Tag: trending

  • Mphil scholar shot dead by abductors inspite of paying ransom

    Mphil scholar shot dead by abductors inspite of paying ransom

    A kidnapped 22-year-old MPhil graduate, Talha Arshad, was found fatally shot in the head, despite his family allegedly having paid Rs2.5 million in ransom to his abductors. His grieving family staged a protest demonstration at Rafiq Shah Chowk against the police after placing the body on the spot.

    The victim, a resident of Mohalla Telianwala, had recently completed his MPhil from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. On the day he went missing he left home on a motorcycle on January 17 but did not return.

    Upon a lawyer’s intervention, the police registered a kidnapping case on January 18, filed by Talha’s brother Irfan Arshad.

    The abductors had sent a video of Talha tied with a rope, through WhatsApp on January 21, demanding a ransom of Rs10 million for his release. Despite the family sending Rs2.5 million to the cryptocurrency account specified by the kidnappers, Talha was not released, reports The Express Tribune.

    However, on Wednesday, Talha’s tortured body, locked in a suitcase, was discovered in a well near an upscale neighborhood.

    Kamran Arshad, the victim’s brother, alleged that the police had acted as silent spectators when the victim’s phone was active on January 21 and 23.
    The police reportedly found the location of the deceased’s mobile phone in Bahawalnagar and Donga Bonga, initiating searches in the areas. The DPO’s spokesperson Zahid Rasool said the police were actively engaged in the matter, collaborating with the victim’s family.

    In response to protesters’ demands, the SHO was removed from the local police station and an inquiry against him initiated.

    The police’s efforts to trace the suspects were reportedly hindered as the perpetrators used VPN to conceal their location.

  • ‘Real youth, not ‘mummy daddy’ ones, support PML-N, says Nawaz Sharif

    ‘Real youth, not ‘mummy daddy’ ones, support PML-N, says Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif criticised supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying in a rally that the country’s “real youth” stands behind his party, if not the “mummy-daddy” ones.

    PML-N and other political opponents have always accused PTI of attracting “privileged youth” or “wannabes,” who they say lack traditional values and commitments. They use phrases like “mummy-daddy” to suggest that the party’s supporters aren’t genuine.

    “Some people say the youth support someone else. But no, youth, not the mummy-daddy ones, are with Muslim League Noon. The real Pakistani youth. That’s why Nawaz Sharif loves you,” the ex-prime minister told a rally in Faisalabad on Friday.

    Nawaz Sharif is aiming to become prime minister for the fourth time, after receiving legal relief from courts in multiple cases. After the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision, the PML-N supremo is now eligible to contest elections.

    The competition in the upcoming general elections is seemingly between PML-N and its former ally, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), as the popular PTI is seemingly out of the election race, with it’s candidates contesting as independents. The founder of PTI, Imran Khan, is currently in Adiala jail.

    Earlier, an accountability court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference.

  • ‘If you harm an American, we will respond,’ says Biden after launching airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

    ‘If you harm an American, we will respond,’ says Biden after launching airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

    The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has cautioned, “If you harm an American, we will respond,” as US forces attacked more than 80 targets in Iraq and Syria in a wide-ranging air assault on sites belonging to Iran-linked fighter groups and Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard.

    The US president said the strikes had been launched in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan earlier in the week, adding: “Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing,” reports The Guardian.

    The US military’s Central Command said it had struck with more than 125 bombs in an attack that took place around midnight local time in what was described as the first of multiple attacks against the groups.

    “US military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States,” Centcom said in a statement. The raids were aimed at facilities believed to be controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

    John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, said the strikes lasted about 30 minutes. “These responses began tonight. They’re not going to end tonight. So there will be additional responses. There will be additional action that we will take, all designed to put an end to these attacks and to take away capability by the IRGC.”

    The 85 targets were grouped in seven different locations: four in Syria and three in Iraq, according to US officials. Lt Gen Douglas Sims, director for operations on the joint staff, said the timing of the strikes was determined by the weather.

    “The initial indications are that we hit exactly what we meant to hit with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations,” Sims said, although this could not be verified.

    On Thursday, the US said it blamed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-linked militias, for the deadly drone attack last weekend on the remote Tower 22 logistics base in Jordan, near the border with Syria and Iraq. Three US army reservists were killed after living quarters were struck at night and more than 80 wounded.

  • NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    Islamabad police are currently looking into the reported abduction of Najeebullah, Deputy Assistant Director at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    Asadullah Khan, a resident of Islamabad, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Ramna police on January 31, stating that his brother left for duty at 9 pm on January 30, and has not returned since.

    According to the FIR, Najeebullah contacted his family the following morning via WhatsApp, stating that he was en route to Peshawar and assured them of his imminent return. Asadullah, however, noted a distressed tone in his brother’s voice and expressed concern as Najeebullah reportedly had no acquaintances in Peshawar.

    Subsequent communication with Najeebullah intensified the concerns, as he conveyed suspicions of being held against his will. The family is now apprehensive that his disappearance may be linked to an ongoing case.

    According to sources of Hum News, NADRA is cracking down on foreign nationals illegally residing in Pakistan who have managed to obtain fake national identity cards.

    During a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, it was revealed that a significant number of non-residents managed to acquire properties worth billions using fake Pakistani identity cards.

    A senior police officer shared that an investigation is underway after taking footage from Safe City security cameras.

    A NADRA spokesperson stated that they were monitoring the situation closely and were in contact with the officer’s family.

  • Anti-Pakistan Indian film ‘Fighter’ flops

    Anti-Pakistan Indian film ‘Fighter’ flops

    Karma is a queen!

    Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and actress Deepika Padukone’s anti-Pakistan film ‘Fighter’ has flopped.

    According to Indian media reports, ‘Fighter’, which was released on January 25, did excellent business in the initial days, but gradually the film’s rule at the box office weakened.

    The reports further state that the film has practically flopped on the fifth day of its release, with business dropping by 70-80 per cent after entering the 200 crore club on the fourth day.
    Indian film analysts say that despite having anti-Pakistan content, the film failed to attract a large number of viewers.

    Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone play squadron leaders of the Indian Air Force, while Anil Kapoor depicts their commanding officer.

    We’d feel bad for them, but hey, this is payback for propaganda.

  • In a first, Peshawar High Court orders separate queue for transgender voters

    In a first, Peshawar High Court orders separate queue for transgender voters

    Peshawar High Court has directed authorities in the province to establish a separate queue for transgender voters in PK-81 from where trans rights activist Sobia Khan is contesting elections as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first transgender individual participating in general polls.

    The court’s verdict highlighted the absence of specific documents for the transgender quota, as no such provision currently exists. Additionally, the court-mandated security measures for transgender candidate Subiya during the general elections, where she is running independently in PK-81.

    Who is Sobia Khan?

    Sobia is hailing from Peshawar and she has filed nomination papers for the provincial assembly seat from constituency PK-81. She is running her campaign as an independent candidate.

    Notably, Sobia Khan, a graduate and the first transgender broadcaster in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been hosting TNN’s “Sobiya Khan Show” for the past four years.

    Sobia welcomed the court ruling. Talking to Tribal News Network, Sobia detailed her broader goals, aiming not only to champion transgender rights but also to challenge societal perceptions. She aspires to work for the welfare of the constituency, particularly focusing on the rights of women and children, breaking stereotypes about the capabilities of transgenders.

    Sobia Khan, backed by her family and local support, appealed to NGOs, civil society, and the district administration for assistance in her election campaign. Acknowledging the unprecedented nature of a transgender participating directly in elections, she stressed the need for security during her campaign.

  • Rahat Fateh Ali Khan apologizes but warns of possible release of additional ‘staged’ videos

    Rahat Fateh Ali Khan apologizes but warns of possible release of additional ‘staged’ videos

    Rahat Fateh Ali Khan recently faced trouble when a viral video showed him hitting a grown man, purportedly a student. In a podcast, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan explained the situation, admitting his mistake and apologizing publicly after facing strong criticism.

    Khan revealed that he scolded and hit his student, Naveed, whom he considers like family due to Naveed’s father’s long association with Rahat’s family. Rahat clarified that he didn’t want media attention for his charitable work, emphasizing that a bottle he mentioned in the podcast contained sacred water from his religious teacher.

    In his apology video, Rahat expressed regret for his actions, apologizing to Allah, his family, friends, and fans. He acknowledged the mistake, mentioning that the video was nine months old and blamed unnamed people for defaming him. He thanked those who boycotted him, viewing it as a learning experience, and promised not to repeat such actions in the future.

    You can watch his apology video :

  • Watch: Child trapped in toy claw machine enjoying himself before rescue

    Watch: Child trapped in toy claw machine enjoying himself before rescue

    Timothy Hopper and his son Ethan were at a shopping center in southeast Queensland, Australia, when the boy climbed into a claw machine.

    The three-year-old Ethan, trapped inside a toy claw machine, was “having the time of his life” while his dad and police scrambled to free him.

    After entering through the prize dispenser, the boy was filmed calmly wandering around inside the box, while adults tried to coax him out.

    The boy’s father said: “I had zero chance to react to it, it was unbelievable how fast he climbed up there. I was watching him and then I was talking to my children,” cites Sky News.

    While Mr Hopper was worried about his son, he said he “couldn’t help but laugh thinking ‘how has this happened?’ because he wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t sad, so it was easy to have a laugh when he was having the time of his life”.

    “But then reality sunk in – how am I going to get him out,” he added, before sharing he called the claw machine company.

    “They were asking me how much money I had put in the machine [and if the money was] stuck in the machine.

    “My response was ‘The only thing stuck in the machine is my child, I’d love to have him back’.”

    After police arrived at the scene, they told Ethan to climb to the corner of the machine and cover his eyes so they could break him loose.

    An officer then broke the glass window and safely lifted Ethan out of the machine – before reuniting him with his parents.

    Ethan, who was gifted a toy koala dressed as a police officer after the ordeal, told Mr Hopper: “Don’t worry Dad, I won’t do it again.”

  • Maryam Noor opens up about challenges of apartment sharing

    Maryam Noor opens up about challenges of apartment sharing

    Maryam Noor, the well-known actress in the Pakistan showbiz industry, shared details of a tough experience of living in a shared apartment.
    In a recent appearance on a private TV show, Maryam discussed various topics, including her past challenges.

    She recounted, “When I moved to Karachi, I initially lived in a shared apartment. Many people who relocate from Lahore to Karachi desire a beautiful and clean place, but not everyone can afford expensive accommodation. I met a seemingly neat and honest girl who offered me a shared apartment.”
    Maryam shared her family’s concerns when she informed them about the offer. “My family suggested renting a cheaper apartment instead of sharing. However, I reassured them that the girl was good and nothing bad would happen.”

    As time passed, Maryam realized that the girl, who initially seemed straight and decent, changed after getting a boyfriend. Maryam began feeling like she was treated as if she were the maid, not an equal tenant.

    Maryam explained, “Her behavior worsened over time. When my family visited, she behaved strangely with them. I decided to distance myself from her, but when I went to Lahore, she called me, claiming she had bought a house and demanded the deposit for the apartment.”

    Reminding the girl of the two-month contract, Maryam insisted on waiting for the agreed period. Upon returning to Karachi, she discovered that the girl had stolen her belongings, thrown dead prawns in her room, and even placed spoiled food among her possessions.

  • ECP ready to conduct polls on February 8, despite security challenges

    ECP ready to conduct polls on February 8, despite security challenges

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared on Thursday that it is determined and ready to conduct upcoming elections on February 8 as per schedule, despite facing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

    With only one week remaining until the February 8 polls, election preparations and campaigns are in full swing. However, the country is grappling with a series of violent incidents that have led to multiple deaths, particularly at political party rallies in the two provinces most affected by terrorism.

    Law enforcers have tightened security across the country to maintain law and order during the upcoming general elections.

    “The February 8 polls will take place on time. Though the security challenges exist but the election commission is fully ready [to hold the elections], and with the help of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Pakistan Army, the elements involved in hindering the electoral process and disrupting security situation will be dealt strictly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said during the ECP’s security meeting.

    On Thursday evening, the electoral body held an important meeting on the worsening law and order situation in two provinces.

    After the meeting ended, the ECP released a statement saying that the CEC voiced concerns about the worsening security situation in KP and Balochistan. However, he emphasised that the electoral process will continue despite the challenges.