Category: Uncategorized

  • Joint opposition in Gujranwala: Hit or flop?

    Joint opposition in Gujranwala: Hit or flop?

    The first rally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) turned out to be “resounding success” for the joint opposition that claimed over 50,000 people took to streets against the government on Friday.

    The gathering held in Gujranwala — the stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — was attended by the PML-N workers in thousands, followed by the members the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), who made their presence felt.

    The flags belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP), National Party (NP) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) dotted the venue; however, their participation paled compared to the three aforementioned major parties.

    By 6 pm, the venue was jam-packed and the tailback affected all the roads leading to Jinnah Stadium — a fact that corroborates the opposition’s claims.

    The day, however, belonged to the PML-N, whose supporters thronged the venue in thousands to record their protest against the government. Maryam Nawaz led a massive rally from Lahore to the city, where all national and provincial seats are held by her party, and her father Nawaz Sharif made a hard-hitting speech that showed he was in no mood for reconciliation.

    The PPP also managed to rally its supporters who followed their chairperson Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari to Gujranwala from Lala Musa in a caravan, whereas Maulana Fazlur Rehman, with his white and black JUI-F flags, entered the venue with a bang.

    But the government downplayed the PDM jalsa, as its ministers pointed out lack of coordination among the opposition parties and also claimed that the number of the participants was no more than 18,000, as per Radio Pakistan.

    COVID-19 GUIDELINES FLOUTED:

    The massive gathering also blatantly flouted the anti-coronavirus measures, especially at a time when the second wave is in the offing. It is understandable that social distancing was not possible in a small stadium, but face masks — an effective precautionary measure — were also conveniently ignored.

    Out of the party leaders, only some were covering their faces, but they too removed them once they started addressing the gathering. PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and his party leaders did not wear masks at all.

    As for the crowd, a negligent number of people bothered to wear face masks as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    In a comment on the state of anti-coronavirus measures at the venue, a Dawn report said, “It was both sad and comical to watch the policemen insisting that people [who were not wearing masks] enter the stadium via the so-called senitising gates that were fitted with sprinklers spraying some kind of miracle water on those who walked through.”

  • Pakistan’s soft image can only be portrayed through tourism: PM Imran Khan

    Presiding over a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on tourism in Islamabad, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that Pakistan is blessed with different climatic zones and numerous untapped tourist points. He said that the government is focused on eco-tourism to ensure environmental conservation while managing and looking after tourist spots.

    According to details, PM Khan said that the government would provide all possible facilities for the development as well as the promotion of the tourism sector in the country. This initiative would not only generate revenue but also provide employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

    Previously in his first televised address to the nation, soon after taking oath, PM Imran had said: “Pakistan has huge tourism potential. We will promote tourism to strengthen the economy.”

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari briefed the committee about the progress of the development of the tourism sector. He also informed that substantial work has been undertaken for the development of religious tourism.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the World Tourism Forum 2021 will be held in Pakistan. According to Zulfi Bukhari, the forum will be a five-day event with over 1,000 foreign visitors expected to attend.

    “The World Tourism Forum will have three days for conference and two days for tourism”, the SAPM had said.

    Meanwhile, American business magazine Forbes has also listed Pakistan as one of the ten must-visit destinations for those who’re looking for something offbeat.

  • VIDEO: Army, ISI chiefs accused of toppling Nawaz govt

    VIDEO: Army, ISI chiefs accused of toppling Nawaz govt

    Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has accused Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa of toppling his government, pressuring the judiciary, and installing the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the 2018 general elections.

    Nawaz Sharif was speaking via video link from London to a gathering of tens of thousands of people organised by opposition parties to kick-off a countrywide protest campaign in Gujranwala aiming to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, you packed up our government, which was working well, and put the nation and the country at the alter of your wishes,” Nawaz told the gathering — the largest since the 2018 elections.

    The former prime minister also accused Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, of being involved in conspiring against his government.

    PAKISTAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT:

    Nine major opposition parties formed a joint platform called the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) last month to begin a nationwide agitation against the government.

    Nawaz, whose Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is the main opposition party, was sacked by the Supreme Court in 2017 on corruption charges and left for London last November for medical treatment.

    He blames generals and judges for what he says were trumped up charges. The military, however, denies meddling in politics.

    Maryam Nawaz, the daughter and political heir of Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who heads her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), also addressed the gathering. Both criticised the Khan government for what they called bad governance and mismanagement of the economy.

    Speakers at the gathering called for Khan’s resignation and an end to military’s interference in politics.

    The next general election is scheduled for 2023.

    “Go Imran go. Your time is up!” shouted tens of thousands of the opposition supporters gathered at the Gujranwala stadium.

    Imran, who came to power on an anti-graft platform and denies the army helped him win, said on Friday he wasn’t afraid of the opposition’s campaign, which was aimed at blackmailing him to drop corruption cases against their leaders.

    The protest campaign comes at a time when Pakistan is experiencing an economic crisis, with inflation touching double digits and negative growth.

  • VIDEO: Kate Middleton, Prince William play games with students in Pakistan

    VIDEO: Kate Middleton, Prince William play games with students in Pakistan

    One year on from the Royal Visit to Pakistan, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge caught up with teachers at Islamabad Model College for Girls to hear how the school’s activities have been impacted by the COVID-19, before joining pupils in a game of Pictionary.

    The video which has been shared on the couple’s official social media account, Kensington Palace, shows Kate and William reunite with the girls and teachers of Islamabad Model College for Girls. During the conversation, Kate praised the teachers for “doing an amazing job” during the coronavirus pandemic.

    “You are a real lifeline for families out there,” she added.

    The couple also played a game of Pictionary with the students. After first thinking a diagram was a wedding, Kate — who wore a traditional Pakistani outfit for the occasion — eventually guessed the first question correctly when she said a birthday.

    As William squinted at the screen to see the drawings, he complimented the girls on their skills, with one of them asking if they enjoyed drawing.

    “Yes, definitely, we both like a little bit of drawing,” William said. “Catherine is very good, I’m really bad.”

    In response, Kate joked: “You don’t practice enough!”

    William then guessed the correct answer to a description of a game of cricket that served as a reminder of one of the couple’s memorable moment in the week-long visit when they played the game with some young people.

    Kate and William also spoke with a special group at SOS Children’s Village in Lahore. During the call, the royal couple was told how the village has helped to teach the children how to combat the spread of COVID-19 through sessions led by doctors and medical staff. They also spoke about the support given for the mental health of the staff and children throughout the pandemic.

    “Their Royal Highnesses heard how the village has helped to teach the children how to combat the spread of Covid-19 through special sessions led by doctors and medical staff, and the work that has been carried out to support the mental health of their staff and children throughout the pandemic,” an official statement by Kensington Palace said.

    Some of the village’s children also showed off some of the artwork, including drawings and friendship bracelets that they had created about their memories of the visit last year.

    Kate and William were clearly taken by SOS Children’s Village. After they visited the children’s centre as part of their official itinerary, they returned to the centre the next day after they were forced to stay in Lahore due to a storm. During their second visit, the couple took part in cricket and arts and crafts and joined in a birthday party for one of the children supported by the village.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGaXpSipf15/

    Kate and William had thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the country last year, with Kate calling it “fantastic” and “really special.”

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an official statement, said that it was “incredibly thoughtful of the Duke and Duchess to check in with the students in these challenging times.”

  • VIDEO: Virat Kohli breaks the internet with dance moves on field

    VIDEO: Virat Kohli breaks the internet with dance moves on field

    Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli won the internet with his dance moves in a video that instantly went viral on social media. The video which was recorded during his pre-match warmup shows the skipper dance around the field without any inhibitions.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    While Kohli has offered no explanation, it is believed that he was celebrating his 200th match for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Out of the 200 matches, Kohli has played 184 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while the rest he has played for RCB in the Champions League.

    Meanwhile, Twitter thoroughly enjoyed Virat’s moves, as evident by their reactions. Check them out below:

    https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/1316734914541350913?s=20
  • Maryam, for the third time, crosses toll plaza without paying tax

    Maryam, for the third time, crosses toll plaza without paying tax

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz once again violated toll tax rules as she, along with her entire convoy, crossed toll plaza without paying the tax, ARY News reported.

    According to reports, the PML-N vice president (VP), who is en route to Gujranwala for a public gathering to kick off the opposition’s anti-government campaign, exited Lahore without paying the tax levied on anyone wanting to travel on a highway such as the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (M11) or the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.

    She had in August 2019 also violated toll tax rules as her vehicle crossed the toll plaza without paying tax in Qadirabad near Sahiwal, months after not paying the same tax in Mandi Bahauddin. Maryam was on her way to public gatherings in different parts of Punjab both times.

    Earlier on Friday, the PML-N VP left for Gujranwala that is the venue for the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally, saying she was doing so “as a foot soldier” of ousted prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif.

    “I embark on this mission as your foot soldier, Nawaz Sharif. I have dedicated myself to your struggle, your mission for Pakistan and its people,” Maryam tweeted as she left her Jati Umra residence in Lahore for Gujranwala’s Jinnah Stadium.

    The recently-formed PDM has announced it will hold a series of protest rallies in major cities in the next couple of months to oust the “selected” government of PM Imran.

  • WHO fears spike in deaths after COVID-19 cases surge

    WHO fears spike in deaths after COVID-19 cases surge

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned against any complacency in the coronavirus death rate, saying with the increasing number of cases, the death rate would also increase.

    New cases are hitting 100,000 daily in Europe. Nearly 20,000 infections were reported in Britain, while Italy, Switzerland and Russia were among nations with record case numbers.

    While deaths globally have fallen to around 5,000 per day from April’s peak exceeding 7,500, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said caseloads were rising in ICU (intensive care units).

    “Mortality increases always lag behind increasing cases by a couple of weeks,” Swaminathan said during a WHO social media event. “We shouldn’t be complacent that death rates are coming down.”

    More than 38 million people have been reported infected globally and 1.1 million have died.

    Despite the global push for a COVID-19 vaccine, with dozens in clinical trials and hopes for initial vaccinations this year, Swaminathan reiterated that speedy, mass shots were unlikely.

    “Most people agree, it’s starting with health care workers, and front-line workers, but even there, you need to define which of them are at highest risk, and then the elderly, and so on,” Swaminathan said.

    “A healthy young person might have to wait until 2022.”

    The WHO has said letting infection spread in hopes of achieving “herd immunity” is unethical and would cause unnecessary deaths. It urges hand-washing, social distancing, masks and — when unavoidable, limited and targeted restrictions on movements — to control disease spread.

    “People talk about herd immunity. We should only talk about it in the context of a vaccine,” Swaminathan said. “You need to vaccinate at least 70% of people … to really break transmission.”

    Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, who also chairs the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to deal with COVID-19 in the country, has highlighted the rise in the number of infections in Pakistan. The Minister urged people to take COVID-19 SOPs seriously.

  • Ex-PM Abbasi speaks about meeting on economy with Gen Bajwa

    Ex-PM Abbasi speaks about meeting on economy with Gen Bajwa

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has revealed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had held a meeting with him in November 2018 to discuss the economic issues prevalent at the time, especially the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

    Abbasi revealed the details of the meeting in a talk show on Samaa TV. According to the lawmaker, who has also served as a petroleum minister in the cabinet of Nawaz Sharif, PML-N leaders Khawaja Asif and Miftah Ismail were also present in the meeting. “The details of such meetings are usually kept confidential, but now that they are being publicised I don’t see any harm in telling the details,” the ex-PM added.

    The army chief wanted the opinion of the PML-N lawmakers on the economy in the light of growing inflation and a tanking economy, Abbasi said.

    “We relayed our reservations on the state of the economy to the army chief,” he told anchorperson Nadeem Malik. “We told the army chief that Pakistan would face tremendous economic pressure within next three years due to the policies of the incumbent regime,” he said, adding that the government took six months to wreck the economy.

    Last week, former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair revealed the details of the meeting with Gen Bajwa. Muhammad Zubair, who has been appointed as party supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s spokesperson, revealed further details of his “secret meeting” with Gen Bajwa.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Zubair said that he isn’t a big fan of gulab jamun but that’s what they had for dessert the night he met Gen Bajwa over dinner.“I’m not a gulab jamun person but I couldn’t say no to him [Gen Bajwa] since he is a dignitary… he is the COAS,” the former Sindh governor said when asked about the details of his meeting that was also reportedly attended by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

  • India says didn’t approach Pakistan for talks

    India says didn’t approach Pakistan for talks

    India’s Ministry for External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that New Delhi did not approach Pakistan with a dialogue offer, as he rejected claims made by Moeed Yusuf — the prime minister’s aide on national security– in a recent interview with an Indian media outlet.

    “The statements made by him [Yusuf] are contrary to facts on the ground, misleading and fictitious. As regards the purported message that was referred to, let me make it clear that no such message was sent from our side,” Srivastava said at a weekly press briefing.

    The spokesperson termed the statement “fictitious and misleading”, saying the claim was made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to “divert attention from domestic failures” and “mislead its domestic constituents by pulling India into headlines on a daily basis”. The Indian official advised Yusuf “to restrict his advice to the establishment and not comment on India’s domestic policies”.

    PM’s Special Assistant on National Security Moeed Yusuf gave an interview to The Wire earlier this week, wherein he claimed that India approached Pakistan with a talk offer. This was the first time a Pakistani government official was interviewed by an Indian outlet since New Delhi annexed Kashmir in August last year.

    During his interview with Karan Thapar, Yusuf set five pre-conditions for the resumption of “meaningful dialogue” with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the longstanding dispute of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK).

    While he said that Pakistan desired peaceful ties with India and wanted to resolve all issues through dialogue, Yusuf asserted that for any meaningful dialogue to take place between the two neighbours, India has to release all political prisoners in Kashmir, end inhuman blockade and restrictions, rescind domicile law that allows non-Kashmiris to settle in the disputed territory, stop human rights abuses and end state terrorism in Pakistan.

    “My message is peace, my message is talk. But there is an intent and there has to be an enabling environment to talk, Karan. Create that and you will find us willing the next day. Just that one step, you will see my prime minister take two – that’s his promise, he stands by it,” Yusuf told journalist Karan Thapar.

  • ‘Woh toh main hoon hee nahi’: Amna Ilyas responds to backlash on fat shaming comments

    Just last week, Amna Ilyas was being lauded for urging her colleagues and peers to stop endorsing fairness creams and end colourism. But now, the model-turned-actor has ended up in the line of fire after an old video of hers in which she is fat-shaming former supermodel Aaminah Haq went viral on social media.

    The video which is from 2018 shows Amna and Sadaf Kanwal engage in a game of ‘Guess the Celebrity’ on designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin’s talk show Tonite with HSY. When asked about a certain former Pakistani supermodel, Ilyas mocks her [Aaminah] for gaining weight and then proceeds to hi-five Sadaf.

    Soon after the clip when viral on social media, Haq responded to it saying: “A few of you have tagged me in something a certain model/actor said about me. Truth be told, if body shaming me brought some small shred of joy in her life, then you’re welcome. Unhappy people tend to gravitate towards hate, instead of kindness and compassion.”

    Read more – Agha Ali responds to backlash on ‘fat-shaming’ comments

    Later, Amna responded to the clip and backlash saying: ‘Woh toh main hoon hee nahi (That wasn’t even me).”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGXRYsvJ2wR/