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  • Taliban fighters head to capture Ahmad Shah Massoud’s Panjshir Valley: Reports

    Taliban fighters head to capture Ahmad Shah Massoud’s Panjshir Valley: Reports

    Taliban claimed that hundreds of their fighters are heading to the Panjshir Valley, reported Al Jazeera. Panjshir Valley is known as the area of Ahmed Shah Massoud’s Northern Alliance and is one of the few parts of the country not yet controlled by the newly-emerged Taliban setup. However, there has been much resistance going on between the groups since the Taliban’s takeover.

    Speaking to Al Jazeera, Taliban leader Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, said, “If we can defeat superpowers, surely we can provide safety to the Afghan people.” He is also a veteran of the Afghan-Soviet war.

    However, Ahmad Massoud, son of the slain hero of the anti-Soviet resistance, Ahmad Shah Massoud, told Reuters by telephone: “We want to make the Taliban realise that the only way forward is through negotiation but his supporters are ready to fight if Taliban forces try to invade the valley.”

    Earlier, Massoud was given four hours to give up Panjshir Valley, where Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh is in hiding, as per reports.

    Unconfirmed reports say the Taliban have reached the valley.

  • Influencer calls out ‘HKKST’ for showcasing ‘child domestic labour’, gets polarizing response

    Influencer calls out ‘HKKST’ for showcasing ‘child domestic labour’, gets polarizing response

    Influencer Kanwal Ahmed has called out drama serial Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay for featuring characters endorsing child domestic labour. The hit play features superstar Mahira Khan, Kubra Khan and Usman Mukhtar as the lead trio.

    Actor Zainab Qayoom responded her under the tweet and stated that initially it was a concern that was raised by her fellow colleagues and herself but the character is pivotal to the plot of the drama.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WhatsApp-Image-2021-08-23-at-5.49.49-PM-687x1024.jpeg

    Netizens remained divided as some believed that it just depicts the reality which a drama is supposed to while others stated that a drama featuring such big stars shouldn’t endorse the concept of domestic child labour.

    So far only four episodes have been released and the story is yet to unfold further which will provide more clarity on the matter.

  • People congratulate Ramiz Raja on becoming Chairman PCB

    People congratulate Ramiz Raja on becoming Chairman PCB

    Pakistani Twitterati is congratulating former cricketer-turned commentator Ramiz Raja on becoming Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman. Raja is in the running for PCB’s top slot but there is no confirmation yet if he will indeed be appointed or not.

    Journalist Ejaz Wasim Bakhri turned to Twitter and shared a video of Raja’s car entering Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office to meet him.

    https://twitter.com/ejazwasim/status/1429748505908846593?s=20

    While people can be heard saying that look the new chairman is going.

    Taking to Twitter, Fakhar-e-Alam congratulated the former cricketer.

    Many tweeted that he has already become the PCB Chairman.

    https://twitter.com/MalikZamad_/status/1429758835258916874?s=20

    On the other hand, Journalist Shahid Hashmi claimed that Mani will continue as the Board’s chairman.

    In another tweet, Shahid Hashmi said: “As per PCB constitution Mani’s second tenure will be three years but since he doesn’t want to serve the full term a new chairman can come next year.”

    Journalist Absa Komal also shared on Twitter that PM Khan has “selected Ramiz Raja as Chairman PCB.”

    https://twitter.com/AbsaKomal/status/1429796388007780355?s=19

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that members of the PCB’s Board of Governors (BoG) will give votes to the nominated members and the new chairman will be elected. Raja will serve as a board member and then the Chairman will be selected after re-election.

    Ex-Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has backed Ramiz Raja. Here’s what he said: “He hasn’t been going for commentary duties in the last couple of series and that gave us some signals for the future. A cricketer coming in as a chairman would benefit domestic cricket. It will bring in money.”

    People also shared jokes and memes after this news.

  • ‘They try tactics to get attention’: Agha Ali slams fellow celebrities who share personal life with fans

    Actor Agha Ali has revealed the reason behind keeping his married life with Hina Altaf private from social media while talking to Urdu News,. The Mere Bewafa actor said, “Personal life is called personal life and professional life is called professional life for a reason.”

    He continued by saying, “I never share any picture with my wife inside my house because i believe my private life should stay private.”

    “It is not that we never share any picture on social media, we do share pictures together on special occasions on Eid because we are public figures” said the actor.

    “Other celebrities who post their pictures on social media media more frequently, maybe we they get happiness from it. When these celebrities do not get the recognition from their work, then they try different tactics to get the attention.”

    The Mere Meherbaan star is set to turn a director with the upcoming web film, Raat starring him and his ladylove Hina.

  • ‘India should refrain from using Afghan soil against Pakistan’: Hekmatyar

    ‘India should refrain from using Afghan soil against Pakistan’: Hekmatyar

    “India should refrain from using the Afghan soil against Pakistan to take revenge for Kashmiris’ struggle in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” said former prime minister of Afghanistan and Hezb-e-Islami chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

    In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan’s Special Correspondent Bilal Mehsud in Kabul on Sunday, Hekmatyar said that India should focus on its internal issues instead of issuing statements about the future of Afghanistan.

    Hekmatyar said an inclusive government comprising all the other political groups was the need of the hour. “Such a government could stop further bloodshed in Afghanistan and steer the war-ravaged country out of the present crisis.”

    Hekmatyar also praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long-term stance on peace and a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue. He said he hoped there would soon be a government in Kabul, which would be acceptable to the Afghan people and the international community.

    “The Afghans have grown tired of the long conflict and fighting and now they want to bring peace and stability to their war-torn country and collectively work for its reconstruction and progress,” said Hekmatyar.

    Hekmatyar further added, “Our enemy can cast a negative impact on the Afghan peace process but the United States (US) and other forces had no right to interfere in the Afghanistan issue. It is the sole prerogative of the Afghan people to decide about their future.”

    However, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has no objection to India and Afghanistan developing cordial relations, further clarifying that Islamabad was not focusing on any one particular group in Afghanistan, reported Geo News.

  • Get rid of Chairman Senate, we will topple Buzdar govt: PML-N tells PPP

    Get rid of Chairman Senate, we will topple Buzdar govt: PML-N tells PPP

    The Pakistan Mus­lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) says it is ready to support a no-confidence motion to overthrow the government provided the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) comes up with a workable proposal.

    “We’re ready to support the PPP’s idea for dislodging the PTI government through a no-confidence motion but it should put forward a workable proposal for this purpose,” said PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal, reported Dawn.

    If PPP brought a successful no-trust motion against the Senate chairman, then the PML-N would follow suit by moving a no-confidence motion in the Punjab Assembly, where the PPP has only six seats, said Iqbal.

    Iqbal said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman was “dancing to the tune of the government” because the latter had some (objectionable) video clips of the NAB chief.

    He challenged the NAB chairman to ask retired general Asim Saleem Bajwa as to how he had gathered assets worth millions of dollars through his salary.

    Regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan’s image of “Mr Clean”, the PML-N leader said he was living in a one kanal rented house and was paying more income tax than the premier who lives in a 300-plus kanal palace.

    Iqbal asked PTI supporters to explain this oddity to the masses.

  • ‘Has someone told her about Kashmir?’: Fatima Bhutto slams Angelina Jolie

    ‘Has someone told her about Kashmir?’: Fatima Bhutto slams Angelina Jolie

    Fatima Bhutto has expressed her wish for actor Angelina Jolie to talk about Kashmir and Palestine after she made an Instagram account to call attention to the plight of people in Afghanistan.

    The Wanted star intends to raise awareness specifically for oppressed women and young girls following the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country.

    Taking to Twitter, Fatima said: “Judging by some leading feminists and actresses, Afghanistan was a paradise until last week.”

    In another tweet she wrote: “Thanks so much, do Palestine next.”

    “Has anyone told her about Kashmir,” she questioned in her third tweet.

    The Hollywood star’s debut Instagram post included an image of a hand-written letter she said was sent from a teenage girl in Afghanistan, who expressed fear about attending school under the Taliban regime.

    “Right now, the people of Afghanistan are losing their ability to communicate on social media and to express themselves freely,” Jolie wrote in the caption of the post. “So I’ve come on Instagram to share their stories and the voices of those across the globe who are fighting for their basic human rights.”

  • Ideas 9 organises event to promote inter-sect harmony

    Ideas 9 organises event to promote inter-sect harmony

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Ideas 9, organised a majlis for inter-sect and interfaith harmony by inviting people from different sects.

    Religious scholars narrated the historic events that happened in Karbala.

    Plants were distributed among the participants at the end of the event.

  • Real insights into Junaid Safdar, Ayesha Saif’s royal Nikkah ceremony in London

    Real insights into Junaid Safdar, Ayesha Saif’s royal Nikkah ceremony in London

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and Captain Muhammad Safdar Awan’s son Junaid Safdar married Ayesha Saif Khan in London on Sunday in a lavish ceremony. The duo tied the knot at The Lanesborough, a 5-star hotel in Knightsbridge.

    The beautiful bride donned India’s most sought after designer, Sabyasachi’s luxury collection at her Nikkah ceremony.

    Sabyasachi's
    Photo: Courtesy Zehra Photography
    Photo: Dawn
    Photo: Zayd Hussain Nawaz/Instagram
    Photo: correspondent

    The photography has been done by Zehra Jagani, who managed to shoot the entire ceremony and décor with interesting camera angles. She was named amongst UK’s TOP 50 Wedding Photographers in 2020.

    The make-up and grooming of the bride has been done by a make-up artist and columnist Nikki Wolff who has worked with Hollywood biggies like Salma Hayek.

    Salma Hayek - IMDb

    The elegant floral décor has been done by acclaimed artist Tony Marklew.

    Ali Dar, son of Ishaq Dar and uncle to Junaid, posted “Here’s to an eternally blissful life ahead”.

    The soothing Harps were performed by Harpists Catrin and Isabella Asbjornsesn.

    The desserts were prepared by talented chefs Kevin and Maria.

    Read More: Ayesha Saif Khan donned Indian designer Sabyasachi’s luxury bridal collection at her royal Nikkah ceremony

  • Fact Check: TikTokers are not banned in public parks

    Fact Check: TikTokers are not banned in public parks

    Claim: TikTokers are banned from public parks in Pakistan

    Fact: A fake notification by the Parks and Horticulture Authority claimed TikTokers have been banned in public parks

    Media outlets reported on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 that the Punjab Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has officially banned TikTokers in all public parks. A document was also circulated, stating that ‘we are a responsible authority expect responsible attitude from the public too…[Youtubers and TikTokers] will be taking permission and sharing the content of the video prior to any shoot from now onwards.”

    However Azhar Mashwani, Focal Person of Digital Media to the Chief Minister of Punjab has clarified this statement, in a tweet. He, while calling the news a fake one said that “no such decision taken so far by Govt Currently TikTok is banned in Pakistan.”

    The Current spoke to Mashwani and asked him about the official notification related to the ban which is circulating.

    He stated that it is merely a suggestion by the Vice Chairman of PHA and it requires a lot of approval from the other high officials. We even asked him that if we go to a public park right now and make a TikTok video there would the authorities there allow us? He responded with a yes.

    The notice has been making rounds on social media platforms since yesterday following the Minar-e-Pakistan incident in which Ayesha Akram, a TikToker survived a mass sexual assault on August 14.

    No other official from PHA or Punjab Government has commented so far on the matter.

    VERDICT: FALSE