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  • TTP member attacks Govt contractor’s house after refusal to pay 15 million ransom

    TTP member attacks Govt contractor’s house after refusal to pay 15 million ransom

    A government contractor in Rawalpindi refused to pay the demanded ransom of Rs 15 million to a member of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mohammad Asghar reports for Dawn. The terrorist then allegedly assaulted his home with a cracker at Dhoke Lakhan in the Dhamial neighbourhood.

    Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) joined the police in their investigation of the incident after a first information report (FIR) was filed with them on Tuesday.
    Mohammad Nisar, a government contractor and inhabitant of Dhoke Lakhan Chakri Road, filed a police report claiming that on October 7, 2022, he received a voicemail identifying the caller as a TTP official and demanding a ransom of Rs15 million.

    Nisar had been working as a government contractor for the last 20 years.

    He claimed that after the man failed to respond to his message, he resorted to his brother Mushtaq Ali’s cellphone and left him a voicemail asking him to show it to his brother.

    He continued by saying that on December 28, 2022, at 4am, he heard an explosion outside his house while sleeping inside, while his wife and kids had left for their village.

    He said in the FIR that he went to his house’s rooftop to investigate the incident but was unable to see anything because of the darkness. He went back to sleep. The suspect was heard telling his brother that he had given him a glimpse the previous night in a second voice message that was left for him the next day.
    After that, he proceeded to his home’s rooftop where he discovered cracker fragments that had exploded on the compound wall of the roof.

  • Sajjad Ali posts clarification after fans claim Bollywood copied his song ‘Ab Ke Hum Bicharay’

    Sajjad Ali posts clarification after fans claim Bollywood copied his song ‘Ab Ke Hum Bicharay’

    Singer Sajjad Ali clarified to his fans that he was not pointing fingers or accusing anyone of plagiarising his song ‘Ab Ke Hum Bicharay’ in the Bollywood number ‘Besharam Rang’. A few days ago, the singer had posted a clip on Instagram where he said that he had been listening to some new music a few days ago, and which had reminded him of an old song of his.

    On Tuesday, Sajjad Ali posted a video where he said that he was not pointing fingers at any artist or song and had not claimed that they had copied his song.

    “After watching my previous video, many people started saying that ‘Sajjad Ali is claiming his song has been copied’. First of all, when did I even say this? Please see the clip again and observe how I never uttered any singer’s name, never called out any song, music director or even actor,” the veteran singer said.

    Ali revealed that the reason why he had made the video because the tune of that song had been similar to his own music.

    “I actually said that I was reminded of Ab Ke Hum Bichare while listening to some of the latest music in cinema. Why did it remind me of my song? Because 80% of the tunes made on raag bhairavi sound pretty similar to each other. I have also curated multiple songs on the same raag, therefore the tunes reminded me of them.”
    Ali further explained that he didn’t need to indulge in theatrics to gain fame, as many of the critics were pointing out.

    “To the people who are suggesting that I made such statements to gain fame, I’ll remind everyone that, Alhamdulillah, I am already pretty popular and don’t need to perform any theatrics to gain attention. I have many fans and never get involved in controversies because I always mind my own business. When many of my songs were actually copied in the 90s, I never made any public claims and hopefully I will do the same in the future.”

    Sajjad Ali concluded the video by requesting his followers to educate themselves on the matter before spreading rumors.

    “The problem is we don’t understand these technicalities of music because we have the passion for arts but lack the required knowledge of it. So, please my fellow brothers, when you don’t have an understanding of a topic, don’t go on to pass such comments.”

    You can listen to his full statement below.

  • Why did Julia Roberts convert to Hinduism?

    Why did Julia Roberts convert to Hinduism?

    The ‘Pretty Woman’ of Hollywood, Julia Roberts visited India back in 2009 for the shoot of the film, Eat Pray Love, and that is when things changed for her as she got fascinated by the culture.

    The Oscar-winning was born to a Catholic mother and a Baptist father. Back in 2010, Roberts made a significant lifestyle change that made the headlines. After shooting her film, the actress became a practicing Hindu. In an interview with Elle, she admitted to it and also mentioned that her husband and their three children go to temples to “chant, pray and celebrate”.

    Celebrity Photos Posters Julia Roberts Hot in shoulder-less dress Photo - CL2552 | eBay

    In the Good Morning America show, Julia Roberts spoke about what intrigued her to take such a massive step as she said, “I practiced. I practice a lot of things. Hinduism is something that I’m very intrigued by and very interested in.”

    Julia Roberts now a 'practicing Hindu': Actress converts to religion while filming 'Eat, Pray, Love' – New York Daily News

    As per reports, her interest in this religion started after encountering the photograph of a Hindu Guru. Roberts revealed in an interview, “I was drawn to this picture of this person, and I didn’t know who he was or what he was about, but I felt a very strong interest. That’s the way things come into our lives. They’re not these big, great, crashing moments. It’s just the little like, ‘Hmm, what is this about?’”.

  • TTP directly threatens PM Shehbaz and FM Bilawal

    The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has announced that it is considering taking concrete steps against the two major parties of the current ruling coalition— the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    In a notification, released on Wednesday, TTP claimed that the whole world is aware that the “Jihadi field of TTP is only Pakistan and their target is the security agencies occupying the country.”

    The banned organisation has also mentioned the names of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as both of them have talked against TTP and warned the terrorists.

    The notification further reads that it has not taken action against any political party for a long time but “unfortunately Bilawal gave the United States (US) the status of mother to quench the thirst of his mother’s love”, adding that by doing so “he openly declared war against TTP”.

    “Although Bilawal is still young, this poor man has not yet witnessed the state of war,” the statement added.

    The TTP further said that Sharif has also “pushed the whole party into this war going against TTP for the sake of pleasing the US”.

    A statement issued by the TTP said that “if these two parties remain firm on their position and continue to be slaves of the army, then action will be taken against their leading people.”

    The statement by TTP comes just a day after FM Bilawal’s comment that the incumbent government would quit “the policy of appeasement” of terrorists, unlike the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Moreover, PM Shehbaz earlier this week had chaired a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in which it was decided that Pakistan would adopt a zero tolerance policy against terrorism.

    In November, the TTP announced that they have called off a ceasefire with the federal government and since then they have been attacking across the country.

  • ‘Support us to stop child abuse on 5th Jan’: Nadia Jamil urges followers

    ‘Support us to stop child abuse on 5th Jan’: Nadia Jamil urges followers

    Actress Nadia Jamil has been at the forefront of demanding better conditions for orphaned children, providing a prominent voice for children who are sold into begging or prostitution. Today, the actress used her Twitter platform to remind followers that on January 5, a protest would be held on Liberty Roundabout in Lahore at 11 am to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and neglect. Her post read:

    “Tomorrow is #Jan5th Please tag as many Lahores as you can,2 ask them 2 show up @ Liberty Market Roundabout @ 11am. We are walking 2 #SayNoToChildAbuse Be part of the solution. Silence encourages the crime! Give a voice 2 children who have no voice. Step out of your comfort zone.”

    The actress has consistently used her social media platform to educate her followers on the rights of children, especially spreading awareness on how important it is for parents to take mental assesment and therapy before choosing to have children.

    Jamil also explained that her desire to spread awareness on child sexual abuse and encourage better policies towards protection of children was due to her own experience of facing sexual abuse as a child. She wrote that she hopes to be more responsible and take care of children around her.

    Nadia Jamil had spoken up about suffering from sexual abuse as a child when in a Twitter post, she shared how it had taken two years for her to fight the depression and sadness she had felt after the experience, but now was healed and thriving.

  • Is marriage on the cards for Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia?

    Is marriage on the cards for Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia?

    Love is brewing between Bollywood actors Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia, as the duo was spotted indulging in PDA on their Goa vacation during the New Year’s evening. Videos of them ringing in the New Year with kisses are going viral on social media.

    For the New Year’s Eve 2023 party, Tamannaah wore a pink dress, whereas Vijay donned a white shirt and pants. The duo clicked pictures with fans too. In viral videos, people were doing a countdown to midnight to celebrate the New Year wherein Vijay and Tamannaah gave each other a kiss.

    Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma caught kissing in Goa on New Year's Eve; videos go viral of the new rumoured couple

    The two of them have been seen together on several occasions. They attended last year’s Vogue India fashion event, were seen at Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in October, and event at the cinemas watching a film together.

    While the Indian media is abuzz with their potential wedding in 2023, other media reports suggest that they will take more time before they take their relationship to the next level.

    The couple was spotted

    Tamannaah and Vijay Varma return to Mumbai after partying in Goa. Watch - India Today

    Meanwhile, on the work front, Vijay will next star in The Devotion Of Suspect with Kareena Kapoor Khan while Tamannaah will be seen in Bholaa Shankar.

  • Fact Check: Naseem Vicky, Qaiser Piya injured in car accident?

    Fact Check: Naseem Vicky, Qaiser Piya injured in car accident?

    Veteran comedians Naseem Vicky and Qaiser Piya narrowly escaped a car accident. They were reportedly on their way to Faisalabad to perform in a theatre show. The artists avoided the mishap but advised their fans to refrain from traveling in foggy weather.

    Although some social media handles falsely reported that the artists got injured, the comedian duo is safe and sound.

    On the work front, Vicky was recently seen in Kaaf Kangana, Shotcut, Phatte Dinde Chak Punjabi, and Maa Da Ladla.

    Meet Family Of Famous Stage And Comedy Artist Naseem Vicky – Health Fashion

    He also performed on The Kapil Sharma Show. 

    Qaiser, on the other hand, was seen in films including Load Wedding and Maa Da Ladla. 

    He was also seen in the comedy show Mazaaq Raat.

  • Yasir Hussain opens up about his controversial remark, ‘Naumaan Ijaz should quit acting’

    Yasir Hussain opens up about his controversial remark, ‘Naumaan Ijaz should quit acting’

    Actor Yasir Hussain recently made an appearance on Hasna Mana Hai hosted by Tabish Hashmi. On being asked for clarification about his statement that senior actor Naumaan Ijaz should quit acting.

    The Aik Thi Laila star clarified that once he was talking to Naumaan Ijaz about how hosts ask guests questions like who should leave acting and he just does not want to name anybody. To this, the Raqeeb Se star told Yasir that he can take his name whenever such a question pops up. Ijaz also assured him that he wouldn’t be offended and that is why Yasir took Naumaan Ijaz’s name.

    Last year when Hussain was featured in an episode of The Talk Talk Show, hosted by Hassan Choudary, he revealed that he doesn’t want to work with Ahsan Khan.

    He said, “I suppose Ahsan Khan finds me dull. Please do ask him why he finds working with me boring.” He claims that I am uninteresting, despite the fact that I am fond of him.

    In 2017, Ahsan called out Yasir for his joke about his role in Udaari, while recording an award show skit.

    “I worked very hard in Udaari, I risked my career by playing the role of a child molester, just so the entire team of Udaari could spread awareness about it. So at the HUM awards, when Yasir Hussain made that remark I honestly felt bad, more so at the audience from the educated class that was laughing with him.”

    Ahsan Khan Biography, Dramas, Movies, Height, Age, Family, Net Worth

    He further added, “The character of Imtiaz is not a joke. Ehtesham worked so hard on this project and you cannot just associate the sensitivity of the topic with a joke. But as hurt as I was, one thing I would like to say is that Yasir called me to apologize and he has also issued a public apology.

    However later the two bonded on Ahsan’s chat show.

    yasi

    Earlier this year, Yasir opened up about his spat with actress Hira Tareen on Wajahat Rauf’s chat show. The Jhooti star was asked about actress Hira Tareen’s statement recently about him and his craft, Yasir said that he doesn’t even know her at all.

    The Koel director stated that all he knows about her is that she is his friend’s spouse and even if she abuses him on the road, he’ll not react.

    In November 2021, the celebrity couple Ali Safina and Hira Tareen, who tied the knot back in 2013, made an appearance on Time Out on Ahsan Khan.

    Ali Safina Biography – Age – Education – Wife in 2021 | Biography, Education, Wife

    The Khaas star declared her dislikeness for actor and writer Yasir Hussain.

    She mentioned that she doesn’t like Yasir’s acting skills at all, adding that he lacks basic manners (tameez), “It’s about how you talk to people”.

  • US extends support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself from terrorism

    The United States of America (USA) has extended its support to Pakistan’s stance against escalating terrorism in the country.

    In a press briefing, spokesperson for the State Department, Ned Price, said, “The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism.”

    He said that the [Afghan] Taliban must uphold the commitment they made that their soil would never be used as a launchpad for international terrorist attacks.

    Price also said that the US is aware of the recent statement by the Pakistani National Security Committee (NSC).

    Earlier this week, the NSC expressed firm resolve to crush terrorist groups operating against Pakistan. The second round of the NSC meeting reiterated a “zero tolerance” policy for terrorism in the country,

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said that Pakistan would adopt the policy of zero-tolerance against terrorists.

  • Govt retrieves precious property worth Rs23 billion from illegal occupants

    Govt retrieves precious property worth Rs23 billion from illegal occupants

    The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has retrieved more than 3,500 acres of property worth Rs23 billion from illegal occupants, along with Rs650 million in rent arrears.

    This was revealed during the press conference alongside the ETPB chairman by Dr Shoaib Suddle, the chairman of the One Man Commission, according to The News. He claimed that in accordance with the Supreme Court’s instructions, a forensic audit of the trust board was carried out. Based on the audit’s findings, a plan of action was decided with the help of the ETPB and FIA.

    He said that the department’s revenue will increase as a result of the chairman board’s use of contemporary systems including the online billing system, complaints, geo-tagging, and e-office.

    The department had disposed of valuable trust land/property worth billions of rupees with the aid of FIA, the biggest undertaking in the board’s history to date, the ETPB chairman told the media representatives.

    In response to a query, he stated that various review sessions are held with the Trust Board and the FIA in accordance with the directives of the One-Man Commission, during which the action plan is formally implemented. Temples and Gurdwaras that are still in use have been renovated, and security measures have been improved.