Blog

  • Kahaan baarish horehi hai? Apple, why are you doing this to us

    Kahaan baarish horehi hai? Apple, why are you doing this to us

    Despite a pleasant first week, this May is not being kind to Lahoris, with the temperature currently at 42°C which has left us without no option but to stay inside with ACs on 24/7.

    But, this is not the case as per the weather App on our iPhones. According to the application, while all of us are burning in this garmi, a thunderstorm is happening. We have just one question. Where are the rainy clouds?

    Social media users have also taken to Twitter to express their frustration.

    https://twitter.com/Xxrishrana/status/1660516708954828802?s=20

    According to a report, a searing heat wave that gripped parts of South Asia in April this year was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change.

    The climate change-fueled heat caused deaths, widespread hospitalizations, damaged roads, sparked fires and led to school closures in the region.

  • ‘Jhoom’ has intrigued audiences with a fresh take on enemies-to-lovers story

    The highly anticipated drama ‘Jhoom’ hit television screens across the country last week with Zara Noor Abbas and Haroon Kadwani starring as male leads in the exhilarating ‘enemies to lovers story’ between an older woman and a young man.

    Maryam (played by Abbas) is a doctor who has dedicated her life to her younger brother’s upbringing, adopting a ‘take no crap’ attitude from men while working long shifts at the hospital. While Kadwani essays Arryan, a former car engineer who has anger issues that emerged after his mother left his family.

    The first few episodes have released on media platforms and fans are already in love with the chemistry between Abbas and Kadwani, applauding the makers of the show for choosing to tackle age gap marriages while deciding to make their female lead an older and financially independent woman.

    https://twitter.com/apkokiyubataun/status/1659969693330059265?s=20

    https://twitter.com/HourlySyrup/status/1658088975230291969?s=20

    Something Haute founder Aamna Isani called it ‘intriguing’:

    “Two episodes of Jhoom certainly have intrigued me. It’s fresh. And appears to be thought provoking beyond the obvious. #Jhoom.”

    Here’s to hoping that the drama keeps us captivated with a gorgeous story, and hopefully not go down the ‘Tere Bin’ route?

    Finger’s crossed.

  • Imran challenges judicial commission investigating audio leaks

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, has challenged the three-member judicial commission that has been established by the government to look into a spate of audio leaks involving senior judges and the judiciary.

    The former Prime Minister (PM) on Monday moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the formation of the judicial commission. The petition was submitted by Imran Khan’s attorney, Babar Awan.

    In his petition, the PTI leader has said that no judge could be nominated to the judicial commission without the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s approval.

    He further said that the proper forum for any probe or taking action against any judge was the Supreme Judicial Council.

    On Monday, the judicial commission decided to make its proceedings public.

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Aamer Farooq, are part of the commission.

    Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan appeared in the first meeting of the commission.

    Justice Qazi inquired from the attorney general that under which law the government formed the commission.

    The Attorney General said that this commission was formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2016.

    The federal government on Satur­day notified the formation of the commission to probe audio clips leaked on social media over the previous months.

  • Imran Khan given notice to pay Rs1.4 million luxury tax on Zaman Park home

    Imran Khan given notice to pay Rs1.4 million luxury tax on Zaman Park home

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has been sent a notice by the Excise and Taxation Department to pay Rs1.4 million as luxury tax on his Zaman Park residence.

    The last date for paying the tax is Monday, however, the department will serve another notice in case the amount is not paid.

    Imran Khan, who owns the house along with his four sisters, has reportedly received the notice.

    In April, the former Prime Minister was served a notice demanding clearing of Rs3.6 million in luxury tax arrears. In case the notice is not paid, the department reserves the right to approach Election Commission of Pakistan.

  • Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly all set to disclose the hybrid model venue for Asia Cup 2023, with Gadhafi Stadium in Lahore emerging as the most likely host of the first four matches of the tournament.

    Lahore will be the hot favorite city to host because the country’s cricketing board is there and the city hosted the New Zealand series and PSL final for two years straight.

    Only four matches will take place in Lahore before the action shifts to Dubai under the current proposed model.

    As per media reports, Dubai International Stadium is the favorite option for the second venue in which India can play their matches as well as the rest of teams.

    Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however has shown concerns over weather conditions in Dubai and rejected the proposal sent by PCB.

    BCB has reportedly said raised that they have no issues if the whole tournament shifts to Pakistan or even Sri Lanka, but they will not take any risk regarding players health ahead of World Cup 2023.

    PCB is reportedly trying to sort out the issue to ease teams’ concerns about the heat in Dubai, mulling changing the starting time of matches to 4:30 PM to alleviate concerns about player safety.

    India’s BCCI is not expected to raise objections over the 2023 Asia Cup venues given the fact that it will not be sending a team to Pakistan anyways.

    The 2023 Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September with Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh taking part in the tournament.

  • WhatsApp to introduce built-in sticker making tool in new update

    WhatsApp to introduce built-in sticker making tool in new update

    WhatsApp is reportedly working on a sticker making tool that will allow users to create their own stickers for the popular messaging app. The tool is expected to be released in a future update to WhatsApp.

    The sticker making tool will allow users to create stickers from scratch or from existing photos and videos. Users will be able to add text, emojis, and other decorations to their stickers. Once a sticker is created, it can be shared with other WhatsApp users.

    Emojis and Stickers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and WhatsApp is not the only messaging app that offers them. Other popular messaging apps that offer stickers include Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and Snapchat.

    Stickers are a fun and easy way to add personality to your conversations. They can also be used to express emotions that are difficult to convey with text alone. With the upcoming sticker making tool, WhatsApp users will be able to create their own stickers that perfectly reflect their unique personalities.

    The sticker making tool is just one of the many new features that WhatsApp is working on. The company is also reportedly working on a new interface for group chats, as well as a feature that will allow users to send disappearing messages.

    WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. The company is constantly adding new features and improvements to the app in an effort to keep its users engaged. The sticker making tool is just one of the many new features that WhatsApp is working on, and it is sure to be a popular addition to the app.

  • Audio leaks commission to make proceedings public

    Audio leaks commission to make proceedings public

    The three-member judicial commission that was established to look into the audio leaks involving judges and the judiciary has decide to make its proceedings public.

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Aamer Farooq, are part of the commission.

    Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan appeared in the first meeting of the commission.

    Justice Qazi inquired from the attorney general that under which law the government formed the commission.

    The Attorney General said that this commission was formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2016.

  • Pakistan is making desperate efforts to revive IMF programme before deadline

    Pakistan is making desperate efforts to revive IMF programme before deadline

    Pakistan is facing a critical situation as it seeks to revive its stalled Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The $6.5 billion programme is set to expire on June 30, and negotiations for the ninth review, due last November, have not been successful.

    Efforts to reach a Staff Level Agreement (SLA) with the IMF have been ongoing, but disagreements persist regarding the conditions set by the Fund. The SLA must be signed before Pakistan unveils its 2023-24 budget on June 9, or the current programme will fail.

    According to The News, two options are being considered. The first involves signing the SLA immediately, requesting approval from the IMF Executive Board for the next $1 billion tranche, and extending the EFF programme for a few months to complete the 10th and 11th reviews. The second option is to combine the 9th and 10th reviews, share budgetary figures with the IMF, and sign the SLA after the budget announcement. If approved by parliament, the IMF’s Executive Board could then grant an extension for the completion of the 11th Review by July or August 2023.

    However, finding a solution is proving challenging. Maintaining the status quo will not lead to any breakthroughs, and consensus must be reached between Pakistan and the IMF. Political uncertainty, inadequate economic management, and the inability to secure sufficient external financing have hindered progress.

    Without an IMF programme, Pakistan’s options are limited. The risk of default would increase, and reserves would remain weak. Although there are options available, such as striking the SLA in the next few days or combining reviews, they are becoming increasingly difficult. Life without the IMF would require seeking financing from other sources at higher costs.

    It is crucial for Pakistan to resolve its differences with the IMF and secure the continuation of the EFF programme. Failure to do so would have severe consequences for economic stability and future financing prospects.

  • New appointments in Pakistan men’s team selection committee

    New appointments in Pakistan men’s team selection committee

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee has confirmed three new appointments in the men’s team selection committee ahead of two international mega-events, Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.

    These selection committee changes will create an impact on the team’s current performance and the current squad as many changes in the squad are expected upon the arrival of director Mickey Arthur.

    The new selection committee comprises Haroon Rashid (chair), Hassan Cheema (selection committee secretary and manager analytics and team strategy for national men’s side), Mickey Arthur (national men’s team’s director), and Grant Bradburn (national men’s team’s head coach).

    Mickey Arthur previously served Pakistan as head coach in Champion’s Trophy 2017, which Pakistan won and in the 2019 World Cup.

    The presence of Cheema, who has worked as strategy manager and data analyst in franchise cricket around the world, Arthur, and Bradburn will aid in strategising for the ipcoming series, enhance the bench strength and provide a proper pathway to performing players in Shaheens and U19 sides to graduate to the national side.

    The first task of the selection committee is to name the players for the fast and spin bowling camps next month in Lahore, which will be announced in due course.

  • Imran Khan suspects he can be arrested on Tuesday

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he might get arrested again when he appears before a court in Islamabad on Tuesday.

    “On Tuesday, I’m going to appear before court in Islamabad for various bails and there are 80% chances that I will be arrested,” Imran said that while speaking to Fareed Zakaria on CNN.

    “Everything is being done just to dismantle our democracy, so right now, as we speak, over 10,000 workers have been arrested. My entire senior leadership is in jail,” he added.

    Imran Khan further said that the government is taking such actions against him because they fear they would lose upcoming elections.