Atif Aslam was the main focus at the big party before Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding. The party happened at the fancy Stoke Park Estate in London.
Atif’s singing was one of the best parts of the night. His singing made the already fancy party even more special.
Atif shared pictures from the private concert on social media, calling the event “A night to remember”. Atif looked really good in his black shirt and a special ivory jacket with his initials, made by famous designer Faraz Manan. His wife, Sara Bharwana, also looked amazing in a beautiful golden dress.
The Ambani pre-wedding gala in London continues their penchant for extravagance and luxury, as they spared no expense in ensuring a memorable celebration.
A French couple has been given a one-year suspended sentence for keeping dozens of animals in closed spaces in a case pertaining to animal cruelty.
The couple occupied an 80 square meter (861 square foot) apartment with 159 cats and seven dogs, as per BBC.
The judge ruled that the couple had not given the animals proper care. The investigation found animals living in filth, many of them malnourished, dehydrated, or parasite-infected.
The owners are a 68-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, both of whom were banned from owning pets. They were ordered to pay more than €150,000 (£128,000) to animal rights’ charities and civil parties.
When police broke up a fight at the couple’s apartment last year, they found each room contained numerous animals.
Authorities also reported animal waste everywhere in the apartment.
Due to their poor health, some dogs and cats later passed away. In a washroom, investigators discovered the bodies of two dogs and at least two cats.
The apartment’s owner testified in court that although the animals were “the love of her life,” she had “screwed up.”
It appears that in 2018, she moved in with her parents’ three dogs and three cats before bringing about thirty cats from an abandoned building to her apartment. After that, the animals procreated.
The woman claimed that she would have felt like an “abandoned person for abandoning [the animals].”
This condition is called Noah’s syndrome. It is a psychological need to save animals even when one is unable to do so, according to a psychiatric evaluation.
An 18-month prison sentence was what the prosecution had asked for.
In 2014, the couple was already under investigation for residing in an 18-square-meter studio with a dog and thirteen cats.
Following the death of a student at Avicenna Medical College and after scores of shocking stories of fellow students are being shared by netizens, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is taking notice of the death of the student and launching an investigation.
The monitoring body of medical colleges, University of Health Sciences (UHS) has taken up the serious complaints of students regarding alleged heavy fines, harassment, torture and physical punishments. It has directed all the affiliated public and private sector medical colleges of Punjab to establish ‘Students Counselling Cells’ (SCCs). The cells must have senior faculty members, including teachers from the psychiatry departments, besides the students themselves to address the issues of alleged harassment of any kind and other such complaints. It declared the setting up of cells mandatory to prevent reported incidents like the one that recently surfaced at the Avicenna Medical College in Lahore.
The decision was made in a meeting chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, exclusively called after the death of a female student, Mahnoor Nadeem, of the Avicenna Medical College, followed by a protest by its students.
“It is our duty to ensure the holistic well-being of our students, particularly in light of the demanding nature of professional education in the medical and dental fields,” reads a letter issued by the Vice Chancellor to all the 12 public and 44 private medical institutes of Punjab. The letter was addressed to the principals of the medical colleges.
Answer within 72 hours
Additionally, the Avicenna Medical College has been directed to give its point of view within 72 hours so that ‘responsibility can be ascertained’.
“The PMDC, as the apex regulatory body for medical and dental education in Pakistan, is deeply saddened by the loss of a promising medical student and extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj stated, “We are deeply concerned about the circumstances leading to the untimely demise of a medical student and are committed to ensuring that justice is served. The welfare and well-being of students are of paramount importance to us, and any form of misconduct or mistreatment will not be tolerated.”
He also added that the deceased student’s family will be welcomed to reach out to the council to file the complaint.reported Dawn.
What happened at Avicenna?
An Instagram handle ‘thenewspaper.pk’ shared a report slider detailing the alleged abuse students at Avicenna Medical College had to face by the management of the college. The slider was titled, “Avicenna Takes Another Life: Student found dead”. It laid out how the chairman, Abdul Waheed Sheikh, along with his daughters — both at key positions of the administration — are allegedly ‘abusing students mentally and financially’.
The report detailed that heavy fines are allegedly imposed on students, as much as Rs60,000. Students are also not allowed to take any days off. Quoting the statement of a student in the slider, allegedly Sheikh said to a student, “Your father is alive, isn’t he? Ask for a leave when he dies.” According to the report, Sheikh’s daughters — Shandana Sheikh and Fazilda Sheikh — in-charge of leave applications and finances respectively are also allegedly complicit in the reported exploitation of students.
The slider also explains how Mahnoor Nadeem, the student who according to them committed suicide, was stressed, according to her mother. The slider details that even though she was a bright student, Mahnoor was allegedly made to sit on floor for four hours as punishment and her ‘total fine for last year was 92,000 rupees’. A day before her death, Mahnoor had reportedly gone to ask for a leave as she was not feeling well but her ‘request was declined by management’.
Alleged ‘Torture’
Another slider by the same handled is titled as, “Horrors at Avicenna: Student testimonials and proof” and contains an alleged audio where Abdul Waheed Sheikh can be heard abusing a student using curse words like “motherfucker” whereas the student is apologising, asserting that his name has been wrongly added to a list. Another alleged video shows the chairman tearing up the shirt of the student because it was not properly tucked in. The report also mentions that girls in the college are allegedly verbally ‘abused and character assasinated’ for not wearing a dupatta.
According to details, in 2018, The Express Tribune reported on a viral video of a man destroying cell phones of students at the college.
The Instagram account has also posted the video and in the background a person can be heard saying, “I’ve said break them, break them.”
Students are reportedly not allowed to bring phones with cameras to the colllege. This video was reportedly secretly filmed by one student to show how the phones were smashed.
According to the Instagram post, the head of the Human Resource department, Amna Haroon allegedly kept track of all ‘posts on social media so if someone speaks against the college, he or she has to pay fines, and worse than that is the non-issuance of roll number slip.
The Current talked to a student at the college and upon the condition of confidentiality, the student revealed that the attendance made mandatory by the monitory body (University of Health Sciences-UHS) of medical colleges is 85 per cent but students are not allowed any leave. “My phuppo (paternal aunt) passed away but they did not grant me leave.”
She recounted that the punishment for failing a test in the college is that a student is made to sit for hours on the floor outside the chairman office. This policy is called “pink list” and according to the student, any teacher can impose it. “Fans and AC are turned off as punishment,” the student shared.
She recounted that the punishment for failing a test in the college is that a student is made to sit for hours on the floor outside the chairman office. This policy is called “pink list” and according to the student, any teacher can impose it. “Fans and AC are turned off as punishment,” the student shared.
“The thing that I personally witnessed was that on our white coat ceremony, a boy’s shirt was untucked and he [Chairman Sheikh] called that boy: ‘Oye kuttey kay bachey idher ao tumhari shirt kyu bahir ha, isko 20,000 ka fine lagao.’ (O you son of a dog, why is your shirt not tucked in the pants? He should be fined 20 thousand rupees.)”
The student also revealed that when students had any issues, “the chairman and his daughter say ‘they damn care’.”
The student further added that students were allegedly financial exploitated as well. The student described how a practical notebook worth Rs3,000 is being given to students for Rs7,200. “If we don’t buy these, they tear our books,” she shared.
Student Protest and the Chairman’s reaction
Students and parents protested outside the college on April 29, in support of Mahnoor and against the alleged abuse faced by students at the college. “We are in medical college. We don’t deserve this,” said the student talking to The Current.
Chairman Sheikh came out to address the protesting students and parents, as seen in a video shared on social media. A YouTube channel Digital Diary 7127 shared those videos but are now deleted.
While the videos of Sheikh addressing the student protest have been deleted from YouTube, we have a recording.
Sheikh assured students of ‘compensation for the grievances of the past’. He started off by saying, “I will be more sympathetic in the future.” Moreover, he said, “Mein aap ki har bat sunon ga, taqreeban manon ga” which can be translated as, “I will listen to you and will almost agree with you as well.”
Later, while addressing the crowd, Sheikh announced that the “pink list” policy of punishing students will be terminated. Additionally, there shall be no fines in the future and the policy of issuing a leave will be in accordance with the monitoring body of UHS (University of Health Sciences). He promised the students that no action will be taken against those who are protesting.
It was also notified that Professor M.N Tabassum, who was allegedly fired from King Edward Medical University on allegations of sexual harassment, will not be involved in any sort of teaching and academic activities.
In another video on social media, a reporter asks Sheikh about the allegation that he uses abusive language with female students, which he denies it altogether. When he is asked about alleged physical altercations in viral videos, he said, “It used to happen in the past, probably before 2015 but it does not happen anymore.” The students behind the camera can be heard saying, “Woh mukar gaya hai” meaning “He has backtracked.”
Student response
The Current spoke with another student on the condition of anonymity. When asked if the student felt the issue was resolved, the student said, “For now, yes, but in the long run I don’t know. This thing has been going on for so long and on such big scale… it can’t be resolved just like this. According to many students we might have gotten this off our backs but we will still face the consequences,” the student said.
Netizens reacted to the video in which Sheikh is pledging to address the students’ demand. Hmad Nawaz wrote, “Concern after being exposed is always hollow.”
Meet Abdul Waheed Sheikh, an Ex-Army man, now running a prison called Avicenna Medical College who came up with grotesque punishment concepts like “pink-lists”, shaving heads, cutting clothes, protecting sexual harassers. Concern after being exposed is always hollow. pic.twitter.com/72TPQrbxR1
Daniyal Aziz, former MNA of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has stated in an interview with regret that “This was N-League’s last election”.
Daniyal Aziz and his wife did not get PMLN tickets for 2024 elections and they ran their electoral campaigns independently.
Aziz said that the reason he thinks this is the party’s last election is because “The things they have done; there was no respectable man who wasn’t humiliated by terrorism of police.”
He said that this wasn’t just his opinion but it’s a common public perception that they have crossed lines with the people. The former minister also stated that this assault wasn’t just targeted at PTI but it happened everywhere and randomly.
Aziz recounted, “Do you think the people will forget what authorities did to them?”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan does not think that the party will take back its former information minister Fawad Chaudhry.
Raoof said on a talk show at Hum News, “I did not receive any green light from PTI founder Imran Khan about taking Fawad back in the party’s camp.”
The Secretary Information of PTI stated that many left the party when it came under hard times and now want to come back because they have lost public support but Imran Khan didn’t approve their re-entry.
Hasan also said that a new leadership within PTI has emerged that is a lot more ideological and younger, after the May 9 incidents.
Meanwhile, another PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat also claimed that “some friends” were trying to re-induct Fawad in the party, however, party leadership and workers had reservations.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has teamed up with his son Shahzaman Ali Khan for a special musical project called ‘Biakul Jiyara The Legacy’, bringing something extra for fans.
Rahat announced the song’s release with much fanfare on his social media. The song is available on popular streaming platforms, showcasing the talents of both father and son. Their voices blend beautifully, creating a captivating musical experience.
‘Biakul Jiyara The Legacy’ released after a period of controversy for the award-winning singer. Despite uncertainty among fans, the new release seems to signal a promising comeback. With its timeless melodies and meaningful lyrics, the Qawali is expected to appeal to audiences of all ages.
According to a surprising notification issued by the Cabinet Division on April 28, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, a position not recognised in the Constitution.
Dar was appointed as the country’s foreign minister after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) formed a coalition government after the general elections this year.
Historically, there is only one person who held the same position as Dar does now – Pervaiz Elahi in 2012 after Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) allied with the then-ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Interestingly, X (formerly Twitter) users pointed out that the constitution of Pakistan makes no mention or reference to “deputy prime minister” at all.
Predictably, people on social media had some things to say about Dar’s new appointment.
Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that a man cannot marry the sister of his former wife during her iddat period.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh from the province’s high court issued this order while hearing a case filed by Sabir Ali, who in August 2023, accused his brother-in-law, Musawir Hussain, of having two sisters as his wives.
Hussain claimed that he married his wife’s sister nine days after divorcing his wife, reports The Express Tribune.
In a 11-page long verdict, Justice Sheikh elaborated that according to Islamic jurisprudence and the country’s law, a man cannot marry two sisters simultaneously.
Resultantly, the court ruled that marrying the sister of one’s former wife before the completion of the iddat of his first wife is equivalent to simultaneously marrying two sisters. It is because a woman remains married to a man until the completion of the iddat period, as per Islamic jurisprudence and the decisions of the Federal Sharia Court.
The verdict also pointed out that during the investigation, Musawir Hussain did not provide authenticated documents regarding his divorce.
The court declared that marrying the sister of one’s former wife before the completion of the iddat period of the first wife would be punishable.
It is mandatory for the husband and wife to separate as soon as they become aware of the invalid marriage. If they fail to do so, it is the responsibility of the judge to annul their marriage, the court noted.
Following a cancer diagnosis revealed earlier this year, King Charles III’s funeral arrangements are being regularly updated, Samaa has quoted a The New Zealand Herald report.
The plans for the funeral for the monarch were planned the day after the late Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest in 2022, as is the usual case in British government.
A royal commentator told the publication that “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really unwell.” The King, however, has been out and about in public, looking more or less the same.
Operation Menai Bridge
Assistants to King Charles III are always pouring over copies of his official funeral plans, also called ‘Operation Menai Bridge‘. The document was drafted on September 8, 2022, the day after Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and is hundreds of pages long.
Every member of the monarchy has their funeral arrangements set, which are named after well-known bridges and updated on a regular basis. The plan for the Queen’s funeral was known as “Operation London Bridge”.
An aide told local media, “It’s not an emotional thing, it’s a job, one taken very seriously, and understandably no one plans to get caught out.”
This February, King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. Last month, he was seen mingling with bystanders and shaking hands following an Easter service at Windsor Castle. He also met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this week, looking normal in the photos released by the Palace.
Singer-songwriter Asim Azhar has caught the attention of fans and followers alike with a bold move on social media. In anticipation of his upcoming debut album, Azhar has wiped clean his Instagram profile, deleting all previous posts and unfollowing everyone. The unexpected action has left fans puzzled but intrigued, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the digital cleanse.
When asked about it, Azhar explained that he wants to start a new chapter in his music career. “This debut album is a big step for me, and I wanted a fresh start,” he told a fan who was confused about the changes.
One person on Instagram said Azhar copied Taylor Swift’s style on social media. Azhar replied, “Many other artists have done similar things before her worldwide.” He added, “But yes, I love her too,” showing he’s not bothered by the comment. Azhar’s clear response showed he’s straightforward and not afraid to admit he’s a fan of other artists.
Azhar’s reply shows how tricky it can be to handle social media in the music world. It’s normal for artists to get ideas from famous stars like Swift. But they also need to find a balance between showing respect and being original.
