After six long months, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has finally confirmed that Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash in Budgam on February 27, which killed seven people, including six uniformed personnel, was caused by friendly fire, The Print has reported.
According to reports, the investigation has discovered that the crash was a result of system failure, while the IAF has blamed two officers: the chief operations officer (COO) and the senior air traffic control officer (SATCO), who can face court-martial proceedings as a punishment.
The report further said that the helicopter was shot down by IAF’s Israeli-made Spyder Air Defence System following the failure of command and control.
The Russian-made chopper had crashed near Srinagar on the same day Pakistan Air Force (PAF) downed two intruding IAF fighter jets, killing one pilot while capturing another, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Budgam is a town located in Indian occupied Kashmir’s (IoK) district of the same name. The helicopter had crashed in an open field near Garend Kalaan village at around 10 am on February 27.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has reportedly decided to appoint Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry as his spokesperson in Nadeem Afzal Chan’s place.
According to reports, the minister will serve as the premier’s spokesperson in addition to managing his science and technology portfolio.
The current spokesperson, Chan, who is also the PM Imran’s special assistant on parliamentary coordination, wants to step down citing his “inability to carry on holding the post”.
The premier has requested Fawad, a media affairs expert, to replace Chan, The Express Tribune reported, adding that the PM’s Office will issue a formal notification within a few days.
The United Nations (UN) has responded to Pakistani demands seeking the removal of Indian actor Priyanka Chopra as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) goodwill ambassador for peace.
According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, when UNICEF goodwill ambassadors speak in their personal capacity, “they retain the right to speak about issues that interest or concern them”.
“Their personal views or actions do not necessarily reflect those of UNICEF,” he said, adding, “When they speak on behalf of the UNICEF, we expect them to adhere to UNICEF’s evidence-based impartial positions.”
Antonio remarked that UNICEF goodwill ambassadors are prominent individuals who have agreed to generously volunteer their time and their public profile to promote children’s rights.
The development comes after Pakistanis, including Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, demanded that Priyanka be removed by the UN over a February tweet amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
The tweet had come a day before Indian fighter jets crossed into Pakistani territory, conducting air raids that resulted in an escalation in hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
The campaign against Priyanka had started after she was asked to comment on her tweet at a conference in Los Angeles by a Pakistani girl, to which she had responded harshly, inviting criticism from all-around.
In what is being termed as an embarrassment for the country, Sri Lanka has rejected Pakistan’s claims of enjoying President Maithripala Sirisena’s support against Indian decision to revoke Article 370 of its constitution in held Kashmir.
“The president acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and expressed his desire that this dispute should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiris under UN [United Nations] Resolutions,” read a statement issued following Pakistani High Commissioner Maj Gen (r) Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat’s meeting with the Sri Lankan president Tuesday.
According to the statement, President Sirisena “also offered Sri Lanka’s mediation and facilitation of dialogue between Pakistan and India to re-activate the SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] forum”.
“The President’s Media Division wishes to state that the said meeting took place at the request of the High Commissioner of Pakistan and during which he briefed the president about the recent developments with regard to India’s abrogation of Section 370 and annulling of Article 35A of the Constitution of India.”
It added that the president gave a patient hearing to the high commissioner’s views and said that both Pakistan and India have excellent friendly relations with Sri Lanka, adding that the country’s interest is to see the growth of regional cooperation.
“The president did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to Pakistan and India,” it concluded.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has spent the Supreme Court (SC) and Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan’s Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund on utility bills, anchorperson Ayesha Bakhsh has claimed.
“I have been told that billions of rupees raised for the dams have been spent on utility bills by the government,” the journalist alleged while hosting “Face To Face With Ayesha Bakhsh” on GNN.
WATCH VIDEO:
⚠️#FakeNews The Dam Fund is NOT used for paying utility bills. It’s invested in T-bills(treasury bills) which are like bonds. You buy them for a fixed period, earn interest & then get the money back after maturity. Anchors are requested to only talk about THINGS THEY UNDERSTAND. pic.twitter.com/uIAztotmuQ
It wasn’t later that Bakhsh was called out for “spreading fake news” since the official fundraising webpage clearly states:
“NBP [National Bank of Pakistan] has made investments in market treasury bills, as detailed above, in compliance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan orders in Case C.M.A. No. 6155 of 2018 in Constitution Petition No. 57 of 2016.”
While the journalist seems to have confused investments in treasury bills with utility bills, people did not let go of the blunder easy.
The allegations were also reported to the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA), which took action against the journalist and issued a press statement on its Twitter handle:
“PEMRA has issued a show-cause notice over the false and baseless analysis aired on GNN,” the statement read. It added that the analysis was in violation of the SC’s orders as well as PEMRA regulations.
Seeking the channel’s response, the media watchdog also warned of action under relevant laws.
Meanwhile, Bakhsh has clarified:
To clarify the news regarding Dam Fund shared in my program Face to Face, it was a factual mistake that later rectified on our channel. pic.twitter.com/ivBjbMzYRl
Established in July 2018 by then chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar, the dams fund is aimed at raising funds for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
Later, PM Imran Khan also announced joining hands with the CJP for the cause, which resulted in the fund crossing the Rs10 billion mark after generous donations by both resident and overseas Pakistanis.
After investments in treasury bills, the current account balance of the fund stands at Rs17 million.
Sanam Jung’s, much-hyped comeback to dramas had everyone buzzing. The actor has been an extremely popular morning show host and her fans were eagerly awaiting her return to the screens. Sadly, her latest offering Mein Na Janoo, which also stars the new heartthrob Affan Waheed and Zahid Ahmed, has fallen flat, leaving the audiences confused.
Till now, six episodes have been aired and with every passing episode, the plot spirals into some unknown universe.
The drama, produced by Adnan Siddiqui, revolves around Saira (Sanam) and her half-sister Kiran, played by Komal Aziz Khan. Both the girls have the same father but different mothers. While Kiran’s mother has been accepted by the family as their own, Saira’s mother (Huma Nawab) is an outcast and treated like a maid in the house, for reasons still unknown. All through the first six episodes, Saira’s mother is referred to as a “chalaak, gunegaar, behaya aurat” because she apparently stole her husband. Saira is also mistreated and vilified by the family even though her father supports her and defends her when the rest of fam accuses her of chalaoing her “jadu” on the men.
Meanwhile, Nain (Zahid Ahmed), a former Airforce officer and Nehat (Affan Waheed) are Saira and Kiran’s cousins. Both of them are in love with Saira and want to marry her. However, Nehat’s mother refuses to make Saira her bahu (because you know she belongs to a behaya mother) and wants Nehat to marry Kiran, while Saira’s father is unsure about giving his daughter to a person who is blind, even though Nain’s family loves Saira.
In short, the plot is basic and has nothing new to offer – crying heroines and abusive families have been done to death. Though I have to admit, the level of abuse in this drama is over the top and makes you cringe. Dialogues like “Iss larki nay izzat mitti main mila di,” “Iss ko main aisa sabaq sikhaoon gee keh dunya dekhay gee,” etc have been generously used. And of course, girls and boys have no right to fall in love with each other and if they do, it’s the girl’s fault because she trapped the guy.
Both Saira and her mother as victims are seen crying in almost every scene. Saira’s mother barely says anything, just walks through every episode with her head down as the rest of the family members vilify her and call her names. Sanam’s expressions come across as wooden in most scenes, but then again her character has been written like that. Affan does a decent job as the arrogant spoiled brat as does Zahid as a blind former Airforce officer. But none of the actors give their best. Their acting is slightly above average at best.
The drama is currently moving at a snail’s pace and leaving many questions unanswered which is why it is getting boring and dry. I hope the writers shake things up because if they continue like this, no one’s going to watch it. Affan is expected to turn into the antagonist and become a complete psychopath so that is one thing to look forward to.
A commando of the Special Services Group (SSG), “who had rescued Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Abhinandan Varthaman from the mob”, has embraced martyrdom, Indian media reports claimed Thursday.
Wing Commander Abhinandan, who was piloting an intruding MiG-21 fighter jet downed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in February this year, was captured by villagers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). They were trying to lynch the pilot before Pakistani troops had reached the site to rescue him.
In a video that went viral on social media, Abhinandan had also praised Pakistan Army officials as “thorough gentlemen” for having saved him from the mob.
With SSG Naib Subedar Ahmed Khan Awan recently embracing martyrdom in the Kel Sector as Indian army resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC), media reports said he was among the personnel “who captured Abhinandan”.
However, sources privy to the development informed The Current that there was no truth to the claims. They also hinted at the possibility of Indian media linking the two personnel merely on the basis of their beards.
The claims come just days after Ahmed Khan was laid to rest in his native graveyard in Attock, with full military honours. The martyr has left his mother, wife, three sons and two daughters in mourning.
Joining the army in 1998, Khan was recently deployed in the Kel Sector where he embraced martyrdom defending his motherland.
Hamza Ali Abbasi’s wedding to is all anyone and everyone can talk about this week. Once everyone got over the initial shock, questions were raised as to who will be on the coveted guest list and what the couple will be wearing.
Like everyone else, we also wondered if Prime Minister Imran Khan will be attending the wedding given that he shares a close relationship with the actor.
“I don’t think so,” says Special Assistant to PM on Media Iftikhar Durrani. “Ever since he has become PM, he has not attended any social events except for two weddings one of which was his Military Secretary daughter’s wedding.”
PM Imran at his MS’ daughter’s wedding
Cricketer Imad Wasim has also invited the PM to his wedding which is being held on the same day as Hamza’s valima. But it appears that the PM will be skipping both.
It is pertinent to mention here that PM Khan also did not attend his nephew and niece’s wedding in April even though his sons were in attendance.
Hamza is getting married to actor Naimal Khawar this weekend in a “small nikkah” which will be held on Sunday, August 25 followed by a “small valima” the next day.
The ever-increasing inflation has disturbed our budget to no extent. And considering its the summers, the electricity bill has practically sky-rocketed just like the mercury making it a feat to pay.
Here are four ways you can save on your electricity bill.
Save on your appliances
Electronic devices consume energy even when they are not in use but plugged in. Unplug every electrical device that’s not needed. Moreover, fit LED lights instead of traditional bulbs as they use less energy and last longer than bulbs. Bulbs also produce more heat and make your home warmer.
Save on your AC
Set the air-conditioning unit to “Auto” rather than the “On” mode, as this will regulate room temperature more effectively.
Don’t keep your AC’s temperature lower than 24 degrees celsius. Each degree cooler can represent the equivalent of a nine percent savings on cooling costs.
Ensure your air-conditioners are well maintained by regularly getting them checked from a good maintenance company. It is important to ensure that air filters are clean, refrigerant levels are maintained and electrical connections are working properly. If they’re not checked everyday issues have the potential to cause bigger problems which will eventually contribute to your expenses.
Save when
doing laundry
Around 90% of a washing machine’s energy is used to heat the water, so washing your clothes at 30-40C will help keep your electricity bill less. Another tip is don’t start the machine until you have a full load.
Use less
energy during peak hours
According to LESCO and K-electric, these are the peak and off-peak hours so try to use less energy during these hours.
After the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) banned Mika Singh from working in India for performing in Pakistan, singer Mika Singh has apologised to the association and his fans and said that he will never work in Pakistan again.
Mika shared the update on Twitter and also held a press conference in which he apologised and said that he will not perform in Pakistan again. Other members of the FWICE were also present with Mika during the press conference.
Hey guys I’m very happy to announce that After meeting the #FWICE officials They have revoked the ban . I’m grateful to all .. Jai hind … pic.twitter.com/b1sci3jEPi
Mika explained that he had done the concert because it was a prior commitment. However, he admitted it was a mistake that he would never repeat.
“This was a commitment signed long back. The timing was wrong that I went there because the decision on Article 370 has just been taken. I called the federation and told them that this was a mistake. I apologise for the mistake and I won’t repeat it again. I got a visa, so I went (to Pakistan). If you get a visa, you will go, too,” said the singer.
When the media asked Mika why he even went to Pakistan in first place after the Pulwama attack, Mika started a heated argument.
“Do you know that Neha Kakkar and Atif Aslam performed here only two months ago? Do you know that Sonu Nigam also performed together with Atif four months ago? Why did no one say anything then?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, members of the FWICE said that they agreed to lift the ban after Mika explained his actions and regretted performing.
“We were in shock that Mika performed in Pakistan and at a time when India is bleeding due to Pakistan. Such an approach on part of Indian artists is not acceptable. However, we are now taking back the circular to ban Mika Singh,” they said.
They added that FWICE stood firm on its decision of banning Pakistani artistes from working in Bollywood and that they would ban anyone who works with a Pakistani artist anywhere in the world.
