The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government on Tuesday to safely recover Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad.
During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani accepted Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan’s request to adjourn the hearing for the next four days and give time to the government to utilise resources for Farhad’s recovery.
Justice Kayani asked the investigative officer about developments in the case. The officer told the court that he went to the spy agency’s office, but the sector commander was not there.
People of Gilgit-Baltistan have been warned of possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glof) events and floods this week due to the rising temperature in the region.
Pakistan Meteorological Department on Monday alerted local authorities that daytime temperatures in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to remain four to six degrees Celsius, higher than normal, between May 21 and 27.
Wind and thunderstorms are also expected in this time span, reports Dawn.
Glof and flash floods are likely to affect vulnerable snow-covered and glaciated areas of Gilgit Baltistan and the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Local authorities have asked people living near glaciers should take precautionary measures. Tourists have also been advised to be careful during rain.
In 2022, flash floods and Glofs hit many villages in the Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, and Gilgit districts of GB.
Mushahid Hussain Syed, a veteran politician and serving senator from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), recently appeared on a talk show at 92 News channel and alleged that past military high command “was willing to compromise on Pakistan’s missile program, give up Kashmir along with recognition of Israel.”
When he was asked by the journalist Irshad Ahmad Arif whether relations between Pakistan and China are well, the senator said, “No, because Pakistan’s previous military establishment sent mixed signals despite Chinese support at every international forum, it was playing a double game with China and the US.”
Hussain stated that the US had clearly given out a statement in its national security strategy in 2022 that India was its strategic partner in this region and China was its enemy.
According to the senator, “If they [US] consider the Chinese their enemy then how could we play a double game with China despite their consistent support throughout our history?”
The PML-N leader said that the Chinese are not “children” and they know what Pakistan did to them.
The federal government has sought Rs20 billion for the next fiscal year to improve the country’s cybersecurity and manage social media. According to the proposal, the government will only allow social media platforms to operate if they establish local offices.
The Ministry of Information Technology has demanded Rs20 billion for the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative (DIII) in the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, according to government sources who spoke to The Express Tribune.
The Express Tribune requested comments from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Information Technology, but they did not respond. Government sources also revealed that Rs15 billion has already been allocated as a technical supplementary grant to the information technology ministry for the current fiscal year.
However, the total cost of the DIII project, which is equipped with Chinese technology, is Rs38 billion. The government is spending a significant amount this year, and the remaining amount has been requested for the next fiscal year.
Reowned actress Javeria Saud is the proud mom of 17-year-old Jannat and 12-year-old Ebraheem.
The actor has recently revealed that her children refused to work in a Coca-Cola television commercial that was supposed to be shot in Turkey. They even convinced their parents not to participate because they did not want to align themselves with a company that supports Israel as the genocide in Gaza rages on.
She posted on Instagram, “So, my kids refused to act in the Coke TVC, and they even convinced us not to participate in the shoot that was planned in Turkey. They didn’t want to compromise their morals by working with a company that supports Israel. Jannat and Ebraheem told us, ‘If we can’t do anything else, at least we can play our tiny part by boycotting.’ This made me think of Surah al-Feel. May Allah bless everyone with such honest and principled children. Ameen.”
Elections in India are entering the last phase, with polling in Mumbai on Monday. While there was a buzz surrounding celebrities coming out to vote in India’s tinsel town, complaints of celebrities and journalists not being able to vote surfaced. It was overwhelmingly stated that their name was not on the voting list while they have been voting for decades.
Actress Vidya Maladev, famous for her role in Netflix series Mismatched complained about what she said was really “upsetting” as she was not able to vote because she could not find her name in the voting list.
Actress Vidya Malavade shared her experience of voting today.
She could not vote because her name was not in the list. More than 1 lakh people from each constituency faced the same situation. Anything to expect from @ECISVEEP ? pic.twitter.com/92Nf9bf1qr
Famous singer and musician Amit Trivedi also posted a video with the caption, “Voting is our constitutional right. Today I was denied that right and I feel helpless.”
Voting is our constitutional right. Today I was denied that right and I feel helpless
Actress and model Gauhar Khan vented out her frustration of being denied the right to vote in a video where she was seen saying, “Why do we have Adhaar Cards (voting cards) when we are not considered citizens enough.”
Journalist Rana Ayyub, who is also vocal about intolerance in India towards Muslim community, posted an Instagram story stating that she went with her family to vote and their names were missing from the voters list in Nayi Mumbai area despite the fact that they have been voting in this constituency for the last eighteen years. “Never missed a vote since I turned 18. Frustrating to say the least.”
Producer and Entrepreneur Gayatri Pahlajani posted on X, “After having voted in not one but four general elections, my name has been struck off the voting list.”
After having voted in not one but four general elections, my name has been struck off the voting list. @ECISVEEP@SpokespersonECI could you help, please?
— Gayatri Pahlajani (@TheChiefSneeze) May 20, 2024
Reports of low voting turnout in many states have emerged in Indian media.
Muslims not able to find their names in the voting list made rounds on social media during the elections in Gujrat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.
Haroon Khan posted on May 6 that the names of 575 Muslim fisherman in Gujrat were deleted from the voters list. “Is this beginning of a “Hindu Rashtra” by snatching voting rights from Muslims?”, he posted.
575 Muslim fishermen in Gujarat’s Devbhoomi Dwarka district will not be able to vote as their names were deleted from the voter list.
Is this beginning of a “Hindu Rashtra” by snatching voting rights from Muslims? pic.twitter.com/VgMEZkTxTd
Journalist Radhika Bordia posted a video of a Muslim man from UP who was denied the right to cast a vote as his name wasn’t missing from the voting list.
Have been looking at polling around Chharra in the Hathras Lok Sabha seat in UP. Registered voters, many of them Muslims, have found their names missing at a number of polling stations. Here’s one testimony: pic.twitter.com/xkVShS5xzZ
Videos of both Muslim women complaining about their voting cards being downplayed as fake and them being dragged by the same police to not allow them to vote also emerged.
The Pakistani drama scene has long been known for its saas-bahu narratives, but recently, there’s been a shift. New dramas now explore love stories, ambitious characters, complex love triangles, toxic relationships, and mental health issues. This evolving landscape brings us the trailer for Noor Jahan. However, is it bringing back the Saas-Bahu drama we thought we were done with?
At first glance, ‘Noor Jahan’ seems like typical drama. But the teaser suggests something different. It introduces Noor Jahan, a powerful woman who rules her family with an iron fist. No one dares to disobey her. Yet, beneath this strict exterior, hidden tensions and desires may be brewing. The trailer hints at a clash between tradition and modernity.
Watch the trailer here:
Tumhain kese laga tum meri jagah per beth sakti ho? Baghair meri ijazat ke?
Noor Jahan appears to be the typical domineering mother-in-law, scrutinising every move of her daughter-in-law. Her critical eye and constant interrogation make everyday life challenging. From attire to meal timings, nothing escapes her judgement.
Saba Hamid takes on the familiar role of a tough mother-in-law, a part she often plays. However, there’s hope she’ll bring a new perspective to this character. With Kubra Khan leading the cast, there’s anticipation for a fresh take on the daughter-in-law role. The teaser shows tension and drama, but ‘Noor Jahan’ needs more than just the usual saas trope to capture today’s audience.
Despite the saas-bahu angle, ‘Noor Jahan’ holds promise due to its impressive cast. Zoya Nasir, Alina Abbas, and Hajra Yamin also bring their talents to the ensemble.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Wednesday that security forces have killed almost 29 terrorists over the last month along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area.
The intelligence-based operations were carried out in response to a “surge in terrorist incidents orchestrated from Afghan soil, wherein terrorists from Afghanistan attempt to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan Border and target security forces as well as the innocent civilians.”
The military’s media wing also stated that security forces conducted operations in Balochistan’s Zhob district and other border areas.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central spokesperson, Raoof Hassan, was attacked on Tuesday by transgender people in Sitara Market, Islamabad.
“Extremely shameful and deplorable,” the party said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding: “Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel.”
It is not known why Hassan was attacked.
In another statement, PTU said that if the spokesperson of the “largest party” is not safe and can be attacked in the capital city, then “what can we make of the safety of others? ”
The attackers used a sharp instrument to injure Raoof Hassan and escaped easily after the incident.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and information minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attack and urged a thorough investigation into the incident.
It’s too early to know where ‘Aik Chubhan Si’ will go, but with Sonya Hussyn and Sami Khan on screen, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Here’s why we’re giving this one a go.
The story is different from the usual stuff on screen. There’s no love story with our hero and heroine falling in love at first sight. This Pakistani drama is about post-marital (non-marital) bliss. Naila and Haroon are happily married, but we see a husband who’s not too happy to serve Naila’s family. However, the story’s subtle and relatable details keep us watching.
Naila insists on looking after her uncle because he raised her. Haroon agrees, but reluctantly, with no toxicity (yet) in his attitude. There’s curiosity about Maheen, played by Hira Khan, as her character seems to have more to reveal, especially in the final scene of the first episode. Is there a hint of mystery, thrill, or something else in the drama? The first episode sets the stage and keeps us intrigued to learn more.
As the drama unfolds quickly, we hope the story won’t fall into the trap of overly stretched plots and typical ‘other woman’ conspiracies. Sonya Hussyn and Sami Khan share great on-screen chemistry. If you’re a fan of this couple, then Aik Chubhan Si is a drama you should try. They appear comfortable on screen and make their characters believable and true to life. Their effortless interactions make the drama more enjoyable to watch.
Fahad Sheikh plays Moiz, Hira’s cousin, and his performance here is a step up from his past roles. Whether it’s the direction or Fahad’s acting, his character evokes sympathy, even in the first episode. We’re looking forward to more from him. Hira Khan’s character seems a bit toxic, but we hope she will prove to be more complex and interesting.
‘Aik Chubhan Si’ is written by Rukhsana Nigar and directed by Mohsin Talat. The cast features Sonya Hussyn, Sami Khan, Asma Abbas, Hira Khan, Fahad Sheikh, and others.
