Tag: Pakistan

  • Yashma Gill thanks IG Punjab Police for not putting down service dogs

    Yashma Gill thanks IG Punjab Police for not putting down service dogs

     

    Actress Yashma Gill has thanked Inspector General (IG) Punjab Police Dr. Usman Anwar on Instagram for stopping the practice of putting down service dogs after their duty is over. She met him during a recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) match.

    “Excited to be with the police officials,” Gill exclaimed, “I’m thrilled to join IG Punjab (Dr. Usman Anwar) and ASP Shehrbano for a conversation on animal rescue in Lahore, bridging compassion with cricket at the PSL match!” She added, “Thanks for having me.”

     

    “I am deeply honored to serve as the ambassador for PARC (Police Animal Rescue Centre),” a commendable initiative by the Punjab Police aimed at safeguarding and aiding animals in need. “As a staunch advocate for animal rights, I commend IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar and ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi for their visionary leadership in spearheading this project, which originated in collaboration with JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter and is now expanding throughout Punjab.”

     

     

    She went on to say: “These incredible dogs devote their lives to training and serving in the police force. Previously, the unfortunate practice was to euthanize them upon retirement. However, thanks to the efforts of IG Punjab, ASP Shehrbano, and Zufishan, this practice has been abolished nationwide in Pakistan. Now, these remarkable creatures have the opportunity to be adopted and find loving homes after their years of service. Let’s join together to ensure more heroes like K2 and Stella can find the caring homes they deserve.”

  • FIA arrests Asad Toor in connection with campaign against judges

    FIA arrests Asad Toor in connection with campaign against judges

    Prominent journalist Asad Ali Toor was arrested on Monday by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with a campaign against Supreme Court (SC) judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

    His counsel, Imaan Mazari confirmed the arrest to Geo.tv.

    Last month, the caretaker government formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprised of six members to investigate a negative campaign against judges of apex court. 

    Imaan Mazari told Geo.tv that FIA officials detained Toor for eight hours on Friday, February 23 after he appeared before the JIT for questioning, even though he hadn’t received a formal notice as per the standard procedure.

    “We went to high court on Monday in the morning, and the chief justice, even though I specifically told him about the eight-hour detention and that there’s a real apprehension of arrest because they have threatened us as well, said that he cannot do anything based on apprehensions,” she added.

    After the hearing in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Mazari stated that she went to the FIA office at 4:46 pm while Asad was being interrogated inside.

    On Tuesday morning, Asad was presented before the magistrate, however, his lawyers were not present there.

  • Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs215,800 per tola

    Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs215,800 per tola

    In a notable shift in the precious metals market, the price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan exhibited an increase of Rs700 per tola, reaching Rs215,800 on Monday.

    This surge follows the closing price of Rs215,100 on the last trading day, Saturday.

    The price adjustment was not exclusive to tola measurements; the cost of 10 grammes of 24-karat gold also experienced an uptick, rising by Rs600 to Rs185,014 from its previous value of Rs184,414.

    Similarly, 22-karat gold saw an increase in its 10-gramme price, climbing to Rs169,596 from Rs169,046, as reported by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

    Contrary to the movement in gold prices, the rates for silver remained consistent. The cost of one tola and ten grammes of silver held steady at Rs2,570 and Rs2,203.36, respectively.

    Internationally, the gold market displayed a contrasting trend, witnessing a decrease of $02, with the new rate standing at $2,054, down from $2,056, according to the association’s findings.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recorded a week of positive trends and increased business activities. Investors demonstrated optimism regarding political stability following the general elections on February 8.

    As the business week concluded, the KSE-100 index closed at an impressive 62,815 points, reflecting a gain of 2,943 points, or 4.92 per cent.

    The index had reached its peak during the week, showcasing investor confidence in the anticipated political stability post-elections.

  • 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”.

  • Watch Yumna Zaidi kill it on the dance floor at family wedding

    Watch Yumna Zaidi kill it on the dance floor at family wedding

    Yumna Zaidi, adored by many as one of the most beloved actresses in the drama industry today, continues to win hearts. With her successful film debut in ‘Nayab’, she’s connected even more with her fans.

    Recently, Yumna thrilled her fans once more by performing at a wedding, dancing to the viral song “Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya.” Sporting a lovely pink outfit, she joined other guests in a synchronized performance.

    We have to give her full marks for getting the moves absolutely right.

  • PPP’s Murad Ali Shah elected as CM Sindh for third time

    PPP’s Murad Ali Shah elected as CM Sindh for third time

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Murad Ali Shah has been elected as the chief minister of Sindh for the third consecutive time on Monday afternoon.

    Shah previously served as the chief executive of Sindh from 2016 to 2018 and then again from 2018 to 2023.

    Today, the election for the province’s chief executive began after a half-hour delay via open ballot, with those supporting the PPP’s Shah and MQMP’s Ali Khurshidi directed to go right and left of the assembly hall, respectively.

    A total of 148 members of the provincial assembly took part in the electoral process, with Murad Ali Shah securing 112 votes to become the 25th chief minister of Sindh. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Ali Khurshidi was in competition with newly-elected chief minister Murad Ali Shah.

    On the other hand, MQM-P leader Abdul Waseem congratulated Murad Ali Shah on becoming CM Sindh.

    “We all need to respect the elected members and resolve the problems. I hope Murad Ali Shah will live up to people’s expectations,” he said.

  • Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas passes away at 73

    Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas passes away at 73

    Renowned ghazal singer and Padma Shri awardee, Pankaj Udhas, breathed his last on Monday at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness, Indian media has reported.

    The confirmation of the death of the iconic singer, known for ghazals like ‘Chithi Aayi Hai’ and ‘Chandi Jaisa Rang’ came through his daughter, Nayab Udhas, in an Instagram post.

    The singer had been unwell since the past few days and was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for treatment.

  • Maryam Nawaz takes oath as CM Punjab

    Maryam Nawaz takes oath as CM Punjab

    The newly-elected Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, took the oath of office after being elected as the first female chief executive of the province.

    The ceremony took place at Punjab Governor House in Lahore, where Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman administered the oath.

    Maryam’s father, Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif, both former Prime Ministers, were present on the occasion.

  • VIDEO: Maryam Nawaz pushes off fellow PMLN member, social media reacts

    VIDEO: Maryam Nawaz pushes off fellow PMLN member, social media reacts

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz on Monday was elected as Punjab’s chief minister amid a boycott by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of the polls.

    Maryam, who has become the first-ever female chief minister in Pakistan’s history, won the election after receiving the backing of 220 MPAs in the provincial assembly.

    In a video, currently viral on social media, Uzma Kardar, who recently joined PMLN, can be seen hugging Maryam Nawaz to congratulate her and Maryam pushes her off. Social media users seem to think that this was a “rude” gesture.

    https://twitter.com/_faridkhan/status/1762064751650099553?

    In June 2020, then-member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA), Uzma Kardar was officially removed from her positions on the Media Strategy Committee and as a spokesperson for the provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    This action followed the online leak of a purported audio leak where Kardar made controversial remarks regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, alleging her possession of spiritual powers such as controlling jinns and exerting significant influence over affairs at Imran Khan’s residence in Bani Gala.

    Former PTI MPA Uzma Kardar joined the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) in January 2023 after meeting with its senior vice president Maryam Nawaz.

    Read more: Maryam puts women first in first speech as Chief Minister

  • Saba Faisal delighted by message from 22-year-old

    Saba Faisal delighted by message from 22-year-old

    Pakistan’s senior actress Saba Faisal has revealed that many young men have offered her marriage through messages.
    The actress recently appeared as a guest on a show where the host asked her, “Have you ever encountered a fanatical fan who is absolutely crazy? Affected by you to the point of insanity or harassing you with messages etc?”

    In response, Saba said, “Maybe the fans think that I am very bored but the fact is that this has never happened to me,” but, she also said, “the messages keep coming.”

    “Recently a 22-year-old boy sent me a message that if you give me a green signal even at this age, then I am ready to leave everything for you, if you say yes, then I will immediately come and hold your hand.” To which I told him that you will ask my 9-year-old grandson for my hand in marriage.”

    Saba Faisal then showed the message to her husband. “I have been married for 40 years but Masha Allah my husband still expresses love to me through long messages because I am in Lahore more due to work.” She continued, “In response to their messages I call them and say thank you Faisal, we are far away, so this love is established,” to which they complain, “that I never respond to them in a romantic way.”