Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday claimed to have seen secret videos of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, which he claimed were “neither worthy of being seen nor being shown”.
“[Imran Khan] ki videos dekhanay ya dekhnay ke qabil nahi hain,” said Sanaullah. Translation: Imran Khan’s videos are neither worthy of being seen nor being shown.
Sanaullah while speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Capital Talk’ said, “The alleged audio does not damage PM Shehbaz’s reputation because there is nothing wrong in it,” adding that recording something in today’s day and age was no big deal.
رانا صاحب کو ایک ویڈیو دکھا تو دی گئی لیکن انکے حوالے نہیں کی گئی رانا صاحب کہتے ہیں کہ ویڈیو کسی کو دکھانے والی بھی نہیں pic.twitter.com/rGYj5PmChB
Talking about Khan’s video, Sanaullah also said that he does not have access to the videos.
Earlier today, in a new leaked audio, the former prime minister can be heard talking about the alleged foreign conspiracy against him with his then principal secretary Azam Khan.
Khan discusses how to frame the narrative around the alleged conspiracy that resulted in the ouster of his government. He tells Azam Khan: ‘Iss par hi khelna hai’ (let’s play with this), without mentioning the name of the United States. They discuss how holding a meeting with the Foreign Secretary and then-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmud Qureshi in which allegedly Azam Khan can be heard discussing the minutes of the meeting.
An accountability court has served a notice to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) today (Wednesday) after newly-appointed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar surrendered himself before the court and submitted a petition pleading for the cancellation of his arrest warrants.
The court then issued a notice to the NAB and ordered Dar to appear before the court on October 7.
“We will hear the application for cancellation of warrants along with assets’ reference,” the judge remarked.
In 2017, Dar was a declared a proclaimed offender in a NAB reference due to his continued absence from the proceedings.
NAB accused Dar of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The case was filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.
The same year, Dar flew to United Kingdom due to seek medical treatment. He stayed there for almost five years until his return to Pakistan on Monday.
A team spokesperson announced on Wednesday that fast bowler Naseem Shah has been admitted to hospital after developing a viral infection. He won’t be playing the fifth Twenty20 match in Lahore against England in the ongoing series.
The 19-year-old pacer was reportedly transferred to a hospital for treatment, where he was tested for dengue fever. According to sources, Shah has a chest infection that has led to other problems.
Both teams will try to play at full strength today (Wednesday) in an effort to grab the lead in the seven-match series, which is now tied 2-2. After a 17-year absence, Lahore will once again play host to England.
Naseem Shah was one of the main strike bowlers for his team in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022. He took seven wickets in five games while maintaining an economy rate of 7.66.
Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan broke silence on the leaked audio, saying he has not played on the cipher yet.
Khan in the new leaked audio, can be heard talking about the alleged foreign conspiracy against him with his then principal secretary Azam Khan.
He said that Shahbaz Sharif leaked that audio when asked who did this.
“It is good that the audio got leaked, I would say the cypher should also be leaked. So that everyone should come to know how big was that foreign conspiracy.”
“Abhi toh khela hi nahi mai,” said Khan. Translation: I have not played over it yet and will play when they expose it.
Audio: ‘Is par hi khelna hai’: Imran warns not to reveal United States involvement
Khan discusses how to frame the narrative around the alleged conspiracy that resulted in the ouster of his government. He tells Azam Khan: ‘Iss par hi khelna hai’, without mentioning the name of the United States and they discuss how to form a team on the issue.
The “cipher” lies at the heart of PTI’s claim that the US plotted with individuals within Pakistan to remove Khan from office. It is based on then-envoy Asad Majeed’s meeting with State Department employee Donald Lu.
Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaf (PTI) is claiming that the audio has been leaked by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that the audio leak is evidence of the attempt to hide the US letter from Imran Khan, in an acknowledgement that the audio is likely real.
Television actor Srha Asghar and her husband Umer Murtaza have announced the news of the Pyaar Ke Sadqay star’s pregnancy on their Instagram handles.
The couple has shared an adorable video in which they have announced their pregnancy, with a happy dance. Srha captioned the post as, “Our Family is growing by 2 feet and 1 heart…loading Dec 2022 ♥️”
From meeting hospitalisation expenses to paying hefty electricity bills, Pakistanis are increasingly selling their gold jewellery to tide over inflation in Pakistan.
This trend has been fueled by mounting expenses, such as expensive food products, rising petroleum prices, education fees, medical expenses, and house rents, in the face of low income. According to multiple sources in the jewellers’ association, there has been an upsurge in the number of people selling off gold as compared to buyers, in recent months.
Several social media posts indicated that people were compelled to sell their gold in order to pay for their electricity bills after the government imposed hefty Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) charges in monthly electricity bills.
The FCA was added to the electricity bills for the month of August, drawing protests from citizens who demanded the government immediately withdraw the FCA as it was an injustice to the consumers and they did not have the capacity to pay outrageous electricity bills.
The Current contacted several jewellers in Lahore to uncover whether people were actually selling gold to pay their electricity bills.
According to the owner of a renowned gold shop in Liberty Lahore, when inflation is high, people’s only alternative is to sell any gold they may have. “There are undoubtedly more sellers because gold prices have reached an all-time high at this time. Comparatively, there are noticeably more sellers than purchasers. Another reason for selling gold is to combat inflation.”
When asked if locals were really selling gold to pay their power bills, the goldsmith responded, “People sell gold for many different purposes outside merely paying their electricity bills. A lot of people sell their gold in order to invest in more lucrative assets, this may not necessarily be about bills. A number of individuals sell gold in order to invest in real estate or build their own houses.”
Owing to overall inflation, gold prices had hit an all-time high, but since last week, they have been steadily declining. The latest drop in gold prices also prompted people to sell their gold as it was the ideal time to get the best price and acquire other assets, as they could later buy gold at a lower price after its price is stabilised.
The majority of gold jewellers in the vicinity of Lahore’s posh area asserted that this unquestionably occurs at a time when the country’s economy is unstable and consumers are left with no choice but to sell the assets they have been saving for years to utilise in crises.
Another jewellery store owner in Lahore’s less well-off area admitted that “This happens,” but added that “Not everyone is willing to discuss their personal and financial concerns or reveal causes why they are selling gold and what they need money for. People visit our shops for reasons other than just paying their electricity bills, such as emergencies or the urgent need for cash to cover healthcare expenses.”
Investors frequently turn to gold as a safe haven when the economy is struggling or when there are conflicts on an international scale. For investors looking for a safe investment with a proven track record of profitability, gold appears to be an attractive alternative in light of rising inflation and the stock market trading far below its highs.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman was named the country’s prime minister on Tuesday. The development came after a cabinet reshuffle ordered by King Salman. “HRH the crown prince, based on the king’s orders, alre
ady supervises the main executive bodies of the state on a daily basis, and his new role as prime minister is within that context,” said an official while talking with Reuters.
As prime minister, Prince Salman will lead the council of ministers. Prince Khalid bin Salman will become Defense Minister amidst a cabinet reshuffle.
Prince Mohammed, who turned 37 last month, has been first in line to succeed his father as king since 2017.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has congratulated Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his appointment as the Kingdom’s Prime Minister.
“I congratulate my brother, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, on his appointment as the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, wishing him success, and the Kingdom greater progress under the wise leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a tweet.
نبارك لأخي الأمير محمد بن سلمان بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود ولي عهد السعودية بمناسبة تعيينه رئيساً لمجلس الوزراء، ودعواتنا لسموه بالتوفيق والسداد، وللمملكة العربية السعودية الشقيقة بمزيد من التقدم في ظل القيادة الرشيدة لخادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك سلمان بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود. pic.twitter.com/wTR77FYSnd
The newly designated Prime Minister is expected to visit Pakistan in November this year.
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa has congratulated Mohammed Bin Salman on his appointment.
COAS congratulates HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on being appointed PM of KSA & HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for being appointed Def Min, KSA. Pak values its hist & brotherly relations with KSA & ack its unique place in Islamic world.
Grammy-winning singer Shakira is expected to face trial in Spain for alleged tax fraud against the Public Treasury of Spain, according to a resolution published on Tuesday.
A judge in Barcelona ordered the case to move forward to trial, but a start date has not yet been set. Spanish prosecutors allege Shakira failed to pay personal income and wealth tax between 2012-2014, currently valued in the amount of about $15.8 million, which she has denied.
Shakira called her accusations “false” in an interview with Elle magazine earlier this month, stating “I paid everything they said I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them.”
Spanish authorities allege she lived in Spain for over 183 days annually between 2011 and 2014, but Shakira denied that in her interview with Elle. Her attorneys have stated her primary residence during that time was in the Bahamas.
“Shakira and her team consider that this case constitutes a total violation of her rights since she has always shown impeccable behavior, as a person and taxpayer, and a total willingness to resolve any disagreement from the beginning, even before the criminal process,” a spokesperson for Shakira said in a statement in July after agreement on a settlement in the case could not be reached.
Prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence, plus fines if she is convicted.
The veteran crooner and her former partner, Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué, parted ways earlier this year. The duo announced this on social media.
“We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the two said in a statement released by Shakira’s public relations firm. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
Shakira, 45, met the Barcelona defender while she was promoting her 2010 World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” The couple has two children, Sasha and Milan.
In recent days, rumors of the demise of the couple’s 12-year relationship gripped Spanish media, fueled by reports that Piqué, 35, had left the family’s home in Barcelona and was living by himself in the city.
While Shakira is one of the world’s premier musical artists for her songs and live performances, Piqué is one of European soccer’s top defenders. For a decade, the two were portrayed as two halves of a happy partnership that allowed both to continue thriving as extremely popular entertainers.
The Hips Don’t Lie singer is facing a trial over alleged tax fraud charges in Spain after she lost an appeal on May 26. Prosecutors claim she failed to pay up to 14.5 million euros ($15.54 million) in tax on income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Her legal team said in a statement they will keep defending her case with solid legal arguments.
“Shakira’s conduct on tax matters has always been impeccable in all the countries she had to pay taxes and she has trusted and followed faithfully the recommendations of the best specialists and advisers,” the statement said.
Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that “Agar PM house ko secure karna hai, toh mobile phones ko band karna hoga.” (If one wants to secure the Prime Minister’s (PM) house, the use of mobile phones should not be permitted within the premises.)
The minister’s remarks came after several audio leaks allegedly of PM Shehbaz Sharif have surfaced on the internet.
Dastagir was of the view that “These security necessities are important as high-level talks take place at the PM office”, adding that that’s why “we need to secure it”.
About his fellow party member Senator Ishaq Dar, Dastgir said, “Dar has remained finance minister twice in emergency situations. We hope that nation will benefit from his vast experience.”
An investigation has been initiated to probe the leak from the PM House, with one member each in the JIT to be included from the country’s intelligence agencies.
The premier also called a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday, September 27, to discuss the matter.
On Saturday, September 24, alleged audios of PM Shehbaz and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, including some federal ministers and Vice-President PML-N Maryam Nawaz, appeared online.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman breathed her last days after being arrested by a police unit responsible for forcing Iran’s strict dress code for women. She was taken into custody for not complying with hijab rules.
Mahsa Amini was beaten while inside a police van when she was picked up in Tehran on Tuesday. Photographs of Mahsa lying in a hospital bed have gone viral, showing the young woman in a coma with her head wrapped in bandages and breathing through tubes.
#MahsaAmini became one of the top hashtags on Persian-language Twitter as Iranians fumed over the death of Amini. Later, women in Iran protested against the death of Amini by setting their hijabs on fire. Her death has sparked widespread protests in Iran.
At least 70 people have died in protests and over 1,200 have been arrested following Amini’s death.
