Tag: Pakistan

  • Monsoon in Pakistan: What is the situation now?

    Monsoon in Pakistan: What is the situation now?

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned Sindh of another monsoon spell this week from Thursday (July 14) till Monday (July 18). It is also said that sea conditions will also remain “rough to very rough” during this timeframe.

    The Met department also said that torrential rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities. It has also advised that travellers and tourists remain cautious during the forecast period.

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman shared a rain update on her Twitter, saying: “Sindh and Balochistan still under heavy monsoon pressure for the last 13 days. Sindh is 625 per cent above the 30-year average while Balochistan is 501.”

    Action taken by the authorities:

    Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has claimed that rainwater from 90 per cent of the city has been drained out and roads have been cleared.

    Meanwhile, K-Electric spokesperson Imran Rana tweeted, “Wherever possible power has been restored, however, few parts of DHA remain severely water logged like Bukhari Commercial seen below (as of 10:00 PM 12th July). Power in inundated areas expected to be restored once water recedes to safe operating levels.”

    On Sunday, the Sindh government imposed a rain emergency in Karachi after severe rain. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa took an aerial view of Karachi on Tuesday to oversee the catastrophic situation.

    The Pakistan Navy is also taking part in the relief and rescue operations.

    Destruction

    According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Sindh Police, 49 people have died in the province, 31 in Karachi alone, in the monsoon spell from July 4 to July 12.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), at least six people were killed in Swabi, Mardan, South Waziristan and Bajaur districts. The rains also damaged the crops and infrastructure. Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Nowshera and Malakand were the worst affected.

    Six people died and dozens of houses collapsed throughout over Eid across Balochistan. Many areas across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) were cut off from each other after roads, bridges, electricity supply and properties were damaged due to the melting glaciers.

  • Zardari wishes to ‘see Bilawal as prime minister’

    Zardari wishes to ‘see Bilawal as prime minister’

    Former President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his wish to see his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as prime minister of Pakistan in his lifetime.

    Zardari said that when his son became foreign minister, his old friends told him that Bilawal would brighten the country’s name.

    “Islamabad says you have weakened us but I say I have strengthened the provinces,” added Zardari. He said that when he was the president, he transferred power to the prime minister and the provinces through constitutional amendments. He said that the PPP had always raised its voice against political and social injustices and it would continue to fight against poverty and ignorance.

    “We are fighting for a society where every citizen has economic and social justice and the state is a paradise for them.”

  • ‘Where are all the funds going? 34 billion was allotted for drainage in Karachi’: Ahsan Mohsin grills government

    ‘Where are all the funds going? 34 billion was allotted for drainage in Karachi’: Ahsan Mohsin grills government

    Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram took to his Instagram stories to grill the government for its negligence over the drainage system of Karachi despite there being a hefty budget allotted for the concerning situation.

    The Pyar Ke Sadqay star also posted a video showcasing the condition post heavy rainfall in the largest city of Pakistan.

    Recently Ahsan shared his stance on the ongoing political scenario in the country.

    The Thora Jee Le hero took to his Twitter handle to state that former politician Asif Ali Zardari has played a masterstroke by letting PML-N come in power so that they get all the negative publicity.

    Ahsan also took a dig at Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

    His sister in law Aiman Khan was quick to repost his stance on her Instagram stories.

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    He also wanted PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah to be behind the bars.

  • Journalist slaps boy during live coverage, later justifies

    Journalist slaps boy during live coverage, later justifies

    Journalist Maira Hashmi went viral on social media after her video created a buzz where she can be seen slapping a boy during live coverage.

    Responding to queries, Hashmi took to her Twitter and clarified why she slapped the boy.

    In her tweet, Hashmi wrote that while she was conducting an interview on the streets for her show, the boy in question was constantly bothering a family standing there.

    “This boy was bothering a family during the interview, which made the family upset. I first tried to nicely tell him that his behaviour was not good, but it fell on deaf ears and he resorted to bothering the family even more. I, therefore, decided that the boy’s behaviour should no longer be tolerated,” she said.

  • India to become the most populous country in 2023

    India to become the most populous country in 2023

    India will become the world’s most populous country next year i.e 2023, beating China, according to a United Nations (UN) report. Currently, India’s population stands at 1.412 billion, compared to China’s 1.426 billion.

    The findings were released by the UN on July 11 to mark World Population Day.

    The latest projections also suggest the world population is expected to reach eight billion by mid-November 2022, 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050, 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100.

    India is also among eight countries where the population is expected to be concentrated in 2050. The other seven countries are Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “This year’s World Population Day (July 11) falls during a milestone year when we anticipate the birth of the Earth’s eight billionth inhabitant. This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognise our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates.”

    In a tweet, he added, “On ensuring our world can support our needs and those of future generations. On protecting human rights and the ability of all individuals to make informed choices about whether and when to have children.”

  • Tired of sitting at home? Cool places you can go to this holiday week

    Tired of sitting at home? Cool places you can go to this holiday week

    Eid-ul-Azha is all about big fat lunches and endless dinners at relatives’ places. Especially in desi households, one can’t escape the aunties. We all know how easily one can get bored while sitting all day and even after feeding your stomach to death, you sometimes just want some air. We compiled a list of cool places where you can go.

    1- The Cinema

    So we have a lot of Pakistani movies and Hollywood movies to watch this Eid. From Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad to Thor. You can watch whatever you want. We know that there is going to be a rush but it’s Eid and you can enjoy the movie more in a houseful. Grab your tickets, lay back, and put on a show.

    2- Margala Hills National Park

    If you feel like taking a bit of a walk. Go to Margala Hills National Park in Islamabad. There are several hiking tracks there too. The view is also going to be great but remember to do it before 12 pm because, after it, it is going to be hot folks.

    3- Playdium

    Wanna do something different? Try out the gaming center. In Lahore, there is Playdium. It is a bit expensive but who cares because you have Eidi this time. Go out with your cousins or friends. It will be a fun yet unique outing. Also, Playdium has some serious Instagram photo lighting. We would also suggest that you take some good pictures there. Thank us later!

    4- Spa Day

    Everyone is tired now since it’s Eid Day 2. Pamper yourself and spend some money on yourself. A spa day can get you relaxed, all fresh, and ready for the upcoming working days. Make some time and plan now!

  • Two minors allegedly raped in Rawalpindi

    Two minors allegedly raped in Rawalpindi

    Two minor girls were allegedly raped in separate incidents in Rawalpindi areas, Naseerabad and Kallar Syedan. One of them is a seven-year-old girl.

    The seven-year-old girl was playing with her brother on the rooftop of her house when a neighbour took her to his house where he raped her, the survivor’s father told the police.

    According to the Investigating Officer (IO), after the incident, the girl was taken to the hospital where her condition worsened as a result of trauma.

    A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered and the search for the suspect is underway.

    In the second incident, a young girl was allegedly raped by a member of her own family who had come to stay at her house. Following the incident, her mother informed the police and a case was registered.

  • France to provide Rs4.6 billion for the renovation of Lahore Fort

    France to provide Rs4.6 billion for the renovation of Lahore Fort

    A financing agreement worth more than Rs4.6 billion (€22 million) has been signed by the government of Pakistan and the government of France, through the French Development Agency (FDA), to provide technical and financial support for the restoration of the Lahore Fort.

    A special heritage site in Pakistan is to be protected and restored as part of the HURL (Heritage & Urban Regeneration in Lahore) project. The areas of focus will be increasing economic activity, promoting tourism, and preparing local communities for climate change.

    The walled city and fort of Lahore, which is in the middle of an 11 million-person metropolis, is made up of numerous unique structures with exceptional historical and cultural value as well as numerous compact ancient neighbourhoods.

    The fort faced numerous threats to its integrity, which led to UNESCO listing it as a World Heritage Site in Danger in 1981. The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), and the Punjab government launched a ten-year conservation initiative to develop and restore the site in 2012.

    The French government is delighted to be supporting this attempt through AFD: “France is proud to be part of the ambitious plan of the Punjab government to develop and promote the unique cultural heritage of Lahore,” said Nicolas Galey, the French ambassador to Pakistan.

    By enhancing the tourist attraction of the locations and enhancing the living conditions of the riparian populations, the restoration and development of the Lahore Fort surroundings will be a potent engine of sustainable economic development of the City.

    The HURL project will be financed over a five-year period. It is anticipated that this will strengthen the Lahore Fort’s resilience, generate more income and employment opportunities, particularly for women and the transgender community, and contribute to the restoration and improvement of the fort.

    By including the neighbourhoods surrounding the fort as a growth interface, it will also increase tourism development and strengthen the capacity of WCLA and its associates.

    The AFD is reaffirming its dedication to Lahore’s urban development by funding this project. This significant undertaking is just the beginning of the French government’s efforts to support the restoration of South Asian heritage.

  • ‘I was stripped naked’: Tayyaba Gul reveals during hearing on harassment complaint against ex-Chairman NAB

    ‘I was stripped naked’: Tayyaba Gul reveals during hearing on harassment complaint against ex-Chairman NAB

    Tayyaba Gul said on Thursday that Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, the Head of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman, threatened to destroy her life. She made this revelation in front of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

    “Javed Iqbal would tell me that he will destroy my life within a minute,” said Gul.

    “I met Iqbal during a meeting regarding missing persons,” she said, adding that when she asked him not to call her repeatedly, “he got angry”.

    “My number was written on the request filed for the missing person, and he [Iqbal] kept calling me time and again,” she said. “I recorded Iqbal because he was a very powerful official and I wanted to expose him,” she added.

    “My husband and I were arrested under the direction of the former chairman NAB. I was arrested by male officers and cannot even share the barbarity that I endured during the car ride.”

    Tayyaba Gul also revealed that on the orders of DG NAB Lahore Saleem Shehzad, she was stripped naked during a search operation and her nude videos were shown to her husband.

    .

    The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) summoned Justice (retd), Javed Iqbal, today (July 7) after allegations of sexual harassment resurfaced against him. The former NAB chief was summoned on the complaint of Tayyaba Gul. She had written a letter to the PAC chairman levelling harassment allegations against Iqbal.

    However, Justice (retd) Iqbal did not attend the PAC meeting.

    PAC Chairman Noor Alam Khan also raised the issue of the allegations made by human rights activist Amina Masood Janjua in Hamid Mir’s show ‘Capital Talk’ on Geo News.

    Ms Janjua revealed that when a woman went to the commission to inquire about her missing husband’s whereabouts, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said to her: “You are so beautiful. Why do you need a husband?”

    https://twitter.com/arshdchaudhary/status/1544359653550727168

    The same allegations were previously made by Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen in 2018. He narrated the same incident while talking on Neo News‘ programme Khabar Kay Peechay.

  • The Minor case: Zaheer Ahmed gets protective bail till July 14

    The Minor case: Zaheer Ahmed gets protective bail till July 14

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted protective bail to Zaheer Ahmed till July 14. Justice Aalia Neelum presided over a one-person LHC bench that heard Zaheer’s case on Thursday.

    According to Zaheer, The Minor married him of her own free will and he did not kidnap her.

    Zaheer’s lawyer claimed that they were concerned that the police may detain his client and asked the court to release him on protective bail so they could apply for interim bail at the concerned court.

    The Minor’s father Mehdi Kazmi asked the Sindh High Court to recover his daughter and has alleged that Zaheer Ahmed had kidnapped her.

    The petition submitted by The Minor’s father stated that his daughter was 13 years, 11 months, and 19 days old when she was kidnapped by Zaheer Ahmed.