Schools, teaching methodologies and approaches are based on inquiry, focused on conceptual understanding, and developed in local and global contexts; likewise, the same is informed by assessments and is designed to remove barriers to learning.
In STEP Schools’ 21st-century classrooms, educators are not just teachers. They are relationship builders, innovators, leaders, storytellers, designers, and artists.
Project-based Learning
At STEP Schools, Project-Based Learning (PBL) forms the core of our philosophy that steers students’ learning in a meaningful manner that reflects their interests and the needs of modern times.
PBL nurtures and fosters thinking, research, social, self-management, and communication skills – a holistic development that is imperative for the 21st-century workforce. PBL aims to empower learners to see learning as a dynamic and active process.
21st-century Classrooms
STEP Schools provide students with exposure to 21st-century classrooms. The classroom’s environment is designed to promote student-led and inquiry-based teaching and learning that ultimately leads to the wholesome development of students. Likewise, highly-experienced and qualified faculty creates an environment that sparks curiosity, encourages & empowers students’ communication, collaboration, and participation while supporting each student’s personal journey.
Likewise, each campus has a ‘Resource Room’ equipped with LEDs, multimedia, interactive whiteboards, sound systems, and other pieces of equipment. These resource rooms provide the most up-to-date education to children.
Technology-Enhanced Learning
STEP Schools employs technology-enhanced learning (TEL) to meet four main concepts: citizen science, mobile learning, openness, and learning at scale. TEL fosters students’ ability to engage with multiple texts in multiple modes of literacy; the same helps educators replace old teaching habits while sustaining the contemporary ones. It also helps both students and teachers to enhance. By incorporating technology in learning practices, it is ensured at STEP Schools that existing processes are carried out in a more time-effective and sustainable manner. It also improves outcomes of existing processes while introducing new practices at the same time.
Keeping aforesaid notions in mind, STEP Schools has developed platforms of:
STEP Portal
STEP E-learning program
STEP ICT curriculum
The purpose of educational technology at STEP Schools is to groom the students as creators and makers of tomorrow’s technology and innovation.
Admissions Open If you want to get your child exposure to 21st-century learning, register with our perspective school within your city to gain an advantage over your child’s future from an early age.
STEP Schools offer admissions to the junior school classes and middle classes as of now. But, the student already on enrolment will have an opportunity to complete the school education from Step 1 to Step 10.
STEP Schools offers:
21st Century learning with standardized curriculum and booklist
Scholarships, financial aid, and Indemnity (Educational insurance)
Sibling discount
Inter-school student transfer facility
Interactive learning environment along with smart education tools in classrooms
Emphasis on life skills
The continuous assessment process to evaluate the performance of each student.
Well optimized web portal to provide complete performance evaluation of students through dedicated portal IDs for the parents
Ease of access for parents to their child’s record through STEP Schools Mobile App
Regular intimation of attendance and other important notifications through SMS
Regular co-curricular activities such as arts & crafts, physical education, games, inter-school competitions, educational trips, and sports events
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has strongly reacted to Islamabad district and sessions court’s decision of approving a two-day physical remand of PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill. The court was hearing a review plea seeking Gill’s remand in a sedition case.
Fragile state of mental & physical health because of the torture: Imran Khan
“He is in a fragile state of mental & physical health because of the torture inflicted on him when he was abducted & taken to undisclosed location & then again at the police station,” tweeted PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Very concerned about Shahbaz Gill being sent into police remand again. He is in a fragile state of mental & physical health because of the torture inflicted on him when he was abducted & taken to undisclosed location & then again at the police station. This is part of conspiracy
He said that Gill’s remand is a “part of the conspiracy to target me and PTI by forcibly getting false statements against us similar to what they have been doing against social media activists”.
to target me & PTI by forcibly getting false statements against us similar to what they have been doing against social media activists.This is absolutely unacceptable. We will take all legal & pol actions to counter not only this torture being inflicted upon Shahbaz Gill
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the order and said that “judges sending political workers in remand for torture while knowing everything are criminals”.
“Gill is being sent into police custody for torture instead of interrogation,” said Fawad.
وہ جج صاحبان جو جانتے بوجھتے تشدد کیلئے کہ پولیس سیاسی ورکروں کو تشدد کیلئے ریمانڈ مانگ رہی ہے ریمانڈُ پر بھیجتے ہیں وہ قومی مجرم ہیں انسانی حقوق کی جو دھجیاں پاکستان میں اڑائ جارہی ہیں اس کی مثال نہیں ملتی شہباز گل کو تفتیش کیلئے نہیں تشدد کیلئے پولیس کے حوالے کیا جا رہا ہے
Fawad said that there is no parallel to the way human rights are being “utterly destroyed” in Pakistan.
He refused to give a false statement against Imran Khan: Asad Umar
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that the reason behind the insistence on the physical remand of Gill is “more torture”.
“[I] met Shahbaz Gill in Adiala, [his] spirits are high. Despite the worst torture meted out to him in Islamabad, [Gill] refused to make a false statement against Imran Khan,” tweeted Umar.
شہباز گل سے اڈیالہ ملاقات ہوئی. حوصلہ ابھی بھی بلند ہے. بد ترین تشدد کے باوجود، جو اس پر اسلام آباد میں کیا گیا، عمران خان کے خلاف جھوٹا بیان دینے سے انکار کر دیا. فون اسے حراست میں لیتے ہوئے ہی پولیس نے لے لئیے تھے. سوائے مزید تشدد کرنے کے ریمانڈ مانگنے کی اور کوئی وجہ نہیں
Addressing a press conference, Umar said, “They [coalition government] forcefully want to get a statement by torturing Gill and we want to bring it on the record.”
Last Friday (August 12), a district and sessions court in Islamabad hearing a sedition case against Shahbaz Gill rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand. Instead, the court had sent him to jail on judicial remand. A plea was then filed by Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon in the Islamabad High Court on August 13 challenging the order.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has revealed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will lead the electoral campaign for the next general elections, reports Geo News.
Addressing a reception ceremony of overseas Pakistanis living in Jeddah, Rana Sanaullah said that the next general elections will be held on time and Nawaz Sharif will be leading the electoral campaign.
Rana stressed that the government will complete its constitutional term and said that the country cannot afford “Imrani trouble”, corruption and political chaos.
Rana Sanaullah is currently in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah along with his family.
Nawaz will return in September
Federal Minister Javed Latif on August 15 said that the people of Pakistan are wishing for the return of Nawaz Sharif.
Referring to Nawaz’s supporters as “doctors”, Latif said that “the people are his doctors and doctors change their opinion with time”.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was given United Arab Emirates (UAE’s) highest civil award.
Pakistan’s army chief was conferred upon Order of the Union Medal by President of UAE for making significant contributions in furthering bilateral ties between both the countries.
UAE President Mohammad bin Zayed presented the award to General Bajwa. The army chief is on an official visit to the Gulf state.
The military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said General Bajwa also called upon the President of UAE, H.H Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence, security cooperation and regional security situation discussed. The leaders agreed that Pakistan and the UAE share a great history of cordial relations
In June, Mohammed Bin Salman decorated COAS Bajwa with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for making “significant contributions in defence cooperation” between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
The medal was named after Saudi Arabia’s founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud and is considered the highest civilian honour in KSA.
Bollywood Superstar Aamir Khan needs no introduction as his decades-long career is enough for it. He has credited several super hit movies in his name. Some of them are PK, Dangal, Lagaan, Ghajini, Dhoom 3 and Dil Chahta Hai.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Aamir is currently in a state of shock and stress, considering the massive failure of Laal Singh Chaddha. The film has collected less than 50 crore at the box office despite being a festive release.
“Aamir had worked really hard to make the best version of Forrest Gump possible. The rejection has hit him very hard,” says a close friend of Aamir and his former wife Kiran Rao.
The immediate aftermath of this colossal setback may get monetary compensation for film distributors across the country who have lost heavily on Laal Singh Chaddha.
Apparently Aamir, as co-producer, has taken responsibility for the film’s failure and is working at partially compensating for the heavy losses incurred by distributors.
Earlier this month trade Analyst Ali Zain shared on his Twitter handle that Khan has submitted his big-budget film, Laal Singh Chadda for NOC in Pakistan.
Although Indian films are currently banned in Pakistan, this could have initiated a new wave of Bollywood mania in Pakistani cinema houses.
On the recent boycott Twitter trend for his film, the Rang De Basanti star said, “Yes, I feel sad. Also, I feel sad that some of the people who are saying this, in their hearts, believe that I am someone who doesn’t like India. In their hearts, they believe, but it is untrue. It is rather unfortunate that some people feel that way. That’s not the case. Please don’t boycott my film. Please watch my film.”
In 2015, Aamir came under fire for his comments about ‘intolerant India’. “When I chat with Kiran at home, she says ‘Should we move out of India?’ That’s a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day,” he had said.
“I never said India was intolerant or I wanted to leave the country. I also understand the emotions of those who were hurt. I would like to say that my statement was misunderstood and to some extent, the media is responsible for it. I was born here and I will die here,” Aamir had later responded.
The hashtag #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha has close to 70,000 tweets and people have been actively trolling the lead actors. From Kareena’s statement on nepotism and asking people to not watch her films if they don’t want to in an old video to Aamir’s controversial scenes “against Hinduism” in his films to asking for justice for late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, there are many reasons being pointed out by social media users.
Earlier in an interview with News18, the actor opened on why he gave up alcohol. In the interview, he said that he used to down the entire bottle but later felt it was not okay.
While speaking to the news portal, the Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak actor said, “I used to drink sometimes, but I don’t anymore. Some people take two pegs and they are sorted. But I was never one of those who drank regularly. I used to drink on occasions, but whenever I did sit down to drink, I would down the entire bottle. And I felt that that was not okay.”
He further added that nothing major had happened with him in the state of intoxication that he would regret later. “The fact that a person is no longer under their own control, that didn’t sit well with me,” concluded the Dhoom 3 hero.
Aamir consumed a bottle of vodka to shoot for the song ‘Tere Ishq Mein Nachenge’ in the 1996 film ‘Raja Hindustani’.
This year marks the 75th year of independence for Pakistan. To commemorate the occasion, 253 Pakistani citizens from all walks of life, as well as foreign nationals, were awarded the highest honours: the Pakistan Civil Awards by President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, for showing excellent courage and remarkable achievements in their respective fields. A number of prominent Pakistani celebrities, belonging to the field of entertainment and sports were also conferred with the Civil Awards.
The investiture ceremony of these awards will take place on Pakistan Day — March 23, 2023.
Three athletes from the cricketing world have received the awards. Skipper Babar Azam was bestowed with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, women’s cricket team captain Bismah received Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and blind cricketer Masood Jan was honoured with the Pride of Performance award.
PCB CONGRATULATES Masood Jan (blind cricketer), Pakistan men’s team captain Babar Azam and Pakistan women’s team captain Bismah Maroof at being conferred with civil awards on Pakistan’s 75th anniversary. pic.twitter.com/dscGoqJ5Zq
Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt were given the President’s award for Pride of Performance for bagging gold medals for Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.
Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan has been honoured with Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan received President’s award for Pride of Performance.
Two kabbadi players Ch Shafay Hussain and Shafiq Ahmed Chishti were honoured with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz respectively.
Ahsan Ramzan (Snooker), Amina Wali (Skiing), Abdul Karim (Mountaineer/Porter), Irfan Mehsood (Martial Arts) and Ms Shahida (Karate) athletes were also awarded with Pride of Performance.
Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail once again explained how the petrol prices are calculated after receiving criticism for the increase in petroleum prices.
Responding to senior journalist Hamid Mir on Twitter, he said the government has not imposed any tax on petroleum products.
Clarifying his position, the minister said that he did not say that the price will not be increased.
“Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set.”
1) Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set. https://t.co/38N2PD3qyQ
“I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes,” said Miftah Ismail.
2) I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes. People are welcome to critique or criticise me. I know I am sincere to my country & have saved it from default & working to the best of my ability.
The finance minister added that people are welcome to critique or criticise him.
“I know I am sincere to my country and have saved it from default and working to the best of my ability.”
Zardari unhappy with govt’s decision to increase petrol prices
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari distanced himself from the recent increase in the petroleum prices by the government.
Zardari said the PPP is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultations on such decisions.
“We are all here in this government to give relief to the people and that should be our top priority. We are with the prime minister and will meet him soon and talk about the economic team,” he added.
سابق صدر آصف علی زرداری کا حکومت کی طرف سے پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی قیمت میں اضافے پر تشویش کا اظہار
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی حکومت کا حصہ ہے اور ساتھ ہے لیکن اس طرح کے فیصلوں پر مشاورت ضرور ہونا چاہئیے، صدر زرداری@AAliZardari
‘I am not involved in this decision’: Nawaz Sharif leaves party meeting over increase in petrol prices
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government increasing the petrol prices and as a result left the meeting.
“Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.
میاں صاحب نے اس فیصلے کی سخت مخالفت کی اور یہاں تک کہ دیا کہ میں مزید ایک پیسے کا بوجھ عوام پر نہیں ڈال سکتا اور اگر حکومت کی کوئی مجبوری ہے تو میں اس فیصلے میں شامل نہیں ہوں اور میٹنگ چھوڑ کر چلے گئے۔ https://t.co/McG019GW6Z
The government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre and decreased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.51 and kerosene oil by Rs1.67 per litre.
