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  • NAB ‘creating hurdles’ in execution of govt decisions: report

    NAB ‘creating hurdles’ in execution of govt decisions: report

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is creating hurdles in the implementation of some of the federal cabinet’s decisions, a report presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan has revealed, Express Tribune reported.

    According to the details, the report reveals that the federal cabinet had decided to hold talks with the LNG terminal firms in its meeting held in October last year and the Ministry of Finance and Petroleum had to talk with these companies on profit rates.

    However, these talks could not move forward because NAB is holding an inquiry against an LNG terminal company and they have to wait while the inquiry is underway.

    The report also said that all the LNG terminals are fully functional right now and any action can disturb the situation.

    After the consultation, the federal cabinet decided that the talks with the LNG terminal companies should be postponed till the completion of the inquiry.

    The federal cabinet in a recent meeting had proposed to reopen agreements with LNG companies, however, Minister of Law Farogh Naseem opposed the proposal and said that new investors will hesitate to invest if the agreements were reopened.

  • How eating three dates every day can benefit your mind and body?

    How eating three dates every day can benefit your mind and body?

    Healthy for the body and mind dates are considered to be a healthy indulgence. Dates are the delicious snack for any time of day. If you develop the habit of eating three of these soft and yummy fruit every day for one week, you may benefit your mind and body.

    Long-Lasting energy

    Dates contain the
    natural sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose that will help you boost your
    energy quickly whenever you need it. Dates contain other healthy components
    like fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamins, and antioxidants that will maintain
    energy levels. So instead of having harmful energy drinks, you can have dates
    to increase your energy.

    Reduced risk of colon
    cancer

    Along with ensuring that food moves through the digestive system at a healthy rate, dates also make sure the gut itself is healthy and free from harmful bacteria. When the digestive system and gut are working well then so is the colon, resulting in a reduced risk of colon cancer.

    A study conducted by
    the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences found that those who consumed
    dates had enhanced colon health because dates increased the growth of good
    bacteria, preventing the growth of colon cancer cells.

    Improved digestive
    health

    Dates improve your digestive system because of the fiber. In just a one-cup serving, you will get 12 grams of fiber. That’s 48 percent of your recommended daily intake. Fiber can benefit your digestive health by averting constipation.

    A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that people who consumed seven dates per day for 21 days showed improvements in stool frequency compared to when they did not eat dates.

    Help you cope with
    stress

    Dates contain Vitamin B6 that can improve the performance of the brain by helping the body make serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin (a compound present in blood platelets) regulates mood and norepinephrine (an organic chemical that functions in the brain) helps your body deal with stress.

    Research has shown that low levels of Vitamin B6 are linked to depression. When your brain is clear from stress, and in a good mood, then it is sharp and ready to learn.

  • Bewafa: Women come forward, relating to the storyline

    Bewafa: Women come forward, relating to the storyline

    Though only four episodes of ARY’s latest drama Bewafa have aired, it has created a huge stir in social media groups. Women are discussing how relevant and real the drama is.

    And it is.

    The drama is a great, and refreshing, watch after the ajeeb saas bahu dramas with unreal twists (the brother’s wife marrying another brother concept is just TOO MUCH). This one seems to stay true to its basic concept – why and how people cheat.

    Finding messages on her husband’s phone that shouldn’t be there

    Ahaan, played by the stellar Ali Rehman Khan, is a successful IT guy and his wife Kinza played by Naveen Waqar starts off not being the shakki sort but soon starts to seriously doubt her husband’s fidelity. And for good reason since Ahaan is becoming way too friendly with his co-worker Shireen played by Ushna Shah. Shireen proclaims her love for Ahaan in a voice note that Kinza hears and is OBVIOUSLY not happy about it. Ahaan tells Shireen off initially but then kind of likes talking to her too.

    Justification to Kinza and presents from Shireen

    Women are loving the drama because it shows, simply and starkly, how cheating can affect a family and how it, sometimes, begins. In groups, women are discussing how the same thing has happened with them or someone they know; men AND women first engaging in an emotional affair, which develops into something else. Women tend to blame the cunning and ambitious Shireen, who is developing a full game to get to Ahaan; but she isn’t the only one to blame. Ahaan is also changing her name on his phone to a guy’s name to talk to her so Kinza won’t get jealous. He is lying to Kinza to go out with Shireen on lunch dates. Kinza, with her incredibly jealous and controlling behaviour is also driving Ahaan away.

    The drama also shows how this issue can affect the mental health and well being of a child since Kinza and Ahaan have a son who is old enough to understand that something is not right. He asks his father if he is bringing another wife, showing how tough suspicion and an affair can be on a full family unit.

    Ushna and Ali have acted brilliantly in the drama, fully engaging with the realistic role they are playing. Naveen’s portrayal of the suspicious wife could be a lot better since she seems to exude only one emotion – distrust. Her acting is a little wooden at times, making the viewer wonder if she is even invested in the relationship.

    The drama is definitely one to watch – and will be the one to discuss long after its finale.

    Are you watching the drama? How do you like it?

  • Women banned from being part of JUI-F’s ‘Azaadi March’

    Women banned from being part of JUI-F’s ‘Azaadi March’

    The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) has decided to not allow women to attend its October 27 anti-government march towards Islamabad.

    According to reports, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman wrote to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) informing them of the decision to not include women in the upcoming Islamabad sit-in. The reason behind this decision has not yet been shared.

    The JUI-F chief is preparing to take down the government with his Azaadi march and has said the march would only end when the government falls.

    Speaking at a press conference, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said: “The entire country will be our battleground,” adding that people from all over the country will be joining the march.

    It is important to note than in the past Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been very critical of women’s participation in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI jalsas. He had compared PTI sit-ins to mujras.

    Meanwhile, in 2015 Maulana Sahab had asked the armed forces to launch a military operation against women wearing jeans all over Pakistan saying that the immodesty of women is the cause behind earthquakes, inflation and other kinds of disasters. He went on to say that if a woman is not covered like a ‘sack of flour’ she is a mobile weapon of mass destruction for her state.

  • ‘Over 36,000 mobile phones snatched in Karachi this year’

    ‘Over 36,000 mobile phones snatched in Karachi this year’

    A report by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee’s (CPLC) documenting the rate of street crimes in Karachi during the first 10 months of 2019 has stated that almost 36320 mobile phones were snatched and stolen during street crime incidents in the provincial capital.

    Apart from that approximately 21,000 motorbikes and 13,000 cars were either stolen or taken on gunpoint from citizens. The committee also shared that over 60 people including policemen were killed in the last three months.

    Compared to January 2018, there was a sharp rise in street crimes in January 2019.

    Meanwhile, the Sindh Police has set up the ‘Street Watch Force’ to control street crimes in Karachi. The police department has established the force comprising of 1,870 police personnel who perform their duties on bikes.

  • Here’s everything that happened at the Hum Awards

    Here’s everything that happened at the Hum Awards

    The annual Hum Awards took place in Houston and it was a glitzy affair, though we did feel a bit that the star quotient was less this year. There was no Fawad Khan, Ahad Raza Mir, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Osman Khalid Butt or Sajal Aly. In fact, the stars of Hum TV’s latest film Superstar – Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf – also didn’t make an appearance.

    Nonetheless, the night was lit and there were some fun performances and skits to keep viewers and those in attendance hooked.

    Starting with red carpet pictures of couples

    • Noman Ejaz & wife
    • Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane
    • Yasir Hussain & Iqra Aziz

    The divas

    • Kubra Khan
    • Mawra Hocane
    • Sanam Jung

    The show began with everyone reciting the National Anthem.

    After which Haroon performed his evergreen Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan.

    Mikaal Zulfiqar & Ali Rehman Khan hosted the show and entertained the audiences with their antics on stage, while Ahmed Ali Butt brought his quirkiness.

    Azaan Sami Khan and Hania Aamir gave a scintillating performance – perhaps a nod to their upcoming film.

    Asim Azhar paid a tribute to Alamgir.

    Abida Parveen mesmerised the crowds with her performance.

    Mehwish Hayat and Ahsan Khan wrapped up the event with a grand finale.

    Here’s a list of everyone who took home an award.

    Best Director

    Kashif Nisar for Dar si jati hai Sila

    Most Impactful Character

    Noman Ijaz for Dar si jati hai Sila – Winner

    Best Drama Writer

    Bee Gul for Dar si jati hai Sila & Saima Akram Chaudhry for Suno Chanda

    Best On-screen Couple

    Iqra Aziz and Farhan Saeed for Suno Chanda (Popular and Jury Winner)

    Best Drama Serial

    Suno Chanda – Popular Winner

    Best Actor, Male

    Jury – Noman Ijaz for Dar si jati hai Sila

    Popular – Farhan Saeed for Suno Chanda

    Best Actor, Female

    Jury – Yumna Zaidi for Dar si jati hai Sila

    Popular – Iqra Aziz for Suno Chanda

    Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Male

    Tipu Shah for Suno Chanda

    Yasir Hussain for Baandi

    Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Female

    Nadia Afgan – Suno Chanda

    Best Actor in a Negative Role

    Noman Ijaz for Dar si jati hai Sila

    Lifetime Achievement Award – Alamgir

  • Amid frog meat rumours, Punjab to set up frog farms

    Amid frog meat rumours, Punjab to set up frog farms

    Days after rumours regarding frog meat being used by restaurants across its provincial capital, Punjab has decided to set up frog farms, but for an entirely different purpose.

    Reports quoted Punjab Fisheries Assistant Director Mian Ghulam Qadir as saying that the department has forwarded to the government a summary in this regard. “There are no turtle or frog farms in Pakistan and medical colleges that need any [for dissection], have to go hunting for them in the wild.”

    He added that if the provincial cabinet approves the plan, besides saving time wasted in hunting, it would generate employment opportunities.

    “On top of this, breeding turtles and frogs domestically will not only preserve the species, but they can also be exported to countries like Thailand and China where they eat them,” Qadir said, adding that they are also quite expensive in the international market.

    LAHORIS BEING SERVED FROG MEAT?

    Last month, reports claimed that frog meat was being served across Lahore in shawarma and burgers. The news took social media by storm soon after pictures showing two suspects arrested with sacks full of dead frogs, started doing rounds over the internet.

    The reports were debunked by authorities upon clarification that the two arrestees were only delivering the frogs to a laboratory that supplies them to medical universities. Medical students dissect the frogs and practice suturing on them.

  • New York Chicken and Rice: Did Karachi’s Walla get it right?

    New York Chicken and Rice: Did Karachi’s Walla get it right?

    Anyone and everyone who has been to New York City has tried – and raved about – Halal Guy’s chicken and rice. The dish is so popular that there are copycat recipes of it online. I’ve tried making it once but to tell the truth, is not as easy as it looks.

    The key is the sauce and the rice and of course, the chicken. You really need to get all three down to create that New York synergy.

    The Halal Guys in New York. Check out those lines

    A new hole in a wall restaurant in Karachi, Walla, situated in the upcoming restaurant hub on Khayban-e-Shahbaz, is run by a Pakistani who spent many years abroad. He’s come back because he believes there is a big market for a shawarma and chicken and rice joint in Karachi – and says that business has been good.

    Walla

    I went in specifically to have the chicken and rice – and to see if it lived up to it’s inspiration.

    Walla, which means “I Promise” in Arabic is a strange name for a restaurant but maybe since it has an instant Arabic recall, it was the name of choice. With a black and orange theme, an animated Shaikh with shades, it’s not your regular dhabba-style “Arbi Shawarma” joint. Seems like it’s got an uplift, perhaps an ode to the modernism being declared by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

    The interior

    I called and ordered ahead:

    “Just the chicken and rice?” the person taking my order asked.

    “Yes, with extra sauce.”

    The white sauce was on point. Perfectly seasoned, with the right amount of garlic and yogurt. I could have just sat there and taken tiny spoonfuls of the sauce with nothing else. This particular chicken and rice also had a red sauce, which felt a little unnecessary – and also under seasoned. If they really wanted to keep the red sauce, they should just mix a little more than necessary Sriracha in the white sauce and be done with it.

    I added a lot of white sauce and a sliver of red

    The chicken was tender and flavourful, perfectly balanced. It had the tang of lemon and the zest of coriander but the knife in the heart of this almost, almost perfect dish was the rice.

    I assume the chef thought that a Pakistani palette would require Pakistani masala. So instead of the rice being slightly tinted with yellow turmeric, the rice was shoved into haldi like no one’s business. With a mix of other masalas, the taste of the rice was so overpowering, it took over the whole chicken and rice and that’s where it’s New York inspiration disappeared into the Times Square sir. Poof.

    Meanwhile, I didn’t try the shawarma but I’ve heard good reviews.

    While Walla did not match up to Halal Guys, much to our disappointment, it was a close second and decent place one can go in case the cravings get unbearable. As for the rest of those who haven’t tried Halal Guys, you’ll probably enjoy it more.

  • Number plates with ‘Ajrak’ logos to be introduced in Sindh

    Number plates with ‘Ajrak’ logos to be introduced in Sindh

    The Excise Department of Sindh has decided to introduce new, technologically advanced number plates for vehicles and motorbikes with Ajrak logos by 2020.

    As per reports, the manufacturing of these number plates, installed with chips and Ajrak logos, will take place in the first phase.

    These modern number plates will contain all details about the vehicle including its model, owner, and other information. Stealing vehicles will also be caught by this initiative.

    The approval for the number of plates will be first taken from
    the provincial cabinet and CM Murad Ali Shah.

    Earlier in September, it was revealed that 15,000 vehicles of various government organisations and departments are being used without their original number plates.

    The Excise Department confirmed that different departments of the Sindh government have not received original number plates for the allotted vehicles. Under the Sindh police, 8,000 government vehicles do not have original number plates, according to the report.

    Mostly, the vehicles belong to senior officers which are being
    used with duplicate number plates.

  • PM Imran plans to hand over Pakistan Steel Mills to China

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has decided to hand over Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to China for its revival through government to government deal, Geo News has reported.

    According to the details, PM is also exploring options to finance multi-billion-dollar railways Mainline (ML-1) during his upcoming visit to Beijing.

    PM will take up five issues during his visit, he will offer China to get Pakistan Steel Mills, finalise deal on modernisation of ML-1, financing of Bunji hydropower project, agriculture and social sectors-related projects in and outside the ambit of CPEC.

    Pakistan’s top leadership will give assurances to the Chinese side that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not slow down, but its next phase would be pursued with zeal and vigour despite passing through under the IMF [International Monetary Fund] programme.

    PM Imran will leave for a three-day visit to China on Monday, where he would also discuss Kashmir dispute.