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  • ‘Shayan suffers from mental health issues,’ his lawyer tells UK Court

    ‘Shayan suffers from mental health issues,’ his lawyer tells UK Court

    A legal representative for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist in the UK Shayan Ali, who is famous for protesting outside Nawaz Sharif’s residence in London, has informed the UK’s High Court that the young political worker suffers from mental health issues.

    Mahtab Anwar Aziz is representing both Shayan Ali and Adil Farooq Raja in defamation cases brought against them by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Punjab cabinet member Mariam Aurangzeb, and Brigadier (retired) Rashid Naseer.

    The duo has been accused of making false allegations of fostering terrorism, corruption, murder, kidnappings, torture, and electoral rigging.

    In a recent hearing, lawyer Aziz argued before the court that his client Shayan was “a vulnerable young teenager, who has suffered mental health issues due to the strategically prolonged litigation designed to financially drain Ali’s family, who are supporting him as he is a full-time student.”

    Meanwhile, Shayan himself remained defiant according to his posts on X, formerly Twitter.

  • South Africa announces squad for T20 World Cup 2024

    South Africa announces squad for T20 World Cup 2024

    South Africa has announced their 15-member squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Aiden Markram has been named captain for the first time in an ICC event.

    The South African squad includes Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Björn Fortuyn, Reza Hendricks, Marco Johnson, Henrik Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Enrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabriz, Tabriz. Featuring Tristan Stubbs. Traveling Reserves include Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.

    Enrich Nortje and Quinton de Kock were recently excluded from Cricket South Africa’s central contracts. Nortje returned from September 2023 after a back injury while de Kock retired from ODIs after the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

  • Asma Jahangir Conference receives flak for expelling pro-Palestinian protestors

    Asma Jahangir Conference receives flak for expelling pro-Palestinian protestors

    Asma Jahangir Conference that was held in Lahore over the weekend was disrupted by protests of pro-Palestine students during the German Ambassador’s speech. The Ambassador was there to speak about civil rights. He was interrupted by students calling him out for his country being complicit in the genocide by Israel in the Gaza Strip. To this, the ambassador responded, ‘If you want to shout, go out!’”. The students were reportedly expelled from the event.

    The move was heavily criticised by netizens all over the internet.

    Founder of Digital Rights Foundation Nighat Dad spoke at the conference and condemned the act of expelling students as she said, “What happened yesterday should not be taken lightly, as this sets a very wrong example”.

    Ikram Ullah Maseed criticised the organizers of the conference by saying, “Shameful betrayal of Asma Jahangir’s legacy. If radical voices aren’t welcome, why hold the conference?”

    Senator Allama Raja Nasir called out the organizers of the conference for blatantly banning the voices of dissent. “Germany’s systematic suppression of pro-Palestinian voices, including the banning of prominent speakers like former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, exposes a shameful bias and undermines the very foundations of democratic discourse.”

    Journalist Arafat Mazhar who was one of the first to share the videos of the German Ambassador shutting down the protestors recently tweeted that, “Twitter has completely banned me from retweet or comments of on the video of German ambassador shouting at civil rights activist at the asma jahangir human rights conference”

    The protesting students, who belonged to Progressive Students’ Collective, released a statement calling out the German Ambassasor for speaking about human rights while the German government is supporting Israel in its aggression and genocide in Gaza.

  • Who does Khan trust the most in PTI?

    Who does Khan trust the most in PTI?

    Imran Khan revealed the names while speaking to journalists in Adiala jail on Monday.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) designated three PTI members, including Chief Misinter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz to talk with the military establishment.

    The former prime minister and PTI founder, Imran Khan, confirmed the names of these three individuals while speaking to journalists in Adiala jail during the hearing of the £190m corruption case.

    On the question of holding talks with establishment, the former prime minister said: “I have authorised Ali Amin, Omar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz for these dialogues.”

    Khan also made it clear in front of the media that only these three PTI leaders are designated to talk with the military establishment.

    Imran Khan also told journalists that he never disrespected state institutions, despite court orders asking him not speaking against them. He also said that these directives from the court are against his fundamental rights protected by the Constitution.

    Imran claimed that confusion regarding the name of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will end today.

  • Zhalay Sarhadi’s humorous take on popular TikTok trend

    Zhalay Sarhadi’s humorous take on popular TikTok trend

    A popular trend on TikTok shows people from different backgrounds explaining who they are in humorous takes starting with, “I am a..”. Actress Zhalay Sarhadi decided to take part in the trend to satirically yet honestly about what it’s like being an actor in Pakistan.

    “I’m a Pakistani actress, of course, I get abused on social media; my sleeveless dresses are the reason for natural disasters; I get acting projects on the basis of my social media following; I can only portray side characters after turning 30; and fair complexion is as important for me as filters for beauty influencers,” Sarhadi said in the video, shared with the caption “Ruffling feathers? No, it’s just my experience/opinion that’s all!!!”

    The video has become popular, with thousands of Zhalay Sarhadi’s followers watching it and giving her lots of likes. But people had different opinions about it. Some agreed with Sarhadi and shared similar experiences, while others criticized her in the comments. Zhalay Sarhadi often shares entertaining stuff on her social media, like funny Instagram reels and trending TikTok videos.

  • Video: Umar Gul cries talking about close friend’s death

    Video: Umar Gul cries talking about close friend’s death

    Former fast bowler Umar Gul cried uncontrollably while talking about bitter memories during an interview.

    Talking to host Fakhar e Alam on ‘A Sport HD”, former fast bowler Umar Gul could not control his emotions while talking about the death of a close friend.

    The former speedster said, “I became friends with Kaleem in 2004, he was very close to me. When he saw me, he understood what is in my heart. Kaleem died in a traffic accident two days before Eid in the first year of Corona outbreak in Pakistan.”

    Video Credit: ARY

    “I used to come to Karachi only for him, he was not in Karachi so I decided to take retirement. I have not even mentioned this to my wife till today.”

    Umar Gul said, “It has been a month since I came to Karachi for the operation. During this time I did not ask any friend to go out. I still miss my friend a lot. After this accident my life changed, everything has gone from my heart, I don’t want to come to Karachi anymore because I have many memories here.”

    In October 2020, Umar Gul took retirement from all forms of cricket after a 20 year long career.

  • Director Imtiaz Ali worries about reaction from Amar Singh Chamkila’s first wife at film screening

    Director Imtiaz Ali worries about reaction from Amar Singh Chamkila’s first wife at film screening

    Renowned Indian film director, producer and screenwriter was worried about the reaction from the first wife of Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila at the film screening of the biopic made on the musician’s life. According to a source that talked to Indian media outlet Zoom, Imtiaz Ali was concerned over the film’s reception among the singer’s close relatives, especially his first wife.

    Imtiaz Ali said, “Chamkila’s family attended the screening. His first wife, Gurmail Kaur, and Amarjot, along with Chamkila’s son Jaiman Chamkila and daughters were all present. As I watched the film, Chamkila’s first wife sat beside me. I wondered about the sensitive scenes in the movie and if I should retreat before she felt uncomfortable or reacted in any way.”

    The director expressed happiness with how Chamkila was portrayed, as they hoped the audience would like it.
    He said, “I could have judged him for many things he did, but I chose to leave it as it is in the film. It’s actually a credit to the family that they understood.”
    The film’s cast features Diljit Dosanjh as Amar Singh Chamkila and Parineeti Chopra as his wife Amarjot, based on the real-life story of Chamkila and his wife, a singer known for lewd lyrics who was assassinated at a traditional Akhara (event) in 1988 in Punjab. They were shot, along with two other members of their group, as soon as they got out of the car they used to reach the venue.

    The killers remain unknown to this day.

  • Suspension of internet during general elections was restriction on freedom of expression: Report

    Suspension of internet during general elections was restriction on freedom of expression: Report

    In its latest annual report, the Freedom Network states that the shutdown of mobile networks and suspension of the internet during the February 8 general elections was a restriction on access to information and freedom of expression.

    The report further highlights that e-safety and personal data protection bills will pose a threat to Pakistan’s digital economy.

    If the bills are passed, it will oblige Google, Facebook, X and YouTube to provide Pakistani users’ data upon demand by Pakistani authorities, institutionalizing forced censorship.

    Moreover, according to the report, four journalists were killed in Pakistan in 12 months, whereas 104 incidents of harassment of journalists were reported, and more than 70 legal notices were sent to more than 200 journalists and bloggers.

  • Pakistani cricketers refuse to display betting ads on County Cricket shirts

    Pakistani cricketers refuse to display betting ads on County Cricket shirts

    Pakistani cricketers refuse to display betting and gambling advertisement on their shirts in County Cricket.

    County has signed a two-year deal with Dafa Bet as an official partner, under which the betting company will put ther logo on shirt collars of the players in all three formats.

    Dafa Bet had sponsored Pakistan cricket many times under the name of Dafa News by resorting to surrogate advertising, but after the strictness of the government, surrogate advertising has been stopped in domestic cricket and Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    National cricketers had already made their position clear to county authorities. Pakistani cricketers in all teams are away from surrogate advertising, alcohol, pork or adult entertainment advertising.

    The English cricket board and counties take care of the religious sentiments of foreign players, refusing to advertise controversial content, but with no cuts in pay. In the past, many players from other countries have also refused to advertise with alcohol and gambling companies, South Africa’s Hashim Amla was the foremost among them.

  • Hapless KP government paid Rs 5 crore to TTP for freeing abducted judge

    Hapless KP government paid Rs 5 crore to TTP for freeing abducted judge

    Sessions Judge Shakirullah Marwat, who was abducted by unidentified kidnappers on Dera Ismail Khan’s Tank Road, returned home safely on Monday. However, senior journalist Azaz Syed has revealed that the “Judge was released after the KP government paid five crores to terrorists as extortion.”

    According to Syed, “The Marwat clan played a positive role in getting the hostage back, especially, Sher Afzal Marwat.”

    He said the Marwat clan reached the “shadow governor of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)” and they initially demanded seven crores but settled on five crores as the extortion payment.

    Azaz Syed asserted that this is the most unfortunate circumstance that the provincial government was held hostage by the banned TTP and the group has appointed their representatives or shadow governors in every district.

    The journalist remarked that this is an extremely alarming situation that the TTP is operating so freely in DI Khan and can abduct a serving judge.

    He said, “They’re extorting the common people there as well.”