Blog

  • ‘All on same page’: Chaudhry Shujaat denies rumours of rift between brothers

    ‘All on same page’: Chaudhry Shujaat denies rumours of rift between brothers

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has denied all rumours that there is a rift between their party and family.

    In a statement released by the PML-Q, it said, “All political decisions were made with my consultation and I fully support them. Our family and party are on the same page, so the rumors that are circulating or are being spread are wrong.”

    “All decisions at the party or at home are made with my consultation and consent. I do not believe in explanation. I would like to say that I am considered the head of the family,” read Hussains’ statement.

    The PML-Q chief said that the term “use of money” is wrong and shouldn’t be used as educated people do not like such discussions.

    Hussain reiterated that it is inappropriate to do propaganda or manipulate facts. “Those who want to gain political advantage by propagating differences will be disappointed,” he asserted.

    “I have been told that there are differences in my family, there is no truth in this. Our family has been in politics for the last 50 years not only in Punjab but across Pakistan,” he said, vowing that all decisions are taken with his consultation.”

    On Monday, Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi was nominated for the post of the Chief Minister of Punjab. It is being speculated that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has unleashed what appeared to be the long-promised ‘trump card’ by nominating Elahi as his candidate for the provincial chief executive’s slot.

  • Taliban threaten to fire govt employees for not keeping a beard

    The Taliban government in Afghanistan has threatened all government employees that they will be laid off if they do not comply with the new orders of keeping a compulsory beard and maintaining the dress code.

    Employees were instructed not to shave their beards and to wear loose trousers and shirts with a hat or turban. They were also instructed to make certain that they offer their five prayers on time.

    According to media reports, the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were seen patrolling the entrance gate of government offices to inspect if everyone was following instructions on Monday. If any employee violated the order, he was not allowed to enter the office premises and would eventually get fired.

    Recently, the Taliban government barred women to travel alone on planes unless they were accompanied by their male guardian. If women have to travel abroad to study, they have to be accompanied by a male relative.

    Prior to this, the Taliban government also banned girls’ education above 6th grade. The announcement came only a few hours after they reopened for the first time in nearly seven months.

  • Man kills pregnant wife for saying ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’

    Man kills pregnant wife for saying ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’

    A man in Lahore killed his wife for chanting the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi”, reports Geo News. According to details, the horrific incident took place in Lahore’s Shalimar area.

    Allah Ditta murdered 28-year-old Maimona, who was pregnant, by strangling her. He later tried to cover it up by burning her body and posing it as an accident.

    However, police have arrested him. The husband had married the victim four years ago and also has four children from his first wife.

    According to the police, the accused confessed to his crime during interrogation and said that his wife used to chant the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi”, which made him angry so he murdered her.
  • Police arrest Indian woman for allegedly wishing Pakistan Day on Whatsapp status

    Police arrest Indian woman for allegedly wishing Pakistan Day on Whatsapp status

    In the Indian state of Karnataka, police have arrested a female student, Kuthma Shiekh for allegedly posting wishes for Pakistan Day on her Whatsapp status on March 23.

    According to Hindustan Times, Kuthma Sheikh posted a Whatsapp Status in Urdu which says, “Allah har mulk me ittihaad, aman, sukoon, ata farma maula [May God bless every nation with peace, unity, and harmony].”

    An activist, Arun Kumar Bhajantri filed a complaint against her in which he claimed that the woman intended to infuse tensions on a basis of ethnicity.

    According to the police, the woman is a Mudhol native and studying at a madrasa.

    The police claimed that she broke the law of Indian Penal Code Sections 153(A) (inciting hatred between groups based on religion, race, or other characteristics) and 505(2) (inciting hatred between groups based on religion, race, or other factors) (making statements that promote hostility between groups).

    Authorities claimed that Whatsapp status could prompt riots, protests to which they had to detain the woman. Police further added, “Her status might be interpreted as a celebration of Pakistan’s Republic Day.”

    “If we hadn’t moved quickly enough, it could have resulted in rioting, protests, and counter-protests, the official continued.

    She was arrested on March 24 but she was released on bail the next day.

  • Civilian governments and completing their term

    Civilian governments and completing their term

    In the wake of the no-confidence move against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan by the Opposition, a debate has started about several issues ranging from the government completing its term to defections from the ruling party. In Pakistan’s history, no civilian prime minister has ever completed his/her five-year term. Even when the last two civilian governments completed their tenures from 2008-2018, despite many hiccups and conspiracies against the governments. Of course, we do not know what the result of the latest vote of no-confidence will be, but if we are to believe speculations about what is happening in politics, this government may not survive and even PM Khan may not be able to complete his full term. Ideally, a civilian government, no matter how it has come to power, should be able to complete its full term. In a democracy like Pakistan, there are many factors involved in politics, which is why it is important for democratic governments to complete their tenures. 

    On the other hand, a vote of no-confidence is also a constitutional right that can be exercised in parliament to remove the Prime Minister from office if he/she loses the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly. The number required to dislodge the premier is 172. The Opposition has followed a democratic procedure by moving a resolution for a vote of no-confidence, which requires signatures of at least 20 percent of the total membership of the lower house.

    Under the 1973 Constitution, we have seen two votes of no-confidence in the past against prime ministers. First against Benazir Bhutto in November 1989 and then against Shaukat Aziz in August 2006. Both Bhutto and Aziz survived the votes. After successfully defeating the vote of no-confidence, Benazir Bhutto gave a magnanimous speech and said she bore no ill-will against the opposition. Contrast her words with what is happening today — a prime minister addressing the nation with a short message to join his March 27 rally, bitter words by the ruling party on national television, threats of what is in store for those members who have gone to the opposition’s side, threats of a showdown, etc. This is not how politics should be but unfortunately, we have seen how the discourse over the last few years has led to politicians stooping to the lowest level just to settle scores. Add to it labels like a traitor, apart from other choice words. These add to the toxicity of political discourse, which is telecast live on our television screens.

    Parliament’s fights should be fought on the floor of the house through the vote of no-confidence, not on the streets.

  • ‘Muin me khaak’: Hina Bayat grills Maryam Nawaz for her recent statement about ‘Purana Pakistan’

    ‘Muin me khaak’: Hina Bayat grills Maryam Nawaz for her recent statement about ‘Purana Pakistan’

    Senior actor Hina Khwaja Bayat has been trending on social media platforms for making a video on PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz after the latter went viral for claiming the country is about to land back in ‘Purana Pakistan’.

    The political figure is also being trolled for stating, “Mainay pehle he kaha tha ke geedar ki khaal pehen kar koi Nawaz Sharif nahi bansakta. (I have said this before, no one can wear the coat of a jackal and claim to be Nawaz Sharif).”

    In a video message shared on Bayat’s Instagram, she expressed her disdain towards Nawaz’s desire, adding a few wishes of her own. Before doing either, she clarified that she has never wished to use harsh words in a conversation with or about anyone, but Nawaz has left her with no choice.

    Aap Ke Munh Main Khaak' Hina Khawaja Bayat Lashes Out At Maryam Nawaz Following Her Statement On Purana Pakistan - Showbiz Pakistan

    “Main ne aj tak kabhi nahi chaha ke main kisi ke baray men, ya kisi ke liye, koi sakht alfaz istemal karun. Lekin Maryam Nawaz sahiba, apne mujhe majboor kardiya hai ye kehne pe ke apke mun men khaak (I have never wished to use harsh words against or about anyone but madam Maryam Nawaz, you have left me with no choice but to say, may your wishes never come to pass!” she rebuked.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfriGUhx3-Q

    “I pray to God that may we never have to go back to Purana Pakistan, the Pakistan your party and its alliants had created. May the Lord protect Pakistan from the enemies within and without,” added the Khuda Aur Muhabbat actor.“May He protect our forces, and the leaders who want nothing but the best for this country. May He be our guiding force, this is the prayer of a true Pakistani,” she concluded.

    The Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 star also tagged Nawaz in the caption of her video writing, “May Allah Ta’ala protect our beloved country from the enemies beyond our borders and those who create fitna (conflict) within!”

    It is pertinent to note here that PML-N vice president recently said that PM Imran Khan’s governing days are numbered. She referred to the country as a plan that will soon be landing back or go back to being Purana Pakistan (the Pakistan before Khan came into power).

    Bayat is a veteran Pakistani actor whose renowned appearances include Uraan, Ishq Gumshuda, Aunn Zara, Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Muqaddas and Shehr-e-Zaat and Baaghi. She also appeared in the ZEE5 web-series Churails.

  • Intel to launch world’s fastest 5.5 GHz CPU on April 5

    The Core i9-12900KS processor from Intel which is also claimed as the “world’s fastest CPU” will be released on April 5, 2022. Expert PC builders will demonstrate their abilities by putting together a number of PCs, presumably around the new alder lake processor, at the Intel talking tech event, which will be streamed on Twitch.

    The ‘KS’ version of Intel’s flagship, which effectively features the high-end 12900K silicon capable of being pushed to higher clock speeds and can boost up to 5.5GHz, is advertised as the ‘world’s fastest desktop processor’.

    However, this speed can only be achieved for a short period of time on a single core, with the rumor mill claiming that the all-core boost will be 5.2GHz which again is really amazing.

    Given that we have already seen or heard of the forthcoming flagship advertised on some websites, it is no surprise that the introduction of Intel’s Core i9-12900KS is so close.

    As Intel claims that the 12900KS is the “world’s fastest” desktop CPU considering the clock speeds, what PC customers and heavy gamers really want to know is how well it works in real-world applications and high-end games.

    Keeping in view the overall hype, it does not seem like it is going to disappoint the PC builders or gamer’s community.

  • Pakistani assembled Chery Tiggo SUVs to be delivered in June 2022

    Ghandhara Nissan Limited (GNL) has officially opened bookings for Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, introduced with an ex-factory price of Rs 4.6 million and Rs 6.6 million respectively.

    The booking price of Tiggo 8 Pro is Rs 1.5 million and that of Tiggo 4 Pro is Rs 1 million and the expected delivery time for both models is June 2022. 

    The company partnered with Chinese Chery Automobile Co Ltd. for local assembly and distribution of the Tiggo SUV series in 2021. Chery Tiggo will now be the 12th locally assembled SUV in Pakistan.

    GNL said it had started assembling the SUVs and would be delivering the first batch of the vehicles in April at its authorized dealerships. Chery Tiggo 4 is a 1.5L Turbo five-seater vehicle, while Tiggo 8 Pro is a 1.6L Turbo seven-seater SUV.

    Considering the Auto Development Policy (ADP) 2016-21, Toyota Fortuner was the only locally assembled SUV in Pakistan.

    However, nearly a dozen SUVs were introduced after the auto industry was encouraged by the government and new entrants started stepping into the local auto market of Pakistan.

    Tiggo 8 Pro will compete against 7-seater vehicles in the local market, including the most popular Toyota Fortuner, and the offerings from new entrants: Changan Oshan X7 Comfort, DFSK Glory 580 Pro, as well as Kia Sorento. While the Tiggo 4 Pro will be a direct rival to 5-seater crossovers like KIA Stonic, MG ZS, and the newly introduced Peugeot 2008. 

  • Is Firdous Apa going to join PML-N?

    Is Firdous Apa going to join PML-N?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader and former special assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on information and broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has termed the news regarding her wish to join the government’s rival political party —PML-N as “fake”.

    According to Geo News, it was earlier reported that the former SAPM had conveyed the message to the PML-N leadership in London through renowned singer Waris Baig — who had met PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister Ishaq Dar in London.

    As per the news outlet’s sources, Awan did not demand a ticket from her constituency Sialkot.

    Geo News further revealed that the PML-N’s top leadership discussed the matter for ten minutes.

    However, Awan was not given any assurance regarding her addition to the party and was told to contact the PML-N leadership in Punjab.

    It is pertinent to mention that Awan has been not seen by the public on mainstream media for quite a while.

  • Love gone wrong: Pakistani woman married to Indian returns after spending four years in Jail

    Love gone wrong: Pakistani woman married to Indian returns after spending four years in Jail

    A Pakistani woman who spent four years in an Indian prison, after living there without a visa, has returned to the country with the help of Pakistani authorities, reports Arab News. Indian authorities handed over Sumaira and her daughter to Pakistani authorities at Wagah border.

    As per media reports, Sameera Abdul Rahman was born in Karachi. She met an Indian man in Qatar and married him by going against her family. Her husband brought her to India without a visa in 2016. Later, both of them were sent to jail.

    In 2017, Rahman gave birth to a daughter in prison. Rahman was released from jail and placed in a detention centre after paying a million-rupee fine to the Indian government.

    Read more- Pakistan rescues woman in love gone wrong, saves wife left in Indian jail by husband

    In a message, she sent through her lawyer to BBC, Rahman had earlier said, “I have been punished by law for the mistake I made, but my sorrows and pains are not diminishing. The family had already separated, but now the husband in India has also turned away. At the moment, my only recourse is my country, Pakistan.”

    In 2018, the Pakistani High Commission was given consular access to Sumaira Rehman. Later, the Interior Ministry in Islamabad received a letter from the Pakistani High Commission confirming Sumaira Rehman’s nationality.