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  • PAKvsSL: Angry fans tear down Sarfaraz’s posters outside Gaddafi Stadium

    Cricket fans in Lahore tore up the posters of skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed after the Men in Green faced a humiliating defeat in the T20 series against Sri Lanka.

    As per details, the fans are demanding that Sarfaraz should leave his captaincy from T20 format as he is not suitable to lead the team and want Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to place someone who can play fast cricket easily.

    Captain Sarfaraz has said that the players failed to live up to the expectations associated with the number one ranked T20I side.

    “The management did their best to help us, but ultimately it’s up to the players and the captain to deliver. The management has no role to play in that, whether it’s the World Cup or this series”, he added.

    Sri Lanka’s victory was their first-ever T20 series whitewash and was achieved despite missing 10 of their top players, including regular T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, who refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.

  • Breakthrough expected on Kashmir during PM Khan’s Saudi visit: report

    Breakthrough expected on Kashmir during PM Khan’s Saudi visit: report

    A breakthrough on Kashmir is expected during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

    According to Geo News, the major development will happen during PM Khan’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

    As per a Foreign Office schedule, PM Khan is expected to leave for Saudi Arabia on October 29 on a two-day official visit to attend Future Investment Initiative Conference on the invitation of King Salman. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending the conference which will take place in Riyadh.

    PM Khan has been vocally raising the matter of Kashmir ever since the Modi-led government revoked the special status granted to Indian occupied Kashmir on August 5. He also highlighted Indian atrocities in the occupied territory while addressing the United Nations General Assembly session in September.

    Meanwhile, PM Imran is also expected to visit Iran this month to mediate between Riyadh and Tehran.

  • Gaddafi Stadium to turn pink during Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20

    Gaddafi Stadium to turn pink during Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20

    The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will turn pink during the third T20I between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to raise awareness about breast cancer.

    As per reports, a ceremony will be held before the third T20I between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which will be attended by President Dr. Arif Alvi and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairperson Ehsan Mani. The president will also pin pink ribbons on both team captains, while players and match officials will don the ribbons throughout the match.

     The stumps for the last T2oI of the series will be
    branded in pink whereas the sponsors of the series will also be changing their
    branding colors in the ground to pink. The cricket board has asked the fans to
    wear pink to support the cause.

    The PCB stated that Pakistan has the highest number of
    breast cancer cases amongst all Asian countries and this step is a part of
    #PINKtober, which is breast cancer awareness month.

    One in nine women is at a high risk of developing breast
    cancer in her lifetime. However, if diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of
    survival increase over 90 percent.

  • Humayun Saeed shares thoughts on rival drama ‘Alif’

    Humayun Saeed shares thoughts on rival drama ‘Alif’

    Sajal Aly and Hamza Ali Abbasi’s much-awaited drama Alif finally hit TV screens last Saturday and its first episode was received phenomenally with millions of hits on Youtube.

    While Alif aires on Geo, at the same time, same day, (Saturday, 8 pm) another star-studded drama Meray Paas Tum Ho aires on ARY Digital. What is interesting to note is that the producers of both the dramas are the same. Humayun Saeed’s production house Six Sigma Productions is behind MPTH while, Humayun’s wife Samina and her partner Sana Shahnawaz are producing Alif.

    Naturally, this raises questions on what Humayun feels about the whole situation and Humayun, in an Instagram post, addressed the elephant in the room. From praising the actors to the director to the producers – Humayun said that he was “blown over after watching the first episode.”

    He added that after watching the episode, “it seems that our industry is headed in the right direction and I really hope it will go on to change the landscape of TV production in our country.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3W7Pc6px8v/
  • Research: Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms

    Research: Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms

    In a bid to rest the debate on
    what comes first – smartphone addiction or depression – a new study has found
    that young people who are hooked on to their smartphones may be at an increased
    risk of depression and loneliness.

    Research has identified a link between smartphone dependency and symptoms of depression and loneliness. However, it’s been unclear whether dependence on smartphones leads those symptoms, or whether the reverse is true that depressed or lonely people are more likely to become dependent on their phones.

    In a study of 346 participants, ages 18-20, researchers from the University of Arizona found that smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms rather than the other way around.

    “There’s an issue where people are totally reliant on the device, in terms of feeling anxious if they don’t have it accessible, and they’re using it to the detriment of their day-to-day life.”

    “If depression and loneliness lead to smartphone dependency, we could reduce dependency by adjusting people’s mental health,” the researcher said. “But if smartphone dependency (precedes depression and loneliness), which is what we found, we can reduce smartphone dependency to maintain or improve wellbeing.”

    The study focused on older adolescents because researchers said they grew up with smartphones and they are at an age and transitional stage in life where they are vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes, such as depression.

    When people feel stressed, they should use other healthy approaches to cope, like talking to a close friend to get support or doing some exercises or meditation, the researchers suggested.

  • PM Khan declared ‘Man of the Year’

    PM Khan declared ‘Man of the Year’

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s popularity keeps on rising.

    Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center has named PM Khan as its ‘Man of the Year’ in its recent list of the most persuasive Muslims in the world.

    According to Arab News, the center is an autonomous research entity with the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan.

    At the same time, PM Imran Khan has also become the sixth most popular world leader on Twitter, boasting 10.5 million followers.

    “If The Muslim 500 was in print back in 1992 and I was the Chief Editor then, I would have nominated Imran Khan as our Muslim Man of the Year because of his brilliant performance in cricket, which culminated in Pakistan winning the 1992 Cricket World Cup — a sport I have always admired for its combination of elegance and intense competitive play,” said Professor S Abdallah Schleifer, a Professor Emeritus of Journalism in the American University in Cairo, who chose Imran Khan as winner of the title.

    Schleifer was quick to add that Khan’s role in cricket was not the only criteria for him being bestowed with the title. He was also impressed with Khan launching a successful fund-raising campaign to establish Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, which is devoted to both the care of cancer victims and its research.

    “This was his magnificent response to the loss of his mother to cancer in 1985 and given Khan’s extraordinary popularity with Pakistanis both at home as well as among the large number of Pakistani expats – along with his own, no doubt, generous personal contribution — he raised sufficient funds so that by 1994, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital opened its doors in Lahore whereby 75 percent of its patients receive free-care,” he added.

    However, it was PM Khan’s desire for peace with neighboring India which earned him the title, Schleifer said.

    Khan assumed the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan last year after devoting 22 years of his life to building an opposition political party that was committed to reform and confronting Pakistan’s civilian political establishment over the issue of embedded corruption and mismanagement, the report said.

    This and his other accomplishments, professor Schleifer says, are detailed in the biography that accompanies his ranking (Number 16) in the latest edition of The Muslim 500.

    “But what is particularly to his credit is that upon taking office in August 2018, Khan made it quite clear that one of his top priorities was to work for lasting peace with India,” Schleifer said.

  • Five places Kate & William must visit in Pakistan

    Five places Kate & William must visit in Pakistan

    With less than a week remaining to Kate Middleton and Prince William’s first official tour to Pakistan, excitement and energy levels for their visit are high. Though the exact details of their itinerary are still under wraps, Kensington Palace in an official statement revealed that the couple will be visiting Islamabad, Lahore and the Northern Areas of the country.

    “From the modern leafy capital Islamabad to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West, the visit will span over 1000km and will take in Pakistan’s rich culture, its diverse communities, and its beautiful landscapes,” read the statement.

    Narrowing down five places was a task on its own given how much our country has to offer but here are five places, the Cambridge’s must not miss out on.

    Shalimar Gardens

    How can the Royals miss out on one of the most royal gardens of all times. Situated on the Grand Trunk Road in Lahore, these Mughal Gardens are an architectural and historic marvel. The Queen also visited the heritage site when she visited Pakistan in the early 60s.

    Jahangir’s Tomb

    Probably an unconventional choice but considering that Jahangir’s Tomb is considered to be the most beautiful Mughal monument after the Taj Mahal, the Royals should consider visiting it.

    Watch The Current’s video to find out what makes it so special:

    Monal

    A romantic dinner overlooking the glittering city lights doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Highly recommended.

    Eagles Nest

    No matter what, Kate and William should not miss out on Eagle’s Nest in Hunza. The place offers breathtaking views of the valley, the Hunza River and the mountain peaks. If they are early risers, they should watch the sunrise there – the views are unbeatable.

    Fairy Meadows

    Nanga Parbat’s base camp, better known as Fairy Meadows, is one of the most mesmerising places in the country. While it might be difficult for the royals to trek there, they can always borrow Jahangir Khan Tareen’s plane to make a quick trip there to take in the stunning views.