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  • Ishaq Dar says owns just one property

    Ishaq Dar says owns just one property

    Former finance minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar, who is in a self-imposed exile after corruption cases were filed against him, has said that he and his wife own only a single property that’s located in Pakistan.

    Dar made these comments during his appearance in BBC show, HardTalk.

    During the show, the host asked Dar: “Is it your contention that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has no integrity? To this, Dar responded that NAB has lost its integrity. “It is an institution that has been used against political opponents.”

    Dar said the prime allegation in the Panama Papers Joint Investigation Team report on which the Supreme Court directed NAB to file a reference against him was that he didn’t file his tax returns in Pakistan for 20 years i.e. 1981-2001. Dar said as a chartered account, he had never missed filing his tax returns while living in the UK and North America, as he called these “blatant allegations”.

    At this the host asked Dar about the number of properties owned by his family. The PML-N leader responded, “It’s all in my tax returns.”

    Upon the insistence of the host, he said: “I have my main residence in Pakistan which has been taken over by this regime… I haven’t got too many properties.”

    “How many properties do you and your family own,” the host asked him again. At this, Dar said: “One.” At this, the show host asked him about the news reports in the Pakistan press that claim that the former PML-N minister owned multiple properties in and outside Pakistan. “You are sitting in London and you don’t own anything here,” the host asked Dar.

    Dar responded that he doesn’t own any property in London or anywhere else as claimed by the media reports.

    However, he went on to admit that his sons recently acquired a villa in Dubai. “They are adult and are in the business for the past 17 years,” he clarified.

    Dar, 69, is currently in London, “undergoing medical treatment”. He is absconding from several cases in Pakistan since 2017 and has been declared a proclaimed offender by the courts. He is facing charges of accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.

  • Sajal Aly wins big at DIAFA for her contribution to film and television

    Sajal Aly wins big at DIAFA for her contribution to film and television

    Sajal Ahad Mir (Aly) achieved another milestone as she received the prestigious Distinctive International Arab Festivals Award for her contribution to Film and Television.

    Distinctive International Arab Festivals Award (DIAFA), which is held annually in Dubai, honours distinguished international and Arab figures for their annual achievements and contributions towards communities and societies betterment.

    According to DIAFA’s official website, “DIAFA is a unique and prestigious annual event that honours distinguished international and Arab personalities in recognition of their annual achievements and contributions towards communities and societies betterment. These personalities are selected by a qualified committee and honorees are chosen from all fields such as music, arts, culture, business, humanitarian services, etc.”

    Sharing a picture of herself with her golden trophy, Sajal said: “This award is special to me not just as an artist, but as a proud Pakistani. Thank you DIAFA and Thank you Dubai for honouring artists from around the world.”

    While receiving the award, Sajal on-stage said: “I am really honoured to be here with such amazing actors and amazing people. I really want to thank all my fans for believing in me. Thank you DIAFA, Thank you so much for this honour.”

    Soon after Sajal shared her picture with her award, congratulotory messages poured in from fans and colleagues.

    “Proud of you,” said husband Ahad Raza Mir, while sister Saboor Aly called her the “pride of Pakistan”.

    Sajal wore a black outfit for the function and tied her hair in a bun. She accessorized her look with small earrings.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to add her that Sajal shared the table with the star of 365 Days: Italian actor Michele Morrone, who was also recognised for his contribution to the film and television. Morrone also performed at the ceremony.

  • Security guard accidentally shoots himself while recording TikTok video

    A security guard accidentally shot himself while recording a TikTok video in Karachi.

    According to reports, the incident happened in the city’s Gulshan-e-Maymar area. The security guard employed at a floor mill was recording a video with his friend to post it on the popular short-video sharing app TikTok when he accidentally shot and killed himself.

    The police said the video saved in his mobile phone shows him putting a rifle on his chest. During the recording, he accidentally pulls the trigger of the rifle resulting in his death.

    The deceased, identified as Anwar Ali, was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he was declared dead.

    Meanwhile, his friend, who was filming the video with him has been taken into custody.

  • Adnan Siddiqui is ‘super stoked’ to be part of a partnership that ‘transcends borders’

    Adnan Siddiqui is ‘super stoked’ to be part of a partnership that ‘transcends borders’

    The Pakistani entertainment industry is all set to witness a new era as Pakistan and Turkey join hands through a new collaboration.

    According to details, Adnan Siddiqui and Humayun Saeed will be part of the new project that has Tekdin Films and TRT production as partners. The former has produced Diriliş: Ertuğrul that has taken audiences in Pakistan by atorm

    In a post on Instagram, Siddiqui revealed that Tekdin Films, which is the name behind the hit series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, will be working with Pakistan’s TRT Films. Adnan added that he along with his Meray Paas Tum Ho co-star Humayun will be overlooking the pre, on-going and post-production activities of this collaboration.

    “As millennials say: ‘super stoked’ to bring to you a partnership that transcends borders. Pakistan and Turkey have joined hands in a collaboration between Dr Kashif Ansari’s Ansari films, TRT films and Mr Kamal Tekdin’s Tekdin Films to usher in a fresh era in Pakistani industry. The new venture has also got on board yours truly and Humayun as an extended arm, ” he wrote.

    Adnan further shared: “For the uninitiated, Tekdin Films is the name behind the blockbuster Diriliş: Ertuğrul. I have always believed that art should be free from the shackles of international and geopolitical boundaries. This is my small step towards that.”

    “Dr Kashaf Ansari and Mr Kamal Tekdin have formed a new production that will infuse freshness in Pakistani content. He asked me and my friend and colleague Humayun Saeed to come on board and here we are,” said Siddiqui in a statement.

    On being asked what would the new alliance mean for native entertainment industry, Siddiqui, who has not let borders constrain his work, said, “Art should not be a slave to international boundaries and political agendas. It should be allowed to flow freely and prosper.”

    The project is expected to release by the end of this year.

  • Ali Tareen ‘welcome to join PPP’ after saying Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari is ‘pretty cool’

    Ali Tareen, who is the son of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s close aide and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) bigwig Jahangir Tareen, was on Monday offered to join the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in response to a tweet calling Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari “pretty cool”.

    “Political differences aside, Aseefa is pretty cool,” Tareen had tweeted after Aseefa’s address to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) jalsa in Multan, which was seen as the formal entry into politics by the daughter of the late former PM Benazir Bhutto and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari.

    “Shukriya [thank you] Ali Tareen we welcome you to join PPP [sic],” tweeted a PPP supporter in response to the Multan Sultans co-owner’s praise for Aseefa.

    Here’s what the younger Tareen had to say in response:

    The tweets came as several netizens took to Twitter to praise Aseefa, who was filling in for her coronavirus positive brother PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, over her maiden public address. Many said she reminded them of her mother Benazir.

    Earlier, Aseefa delivered a short and brisk speech. She vowed to stand by her brother “every step of the way”.

    She began her speech by heaping scorn on the “selected” government. “Despite the cruelty and oppression by the selected [government], so many of you have gathered here. This selected [government] will have to go!”

    She said those who think the opposition will be cowed into submission are mistaken, Geo reported.

    Aseefa said that the people had announced their decision and that they wanted PM Imran to “pack up and leave”.

    Speaking about her mother, she said Benazir Bhutto had carried on her father’s mission — to establish a welfare state — and faced several setbacks.

    “[Former] president Asif Zardari introduced the 18th Amendment and BISP [Benazir Income Support Programme] and fought for the people’s rights,” she said and promised supporters that she would continue their mission and would not back down.

    “They think that we are afraid of arrests. If they arrest our brothers, then they should know that every woman of PPP is ready to take up the struggle,” she said.

  • Newsletter – 30th November 2020, Monday

    Newsletter – 30th November 2020, Monday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    It’s Monday, 30th November 2020, a brand new week ahead to do something amazing! The weather today will be pleasant and breezy throughout the major cities of Pakistan. Also did you know that Karachi on Sunday recorded the coldest November day in 10 years at 10.5 degrees? Winter is really here.
     

    Morning Meme

    PDM Jalsa at all cost

    Despite rising COVID cases, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman vowed to go ahead with Jalsa in Multan today. Over 30 opposition workers were arrested on Saturday when they broke into the venue for the jalsa. Maulana referred to the arrests as ‘state terrorism’. Rana Sanaullah also confirmed that Maryam Nawaz, would be at the Multan rally at all costs.

    The positivity rate in Pakistan has rapidly increased to 7.01 percent, Lahore is at 4 percent, Multan at 2.55 and Karachi is at a troubling 18.96 percent. There are more than 2,000 patients in critical condition in the country and to hold public gatherings at this time is criminal.
     

    Billawal will marry a Pakistani

    Aik interview mien Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has revealed k unki dulhan Pakistani hogi. Speaking to host Sohail Warraich during the show ‘Aik din Geo kay saath’, the PPP leader talked about his personal life, admitting that people were especially interested after his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari’s engagement to the son of a UAE-based businessman Mahmoud Chaudhry. Previously in an interview with us, he revealed that his wife should get along with his sisters, and have a sense of humour.
     

    Coke Studio singer list revealed

    Although the upcoming season will be shorter due to the nation-wide lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions, this season will include an all-female anthem on women’s empowerment. This will be the first time ever in CS history that all female artists of the season will be singing together. 

    The season includes 13 artists, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Meesha Shafi, Fariha Pervez, Umair Jaswal, Ali Noor, Bohemia, Sanam Marvi, Mehdi Maloof, Aizaz Sohail, Sehar Gul Khan, Wajiha Naqvi, Zara Madani and Ali Pervez Mehdi. The first episode of Coke Studio 2020 is set to air on December 4, 2020.
     

    Read on

    Why is Snapchat Paying Users $1 Million a Day? 

    Wow! Snapchat is rolling out a new tool that will feature popular videos, called Spotlight. Details kay mutabiq it will pay $1 million a day to creators of the top-performing posts. Video submitters to Spotlight don’t have to have a big following or public profiles. Instead, an algorithm will determine what to show Snapchat users based on how often others view their content and pick the winners. Abhi ye feature Pakistan mien tou nahi aya but let’s hope kay jald ajaye so that we too can make millions!
     

    Read on

    Current Baba’s prediction

    If you attend jalsas or public gatherings, you are incredibly likely to get coronavirus. That isn’t a prediction, It’s actually common sense.

    HEY, WAIT A SECOND PLEASE. 
     
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    Here’s how: 

    • Through your phone, add us by hitting the “Kabob,” (the three dots in upper right-hand corner). Then click “move to,” and select “primary inbox.”
    • If you’re using a desktop just drag and drop the email into primary as shown in the video below. (You can also do this on your phone if you open your email in your browser). Easy.

    And don’t forget to send us your feedback. We would love to hear from you ❤️

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  • PDM rally: People see ‘young Benazir’ in Aseefa

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari is all-set to address a political gathering in Multan, prompting people to draw comparisons between the young PPP leader and her mother former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

    The gathering organised by PPP to mark its foundation day has been attended by political bigwigs, including PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz. Aseefa, who is going to address a political rally for the first time, is attending the rally instead of her brother and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

    According to The News, the participation didn’t amount to Aseefa’s formal launch in politics. “She has already been taking part in various political activities. Since she is the daughter of Benazir Bhutto, she has to be a Benazir,” the newspaper quoted a PPP senator as saying.

    People on social media shared photos of Aseefa, saying she reminded them of BB.

  • Cher welcomes Kaavan as he arrives in Cambodia

    Cher welcomes Kaavan as he arrives in Cambodia

    Popularly referred to as the world’s loneliest elephant, Islamabad Zoo’s Kavaan arrived in Cambodia by cargo plane on Monday to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary, the culmination of years of campaigning for his transfer by American singer Cher.

    Kaavan’s enclosure in Cambodia

    According to details, Cher was on the tarmac at the airport of Cambodia’s second-biggest city Siem Reap to greet Kaavan and was photographed in sunglasses, black face mask and white jacket meeting the vets who accompanied the elephant, who made the long journey in a custom-made crate.

    Animal rescue organisation Four Paws said Kaavan had another 90-minute drive ahead and would likely arrive at the sanctuary after nightfall, so he would be released in daylight on Tuesday.

    “Kaavan was eating, was not stressed, he was even a little bit sleeping, standing leaning at the crate wall. He behaves like a frequent flyer,” said Kavaan’s best friend vet Dr Amir Khalil.

    “The flight was uneventful, which is all you can ask for when you transfer an elephant,” he added.

    The organisation also shared a video of Kaavan “up in the air”.

    https://twitter.com/fourpawsint/status/1333356880765267969?s=20

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam also shared pictures of Kaavan’s arrival on social media.

    Cher, who has long campaigned for Kaavan’s release, had spent the last few days with him in Pakistan. The multi-award-winning singer has been with a film crew documenting Kaavan’s story and said she was proud to be part of an effort to free an elephant she said had been shackled to a shed for 17 years.

    Dozens of wildlife workers and experts led by Four Paws used a winch and rope to pull the sedated elephant into the crate before he was loaded onto the Russian-built cargo plane. A 10-member medical team also accompanied the 36-year-old elephant on his journey.

    Cargo plane that carried Kaavan
    https://twitter.com/IsbZooFriends/status/1332995123773403136?s=20

    Kaavan’s handlers took more than 200 kg of food including bananas and melons to keep him busy on his journey.

  • ‘Disgraceful & insulting’: PTV sends cheque worth Rs 1400 to Simi Raheal

    ‘Disgraceful & insulting’: PTV sends cheque worth Rs 1400 to Simi Raheal

    Simi Raheal is furious with the management of Pakistan Television Corporation(PTV) for sending her a cheque of worth Rs 1400 only.

    Sharing a picture of it on social media, the actor said: “This is how artists are honoured by the state! This is the acknowledgement of Pakistan Television. After four decades, this was truly appalling!”

    While fellow actors, fans and members of the media industry extended their support to Simi and criticised PTV for their act, others told the veteran actor to not make a big deal out of it.

    Later, in a social media post, Simi, thanked those who supported her and explained that her reason for voicing her concern was not about money but was “about social attitudes concerning art and artists”.

    “It’s quite visible what people think of artists,” she said. “This dialogue this debate was essential. It does not matter what the actual amount is or should have been it’s about the respect regard of an artist.”

    She also explained her stance while replying to multiple users who left comments on her post.

    It is pertinent to add here that Raheal is not the only actor who accused PTV of mistreating artists. Earlier this year, senior actor Rashid Mahmood bashed PTV for sending him a cheque of Rs 620 of which Rs 500 is the Pride of Performance fees, leaving him with only Rs 120.

    The baffled actor has voiced his confusion and distaste on social media, saying “What are the criteria of paying a Pride of Performance winner in this country and who spent 50 years of [his] life in PTV.”

    Later, in a video message, he shared how he was invited to recite a marsiya two years ago in Muharram.

    “I hadn’t really received any work opportunities from PTV in the past two years. During Muharram, Pakistan Television Lahore had commissioned me to recite Mir Anees’s marsiya. I recorded it and it aired on the 9th and 10th Muharram multiple times. After two years, I received a cheque of only Rs 620,” he said, referring to the compensation as an ‘insult’.

    “In this Naya Pakistan, will my mother institute insult me and give me this sort of attitude? People whose worth in the showbiz industry is questionable take Rs 1.5 to 2.5 million. Today I announce that I will never work for PTV,” he lamented.

    PTV management later apologised to Mahmood and clarified that the cheque was “mistakenly issued in his name”.

    However, PTV then issued a new cheque to the veteran actor which was worth Rs 9600 only. Posting a picture of the new cheque, Mahmood said that he will not work with PTV in the future and will not be cashing the cheques either.

  • Robbers loot social media influencer who flaunted wealth in posts

    Robbers loot social media influencer who flaunted wealth in posts

    Muggers looted over Rs 84.8 million from a Hong Kong social media influencer after she flaunted her wealth online.

    According to details, 25-year-old So Mei-yan, who has 86,000 followers on Instagram, became famous for showing off her luxury lifestyle. Sharing details of the incident, Mei-yan said that three men burst into her home in Hong Kong with knives while she and her son were sleeping. They tied her, her six-month-old baby boy and his 45-year-old nanny up and then robbed her blind.

    Following the incident, she appealed to thousands of her followers for help and to bring the robbers to justice, offering £194,000 as an incentive.

    In a statement, police said: “As the doorbell rang, the maid opened the door and three men rushed into the unit.”

    As per reports, Mei-yan was sleeping in the master bedroom of her flat while her baby was in the sitting room with the helper at the time of the incident.

    The police spokesman then said that two of the robbers were either carrying a ‘fruit knife or a wooden rod.’

    The robbers then tied her and the child’s helper up with the tape and pushed them into the babies room, where one stood guard and the other two searched the flat.

    But the robbers became increasingly frustrated when they couldn’t find any cash and returned to Mei-yan, punching her in the face and repeating their demands.

    Mei-yan went on to explain, “One of them returned and pulled my hair asking where I put my money.”

    It is thought that the robbers could have gained all the information about her wealth via her social media account where she is famous for flaunting her goods.

    Eventually the displeased thieves settled for her luxury items which she says were worth hundreds of thousands.

    After the thieves had left, she managed to wriggle out of her restraints and call the police.