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  • Here’s why Shahid Afridi is angry at fans

    Here’s why Shahid Afridi is angry at fans

    While we love the fact that Pakistani celebrities are respected and valued by their fans-especially cricket stars- it’s important to remember that it doesn’t mean fans are allowed to invade anyone’s privacy. Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi addressed this issue as a guest on Vasay Chaudhry’s show ‘Gup Shab’ where he opened up about his distaste for fans who have crossed boundaries and invaded the privacy of his family. Boom Boom Afridi said he finds it unpleasant that fans make videos of him and his family when they go out.

    But, Shahid said, it was disappointing to watch his family’s privacy further invaded when they were in Makkah for Umrah, sharing that it was disrespectful even for the people claiming to be a fan of the cricket player.

    “When you’re going for your Umrah or Hajj with your family, your privacy is completely breached over,” Shahid noted.

    “My wife does pardah. During Tawaaf, I have snatched phones from several people who were making videos. Even though I apologised to them afterwards, I have asked several times to stop making videos during that moment.”

    The topic of fans crossing their limits and invading the privacy of celebrities, especially when they’re with their family members, is not new.

    Cricket player Imam ul Haq spoke on Daniyal Sheikh’s podcast about an occasion when he was at a restaurant with his family. A few people shouted ‘parchi’ at him. This bullying has gone to the point that his family members no longer attend his matches, in fear of being heckled by the attendants.

    “They really want to come and watch me play, but I’m just scared- this is the first time I’m talking about this. But when I’m standing on the boundary, I don’t want my mother to listen to the taunt ‘parchi’ in the stadium. If I was batting and I was out, it wouldn’t matter if I had played better before or not, while going back I would hear taunts of ‘parchi’.”

    READ MORE: Here’s why cricketer Imam ul Haq’s parents don’t go to his matches

    Previously, actress Romaisa Khan slammed nurses who approached the ‘John’ actress for photos when she was in tears and praying for her mother’s recovery in the ICU, an act she recalled as “insensitive” in a detailed post on Threads.

    READ MORE: ‘So unethical’: Actress Romaisa Khan slams fans for requesting selfies in ICU

    “Some people are so insensitive,” lamented the ‘John’ actress on her Threads account. “I know we are public figures but not public properties, so it’s unethical that my mom is in the ICU screaming in pain almost fighting for her life and where I am crying and praying outside and nurses literally making videos and asking for a selfie.”

    So please remember that while it is natural to have immense respect for a public figure’s talent and skills, fans should also remember to respect the privacy. Celebrities are only in the public spotlight as a job, and it doesn’t give any fan the right to treat their entire existence as a public affair.

  • Jamaat-e-Islami to stage dharna in Lahore against inflation

    Jamaat-e-Islami to stage dharna in Lahore against inflation

    Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced the schedule of a sit-in in Lahore to protest against spiralling inflation in the country, ARY News has reported.

    According to the details, the JI sit-in will start today (September 21), with party workers gathering in front of the Governor House on Mall Road, Lahore.

    JI Ameer Sirajul Haq and senior leaders, including Liaquat Baloch, Ameerul Azeem, and other provincial leaders, will address protesters and party workers.

    Earlier, JI had staged a sit-in against high electricity bills and skyrocketing inflation.

    The secretary general of JI Ameerul Azeem headed the committee meeting of the party to finalise the schedule of sit-ins and protests against inflation.

    It should also be remembered that the caretaker government increased petrol price by Rs58 per litre and diesel price by Rs56 per litre within a month.

  • Taylor Swift sends the internet in frenzy after she steps out with Joe Jonas’s ex- Sophie Turner

    Taylor Swift sends the internet in frenzy after she steps out with Joe Jonas’s ex- Sophie Turner

    Taylor Swift was not joking around when she wrote, “Karma’s on your scent like a bounty hunter”.

    Media organisations and social media users sent their sleep and work commitments to the devil on Wednesday when the ‘Anti Hero’ singer was spotted at a girl’s night out with none other than Sophie Turner, actress and estranged wife of Joe Jonas.

    Taylor had famously dated Joe back in 2008, later publicly accusing him of breaking up with her in a cruel manner. She revealed on The Ellen Show that the band member of the Jonas Brothers broke up with her on the phone in 25 seconds. The ‘Mastermind’ singer went on to write ‘Forever and Always’, ‘Last Kiss’ and ‘Mr Perfectly Fine’ about the ‘Burnin Up’ singer, however the two reconciled over the years and become close friends after Joe dated model and close friend Gigi Hadid in 2015.

    Recently, Joe and Sophie announced their divorce after four years of marriage. Several reports allegeded that the ‘This Is Me’ singer’s PR team blamed the ‘Game Of Thrones’ actress for the failure of the relationship, with sources alleging the singer was an absent mother, working on projects in the UK. The internet slammed this as a terrible attempt to pin the home wrecker narrative on the woman while refusing to hold the man accountable.

    Now that Sophie has decided to play the game and was spotted partying with Taylor Swift in New York, Twitter users are applauding how vicious of a move this was.

    “Joe Jonas tried with every PR strategy he could to turn the public against Sophie but Sophie was like hold my purse and played her biggest card,” wrote a user.

  • May 9 attack; Imran Khan charged with ‘criminal conspiracy’

    May 9 attack; Imran Khan charged with ‘criminal conspiracy’

    The Punjab police have pressed charges of ‘criminal conspiracy’ against Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and all other suspects in May 9 cases across the province. Official sources have disclosed to Dawn that a total of 50 cases were registered, encompassing charges under anti-terrorism and other relevant laws. Among these, 14 cases were filed in various police stations in Lahore and Rawalpindi, while nine were recorded in Sargodha, seven in Sheikhupura, five in Faisalabad, and one in Gujranwala.

    Moreover, the Punjab police have recently added offenses under sections 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or aiding such efforts against Pakistan), 131 (abetting mutiny or attempting to influence a soldier, sailor, or airman from their duty), and 146 (rioting) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to the FIRs.

    Dr. Anoosh Masood Chaudhry, Lahore SSP (Investigation), while talking to the media, revealed that the police have also incorporated certain offenses/sections, including 34 and 120b of the PPC, into the May 9 cases.

    Section 34 reads: “Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. When a criminal act is done by several persons, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.”

    Section 120b states: “Whoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, shall, where no express provision is made in this Code for the punishment of such a conspiracy, be punished in the same manner as if he had abetted such offence.”

    As per the Lahore police’s investigation, Dr. Chaudhry stated that there appears to be substantial evidence confirming incitement to mutiny and the planning of vandalism on May 9.

    Responding to a question regarding Imran Khan’s presence at the crime scene, she emphasized that it is immaterial whether he was physically there or not, as evidence suggests that he incited the suspects to carry out violent attacks on sensitive installations of the Pakistan Army.

    Dr. Chaudhry further noted that the prosecution and police are awaiting final reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) concerning videos and other evidence related to the planners and perpetrators of the May 9 incidents. She assured that all objections raised by the prosecution have been addressed, and the challans for the May 9 cases will be submitted to the courts of law after receiving reports from the FIA and Pemra.

  • Shehbaz, Maryam leave for London with important message for Nawaz Sharif

    Shehbaz, Maryam leave for London with important message for Nawaz Sharif

    Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has left for London a day after returning to Lahore with a special message for his brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    According to sources in The News, the PML-N president will reach London on Thursday night. On the other hand, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz will reach the British capital to meet her father on Thursday afternoon.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is coming back to London with an important message for Nawaz Sharif,” The News has reported.

    According to the report, Shehbaz, Maryam, and Nawaz Sharif will meet and discuss the return of PML-N supremo to Pakistan on October 21.

    “Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan remains final, there is no change in plan”, a trusted source told The News.

    “Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21,” Shehbaz said earlier.

    Confusion persists about the return of the former Prime Minister. Senior leader Javaid Latif has on Wednesday said on Wasim Badami’s show that there will not be a large reception on Nawaz Sharif’s return, as was being planned earlier, stressing that the party doesn’t want people to face difficulties due to traffic jams.

    Instead, he hinted, the party night hold a rally or a gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan after Sharif has returned home.

  • Baby girl born with 26 fingers and toes in India

    Baby girl born with 26 fingers and toes in India

    A baby girl, born in Rajasthan, India, has 26 fingers and toes- seven fingers on each hand and six on each foot. According to Indian Express, the family was shocked by the discovery, hailing her as an incarnation of a goddess. The baby’s mother, Sarju Devi went into labour eight months into her pregnancy, however, doctors have confirmed the child is healthy.

    The infant’s family have expressed their joy at the birth of the child. The girl’s uncle told local media: “My sister has given birth to a baby who has 26 fingers, and we are considering it to be the incarnation of Dholagarh Devi.”

    Speaking to Indian Express, Dr Preethika Shetty said the baby has a genetical condition called polydactyly, which is characterised by small extra digits. She explained that the condition varies, as some can be born with several extra digits, or they can have an extra finger. Dr Shoba Gupta, a medical director, revealed to the publication that the medical condition runs in the family and can be brought on by hereditary causes.

    Dr Shetty explained that polydactyly can be detected in new born babies through a prenatal ultrasound or after the child is born. “The doctor will determine if your baby has polydactyly either through prenatal ultrasound or after birth. He or she will examine your child’s hands and feet for any additional digits and diagnose the specific type of polydactyly.”

  • Massive data breach: 2.2 million Pakistani citizens’ personal information for sale online

    Massive data breach: 2.2 million Pakistani citizens’ personal information for sale online

    According to a report from Geo News, the personal data of 2.2 million Pakistani citizens has been compromised and put up for sale online. This breach occurred when hackers gained unauthorised access to a private company-made database that is utilised by hundreds of restaurants. 

    The hackers have even gone so far as to display some citizens’ data as samples in their online sale advertisement. In their claim, the hackers asserted, “We have hacked the databases of over 250 restaurants,” and they listed numerous food outlets. 

    The compromised citizen data includes contact numbers and credit card details. The affected software is widely used by many restaurants across the country. Furthermore, details such as the number of transactions and the amounts paid by citizens are available for purchase online. 

    The hackers are demanding 2 Bitcoins in exchange for the compromised citizen data, which equates to approximately $54,000, considering that one Bitcoin is valued at $27,000 based on market sources. In Pakistani rupees, this amounts to over Rs15 million. 

    As of now, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FBR) cybercrime circle has not received any complaints regarding this incident. 

    It is worth noting that the federal government recently issued a directive advising all information technology (IT) and financial institutions, including regulators, to avoid collaborating with, installing, or using Indian-origin artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT) products.  

    This advisory was issued due to concerns that these products could pose a constant, concealed, and force multiplier threat to Pakistan’s critical information infrastructure (CII). 

    The government shared this cybersecurity advisory with federal and provincial ministries and sectoral regulators. The advisory highlighted that globally, AI products and services are widely employed by various industries, including the financial and banking sectors, to accelerate their growth. 

    The document also noted that the fintech sector in Pakistan, along with some banks, was engaged with Indian-origin companies that offered IT products, cybersecurity solutions, and AI solutions.  

    The use of Indian security products and solutions was considered a potential threat to Pakistan’s CII, particularly the banking sector, due to the possibility of backdoors or malware collecting logs, data traffic analysis, and personal identifiable information (PII).  

    Additionally, it pointed out the risk of direct Indian ingress into Pakistan’s CII through technical means and access control with passive monitoring capability. 

  • Fungus found: UAE bans fresh meat imports from Pakistan

    Fungus found: UAE bans fresh meat imports from Pakistan

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on the importation of fresh meat from Pakistan.

    This decision stems from the discovery of fungal contamination in frozen meat shipments from Pakistan via the sea route.

    As reported by ARY News, the presence of fungus on meat imported by a Karachi-based company prompted the UAE to enact this ban, which will be in effect until October 10.

    It’s worth noting that Pakistan typically exports fresh meat valued at $12 million monthly to the UAE through maritime channels.

    Pakistan primarily directs a significant portion of its meat exports towards the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

  • Power outage alert: Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to experience disruption today 

    Power outage alert: Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to experience disruption today 

    Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are slated to experience a power outage today. The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has announced a scheduled power suspension programme for various areas within its jurisdiction. This planned interruption is imperative to facilitate necessary maintenance and routine development work. 

    According to an IESCO spokesperson, the power supply to different feeders and grid stations will be temporarily suspended during specific time windows. From 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM, the affected areas include Islamabad Circle, Anguri, NCP, Mengyal, Shahdara, Shahpur, Khayaban Iqbal, Pir Suhawah, Quaid-e-Azam University, Punjab House, Bari Imam, Mandala, Athal, NIH, and Suhadran Road Feeders. 

    Additionally, from 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, the power supply will be interrupted in the following areas: Islamabad Circle, SES, Fazal Ghi, NDC-1, H-11/4, I-10/2, New Exchange, Kidney Centre, Dr AQ Khan, Islamic University, Bahria University, G-10/1, 2 & 4, G-9/1, CWO, Dhok Najo, Raja Sultan, Eid Gah, Khasala, I-8/4, Service Road, Muslim Town, and FHS Feeders. 

    This scheduled power outage will also affect areas within Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, including FECHS, Swan Garden-I, IST, New Rawat, Old Rawat, CWO, AOWHS, and Sparco Feeders. Furthermore, areas covered by Rawalpindi City Circle, Pindhon, I-14/3, Noon, I-16/1, HPT Radio Pak, Lakho Road, Ameer Hamza, Officer Colony, New Milpur, Jinnah Camp, KRL, Zeeshan Colony, and Lakho Feeders will experience power interruptions. 

    According to APP, residents in Attock Circle, specifically Ghorghashti, Bara Zee, Maskinabad, Shah Dir, Radio Pak-I & II, Larnpur, Qaziabad, GBHP Colony, HMC Road, Taxila, Sher Shah Suri, Islampura Feeder, Chakwal Circle, Chakra Feeders, Jhelum Circle, and F-3 Gul Afshan, Sanghui, Chotala, Kantrela, Pakhwal feeders, and their surrounding areas will also be affected by this planned power suspension. 

  • K-Dramas we’re excited to watch this October

    K-Dramas we’re excited to watch this October

    October is shaping up to be an exciting month for K-drama fans with projects featuring big names like Cha Eun-Woo, Bae Suzy and Kim Ro-Woon. Scroll through this list to check out what your favorite star’s next show is all about.

    1. A Good Day to be a Dog

    If you loved Cha Eun-Woo in ‘True Beauty’ and ‘Rookie Historian’, you will be happy to watch him back in another romantic comedy. Starring Park Gyu-Young, the serial revolves around a woman who is cursed to turn into a dog every midnight, and she must find the man who can help her break this spell, but it turns out that he is also deeply terrified of dogs. The series is set to stream on Netflix from October 11.

    1. The Wedding Battle

    K-Drama fans who can’t get enough of Kim Ro-Woon in ‘Destined With You’ are in for a treat with his upcoming rom-com. In this historical drama, the heart throb plays a widow, who teams up with a rival matchmaker to marry off four young maidens. But circumstances change when the two matchmakers realise they’re falling for each other. The series is set to premier from October 30.

    1. Doona!

    ‘Alchemy of Souls’ actress Bae Suzy is set to come back after a year with ‘Doona!’ where she plays a singer in a band, who shocks audiences by announcing her retirement, and begins living in a shared home with a college student. The nine-episode series will release on Netflix on October 20.

    1. Doctor Slump

    Starring Park Hyung Sik (Strong Girl Bong-Soon) and Park Shin-Hye (The Inheritors), the drama is a slice of life focusing on four doctors who are burned out from their profession. The two meet at the time they’re at the lowest point of their lives and are trying to rediscover themselves after quitting their jobs.