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  • VIDEO: Özil congratulates Pakistani couple holding Arsenal banner at wedding

    VIDEO: Özil congratulates Pakistani couple holding Arsenal banner at wedding

    German professional footballer and Arsenal star Mesut Özil has congratulated the viral Pakistani couple that held an Arsenal banner at its wedding while also making the hand gesture that Özil makes each time he scores.

    Sharing the viral video on his official Twitter handle, the German footballer wrote:

    “Congratulations to this @Arsenal Pakistan couple Inam ul Haq and Arooj Talat Khan! Btw nice celebration in the end. All the best for you two! #wedding#YaGunnersYa#M1Ö [sic],” he tweeted.

    ARSENAL VS CHELSEA:

    Meanwhile, midweek Premier League actions sees Chelsea host Arsenal as part of Matchday 24 with both clubs coming off of disappointing results last Saturday.

    Chelsea enters in fourth place with a 12-3-8 record but just lost 1-0 at Newcastle on a last-minute goal. Arsenal, meanwhile, was held to a draw at home against Sheffield United and enters this game in 10th place, struggling for any type of consistency.

    These two teams just met on December 29, with Chelsea coming back with two late goals to win 2-1 at Arsenal in Mikel Arteta’s home debut as coach of the Gunners.

  • INTERACTIVE: What’s this wheat crisis?

    INTERACTIVE: What’s this wheat crisis?

    As the price of wheat (atta and flour) reaches Rs75 per kilogram (kg) — the highest price recorded in Pakistan’s history — amid shortage, we have to ask: what is this crisis and what led to it?

    The crisis is huge because it hits a daily essential. Roti, bread, naans and puris, you name it, everything with any bit of flour or wheat in it is going to be affected, and prices are rising.

    What happened? A country that is rich in wheat production, exports millions of tonnes of wheat itself is now in a massive wheat shortage?

    It all started from projection vs. reality.

    Projection this year did not meet reality and was less than the previous three years

    It all started from the government projecting that the wheat production of 2018-2019 would be 25.2 million tonnes, which would be sufficient for the year. Pakistan also exports wheat and because the projected wheat crop was high, the country exported, 640,000 tonnes. Pakistan was supposed to export between 200,000 to 400,000 tonnes.

    The crisis began when Pakistan did not meet its projected figure. It produced 24.7 million tonnes due to bad management, poor coordination and the weather.

    So now all provinces are racing to save their stock. Punjab has imposed a ban on moving wheat to other provinces and reportedly, people who want to profit from the shortage, are hoarding the wheat to sell at a later stage when prices increase.

    The federal government is blaming the provinces for the shortage, primarily the Sindh government (Sindh is also the only province which is not under PTI rule) saying that the Sindh government bought a lot of wheat at the wrong time. The Sindh government is saying that Imran Khan is responsible because he allowed the extra wheat to be exported.

    Prices of 10KG of atta in four cities

    The next few months are going to be crucial for wheat. The price of wheat used to be around Rs45-50 per kg and is now Rs75. The government is now having to import wheat from other countries to make up for the shortage, and Twitter is not happy about it.

    The difficult news is that the wheat that we exported for around Rs24/kg, is now going to be imported for more than double the price.

  • Cricket fans can now buy PSL 5 tickets online

    Cricket fans can now buy PSL 5 tickets online

    Tickets for the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are now available for sale. The tickets are also available online at www.yayvo.com.

    With one month to go before the fifth edition of the cricket festival comes to Pakistani grounds, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced ticket prices and purchase details.

    All 34 matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League will be played in Pakistan with Karachi to host nine matches, Lahore 14 matches, Multan three matches and Rawalpindi eight matches from February 20 to March 22.

    The first batch of tickets were available for purchase starting at 8 pm Pakistan Standard Time Monday night via Yayvo. General sale of tickets will start on Tuesday, Jan 28 through TCS Express Centres across 38 cities of the country. Each customer can buy up to seven tickets per match on one CNIC.

    A dedicated 24/7 TCS helpline will also provide support to the customers throughout the ticketing process. In addition, a webchat customer support desk (www.tcsexpress.com) and a WhatsApp number (+92-316-112-3456) will remain active during this time to address requests.

    For the grand opening ceremony and
    opening match in Karachi that is on Feb 20, tickets have been priced between
    Rs1,000 to 6,000. The ticket price range for the final match on March 22, in
    Lahore, will be from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

    The 2020 edition of the 20-over tournament kicks off on February 20 with defending champions Quetta Gladiators playing two-time champions Islamabad United at Karachi’s National Stadium. 

    Schedule with ticket prices:

  • Dacoits rob policeman’s house in Multan

    Dacoits rob policeman’s house in Multan

    Three thieves robbed the house of a police officer in Multan Monday night.

    As per reports, the suspects entered the house of ASP Arsalan Zahid and held his family hostage for three hours. They took Rs300,000 in cash and 12 tolas of gold from his house.

    A case has been registered at
    Mumtazabad police station and the further investigation is in progress

  • ‘Stop eating roti,’ ex-PM suggests as wheat crisis continues

    ‘Stop eating roti,’ ex-PM suggests as wheat crisis continues

    In a dig at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker and former prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has suggested people to stop eating roti in order to bring the country out of the persisting wheat crisis.

    Speaking to journalists at the accountability court, where he was presented by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) scandal case against him, Abbasi said that people were only facing the consequences for electing the PTI to power.

    “What can they do other than not eating roti anymore?” he asked in response to a query regarding the wheat crisis that grips the country amid provincial and federal governments’ blame game.

    To another question about PM Imran Khan’s statement that his “salary wasn’t enough”, Abbasi said that the premier should give himself a pay raise.

    Earlier, an accountability court extended judicial remand of the ex-premier till February 4 in the LNG scandal. During the hearing, the court also sought report on the arrest warrant of absconder Shahid Islam from NAB.

    The judge remarked that indictment proceedings cannot be carried out due to one absconder.

  • Karachi: World’s largest urban forest to be planted along Lyari river

    Karachi: World’s largest urban forest to be planted along Lyari river

    Sindh Minister for Local Government and Forests Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has announced that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will soon inaugurate the world’s largest urban forest that will be planted along the Lyari River in Karachi over an area of 26 kilometres.

    According to The News, Shah, while speaking to journalists on Monday, vowed to ensure that only environment-friendly trees that bear fruits will be planted, and said the project had been initiated according to the vision of the PPP chairman.

    The first phase of the project will be initiated at the bank of the Lyari River, while in the second phase, an urban forest will be planted along the Malir River, he added.

    The minister directed the authorities concerned to make arrangements for setting up recreational facilities for citizens as part of the project and also ordered constructing small playgrounds for children as well as a jogging track.

    He said that planting an urban forest along the rivers will turn the entire area into an attractive spot for local and foreign tourists. Shah added that such urban forests will also be planted in other parts of the city.

    The minister said that apart from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), other political parties are also supporting the provincial government in the project and announced constructing football, boxing grounds as well as volleyball and basketball courts for children of the city so they can involve themselves in healthy activities.

    The minister said that due to climate change and the ever-increasing temperature of Karachi, it was necessary to plant more trees. He also urged Karachiites to help in curbing pollution.

  • Marriage called off after groom’s father elopes with bride’s mother

    Marriage called off after groom’s father elopes with bride’s mother

    Marriage plans of two youngsters were shattered after the groom’s father and the bride’s mother revived their young days’ love and both reportedly fled.

    According to Times of India, the incident took place in the Indian city of Surat where the marriage was scheduled for the second week of February, but the 48-year-old man and the 46-year-old woman, are nowhere to be found for 10 days now.

    While the man disappeared from his house in Katargam area, the woman left her house in Navsari. It is strongly suspected that they have eloped, leaving the families in an extremely embarrassing situation. Both families have filed missing persons’ report with the police.

    The bride and groom were preparing for their marriage for the past one year after they got engaged. They are from the same community and elders were taken into confidence before their engagement. However, the elopement barely a month before the marriage has left everyone shocked.

    The groom’s father, a textile businessman, who also deals in property, went untraceable around January 10. He is also a member of a political party and knew the bride’s mother since their younger years. They were neighbours in Katargam area and were good friends too, the report said.

    “They knew each other since they lived in same society. Some of their close friends informed us after they eloped that they had a relationship in the past too. However, the woman got engaged to her current husband,” said a relative of both the families.

  • Kate Middleton loves Pakistan

    Kate Middleton loves Pakistan

    Amidst the royal drama which has enveloped Britain, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Bradford where they went to My Lahore, a British Asian restaurant and recalled fond memories of their trip to Pakistan.

    The director of the restaurant that hosted the royal couple while speaking to The News shared that Kate and William were “in love with Pakistan.” Kate also wore the earrings from Zeen for the occasion.

    “The visit by Prince William and Kate Middleton was a brilliant experience for us. We were amazed to find out so much about Pakistan from them,” said Farooq. “Duchess Kate told us how she loved Pakistani people, culture and food. She was clearly missing the time spent in Pakistan.”

    He added: “The Prince said the people of Pakistan are amazing and they received a great hospitality and love from the people during their busy tour of the country in October last year.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7W18LOl22M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    William and Kate made kulfi and mango milkshakes at the restaurant, inspired by the historic and culturally rich city of Lahore.

    Talking about their visit further, Farooq said that the royal couple wanted to visit the kitchen and took a keen interest in its operations. After going through the menu, they decided to make mango and kulfi milkshakes.

    “The couple said they had enjoyed mango and kulfi milkshakes in Pakistan as well,” Farooq elaborated.

    Prince William also asked about the origin of the ingredients used in their food.

    “He already knew a lot about the ingredients used in Pakistani, Asian food. We told the couple that we take pride in the fact that we take inspiration from Lahore, known as the food capital of Pakistan.”

    After making milkshakes at the ground floor area, the couple tasted Pakistani dishes at a private banquet above the restaurant.

    British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan was also present during the visit and he discussed mental health in sport and his boxing foundation with the Duke and Duchess.

    The royal couple also met representatives from the UK Women’s Muslim Council and those who have taken help from the Council’s Curry Circle. The Curry Circle is an initiative that provides a two times meal for people who are homeless or struggling to feed themselves.

  • Inquiry against Sandal Khattak initiated after Mubasher Luqman’s complaint : FIA

    Inquiry against Sandal Khattak initiated after Mubasher Luqman’s complaint : FIA

    TikTok celebrity Sandal Khattak, who is often seen in videos and pictures with viral TikToker Hareem Shah, is angry at the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) for their investigation against her.

    Sandal approached a Lahore sessions court, demanding that the FIA should stop ‘harassing’ her and that she had not been informed why she was being investigated.

    The FIA, in a written response to the court, said that they launched their investigation against Sandal after anchorperson Mubasher Lucman filed a formal complaint against her with the FIA’s cybercrime wing. In the complaint, Mubasher claims that Sandal is posting ‘fake and fabricated’ videos against him on social media.

    The FIA also denied that they were ‘harassing’ the TikTok star and said that they were just doing their job by summoning her.

    Sandal has petitioned for all documents in the investigation against her to be brought to court.

    Previously, Mubasher Lucman had filed an FIR against Sandal and Hareem Shah, alleging theft when they recorded videos in his private plane.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xMMTM9SpbQ

    The two TikTokers said that the theft claims were false and that Mubasher was against them because they had ‘exposed’ his private plane.

  • Davos: Time Magazine issues special edition with PM Imran on cover

    Davos: Time Magazine issues special edition with PM Imran on cover

    Time magazine’s special edition on the World Economic Forum published January 20 features Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan along with four other world leaders.

    The annual summit of global movers and shakers kicks off in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday and will last four days.

    Other leaders alongside the Pakistani premier included founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Europe’s Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.

    The magazine’s cover featured the five leaders sitting in a chair lift with the snow-covered Swiss Alps in the background. United States (US) President Donald Trump and young climate activist Greta Thunberg can also be seen sitting together on another chairlift in the background of the illustration.

    Meanwhile, Twitterati are not shying away from speculating what the cover of the special Davos issue is supposed to mean:

    PM Imran is expected to reach Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday for a three-day — January 21 to 23 — official visit, with his trip costing $68,000 due to austerity measures.

    PM Imran’s Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Zulfi Bukhari and other officials will accompany him to Davos, where he is expected to hold meetings with several world leaders, including US President Trump. During the visit, the premier will also meet foreign investors and inform them of investment opportunities in Pakistan.