Category: Uncategorized

  • PM, army chief express condolences on death of TLP chief Rizvi

    PM, army chief express condolences on death of TLP chief Rizvi

    The demise of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been condoled by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa among others.

    Rizvi, who rose to fame following a sit-in at Faizabad Interchange against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in 2018. His party also opposed the release of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman who spent almost a decade on death row over false blasphemy accusations.

    In a tweet, the prime minister said: On the passing of Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi my condolences go to his family. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”

    In a tweet, the military media wing shared Gen Bajwa’s reaction to the death of the cleric. “General Qamar Javed Bajwa,#COAS, expresses heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi. “May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in eternal peace.”

    Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri also expressed grief and sorrow on the TLP chief’s death. He said: “Pakistan has lost a respected religious scholar and true admirer of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”, adding that his “services for Islam will be remembered for long”.

    In a tweet, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq expressed shock and grief over Rizvi’s sudden demise, saying his party shared the sorrow of his family members and TLP workers.

    On Thursday night, Rizvi died in Lahore supposedly due to coronavirus. Reports suggest that the cleric was suffering from the viral infection because he had high-grade fever for the past couple of days in addition to other complications.

    Rizvi is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

    It may be noted here that Rizvi led a recent TLP rally in Islamabad against the blasphemous cartoons in a French magazine. Things had taken an ugly turn when participants of the protest-turned-sit-in had clashed with law enforcement personnel, resulting in over a dozen injuries.

    The law and order situation had been dealt with by the government after accepting the protesters’ demands.

  • Pakistan’s first-ever digital music festival to take place this weekend

    Pakistan’s first-ever digital music festival to take place this weekend

    Winter season in the country always means lots of food and music festivals. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has dampened all such plans this year, with health experts and the government urging people to avoid large gatherings.

    Coke Fest is one of the biggest food festivals in the country and given that this year that is a distant dream, Coca-Cola has joined hands with Patari and Tapmad to launch Pakistan’s first-ever digital music festival – ‘CokeFest 2020’.

    According to a press release, the three-day event is scheduled to run from November 20-22 and will be free for all to attend.

    Those wishing to be part of it will need to download and register on the Patari mobile app followed by signing-up for the event to receive a unique code that can be used on TapMad’s mobile app or website to enjoy the live performances virtually from any location.

    “Event attendees can expect to be mesmerized by leading names rocking the local music scene including a 9-year-old Pakistani rapper Kaky Thou$and, Natasha Baig, Sirine Jahangir, Shamoon Ismail, SomeWhatSuper, Young Stunners, ESharp, Abdullah Siddiqui, XPolymer Dar and veteran rock star Ali Noor,” stated the press release.

    Speaking about this initiative, GM Pakistan and Afghanistan at The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Fahad Ashraf said: “With CokeFest 2020, we wanted to avoid large gatherings whilst still keeping the spirit of music alive. So we brought some of the best musical talent in Pakistan together with the country’s leading tech companies, to bring you a virtual experience that feels as close as possible to attending an actual musical concert.”

  • Tech companies will quit Pakistan if new social media rules enforced

    The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) — an internet group that represents leading global Internet companies — has rejected the new social media rules announced by the Pakistan government, saying the tech giants would be forced to leave the country in case of such restrictions.

    The statement came a day after the government imposed new curbs on social media that bound the technology companies to provide the designated investigation agency with any information or data in decrypted, readable and comprehensible format.

    These new rules, “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020,” have been framed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA). They were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet in February.

    They give the PTA “removal and blocking” powers of digital content that “harms, intimidates or excites disaffection” towards the government or poses a threat to the “integrity, security and defence of Pakistan”.

    A service provider or social media company could face a fine up to Rs500 million ($3.14 million) for non-compliance, which would in turn trigger a mechanism preventing the uploading and live streaming, particularly related to “terrorism, hate speech, pornography, incitement to violence and detrimental to national security”.

    A platform has to act within 24 hours or, in case of an emergency, six hours to remove content. The rules also empower the telecom authority to block an entire online system.

    PTA spokesman Khurram Mehran told Reuters the rules were meant for better coordination with foreign-based social media companies, which usually “don’t respond to legal requirements”.

    The new rules shocked rights activists who complained that there had been no consultation. “The expansion of these powers is just horrendous,” Nighat Dad, a digital rights activist, told Reuters.

    “The consultation never occurred,” said Jeff Paine, managing director of AIC, urging the government to “work with industry on practical, clear rules”.

    The AIC said in a statement: “The draconian data localisation requirements will damage the ability of people to access free and open internet and shut Pakistan’s digital economy off from the rest of the world.

    “It’s chilling to see the PTA’s powers expanded, allowing them to force social media companies to violate established human rights norms on privacy and freedom of expression.”

    Furthermore, the tech companies warned that the rules would make it extremely difficult for the AIC members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses, a report published in Dawn said.

  • Labbaik leader Khadim Rizvi passes away

    Renowned cleric and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi passed away on Thursday.

    Earlier it was reported that he was suffering from high-grade fever for the past couple of days, which had led to speculations if he was suffering from COVID-19.

    The same was claimed by journalist Mubashir Zaidi, who quoted a hospital spokesperson.

    While TLP leaders have confirmed reports of Rizvi’s passing, conflicting reports claim that the cleric was not suffering from any illness.

    Meanwhile, condolences are pouring in over social media as people say they “forgive” the late religious leader who was known for his aggressive speeches besides promotion of extremist element in the religio-political landscape of the country.

    He had just earlier this week led a protest rally in the federal capital against the publication of blasphemous cartoons by a French satirical magazine.

    Things had taken an ugly turn when participants of the protest-turned-sit-in had clashed with law enforcement.

    The law and order situation had been dealt with by the government after accepting the protesters’ demands.

  • Bushra Ansari gets nostalgic, shares memories from her younger days

    Bushra Ansari gets nostalgic, shares memories from her younger days

    Bushra Bashir [formerly Ansari] is having a serious case of nostalgia and her Instagram feed is proof of that. The actor took her fans on a trip down memory lane and shared pictures of herself with other celebrities and at exotic locations across the world.

    Starting with pictures of Bushra with legends including Noor Jehan, Benazir Bhutto and Zia Mohyeddin.

    With renowned poet Gulzar Sahab at his house in Mumbai

    She then reminisced about the time when she first visited the USA in 1982, when her daughter Nariman was just 3 years old.

    Then one from her London trip in 1990.

    The actor also shared some fond memories from her trips to India with her sister Asma Abbas.

    Taj Mahal
    Akbar’s Maqbara at Sikandra
    Gateway of India
    Bali Maran ka Mohallah, Dehli

    Bushra also recalled the time when she was a child actor.

    “When you become a child star at the age of 10, what a memory”, wrote Bushra along with a black and white photo.

    She further shared that she was in Class 5 at the time and became the ‘Phoolon ki Shehzadi‘ when she received a cheque of Rs 90 from PTV.

    Bushra also recalled the time when she wrote her first long play ‘Neele Dhoop‘.

  • First women’s football league kicks off in Saudi Arabia

    First women’s football league kicks off in Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Women’s Football League tournament kicked off on Tuesday with 24 teams across Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam competing for a championship cup and a cash prize of $133,000.

    According to reports, more than 600 players are competing in the tournament. The teams will have to win matches in their local cities to qualify for the nationwide championship stage.

    However, the matches of the championship won’t be televised.

    Seven matches took place in the capital Riyadh and the Red Sea city of Jeddah on the opening day of the Saudi Women’s Football League (WFL), which had been due to kick off in March but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    It was only in 2018 that Saudi authorities first allowed women to watch football matches in stadiums.

    Meanwhile, the first international women’s golf tournament also took place in Saudi Arabia this week.

    The step is the part of one of many reforms happening in Saudi Arabia under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Several social reforms including concerts, movie theaters, a lift on the ban on women driving have been introduced in the ultraconservative kingdom in a bid to improve its reputation.

  • Pakistani courts have become a ‘joke’, says ex-PM

    Pakistani courts have become a ‘joke’, says ex-PM

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that people laugh at the Pakistani courts as they have become a “joke”.

    The senior politician made these comments after an accountability court indicted him in LNG terminal and Pakistan State Oil appointments cases. The former prime minister along with others was implicated in both cases by the National Accountability Bureau.

    The PML-N leader has been accused of illegally appointing Sheikh Imranul Haq as the managing director of PSO and Yaqoob Sattar as the deputy managing director during his stint as petroleum minister. Abbasi’s son Abdullah and former finance minister Miftah Ismail are accused in the case.

    According to Geo News, the PML-N leader said people laugh at whatever is happening in our courts. According to Abbasi, he was handed a 26-page chargesheet that has 64 clauses. “Neither I nor over a dozen lawyers I talked have ever seen such long list before,” he said.

    The lawyers told me that it was not possible to have a chargesheet this long, he said, furthering commenting on the chargesheet. “They said only point 63 out of the 64 points in the document was the actual charge sheet,” the ex-PM added. This means the rest of the points are just added to insult me and the politicians of this country, he claimed.

    “One of the charges against me is that I changed the name of the Ministry of Petroleum to the Ministry of Energy during my tenure as the prime minister,” Abbasi added. 

    “This was my crime, according to this charge sheet. How is this in violation of any law?” he questioned.

    The PML-N stalwart asked NAB chief Javed Iqbal to debate with him if he has “courage”.

  • New Zealand Police introduce hijab to uniform

    New Zealand Police introduce hijab to uniform

    New Zealand Police have introduced the hijab into their official uniform to encourage more Muslim women to join the force. The move is  aimed to create an “inclusive” service reflecting the country’s “diverse community”.

    According to reports, a new recruit, Constable Zeena Ali will be the first police officer to wear a hijab as part of her uniform.

    Besides New Zealand, London’s Metropolitan Police and Police Scotland also allow Muslims to wear the head covering.

    Constable Ali was the first to make the request and was even included in the development process.

    Ali was born in Fiji but moved to New Zealand in her childhood. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, she said that she wanted to join the police force following the terror attack in Christchurch.

    “I realised more Muslim women were needed in the police to support people,” she told the publication.

    “It feels great to be able to go out and show the New Zealand Police hijab as part of my uniform,” she said. “I think that seeing it, more Muslim women will want to join as well.”

  • PM says Manchester will envy Faisalabad’s progress one day

    PM says Manchester will envy Faisalabad’s progress one day

    As he announced a programme to facilitate industrialisation in Faisalabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he hoped one day Manchester would say that Faisalabad has overtaken it in terms of industrial progress.

    Addressing a ceremony attended by the businessmen on Wednesday, the PM said: “If Faisalabad, once known as Pakistan’s Manchester, had kept up its current pace of industrial development, it would have left even Manchester behind.”

    According to the prime minister, it said it was the government’s job to facilitate industrialisation and the business community.

    “We are now working on how we can aid the business community and investors so that jobs are created. So this cycle can only continue when we [remove] hurdles for the industrial class,” he added.

    The PM said in the ’60s Pakistan was used as an example for the developing world, adding that several countries, such as Malaysia and South Korea, borrowed its first five-year programme. “People now go to Dubai for their vacations but the sheikhs used to come here.”

    The PM also commented on the local government system, saying successful cities around the world function “like countries”. He said that the modern cities were self-sufficient, unlike Faisalabad that depended on the provincial government for funds to fix roads, build hospitals.

  • England to tour Pakistan after 16 years

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the England cricket team will visit Pakistan for a short tour in October 2021.

    According to details, England’s men’s team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years for a two-match T20 International series next October. The two games, to be held in Karachi on October 14 and 15, will be part of the 2021 T20 World Cup build-up.

    England will arrive in Karachi on October 12, and both the sides will depart for India on October 16 for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the end of the series.

    Sharing his thoughts on the development, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.”

    He added, “The ECB’s confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Executive of England Cricket Board Tom Harrison said that it is “a real pleasure” to announce the tour.

    “This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations,” said Harrison.

    England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

    PCB announces Super League fixtures against England

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team will be touring England and Wales in July 2021. The tour will comprise three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs and as many T20Is.

    As per the press release, the ODIs will be played in Cardiff, London (Lord’s) and Birmingham on July 8, 10 and 13 respectively while the T20Is will be held in Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester on July 16, 18 and 20 respectively.

    Read more – Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

    England leads the points table of the qualification league for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with 30 points from two three-ODI series. Pakistan shares the second spot with Australia on 20 points following a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe, while Zimbabwe and Ireland are on 10 points each.

    The remaining eight sides in the 13-team competition are yet to play their opening fixtures in the Super League from which the seven top-ranked sides and World Cup hosts India will progress directly for the event proper to take place in October/November 2023.

    The ODI series against England will be one of Pakistan’s three away fixtures in 2021 with the other two being against South Africa (April 2021) and Afghanistan (September 2021). In addition to these away series, Pakistan will play two home Super League fixtures against New Zealand and the West Indies in October and December 2021, respectively.

    Pakistan is presently sixth in ODIs behind England, India, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, while Babar Azam’s side is ranked fourth behind Australia, England and India in T20Is. Pakistan sits seventh in Tests.