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  • Ehd-e-Wafa Star – Zoro

    Ehd-e-Wafa Star – Zoro

  • Ehd-e-Wafa: Is it worth the watch?

  • ‘Clean-bowled’: Praises pour in for PM Khan on UNGA speech

    ‘Clean-bowled’: Praises pour in for PM Khan on UNGA speech

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday addressed the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. From climate change to destroying the Indian government over the Kashmir crisis, his historic speech had it all. So much so, that even his biggest critics lauded him for being bold and straight-forward.

    Apart from politicians and journalists, Pakistani celebs and sportspersons, including Mahira Khan, Wasim Akram, Humayun Saeed, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sanam Saeed took to social media to appreciate PM Khan’s speech.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1177684591622131713?s=20

    https://twitter.com/Neelammuneer__K/status/1177727367189553152?s=20

    In case you missed PM Khan’s speech, here’s a short summary:

  • Saudi Arabia drops abaya restriction for women tourists

    Saudi Arabia drops abaya restriction for women tourists

    To boost tourism in the country, Saudi Arabia has introduced a new visa system which will allow people to visit the country as tourists. Along with that, they have also announced that abayas will no longer be mandatory for women tourists. However, women are requested to dress modestly, including at public beaches.

    As per reports, the Kingdom is launching a new visa system for 49 countries to attract foreign companies to invest in a sector that can contribute towards ten percent of the country’s GDP by 2030.

    The rose-coloured sandstone of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia’s northwestern town of al-Ula

    Visas will be available online for about Rs 12,550 ($80) with no restrictions for unaccompanied women as in the past. This does not include the holy cities of Makkah and Medina.

    Visas in the desert kingdom, endowed with rich bedouin heritage and archaeological sites, are currently restricted to expat workers, their dependents and Muslim pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE can also travel freely to the country.

    Al Ula

    Saudi Arabia has splurged billions in an attempt to build a tourism industry from scratch.

    In 2017, the kingdom announced a multi-billion dollar project to turn 50 islands and other pristine sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

    Last year, construction of Qiddiya “entertainment city” was launched near Riyadh, which would include high-end theme parks, motorsport facilities and a safari area.

    The country is also developing historic sites such as the centuries-old Mada’in Saleh, home to sandstone tombs of the same civilisation which built the Jordanian city of Petra.

  • Two killed as Indian military’s helicopter crashes in Bhutan

    Two killed as Indian military’s helicopter crashes in Bhutan

    An Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) Cheetah helicopter crashed in eastern Bhutan, killing two Bhutanese pilots on Friday, NDTV reported.

    According to the reports, the chopper belonged to Indian Army’s 667 Army Aviation Squadron based in the Indian state of Assam. The single-engine Cheetah Helicopter was en route to Yongphulla, Bhutan, when it crashed into a hill near Khentongmani.

    Indian Army Spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand said, “The helicopter went out of radio and visual contact soon after 1pm. The helicopter was on way from Khirmu (Arunanchal) to Yongphulla on duty”.

    The accident comes days after an Indian Air Force MiG-21 crashed near the Gwalior Air Force Base in Madhya Pradesh. The aircraft was on a routine training mission on Wednesday, September 25 when it crashed. Both pilots – a group captain and a squadron leader – managed to eject safely.

    According to the Indian Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik, Indian Air Force (IAF) had lost 27 aircraft, including 15 fighter jets and helicopters, in crashes since 2016.

  • Dengue aur Dua

  • Exploring the French Countryside

    Exploring the French Countryside

    It is always a delight to spend the summer in Europe but spending the summer in the European countryside is special. Think bright, sunny mornings, long, warm afternoons by the pool and cool nights under the starlit sky.

    This summer I had the chance to spend the summer in Provence, a historical province in southeastern France. The culturally rich province extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. To be honest, my family and I couldn’t have picked a better escape to relax and unwind from the hustle-bustle of our daily lives.

    What’s so special about Provence?

    Where to stay

    Chateau de Goult

    Getting around

    Places to explore

    Goult

    Provence Market

    Bonnieux

    Roussillon

    Gordes

    Learn how to make French Cuisine

    Don’t forget to soak in some Vitamin D.

    Just writing this piece has given me a serious case of wanderlust and made me want to go back.

  • I didn’t ask PM Imran for Iran mediation, he offered: Trump

    The United States (US) President Donald Trump has said that he did not speak to Prime Minister Imran Khan for mediation with Iran, it was Imran who thought it would be a good idea, Voice of America reported.

    According to the details and from the tweet of Voice of America Deewa (VoA Deewa), contrary to what PM Imran claims that Trump had asked him to mediate between the US and Iran, Trump has said it was Imran Khan who approached him for mediation.

    “Well, he’d like to do that, and we have a very good relationship. And there’s a chance that that could happen. But, no, I haven’t spoken. He actually asked me. He thought it would be a good idea to meet, VoA quoted President Trump as saying.

    Imran Khan had earlier said that US President Trump had asked him to help defuse tensions with Iran. He also said that prior to arriving in New York he had visited Saudi Arabia and spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who also asked him to talk to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

    PM added, “I immediately spoke to Rouhani after the meeting with Trump, but I can’t say anything right now more than this except that we’re trying and mediating”.

    Tensions run high between Tehran and Washington since May last year when Trump abandoned a 2015 nuclear deal and began reimposing sanctions on Iran in a stated campaign of “maximum pressure”.

  • Are fashion brands disconnected from reality? Under fire ‘Generation’ responds

    Are fashion brands disconnected from reality? Under fire ‘Generation’ responds

    With rising costs of basic necessities, other products which are categorized as “not so necessary,” such as expensive clothes, are taking the back seat. But it appears that fashion brands are oblivious to these shifts in the economy. Why? Because they seem to churn out products that are categorized as affordable but are way out of the average Pakistani woman’s league.

    On one hand, we have Generation, which has always prided itself for being inclusive and affordable and on the other, we have Elan, a high-street fashion brand which most people love from afar.

    Generation, with their latest campaign featuring teachers, has gotten a few things wrong. For starters, people are unhappy with the prices. The joras are priced between Rs 6500 – 9000. Most school teachers in the country, including those who work in private schools, earn up to Rs 40,000 a month. Given the rising costs of basic necessities, it is unlikely that teachers will have any money left over to splurge on such items.

    Social media users also thought the same and many of them commented on Generation’s posts, asking them to rethink their prices and offer discounts to teachers.

    When we contacted Generation for their response on the social media backlash, they commented, “We kicked off August with our “Back to College” campaign and the shoot in question, was its extension.”

    “Inspired by the nostalgia of college and the fact that a huge part of our customer base is from the teaching profession, we shot the campaign with Naveed Anjum, a college professor herself-who is a regular customer of GENERATION and who herself chose the clothes for this shoot. The blackboard, chalk and the old-school feel of the visuals served to evoke memories of good old classroom days with the teachers who shaped our present.”

    They added, “Our casual product price ranges from Rs 1,500 to 9,000 and we chose one of the more sober collections featuring three-piece suits which ranges from Rs 6000 to 9000 but perhaps price should have been centre stage in deciding which collection to feature for the teacher segment. We’ll be more mindful of these things in the future.”

    A balanced and well-curated response as one would expect, given their up-to-date marketing and PR teams.

    Meanwhile, Khadija Shah of Elan came under fire after she took to Twitter to announce that she is introducing an “unstitched wedding season collection” which will be priced between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175801825393618944?s=20

    The trolling that Khadija received, after her tweet, had no end. People called her out for being an elitist who lives in her own bubble.

    https://twitter.com/Ruby2805/status/1176224699518529538?s=20

    At the same time, several people stepped forward to defend Khadija.

    Khadija also tried to reason and explain the logic behind the high prices. She said that because of the depreciating rupee, the cost of raw materials and production has increased.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175854136782393346?s=20
    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1176066620470517761?s=20

    When the trolling increased, Khadija hit back saying that she is not forcing anyone to buy these.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1175855188952985600?s=20
    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1176157628470374400?s=20
  • Buzdar govt ‘softly declines’ to implement PM Imran-approved police reforms

    Buzdar govt ‘softly declines’ to implement PM Imran-approved police reforms

    Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar-led Punjab government has softly declined to implement the police reforms package that was approved by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan ahead of his departure for Saudi Arabia and the United States (US), The News reported.

    According to reports, the Punjab government through the Interior Ministry was recently asked to implement the reforms package, however, the provincial administration has expressed reservations over certain measures approved by the premier “without proper consultation with the stakeholders”.

    The premier has reportedly given a go-ahead to the home departments to “take over control of the police” in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad. Under the new system, the major functions of the police would be performed by the deputy commissioners (DCs) who have been given judicial powers of 22A and 22B besides the authority to inspect police stations.

    While the federal government wanted the implementation of these reforms in Punjab through an ordinance by September 30, the provincial government has assigned a high-level committee to review the reforms package for police and return to centre with its recommended changes.

    The report further said that the committee will be headed by the Punjab law minister and include three provincial ministers, chief secretary, inspector general of police (IGP), an ex-chief secretary and a retired IGP.

    It has been tasked with completing its deliberations within a week.

    “Following a presentation from the interior secretary, the reforms package was given a go-ahead by the PM. While the Punjab law minister was present during the presentation, neither the CM nor the IGP was there,” the report quoted sources as saying.

    COPS UNHAPPY WITH REFORMS:

    Meanwhile, officers of the Police Service of Pakistan as well as Punjab Police are “very upset with the way the reforms package was approved by the premier”.

    Reacting to the reforms, senior officers of Punjab Police held a meeting at the Central Police Office on Wednesday night and threatened that they would resign, Dawn reported.

    The police officers stated categorically that they “would prefer to leave their services rather than allowing the bureaucracy to take over the police department”. They unanimously rejected the new scheme which, they said, was an attempt of the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) to bring police under its control.

    Reports quoted an official as saying that the participants of the meeting decided to take up the matter with CM Buzdar and parliamentarians to highlight their reservations.

    Senior policemen authorised the IGP to meet the CM and bring to his knowledge their concerns. They also decided to present “factual situation” regarding the “failure” of the DCs on many fronts.

    Meanwhile, Law Minister Raja Basharat held a meeting with the IGP and other senior police officers who apprised him of their concerns. The law minister assured the IGP and other senior police officers that he would play his role in addressing their legitimate demands by taking these up with the chief minister.