Tag: Pakistan

  • Sukkur submerged as rain breaks 77-year record

    Sukkur submerged as rain breaks 77-year record

    Sukkur was rocked by torrential rainfall over the weekend, and the city’s mayor, Arslan Sheikh, claimed that the Sindhi town recorded the heaviest rainfall in 77 years.

    Reports suggest that 292 mm of rain fell on the city and the adjoining areas of Larkana and Nowshehru Feroze, which were also submerged under torrential downpours.

    The Deputy Commissioner of the city informed Geo News that 24 people were injured in various incidents during the two-day rain, whereas 48 houses were damaged, and five animals died due to electrocution.

    Earlier, it was claimed that the city had received 300 mm of rain, but Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz denied the claim and said that 116 mm of rain was recorded in Sukkur during 48 hours while 134 mm of rain was recorded in Rohri.

    Several hours have passed since the torrential rain in Sukkur stopped but the work of draining the rainwater is still going on.

    Citizens remained unhappy with local administration as the entire city became waterlogged. Roads are flooded while the railway station and nearby areas are still submerged in water.

    On the other hand, the district administration claims that more than 95 percent of the city’s areas have been cleared. Old Sukkur, Shalimar, Bakhar Chowk, Commercial Center Ghanta Ghar and surrounding commercial centres have been drained, but water is still present at Sukkur Railway Station.

    Power was restored in Sukkur after 40 hours.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has asked Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for a report on the situation caused by the rains.

  • No cyberattacks on ATMs across country, clarifies 1LINK

    No cyberattacks on ATMs across country, clarifies 1LINK

    1LINK, one of the largest interbank networks in Pakistan, has denied social media rumours that ATMs will be closed for the next two to three days on fears of a cyberattack.

    The clarification came forward in a notification by 1LINK after social media was abuzz with rumours that ATMs would remain closed for a few days, asking customers to avoid using ATMs.

    The message also warned people not to conduct any online transactions during this time and claimed that this alleged cyberattack report was also aired on BBC radio.

    In its response, BBC Urdu also dismissed the claim that no such thing has been aired.

    “Thus far, no cyber threat has been observed on the ATM and online banking ecosystem in this context, and the financial service industry remains vigilant as ever before,” the notification by 1LINK read.

  • PTI is a foreign-funded party: Attaullah Tarar

    PTI is a foreign-funded party: Attaullah Tarar

    Federal Minister for Broadcasting and Information Ataullah Tarar has said in a press conference that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Raouf Hassan’s conversation with an Indian journalist has revealed the party’s anti-state agenda.
    ‘’PTI is a foreign-funded party that compromises the country’s sovereignty and seeks help from its foreign masters,’’ Tarar stated

    He pointed out that, ‘’Cypher was a conspiracy which significantly undermined the integrity of our country’s foreign policy, posing a potential threat to national security.”

    While labelling PTI anti-state, the minister alleged that Raouf Hassan’s conversation with an anti-Pakistan Indian journalist was a true reflection of the party ideology.
    “Their clamor for a bloody revolution in the country proved that the PTI had received foreign funding from India for the purpose. This was also revealed by the investigation into the prohibited funding case.”

    Tarar also accused PTI of resettling terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

  • Imran Khan not being allowed to use THIS electric item

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal counsel Naeem Haider Panjutha has said that his high-profile client isn’t being allowed the use of an electric item in jail.

    Talking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, he recorded his protest that, “Imran Khan isn’t being allowed to use an electronic toothbrush.”

    The lawyer further said, “He [Imran Khan] has asked for the electronic brush many times, but there is a ban on its use for him and many other things like it.”

    Moving on from the pressing matter of toothbrushes, Panjutha spoke on the recent arrest of former ISI Chief Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, quoting Khan: “If I was worried about anything, then I wouldn’t have suggested the formation of a judicial commission.”

    Imran Khan, while discussing the May 9 cases, remarked, “It would take one hour to complete the cases of May 9, but they’re not doing it because they are liars.”

  • When can super blue moon be seen in Pakistan?

    When can super blue moon be seen in Pakistan?

    The first super blue moon of the year will be seen in Pakistan at 11:26 PM tonight (Monday).

    Pakistan’s space research agency SUPARCO has announced that the next three super moons will be seen on September 18, October 17 and November 15.
    Today is the first super blue moon of the year, which will make the moon appear bigger and brighter.

    A blue moon does not mean that the moon will turn blue. The name is rooted in an incident that happened centuries ago. A volcanic eruption in the 19th century caused a change in the colour of the sky, causing the full moon to appear blue, known as the Blue Moon.

    Types of Blue moon

    There are 2 types of blue moon, one is seasonal blue moon and the other is monthly blue moon.

    A seasonal blue moon is the third of four full moons in a season, and a similar blue moon will appear on the horizon on August 19 in Pakistan.

    The occurrence of the second full moon in a month of the Gregorian calendar is called the Monthly Blue Moon.

    Blue Moon in Pakistan

    The moon that will rise in the sky on August 19 will be at a distance of 226,000 miles from the Earth, which will appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual.

    This month’s seasonal super blue moon is also special because it will take until 2037 to see one after that, but the seasonal blue moon will happen much sooner.

    It should be noted that the supermoon will be in the sky for four consecutive months in 2024: August, September, October, and November.

  • ‘Please do something,’ students push Hamid Mir to file petition against internet disruption

    ‘Please do something,’ students push Hamid Mir to file petition against internet disruption

    The month of August has been the worst for the digital space in Pakistan since February 2024.

    The tech industry has expressed serious concerns about the internet slowdown, warning that it could cost the debt-ridden nation up to $300 million.

    Amid the ongoing issues, senior journalist Hamid Mir took the matter to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), filing a petition through Advocate Imaan Mazari against the internet slowdown.

    Mir argued on behalf of the journalist community, which is struggling to perform its duties due to reliance on connectivity and communication. He further noted that the issue impacts those in e-commerce, students, freelancers, and others.

    The petition also highlights that no prior consultation or deliberation took place between the government and relevant stakeholders before the installation of the firewall, which has contributed to the ongoing struggles of the business and tech community.

    This lack of transparency has fueled doubts and rumours about the nature of the firewall.

    But did Hamid Mir file the petition solely because of the struggles faced by journalists?

    “Frankly speaking, I filed the petition after receiving messages from many students who said they could not leave Pakistan but were finding it difficult to study here,” Mir told The Current, revealing that internet disruptions have also impacted students pursuing online studies, prompting them to seek intervention from the authorities — which Mir decided to do on their behalf.

    “I also face pressure from my own family, who cannot stay in this country anymore. They have asked me to do something to restore internet and social media if we are to remain here,” he explained, reflecting on the growing discontent among the youth.

    Given the current circumstances, the petition argues that installation cannot proceed without consulting relevant stakeholders and that only “reasonable restrictions” may be imposed by law, based on the “principles of necessity and proportionality.”

    The respondents are also asked to provide reports on the firewall’s objectives, status, and impact on citizens’ rights, including details on internet surveillance. Meanwhile, the petition calls for halting the firewall installation and ensuring uninterrupted internet access for citizens until the issue is resolved.

  • The Resham-Syed Noor battle continues: Noor reveals why he doesn’t want to work with Resham

    The Resham-Syed Noor battle continues: Noor reveals why he doesn’t want to work with Resham

    The heated debate  between  actress Resham and veteran director Syed Noor has gone into the fifty gear as both icons share their perspectives on their professional relationship.

    Syed Noor appeared as guest on Dr Affan Qaiser’s podcast,

    where he said, “Resham is an intelligent person. Unfortunately, she dislikes me as her teacher, despite the fact that I introduced her to the film industry. She considers Ayub Khawar and a select group of people as her teachers. I’m glad I introduced, launched, and groomed her and that I put effort into her appearance. I have no complaints about her.”

    “I don’t know why she isn’t getting work or why others aren’t casting her, but right now, I don’t have a role for her. If I do find a role that suits her, I will offer it to her. I’ve shared my thoughts, but she never acknowledges me. She should show me the work her other teachers have done for her. As I said, I’m not upset with her,” Noor added.

  • Sharing is caring, electricity relief shouldn’t just be for Punjab: Mustafa Kamal

    Sharing is caring, electricity relief shouldn’t just be for Punjab: Mustafa Kamal

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal, while addressing a press conference in Karachi, criticized the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led government for announcing electricity relief only for Punjab.

    “Relief on electricity bills should be provided nationwide instead of only for Punjab,” he said.

    Kamal also rejected the electricity bill relief, stating that the PML-N is not only a party representing Punjab but should also represent the entire country.

    “These IPPs have already earned billions of rupees through their services, and the government should engage in dialogue with both foreign and local electricity-producing companies about the current economic situation,” he added, commenting on Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

    Kamal emphasised that IPPs, which have become obsolete, should be discarded immediately.

  • Sajal Aly joins call for justice in Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder

    Sajal Aly joins call for justice in Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder

    Renowned actress Sajal Aly has joined the campaign for justice following the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, India.

    Aly shared a poster on her Instagram story that read “No Apology for Rapist.”

    The 31-year-old trainee doctor from Kolkata’s KG Kar Medical College was raped and murdered while on duty on August 9.

    Initially, the victim’s parents were told that their daughter had committed suicide, but an autopsy revealed that she had been raped and murdered.

    Thousands of doctors are now demanding better protection through improved security measures and justice for the victim.

  • ‘Stree 2’ breaks records as biggest 2024 opener in India

    ‘Stree 2’ breaks records as biggest 2024 opener in India

    Bollywood film Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, has become the biggest opener of 2024, earning 58 Crore in India. The movie made 46 Crore on its first day, August 15, India’s Independence Day, and set a new record for advance bookings.

    The sequel to the 2018 hit ‘Stree’ continues the story of Chanderi town, which is haunted by a fearsome ghost called Sarkata Bhoot. The townspeople seek help from ‘Stree’ to deal with the horror, blending humor and fear in the process.

    Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor return to their roles, with Varun Dhawan and Akshay Kumar making surprise appearances in the horror-comedy.
    The film is inspired by the local legend of Sarkata Bhoot from Lansdowne, Uttarakhand. This headless ghost is said to guard the area, which locals believe helps keep crime rates low. The legend is connected to British soldier WH Wardell, who was stationed in Lansdowne before dying in World War I.