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  • Railway uses 53 acres land to illegally build housing society

    Pakistan Railways used its land of 53 acres to construct the housing society for its employees which was allocated for railway purposes only, reports The Express Tribune.

    On Monday, it was revealed during the hearing of Sindh High Court that the land was primarily given for railways purposes but it turned to real estate against all regulations to provide accommodation to their employees.

    The petition was heard by a two-judge bench headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput. Sindh Additional Advocate General Barrister Sheharyar Mehar informed about the government’s decision to the court.

    Shehryar Mehar said that the land consisting of 53 acres was given to the Railways for railway purposes but they did not use the land for the given purpose.

    Mehar added, “The Supreme Court has declared that railway land can only be used for the railway system.”

    He added, “We are taking back the land in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court.”

    Sindh High Court has ordered a reply from Pakistan Railways Corporation Housing Society and others on the response from the Sindh Government regarding usage of land which is adjacent to Safari Park in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

    The next hearing will be held on December 21.

  • Afridi, Vince move to Quetta, Azam Khan moves to Islamabad

    Afridi, Vince move to Quetta, Azam Khan moves to Islamabad

    The reports of former captain Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi being moved to Quetta Gladiators were circulating on social media and now the news has been confirmed by the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) page and franchise Quetta Gladiators. It’s going to be the fourth PSL team for the 41-year-old after he last played for the Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans and the Peshawar Zalmi. In the previous edition, he was a part of the Sultans, who won their maiden PSL title under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan.

    For the Gladiators, Afridi is most likely to play under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy. The upcoming edition may well be his last season in the T20 championship. The former Pakistan all-rounder wished to sign off from the PSL after guiding the Gladiators through to title glory.

    “I am excited to join Quetta Gladiators, a side that has had a roller-coaster ride in the past few events despite winning the title in 2019. In my final HBL PSL event, it will my dream and wish to sign off with another HBL PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017.

    “HBL PSL is an event that encourages and inspires a player to give his very best. I will use the same motivation to help my team and put in performances that can help us achieve our event objectives,” Afridi said on PSL’s official website.

    Along with Afridi, England’s James Vince has also been traded from the Sultans to the Gladiators. Iftikhar Ahmed, who played for Islamabad United in last edition, will play alongside newly traded Vince and Afridi in the Gladiators.

    Young wicket keeper-batter Azam Khan, who represented the Gladiators last season, will play for United in the upcoming season. The PSL draft is scheduled to take place at the High Performance Centre in Lahore on Sunday, December 12.

  • Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ends ceasefire with Pakistan

    Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ends ceasefire with Pakistan

    Taliban militants in Pakistan declared an end to a month-long ceasefire. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) accused the government of breaching terms, including a prisoner release agreement and the formation of negotiating committees.

    A statement issued by the TTP gave out details of the six-point agreement that it said it had reached with the government under the protection of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” (IEA) on October 25, 2021.

    According to the statement, the government not only failed to implement the decisions reached between the two sides but the security forces conducted raids in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Swat, Bajaur, Swabi, and North Waziristan and killed and detained militants.

    “Under these circumstances, it is not possible to extend the ceasefire,” the TTP said.

    Official sources had earlier said that both sides had agreed to initiate “formal talks” and had finalised five names of negotiators each. The government’s negotiating team included two senior civil officers with good experience of having served in conflict zones. While the TTP said it had formed a five-member committee for negotiations, the government, it appears, took time to notify the committee.

  • ‘Har waqt tension’: When Shaista Lodhi and Sunita Marshal gave tough time to Faysal Qureshi on sets

    ‘Har waqt tension’: When Shaista Lodhi and Sunita Marshal gave tough time to Faysal Qureshi on sets

    Actor Faisal Quraishi is currently promoting is latest drama serial, Dil-e-Momin costarring Madiha Imam and Momal Sheikh. The Qaid-e-Tanhai star stated recently that working with married actresses who have children can at times become a challenge.

    “Most actresses get married and are investing time in bringing up their children and some actresses working on sets are keeping a check on their kids. It is always difficult for girls because they have other responsibilities.” said Faysal.

    The Fitoor star added that Iqra Aziz is very talented but after the birth of their child Kabir, she has stopped working however Yasir is constantly working even after they have welcomed a child. “Until actresses aren’t married, they are normal.

    “I was recently working with Sunita Marshall and I always found her worried about her kids on the set. When I was working with Shaista, she also shared that she had a hard time focusing on her job since her kids were always on her mind, ” added the Bashar-e-Momin hero.

    Waada (2016)

    Hence he prefers working with single actresses.

    He also cited Sunita Marshal’s example that while shooting, she was mentally occupied with her children’s activities.

    Faisal qureshi & sunita marshal | Pakistan fashion week, Bridal couture week, Asian bridal wear

    He also mentioned that his Baba Jani costar Savera Nadeem was also always focusing on her phone to take children’s updates.

    Mera Yaqeen: A massive letdown by Sarmad Khoosat

    In the interview, Faysal also lashed out at actresses for uploading chunks of the dramas on social media platforms, he said that some people are very obsessed with social media. “Some actresses upload almost half the drama on Snapchat”.

    He concluded by saying that he can bet that Madiha Imam will also stop working after a child.

    Read More: ‘Iqra stopped working after marriage, Yasir didn’t’: Faysal Qureshi makes striking revelations

  • ‘I would like to marry a religious person’, Veena Malik reveals her plans for second marriage

    Veena Malik, in a recent interview with Samaa, revealed her plans for her second marriage. “If at all, I’ll marry again and I would like to marry a religious person because one who has a fear of God does not hurt others,” she said while answering a question about her marriage.

    She also said, “i would like to marry a guy who is good looking also with whom i can carry forward my relationship from this world to Jannat”.

    To which the anchor asked, “Veena, is there someone in your life?” to which she said, “No, right now there is no one, but InshAllah there must be somebody, somewhere.”

    The host further asked if she is looking for someone to which Veena jokingly said, “No he will come himself.”

    Veena Malik got married to Asad Khattak in December 2013, the two divorced in 2017, which they confirmed in 2018.

    Earlier this year, in September, the actor, in an interview with a news media publication, said, “Burqa is part of my life since i was 13 years old, and still whenever I go outside I wear burqa, not because someone has imposed it over me but because it’s my own choice, I feel very secure and safe.”

    Read more- ‘Afghanistan belongs to Taliban’: Veena Malik excited to visit Kandahar

  • Coke Studio announces all-star line-up for season 14

    Coke Studio announces all-star line-up for season 14

    Coke Studio has announced its line-up for their 14th season. Music composer Xulfi and his team of musicians are all set to be coming up with a new age melody.

    As per Express Tribune, there will be 12 songs this year with all different directors for each song.

    This time Xulfi is working with a few ‘associate producers’: Abdullah Siddiqui of ‘Resistance’ and Peshawar Zalmi anthem fame, and Zain Ali, who has an extensive catalogue ranging from ‘Red Blood Cat’ to ‘Epiphany Productions’ and touring with Atif Aslam, along with the ‘EDM’ artist Talal Qureshi. Xulfi himself is completely producing only a handful of songs.

    There will be rap, there will be qawwali, there will be EDM and no covers at all. Pakistani pop musician Hassan Raheem will be seen along with the music maestros Atif Aslam and Abida Parveen.

    Meesha Shafi gets another season but her brother Faris Shafi will be with her this time. It will be the first time that the two siblings will perform on a song together, most likely produced by budding artist Abdullah Siddiqui.

    Sajjad Ali and Bohemia were a part of the season initially but both will not be a part of the show, and neither are Shamoon Ismail and Natasha Noorani.

    Meanwhile, Coke Studio and Xulfi have made some drastic changes in the show’s overall approach that was usually more Sufi and devotion-driven.

    Artist line up

    Hasan Raheem

    Abida Parveen

    Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch (QB)

    Naseebo Lal

    Atif Aslam

    Momina Mustehsan

    Misha Shafi

    Faris Shafi

    Soch the band

    Butt brothers

    Karakoram

    Talha Yunus

    Faisal Kapadia

    Justin Bibis

  • It’s official: Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal reveal wedding pictures, pen heartfelt romantic notes

    Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have officially tied the knot on Thursday. The star couple got married in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony and took their seven pheras on Thursday afternoon.

    The couple’s wedding ceremony, which was a private affair, was held at Six Senses, Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.

    While no inside pictures or video have been shared with media outlets, paparazzi snapped some wedding guests inside Fort Barwara today, including groom’s father Sham Kaushal.

  • In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    Sri Lankan manager, Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched and his body burnt by a mob in Sialkot on December 3, was buried in his native village in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with state honours.

    The Buddhist clergy performed his religious rituals before police led the procession along with Kumara’s family and friends. They carried a casket with his remains to the cemetery.

    Condolence banners and white flags that symbolise mourning were displayed along the roads.

    Buddhist Clerics are performing Religious Rituals
    The wife of Priyantha Kumara prays with children and family members during a funeral held in Srilanka

    Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national was working as a manager in a factory located in Sialkot since 2010. He allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him, and then burnt his body on Friday.

    The victim’s brother, Arunasiri Wasantha Kumara Diyawadana, who is also working in Pakistan at a garment factory as a technical director, said that factories should have a secure environment.

    He added, “That was not happening in this particular case.”

    He requested both governments to find the root cause of the incident, whether it is a religious or industrial dispute and they have to find the solution accordingly.

    Family members of Srilankan manager Priyantha Kumara carrying his casket to a cemetery during his burial in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    The mother of Priyantha Kumara crying in front of his casket
    Gavith, a son of Priyantha Kumara, places his father portrait on casket during burial
    The wife of Priyantha Kumura cries in front of his casket

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that from now on, no one will be spared who resorts to violence in the name of religion.

    PM Khan made these comments during an event that was being held to honor Malik Adnan who tried to save Kumura.

    The police have arrested more than 100 people involved, and one of the main culprits, Farhan Idrees has been arrested. Farhan gave an interview to local news channels, taking pride in the murder he committed.

  • 293 journalists jailed, 24 killed in 2021: CPJ report

    Record number of journalists were jailed around the world in 2021 with China remaining the world’s worst jailer of journalists for the third year in a row with 50 journalists behind the bars, states a report by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

    Apart from China, 26 journalists are behind bars in Burma, 25 in Egypt, 23 in Vietnam and 19 in Belarus.

    Adding those jailed in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the CPJ said a total of 293 journalists were in prison worldwide as of December 1.

    Forty of the 293 detained journalists – less than 14 per cent – are women.

    Executive director of the group Joel Simon said, “This is the sixth year in a row that CPJ has documented record numbers of journalists imprisoned around the world. It’s distressing to see many countries on the list year after year, but it is especially horrifying that Myanmar and Ethiopia have so brutally slammed the door on press freedom.”

    According to the report, 24 journalists are believed to be killed around the world this year. India has the highest number of journalists – four – confirmed to have been murdered in retaliation for their work. A fifth was killed while covering a protest. While, in the west, Mexico is at the top as three journalists were murdered for their reporting and the motives for six other killings are under investigation.

    The CPJ said the number of journalists behind bars reflects “increasing intolerance for independent reporting around the world”.

    Last month, Freedom Network reported that two dozen journalists in Pakistan had been prosecuted (2019-21) over the past under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

  • Remove ban on imported cars, petitioner moves Lahore High Court

    Remove ban on imported cars, petitioner moves Lahore High Court

    While hearing a case on prices of locally manufactured vehicles, the Lahore High Court (LHC) court has asked the government to level the prices of domestically assembled cars and also mitigate the ban on imported cars. The government had decided in principle to impose a temporary ban on the imported cars from Jan 2022 – June 2022 to help reduce the current account deficit .

    On Monday, the LHC was hearing a case in which looked for strategy concerning fixing cost of locally assembled cars. The plaintiff said that the demand for locally manufactured cars had increased drastically ever since the government had banned the import or vehicles.

    The plaintiff said that the government has failed in stabilising prices and the prices of cars are increasing daily. He pleaded to the court to make a decision regarding the fixing of prices of the vehicles and relaxing the ban.

    The LHC has been pleaded to pass judgment regarding the fixing of the domestically manufactured vehicles and the ban on the import of vehicles should also be relaxed.