Category: Uncategorized

  • Over 16,000 children born in Pakistan on New Year’s Day

    Over 16,000 children born in Pakistan on New Year’s Day

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) shared that an estimated 16,787 babies would be born in Pakistan on New Year’s Day.

    According to a statement by UNICEF, “Pakistani babies will account for 4.28% of the estimated 392,078 babies to be born on New Year’s Day.”

    Each
    January, UNICEF celebrates babies born on New Year’s Day, which is considered
    to be a lucky time for childbirth around the world.

    However, UNICEF reported that in 2018, 2.5 million newborns died before reaching one month old, around a third of them on the first day of life.

    “In 2018, 2.5 million newborns died in just their first month of  life. Among those children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis. In addition, more than 2.5 million babies are born dead each year,” UNICEF said.

    According
    to the UN Agency, the world has seen amazing progress in child survival over
    the past three decades, lessening the number of children worldwide who die
    before their fifth birthday by more than half.

  • Hareem Shah controversy: Govt issues statement, drags religion into it

    Hareem Shah controversy: Govt issues statement, drags religion into it

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has broken its silence over the controversial video clips released by TikTok celebrity Hareem Shah last week, saying that technology brings many facilities “but it can also lead one to god’s wrath”.

    In a video doing rounds over the internet, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting (SAPM) Firdous Ashiq Awan can be seen parrying a question posed by a senior reporter regarding the videos that showed PTI ministers “flirting” with the TikTok celebrity and a friend of hers.

    She said that the society was facing many challenges “like crumbling of the social fabric”, and added that technology brought many facilities, but it had “also become a way to earn the wrath of Allah”.

    “It paves the way to hell,” Awan said.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    CONTROVERSY:

    The videos — featuring Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan — were released over the internet with the claim that Rasheed had “also sent Hareem inappropriate videos”.

    “What about all those naked videos you used to send me have you forgotten about them?” Hareem can be heard as saying to the federal minister in one of the videos of their telephonic conversation, following which Rasheed abruptly disconnected the call.

    While the videos were removed by Hareem, it wasn’t later that they went viral over the internet, drawing mixed reactions. Amid all the criticism facing the internet star, she on Tuesday was reported to have left the country and applied for Canadian citizenship.

  • Maya Ali shuts down troll for asking if she is ‘still married to Osman Khalid Butt’

    Maya Ali shuts down troll for asking if she is ‘still married to Osman Khalid Butt’

    Maya Ali is no stranger to link-ups. Over the years, the actor has been linked to several of her co-stars. But among them all, her onscreen chemistry with Osman Khalid Butt had their fans swooning and the two began to be popularly known as Osmaya.

    While fans rooted for the two to get together in real-life, some people started speculating that the two have tied the knot after pictures of them in wedding attire were shared on social media. Turned out that the pictures were from a magazine cover shoot and not from their “marriage.”

    Nonetheless, every now and then, people raise questions pertaining to their relationship status. On a recent post by Maya, an Instagram user commented, “Is she still married with Osman Khalid Butt? Never seen them together.”

    To this, Maya replied, “Did I, my family or Osman or his family ever mention this thing anywhere? You have a right to ask a question but please don’t give any statements about anyone…Thank you.”

    The comment appears to have been removed.

    Osman and Maya made their debut in Aik Naeey Cinderella, following which they appeared in Aunn Zara. Their third drama together was the superhit Diyar-e-Dil. Their last drama together was Sanam which aired in 2016. Maya has often referred to Osman as her best friend and the two have walked the ramp and appeared on the red carpet together. However, they have never hinted at anything more than that.

    Meanwhile, Maya who has had a stellar year given the success of her second film Parey Hut Love, also reflected upon the past year and shared why it was so special for her.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wLZ9hHN97/
  • Special PIA flight brings back 113 prisoners from Malaysia

    Special PIA flight brings back 113 prisoners from Malaysia

    A special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) brought back 113 stranded Pakistani prisoners from Malaysia. The flight brought back the Pakistanis from Kuala Lampur to Islamabad after the Malaysian government approved their amnesty.

    According to reports, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari instructed the Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia to make all the arrangements to bring back maximum number of Pakistani prisoners after registering them under the Malaysian Royal Amnesty Scheme. Most of the detainees were stuck in Malaysia after their visas expired while others were involved in petty crimes and had served their sentences but were unable to come back due to lack of funds.

    A large number of family members of the deportees were present at the airport to receive their loved ones. The Pakistani deportees were shouting slogans in favor of PM Khan.

    The Press Information Department also shared that “Earlier this year, 320 Pakistani nationals were repatriated that makes a total of 8,190 Pakistani nationals released by Malaysian authorities till date.”

    Pakistan and
    Malaysia have close mutual ties which were more improved when Prime Minister
    Imran Khan signed several agreements with the Malaysian government during his
    visit to the country in November this year.

  • Humayun Saeed welcomes New Year at Makkah, performs Umrah

    Humayun Saeed welcomes New Year at Makkah, performs Umrah

    Humayun Saeed welcomed his New Year at Makkah by performing Umrah.

    Taking to social media, the actor shared that he always wished to begin the new year at the “most sacred place” and his wish finally came true this year. Humayun shared that he prayed for his country and fans.

    Humayun is accompanied by his brother and wife. His wife, Samina also expressed her happiness on social media.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6v3NIylfLH/

  • ANF handled Sanaullah case poorly, caused embarrassment to govt: PTI ministers

    Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) ministers criticised the Anti-Narcotics force (ANF) for poorly handling the drugs possesion case against former law minister Rana Sanaullah, which became a huge embarrasment for the government, The Express Tribune reported.

    According to the details, Director General (DG) ANF Major General Muhammad Arif was briefing the federal cabinet about the case against Sanaullah on Tuesday where he faced tough questions from the ministers.

    Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari asked why the arrest was not videotaped as “it is a norm to record video of every case these days”.

    Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema also reportedly asked for video evidence and proof of the offence and reminded his colleagues that “hollow swearing does not matter if there is no evidence in such cases”.

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI government faced embarrasment due to the “mishandling” of the drugs possession case against PML-N leader.

    Agreeing to Fawad Ch the communications minister Murad Saeed, also blamed the agency for mishandling the case which provided the opposition parties an opportunity to criticise the government.

    The ANF chief while responding to the criticism said, “The ANF is an independent institution and will continue its work in accordance with the law,” adding that the agency took action on the basis of evidence only.

    “We have irrefutable proof against Rana Sanaullah. A strong case has been prepared and everything will come to the light once the trial starts,” said Maj Gen Arif.

    The agency’s chief later briefed the prime minister (PM) Imran Khan seperately in the presence of Shaharyar Afridi, Minister for Narcotics Control, about some secret aspects of the case. PM Imran after briefing directed the ANF to proceed the case according to the law.

    The PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah was earlier arrested in July by ANF after alleged recovery of a sizeable quantity of drugs from his car. He was later granted bail on December 24 by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    The court in its detailed verdict questioned why formal documentary proceedings of drugs’ seizure were not conducted at the time of arrest, and why ANF sent a sample of only 20 grams of the heroin recovered from Sanaullah’s car for testing when the seized quantity was a much higher 15 kilogrammes.

  • ‘Smart performance’: Pakistan’s debt falls to 84.7pc of GDP

    ‘Smart performance’: Pakistan’s debt falls to 84.7pc of GDP

    Pakistan’s general government debt, including guarantees and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, have declined to 84.7 per cent of the GDP, Dawn reported.

    According to details, a recently published IMF report has revealed that the decline in debts was a consequence of the government’s smart performance in reducing expenditures, registering primary budget surplus and increasing tax and non-tax revenues during the first five months of the current fiscal year.

    “In the first quarter of 2019-20, budget execution by the incumbent government improved considerably, registering a primary surplus of 0.6pc of GDP and an overall deficit of 0.6pc – about 1pc of GDP better than programmed,” the report added.

    It said the over-performance was driven by stronger than expected non-tax revenues, accompanied by double-digit growth in tax revenue net of refunds.

    At the same time, due to import compression, customs receipts and other external sector-related taxes have suffered (up only 6pc year-on-year), the report said, adding that spending, including by the provinces, has remained prudent.

    However, the document observed that in FY19, the budget registered a primary deficit of 3.5pc of GDP and an overall deficit of 8.9pc, against its target of 1.8pc and 7pc, respectively.

    Revenue collection at the federal level came in at 2pc of GDP, lower than expected, while total expenditures and provincial fiscal balances were in line with projections, it added. Around three-fourth of the revenue shortfall were due to one-off factors, which are not expected to carry over into FY20.

    In particular, delays in renewing telecom licences, a temporary delay in the sale of state assets, and weaker than expected amnesty proceeds contributed around 1pc of GDP, while a shortfall in the transfer of State Bank profits to the budget, stemming from losses related to the exchange rate depreciation in late FY19 added an additional 0.5pc of GDP.

    As a consequence of the fiscal slippages and the exchange rate depreciation, but also the government’s decision to increase cash deposits considerably to provide a financing cushion against potentially unfavourable market conditions, government debt (including guarantees and IMF borrowing) rose to 88pc of GDP.

    With respect to government’s performance in revenue collection, the report observed that with 34pc nominal growth, compared to 1QFY19, total revenue over-performed the programmed projections by 0.2pc of GDP.

    On account of tax policy measures implemented at the beginning of FY20, the domestic component of tax revenue collected by the FBR, recorded robust growth of 25pc.

    Growth was particularly strong in sales and direct taxes, where most measures were targeted (including removal of tax exemptions, zero and reduced rates). At the same time, taxes collected at the import stage were impacted by substantial import compression, with a decline in all revenue categories except of sales tax.

    Given that more than 40pc of total tax revenue in Pakistan is collected at the import stage, this shortfall had a notable impact on overall tax revenue performance 0.2pc of GDP lower than programmed.

    One-off tax revenue inflows (around Rs30bn) also contributed to the overall result and are related to tax advances and tax amnesty receipts that were not collected at the end of FY19 but were realised in the first quarter of 2019-20 instead. Tax revenues collected at provincial level were also strong, increasing by 18pc.

  • Hareem Shah leaves Pakistan, applies for Canadian citizenship

    Hareem Shah leaves Pakistan, applies for Canadian citizenship

    Hareem Shah has said that she has applied for Canadian citizenship and has so far no plan to return to Pakistan, a private media outlet reported.

    Shah is currently in Baku city of Azerbaijan and while takling to Urdupoint she said that there are many fake accounts operating in her name on social media websites including Facebook and Twitter and clarified that the genuine account she has is with handle of “Hareem Shah Official”.

    “The information which is being spread through the fake accounts are not mine,” said Shah.

    https://www.facebook.com/urdupoint.network/videos/2485223241605417/

    During the interview she said, “This is totally baseless that I threatened Prime Minister Imran Khan”.

    Talking about Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed, Hareem said that she contacted him two days ago and he was angry with her.

    Shah added, “I know people are using abusive language and criticizing us but there are many fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook”.

    “Will fly to Canada as I have applied for Canadian citizenship and there is no plan yet to come back Pakistan. I will fly from Baku to Canada,” the Tik Tok girl said.

    Hareem Shah has gained popularity owing to her viral videos with celebrities, especially government ministers and officials, including Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his colleagues in Islamabad.

    Shah was earlier spotted inside the Foreign Office as well, following which the government had initiated an inquiry “to get to the depth of the matter and identify the person” who had allowed her access to one of the most important government buildings in the federal capital.

  • ‘Lahore beats London’: Twitter goes crazy as mercury drops to 35-year low

    Twitterati, especially those from Lahore, lost it over the micro-blogging website after the residents of Punjab’s provincial capital woke up to the coldest winter morning in over 35 years.

    According to The Express Tribune, the temperature in the provincial capital was equivalent to Murree at 2°C early on Monday, which was followed by a minimum of 3°C and a maximum of 8°C on Tuesday.

    Data by Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) showed that shivering low temperature of 1°C was recorded in Attock and Dera Ghazi Khan, 2°C in Lahore, Murree, Rawalpindi, Multan, Chakwal and Bahawalpur, 3°C in Jhelum and 4°C in Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Sargodha.

    As winter blues grip Lahore, here’s what Twitterati have to say about it:

    https://twitter.com/fakihawajihaJvd/status/1211901883822071808

    Meanwhile, Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz has highlighted that the current chilly spell would continue till mid-January.

    “Although climate change has some impact on weather patterns, there is nothing unusual. The coldest winter spell is witnessed from mid-December to mid-January every year,” he added.

    Weather reports issued by the PMD indicate that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country and a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect the western and upper parts of the country from Tuesday (today).

  • 2019: High profile political arrests

    2019: High profile political arrests

    Soon after the Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) came into power several politicians, mostly from the opposition and one from the ruling party, walked in and out of prison on charges of corruption, money laundering among others, Geo News reported.

    The majority of the politicians, and bureaucrats, arrested this year, have now managed to secure a bail bond from courts, many are still behind bars.

    Here are some of the high-profile arrests of this year.

    Maryam Nawaz

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had on August 8 arrested Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case on accusations of involvement in money laundering.

    The anti-graft watchdog alleged that Maryam was involved in money laundering with the help of some foreigners between 1992-93 when her father Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister (PM).

    Maryam was granted bail by Lahore High Court (LHC) on November 4 after she had filed a bail peition on September 30, seeking post-arrest bail in the money laundering case.

    The PML-N leader is also fighting to get her name off the Exit Control List (ECL) to visit her ailing father in London, undergoing medical treatment after LHC granted him exemption to leave the country.

    Rana Sanaullah

    The senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Rana Sanaullah was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on July 1after alleged recovery of a large stash of drugs from his car.

    Minister for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi had repeatedly claimed to have substantial evidence against Sanaullah and footages of the drugs recovered from Rana’s car. Yet, after almost six months, the prosecution failed to provid any such evidence to the court. 

    Later on December 22, the anti-narcotics court extended the former law minister’s remand by 14 days, however, the LHC on December 24 granted bail to Sanaullah in the narcotics possession case.

     Asif Ali Zardari

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari was arrested in July by the NAB, in connection to a money laundering case. NAB accused him of setting up fake bank accounts and illegally tranfering billions of rupees out of Pakistan. The accountability watchdog insists that Zardari has was acquired the money through kickbacks and bribes.

    However on December 11, the PPP’s president was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on medical grounds.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    NAB on July 18 arrested former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on accusations of illegally awarding a contract for an Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal while he was serving as the petroleum minister in the then PM Nawaz’s cabinet. 

    The accountability bureau claimed that the PML-N government rented out a terminal of the Engro Group for 15 years at a cost of Rs27 million per day. Khaqan’s name was later placed on ECL in April as well.

    Miftah Ismail

    Former finance minister Miftah Ismail was cuffed on August 7 by Pakistan’s anti-graft watchdog, after IHC rejected his pre-arrest bail.

    The PML-N leader was arrested in connection with an inquiry regarding the illegal awarding of LNG Terminal-1 to Engro Energy Terminal. Miftah’s remand was later extended from 16 to 20 days in December.

    He, however, was granted bail by the IHC on December 23.

    Hamza Shahbaz

    Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shahbaz, was arrested by NAB on June 11 in the Ramzan Sugar Mills (RSM) money laundering case and for allegedly owning assets beyond his means. 

    The accountability court on September 4 sent Hamza to Lahore’s Camp Jail on judicial remand after rejecting NAB’s appeal seeking an extension in his remand.

    Hamza’s case hearing couldn’t take place on December 20 due to a strike by lawyers and has been adjourned till January 3, 2020. He remains in the custody of jail authorities.

    Aleem Khan

    Aleem Khan — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart — was arrested on February 6 by accountability bureau in cases pertaining to owning assets beyond his known sources of income and alleged offshore companies. Aleem, at the time of his arrest was serving as Punjab’s local government minister from which he resigned soon after his arrest.

    He was granted bail on May 15 by LHC against surety bonds worth Rs10 million, however he is still fighting the legal battle of a case regarding the illegal acquisition of Capital Development Authority (CDA) land.

    Ahsan Iqbal

    PML-N stalwart Ahsan Iqbal was arrested on December 23 by NAB as he appeared before the court in relation to a corruption case.

    NAB’s spokesperson after the arrest had said that the authority has cuffed Ahsan Iqbal in relation to the Narowal Sports City Complex case. An accountability court on December 24 granted a 13-day remand of PML-n leader in connection with the sports city corruption case.

    Faryal Talpur

    PPP’s senior leader and a member of National Assembly, Faryal Talpur, was arrested by NAB on June 14. She along with her brother, Asif Ali Zardari, was accused of laundering money through fake bank accounts. The anti-graft body is probing four cases where the former president and his sister are the prime accused. 

    The cases are about transactions worth hundreds of millions of rupees to both the leaders’ private companies, allegedly, by using fake bank accounts. Talpur was also granted bail by IHC on December 17 against surety bonds worth Rs10 million.

    Khursheed Shah

    NAB had arrested senior leader of PPP Khursheed Shah on September 18, accusing of allotting himself an amnesty plot illegally from a cooperative society in Sukkur. Nab also accuse Shah of acquiring assets worth some Rs700 million in the names of his frontmen through illegally acquired money.

    An anti-graft court on December 17 granted bail to the Khursheed against surety bonds worth Rs5 million. The NAB later approached the Sindh HIgh COurt and urged it to nullify Shah’s bail as it was “against the law”. On December 23, the SHC suspended PPP leader’s bail in the corruption case.