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  • Khawaja Sira community members attacked by mob in Karachi; No action taken yet

    Khawaja Sira community members attacked by mob in Karachi; No action taken yet

    The first-ever elected transgender member of the Karachi Municipal Council and transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai took to X (former Twitter) and described an incidence of violence against her community members.

    Shahzadi wrote, “A mob attack occurred at Johar Mor. These individuals first beat members of my community, then threatened to kill us openly. Please help and kindly tag the police. @sindhpolicedmc8 @BBhuttoZardari @PPP_Org @AuratMarchKHI @TMItalks.”

    In the video she highlighted how police arrived quite late while she was constantly being threatened with being killed. In another video, she was trying to calm the mob, but nothing worked at that point. She has appealed to the Sindh police to take legal action against the hate crime and violence.

    Member of Awami Workers Party, Ammar Rashid, wrote, “Horrifying to see. There is a direct line from the anti-trans hate being spread by rightwing activists, youtubers & parties to such mobs. Your ‘gender activism’ hobby & moral panic clickbait leads to situations of life & death for others. And no surprise Sindh police is MIA.”

    Transgender Rights Activist Aradhiya Khan demanded strict action, “ Urgent Alert: Another mob attack at Johar Mor! Once again, our community is being targeted and hunted down. We’re facing threats of violence and need immediate intervention.
    @sindhpolicedmc8 , please step in to stop this cycle of terror. Lives are at stake! #StopViolence”

    Human Rights Activist Gulalai Ismail highlighted the consequences of online campaigns against transgender community, “This is terrifying and highly condemnable. The recent trans-hate politics of JI and likes of Maria B has intensified the existing threats to the lives of Pakistani khwajasira community. These hate mongers should be held accountable & brought to justice.”

    Aurat March Karachi also reacted to the situation and said, “This is outrageous and horrifying. Till when will the khawaja sira community and trans people be forced to live in fear of such gruesome violence? Why do these fanatical cis men feel emboldened enough to issue threats like these, that too so openly? We stand in solidarity with the trans community and reiterate our demand to immediately end the hate campaign & mob violence targeting them.”

    Lawyer Muneeb Qadir said, “’Taang pe taang rakh ke cheer doon ga’ was what Qaiser Raja had said about transgenders & while specifically naming Shahzadi Rai in that speech. Hate speech can have dangerous consequences as you can see from what happened in Johar Mor last night. Maria B, Mishi, this one’s on u”

  • Israeli military tells Gazans to evacuate Al-Shifa hospital

    Israeli military tells Gazans to evacuate Al-Shifa hospital

    Palestinian Territories

    Israel’s military on Monday called on Gazans to evacuate the area in and around the territory’s largest hospital as battles raged at the complex crowded with patients and displaced people.

    “In order to maintain your security, you must immediately evacuate the area,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on social media platform X, instructing “all those present” to head west and then south to a “humanitarian area”.

    ha-rcb/jm/fz

    © Agence France-Presse

  • Shahid Afridi wants Muhammad Amir back in national team

    Shahid Afridi wants Muhammad Amir back in national team

    Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has backed bowler Muhammad Amir’s possible return to the national team.

    Talking to a local news channel, the still-popular Afridi compared Amir to Pakistani fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

    “Aamir can easily make a place in the Pakistan team’s line-up even today. He falls in the category of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi. Amir still has cricket left in him and should play for Pakistan.”

    Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis also advised Shaheen Shah Afridi to observe Amir’s bowling against Islamabad United in the first eliminator of Pakistan Super League 9 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday.
    “I hope Shaheen Afridi is watching it because I think he needs to do it more often , because initially if the ball is not swinging, just bowl on the length,” he said.

    During the first eliminator of PSL 9, Muhammad Amir took figures of 2/20 from four overs to restrict United to 174/9 in 20 overs, but the Gladiators failed to chase down the target and got out of PSL 9.

  • General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s brother arrested in bribery case

    General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s brother arrested in bribery case

    Former spymaster Faiz Hameed’s brother Najaf Hameed was arrested after a Rawalpindi court rejected his plea on Monday in a bribery case.

    The anti-corruption authorities arrested Najaf Hameed and went to Chakwal as instructed by the court.

    It is pertinent to mention that Hameed secured protective bail from the court after he was booked in a bribery case.

    In April 2023, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) initiated an investigation against Najaf Hameed for assets beyond means and out-of-turn promotion.

    The anti-graft body sent a letter to the deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi and the DC of Chakwal, asking them to provide the land ownership records of Najaf Hameed.

    On February 13, he was suspended from the post of Naib Tehsildar in Chakwal over alleged misconduct.

  • Faisal Vawda to join MQM-P?

    Faisal Vawda to join MQM-P?

    The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has expressed willingness to let former federal minister Faisal Vawda join the party before the Senate elections take place on April 2.

    “We had invited Vawda to join [MQM-P] in the past […] I pray that he joins the party’s ranks,” MQM-P leader Rauf Siddiqui said while speaking with journalists in Karachi.

    MQM-P head Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who is also a candidate for senate polls, said that the party has fielded a total of eight candidates for the upper house.

    However, Faisal Vawda has confirmed that he is still an “independent” political leader.

    “I’m still independent,” Vawda said during a press conference in Karachi, adding that he would consider joining a political party when it’s in “season,”  as independent candidates are currently trending.

    Vawda expressed doubt about the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing power in Islamabad.

  • Is Kubra Khan getting married? Jeeto Pakistan appearance sparks rumors

    Is Kubra Khan getting married? Jeeto Pakistan appearance sparks rumors

    Kubra Khan is adored by millions of fans for her charming personality and outstanding acting skills. She’s known for her work in TV shows and movies.
    Recently, Kubra Khan has been participating in the Jeeto Pakistan League, taking over from well-known actress and host Sana Javed. She leads Team Islamabad in JPL. A video clip of Fahad Mustafa and Kubra is circulating on social media, where Fahad jokes that Kubra will get married soon because she’s received his blessings by joining JPL officially.
    The host asked, “When do you plan on getting married?”

    Kubra, replied, “I’ve heard of people coming on the show and ending up next in line for marriage.”
    Fahad humorously referred to himself as a ‘Match Maker Baba,’ particularly after the episode featuring Sana and Shoaib’s marriage.
    Fans are loving the clip and sharing funny comments. On social media, people are joking that JPL has become a matchmaking show because Fahad Mustafa arranges matches there. They’re pointing out that he was the one who brought together Sana Javed and Shoaib Malik.

  • Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat made startling admissions regarding corruption within his party’s previous government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Known for his outspoken demeanor and controversial statements, Marwat recently alleged on an X (former Twitter) space that corruption had reached unprecedented levels during the previous PTI government in KP, with individuals amassing not billions, but trillions through illicit means.

    Responding to a question, the PTI leader said that the narrative of keeping former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail instead of his residence in Bani Gala was not floated by him.
    “Former KP chief minister Mahmood Khan earns Rs2.5 million daily from one of his mines now,” he added.

    Marwat’s remarks have once again thrust him into the limelight for his blunt and provocative statements. Just last week, he openly criticized his party’s decisions on alliances, attributing their electoral setbacks to two major mistakes.

    He said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani and the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.
    However, Marwat’s comments have drawn ire from within his party, as well as from political allies.

    Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), issued a stern warning to leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), cautioning them against airing internal grievances publicly.
    The revelations made by Marwat have reignited discussions surrounding corruption allegations within the PTI and have raised concerns about the party’s internal cohesion.

  • When is Eid expected? UAE society sets a date

    When is Eid expected? UAE society sets a date

    People in the United Arab Emirates may celebrate the start of Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

    As per Gulf News, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society has mentioned that the Shawwal moon might be visible on April 9.

    Al Jarwan noted that Muslims in the area will observe a 30-day Ramazan month accordingly.
    Eid-ul-Fitr holds significant spiritual, cultural, and religious importance for Muslims, symbolizing community unity and gratitude. Special Eid prayers, known as Salat-Al-Eid, are performed in mosques, open spaces, or large communal areas.

    These prayers are accompanied by sermons stressing charity, kindness, and gratitude. Following the prayers, families and friends come together to enjoy festive meals and exchange gifts.

  • Aseefa Bhutto may be joining National Assembly soon

    Aseefa Bhutto may be joining National Assembly soon

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has filed her nomination papers on Sunday to contest by-elections on the National Assembly (NA) seat vacated by her father. Aseefa Bhutto will take part in the polls from NA-207 as the PPP’s co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, left his seat after being elected president of Pakistan.

    The returning officer also confirmed that Assefa Bhutto submitted her nomination papers, stating that by-polls in Shaheed Benazirabad-1 will be held on April 21.

    On her X (previously Twitter) account, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shared pictures of herself filing nomination papers.

    She was accompanied by her aunt, Azra Fazal Pechuho. Party workers showered rose petals on her when she stepped out of the RO’s office.

    Asif Ali Zardari was elected on March 10 as the 14th president of Pakistan.

    The population of the constituency stands at 959,756 with 496,037 registered voters — of which 268,522 are male and 227,515 female voters.

    Earlier, in the February 8 general elections, Zardari secured victory in NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad-I constituency as he defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed (PTI) Sardar Sher Muhammad Rind by a huge margin.

  • Momal Sheikh’s husband credits baby for bollywood success

    Momal Sheikh’s husband credits baby for bollywood success

    Momal Sheikh, daughter of famous actor Javed Sheikh and sister of Shahzad Sheikh, wanted to act on camera, but her family didn’t allow it. Instead, she worked behind the scenes in production. After marrying Nader Nawaz, he supported her dream of joining showbiz.

    In a recent appearance on Shan e Suhoor with Nida Yasir, the couple discussed their life post-marriage, their family dynamics, and their mutual admiration. Among their topics was Momal’s unexpected offer for a Bollywood movie, which she managed to juggle despite recently becoming a mother to their son.

    Nader shared that she got the offer from the director of that film as they wanted only her for the role and though her father who was starring in that film was not convinced, the director still pursued her for the character. I believe our baby brought this opportunity. He encouraged Momal, saying, “Every child brings luck. You got this chance because of our baby’s arrival.”