Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has awarded four party tickets for general seats in provincial and national assemblies to minority candidates.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given one party ticket to minority candidate Lalchand Malhi from NA-213 Umerkot Sindh.
The PPP nominated Sakhawat Masih, a ground worker from Narowal, for NA-76 Narowal, along with giving tickets to Doctor Mahesh Kumar Malani from Tharparkar for NA-215 Mithi/Tharparkar.
Malani was the only Hindu MNA on general seat in the National Assembly from 2018–2023.
PPP is also fielding Seth Hari Ram Kishori Lal from Mirpurkhas, for P.S-45 Mirpurkhas-I.
He was also the only Hindu member of the provincial assembly (MPA) on a general seat from 2018–2023.
Dr. Saveera Parkash from PK-25 Buner is also a PPP candidate, the first female Hindu candidate from the region.
American and British forces have launched fresh raids on Yemen’s capital, Houthi rebel forces confirmed on Saturday, a day after the allies carried out dozens of strikes on the country.
The latest raids targeted Al-Dailami airbase in Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014, a statement released on their official media stated. “The American-British enemy is targeting the capital, Sanaa, with a number of raids,” Al-Masirah TV posted on X, formerly Twitter, citing its correspondent in Sanaa.”The American-British aggression targeted the Al-Dailami base in the capital, Sanaa,” it added.
Raids on Yemen follow weeks of Houthi attacks on Israel’s ships in the commercial Red Sea in protest against the war on Gaza.
The strike on a Houthi radar site comes a day after scores of attacks across the country heightened fears that Israel’s aggression on Gaza could engulf the whole Arab region.
The Houthis warned that US and British interests were “legitimate targets” after the initial strikes. Britain, the United States and eight allies said strikes carried out on Friday had aimed to “de-escalate tensions”, but the Houthis vowed to continue their attacks. Hussein al-Ezzi, the rebels’ deputy foreign minister, said the United States and Britain would “have to prepare to pay a heavy price”.
The rebels have controlled much of Yemen since a civil war erupted in 2014 and are part of the “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies.
Violence involving these groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria has surged since the war in Gaza began in early October.
BREAKING: Massive United States fleet of warships seen off the coast of Yemen.
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UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all sides “not to escalate” in the interest of regional peace and stability, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, days after adopting a resolution demanding the Houthis immediately stop their attacks.
At the meeting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that no ship was safe from the threat posed by Houthis to shipping in the Red Sea.
Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia denounced the “blatant armed aggression” against the entire population of the country.
Red Sea attacks and the politics of the Middle East
The Houthis have intensified attacks on what they deem Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea- through which 12 percent of global maritime trade normally passes- since October 7.
The United States and Britain launched strikes on Friday that targeted nearly 30 locations using more than 150 ammunitions, US General Douglas Sims said, updating earlier figures, and President Joe Biden said he did not believe there were civilian casualties.
Biden called the strikes a successful “defensive action” after the “unprecedented” Red Sea attacks and said he would act again if the Houthis continued their “outrageous behaviour”.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Houthis’ breach of international law warranted the “strong signal”, with his government publishing its legal position justifying the strikes as lawful and “proportionate”.
Nasser Kanani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said the Western strikes would fuel “insecurity and instability in the region” while “diverting” attention from Gaza.
The Houthis fired “at least one” anti-ship ballistic missile in retaliation on Friday that caused no damage, according to Sims.
The United States said it did not seek conflict with Iran, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling MSNBC there was “no reason” for an escalation.
Middle Eastern leaders voiced concern at the violence, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing the strikes on Yemen as disproportionate and saying: “It is as if they aspire to turn the Red Sea into a bloodbath.”
Saudi Arabia said it “is following with great concern the military operations” and called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. The kingdom is trying to extricate itself from a nine-year war with the Huthis, though fighting has largely been on hold since a truce in early 2022.
Palestinian freedom fighting group Hamas said it would hold Britain and the United States “responsible for the repercussions on regional security”.
‘Death to America’
Hundreds of thousands of people, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Friday to protest, many waving Yemeni and Palestinian flags and holding portraits of Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.
5 million people protested in Yemen today. Does The United States and Israel know what they got themselves into? This is terrifying, pic.twitter.com/MBRw9f8X5r
In Tehran, hundreds rallied against the United States, Britain, and Israel, burning the three countries’ flags outside the UK embassy while voicing support for Gazans and Yemenis, an AFP correspondent reported.
In Gaza, Palestinians lauded Houthi support and condemned Britain and the United States. “No one is standing with us but Yemen,” said Fouad al-Ghalaini, one of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left homeless by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza City
— Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) January 12, 2024
According to Director FIA Karachi Zone Zaeem Iqbal, the suspect was posted as a cashier in the branch of a private bank located in Sadar area of Karachi. He has been accused of embezzling a total of three crore, 29 lakh and 78 thousand rupees by issuing, without permission, fake cash transits to various branches under the guise of excess cash.
According to the initial investigation, no request for cash was received from the above branches, while the suspect did not hand over the said amount to the van used for cash transit after making cash entries last year in May, June and July.
As per FIA, the suspect had fled after cheating. After his arrest, raids are being conducted to apprehend others from the group.
The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has stated in a report that over 10 million individuals faced displacement while 2.1 million homes were damaged in Sindh and approximately 100,000 in Balochistan in the devastating floods that hit Pakistan in 2022. The findings of the report reveal that due to financial constraints, there is a possibility that low-income migrated families will not return to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections.
The lack of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and damaged pathways to polling stations jeopardise participation of the flood-affected communities, reports Dawn.
A study by CPDI, conducted in Sindh and Balochistan, identifies multiple problems faced by flood-affected communities which may adversely affect voter turnout. It shows key issues, notably the absence of CNICs and damaged pathways to potential polling stations or school buildings.
While highlighting the issues, CPDI urged authorities to take immediate measures to facilitate voter turnout in the flood-affected areas specifically in Khairpur, Naushahro Feroz, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad.
The qualitative assessment was undertaken in the severely affected provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, highlighting various critical issues, including the absence and delays in obtaining national identity cards, damaged infrastructure such as roads and designated polling stations/school buildings, waning interest in political leaders due to insufficient post-disaster rehabilitation efforts, and concerns about the displaced community’s return to exercise their voting rights.
Additionally, individuals with lifelong injuries may be bedridden, posing a challenge for their participation in the general election (GE) 2024. These findings underscore the multifaceted challenges affecting the electoral landscape in flood-affected regions.
A significant number of flood victims lost their CNICs (at least one in every household), delays in renewal of CNICs are primarily because of the crowded and limited number of Nadra centres established at village level, residents added that mobile registration vans of Nadra initially helped but were later discontinued.
“Furthermore, daily wage earners also find it financially burdensome to visit Nadra centres. CPDI urges the authorities to take immediate action to ensure that eligible voters in flood-affected regions receive their CNICs before elections. Moreover, damaged roads and access tracks force voters to take longer alternative routes to reach polling stations, reported in all villages of selected districts in Sindh and Balochistan.
“Increased distances, combined with high transportation costs, will likely discourage voters, particularly women, elderly, differently-abled and low-income individuals, from travelling to cast their votes. With over 40 per cent of school buildings damaged and incomplete recovery efforts, newly designated polling stations may be distant, posing accessibility challenges for flood-affected residents on polling day without adequate transportation,” the report stated.
Fresh from its wins at the Golden Globes, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” on Wednesday topped the nominations for the influential Screen Actors Guild Awards, which are key to Oscars success.
The SAG Awards, voted on by Hollywood actors, are likely to enjoy a profile boost of their own this year as they are broadcast globally on Netflix -an awards show first for the world’s biggest streamer.
“Oppenheimer,” which tells the story of the inventor of the atomic bomb, earned nods for Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt, as well as “outstanding performance by a cast” – the SAG Awards’ top prize.
Nolan’s three-hour epic, which earned nearly $1 billion and received rave reviews from critics, is rapidly becoming the clear favorite for the Academy Awards in March.
“Barbie” -the other half of last summer’s “Barbenheimer” box office phenomenon, and the year’s highest-grossing film -picked up nominations for Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and the overall cast.
The surreal comedy based on the wildly popular doll also picked up a nomination for its stunt performers.
The other films with three acting nominations were the historical epic “Killers of the Flower Moon” -despite its leading man Leonardo DiCaprio missing out — and the scathing satire “American Fiction,” starring Jeffrey Wright.
Both movies are nominated for best cast, with the musical remake “The Color Purple” rounding out that category.
This year’s SAG Awards gala, held on February 24, will be streamed on Netflix, as the platform slowly moves into hosting live events.
The Screen Actors Guild will bestow a lifetime achievement award on Barbra Streisand.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher praised the EGOT -Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony – winner as “a colossal icon with a relentless work ethic, evolving with each stage of her remarkable journey.”
Speeches at next month’s gala are certain to feature multiple references to last year’s Hollywood strikes, which saw the industry shut down as SAG-AFTRA – along with the writers’ guild -went head-to-head with studios.
A deal was finally reached to end the actors’ strike in November.
While Netflix will host the gala, none of its films were nominated for the night’s biggest prize.
But the streamer did land five movie nominations, including Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan for Leonard Bernstein biopic “Maestro,” and Jodie Foster and Annette Bening for “Nyad.”
Elsewhere, Globes winners Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph picked up nods for “The Holdovers,” as did Emma Stone and her co-star Willem Dafoe for “Poor Things.”
All four films missed out on nominations for Outstanding Cast.
The winner of that prize has gone on to win the best picture at the Oscars in three of the past four years (“Parasite,” “CODA” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once”).
Actors represent the biggest branch of the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes for the Oscars.
The SAG Awards also honor television, with “Succession” on top with five nods, followed by “The Bear,” “The Last of Us” and “Ted Lasso,” all on four.
Hollywood’s Directors’ Guild also announced its own nominations Wednesday.
Both Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” again made the shortlist of five nominees for the Directors Guild of America’s best film.
They were joined by Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon, “Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” and “Poor Things” from Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos.
Umar Farooq Dar, accused of stealing the birthday cake of party leader Nawaz Sharif in Gujranwala has now been given party tickets to contest the upcoming elections.
Umar Farooq Dar took to Twitter and expressed hope to win the elections under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz. He is going to contest the elections from PP-64.
انشاءاللہ قائد میاں نوازشریف صدر مسلم لیگ میاں شہبازشریف اور چیف آرگنائزر مسلم لیگ ن مریم نوازشریف کے اعتماد پر پورا اترتے ہوئے اللہ کے فضل و کرم سے سرخرو ہونگے!!! pic.twitter.com/OkvQ0Iqu32
Journalist Majid Nizami shared the news by posting on X that Umar Farooq Dar, who collected Nawaz Sharif’s birthday cake from the bakery for free, has been issued MPA ticket by PML-N from Gujranwala. He also took a jibe at the politician that his devotees have collected cakes that were not theirs.
بیکری سے نواز شریف کی سالگرہ کا کیک مفت اٹھانے والے عمر فاروق ڈار کو گوجرانولہ سے ن لیگ نے ایم پی اے کا ٹکٹ جاری کر دیا
قائد کی محبت میں ہم آشفتہ سروں نے۔۔۔ وہ کیک اٹھائے ہیں جو ہمارے بھی نہیں تھے https://t.co/1k4OizxUbu
Pakistani superstar Mehwish Hayat met Indian crooner Yo Yo Honey Singh, and the meeting has made a lot of people curious. Yo Yo Honey Singh is famous for his catchy songs and hit numbers. He’s not just a rapper but also a music producer and actor.
Now, fans are excited, hoping that there might be news of the two stars working together, looking forward to an announcement that brings their talents together, crossing borders and celebrating the unity of art and culture.
Honey Singh posted a selfie with Mehwish on his Instagram and praised her as lively in the caption, using the term “With zinda dil.” Mehwish, in return, shared Honey’s post on her Instagram Stories and wrote a sweet note expressing happiness about meeting him at last.
She wrote, “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you finally. You are an incredible powerhouse of talent and a true inspiration.”She wrote, “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you finally. You are an incredible powerhouse of talent and a true inspiration.”
Independent Senator Hidayatullah presented a new resolution on Friday calling for the postponement of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consider delaying the polls by three months.
The resolution was formally submitted to the Senate Secretariat by Hidayatullah, representing the Independent Parliamentary Group.
Senator Hidayatullah’s resolution also highlights the recent surge in violent attacks within the country, along with an increase in incidents targeting election candidates.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday requested a senate session to ensure that general elections, scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024, proceed in a timely fashion, The News has reported.
PTI senator Ali Zafar took signatures of senate members on a requisition to conduct a session to discuss the matter of holding elections on time. PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami supported the initiative.
According to the requisition, Pakistan can’t afford political instability. To strengthen democracy, polls should be conducted on time.
On January 5, the sparsely attended senate passed a resolution in favour of a postponement of the general elections.
Majority of the lawmakers present in the legislature had approved the resolution — seeking polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and deteriorating security situation — moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan.
Only 14 senate members were present on the day when the resolution passed. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah Khan and caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi had opposed the resolution, while PPP’s Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi and PTI’s Senator Gurdeep Singh remained silent.
Senator Dilawar had also said that COVID-19 is still present, so elections should be postponed.
Fauzia Janjua has become the first Muslim and Pakistani-American to take oath for the office of the mayor of New Jersey. She took an oath of her new responsibility on the Holy Quran alongside her husband and children at Township Hall.
Fauzia’s father Idris belongs to Chakwal while her mother is from Lahore. Her father migrated to the US, where she was born, in the 1970s. She opted for community service and is imparting education to poor children and prisoners. With her election, the position of mayor has gone to Democrats for the first time in 36 years. Before her election, the mayor slot was always held by a Republican representative.
In the speech she gave on the historic occasion, Fauzia Janjua described her election as the first Muslim lady of Pakistan origin as a moment of pride, reports The News.
New Jersey State Representative, Carol Murphy, wrote on X: “It is such a great honour to administer the oaths of office tonight in Mount Laurel. It was extremely special to celebrate my dear friends — Mayor Fozia Janjua (1st Muslim & South Asian Mayor in township history) & Deputy Mayor Nik Moustakas on this historic occasion.”
It is such a great honor to administer the oaths of office tonight in Mount Laurel. It was extremely special to celebrate my dear friends — Mayor Fozia Janjua (1st Muslim & South Asian Mayor in township history) & Deputy Mayor Nik Moustakas on this historic occasion. pic.twitter.com/LaZB4GluKR
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has decided on Friday not to go for seat adjustments with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
It has been stated in an official statement issued by PML-Q that the decision was taken in a meeting chaired by party president Chaudhry Shujaat.
According to PML-Q’s statement, PML-N has fielded its candidates in their desired constituencies, and the party leadership has decided that they will not suffer from double standards.
The PML-Q’s senior vice president, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, said that the PML-N should field its candidates against him and his brother in Gujrat. Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, the secretary general of PML-Q Punjab, also agreed with the decision.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that if the PML-N will compete against them, they will prefer to stand with their party members.
