Rahat Fateh Ali Khan recently faced trouble when a viral video showed him hitting a grown man, purportedly a student. In a podcast, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan explained the situation, admitting his mistake and apologizing publicly after facing strong criticism.
Khan revealed that he scolded and hit his student, Naveed, whom he considers like family due to Naveed’s father’s long association with Rahat’s family. Rahat clarified that he didn’t want media attention for his charitable work, emphasizing that a bottle he mentioned in the podcast contained sacred water from his religious teacher.
In his apology video, Rahat expressed regret for his actions, apologizing to Allah, his family, friends, and fans. He acknowledged the mistake, mentioning that the video was nine months old and blamed unnamed people for defaming him. He thanked those who boycotted him, viewing it as a learning experience, and promised not to repeat such actions in the future.
The boy’s father said: “I had zero chance to react to it, it was unbelievable how fast he climbed up there. I was watching him and then I was talking to my children,” cites Sky News.
While Mr Hopper was worried about his son, he said he “couldn’t help but laugh thinking ‘how has this happened?’ because he wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t sad, so it was easy to have a laugh when he was having the time of his life”.
“But then reality sunk in – how am I going to get him out,” he added, before sharing he called the claw machine company.
“They were asking me how much money I had put in the machine [and if the money was] stuck in the machine.
“My response was ‘The only thing stuck in the machine is my child, I’d love to have him back’.”
After police arrived at the scene, they told Ethan to climb to the corner of the machine and cover his eyes so they could break him loose.
An officer then broke the glass window and safely lifted Ethan out of the machine – before reuniting him with his parents.
Ethan, who was gifted a toy koala dressed as a police officer after the ordeal, told Mr Hopper: “Don’t worry Dad, I won’t do it again.”
Maryam Noor, the well-known actress in the Pakistan showbiz industry, shared details of a tough experience of living in a shared apartment. In a recent appearance on a private TV show, Maryam discussed various topics, including her past challenges.
She recounted, “When I moved to Karachi, I initially lived in a shared apartment. Many people who relocate from Lahore to Karachi desire a beautiful and clean place, but not everyone can afford expensive accommodation. I met a seemingly neat and honest girl who offered me a shared apartment.” Maryam shared her family’s concerns when she informed them about the offer. “My family suggested renting a cheaper apartment instead of sharing. However, I reassured them that the girl was good and nothing bad would happen.”
As time passed, Maryam realized that the girl, who initially seemed straight and decent, changed after getting a boyfriend. Maryam began feeling like she was treated as if she were the maid, not an equal tenant.
Maryam explained, “Her behavior worsened over time. When my family visited, she behaved strangely with them. I decided to distance myself from her, but when I went to Lahore, she called me, claiming she had bought a house and demanded the deposit for the apartment.”
Reminding the girl of the two-month contract, Maryam insisted on waiting for the agreed period. Upon returning to Karachi, she discovered that the girl had stolen her belongings, thrown dead prawns in her room, and even placed spoiled food among her possessions.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared on Thursday that it is determined and ready to conduct upcoming elections on February 8 as per schedule, despite facing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
With only one week remaining until the February 8 polls, election preparations and campaigns are in full swing. However, the country is grappling with a series of violent incidents that have led to multiple deaths, particularly at political party rallies in the two provinces most affected by terrorism.
Law enforcers have tightened security across the country to maintain law and order during the upcoming general elections.
“The February 8 polls will take place on time. Though the security challenges exist but the election commission is fully ready [to hold the elections], and with the help of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Pakistan Army, the elements involved in hindering the electoral process and disrupting security situation will be dealt strictly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said during the ECP’s security meeting.
On Thursday evening, the electoral body held an important meeting on the worsening law and order situation in two provinces.
After the meeting ended, the ECP released a statement saying that the CEC voiced concerns about the worsening security situation in KP and Balochistan. However, he emphasised that the electoral process will continue despite the challenges.
A pigeon that spent eight months in Indian police custody has been released after it was finally cleared of being a suspected Chinese spy.
The bird was caught at a port in the financial capital Mumbai with “messages written in a Chinese-like script” on its wings, the Times of India newspaper reported.
“Initially, the police had registered a case of spying against the bird, but after completing their inquiry, they dropped the charge,” the report added.
The unnamed bird was held under lock and key at a city hospital while police carried out an investigation.
That probe took an “astonishing eight months”, the India office of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said in a Thursday statement.
PETA India said police had granted “formal permission for the hospital to release the pigeon” on Wednesday.
Local media reports said the bird fluttered away in good health.
The pigeon is the latest of several detained by Indian authorities on suspicion of espionage.
Border security officers took a pigeon into custody in 2016 after it was found carrying a threatening message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi close to India’s border with arch-rival Pakistan.
In 2020, police in Indian-controlled Kashmir released a pigeon belonging to a Pakistani fisherman after a probe found that the bird, which had flown across the heavily militarized border between the nuclear-armed nations, was not a spy.
Being young adults, we never participated actively in politics. PTI’s election 2018 campaign was so effective that it captivated the attention of young people and encouraged them to get involved in politics.
The voter turnout among young people was incredibly high, with an estimated 20 to 30 percent of people voting for the first time in the 2018 elections. Imran Khan and his team ensured that the youth became the driving force of his campaign.
The 2018 manifesto’s major part was dedicated to youth. Another element for targeting the youth was the ratio of youth in Pakistan and how they actively use digital platforms, and Khan and his team, made sure to persuade us to make the most of it.
In 2018, Pakistan was filled with excitement and hope for a new political tradition, with new leadership promising a better Pakistan. PTI’s anti-corruption narrative inspired young people to participate in the election. The urban middle class, which had historically been excluded from family dynasties, saw an opportunity to rebuild the country’s political structure through a merit-based reward system.
Activists of Imran Khan party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) enjoy at the thanksgiving day rally in Islamabad on November 2, 2016.
A Pakistani opposition party has abruptly called off a planned “lockdown” of the capital after the Supreme Court paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against the prime minister’s family.
A Pakistani opposition party has abruptly called off a planned “lockdown” of the capital after the Supreme Court paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against the prime minister’s family. / AFP PHOTO / ASIF HASSAN
The phrase ‘Naya Pakistan’ resonated with educated youth. There were two categories of people who joined the PTI: those who wanted a meritocratic, inclusive, and successful Pakistan, and those who were disillusioned with previous leaders.
After winning in 2018, Khan announced big plans for the benefit of the youth. PTI’s government launched various revolutionary projects to empower and advance the youth.
Khan initiated the “Kamiyaab Jawan” Program on 11th July 2019 for the youth’s betterment and another initiative was the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the “Ehsaas Programme.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing after distribution of Cheques at a Ceremony under “Kamyab Jawan Program” in Karachi on January 27, 2020
From 2018 to 2022, Khan actively worked for the welfare and involvement of the youth and the poor. He never surrendered his state’s sovereignty, and when a no-confidence motion was launched against him, he became extremely active on social media, encouraging youth involvement and participation to support him on digital platforms.
After the no-confidence motion, the youth were devastated and out on the streets for their leader.
Imran Khan received widespread support, both nationally and internationally. Digital campaigns were launched to support the injustices committed against the PTI. PTI launched campaigns involving peaceful protests around the country. But the opposition was outraged by the enormous support for the PTI and launched a crackdown.
In spite of all the cases and propaganda against Khan, we are still standing behind him. The youth continue to provide him with unmatched support. His youth-oriented ideology is the motivation behind his support. Despite the chaos, supporters do not back down or fear anything.
We, as young adults, continue to support Imran Khan and will always do so. No matter what happens, we will vote for him.
When asked, ‘tootay huay dil jaein kahan’, Babar responded, “Doctor kay pas”.
Babar Azam is currently in an X (Former Twitter) space titled ‘From the Pitch to the Mic: Babar Azam’ where he was responding to questions asked by his fans under #AskBabar.
He announced on January 31 on his X account, “Are you as excited as I am for the live Twitter Space? I’ll be answering questions already submitted using #AskBabar. Send your questions and tune in. I will answer as many questions as possible. ✨ ”
Are you as excited as I am for the live Twitter Space? I’ll be answering questions already submitted using #AskBabar. Send your questions and tune in. I will answer as many questions as possible. ✨
Babar was asked by a fan about his skin care routine for his glowing skin and he said, “I sleep on time and nothing else. It is thanks to Allah that I have such beauty”.
Cricketer Muhammad Rizwan came to the space and asked him, “Shadi kab ho rahi hai” to which Babar said, “Murshid main aapko akelay mein bataun ga”. Rizwan and Babar started laughing and then Rizwan mentioned how his wife kept asking him daily when Babar would get married.
It has been decided to keep all educational institutions closed from February 6 to 9 in Sindh.
According to Sindh Education Department, all private and commercial schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed from February 6 to 9 due to general elections in the country.
The Education Department said that February 5 has already been announced as Kashmir Day holiday in the province.
A vacation summary has been sent to the Chief Minister House, while the notification will be issued after approval.
On Wednesday, the Punjab Cabinet decided to keep all schools, colleges and universities closed from February 6 to 9 as general elections, scheduled for February 8, approach.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that the country’s headline inflation for January stood at 28.3 per cent on a year-on-year basis, marking a slight decrease from the December figure of 29.7 per cent. The month-on-month reading recorded a 1.8 per cent increase.
This latest data brings the average inflation for the period of July to January to 28.73 per cent, up from 25.40 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. Despite this surge, the inflation rate aligns with the government’s expectations.
The Ministry of Finance, in its ‘Monthly Economic Update and Outlook’ report released on Wednesday, projected a CPI-based inflation rate of 27.5-28.5 per cent for January 2024. The report attributed the inflationary pressure to elevated prices of perishables and vegetables, along with increased utility costs for electricity and gas.
A contributing factor to the rising prices has been a surge in onion export orders following the Indian ban, straining local supply and causing domestic prices to escalate.
Severe weather disruptions led to supply shortages of tomatoes, resulting in price hikes, while reduced chicken supply, especially from controlled sheds facing higher input costs, contributed to increased chicken prices.
JS Global, in a report from last week, anticipated that inflation would remain elevated, particularly in the food segment. The report predicted a 1.8 per cent month-on-month uptick in food prices, resulting in an overall January 2024 YoY CPI estimate of 27.9 per cent.
The brokerage house noted that the CPI inflation in the coming months is expected to remain on the lower side amid the decline in local fuel prices and the high base effect of last year.
Breaking down the inflation figures, urban areas recorded a year-on-year CPI inflation of 30.2 per cent in January 2024, slightly lower than the previous month’s 30.9 per cent and higher than January 2023’s 24.4 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, urban inflation increased by 1.8 per cent in January 2024.
In rural areas, year-on-year CPI inflation for January 2024 was 25.7 per cent, down from the previous month’s 27.9 per cent but higher than January 2023’s 32.3 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, rural inflation increased by 1.9 per cent in January 2024.
The PBS data indicates a nuanced inflationary landscape in Pakistan, with both urban and rural areas experiencing fluctuations in prices across various commodities. The government’s focus on addressing these challenges remains critical as it navigates the economic impact of inflation on citizens and businesses.
In a viral video that emerged on social media, a frenzied mob can be seen exhuming an Ahmadi from his grave, boasting to have done a sacred act while Ahmadis were seen helplessly sitting across the graveyard covering their faces.
The video has been widely shared and garnered reactions from people all across social media.
Filmmaker and activist Ali Raza shared the video and said, “Reports coming in that Maulvis in Sheikhupura dug out an Ahmadi grave and destroyed the tombstone. These are same poor people who we help through charity, who comes to the world that Allah is putting them through a test and we feel for them and now we know why!”
Reports coming in that Maulvis in Sheikhupura dug out an Ahmadi grave and destroyed the tombstone.
These are same poor people who we help through charity, who comes to the world that Allah is putting them through a test and we feel for them and now we know why! pic.twitter.com/cktseGYj0w
Journalist Kalbe Ali questioned: “Whats the difference btween extremist Right wing RSS type hindus , Zionist /settler Israelis and these Muslims in Pakistan who are vandalising grave of someone Ahmadi of faith.
Whats the difference btween extremist Right wing RSS type hindus , Zionist /settler Israelis and these Muslims in Pakistan who are vandalising grave of someone Ahmadi of faith. such acts were never preached by Sri Ram Chandar, Prophets and elders of the Jews and Islam too pic.twitter.com/nVYg0DyVyh
TV anchor Rabia Anum shared her thoughts on X, “We can never claim to be better than israelis, some of us are worse than them infact whenever and wherever we get a chance. Whether it’s desecrating graves, mistreating our servants, beating up our spouses OR putting people behind bars because they have different political views. We are not better.”
We can never claim to be better than israelis, some of us are worse than them infact whenever and wherever we get a chance. Whether it’s desecrating graves, mistreating our servants, beating up our spouses OR putting people behind bars because they have different political views.… https://t.co/HA8GQWYF85
Author and Lawyer Yasser Latif Hamdani posted, “While everyone plays election election this is what you are doing to Ahmadis in Pakistan. “Ghairatmand Muslims” attacking dead bodies now. The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution is a crime against humanity. This is what it has led to.”
While everyone plays election election this is what you are doing to Ahmadis in Pakistan. “Ghairatmand Muslims” attacking dead bodies now. The 2nd Amendment to the constitution is a crime against humanity. This is what it has led to. https://t.co/XFi9EMl3pH
