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PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has announced PUBG Mobile Pakistan Challenge 2020, with Rs 10 million as the winning prize.

As per details, the registration process for the challenge will start from today (November 9) and will end on November 15.

PUBG Mobile is increasingly recognising the love and support the Pakistani gaming community has shown to the game. It has also announced the introduction of dedicated Urdu voice packs in the game for Pakistani users.

Previously in August, PUBG Mobile hosted an exclusive Independence Day event for Pakistan players after local fans demonstrated unprecedented support to the game.

In July, PUBG Mobile also launched a dedicated discord server for Pakistan to unite the local players scattered across different platforms such as Facebook groups, Twitter pages, and other social networking sites.

Meanwhile, on July 1, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had suspended PUBG in the country after receiving numerous complaints from different segments of society. However, later on July 24, the Islamabad High Court lifted the ban on the game after widespread outrage and protests.

Nearly $1 billion dollars were reportedly moved from a bitcoin wallet that has been inactive since 2013. It remains unclear whether the transaction was done by the real owner of the wallet or if someone stole it after breaching the password.

According to bitcoin records, more than 69,369 BTC, which are worth approximately $975 million, were moved over the past 24 hours. Alon Gal, CTO of security firm Hudson Rock was the first person to report the transaction.

“Unbelievable, someone was able to crack the password of the bitcoin wallet I reported on only a short time ago and spend the $1,000,000,000 that was inside it,” said Gal.

He added that “it is unclear if the real owner of the account did the transaction or someone managed a to hack and steal it, which is unlikely”.

There are speculations that the real owner might have moved the amount in the wake of recent reports, pointing out that his wallet was being used by hackers.

This wallet was supposedly inactive since 2013.

Analysts believe that the funds came from sales on Silk Road, the underground market that deals in illegal services and goods.

Lahore High Court (LHC) imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 on a man for demanding the land he had gifted to his second wife after 16 years.

According to the details, LHC judge Shahid Waheed dismissed Muhammad Riaz’s petition, remarking that it was disgraceful to call the mother of his children and the sick wife in the court without any reason.

While further condemning the bid to drag an ailing woman and a mother to the court, the LHC imposed Rs 100,000 as a fine on the complainant.

A resident of Mandi Bahauddin, Riaz had married Fatima, a divorcee and mother of two daughters, after the death of his first wife. He had gifted 56-kanal land to her but approached the courts 16 years later to get the property back.

After civil court dismissed his petition, he moved the LHC for civil revision against the trial court’s ruling and accused his wife of getting the property through fraud. He told the court that even if the gift proved to be valid in favour of his wife, he had withdrew it.

Justice Waheed ruled that the complainant failed to prove the claims of fraud and conspiracy against the woman in the case, stating that the petitioner had voluntarily and consciously gifted the land to his wife.

A consignment carrying 779 metric tons of sugar reached Rawalpindi from the Karachi port on Wednesday following a month-long sugar crisis. The new stock will be sold in markets at Rs 83.5 per kg.

Sugar was previously sold at Rs 110 in the open market, and at Rs 70 in utility stores. However, utility store outlets were selling 5 kg bags of sugar instead of 1 kg packs.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) General Zaheer Anwar Jappa told the media that distribution to vendors has begun.

He said that “the district administration will ensure that the sugar would be sold at the prescribed rate. Jappa added that more sugar will reach the market later this month as the sugarcane crushing season starts on November 10.

The government decided to import sugar to overcome the ongoing crisis. As per details, the current stock will be enough for some months.

Meanwhile, price magistrates have raided 769 shops in the district and fined Rs. 250,000 to 122 shopkeeper for overcharging.

“Any shopkeeper found overcharging will be sent to jail and their shops will be sealed immediately,” he added.

The Lahore district administration has also notified retailers that imported sugar will be sold at Rs. 83.5 per kg in the markets. Deputy Commissioner Mudassar Riaz issued the notification, which said that the imported sugar will not be sold commercially, or to wholesalers.

All price control magistrates have been asked to implement the notification immediately.

Minister of Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry has announced on Twitter that the government is planning to start a fully automated electric train that goes from Islamabad airport to Murree.

“The next major project is the automatic train from Islamabad airport to Murree. The study of which has started and a meeting has been held with the planning ministry in this regard,” the minister said in the tweet released earlier today.

The tweet was released in response to the tweet sent out by Radio Pakistan’s official Twitter channel that commented on the electric bus service plans of the Ministry of Information. Fawad Chaudhry also announced that almost 38 electric buses are set to start rolling on the roads of the capital city, Islamabad starting from December.

Fawad Chaudhry once again reminded the attendees that the government is on a fast track in the process of normalizing electric public transport in the country, as two MoUs have already been signed with two major electric bus manufacturers who are set to bring major investment and set up production plants in the country.

Fawad Chaudhry commented that this will bring prosperity to the country, create work opportunities, and also play a huge role in saving the environment. Commenting on the train project, the minister said that it will “change the face of tourism and travel” in Pakistan.

Days after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq made a controversial statement about the release of Indian pilot Abhinandan, banners have surfaced in several localities of Lahore calling him a “traitor”.

The posters displayed on the arterial roads, such as The Mall and Main Boulevard, called Sadiq “Mir Jaffar and Mir Sadiq”, as they featured his photo alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Wing Commander Abhinandan.

The banners are allegedly put up by the ‘patriotic citizens’ of NA-129 — a constituency where Ayaz Sadiq defeated PTI’s Aleem Khan in 2018 general elections.

These posters accused Ayaz Sadiq of peddling Indian narrative, as they equated his action to that of Muslim politicians [Mir Jaffar and Mir Sadiq] who joined the East India Company against their India rulers.

Mir Jaffar played a role in the British conquest of Bengal, while Mir Sadiq was instrumental in the defeat of Mysore.

RELEASE OF ABHINANDAN:

Sadiq, a former National Assembly speaker, is under fire for accusing the government of taking the decision to release the India pilot under pressure.

Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “begged the opposition to release Abhinandan, otherwise, according to the FM, India would have attacked Pakistan at 9 pm that day,” the lawmaker had said during a session of the National Assembly.

In response, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar held a press conference to set the record straight about the events surrounding the capture and release of the Indian wing commander.

“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during the media briefing.

On Friday, Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz hinted at legal action against Ayaz Sadiq for accusing the government of releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under pressure. “What Ayaz Sadiq said is not forgivable,” he tweeted, adding that law will take its course now.

National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) Chairperson Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari has initiated the development work of the first five-star hotel in Chitral.

The hotel ‘BeJaan’ is being built under the public-private partnership, and will cost $30 million.

The hotel will have 80 bedrooms, two restaurants, and a hall with a 500-person seating capacity.

Anwar Aman, an overseas Pakistani who is the sole investor in the project, has named the hotel after his mother ‘BeJaan’.

The hotel will not only provide state of the art accommodation and dining facilities to tourists but will also create employment opportunities for the locals.

While addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, NTCB Chairman said that the government has taken numerous measures to facilitate the private sector to actively participate in promoting tourism across the country.

Beautiful Chitral gets 1st one-of-a-kind 5star hospitality resort. $30Million investment has been done by Anwar Aman, despite a grim outlook in global tourism. Construction of this 80-bed hotel will generate employment for locals & be a great attraction for tourism in north pic.twitter.com/d6Hc6ccII5

— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) October 29, 2020

He added that the PTI government has also formulated a comprehensive plan to project Pakistan as a customised brand all over the world.

Besides, NTCB is also preparing to launch a dedicated e-portal that will promote Pakistan’s tourist attractions worldwide.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz once again violated toll tax rules as she, along with her entire convoy, crossed toll plaza without paying the tax, ARY News reported.

According to reports, the PML-N vice president (VP), who is en route to Gujranwala for a public gathering to kick off the opposition’s anti-government campaign, exited Lahore without paying the tax levied on anyone wanting to travel on a highway such as the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (M11) or the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.

She had in August 2019 also violated toll tax rules as her vehicle crossed the toll plaza without paying tax in Qadirabad near Sahiwal, months after not paying the same tax in Mandi Bahauddin. Maryam was on her way to public gatherings in different parts of Punjab both times.

Earlier on Friday, the PML-N VP left for Gujranwala that is the venue for the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally, saying she was doing so “as a foot soldier” of ousted prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif.

“I embark on this mission as your foot soldier, Nawaz Sharif. I have dedicated myself to your struggle, your mission for Pakistan and its people,” Maryam tweeted as she left her Jati Umra residence in Lahore for Gujranwala’s Jinnah Stadium.

I embark on this mission as your foot soldier @NawazSharifMNS I have dedicated myself to your struggle, your mission for Pakistan and it’s people. May Allah be with us and may we return triumphant and victorious Insha’Allah. Pakistan Zindabad

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 16, 2020

The recently-formed PDM has announced it will hold a series of protest rallies in major cities in the next couple of months to oust the “selected” government of PM Imran.

Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa has stepped down as Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s special assistant on information and broadcasting, the former military bigwig has announced in a tweet himself.

“I requested the honourable PM to relinquish me from the additional portfolio of SAPM [special assistant to prime minister] on info and broadcasting. He very kindly approved my request,” Bajwa stated.

I requested the honourable Prime Minister to relinquish me from the additional portfolio of SAPM on Info & broadcasting. He very kindly approved my request

— Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimSBajwa) October 12, 2020

He will, however, continue to remain the chairman of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.

The development comes a month after the premier rejected Bajwa’s resignation from the post after the latter categorically rebutted all corruption allegations levelled against him.

CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS:

On August 27, a website known as Fact Focus published a story, claiming that Lt Gen Bajwa’s family had set up 99 companies in four countries, including a pizza franchise with 133 restaurants.

The website further claimed that Lt Gen (r) Bajwa’s wife was a “shareholder” in at least 86 companies. Of them, 71 were set up in the US, seven in the UAE and four in Canada.

Defending the businesses and enterprises owned by his brothers in countries abroad, he had said that shameless allegations were levelled against him to tarnish his image.

Lt Gen Bajwa, in rejoinder to a story published on an “unknown website”, had lamented that the allegations were “false and incorrect”. He had insisted that on the date of filing of his declaration, i.e. June 22, 2020, his spouse was no longer an investor or shareholder in any business of his brothers.

About the investments abroad, Lt Gen Bajwa had said that since 2002 till June 1, 2020 his wife had only invested $19,492 in his brothers’ companies. He had said that all investments came from his savings over the last 18 years, and no regulations of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have been broken.

Concerning the alleged investment of businesses in the pizza chain Papa John’s in the US and DQ, UAE, Lt Gen Bajwa had said that facts and figures were fully documented.

He had insisted that Bajco Global Management, LLC did not have any ownership interest in any Papa John’s in the USA, DQ, UAE or any real estate.

READ: ‘Who is this Mr Bajwa you are talking about?’ NAB DG on alleged assets of Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa’s family

“The author further makes a false claim that Bajco owns 99 companies. The author has listed many companies multiple times on his list. There is a total of 27 active companies in the US and two in the UAE,” he had said.

“For eighteen years, the actual out of pocket cash investment into the said businesses by my brothers and wife has been about US$73,950/-. It is further pointed out that out of US $73,950/-, my wife’s contribution, as stated aforesaid, is US$19,492/-. Thus, the total out of pocket cash contribution of my five brothers, for eighteen years, has been US$54,458.”

He had added that the cash contributions of $54,458 by his five brothers were fully accounted for and traceable to their sources. He further said that apart from his five brothers and his wife, the businesses have at least 50 other investors. He maintained that any further investments were a result of profits generated from the business, while also mentioning the various qualifications of his five brothers as a source of income.

“One question that may be underscored is whether three persons who have worked in the US up to the positions of a Vice President in a US Bank, a Controller in a restaurant operating company, and as an operating partner of a restaurant; and two persons having worked as doctors, would not be able to save US$54,458/-,” argued Lt Gen Bajwa.

Responding to the allegations made about businesses of his children, he said that the company Scion Builders and Estates (Pvt.) Ltd owned by his sons and registered in the SECP had never done any business and same is dormant since inception. He said the same about other businesses owned by his sons, namely Advance Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd, Scion Natura LLC, and Mochi Cordwainers.

READ: ‘Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa to issue clarification on report linking military career to family’s businesses’

Regarding an allegation about a house owned by his son’s Scion Management Group LLC, he had asserted that the house was only 31,000 and had been bought by his sons through their independent resources in “cheap foreclosure proceedings”.

“Baseless allegations have been levelled that a business entity of my two brothers by the name of Silkline Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd has been formed to acquire CPEC contracts. It may be stated that this company has never acquired any CPEC contract. This company is in Rahim Yar Khan and has only provided labour/human resources to industries in Rahim Yar Khan region,” he had added.

He had said that one of his sons owns a house in the USA but it has been acquired through a mortgage in the manner that 80 per cent of loan/mortgage remains unpaid.

“This again is a small time-house. All my sons are above 18 years and none are my dependents. Masha’Allah their ages are 33, 32 and 27 years respectively. It shall be noted that my sons completed their business degrees from reputable universities in the United States and have had well-paying jobs,” concluded the retired general.

PM Imran had expressed satisfaction over the clarification.