An accountability court has approved a seven-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, in the newly filed Toshakhana reference.
Previously, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had sought a fourteen-day remand; however, the court turned down this request while ordering NAB to produce them in court on July 29.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been imprisoned for almost a year now in many cases, including the cipher, Toshakhana, and Iddat cases.
However, a court suspended his sentence in the Toshakhana case, while other courts overturned his convictions in the cipher and iddat cases, respectively.
Chances grew that Khan would be out of jail but all hopes dwindled when NAB charged him and his wife on fresh charges related to the sale of state gifts.
The Punjab government has approved launching a tram service in Lahore, ARY reported.
The project was approved by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif during her recent visit to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) headquarters.
The project will spread around 11 kilometers and include 10 stops, approximately 1 to 1.5 kilometers apart. The LDA has been asked to draw inspiration from modern tram models in Finland and China, with an estimated cost of Rs27 billion for the project.
The tram route will include prominent localities such as Main Boulevard from Kalma Chowk, Liberty, Main Market, Mini Market, and Hali Road. With Maryam Nawaz’s approval, MM Alam Road is expected to be converted into a one-way street to accommodate the tram route, as part of the re-modeling.
The tram service will also have a special stop within Gaddafi Stadium, making it a convenient option for sports enthusiasts and even-goers. However, ticket prices for the tram service will be determined after the launch.
Actor, host, and director Yasir Hussain has addressed the rumors about the infamous Lux Style Awards proposal.
During a talk on ‘Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt’ , Yasir Hussain was asked “Was the proposal stunt really necessary? Did something big happen on that Lux Style Awards proposal?”
Replying, the actor stated: “Frieha Altaf wanted to create a viral moment for the Lux Style Awards, so she planned a fake proposal stunt with me. She knew I was already engaged to Iqra and that Iqra had once mentioned her dream of a romantic proposal. I agreed to go along with the plan because I wanted to make Iqra’s dream come true. But here’s the thing. I had already proposed to Iqra in private and our families had already discussed our marriage. The only one who didn’t know about the proposal stunt was Iqra herself.”
He went on to detail that he was given a script by Fifi Haroon, but they all made it seem natural. “During the award, Frieha gave me a hint and asked as to if I was afraid. After a time, I told Saba Qamar, who was also actually shocked that I was returning after asking Iqra to marry me.” Hussain added.
Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain tied the knot on December 28, 2019. Yasir Hussain has worked in dramas like Badshah Begum, Baandi, and Baaghi. He also worked in films like Karachi say Lahore, Taxali, and Rabbit.
After videos emerged of several individuals, allegedly Afghan nationals, vandalising the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt, Islamabad urged Germany to take immediate measures to investigate the security lapse and hold those responsible for it accountable to the law.
The incident happened on July 20, when a “gang of extremists” attacked the consulate and “endangered” the lives of the consular staff on the premises, says the statement from the Pakistani mission.
In one of the viral videos, it can be seen that protesters carrying placards gathered outside the consulate.
The videos show three men — one of whom is seen clutching an Afghan flag — climbing a flagpole to remove the Pakistani flag.
However, some reports also indicated the protesters pelted the consulate building with stones.
Protest outside consulate
German media outlet DW reported that Saturday’s demonstration was arranged to “highlight complaints against Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, which organisers accused of killing critics and political opponents”.
DW quoted police as saying that about 400 people carrying Afghanistan flags took part in the demonstration outside the consulate.
Netizens on X also speculated that the people who vandalised the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt belonged to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement headed by Manzoor Pashteen.
However, Manzoor posted an official denial on X condemning the violence in Frankfurt. “Local authorities should take action against the perpetrator. Trained people are doing such acts on planning to create negative propaganda against people’s protests,” he asserted.
Pakistan’s reaction
The Foreign Office in Pakistan called out the German authorities for failing to protect the “sanctity and security of the premises of its consular mission” under the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations, 1963.
“We are in contact with the German authorities to ensure such a situation doesn’t arise again and the miscreants face legal consequences,” the Pakistani embassy in Germany posted on its official X handle.
Information Minister Atta Tarar, in a press conference, revealed that NADRA is asked to analyse the footage of the incident in Frankfurt to ascertain whether any Pakistanis were involved.
Though the Foreign Office did not point to the nationality of the miscreants, some of them were draped in the tri-colour Afghanistan flag. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, however, lashed out at the Afghan nationals, saying Islamabad needed to rethink its hospitality towards Afghan citizens in the wake of this incident.
“There’s a limit to hospitality. They swore at us; they swore at Pakistan. They talk against the integrity of Pakistan. They carry out proper rallies [against Pakistan]. They burn our flags,” he told Geo News, claiming that Pakistan fought wars for Kabul. “I think Pakistan needs to rethink their hospitality,” he said.
Pakistan hosts over three million Afghan refugees and recently launched a deportation drive to expel those who were residing in the country without documents.
Earlier this month, the government extended the stay of registered Afghan refugees by one year.
The federal government has decided to withdraw a circular suspending the passports of asylum seekers abroad.
According to details, a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar discussed various issues related to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, DG Immigration and Passport, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.
The participants were briefed about the timely issuance of passports to Pakistanis living abroad.
It was decided to immediately withdraw the circular suspending the passports of Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.
The Deputy Prime Minister was informed by the concerned authorities that passports for overseas Pakistanis will be issued within 60 days.
Previously, on June 11, the Federal Ministry of Interior had decided not to issue passports to Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.
Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rahman on Sunday warned the government against starting a new military operation, saying it would push the country towards a blind war.
Rahman said that the establishment, rulers, and the bureaucracy should confess their failure and mend their ways.
The JI Chief pointed out the historical reasons for prevalence of terrorism in Pakistan, saying, “The country has always suffered the consequences of its love for the US.”
“The situation of peace in the country has worsened, and the country is passing through a paradox where nobody knows who stands with whom,” the JI chief remarked. He said the country’s sensitive air bases, logistic support, and intelligence network were handed over to the US.
“General Musharraf had said that the country would get dollars in return for the war. They got the dollars, but nothing was given to the people,” he added.
He said that the JI would stage a sit-in in Islamabad on July 26 for which all-out arrangements have been made.
An old video of controversial writer Khalil-Ur-Rehman has gone viral on social media after he was abducted and held for ransom by a woman.
In the video, he talks about equality, challenging women to abduct a man and assault him.
Qamar said, “I’ve never heard of a case where five girls together kidnapped a man. So, if you want to achieve equality, then do it and show us.” The host asked, “Alright, how about you kidnap someone?” Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar responded, “Kidnap me, then I’ll find out if you’re really achieving equality.”
Qamar has lodged an FIR stating that a woman named Amna contacted him, inviting him to her home late in the night to “discuss a drama project.” When he arrived, armed men assaulted him and held him for ransom.
Social media is abuzz with reactions to the news, and many could not resist taking a dig at Qamar’s earlier statement. Here are some of the funniest reactions:
The meteorological department has predicted rain in different cities today.
Rain may occur in some parts of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, as per the weather department.
Battered with heat, Karachi is expected to receive rain this evening. Drizzling is expected in other areas of Sindh, such as Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, and Sjawal are also likely.
The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded yesterday (Sunday)at Old Airport, around 20 mm, while 11 mm was recorded at Sarjani Town and 9.4 mm at Jinnah Terminal. Ten mm of rain was recorded on University Road, 7 mm on Shaara Faisal, 6.5 mm on Hassan Square, 2.5 mm on PAF Base Masrur, and 0.8 mm on North Karachi.
Rain is also likely to descend in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir today.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has predicted the fourth spell of monsoon to start in Punjab from today, while south Punjab is likely to experience cloudy skies from tomorrow.
Kareena Kapoor Khan recently shared insights into her marriage with fellow actor Saif Ali Khan in an interview with The Week. With a touch of humor, she mentioned that Saif sometimes takes her “for granted.”
Kareena talked about balancing her professional and personal life, highlighting the importance of family time. “It’s very tough being married to an actor,” she admitted. “Sometimes, he’s sleeping when I’ve left for work. Even though we live in the same house, we’re trying to make time for the kids. Two actors in the same house can be challenging.”
Despite the challenges, Kareena believes her marriage has positively changed her. “I’ve changed for the better,” she said, noting that Saif helps keep her grounded when she’s feeling overwhelmed. “He grounds me when I’m going a little crazy.”
The couple often seeks advice from each other, though Kareena joked about the effectiveness of her advice. “I always ask him for advice, and he does ask me too. I don’t know if he takes my advice. I am critical of his films. He hasn’t seen Crew yet because he’s been busy shooting. But I have to watch all his films. So, in that sense, yes, he’s taken me for granted this time.”
Controversial writer Khalil UR Rehman Qamar was abducted and robbed in Lahore, as confirmed by the police.
The incident happened when a woman named Amna contacted Qamar, inviting him to her home to discuss a drama project. When he arrived, armed men kidnapped him and carried out the robbery.
The First Information Report (FIR) states that the suspects assaulted Qamar and moved him to various locations. The scriptwriter alleged that the kidnappers threatened to kill him and demanded money from his relatives. The FIR also states that the suspects took Rs. 250,000 from Qamar’s ATM card and took his watch, cell phone, and cash.
Qamar is widely criticised for his misogynistic statements while remaining unapologetic and unwavering in his opinions in the face of controversy.
Qamar is safe now and has reported the incident to the police. The police have started investigating. the case.
