Category: Uncategorized

  • Dawn photographer beaten up by Rangers in Karachi

    Faysal Mujeeb, a photographer working for Dawn, was beaten up by Karachi Rangers for covering Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Yaum-i-Shuhada event.

    The event was held near ‘Nine Zero’, formerly the headquarters of the MQM led by its founder leader, Altaf Hussain.

    According to Mujeeb, he was covering the event. He recalled that the relatives of slain MQM activists had started arriving at the venue, ‘Yaadgar-i-Shuhada’ on Thursday morning and were laying rose petals on their graves, reports Dawn.

    He stated, “Some of the people present there started raising slogans in favour of Hussain, which prompted Rangers and they started detaining them. I and another media worker, Mehboob Ahmed Chishti, were also picked up.”

    Mujeeb said that he proved his identity as a press photographer and that he was on the duty assigned to him by Dawn. However, he said, the Rangers personnel did not listen to him and started beating him up and his camera and mobile phone also got smashed during the episode.

    “They kept me in detention for about an hour and subjected me to severe thrashing. I was set free only after a Rangers officer came and got my identity verified from his sources,” he revealed.

    Several organisations and journalists condemned the act.

  • Anushka Sharma has a message for her new neighbours Vic-Kat

    Anushka Sharma has a message for her new neighbours Vic-Kat

    Bollywood’s newly wedded couple Katrina kaif and Vicky Kaushal are the talk of B-Town. Many celebrities and people from the entertainment industry are sending love to the couple. Actor Anushka Sharma also has a message for Vic-Kat.

    Taking to Instagram stories, the PK star congratulated the couple, saying: “Congratulations to both you beautiful people! Wishing you guys a lifetime of togetherness, love and understanding.”

    The actor further said that she is glad that they are finally married. “Also glad that you are finally married so that now you can move into your house soon and we can stop hearing construction sounds.”

    As per the Indian media, Katrina and Vicky will move into a sea-facing apartment in Mumbai’s Juhu, and the newlyweds will have another celebrity couple Anushka and Virat Kohli as their neighbours.

    The couple tied the knot in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony and took their seven pheras on Thursday afternoon.

  • Zardari case records went missing seven years ago during transportation

    Zardari case records went missing seven years ago during transportation

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday noticed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has challenged the acquittal of former President Asif Ali Zardari without obtaining the original record of the case, reports Dawn.

    A two-member bench comprising of Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing NAB’s appeal against the acquittal of Zardari in a case.

    NAB Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzaib Khan Bharwana informed the bench that the original record of the reference had gone missing.

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

    Bharwana told the court the record had gone missing while it was being transported from the Lahore High Court to the Supreme Court.

    Justice Aamer Farooq questioned, “Please, tell us whether the anti-corruption watchdog is interested in pursuing its appeal or not?” reports The News.

    Farooq said that NAB’s cases do not have any substance, adding, “NAB’s job is to hold corrupt people accountable. Now it is time to hold it accountable.”

    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 IHC CJ.

    Justice Minallah asked whether the NAB officials had any idea what cost the country’s economy had to pay for their rash steps. “Truth of the matter is that the bureau had failed to satisfy the accountability court with respect to allegations against Zardari,” he added.

  • Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ends ceasefire with Pakistan

    Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ends ceasefire with Pakistan

    Taliban militants in Pakistan declared an end to a month-long ceasefire. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) accused the government of breaching terms, including a prisoner release agreement and the formation of negotiating committees.

    A statement issued by the TTP gave out details of the six-point agreement that it said it had reached with the government under the protection of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” (IEA) on October 25, 2021.

    According to the statement, the government not only failed to implement the decisions reached between the two sides but the security forces conducted raids in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Swat, Bajaur, Swabi, and North Waziristan and killed and detained militants.

    “Under these circumstances, it is not possible to extend the ceasefire,” the TTP said.

    Official sources had earlier said that both sides had agreed to initiate “formal talks” and had finalised five names of negotiators each. The government’s negotiating team included two senior civil officers with good experience of having served in conflict zones. While the TTP said it had formed a five-member committee for negotiations, the government, it appears, took time to notify the committee.

  • ‘Har waqt tension’: When Shaista Lodhi and Sunita Marshal gave tough time to Faysal Qureshi on sets

    ‘Har waqt tension’: When Shaista Lodhi and Sunita Marshal gave tough time to Faysal Qureshi on sets

    Actor Faisal Quraishi is currently promoting is latest drama serial, Dil-e-Momin costarring Madiha Imam and Momal Sheikh. The Qaid-e-Tanhai star stated recently that working with married actresses who have children can at times become a challenge.

    “Most actresses get married and are investing time in bringing up their children and some actresses working on sets are keeping a check on their kids. It is always difficult for girls because they have other responsibilities.” said Faysal.

    The Fitoor star added that Iqra Aziz is very talented but after the birth of their child Kabir, she has stopped working however Yasir is constantly working even after they have welcomed a child. “Until actresses aren’t married, they are normal.

    “I was recently working with Sunita Marshall and I always found her worried about her kids on the set. When I was working with Shaista, she also shared that she had a hard time focusing on her job since her kids were always on her mind, ” added the Bashar-e-Momin hero.

    Waada (2016)

    Hence he prefers working with single actresses.

    He also cited Sunita Marshal’s example that while shooting, she was mentally occupied with her children’s activities.

    Faisal qureshi & sunita marshal | Pakistan fashion week, Bridal couture week, Asian bridal wear

    He also mentioned that his Baba Jani costar Savera Nadeem was also always focusing on her phone to take children’s updates.

    Mera Yaqeen: A massive letdown by Sarmad Khoosat

    In the interview, Faysal also lashed out at actresses for uploading chunks of the dramas on social media platforms, he said that some people are very obsessed with social media. “Some actresses upload almost half the drama on Snapchat”.

    He concluded by saying that he can bet that Madiha Imam will also stop working after a child.

    Read More: ‘Iqra stopped working after marriage, Yasir didn’t’: Faysal Qureshi makes striking revelations

  • ‘I would like to marry a religious person’, Veena Malik reveals her plans for second marriage

    Veena Malik, in a recent interview with Samaa, revealed her plans for her second marriage. “If at all, I’ll marry again and I would like to marry a religious person because one who has a fear of God does not hurt others,” she said while answering a question about her marriage.

    She also said, “i would like to marry a guy who is good looking also with whom i can carry forward my relationship from this world to Jannat”.

    To which the anchor asked, “Veena, is there someone in your life?” to which she said, “No, right now there is no one, but InshAllah there must be somebody, somewhere.”

    The host further asked if she is looking for someone to which Veena jokingly said, “No he will come himself.”

    Veena Malik got married to Asad Khattak in December 2013, the two divorced in 2017, which they confirmed in 2018.

    Earlier this year, in September, the actor, in an interview with a news media publication, said, “Burqa is part of my life since i was 13 years old, and still whenever I go outside I wear burqa, not because someone has imposed it over me but because it’s my own choice, I feel very secure and safe.”

    Read more- ‘Afghanistan belongs to Taliban’: Veena Malik excited to visit Kandahar

  • It’s official: Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal reveal wedding pictures, pen heartfelt romantic notes

    Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have officially tied the knot on Thursday. The star couple got married in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony and took their seven pheras on Thursday afternoon.

    The couple’s wedding ceremony, which was a private affair, was held at Six Senses, Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.

    While no inside pictures or video have been shared with media outlets, paparazzi snapped some wedding guests inside Fort Barwara today, including groom’s father Sham Kaushal.

  • 293 journalists jailed, 24 killed in 2021: CPJ report

    Record number of journalists were jailed around the world in 2021 with China remaining the world’s worst jailer of journalists for the third year in a row with 50 journalists behind the bars, states a report by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

    Apart from China, 26 journalists are behind bars in Burma, 25 in Egypt, 23 in Vietnam and 19 in Belarus.

    Adding those jailed in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the CPJ said a total of 293 journalists were in prison worldwide as of December 1.

    Forty of the 293 detained journalists – less than 14 per cent – are women.

    Executive director of the group Joel Simon said, “This is the sixth year in a row that CPJ has documented record numbers of journalists imprisoned around the world. It’s distressing to see many countries on the list year after year, but it is especially horrifying that Myanmar and Ethiopia have so brutally slammed the door on press freedom.”

    According to the report, 24 journalists are believed to be killed around the world this year. India has the highest number of journalists – four – confirmed to have been murdered in retaliation for their work. A fifth was killed while covering a protest. While, in the west, Mexico is at the top as three journalists were murdered for their reporting and the motives for six other killings are under investigation.

    The CPJ said the number of journalists behind bars reflects “increasing intolerance for independent reporting around the world”.

    Last month, Freedom Network reported that two dozen journalists in Pakistan had been prosecuted (2019-21) over the past under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

  • Police and judiciary most corrupt institutions in Pakistan, reveals National Corruption Perception Survey 2021

    Police and judiciary most corrupt institutions in Pakistan, reveals National Corruption Perception Survey 2021

    The National Corruption Perception Survey 2021 conducted by Transparency International (TI) Pakistan finds the police and judiciary are the most corrupt institutions in the country, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    The police department has been ranked at number one with 41.4 per cent votes while the judiciary comes at number two with17.4 per cent votes. According to the Judicial Statistics of Pakistan 2020 report by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, there are 46,698 cases pending in the Supreme Court and 1,772,990 cases pending in the District Judiciary.

    In 2021, TI Pakistan conducted the NCPS 2021 in all four provinces. The survey was conducted from October 14, 2021, to October 27, 2021. It reflects the perception of the general public on governance issues. 

    According to the survey, the three most important causes of corruption are weak accountability (51.9 per cent), the greed of powerful people (29.3 per cent) and low salaries (18.8 per cent).

    40.1 per cent of Pakistanis say an increase in/stringent punishments is a way to reduce corruption while 34.6 per cent Pakistanis say accountability of public officers by expediting NAB’s handling of corruption cases, and 25.3 per cent say a complete ban on those convicted of corruption from holding public office are key to combat corruption in Pakistan.

    Moreover, the vast majority of people think the federal government’s self-accountability is unsatisfactory.

    In the report, a total of 89.1 per cent of Pakistanis claim that they did not pay any bribe to any government official during the federal government’s Covid-19 relief efforts for deserving citizens.

  • Sialkot Bar refuses legal representation to mob lynching suspects

    Sialkot Bar refuses legal representation to mob lynching suspects

    The Sialkot District Bar Association has refused to take up the case of suspects in Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara’s lynching case, reports Dawn. The decision was made in the meeting held by the association on Wednesday. The association also expressed its grief over the sad incident.

    The eight suspects in the case were brought before a Gujranwala anti-terrorism court yesterday. The court remanded them in police custody for 13 days. As per court’s order, the suspects will have to appear in court again on December 21. The suspects were arrested with the help of CCTV footage. So far, 345 Rajco Industries’ employees have been detained and taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.

    The last remains of Priyantha Kumara, were transferred to Sri Lanka on December 6.

    Read more- Sri Lankan manager Priyantha Kumara’s remains transferred from Lahore to Colombo

    Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death on December 3 by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the incident and has said that justice will be served.

    Read more- ‘He was a really innocent man’: Wife of Sri Lankan manager asks Pakistan for justice