Tag: trending

  • Director of Punjab Local Fund Audit alleged to be involved in corruption case of Rs400 million

    Director of Punjab Local Fund Audit alleged to be involved in corruption case of Rs400 million

    Amir Saeed, a Grade 17 officer working as the director of the Punjab Local Fund Audit Department at a Grade 20 level with the approval of the relevant authorities, is facing allegations of receiving kickbacks while supposedly conducting audits of different local government departments during his tenure from 2019 to 2022, SAMMA has reported. 

    The report indicates that Saeed used his position and influence to dishonestly obtain benefits from officials by employing various deceitful methods, such as making recommendations for officials to attend training programmes, handling pension disbursements, arranging transfers and postings, and manipulating record-checking procedures.

    Numerous complaints were filed against Saeed, accusing him of corruption and unethical practices. These complaints have been lodged with several authorities, including the Prime Minister’s Complaint Cell, the Anti-Corruption Establishment, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and various other forums.

    In spite of the allegations and the evidence put forward, no significant action has been taken up to this point.

    Nevertheless, an investigation into the accusations was initiated by the director general of the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment in 2022. This inquiry also failed to produce any outcomes, allowing Saeed to avoid being held accountable.

    At present, Amir Saeed holds the position of an auditor at Arfa Karim University, although his rank has been reduced from 20 to 17.

  • Passport delivery delayed due to shortage of ‘lamination paper’

    Passport delivery delayed due to shortage of ‘lamination paper’

    People waiting for their new passports will have to wait a bit longer. The Directorate General of Immigration & Passport has reportedly run out of lamination papers for new passports.

    As per Samaa, sources have said that the relevant authorities did not take timely measures to ensure a sufficient supply of lamination paper. Last week, there was no improvement in the supply chain, and there is now a fear that the printing and delivery of new passports will be affected across the country.

    One of the immediate consequences of the lamination paper shortage is an expected increase in the duration of passport delivery. For instance, the delivery of passports with a normal fee will likely be extended to approximately one month. This delay poses significant challenges for applicants across the country, especially those with urgent travel plans.

    Despite the alleged non-availability of lamination paper, the passport department continues to accept new applications, further fueling concerns that the number of pending passports will surge due to printing problems.

    As of now, the passport department has not issued an official statement on the matter, leaving many in the dark about when the shortage of lamination paper will be resolved and how long the delays will persist.

    The shortage of lamination paper is causing substantial disruptions in passport issuance, and it is vital for the authorities to swiftly address this issue and keep the public informed about their efforts to resolve the problem. The impact of this situation on individuals urgently needing to travel for various reasons underscores the urgency of resolving the issue promptly to minimize inconvenience for applicants.

  • Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas reach temporary agreement on children’s custody

    Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas reach temporary agreement on children’s custody

    Celebrity couple Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas have reached a temporary agreement regarding the custody of their two daughters. The ‘Game Of Thrones’ actress made headlines when she sued the Jonas Brothers band member for taking possession of their children, and refusing to hand over their passports as per the previous deal made between the two.

    READ MORE; Sophie Turner sues Joe Jonas for custody of their daughters, says she found out about divorce through media

    However, People Magazine now reports that an interim consent order has been laid out for the couple’s two daughters. From October 9-21, the children will remain with Sophie as she travels through the US and England. And from October 21 till November 2, Joe will be given the responsibility of the children.

    After November 2, the children’s nanny will return the two daughters back to Turner to stay with them till November 22, after which they will live with Jonas once more. From December 16, the children will spend their holidays with Sophie till January 7.

    People further elaborates that both parities will submit a status report before December 23 which will outline the status of mediation between the two ex-spouses.

    Joe Jonas filed for divorce from Sophie on September 5 in Miami, claiming “the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.”

  • There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    Supermodels sisters Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid have consistently been vocal about supporting the liberation of Palestine on their platforms, even going to the extent of attending public marches and donating to causes providing aid to war-torn cities in Palestine. Bella has also revealed in a 2021 podcast interview that her activism has cost her jobs and even relationships, but refused to abandon her support for a liberated Palestine.

    “I had so many companies that stopped working with me…I have friends that completely dropped me…I know my family enough, I know my own history enough. And that should be enough.”

    But there is a painful history behind why the Hadid sisters have continued to advocate for a free Palestine, even at the risk of losing their prolific careers. It involves their own family members who were expelled from Palestine during the 1948 Nakba. During this period, more than 70,000 Palestinians were removed or expelled from their homes located in the area that was to be declared the state of Israel.

    Bella and Gigi’s father, Mohammad Hadid spoke at the #ABtalks podcast about his experience, sharing that he was born in Nazareth, the city where Jesus Christ was believed to have been born. In the interview, the real estate developer said that his family had taken in Jewish refugees who came on a ship from Poland, who were rejected from several countries before arriving at the Haifa port, that Hadid said his great-grandfather had rebuilt during the Ottoman Empire.

    The Jewish refugees lived with Hadid’s family for two and a half years, after which Mohammad was born. The senior Hadid recalled when his mother came back to their home in Safad, they were told by guards to leave, and weren’t even allowing his mother to get a blanket to wrap her baby.

    Mohammad Hadid is the descendant of the Arab ruler of Northern Palestine Zahir al-Umar al-Zaydani, the Prince of Nazareth from his mother’s side.

    According to an article, the monarch was the first Arab ruler of Nazareth, Haifa and Jabba of Palestine to introduce a mandate that allowed Muslims, Jews and Christians to live in harmony under his rule. Today, his ancestors still live in Northern Palestine, where he is celebrated as a national hero.

    Alongside Mohammad Hadid, his children have spoken about the trauma of Nakba and called for a liberated Palestine. In 2022, Bella reshared a clip by Al-Jazeera detailing the significance of Nakba Day, and wrote that it was heartbreaking how elders are still not allowed to return to their homeland today.

    Alana shared a picture with her father holding the Palestinian flag and wrote they were remembering the trauma of 1948. Gigi shared the image and added hearts.

  • ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has told his enemies that “elections are near” and he has passed all “exams of life”, Geo has reported.

    While addressing a dinner party given by PPP leader Ghulam Qadir Mari in Naushero Feroz district on Tuesday, Zardari said, “I was born in this land (Sindh), and I will continue to strive for the development of this land.”

    The PPP co-chairman also said that he is the son of soil and will always struggle for it.

    “The PPP has always served the people. I have struggled all my life, and my workers have also supported me,” said the former president, adding, “We know each other. Allah gave us the opportunity, so we served the people and this soil. I have to be buried in this soil. It is our duty to serve it.”

    The PPP leader also mentioned that he gave Pashtuns their separate identity, and by bringing the 18th Amendment, his party gave provincial service.

    Recounting the sacrifices of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said, “Today, I am serving you, then Bilawal Bhutto will serve, as will Aseefa Bhutto. We are all with the people of Sindh.”

  • ‘Sometimes cramps, sometimes I’m acting’: Rizwan’s hilarious quip is leading a meme storm

    ‘Sometimes cramps, sometimes I’m acting’: Rizwan’s hilarious quip is leading a meme storm

    Pakistanis celebrated all night long after their cricket team’s stunning victory against Sri Lanka on Tuesday night, successfully chasing down a 345 runs target with six wickets to spare. The win created history as the highest successful chase in the World Cup. Cricketers Muhammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafiq paved the way for the team, leading it to a comfortable victory with their stunning centuries.

    Now, Rizwan’s hilarious quips after the match have taken center stage. Addressing a press conference, he talked about the cramps that plagued him while he was playing, limping on the pitch.

    Addressing the moment, Rizwan cheekily replied “Sometimes it’s cramps, sometimes I’m acting.”

    The one-liner soon led to a meme-storm on the internet, as if there weren’t enough reasons to love Muhammad Rizwan, he just gave us another one.

    With that, we just found a new way to get off from hectic work schedules thanks to Rizwan

    Not just an ace in the field, but also an ace in the meme game.

    Us next time Mama says guests arahay hain kamra saaf karo

    Bas give him an Oscar because he just gave the internet a gold star meme

  • Chartered plane booked for Nawaz Sharif’s return on October 21

    Chartered plane booked for Nawaz Sharif’s return on October 21

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will travel on a chartered plane to reach Pakistan from Dubai on October 21.

    According to a report filed by Geo News, the flight carrying Nawaz will be named ‘Umeed-e-Pakistan’. It can carry approximately 150 passengers.

    The former prime minister will leave Dubai for Pakistan on October 21, along with senior and close party members. Nawaz Sharif’s flight will land in Islamabad for a 30 minute long stay, with the PML-N supremo then flying to Lahore to address a gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan.

    Before the final leg of the journey, Nawaz Sharif will reach Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and perform Umrah there. He will stay in Saudi Arabia for a week and hold important meetings.

    Earlier, former finance minister Ishaq Dar said there is no chance of Nawaz’s arrest upon his arrival in the country.

    Dar also said that PML-N’s narrative will be about the economy, adding that, “recovery of the economy is the best revenge.”

  • Major changes in Punjab’s National and Provincial Assembly seats

    Major changes in Punjab’s National and Provincial Assembly seats

    Five newly created districts in Punjab are set to receive a total of 13 national and provincial assembly seats as part of the preliminary delimitation, marking a notable shift in the political landscape.

    The districts in question are Kot Addu, Taunsa, Wazirabad, Talagang, and Murree. Among these, Kot Addu district in southern Punjab stands out, securing two National Assembly seats, NA-179 and NA-180, along with three provincial assembly constituencies: PP-276, PP-277, and PP-278.

    Wazirabad and Taunsa districts are also set to gain representation, with Wazirabad obtaining NA-66, PP-35, and PP-36, while Taunsa secures NA-183, PP-284, and PP-285.

    Talagang, which was carved out of Chakwal, will now share a National Assembly seat, NA-59, with Chakwal itself. This arrangement leads to Chakwal having one independent NA seat, and Talagang securing one provincial assembly seat, PP-23. PP-22 will be referred to as Chakwal-cum-Talagang.

    Similarly, Murree will not have an independent NA seat but will be included in NA-51, referred to as Rawalpindi-cum-Murree. Nonetheless, Murree will have representation in the provincial assembly with PP-06.

    These changes also entail a reduction in the number of national and provincial assembly seats for some districts. Dera Ghazi Khan, for instance, will see a decrease from four to three NA seats and a reduction from eight to six provincial assembly seats. Muzaffargarh, too, will experience a decrease, with two fewer NA seats, resulting in a drop from six to four NA seats, and a reduction in provincial assembly seats from 12 to eight.

    Gujranwala and Hafizabad, despite Gujranwala’s sizable population of 5.95 million, will collectively have only five seats, despite the potential for an additional independent seat. Dera Ghazi Khan is also set to lose one NA seat and two provincial assembly seats.

    These changes in seat allocations underscore the evolving political landscape in Punjab, reflecting efforts to ensure fair and equitable representation for all regions within the province.

  • Malala issues statement on the Israel-Palestine war

    Malala issues statement on the Israel-Palestine war

    Nobel Prize winner and education activist Malala Yousafzai has issued a statement on Israel’s war on Palestine.

    In her letter, she called for both sides to hold a ceasefire and prevent innocent lives from being lost, writing that it is cruel how Palestine and Israel children have been caught in the middle.

    The Nobel Prize winner reflected on her own upbringing during a wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkha, writing “We woke up to the sounds of mortar shells, saw our schools and mosques destroyed by bombs. Peace became something we could only dream about.”

    “War never spares children,” Malala further wrote. “Not those kidnapped from their homes in Israel, not those hiding from airstrikes or without food and water in Gaza.”

  • Not going to take part in  upcoming elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Not going to take part in  upcoming elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Former Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has revealed in an interview with Nadeem Malik on Samma TV that he is not going to take part in the upcoming elections in the current political environment.

    The senior politician said that he is unable to give a final word on elections as he has not consulted the people of his constituency on this matter.

    Abbasi emphasized that he asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to find a solution for the bad economic situation in the country.

    “I have told Nawaz Sharif that all political leaders can sit together and solve the country’s problems,” he added.

    The former prime minister stated that PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and Vice President Maryam Nawaz are not his leaders. “Nawaz Sharif is my leader,” Abbasi firmly stated.