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  • Babar Azam rejected $450,000 offer from BBL, claims Dr. Nouman Niaz

    Babar Azam rejected $450,000 offer from BBL, claims Dr. Nouman Niaz

    Pakistan sports journalist Doctor Nouman Niaz has claimed that former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, rejected an offer worth 450,000 Australian dollars from Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

    While talking to Pakistan former wicketkeeper batsman Rashid Latif, Niaz said in a live stream on YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind’, “I want to mention that Babar Azam has rejected Australian $450,000 offer from Big Bash League (BBL), and we should acknowledge that this is the type of players Pakistan has, who play for their country.”

    However Babar Azam has not mentioned such an offer or confirmed whether he received it.

  • Gaza’s main public library destroyed by Israeli airstrikes

    Gaza’s main public library destroyed by Israeli airstrikes

    Gaza’s main public library was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes on Monday, during the humanitarian truce held between Israel and Palestine. Authorities in Gaza City have condemned the destruction, and revealed the library was regularly used by school children and other members of the community before the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

    Municipal authorities in Gaza have criticised the Israeli army for destroying countless books and historical documents. They have appealed to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to “intervene and protect cultural centers and condemn the occupation’s targeting of these humanitarian facilities protected under international humanitarian law.”

    Writing on the attack, acclaimed literary website Literary Hub slammed it as Israel’s attempt to “erase all evidence of Palestinian life, Palestinian humanity, from Gaza. To turn the besieged enclave—with its ancient mosques and archeological sites, its labor-of-love bookstores and meticulously-curated libraries, its pesky health care workers and journalists and sole survivors—into an empty soccer field.”

    Social media users were outraged at the attack that happened during the humanitarian pause declared by Israel.

  • Do you know which is the cheapest country to live in?

    The website Numbeo has just released a list of 140 countries with cheap cost of living in ascending order.

    Surprisingly, Pakistan is the cheapest country to live in according to Numbeo’s cost of living index by country 2023.

    In the current indices, Pakistan has the lowest prices for living. It is followed by Egypt while India is only two steps behind.

    The most expensive country according to the chart is Bermuda followed by Switzerland, Cayman Islands, Bahamas and Barbados.

    The chart was made after analyzing the cost of living, rent, cost of living plus rent, groceries and restaurant prices prevalent in the countries included.

  • ‘I feel good when people say I resemble Anushka Sharma,’ Shazia Marri

    ‘I feel good when people say I resemble Anushka Sharma,’ Shazia Marri

    In an exclusive interview with The News, former federal minister and central leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shazia Marri, shared her perspective on various topics, from her political journey to cultural aspirations.

    Marri expressed her appreciation for the compliments she receives about resembling Indian actress Anushka Sharma.

    She stated that she feels good when people say, “I resemble Indian actress Anushka Sharma”.

    Addressing the cultural landscape, Marri expressed her vision for revitalizing the film industry if given the opportunity to lead the culture ministry in the future.

    “If I get the culture ministry next time, I will restore the film industry and make it a vibrant one.” Film is a medium, and India has used it well. “We also have to make purposeful films. Our artists have a lot of talent,” she added.

    Reflecting on her career, Marri revealed her beginnings as a schoolteacher and her passion for teaching children.

    She acknowledged being married at a young age and conveyed her commitment to addressing social issues, particularly her stance against domestic violence and child marriages.

    Responding to questions about Karachi’s street crimes, Marri acknowledged the challenges in a metropolitan city and emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions.

    In discussing the hurdles faced in politics, Marri compared it to a “garland of thorns,” acknowledging the obstacles and opposition she encountered.

    “If I start crying about the abuses and injustices done to me, I may not be able to move forward,” she added. “Many attempts were made to break me as a woman. I also faced harassment. I have seen very stiff opposition,” Shazia Marri recalled.

    Marri recalled her entry into politics, inspired by the encouragement of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. She made history by contesting and winning a general seat from Sanghar, eventually serving as both a provincial and federal minister. Coming from a family with a political legacy, she initially resisted entering politics but eventually embraced her role.

    The former federal minister also discussed her participation in hosting a television show while being a member of the provincial assembly. Despite initially not anticipating becoming a federal minister, Marri consistently upheld the PPP’s ideology.

  • Seven students arrested in occupied J&K for celebrating India’s World Cup defeat

    Seven students arrested in occupied J&K for celebrating India’s World Cup defeat

    Seven students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, occupied Jammu and Kashmir, were arrested under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for raising pro-Pakistan slogans on India’s defeat against Australia in ODI World Cup final.

    According to ‘Times Now’ sources, a student from India’s Punjab filled a complaint against Kashmiri students stating that he was “threatened and abused” by Kashmiri student after India’s defeat in the World Cup final.

    The student who filed the complaint mentioned that ‘We were all watching the World Cup final between India and Australia, and I was watching as an Indian cricket team fan. When India lost the match, some Kashmiri students names, Umar, Asif, Mohsin, Tauqeer, Khalid, Sameer and Ubaid Gulzar started abusing me for being an Indian fan. They even threatened me and ask to shut my mouth otherwise I will be shot. They didn’t stop there even they started raising pro-Pakistan slogans Jeve Jeve Pakistan.”

    Indian police has arrested the students under UAPA act and detained them at a local police station in Ganderbal district.

    India’s Bhartiya janta party (BJP) applauded the police act. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said, “Those who celebrated India’s loss are not less than a terrorist and should be booked.”

    On the other hand People Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the police act. PDP spokesperson Rauf Bhatt said “This barbaric and such act won’t be tolerated and it’s unfortunate, it is injustice with those seven students.”

    Remember that in the ODI cricket World Cup final Australia defeated India by six wickets at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.

  • Rage Against The Machine, Kid Cudi, Arooj Aftab among 2000 musicians calling for ceasefire in Gaza

    Rage Against The Machine, Kid Cudi, Arooj Aftab among 2000 musicians calling for ceasefire in Gaza

    A petition formed by ‘Musicians For Palestine‘ features 2000 signatories calling for an end to the genocide of Gaza and a ceasefire. The letter describes “a textbook case of genocide” happening to the 2.3 million population of Gaza, half of whom are children.

    “We cannot remain silent in the face of such injustice,” the letter notes. “We cannot be silent as 17 years of Israeli blockade, now a “complete siege,” have made Gaza extremely unliveable. Almost all of its water is unfit for human consumption. Its healthcare system has largely collapsed. The majority of its children are anaemic, with many suffering from severe malnutrition.”

    The letter further says it drove inspiration from the acclaimed Artists Against Apartheid that helped end the apartheid in South Africa. “We refuse to let our music be used to whitewash oppression and human rights violations anywhere. We insist that all governments stop sending weapons and military funding to Israel and to any other state involved in crimes against humanity.

    Among the 2000 signatories who have signed the letter are acclaimed rock band Rage Against The Machine, rapper and actor Kid Cudi, and Grammy winning Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab.

    Tom Morello was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, where he posed with his award along with a slogan that said “Ceasefire”. The gesture was widely applauded by social media.

  • PPP gears up for seat adjustment and alliances

    PPP gears up for seat adjustment and alliances

    As general elections in Pakistan draw near, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has set its dialogue committee into action, assigning them crucial tasks related to discussions with other political parties and politicians.

    The committee has been mandated to schedule meetings with national and provincial figures to explore possibilities of seat adjustments in the upcoming polls slated for February 8 next year.

    Chaired by PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, the committee convened on Monday, with PPP President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Bacha and PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi in attendance.

    Qamar Zaman Kaira and Sajid Turi participated through video link.

    During the inaugural meeting focused on Punjab and KP, the committee delved into the overall political situation in the country and the upcoming elections.

    Bukhari, in the meeting, delegated responsibilities to committee members, tasking them with arranging meetings with key national and provincial political figures.

    The committee collectively resolved to organise separate negotiation committee meetings for each of the four provinces, aiming to forge alliances and discuss potential collaborations.

    The formation of the committee was approved by Asif Ali Zardari last week on November 25, with a well-planned strategy to engage in discussions with various political entities.

    According to a notification released on Saturday, a five-member committee formed for Punjab and K-P includes Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Faisal Karim Kundi, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha and Sajid Toori.

    A two-member committee for Sindh includes Saeed Ghani and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah while a three-member committee for Baluchistan includes Changez Khan Jamali, Rozi Khan Kakar and Sabir Ali Baloch.

    This move comes in response to the efforts of the Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to form alliances with political parties, particularly in Sindh, considered a PPP stronghold. PML-N members recently initiated talks on alliances and seat adjustments with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) to counter the PPP’s influence in Sindh.

    Facing challenges in its historical stronghold, particularly with the formation of an anti-PPP coalition, the PPP aims to solidify its political position by actively seeking alliances and seat-to-seat adjustments ahead of the upcoming general elections.

  • Police officers alleged to have taken money from national cricketers arrested, suspended

    Police officers alleged to have taken money from national cricketers arrested, suspended

    Update:

    Four police officers who allegedly forced national cricketers Sohaib Maqsood and Amir Yameen to give them money have been arrested and suspended.

    According to Geo,’ SSP Haider Raza has said that on the orders of IG Sindh, action was taken against police officials who took money from cricketers. DIG Shaheed Benazirabad has compiled an inquiry report on the issue .

    According to the DIG, four policemen of Sakrand police station were found involved, and legal action is being taken against them. Sindh police officials say that the SHO and chief secretary of Sakrand police station have been suspended for neglect of duty and the inquiry report is being sent to IG Sindh.

    Cricketers allege Sindh Police forced them to pay bribes

    Pakistani cricketers Aamir Yameen and Sohaib Maqsood have alleged that Sindh police asked them for bribed, refusing to let them go until they did so.

    On November 27, national cricketer Sohaib Maqsood wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We are very lucky to live in Punjab and not in Sindh, for the first time in my life I am traveling from Karachi to Multan by road and the Sindh police are so corrupt that after every 50 km they stops you and asks for money, If you don’t pay, you are threatened to be taken to the police station without any reason.”

    In another of his tweets, he said, “If you gave them money, after 50 km you will be stopped again, we told them that we are international cricketers who are going to Multan after our match in Karachi. Still, they took 8,000 rupees and then let us go.”

    Aamir Yameen also narrated the same incident on X, detailing how he was harassed by Sindh Police during the journey.

    IG Sindh Rifat Raja took notice of the tweets and DIG Shaheed Benazirabad has been ordered to investigate immediately.

    IG Sindh said, “Strict action should be taken against the officials involved in the incident.”

    Sohaib Maqsood and Aamir Yameen were representing the Multan region in the National T20 Cup.

  • Meet the man who saved 25 lives in Karachi’s mall fire

    Meet the man who saved 25 lives in Karachi’s mall fire

    Mohammad Amir, along with his son, saved the lives of 25 people in the fire that broke out in Karachi’s RJ Mall on Rashid Minhas Road on November 25. The fire ended up killing 10 people and left many injured.

    Amir and his son were invited on the show Zara Hat Kay by Zarrar Khuhro and Wusatullah Khan to honour his efforts. The fire that erupted on Saturday, trapped people in the building without access to an exit. Amir reached the mall earlier at dawn and participated in the rescue operation. His son Subhan worked the night shift in the call centre located on the upper storey of the mall. He called his father in panic to inform him about the fire in the office, pleading with him to come and help.
    The father rushed to the mall and called 15 Rescue Services. The lift was jammed while the stairs were ablaze. The lifter of the rescue team could not reach the fourth floor so he entered the third one and cut the grill with his hands and a cutter. A rescue team member refused to enter as it was hard to breathe but Amir ploughed ahead for his son. He managed to rescue his son along with 25 of his colleagues as he paved the way back to third floor from where they were taken back to the ground.

    In the interview, Amir asserted that buildings should be designed to favour the public so that if such an incident happens, people can be rescued quickly.

  • PTI all set to hold intra-party elections

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has given the green light for intra-party polls as general elections loom closer.

    The decision was made during a PTI Core Committee meeting, where the party’s legal team proposed the holding of intra-party elections.

    Intra-party elections will be held on Friday.

    The committee approved the schedule and deliberated on the prevailing political situation, organizational activities, and ongoing cases against party members.

    Barrister Ali Zafar, PTI’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier declared the party’s intra-party election null and void due to technicalities.

    “To avoid any discrepancies with the ECP, another leader may temporarily stand in for the PTI Chairman during this election,” he said.

    The PTI core committee expressed its commitment to democratic processes within the party and emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values in all aspects of political engagement.

    Previously slated for June 13, 2021, under PTI’s constitutional framework, the intra-party elections faced postponements, drawing a show-cause notice to Imran Khan from the ECP in May 2021 due to the delay.

    The ECP granted PTI an extended deadline, shifting the intra-party elections to June 13, 2022. Yet, the party failed to meet this revised timeline, prolonging the unresolved status of its intra-party polls.

    The commission had issued warnings, citing potential repercussions under the Elections Act, 2017, that could render the party ineligible for future polls if non-compliance persisted.

    What is an Intra-Party election?

    Intra-party elections in Pakistan refer to the process of electing leaders and representatives within a political party. This is distinct from general elections where the public votes for candidates from different parties. Intra-party elections are a key aspect of internal party democracy and governance.