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  • Sher Afzal Marwat refused to remarry because it is a “big injustice” to women

    Sher Afzal Marwat refused to remarry because it is a “big injustice” to women

    In our patriarchal culture, societal norms often facilitate men who remarry if there are no children – or a male child – from the first marriage.

    But Sher Afzal Marwat, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, has different views as he related a personal event from his life in a podcast with Nadir Ali.

    “In 2007, my wife asked me to remarry because it had been six years and we didn’t have a son yet,” Marwat said.

    Marwat related that his father was alive at the time and in Pathan culture there is a lot of societal pressure to marry again for children.

    His wife permitted him to remarry in a serious conversation.

    Marwat recounted, “I took some time to think and told her that I cannot do this injustice to you just because I want children.”

    Marwat emphasized, “It would be a big injustice to any woman, let alone your wife if you bring a second wife just for your happiness.”

    “A woman has a life too, she leaves everything behind for a man when she gets married,” said Sher Afzal Marwat.

  • Islamabad High Court suspends notification of decrease in Naan and roti price

    Islamabad High Court suspends notification of decrease in Naan and roti price

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended a recent notification on the decrease in the price of roti and naan in the federal capital.

    The court has suspended the notification until May 6, seeking a detailed response from the parties on the upcoming hearing.

    Case proceedings

    The decision came during a hearing presided over by Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri in response to a petition from the Naanbai Welfare Association, highlighting concerns over the legality and jurisdiction of the notification. It was argued that the federal price control fell under the supervision of the prime minister only.

    The counsel for the district administration explained that by amending the law, district coordination officers were empowered to issue notifications.

    Additionally, the Controller General of Prices and Supplies is appointed by the federal government, along with the assistant controller, appointed by the competent officer of the government, are responsible for fixing prices in accordance with district administration representation.

    The lawyer of the petitioner objected that the section under which the notification was issued does not fall under the authority of the controller general.

    Comparison with Punjab

    The court also inquired about the price of 120-gramme roti in Punjab and that if it was available for Rs25. To this petitioner explained that it was from a provincial government, while in the capital, the flour was expensive and rents high.

    The Islamabad High Court consequently suspended the notification and adjourned the hearing until May 6.

    On April 14, the Punjab government slashed the price of roti, followed by a similar decision by the Islamabad administration.

    Following a notification issued by the capital’s district administration, the new price of roti was set at Rs16, while the price of naan was fixed at Rs20. This adjustment was applicable to both 120-gram roti and naan.

  • Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Lahore police decided to involve former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in an ongoing investigation linked to vandalism that occurred on May 9 last year. The Express TRIBUNE reported on Wednesday. 

    The police said in their statement that they will investigate the former federal minister as the detained people in the May 9 cases gave statements against him. The investigation will be based on evidence provided by detained individuals.

    Police officials also stated that although Fawad Chaudhry has interim bail in all cases but they can include the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader in probe for May 9 vandalism case.

    Fawad’s involvement will be examined in Case No. 97/23, filed at the Sarwar Road police station, as well as in Case No. 366/23 registered in Model Town. Besides, he will be incorporated into the investigation of Case No. 103/23, lodged at the Sarwar Road police station.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sent a notice to the interior secretary and other officials for not providing correct information regarding cases filed against Fawad Chaudhry.

  • Student demonstrations against Gaza genocide take world by storm

    Student demonstrations against Gaza genocide take world by storm

    Anti-Zionist students in the US have taken to their campuses to call out the blatant atrocities being committed by Israel in the besieged strip and the West Bank, and asking the universities to divest from investing in Israel.

    The demonstrations have now expanded beyond US borders.

    French police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest by dozens of university students in Paris, officials said Thursday, as Israel’s bombardment of Gaza sparks a wave of anger across college campuses in the United States.

    AFP reports that according to witnesses, the protesters were demanding that Sciences Po university “cut its ties with universities and companies that are complicit in the genocide in Gaza” and “end the repression of pro-Palestinian voices on campus”.

    Similarly, students in Sydney, Australia, have also set up a camp at Sydney University and carried out demonstrations.

    Background:

    The mass protests started from Columbia University on April 17 which then spread across colleges and universities in America.

    The US has been openly supporting and financing Israeli genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. And while many people have lost their jobs and students have been expelled due to their support for Gaza, the demonstrations on university campuses are getting bigger by the day.

    Top universities such as Yale, NYU, and Columbia are facing heightened tensions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators are being arrested amid escalating conflicts between the two sides of the genocides.

    Columbia granted students protesters an extension to disassemble their encampments twice, citing ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the tense situation. All classes will be conducted virtually on Monday due to mounting tension.

    On Monday, 60 individuals at Yale, including 47 student protesters, were arrested for trespassing after blocking traffic around the campus. Additionally, several protesters were also arrested at NYU.

    Other American colleges and universities with Gaza encampments include Emerson College, MIT, Tufts, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Brown, Rice, and more.

    It is a big moment in the midst of a genocide, a point in time where we all must decide to stand on the right side of history.

  • Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ breaks sales records worldwide

    Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ breaks sales records worldwide

    Taylor Swift’s album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ just made history by selling the most vinyl copies in a single week, achieving the incredible feat in just three days.

    During the weekend, fans bought a whopping 700,000 LP copies of Swift’s album, breaking her previous record set by ‘1989’ (Taylor’s Version), which sold 693,000 copies in a week last October.

    Billboard shared the news, highlighting Taylor Swift’s ongoing success in the vinyl market.
    Back in October 2022, Swift’s album ‘Midnights’ also made waves by selling 570,000 copies in a week on vinyl.

    These records are specific to the ‘modern era’ since 1991, when SoundScan started tracking sales across different formats. While there might have been albums selling more than 700,000 vinyl copies per week in the past, we didn’t have data like this back then.

    Still, Taylor Swift’s incredible achievements in LP sales are unmatched in recent history.

  • Ranbir Kapoor’s crazy fitness routine, from ‘Animal’ to ‘Ramayana’

    Ranbir Kapoor’s crazy fitness routine, from ‘Animal’ to ‘Ramayana’

    Ranbir Kapoor is stepping up his fitness game, showing dedication to his roles by putting in the hard work physically. His impressive fitness journey, documented by his trainer Shivoham, is making waves.

    In a recent Instagram post, Shivoham gave a peek into Kapoor’s transformation over the past three years. The post showcases him transforming from the muscular look in Animal to his current shredded physique, likely for his role in the upcoming Ramayana.

    The post shared by Shivoham on Wednesday features three images, each representing a significant stage in Kapoor’s physical evolution. The first picture shows Kapoor in his beefed-up look from Animal, portraying a character demanding a strong physical presence.

    The next image shows Kapoor in a regular state, ready to start his transformation journey. Finally, the third image reveals Kapoor’s recent ripped physique, likely matching his upcoming role in Ramayana.

    Shivoham said, “I worked hard for over three years. You can’t achieve anything by taking shortcuts. Having a clear vision of your goal and a well-structured plan is crucial. But without willpower, discipline, consistency, and determination, no amount of planning will lead you to success.”
    Moreover, in an Instagram video, the actor’s fitness coach showed viewers Kapoor’s intense workout routine, set in lush green surroundings.

    The video shows Kapoor doing various exercises like weightlifting, running, and strength training. He also includes swimming, cycling, and hiking in his routine, highlighting his dedication to overall fitness.

  • Arooj Aftab and Penn Badgley from ‘You’ to collaborate on new album

    Arooj Aftab and Penn Badgley from ‘You’ to collaborate on new album

    Guess what? Something really exciting is about to happen. The super talented Arooj Aftab has teamed up with the very cool actor Penn Badgley. They joined forces in a way that nobody expected. Arooj gave fans a sneak peek on Instagram, leaving everyone curious and wanting more. In the teaser, Arooj challenges Penn to a game of chess, and they both admit they’re not great at it. It’s pretty funny to watch them joke around like that.

    Arooj posted a photo on Instagram showing her meeting with Penn. The caption asked, “What does night mean to you?” It went on to say, “Penn and I goofed around playing chess and talked about Night Reign.” The whole video, directed and edited by Andrew Oppeneer, will be out soon.

    The short video showed that Arooj and Penn share a special connection. They both seem to really like the mysterious beauty of the night and the thinking game of chess. As they played, it felt like they were exploring more than just winning or losing.
    Fans are excited to see the full video because it promises to be both smart and beautiful. Arooj and Penn coming together in chess and music shows how creativity can go beyond limits. It reminds us that art is something that can bring people together, no matter where they’re from or what they do.

  • Millions of wheat farmers in South Punjab caught in difficult situations

    Millions of wheat farmers in South Punjab caught in difficult situations

    Millions of farmers in South Punjab face difficulties as the government, although it set the price of wheat at Rs 3,900 per maund, hasn’t started buying it yet. On the other hand, the price of wheat in the local market is also very low, even though the harvesting season is ending in the South Punjab region.

    Farmers feel trapped with tough choices on both sides in this situation.

  • National women cricketer Bisma Maroof retiring from cricket

    National women cricketer Bisma Maroof retiring from cricket

    Former captain of Pakistan women’s cricket team Bisma Maroof has announced her immediate retirement from cricket on her Instagram account.

    She wrote a statement on Instagram saying, “For 17 years, cricket has been not just a sport but a passion, a dream fulfilled, and a journey of growth beyond measure. With a mixture of emotions, I bid farewell to the incredible journey of representing Pakistan on the international stage.”

    “As I reflect on the timid girl who started on this journey, I am overwhelmed by the transformation and the milestones she achieved along the way. From those early days to now retiring after playing for almost 2 decades, I collected a treasure trove of beautiful memories.”

    “To the Pakistan Cricket Board, captains, coaches, teammates, support staff, friends, family, and my dear husband, I extend my deepest gratitude. And most importantly, my wonderful Baba and Ammi: Your guidance, encouragement, and support have been the pillars of my success.”

    “To the fans, whose unwavering passion fueled our spirits, thank you for rooting for us. I am available for League Cricket assignments. Wherever I go, I will continue to make my nation proud. With heartfelt gratitude and fond memories.”

    Bisma Maroof represented Pakistan in 276 international matches which is a national record, she scored 6262 runs and took 80 wickets in international cricket.

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi dissolved the women’s selection committee in the first phase after taking action on the disappointing performance of the Pakistan women’s cricket team against the West Indian women’s cricket team.

  • Malala reiterates Gaza support after criticism on collaboration with Hilary Clinton

    Malala reiterates Gaza support after criticism on collaboration with Hilary Clinton

    Education activist Malala Yousafzai has issued a statement on social media, reiterating her support for Palestine and calling out Israel for committing a genocide in Gaza.

    Earlier this week, she faced severe criticism, even from those who have always defended her, after it was revealed that she was partnering with former US First Lady Hilary Clinton, who has actively spoken against a ceasefire in Gaza.

    While Malala has issued a statement in support of Palestine now, her collaboration with a warmonger remains unaffected.

    As co-producers for a new Broadway production titled “Suffs,” they will mark their debut on the Broadway stage.

    “Suffs” is a musical that depicts the suffrage movement in the United States, chronicling the campaign for women’s right to vote from 1913 to 1920, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

    The collaboration has become questionable for the Pakistani public in the light of on-going Israeli genocide in Gaza that is financed by the US and above all, supported by Hilary Clinton herself. And people are asking: what exactly is Malala thinking by doing this collaboration at this time.