Category: Uncategorized

  • US all-praise for Pakistani Americans for serving communities amid coronavirus outbreak

    US all-praise for Pakistani Americans for serving communities amid coronavirus outbreak

    Alice Wells, principal deputy assistant secretary of the United States’ (US) Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, has appreciated Pakistani Americans for serving communities both in the country and back home during the persisting global health crisis of coronavirus.

    The diplomat took to social media to laud Pakistan-born Americans for providing food and assistance in the US, as well as supporting healthcare professionals in their native country.

    The tweet comes days after the US announced that it will give a $1 million grant to Pakistan under the USAID programme to help improve monitoring and rapid response against the COVID-19.

    “The US-Pakistan government partnership is helping fight COVID-19. The US government is responding to COVID-19 in Pakistan with [an] initial $1 million funding to bolster monitoring and rapid response,” Wells had said at the time, adding that Islamabad and Washington were longstanding partners in tackling global health challenges.

  • ‘No special flights between Pakistan, UAE,’ officials warn people of travel agents’ scam

    ‘No special flights between Pakistan, UAE,’ officials warn people of travel agents’ scam

    The Pakistan Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a warning about a ticket scam involving travel agents offering to book tickets on “special flights” from the UAE to Pakistan.

    “Flights between Pakistan and the UAE are suspended and there is no announcement of any special flights from UAE to Pakistan so far,” said a statement issued by the Embassy on Tuesday.

    The statement added that the embassy would announce if any special flights would be offered, while stressing that there will be an official announcement whenever normal flight operations between Pakistan and the UAE resume.

    “This is to inform Pakistani community members in the UAE that some agents are offering tickets for ‘special flights’ from the UAE to Pakistan. Beware of such people and instead contact the respective airlines to confirm the flights before purchasing any tickets,” the embassy statement went on to say.

    The Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai reiterated the warning on its Twitter account.

    “Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai has not announced any special flight to Pakistan of any airline yet. The consulate will not be responsible for any such ticket purchases.”

    Thousands of Pakistanis are stranded in the UAE after flights were suspended amid the global coronavirus outbreak.

    It is understood that Pakistanis’ data is being collated to assist the government in formulating plans for repatriation.

    The Foreign Ministry in Pakistan is also believed to be working out how to bring back stranded Pakistanis from around the world, with some flights already being operated.

  • Pakistan delivers flowers to 10 Downing Street as British PM fights coronavirus

    Pakistan delivers flowers to 10 Downing Street as British PM fights coronavirus

    Pakistan High Commission in London on Tuesday delivered flowers to 10 Downing Street, the official residence of British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson who was admitted to the hospital two days ago after testing positive for the coronavirus, The Guardian reported.

    Johnson tested positive for the virus on Mar 27, following which he went into self-isolation at his official residence. On Sunday, he was admitted to an undisclosed hospital in London and a day later shifted to the intensive care unit as, reports said, his condition worsened.

    On Tuesday, PM Imran Khan also wrote to his British counterpart, wishing him “earliest recovery” and “good health”.

    According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office (PMO), the premier, in the letter, underscored the importance of Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) working together to overcome the formidable challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

  • VIDEO: Bilal Ashraf makes his favourite healthy chocolate snack

    VIDEO: Bilal Ashraf makes his favourite healthy chocolate snack

    Quarantine and self-isolation has brought out the inner chef in all of us. While the rest of us Google recipes for fun but fattening foods, Bilal Ashraf is sticking to his healthy regime.

    The actor, who recently sported an amazing six-pack in the song Dharak Bharak (Superstar), shared a video of himself making healthy chocolate peanut butter balls in the kitchen. Bilal said that while working on Superstar he developed a habit of eating healthy and one of the snacks that he really liked during that time was these chocolate peanut butter balls.

    The recipe for the chocolate balls is very simple. You’ll need almond flour, cocoa powder, peanut butter, honey, salt and a processor.

    Watch the video for the complete recipe and the process.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-otey9lN38/

    Meanwhile, Mahira Khan had a few suggestions for Bilal.

    Are you trying this healthy snack or will you stick to your favourites?

  • Shoaib Akhtar pokes fun at Saqlain Mushtaq after his daughter gives him a makeover

    Shoaib Akhtar pokes fun at Saqlain Mushtaq after his daughter gives him a makeover

    Legendary British-Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq recently got a makeover from his young daughter and the proud dad was not afraid to post a video of himself showing off his daughter’s makeup skills.

    Saqlain’s daughter had not only used turquoise eyeshadow and pink lipstick on her dad but also made him into a redhead with a wig.

    Showing off his look, Mushtaq in the video said, “She is a makeup artist. We are in quarantine. A couple of years back, she did my makeup and I put it up on Twitter and you guys really liked it. And today she forcefully said to me she wants to play with me again and she brought all my new get up and did my makeup and my new wig, my new get up. Are you happy? She is very happy and we all are very happy. Stay at home, stay safe, look beautiful and enjoy with your loved ones.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pt_bRH1S7/

    Most Twitter users lauded Saqlain for being a good sport.

    Meanwhile Shoaib Akhtar decided to poke fun at Mushtaq, as well as Wasim Akram who was also recently spotted sporting a wig.

    “Look what Quarantine has done to some people. Sigh,” joked Akhtar.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rGigVnLRi/

    However, our national bhabhi, Shaniera Akram was quick to hit back at Akhtar. Shaniera posted a funny picture of Akhtar, adding that this was taken before quarantine.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rkM80jR9Q/

    Earlier, Shaniera had also posted a video of Wasim getting his hair done by their daughter Aiyla.

    Are girl dads the best?

  • Doctors worldwide are dancing as coronavirus patients recover

    As doctors and other healthcare workers continue to fight against COVID-19 on the frontlines and are treating patients around the world, they are also keeping the spirits high amid all coronavirus panic and fear. Doctors across the world are dancing to celebrate the recovery of their patients.

    Here a few video clips from different countries that will lighten your mood at least for some time.

    They are not only dancing, but people from different professions also applauding each other for their services in this difficult time.

  • Coronavirus lockdown: No crime reported in Rawalpindi since March 24

    Coronavirus lockdown: No crime reported in Rawalpindi since March 24

    No crime has been reported in Rawalpindi since the imposition of coronavirus lockdown on March 24, a report quoted police as saying.

    “The reason behind crime dropping to zero is that criminals fear the virus and also don’t want to put themselves at risk while numerous personnel of law enforcement agencies patrol the city,” police said.

    Saddar Division SP Rai Mazhar Iqbal said the crime rate, however, had started to decline before the lockdown was put in place. “Before the lockdown, the crime rate had already reduced by 70% to 80%,” he said, adding that the remaining 20% to 25% was taken care of by the lockdown.

    It merits a mention that Punjab remains the worst-affected by the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — as the number of confirmed cases on Tuesday reached 2,004.

    Sindh is trailing far behind with 986 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 500 cases.

    Infections in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)/Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Balochistan and Islamabad for now stand at 229, 202 and 83, respectively.

    As many as 55 coronavirus deaths and 429 recoveries had been reported in Pakistan by the time this report was filed.

  • Coronavirus: Improved air quality leads to breathtaking view of Kashmir from Sialkot

    With reduced industrial pollution and traffic due to coronavirus resulting in improved air quality across the globe, breathtaking views of Kashmiri peaks from Punjab’s north-eastern city of Sialkot — one of Pakistan’s most industrialised regions — have started doing rounds over social media.

    In the wake of COVID-19, lockdowns have had a dramatic impact on air pollution around the world. While lockdowns have emerged as a temporary but effective solution to the global pandemic, they also appear to be dealing with another pressing problem faced by citizens — suffocating pollution. As millions of humans stay home around the world, pollution is temporarily alleviating.

    While the mountains of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) could earlier only be seen from Sialkot after heavy rains — when the weather was super clean –, they can now be seen from the city as improved air quality leads to better visibility and clearer skies.

    Earlier, images of clear skies over China and California, and fish swimming in Venice’s canals also made their way to social media. While they are a glimpse of what it might look like if we take better care of the earth, none of it is likely to last.

    https://twitter.com/ikaveri/status/1239660248207589383

    Much of this temporary environmental reprieve will diminish once the economy picks back up again. And of course, no one should want to curb pollution and tackle climate change via a deadly global pandemic, given the grave health and economic impacts the crisis is creating.

  • Yasir Hussain, Iqra Aziz make protective suits for doctors

    Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain are preparing protective suits for the doctors and paramedical staff who are fighting against coronavirus on the frontlines.

    In a recent video on Instagram, Yasir could be seen stitching a protective suit for doctors with wife, Iqra. He also credited the initiative to the Pakistani designer Asim Jofa who provided them with a waterproof cloth.

    Iqra Aziz requested her followers to help the doctors.

    “We both have made this protective suit together and so can you. Please start stitching and sending in your help,” she said.

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-oVan6DIGH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Read More: Asim Jofa delivers first batch of protective suits

    As coronavirus cases continue to grow in Pakistan, doctors across the country are requesting authorities and the government to provide them with proper protective equipment so that they are not exposed to the virus.

  • Indian court allows man to go out to buy food for cats amid strict lockdown

    The Kerala High Court approved permission to a petitioner on Monday to travel to get “Meo-Persian biscuits” for three of his cats amid the strict coronavirus lockdown in India.

    N Prakash who is an  owner of three cats, had moved the court after he was denied to travel by police to get food for his pets.

    According to the directives by the Kerala government, residents have to get a travel permit based on an affidavit for leaving their houses, even if  they have to go to buy essential food items.

    Prakash, stated in his petition, that “as a pure vegetarian, he could not cook non-vegetarian food in his house”. He said that he had applied for the travel pass online, but his application was rejected.

    Upon hearing the appeal, the judge said that the petitioner could go to buy cat food on the basis of a self declaration, along with a court order.

    He added that the court will pass a general order in this regard to cover situations like this.