Tag: Top News

  • PTI says The Economist article was not written by Artificial Intelligence

    PTI says The Economist article was not written by Artificial Intelligence

    Update: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has just recently posted the clarification on the official X account stating that “the said piece has been authored by the PTI Chairman-for-life, Imran Khan, vindictively incarcerated at Central Jail, Rawalpindi. In no way, this has been compiled through the use of artificial means including artificial intelligence.”

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan held an informal conversation with reporters in the courtroom at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, talking about the article that appeared under his name in The Economist, creating an uproar. “I take full responsibility for the article published in The Economist recently,” he said. However, he admitted that he himself had not written the piece, confessing that it was “dictated”.

    Embattled PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan made a surprising claim, saying that an essay recently published by The Economist under his name was actually “AI-generated”, reports Dawn.

    According to Geo’s Khalid Iqbal, Mr. Khan also shared that “next week” his party will share another of his fresh speeches on social media.

    When the Geo News reporter asked the former Prime Minister whether the speech would be audio or a video, Khan replied, “Today is the era of Artificial Intelligence.”

    To a question about elections, the PTI founder said nationwide polls should be held in the country on time, though the process of participation had been made very difficult for his party. He stressed that elections must be held in any case.

    “Elections are very important for the country’s economy and political stability.”

    “It has been made difficult for us to contest the elections, yet the elections should be held on time,” he added.

    Talking about the incidents of May 9, Khan called it a conspiracy against him and his party PTI.

    The former Prime Minister said: “These people are conducting an inquiry against me regarding the May 9 incidents. May 9 is a conspiracy against us. Who stole the CCTV footage of my arrest from the Islamabad High Court, the attack on GHQ and Corps Commander’s House? Find the CCTV footage thieves, and all will be revealed.”

    “It is a conspiracy to trap me; it’s a conspiracy against the PTI,” said the PTI founder.

    The caretaker governments in the federal capital and Punjab have claimed that The Economist piece was a “ghost article”.

    Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said that Adiala Jail comes under the Punjab government’s jurisdiction, so, the provincial government must be investigating.

    Saying that he believes the piece was a “ghost article”, the caretaker minister added that, “The federal government will approach The Economist and write [to] them that if Imran Khan sends an article/letter following due process and the jail manual then it is publishable. But according to my information, he hasn’t written any such article, and the foreign publication has misled its readers. We are working on it and will soon write a letter to The Economist.”

    In a recent post, he criticised the statement of Imran Khan of living in the age of Artificial Intelligence by saying that this should not be allowed to run amok.

    Journalist Gharidhah Farooqi posted on X that now that Imran Khan himself has admitted he did not write the article but AI did for him; A- It’s proven the article is in-fact “ghost writing”, B- being a journalist I’d like to know what a leading and reputable publication as The Economist say about publishing an article which is not the real work/writing of a political leader, the ethical and legal standards behind publishing such a piece of writing.

    Journalist Noreen Shams questioned the veracity of the fact generated by a machine.

    Omar Qureshi asked the question if The Economist has started accepting AI-generated articles.

  • ‘Ceasefire Now’; Joe Biden’s speech interrupted by pro-Palestinian protestors

    ‘Ceasefire Now’; Joe Biden’s speech interrupted by pro-Palestinian protestors

    American President Joe Biden’s speech at a church in South Carolina was interrupted by chants of “Ceasefire Now” by supporters of the Palestinian cause. The president was there as part of the presidential campaign to woo black voters. This is the same church where a white supremacist shot nine black people in 2015.

    As he was talking about the horrific incident, one protestor got up and said, “If you really care about the lives lost here, then you should honour lives lost and call for a ceasefire in Palestine.” She was then joined by others saying, “Ceasefire Now”. One of them was seen shouting “Blood on your hands” to Biden.

    The President was seen calming the charged crowd by raising a hand and saying, “That’s alright”. As security personnel removed the protesters from the church, he said: “I understand their passion, and I’ve been quietly working, quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.”

    According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

    Biden faced the same situation previously at a human rights’ dinner in Washington DC where pretended to not listen.

  • Why is Maldives trending on Twitter?

    Why is Maldives trending on Twitter?

    Social media is a big source of arguments, being the quickest source to share information worldwide. A single picture, especially if posted by someone important, can cause chaos between countries.

    Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, posted about his recent trip to Lakshadweep on X (former Twitter).

    “In addition to the scenic beauty, Lakshadweep’s tranquility is also mesmerising. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on how to work even harder for the welfare of 140 crore Indians,” the caption read.

    Social media erupted with calls for boycott of Maldives tours after Maldivian politician Zahid Rameez made objectionable remarks regarding Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep.

    The incident led to the trending of the hashtag #BoycottMaldives on X in India.

    The controversy unfolded when Rameez, a member of the Progressive Party, responded to a claim suggesting that PM Modi’s visit was a setback for the Maldives and would boost tourism in Lakshadweep.

    Rameez mocked Indians, stating that competing with the Maldives for tourism was “delusional.” He questioned how India could match the level of service and cleanliness offered by the island nation, adding that the permanent smell in Indian rooms would be a significant drawback.

    Rameez’s remarks ignited a heated exchange on the microblogging site, with many users sharply criticizing him.

    Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Maldives, Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, also criticised Modi and said, “While I wish success for India’s tourism, targeting the Maldives so explicitly isn’t diplomatic. India faces significant challenges competing in beach tourism, considering our resort infrastructure exceeds their total islands. Plus this is your culture @narendramodi.”

    Subsequently, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gained traction on social media, with influencers joining the call for a boycott.

    Adding fuel to the fire, Maldivian minister Mariyam Shiuna also made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a now-deleted post, further fueling the outrage.

    Former President Nasheed urged the Maldivian government to distance itself from the offensive comments made by Shiuna and provide clear assurance to India that they do not reflect official government policy.

    “What appalling language by Maldives Government official @shiuna_m towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives’ security and prosperity. @MMuizzu gov must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy.”

    In response to the growing calls for a boycott, several Indian celebrities, including Akshay Kumar and Sachin Tendulkar, took to social media.

    They promoted the hashtag ‘#ExploreIndianIslands,’ encouraging fellow citizens to support domestic tourism.

    Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra urged Indians to choose wisely in light of the political tensions, emphasizing the importance of national dignity.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Moosa Zameer, said, “The recent remarks against foreign leaders and our close neighbours are unacceptable and do not reflect the official position of the Government of #Maldives. We remain committed to fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with all our partners, especially our neighbours, based on mutual respect and understanding.”

    As the controversy continues to unfold, diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives face a test, with the tourism industry caught in the crossfire of political tensions.

  • Girl commits suicide from coffee shop’s top floor in Lahore

    Girl commits suicide from coffee shop’s top floor in Lahore

    TW: A young girl jumped from the top floor of a coffee shop in Defence, Lahore, in what is being said was an attempt at committing suicide.

    A report filed by ARY News has said that police officials revealed that the girl fell on the roof of a parked car outside the coffee shop. Rescue officials shifted the girl to the nearest hospital in critical condition.

    According to Propergaanda, The tragic incident took place in The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf of Defence-B area of Lahore. The girl was identified as Esha Jamshaid. According to the police, Esha’s parents stated that she was under mental stress and was on medication when she went to the café with a friend on Monday.

    The video of the girl jumping off the roof has gone viral, prompting people to think about the very pertinent issue of mental health.
    A user wrote, “Psychological issues are main cause of such acts , may Allah create ease for everyone”.

  • Former Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar Finally Speaks Up

    Former Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar Finally Speaks Up

    Former Chief Minister Punjab and Imran Khan’s ‘Wasim Akram Plus’ has finally broken his silence after leaving Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI).

    In a recent media interview on Monday, the mild-mannered Buzdar emphasized the need for all political parties to come together for the betterment and stability of the country.

    When asked why he isn’t targeted as other PTI members are, Buzdar stated, “For the past two years, I have been dealing with legal matters in courts. I hope that challenging times will soon come to an end, issues will be resolved, and Pakistan will move forward towards progress and development.”

    He also said that he has never talked ill about anyone and never will.

    When asked about his stance on PTI, Buzdar refrained from commenting, stating that everything is in the hands of the people, and the public is the ultimate judge.

    He advised PTI to sit together with others and talk for the progress of country.

    Responding to questions about his competence, Buzdar expressed confidence that the people of the province can vouch for his sincerity and dedicated service to the region. He added, “People are the best judges, and they will vote for whoever they believe is better suited for the job.”

    Buzdar stressed the importance of political parties setting aside differences and working collaboratively for the greater good of the country.

    He emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to contribute to the improvement of Pakistan.

    He sent well wishes to his former party and disclosed that he has joined hands with the head of the Muslim League Zia, Iijaz-ul-Haq.

    A joint press conference was held where Iijaz-ul-Haq said, “I believe that elections will take place on February 8. Usman Buzdar, Yar Muhammad Rind, Amin Aslam, and 25 others are with us. We have support from various regions, including Peshawar, Sialkot, Khanewal, Sargodha, and Rajanpur. We are in contact with more parties, and they will soon be invited to join. We are forming an alliance in the name of National Unity to eliminate polarization.”

  • JN.1 : New Covid variant spreading in Pakistan

    JN.1 : New Covid variant spreading in Pakistan

    The emergence of a new coronavirus variant, JN1, a subvariant of Omicron, has raised concerns as four cases were confirmed on Sunday in Pakistan.

    A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health confirmed that all four patients had recovered without encountering any complications, reports the Express Tribune.

    Amid global attention on the new strain, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN1 as a “variant of interest.” Presently, WHO assesses the risk to public health from this strain as low based on existing evidence.

    Dr Nadeem Jan, the caretaker health minister, has said that authorities are closely monitoring the situation, adding that approximately 90 per cent of Pakistan’s population has received vaccination against Covid-19, a critical measure in combatting the spread of such variants.

    As winter brings its challenges, Dr Jan reiterated the importance of preventive measures, urging the public to continue wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and following health guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

    A few days ago, the federal government decided to secure 500,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in response to the potential resurgence of the new variant observed in multiple countries.

    The procurement strategy for Pfizer vaccines from the US was devised based on recommendations from the Emergency Operation Centre’s (EOC) technical advisory group.

    Previously, the Sindh Health Department confirmed the presence of a new variant of COVID-19 in two passengers arriving from overseas at Karachi Airport. However, it had clarified that no cases of the variant have been reported within the Sindh province.

  • Enforced Disappearance Bill never went missing, claims Chairman Senate

    Enforced Disappearance Bill never went missing, claims Chairman Senate

    In response to recent speculations surrounding the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Senate Secretariat has issued a statement on Monday, debunking claims of the bill on enforced disappearances going “missing.”

    The Senate Secretariat clarified that the bill was duly passed by the National Assembly (NA) and subsequently returned to the NA after receiving approval from the Senate.

    https://twitter.com/OfficeSenate/status/1744311661509382327?s=20

    The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2021, designed to introduce amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure, received approval from the NA on November 8, 2021.

    Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari had previously voiced concerns about the bill’s status, suggesting that it had disappeared after being forwarded to the Senate.

    In its official statement, the Senate Secretariat refuted these claims, providing a detailed timeline of the bill’s progress. According to the Secretariat, the bill was initially introduced in the NA by the then-interior minister on January 7, 2021. After successfully passing the NA on November 8, 2021, the bill was transmitted to the Senate on November 10, 2021, adhering to constitutional and procedural requirements.

    Addressing the allegations raised by Shireen Mazari, the Senate Secretariat clarified that the bill was presented in the Senate on July 29, 2022. Subsequently, it was referred to the standing committee for a comprehensive consideration and report.

    “The Bill was passed by the Senate on 20th October, 2022 with some amendments. Accordingly, in pursuance of clause (2) of Article 70 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 and rule 125 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, the Bill was returned to the originating House, i.e. the National Assembly of Pakistan on 20th October, 2022,” the statement said.

    The Secretariat underscored that, by Article 70 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, and Rule 125 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, the bill was returned to its originating House, the National Assembly, on October 20, 2022, after securing approval in the Senate.

    The statement concluded by emphasizing that the bill was never missing, and it is not currently pending in the Senate Secretariat. Instead, it has been appropriately returned to the National Assembly after completing the required legislative process in the Senate. The Senate Secretariat reiterated its commitment to upholding constitutional and procedural standards in handling legislative matters.

  • ‘Sky will not fall if polls are deferred’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman 

    ‘Sky will not fall if polls are deferred’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman 

    Amid the ongoing controversy about the general elections scheduled for February 8, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Senate’s resolution advocating the postponement of the electoral process aligns with his party’s stance.

    The resolution, proposed by an independent lawmaker in the upper house of parliament on Friday amid concerns about extreme weather conditions and the security situation in the country.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on Geo News‘ program ‘Jirga’ before embarking on his visit to Afghanistan on Sunday, emphasised the need for a deferral of polls for the betterment of the security situation. 

    “Sky will not fall if polls are deferred for the betterment of the [security] situation,” Fazl said. He has continued to raise concerns about the security situation in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

    The JUI-F chief’s visit to Kabul comes at a delicate juncture, marked by strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan due to a surge in terror incidents, primarily attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned outfit.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently asserted that the current situation in the country is not conducive to holding elections, citing multiple attacks on his party in the last six months. The most recent incident was a gun attack on the JUI-F’s convoy in Dera Ismail Khan, where fortunately, he remained unharmed.

    The controversy surrounding the postponement of elections, which have already been delayed, intensified following the Senate’s approval of a resolution seeking to defer polls.

    However, a fresh resolution was tabled on Saturday in favour of conducting elections on February 8 as originally scheduled, leading to the initiation of contempt proceedings against senators involved in the delay resolution.

    Speaking about the motion to postpone polls, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated in an interview that the Senate resolution supported the JUI-F’s stance on the threats of terrorism, although he claimed to have no prior information about the resolution.

    Expressing concerns about the electoral environment, especially in KP and Balochistan, the seasoned politician urged stakeholders to grasp the gravity of the situation. “People are being threatened through pamphlets warning them against attending JUI-F rallies.”

    Despite the challenging circumstances, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed hope for improvement and emphasised that his party would participate in elections. He stated, “We are not the ones running away from the elections,” underscoring the importance of talks and mediation while assessing ground realities for discussions with the TTP.

    Addressing the issue of a level-playing field, the JUI-F leader criticised the use of the term for a single party, alluding to shifts in political support. 

    “Yesterday’s blue-eyed boy is also being supported today,” he said without naming anyone.

    The year 2023 witnessed Pakistan grappling with terrorism, internal conflicts, socioeconomic disparities, regional instability and heightened tensions with militant groups along the Afghanistan border.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman, consistently voicing grave concerns over the peace and security situation, recalled previous attacks on his party members. Notably, in September, a blast in Mastung injured senior JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah, while in July, a suicide blast targeted a JUI-F workers’ convention in Bajaur’s Khar, resulting in the death of at least 40 party workers.

    In contrast to the JUI-F’s position, almost all major political parties have rejected the resolution to defer polls, insisting that the general elections must proceed as scheduled on February 8.

  • Supreme Court ends lifetime disqualification

    Supreme Court ends lifetime disqualification

    In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday overturned the lifetime disqualification of lawmakers, rescinding its previous order that barred politicians from seeking office indefinitely.

    The decision came during the hearing of a case presented by former PML-N provincial member Sardar Meer Badshah Khan Qaisrani. The top court identified inconsistencies between the Election Act of 2017 and a previous Supreme Court ruling regarding the duration of disqualification.

    The Supreme Court declared that no person can be barred for a lifetime from running in elections if they are disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f), setting aside its landmark judgment in the Samiullah Baloch case.

    Sardar Meer Badshah Khan Qaisrani had filed a petition in 2007 challenging his lifetime disqualification over allegations related to a fake degree.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, announced that the Supreme Court aims to conclude proceedings on the lifetime disqualification case by January 4 (Thursday). This crucial decision will determine whether the amendment to the Election Act 2017 aligns with Article 62(1)(F) and establish whether lawmakers’ disqualification from contesting polls should be lifelong or limited to five years.

    The seven-member larger bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and consisting of Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Musarrat Hilali, deliberated on the matter of lifetime disqualification for lawmakers during today’s proceedings.

    The apex court acknowledged the contradiction in the Election Act of 2017 and the earlier Supreme Court verdict and took this step after careful consideration. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over the length of disqualification for politicians and its alignment with constitutional provisions.

  • Winter vacations extended in KP, timings changed in Sindh

    Winter vacations extended in KP, timings changed in Sindh

    Winter vacations extended in KP on the pretext of cold while the timings for schools have been revised in Sindh for the same.

    The caretaker government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has extended winter holidays for government and private primary schools until January 13 due to severe cold and fog.

    As per official notification, all private and government primary schools (from playgroup to Class 5) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain closed till January 13 due to the prevailing cold weather conditions.

    The timings for the middle/ primary, high, and higher secondary schools will be from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, instead of the previous 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The notification further mentioned that these timings will remain in force for a week, after which the previous schedule will be followed.

    Sindh government has revised the timings for all government and private educational institutions till January 31, reportedly owing to the cold wave.

    As per a notification issued by the provincial School Education and Literacy Department dated January 8, public and private schools under the administrative control of the School Education and Literacy Department will function from 9am onwards.
    However, this notification does not apply to private institutions.