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  • Lahore High Court sets free convicts of life imprisonment in Kasur child abuse scandal

    Lahore High Court sets free convicts of life imprisonment in Kasur child abuse scandal

    Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday acquitted three convicts serving life imprisonment in the Kasur child abuse scandal of 2015.

    The scandal came to light eight years ago when a gang was arrested for involvement in making videos of the sexual abuse of at least 280 children. The criminals were accused of blackmailing the families of the kids, threatening them to leak the videos unless they paid ransom.

    The acquittal of the convicts was announced by a bench of two judges, led by Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry.

    One of the counsels, Abid Hussain Khichi while speaking to Dawn, said that the court had released his clients after accepting their pleas.

    According to the council, a total of six primary suspects had been implicated in the case, with three having been released earlier, while the remaining three were acquitted today.

    Khichi further explained that his clients (convicts) serving in jail have not been identified in the video examination conducted by the authorities. He also contended that certain sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act applied to the accused were not truly applicable, and the medical reports did not substantiate the presented evidence.

    The present order by the court substantiates the narrative of the lawyer.

    The three men — Haseem Amir, Wasim Sindhi, and Aleem Asif — were handed punishments in one of the nine cases police had registered against them. ATC judge Chaudhry Muhammad Ilyas had also imposed a fine of Rs300,000 on each of the three convicts.

    Ganda Singhwala police had registered a first information report against the three convicts on charges of abducting and sexually assaulting children in Kasur.

    It was reported that the men had also been blackmailing the families of the boys since 2009 and even sold video clips of the assault. In 2018, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore sentenced the three men to life in prison after finding them guilty.

    Kasur is a district plagued by such incidents. According to a report by Pakistan Observer Kasur stood first in child sexual abuse and pornography with 298 cases out of 2275 across the country during the year 2021.

  • Nepali TikTok Influencers Upset After Unexpected Ban

    Nepali TikTok Influencers Upset After Unexpected Ban

    Nepali influencer Anjana Aryal went from homemaker to entrepreneur by sharing recipes on TikTok, but her lucrative business collapsed last month when the Himalayan republic banned the Chinese-owned short video app.

    Filming with her mobile phone in one hand and cooking with the other, Aryal rapidly became a social media star in Nepal last year, garnering millions of views from a following of nearly 600,000 people.

    That all came to a sudden halt when Nepal banned TikTok to protect “social harmony”, following similar restrictions imposed in other countries on concerns over data security, obscene content and its owner’s alleged ties to the Chinese government.

    “My life changed a lot because of TikTok, a lot,” Aryal, 39, told AFP from her home in Kathmandu. “So many recognise me because of TikTok wherever I go.”
    She earned nearly $3,000 from endorsement deals just in October, more than double Nepal’s average yearly income.

    Encouraged by her audience, Aryal also started a business selling her own brand of pickles, which saw her inbox flooded with orders.

    But since the ban, Aryal and other prominent Nepali content creators have seen their revenue streams dry up, jeopardising their livelihoods.
    “People were earning, running businesses or just being entertained on TikTok. Everyone has been affected now and they don’t know what to do,” she said.
    Owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms on the planet with more than one billion users.
    Its explosive growth has given its content creators and influencers an immense audience, and its editing features and AI-powered algorithm have proved particularly attractive.

    But the algorithm is opaque and often accused of putting users into content silos, and the platform has also been blamed for spreading disinformation.
    It has faced intense scrutiny in the United States and other nations over user data security and the company’s alleged ties to Beijing.
    TikTok announces $1.5bn deal to restart Indonesia online shopping business

    Multiple countries have sought to tighten controls on TikTok, and the platform has been banned in neighbouring India.
    ‘Start from zero’
    Growing criticism of the app has worried influencers around the world.
    Others in the United States have voiced fears to local media about losing thousands of dollars in income if bans are enforced.
    Nepal’s government justified its ban on the platform by accusing it of damaging the Himalayan republic’s social fabric.
    It came days before a huge rally called by a prominent businessman who was using TikTok to organise a campaign demanding the reinstatement of Nepal’s monarchy.

    Dozens of content creators staged a rally in Kathmandu demanding the ban be lifted last month.
    Advocate Dinesh Tripathi, who is challenging the decision in court, said the ban was an attack on people’s freedom of speech because the government was fearful of “dissenting voices”.

    Manish Adhikari, who uses TikTok to discuss cars and Nepali start-ups, said he had several endorsement deals scuttled by the ban.
    “Brands started to call me… and I wondered if I was getting out of business, is my work going to stop?” Adhikari said.
    Adhikari has shifted to Instagram but the views and followings are a fraction of his earlier audience.

    “I lost all my audience because I was not as active on any other platform,” he said. “Now I have to start from zero.”
    There are around 2.2 million TikTok users among Nepal’s 30 million people, according to the Internet Service Providers Association.
    But Monayac Karki, founder of Nepali influencer marketing agency Uptrendly, said TikTok’s popularity had been rising exponentially.

    He added that the ban had torpedoed a market with an estimated worth in excess of $5 million each year for advertisers and content creators, and which was set to grow rapidly.
    “I really hope this ban is a temporary one and it will be lifted soon,” he said.

  • When will merit list of aspiring MBBS and BDS students be released?

    When will merit list of aspiring MBBS and BDS students be released?

    The final list for admission to MBBS and BDS in Punjab has been released by the University of Health Sciences on its website.

    A spokesperson for the UHS has stated that a merit list has been put up on the website, comprising 4485 candidates, reports Geo.

    UHS released a provisional merit list on December 8, after which two days were given to candidates to register any complaint via the online portal. 1159 complaints were received in 48 hours and after reviewing all of them, a final list has been released.

    A total of 3389 students will be given admission to seats available all over the province. The first merit list will be released on December 15.

  • No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Wednesday that a delay of a few days in the general election will not make any difference. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also made the same statement a few days earlier.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman said in an interview that there is no issue if the delay of a few days in the election can help in conducting free and fair polls.

    Earlier this week, the PPP co-chairman also said that there is no issue with a delay of about 10 days.

    The JUI-F head also said that he is not backing any political agenda while demanding a delay in the polls, asking that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should consider all the concerns, including the weather conditions in high-altitude regions.

    Postponement of elections also occurred after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and it’s a valid reason for people to accept a delay in polls, he added.

    Maulana also warned that his party would come out on the streets and protest if the election were postponed indefinitely.

  • Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced that the application submission deadline for Hajj 2024 has been extended by 10 days as the previously announced December 12 deadline expired on Tuesday (today). Now the last day is December 22, reports Geo.

    A five-year restriction on Hajj-e-Badal, the Hajj performed by a person on account of another, has been removed.

    Pilgrims who have performed Hajj in the last five years are also eligible to apply for Hajj 2024.

    The statement said that Hajj applications in the sponsorship scheme are being received on a “first come first served” basis.

    In the wake of lessening foreign exchange reserves, the government has announced that those paying their dues in dollars from abroad will be declared as “winners” without the need for balloting.

    Pakistan has secured 179,000 Hajj seats, with half reserved for private Hajj operators.

    The announcement comes after the government decided to reduce Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 with the next year’s pilgrimage set to cost Rs1,075,000 to around 89,605 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme.

    Pilgrims can choose between both long and short-term packages spanning over 38 to 42 and 20 to 25 days, respectively.

    It is important to note that the extension is made as the number of applicants for government hajj scheme 2024 has been unusually low which the ministry pronounced to be “disappointing”.

  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine ‘Captain’ dies

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine ‘Captain’ dies

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher, famously known as Captain Holt, has passed away at the age of 61.

    He rose to fame with his role of a police officer in Homicide: Life On The Street, as detective Frank Pembleto, and was loved dearly among comedy fans for playing Captain Holt in the Andy Samberg-starrer sitcom.

    Terry Crews, who played Lieutenant Terry Jeffords in the Golden Globe-winning series, took to his Instagram account to express disbelief in the shocking news.

    “Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man,” he wrote.

    Chelsea Peretti, who played Gina, shared a picture of Andre with his portrait in police uniform and penned: “Love you ❤ ️ I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick.”

    His on-screen husband Marc Evan Jackson, who played Kevin, penned a short and sweet tribute: “O Captain. My Captain.”

    Jo Lo Truglio, aka Charles Boyle, wrote on his handle: “I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt.”

    Joel McKinnon Miller and Dirk Blocker, known as Detective Scully and Detective Hitchcock, respectively, also extended their condolences while singing praise for Andre’s talent.

    “Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him,” Joel penned.

    “The 9 years I was able to work with him and to just be in his presence was truly a blessing. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family,” Dirk wrote.

    Melissa Fumero, who played B99’s female lead Amy Santiago, shared a picture from an old carousel she posted which featured Andre’s precinct office.

    Kyra Sedgwick, the actress who played Captain Holt’s rival Captain Madelaine Wuntch, wrote on her Instagram stories, “Playing his other half in Brooklyn Nine Nine will forever be one of the highlights of my career.”

  • Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    The Supreme Court has, by a majority of 5-1, suspended its October 23 order that declared the trials of civilians in military courts null and void regarding the May 9 riots.

    The decision came in response to intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the federal and provincial governments, as well as the defense ministry, challenging the earlier verdict.

    A six-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan heard the set of intra-court appeals.

    Justice Hilali differed with the majority decision.

    On October 23, a five-member apex court bench headed by Justice Ahsan unanimously admitted the pleas and nullified the government’s decision to try civilians in military courts in connection with the May 9 riots which erupted after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-then chairman Imran Khan.

    Four judges out of the five declared that Section 2(1)(d) of the Army Act and 59(4) (civil offences) are “ultra vires the Constitution and of no legal effect”.

    “Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the trials of civilians and accused persons, being around 103 persons […] shall be tried by criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary and/or special law of the land in relation to such offences of which they may stand accused,” the short order read.

    Following its verdict, the federal and the provincial governments along with the defence ministry filed intra-court appeals (ICAs). However, the caretaker government of Sindh refused to file any plea against the SC order.

    Justice Masood, who faced objections regarding his inclusion in the bench, refused to recuse himself.

    Former Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and others had raised concerns about Justice Masood’s previous expressions on the matter, but the judge maintained his position.

    The Supreme Court’s recent decision to suspend the October 23 verdict means that the trials of 103 civilians will continue, with the final ruling conditional upon the Supreme Court’s subsequent orders.

  • Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft worth billions of rupees has been detected under the Teen Hatti Bridge in Karachi. The theft was revealed in a raid conducted by Karachi Water Corporation, which found a 22-foot-deep tunnel under the bridge where water was being stolen.

    Chief Operating Officer (COO) Asadullah Khan told Geo that the tunnel is stealing water from the Rexar Line that provides water to Lyari, adding that the 33-inch line was built to provide fifty lac gallon water daily to the area. Through this line, four connections of eight inches each were taken out to steal water.

  • Video: President of Ankaragucu’s football team punched the referee

    Video: President of Ankaragucu’s football team punched the referee

    The president of the Ankaragucu’s football team punched the referee after a goal was scored in the extra time of the match. The Turkish Football Association has canceled matches in all Turkish football leagues after this incident.

    In the match between Turkish club Ankaragucu and Rizespor at the Eryaman Stadium on Monday, Ankaragucu’s team was leading by one goal after 90 minutes of the match.

    However, 7 minutes of injury time was given by the match referee, in the last minute of which, Risespor equalized the goal. This displeased to the Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca, and he entered the field and punched the match referee.

    Seeing this scene, there was a stampede in the field due to which the referee Balil Mailer was further injured, after which he was taken to the hospital for medical attention, where his condition is now out of danger.

    On Tuesday, the Turkish court ordered the arrest of Faruk Koca, while sending two other suspects to prison on remand for torture.

    Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan strongly condemned the incident and prayed for the referee’s speedy recovery.

    On the other hand, the Turkish Football Association condemned the incident and said that this was the most shameful day for Turkish football.

  • Hasan Raheem in love with a new band in Shahzad Roy’s school

    Hasan Raheem in love with a new band in Shahzad Roy’s school

    Veteran singer and overall good guy Shahzad Roy posted a super cool video on social media. In the video, heartthrob singer Hasan Raheem can be seen performing with talented young students at Zindagi Trust’s school, Roy’s pet project. The heartwarming moment showed how important it is to have music education. Plus, it proved how initiatives like Zindagi Trust can have a positive impact on nurturing young talent.

    Shehzad Roy is all about making changes in education in Pakistan. He even introduced chess as a subject in a government school.

    “‘Chess is gambling.” He shared, “I first heard this when I introduced chess as a subject in government school. Fast forward to today: Hasan Raheem has found his new band in the form of young girls of Zindagi Trust’s adopted government school, the same school, where both chess and music are now school subjects”,Shehzad Roy Wrote in his tweet.

    Raheem himself took to X (former Twitter) to share his feelings about the experience, saying, “Seeing these future leaders of Pakistan playing their instruments, cheerfully humming my song, Aisay Kaisay, made me realise that the future of our girls is shiny and bright. It was touching and emotional. Zindagi Trust, you have all my respect and love.”

    The video really captured the lively atmosphere of the school, where the arts are flourishing. Shahzad Roy’s post showed how proud he is of his educational initiatives and the amazing talent that’s emerging in the school.In the video, Hasan Raheem looked happy, surrounded by a group of talented young girls who not only share his love for music but also have some seriously impressive musical skills.