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  • PIA bidders reluctant to retain employees after privatisation

    Prospective buyers of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have expressed reluctance to retain the airline’s employees. On Monday, the National Assembly panel recommended that the government order the buyer to retain all its employees for five years.

    Express Tribune reported that some bidders also indicated that all employee liabilities up to the bid date should be the government’s headache.

    Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Muhammad Farooq Sattar, who chaired the standing committee, urged that PIA’s employees be retained for at least five years and that the workers’ union be involved.

    The draft Share, Purchase and Subscription Agreement currently proposes that existing employees, regardless of their position, cannot be terminated, laid off, retrenched, or forced to resign for three years from the completion date, except in misconduct cases. However, Secretary of the Privatisation Ministry Jawad Paul noted that this is still being determined.

    He also stated that PIA has incurred Rs499 billion in losses since 2015, with cumulative losses reaching Rs842 billion.

    The government is required to conduct a special audit of PIA’s accounts by June 30th, a requirement before its privatisation.

  • Dr Omer Adil says sorry to Gharidah Farooqi

     Cultural analyst and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Omer Adil has made an important announcement in resolving a recent issue.

    In July, during an appearance on the podcast Dil Ki Baat hosted by Zohaib Butt, Dr. Adil went on a misogynistic rant: “These anchors are somehow in touch with high profile Pakistanis. Female anchors are treated in an extraordinary manner. Nobody cares about the male anchor sitting next to the female anchor.”
     
     Dr. Omer Adil added that even their show’s producers have no guts to instruct the women or criticize them on their mistakes. In fact, in those cases, producers leave the show and run away.

    The arrest warrants were brought to the media by anchorperson Gharidah Farooqi through X (formerly twitter) who asked for an apology from Dr. Adil, which was not forthcoming for some time. Later, Dr. Adil was arrested on her complaint.
     
    In a statement shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Gharida Farooqui wrote, “Dr. Omer Adil has been arrested after my legal request. Dr. Omer Adil made obscene, vulgar and defamatory allegations against me and all women working in the media on the digital platform; In which especially my name was taken. I gave an opportunity to Dr. Omer Adil in legal proceedings to apologize publicly, but he did not do so. Salute to all the law enforcement agencies who acted on my request for the protection of women. It is hoped that justice will be done and the perpetrators of crimes against women will be brought to an end, and women will get full protection in Pakistan.”

    Farooqui also wrote in her tweet, “This arrest has been made by FIA, and all the officials of Cybercrime Wing Lahore, including DG FIA, deserve a lot of thanks and appreciation. They are doing the legal process in the best way with full professional responsibility.”
     
    Dr. Omer Adil has now apologised: “This is an apology from my side Dr Omer Adil to the host and anchorperson, Gharidah Farooqi. This is completely an unconditional, whole hearted and sincere apology. I understand that she has been very hurt and distressed by a particular podcast which is being edited and completely manipulated by the host of the podcast.”
     
    “I want to clarify that we are just two people working in the media, and I have the utmost respect for her as a professional. I could never imagine abusing or calling her names under any circumstances. If I have unintentionally hurt, I sincerely apologize, as it was never my intention to harm anyone, especially a woman working in journalism and television. I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me and consider withdrawing her complaint if she deems it appropriate. I am willing to go to any extent necessary to apologize and make amends for the distress caused,” Dr. Omer Adil added.

  • Sindhi journalist killed in Ghotki

    Sindhi journalist killed in Ghotki

    Unknown armed men shot and killed Bachal Ghuniyo, a local journalist working for Awaz TV, Ghotki, Sindh.

    Ghuniyo was killed in the area of Rawanti, after which the attackers fled the scene. The journalist’s body was then taken to Ubauro Hospital.

    Police are reportedly investigating the incident, suspecting it may be related to an ‘old enmity.’

    This follows a previous case in which journalist Nasrullah Gadani was also shot dead in Ghotki.

    To read more about Nasrullah Gadani case: Witnesses name PPP MNA, two sons in Nasrullah Gadani murder case

  • Mahira Khan shares VERY romantic photo on husband’s birthday

    Superstar Mahira Khan wished her husband, Salim Karim, a happy birthday by sharing a romantic picture on Instagram.

    In the caption, the actress wrote, “Happy birthday, my Jan. P.S. Please make a small dua for us. It would be lovely.”

    Mahira, who worked opposite King Shah Rukh Khan in the Bollywood film ‘Raees’, married her long-time close friend Saleem Karim last year.

  • Law Minister rejects reports of extension for CJP Qazi Faez Isa

    Law Minister rejects reports of extension for CJP Qazi Faez Isa

    Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) will be appointed on seniority basis, rejecting rumors that Qazi Faez Isa might get an extension in his tenure.

    Speaking on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, he said, “Seniority will be of paramount importance in appointing a new chief justice. The senior-most judge will be the chief justice.”

    He also said that ordinary legislation cannot bypass the appointment of the CJP, as enshrined in Article 175-A(3) of the constitution.

    Tarar further stated that the top judge will retire on October 25, 2024, and has “no interest” in getting an extension. Senior Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will replace Qazi Faez Isa as CJP.

  • Internet shutdown costs 65 billion rupees to Pakistan’s economy

    Internet shutdown costs 65 billion rupees to Pakistan’s economy

    Pakistan’s economy has suffered a loss of PKR 65 billion in 2023 due to internet shutdowns.

    Statista’s latest data reveals that 8.3 million Pakistanis were affected by the internet outage, which lasted 259 hours.

    Statista is a German online organization that specializes in data collection. It ranked Pakistan seventh in terms of losses in the last financial year.

    Last year, India was one of the top countries with the longest internet shutdowns in the world, with 47 crore users not having access to the internet. This resulted in India being ranked fourth for internet shutdowns.

    “In India – the country that cuts internet access the most – shutdowns have in the past clustered in Kashmir and Rajasthan, where they have been used during protests (and preemptively when protests were expected), but also during exams. In 2023, ethnic tensions in Manipur state led to most targeted shutdowns employed by the government”, states Statista’s official website.

    Internet service in India was highest in Occupied Kashmir and Rajasthan.

    The total list of 25 countries with the most internet shutdowns from top to bottom is Russia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Iran, India, Iraq, Pakistan, Algeria, Senegal, Azerbaijan, Guinea, Brazil, Mauritania, Yemen, Venezuela, Kenya, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Gabon, Tanzania, Cuba, Chad, Zimbabwe and Suriname at last in the list respectively.

    Regionally, after 2019, Asia experienced the most disruption cases of internet connections, over 50 percent compared to the rest of the world.

  • Mohsin Naqvi shares update on surgery in cricket team

    Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has shared an update on the surgery on the Pakistan cricket team.

    While addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, he said, “People talk about surgery and want to cut the throats of four or five, that doesn’t happen. Let the pool be made first; then, there will be a backup, and surgery will be done. The surgery is still pending, let the instruments be completed first.”

    He said, “I will fix all cricket issues. I don’t have any magic wand to wave.”

    Talking about Bangladesh’s defeat, he said, “The defeat against Bangladesh is very disappointing. The Champions Cup will be completed at the end of September, and then performers will come forward. The selection committee has picked the boys. There are 17 players now, and it is the job of the coach and captain to make a strong lineup.”

    “Waqar Younis has helped in terms of mentors; he was supposed to take over a team, but now he will take over the team regularly. It’s been 5-7 months, and I’m trying to improve the situation.”

    Regarding the Rawalpindi Test, he further said, “We have requested the pitch report and will receive it by tomorrow, regretting the defeat. Trying to improve will take some time, but it will all get better. The players’ central contract will also be announced in the next few days.”

    Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets in Rawalpindi on August 25 in the first Test of a three-match Test series.

  • If anything happens to me, army and ISI chiefs will be responsible: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan, the founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while talking to journalists on August 26 in Adiala Jail, warned that if something happens to his life, the Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and ISI Chief Gen Nadeem Anjum would be held responsible.

    The former prime minister also claimed that he is being held in harsh conditions, saying, “My cell is hot as an oven, so I am sweating, yet I do not want any relief.”

    He emphasised that he has no contact with the military establishment while stating that any future communication, if it were to occur, would be for the country’s rule and law.

    Khan lashed out at the Interior Minister and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, calling him a “crony” who has destroyed the country’s sports.

    He accused Naqvi of having $5 million worth of property in Dubai registered under his wife’s name while questioning his qualifications.

    Khan also expressed concern about his wife, Bushra Bibi’s living conditions, stating that her room is infested with rats.

  • Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule announced

    Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule announced

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule.

    ICC has divided 10 teams into two groups. Group A includes India, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, while Group B includes South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland.

    Pakistan will start their campaign on October 3 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. They will play their second match against traditional rivals India on October 6 in Dubai. Pakistan will face Australia in the third match on October 11, while New Zealand will face it on October 14.

    The event’s semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 and 18 in Dubai and Sharjah respectively. The final match of the Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled for October 20 in Dubai.

    Before the event, warm-up matches will also be played from September 28 to October 1, and the national women’s team will play two warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh.

  • Naimal Khawar and Hamza Ali Abbasi celebrate five years together

    Naimal Khawar and Hamza Ali Abbasi celebrate five years together

    Hamza Ali Abbasi and Naimal Khawar Abbasi have just recorded a milestone in their married life.

    The fan-favourite couple tied the knot exactly five years ago.
     
    On their fifth wedding anniversary, Naimal and Hamza are celebrating their love with a combined post on Instagram with the caption, “5 years today! Allahumdollilah ♥”

    The two are dressed in white in the accompanying photos.

     
    Fans and people from the entertainment industry are also wishing them on Instagram.
    Hamza Ali Abbasi tied the knot with Naimal Khawar in 2019 on 25 August.