Blog

  • Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in accident

    Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in accident

    Marathon’s world record holder athlete Kelvin Kiptum has died in a car accident.

    According to foreign media, 24-year-old Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya’s marathon world record holder, was travelling in a car that met an accident in western Kenya, killing him on the spot.

    According to Geo, Kelvin Kiptum’s coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, was also killed in the accident, while a woman in the car was injured and shifted to the hospital.

    It is being reported that Kelvin Kiptum was driving the car which overturned after he lost control.

    It should be noted that Kelvin Kiptum set the marathon world record with 2 hours 35 seconds.

  • US President Joe Biden makes TikTok debut ahead of elections 2024

    US President Joe Biden makes TikTok debut ahead of elections 2024

    US President Joe Biden belatedly joined TikTok on Sunday, marking his debut on the social media platform with a 26-second video.

    The move comes after fierce US government criticism of the video-sharing platform in recent years, most notably from Republicans but also from the Biden administration.

    TikTok is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance and has been accused by a wide swath of US politicians of being a propaganda tool used by Beijing, something the company furiously denies.

    In Sunday’s video posted on the @bidenhq campaign account, the 81-year-old Democratic president touches light-heartedly on topics ranging from politics to the National Football League championship game. He was also asked about his preference between the Super Bowl or its famed half-time show, this year headlined by singer Usher, he picks watching the actual game itself.

    Queried if there’s a secret plot to rig the game so that pop star Taylor Swift — who is dating Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce — could use her fame to endorse Biden, the president jokingly leans into the unfounded right-wing conspiracy theory.

    “I’d get in trouble if I told you,” he says.

    Citing security concerns, a slew of individual states and the federal government have banned the app on official government devices.

    In Montana, a state government move to completely ban the app was recently blocked by a judge.

    While the platform remains scrutinized by Washington, further federal action to ban or curtail the use of the app appears to no longer be in motion.

    “It seems now like the idea of a ban was being pushed more so to make political points and less as a serious effort to legislate,” David Greene, a civil liberties attorney, recently told British newspaper The Guardian. 

    As the election approaches, the platform provides a great medium to young voters.

    Sunday’s video ends with the president being asked who he prefers: himself or Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

    “Are you kidding?” he laughs. “Biden.”

  • Ali Amin Gandapur might be next Chief Minister KP and people are not happy

    Ali Amin Gandapur might be next Chief Minister KP and people are not happy

    Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has secured the required majority in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to form its government for the third consecutive time in the province with the party’s provincial president, Ali Amin Gandapur, likely to become the chief minister.

    The possibility of Gandapur becoming the Premier of the province has triggered severe backlash on social media.

    On November 8, 2017, then PTI MNA Dawar Khan Kundi, wrote a letter to then-chairman PTI Imran Khan about an incident that took place in Dera Ismail Khan, the constituency of Ali Amin Gandapur.

    A young orphan girl was stripped and then paraded naked in a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa village after her brother allegedly held a pre-marital affair with somebody. During the incident, nobody helped or sheltered the girl.

    As per Dawar, the logistics and physical support to the criminals who stripped the young girl were all provided by PTI Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. In a letter written to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Kundi wrote, “I visited the family a week before and they asked, in fact, requested, me to make sure that Ali Amin Gandapur, Revenue minister K-P, may be forced and asked to withdraw his support from the criminals,”

    The letter further stated, “The notorious activities of Ali Amin Gandapur are a source of providing a bad name to the party as a whole,” Dawar wrote. “You must ask CM K-P Parvez Khattak to remove Gandapur from his ministerial portfolio and ask forgiveness from the bereaved family.”

    Dawar Khan Kundi concluded his letter to Imran Khan by saying, “It is the time that PTI should stand with that orphan girl and provide justice to her as soon as possible.” However Ali Amin Gandapur has vowed he had nothing to do with the incident, saying that if charges of his involvement are proved, he was ready to be hanged till death.

    Amid this, people are not happy with Ali Amin Gandapur being Chief Minister.

    X (former Twitter) user @faraz_lhr wrote, “In 2017, Gundapur facilitated suspects involved in stripping a girl naked. Later a jirga forced the victim family to reconcile. Last month, the 5 suspects were shot dead.”

    User Crucifiedrantsuser wrote, “If Ali Amin Gandapur can be CM KP than why not PMLN in Center. If it’s all about morals Then where are the morals. How pti will defend Ali Amin n we couldn’t defend pmln?What media sells isn’t right. For me media has no credibility after this. How they projected things is absurd.”

    User @AmmarRashidT user wrote, “Can’t think of a better way to demonstrate you’re the non-dynastic non-traditional party that can deliver competent governance than by appointing a thuggish dynast with a disturbingly violent past to the most important position in the province you govern.”

    User @vanillasky458 wrote, “Haven’t heard anything on this from a PTI official, but Gandapur should not be CM. PTI did not get go through this fight only to make mistakes we’ve called out other parties for. Hope Jhagra wins his seat, no better choice than him.”

  • Hira Mani, Mani deliver speeches, sing song at MQM-P event

    Hira Mani, Mani deliver speeches, sing song at MQM-P event

    Hira Mani and her husband Mani captivated the audience with their speeches and performances at MQM-P’s celebration in Karachi’s Jinnah Ground.

    Hira also treated fans by singing the OST of her popular drama serial ‘Meray Pass Tum Ho’. The event was filled with cheers and applause as the couple showcased their talents, surrounded by MQM-P leaders.

  • Barrister Gohar and Sher Afzal Khan Marwat memes take social media by storm

    Barrister Gohar and Sher Afzal Khan Marwat memes take social media by storm

    Who knew that an unlikely pair of previously-unknown faces will become our desi version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Or, our Pakistani version of Veeru and Jai?

    Millions of adult Pakistanis voted in the country’s recent general election despite disruptions like mobile service suspensions and delayed results. However, accusations of unfairness and uncertainty cloud the electoral process in 2024.
    Amidst this, people turned to the internet for humor, and memes. A photo, taken during a press conference, featuring PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat has become all the rage. Marwat, known for his intense speeches, looks serious while Gohar appears calm.
    Check out these memes:

  • ‘Thappay par thappa’, Firdous explains why she slapped a police officer

    ‘Thappay par thappa’, Firdous explains why she slapped a police officer

    Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Dr Firdous Ashiq has finally offered an explanation for a viral video in which she can be seen slapping a police officer on the night of general elections.

    Awan said that she slapped a police officer as the person in uniform was facilitating one political party on election day. The IPP leader also said that if the law does not take its course, then citizens will teach corrupt police officers a lesson.

    The video was widely slammed on social media, with users calling out the IPP leader for resorting to violence.

  • ‘Don’t want a charity seat’, JI leaves their only provincial seat in the Sindh Assembly

    ‘Don’t want a charity seat’, JI leaves their only provincial seat in the Sindh Assembly

    Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, who run the single JI seat in the Sindh Assembly, announced on Monday that he was leaving the seat. ‘We don’t want a charity seat,’ he said, speaking about his PS-129 Karachi constituency. Analysts, after finding out about Rehman’s decision, termed it as ‘not a good idea’, saying that Rehman was enough for the Sindh Assembly and he was the choice of the voter and he should not have left after being elected. The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in the Sindh Assembly with 84 seats, MQM at 28 and Independents at 11. One seat is yet to be announced.

  • New app revolutionises Hajj experience: Pilgrims to benefit from enhanced guidance

    New app revolutionises Hajj experience: Pilgrims to benefit from enhanced guidance

    In a significant move aimed at enhancing the experience of Hajj pilgrims, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, announced the launch of a dedicated mobile application during his visit to the New Haji Camp on Saturday.

    The app, unveiled to media representatives, is poised to streamline the journey for pilgrims, offering comprehensive guidance from their Hajj flight to their accommodation in Saudi Arabia.

    Minister Aneeq emphasised that the app will furnish essential information alongside instructional videos to aid pilgrims throughout their sacred journey.

    Among the innovative features, each pilgrim will receive a distinctive single-coloured QR code suitcase, easing the identification of personal belongings.

    Additionally, the government will provide a complimentary mobile SIM card from a Saudi company to every pilgrim, entailing 180 minutes for international calls.

    Notably, the caretaker government has also slashed the price of the official Hajj package by Rs 0.1 million, aiming to make the pilgrimage more accessible.

    Highlighting infrastructural enhancements, Minister Aneeq underscored the renovation of the New Haji Camp premises, coupled with the establishment of a vaccination centre tailored to cater to the needs of Hajj pilgrims.

    Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs organised the ‘Interfaith Harmony Conference’, extending invitations to ambassadors from 30 nations in a concerted effort to foster global understanding and cooperation.

    In a bid to promote interfaith dialogue and mutual respect, Minister Aneeq outlined various initiatives, including the ‘Interfaith Harmony Dialogue’ held across prominent universities and religious institutions.

    Notably, scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, including Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Parsi, and Jain, convened at St. Patrick’s Church, echoing a message of universal humanity and tolerance.

    Concluding his address, Minister Aneeq unveiled plans for the establishment of schools and clinics within mosques, commencing with the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and slated for nationwide expansion, underscoring the government’s commitment to holistic community development.

    The collective efforts underscored by the Ministry reflect a comprehensive approach towards fostering harmony, facilitating pilgrimage, and promoting inclusivity, marking a pivotal stride towards a more cohesive and enlightened society.

  • If Nawaz wants PPP, Bilawal will be Prime Minister: Zardari

    If Nawaz wants PPP, Bilawal will be Prime Minister: Zardari

    In a surprising move, PPP’s Zardari has set his sights on the Prime Minister chair for his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif told his party leaders that Zardari wants the PM slot and major ministries, if PMLN wants PPP’s support.

    According to The News’ sources, Shehbaz told party leaders that if they gave Zardari what he wanted, the PPP would support PML-N to make its government in Punjab.

    WHAT PML-N OFFERED PPP

    ARY sources claim that PML-N offered three positions to the PPP to gain its support. PPP has been offered the presidency, speaker of the National Assembly and Senate chairman, while PML-N also agreed to give the slot for chief minister Balochistan to the PPP.

    MQM AND PML-N JOIN HANDS

    After a meeting in Lahore Sunday morning, PML-N and MQM have reached a decision to work together on basic points for cooperation in the best “interest of the nation and country”.

    PMLN’s Marriyum Aurangzeb, while announcing the news, did not say what the two parties had agreed upon but said that an alliance between them was in affect.

    With the PPP, a decision on whether to give Bilawal Bhutto the Prime Minister chair is yet to be made.

    SHOCKING

    Party sources have told GEO News that, the PML-N leadership was in a shock as the election results did not meet their expectations at all. Sources said that Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and other PML-N leaders were overconfident, the party leadership didn’t pay much attention to public rallies, door-to-door campaigns, mass public campaigns and direct contact with voters.

    Sources claimed that if there was a fallout with the PPP, PML-N would make a coalition government with MQM, JUI-F and other smaller parties, including independents and electable. They further claimed that in this scenario, PML-N will make Shehbaz Sharif the prime minister and Maryam Nawaz the Chief Minister of Punjab.

    In the PML-N meeting when Maryam Nawaz’s name was finalised for Chief Minister punjab, according to ARY sources, all members agreed and said she had done a commendable job campaigning for the party. They also said that it would be a first for Pakistan to have a female chief minister for Punjab.

  • Election 2024 Wrap-Up 

    Election 2024 Wrap-Up 

    No mobile signals on election day:

    The general election of 2024 took place on February 8, and there were no mobile signals on election day across the country. Caretaker prime minister Anwar Kakar said, “I don’t know what difficulties citizens are facing due to mobile suspension.”

    Polling started late:

    According to a report in The Express TRIBUNE, polling at most women polling stations started late on February 8 due to the late supply of election material in different areas of the country. 

    Blasts on election day:

    Two blasts happened on Election Day in Lajja town and the Kharan area of Balochistan. At least three people were killed in two blasts on February 8.

    Hot Seats:

    NA-122 Lahore was a hot seat as Khawja Saad Rafique of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI-backed candidate Sardar Latif Khosa were in competition. However, Sardar Latif Khosa won this seat.

    NA-128 was also a hot seat as PTI-backed candidate Salman Akram Raja and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s (IPP) Aun Chaudhary were competing on it. However, Aun Chaudhary won this seat.

    NA-130 was also an important seat, as former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in competition with PTI-supported Yasmeen Rashid. However, Nawaz Sharif won this seat.

    Long delay in election results:

    Election results took a long long time to be tabulated and released.

    ECP decides to announce results:

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to announce results, beginning with three constituencies at 2am on February 9.

    Allegations of rigging:

    Multiple politicians claimed that the elections were rigged in different constituencies, and some politicians challenged their defeat in courts. 

    PTI Independents take the lead:

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed candidates took the lead and then maintained it.

    Nawaz’s victory speech:

    Former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif cancelled his victory speech on Thursday night due to a delay in results. The next day, February 9, Nawaz Sharif said in his speech that all politicians and political parties should work together.

    Shehbaz meetings:

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Asif Zardari, on Friday, and a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Saturday to discuss the possibility of joining hands in a coalition government.

    Final Tally:

    According to results so far, PTI-backed candidates are 93, PML-N has 73 and PPP won 53 National Assembly seats.