Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended 19 names to President Asif Ali Zardari to be inducted into the federal cabinet, according to a summary forwarded to the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.
As per Geo news, the federal cabinet is expected to take oath today at 3 pm at the President House.
The list of recommendations for federal ministries includes several prominent names from the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), such as Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar, and others. Additionally, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from MQM-P and Abdul Aleem Khan from Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party are also among those recommended.
Furthermore, Senators Ishaq Dar and Musadik Malik have been recommended for appointment as federal ministers under clause 9 of Article 91 of the Constitution, as their Senate term is set to end on March 12.
The clause permits the prime minister to appoint individuals outside of parliament to the federal cabinet for a period of six months.
Three additional names recommended for induction as federal ministers under clause 9 of Article 91 are Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, and Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Shaza Fatima is the sole woman recommended for inclusion in the federal cabinet. She is slated to take oath as a state minister under clause 1 of Article 92 of the Constitution, according to the summary.
Sources indicate that while the Prime Minister initially plans to keep the cabinet small, more ministers will likely be inducted in the second phase.
The swearing-in of the federal cabinet follows Prime Minister Shehbaz’s oath-taking as the 24th premier of the country a week ago, and President Zardari’s inauguration as the head of state a day earlier, attended by all dignitaries.
In a notable development, gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a substantial increase, with the per-tola price surging by Rs1,600 in the local market.
The gold rate climbed to a new height, reaching Rs230,200 in the domestic market, reflecting the ongoing economic dynamics.
Specifically, the price of 10 grammes of 22-karat gold has also experienced an upward trend, trading at Rs180,913.
This surge in gold prices is likely to impact various sectors of the economy, prompting investors and market observers to closely monitor the situation.
Simultaneously, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has marked a week of positive trends and significant growth in business activities following the recently held general elections.
As the business week concluded, the KSE-100 index stood at 65,793 points, indicating a gain of 468 points, or 0.70 per cent.
Throughout the week, the KSE-100 index reached its peak at an impressive 66,150 points, underscoring the confidence of investors in the market.
However, it is noteworthy that the index experienced fluctuations, with the lowest point recorded at 65,187.
Palestinian women took center-stage in internet discourse surrounding Women’s Day on Friday with artwork and rich tributes.
Al-Jazeera wrote about the five most prominent women from Gaza. From doctors to activists, these are some of the women showing bravery amid Israel’s war on Gaza. These women include Bisan the journalist, Dr. Amira Al-Assouli who saved the life of a child from Israeli snipers by risking her own life, Nadina Abdullatif the child activist from Gaza, Deema Alswiti who caught the world’s attention after posting about her life in Gaza and Sara Alsaqqa, the first woman surgeon in Gaza who safely brought a child in the world while stuck in a room during Israeli bombing.
Palestinian-Greek athlete Samia Kallidis posted a heartfelt women’s day message for the women of Gaza and called out the world for the blatant hypocrisy.
Along with these beautiful art pieces, women all around the world took to roads for peaceful marches in commemoration of Women’s Day and raised slogans in solidarity with the oppressed women of Gaza.
PSL, the Pakistan Super League, is a big deal in Pakistan with loyal fans. Right now, PSL Season 9 is in full swing, and Jazz recently hosted a dazzling party at Karachi Beach to celebrate the ongoing excitement of Season 9. The event was a star-studded affair, with Pakistani celebrities like Hareem Farooq, Sidra Niazi, and Yashma Gill gracing the occasion, alongside international sensation Erin Holland. Against the backdrop of Karachi’s scenic coastline, guests enjoyed music and a tasty menu, highlighting the deep connection between cricket and entertainment in Pakistan. Here are some captivating moments from the Jazz PSL Party. Take a look:
After seven years of relentless struggle and facing criticism, television host Tanzeela Mazhar, a former anchor at Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) News, finally received justice in her battle against sexual harassment as she was acquitted in a defamation case filed by her harasser.
الحمدللہ ۔:: عدالت نے سابق ڈائریکٹر کرنٹ افئیرز پی ٹی وی آغا مسعود شورش کے جانب سے دائر کئے گئے ہتک عزت کے کیس سے بری کر دیا ہے۔ یہ کیس گزشتہ سات برس چلتا رہا ۔ یہ لڑائی میں 15 برسوں سے لڑ رہی ہوں ۔ یہ لڑائی جیت یا ہار کی نہیں ایک اصول کی ہے ۔ میں نے اس سارے عرصے میں بہت لوگوں…
Mazhar’s ordeal began in January 2017 when she bravely exposed Agha Masood Shorish, former director of current affairs on the state television, on X (formerly Twitter) for making “unwelcome advances” towards her in 2009.
She shared that he took her off-screen after she confronted him. Screenshots of her chat added to the post revealed the harassment against her and another journalist, Yashfeen Jamal.
In November 2017, PTV terminated Shorish, and the decision followed a series of investigations, with a total of five inquiries launched against Shorish, three of which specifically addressed allegations of sexual harassment.
The severity of the situation prompted 14 producers from PTV to lodge a formal complaint against Shorish in the Islamabad High Court, elevating the issue to the national platform.
The matter garnered further attention when it was brought up in the National Assembly, prompting the Information Ministry to issue a notification for Shorish’s termination.
Since 2017, Mazhar has been fighting the criminal defamation lawsuit that was filed against her soon after she raised the matter of sexual harassment.
“It is about not losing your ground”
She believes, “It is not about winning or losing a case, it is about not losing your ground. When you talk about harassment, you are slapped with defamation cases by your harassers because they want you to step back from your ground.”
The former PTV anchor asserted that this is a pattern that has been seen in multiple cases. Her co-complainant Yashfeen Jamal’s out-of-court settlement and statements made life difficult for her as that impacted her case.
Mazhar faced backlash from her journalist fraternity and struggled to find a job. She now works as Head of Programming and Current Affairs at GTV News Pk.
She is also the co-founder of Women in Media Alliance, a support center, which seeks to promote fair and inclusive representation of women in media organizations across Pakistan. They believe in highlighting the work of women affiliated with different mediums and providing them with a platform to get their voices heard.
Court Hearings and Societal Pressure
“Men of the family and home, nobody likes that a woman of your family goes every morning to deal with a court case because that is how our society is,” explains Tanzeela while remembering how she was never exempted from a court hearing, faced warrants due to absence, even when she was traveling somewhere for work or there was an emergency.
She saw the ordeal as an opportunity, all thanks to her nerves of steel. She went back to university and became a lawyer.
“The message to their egos as they felt they were punishing me, it all changed because the case went on for so long that I eventually started appearing in uniform. He tried to use every influence he had, his father was influential, so he had contacts with everyone, from bureaucracy to the judiciary to intelligentsia, but I fought against him,” she said with a spark in her eyes and a smile on her face.
Mazhar’s Resignation and Response from Management:
The fallout from the allegations against Shorish had a significant impact on PTV’s workforce. In March of the same year, Mazhar announced her resignation expressing her disappointment with the handling of the situation.
She criticized the leadership, particularly referencing statements made by Maryam Nawaz and her party regarding the respect of women. Mazhar’s departure marked a poignant moment, highlighting the pervasive issue of moral corruption within the institution.
Legal Battles and Renewal of Contracts:
Meanwhile, the legal ramifications of the scandal continued to unfold. In February, PTV management renewed the contracts of Mazhar and her colleague, Jamal, amidst ongoing legal battles.
Shorish retaliated by filing a defamation suit against Mazhar and Jamal, further complicating the situation. Despite mounting pressure, State Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb, assured the public of the impartiality of the inquiry committee tasked with investigating the harassment complaints.
Timeline of Events and Parliamentary Intervention:
The timeline of events reveals a complex web of inquiries and bureaucratic procedures. In January, the inquiry committee submitted its report to the PTV managing director, albeit with delays.
Women lawmakers in the National Assembly demanded clarification on the lack of action taken against Shorish, amplifying the voices calling for accountability. The internal turmoil within PTV was further exacerbated by a circular issued by management, warning employees against making public comments on the ongoing investigations.
Amidst the turmoil, Tanzeela Mazhar took to social media to publicly disclose her experiences with Shorish.
In January 2017, she exposed Shorish’s unwelcome advances towards her on Twitter, shedding light on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within PTV. Screenshots of personal conversations added weight to her claims, sparking a public outcry and igniting a national conversation about workplace harassment.
In October 2018, Mazhar revealed that the internal inquiry conducted over the past two years was inadequate. She recounts facing bullying and threats throughout the process. Despite the eventual sacking of the director, the consequences do not include accountability for harassment.
Additionally, Mazhar and her colleague Yashfeen Jamal navigate through two defamation lawsuits, both criminal and civil, further adding to the complexity of their situation. Mazhar’s journey involves recounting her experiences before probing committees and courtroom appearances, all while facing stigmatization from her offenders.
Three years after filing her complaint against harassment at PTV, Mazhar finally received the inquiry report on August 20, 2019, upon approaching the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH). However, the report was classified as a secret document, further complicating Mazhar’s quest for justice. Her appeals for redress from the PTI government also went unanswered.
She attended court hearings to confront criminal defamation charges on October 9, 20, and 22, November 16 and 23, in the same year reflecting the ongoing legal challenges she faced in her fight against harassment.
In 2020, Mazhar appeared at the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment to present her arguments for challenging the inquiry report by PTV. She alleged that the inquiry was not conducted fairly and promptly, highlighting that the report was not shared with her until July 2019.
Finally, on September 15, her appeal against PTV’s report was brought before the ombudsman for an additional hearing. Despite the initial expectation of concluding the report within 30 days, the process extended to a prolonged duration of three years.
In September 2021, the court refused to accommodate Mazhar’s medical concerns during her trial, despite her being pregnant and nursing a fractured foot.
Finally, on January 30, 2024, a Pakistani trial court acquitted Tanzeela Mazhar in the criminal defamation case, bringing an end to her seven-year-long legal battle.
Throughout this ordeal, Mazhar’s resilience and determination to combat harassment have been evident. Her victory serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against harassment and seeking justice, even in the face of adversity.
“I was fighting for a larger cause, and I want women to keep fighting. It took 15 years of my life, this has made me a new person and has increased my passion to fight for gender rights,” she gives her message.
Chahat Fateh Ali Khan may have recently lost an election, but he’s moving forward from the loss and trying something new: online soul mate searching using the ‘Dil Ka Rishta’ app.
He’s said that he’s impressed by how many people are using the app and decided to give it a try himself. Chahat likes that users have given the app good feedback and thinks it’s a friendly place to be. Chahat thinks the app is great for finding a potential partner and wants to recommend it to others. He likes how easy it is to use and how well it matches people up. Overall, Chahat Fateh Ali Khan is excited to explore the shaadi app and hopes to find success in his search for love.
Lawmakers across Pakistan, the Senate, National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies, cast their votes to elect the 14th president of the country and Asif Ali Zardari won by securing 411 votes.
His opponent, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, secured 181 votes.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) orchestrated the process, which unfolded between 10 am and 4 pm, with meticulous arrangements in place.
The presidential race sees former President Asif Ali Zardari, representing a coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and other allied parties, vying for a potential second term. He faces stiff competition from Mahmood Khan Achakzai, President of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and the joint candidate of the opposition.
Polling stations were set up within the respective houses of parliament, where the election took place through a secret ballot. The Parliament House in Islamabad accommodated senators and MNAs, while the four provincial assemblies served as polling stations for provincial lawmakers.
During the voting process, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman acted as Zardari’s polling agent, while Senator Shafiq Tareen represented Achakzai. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq presided over the proceedings at the Parliament House, with notable figures like Zardari’s children, Bilawal, Bakhtawar, and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, in attendance.
However, not all political parties participated in the election. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-e-Islami decided against voting, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.
The newly elected president of Pakistan is slated to be sworn in on Sunday at 4 pm at the President’s House. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa will administer the oath, with invitations already issued to guests for the ceremony.
In the provincial assemblies, strict security measures were enforced to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process. Election Commission members oversaw proceedings, guaranteeing fairness and peace throughout the voting.
Despite tension and security concerns, the Election Commission upheld its decision to proceed with the scheduled polling, dismissing requests for postponement from opposition candidate Mahmood Achakzai. This commitment underscores the commission’s dedication to upholding democratic principles and adhering to electoral timelines.
During the recent pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan came together for a spectacular performance on stage, dancing to RRR’s hit song Naatu Naatu. Despite speculation about their fees, it has been revealed that the three Khans performed at the billionaire scion’s wedding without charging anything.
Indian media outlet ‘Times Now’ has reported that the three biggest actors of the industry did not only participate wholeheartedly with their families but also declined any payment for their performance. Their decision to perform without payment was seen as a gracious gesture, especially considering the effort required to bring them together.
Arisha Razi Khan, who was once a child star and is now a successful actress, is off on a spiritual journey.
Recently, she tied the knot with Abdullah Farrukh in a beautiful ceremony, looking stunning throughout the celebrations. She’s been appearing in many popular dramas lately and seems to be enjoying the new phase of life.
After her wedding, Arisha went on a special trip to Madinah Munawarah and Makkah Mukarramah to perform Umrah. She shared pictures from her journey on Instagram, showing how happy and peaceful she felt in the holy places. Check the pictures below:
Sana Javed, a popular Pakistani TV and movie star, has gained fame through her roles in hit dramas like Pyare Afzal, Zara Yad Kar, and Khaani. However, she’s been in the spotlight recently after marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, former husband of Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza. Their wedding photos from January 2024 went viral, with Javed looking lovely in her bridal outfit.
Nowadays, both Javed and Malik are actively taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Javed is supporting Malik in the matches and sharing pictures of them together on Instagram. Recently, she posted pictures with Malik and cricketer Hassan Ali, showing them happily cheering and sharing jokes.
Fans loved the casual photos and wanted more. Check the pictures below:
