Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has issued travel guidelines for passengers planning to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as air operations to Dubai and Sharjah have been severely affected by heavy rains.
In response to the adverse weather conditions in the UAE, a PIA spokesperson told Samaa News that air operations of various airlines, including PIA, will remain suspended until further notice. Some flights of the national airline are experiencing delays and cancellations due to the inclement weather, he added. Passengers booked on affected flights are advised to contact the PIA call centre for updates and information regarding their travel arrangements. PIA remains dedicated to providing timely assistance and support to its passengers during this challenging period, the spokesman said.
Two-day holiday in Dubai
In view of the forecast of rain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the United Arab Emirates, Thursday and Friday have been declared holidays in the educational institutions of Dubai.
Express News has reported that the Punjab government has decided to hire local private companies instead of municipal services for waste management of 37 districts in the province.
The government also intends to put a waste management tax on the public but it is unclear that what kind of tax it’ll be.
The government plans to start waste management services in the next five to six months.
Express News reported that there are no private waste management companies in some districts such as Sahiwal so the government has instructed authorities to facilitate private companies.
In the past, the Punjab government in Lahore had given these contracts to foreign companies which became a burden on the national exchequer due to payments in dollars.
That is why this time Punjab government intends to hire local companies.
Rural areas will be provided with better waste management services as well.
After winning the ‘Artist in Fashion’ title at the EMIGALA event in Dubai, Mahira Khan shared her excitement on social media. She posted a picture wearing a beautiful blue gown that grabbed everyone’s attention. In her Instagram caption, she expressed gratitude for the positive energy at the event.
“In moments like this, I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude,” wrote the star. Mahira included everyone and everything she could think of in her short but heartfelt note. She expressed thanks for life, courage, family, friends, and both big and small blessings, especially saying “Alhamdulillah” for the tender ones.
Continuing her theme of gratitude, Mahira shared a video of herself holding her award at the gala and giving her acceptance speech. “When women support other women, and when people support each other, miracles happen. Magic happens. Sometimes we think we should keep something for ourselves, but the real magic is when we share.”
She then talked about her career in film and television, saying, “My lifelong dream has been to see myself on the big screen, and I hope to keep doing that. But another important purpose in my life is to do what my parents taught me – to pay it forward. If we’re fortunate enough to be in the positions we’re in, then I believe our job is to help others in any way we can.”
Responding to criticism for regularly posting her daily activities on social media, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz challenged her political opponents to come out of their “comfort zone” to work for the betterment of the country and let people make videos.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote in a post that “Hum bahir nikaltay hain tou ap police peechay laga daiti hain.”
Another user wrote on X that Maryam Nawaz gave “interesting” advice to political rivals.
One social media user wrote on X that “TikTokers ka gham bahot achi tarah samajhti hain Maryam Nawaz”.
Another user wrote in one post sarcastically that “Tik Toker ban’nay k leye Mehnat Karna parti hai, field main nikalna parta hai”.
In one of the posts on X it was written that “All govt office holders come out of the air-conditioned rooms but they don’t flaunt branded suits and Gucci shoes and bags. So they go unnoticed.”
A day earlier, on Wednesday, the chief minister said at an inauguration event in Lahore that people have continuously criticised her for her presence on TikTok and other social media platforms.
She responded to the criticism, saying, “I also want these people to come out of their comfort zone […] come out of their air-conditioned rooms and do some work, so you would appear on TikTok videos and get eligible for media coverage too. You should also come out to serve the masses, but you have to leave your comfort zone.”
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur said on Wednesday that he was part of the panel nominated by founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan authorised to hold dialogue with the military establishment.
“We won’t keep anything [regarding negotiations with the establishment] secret,” Mr Gandapur told reporters after attending a Labour Day event at a hotel in Peshawar.
“Imran Khan formed a committee and gave us permission to hold talks with the establishment,” he said.
He also said he is happy to see Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Mulana Fazlur Rehman speaking the truth about election rigging.
He also criticised in a sarcastic way that the JUI-F chief was part of almost every government, therefore, he will reveal secrets.
He stated that Fazl first claimed that he ousted Imran Khan’s government but later blamed former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for it, so he should speak more about it.
Goldy Brar, the main suspect in the killing of Indian rapper Sidhu Moosewala was falsely reported dead in a shooting in the US. The Fresno Police in California has clarified that the man killed in the firing incident wasn’t Brar.Sidhu Moose Wala – renowned for fusing modern hip-hop and classic Punjabi music – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in May last year in Mansa, Punjab.
“At first, it was said that Brar got shot while he was outside a house with a friend. But Fresno Police said it wasn’t true,” Lieutenant William J. Dooley of the Fresno Police Department stated.
“The confusion came from wrong information on social media and news sites,” Lieutenant Dooley explained. “The person who got shot was actually Satinderjeet Brar, a gangster from Canada with ties to Bollywood and Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang.”
Satinderjeet Brar, wanted for crimes in Canada, was called a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. He once threatened Bollywood star Salman Khan in a TV interview in 2023.
During the interview, Brar also admitted to killing Sidhu Moosewala, saying, “Sidhu Moosewala was an egoistic person. He misused his political and money power. It was necessary to teach him a lesson, and he was taught one.” Brar added, “Bhai Sahab (referring to Lawrence Bishnoi) had stated that he wouldn’t apologize. Baba will show mercy only when he feels merciful.” He also asserted that they have more targets, and they won’t stop until they achieve their goal.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that Punjab is likely to be hit by a heatwave from May 12 onwards, with temperatures expected to surge past 40 degrees.
Dr Zulfiqar told Geo News that like Sindh, a heatwave is expected in Punjab from the second week of the ongoing month.
The expert advised people to avoid stepping outdoors unnecessarily and stay indoors to avoid heatstroke.
El-Nino effect
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in its monthly outlook for May stated that the neutral phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is expected to persist during the forecast of this month.
Considering the climatic outlook, the PMD added, overall a tendency for near-normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the country, however, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, northern Punjab, and Azad Kashmir may get slightly above normal rainfall.
Daytime maximum temperatures are expected to remain slightly above normal over northern and southern parts of the country, however, the central parts comprising most parts of Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may experience normal to slightly below normal maximum temperature.
Above-normal precipitation in May is expected to benefit agriculture in Pakistan but precautions should be taken to prevent damage to standing wheat crops during the harvesting stage from hailstorms and windstorms in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Photohar region and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Anticipated higher temperatures in high-altitude regions are expected to accelerate snowmelt in the northern areas, offering opportunities for irrigation and power generation, it concluded.
The privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started, but foreign companies do not seem interested in buying most of its shares, The Express Tribune reported on Wednesday.
Sources claimed that only two companies from Gulf countries sent investment documents by depositing $5,000.
However, both companies have not submitted applications for tenders yet. The last day to submit applications for tenders for PIA’s privatisation is May 3rd.
Sources within the Privatisation Commission confirmed that they will probably extend the deadline by a month for submitting applications for PIA tenders.
Officials responsible for privatisation, including the financial adviser for the national carrier, lack experience in attracting foreign investment.
Pakistani authorities have not received messages about the process yet.
‘Jee Ve Sohneya Jee’ is a heartwarming family movie that tells the enchanting love story of Simi Chahal as Meher and Imran Abbas as Ali. Their on-screen chemistry is delightful, drawing viewers into the world of Punjabi cinema. The film beautifully captures the essence of love, dreams, and heartbreak, taking audiences on an emotional journey.
Director Thappar skillfully portrays the love story across borders, showcasing picturesque locations in England, Lehnda, and Charda Punjab. The cinematic experience is elevated by the stunning set designs and vivid location descriptions.
The stellar performances of the cast add depth to the film. Simi Chahal’s bubbly nature and charming attire light up the screen, while Imran Abbas shines in his debut role, becoming the new heartthrob of Punjabi cinema. The supporting cast, including Mintu Kapa and Udaya Vakati, leave a lasting impression with their commendable performances.
The film was released in Pakistan and worldwide on February 16, 2024. It falls under the romance and drama genres, with Punjabi as the primary language. The total budget of the film is five crore, and as of now, it has collected approximately 0.4 crores Indian rupees at the box office, which converts to approximately 95.92 lakh Pakistani rupees. The film holds an IMDb rating of 6.3/10, indicating an average review about the movie.
In my opinion, the producers should consider changing the climax to a happier one. This would elevate the movie’s appeal, making it a perfect choice for family gatherings. The film’s cross-border casting and engaging storyline make it a must-watch.
The film’s engaging storyline, filled with clever one-liners and glimpses into the characters’ personalities, keeps viewers entertained throughout. The well-timed songs, especially the title track ‘Jee Ve Sohneya’ sung by Atif Aslam, enhance the emotional impact of the scenes.
Overall, ‘Jee Ve Sohneya Jee’ offers a complete entertainment package with its compelling story, stellar performances, and soulful music, making it a must-watch for audiences of all ages.
Here are a few audience reviews buzzing on social media about the latest film ‘Jee Vee Sohneya Jee,’ capturing diverse opinions and insights into the viewer’s experience with the movie.
An incident of a group of women allegedly violating the law and misbehaving with the motorway police near Kallar Kahar has come to light.
A video capturing the confrontation where both sides were accusing each other of wrongdoing has gone viral on social media.
The incident occurred when the motorway police stopped women drivers for overspeeding and dangerous driving. This was recorded by the police officer as evidence.
The woman complained of being robbed of her mobile phone and getting bruises on her hand.
As per The Express Tribune, the disagreement began when the officer started filming the woman without her consent after stopping her for speeding. This action provoked the woman, prompting her to film the officer in return, escalating tensions between the two parties.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Motorway police has initiated legal proceedings against the women involved. Reportedly, they not only disregarded signals to stop but also resorted to verbal abuse and threats against the policeman. The motorway police said that they are pursuing legal action as per established procedures.
A few days ago, a woman tried to run over a patrol officer on the highway. A video of that altercation also went viral.
