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  • ‘He made my life hell’: Jacqueline Fernandez slams criminal ex-boyfriend Sukesh Chandrashekhar

    ‘He made my life hell’: Jacqueline Fernandez slams criminal ex-boyfriend Sukesh Chandrashekhar

    Bollywood actresses Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi have recorded fresh statements to Delhi’s Patiala House Court with regard to their alleged involvement in the conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s INR 200 crore exhortation case.

    The actresses have made some shocking allegations against the conman and revealed how he introduced himself and all promises he made during their alleged relationship with him.

    The conman’s money laundering case has been making headlines for quite some time now. It recently saw names of many other celebs like Nikki Tamboli, Chahatt Khanna, and others emerging.

    Now in a recent development, Nora Fatehi and Jacqueline Fernandez accused the conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar of lying to them. India Today has accessed the actresses’ statements in the extortion case.

    As reported by the portal, Nora Fatehi said in a statement, “Many actresses are dying to be taken care of by Sukesh. Initially, I did not know who Sukesh was. Later, I thought he used to work at a company called LS Corporation. I neither had any personal contact nor did I ever have any conversations with him. I had no clue about this and I never met him. The only time I saw him was when the ED confronted me with him at its office.”

    While Jacqueline Fernandez said in her testimony that Sukesh Chandrashekhar “played with my emotions and made my life hell.” She said, “Sukesh misled me, and ruined my career and my livelihood. “Pinky Irani (the woman who introduced the actor to the conman) convinced my makeup artist, Shaan Muthathil, that he (Chandrashekhar) was an important official from the Home Ministry.”

    Jacqueline further said, “He introduced himself as the owner of Sun TV and claimed J Jayalalitha was his aunt. Chandrashekhar said he was a big fan, and said I should do films in South India too, and as the owner of Sun TV, they had many projects lined up. We should try to work together in south Indian movies. He never mentioned he was calling from jail or that he was in jail. He used to call from one corner with a curtain and a sofa in the background.”

    “He did not contact me after August 8, 2021, and I later got to know he was arrested for impersonating senior government officials of the Home Ministry and the law ministry. Pinky Irani always had an intention of cheating me. I was fooled by Shekhar (the name used by the conman to interact with the actor). At the time I got to know about Shekhar’s criminal background, I got to know that his real name is Sukesh. Pinky was aware of Shekhar’s activity and background. But she never disclosed this to me.”

    Last year, ED’s first chargesheet mentioned that Chandrashekar gave Fernandez gifts worth over INR 5 crore from the sum he swindled. It has named the actor as an accused, alleging that she was aware that the gifts were bought from the proceeds of the crime. 

    “Sukesh Chandrasekhar had given various gifts worth INR 5.71 crore to Jacqueline Fernandez from the proceeds of crime generated by criminal activities including extortion. “Chandrasekhar had put Pinky Irani, his long-time associate, and co-accused in this case to deliver the said gifts to her,” the ED had then said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, Jacqueline’s pictures with the conman got leaked, she shared a long note on her Instagram account and requested the media and her fans to not circulate her intimate pictures with Sukesh.

    Jacqueline Fernandez

    She wrote, “This country and its people have always given me tremendous love and respect. This includes my friends from the media, from whom I have learned a lot. I am currently going through a rough patch but I am sure that my friends and fans will see me through it. It is with this trust that I would request my media friends to not circulate images of a nature that intrude my privacy and personal space. You would not do this to your own loved ones, am sure you would not do this to me either. Hoping that justice and good sense prevails. Thank you.”

    Chandrashekhar had claimed that he was in a relationship with the actress. Sukesh is a Bengaluru inhabitant who is currently the subject of 15 FIRs. He was previously accused of defrauding people in Bengaluru and Chennai out of numerous crores. He is currently detained in Tihar Jail in Delhi.

  • Athiya Shetty, KL Rahul tie the knot

    Athiya Shetty, KL Rahul tie the knot

    After much media speculation, Indian cricketer KL Rahul and Bollywood actor Athiya Shetty tied the knot today in an intimate ceremony held at her father, Suniel Shetty’s Khandala farmhouse on Monday.

    Putting an end to fans’ wait, the couple took to Instagram to share the first photos as husband and wife. Safe to say, the newlyweds radiated an unmissable glow and happiness in the pictures.

    “Today, with our most loved ones, we got married in the home that’s given us immense joy and serenity. With a heart full of gratitude and love, we seek your blessings on this journey of togetherness,” they captioned the post, along with a quote saying, “In your light, I learn how to love…”

    For the nuptials, Athiya wore a blush pink chikankari lehenga by designer Anamika Khanna, featuring floral embellishments and embroidery all over. It was paired with a matching full-sleeved blouse featuring a sweetheart neckline and an uneven hemline, along with a semi-sheer dupatta. To accessorise the look, the bride opted for a heavy stone-studded choker with matching dangling earrings, a maang tikka, and dainty kaleerey. Athiya kept it minimal with her makeup to let the bridal glow do the talking.

    Rahul, on the other hand, complemented Athiya in an ivory sherwani, also by Khanna, complete with an embroidered long overcoat and a dupatta worn around his neck. His wedding look was completed with a layered emerald neckpiece.

    Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul tie the knot, Suniel Shetty says 'have become a father-in-law officially' | Entertainment News,The Indian Express

    Also spotted were the bride’s family members – father Suneil and brother Ahan – who made heads turn in ethnic ensembles. While Suneil wore a chocolate-brown kurta-dhoti set with a layered stone-studded neckpiece and brown flats, Ahan kept it dapper in a white sherwani set complete with a matching long coat and brown juttis.

    KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty Wedding Date, Venue, Age Gap, Love Story & All You Need to Know - JanBharat Times

    Reportedly, KL Rahul and Athiya first started dating in 2019 after being set up by one of their common friends. The same year, they seemingly made their relationship Instagram official, sending the internet into a frenzy. They also went to visit Thailand to ring in the New Year 2020 together.

    Also, despite the couple keeping it low-key, their mushy social media pictures and several pap spottings were enough to make the fans root for them. Of late, Athiya can be seen accompanying Rahul to his overseas tours and the Shettys are often spotted enthusiastically cheering for the cricketer from the stands.

  • Iffat Omar reveals the cosmetic treatments she gets to look younger

    Iffat Omar reveals the cosmetic treatments she gets to look younger

    Actor Iffat Omar recently appeared on a podcast with Mansoor Ali Khan, where she discussed her fitness, youth, and medical procedures.

    “Nowadays, a lot of things are available, women are aware, and they look after themselves,” she said of her fitness. There is a lot of help available from doctors, lasers, skin tightening, and other procedures are available to make you younger, these are our tools and we should use them, I talk about these procedures so that girls and people know that we look good after a lot of treatments and help, there are a lot of treatments available for people like lasers, thread lift, you must take all of these treatments once a year if you want to look good. I get them because it’s my investment; I work in this industry, so I spend money on myself, and I don’t hide my procedures; instead, I opt for more natural-looking procedures. Fillers change you, select treatment wisely”.

    Last year Iffat opened up about having cosmetic fillers. A user commented under the Aangan star’s post saying that her “filler looks a little extra,” to which the Dour diva replied by saying, “No fillers my lips look more prominent since I lost weight. I look after myself and very rarely had fillers.”

    Last year a netizen commented under her picture, “Auntie hands nadia hussain kay pass lay jain.”

    To which the Aangan star replied, “beta 50 saal ki ho rahi hun Feb me ab haath aisey hi hongay, app na dekho agr takleef hoti hai.”

  • Najam Sethi appoints Haroon Rasheed as the new chief selector of Pakistan men’s cricket team

    Najam Sethi appoints Haroon Rasheed as the new chief selector of Pakistan men’s cricket team

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management committee Najam Sethi on Monday announced the appointment of men’s national team chief selector, Haroon Rasheed, who is a former Test cricketer.

    Haroon represented Pakistan in 23 Tests and 12 ODIs and was also a member of Shahid Afridi-led selection committee appointed only for the home series against New Zealand.

    Haroon Rasheed also served as national men’s team chief selector in 2015 World Cup. He was also the manager of the Pakistan Cricket Team from 2003 to 2005.

    In a press conference, Najam Sethi said, “I think Haroon is the best man for this job. I have worked with him. He is a competent individual and I have given him a free hand to make his team and take decisions.”

    PCB reportedly wanted Afridi to continue as the chief selector; however, the former all-rounder refused a permanent role, citing personal commitments.

  • Rao Anwar and all accused acquitted of Naqeebullah’s murder

    Former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwar and 17 other police officers have been acquitted in the high-profile Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case.

    Naqeebullah, a young aspiring fashion model from Waziristan, was killed in Karachi on January 13, 2018, during an encounter allegedly staged by Anwar. Rao and his colleagues were charged with the killing of Naqeeb and three others after falsely accusing them of being militants linked to ISIS and Taliban.

    On Monday, the court said that the prosecution had failed to submit sufficient evidence and failed to prove that the victims were kidnapped and murdered in a fake encounter by Rao Anwar and his 14 subordinate officials. However, a detailed verdict in the case is awaited.

    Speaking to Geo TV after the acquittal, Anwar said that “fake allegations” against him had been proven wrong.

    He claimed that the person killed was a “wanted terrorist” whose name was Naseemullah and not Naqeebullah. “He was a wanted militant about which advertisements were also given in the media,” he said.

    When asked whether he would like to rejoin the police force, the former police official said one year of his service is left and he “would like to serve Karachi”.

    Following the verdict, lawyer Jibran Nasir who is representing the case of Naqeebullah said the victim’s family would appeal this judgement before the high court.

  • Fact Check: No, the person with Gen Bajwa is not Mohsin Naqvi

    Claim: Former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari took to Twitter and posted a picture of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and said that the person standing next to him was the newly appointed caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi.

    Taking to Twitter, Mazari said, “Election Commission never disappoints viz its partisan approach. Selects Mohsin Naqvi as caretaker CM Punjab, seen here on a recent Emirates flight to Dubai with General retd Bajwa. Assume his credentials below carried by a dark cloud seem to have impressed the ECP!”

    She shared the picture of Gen Bajwa standing with a man in a plane, whom she called Naqvi. She also shared another template which has Mohsin Naqvi’s picture, which stated that Naqvi was an important person during the regime change of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, he runs a news channel without license that spreads fake news for blackmailing, and that he is the front man for all of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari’s illegal work.

    According to senior journalist Hamid Mir, the person in the picture is not Mohsin Naqvi but a lawyer, Zahid Jameel.

    Mir tweeted that Mazari should stop spreading disinformation. “First of all this Bajwa was given extension by the great @ImranKhanPTI in 2019 and the whole political elite including PTI, PML-N and PPP were on one page , secondly the person in the picture is not Mohsin Naqvi but a lawyer Zahid Jameel.”

    Verdict: FALSE

  • Journalist who was allegedly involved in Gen Bajwa’s tax data leak returns home

    Journalist who was allegedly involved in Gen Bajwa’s tax data leak returns home

    Senior investigative journalist Shahid Aslam took to Twitter to announce his release from the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for his alleged part in leaking the personal tax data of former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    In a series of tweets, he thanked his colleagues within the media community.

    He said, “Thanks everybody including the media community particularly @UmarCheema1 @AzazSyed @matiullahjan911 @Fahdshehbazkhan @AmirZia1 @AnsarAAbbasi @AsadAToor and my lawyer @MianAliAshfaq for the unprecedented support on my illegal arrest by @FIA_Agency and those who had ordered.”

    After Aslam’s arrest, many journalists came forward for his defence.

    On January 18, the Islamabad sessions court granted bail to him after being in custody for four days.

    On January 14, Aslam was sent on a two-day physical remand to FIA over his alleged involvement in this matter.

    ‘Dehshatgardon ki tarhaan mujhe uthwaya hai’; journalist who was allegedly involved in Gen Bajwa’s tax data leak lashes out

    Bol News journalist Shahid Aslam, talking to the media, has categorically said that he has nothing to do with former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tax data leak.

    The journalist directly blamed Director General (DG) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Mohsin Butt for picking him up from his house “like a terrorist”. According to him, 20-25 men were sent to pick him up.

    “They [FIA] have mentally tortured me”, Aslam said.

    Aslam alleged that Mohsin Butt was given orders from higher up that he had to bring the journalist in.

    On Monday, a local court in Islamabad sent Aslam to jail on judicial remand.

    Journalist who was allegedly involved in Gen Bajwa’s tax data leak is handed over to FIA

    On Saturday, Aslam was sent to a two-day physical remand to FIA over his alleged involvement in this matter.

    Judicial Magistrate Umar Shabbir of the District and Sessions court announced the decision to hand over the journalist to the agency. During the proceedings, the reporter denied all charges against him, saying that there is no evidence against him.

    However, the prosecutor said the proof is in Aslam’s mobile phone and laptop, which he is not providing to the investigators. He claimed the journalist played the role of “facilitator” in the leak.

    Earlier that day, the agency arrested Aslam from Lahore and produced him in court.

    In November, a report by investigative news website FactFocus accused the army chief and his family of amassing assets worth Rs12.7 billion over the past six years. FactFocus has claimed that after the publication of the story, the traffic on its site was “disrupted” and the website had been “banned”.

    At the time, Finance minister Ishaq Dar had said that the leak was “clearly violative of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides”.

    He also shared that he has received the interim report related to the leak of Gen (retd) Bajwa’s income tax records, adding that the authorities had traced some of the people involved in the act.

  • SBP asks banks to prioritise import of certain essential items to help businesses

    SBP asks banks to prioritise import of certain essential items to help businesses

    In order to help businesses, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday removed the necessity for prior import approval and asked banks to give priority to the importation of certain necessities, including food, medicine, and energy.

    The business community, including various trade bodies and chambers of commerce, has drawn attention to the fact that many shipping containers carrying imported goods are stuck at the ports as a result of delays in the release of shipping documents by banks, according to a statement issued by the SBP on Monday.

    “SBP has advised banks to provide one-time facilitation to all those importers who could either extend their payment terms to 180 days (or beyond) or arrange funds from abroad to settle their pending import payments.”

     “Accordingly, till March 31, 2023, banks have been advised to process and release documents of shipments/ goods that have already arrived at a port in Pakistan or have been shipped on or before January 18, 2023,” said the central bank.

    To avoid any future issues, SBP also suggests that clients notify their banks before beginning any import transaction.

    To the dismay of many importers and firms in Pakistan, who cited these constraints as the reason for closing down or curtailing operations, the SBP restricted imports early this year due to low levels of foreign exchange reserves.

    Last week, the business community of the country harshly criticised the SBP’s role in the issue in light of the difficulty in issuing letters of credit.

  • SBP hikes key interest rate by 100 bps to 17%

    SBP hikes key interest rate by 100 bps to 17%

    The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Monday raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 17 per cent, which is highest since October 1997.

    The MPC of the State Bank convened today with Governor SBP Jameel Ahmad in the chair to announce the first scheduled monetary policy for the calendar year 2023.

    The SBP governor said that the MPC also performed a detailed analysis of the country’s inflation. “The committee believed that a 1 per cent hike [in the interest rate] to anchor inflation was necessary.”

    In November 2022, the MPC raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to a two-decade high of 16 per cent.

    The committee, in its meeting, noted that inflationary pressure was persistent. “It noted that price stability was required to control inflation and maintain the growth rate,” Ahmad said.

    “Our short-term challenges, including current account deficit, remain. There is some delay in the inflows we were expecting due to which our reserves are under pressure.”

    Thirdly, the committee noted the global economic situation, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank’s downgrading of the global economic growth rate and the prevailing uncertainty. “It affects our market directly or indirectly. For example, our exports and remittances are impacted.”

    The Monetary Policy Committee took the decision to raise the policy rate after a detailed analysis of the country’s external and fiscal position, the SBP governor said.

  • PTI decides to take back resignations of remaining MNAs: Asad Umar

    PTI decides to take back resignations of remaining MNAs: Asad Umar

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Asad Umar has said on Monday that 44 party lawmakers have decided to withdraw their resignations from the National Assembly (NA).

    Taking to Twitter, Umar announced that the remaining 44 MNAs of the party, whose resignations are yet to be accepted, have decided to take back their decision to leave the national assembly.

    “An email has been sent to the speaker,” said the PTI leader in his tweet. He also shared the names of the MNAs who have withdrawn their resignations.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said 45 lawmakers had decided to withdraw their resignations so that the party could take back the post of the leader of the Opposition and parliamentary party leader.

    He added that the aim of the move was to get rid of the “fake” NA opposition leader and prevent “turncoats” from voting for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a vote of confidence.

    Following the announcement, the PTI lawmakers staged a sit-in outside the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) headquarters after being barred from entering the speaker’s house.

    However, authorities restricted the MNAs from entering the building by placing barbed wires on the road leading to the ECP.

    The development comes about after the National Assembly Speaker Pervez Ashraf, in a surprise move accepted the resignations of 69 MNAs during the previous week.