Tag: army chiefs

  • British-era Muslim marriage act declared invalid in Assam

    British-era Muslim marriage act declared invalid in Assam

    The state cabinet of Assam, India, approved the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024, for the annulment of the British-era Marriage and Divorce Act specific to Muslims.

    Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that he will not allow child marriages in the state and will repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 as long as he is alive. He also pledged to eliminate child marriage in the state before 2026.

    “Hear me carefully, as long as I am alive, I will not let child marriage take place in Assam. I will not let this happen as long as Himanta Biswa Sarma is alive…I would like to challenge you politically, I will shut down this shop before 2026…We will not rest in peace until we completely close the shop that you people (Congress) have opened to ruin the daughters of the Muslim community,” the Assam CM said in a fiery speech in the House as reported by Hindustan Times.

    Assam, home to the highest Muslim population among Indian states at 34 percent, has abolished the archaic Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, of 1935.

    The decision aligns with Assam’s broader objective of instituting uniform civil laws for marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance as described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which aims to establish a Uniform Civil Code — a stance met with opposition from Muslims and other minorities in India.

    Assam’s chief minister, when inquired about the potential implementation of a Uniform Civil Code before the impending general elections, stated, “Not immediately,” maintaining a cautious stance.

    Many of Assam’s Muslims trace their roots to Bangladesh, sparking occasional tensions with the predominantly Hindu ethnic Assamese population.
    Muslim leaders opposing the law’s repeal deem it discriminatory, accusing the BJP of attempting to polarise voters and warning that this move could signal the beginning of the end for the BJP government in Assam.

    Badruddin Ajmal, a prominent lawmaker from Assam, remarked, “It’s a first step toward bringing a Uniform Civil Code, but this is how the BJP government will come to an end in Assam”.

  • More than half of world’s population could face measles outbreak by end of 2024: WHO

    More than half of world’s population could face measles outbreak by end of 2024: WHO

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that if urgent measures are not taken, more than half of the world’s countries may face a measles outbreak by the end of the year.

    During a press conference in Geneva, WHO said that many countries have not been vaccinating against measles this year.“What we are worried about is this year, 2024, we’ve got these big gaps in our immunisation programmes and if we don’t fill them really quickly with the vaccine, measles will just jump into that gap,” stated Natasha Crowcroft, a senior technical adviser on Measles and Rubella.

    She called for urgent action to protect children, saying there was a “lack of commitment” by governments given competing issues like economic crises and conflict.

    According to data from the World Health Organization, last year measles cases worldwide increased by 79 percent.

    Death rates are higher in poorer countries due to weaker health systems, Crowcroft said, adding that outbreaks and deaths were also a risk for middle and high-income countries.

  • More voters, less turnout: FAFEN on Feb 8 polls

    More voters, less turnout: FAFEN on Feb 8 polls

    The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has reported that around 60.6 million Pakistanis voted in the country’s 12th general elections, held on February 8. This number was higher than 2018 elections, in which least 54.8 million citizens participated. The number this increased by 5.8 million voters, according to FAFEN post-election analysis report.

    The election watchdog reported that fewer people voted in the recent general polls compared to the total number of registered voters. In 2018, 52.1 percent of registered voters participated in the polls whereas this year, only 47.6 percent turned out to vote.

    The decrease in turnout, however, can be largely attributed to the increase in registered voters from 106 million in 2018 to 128.6 million in 2024. A considerable rise of 22.6 million registered voters between the 2018 and 2024 elections was highlighted in the report.

    The report suggested that the turnout might have been affected by several factors, including severe winter in some areas, concerns about violence and terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, and uncertainty regarding how the elections would be conducted.

    The analysis report on voter turnout reveals that KP had the lowest turnout. The report also notes that voter turnout varies across National Assembly (NA) constituencies, with Islamabad Capital Territory recording the highest turnout.

  • PMGO 2024: Format, invited teams, dates and much more

    PMGO 2024: Format, invited teams, dates and much more

    Tencent has revealed the details of the Pubg Mobile Global Open (PMGO), the first worldwide PUBG Mobile competition of 2024, which is scheduled to happen in Brazil. This event, which features $500,000 in total prize money, will be held in three separate stages including qualifiers, Initials and main stage.

    Tencent plans to hold three worldwide competitions in 2024 due to fans interest. March 4 is the start date of the PUBG Mobile Global Open, which ends on April 7. This year’s calendar includes the second international competition, known as the Pubg Mobile World Invitational (PMWI), in July and the Pubg Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) in November and December.

    1) Qualifier

    On February 19, registration for this first phase of the tournament will open, providing underdog teams with the chance to face off against more seasoned teams. Two rounds will be held: Online Qualifier (March 4 to 10) and Offline Qualifier Finals (March 28 to 30).

    The top 32 teams advance to the Qualifier Finals, where the victorious team guarantees a spot in the PMGO Main Event. The whole prize pool for the qualifier is $64,000.

    2) Initials

    A number of PUBG Mobile teams, including the top finishers from the Qualifier Finals, partnered clubs, and certain invited teams, will compete in the initials, which will also be contested offline with a $80,000 total prize pool, it is slated to take place from April 1 to April 3, 2024. The top eight teams from the overall scoreboard will move to the third and final stage.

    3) Main Event

    The Main Event, which will take place in São Paulo from April 5 to 7, will have 16 teams competing for a $356,000 cash prize fund. Direct invitations to the PMGO 2024 Main Event have been extended to Alpha7 from Brazil, S2G Gaming from Turkey, and IHC from Mongolia. In addition to them, the PMSL SEA Spring, PMPL S0 South Korea, PMJL S3 Japan, and PEL PMGO Qualifier winners from the four regional competitions will also be at the event.

    These seven clubs will square off against the winning team from the Qualifier Finals and the top eight teams from the initials in the Main Event. They compete over three days to claim the title of PMGO championship. The competition will be streamed live on PUBG Mobile’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

  • Most awaited dramas of 2024

    Most awaited dramas of 2024

    Be it daily soaps or serials, Pakistani dramas have an enormous viewership around the globe. In 2023, we witnessed blockbuster gems like Tere Bin, Kuch Ankahi, Fairy Tale, and Mayi Ri, depicting unconventional stories that kept the audiences hooked to their screens.
    While 2023 was a good year for Pakistani television, 2024 seems to be even better with a good line-up of projects including a few fresh concepts and pairings.
    Here are the top TV shows that everyone is excited about this year:

    1: Tere Bin Season 2 Drama – Har Pal Geo TV

    On Dec 29, 2023, Abdullah Kadwani announced news about Tere Bin Season 2, exciting fans for Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi’s return in a love story tackling social barriers. With Bushra Ansari and Sohail Sameer in supporting roles and the potential return of Sabeena Farooq, anticipation is high. The cast yet to be fully confirmed but may include Wahaj Ali, Yumna Zaidi, Bushra Ansari, Sabeena Farooq, and Sohail Sameer.

    2: Radd drama –Ary Digital

    Radd, made by Abdullah Seja and Jarjees Seja, stars Hiba Bukhari and Sheheryar Munawar in the main roles. Ahmad Bhatti directed the show, and Sanam Mehdi Zaryab wrote it. The first episode of the series will air on 19-4-2024 at 8:00 PM on ARY Digital, the official channel for the show.

    3: Fanna – Green TV

    Fanna promises a captivating journey of love, loyalty, and resilience, featuring powerful performances and emotional storytelling. Scheduled for release in
    26-2-2024 at 8 PM, the drama will be aired on GREEN TV.

    4: Dil Pe Dastak- Hum TV

    Dil Pe Dastak is a Pakistani drama produced by Momina Duraid, starring Khaqan Shahnawaz and Aena Khan in leading roles. It features many supporting actors and is produced by MD Production. Episode 1 will air on March 11, 2024, at 9:00 PM on HUM TV.

    5: Tum Bin Kesay Jiyen- ARY Digital

    Tum Bin Kesay Jiyen is a Pakistani drama on ARY Digital, centered around true friendships, genuine love, and keeping promises. Starring Junaid Jamshed Niazi, Saniya Shamshad, and Hammad Shoaib, this fresh take is written by Edison Idrees Masih and directed by Saqib Khan, produced by IDream Entertainment. Episode 1 airs on 25-2-2024 at 8:00 PM on ARY Digital.

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    An analysis by Bloomberg Economics reveals that Pakistan’s economy witnessed its best performance in the past three decades under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister thrice.

    The report compares economic indicators during Sharif’s tenure with those of his rivals, including Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), using a misery index that combines inflation and unemployment rates.

    According to Bloomberg Economics, the analysis utilized an average of the misery index values over the years when each major political party ruled Pakistan since 1990.

    The results indicate that Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) outperformed both PTI and PPP in managing economic challenges.

    With general elections scheduled for February 8, Bloomberg suggests that Nawaz Sharif seems poised to return to power for the fourth time, especially as Imran Khan faces legal issues and incarceration.

    Despite Khan’s popularity, with a 57% approval rating according to a recent Gallup poll, Sharif has experienced a surge in popularity from 36% to 52% in the past six months.

    The past three decades saw the PML-N rule Pakistan four times under Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. The PPP under the Bhutto dynasty has held power three times, while Khan was in office for a four-year term ending in April 2022 when he was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote.

    “Bloomberg Economics used an average of the index values over the respective years when each of the major political parties ruled the country since 1990. A higher value indicates more economic hardship for citizens,” the publication said, explaining its conclusions.

    Bloomberg Economics Misery Index Results for Pakistan showed the Pakistan Muslim League scored 14.5 percent, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 16.1 percent, and the Pakistan Peoples Party 17.2 percent.

    Pakistan is currently grappling with economic challenges, including seeking a financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Inflation is close to 30 percent in Pakistan, the currency was Asia’s worst performer last year and foreign exchange reserves have slumped.

    The incoming government, as per IMF conditions, will need to implement potentially unpopular policies such as withdrawing subsidies and raising taxes. The IMF forecasts a 2% growth in Pakistan’s economy for the current fiscal year after experiencing a contraction in the previous year.

    Despite the positive economic indicators during Sharif’s governance, the report underscores the formidable tasks awaiting the new government in addressing the country’s economic hardships.

  • Pakistan grapples with massive Rs63.4 trillion debt

    Pakistan grapples with massive Rs63.4 trillion debt

    In November 2023, Pakistan’s total debt soared to an alarming Rs63.399 trillion, marking a significant increase from Rs50.959 trillion in the same month of the previous year. 

    According to details, this surge comprises Rs40.956 trillion in domestic loans and Rs22.434 trillion in international loans.

    The recent development follows Pakistan’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan programme. 

    As outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Table, Pakistan has pledged to boost foreign reserves to $13.6 billion in FY2024–25, facilitating access to the IMF’s financial assistance.

    To support its financial strategy, Pakistan is planning to roll over a $6.34 billion loan in the upcoming fiscal year, coupled with a targeted increase of $1.31 billion in foreign investments, as highlighted by the MEFPT. 

    These measures aim to navigate the country through its evolving economic landscape.

  • Sania Mirza, son Izhaan start 2024 with playful makeover

    Sania Mirza, son Izhaan start 2024 with playful makeover

    A new year is upon us and we all will try to start it with new resolutions or even new looks.
    Indian tennis star Sania Mirza shared photos of her son, Izhaan Mirza Malik’s new look for 2024 on her latest Instagram post. She also wished everyone a happy New Year. The 37-year-old athlete regularly posts on Instagram to share moments from her personal and professional life, keeping her fans entertained.

    Her latest post contains two pictures with Izhaan, captioned: “New year, new us”.

    In one picture, Sania is holding her son who is wearing a funny wig and a fake mustache. Another photo in the post is a selfie taken in the car, showing both the mother and son wearing sunglasses.

  • I’m not part of PML-N decision-making anymore, says Muhammad Zubair

    I’m not part of PML-N decision-making anymore, says Muhammad Zubair

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Muhammad Zubair revealed on Sunday that his role in the party is limited now as the party doesn’t consult him while taking decisions.

    Acknowledging that country is heading towards the much-awaited general election, set to take place on February 8, 2024, Zubair said that he is in PML-N, “just like Abbasi.”

    The quote was in reference to former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who is also at odds with the party. Ex-federal minister Miftah Ismail has also been sidelined.

    Muhammad Zubair said while speaking on the Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan” on Sunday, “I think, I am in the PML-N. I am in [the party] just like Abbasi is,” he added, as Abbasi had stepped down from the party office soon after the appointment of Maryam Nawaz as senior vice president and chief organiser.

    The PML-N leader also said that he supported the party with full energy from 2013 to 2018. “I stood firm with the party when a difficult time came in 2017 after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif.”

  • List of all public holidays in 2024

    List of all public holidays in 2024

    In a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday, the Government of Pakistan has officially declared the public holidays for the upcoming year 2024.

    The list encompasses a range of festivals and events significant to both Muslims and minorities across the nation.

    The 2024 public holiday calendar features a total of 11 days, each representing a momentous occasion celebrated widely in Pakistan.
    The notification also includes optional holidays for minorities.

    To avail those they will have to take prior permission from the head of their department.