Tag: Pakistan

  • 51 per cent people think that Nawaz’s return will help PML-N win next election

    51 per cent people think that Nawaz’s return will help PML-N win next election

    The political fortunes of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) got uplifted after the return of three-time former prime minister and party head Nawaz Sharif, revealed a snap poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan.

    As per a report in The News, a sample of 1000 men and women were selected scientifically from 100 different district across the country.
    The survey included total eight key findings.

    According to the survey, 75 per cent adults of the country said that they have heard about Nawaz Sharif’s return.

    One in three adults said that they have heard the speech of the PML-N supremo, accounting for an audience of 40 million people across Pakistan.

    Thirdly, 80 per cent of the people who heard the speech said that they liked it. On the other hand, 12 per cent said that they didn’t like the speech and eight per cent have mix feelings.

    A total of 50 per cent respondents believed that Nawaz’s comeback to Pakistan would be beneficial for the nation and its people. In contrast, 14 per cent expressed concerns that his return would have a negative impact on Pakistan. Additionally, 18 per cent remained neutral, stating that his return would not affect the lives of the ordinary citizens.

    A key figure of 51 per cent people think that the former prime minister’s return to Pakistan will be helpful for PML-N to win the upcoming general election. On the other hand, 26 per cent people said that Nawaz Sharif’s return will harm PML-N.

    A total of 70 per cent people agreed that Nawaz Sharif should work with other political parties as well, including arch rivals PTI.
    Almost four in 10 respondents believed that Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan was part of a certain deal.

    Lastly, 30 per cent people think that Nawaz Sharif has the ability to take the country out of its current economic situation. Meanwhile, 22 per cent were of the opinion that Imran Khan possessed the capability to alleviate the ongoing crisis in the country.

  • Imran Khan, SMQ indicted in cipher case

    Imran Khan, SMQ indicted in cipher case

    Former Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has been indicted on Monday in a case related to the leaking of secret state documents.

    Along with Khan, his party’s Vice-Chairman and former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has also been indicted in the case. If proved, the charges carry sentences of up to 14 years imprisonment.

    Imran Khan was arrested in August in a case related to state gifts, however, he and Qureshi are currently jailed in the cipher case.

    Imran Khan’s lawyers told the media outside Adiala jail, where the indictment was read out, that they will contest the indictment.

  • Bodies of 12 girls found drugged and dumped in Karachi, says Sindh Police

    Bodies of 12 girls found drugged and dumped in Karachi, says Sindh Police

    In a shocking discovery by the Sindh Police, bodies of at least twelve young girls have been found over a short span of time. They are suspected to be killed by overdose of prohibited drugs at dance parties in different farmhouses in Karachi.

    The body of the first girl was found in the jurisdiction of Sachal Police Station on September 27. In a first of its kind case, Sindh Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) SSP Junaid Sheikh has revealed that as per the records of rescue agencies, 12 young girls have been found in the past few weeks. They were given illegal drugs before being dumped at unknown locations.

    Police could not find any related records of the deceased, leading them to connecting the dots and starting an investigation into the deaths as a continuation of previous occurrences.

    SIU has sealed the farmhouse of a government servant and arrest four caretakers, including a woman and a manager. They are being interrogated about the corpses.

    The police have also taken rescue agencies on board to prevent such cases in future.

  • Sheikh Rashid is back after a hard ‘40-day chilla’

    Sheikh Rashid is back after a hard ‘40-day chilla’

    President Awami Muslim League and PTI’s ally Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday made a comeback on TV in an interview with anchorperson Muneeb Farooq. 

    When asked about his long absence and reported arrest, Sheikh Rashid said that he had gone for a “40-day chilla” just like a tableegi mission where he was studying Quran. Sheikh said it was hard but he is thankful to the Almighty that he got this opportunity. Sheikh Rashid said he did not even get a chance to inform his family about it. “No one harmed me, everyone cooperated with me on this chilla,” added Rashid.

    Sheikh Rashid talked about his relations with the armed forces of Pakistan. He attributed his political career to General Akhtar Abdur Rehman. “I will always be proud to call myself a spokesperson of the army.” He said he had even advised Imran Khan to work in close coordination with them. 

    Rashid recalled that when the MQM talked to him during the no-confidence motion, he realised then that “PTI government is over”. However, he did maintain that he was part of the cabinet and was one of the signatories of the National Security Council (NSC) on the cipher. 

    Answering a question regarding Imran’s criticism of the army, Rashid said that he personally believes that nobody should criticise army officers and military institutions like that. Rashid said that he had condemned the May 9 violence but “it was not highlighted much”.

    Rashid reiterated that institutions are imperative for Pakistan and the biggest mistake of the PTI government was to criticise the army and hampering the appointment of Army Chief General Asim Munir. He has deduced from his experience that politicians should not meddle in the affairs of the army — their postings and transfers. Sheikh said that Imran Khan is a “stubborn” politician.

    Sheikh Rashid appeared on TV a day after the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court ordered the police to recover him by October 26. He was allegedly picked up from his residence in Rawalpindi on September 17 according to his lawyer.

  • ‘Sit down’: Mahira Khan shuts accusations against her of not supporting Palestine

    ‘Sit down’: Mahira Khan shuts accusations against her of not supporting Palestine

    As social media users and human rights activists rally across the world for a free Palestine with an end to the genocide, several Twitter users in the past week were critical of Pakistani actresses who were silent. Mahira Khan was a target of such accusations when a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account went viral with users accusing her of playing both sides. The actress wrote about praying for peace and humanity to triumph over evil.

    A user in the comments section slammed the actress for posting a vague message so that she can continue working in Hollywood, to which Mahira responded bluntly. “Uhhh I call it loud and clear. Sit down. Use your time to pray for Palestine.”

    Over the past week, the ‘Humsafar’ actress has used her social media account to consistently share updates on the on-going genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has reached to 4200 civilians as reported by Al-Jazeera. She has also shared clips of activists and scholars who condemned Israel’s apartheid-like policies towards the Palestinian community.

  • Bannu professor forced to apologise publicly for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution

    Bannu professor forced to apologise publicly for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution

    Professor Sher Ali from Bannu was forced to apologize publicly by signing an affidavit for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and organizing a seminar on women’s rights in Islam.

    A tweet from X user Khurram Zakir has brought the tragic state of intolerance to the spotlight.

    The dispute started with Professor Sher Ali organizing a seminar on the topic of Women’s Rights in Islam and the Constitution. It was arranged in response to the growing public displeasure against women leaving their homes without adhering to the Islamic dress code. The professor triggered religious circles who accused him of deviating from the teachings of Islam.

    Although Darwin’s Evolution theory is part of the curriculum set by the board of education, the professor had to bear the brunt of fulfilling his duty and teaching about it. The incident has raised concerns about the inconducive space for rational discourse even in an academic setting.

  • Newlyweds murdered in mosque in honour killing

    Newlyweds murdered in mosque in honour killing

    A newlywed couple was shot dead inside a mosque in Jehlum on Wednesday in what is suspected to be a case of honour killing.

    Rehman Rasool and Safia recently eloped to get married of their own free will. They were then called in by the girl’s family for reconciliation. Sensing the possible threat, the two of them took refuge in a mosque’s courtyard but got gunned down by the family, nevertheless.

    The unfortunate incident happened on Wednesday in the outskirts of Pind Dadan Khan where the two of them took sanctuary in a mosque adjacent to the motorway. The killers managed to escape.

    A local shephard informed the police of the murder. The bodies were taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

    Raids have been carried out to arrest the suspects while an investigation has also been launched

  • PML-N competent enough to solve country’s problems, says Nawaz Sharif

    PML-N competent enough to solve country’s problems, says Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has stated that he is returning back to Pakistan after “vindication”, expressing confidence in his party’s ability to navigate the country through its current challenges.

    “I am returning to Pakistan after being vindicated with the grace of Almighty Allah,” he said on Saturday while speaking to the journalists at Dubai airport ahead of Pakistan departure.

    The three time former prime minister is coming back to Pakistan after voluntarily living in self-imposed exile in London for four years. He aims to stage a political comeback in the forthcoming general elections, which are expected to take place in the last week of January next year.
    The ex-Prime Minister expressed confidence that his party can address the concerns of the public if they are elected into power. When asked about the upcoming general elections, Nawaz offered support to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    “Only the Election Commission can make a better decision regarding the elections. What the Election Commission thinks is right is my preference on the elections,” said Nawaz when he was asked about the January polls.

  • How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    As the genocide of Palestinians goes on with the death toll currently reported to be 12,493 people in Gaza as per Al-Jazeera. Many of us Pakistanis are feeling a sense of helplessness as videos are emerging showing children killed, shell-shocked or traumatised by the violence they witnessed, asking how they can continue to support the fight for a free Palestine. Here are the several ways you can support the Palestinian cause:

    Donate:

    We are listing down several organisations that are taking donations from Pakistan to help provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians.

    Doctors Without Borders

    This is an organisation that is currently working to provide medical relief and aid to countless injured civilians in Gaza. Pakistani’s can visit their website and provide donations through Mastercard or Visa.

    Al Khidmat Foundation:

    This organisation is working on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance to the wounded in Gaza. Click on their website to send a donation.

    Palestine Children’s Relief Fund:

    The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is actively working in Gaza to provide medical surgery, mental health programs and also to sponsor children who have become orphans as a result of the war. You can visit their website to find out details on how to donate.

    Read more books about the Palestinian liberation movement and from Palestinians authors

    Here are some books you can look up on to learn more about the origins of apartheid in Palestine, and how did the Nakba begin. These books are currently available at The Last Word or you can download them as pdf’s online.

    Children Of The Stone: the power of music in a hard land by Sandy Tolan

    Chronicles the story of Ramzi Hussein Aburedwan, a child from Palestinian refugee camps who rose to become a music student and founded a music school with the help of musicians around the world.

    The Palestine Nakba: Decolonising History, Narrating The Subaltern, Reclaiming Memory by Nur Masalha.

    This book debunks some of the narratives presented by Israelis in an attempt to suppress the resistance, by directly narrating history from Palestinians.

    Freedom Is A Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine and the foundations of a movement by Angela Davis

    This book is a collection of essays, interviews and speeches written by activist and scholar Angela Davis who draws the comparison between state violence and oppression throughout the world such as Ferguson and the Palestine struggle.

    Watch movies and documentaries made by Palestinians

    Five Broken Cameras: A documentary made by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi on the protests led by Palestinian farmers in Bil’in, a West Bank village which was encroached by the Israeli West Bank barrier. Available on Netflix.

    Chilldren Of Shatila (1998): A documentary that focuses on the lives of two Palestinian children growing up Beirut’s Palestinian Shatila refugee camp. Available on Netflix.

    Gaza (2019): A documentary that looks in to the lives of Gazan citizens and their everyday routine. Available to stream online.

    Follow Palestinian influencers on Instagram and TikTok

    Subhi who goes by sbeih.jpeg on Instagram provides regular updates on the on-ground situation in Gaza.

    Mohammad Elkurd is a Palestinian poet whose Instagram account mohammadelkurd provides updates on the situation in Gaza.

    Plestia Alaqad is a journalist who gives regular updates on Gaza on her TikTok and Instagram account byplestia

    Boycott brands that are providing donations to Israel

    Here is an official list of brands listed by the Palestinian BDS Movement a group of activists currently leading the call for the end of genocide in Gaza.

  • Karachiites to have hot, humid weekend

    Karachiites to have hot, humid weekend

    The weather department has warned Karachiites of an impending heat wave in the coming three days. It is predicted that the temperature will rise, while the weather will be hot and humid.

    Temperature may range from 35 to 37 degree celsius. Warm breeze blowing from the south-west of the city will keep the climate generally dry. Sea-breeze is suspected to tone it down in the evening.

    Contrary to low temperatures in the northern plains, major parts of Sindh are experiencing an episode of hot and dry weather. However, there is a prediction of heavy rainfall in some districts of Qambar Shehdad Kot and Jacobabad.