Special Judge Central Humayun Dilawar granted bail to vlogger Asad Toor on Saturday in a case pertaining to allegations of running a malicious campaign against the judiciary.
Ishtiaq Hussain Shah, the special prosecutor for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), went to court and said the agency doesn’t oppose giving bail to the vlogger.
The bail was granted against surety bonds worth Rs5,000.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) also declared call-up notices issued to Toor by the FIA against the law.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a seven-page written order regarding the vlogger’s plea against the FIA notices. He stated that the FIR was filed because notices were wrongly issued.
The judge maintained that the relevant forum can be approached once the FIR is registered, adding that the court cannot order Toor’s release due to the bar on taking suo motu action.
A US charity said Saturday its team in Gaza Strip had finished unloading the first maritime aid shipment to reach the besieged territory.
“All cargo was offloaded and is being readied for distribution in Gaza,” World Central Kitchen said in a statement, noting that the aid was “almost 200 tonnes of food”.
The group is preparing a second boat of 240 tonnes of food to set sail from Cyprus, the starting point of a new maritime aid route across the eastern Mediterranean.
The humanitarian effort is intended to mitigate food shortages that have prompted UN famine warnings in Gaza from the United Nations and aid workers.
“That shipment includes pallets of canned goods and bulk product including beans, carrots, canned tuna, chickpeas, canned corn, parboiled rice, flour, oil and salt,” World Central Kitchen said.
The second shipment would also include a forklift and a crane to assist with deliveries, it added.
The humanitarian group said it had “no information to release on when our second boat and the crew ship will be able to embark.”
The Israeli military on Friday confirmed the first vessel, operated by the Spanish charity Open Arms, had arrived and said soldiers had been deployed to secure the area and conduct a security inspection.
The military also said the delivery of humanitarian aid by sea did not constitute a breach of its years-long maritime blockade of Gaza, which has been ruled since 2007 by Hamas.
World Central Kitchen had to build a jetty southwest of Gaza City to deliver the aid.
Israel has killed at least 31,490 people in Gaza since October 7, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
As cumbersome Israeli security checks and logistical hurdles slow overland aid delivery to Gaza, countries have pursued alternatives including airdrops and the new maritime corridor.
Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, said on social media platform X on Friday that the first shipment was “a test” and that “we could bring thousands of tonnes each week.”
South Korea’s Squid Game actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017.
The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller.
The actor was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court told AFP.
He has been also ordered to complete 40 hours of classes on sexual violence, the court added.
The victim’s own records of the assault and her claims are “consistent … and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them,” judge Jeong Yeon-ju said, according to the court.
O was indicted in 2022 without detention on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, who has not been identified, on two occasions.
The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim’s residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court. Squid Game, a series that depicts a dark world where marginalised individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children’s games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix.
Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers.
The show’s success has amplified South Korea’s increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film Parasite.
Multiple figures in South Korea’s film industry — including late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun — have faced sexual assault allegations.
Fatima Bhutto, author and the granddaughter of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, announced the birth of her baby boy on Saturday. She has named her son Mir Murtaza Byra, after her father Mir Murtaza Bhutto.
The writer shared the good news via her account on X and wrote, “Graham and I are so happy to share the news of the birth of our baby boy.”
The internationally acclaimed writer also shared an elaborate social media post, revealing the name she picked for her son and explaining her reasons behind the choice.
“We wanted to give our son a name that would bestow him with courage and kindness as he makes his way through the world. I wanted a name that would act as an inspiration to him in his life but also one that would cloak him in love and strength, a name that he could wear with the knowledge that it was given to him from deep within his mother’s heart and soul to protect him throughout his life, to give him in equal measure both grace and fearlessness, a sense of his homeland and of joy,” she wrote.
Sharing her feelings regarding the naming her child, Fatima stated: “Every time I thought of what name might do that, I always came back to my beloved father’s name.”
She also asked her fans and followers to pray for her family during this happy time.
Jannat Mirza and Alishba Anjum, two famous Pakistani social media influencers, are spending Ramadan in Faisalabad with their family.
Both the influencers extended an invitation to viral social media sensation Adnan Zafar, widely known as Ken Doll Dubai, to join them for a special iftari. The trio seem to be enjoying a wonderful meal and engaged in lively conversation.
Here are some pictures from their enjoyable Aftari:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) has decided to field its jailed activist Sanam Javed for the women’s seat in the upcoming senate polls while incarcerated leader Dr Yasmin Rashid will contest the election for the technocrat seat in the Upper House.
Party leader Mian Aslam Iqbal announced that Hamid Khan and Zulfi Bukhari are candidates for general seats in Punjab while Umar Sarfaraz Cheema and Col (retd) Ijaz Minhas will serve as covering candidates for the general seats.
Meanwhile, today is the last date for submitting nomination papers for the Senate elections on general seats. The returning officers will be accepting the nominations till 5pm. The scrutiny of the nomination papers would be completed by March 19, while by March 21, appeals can be filed against the acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers.
Furthermore, authorities will issue decisions on the appeals by March 25. Polling will take place in both the provincial and national assemblies on April 2 from 9 am to 4 pm.
Television host Iqrar ul Hassan is known for his show Sar E Aam and having three wives.
During a recent appearance on Wasi Shah’s show, Iqrar and Qurutulain opened up about their relationship and feelings. Qurutulain expressed her confidence in their bond, stating, “I am not an insecure person. I’ve always believed that Iqrar’s love for me will never fade.” She emphasized her trust in him, adding, “I don’t feel the need to check up on Iqrar. Some wives are always trying to check their husbands’ phones, but that’s not something I relate to.”
When questioned about his deepest romantic affections, excluding familial ties, Iqrar responded with certainty, saying, “Everyone knows that I love Annie the most.” He elaborated, “She is my first love, and no one can ever replace her. This is common knowledge among all my relationships.”
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.
Raza’s remarks came in response to PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat’s statement, where he criticized the decision to ally with the SIC, attributing it to the loss of 80 seats.
Marwat 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 a sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.
Expressing strong disapproval of Marwat’s comments, Raza advised PTI to resolve its internal issues internally, underscoring that the decision to collaborate with the SIC was endorsed by PTI founder Imran Khan.
Raza wrote on X (former Twitter), ” It is better that PTI friends resolve the matters internally and Imran Khan made the decision of Sunni Ittehad Council, I didn’t make any request. From electoral symbol to reserve seats I have so much to tell that if I say something in a talk show then these people won’t be able to show their faces.”
In a statement made during the Geo News talk show ‘Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal Kay Sath,’ PTI leader Senator Barrister Ali Zafar shed light on the decision-making process regarding alliances for reserved seats.
Zafar revealed that initially, the plan was to merge with Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), but it was later altered in favor of the SIC following discussions with Imran Khan.
Expressing his astonishment on the development, Zafar said: “When I asked Imran Khan about this, he said he had not changed the decision.”
Ali Zafar, however, emphasised: “The decision will have to be revised no matter how it was taken; it was our mistake; as to where and how this miscommunication was committed.”
He conceded that Sher Afzal Marwat was right.
“At first, a decision was made to join the MWM. Prior to that, a decision was also made to unite with Maulana Sheerani’s party as Sheerani’s group also participated in the election and had also given a list of reserved seats.”
Zafar emphasized the need for clarity in decision-making, noting discrepancies in interpreting constitutional provisions and the Elections Act.
He indicated that the matter may need adjudication by the Supreme Court to resolve conflicting opinions.
The Supreme Court has to decide whether our interpretation is correct or the verdict of the ECP or the Peshawar High Court.
“We also referred to the Election Commission’s decision to give specific seats to the BAP party in the court. To which, the ECP said that they do not know why they gave reserved seats to the BAP, so this decision cannot be used as an example here,” he said.
In a recent podcast chat with Ghazal Siddique, Ali Gul Mallah, a well-known figure in Sindhi entertainment for over 27 years, revealed a side of himself few had seen before. Mallah, who became famous for his role in the drama ‘Ishq Murshid,’ talked openly about his life’s ups and downs.
While actors like Bilal Abbas Khan and Durefishan were already famous, Mallah’s character quickly won hearts in ‘Ishq Murshid,’ making him a new favorite among fans. But beyond his on-screen success, Mallah’s life has its share of struggles and dreams.
During the podcast, Mallah expressed gratitude for his achievements, saying they were blessings from Allah. He also shared a heartfelt wish to go on a pilgrimage to Umrah with his family, showing his strong faith and devotion.
But Mallah’s heart also goes out to those facing hard times. He talked about feeling sad when he sees people who were once well-off but are now struggling.
“I also broke into tears when I talked about my village and extended family. If I ever get a lot of money, I would like to help my family who have faced the worst ever conditions financially.” With emotion evident in his voice, he shared his dream, saying, “I would also like to make a village where people will have all the fundamental rights.”
The Lahore Family Court has sentenced a man for marrying for the second time without the permission of his first wife.
Judge Adnan Liaquat of the Family Court Lahore delivered the verdict on the petition, sentencing the accused to seven months imprisonment and imposing a fine of five lakhs.
According to the court, the husband married the second wife without the written permission of the first wife, a legal requirement for the second marriage – which the husband did not fulfil.
Under the law, the accused violated Section 6 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance. If the accused fails to pay the fine of five lakh rupees, he will face an additional month in prison.
