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  • ‘Arab rulers who presented gifts to PM Khan didn’t want their names to be made public’: Fawad

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry recently revealed that Arab rulers who presented gifts to the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan “did not want their names to be made public”.

    While speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jirga’ with senior journalist Saleem Safi on Sunday, Fawad stated, “Previously, the heads of the government were allowed to take gifts after paying 15 per cent of the actual price.”

    “Vehicles were considered personal gifts, but former president Asif Ali Zardari changed the law for personal interest,” he added while criticising the past governments.

    Talking about the local elections in the country, the minister admitted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s biggest failure was “not holding local body elections” in Pakistan. Moreover, he said that the local bodies, formed by former Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif, were not effective and could not be restored on a technical basis.

    He added that PM insisted on having elections but members within the party, including Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, didn’t agree to it.

    He further said that a review petition against the restoration of the local bodies is being heard in the Supreme Court (SC).

    Chaudhry said that the government has no personal rivalry with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) but the election body directly attacked the PM during the Senate polls.

    Furthermore, he revealed a total of 0.6 million Election Voting Machines (EVM) will be required for the upcoming general elections of 2023.

    Previously, the federal government denied giving out information about the exchange of gifts between the premier and other heads of state. They mentioned in a notice that the matter is reflective of inter-state relations and the disclosure of such information potentially damages the interest of Pakistan in the context of international relations.

  • ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ pair Fawad-Sanam set to romance in three projects

    ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ pair Fawad-Sanam set to romance in three projects

    Actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are set to be seen opposite each other in three different projects.

    The Zindagi Gulzaar Hai duo will be seen in a television commercial. Earlier, pictures of the actors from BTS (behind the scenes) were circulating on social media.

    Later, it was also reported that the two have signed the feature film Aan, directed by Haseeb Hassan.

    As per recent reports, the Humsafar star is reportedly starring in an upcoming Zee5 web series.

    Indian producer Shailja Kejriwal who has produced films like Qarib Qarib Single shared a picture of the Kapoor and Sons hero on her Instagram with the caption reading, ‘FINALLY!’ Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar commented ‘excited for this one’ under the picture, further hinting towards the project being a Zee5 show since Jabbar has created the likes of Ek Jhooti Love Story for the same platform.

    While Saeed’s involvement in the project is yet to be confirmed, fans are already celebrating the rumours.

    The hit on-screen pair did a photoshoot for Sadaf’s clothing line recently.

    Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are reuniting, this time for a movie - Film & TV - Images
    Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan reunite for photo shoot | Pakistani Cinema – Gulf News

  • Ghana Ali, Umair Gulzar ooze romance on their beach getaway

    Actor Ghana Ali enjoyed a romantic getaway with husband Umair Gulzar at a beach in Karachi. The Dilruba diva shared pictures of their special moment.

    Ghana, recently announced that she is expecting her first child with Umair, n a special Instagram post, “We are so happy to announce that our little bundle of joy will arrive soon”.

    The duo married in May 2021.

    She recently opened up on her post-marriage life.

  • Usman Mirza threatened to gang-rape victim if she did not have sex with her friend

    The police has submitted a challan in the the Islamabad couple harassment case. The challan submitted at an Islamabad sessions court states that there are seven accused in the crime. In addition to Usman, the others are Farhan Shaheen, Hafiz Ataur Rehman, Adaras Qayyum Butt, Rehan Hassan Mughal, Umar Bilal and Mohib Bangash.

    The woman’s statement recorded in front of the magistrate states that that Usman Mirza and the other suspects threatened to gang-rape her if she did not have sex with her friend while they filmed it. 

    “I was frightened because of their threats; they tortured me and forcibly removed the trouser of my friend,” the woman stated, adding: “The accused persons then forced her to perform a nude dance in front of them.”

    “Upon my refusal, he [Usman] started beating me. He slapped me and forced me to walk nude in front of his friends,” the challan cited the statement of the girl as saying.

    The man and woman were being blackmailed by Usman Mirza. “The men extorted Rs1.15 million from the complainants,” the investigation officer told the court. Out of the Rs. 1.15 million, Rs600,000 was taken by Mirza and the remaining amount was distributed among other suspects, he added.

    The police have forwarded the mobile phones of the accused for forensic analysis and requested the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    Usman Mirza was arrested on July 7 after the disturbing video went viral on social media where he could be seen torturing and assaulting a couple. He was also seen stripping a woman in the video.

  • Gohar Rasheed reveals why he is impressed by Sarah and inspired by Falak

    Gohar Rasheed reveals why he is impressed by Sarah and inspired by Falak

    Leading actor of Pakistan drama industry Gohar Rasheed has said that whenever he gets married, he will become a husband like singer Falak Shabir.

    Recently, Gohar appeared in an interview with an online portal in which he discussed various topics including his career, recent sociopolitical incidents in Pakistan and his reason for doing the role of Danyal in Laapata.

    He also talked about his plans for marriage, while referring to the Nazar-e-Bad actor Sarah Khan’s husband Falak Shabir, he said that he is very impressed by him.

    The Mann Mayal star said: “Inshallah! Whenever I get married in life, I will be a husband like Falak because I am very impressed with him.”

    The actor said: “In our country, husbands are reluctant to show love to their wives. They are afraid to give flowers to their wives in front of the world. They do all sorts of things, but when it comes to expressing love to their wives, men are afraid to do.”

    He mentioned: “I have seen with my own eyes that Falak takes great care of Sarah. When he comes to the seat, he takes care of his wife in front of everyone.”

    “It is a great pleasure to see Falak taking care of Sarah and I want every man to take care of his wife in the same way”, he concluded.

    He also praised the Mere Bewafa diva for performing difficult scenes during pregnancy.

    It should be noted that Gohar and Sarah are currently working together in the drama serial Laapata which is being aired on Hum TV.

  • ‘PPP will forcefully oppose NAB Chairman’s illegal extension’: Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘PPP will forcefully oppose NAB Chairman’s illegal extension’: Bilawal Bhutto

    Reacting to news that the government may give an extension to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Javed Iqbal, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: “PPP will forcefully oppose the illegal extension in the tenure of chairman NAB.”

    “Even attempting an extension, for most controversial chairman in history, would serve to prove our argument that NAB is an extension of [prime minister Imran Khan] IK’s govt not impartial.”

    The four-year tenure of NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal will end early next month.

    The non-extendable tenure of the NAB chairman has led to rumours as Prime Minister Imran Khan refuses to consult the Leader of the Opposition and the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shehbaz Sharif.

    PM Khan has refused to hold talks with Shehbaz Sharif as the latter is accused of corruption references filed against him by NAB.

  • Moeen Ali retires from Test cricket

    Moeen Ali retires from Test cricket

    English all-round cricketer Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

    Discussing his decision, Moeen said: “I’m 34 now and I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket. Test cricket is amazing, when you’re having a good day it’s better than any other format by far, it’s more rewarding and you feel like you’ve really earnt it.”

    “I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also from a bowling point of view, knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out. I’ve enjoyed Test Cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done.”

    Moeen had already informed captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood of his decision.

    The 34-year-old has scored 2,914 runs in 64 Tests at an average of 28.29 with five centuries and picked up 195 wickets with his off-spin bowling at an average of 36.66.

    Meanwhile, he will play both the formats other than Test and he remains a part of England’s plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.

  • Woman dies after doctor forgets towel, sponge in belly

    Woman dies after doctor forgets towel, sponge in belly

    A woman passed away on Saturday in the District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) during her cesarean surgery after the doctor forgot a towel, sponge and cotton inside the patient’s belly, ARY News reported.

    Her family protested against the alleged negligence by the hospital staff outside the Okara DHQ.

    According to details, the woman died after some time into her delivery. Later, it was revealed that there were surgical leftovers inside her stomach before she was stitched up.

    Earlier, a YouTuber, Rahim Pardesi also made a video on how his wife almost died due to a doctor’s negligence at a private hospital. 

  • Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats narrowly win against Angela Merkel’s party

    Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats narrowly win against Angela Merkel’s party

    Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats narrowly won Sunday’s national election, projected results showed, and claimed a “clear mandate” to lead a government for the first time since 2005 and to end 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel, reported BBC.

    The SPD secured 25.7 per cent of the vote, while the ruling conservative CDU/CSU bloc gained 24.1 per cent. The Greens achieved the best result in their party’s history, coming in third with 14.8 per cent of the ballot.

    A coalition must now be created to form a government.

    Agreeing to a new coalition could take months, and will likely involve the smaller Greens and liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

    “We are ahead in all the surveys now,” the Social Democrats’ chancellor candidate, Olaf Scholz, said in a round table discussion with other candidates after the vote.

    Scholz’s conservative rival Armin Laschet signalled his bloc was not ready yet to concede, though his supporters were subdued.

    “It is an encouraging message and a clear mandate to make sure that we get a good, pragmatic government for Germany,” he added after earlier addressing jubilant SPD supporters.

    Scholz, 63, would become the fourth post-war SPD chancellor after Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, and Gerhard Schroeder. Finance minister in Merkel’s cabinet, he is a former mayor of Hamburg.

    Attention will now shift to informal discussions followed by more formal coalition negotiations which could take months, leaving Merkel in charge of a caretaker role.

    Scholz and Laschet both said they would aim to strike a coalition deal before Christmas.

    Merkel plans to step down after the election, making the vote an era-changing event to set the future course of Europe’s largest economy.

  • Jinnah’s statue blown up in Gawadar, Balochistan Republican Army takes responsibility

    A statue of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah installed along Gawadar’s Marine Drive has blown up by the militants, BBC Urdu reported.

    Talking to BBC Urdu, DPO Gawadar, Dr Farhan, said that the statue was blown into pieces on Sunday morning around 9:20 am in morning.

    The outlawed Balochistan Republican Army has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

    Gawadar Deputy Commissioner Major Retired Abdul Kabeer said militants who attacked the statue had posed as tourists to get access to the area.

    He said an investigation is underway, though no arrests have been made so far.

    The statue was fitted in a high-security zone near the residence of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the office of the Deputy Inspector General in June 2021.

    DC Gawadar said militants had placed an improvised explosive device at the site. Some reports say that a hand grenade had been thrown at the statue.

    Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has strongly condemned the attack.

    The chief minister said that terrorists would not be allowed to disrupt the peace of the province. He ordered the concerned authorities to instantly arrest the perpetrators of the attack.

    Social media users condemned the act and questioned the security in Gawadar.

    https://twitter.com/SobdarBaloch_/status/1442057738176004104?s=20