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  • What is the ‘boy math’ trend all about?

    What is the ‘boy math’ trend all about?

    If you’re chronically online like the rest of us, you’ve probably noticed that among the top trends on Twitter is the term ‘boy math’. What even is this trend all about and why is it all the rage on social media? We got all the deets here.

    Boy math is a term that was begun to counteract sexist backlash ignited by men on Twitter that women are not good at math or any technical things. Pakistani women are currently leading the game with some hilarious burns using the boy math trend, and we’re sharing some of the responses here.

    Pakistani women, please never change and never lose your wicked sense of humor. We salute y’all.

  • Karachi ranked most polluted city in world, second day in row

    Karachi ranked most polluted city in world, second day in row

    Karachi has been at the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities for the past consecutive two days.

    Dawn newspaper quoted ‘IQAir.com’, an air quality monitoring website, stating that Karachi topped the chart, followed by New Delhi.

    The concentration of 2.5 particulate matter (pm) in Karachi is 20.3 times higher than the annual air quality guideline value of the World Health Organization (WHO) as last night it recorded an air quality index of 175.

    Air quality index readings in the range of 151 to 200 are considered unhealthy, while air quality index readings between 201 and 300 are dangerous and severely harmful to health.

    According to the annual report released by ‘IQ Air’, the level of pollution in Karachi has not improved over the past few years, in fact it has increased.

  • Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticises Rana Sanaullah’s warning to Sarfraz Bugti

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticises Rana Sanaullah’s warning to Sarfraz Bugti

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has denounced the statement of former interior minister Rana Sanaullah against interim security czar Sarfraz Bugti.

    “Rana Sanaullah is a sensible man but he should not have said something which has multiple meanings,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said while responding to a question on Geo News’ Capital Talk show programme on Tuesday.

    The caretaker interior minister had angered PML-N ranks by stating that if Nawaz Sharif is not granted bail, authorities will arrest him from the airport on October 21, when he arrives back in Pakistan.

    PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah took exception to the statement, responding to Bugti’s remarks by saying, “Sarfraz Bugti should see the fate of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid before issuing such remarks.”

    However, Abbasi also criticised Sarfraz Bugti, stressing that it’s not the responsibility of the interim interior minister to arrest someone. The caretaker security czar is only responsible for ensuring the implementation of the law in the country, Abbassi said.

    “If you want to arrest Nawaz Sharif and there is also a court order [regarding arrest], then you will have to implement it,” he maintained.

  • ‘Will die here but not go back’: Indians seek asylum in Pakistan

    ‘Will die here but not go back’: Indians seek asylum in Pakistan

    Two Indian citizens who illegally travelled to Karachi last week have asserted that they would rather go to jail in Pakistan than go back to their own country.

    Identified as Mohammad Hasnain and Ishaq Ameer, the father and son want to seek asylum as their lives are threatened in India with increased religious extremism and Islamophobia, Karachi police have said.

    Dawn spoke with Karachi Deputy Inspector General of Police (South) Asad Raza who stated that the two are not suspected spies, “but were considered victims of religious bias and persecution in India”.

    For now, both the Indians have been sent to an Edhi Shelter home. According to IGP Raza, they seem to want to seek asylum here.

    The duo also protested outside Karachi Press Club on September 25 against the Indian government and its persecution of Muslims.

    “We are ready to go to jail but not back to India,” the police quoted them in a statement. “We will be killed as soon as we step on Indian land if we are deported.

    “If you want to kill us, kill us in Pakistan. At least we will get some land (for burial). In India, we won’t even get that,”

    The father-son also spoke with the media.

    The two left New Delhi on September 5 for the UAE and approached Afghanistan embassy for a visa. They then travelled to Kabul followed by air travel to Kandahar where they spent a night.

    Shedding light on the atrocities committed in India against Muslims and the lack of media coverage, Hasnain states that they are not the first ones to flee the country, stressing that many others have left before them but they could afford foreign citizenship in Europe, America, Britain, Germany, or Canada.

    “Those who are well off migrated to Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Malaysia. I did not have that stature. I had less money,” he added.
    They were not allowed to check in a hotel room in Karachi since they did not possess an identification card.

    Hasnain’s son Ameer said that they directly went to the office of IG Sindh on reaching Orangi Town, Karachi.

    “As soon as we reached there, we kept our baggage on the side, raised our hands, and said we are here to surrender.”

  • Pakistani Hajjis to get special perks to make pilgrimage easier

    The Ministry of Religious Affairs has unveiled its Hajj policy for 2024, designed to bring a revolutionary transformation to the pilgrimage journey for Pakistani pilgrims.

    Caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed announced this game-changing policy, which will be presented to the cabinet for approval within the next 10 days.

    The most striking feature is the introduction of a short Hajj option, where pilgrims have the flexibility to go for Hajj from 18 to 30 days, which empowers pilgrims to customise their journey as per their preference.

    QR codes for suitcases

    The new policy also introduces technological advances in which each Hajj pilgrim will be provided with two specially designed suitcases adorned with QR codes. These QR codes will contain essential information such as the pilgrim’s name, passport number, residence, school number, and other pertinent details. This innovation aims to streamline logistics and enhance security during the pilgrimage.

    Special Mobile Package

    In a significant step towards connectivity, the ministry has secured an agreement with a Saudi Arabian mobile phone company to offer a special mobile package exclusively for Hajj pilgrims. Priced at Rs 4,000, it enables pilgrims to make audio and video calls, ensuring they can stay in touch with their families back in Pakistan throughout their Hajj journey.

    Minister Aneeq Ahmed expressed his optimism about these advancements, stating, “Now Pakistani pilgrims will not be lost in the crowd. These changes are designed to simplify the Hajj experience, enhance communication, and provide pilgrims with peace of mind.”

    Additionally, the Saudi government has offered official residences for Pakistani pilgrims, further easing their accommodations during their sacred journey.

  • ‘Pakistani men will ogle Gigi Hadid but insult me if I wear revealing clothes’: Zainab Raza

    ‘Tamasha Ghar’ contestant and model Zainab Raza recently gave an interview to Irfanistan where she addressed the consistent online backlash to her choice of outfits, and shut down her haters by reminding them that what she chooses to wear is her own choice.

    “My life, my rules. I know what I have to wear at any place. I wouldn’t walk in Khadda Market wearing a skirt; I’d wear normal clothes. I know that it’s comfortable to wear what I want, so I do it.”

    The model went on to criticise the hypocrisy of Pakistani men by pointing out how they will ogle and appreciate pictures of models Gigi and Bella Hadid, who are both Muslims, and have been spotted wearing revealing clothes, but will slut-shame Pakistani women endlessly if they do the same.

    “Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid are both Muslims. The same men will like their pictures but since we’re Pakistani Muslims, they’ll insult and slut-shame us if we do the same.”

    Zainab urged all haters to remember to stop criticising anyone for dressing the way they want to, and said it is up to the person to decide how they want to present themselves. She urged everyone to be kind and stop hating on others.

    Watch the complete interview here

  • Nepal’s cricket team breaks sereval T20 records

    In the Asian Games, Nepal created a new history in the T20 Cricket format and broke several records in a single match.

    Nepal set the world record for the highest total runs in T20 cricket and scored 314 runs by losing 3 wickets while batting first against Mongolia.

    Apart from this, Kushal Malla of the Nepali team scored an unbeaten 137 runs off 34 balls, while Deepandra Singh scored an unbeaten 50 runs off 9 balls, Captain Rohit Paudal scored 61 runs off 27 balls.

    Earlier, Afghanistan was the highest run-scorer. Afghanistan scored 278 in a match against Ireland in February 2019.

    Fastest Fifty Record:

    Deependra Singh broke the record of fastest fifty of India’s Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh scored 50 runs in 12 balls against England in the 2007 World Cup, but Deependra Singh scored 50 runs in just 9 balls.

    Fastest Century:

    Kaushal Malla scored the fastest century, surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma and South Africa’s David Miller. Kaushal Malla scored a 34-ball century while Rohit Sharma and David Miller scored 35-ball centuries.

    Read More: Next stop, Pindi: Imran Khan transferred to Adiala jail

    A record for the biggest margin of victory in T20:

    Nepal also set a record for the biggest margin of victory in a T20 International, with the Nepal cricket team defeating Mongolia by 273 runs.

    Nepal scored a record 314 runs for the loss of three wickets. The Mongolian team was bowled out for 41 runs in the 14th over.

    The record for the biggest margin of victory before Nepal was held by the Czech Republic, who defeated Turkey by 257 runs on August 30, 2019.

  • Next stop, Pindi: Imran Khan transferred to Adiala jail

    Next stop, Pindi: Imran Khan transferred to Adiala jail

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been shifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail from Attock district jail after a lot of drama. Khan was finally moved to Adiala a day after the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order.

    Imran Khan was shifted to Adiala jail under tight security. There were 18 vehicles in a convoy, including 15 vehicles of Islamabad Police. The PTI chairman was transferred from Attock to Adiala jail via the Motorway.

    According to jail officials, Imran has been kept in a barrack in Adiala where Nawaz Sharif was also kept. The former prime minister has B-class facilities in Adiala jail.

    On Monday, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq issued an order to shift the PTI chief from Attock to Adiala jail. The IHC chief justice remarked that Imran Khan deserves a better class in jail as he is the former prime minister of Pakistan.

    His rights should not be violated, Justice Farooq stated.

  • Israeli minister visits Saudi Arabia in a first

    Israeli minister visits Saudi Arabia in a first

    Israeli tourism minister, Haim Katz, visited Saudi Arabia for a United Nations (UN) conference. It is said to be the first public trip of an Israeli cabinet member to Saudi Arabia.

    Leading a delegation, Katz arrived in Riyadh to attend the UN event on Tuesday.

    “Cooperation in the field of tourism has the potential to bring hearts together, and economic progress,” Katz stated.

    The meeting has been held a few days after US President Joe Biden urged the establishment of formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

    “I think such a peace would go a long way first to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is something within our reach,” Israeli prime minister had said to Biden.

    On Tuesday, the same day as Saudi Arabia and Israel met, a Saudi delegation went to the occupied West Bank — first in three decades — to reassure Palestinians that despite the improving relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia will continue to stand by Palestinians.

    “The Palestinian matter is a fundamental pillar,” said Naif bin Bandar Al Sudairi, head of the Saudi delegation and new ambassador to Palestine. He met with top Palestinian diplomat Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah.

  • First-ever plastic road in Punjab

    First-ever plastic road in Punjab

    For the first time in Punjab, a plastic road has been made. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated Zafar Ali road — from Lahore Gymkhana Mall Road to Jail Road.

    The technical assistance in the construction of this road was provided by the professors of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET).

    A plastic road is 60 per cent cheaper than a tar road and 100 per cent better in durability.

    According to caretaker CM Punjab, Rs2 crore incurred on its construction, while the cost of a tarred road of the same length would be around Rs6 crore.

    The plan for now is to convert Mall Road into a plastic road as well.

    A plastic road is made up of recycled waste, plastic bags in addition to other materials that are recycled into granules and then mixed with chemicals and a small amount of tar.

    Plastic roads do not easily get bumpy due to water and can sustain themselves for at least 10 years.