Tag: Pakistan

  • Militants blow up first private school in North Waziristan

    Militants blow up first private school in North Waziristan

    A private girls’ school called Afia Islamic Girls Public School was blown up by unidentified militants in Tehsil Shewa of North Waziristan district on Wednesday night, reports Dawn.

    The police said the militants first assaulted the school watchman and later blew up two rooms of the school. There was, however, no loss of life in the explosion.

    Locals say that it was the only private girls’ school in the area and its administration had received multiple threat letters in the past.

    Journalist Iftikhar Firdous wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he was contacted by the owner of the school and was told how the school was formed after going against the tide and now it is destroyed. Firdous wrote, “He was emotional so I asked him to share what he felt in his own words.”

    As government schools are “non-functional”, private schools are playing their part in promoting education. “In North Waziristan, the private sector plays an important role in promoting boys’ education, but there was no private girls’ school present in the area”.

    The owner deliberated with the elders of the region because he was determined to promote girls’ education. “For the construction of a private school for girls in Tehsil Shewa, we contacted different people, but no one was ready to build a school for girls because they said that the Taliban would destroy it since they are against female education, and we are not ready to invest in girls’ education in our area.”

    The owner convinced his friend, working as a laborer in the UAE, to invest Rs 10 lacs into the construction of a girls’ school in Tehsil Shewa, North Waziristan, as it would help promote girls’ education in the area. “He readily agreed with our advice and was ready to invest money in the girls’ school.” The owner related that the funds were not enough and so it took three years for completion. It was inaugurated on May 19, 2023. “In less than one year, 100 girls got admission to Afia School, and with every passing day, the strength of the school increased,” he told Firdous in an emotional tone.

    On May 9, 2024, at midnight 1 PM, unknown persons destroyed the school with a bomb, while also breaking chairs and whiteboards.

    Firdous shared how he ended the note determined to promote the cause he believes in.“In this way, they stopped our girls from education, but we will continue our struggle for the promotion of girls’ education until death”.

  • Which dashing bowler does Natasha Ali want as her hero?

    Natasha Ali, actor and contestant on ‘Tamasha 2’, expressed her desire to have fast bowling sensation Haris Rauf as the main actor and Babar Azam in the role of her brother in a movie.

    During a talk show on ‘Show Time’ she was joined by veteran actor Babar Ali. Natasha chose the two cricketers from Pakistan’s national cricket team for her dream cast in a film. “I would like to cast Haris Rauf as my hero, whereas, for his brother, I would choose Babar Azam,” she remarked, leaving the live audience in splits.

    Natasha then said, “I think Muhammad Rizwan would be a good villain. Maybe it’s his face, or maybe just how he looks in pictures. But remember, villains don’t always have to look mean. There are handsome villains too!”

    “Honestly, I don’t know a lot about him, but I think Iftikhar Ahmed would be good for the father’s role,” Natasha said. “And Shaheen Afridi could play the funny character in the film,” she added.

    Meanwhile, when Babar Ali was asked about his picks for the upcoming World Cup, he chose Babar Azam, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imam ul Haq, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Wasim, and Muhammad Haris.

  • Greta Thunberg shows up at protest to denounce Israel’s participation in Eurovision

    Greta Thunberg shows up at protest to denounce Israel’s participation in Eurovision

    Continuing with her support for the Palestinian cause, climate activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of demonstrators marching through the streets of Malmo in Sweden, on Thursday, spamming Israel’s participation in Eurovision.

    This year’s Eurovision song contest began on Tuesday, in the southern Swedish city of Malmo. The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, but the war in Gaza is ‘looming’ over the festivities.

    “I am a Eurovision fan and it breaks my heart but I’m boycotting. I can’t have fun knowing that Israel is there participating when all those kids are dying. I think it’s just wrong” 30-year-old protester Hilda (who did not want to provide her surname), told members of the press. Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 34,904 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.

    In 2022, Russia’s state broadcaster was excluded from the European Broadcasting Union (which oversees Eurovision), in the wake of the war in Ukraine. “I feel like if they can remove Russia why can they not do it to Israel?” 29-year-old, Margo Mustafa said in an exchange with reporters’.
    “The people are here for Eurovision trying to celebrate. There’s nothing to celebrate. It’s an ongoing war” she added.

    An excess of 5,000 people gathered on Thursday afternoon, in Malmo’s main square, according to an estimate. Signs in the crowd read: “Liberate Palestine”, “EUR legitimises genocide” and “colonialism cannot be washed in pink.”

    Israel’s entrant, “Hurricane” by singer Eden Golan, is set to compete in Thursday’s semi-final. It has already been partially re-written and given a new title, after Eurovision organisers deemed the original version to be ‘too political’.

    Protester Cecilia Brudell, told the press “At six and nine, my children are now at an age where they want to watch Eurovision but this year we are completely boycotting it”.

    Since the new year, numerous petitions have demanded Israel’s exclusion from the 68th edition of the annual music competition. At the end of March, contestants from nine countries, including Swiss favourite Nemo, called for a ‘lasting ceasefire’.

  • Governor rule will not be tolerated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says Gandapur

    Governor rule will not be tolerated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says Gandapur

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Thursday that the KP government will resist any efforts to impose governor rule in the province.

    He condemned the May 9 incidents and said that those who are responsible for violent protests should be held accountable.

    Gandapur emphasised that, despite facing eight FIRs in eight different districts, none of the allegations have been proven to be true.

    Gandapur also warned undemocratic forces who want to undermine the democratic process.

    “I will not remain silent for the chief minister’s seat, and if governor rule is imposed, we will take over the governor’s house,” Gandapur said.

  • Congressman Andy Ogles introduces bill to send protesting students to Gaza

    Congressman Andy Ogles introduces bill to send protesting students to Gaza

    Republican lawmaker Andy Ogles has decided that the violent detention of college students participating in Gaza solidarity protests isn’t enough of a punishment. Instead, he believes the only way to encourage the students to stop using their right to protest is to ship them off to Gaza.

    Ogles, a Tennessee Representative, introduced a new bill into the House proposing that students who were arrested for protesting against Israel’s war on Gaza should be sent abroad to “provide community service” for a minimum of six months in the war-torn strip.

    He proposed this bill on Wednesday.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/college-anti-israel-agitators-could-173040790.html?

    “Any person convicted of unlawful activity on the campus of an institution of higher education beginning on and after October 7, shall be assigned to Gaza for the purpose of providing community service… for a period not fewer than six months,” the bill reads.

    It is not currently clear what the exact parameters of the proposed community service would be, though the bill points to the term’s definition in U.S. Code, which are identified by universities “through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations.”

    Even though it’s unlikely to gain momentum, the bill could impact approximately 2,100 students who were arrested while participating in peace protests in recent weeks.

    It’s at least the second time Ogles has hatefully condemned the citizens of Gaza and their American allies who want an end to the war. In February, the Tennessee Republican ruthlessly advocated for the complete extermination of Palestine while engaging in a fiery spat with an activist.

    “You know what? So, I think we should kill ’em all, if that makes you feel better,” Ogles, a self-described Christian, told a protester asking him about dead Palestinian children. “Everybody in Hamas.”

    “Hamas and the Palestinians have been attacking Israel for 20 years. And It’s time to pay the piper,” the lawmaker had remarked.

    Meanwhile, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 77,000 Palestinians have been injured in the conflict, according to data from the Gaza Health Ministry. Most of the victims have been women and children.

  • Imran Khan gives Arif Alvi important task

    Imran Khan gives Arif Alvi important task

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan took a major step in his recent meeting with former president Dr Arif Alvi at Adiala jail by assigning an important responsibility to him.

    PTI secretary general and opposition leader in parliament, Omar Ayub Khan, confirmed to journalists that Alvi is working actively to bridge the gap between PTI and the establishment.

    The decision to assign the responsibility to Dr Arif Alvi came a day after the PTI founder refused to apologise for May 9 riots.

    However, Dr Arif Alvi said, while talking to the media, that Imran Khan is still ready to make sacrifices for the nation and the country. He also stated that some PTI workers were involved in the May 9 incidents, but wiping out the entire party was wrong.

    The May 9 violence was triggered across the country after deposed Prime Minister Khan’s arrest in the £190 million settlement case last year.

  • iCube Qamar’s moon images are out

    iCube Qamar’s moon images are out

    Pakistan’s first satellite mission ‘iCube Qamar’ has successfully entered the moon’s orbit and its first image has been released.

    Institute of Space Technology informed Geo News that iCube Qamar successfully entered lunar orbit on May 8 and has completed three orbits around the moon.

    The mission will orbit the Moon for about three to six months.

    According to the Institute of Space Technology, the first Pakistani satellite completes its orbit in 12 hours. Qamar’s signals will be received on Earth after traveling a distance of 360,000 to 400,000 km.

    The spokesman said that in-orbit testing of iCube Qamar’s controllers, subsystems, and protocols is ongoing. The mission will remain in experimental stages for five to six days after reaching the lunar orbit.

    iCube Qamar was sent into space with the Chinese mission Cheng 6 on May 3 from the Hainan Space Launch Site.

  • More than 50 per cent Pakistani women suffer from PCOS

    More than 50 per cent Pakistani women suffer from PCOS

    More than 50 per cent of Pakistani women suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) after hitting their reproductive years.

    PCOS is a hormonal condition that disrupts the process of ovulation, disturbing the menstrual cycle which consequently makes it difficult to conceive.

    Gynaecologists from across the country participated in Pakistan’s First International PCOS Summit 2024, asserting on the importance of spreading awareness about the condition among girls at school and colleges since an estimated 70 per cent of women of reproductive age live with it without getting diagnosed due to lack of knowledge.

    Dawn News reports that Prof. Dr. Rizwana Chaudhry pointed out that there is no remedy for PCOS, and its treatment is dependent on controlling symptoms and tackling possible complications. These include, as highlighted, “a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management”.

    The doctors cautioned that PCOS is a major health concern in Pakistan women, and that lack of diagnosis can result in emotional suffering because of “irregular periods, weight gain, infertility, and other symptoms”.

    According to gynaecologist Prof. Saqib Siddiq, while there isn’t any conclusive cause behind PCOS, apart from genetic susceptibility, there are agents that can contribute to the condition which include “increased sugar intake, refined carbohydrates, and a lack of physical activity”.

  • Marwat kicked out of PTI committees on Khan’s directions

    Marwat kicked out of PTI committees on Khan’s directions

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has been kicked out of the party’s core and political committees on the direction of founder PTI Imran Khan, confirmed party Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan on Thursday.

    The development occurred a day after Marwat criticised PTI leaders and told journalists that he will not work under the new leadership of the party.

    “I refuse to work with Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub […] they didn’t allow me to meet Imran Khan [in prison],” Marwat said while speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

    On the other hand, on Thursday, opposition leader and PTI’s Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan said while talking to the media that Imran Khan authorised the issuance of show-cause notice to Sher Afzal Marwat as he tried to “spoil” ties with Saudi Arabia.

    “The PTI founder said Marwat tried to damage his personal relations with the kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] as he has excellent ties with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman,” Ayub said.

  • Want PTI to apologise? Give us an independent May 9 commission and we will: Omar Ayub

    Want PTI to apologise? Give us an independent May 9 commission and we will: Omar Ayub

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, while talking to Independent Urdu, said that May 9 was a conspiracy against PTI. In response to a question regarding apologising to the military, the PTI leader said, “Yes, we will apologise if an independent commission is made.”

    On the other hand, Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain (TTA) alliance leaders demanded a judicial investigation into the May 9 violent protests last year.

    TTA chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, while speaking at the event in Islamabad, warned that his party workers will protest on the streets across the country if martial law was imposed in the country, and the constitution was destabilised.

    Similarly, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said sarcastically while addressing the same event that DG ISPR, in his recent press release, gave ‘facts like Form 47’.