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  • NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    Islamabad police are currently looking into the reported abduction of Najeebullah, Deputy Assistant Director at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    Asadullah Khan, a resident of Islamabad, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Ramna police on January 31, stating that his brother left for duty at 9 pm on January 30, and has not returned since.

    According to the FIR, Najeebullah contacted his family the following morning via WhatsApp, stating that he was en route to Peshawar and assured them of his imminent return. Asadullah, however, noted a distressed tone in his brother’s voice and expressed concern as Najeebullah reportedly had no acquaintances in Peshawar.

    Subsequent communication with Najeebullah intensified the concerns, as he conveyed suspicions of being held against his will. The family is now apprehensive that his disappearance may be linked to an ongoing case.

    According to sources of Hum News, NADRA is cracking down on foreign nationals illegally residing in Pakistan who have managed to obtain fake national identity cards.

    During a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, it was revealed that a significant number of non-residents managed to acquire properties worth billions using fake Pakistani identity cards.

    A senior police officer shared that an investigation is underway after taking footage from Safe City security cameras.

    A NADRA spokesperson stated that they were monitoring the situation closely and were in contact with the officer’s family.

  • PSL 9: Multan Sultans on top of its game with massive collaborations

    PSL 9: Multan Sultans on top of its game with massive collaborations

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans is in the game with massive collaborations for PSL season 9. Multan has partnered with KTrade as an investment partner and Raiment 61 as official partner (Clothing Brand) for the ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League.

    On Wednesday, KTrade, a leading stock trading platform, formerly known as KASB, joined Multan Sultans as the official investment partner for the HBL Pakistan Super League season 9.

    On this occasion Multan Sultan’s General Manager Hijab Zahid said, “We are extremely delighted to have KTrade on board. To have a respected stock brokerage firm in KTrade collaborating with us is a testimony of how popular Multan Sultans as a franchise is. Through this partnership, cricket is tapping into a new industry in Pakistan, which will prove to be beneficial for the game and the stock and commodity brokerage industry.

    KTrade Securities Chairperson Ali Farid Khwaja said, “We are proud of our association with the Multan Sultans. They punch beyond their weight through passion and energy, which is the feat of a true champion. Their cricket is not only about the game on the field but about social and community development of a region which has deep historical value and entrepreneurial energy.”

    Today, Pakistan’s Raiment 61 (Clothing Brand) joined Multan Sultans. The franchise’s contingent will wear Raiment 61 trousers during their team dinners, travels, and other activities in the ninth edition of Pakistan Super League.

    Multan Sultans General Manager Hijab Zahid said “We are thrilled to be partnering with Raiment 61. I am sure our players, coaches, and management will look classy in these especially designed pants.

    “What makes us proud to be having Raiment 61 on board with us are the strong ethical values that these manufacturers hold. Whether it is the sustainability initiatives or steps towards gender-inclusivity, Kehkeshan Usman, Raiment 61’s chief operating officer, and her team have been at the forefront.”

    Raiment 61 Co-Founders Saba and Anees Khawaja said “With our strong roots in the city of Multan, we are delighted to be partnering with Multan Sultans. This has always been our team. It gives every person of this region a great pleasure to see how much this young team has achieved in short time both on and off the field and we are very excited for the upcoming edition.”

    “We are looking forward to working with this young and dynamic team.”

    Anees Khawaja further said, “I have known Ali Khan Tareen, the owner and chief executive of Multan Sultans, for a long time, and I have great admiration for the work he has done and continues to do for the uplifting of the region of South Punjab. Seeing how Multan Sultans are taking a lead in providing equal opportunities in administration and coaching side of the things is very heartening and perfectly aligns with our vision.”

    Multan Sultans will begin their HBL PSL 9 campaign on 18 February against Karachi Kings at the Sultans Fort (Multan Cricket Stadium).

  • Anti-Pakistan Indian film ‘Fighter’ flops

    Anti-Pakistan Indian film ‘Fighter’ flops

    Karma is a queen!

    Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and actress Deepika Padukone’s anti-Pakistan film ‘Fighter’ has flopped.

    According to Indian media reports, ‘Fighter’, which was released on January 25, did excellent business in the initial days, but gradually the film’s rule at the box office weakened.

    The reports further state that the film has practically flopped on the fifth day of its release, with business dropping by 70-80 per cent after entering the 200 crore club on the fourth day.
    Indian film analysts say that despite having anti-Pakistan content, the film failed to attract a large number of viewers.

    Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone play squadron leaders of the Indian Air Force, while Anil Kapoor depicts their commanding officer.

    We’d feel bad for them, but hey, this is payback for propaganda.

  • Pakistani rupee shows marginal improvement, gains 0.03% against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee shows marginal improvement, gains 0.03% against US dollar

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) experienced a slight improvement, appreciating by 0.03 per cent against the US dollar (USD) in the inter-bank market on Friday. 

    Closing at Rs279.41 after a gain of Re0.07 against the USD, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). On Thursday, the rupee had a marginal increase, settling at Rs279.48 against the USD, according to the SBP.

    The government is reportedly scheduled to hold a session with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the next day or two, focusing on tariff rationalisation to reduce industry tariffs from 14 cents per unit to 11.75 cents per unit through a subsidy-neutral proposal.

    Globally, the US dollar experienced a broad decline on Friday, influenced by positive risk sentiment following upbeat big tech earnings on Wall Street. Traders are anticipating US job data later in the day to assess the potential timing for the Federal Reserve to initiate rate easing.

    Comparatively, against major currencies, the PKR depreciated by 2.71 rupees against the Euro, closing at 304.1 compared to the previous value of 301.39. 

    The British Pound strengthened, becoming costlier by 2.93 rupees and closing at 356.46 compared to 353.52 from the previous day. 

    The Swiss franc saw gains of 2.6 rupees, closing at 325.94, compared to 323.34 in the previous session. Against the Japanese yen, PKR lost 0.06 paisa, closing at 1.906 versus 1.906 a day ago. 

    The Chinese Yuan gained 1.57 paisa, closing at 38.9171 against 38.9014 from the previous session.

  • Hockey Federation employees unpaid since six months

    Hockey Federation employees unpaid since six months

    Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) employees have not been paid salaries since six months.

    According to Geo sources, employees of the Lahore headquarters have demanded that they be paid dues soon.

    PHF sources say that sick employees do not have money for medical treatment, including a PHF employee who suffers from heart disease.

    According to sources, the issue of due salaries of senior and junior players is also pending. Captain Imad Shakeel Butt demanded payment of delays after participating in the Olympics qualifying round, but funds have not been released to PHF by the government. A funds and assignment account is yet to be opened.

    According to PHF sources, one month’s salary is in arrears in the current cycle, the remaining five months’ arrears are from the previous cycle. About eight crore rupees is pending.

    The current administration had closed the accounts of the federation in the last week of December due to which it is now necessary to open an assignment account.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – II

    Electioneering in Sindh – II

    In the second part of our series on electioneering in Sindh, we will discuss Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpur Khas divisions. Shaheed Benazir division, formerly known as Nawabshah, comprises Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar districts. It has six National Assembly (NA) and 13 provincial assembly (PA) seats. As per the latest delimitations, one of its districts – Sanghar – has lost one NA and one PA seat. While Mirpurkhas division comprising Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Thar district has five NA and 11 PA seats. Former president Asif Ali Zardari and his elder sister Azra Pechuho, former federal ministers Asghar Shah, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, Shazia Marri, Nawab Yousuf Talpur, and former chief minister of Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim are testing their luck in these divisions. Let us look at it in some detail.

    There are two National Assembly seats in district Naushahro Feroze. On NA 205 Naushahro Feroze-I, PPP has fielded the winner of 2018 elections Syed Abrar Ali Shah. Among 17 aspirants, his main rival is PML-N’s Syed Asghar Ali Shah. Although PPP candidates may feel the heat from voters over his performance during the last five years, Abrar Shah still seems set to win. In NA 206 Naushahro Feroze-II, 16 candidates are in the race, but the main contest is between GDA’s Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and PPP’s Zulfiqar Behan. Jatoi lost to Behan in 2018 by a meager difference of 6,000 votes, so he will work hard to reclaim the seat. We may see an interesting contest on this seat. In four provincial assembly seats allotted to this district, a tough contest is expected on PS 34 NF-III and PS 35 NF-IV between GDA’s Shah Nawaz Jatoi and PPP’s Mumtaz Chandio (he was winner in 2018) and GDA’s Masroor Jatoi (he has returned to electoral politics after more than a decade) and PPP’s Zia Lanjar respectively. In 2018 PS 35, which was then PS 36, GDA’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi won. The margin of victory was very thin in both constituencies. On the remaining two PA seats, the opposing candidate will show some resistance but conditions are favourable for PPP candidates.

    Asif Ali Zardari is facing 12 candidates on NA 207 Shaheed Benazirabad-I. His main rival is Sardar Shaer Mohammad Rind, who is running as an independent candidate with the backing of GDA, JUI-F and PML-N. Here, a repetition of 2018 results is predicted. On NA 208 Shaheed Benzairabad-II, Syed Zainulabdin Shah known as Zain Shah, grandson of GM Syed, of GDA is up against PPP’s Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah and 17 other candidates. Since 2002 elections, PPP’s Ghulam Mustafa Shah has stood victorious on this seat, and he is poised to repeat the same. There is smooth sailing for PPP candidates Azra Pechuho and Javed Iqbal Arain on PS 36 and 37 Shaheed Benazirabad I & II respectively, however, stiff competition is expected by Syed Zain Shah on PS 38 Shaheed Benaziradad-III against PPP’s Ghulam Qadir Chadio. Many anti-PPP Sindhi nationalists want to see Zain Shah in the assembly. It is interesting to note that Mr. Chandio has been returning to the Sindh Assembly since 2002. On PS 29 Shaheed Benazirabad-IV, PPP’s Bahadur Dahri will face some resistance from his rival GDA’s Arif Niaz Arain mainly due to the candidacy of Mohammad Ismail Dahri, who belongs to the same community and party.

    Although Sanghar is a stronghold of the followers of Pir Pagara, PPP candidates swept all three NA seats in 2018. However due to the decrease in seats after delimitation, the situation seems difficult for PPP candidates, particularly on NA 209 Sanghar-I, where 17 candidates are vying for victory. GDA’s Mohammad Khan Junejo and PPP’s Shazia Marri are real competitors on this seat. In 2018, Shazia Marri won from NA 216 Sanghar-II by getting 80,000 votes while her close rival GDA’s Kishanchand Parwani got 70,000 votes. She lost to PML-F’s Sadaruddin Shah in 2013 elections, while she won from the same constituency in the bi-elections. Due to decrease in NA seats in district Sanghar, Marri is facing a tough competition. On the other NA seat 201 Sanghar-II, GDA’s Saira Bano is challenging PPP’s Salahuddin Junejo. Although Junejo belongs to this constituency and Saira Bano is an outsider and he has a little edge over his rival, still he has to work hard for victory on February 8. On provincial assembly seats PS 40 Sanghar-I, a close contest is expected between GDA’s Abdul Qudoos Rajar and PPP’s Naveed Dero, while on PS 41 Sanghar-II, it will be surprising if PPP’s Ali Hasan Hingoro beats GDA’s Qazi Shamsuddin. Although PPP candidates Jam Shabbir Ali, Paras Dero and Shahid Thaheem have a little edge over their rivals Jam Nafees, Niaz Hussain and Mohammad Bux of GDA on PS 42, 43, and 44 Sanghar-III, IV and V, but anything can happen on February 8, 2024.

  • In a first, Peshawar High Court orders separate queue for transgender voters

    In a first, Peshawar High Court orders separate queue for transgender voters

    Peshawar High Court has directed authorities in the province to establish a separate queue for transgender voters in PK-81 from where trans rights activist Sobia Khan is contesting elections as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first transgender individual participating in general polls.

    The court’s verdict highlighted the absence of specific documents for the transgender quota, as no such provision currently exists. Additionally, the court-mandated security measures for transgender candidate Subiya during the general elections, where she is running independently in PK-81.

    Who is Sobia Khan?

    Sobia is hailing from Peshawar and she has filed nomination papers for the provincial assembly seat from constituency PK-81. She is running her campaign as an independent candidate.

    Notably, Sobia Khan, a graduate and the first transgender broadcaster in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been hosting TNN’s “Sobiya Khan Show” for the past four years.

    Sobia welcomed the court ruling. Talking to Tribal News Network, Sobia detailed her broader goals, aiming not only to champion transgender rights but also to challenge societal perceptions. She aspires to work for the welfare of the constituency, particularly focusing on the rights of women and children, breaking stereotypes about the capabilities of transgenders.

    Sobia Khan, backed by her family and local support, appealed to NGOs, civil society, and the district administration for assistance in her election campaign. Acknowledging the unprecedented nature of a transgender participating directly in elections, she stressed the need for security during her campaign.

  • Rahat Fateh Ali Khan apologizes but warns of possible release of additional ‘staged’ videos

    Rahat Fateh Ali Khan apologizes but warns of possible release of additional ‘staged’ videos

    Rahat Fateh Ali Khan recently faced trouble when a viral video showed him hitting a grown man, purportedly a student. In a podcast, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan explained the situation, admitting his mistake and apologizing publicly after facing strong criticism.

    Khan revealed that he scolded and hit his student, Naveed, whom he considers like family due to Naveed’s father’s long association with Rahat’s family. Rahat clarified that he didn’t want media attention for his charitable work, emphasizing that a bottle he mentioned in the podcast contained sacred water from his religious teacher.

    In his apology video, Rahat expressed regret for his actions, apologizing to Allah, his family, friends, and fans. He acknowledged the mistake, mentioning that the video was nine months old and blamed unnamed people for defaming him. He thanked those who boycotted him, viewing it as a learning experience, and promised not to repeat such actions in the future.

    You can watch his apology video :

  • Watch: Child trapped in toy claw machine enjoying himself before rescue

    Watch: Child trapped in toy claw machine enjoying himself before rescue

    Timothy Hopper and his son Ethan were at a shopping center in southeast Queensland, Australia, when the boy climbed into a claw machine.

    The three-year-old Ethan, trapped inside a toy claw machine, was “having the time of his life” while his dad and police scrambled to free him.

    After entering through the prize dispenser, the boy was filmed calmly wandering around inside the box, while adults tried to coax him out.

    The boy’s father said: “I had zero chance to react to it, it was unbelievable how fast he climbed up there. I was watching him and then I was talking to my children,” cites Sky News.

    While Mr Hopper was worried about his son, he said he “couldn’t help but laugh thinking ‘how has this happened?’ because he wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t sad, so it was easy to have a laugh when he was having the time of his life”.

    “But then reality sunk in – how am I going to get him out,” he added, before sharing he called the claw machine company.

    “They were asking me how much money I had put in the machine [and if the money was] stuck in the machine.

    “My response was ‘The only thing stuck in the machine is my child, I’d love to have him back’.”

    After police arrived at the scene, they told Ethan to climb to the corner of the machine and cover his eyes so they could break him loose.

    An officer then broke the glass window and safely lifted Ethan out of the machine – before reuniting him with his parents.

    Ethan, who was gifted a toy koala dressed as a police officer after the ordeal, told Mr Hopper: “Don’t worry Dad, I won’t do it again.”

  • Talks for a possible ceasefire between Gaza and Israel underway

    Talks for a possible ceasefire between Gaza and Israel underway

    Under the latest development, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly received “an initial positive confirmation from the Hamas side” on the “general framework” for a ceasefire in Gaza.

    According to Qatari officials, Hamas has responded positively to receiving a proposal to pause the military operations in Gaza. However, the final deal is “weeks” away.

    As of January 30, reported by Al Jazeera, Hamas is “studying” a three-phased truce proposal whereas some Israeli officials have warned to “collapse the coalition” if the deal is not in accordance with their wants.

    On the other hand, journalists on social media are claiming that Hamas officials have denied confirmation of any agreement pertaining to a truce.