Tag: Top News

  • Pakistan reverses decision on US sanctions waiver for gas project

    Pakistan reverses decision on US sanctions waiver for gas project

    Pakistan is reconsidering its earlier policy of not seeking a US waiver for Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik recently said, “Pakistan will vigorously present its case and will try to seek exemption from US sanctions by presenting technical and political arguments.”

    Previously the Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in response to a question said, “It is a segment of the pipeline which is being built inside Pakistani territory. So, we do not believe that at this point there is room for any discussion or waiver from a third party.”

    Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project has been in the works for more than a decade now. While Iran has completed the construction of 900 kilometers of pipeline on its side of the border, Pakistan has not begun construction.

    Last month, the caretaker government approved the construction of an 80 kilometers section of the gas pipeline to avoid the contractual penalties worth $7 billion.

    Iran has already extended the 180-day deadline till September 2024 to Pakistan. Iran has also told Islamabad that failing this deadline, they would move International Arbitration seeking a penalty of $18 billion.

  • Gullu Butt passes away in Lahore

    Gullu Butt passes away in Lahore

    Gullu Butt, the notorious man who was caught wielding a baton and damaging property during the violent police action in Model Town in 2014, passed away in Lahore on Sunday, according to his family.

    Shahid Aziz, also known as Gullu Butt, had been dealing with a long-term illness for the last four to five months.

    Back on June 17, 2014, during a confrontation between protesting workers of Dr. Tahirul Qadri and a large police presence outside the Minhajul Quran Secretariat in Model Town, Butt was accused of causing chaos.

    He allegedly obstructed public servants from performing their duties and damaged private vehicles using sticks. The police did not intervene to stop Butt’s actions; instead, they watched silently and even seemed to assist him.

    Gullu Butt became infamous overnight, leading to PTI leader Imran Khan referencing to him many times.

  • Women arrested for stealing Uzma Kardar’s jewellery accuse police of beating, stripping them

    Women arrested for stealing Uzma Kardar’s jewellery accuse police of beating, stripping them

    Four women, detained for allegedly stealing jewellery belonging to PML-N’s Member of Punjab Assembly Uzma Kardar, have accused police of physical torture and stripping them in the presence of the MPA during the investigation process.

    The jewellery theft case was registered at the Model Town police station. However, the suspects, who are employees of a private housing society club have denied the allegations.

    The MPA suspected that two instructors and two club employees were involved in the theft. It was stated in the FIR that after attending the assembly session, she had gone to the club for swimming. She put the jewellery in her purse, which was kept in the club’s locker. Upon her return, she found out that jewellery worth Rs4-5 lakh had been stolen.

    SP Model Town told The News that four female employees of the club were detained after registration of the theft case. They were released after Uzma Kardar’s husband was taken into confidence on the matter. He said the club management also vouched for them and declared them innocent. He said the matter was still under investigation with the help of club’s surveillance cameras and management’s statements.

    MPA Uzma Kardar has called it “completely fabricated lies just to cover up systematic theft”. She emphasised that the women were investigated in front of her and were not detained for the night.

  • Dr Mehboob suspended from GC University after harassment allegations

    Dr Mehboob suspended from GC University after harassment allegations

    Dr Mehboob Ahmed, Assistant Professor of the English Department in Government College University, Lahore, has been suspended till an inquiry into the allegations of harassment against him are completed.

    In a notification issued by the Vice Chancellor of Government College University, it has been said that till the investigation of the incident, Assistant Professor Dr. Mehboob will only be able to come to the college in connection with his case. “The Vice Chancellor has directed Dr Mehboob is suspended till the outcome of the probe is unveiled. He is directed to visit the campus only when he is officially invited to attend the proceedings of the probe,” the notification stated.

    All the staff of the university, including the faculty and the director of the English department, have been barred from issuing any statement about the incident.

    Vice Chancellor GCU says that they are worried about the incident that happened in the English department on March 19 and that the harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstance.

    In a video that emerged on March 20 shows the professor being beaten up by a former student in front of university staff and some students. Consequently, many students took to social media complaining to have witnessed the perverse attitude and demanding an investigation into the matter.

    Read more: Is GCU’s administration backing alleged harassers?

  • Tazeen Hussain opens up about father Talat Hussain’s Health

    Tazeen Hussain opens up about father Talat Hussain’s Health

    Actor and educator Tazeen Hussain recently appeared on Good Morning Pakistan where she talked about her special bond with her father, the famous Talat Hussain. Tazeen shared heartfelt stories about her father’s role in their family and gave updates on his health, remembering his kind nature. She said that she and her siblings often found comfort in being around their father.

    Talking about her father’s significant influence, Tazeen highlighted his cultured upbringing and his dedication to teaching valuable lessons to his children. She said, “My dad was artistic and open-minded, like most artists are. He never stopped us from doing what we wanted. We were scared of Mom, not Dad. He never scolded us. He took care of us when we were hurt. He would kindly give us medicine even when we didn’t want to take it.” Tazeen continued, “We received a lot of love from Dad.” She also mentioned, “With my father, I grew up as a girl and as a woman. There was never any distinction between boys and girls in our house. We were all treated equally. My father always respected women.”

    However, among the happy memories, Tazeen talked about her father’s current health problems. “He’s getting older now,” Tazeen began. “With age come a few illnesses. Dad has dementia, your memory starts to decline.” Although he still knows who she is, Tazeen shared, “He recognizes us, so it’s not too bad. Some days are slower, and remembering people is a bit harder. But on other days, he can recognize them. Some days, he doesn’t want too much mental activity. But otherwise, he walks around, wants to go for a drive, eats, and drinks, thank God.”

    The veteran actor got a chest infection, which made his health worse and he had to go to the hospital. “Recently, he got really sick,” she said. “He had a chest infection, so he had to stay in the hospital. But thanks to all the prayers from his fans and well-wishers, it was like a miracle. He came back home from the hospital, walking on his own feet.”

    Even though the icon is still dealing with health issues, Tazeen wants fans to know he’s doing okay for now. She admitted that sometimes he has slower days, but his strength and determination keep everyone hopeful and positive.

  • PTI wants  EU to public report on February 8 polls

    PTI wants  EU to public report on February 8 polls

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded on Monday that the European Union (EU) publish a report on the February 8 general elections. 

    “The EU report on the elections should be made public,” PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

    Hasan confirmed that the EU delegation visited Pakistan before the elections and gave its report on the general elections directly to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    “The EU report is very sensitive and important,” he added. The party has repeatedly complained about alleged widespread rigging and manipulation of election results in last month’s general elections, stating that its mandate was’stolen’.

    The former ruling party’s founder, Imran Khan, had also written to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), calling on the global lender to hold an audit of the election results before approving any new loan for Islamabad—aa demand excused by the Washington-based lender, citing its “narrow mandate on economic issues” and saying that it does not comment on domestic political developments.

  • SC seeks details of military trials of civilians

    SC seeks details of military trials of civilians

    The Supreme Court (SC) has sought details of civilians being tried in military trials over their alleged role in May 9 riots. A six-member bench — led by Justice Aminuddin Khan and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Azhar Hasan Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan — heard a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs) against its Oct 23 unanimous ruling nullifying the military trials of civilians.

    The case references 103 civilians currently in army trials for their alleged involvement in attacks on army installations.
    It is important to note that last year, a five member bench had unanimously declared military trials of civilians as null and void.

    However, on December 13, ruling on an appeal filed by the then-caretaker federal government and provincial governments of Punjab, KPK, Balochistan, in a 5-1 majority verdict, the SC conditionally suspended its previous ruling.

    Recently, former CJP Jawad S. Khawaja, who is one of the petitioners to challenge military trials, had requested for an early hearing, stating that continued presence of civilians in military custody was worrying. His counsel also objected to the size of the bench saying, “It is my request to the court to urge the SC committee to constitute a nine-member bench.”

  • Police official transferred after stopping black window car of PML-N MPA

    Police official transferred after stopping black window car of PML-N MPA

    A police officer was transferred on Sunday for stopping the car of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Malik Waheed Awan.

    Sub-inspector Yasir and other officials halted Waheed’s vehicle with tinted windows while the MPA was inside the car.

    A video showing the conversation between the PML-N leader and police personnel surfaced online, where the politician can be heard saying, “I am Malik Waheed, not just an ordinary MPA.”

    Awan demanded an on-camera apology from the policeman. However, Sub-Inspector (SI) Yasir and officials apologised to MPA Malik Waheed. Later, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi transferred sub-inspector Yasir to the judicial wing.

    In a video statement, Malik Waheed stated that he had come to thank the trader’s community in the constituency after winning the election, but the police deliberately stopped his vehicle.

    The PML-N leader added that he is a police-friendly person and salutes the police.

  • Aagha Ali breaks silence on rumors of separation from Hina Altaf

    Aagha Ali breaks silence on rumors of separation from Hina Altaf

    Actor and singer Aagha Ali has finally addressed rumors that he and Hina Altaf are separating.

    In a recent interview, the ‘Matam’ actor said, “It’s been a while since I hired a housekeeper. In 2022, I decided I don’t need one anymore because I cooked a delicious beef Liam spaghetti yesterday after a long time.”

    Ali told the interviewer that it’s hard for him to handle both his work and having a housekeeper because “I live alone.”

    He further said, “Once I hired a housekeeper who used to work for me 24 hours, but that also didn’t work out for me as I also would need leaves from house chores.”

    His comments came after he wrote a mysterious caption on one of his recent three-picture posts, which has grabbed the attention of many people on the internet, especially amid rumors of him separating from his wife on social media.
    Tagged with the location stamp of Heraklion, Greece, in a seemingly rhyming fashion the caption said, “Life in blues … main confuseeee yun hokay, phir sochta hoon yar kuin halaat nai ok ! Phir ro kay, haan thoda ro kay dho Kay I get back to ma phone and say Confuse hokay, Chal koi Nai , main kalla nai, is jahan mein sab nay hi tou haan khaye hain Dhokay! It’s ok.”

    His words left netizens wondering if it’s just a funny message or if there’s a hidden meaning behind it.
    Meanwhile, keen-eyed social media users have also noticed that Ali and his wife, Altaf, have unfollowed each other on their official Instagram accounts. However, others were quick to point out that the ‘Matam’ and ‘Arranged Marriage’ actor have always had zero follows on their accounts, despite having 6.7 million and 1.1 million Instagram followers, respectively.

  • Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie shed light on famine in Gaza

    Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie shed light on famine in Gaza

    Global superstars Penelope Cruz and Angelina Jolie are raising their voice for the starving people of Gaza.

    Cruz, the Spanish actress famous for Vanilla Sky, shared a United Nations Instagram post about the imminent famine in Gaza and how people in the besieged strip are starving to death.

    Cruz has been working with Unicef and she has been among the Spanish actors who have been vocal about demanding a ceasefire in Gaza since December.

    Angelina Jolie also shared a Washington Post article on her Instagram story, stressing that “Famine may already be there in Gaza”.

    Jolie has openly expressed her “disappointment” and called out Israel for deliberately “bombing a trapped population”.