Category: Uncategorized

  • Zardari corruption case: NAB references busted, not in accordance with law

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari ‘ultra vires and not according to the law’, reports The News.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah condemned NAB authorities and said that all its references got busted for not being prepared as per law. He said that the Bureau was just wasting its time by making pointless references, adding that NAB was not above the law.

    “How the bureau could declare null and void the Income Tax Order by itself,” the CJ observed, adding that NAB did not have any jurisdiction to nullify the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Assessment Order.

    Earlier, IHC had noticed that NAB challenged the acquittal request of Zardari, without obtaining the original record of the case.

    The court noted that it took NAB seven years to realise that the appeals were filed without possessing the original record.

    CJ Minallah said NAB should now admit it had made a mistake by filing these references since it did not have proof against the former president.

    “And if indeed, there were no proofs, then the court will also take action against the former bureau chairman in whose tenure these cases had been filed,” said the IHC CJ.

  • Lahore’s air quality reaches 981, normal air quality should be below 50

    Lahore’s air quality reaches 981, normal air quality should be below 50

    Lahore recorded the worst air quality in four years on Wednesday. An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 981 was recorded near the Mall Road, Samaa has reported. As per United States Environmental protection agency, the hazardous category indicates an AQI of 301–500. The ‘good’ category is 0–50, which is followed by ‘moderate’ at 51–100 while anything in the 101–301 AQI range is considered unhealthy.

    The AQI on Wednesday was recorded above 700 in most areas of Punjab’s capital. A level of 761 was recorded in Gulberg Town, 625 in Fatehpur, while the air quality in Model Town was recorded 591, Samaa reported.

    In November, Lahore was also ranked number one while Karachi ranked fifth among the top five cities with bad air quality in the world.

    Meanwhile, in November, Provincial Minister of Punjab for Environment Protection Muhammad Rizwan claimed that there has been no smog in Punjab, including Lahore, for the last two years.

  • Woman files FIR against her husband for selling newborn for two lakh

    Woman files FIR against her husband for selling newborn for two lakh

    A woman from Kohlu district, Balochistan has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against her husband for selling their 20-days-old daughter in exchange for Rs two lakh.

    In the report, it is stated that the complainant’s husband used to beat her after his second marriage and he kicked her out of the house. She was living at her brother’s residence when she gave birth to a girl, named Noor Bano.

    According to the complainant’s statement, her husband snatched the newborn from her brother’s resident in broad light on December 11.

    The complainant has five children (three boys and two girls) and with her husband.

  • ‘Pakistan will have no gas in years to come’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Pakistan will have no gas in years to come’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that Pakistan will not have gas in the years to come.

    Fawad’s comments come after the cabinet meeting when he was talking to the media. He said that the gas reserves were depleting by nine per cent each year, therefore, there will be no gas available for people.

    He said people getting gas at cheaper rates in big cities should now change their habits. “This trend will not continue for long,” he added.

    Fawad highlighted that price of oil in the international market has declined. However, they haven’t been reduced much and an impact can be seen here. He, therefore, urged people to pray that the price of oil comes down globally.

  • Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Zubair while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that the party vice-president Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions hinting that she might be a candidate for the position of prime minter in the next general elections from PML-N.

    His comments come after former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced that Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif will be PML-N’s candidate for prime minister in the general elections of 2023.

    Khaqan made these comments during a political talk show on Dawn News, ‘Khabar Se Khabar’. He said as Maryam Nawaz was not illegible, it’s likely that the party president is nominated since he leads the party.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is our president and he will be our next candidate for prime minister,” said Khaqan.

    Responding to Khaqan’s comments, Zubair said that Khaqan was one of the most senior members of PML-N and that he could not challenge his statements.

    “It’s a long way to go, Nawaz Sharif is not illegible, both Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are facing court cases. The situation isn’t clear yet. The future will tell who is illegible [to be a candidate],” said Zubair.

    PML-N leader further said, “I have been hearing the case hearing in Islamabad High Court (IHC), I do not have a legal background but I am100 per cent sure that Maryam Nawaz will get relief in her cases because there is no corruption against her.”

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada further asked Zubair if Shehbaz Sharif will be the next nominee for the position of prime minister, to which he responded that Shahid Khaqan might have some knowledge as he has been in a place of leadership, he might have information on the matter.

    Khanzada said, “You are one of the closest leaders to Maryam Nawaz in the party, it is not possible that this interview [of Khaqan] came a day earlier and it is not possible that you have not conversed with Maryam Sahiba on this.”

    “I have not talked to Maryam Nawaz. She is busy with her son’s wedding. Having said that, there are no second thoughts on the leadership qualities and competence of Shehbaz Sharif. He has led upfront during the toughest of times,” responded Zubair.

    “I will not hesitate in saying that Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions. But along with that, she abides by party discipline. She will completely contribute to the electoral victory of PML-N,” added Zubair.

  • Amidst break-up rumours of Maya Ali-Sheheryar Munawar, Haris Rauf wants to take her out on a dinner date

    Amidst break-up rumours of Maya Ali-Sheheryar Munawar, Haris Rauf wants to take her out on a dinner date

    Actors Sheheryar Munawar and Maya Ali grabbed headlines during the release of their film Parey Hut Love for allegedly being in a serious relationship, the duo went through ups and downs in their love life over the years.

    Sheheryar Munawar

    According to sources, the two have officially parted ways a while ago but made it official by unfollowing each other on social media.

    A couple of weeks ago, in an interview, the young cricketer revealed that if he could take any actress on a dinner date, he’d go with with the Teefa In Trouble diva.

    Now again during his Instagram Q/A he was asked about that dinner and the cricketer revealed that he’s still wishing and waiting for her response.

    Netizens gave amusing response to his statement. A certain netizen commented that they can be the Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli of Pakistan.

    virat-anushka wedding: Virushka wedding: The super-exclusive and ultra-expensive celebrity union - The Economic Times

    Trouble in Paradise: Maya Ali, Sheheryar Munawar unfollow each other after an alleged break-up

  • Britain confirms first Omicron coronavirus variant death

    Britain confirms first Omicron coronavirus variant death

    British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson confirmed the first global death from the swiftly spreading strain of the Omicron variant on Monday, reports Reuters.

    However, it is not clear if the deceased had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.

    “Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron. I think the idea is that this is somehow a milder version of the virus. That’s something we need to set to one side and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population,” Johnson stated.

    When asked about the lifting of tougher restrictions, PM avoided giving a direct answer. However, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he knew of no plans for additional measures.

    The first Omicron cases were detected in Britain on November 27. Before this confirmation, 10 people (ranging from 18 to 85 years) were hospitalised with Omicron, most had received two vaccination doses as the virus can overcome the immunity of those who have had two shots of vaccines such as AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the Omicron may be less severe than the Delta variant as all cases reported in the European region have been mild.

    In Pakistan, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in Pakistan on Monday.

  • Trans woman allegedly abducted, tortured and raped in Karachi

    Trans woman allegedly abducted, tortured and raped in Karachi

    People’s Climate March took place on Sunday, December 12. On this day, the protesters were met with heavy contingents of police, and the march was blockaded and surrounded on all sides by police vans.

    A trans woman was abducted on her way home, was tortured and raped to get the information regarding the march’s programme and its speechesm, The Karachi Bachao Tehreek said in a tweet. The victim was one of the organisers of the climate March.

    Another tweet in a long thread read: “It is worth noting that this police violence was disproportionately directed towards a trans woman – that sexual violence was weaponized against one of the most vulnerable members of the organizing team, so that information about the march and its program could be extorted from her.”

    Ministry of Human Rights in a tweet said, “Our Transgender Rights Expert, Reem, has been in touch with the relevant people including the victim’s guardian and our Ministry will be contacting Sindh Government to ensure her protection.

  • Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith has recently opened up about her film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, which is  reportedly based on her own life and experiences in Pakistan.

    The movie a rom-com which unfolds the love life of two inter-cultural childhood best friends. The story is set between London and South Asia. Moreover, two different people from two different cultures and customs fall in love and then get married.

    Jemima, in an interview said: “When I went to Pakistan I probably had the same views as the rest of my friends about the concept of arranged marriage, which is that it is a mad, outdated idea. But I came back after ten years with a slightly different view, whereby I could see some merits to it.’’

    She had also revealed in the same interview that it took her ten years to write and rewrite the script of the movie.

    Recently Studiocanal and Working Title released the first look of the movie on December 9 and it showcases aspects of cultural mixing with a man in a kurta and a woman in a leather jacket standing inside a wedding hall.

    Pakistan’s superstar Sajal Aly is starring in the movie alongside India’s veteran actress Shabana Azmi, English actor Lily James from Baby Driver and Darkest Hour, Oscar winner Emma Thompson from Beauty and the Beast, Bridget Jones’s Baby and British actor Shazad Latif from Star Trek: Discovery among others.

    The movie is set to release in cinemas worldwide in 2022.

  • IN PICTURES: Maryam Nawaz raising bar for all the Dulha ki ammis out there

    The reception of Junaid Safdar is scheduled to be held on 17 December in Lahore, and the pre-wedding festivities are at full swing. The pictures and videos from the events are being widely shared on social media. The one thing we love most about the pictures are Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz’s looks. Maryam Nawaz is making our heads turn with her multitudes of looks in all the events.

    On one of the pre-wedding event Maryam opted for a while minimal dress with statement red lipstick and all we can think is how can someone carry this look so gracefully?

    This Mayun look of Maryam Nawaz is our personal favourite at The Current. The yellow outfit featured sliver glittery embroidery all over, making it look absolutely regal and ethereal.

    Now coming towards the Mehndi look: we love how she carried her sky blue dress and accessorised it with silver jewellery, letting the outfit steal all our attention.