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  • ‘Multiple’ army officials complicit in terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan’s escape, says ISPR DG

    ‘Multiple’ army officials complicit in terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan’s escape, says ISPR DG

    Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan mouthpiece Ehsanullah Ehsan had managed to escape the custody with the help of “more than one army officials”.

    According to a report in Independent Urdu that quotes Gen Iftikhar, the military is in the process of fixing responsibility in the case. “The details of the proceedings [against the accused] would be shared with the media soon,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief said in a conversation with the reporters of foreign media outlets.

    Last week, a Twitter handle, now suspended, allegedly operated by Ehsanullah Ehsan threatened Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. Malala had responded to the tweet, asking the military’s media wing and PM Imran as to how did the Ehsan even escape.

    The government had denied that the account belonged to the infamous terrorist, but Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Malala, asserted that it was the Twitter handle of the ex-TTP spokesperson. Ehsanullah had also confirmed this in an audio message to BBC Urdu, saying his account was suspended over threats to Malala but he would come back with a new Twitter handle soon.

    However, the ISPR DG told reporters that he doesn’t think the account belonged to the ex-TTP spokesperson. “The attempts are being made to arrest the Taliban spokesperson, but at present, we have no idea where is he hiding,” he was quoted by the outlet as saying.

    Ehsan is infamous for issuing claims of carrying out TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country’s most deadly incidents of terror. These include the massacre of children at Army Public School (APS) Peshawar, bombing at a park in Lahore on Easter in 2016, and the targeting of Malala.

    He surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later gave interviews to a Pakistani TV channel, leading to criticism and controversy that a terrorist was given airtime. It angered many in the country who believed he was being pampered by authorities after years of helping lead a violent insurgency. Ehsan mysteriously escaped custody last year, which, according to SAMAA, was also confirmed by the army.

  • PM offers Sri Lanka to join CPEC, says trade links vital to eradicate poverty

    PM offers Sri Lanka to join CPEC, says trade links vital to eradicate poverty

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday invited the Sri Lankan businessmen to invest in Pakistan, saying trade connectivity among the countries of the Asian sub-continent was vital for poverty alleviation.

    Addressing the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference held in Colombo which he jointly chaired with his Sri Lanka counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Imran proposed establishing trade links, as existed among the European countries, for the prosperity of the Asian sub-continent.

    The PM also urged the Sri Lankan government to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying joining the Belt and Road Initiative could open up new avenues for Sri Lanka with an opportunity to establish trade links with the Central Asian states via Gwadar.

    The PM, who is in Colombo on a two-day official visit, said political stability in the region by maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries would ensure a business-friendly environment.

    He said Pakistan and Sri Lanka could explore the idea of generating wealth through joint business activities and diverting the wealth to alleviate poverty. Imran offered the Sri Lankan businessmen to explore the immense opportunities offered by the government of Pakistan in the form of ease-of-doing business. He said his government would welcome and facilitate investment from the island nation.

    The PM mentioned that as Pakistan and Sri Lanka both suffered the brunt of terrorism in the past, their journey together towards development could make a difference. He expressed intent for Pakistan to learn from Sri Lanka’s advanced tourism industry and mentioned that he made the tourism minister part of his delegation to explore the area.

    Imran said Pakistan has a lot of undiscovered sites of religious tourism, including the Gandhara civilization. He added that a recently discovered 40-feet-long Sleeping Buddha could be of special interest for Sri Lankan tourists.

    In an effort to maintain good relations with neighbouring states, Imran Khan recalled his offer to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues including the Kashmir dispute. To encourage trade ties with neighbours, he said, “maintaining amiable relations and living like civilized nations must be a priority”.

    Imran Khan emphasized that with 1.3 billion people, the South Asian region needed to resolve its mutual conflicts through dialogue for sustainable prosperity.

    On Tuesday, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in diverse areas, including trade, investment, science and technology, and culture, as Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the Sri Lankan counterpart to become part of the CPEC.

    “My visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relationship [with Sri Lanka], especially trade and economic ties through enhanced connectivity…,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said while addressing a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa after holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks.

  • Tiger Woods suffers multiple leg injuries in single-car accident in Los Angeles

    Tiger Woods suffers multiple leg injuries in single-car accident in Los Angeles

    Tiger Woods was recovering from a major surgery on his right leg Tuesday evening at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after being involved earlier in the day in a “high-speed” single-car accident outside Los Angeles.

    According to reports, Woods suffered “comminuted open fractures” to both the upper and lower portions of his tibia and fibula in his right leg, as well as damage to the ankle bones and trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg, according to an update released via his social media accounts on Tuesday night. A comminuted fracture is when a bone breaks into more than two pieces, and an open fracture suggests bone broke the skin.

    As part of the surgical procedure, Woods’ right leg was stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia. Screws and pins were used to stabilise the bones in the foot and ankle. A surgical release of the covering of the muscle was also performed to relieve pressure due to swelling.

    Woods was the sole occupant of a 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV when he headed northbound on a downhill, windy portion of Hawthorne Ave., a two-lane road in Rancho Palos Verdes. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Woods was driving at a “relatively greater speed than normal” when his vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road at approximately 7:12 a.m. before veering off the road entirely and onto a hillside. A neighbour called 911 to alert authorities of the accident, and Woods was conscious when they arrived on the scene.

    Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the interior of the vehicle Woods was driving remained intact. That, combined with the fact that Woods was wearing a seatbelt, allowed him to escape what “otherwise would have been a fatal crash,” according to Villanueva.

    There was no evidence of impairment, according to the sheriff’s department, and Woods was reportedly calm and lucid when authorities arrived at the scene.

    Woods’ longtime agent, Mark Steinberg, released a statement after the initial report of the crash, which occurred about 30 miles west of where Tiger grew up: “Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support.”

    Woods, 45, was in California for a two-day content shoot with Golf Digest/GOLFTV after serving as host for the Genesis Invitational, which finished on Sunday. Pictures surfaced on social media of Woods smiling with Dwayne Wade and David Spade at Rolling Hills Country Club on Monday, but with his movement still restricted from the back procedure he had just a few months ago, he did not hit balls or play any holes. The shoot involved Woods giving on-course lessons to a number of celebrities, but he mostly provided instructions and hit a few putts. He was in good spirits on Monday but did not arrive at the course for the second day of shooting.

    Taking to Twitter, former US President Barack Obama wrote: “Sending my prayers to Tiger Woods and his family tonight—here’s to a speedy recovery for the GOAT of golf. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s to never count Tiger out.”

    On Sunday, Woods told a publication that he was waiting for the results of an upcoming MRI before he could ramp up practicing and training for a return to competition.

  • No one, including Gen (r) Asim Bajwa, above law: Alvi reacts to corruption allegations against CPEC chairman

    No one, including Gen (r) Asim Bajwa, above law: Alvi reacts to corruption allegations against CPEC chairman

    President Arif Alvi has said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should take notice of corruption allegations against former chief military spokesperson and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa as no one is above the law.

    https://twitter.com/SpotlightAajtv/status/1364265897221791745

    The president made these comments in response to a question by Aaj TV host Munizae Jahangir over rampant corruption in Pakistan. The president said that Pakistan has suffered due to corruption over the past 70 years, adding that his government’s focus should be on curbing corruption. “I am very serious about it; it is very painful for me,” the president said.

    At this, the host asked about allegations against Gen Bajwa, saying the opposition has accused the government of refusing to take action against the ex-general despite graft allegations. The president responded that if the general is accused of corruption then there should be a probe against him.

    “Who will launch this investigation?” asked Jahangir. “NAB [National Accountability Bureau] should,” Alvi responded.

    “No one is above the law, even Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Alvi said, adding that as the president of Pakistan he will never endorse corruption.

    The president also talked about defence budget, saying this has strengthened Pakistan over the years. “The budget has decreased compared to inflation,” the president claimed.

    “In principle, you agree that parliament should debate the defence budget and that everyone accused of corruption, whether it is a bureaucrat, a politician or a general, must be held accountable,” the host asked. “I fully agree [with you],” said the president, adding that parliament is the supreme authority to discuss such matters.

  • Ambani plans to make the world’s biggest zoo in India

    According to Indian Mangazine The Week, owner of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, is planning to make the world’s biggest zoo and animal sanctuary in Gujrat, India. This is the pet project of the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani.

    The zoo and animal sanctuary will be set up on 280-acre land will be named as, “Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom”.

    Moreover, the animal venture, which also includes a rescue center to support the local government, is scheduled to open in 2023. The project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year but this year, work is being done as fast as possible.

    The zoo and animal sanctuary will have close to 100 different species of animals from India and across the world. The African lion, cheetah, jaguar, Indian wolf, Asiatic lion, pygmy hippo, orangutan, lemur, fishing cat, sloth bear, Bengal tiger, Malayan tapir, gorilla, zebra, giraffe, African elephant and the Komodo dragon are expected to be the part of the zoo.

    As per, Al Jazeera Mukesh Ambani is world’s 12th richest person of the world.

    Three month ago, Mukesh Ambani became a grandfather after his son Akash and daugther-in-law Shloka Mehta welcomed a baby boy.

  • Sheheryar Munawar encourages self-grooming for men

    Sheheryar Munawar encourages self-grooming for men

    Pakistani actor Sheheryar Munawar has shed some light on self-grooming for men and encouraged men to look after themselves.

    Taking to Instagram, Munawar wrote: “Because there’s a Harry in all of us.”

    “Sharing this with all of you because I strongly believe in the idea behind the product/campaign ; men grooming/taking care of themselves,” he added.

    Talking further about it, the Parey Hut Love actor wrote: “Growing up, I was often picked on for grooming/taking care of myself, since it’s always been considered an effeminate trait and not manly. Here’s a little attempt at empowering all the men out there. It’s cool to give a shit, it’s cool to care and most importantly, it’s cool to take care of yourselves.

    “Also, on a separate note, if we expect the women in our lives to always take care of themselves then why not return the favour ? We owe it to them and ourselves to do so,” he added.

    An Instagram user commented on his post that it is cool to be effeminate as well. To which he replied, “Arshad, It’s cool to be whatever you want to be, without the fear to be judged.”

    Earlier, when he was shooting an advertisement for this self-care product, Sheheryar talked about his brush with COVID-19, his motorbike accident and how everything resulted in him going into depression.

  • Daska by-polls: RO proposes re-polling at 14 stations over discrepancies in results

    Daska by-polls: RO proposes re-polling at 14 stations over discrepancies in results

    Daska (NA-75) by-polls Returning Officer Athar Abbas has proposed re-polling at 14 stations, saying the presiding officers were seemingly involved in tampering with the final result.

    During his appearance before the Election Commission of Pakistan committee on Tuesday, Abbas said that the initial investigation has revealed that the presiding officers manipulated the result. The ECP has taken up a plea filed by PML-N candidate from the constituency Nousheen Iftikhar. The five-member bench which heard the case was headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    According to the PML-N candidate, she got 5,000 votes from the contested polling stations against PTI leader Ali Asjad Malhi’s 6,705 votes. The number of rejected votes was 139 and turnout remained at 45.16 per cent.

    Whereas, the form-45 sent in by presiding officers after a delay of six hours showed that the vote gap between the PML-N and PTI candidates was 9,263 instead of 1,705. The form puts the number of rejected votes at 1,731 and the turnout at 75.34pc.

    The RO’s report quoted by Dawn said at least 20 presiding officers went missing for an entire night after the vote count at their station. It added that the presiding officers also appeared before the ECP panel after much delay.

    “The replies of almost all the presiding officers were stereotype that they were able to complete the counting process by 10 to 10.30pm and started back journey to the office of returning officer on the transport provided by the Election Commission and in escort of police but due to fog, they reached the office of returning officer at about 4.30am and most of them stated their phone batteries were low and they were having no chargers, in response to the questions that they were supposed to send snapshots of the result of the count through WhatsApp but they did not do the same,” the report read.

    As per the report, there was no discrepancy in the record of three out of 23 polling stations from where the presiding officers had disappeared. The returning officer has proposed re-polling at 14 polling stations were there was a marked difference between the number of polled votes in two different sets of form-45.

    On Friday, at least two people were shot dead as a result of firing at the polling place. Both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had alleged irregularities during the by-election on the National Assembly seat in Daska. Subsequently, the ECP withheld the results, saying it suspected irregularities in 20 polling stations.

    The commission had said results of the NA-75 constituency were received with “unnecessary delay”, adding that it tried to contact the presiding officers several times but with no success.

    In the backdrop of these allegations, the PM, in a series of tweet on Monday night, reaffirmed his pledge to hold transparent elections in Pakistan. “Have always struggled for fair & free elections. So even though there is no legal compulsion to do so before ECP announces results, I would request our PTI candidate to ask for re-polling in the 20 polling stations Opposition is crying hoarse over in the Daska NA 75 by- election,” Imran had tweeted.

  • UAE eatery launches world’s most expensive biryani with 23-karat gold

    UAE eatery launches world’s most expensive biryani with 23-karat gold

    An Indian origin restaurant in Dubai has launched the world’s most expensive biryani worth Rs 43,300.

    The world’s most expensive biryani, ‘The Royal Gold Biryani’ is a gold-garnished biryani with a 23-karat edible gold topping and is prepared by the restaurant Bombay Borough UAE.

    ‘The Royal Gold Biryani’ is made from three different types of rice including biryani rice, qeema rice, and white, saffron-infused rice. Its weight is about three kilograms.

    Adding to its unique flavor, it also has small potatoes, boiled eggs, mint leaves, roasted cashews, pomegranate seeds, and fried onions in it. 

    This is followed by a variety of grilled meats, such as skewered kebabs made from Kashmiri rams, spare ribs of lambs from old Delhi, Rajput chicken kebab, Mughlai koftay and malai [creamy] chicken roast.

    ‘The Royal Gold Biryani’ is served with a variety of sauces, curries and raita, as well as nihari, Jodhpuri curry, specialty almond sauce mixed with a raita made from pomegranate seeds and edible golden leaves.

    According to Bombay Borough, ‘The Royal Gold Biryani’ is priced at INR19,707, which is equivalent to about AED1,000 or PKR43,300. Not only that but it’s also served in a large gold plate and is available at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

    Although open to pre-bookings, the cooks at the Bombay Borough UAE say ordering on the spot “will take up to 45 minutes for us to prepare, but we will make sure you have the meal of a lifetime”.

  • UK councillor suspended for attending wedding in Pakistan amid COVID

    UK councillor suspended for attending wedding in Pakistan amid COVID

    The United Kingdom’s Labour Party has suspended Whalley Range councillor Aftab Razaq for violating coronavirus protocols after he attended a wedding in Pakistan.

    BBC reported that photos were shared on Facebook last weekend allegedly showing Manchester City Councillor Aftab Razaq at the celebration in the city of Kharian. Under the current COVID-19 rules in the UK, it is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes.

    Councillor Pat Karney, secretary of Manchester Labour, explained that he would “thoroughly investigate the matter”. He told BBC that the Labour group had seen the photographs but “despite their best efforts”, they have not been able to contact the Whalley Range councillor who was vaccinated against COVID in Jan 2021.

    “All Manchester councillors must rigorously abide by Covid regulations and we will take action against any individual who does not,” Karney told BBC.

  • Peshawar Zalmi chase down 194 with an over to spare

    Peshawar Zalmi has chased down 194 runs with an over to spare, beating Multan Sultans with six wickets in the fifth fixture of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) sixth edition at the city’s National Stadium.

    After putting 193-4 on the board, thanks to James Vince’s 84 and Mohammad Rizwan’s 41, the Sultans felt confident that they had enough on a pitch that had been favouring bowlers.

    Openers Kamran Akmal (37) and Imam-ul-Haq (48) provided a solid foundation, upon which Tom Kohler-Cadmore (53) capitalised and, when in the end some late hitting was needed, the young Haider Ali, chipped in with an unbeaten 24 off 8 to get his side over the line.

    With his much needed half century, Cadmore became man of the match.