Tag: trending

  • ‘They don’t like being told what to do’: Imran Khan holds back from criticising Taliban ban on girls’ education

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, in an interview with Matt Frei for Channel 4, talked about the rigid ban imposed by Afghanistan Taliban on girls’ education.

    When asked whether he will tell them to let the girls go to school, he responded by saying that he knows Afghan character much more than anyone else in the West. “They dont like being told what to do,” Imran Khan said.

    He then urged the world to engage with the Taliban, stressing that only then the group will listen to them.

    He said, “If the West wants to influence them, they must mainstream them. I kept telling them to engage. If you isolate them, what influence are you going to have on them.”

    “My advice is to get them involved, give them a stake in the international community so when you tell them to educate girls, they will listen to you.”

    According to him, right now they react when the world questions their policy toward women.

    We are heading toward martial law: Imran Khan

    In the interview, the deposed prime minister said that the postponement of elections by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is a violation of the constitution.

    He said that five judges of the Supreme Court categorically said that elections should be held on April 30.

    “The worry right now is that we are heading towards martial law”, said Khan.

  • Pakistan will boycott Asia Cup if it’s deprived from hosting

    Pakistan will boycott Asia Cup if it’s deprived from hosting

    Pakistan has threatened to boycott Asia Cup 2023 if it is deprived of hosting duties.

    Dealing with an aggressive Indian campaign to put the tournament out of the host country’s reach, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed to the Asian Cricket Council a hybrid model to ensure Indian team’s Participation.

    Under this proposed model, other teams would play their matches in Pakistan, while the Indiam team would play their matches in another country.
    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to play in UAE due to concerns about hot weather and instead suggested Sri Lanka as a potential host country.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan put forward Oman as an alternative option. England was also be considered as a possible venue, although it is in another continent. Talks are progressing rapidly and a final schedule is expected to be released within the next 4-5 days.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not accept the suggestion of swapping the host country to another location. Taking a strong stance regarding the upcoming World Cup, PCB has insisted that if the Indian team does not participate in the Asia Cup, the Pakistan team will not travel to India for the World Cup.

    There have been discussions about potentially withdrawing Pakistan from hosting the Asia Cup and replacing it with Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, with the hope that in two years’ time, relations between India and Pakistan may have improved, and the Asia Cup could be held in Pakistan once again.
    However, in order to withdraw from hosting the Asia Cup and replacing it with Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, PCB officials strongly rejected the proposal and stated that if this were to be done, the event should be organized without Pakistan’s participation.

    Despite the potential financial loss, Pakistan emphasized the importance of taking care of the sentiments of their fans rather than the monetary aspect.

    Additionally, the country has already earned significant revenue from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and would not agree to a complete shift of the Asia Cup to a neutral venue.

    During a meeting, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed their understanding of India’s concerns but urged for a solution to be found as important events such as the World Cup and Champions Trophy are approaching.

  • ‘Indian fans responded with more respect to my character in Tere Bin than Pakistanis did’: Sabeen Farooq

    ‘Indian fans responded with more respect to my character in Tere Bin than Pakistanis did’: Sabeen Farooq

    Sabeen Farooq is currently making waves for her role as the antagonist ‘Haya’ in the drama ‘Tere Bin’. But the actress addressed the feedback she was receiving including threats to her family. In an Instagram post, Farooq slammed the haters for not being able to tell the difference between what is real and what’s fake, as shown by Galaxy Lollywood.

    Farooq talked about the problem in an interview with BBC Urdu, stating that the threats she received from social media trolls were directly targeting her family:

    “If it was about my personality then it would be understandable, but these were personal attacks sent to my family. But thank Allah I don’t take these things personally or let my mental health get impacted by it. I don’t know how other people who have played negative characters on screen have dealt with this, but sending insults to my family and saying awful things is wrong. They did not mention my character, but would only talk about me.”

    Opening up about the popularity of ‘Tere Bin’ in India, Farooq revealed that she was astonished by how polite and respectful fans over there were:

    “These fans would like lovely letters to me where they would solely talk about Haya. And I’m shocked that the kind of praise I’m getting from them, it’s not how Pakistanis are reacting to my role. This is from a neighbouring country where the drama is trending. But over here, people are sending hateful messages.”

    Asked why she chose to play the antagonist, Haya, who plots ways to break apart the main leads Murtasim and Meerab, Farooq revealed that she fell in love with her character’s bluntness, and always had wanted an opportunity to work with Yumna Zaidi:

    “I lover her bluntness because she is not scared of anyone and can say anything she wants infront of everyone. She has the ‘pyaar kiya tou darna kya’ demeanor because she isn’t afraid to confess in front of everyone that she is in love with this man…Also. I learned that Yumna is there.. and I had always wanted to work with her. That is what made me think there is something good about this show other wise why would Yumna sign up for it?”

  • This Ramzan, Ayesha Omar wants Pakistanis to learn discipline and self-control

    This Ramzan, Ayesha Omar wants Pakistanis to learn discipline and self-control

    Ramzan is a month of restraint and patience, which, actress Ayesha Omar thinks is important for us to learn in order to refrain from being quick to pass judgement and hurting others.

    In an Instagram post, the ‘Bulbulay’ actress called this her favourite month because it helps her practice self-control and discipline, as well as purify the mind, body and soul:

    “My favourite month has started. Time to practice self-control and discipline, time to reset, to detox, to purify the body, mind and soul, time to find our centres and our ground, time to ponder over our being and our habits, time to practice compassion and kindness towards ourselves and others, time to pray and meditate and set a precedence for the rest of the year.”

    Read her complete caption here:

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Social Media Activist Azhar Mashwani was picked up on Thursday, prompting party Chairman Imran Khan to condemn his arrest.

    Blaming the authorities for abducting Mashwani, Imran Khan took to Twitter and wrote: “Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore and his whereabouts are unknown.” Khan demanded the immediate release of Mashwani.

    On March 18, Senator Shibli Faraz and Omar Sultan were “badly beaten” by Islamabad police, Khan said, insisting that they both had permission to be inside the Judicial Complex, where the PTI chief went to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case day.

    Talking about his nephew, Khan said. “Hassaan Niazi was abducted immed after getting bail & later charged with sham FIRs to keep him lcoked up.”

    “I am sending pictures of IGs [inspectors generals] of Punjab and ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] and of all officers indulging in this criminal behaviour” to international human rights organisations, he said, “so they can identify those working for the state and indulging in abductions, illegal break-ins into homes, custodial torture and violence against political leaders and unarmed workers of PTI.”

    Mashwani’s wife, Mahnoor, also tweeted about her husband’s disappearance, writing, “My husband @MashwaniAzhar is missing from 2.51 pm from home.. He went out for Zaman park And his last seen is 2.51 pm.. If Anyone knows anything.. Let me know..”

  • Young Pakistani squad all set to give Afghanistan a tough time in T20 series

    Young Pakistani squad all set to give Afghanistan a tough time in T20 series

    Pakistan Skipper for Afghanistan series Shadab khan believes that his new-look and much younger team will give Afghanistan a tough time in the T20 series in Sharjah from today.

    PCB has decided to rest senior players and also a top run scrorer in recent domestic league. Shadab khan replaces Babar Azam. Some other players who have a tremendous PSL season but are resting for this series include senior Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf.

    “It is a great honour for me to be leading Pakistan,” Shadab said on Thursday. “As a player, this is the highest you can go in your career.
    “I am very excited for the upcoming three T20Is. We have a brilliant mix of youth and experience, which makes us a well-balanced side, and we have what it takes to win this series.”

    Shadab previously led Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in New Zealand when Babar was injured, losing 2-1.

    Batters Saim Ayub, Pacer Zaman Khan and Ihsan Ullah are uncapped while Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abdullah Shafique recalls for the National team.

    Afghanistan have also recalled former skipper Mohammad Nabi after leaving him out of the three-match T20 series against the United Arab Emirates that they won 2-1 last month.

    Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan side after Afghan tigers replace Muhammad Nabi.

    Shadab said Afghanistan was a dangerous side “and they have some good T20 players in their side but I am very confident with the players that I have in my squad”.

    Pakistan has beaten Afghanistan in all three previous T20Is — a one-off match in 2013 in Sharjah, T20 World Cup 2021 and Asia Cup last year.

    Pakistan agreed to play the series — the first bilateral between the two countries — in place of three one-day Intern­ationals that Afghanistan were supposed to play against Australia this month.

    Cricket Australia pulled out of that series following an announcement from Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban that it was banning university education for girls and not forming a women’s cricket team.

    Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan hoped fans will enjoy a good series.

    “Both nations have passionate fans that support their teams with enthusiasm and pride,” said Naseeb. “As neighbours, we have a special bond and we hope to showcase not only our cricketing skills but also the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.”

  • ‘Violation of constitution’: PTI to move SC against election postponement

    ‘Violation of constitution’: PTI to move SC against election postponement

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has confirmed that his party will challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone general elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8 in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

    Addressing a joint press conference on Thursday, Chaudhry, along with PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, announced that they are moving the top court against the ECP for “breaching the Constitution”.

    “It is your duty to save the Constitution,” Chaudhry appealed to the judges of the top court, adding that the joint sitting of parliament convened on Wednesday was aimed at an “attack on the Supreme Court”.

    “Judges are being blackmailed and pressurised,” Chaudhry claimed. He also said that the country demands that Article 6 should be applied on five members of the electoral watchdog.  

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan condemned ECP’s move to postpone the election in Punjab, as the party announced to move the Supreme Court against “violation of the Constitution”.

    It is pertinent to mention here that electoral watchdog postponed the elections in view of the recent spate of terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.

    The order said that the interior ministry conveyed to the ECP that the deployment of civil and armed forces would not be possible due to the “spike in incidents of terrorism across the country” and threat alerts from intelligence agencies.

  • Babar Azam, Behroze Sabzwari and more: List of 2023 Sitara-e-Imtiaz recipients

    Babar Azam, Behroze Sabzwari and more: List of 2023 Sitara-e-Imtiaz recipients

    President Dr Arif Alvi conferred Pakistan’s civil awards on 135 citizens as well as foreign nationals on Pakistan Day i.e. March 23, in recognition of excellence and gallantry in their respective fields.

    Among the civil awards, many renowned personalities were awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz which is the country’s third-highest civilian honour.

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam became the highlight of the event, becoming the youngest cricketer to hold this honour.

    Media personality Fakhar-e-Alam, actor Behroze Sabzwari and journalist Nadeem Malik were also conferred with Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

    Muhammad Afzal Javed and Zafarulah Khan (services to Pakistan), Dr Saeed Akhtar (medicine), late Humayun Khan (agriculture), Dr Sharif Malik (medicine), Mahfoozur Rehman (education), late Saghar Siddiqui (poetry), late Shama Khalid (art); late Ziauddin, Javed Chaudhry (journalist); Dr Anees Ahmed and Maulana Hanif Jalandhari (religious scholar), and Waqar Ahmed Malik (public service) were included.

    Among others who were also conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award were Syed Murataz Mahmood (public service), Imdadullah Bosal (public service) and Mirza Ishtiaq Baig (social service); Lt Gen Noman Zakaria, Major General Muhammad Idris Dastgir, Brigadier Salman Rashid Hussain, Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Asim Ali Khan, Samina Chagali, Dr Amir Malik, Tahir Rai and Riazuddin Sheikh (public service) and Tariq Mahmood (art).

  • Phaddah between PTI and govt after ECP changed Punjab election date

    Phaddah between PTI and govt after ECP changed Punjab election date

    Tensions between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have escalated after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday postponed Punjab elections, scheduled to be held on April 30, till October 8.

    The postponement was done in view of the recent spate of terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.

    The order said that the interior ministry conveyed to the ECP that the deployment of civil and armed forces would not be possible due to the “spike in incidents of terrorism across the country” and threat alerts from intelligence agencies.

    PTI is not happy with ECP’s decision while the government welcomed it.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan who has been campaigning for early elections has termed the ECP’s announcement a violation of the Constitution.

    Stating that he did not dissolve his governments in Punjab and KP “to allow a bunch of fascists to impose a reign of terror”, Imran Khan led the charge in slamming the decision while his party members also criticised the postponement.

    However, in a meeting of the federal cabinet, it was noted that general elections should be held simultaneously across the country. It is not possible to hold elections in two provinces, they said.

    The meeting observed that the security and financial situation was not suitable for elections. Plus, the government was also short of funds and discussions were still going on with the IMF on a bailout package.

    On Thursday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that postponing elections is in the country’s interest.

    She went on to say a population census is going on in the country. It is not possible to hold elections before the completion of the census.

  • ‘They had planned to kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder’: Khan

    ‘They had planned to kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder’: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on has claimed on Wednesday that another assassination plot was being hatched to kill him the way Murtaza Bhutto was.

    Recalling his arrival at the Judicial Complex Islamabad, Khan said, “I stood outside the judicial complex’s gate for 40 minutes,” adding that he witnessed the rowdiness of “police, army and unknown people wearing CTD uniform” during this time.

    “They had the planned to take my vehicle inside the complex, close the gates, create a violent situation, and kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder,” Khan said, adding that he returned from the gate after signing the attendance register.

    Mir Murtaza Bhutto, the son and brother of former Prime Ministers Zulkfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, was killed in a police encounter in 1996 in Karachi.

    Khan also revealed that he believed the police chiefs of Punjab and Islamabad alongside their ‘handlers’ have hatched a conspiracy to kill him as they are “becoming serious about assassinating him”.

    The IGs of Punjab and Islamabad have constituted two separate squads, Khan alleged, who will join PTI workers and open fire on the police, “to provoke an armed retaliation and eventually reach [inside the house] and assassinate me, in a day or two.”

    Giving instructions to his loyalists, Khan said that they were not to provoke the police at any cost. “If the police want to approach me with any warrant or for any other matter, let them approach me directly,” adding that he would never wish any harm on his party workers. “The incumbent government and its plans to kill me have failed and now they have become jittery and taking extreme measures,” he commented.