Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars saw another victory on Sunday against Quetta Gladiators. The Qalandars beat Gladiators by eight wickets with the help of opening batter Fakhar Zaman and one-down batter Kamran Ghulam’s half-centuries.
Quetta failed to get a good start as Lahore’s skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed back-to-back wickets of batters Jason Roy and James Vince in the first over. They posted a total of 141, thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed’s half-century.
The recovery came initially through another little cameo from Umar Akmal, and then a 51-run stand between Iftikhar and Hassan Khan. Iftikhar scored a 39-ball 52 to ensure the Gladiators would have something to bowl at, but needed to bat through the innings to really give them a defendable total. Once he holed out in the 18th over, the innings deteriorated.
The Qalandars didn’t go hard in the powerplay, but only because they didn’t especially need to. Ghulam Mudassar removed Abdullah Shafique early but Fakhar’s sensational inning showed no mercy on the opposition’s bowling attack. The opener struck six boundaries during a 42-ball 53, and even when he top-edged one-off Noor Ahmed to end his knock, his side required just 24 more in 27 balls.
466 and counting, five 50s, 1 – 100! What an INCREDIBLE run for Fakhar Zaman Current avg 77.50, SR 167.02 HBL PSL 7 Waqai #LevelHaipic.twitter.com/wu8EFrACOy
Fakhar has become only the second player in the history of PSL to score six fifty-plus scores in a single season, Babar Azam holds the record of seven in 2021. Fakhar stands on top of the table of players with 469 runs. Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood is behind him with 351 runs while Multan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan is following Shan with 269 runs.
First lady Bushra Bibi’s friend Farah Khan refuted “rumours” that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s wife was staying with her in Lahore after fighting with the premier.
A few days ago, a journalist had claimed that Bushra Bibi had “gotten into a fight with PM Khan” and had left Bani Gala for Lahore to stay at her friend, Farah Khan’s house. The rumour soon started spreading on social media and WhatsApp groups.
Speaking with Geo News, Farah Khan said, “I am surprised how someone made this up because Bushra Bibi has not visited Lahore in a long time.”
“The first lady is still in Bani Gala with her husband and they have not had any fights,” she added.
Farah Khan said that people’s personal lives should not be dragged into politics and condemned the “fake propaganda” spread about the first lady.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Imran Khan on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the government has approached the country’s courts against a journalist who issued “insulting and fabricated” statements about First Lady Bushra Bibi.
Gill said that “strict legal action will be taken against those who spread false news about the first lady”.
Gill also confirmed that both Bushra Bibi and Prime Minister Imran Khan are currently in Islamabad and that the rumours of a separation are completely baseless.
Two men died on spot after being hit by a train in India. The deceased were standing on the railway track.
According to India Today, Mithun Khan, 36, and Abdul Gain, 32, were taking selfies when the unfortunate incident took place in the West Medinipur district of West Bengal on Sunday.
A third person, who was also present with the two, sustained crucial injuries and is currently hospitalised.
The three men had gone for a picnic on the banks of the Kangsavati River. The railway bridge was situated near the spot where they went to take selfies. Eyewitnesses told the police that a train was running on the track at full speed.
Railway Senior Section Engineer Biswajit Bala said, “Everyone is forbidden to climb on this part of the railway line. Despite the ban, many people are taking selfies lying on the train tracks. However, they did not move and ran along the line. So this accident happened.”
Quetta Gladiators’ veteran Shahid Afridi has announced his exit from the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, citing a back injury that has gone to an “intolerable” level.
In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, Lala said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.
“Goodbye to PSL. My body is in serious pain,” wrote Afridi in his tweet.
The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.
“I want to apologise to fans for not being able to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note”.
He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and other T10 leagues in time to come.
Afridi said his welfare foundation was his “second innings and the most important one” to him.
He urged fans to pray for his health. “With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon],” said the former captain.
In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two wickets for 27 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.
He also had back issue in the same match. After he picked up Muhammad Akhlaq’s wicket, Afridi did his signature pose and leaned back, his back started hurting and it was evident as he applied pressure and bent forward to ease the pain.
It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.
Afridi last played international cricket more than five years ago, but continued to take part in the PSL ever since its inception. He led Zalmi in the first season and was part of the team that won the title the following year.
Pakistan Cricket team’s front line pacer and Afridi’s son-in-law to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi took to Twitter and wrote: “Your presence will be missed in the PSL Lala @SAfridiOfficial. You are the pride of Pakistan for a reason. Get well soon. #HopeNotOut #Forever”
The University of Peshawar has announced an official ‘off day’ on Valentine’s day for seminars and workshops, reports The News.
The management has released a notification that states, “It is notified for the information of all concerned that the University of Peshawar will observe a closed holiday on Monday, February 14 in lieu of February 5, Kashmir Day, for keeping the university open for arranging talks/discussions, seminars and workshops. Schedule of examination, tests and interviews, if already announced, will remain unchanged.”
In 2018, the administration took similar steps to prevent students from celebrating the day. They arranged a seminar, “Faculty Development Workshop on Quality Assurance” and also cancelled the classes because of it.
In the past, violent clashes had been reported between groups on February 14 over the celebration of Valentine’s Day.
In 2014, activists of the Pakhtun Students Federation (PSF) and Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) turned the campus into a battlefield when they opened fire on supporters of the day which resulted in several injuries of students.
Many conservative groups in Pakistan mark February 14 as “Haya Day” and often arrange walks to prevent western influence on young minds.
We have all grown up watching Bollywood movies and we have learned about our ideas of love and romance from those movies. I mean, we all remember: “Hum ek baar jeete hai, ek baar marte hai, shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai … aur pyar ek baar hi hota hai,” dialogue by heart. We all took inspiration from those movies about what a perfect relationship should be like. Our idea and thoughts about love are still a reflection of the conditioning we received from watching them.
However, the movies we grew up watching were not really progressive and reinforced pre-defined gender roles and stereotypes. So, here is the list of five Bollywood movies that despite being problematic, we still love.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
The film included Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, one of Bollywood’s most legendary on-screen couples, Rani Mukerji’s amazing performance, Karan Johar’s magnificent visuals, Salman Khan’s guest appearance, the typical Indian mother like Fareeda Jalal and some very memorable characters like Anjali, among other things. The songs from the film are still very much fresh in our minds as they simply refuse to age. If you ask someone to share their favourite dialogues from the movie, they will reply without skipping a beat. Though it’s hard to choose one, as there are many iconic dialogues in the movie.
“Pyar dosti hai … agar woh meri sab se achchi dost nahin ban sakti, to main usse kabhi pyar kar hi nahi sakta … kyun ki dosti bina toh pyar hota hi nahin … simple, pyar dosti hai.”
“Kuch kuch hota hai Rahul, tum nahi samjhoge.”
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
Without a doubt, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun will always be a romantic comedy that 90’s kids will associate with our childhood and Sooraj Barjatya, who has always endorsed love in his films. The chemistry between Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) and Prem (Salman Khan) was loved by many. Their love boomed in a family setup and like every clichéd love story, they saw some obstacles but lived happily ever after. From entertaining dance numbers like Didi Tera Devar Deewana and Joote Do Paise Lo to sad ones like Mujhse Juda Hokar, the movie had songs for every mood.
Dil To Pagal Hai
Dil To Pagal Hai made us all think that someone, somewhere, is made for us. It was a film full of dancing, drama, romance, and some of the most iconic songs that we still sing today. Shah Rukh Khan was India’s favourite loverboy at the time, who made us fall in love with him again with his character. The movie was relatable for many people as it discussed the character of Nisha (Karishma Kapoor) whose love isn’t reciprocated, and Nisha too wonders if she’s so bad that her friend is not loving her back. The scene that was loved by many was how his friend Rahul apologised to her for not loving her back and did everything to comfort her. It’s quite rare to see one-sided love treated with such delicacy, which is the reason this movie is still fresh in our memories.
Dil Se
The movie was full of endearingly romantic moments. The movie taught 90’s kids to confess their feelings before it’s too late and when it comes to matters of the heart, one should not wait for the moment. The film does not follow the conventional “guy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after” plot. This was a film about battle, trauma, loss, and sadness. While it is a serious political drama, there are also wonderful moments that celebrate love. Amar and Meghna’s romance has a poetic beauty to it, like a divine connection that brings their love to life. If we talk about Dil Se and do not mention the beautiful songs, that would be unfair. The song Dil Se depicts the true meaning of love and the lovely melody by A R Rehman stole everyone’s hearts and it is still engraved in our hearts.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
It’s the best modern love story that India has to offer. DDLJ is the longest-running film in Indian cinema history, and it made SRK and Kajol the most popular on-screen couple in Hindi cinema. Raj and Simran became #CoupleGoals for 90’s kids even before social media. The film has managed to touch millions of hearts because of its unforgettable characters, intriguing narrative, and legendary music. The movie had some problematic scenes, like Raj making advances towards Simran when she was clearly not interested. However, the ending scene with Simran sprinting towards Raj in a moving train brings a grin to many people’s faces.
Actor Imran Abbas has opened up on Bollywood films that he lost out due to various reasons. In his latest Q&A session on Instagram, Imran revealed that he was offered Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapoor starrer Fitoor.
Earlier the Mera Naseeb hero revealed in an interview that he regrets refusing Aditya Roy Kapoor’s role in Aashiqui 2 and Ranveer Singh’s role in Ram Leela, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The Thora Sa Haq star refused these big-budget films as he was contract bound by another production house.
In a candid chat on Speak Your Heart with Samina Peerzada the Khuda Aur Mohabbat star made these candid confessions, “Rejecting Aashiqui 2 and Ram Leela were one of the few decisions I regret at that time. Now, I don’t have any remorse. I did a Bollywood film which didn’t really work at the box office. When I was offered projects that went on to become some of the highest-grossing films of their times, I later realized that it was imperative to make the decision (rejecting them) that I took in order to get my perspective right,” shared Imran.
He eventually made his Bollywood debut with Bipasha Basu in Vikram Bhatt’s Creature 3D. The Ae Dil Hai Muhskil actor will be seen next in Tumhare Husn Ke Naam co-starring Saba Qamar and Sidra Niazi.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to News One for airing “derogatory/demeaning remarks” about federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed “without any editorial check” in a programme.
On Thursday, News One aired a show, ‘G for Gharidah’, at 10:05pm in which anchorperson Gharidah Farooqi questioned the decision of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to award appreciation certificate to Murad Saeed as the top minister in his team for his outstanding performance.
Gharida asked the panelists on her show: “The Prime Minister seems satisfied with Murad Saeed. He is in the top position, what could be the reason?”
Analyst Mohsin Baig responded, “The reason [for Murad Saeed being at the top place] is written in Reham Khan’s book. I don’t really know about the projects.”
مرادسعید کی جس کارکردگی پر پہلانمبر ملا ہے وہ ریحام کی کتاب میں ہے؛ محسن بیگ مرادسعید نےکارکردگی میں سب کو پیچھےچھوڑدیا مزید نہ پوچھیں پیمرا موجود ہے؛طارق محمود مرادسعید کی کارکردگی کےالزامات سب کےسامنےموجود ہیں؛افتخاراحمد میں مرادسعید کی کارکردگی بارے اتفاق کرتاہوں؛ جنرل امجد pic.twitter.com/TzGv09EZeN
Senior journalist and analyst Iftikhar Ahmed said, “You took the name of the person on the top position,” Gharida interjected and said, “Murad Saeed Saab,” Ahmed continued, “Yes, everyone is aware of his [Murad Saeed’s] performance and the accusations against him.”
Journalist and analyst Tariq Mehmood said, “Two people are serious in this, one Imran Khan Sahib, second Murad Saeed Sahib. We shouldn’t be so serious about this. One conducted the ceremony, second came on the first place,” adding, “Some things are self-explanatory, Pemra will be keeping a close eye, don’t make us say all the things. A book has been mentioned.”
“He [Murad Saeed] is a very hardworking minister and very close to the prime minister. Once again he has proved through his performance and left everyone behind,” said Mehmood.
Senior defence analyst General (retired) Amjad Shoaib said, “I have not read the book that was being discussed. However, I will agree with Mohsin Baig’s analysis, which he just made.”
Twitterati started a debate with trends against the host of the show. Some questioned why was Gharidah Farooqi the subject of criticism as she had not said anything but just asked a question.
I don’t understand why so many are angry with @GFarooqiBasically Reham Khan wrote a book. Even those who couldn’t stand her seem to have read it.
If what she wrote was untrue, she could’ve easily been sued 4 defamation by Imran Khan and other PTI members but they didn’t sue!
کیا پیمرا یہ بتانا پسند کرے گی کہ کسی وفاقی وزیر کی کارکردگی پر سوال اٹھانا اس کی تضحیک کیسے ہے۔ اگر ریحام خان کی کتاب کے ضمن میں کچھ کہا گیا ہے تو ریحام سے پوچھا جائے۔ اخلاقی مسئلہ تو ہوسکتا ہے قانونی کیسے ہوگیا؟@reportpemra@GFarooqi#Pemra
However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf official Twitter handle shared a clip of the show and wrote, “Extremely shameful on Ghareeda Farooqi’s part to lead a program with such derogatory language.”
Extremely shameful on Ghareeda Farooqi’s part to lead a program with such derogatory language. This is probably the reason why people have been calling this program #GForGhatya today! We hope to see an apology for such irresponsible journalism. pic.twitter.com/gdOZ20KIsV
Several political parties condemned News One being taken off-air.
نیوز ون کی نشریات کو بند کرنے سے ہزاروں میڈیا ورکرز کے خاندان متاثر ہوں گے، ہم نیوز ون نیوز سے مکمل یکجہتی کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے مطالبہ کرتے ہیں کہ فوری طور پر ملک بھر میں نیوز ون کی نشریات کو بحال کیا جائے۔ مولانا فضل الرحمٰن@newsonepk@MoulanaOfficial
Renowned Scholar and Professor Noam Chomsky, in a video message to a webinar organised by the Indian American Muslim Council, said that India has turned its community of Indian Muslims into a “persecuted minority”.
He further said, “The pathology of Islamophobia is growing throughout the West, it is taking its most lethal form in India.”
Referring to the violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), the famed activist stated that the situation is painful in particular not because of what is happening but because of what is not happening.
During the webinar on “Worsening Hate Speech and Violence in India,” Chomsky compared the brutal situation of IoK to Israeli forces occupying Palestine and blamed Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu nationalist regime for it.
“Islamophobia is taking its most lethal form in India.”
World-renowned scholar Noam Chomsky says India is turning Muslims into a ‘persecuted minority’ pic.twitter.com/Yr8JbYsU8h
Several other personalities who took part in webinar condemned the barbarous acts by Indian authorities.
Angana Chatterji, an Indian anthropologist took a jibe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and stated, “Hindu spiritual leaders are involved in [the] ethnic cleansing of Muslims.”
According to an Indian author, Annapurna Menon, the situation in IoK is even more dire, where the journalists routinely face police questioning, ban on reporting, suspension of internet services and financial constraints in line with BJP’s recent ‘media policy’.
United States (US) President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to release and split the Afghan assets worth $7 billion between humanitarian aid for war-torn Afghanistan and a fund for September 11 attacks victims, reportsAssociated Press (AP).
In a statement, Washington said, “The order is designed to provide a path for the funds to reach the people of Afghanistan while keeping them out of the hands of the Taliban and malicious actors.”
Half of the frozen assets worth $3.5 billion would go to trust funds for distribution through humanitarian groups for Afghan relief and basic needs. However, the other $3.5 billion would stay in the US and remain “subject to ongoing litigation by US victims of terrorism” as still, 9/11 victims’ relatives have ongoing lawsuits.
Moreover, the Biden administration states that the procedure for the release of Afghan assets will take months.
Afghanistan has more than $9 billion in reserves, including just over $7 billion in reserves held in the US. The rest is largely in Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Switzerland. The amount is largely derived from donations by the US and other nations to Afghanistan.
In response, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem lashed out at the US. He tweeted, “The theft and seizure of money frozen by the United States of the Afghan people represent the lowest level of the human and moral decay of a country and a nation.”
سرقة أموال الشعب الأفغاني التي جمدتها الولايات المتحدة والتصرف فيها يدل علی أعلی مستوى انحطاط البلد والشعب الإنساني والأخلاقي. الهزيمة والنصر أمر وارد في تاريخ البشرية والحياة ، لكن الهزيمة الکبری والفاضحة أن يجرب بلد أو شعب ما هزيمة عسكرية وأخلاقية معا.
Twitterati criticised Biden’s decision and urged the US to release the funds to prevent famine in Afghanistan. Presently, the country is facing a major humanitarian crisis.
Breaking/exclusive: Biden to issue an executive order blocking $7 billion in Afghan central bank funds under his emergency powers — & tell a court 9/11 victims can get half while steering the rest to humanitarian relief etc spending for the Afghan people. https://t.co/xhAv7AdSgN
I’m still fuming about this. @POTUS needs to reverse this decision, one of his worst so far as president, or many of the coming deaths in Afghanistan will be on his hands. No point ending a war there if you carry on helping to cause mass death there even after you’ve left. https://t.co/gOJKXMmTRA
This is beyond grotesque. 90% of Afghans live in poverty. That’s their money. And remind us, did Saudi Arabia pay compensation to the victims of 9/11? https://t.co/bZcG698dtD
Even some 9/11 victims families are against receiving money that belongs to the people of Afghanistan and no one else. There are ways to help these 9/11 victims families without crushing the hopes of a country on the verge of economic collapse.
It is pertinent to mention that Afghanistan’s economy is on the verge of collapse. The United Nations (UN) has said 96 per cent of Afghans could fall into poverty in 2022.
