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  • Railways CEO differs on Rasheed’s claim, says Tezgam fire broke out due to short circuit

    Railways CEO differs on Rasheed’s claim, says Tezgam fire broke out due to short circuit

    Pakistan Railways (PR) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammad Leghari has differed on Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad’s claim and said that the deadly Tezgam Express fire from last year broke due to a short circuit and the gas cylinder only exploded later on.

    As many as 73 passengers were killed, with 90 per cent of them burnt alive, and over 40 others injured when three coaches of the Rawalpindi-bound train caught fire near Liaquatpur in October 2019. The incident was called one of the most horrifying tragedies in PR’s history.

    According to the ministry, the fire was caused by a cylinder blast that occurred when passengers were preparing breakfast for themselves in a moving train, a claim heavily disputed by eye-witnesses. People had widely demanded Rasheed’s resignation while the minister himself had suspended a couple of officers on account of criminal negligence and letting passengers carry gas cylinders on the ill-fated train.

    With Rasheed making headlines as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed observed that the minister should have resigned after the tragedy, and said that shutting down PR would be better than keeping it running under Rasheed, PR CEO Leghari’s claims have raised eyebrows over the government’s side of the story.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Leghari said that the fire broke out when an electric kettle in a dining car of the train, malfunctioned. “It was an illegal power connection from another coach,” he said, adding that the fire engulfed the entire coach, which led to the cylinder explosion.

  • Sarfaraz welcomes second child; Ahmad Shehzad says ‘keep going’

    Sarfaraz welcomes second child; Ahmad Shehzad says ‘keep going’

    Former Pakistan Cricket Team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and his wife have welcomed their second child: a baby girl.

    The cricketer made the announcement on social media by sharing a picture of his son with the newborn.

    Following Sarfaraz’s announcement, friends and colleagues congratulated the cricketer on his bundle of joy.

    Among those who sent their good wishes was Ahmad Shehzad, who not only congratulated Sarfaraz but also told him to “keep going”.

    Other cricketers who sent their congratulations included Umar Gul, Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan.

  • Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has confirmed that at least four Pakistani students in China have tested positive for coronavirus as the outbreak claims at least 132 lives, leaving thousands of others affected.

    According to Dawn, Dr Mirza, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday, said that a large proportion of Pakistanis living in China were students, of which over 500 are based in the central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the new virus.

    The premier’s special assistant said that four Pakistani students had tested positive for coronavirus with links to Wuhan. On PM Imran Khan’s behalf, Mirza assured the families of the children of the government’s support. He said that they will take on the responsibility of these children and all Pakistanis in China.

    “We will take care of them the same way we would care for our own children,” he said. However, he added, that no case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Pakistan yet.

    The report comes days after Pakistani students studying at the Engineering and Science University of Wuhan requested help from the Pakistani and Chinese governments amid the alarming outbreak of the virus. A video message that was sent by the students stated that due to the virus, no communication between Wuhan and China was possible and more than 2,000 Pakistani students were facing food shortage.

    The students had requested the premier and foreign minister to send help and facilitate their evacuation from the province.

    On Monday, the PM Office had also convened a meeting in light of 2,000 coronavirus cases being confirmed across the globe amid the presence of a large number of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and frequent travel between the two countries.

    CORONAVIRUS:

    In mid-December, some people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan began complaining of flu and pneumonia-like symptoms. Some had a high fever. Doctors were perplexed. To find out what might be causing their illness, geneticists analysed the DNA of the virus that had infected them.

    At once, the scientists realised the virus was new to science.

    As of January 23, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Switzerland estimated that at least 557 people have contracted the rapidly spreading disease.

  • Here’s who paid $450,000 for PM Imran’s two-day Switzerland trip

    Here’s who paid $450,000 for PM Imran’s two-day Switzerland trip

    Terming his participation in the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) as the “cheapest” official visit, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that his trip was sponsored by two of his friends and renowned businessmen Ikram Sehgal and Imran Chaudhry.

    A former army officer, Sehgal is the chairperson of Pathfinder Group Pakistan that includes two of the country’s largest private security companies. Chaudhry, on the other hand, is a decades-old close friend of the premier. He is a Dubai-based businessman and philanthropist, having investments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

    According to reports, the two friends of PM Imran bore the expenses for his trip to Davos, and the same was also confirmed by the premier himself. Addressing the ‘Breakfast at Davos’, an event jointly organised by Pathfinder Group and Martin Dow Group last week, Imran said his trip cost 10 times less than those of the previous leaders.

    He recalled that his trip to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last November, which cost $160,000, was cheaper than the visits of former president Asif Ali Zardari ($1.4 million), and former PMs Nawaz Sharif ($1.3 million) and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ($800,000).

    Thanking Sehgal, Imran added, “He is instrumental in getting me here. Otherwise, I would not have burdened my government to pay a sum of $450,000 for two nights.”

    Reiterating that this was an “austerity programme”, he maintained the government should rely on the over nine million Pakistanis residing overseas. “The GDP of those nine million overseas Pakistanis, in my opinion, is almost 50 per cent of Pakistan’s (overall) GDP of 200 million people. So we can use this resource and they can sponsor these things,” he said.

    To be able to attend the WEF annual meeting, a person has to be invited — in which case the event is free — or has to be a member of the forum. Membership of the WEF costs about $60,000 to $600,000 plus an additional fee needed to acquire an attendance badge, which runs about $27,000 per person to get into the conference.

  • Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills post profit of Rs138.92 million in three months: report

    Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills post profit of Rs138.92 million in three months: report

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills have reportedly posted a profit after tax of Rs138.92 million — a 170% increase in gross profits in three months — as compared to a loss of Rs353 million recorded in the same period last year.

    According to media reports, JDW Sugar Mills Limited has announced its financial results for the first quarter that ended on December 31, 2019, which show that the revenue of the largest white sugar producer in the country went up by 61.45% to Rs13.19 billion during the first quarter as compared to Rs8.17 billion recorded in the same period last year.

    The sales have increased mainly due to an increase in average selling prices of sugar, molasses and carryover sugar stocks.

    The sugar division comprises three sugar mills units, JDW Unit-I, JDW Unit-II and JDW Unit-III in Rahim Yar Khan and Ghotki districts. It is one of the largest groups in the sugar sector and contributes approximately 15-17% of the country’s sugar production. It is also managing Sugarcane Corporate Farms over an area of 24,000 acres in Punjab and Sindh.

    While people allege that the government had a role to play in scoring Tareen these profits, it is pertinent to note that as of last week, a serious case of sugar shortage had emerged as the country already stumbled amid a wheat crisis.

    During the PTI government’s 15 months, sugar prices have shot up to as high as Rs64 a kilogram (kg). However, over the past week, the wholesale rate rose from Rs64 to Rs74 per kg and an acute shortage surfaced in the country. Last year, Pakistan produced 600,000 tonnes of sugar. Now, however, the wholesale rate of sugar is expected to reach Rs80 per kg, The News reported.

    Further, if the government does with sugar what it did with wheat-flour and does not halt exporting it, prices could reach up to Rs100 per kg in Pakistan.

  • ‘Tayyar Hain’ gets the ball rolling for PSL V

    ‘Tayyar Hain’ gets the ball rolling for PSL V

    With less than a month remaining to the ultimate sports festival of the year, the Pakistan Super League, excitement levels are high. What makes this PSL even more special is the fact that all the matches will be played in Pakistan and fans will be able to witness the match live in the stadiums.

    The PSL team officially kickstarted the event by releasing the anthem for this year’s edition. This year’s PSL track has been sung by Ali Azmat, Haroon and Asim Azhar with a special appearance by Arif Lohar. The track has been composed by Xulfi. The tune is catchy and full of energy but the highlight of the video has to be Asim and Haroon dancing. They seem to light up the mood even more with their moves.

    Laal Kabootar director Kamal Khan has directed the music video which also features star cricketers including Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.

    According to the press release, “A total of 22 instruments have been used in creating Tayyar Hain, including indigenous instruments such as tumba, chimta, rubab and harmonium“.

    Listen to the song here:

    Meanwhile, the track received a mix response from the audiences. While some loved it, others didn’t like it at all.

    https://twitter.com/psychohun_/status/1222304818389274624?s=20
    https://twitter.com/SyedGF/status/1222206160318668801?s=20

    https://twitter.com/AyeshaKhan_9/status/1222209662583562245?s=20

  • Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 is scheduled to start from 20th February with the first match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United at National Stadium Karachi.

    And if you are planning to go to the stadium to watch the match of your favorite team. Here is the list of all express centers selling PSL 5 tickets.

    Tickets are on sale at all these TCS Express Centers. You can also buy from Yayvo.

    Each customer can buy up to 7 tickets per match on his CNIC so don’t forget to take your CNIC with you when you go to buy your tickets from a nearby Express Centers.

  • ‘This is who I am’: Sarwat Gilani has a message for her haters

    ‘This is who I am’: Sarwat Gilani has a message for her haters

    To say that Sarwat Gilani and pictures from her vacation have stirred controversy is an understatement. The actor and her husband Fahad Mirza were brutally trolled and bullied after they publicly displayed their affection.

    Now, that the couple is back from their trip, Sarwat took to social media to lash out at her haters and trolls telling them to stop following her if they hate her so much.

    “Just cause us celebrities don’t say anything doesn’t mean you bullies have the right to say everything,” she remarked, adding “It’s time for a much awaited SHUT UP CALL! With love, of course!”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B71P605jXG8/

    Read more – ‘Hello Pakistan’ says Karan Johar as he runs into Sarwat and Fahad

    Sarwat’s post triggered even more hate and the actor took to personally replying to each and every troll and telling them to unfollow her.

    Anoushey Ashraf also stepped in to defend the actor and explain what kissing actually means.

    In case you missed it, here’s the post that triggered the moral brigade.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oVMMAJKdB/
  • Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    The blonde and skinny Barbie dolls, which were once criticised for promoting a narrow, unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful, have undergone change as the brand adopts a more progressive approach, unveiling dolls with an array of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes and facial structures.

    There are Barbies with less defined waists, varying bust sizes and sculpted arms. The new Barbie dolls have prosthetic limbs, alopecia, the skin condition vitiligo and no hair.

    The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line are the company’s latest nod to making sure its dolls reflect more of society’s diversity.

    While a doll with a prosthetic limb debuted last year, this year’s version will have a darker complexion. Another new addition has no hair. And even Ken has gotten an updated look, sporting long locks instead of his signature, short, sculpted coif.

    “We’ve been committed to increasing diversity in our line and showcasing all the different types of beauty that exist … making the line more accessible,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

    In 2019, over half of all Barbie dolls were diverse. And some of the newer Fashionistas have been inspired by customers. “Our wheelchair Barbie and our doll with vitiligo were literally fan requests,” says McKnight.

    Shoppers have welcomed the inclusiveness. Barbie’s top seller throughout 2019 was a curvy black doll with an Afro. And among the 10 top-selling Fashionistas last year, seven were diverse, including the doll that uses a wheelchair.

    This year’s Fashionistas line will roll out in two phases. The new Ken doll and Barbie with vitiligo are on sale now, while the new doll with a prosthetic leg and the Barbie with no hair will become available starting in June.

  • VIDEO: India’s infamous journalist Arnab Goswami trolled on flight

    VIDEO: India’s infamous journalist Arnab Goswami trolled on flight

    Remember the Indian journalist Arnab Goswami who reported that Hamza Ali Abbasi is an ISI agent? And the guy whose name Altaf Hussain got wrong? The same guy was recently trolled by Indian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Lucknow.

    Goswami is known for his loudness and heckling of guests on his current affairs programme. Comedian Kunal Kamra first tweeted that he met Arnab Goswami on a flight and gave him a monologue about his ‘journalism’.

    “All he did was call me mentally unstable & after some time I had no choice but to return to my seat,” wrote Kamra.

    Kamra later posted a video where he is calling Goswami a ‘coward’ and asks him to respond to questions about a Dalit student, Rohit Vermula. Goswami had vilified Rohit after false cases were registered against him. Rohit committed suicide.

    When Kamra accosted Goswami, he pretended to watch a video on his laptop and turned a blind eye to Kamra’s questioning.

    Following their interaction, IndiGo barred Kamra from flying with them for six months.

    “In light of the recent incident on board 6E 5317 from Mumbai to Lucknow, we wish to inform that we are suspending Mr. Kunal Kamra from flying with IndiGo for a period of six months, as his conduct onboard was unacceptable behaviour. Hereby, we wish to advise our passengers to refrain from indulging in personal slander whilst onboard, as this can potentially compromise the safety of fellow passengers,” announced IndiGo on Twitter.

    However, instead of feeling bad about it, Kamra thanked IndiGo.

    Kamra also issued an official statement on the matter.

    “Today I met Arnab Goswami in a flight to Lucknow (6E 5317) and politely asked him to have a conversation. At first, he pretended to be on a phone call. I waited for his so-called phone call to get over. Seatbelt signs were off at this time. I gave him a monologue about what I felt about his “journalism”. He refused to answer any questions, he called me ‘mentally unstable’.The stewardess asked me to take my seat as the seatbelt signs had just come on. Post take-off, when the seatbelt signs were off again, I approached him again and asked him if I could have his attention. He said he is watching something, and he doesn’t want to talk. So then I did exactly what Republic TV journalists do to people in their private/public spaces, and I don’t regret it. I am not sorry for it. The moment the stewardess asked me to move, I went back to my seat in 20 seconds. I apologised to each crew member personally and to both the pilots, by staying back till the end, for any inconvenience that I might have caused during the flight. I don’t think I did anything wrong/criminal. Don’t let this be about my bravado. Let us all take a moment and fondly remember a smiling Rohith vemulaI do apologise to every passenger except one”.