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  • Pakistan aims to build $8.2 billion rail link with Uzbekistan

    Pakistan aims to build $8.2 billion rail link with Uzbekistan

    Pakistan plans to build a rail link with Uzbekistan in an attempt to expand relations with Central Asian states. The project will roughly cost $8.2 billion.

    The decision to build the rail link was disclosed in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Railways which was held at the Old PIPS Hall in the Parliament Lodges, reports SAMAA.

    The meeting was chaired by Senator Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi. The meeting was attended by Senator Dost Muhammad, Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, Railways Ministry Secretary Zafar Ranjha, and other concerned officers.

    During the meeting, Ranjha said that the government is deliberating on an Afghan Transit project which will link Pakistan with Uzbekistan.

    Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan, Oybek Usmanov met with Finance minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Saturday. During the meeting, he apprised the Uzbek Ambassador of the potential investment avenues in Pakistan.

    The Uzbek ambassador expressed the Uzbek government’s strong desire to improve trade, investment, and business relations with Pakistan on a variety of fronts.

  • ‘Wild’: Neetu Kapoor calls out blogger for comparing her with Disha Patani

    ‘Wild’: Neetu Kapoor calls out blogger for comparing her with Disha Patani

    Veteran Bollywood actor Neetu Kapoor’s outfit appeared in an online poll on an Instagram page, Diet Sabya in which she was being compared to Disha Patani.

    Taking to her Instagram stories, Neetu shared the screenshot of the online poll that featured her and Disha together. While she was seen wearing a pink traditional salwar and kameez with a pink draped dupatta, Disha wore a black two-piece.

    Above their photos, their designer’s names were also mentioned. Disha’s outfit was styled by Aastha Sharma and Neetu’s attire was designed by Mohit Rai. Criticizing the fashion poll, Neetu wrote, “You guys are wild comparing me to a kid.” She also added a grimacing face and a monkey covering its eyes emojis in her caption.

    Neetu Kapoor reacts to getting compared with Disha Patani | Hindi Movie News - Times of India

    Soon after Neetu’s reaction, the Instagram account shared another poll featuring her with Neena Gupta. While Neetu’s outfit remained the same, Neena wore a white sari with a black blouse.

    Neetu Kapoor reacts as Diet Sabya compares her style to Disha Patani | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
  • Mahira Khan reveals her most special scene with Shah Rukh Khan

    Mahira Khan reveals her most special scene with Shah Rukh Khan

    Superstar Mahira Khan has spilled the beans on her career, co-stars, and more in an ‘Ask Mahira’ session on Twitter. 

    The Bin Roye diva was asked about a scene that she would like to recreate with her Bollywood debut, Raees co-star Shah Rukh Khan from their hit film. Khan cited a still from the song Zalima and wrote, “This! ;)”

    The still featured Mahira and Shah Rukh in a lovey-dovey zone. Raees was released in January 2017 and entered the 100-crore club.

    When a fan asked what her journey from Khirad Hussain to Mukkho Jatti has been like, she quipped, “Long but magical! Pakki pakki mashooq hoon!”

    The Legend of Maula Jatt star even revealed that while she may not immediately return for another TV serial after Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay, there is something “special” in store for her fans — a series perhaps — “who knows?” she teased.

    Mahira also confessed that while she’s still trying to figure out where all the love — love one doesn’t know they’re even capable of showing — is supposed to go when a dear one leaves, she believes in connecting with herself and the creator. “I’m feeling low and I miss my Twitter family. So should we do an ‘Ask Mahira’? she initiated on the micro-blogging site on Saturday evening.

    When a user asked what makes a social media detox difficult, Mahira replied, “Only you guys, absolutely nothing else!” Another inquired, “When are we getting the first look of Neelofar?” Mahira answered, “Was meant to be soonish. InshaAllah. Producer sahab decides. I’ve seen it and…” she completed her sentence with some wholesome emojis.

  • ECP sends notice for removal of Imran Khan as chairman of PTI: reports

    ECP sends notice for removal of Imran Khan as chairman of PTI: reports

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has formally initiated proceedings against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference, reports Samaa News.

    According to media reports, the election body has sent a notice for the removal of Imran Khan as the chairman of PTI.

    The former prime minister was disqualified from his Mianwali seat in the Toshakhana reference.

    “The respondent has intentionally and deliberately violated the provisions contained Section 137,167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, who has made false Statement and incorrect declaration before the Commission in the statement of assets and liabilities filed by him for the year 2020-21. Hence, attracts disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with section 137 and 173 of the Elections Act,2017,” –– the verdict read.

  • Russia agrees to provide petrol and diesel to Pakistan at discounted rates

    Russia agrees to provide petrol and diesel to Pakistan at discounted rates

    State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik announced on Monday that Russia has agreed to supply Pakistan with cheap petrol, diesel, and crude oil.

    Malik said he wanted to congratulate the public for a fruitful trip to Russia, calling it “more successful than our expectations,” during a news conference in Islamabad.

    According to The News, the state minister for petroleum, the secretary for petroleum Capt. (retd) Muhammad Mahmood, the joint secretary, and representatives of the petroleum division made up the delegation from Pakistan that travelled to Moscow to look into the possibility of obtaining Russian crude oil and other petroleum products at a lower price.

    Malik said that Russia lacked liquefied natural gas (LNG). The import of LNG is the subject of ongoing discussions with Russian private companies, and Malik added that state-run LNG producers in Russia have also been contacted.

    The state minister claims that negotiations with Moscow about the pipeline projects have advanced significantly.

    The News last week stated, citing sources, that during negotiations in Moscow, the Pakistani team requested a 30–40 per cent discount on Russian crude oil; however, the Russians refused, stating that all volumes had already been promised.

  • ‘Both Imran and General (r) Bajwa caused irreparable damage’: Hafiz Hamdullah

    ‘Both Imran and General (r) Bajwa caused irreparable damage’: Hafiz Hamdullah

    Hafiz Hamdullah, the spokesperson of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has said that both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and ex-Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa have caused irreparable damage to Pakistan.

    In a statement, he said, “It was ex-army chief Bajwa’s fault that he brought Khan into politics and it was Khan’s fault to give him [Bajwa] an extension. Both of their mistakes caused irreparable damage to Pakistan.”

    He pointed out that Khan is now accusing his mohsin (well-wisher). “Today you are accusing your Mohsin of the double game without any shame.”

    Commenting on the recent statements by PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi and Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi that the ex-chief had advised his party to back Khan during the no-confidence motion, Hamdullah stated that on the matter of General Bajwa, the father and son duo and Imran Khan are not on the same page.

    Turning his guns towards Elahi, he posed a question. “In the case of General (r) Bajwa, are you with Imran Khan or with Bajwa?”

    

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    Sarah Inam murder case: Shahnawaz, mother indicted
    
			
    A district and sessions court in Islamabad has indicted prime suspect Shahnawaz Amir and his mother Sameena Shah, on Monday in the Sarah Inam murder case.
    

    The indictment was issued by sessions court judge Atta Rabbani while dismissing Sameena’s plea requesting the court to discharge her from the case. The verdict on the plea was reserved earlier in the day after legal arguments were finished.
    

    In September, news of Sarah’s murder rocked Islamabad as details of the crime spread across social media and news networks. 
    

    Central to the sensationalism surrounding the crime was the fact that the alleged murderer was the son of renowned columnist and political analyst, Ayaz Amir.
    

    It has been reported that after murdering her with a blow to her head with a dumbbell, Shahnawaz dumped her body in a bathtub.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Nawaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan anytime now: reports
    
			
    Nawaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan anytime now: reports
    
			
    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has finalized plans to return home to Pakistan before the next general elections.
    

    According to media reports, Nawaz Sharif has instructed his party that if Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan dissolves the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assemblies, new elections should be held in both provinces within 90 days as per the constitution, while Nawaz himself will head the election campaign of these provincial elections.
    

    The former Prime Minister has also completed consultations about his return with his lawyers. His legal team will begin pursuing reviews of his convictions in courts immediately after his arrival.
    

    Media reports also suggest that it has been decided at the highest level that Nawaz Sharif will no longer keep himself away from domestic politics and will directly lead his party and supporters in the next election.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Agar mulk chalana hai toh NAB ko khatam karey’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
    
			
    ‘Agar mulk chalana hai toh NAB ko khatam karey’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
    
			
    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has demanded the abolishment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), blaming the watchdog institution for the ongoing crisis in the country.
    

    While speaking outside an accountability court in Islamabad after attending a hearing in the LNG case, he said, “Agar mulk chalana hai toh is idaray [NAB] ko khatam karain (If you want the country to progress, this institution [NAB] should be abolished).
    

    He said the “so-called” accountability was aimed at defaming only politicians. “The so-called process of accountability operates just to ridicule politicians,” he added.
    

    Lambasting ex-chairman of NAB, Javed Iqbal, the former premier said that he should confess who told him to register false cases.
    

    It is pertinent to mention that PML-N has repeatedly criticised NAB and said that false cases were made against party leaders.
    

    In August, the National Assembly passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, which sought to exclude private transactions from the scope of NAB.
    

    Under the amended bill, the pecuniary jurisdiction of NAB had been fixed to only take action against mega scandals. Furthermore, it had been proposed that supplementary references can only be filed with the permission of the court to expedite the proceedings of the court within one year.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Here is when Polio will end in Pakistan according to UNICEF
    
			
    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has expressed confidence that polio virus will be eradicated from Pakistan by the end of next year, following effective measures to check its spread.
    

    UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei, said that according to available data, the potentially fatal virus is in control in Pakistan.
    

    “We are using all available resources and services at our disposal to reach every girl and boy in Pakistan with life saving vaccines and protect them against the entirely preventable disease,” he said.
    

    “The programme is back on track to stop all wild poliovirus transmission in 2023,” he added.
    

    Adjei noted that compared to a year ago, Pakistan was in a far better position to eradicate polio. He stated that certain obstacles complicated efforts to entirely eradicate the pathogen.
    

    He lamented the attacks on health workers and polio teams in various areas of Pakistan and voiced his concern about them. He also praised the polio teams’ bravery.
    

    Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio has not yet been eradicated. To formally eradicate the disease, a nation must be polio-free for three consecutive years. Nigeria was declared free from wild polio in August 2020.