Tag: trending

  • Cracks within PTI deepen as leader accuses party of selling Senate ticket for Rs35 crores

    In yet another development that suggests deepening of cracks within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ranks, party leader and former Sindh chief minister (CM) Liaqat Jatoi has levelled accusations of selling at least one Senate ticket for Rs350 million (Rs35 crores) to newcomer and wealthy construction contractor Saifullah Abro.

    “He joined the party six months ago… on what grounds was he awarded a ticket [for the upper house of the parliament]?” Jatoi was heard as asking media persons during a brief presser on Tuesday.

    According to earlier reports, the days leading to the election for the Senate are getting difficult for the ruling party owing to differences between its leaders.

    Sindh chapter is facing a severe rift after the party leadership finalised Federal Minister Faisal Vawda and Abro for the Senate from the province, The News reported last week.

    The party’s decision generated criticism from its key leaders from three zones of rural Sindh who wrote a letter to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to show their anger and demand the party’s high command to take back tickets from Vawda and Abro.

    Encouraged by the PTI’s recent decision to withdraw the party ticket awarded to business tycoon Abdul Qadir in Balochistan for the Senate election after opposition from the party’s provincial leadership, the Sindh leaders also initiated a campaign to pressurise the party’s parliamentary committee to review its decision of allocating tickets.

    In a letter, the PTI’s office-bearers from three regions said that they were “extremely disappointed with the entire process” of the selection of party’s candidates for the Senate polls from the province.

    The leaders who signed the letter included Liaqat Jatoi’s brother Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Sukkur district President Mubeen Jatoi, Allah Bux Unnar and Raja Khan Jhakrani, former provincial secretary general Mehfooz Usrani, a former candidate from NA-214 Shaheed Benazirabad Gul Muhammad Rind, former provincial minister Agha Taimoor Khan Pathan, Papu Khan Chachar and other office-bearers.

    Showing severe concerns over finalising Abro for the Senate on technocrat seat, the PTI leaders asked how the Senate ticket was given to a newcomer in the party.

    They alleged that cases against Abro, who has still been working closely with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership and famed as an “ATM”, have been pending in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The PTI leaders from rural Sindh asked to review the allocation of the Senate tickets from Sindh and said that the decision will harm the party in the upcoming local government polls.

    However, a senior PTI leader from Sindh was quoted as saying that awarding a ticket to Abro was the party’s strategy to stop its MPAs from selling their votes to the PPP’s candidates as the party was fearful that the ruling party in the province may buy at least 10 out of its 30 members in the provincial assembly.

    “Abro is a billionaire construction contractor and he will not only stop the PTI MPAs from selling their votes but can also buy the votes of PPP to win on technocrat seats,” the party leader, who requested anonymity, said.

    It is pertinent to note that on Monday, the nomination papers of Abro on technocrat seat were rejected by the election tribunal.

  • Iranian supreme leader declares hijab for cartoons mandatory

    Women in cartoons must wear hijab, a fatwa by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared.

    Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted Khamenei as saying that women in cartoons and animated cartoon films should wear hijab, in response to a query by a Telegram user.

    “Is observing hijab necessary for characters in animated films (three-dimensional paintings that come from the artist’s mind)?” the user had asked.

    “Although wearing hijab in such a hypothetical situation is not required per se, observing hijab in animation is required due to the consequences of not wearing a hijab,” Khamenei responded.

    Women are bound to wear headscarves and hijab following an order passed by the authorities soon after the establishment of the Islamic regime in Iran in 1979, Global Village Space reported.

    Iranian women defying the decree set by the authorities face severe repercussions in the form of imprisonment or sanctions.

    A large number of women in Iran have been rising to protest against the hardcore laws that have now been relaxed a bit amid growing agitation.

  • PM sacks KP minister for supporting PML-N candidate in Nowshera by-polls

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Irrigation Liaqat Khattak has been de-notified for supporting the candidate of rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in by-polls for PK-63 Nowshera constituency.

    Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister (CM) on Information Kamran Bangash tweeted the notification, saying that Khattak was removed after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s approval.

    “The Governor of the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in exercise of the powers conferred under clause 3 of Article 132 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with clause 1 of Article 105 thereof, is pleased to de-notify Mr Liaqat Khattak from his office,” read the notification.

    The PK-63 election was won by the PML-N, according to unofficial results.

    The seat had fallen vacant after the death of PTI MPA Mian Jamsheduddin, who had died of coronavirus.

  • Lahore’s King Edward establishes new dept only to accommodate Dr Yasmin Rashid’s daughter?

    Reports in the local press have claimed that one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious medical colleges, the King Edward Medical University (KEMU), has set up a new department only to accommodate the daughter of Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.

    It was alleged that KEMU established a sub-specialty within the maternity department for the sole purpose of accommodating Dr Ayesha Ali as an assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine in grade 19.

    Maternal-fetal medicine, also known as perinatology, is a branch of medicine that focuses on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy.

    “She was appointed as a permanent employee while new appointments are usually made on a contractual basis,” a KEMU official was quoted as saying. Immediately after her appointment on January 12, she sought time off from her duties and flew to London, the official added.

    Reports further claimed that initially, a new department of fetal medicine was created at the Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) to accommodate the health minister’s daughter.

    “Dr Ayesha was even selected for the post of assistant professor [at FJMU], but the appointment was never notified amid outcry over favouritism,” reports claimed and added that the new department was then created at KEMU instead.

    AUTHORITIES RESPOND TO ALLEGATIONS:

    This scribe reached out to the varsity for an official version of events surrounding the appointment allegedly made only to accommodate the minister’s daughter.

    Speaking to The Current, KEMU Registrar Dr Riasat Ali did not comment on Dr Ayesha’s appointment in particular but clarified the establishment of the sub-specialty at the medical institute.

    “As many as four sub-specialties were created at the KEMU maternity department but there is no controversy in it since all departments, over the passage of time, witness advancements,” he said, adding that a sub-specialty was also established at the department of medicine earlier.

    The appointments for all four sub-specialties were made while following due procedure, on merit, and in light of the approval of the relevant authorities, including the varsity’s senate and syndicate, the registrar said.

    While Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid did not respond to The Current’s queries despite repeated attempts to contact her, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar’s focal person on digital media, Azhar Mashwani, has tweeted to clarify the establishment of the new sub-specialties in both KEMU and FJMU.

    “Dr Yasmin Rashid’s daughter is a fetal medicine specialist practicing in England. She was appointed as an associated professor on one of the eight positions at KEMU on merit and contractual basis,” he said in a subsequent tweet.

    Mashwani added that Dr Ayesha was quitting her job in the United Kingdom (UK) to come to Pakistan where she will officially join KEMU a month later.

  • Zoya Nasir says ‘yes’ to Christian Betzmann

    Zoya Nasir and Christian Betzmann are engaged after the Pakistani actor said “yes” to the German Vlogger. The news of their engagement comes just a few days after Christian announced that he has converted to Islam.

    Read more – Zoya Nasir slams troll for giving Christian Betzmann ‘criminal advice’

    Sharing pictures of himself and Zoya standing on a beach in the Bahamas, Betzmann revealed the big news, saying: “SHE SAID YESSSSS! The best day of my life.”

    “I love you Zoya Nasir,” he added.

    Zoya also shared similar pictures with the caption: “He asked and I said yes. Thank you for being my light in the darkest hours and showing me the true meaning of happiness.”

    “Here’s to a forever with you, my soulmate,” she added.

    Later, in a video posted to her YouTube channel, Zoya shared her friends and family’s reaction to the news. In the video, Zoya video-calls her family and friends including Ushna Shah, Zaid Ali T, Shahveer Jafry, Hajra Yameen and Zara Noor Abbas and reveals the big news to them. Needless to say, all her friends were shocked yet ecstatic over the news of their engagement.

    Zoya and Christian have often made the news with pictures of their trips going viral on social media. The couple is currently in the Bahamas after travelling across the United States in the past couple of months.

    To know how Chris proposed Zoya, check out in the video below:

    https://youtu.be/23ch1JoMp5k
  • Nida Yasir reacts to backlash over inviting ‘Pawri Girl’

    Nida Yasir reacts to backlash over inviting ‘Pawri Girl’

    Nida Yasir received backlash over inviting Pawri Girl’, Dananeerr Mobeen to her morning show and Nida hit back at trolls who were criticising her.

    Sharing a video of herself recreating the viral video with Mobeen and ACCA topper, Zara Naeem, she wrote: “Pawri hori he. proud of you girls”. An Instagram user commented and wrote: “Qsmy ap kisi ko ni chortii,” on which Nida responded, “I take it as a compliment.”

    Another Instagram user commented: “Nida baji ap bht nhi intahai farig hai, matlab isay bhi bula lia?” to which she replied, “Alhamdulillah ap se kam farig hu logo ko zaleel ni karti.”

    In another video, posted by Nida, she thanked Mobeen for bringing a smile to her face. “Thanx Dananeerr for bringing a smile on my face after 2 weeks, loved the show today.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that Nida’s mother Fehmida Nasreen passed away a few days back. Confirming the news on social media and sharing a throwback family photo with her mother, Nida wrote, “Our lovely strong and fighter mother left us alone.”

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rape victims will have to pay Rs25,000 for medical examination?

    Sexual assault victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will have to pay Rs25,000 for medical examination as the forensic department of Khyber Medical College University (KMCU) has proposed new charges for its services, The Express Tribune reported.

    According to reports, besides the medical examination of rape victims fee, an autopsy will now cost Rs5,000 for Peshawar residents and Rs25,000 for those from other districts, keeping dead bodies in the morgue will cost Rs1,500 for a single day while a fee of Rs18,000 has been suggested for DNA testing.

    Officials said the 17 new charges were proposed in a February 14 meeting of the Management Committee, and have been introduced to meet the operational expenditures of the department.

    Among other proposed charges are Rs2,000 for urine test and alcohol analysis, and Rs4,000 for poison detection test.

    KMCU Dean Dr Aurangzeb has said that the new charges for services were just a proposal discussed in the meeting. “The profits generated from these charges will go to the public exchequer, which will help in the betterment of services.”

  • PTI Sindh leader kills snake in jail cell; PPP govt accused of ‘hatching conspiracies’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker and leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly, Haleem Adil Sheikh, has killed a snake that appeared in his jail cell, the MPA’s spokesperson confirmed.

    “A poisonous snake appeared in the room of Haleem Adil Sheikh, which was pinpointed by a servant who went there to deliver breakfast,” Sheikh’s spokesperson Muhammad Ali Baloch said on Thursday.

    “After seeing the snake, Sheikh killed it,” Baloch said, adding that the presence of the snake in his boss’s room puts a question mark on the performance of Sindh police.

    He went on to say that conspiracies were being hatched against Sheikh as “police have become a slave to the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)”.

    The statements were followed by Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon seeking a report from authorities concerned regarding the appearance of the snake.

    AIG Memon telephoned DIG (CIA) Arif Hanif, ordered him to investigate the matter and submit a report at the earliest.

    Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi has sent the PTI leader to jail on judicial remand till February 25.

    The ATC was hearing the case related to aerial firing and disturbance during Karachi’s PS-88 by-election on February 16, in the aftermath of which Sheikh had been placed under police custody.

  • Mahira Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor join ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’ bandwagon

    Bollywood Queen Deepika Padukone joined ‘Pawri Ho Rahi Hai’ bandwagon by posting her childhood pictures edited by one of her fans and Pakistani superstar, Mahira Khan also recreated the video in an epic way.

    The picture shows Deepika Padukone sitting on a toy horse ride with the text, “Yeh hum hain, yeh humara ghoda hain, Aur yeh humari pawri ho rahi hain.”

    Deepika shared the picture-meme on her Instagram account with the laughing emoji and wrote, “Who made this?”

    Sharing a video of her pajama party on her Instagram, Mahira wrote: “Myyyy new jam.”

    “You’re suppaaa [super] my love Dananeerr, may your future be bright bright. Shine on! Ameen,” she added.

    The trend began after the maker of the video, Dananeerr Mobeen posted a clip of herself with her friends. In the video, she was heard saying: “yeh humari car hai, yeh hum hain, aur yeh humari pawri ho rai hai” (This is our car, this is us, and this is our pawri going on).

    As ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’ became a major memes trend in Pakistan, the fever caught on in India after Yashraj Mukhate of Rasode Me Kaun Tha-fame dropped a funky mash-up of the viral video.

    With many Indian and Pakistani celebrities and even Hassan Ali with the Pakistan Cricket team joining in on the trend, Mobeen took the trend a notch higher after releasing a video of herself, grooving on Mukhate’s version of her clip.

    Earlier on Thursday, Shahid Kapoor had also shared a hilarious video of his team recreating the viral ‘pawri’ video.

    The video showed filmmaker Raj and DK and the team of their next online streaming project. The post read: “Faking feku… better words were never said.”

  • Imran’s neighbours accuse PM’s nephew of land grabbing

    Imran’s neighbours accuse PM’s nephew of land grabbing

    Residents of Bani Gala and reportedly the neighbours of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, namely Azmatullah and Mohammad Umar Gondal, have accused the nephew of the premier of grabbing their land.

    According to a petition filed by the two in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), they purchased land measuring 30 kanals in Mohra Noor Islamabad which is adjacent to the land of the premier.

    It said that out of 30 kanals, they have sold 16 kanals while 14 kanals of land was in their possession.

    The petitioners started landscaping and designed the land to convert it into an orchard; labourers were also hired for this purpose. However, the assistant commissioner (rural) and SHO Banigala stopped them from construction, Dawn reported citing the petition.

    When the petitioners approached the district magistrate (deputy commissioner) and others, they were told that Shahraz Azeem Khan, nephew of PM Imran, is interested in buying their land and advised the petitioner that “it is better for them to sell this land” to PM’s nephew.

    It said that the petitioners were called by deputy commissioner when they reached his office, he arranged their telephonic conversation with PM’s nephew. The petitioners claimed that Shahraz Khan categorically asked them to sell their land or face consequences.

    As per the petition, the district administration threatened the petitioners they would be placed in fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) or they would be jailed under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and when they will come out of prison, their property would be occupied and they would never be compensated.

    According to the petition, under Article 23 of the Constitution, any citizen has the right to hold or dispose of his property.

    The petitioners requested the court to declare the forced acquisition of their lawful land as illegal and restrain the district administration and police from interfering in the matter.

    Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the IHC has issued notices to the premier’s nephew, assistant commissioner (rural), the district magistrate and Banigala SHO on the petition, the report said.