Tag: trending

  • Imran Khan not being allowed to have medical checkups, says PTI

    Imran Khan not being allowed to have medical checkups, says PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee on Monday strongly condemned jail authorities for not allowing a medical check-up of party founder Imran Khan.

    PTI wants Khan’s physician Dr Asim to examine the former Prime Minister.

    It also urged the court to take quick notice of the matter.

    In the party meeting, the panel also condemned the recent reference filed against the Islamabad High Court Judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.

    It was of the opinion that the reference against the judge was part of the incumbent government’s efforts to pressurise and intimidate judges.

    The saga of ‘toxic letters’ sent to judges, who exposed the interference of spy agencies in the judiciary, was termed as highly regrettable and a part of an organized campaign against the judiciary.

  • Petition filed against IHC judge who wrote the letter alleging interference

    In a surprising turn of events, a complaint has been filed with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Senior Puisne Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, seeking his removal over alleged misconduct.

    The complainant, Waqas Malik Advocate, is a former secretary of the IHC Bar Association. He filed the complaint accusing the judge of pursuing an ‘anti-state agenda’ and also collusion with other judges.

    Justice Kayani is one of the six judges on March 27 wrote a scathing letter to SJC alleging deep meddling in judicial affairs by spy agencies.

    The letter had stirred a national controversy and even an inquiry commission was not enough when Justice Tassaduq Jillani refused to head the one-man commission.

    The Supreme Court took Suo Moto notice after Justice Jillani refused to head the commission.

    Coincidentally, the letter by IHC judges was followed by a series of threatening and poison-pen letters sent to judges of the higher judiciary by anonymous individuals.

  • 150 Jewish celebrities show support for director’s pro-Palestine Oscars speech

    150 Jewish celebrities show support for director’s pro-Palestine Oscars speech

    More than 150 Jewish creatives have signed an open letter supporting Oscar Winner Jonathan Glazer’s pro-Palestine Oscars speech.

    The British filmmaker, Jonathan Glazer, who won the Best International Feature Oscar for his film ‘The Zone of Interest’, has been at the centre of an ongoing debate in Hollywood. He was under fire for his pro-Palestine speech at the Oscars. Glazer, who is Jewish himself, has now received support from heavyweight names.

    Jonathan Glazer’s speech is continuing to become one of the Oscars’ most debated and polarizing moments after many media outlets called it “anti-semitic”
    While accepting Best International Feature for his Holocaust film The Zone of Interest, Glazer drew a parallel between his film and the current conflict in Gaza: “Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation, which has led to conflict for so many innocent people – whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza – all the victims of this dehumanisation…”

    Now, the director has received fresh and welcome support through a new letter, whose signatories include major Jewish creatives like Nan Goldin, Joaquin Phoenix, Tom Stoppard, Elliott Gould, Debra Winger, Joel Coen, Emma Seligman, Nicole Holofcener, and Boots Riley.

    They are among more than 150 Jewish creatives who have signed the open letter supporting Glazer’s Oscars speech, writing that they were “alarmed to see some of our colleagues in the industry mischaracterize and denounce his remarks”.

    “In his speech, Glazer asked how we can resist the dehumanization that has led to mass atrocities throughout history,” read the letter. “For such a statement to be taken as an affront only underscores its urgency.”

    The letter also criticized the earlier condemnations of Glazer, saying they “have a silencing effect on our industry, contributing to a broader climate of suppression of free speech and dissent, the very qualities our field should cherish.”

    “We should be able to name Israel’s apartheid and occupation – both recognized by leading human rights organizations as such – without being accused of rewriting history.”

    The letter concluded: “We stand with all those calling for a permanent cease-fire, including the safe return of all hostages and the immediate delivery of aid into Gaza, and an end to Israel’s ongoing bombardment of and siege on Gaza.”

  • Saudi Arabia to ‘expedite’ $5 billion investment in Pakistan

    Saudi Arabia to ‘expedite’ $5 billion investment in Pakistan

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged to accelerate the first wave of a $5 billion investment package in Pakistan, stated in the joint statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) released by the office of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

    PM Shehbaz and Crown Prince MBS held an official meeting on April 7 at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

    At the outset, MBS congratulated the premier on assuming the office and expressed warm wishes for his tenure.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his gratitude and re-affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to bolstering bilateral ties and economic cooperation.

    Both parties agreed to expedite the first phase of the investment package worth billions.

    Analyst Mosharraf Zaidi pointed out that Saudi investments have not materialized in the past few years and even the pledges have gotten smaller.

  • Nisho reveals years of abuse by ex-husband in emotional vlog

    Nisho reveals years of abuse by ex-husband in emotional vlog

    Lollywood star Sahiba recently met her biological father, Inam Rabbani, after 42 years, and she documented their emotional reunion in a vlog. Husband Rambo convinced Sahiba to meet her biological father, who had been trying to reconnect with her. Following their meeting, Sahiba’s mother, legendary actress Nisho was asked about her ex-husband. The star has now opened up about her marriage to Inam Rabbani and the hardships she endured during that time.

    She said, in a YouTube video, “I recounted our love story with Inam from our teenage years. We exchanged letters during that time, but Inam had to leave the country when our families opposed our marriage. Despite facing opposition, I pursued my dream of entering showbiz and eventually became a star. Upon Inam’s return, we decided to get married. However, throughout our marriage, I endured emotional abuse from his family. Tragically, when I was pregnant, Inam abandoned me and left.”

    She emphasized that she never stopped Sahiba from meeting her father. “I allowed him to see her when she was five, and did not stop her now from meeting him. But Inam never reached out to his daughter in 42 years.”
    Nisho revealed that Inam had married again after their divorce, but claimed that he also left that woman, taking all her belongings and her children as well. “I am grateful that I took Sahiba with me, so Inam couldn’t take her away.”

    Dropping a bombshell, she said Inam would never have come back if Sahiba was not rich. “He is poor now and his health is not right either; therefore, he has come back.” She has advised Sahiba and Rambo to help him as he is her father, and she would not stop them from helping him when he needs it.

  • Shoaib Akhtar loves the name given to him by YouTuber Shiraz

    Shoaib Akhtar loves the name given to him by YouTuber Shiraz

    Muhammad Shiraz, the rising child social media star from Gilgit Baltistan, has become incredibly popular worldwide with his charming village vlogs.
    The young Pakistani vlogger’s rise to fame has been very fast. He has over one million subscribers on YouTube and many fans love his fun TikTok videos too.
    Recently, Muhammad Shiraz talked about his love for cricket and said Shoaib Akhtar is his favorite cricketer. But, in a cute mistake, he accidentally called the former fast bowler “Shoftar Aftar”, praising his super-fast bowling.

    Fans loved Muhammad Shiraz’s cute mistake and quickly embraced the sweet nickname.
    The video became very popular and even caught the attention of Shoaib Akhtar. He shared it on his Facebook with a kind message, inviting the young vlogger to meet him in Islamabad someday. It was a warm invitation for a future meeting.

  • Nazish Jahangir asks seniors to stop feeling jealous

    Nazish Jahangir asks seniors to stop feeling jealous

    Pakistani actor Nazish Jahangir has stirred a hornet’s nest by talking openly about jealousy among older actors in the industry. She was a guest on The Night Show with Ayaz Samoo where she talked about getting noticed online, dealing with advances from male colleagues, and how important it is to be genuine in the entertainment world.

    During the interview, the 29-year-old spoke up about facing jealousy from older actors in the industry. She mentioned that some people in the industry feel jealous without any clear reason, even though they are more experienced. “It’s people within your own industry who are jealous of you for no good reason. Like you are way too senior.” Although she didn’t mention anyone by name, she suggested that this is a common issue. “All I can say is that there are many people like this,” she observed, indicating that such feelings are widespread.

    Expressing sadness about seeing jealousy among older actors, the Inaam-e-Mohabbat actor stressed how crucial it is to have mutual respect. “We respect you a lot as our seniors. I don’t think they should show us a side to them that disappoints us,” she said, highlighting the importance of having a positive and supportive atmosphere in the industry.

    She also talked about her personal beliefs, saying it’s important to be true to yourself. “It’s not just about me. I believe if there are five people in a room and one of them is negative, it can ruin the mood for everyone, and that’s not fair,” Nazish explained.
    She encouraged everyone to accept their own unique selves, saying, “I think everyone should realize: I am me, you are you. You can’t be me, and I can’t be you. Knowing this helps life go smoothly, without feeling like you’re in a race or under pressure.”

    In a touching moment, Nazish made a sincere request to her colleagues: “Please don’t be jealous. If I say I am very pretty in every interview, it’s because I feel I have a right to take pride in that but so do you. We are all very pretty.” Her words urged everyone to come together and feel confident in an industry where competition and insecurity are common.

  • PTI BOYCOTTS Senate chairman, deputy chairman elections

    PTI BOYCOTTS Senate chairman, deputy chairman elections

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has boycotted an important election for top positions in the Senate. The party had previously requested the postponement of Senate chairman and deputy chairman polls until the senate elections are conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). 

    The former ruling party’s core committee made the decision and also called for postponing the upcoming elections for the top positions in the Senate. The party stated in its announcement that these elections would be unconstitutional if they didn’t represent all units of the federation.

    The former ruling party also asked the Senate secretary to delay the mentioned polls. In their request, Senator Saifullah Niazi stated that their request should be heeded since they were actually 96 Senate members.

    Currently, the upper house is short of 11 members as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the KP Senate elections last week because of non-administration of oath to MPAs-elected on reserved seats.

  • PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gillani elected Senate chairman ‘unopposed’

    PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gillani elected Senate chairman ‘unopposed’

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Saidal Nasir Khan were elected as Senate chairman and deputy chairman respectively on Tuesday.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators continuously protested throughout the oath taking session.

    No other senator submitted his nomination papers against Gillani and Saidal Nasir Khan for the important posts.

    Earlier today, 41 newly-elected senators took oath as PTI members protested on the floor of the house, terming the process of election of chairman and deputy chairman as “unconstitutional” due to an “incomplete house”.

    President Asif Ali Zardari had called a session of the upper house for the oath-taking ceremony and the election of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman.

  • Hepatitis viruses kill 3,500 people a day: WHO

    Hepatitis viruses kill 3,500 people a day: WHO

    More than 3,500 people die from hepatitis viruses every day and the global toll is rising, the World Health Organization warned on Tuesday, calling for swift action to fight the second-largest infectious killer.

    New data from 187 countries showed that the number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose to 1.3 million in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2019, according to a WHO report released to coincide with the World Hepatitis Summit in Portugal this week.

    These are “alarming trends,” Meg Doherty, head of the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis and sexually-transmitted infection programmes, told a press conference.

    The report said that there are 3,500 deaths per day worldwide from hepatitis infections — 83 percent from hepatitis B, 17 percent from hepatitis C.

    There are effective and cheap generic drugs which can treat these viruses.

    Yet only three percent of those with chronic hep B received antiviral treatment by the end of 2022, the report said.

    For hep C, just 20 percent-or 12.5 million people-had been treated.

    “These results fall well below the global targets to treat 80 percent of all people living with chronic hep B and C by 2030,” Doherty said.

    The overall rate of hepatitis infections did fall slightly.

    But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that the report “paints a troubling picture”.

    “Despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated,” he said in a statement.

    Africa accounts for 63 percent of new hep B infections, yet less than one in five babies on the continent are vaccinated at birth, the report said.

    The UN agency also lamented that the affected countries did not have enough access to generic hepatitis drugs — and often paid more than they should.

    Two thirds of all hepatitis cases are in Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Vietnam, according to the report.

    “Universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in these 10 countries by 2025, alongside intensified efforts in the African region, is essential to get the global response back on track,” the WHO said in a statement.

    Viral hepatitis is the second-biggest infectious killer, narrowly trailing tuberculosis.