Category: Uncategorized

  • MQM to quit PTI’s ruling coalition, help opposition topple Imran govt?

    MQM to quit PTI’s ruling coalition, help opposition topple Imran govt?

    Soon after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to break away from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in centre and join the Sindh government, the MQM-P has expressed dissatisfaction over the federal government’s performance.

    According to The News, Bilawal had on Monday offered PTI’s ruling partners, the MQM-P, stakes in the Sindh government, saying Sindh and Karachi could only get their share of development if Imran’s government collapsed.

    “You can stop this injustice being done with Karachi and Pakistan by breaking your alliance with the PTI and toppling Imran Khan’s government to save Karachi, and we will fully support you. For the sake of Karachi, for the sake of the people of Karachi, we are ready to offer to the MQM[-P] in Sindh, as many ministries as they have in the centre today,” a very charged PPP chief had said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of four mega development projects in Korangi.

    While extending his offer, Bilawal had repeatedly called for toppling Imran’s government as he tried to persuade the MQM-P to break its alliance with the PTI in centre. He made the unexpected offer while Mayor of Karachi Waseem Akhtar — who belongs to the MQM-P — was attending the inaugural ceremony along with Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah.

    It wasn’t later that the MQM-P reacted to the offer by saying that they “hadn’t joined the PTI for ministries”.

    Dunya News quoted an MQM-P spokesperson as clarifying that the alliance with PTI “was for the benefit of Karachi and not to get ministries”. He further said that MQM-P’s politics were all about serving people; however, he reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the federal government.

    “Transfer powers to local governments instead of making offers of ministries,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying soon after Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the MQM-P “could join anyone for the betterment of the people”.

    RULING COALITION:

    The PTI and its allies on one side and opposition parties on the other have closely contested their positions in the National Assembly.

    Given their respective numerical strengths, the ruling coalition has around 225 lawmakers while the opposition has nearly 221 members and the simple majority of the total lawmakers of 446 (342 MNAs and 104 senators) comes to 224.

    The PTI has 156 members of the National Assembly. Its allies have varying numbers. The Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) have five members each; Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has seven MPs; Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has three lawmakers; Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has four MNAs and Awami Muslim League and Jamhoori Watan Party have one member each besides the support of two independents.

    They all come to 184.

    In the Lower House of Parliament, the PML-N has 84 MNAs; Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has 55 MPs; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has 16 members; and Awami National Party (ANP) has one lawmaker. Two independents stand with the opposition parties. In the Senate, the PTI is supported by 15 legislators, the MQM-P by 5 senators, the BAP by two MPs, and BNP-M and PML-Functional by one each. If the decisive number of 16 senators, including those elected from the erstwhile tribal areas are placed in the government pocket, the total strength of the PTI and its allies comes to 39 senators.

    With BNP-M likely to defect from the ruling coalition and the MQM-P being offered ministries in Sindh, any changes to the hung parliament in favour of the opposition parties could be fatal for the PTI government.

  • London’s New Year’s Day Parade to feature ‘Visit Pakistan’ video

    A video inviting tourists and travellers to come visit Pakistan in 2020 will be aired on London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) 2020, the World’s great street spectacular.

    According to APP, the special video will include a message from Prime Minister Imran Khan, pictures of Pakistan’s scenic beauty and popular tourist spots and glimpses of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s recent visit to Pakistan. The background tune of the video will be the National Anthem.

    Pakistan is among the 12 countries/brands which are being showcased on the Giant Screens covering the LNYDP throughout the day. The LNYDP screens will be located along the parade route of London at Piccadilly Circus, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben/Houses of Parliament.

    The Pakistan High Commission in London shared that the video message will be played in front of as many as 650,000 street spectators in addition to more than 1 million viewing audience throughout the day.

    Apart from that, TV channels across the world will also be airing the footage of the giant screens.

    Pakistan has recently been named a tourist hotspot by the number one travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller. The British Backpacker Society (BBS) also rated Pakistan as a a must-visit adventure spot in the upcoming decade.

  • Maximum number of Umrah pilgrims in 2019 were Pakistanis

    The maximum number of Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the season on August 31 until December 26, 2019 were Pakistanis official statistics released by the Kingdom have revealed.

    According to a report in Arab News, 495,270 Pakistanis performed their Umrah during the period, followed by 443,879 Indonesians and 262,887 Indians. Other countries on the list included Malaysia, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

    Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry Spokesman Imran Siddiqui expressed his happiness at the news and iterated that “Pakistan was the number one country with more than 1.7 million people performing Umrah last year.”

    While Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed good relations in the past, following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ascent to office, the friendship between the two countries has further strengthened.

    Saudi Arabia has also relaxed its strict laws under the Vision 2030 reforms plan, making it easier for pilgrims to visit the Arab state. The plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims and provide them with excellent services.

  • PM Imran distributes health cards to transgender community

    PM Imran distributes health cards to transgender community

    Prime Minister Imran Khan distributed Sehat Insaf card among the transgender community in an attempt to include them in this project.

    According to reports, a ceremony was held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad to present the cards to the members of the transgender community.

    Scheme offers the free treatment for angioplasty, brain surgery, cancer and other diseases. The data has been taken from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    While addressing to the community, PM Imran said, ” The purpose of this initiative is to tell you that our government is embracing you”

    At least 15 million people will benefit from this policy. The card holders could receive medical facilities up to Rs 720,000. The medical facilities would be available in more than 150 private and government hospitals.

    The transgender community members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had also got their health cards in May to end discrimination.

  • Groom shot dead over filming woman at his wedding

    Groom shot dead over filming woman at his wedding

    A groom in Peshawar was killed on the day of his Walima ceremony
    over a dispute on filming the women who were present at the function.

    According to the family of the deceased, an argument over recording
    a video of the women dancing at the event led to the shooting incident.

    As per reports, some of the guests were offended by the act, which
    is considered unethical in most areas of the Khyber-Pakhtunkwa province.

    The suspect identified as Abid shot down the groom a few minutes
    before he was leaving for the reception.

       The accused, including one
    of the brothers-in-law of the groom, ran away after the incident. According to
    police, the body was shifted to the hospital for a postmortem with search to
    arrest the accused underway.

    A special team headed by the Faqeerabad DSP has been formed to
    arrest the suspects.

  • Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s’ trailer mysteriously disappears from Youtube

    Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s’ trailer mysteriously disappears from Youtube

    Sarmad Khoosat’s award-winning film Zindagi Tamasha‘s trailer has mysteriously disappeared from Youtube.

    While Sarmad himself declined to give a comment on the matter, it is being speculated that the Censor Board requested the director to take down the trailer. However, there has been no confirmation of this on the matter and no further details have been shared.

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film’s is centred around a Naat Khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    Meanwhile, the official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held earlier in October where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award. Sarmad at the time had said that the film will be releasing in Pakistan early next year. However, he had not specified a date.

    Sarmad is currently working on his next feature film Kamli starring Saba Qamar in the lead. The shoot for the film has wrapped up and it is now in its post-production stage.

  • Yasir Hussain has marriage advice for his followers

    Yasir Hussain has marriage advice for his followers

    After a whirlwind romance, a very public engagement and a low-key mayun and mehndi, Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain tied the knot in a beautiful afternoon wedding amidst their closest friends and family. Yasir gave his bride 4 tolas (10 grams) of gold as haq mehr.

    Read more: Qubool Hai! Iqra Aziz & Yasir Hussain have tied the knot

    Following the wedding celebrations, Yasir took to Instagram to advise his followers to keep their weddings simple and easy.

    “Ladies and Gentlemen,” wrote Yasir, “Marriage isn’t as hard as we’ve made it out to be.”

    Sharing his own experience, Yasir elaborated, “I had originally planned to have my wedding at home but due to lack of space, I had to shift the venue. The two of us did not give each others families any unnecessary gifts. There was no dowry or bari (gift from the groom’s side to bride). We did not waste money on extra jewellery. The nikkah khwan (wedding officiant) was paid Rs 8000 while the food was according to the number of guests.”

    “This is all that a wedding is – take it easy on your family and make weddings simple,” he asserted.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6sJO5bjmi5/

    Yasir also expressed his joy on his marriage saying, ” I never knew that one signature would make my life so beautiful.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6sDw1zjh_Q/

    Meanwhile, following the nikkah, Iqra took Yasir’s last name, changing her name from Iqra Aziz to Iqra Aziz Hussain.

    The couple will be hosting their valima today (Monday).

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6sbR8vlJzy/
  • VIDEO: Shahroz Sabzwari opens up about his separation

    VIDEO: Shahroz Sabzwari opens up about his separation

    One of television’s most beloved couples, Syra Yousuf and Shahroz Sabzwari have “separated” after seven years of marriage. While the couple has not yet divorced, they are “separated” as per Shahroz.

    Following widespread media speculation, Shahroz took to Instagram to update his fans and followers about his separation with wife Syra. At the same time, he lashed out at the public for spreading misinformation and dragging his private matter on the streets.

    “I am really upset because I never thought this would happen,” Shahroz said. “My family’s respect is being dragged on the streets without our consent and a girl who has nothing to do with this is being dragged along.”

    Explaining the situation, Shahroz said, “I want to start with describing the issue. What has happened between Syra and me is our personal matter. We have not divorced, we are just separated. Syra is my wife! And I don’t understand how people are saying that ‘the news has been confirmed, they [Syra and Shehroz] are not together after seven years of marriage.’ Who said this? Was it me, or was it Syra, or our family, or our cousins, who said this? No one!”

    Speaking further, the actor explained the difference between a divorce and separation asserting that he and Syra are are only separated.

    “What is a separation? My wife and I were having some issues so we decided that instead of spoiling our relationship and the family’s decorum, we should give each other space. And this is called a separation. And after attaining that space, we get to understand whether we can reconcile or not, and then bigger decisions are made.”

    Shahroz also addressed the rumours that the couple split because of a third person, namely Sadaf Kanwal.

    “Another rumour claims that they’re not together because of a girl, Sadaf. Again, who said this? Was it me, or was it Syra, or our family, or our cousins, or our friends, who said this? No one!,” he remarked. “But you all still decided to drag someone’s sister, daughter, into the matter and became the jury and judge yourself. You didn’t ask me, no one asked Syra – the one everyone’s rooting for, nobody asked her.”

    “I met Sadaf one month ago for work purposes – she has only worked with me. Just because she danced with me does not mean we have something going on, and it’s so bold of you all to assume that a person I met one month ago is responsible for a separation that happened six months ago.”

    Sadaf and Shahroz are said to have met while rehearsing for their performance at the third IPPA Awards held earlier this month in Oslo, Norway.

    Sadaf while speaking to a private media outlet had said, “Shahroz and I are just friends. I met him a month ago while he was already separated from wife Syra.”

    Concluding his statement, Shahroze said that no decision about the future has been made and that everyone should respect the couple and their privacy.

    Earlier, Shahroz’s father, Behroze Sabzwari had also spoken to media outlets and said that the matter is being blown out of proportion. He lashed out at those “spreading rumours” and requested fans to let the matter be private.

    “There is an ongoing conflict, just like there is in every family,” Behroze shared. “The couple is going through something that we’re hoping will resolve and they are trying as well. Syra is the mother of our grandchild and we love her.”

    “It is an extremely private matter, how can people say so many things without verification and make things even worse for the people involved? How is a couple’s private conflict even someone else’s problem?” Behroze was quoted as saying.

    Behroze further shared that Syra is currently staying with her father because he is extremely unwell. He said that the couple married with their own will and that the family is hopeful they will sort out their differences. However, he asserted that divorce is not on the cards as yet.

    Even Behroze reacted to the rumours saying, “Dragging a third person into the matter is immoral. She is also someone’s daughter, just like Syra is our daughter.”

    Syra and Shahroz tied the knot in 2012 after a long on-off relationship which began in 2006. Although the two did not share the screen very often after getting married, they were still one of Pakistan’s most beloved couples. They have a five-year old daughter together, Noorey.

    The two will also be appearing in a romantic-comedy together next year. Much of the film has already been shot in Bahrain.

  • Facebook blocks Radio Pakistan’s live streaming of Indian atrocities in Kashmir

    Facebook blocks Radio Pakistan’s live streaming of Indian atrocities in Kashmir

    Facebook has blocked Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation’s (PBC) live streaming of Indian atrocities and military lockdown in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), Radio Pakistan reported.

    According to the details, Radio Pakistan (RP) has shared screenshots of warning message from Facebook from back in May and July on its website, saying, “your post goes against our Community Standards on dangerous individuals and organisations.”

    According to the the screenshots shared by RP, the warning was given on posts that displayed the picture of Kashmiri freedom fighter Burhan Muzaffar Wani and in another post that mentioned Zakir Musa — a mujahid commander — in the headline.

    However, Radio Pakistan after the blockage its live streaming from Facebook has said on Monday that it has made “alternate arrangements on YouTube for live streaming for its viewers.”

    It is important to note that RP has been highlighting the voice of the people of IoK and exposing Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations at every major platform including social media.

    In addition to Facebook, the micro-blogging website Twitter had also suspended hundreds of accounts and removed multiple posts from Pakistan that were raising voice against Indian brutalities in Kashmir, reportedly under pressure from India.

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had earlier approached both social media platforms and submitted complaints against their actions.

  • Police arrest Madrassa teacher accused of raping his 10-year old student

    Police arrest Madrassa teacher accused of raping his 10-year old student

    A Madrassa teacher accused of raping and torturing his 10-year-old student in Abbottabad’s Mansehra was arrested by the police on Sunday.

    The main suspect identified as Qari Shamsuddin will be presented in court Monday.

    According to reports, a child was taken to a hospitalised on Saturday after his madrassah teacher raped him and then beat him.

    The uncle of the victim Ali Gohar lodged an FIR with Pulrah police and said that the medical report of the victim had confirmed that he had been sexually assaulted by owner of the madrassa. The medical report revealed that the child was raped multiple times and had bruises on his elbows and knees and his eyes were swollen. 

    “We want an immediate arrest of the prime suspect in the case as condition of my nephew is still critical,” he added.

    The police have registered a case and arrested four alleged partners of the madrassah teacher, including his brother.

    Police said the education department has also initiated an investigation against the government teacher.

    The madrassah, which was unregistered, has now been sealed and the rest of the students sent home.

    The incident received widespread attention and celebrities demanded for strict action to be taken.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1211348681707970574?s=20