Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged the Western countries to outlaw rising instances of blasphemy, just as some countries restrict anti-Semitic speech or Holocaust denial.
In a series of tweets, the prime minister condemned “extreme right politicians” in the West who “deliberately indulge” in willful and intentional provocations under the “guise of freedom of speech”.
The premier made it clear that the government took action against TLP under the anti-terrorism law when it challenged the writ of the state and used street violence, as no one can be above the law and the country’s constitution.
“Let me make [it] clear to people here and abroad [that] our government only took action against TLP under our anti-terrorist law when they challenged the writ of the state, used street violence and attacked the public and law enforcers. No one can be above the law and the Constitution,” the premier said in his tweets.
My message to extremists abroad who indulge in Islamophobia & racist slurs to hurt & cause pain to 1.3 bn Muslims across the globe: We Muslims have the greatest love & respect for our Prophet PBUH who lives in our hearts. We cannot tolerate any such disrespect & abuse.
I also call on Western govts who have outlawed any negative comment on the holocaust to use the same standards to penalise those deliberately spreading their message of hate against Muslims by abusing our Prophet PBUH.
Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday bid farewell to her late husband, Prince Philip, at a royal funeral like no other, restricted by coronavirus rules but reflecting his long life of military and public service. The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9 at age 99, was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle after a 50-minute service attended by just 30 guests.
The Queen, 94, seen for the first time since his death, was dressed in mourning black, with a white-trimmed, black face mask. Close family, also masked, sat socially distanced in the historic 15th-century Gothic chapel.
Philip — described by royals as “the grandfather of the nation” — was Britain’s longest-serving royal consort and was married to the Queen for 73 years. He was an almost constant presence at her side during her record-breaking reign that began in 1952 as Britain rebuilt from World War II, and as its global empire began to unravel.
Unseen photo of Queen and Philip in 2003 on the Balmoral estate
His death, which the family said had left a “huge void” in the Queen’s life, has robbed her of the man she called her “strength and stay” and closes a remarkable chapter for Britain’s most famous family, and in the country’s history.
https://youtu.be/OdYWnSZ2rWc
The last high-profile funeral of a senior royal was for the Queen’s mother, who died in 2002, aged 101. But unlike then, when more than one million people thronged outside Westminster Abbey in central London to watch the sombre pageant, the public was noticeably absent from Saturday’s ceremony.
Government guidelines limited the number of mourners and a quartet performed hymns the duke chose himself in a barren nave stripped of seating.
The ceremonial funeral from behind the stately castle walls was broadcast live on television to millions across Britain and the world.
Beforehand, a military gun fired to signal a minute’s silence, when his coffin, draped in his standard and topped by a wreath of white roses and lilies from the Queen, his naval cap and ceremonial sword was borne by a bespoke Land Rover hearse he designed himself, arrived at the chapel.
Across Britain — on the streets, in shops, railway stations and at sporting events — people bowed their heads with respect.
Flights in an out of nearby Heathrow Airport were stopped for the duration of the ceremony.
Despite the restrictions, the stripped-down sendoff for the former Royal Navy commander still combined centuries of royal protocol with pomp, pageantry — and military precision.
Members of the British armed forces, in formal dress, lined the procession route, heads bowed, as the cortege passed, as a minute gun rang out across the grounds and a bell tolled.
Philip’s grandsons William, 38, and Harry, 36, joined the procession, in their first public meeting since a reported falling out about Harry’s shock move to California, and his stinging criticism of royal life, including racism in the family.
Harry had to quarantine when he arrived back in Britain for the first time since his move to the United States with his wife, Meghan, last year. Meghan reportedly watched the funeral at her home in California after she was advised by her doctor not to travel while pregnant. US networks showed the funeral live as did British TV stations.
The religious service was a simple affair, reflecting the wishes of the straight-talking duke, who was known for his aversion to “fuss”.
In keeping with his wishes, there was no sermon, but the service reflected his love of the sea, and long association with the Royal Navy, including hymns and Bible readings.
The Queen, who had been escorted to the chapel by a lady-in-waiting in the royal Bentley, watched from the chapel choir as her husband’s was lowered steadily into the Royal Vault by electric motor.
The Pipe Major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played a lament, and buglers of the Royal Marines sounded The Last Post.
When the Queen dies, he will be transferred to lie alongside her in the King George VI memorial chapel, which houses the remains of her father, George VI, her mother, also called Elizabeth, and the ashes of her younger sister, Margaret.
Falak Shabir has left fans confused after he shared an illustration of a woman carrying a baby and her husband worried about it.
“This is the beauty of a relationship! Subhan Allah,” Falak captioned the photo.
While Falak did not explain his post further, many are convinced that this is a pregnancy announcement from the couple.
Sarah had earlier been hospitalised due to ill health. Her manager had confirmed to The Current that the actor has contracted typhoid due to which she had to be admitted to the hospital.
Later in a short video clip, Khan had informed her fans that she has returned home from the hospital and is doing better.
ابھی ایک ہفتہ پہلے میری والدہ کو کورونا ویکیسنیشن کی دوسری خوراک لگی ۔ پہلی خوراک والے دن میں کافی گھبرائی ہوئی تھی کہ پتا نہیں کیسے ہوگی ، سینٹر پر کیا حال ہوگا ،لوگ کتنے ہونگے وغیرہ وغیرہ ۔ جب میں سینٹر پر پہنچی تو لوگوں کا جمِ غفیر نظر آیا ۔ زندگی میں پہلی بار اتنے لوگوں کو ٹیکہ لگوانے کی خوشی تھی ۔ مجھے اندازہ نہیں تھا کہ کام شروع کیسے ہوگا ۔ اسی دوران میں نے کسی سے پوچھا جو کورونا سینٹر کے نمائندہ ہی تھے ۔ انہوں نے کہا آپ میرے ساتھ آ جائیں ۔ میں آپ کا کام کروا دیتا ہوں ۔ انہوں نے دس منٹ میں فارم جمع کروا کرآخری مرحلے تک کام کروا دیا ۔ میں نے پیسے دینے چاہے تو انہوں نے کہا “میں انسانیت کے ناتے کر رہا تھا، پیسے رکھئے” ۔ ساتھ ہی انہوں نے نمبر دیا کہ اگلی خوراک پر رابطہ کیجئے گا اورمیرا نمبر بھی مانگ لیا ۔ میں نے سمجھا خدا سے کوئی غیبی مدد آئی ہے اور خدا کا شکر ادا کیا ۔
میرا شکر البتہ دو تین دن بعد” چلو جی “میں بدلا جب ان ہی صاحب نے اِدھر اُدھر کے میسج کرنے شروع کر دیئے ۔ جب وہ باز نہ آئے، تو میں نے جھوٹ کہہ دیا کہ میں شادی شدہ ہوں میرے خاوند جی میرا فون چیک کرتے ہیں ۔ اس کے دو دن بعد میری والدہ کی ویکسینیشن تھی ۔ میں نے موصوف سے رابطہ کیا کہ مدد مل سکتی ہے ؟ جس پر انہوں نے کہا “جی مشکل ہے” ۔ میرا نقلی خاوند تو میرا دشمن نکلا ! میرے نقلی خاوند کی وجہ سے موصوف کی انسانیت ہی ختم ہو گئی؟ کیا فائدہ ایسے نقلی خاوند کا ؟
میں نے یہ واقعہ ٹویٹر پر لکھا تو ایک شخص نے لکھا ” ہاں تو نمبر دیا تھا ، تو بھگتو اب” ۔ اور مجھے تب احساس ہوا کہ اوہو! غلطی تو میری ہی تھی ۔ چونکہ میں عورت ہوں ، اس لئے غلطی تو ہمیشہ میری ہی ہوگی ۔ چونکہ نمبر عورت کا تھا ، مرد تو بہکے گا ! اسی ہفتے میں پاکستان کے وزیرِاعظم عمران خان نے بھی مجھے احساس دلا دیا کہ غلطی تو میری تھی، ہے اور رہے گی کیونکہ میں عورت ہوں ۔ عمران خان نے اپنے خطاب میں زور دیا کہ ملک میں جنسی زیادتی کو روکنے کے لئے ضروری ہے کہ انگریزوں کے رسم و رواج کوختم کیا جائے ۔ اور پھر دبے دبے الفاظ اور پولے پولے منہ سے کہہ دیا کہ جب عورتیں پردہ نہیں کرتی تو بہت سے مردوں سے کنٹرول نہیں ہوتا اور پھر وہ جنسی زیادتی پر “مجبور” ہو جاتے ہیں۔
زمانے بھر کے غم اور مرد کی یہ “مجبوری!” اس دنیا نے مرد کا جینا حرام کر دیا ہے۔ کیسے کیسے “مجبور” کیا ہے۔ کیسا کیسا امتحان لیا ہے ۔ کبھی مرد “مجبور” ہو کر اپنے ہی گھر کی عورت سے جنسی زیادتی کر دیتا ہے اور کبھی “مجبور” ہو کر موٹر وے پر ایک ماں کو اُس کے بچوں کے سامنے اپنی جنسی ہوس کا شکار کرتا ہے ، کبھی مرد “مجبور” ہوکر رشتے سے انکار کرنے والی عورت سے بدلہ لینے کے لئے اسے اپنی ہوس کا شکار بنا دیتا ہے، اور کبھی مرد عوت کا ناک، کان، بازو کا کچھ حصۤہ ، ہاتھوں کی انگلیاں، پیر ، آنکھیں، بال ، ہونٹ، جو بھی حصہ نظر آ جائے ، اس سے “مجبور” ہو کر عورت کو اپنی ہوس کا شکار بنا دیتا ہے ۔ اور “مجبوری” ادھر رکتی نہیں۔ مرد 3 سال کے لڑکے کو بھی دیکھ کر “مجبور” ہو جاتا ہے ۔ مرد ایک “مجبوری ” کا مجسمہ ہے جسے کب کیا دکھ جائے اور جو دکھ رہا ہو وہ کس طرح اس کو جنسی زیادتی پر “مجبور” کر دے ، آپ کو کبھی نہیں پتہ چلے گا ۔ کیا انہی “مجبوریوں” کی بات کر رہے تھے آپ،وزیرِاعظم صاحب؟
وزیرِ اعظم صاحب ! عورت ہونے کو جرم نہ بنائیں ۔ عورت کے کپڑوں کو مردں کی درندگی چھپانے کے لئے استعمال نہ کریں ۔ مرد جوصدیوں سے جنسی درندگی کو طاقت کے حربے کے طور پر استعمال کرتاہے۔ کبھی حالتِ جنگ میں اور کبھی عورت کو “مزہ” چکھانے کے لئے ، اسے عورت کے لباس میں چھپانے کی کوشش نہ کریں ۔وزیرِاعظم صاحب! وہ کون سے کپڑے ہیں جو مدرسے کے لڑکوں کو ان “مجبور” مردوں کے شر سے نہ بچا سکے ؟وہ کون سے کپڑے ہیں جو 3 سال کی بچیوں کو مردوں سے بچا نہ سکے؟
وزیرِ اعظم صاحب ! کبھی نظر جھکا کر دیکھیں ، کبھی نظر ہٹا کر دیکھیں ، کبھی اپنے نفس پر قابو کر کے دیکھیں ۔۔۔ پھر نہ آپ کو کسی کے کپڑوں سے شکایت ہوگی اور نہ آپ “مجبور” ہوں گے ۔
The Government of India has approved the request to issue visas to the Pakistan cricket team and journalists for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from October to November this year.
According to details, although visas for the Pakistan cricket team have been sorted, it isn’t clear whether fans can travel across the border to watch the matches.
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI’s) apex council has been told by Board secretary Jay Shah following “government assurances”.
Shah informed the council of the same in a video conference meeting held on Friday where it was also decided that the mega-event will be staged across nine venues with Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium hosting the final.
“The visa issue of Pakistan cricket team has been sorted. However, whether the fans can travel across the border to watch matches is still not clear,” an Apex Council member told the Press Trust of India on conditions of anonymity.
“It will be decided in due course of time. However, we had promised ICC that it will be sorted.”
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for close to a decade now due to political tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan has been demanding assurances from the ICC that visas will be granted to its players for the 16-team extravaganza, which will complete seven editions this year.
It must be noted here that the qualifying round for the mega event will take place firstly with teams divided into two groups. Sri Lanka, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, and Oman are placed in Group A whereas Bangladesh, Holland, Namibia, and Scotland will compete in Group B.
For the main event, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, and two qualifying teams are part of Group 1 whereas India, South Africa, Afghanistan, England, and two qualifying teams are placed in Group 2.
Two top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals followed by the mega final, scheduled on November 15.
The tournament is most likely to be played with COVID-19 protocols being enforced. The Decision regarding the crowd will be taken after monitoring the situation closer to the time.
Meera has finally addressed rumours of being admitted to a mental health facility in the United States. Reports of the actor being admitted to a psychiatric facility in America were doing the rounds on social media as well as television.
Speaking to BBC Urdu, Meera shared that she was on a private trip to the US, during which she visited a hospital.
“I was vaccinated in a Brooklyn hospital, and went through some regular medical tests,” said Meera.
When asked to address rumours of being admitted to a psychiatric facility and being deported from America, Meera ignored the question saying: “It’s very late here, everyone is sleeping I can’t talk in detail.”
The actor later said that she was subjected to mental torture, adding that she had to go to the hospital “because I was suffering from depression. But they thought I’m mentally unstable and took away my phone from me.”
She further shared that she tried to explain the difference between mentally unstable and being depressed to them but they refused to understand and admitted her in the hospital.
“I was screaming the entire night, calling for help, and no one came. It was a really scary night for me,” remarked Meera.
Meera further shared that Sheikh Rasheed called the Pakistani Embassy in the US to help her, which made her release possible from the psychiatric facility.
She further clarified that she is not being deported from America but will in fact be returning to Pakistan to record a show.
Earlier, when reports of Meera being admitted to a mental facility were rife, her manager confirmed to The Current that the actor had only gone to get vaccinated and that reports of her being admitted to a facility were completely baseless.
As the government has decided to appoint Shaukat Fayyaz Ahmed Tarin as the new minister of finance and revenue, it needs to get him elected as the member of parliament within six months to have him continue in office, reports said.
This is the same as witnessed in Hafeez Shaikh’s case earlier.
In yet another shuffle in the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday removed Hammad Azhar from the Finance Ministry less than a month after his appointment and replaced him with Tarin.
Prime Minister Imran, instead of appointing Tarin as his adviser on finance, appointed the banking wizard as the finance minister, for which, as per law, he needs to be a member of parliament within six months.
While most ministers have to be elected representatives – i.e. members of the National Assembly (NA) or Senate – there is a clause in the Constitution that allows short-term appointments of non-elected ministers.
According to clause nine of Article 91 of the Constitution, a non-elected person can be appointed a federal minister for six months once during the five-year tenure of the NA.
“A minister, who, for any period of six consecutive months, is not a member of the National Assembly, shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a minister and shall not before the dissolution of that assembly be again appointed a minister unless he is elected a member of that assembly,” reads the clause.
It is worth mentioning here that Tarin had become a senator and the federal finance minister in former president Asif Ali Zardari’s government.
According to an official at the Finance Ministry, Tarin, who was the finance minister during the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) tenure, would help the government in resolving many issues. As he had completed the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC), he may play an important role in resolving the longstanding issues related to the next NFC. No NFC award was given after the 7th NFC as differences between the Centre and provinces remained unresolved.
As Tarin had also signed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme during the PPP government, he may also handle matters with the IMF to complete the existing loan programme signed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Islamabad had signed the 39-month bailout programme with the IMF to avert sovereign default because of a balance-of-payment crisis.
As the finance minister under the PPP government, Tarin had signed the bailout programme with the IMF under that government and concluded the seventh NFC Award. However, he left the ministry without completing his tenure to start his own bank, Silk Bank, where he served on the top slot.
These changes come at a time when Pakistan has just received another $500 million from the IMF as part of the $6 billion bailout package it signed in July 2019. The third and latest tranche of the program brings the total borrowing for budget support to $2 billion.
Tarin was already a member of the prime minister’s Economic Advisory Council. He is a banker by profession and worked as the president of HBL in 1997. In 2000, he built Union Bank, which was later sold to Standard Chartered Bank.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the government had made an offer to Tarin to join the federal cabinet as special assistant or adviser to the PM, but he linked his joining the federal cabinet with the decision on an accountability reference that he has been facing for nearly a decade.
He had that said he would not accept the offer, which he claimed had been made for a second time, unless a case against him filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was disposed of.
Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi, while congratulating the Pakistani team on winning the T20I against South Africa, emphasised the need to work on middle-order performances.
“Despite the victory, we need to review the middle-order performances where we seem to be struggling for a long time,” wrote the former all-rounder on Twitter.
He also suggested that since it is the T20 World Cup year, the team should consider bringing Shoaib Malik back.
Congratulations Pakistan on the series win! Despite the victory we need to review the middle-order performances where we seem to be struggling for a long time. I think Shoaib Malik must be considered again, especially since it’s a T20 World Cup year
On Friday, Pakistan defeated South Africa by three wickets in the last fixture of the four-match T20I series at the Supersport Park in Centurion and clinched the series 3-1.
Pakistan, like South Africa, suffered a middle-order collapse as they went from 92-1 to 129-7.
However, Mohammad Nawaz kept his cool in the end and was aided by some poor bowling by the hosts, allowing the tourists to cap the tour with a 3-1 T20I series win to go with the ODI triumph earlier this month.
Pakistan will now depart for Zimbabwe on Saturday where they will play three T20Is on April 21, 23 and 25, followed by two Tests, which will be played from April 29 to May 3 and May 7-11.
Malik went past 10,000 T20 career runs when he scored 74 in a domestic game in Rawalpindi in October 2020. He is the third batsman to have reached the landmark after Kieron Pollard (10,370 runs) and Chris Gayle (13,296 runs).
The 39-year-old cricketer made his T20 debut in 2005 for Sialkot Stallions and has played 417 T20s in his career, scoring his 10,488 runs at an average of 37.06, with 64 half-centuries. He also has 151 wickets at 27.15, at an economy rate of 7.02.
In his international career, Malik has played 116 T20Is, scoring 2,335 runs at an average of 31.13, with 8 half-centuries. He has 28 wickets at 23.53, at an economy rate of 7.08.
Malik became the third batsman to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. He reached the milestone during his 92nd T20 innings against Zimbabwe in Harare. While Mohammad Hafeez became the second Pakistani player to reach 2000 run-mark, number ninth in total.
The 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in October and November 2021 in India.
Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip will be laid to rest today (April 17) at Saint George’s Chapel in Windsor. The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh passed away on April 9, 2020.
The funeral ceremony will just have 30 guests in attendance, in line with government COVID-19 regulations. Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch’s three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be among those present.
Attendees including the Queen will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
Furthermore, William and Harry will not walk side by side in the procession, Buckingham Palace has revealed, giving traction to reports of rifts between the two. According to details, Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philips, is positioned between them and William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
Meanwhile, here is the full list of mourners who will attend the funeral of Prince Philip at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle:
Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Charles, eldest child of the queen and Prince Philip
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles’ wife
Princess Anne, second child of the queen and Prince Philip
Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Anne’s husband
Prince Andrew, third child of the queen and Prince Philip
Prince Edward, youngest child of the queen and Prince Philip
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Edward’s wife
Lady Louise Windsor, Edward and Sophie’s daughter
James, Viscount Severn, Edward and Sophie’s son
Prince William, eldest son of Charles and the late Princess Diana
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, William’s wife
Prince Harry, younger son of Charles and Diana
Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips
Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips
Mike Tindall, Zara’s husband
Princess Beatrice, elder daughter of Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice’s husband
Princess Eugenie, younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah
Jack Brooksbank, Eugenie’s husband
Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of the queen’s late sister Princess Margaret
Daniel Chatto, husband of Lady Sarah Chatto
David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a cousin of the queen
Edward, Duke of Kent, a cousin of the queen
Princess Alexandra, a cousin of the queen
Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden, a German great-nephew of Prince Philip
Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse, a German cousin of Prince Philip
Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a German great-nephew of Prince Philip
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, a friend of Prince Philip, married to the grandson of Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten
Anushka Sharma has shared a video of her ‘priceless moments’ from 2020, which shows her and her husband, Virat Kohli playing with dogs.
In the new video, the couple, who are strong animal activists, could be seen playing with a bunch of dogs; feeding them, going on walks with them, and petting them, around what appears to be a farmland where they spent some time last year. Anushka’s dog, Dude, can also be seen with them.
Fans showered love on the couple in the comments section with some commenting that the video was ‘superb’ and ‘awesome’. The video also crossed five million views on Instagram.
Earlier this month, Virat had announced that he was collaborating with an animal healthcare company and NGO supporting stray animals to build safe spaces and ensure easy medical access to the stray animals of our city. Kohli said that the the aim of his shelters is to “ensure health and support” to stray animals. He also thanked Anushka for inspiring him.
To ensure health & support to stray animals, @vkfofficial has now taken its first step towards animal welfare in collaboration with Vivaldis. I want to thank my wife @AnushkaSharma for inspiring me by her passion towards animals & for being a constant advocate for animal rights. https://t.co/OWWL6z33W0
“Looking after the welfare of animals is a cause very close to my heart now as Anushka is very passionate about this issue. Her vision to help stray animals across India is truly inspiring for me and since I have met her, I have tried to understand more about animal rights and the urgent need for medical assistance for strays. It is our dream to create a safer space for the stray animals of our city,” Kohli had said in a statement.
Anushka and Virat became parents for the first time earlier this year. Their daughter Vamika was born in January, but they’ve been particular about not sharing pictures of the baby on social media. They have also requested the press to not carry unauthorised images of the baby.
