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  • Shamoon Abbasi skips daughter’s wedding, posts note about removing shameless, immodest people from his life

    Shamoon Abbasi skips daughter’s wedding, posts note about removing shameless, immodest people from his life

    Veteran actress Juveria Abbasi’s daughter Anzela Abbasi recently got married in a lavish ceremony to Tashfeen Ansari, however many were quick to point out that her father, Shamoon Abbasi, was not present during the ceremony.

    Abbasi posted a cryptic note on his Instagram stories during the wedding, writing about wanting to remove “shameless people” from his life:

    “I never wanted to be attached or known to have anything with impudent and immodest, shameless people in my life and never I will… no matter what my relationship with them I prefer to stay away from them no matter what!”

    The couple divorced after ten years together, after which the actress has been vocal about how she loves being single during an interview with Fuchsia Magazine:

    “Our society loves telling women that they cannot survive in this world if they don’t have a husband to take care of them. But I don’t encourage this kind of thought process because it was not difficult for me at all. I have a good job from where I earn a good amount which allows me to have a comfortable lifestyle and also take care of my daughter. I’m proud of the person she has become since she’s well educated, well groomed and now is also working as an actress.”

    Many users expressed anger at how publicly Shamoon was disowning his daughter and creating controversy on a special day. However, celebrities like Shahood Alvi, Ushna Shah came forward to publicly praise Juvaria for raising her daughter to become an accomplished, beautiful woman. Alvi praised Abbasi for going through all the tough times and coming out to be an even stronger, confident woman in spite of all that she has undergone:

    “I’ve always witnessed you being a great single parent, the amount of love and support you’ve shown her throughout life even after undergoing all the pain and challenges. Now that you’ve wedded her off in a great family. I’m so proud of you because I saw you struggle everyday and in your worst times, which is why i’m extremely thrilled for you! You’ve done a great job dost!”

    Actress Ushna Shah praised Juvaria for raising Anzeela all on her own as a single mother, and making her into a strong, king and well-rounded person:

    “I know what it means for a single mother to wed her daughter to the best of her ability, I saw how happy it made my mother and I saw how happy it had made you.”

    Social media users also praised Juvaria’s grace and strong-spirit to refuse to let her bitter ex-husband’s resentment destroy such an important day for her daughter, as one user lamented how society doesn’t acknowledge the strengths of single mothers

    Other’s came forward to defend Anzala’s choice of wedding outfits, pointing out that this was her special day and its about time people stopped telling brides how they should dress up on their big day!

  • Pakistan invites Saudi Arabia to invest in key sectors like agriculture, IT, and energy

    Pakistan invites Saudi Arabia to invest in key sectors like agriculture, IT, and energy

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has extended a warm invitation to companies from Saudi Arabia, encouraging them to explore exciting investment prospects in various sectors such as agriculture, mining, technology, energy, and more.

    This friendly call was made during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereji, held in Islamabad.

    To boost economic partnerships, PM Shehbaz highlighted the creation of a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). This council is designed to simplify and speed up potential investments from countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a special focus on enhancing collaborations with Saudi Arabia.

    PM Shehbaz also expressed heartfelt appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s timely financial support, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters like floods. He acknowledged the Kingdom’s crucial role in helping Pakistan work towards a stable economy.

    He emphasised the importance of the visit by the Saudi delegation, underscoring the shared interest and eagerness on both sides to elevate their long-standing friendly relations to a practical and mutually beneficial economic partnership.

    In a significant earlier announcement, PM Shehbaz revealed plans to auction gifts from the Toshakhana. The funds generated from this auction will be directed towards the well-being of underprivileged individuals, especially those who are orphaned and vulnerable.

  • Karnataka High Court grants divorce to husband who was taunted by wife for being dark skinned

    Karnataka High Court grants divorce to husband who was taunted by wife for being dark skinned

    In a landmark judgment, the High Court of Karnataka upheld that demeaning a spouse due to their skin color amounts to cruelty, thereby granting grounds for divorce.

    The ruling was the outcome of a case involving a Bengaluru-based couple, where the wife consistently berated her husband for his dark skin tone.
    The 44-year-old husband sought divorce after enduring consistent humiliation and derogatory remarks about his complexion. While he bore these insults for the sake of their child, the relentless emotional distress was deemed sufficient grounds for marital dissolution under Section 13(i)(a) of the Hindu Marriage Act.

    The wife tried to deflect blame by accusing her husband of extramarital affairs, a move the court labeled as another form of cruelty. Her further attempts to involve legal provisions such as Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code and the Domestic Violence Act only deepened the marital discord.

    Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde, who presided over the appeal, shed light on the deeply entrenched skin color biases in society, marking an important step in recognizing such prejudice as a form of emotional cruelty.

    Overturning a prior family court ruling, the High Court’s verdict emphasizes the significance of emotional well-being in marital relationships and sets a precedent in battling age-old color biases.

  • National Assembly set to dissolve after 5:30PM

    National Assembly set to dissolve after 5:30PM

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is preparing to advice President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) today, bringing an end to tumultuous five-year term for the Lower House. Today (Wednesday) might be the last day of the coalition government.

    In order to extend the interim period, which is legally within 90 days if an assembly is dissolved prematurely, the government will dissolve the Lower House of parliament earlier than its legal term, which expires on August 12.

    If the National Assembly gets dissolved prematurely, a caretaker government will be responsible for conducting elections in 90 days.

    According to Article 58 of the constitution, the prime minister can advise the president on the dissolution of the National Assembly, however, if the president doesn’t approve, the assembly is still dissolved within 48 hours.

    “The president shall dissolve the National Assembly if so advised by the prime minister; and the National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, stand dissolved at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the prime minister has so advised,” the article reads.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif, after a joint session of Parliament today at 5:30 p.m., will request President Alvi to dissolve the Parliament. Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with opposition leader Raja Riaz is scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

  • WhatsApp rolls out live screen sharing feature

    WhatsApp rolls out live screen sharing feature

    Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, recently unveiled a new enhancement for WhatsApp, introducing screen-sharing functionality within video calls. This innovative feature boasts cross-platform compatibility, enabling seamless sharing of a real-time screen view with one or multiple participants engaged in the call.

    WhatsApp’s official press release articulates, “Whether sharing documents for work, browsing photos with family, planning a vacation or shopping online with friends, or just helping grandparents with tech support – screen sharing lets you share a live view of your screen during the call.”

    To access this feature, users are required to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed. While engaged in a video call, a novel ‘Share’ icon will be conspicuously positioned at the base of the screen. Upon activation, users will be prompted to authorise screen-sharing access. Subsequently, the content of their screen will be relayed to the other participant(s).

    It’s important to acknowledge that the deployment of this feature is being carried out in a phased manner. While a subset of users may already have encountered the feature within their WhatsApp interface, others may encounter a slight delay in its availability.

    Moreover, this advancement accommodates landscape mode for video calls, ensuring an expansive and immersive viewing experience. This capability proves particularly advantageous when sharing content from desktop platforms, providing a broader perspective.

    WhatsApp’s screen-sharing functionality extends its utility to group video calls as well, amplifying its relevance in professional scenarios. Users who previously relied on alternative platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom for screen-sharing purposes can now seamlessly integrate this function within the WhatsApp ecosystem.

  • Govt aims to collect extra Rs721 billion from electricity consumers in current fiscal year

    Govt aims to collect extra Rs721 billion from electricity consumers in current fiscal year

    In a significant move to address the mounting circular debt crisis in the energy sector, the government has unveiled a plan to collect an additional Rs721 billion from electricity consumers during the current financial year. The decision comes as a response to the pressing need to reduce the burgeoning circular debt and stabilise the energy sector’s financial health.

    Sources within the Finance Ministry have revealed that the government has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of its comprehensive strategy, which entails a multi-pronged approach to boost revenue and mitigate circular debt. The plan involves a series of phased electricity tariff hikes and adjustments over the coming months.

    According to the proposed timeline, the electricity price will initially be raised by Rs1.25 per unit until September. This adjustment is projected to generate approximately Rs39 billion in additional revenue through quarterly adjustments. This initial step aims to provide a quick injection of funds into the energy sector.

    Following this, from September to December, electricity tariffs are set to witness a further increase of Rs4.37 per unit under the banner of fuel adjustment charges. This particular measure is anticipated to contribute Rs122 billion to the overall revenue pool, providing a substantial boost to the government’s efforts to reduce circular debt.

    Moreover, an ambitious plan to raise the power tariff by Rs5.75 under annual rebasing is on the horizon, with projections suggesting that this move could generate an impressive Rs560 billion in revenue. The cumulative effect of these tariff hikes is expected to bring about a significant reduction in the circular debt that has plagued the energy sector for years.

    The government’s overarching objective is to curtail the circular debt of the power sector, which had skyrocketed to an alarming Rs2,700 billion by June 2023. With the implementation of the proposed tariff adjustments and revenue generation measures, officials are optimistic that the circular debt will be reined in substantially.

    By the end of the current financial year, the government aims to limit the circular debt to Rs2,130 billion, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing battle to stabilise the energy sector’s finances. These measures, though they might impose a temporary burden on electricity consumers, are viewed as critical steps towards achieving a more sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure for the country.

  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Junior speaks out against killing of endangered Indus River Dolphin

    Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Junior speaks out against killing of endangered Indus River Dolphin

    Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Junior, the grandson of former Pakistani President and Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, has voiced distress over the killing of the endangered Indus River Dolphin. Bhutto Junior, a visual and performance artist and curator known for his advocacy for wildlife and climate justice, highlighted the incident in an emotional video statement on Instagram.

    Recalling a letter written by his aunt, the late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto following the death of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto Junior drew attention to his grandfather’s deep bond with the region of Sindh and its environment. The letter described Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as being akin to the River Indus – “strong and kind”. Bhutto Junior underscored his late grandfather’s efforts to protect the Indus River Dolphin, known locally as ‘Bhulan’, including imposing a hunting ban on the species.

    Expressing deep sorrow, Bhutto Junior relayed the tragic news of a recent incident where an Indus River Dolphin was killed by hunters. He passionately asserted, “If you have killed one dolphin, it’s like you have killed a part of Sindh.” He pleaded with the culprits to refrain from such actions in the future, emphasizing the significance of the creatures and the importance of their preservation.

    The Indus River Dolphin, or ‘Bhulan’, is a unique species of toothed whale endemic to the Indus River Basin in Pakistan and northwestern India. It is the first discovered side-swimming cetacean and is known for navigating and hunting through echolocation. Despite being the national mammal of Pakistan and the state aquatic animal of Punjab, India, its population has significantly declined due to human activities, including entanglement in fishing nets, water poisoning from industrial and agricultural chemicals, irrigation, and dam construction.

    Protecting the remaining sub-populations is critical for the species’ long-term survival.

  • No role in the selection of Judges: University of Hull

    No role in the selection of Judges: University of Hull

    The University of Hull in Manchester has offered a clarification on the participation of Judge Humayun Dilawar in a training programme at their campus, after supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protested against the university.

    PTI activists have been tagging university to record their objection against the inclusion of Judge Dilawar, who convicted Imran Khan in the Tosha Khana case on August 5, sentencing him to three years imprisonment and disqualification.

    PTI supporters demanded that the judge be expelled from the training session.

    However, Judge Dilawar did not, in fact, fly to the UK out of the blue, as revealed by a statement issued by the university in response to the controversy. The statement says that his participation was a result of being chosen by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the training.

    Stressing that the university has been organising training sessions on human rights and the rule of law for Pakistani Judges Since 2014, the university said that it has no role in selecting judges for the training.

    “The current cohort has been selected by the Islamabad High Court, the Peshawar High Court, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The University has no role in the selection of judges”.

  • Pakistani media, stop obsessing over Sunita Marshall’s religion

    Pakistani media, stop obsessing over Sunita Marshall’s religion

    The country’s media has decided that the average citizen is not raging inflation but whether a fully grown woman has decided to convert from Christianity to Islam or not.

    In an interview with Youtuber and journalist Maliha Rehman, actor Hassan Ahmed, Sunita Marshall’s husband, was asked about how he deals with the negative comments, especially regarding his marriage to the ‘Sar-e-rah’ actress. The actor responded that it is his deepest desire that his wife converts to Islam, but understands that these things do take time. He further went on to say that Sunita will only come towards Islam when she notices the positive inside him.

    But newsflash for the two of you, Sunita isn’t special just because she ‘could’ convert to Islam. She’s a fully grown human being who can dress how she wants and follow what religion she chooses. It is shameful how this is a topic that needs a 10 minute long discussion.

    The discussion arose just a few weeks after Sunita was questioned by controversial Youtuber Nadir Ali about her religious beliefs. She calmly handled the situation saying that it was her choice whether she chooses to remain a Christian or convert to Islam. But the fact remains, Sunita’s religion is not something to debate, and it’s shameful that her husband is commenting on personal matters in the public sphere.

    We were incredibly happy to witness how a flood of celebrities and social media users applauded the ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat’ actress for bravely handling Ali’s misogynist remarks, but it doesn’t mean she needs to be subjected to this kind of questioning time and time again. This is the Islamic Republic Of Pakistan, where under the law, people from all kinds of faiths are allowed to practice their religion without any fear.

    It’s the year 2023, you have people leaving the country because they’re unable to make a decent living, so obsessing over whether Sunita Marshall will become a Muslim or not is irrelevant. Celebrity tabloids, please do better and let her live without feeling like her religion is in the spotlight all the time.