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  • Use of Army Act against civilians: US urges Pakistan to respect democratic principles

    United States (US) State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Tuesday urged Pakistani authorities to respect democratic principles and rule of law.

    “We are aware of the reports concerning civilians who will face military trials for their suspected involvement in the May 9th protest,” Miller told reporters

    He added that the authorities were in regular contact with Pakistan’s officials at the highest level for human rights, democracy, projection of journalists and rule of law, for these were priorities for the United States.

    While answering a question about Pakistan buying crude oil from Russia, Miller said that we have been very clear that each country has to make its own choices based on its own circumstances.

    The National Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution demanding action against May 9 rioters under the Army Act.
    The resolution was moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

    The resolution demanded that all individuals involved in May 9 riots must immediately face legal repercussions, adding that members of the same party and its leaders were separating themselves from May 9 events.

  • Documentary on Modi’s role in Gujarat riots to be screened in US

    Documentary on Modi’s role in Gujarat riots to be screened in US

    A documentary focused on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s time as Chief Minister of Indian state Gujarat, during the 2012 riots will be screened in the United States.

    “India: the Modi question,” is a two party documentary, based on Modi’s role as the CM during the riots which killed at least 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.

    The private screening has been scheduled for June 20 by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, two days before Modi’s official state visit, where he will be hosted by US President Joe Biden. Human Rights Watch said it wanted the screening to serve as a reminder that the documentary had been banned in India.

    The Indian government has termed the documentary as a “propaganda piece”.

  • Dolphin police officer shot dead by PUBG addict in Lahore

    Dolphin police officer shot dead by PUBG addict in Lahore

    A man influenced by the popular online game PUBG shot dead a young Dolphin Police officer and critically injured another at Defense Housing Authority (DHA) Y Block, Lahore.

    The deceased officer, Hafiz Nauman, got married a year go.

    According to initial investigation reports, an armed man fired at Nauman, hitting him in the chest, from a distance of two feet. He fired three bullets when Nauman and his constable rounded him up in the busy commercial area. One of the bullets pierced Nauman’s lungs, leading to his death.

    The gunman also attacked Constable Mohsin and fired at him, hitting him on the chest and leg, leaving him critically injured.

    An official stated later that a gunman named Asif alias Asu was traced to Patoki, where he was killed by the firing of his companions while in an encounter with police.

    A police official added that Asu was addicted to PUBG games and influenced by its violence. He also said that it is not the first time that the game has been the cause of violent crime.

    Last year, a 14-year-old PUBG fan in Kahna shot his entire family, including his mother and two minor sisters.

  • Pakistani Twitter supports woman who publicly shared profile of man who sent her unsolicited dick pic

    Pakistani Twitter supports woman who publicly shared profile of man who sent her unsolicited dick pic

    A twitter user shared a picture and the Instagram profile of a man who sent her an unsolicited picture of his penis.

    “Was having a very normal Monday morning until a random guy on Instagram decided to send me a d++k pic. My heartbeat is racing and I am unable to regulate my anger now,’ she wrote while sharing the screenshots of the profile.

    She further wrote that she has informed the man’s employer, leading to some people criticising her for putting the man’s career at risk.

    However, most people came out in support of the woman. In addition, many women came forward to tell their traumatizing experiences of receiving unsolicited dick pictures.

    Have a look at the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/daza1maniac/status/1668533889583947776

  • Asia Cup: Pakistan and Sri Lanka to co-host the tournament?

    Asia Cup: Pakistan and Sri Lanka to co-host the tournament?

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s proposed hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 is likely to be approved by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue where India can play their games. The model sees four – and possibly five – of the tournament’s 13 games being played in Pakistan. All the India-Pakistan games will be played in Sri Lanka, as will the final if India is involved.

    According to media reports an official announcement is likely after the weekend. The window set aside for the tournament is between September 1-17. For the Pakistan leg, the games are likely to be played in Lahore.

    The likely approval represents a significant breakthrough in an impasse which has not only dragged on for some time but has also threatened fallout for ICC events, most pressingly the World Cup in India this year but also the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. There is a possibility now that an agreement here could ease Pakistan’s path to traveling to India for the World Cup.

    The hybrid model was proposed as a solution due to India and Pakistan unwillingness to travel to the other’s country. India’s refusal to tour Pakistan prompted Pakistan to go with the model in order to retain the hosting rights.

    Pakistan initially offered UAE as a second venue citing a lucrative opportunity for gate receipts during Pakistan-India matches in the tournament, but Bangladesh raised concerns over the extreme weather in the Middle East in September.

    PCB head Najam Sethi had presented details of the hybrid model to Pankaj Khimji, head of Oman Cricket and the ACC’s vice-president, in a meeting in Dubai a couple of weeks ago. It was the solution the PCB had proposed to account for the fact that India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament because of ongoing political tensions between the governments of the two countries.

    India and Pakistan have been grouped together along with Nepal in the six-nation Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in the 50-over format as preparation for the World Cup. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in the other group.

    A total of 13 matches, including the final, are expected be played across 13 days. Like the format from 2022, it is expected that the top two teams from each group will advance to a Super 4s round, before the top two teams from that contest the final. That leaves open the possibility of India and Pakistan playing each other three times, should they make the final.

  • Indian batters should learn playing pace and swing from Babar, says Nasir Hussain

    Indian batters should learn playing pace and swing from Babar, says Nasir Hussain

    Former England captain Nasser Hussain has advised Indian batsmen to learn how to handle pace and swing from Babar Azam and Kane Williams.
    He gave the remarks after India’s 209-run defeat against Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

    In an interview with a sports channel, Hussain expressed disappointment with the batting performance of the Indian team and suggested that their top-order batsmen should observe the techniques employed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson when facing the seam and swing ball.

    He mentioned that Babar and Williamson exhibit patience by playing the swing ball late, which is a valuable lesson for Indian batsmen.

    Renowned Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar also criticized Virat Kohli’s shot selection, questioning his technique despite scoring over 70 centuries.

    Gavaskar pointed out that Kohli often plays the out-swinger too far ahead of the off-stump, resulting in poor shot selection and a compromised head position.

    Gavaskar emphasized that such non-serious shots may be acceptable when the team is in a winning position, but during crucial moments, when a century is required, Kohli should refrain from rushing to play the out-swinger, particularly with three slips waiting to capitalize on any mistakes.

  • Budget, May 9 top agendas during PM-COAS meeting

    Budget, May 9 top agendas during PM-COAS meeting

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday at PM house, right after the presentation of the federal budget, DAWN has reported.

    The National Assembly later passed a resolution right after the meeting that demands instant prosecution of the miscreants involved in the May 9 attack on state and military installations under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.

    No communication about the meeting has been released but according to sources close to the Prime Minister, he did meet the COAS.

    Reportedly, the Geberal said that there will be no mercy for the planners, instigators and motivators involved in the May 9 riots and their cases will be tried under the Army Act. The meeting between the PM and COAS is also considered important in the backdrop of the recent fiscal budget presentation.

    In a tweet, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said, despite the domestic and global obstacles, budget 2023-2024 promises to turn things around and shape an unobstructed path for the country.

  • ‘Mission Majnu agaya’: Pakistani Twitter users roast economics professor for spreading fake news

    ‘Mission Majnu agaya’: Pakistani Twitter users roast economics professor for spreading fake news

    Mission Majnu Part 2 shuru?

    Yehi tou lagta hai Steve Hanke babu ko, who took to Twitter to share a video of smoke rising from a building, claiming that it was a nuclear power plant in Karachi, and then proceeded to blame authorities for not taking the matter seriously.

    We would also like to point out that Steve Hank is a professor of Economics at the very prestigious John Hopkins. A professor of his stature is expected to share only the truth.

    https://twitter.com/steve_hanke/status/1668329656087629824?s=20

    Except, its not true. The video, from 12th June, is not of a nuclear power plant blast but its from a fire at a grid station in DHA, which left residents without light for hours.

    But if Pakistanis are good at anything, it is making memes to roast others. And we got some hilarious responses.

    Quick someone fly Sidharth Malhotra to Karachi!

    Mission Majnu say fact checking seekhien sir!

    https://twitter.com/legsidehack/status/1668497941256888327?s=20
    https://twitter.com/SeaweeedBrain_/status/1668353773326983180?s=20

  • Inventory shortage forces Pak Suzuki to extend motorcycle plant shutdown

    Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) has officially announced the extension of the shutdown of its motorcycle plant until June 16, 2023. The decision was conveyed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) through a notice on Tuesday. The company attributed this action to ongoing government restrictions on imports, which have negatively impacted the automotive industry and resulted in a shortage of inventory.

    The notice stated, “Due to shortage of inventory level, the management of the company has decided to shut down motorcycle plant from June 12, 2023 to June 16, 2023.” However, the automobile plant will continue its operations as usual.

    Previously, PSMC had temporarily closed its motorcycle plant until June 10, 2023, due to a shortage of raw materials. Furthermore, both the automobile and motorcycle plants had experienced a shutdown from May 2 to May 9. Similarly, the automobile plant underwent closure from April 7 to April 28.

    As an assembler, manufacturer, and marketer of Suzuki cars, pickups, vans, 4x4s, motorcycles, and related spare parts, PSMC plays a crucial role in the automotive sector. The Suzuki brand, originating from Japan, holds prominence in the company’s product lineup.

    Earlier in April, PSMC reported its highest-ever quarterly loss of Rs12.9 billion for the first quarter of 2023. The decline in sales and substantial finance costs were cited as contributing factors. In comparison, the company had incurred a loss of Rs460.227 million during the same period last year.

    The auto industry in Pakistan is currently grappling with numerous challenges. Indus Motor Company Limited and Honda Atlas Cars, two other prominent listed companies, have also halted production in recent months due to economic hardships.

    The country’s auto sector heavily relies on imports, making it particularly vulnerable to the government’s import restrictions and the tightening of Letters of Credit iissuance. Furthermore, soaring finance costs and significant increases in car prices have dampened consumer demand.

  • ‘The beauty of humanity’: Adnan Siddiqui recalls kindness of stranger during Maat shooting

    ‘The beauty of humanity’: Adnan Siddiqui recalls kindness of stranger during Maat shooting

    The Pakistani drama ‘Maat’ aired over eleven years ago and featured a thrilling love triangle between two sisters Aiman (played by Amina Sheikh) and Saman (played by Saba Qamar) who fall in love with the same man, Faisal (played by Adnan Siddifiqui).

    Faisal first proposes for Saman’s hand in marriage, but after her rejection, he turns to Aiman. Watching Aiman and Faisal happy drives Saman to jealousy and she begins to plot the downfall of her sister.

    Years after the serial aired, Siddiqui took to Instagram to share a sweet memory of meeting a neighbor who lived next to the house where the drama was shot, and how an accidental encounter led to a memorable dinner, which the actor still remembers years on.

    The actor shared that once when he was heading back to the set after fearing he lost his wallet, he spotted the late Mr. Maroof pacing around worried because no one had visited him for dinner. The neighbor requested Siddiqui to join him for dinner, which the actor recalled was an incredibly memorable experience:

    “In that moment, I was struck by the extraordinary character and values that Maroof sahib embodied. Though he had limited means, his heart overflowed with generosity. His insistence on sharing his modest meal revealed a profound philosophy of life—one that emphasises the importance of giving, sharing, and finding fulfillment in serving others.”

    The experience taught him that true wealth is never about how much money we have, but how much we care.

    Read his complete statement below: