Dr Mahnoor Farzand, a flight lieutenant in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), died of Covid-19 early on Sunday morning, taking the tally of doctors falling victim to coronavirus so far in Sindh to 77.
According to Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Dr Mahnoor was eight months pregnant and under treatment for Covid-19 at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Malir Cantonment for a week.
“Her father, also tested positive for Covid-19, is currently under intensive care at the CMH,” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad of PMA, adding that Dr Mahnoor had not got herself vaccinated against the pandemic.
“It’s extremely unfortunate and painful that we have lost two lives to coronavirus. Perhaps, the doctor did not opt for Covid-19 vaccination due to her pregnancy.”
According to APP News, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated the country’s first ‘Smart Forest’ in the Rakh Jhok area of Sheikhupura. The prime minister planted a sapling in the forest, which is the first of its kind being equipped with technology sensors and surveillance systems.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and senior officials of the Punjab government were present at the event. The Rakh Jhok Forest is a project of Ravi Urban Development Authority covering 24,000 kanals of land.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Ravi River Urban Project, besides its environmental benefits, was expected to generate $40 billion in revenue for the country.
“The project will not only prove beneficial for Lahore, but for the entire country in addressing the environmental and financial problems,” he said at the launch of the country’s first-ever ‘Smart Forest’ near Sheikhupura under the Ravi Urban project.
The prime minister said the project would stop the sewage water seep into Punjab’s River Ravi, which ultimately flowed up to the River Indus passing through Sindh. Under the Ravi Urban project, he said, around 10 million trees would be planted beside the construction of three barrages at the river. Filtration plants will ensure the provision of clean water to the public, he added.
He asked Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar to remain undeterred amidst challenges and work towards the timely completion of the project.
Imran Khan termed water scarcity, deforestation, and glacier melting the biggest challenge for the country, which was among the ten most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. He said massive forestation was vital to save the country for the coming generations.
“If we want to hand over a green and clean Pakistan to our next generation, the plantation is the foremost solution,” he said.
The prime minister regretted deforestation in the country over time, terming it disastrous in terms of climate change. He recalled that Lahore, once used to be called as City of Gardens, had turned into a polluted place with pollutants touching hazardous levels.
“Therefore, the Ravi project is not only important for Lahore but for the entire country,” he stressed.
The prime minister said the growth of every plant would be monitored in collaboration with the tech giant Huawei. He said sensors would keep a vigil on the ruthless cutting of trees and expressed confidence that the project would be replicated in other parts of the country.
The country’s renowned progressive poet Ahmed Faraz was remembered on his 13th death anniversary on Wednesday.
Ahmad Faraz was known as one of the best modern Urdu poets of the last century. He was born in Kohat on January 12, 1931, and moved to Peshawar with his family. He studied at the famous Edwards College, Peshawar, and received Masters’s in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University.
He later taught at Peshawar University as well. He was a member of the Progressive Writers Movement (PWM) as well. He was a Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and also head of the National Book Foundation.
He continued to perform his duties as an educationist in various educational institutions. He was also kept in custody during the tenure of General Zia-ul-Haq.
Ahmed Faraz recited thousands of poems and 14 collections of his words were published. Tanha tanha, Be-Awaz Gali Kuchon Main, Sab Awazain Meri Hain, and Shab-e-Khun are among some of his literary works. Ahmad Faraz holds a unique position as one of the best poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing. Even common people can easily understand his poetry. Ahmed Faraz was fluent in many languages like Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, and other languages. Ahmed Faraz’s work was also been translated into English, French, Hindi, Yugoslavia, Swedish, Russian, German and Punjabi.
Ahmad Faraz was the recipient of a number of national and international accolades, including the Nagar Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, and Hilal-e-Imtiaz. and after his death Hilal-e-Pakistan by the Government of Pakistan.
Faraz died in Islamabad on August 25, 2008, because of kidney failure and was buried in Islamabad’s graveyard.
Pakistan on Tuesday conducted a successful test flight of Fatah-1, a Pakistan-made guided multi-launch rocket system capable of delivering conventional warheads, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Twitter.
According to the Pakistan Army’s media wing, the new weapons system will equip the military with the ability to strike deep into enemy territory.
The flight of the Shaheen-1A medium-range ballistic missile on March 26, 2021, was the last successful test by Pakistan. Pakistan has conducted a successful test flight of the indigenously developed Fatah-1, said ISPR. A Twitter post by the director-general ISPR Major Gen Babar Iftikhar said that Fatah-1 guided multi-launch rocket system is capable of delivering a conventional warhead up to a range of 140 kilometers.
“The Weapon System will give Pakistan Army capability of precision target engagement deep in enemy territory,” read the post. The test flight of the Shaheen-1A ballistic missile on March 26, 2021, was the last successful test conducted by Pakistan.
According to the ISPR, the missile spanned a range of 900 kilometers and the test flight was aimed at the re-validating of various design and technical parameters of the weapon system including an advanced navigation system.
#Pakistan today conducted a successful test flight of indigenously developed #Fatah-1 (Guided Multi Launch Rocket System), capable of delivering a conventional Warhead. The Weapon System will give Pakistan Army capability of precision target engagement deep in enemy territory. pic.twitter.com/TnFfXmceau
A shocking incident took place in Lahore, Pakistan, a woman tried to strangle her own child to death who was admitted to the Rawalpindi’s Institute of Cardiology, reported local TV channel.
The mother allegedly placed her dupatta on the child face so that he could not breathe. But luckily the hospital ward had CCTV cameras installed in hospital premises, CCTV footage video showed three female nurses rushed to the bed to save the child’s life.
The hospital administration handed over the woman to police.
Punjab Child Protection Bureau took notice of the incident and announced to provide shelter to the child once his treatment was completed.
According to MS RIC Hospital that child was admitted due to disruption in blood flow but thanks to The Almighty Allah he had now recovered.
A one-day series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled for next month in Sri Lanka, has been postponed until 2022 following the Taliban’s takeover of power in Afghanistan.
The two countries were due to play three ODI matches in early September in Sri Lanka, but the Pakistan Cricket Board said late on Monday that the Afghanistan Cricket Board had requested the series be postponed.
“PCB has accepted ACB’s request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul, lack of broadcast facilities and increased COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka,” the PCB tweeted.
PCB has accepted ACB's request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul, lack of broadcast facilities and increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Both boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022.
“Both boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022.”
With commercial flights from Kabul airport yet to resume, media reports said the Afghanistan team had been looking to travel to Pakistan by road and fly to Colombo via Dubai. But the logistical challenges increased after Sri Lanka last week announced a 10-day lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19, as surging infections and deaths overwhelm the island’s health system.
The Taliban have said they would not interfere with men’s cricket in the country; Afghanistan’s biggest sporting success of recent years. The fate of the women’s program, however, remains unclear.
There has been a surge in the creation of short films in Pakistan with many of them proving to be huge hits. Pakistani short film ‘Bhai’ has been selected to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in September.
The movie has been written and directed by Hamza Bangash and executive produced by Mina Husain of Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) and Salman Ahmed. It has been co-produced by Taha Sabri of Taskeen and Westbury Group and Carol Noronha. The creators have cast a differently-abled actor, Ayan Javaid, to play the lead. This is huge for the representation of differently-abled people in Pakistani media.
Bhai is a story of two brothers who go out to celebrate Independence Day at a restaurant. The younger brother, who is autistic, has an episode while he is waiting for his older brother to return with their food. The older brother is watching the struggle, however, from inside the restaurant and he must make a choice: help his brother or ignore him.
Amid the bustle of Karachi on Pakistan’s Independence Day, the tumultuous events portrayed in Hamza Bangash’s bracing, tension-filled drama widen the gulf of understanding between two brothers, Bhai as described on the TIFF’s website.
The film is about the choices we make, shame, trauma, brotherhood, and finding a small sliver of happiness in a brutal world.
“In 2021, for the first time, I’m going to get to experience the festival as a filmmaker,” said director Hamza Bangash, sharing his previous experiences at the festival as a volunteer and an intern.
Hamza expressed his gratitude to the film’s team and wrote, “It’s a film about choti khushiyan [little joys], and about everyday bravery, the kind that Karachiites have in spades.”
The film will be screened at the festival in September 2021. Hoping this is just the start of more Pakistani movies and artists being internationally recognized and appreciated.
Pakistan and Turkey are collectively bringing a period drama on the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi.
According to TRT World, Turkish producer Emre Konuk, owner of Akli Films, announces signing a new deal with Pakistan’s Ansari & Shah Films to jointly produce a TV series about the life of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, a revered Muslim general popularly known in the West as Saladin.
The series, featuring actors from Turkey and Pakistan, will be shot in Turkey and is planned to have three seasons.
Having welcomed the project offer from Pakistan’s Ansari & Shah Films, Turkish producer Emre Konuk turned to his Twitter on Saturday dubbed the agreement prolific on a ‘blessed Friday night.’
“A happy news on a blessed Friday night! Contract signed between Akli Films and Ansari & Shah Films about ‘Sultan Selahaddin Ayyubi’,” Konuk tweeted.
Konuk said that “this great person who left his mark in history and all over the world.” He wished that the international, joint project is beneficial “to our country and our art world.”
Kutlu bir cuma akşamında mutlu bir haber! Akli Film ve Ansari Shah Film arasında “Sultan Selahaddin Eyyübi” dizi projesi için anlaşma imzalandı. Türkiye ve Pakistan işbirliği ile hazırlanacak uluslararası proje ülkemize ve sanat dünyamıza hayırlı olsun. #SelahaddinEyyübipic.twitter.com/3MVOlDjVE4
Adnan Siddiqui also took to his Instagram on Saturday and expressed his excitement for the upcoming project.
“Taking our commitment to strengthen ties with Turkey further, we embark on a new chapter of this friendship that, we hope, would lead to exchange of fabulous ideas and talent. It’s a win-win for our industries and our audience who should look forward some good content coming their way,” wrote the actor.
“Have collaborated with …..to produce a magnum opus on the great warrior king, Salahuddin Ayyubi. Please partake in our happiness,” he concluded.
The 24th death anniversary of the legendary Qawwali maestro, popularly known as “Shahenshah-e-Qawwali” Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is being observed on Monday.
He was born on 13th October 1948 in Faisalabad’s most famous Qawwal family. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the great singer, and musician was famous for his melodious tunes, the introduction of traditional Qawwali, and heart-touching music.
Due to the new dimensions in music, his fame spread from Pakistan to the whole world. His first international masterpiece was Dead Man Walking, released in 1995, after which he composed the music for another Hollywood film, The Last Temptation of Christ.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Qawwali has released more than 125 audio albums and his name is included in the Guinness Book of World Records. No other musician or singer has achieved as much fame as he did globally. He was truly the best ambassador of Pakistan and introduced Pakistan as a great country where people were unfamiliar with the word “Pakistan”.
The great singer has received numerous national and international awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence, Nigar Award, and several other awards. In 1987, he was awarded the Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan, for his contribution to the music.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away on August 16, 1997, at the age of 48 due to a kidney ailment but his art still keeps him alive.
Mahira Khan is bringing back her magic this Independence Day. The actor is stepping into the world of telefilms with a tribute to Lieutenant General Nigar Johar of the Pakistan Army. The teaser of the telefilm “Ek Hai Nigar” has been released. The film is based on the life of Johar, the country’s first Lieutenant General, who was promoted to the rank of the first Three-Star General of the Pakistan Army. At the same time, she became Pakistan’s first female surgeon general.
The Prince Charming star, who herself is very ‘honored’ to play the role of a living legend, turned to her Instagram on August 14 and shared a teaser of her much-anticipated biopic. “Eik Hai Nigar,” begins Mahira in the caption, highlighting the title of the telefilm.
“Honored to be able to play a woman I admire so much. Pakistan Army’s first female Three-Stars General. ‘Aik Hai Nigar’ traces the life and career of Lieutenant General Nigar Johar. What a life, what a story… to know her, is to know one of the greatest we have amongst us. Bismillah,” she ends her note.
Mahira Khan has played the role of Nigar Johar in the telefilm while her opposite actor Bilal Ashraf will be seen in the male lead role. The story of the telefilm “Ek Hai Nigar” has been written by Umairah Ahmed and is directed by Adnan Sarwar and produced under the banner of Nina Kashif and Mahira Khan’s production company Sulfur Films.
In addition, the Pakistan Army Public Relations Department (ISPR) has paid homage to Lieutenant General Nigar Johar through this film. The telefilm will be aired on the private TV channel, but its release date has not yet been announced.
Pakistanis are celebrating today (Saturday) the 75th year of Independence with traditional zeal and fervor, with commemorative ceremonies held in cities across the country. According to Radio Pakistan, the celebrations began with a change of guard ceremonies held at Mazaar-i-Quaid and Mazaar-i-Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively, and a 31-gun salute in the capital, followed by 21-gun salutes in all four provincial capitals.
The main feature of the celebrations was the flag-hoisting ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. President Dr. Arif Alvi, who was the chief guest at the event, congratulated the nation on the completion of 74 years of Independence on the occasion.
Photo Courtesy: APP
President Dr. Arif Alvi said that the Pakistani nation had always overcome challenges and ordeals with unmatched sacrifices, unity, and determination, adding that Pakistan could emerge as one of the most successful nations in the world on the basis of its intellectual capabilities. He paid tribute to the leaders of the freedom movement, including Allam Iqbal, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and Liaquat Ali Khan.
Recounting Pakistan’s accomplishments of the past years, he said when India conducted a nuclear explosion in 1974; Pakistan managed to create a nuclear deterrent within just seven years after that. Moreover, the president lauded Pakistan’s armed forces and police for bravely fighting terrorism and “setting an example”. He added that the nation had stood strong in the face of multiple challenges.
Photo Courtesy: APP
The president also appreciated the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and launching the Ehsaas program, appealing to citizens to observe Covid-related standard operating procedures. The president also drew the attention of the international community towards India’s atrocities in occupied Kashmir and expressed solidarity with the people of the valley.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman Senate Sajid Sanjrani, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar, Begum Samina Arif Alvi, federal ministers, parliamentarians, high civil and military authorities, notable personalities, students, and media.
Students also presented melodious and popular national songs, kalam from the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and a live performance of vocalist Sahir Ali Bagga also enthralled the audience.
According to Radio Pakistan, President Alvi conferred on the day 126 civil awards on Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields today. These awards include three Nishan-i-Imtiaz, two Hilal-i-Pakistan, six Hilal-i-Imtiaz, four Sitar-i-Pakistan, three Sitara-i-Shuja’at, 17 Sitara-i-Imtiaz, 39 President’s Award for Pride of Performance, three Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam, 17 Tamgha-i-Shuja’at, 31Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, and one Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam. The investiture ceremony of these awards will take place on March 23, according to APP.
Moreover, the president conferred military awards on officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. The military awards include two Sitara-i-Basalat, 61 Tamgha-i-Basalat, 42 Imtiazi Asnad, 70 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards, 22 Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), 106 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), and 128 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s message on Independence Day came in a series of tweets by the Prime Minister’s Office, which quoted the premier as saying that “Pakistan today can stand tall among the comity of nations.”
"Pakistan today can stand tall among the comity of nations. Our policies towards reviving the economy, handling the pandemic, and protecting the environment have received universal acclaim."#HappyIndependenceDay#PakistanZindabad#IndependenceDayPakistan
— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) August 14, 2021
My message on Independence Day especially for our youth. These three characteristics – truth, justice & valour – transform ordinary human beings into great ones. pic.twitter.com/3mY2h2J9VV
“Our policies towards reviving the economy, handling the pandemic, and protecting the environment have received universal acclaim,” a tweet further stated. The prime said the nation had “surmounted monumental challenges during the course of our history to emerge as a united, peaceful and resilient nation”, adding that like other times, it would overcome the challenges it faced today “with our characteristic determination and come out stronger as a nation.”
My message on Independence Day especially for our youth. These three characteristics – truth, justice & valour – transform ordinary human beings into great ones. pic.twitter.com/3mY2h2J9VV
Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed support for the people of occupied Kashmir.” Pakistan will continue to extend its full support to the Kashmiris in their just cause. Kashmiris are looking up to the international community to fulfill the promises made to them,” he said.
"Pakistan will continue to extend its full support to the Kashmiris in their just cause. Kashmiris are looking up to the international community to fulfil the promises made to them."#KashmirBleeds
The husband of well-known pop singer Nazia Hassan (late) Friday sent a legal notice of Rs one billion to her brother Zohaib Hassan for levelling what her terms false allegations against him.
According to the local news channel, on the death anniversary of the late signer, Zohaib alleged that she was poisoned by her husband Ishtiaq Baig.
In an interview Zohaib said that they (family) knew that Nazia was disturbed before her death.
Nazia had a doubt of poisoning from her husband but it was not detected in the blood by the reason of her being treated by the chemotherapy, he added.
In response to the Zohaib’s allegations, Industrialist Ishtiaq Baig, rejected these allegations as baseless.
Baig claimed that Zohaib was not in favour of Nazia’s marriage because he had a fear of ending his singing career that was proved and when she stopped singing, Zohaib was finished.
Giving strong reaction to Zohaib’s allegations, Baig had sent him legal notice of Rs one billion for putting baseless allegations against him within no time.
In a first in the country’s judicial history, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is going to elevate a woman judge to the Supreme Court when it meets on Sept 9.
Justice Ayesha Malik is set to become the first woman judge of Pakistan after outgoing CJP Mushir Alam recommended her for the elevation in the Supreme Court. Justice Alam is set to retire on August 17 and a judicial committee is considering Malik as a judge for the top court. She is currently at the Lahore High Court and ranks four on the seniority list. If elevated to the apex court, she will remain a judge of the Supreme Court until March 2031.
Malik started her legal career by assisting Fakhurddin G Ibrahim at his legal firm in Karachi from 1997 till 2001. Malik studied law at the Pakistan College of Law in Lahore. After this, she got a master’s degree from the prestigious Harvard Law School in London. In March 2012, Malik became a justice in the Lahore High Court.
In 2019, Malik became the president of the Committee for Protection of Women Judges in Lahore. She is also a part of The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), an initiative of women empowerment through equality and justice for women.
Under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Clean Green 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, children in Gujranwala planted 52,040 saplings in 40 seconds on Thursday and broke the record of planting 37,000 saplings in one minute set by India.
The saplings were planted along the 14-kilometer greenbelt of GT Road passing through Gujranwala city right from Aziz crossing to Chan Da Qila bypass after sirens sounded. Up to 12,500 students with teachers, members of civil society participated in the event.
Malik Amin Aslam, special assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on climate change, said that the flag of Pakistan was hoisted all over the world and by making Gujranwala clean and green. He said Gujranwala’s name has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Malik Amin Aslam said that 52,040 saplings had been planted in the presence of representatives of Guinness World Records, which bettered an Indian record of planting 37,000 saplings in one minute. Previously, Bhutan, in 2015, had set the world record of planting 49,672 saplings in less than one minute.
He expressed these views while addressing a function on the occasion. SAPM Aslam said that the vision of the Prime Minister was to make the country green by planting trees is as per the teaching of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and so was the need of Pakistan. This is the change and this is the new Pakistan.
He said that it is also our responsibility to make the program a success and the children of Gujranwala have set a national and world record on the beautiful occasion of Independence Day.
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations. Regional military forces continue to develop and field unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of ongoing modernisation efforts, with an eye on applications – such as border/maritime patrol and […]
Critics of country’s military told by Met police of plots against them as security forces fear there may be an attack in Britain
Pakistani exiles living in London who have criticised the country’s powerful military have been warned that their lives are in danger, raising fresh concern over authoritarian regimes targeting foreign dissidents in the UK.
British security sources are understood to be concerned that Pakistan, a strong UK ally – particularly on intelligence issues – might be prepared to target individuals on British soil.
The inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) kicked off with a simple yet beautiful opening ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Friday night.
The ceremony started with paragliders landing on the ground with Pakistan and Azad Kashmir flags. Afterward, the national anthems of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were played in the stadium. A significant crowd was also present at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium holding Pakistan’s and Azad Kashmir’s flags.
Speaking at the event, KPL President Arif Malik stated that they had been working tirelessly for the past three years to host a cricketing event in Muzaffarabad that could be telecast worldwide. He implied that KPL is all about cricket and entertainment and that there is no place for politics.
“We will not discuss anything political here. We will only talk about cricket and entertainment,” he maintained. “There can’t be a better combination than Kashmir and cricket.”
Malik further said that finally hosting KPL in the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium is a dream comes true for him.
“Dear world, look at the crowd and the beauty of Muzaffarabad, yes it is happening,” he uttered. “Thank you, Muzaffarabad and Azad Kashmir, our dream is fulfilled here today.”
He also thanked all the sponsors and broadcasters for their priceless contribution to make KPL a reality.
Meanwhile, KPL Vice-President Wasim Akram congratulated the people of Kashmir for getting their own league where the budding cricketers from the valley could shine.
The Sultan of Swing could not hold himself from praising the picturesque stadium of Muzaffarabad and termed it the most beautiful cricket stadium he has seen so far anywhere in the world.
Later, five captains of their respective franchises, except Shoaib Malik, gathered to unveil the beautiful trophy of the first edition of the KPL.
The six-team event, which will continue till Aug 17, features Muzaffarabad Tigers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Lions, and Overseas Warriors.
The tournament will see a number of currents and former Pakistan and foreign cricketers, including ex-South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs, former England wicket-keeper Matt Prior, Afridi, Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sharjeel Khan, Shan Masood, Sohaib Maqsood, Ahmed Shehzad, Haider Ali, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Anwar Ali and Imad Wasim in action.
Social media users share the beautiful moments of the inaugural ceremony on twitter.
A Fateha khuwani was organized by Karachi press club for the late mother of Zahid Rana, CEO of Voice of South Asia, the late Rafiq Afghan, Editor-in-Chief of the daily Ummat, former President Salahuddin Haider, senior members Sheen Farrukh, Munazza Inam and Ibrahim Wayani. , Senior Photo Journalist Saeed Iqbal, Senior Reporter of Jasrat Daily Abdul Samad Taji, Former Secretary of Press Club Khurshid Abbasi’s Khush-daman, Mother of Senior Member Iqtdar Anwar, Court Reporter of Daily Dawn Ishaq Tanoli’s Khush-daman, Daily Dunya Forum Editor Mustafa Habib’s father-in-law, senior photographer Muhammad Mehdi and Ikram Mehdi’s sister and mother of senior journalist Shariq Hussain, member Karachi Press Club Adeel Mustafa and member Press Club Sohail Jamali’s father-in-law , other deceased and the families of the members of the Karachi Press Club. President KPC Fazil Jamili, Secretary Rizwan Bhatti, Members of the Working Committee, Former Secretary and Senior Journalist Maqsood Yousufi, Vosa TV CEO Zahid Rana , Rafiq Afghan’s brother Nasir Afghan, Rafiq Afghan’s son Ali Asad A large number of club members attended the Fateha Khuwani. The members conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the CEO of Vosa TV Zahid Rana on the demise of his mother and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the deceased a high position, patience to the bereaved family.
The nation is observing Youm-e-Istehsal on Thursday, 5th August to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people on completion of two years of the military siege of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It was on the 5th of August 2019 that the special constitutional status of IIOJ&K was scrapped by the Modi government.
A host of events have been arranged in order to denounce the Indian unilateral illegal actions against the Kashmiri people. Solidarity walks are arranged in all the main cities including the federal capital. A rally was arranged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the day. President Arif Alvi led the rally in Islamabad.
The participants of the walk wore black bands and carry the flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. One minute silence is to be observed across the country. Traffic halted for one minute. Radio and television channels played Pakistan and AJK national anthems immediately after one-minute silence.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message on Youm-e-Istehsal said: “Today marks two years since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
PM Imran Khan urges the world to hold India accountable. Prime Minister Imran Khan has reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause.
“We will continue to extend all possible assistance to Kashmiris till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to support oppressed Kashmiris. “A day will come when they get the freedom from Indian occupation. Indian Aug 5 actions have been rejected by the people of Kashmir and the rest of the world,” he noted.
Speaking at the rally, President Alvi said no Pakistani will rest until occupied Kashmir, under Indian military siege, is not liberated. “Pakistan will liberate occupied Kashmir,” he said. “Let me warn India that Pakistan is a strong nation,” he added.
President Alvi said that Islamabad would not hold talks with New Delhi until it reversed its August 5 actions. The Pakistani president reminded the world of its promises to the people of Kashmir. “The UN promised to grant the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir,” he noted.
President Alvi said India was changing the demographics of occupied Kashmir to suit its agenda, adding that New Delhi had trampled the principles of freedom and was setting back efforts to restore peace in the region.
The president also led prayers for the martyrs in occupied Kashmir.
Arshad Nadeem on Wednesday kept Pakistan’s hopes alive at Tokyo Olympics, as he went through to the final of the men’s javelin with a throw of 85.16 meters. The feat made him the first Pakistani to qualify for the final of any track and field event at the Olympics. Nadeem’s throw was third-best of the day behind India’s Neeraj Chopra (86.65m) and world leader Germany’s Johannes Vetter (85.64m).
Speaking to the media, a 24-year-old thrower from Khanewal said he was thankful for the support given to him by Pakistanis. Pakistan’s superstar athlete Arshad Nadeem has asked his countrymen back home to remember him in their prayers as he gears up to play in the final round in the javelin throw competition in the Tokyo Olympics. The athlete also appealed to the nation for more prayers so that he can give a stellar performance in the final.
“I request the nation to pray for me so I can perform well in the final and raise Pakistan’s flag up high,” he said.
The athlete also thanked his coach for his tireless efforts in training him for the Olympics.
“We will keep performing like this,” he said, ending with an emphatic “Pakistan Zindabad”.
Nadeem has a personal-best throw of 86.38m, which he achieved in April during his gold medal run at the Imam Raza Athletics Cup in Iran. He is one of the few Pakistani athletes to secure direct qualification for the Olympics, thanks to his gold medal-winning throw at the South Asian Games in December 2019.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan had nominated Abdul Qayyum Niazi as the next Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In a tweet, the minister said that PM Imran Khan had made the decision after extensive consultation and reviewing all suggestions. “He is a dynamic and genuine political activist and his heart beats for the people,” he said.
طویل مشاورت اور تجاویز کے جائزے کے بعد وزیر اعظم پاکستان و چیرمین تحریک انصاف عمران خان نے نومنتخب ایم ایل ائے جناب عبدالقیوم نیازی کو وزیر اعظم آزاد کشمیر کے عہدے کیلئے نامزد کیا ہے وہ ایک متحرک اور حقیقی سیاسی کارکن ہیں جن کا دل کارکنوں کے ساتھ دھڑکتا ہے۔
Abdul Qayyum Niazi has won from the LA-18 Poonch-1 constituency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had interviewed five candidates for the post of Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Barrister Sultan Mahmood, Khawaja Farooq, Azhar Sadiq, and Abdul Qayyum Niazi. Prime Minister Imran Khan had questioned the candidates about the environment, tourism, economy, national and international affairs, border issues, and future strategy.
PTI candidate Anwar-ul-Haq was elected as Speaker and Riaz Gujjar was elected as Deputy Speaker of Azad Kashmir Assembly.
Pakistani mountaineer Sajid Sadpara has managed to bring the body of his father Muhammad Ali Sadpara to Camp 4. Sajid Sadpara with foreign climbers went on a K2 expedition to find the bodies of his father and his companion from Iceland John Sunori.
Two days ago, Climbers managed to find two dead bodies near the K2 base camp lying at a distance from each other. Later these were identified as Ali Sadpara and John Sunori.
When the operation to retrieve the bodies of the two climbers were considered, experts called it dangerous, as it is difficult to bring the bodies back without any damages.
Now it is reported that Sajid Sadpara managed to bring his father’s body to camp four. He told that the body of Pakistan’s hero was preserved in Camp four. Argentine mountaineer helped to bring the body from the bottleneck.
He said that he also recited the Fateha on behalf of the whole nation and placed a Pakistani flag as a sign so that this place can be formally identified in the future.
After scaling Mount Everest, Shehroze Kashif, in another major achievement, has become the youngest Pakistani to reach the summit of K2, the world’s second-highest peak.
The 19-year-old shared the news on his Facebook page after successfully climbing the mountain early Tuesday. He hoisted Pakistan’s flag there as well.
“Youngest In the World to stand on top of King of the Mountains,” the post read.
His father Kashif Suliman confirmed that Shehroze Kashif has successfully scaled K2 at 8:10 am on Tuesday morning and made history. He maintained Shehroze has started his journey towards K2 two weeks earlier.
The mountaineer reached the base camp on the 14th of July to summit the 8,611 meters peak, his father added.
Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, Alpine Adventure Guides also confirmed that a Pakistani team has successfully waved the national flag on the top of K2. Multiple teams summit K2 including Kashif, it read.
The 8,611-meter (28,251 feet) mountain is in the Karakoram Range on the border between Pakistan and China. It is considered the world’s most difficult mountain to scale.
Kashif was the fifth Pakistani to summit the peak and had also won the title of the world’s youngest climber.
Earlier on May 11, he became the youngest Pakistani to scale Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. He now holds an additional record as the youngest person to have summited K2 and Everest.
The young mountaineer hails from Lahore. He started climbing at the age of 11 and his first summit was of Makra Peak (3885m). At 12, he climbed the 4080m Musa Ka Massalah and 4600m Chembra peak. According to sources, Kashif had also climbed Broad Peak before, (8,051 meters), the world’s 12th highest mountain, at the age of 17.
Bodies of Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara, Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr have been found, confirmed by Gilgit Baltistan Information Minister Fateh Ullah Khan according to Geo News.
Sajid Sadpara, along with Canadian filmmaker Elia Saikaly and Pasang Kaji Sherpa, is summitting the K2 to find the bodies of his father and his companions Snorri, and Mohr. The mountaineers had gone missing on February 5 and were declared dead few days later after their bodies were not found and the rescue mission was called off.
The team had reached Camp 4 this morning and flew a drone around the area in search of the bodies, sources said.
Through the drone, the team was able to detect a body above Camp 4 near the bottleneck.
According to news broadcaster, minister said that the team had located first body at close to 9am this morning near the bottle neck area of K2.
“First, the body of John Snorri was located at 9am below the bottle neck. He was wearing yellow and black colored clothes,” said Khan. He added that second body was located at 12pm but they have not been able to identify the other two bodies.
The minister said that Snorri’s body was identified as the army’s focal person had confirmed the colors of his clothes.
Khan said that army helicopters are on stand by for rescue mission and that digging process to recover the bodies is underway right now. He added that army and the government are on alert.
Apart from Sajid, Sherpa and Saikaly, the team also includes Fazal Ali and Aziz Baig.
PTI has emerged victorious in the elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, winning by a simple majority, according to unofficial, preliminary results. The party will consequently form a government in the region.
Although results of one constituency are pending, unofficial results showed PTI in the lead with 25 seats, PPP in second place with 11, and PML-N in third place with six seats. Both the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Party (JKPP) and the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC) have also won one seat each.
Polling for 45 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Azad Kashmir started at 8 am and continued uninterrupted till 5 pm, on Sunday. A large number of male and female voters and people with disabilities came to cast their votes. The total number of voters in 45 constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is 3.228 million. For which 6,114 polling stations have been set up in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan.
Strict security arrangements were made in Azad Kashmir, 40,000 police personnel performed election duty while the army was deployed at sensitive polling stations. To make the electoral process in Azad Kashmir transparent, 250 officers, including the presiding officers, were given powers equal to those of a magistrate.
According to Election Commission sources, the turnout was 58% in elections held on Sunday. According to the sources of the Election Commission of Azad Kashmir, in the elections of Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf got the highest number of 613,590 votes, which is 32.5%. Pakistan Muslim League N (PMLN) polled 491,091 votes at the rate of 25.65% while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) polled 349,895 votes at the rate of 8.4 percent.
All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference got 153,861 votes which is 8.4%, the independent candidates got 133,136 votes and their turnout is 6.95. Tehreek-e-Lubaik Azad Kashmir got 94,487 votes which is 4.94.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted on the election results that I have not accepted the results and will not. I have not even accepted the results of 2018 nor have I accepted this fake government. The party will decide soon what will be the strategy for this ‘shameless rigging’.
On the results of the Azad Kashmir elections, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said in his tweet that the glorious victory of PTI in the Kashmir elections is an expression of unwavering confidence of the common man in Prime Minister Imran Khan. The opposition should reconsider its leadership and politics, people are not ready to accept Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.
Talking to the media while reviewing the election process in Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner Abdul Rashid Sulehria said that he was satisfied with all the arrangements for the elections. Everyone is subject to law, and it is the job of the administration to maintain law and order.
Abdul Rashid Sulehria said that there have been several violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, political parties and candidates have also lodged several complaints, and these violations are being dealt with in accordance with the law.
Clashes also broke out between political activists during polling in Azad Kashmir and different parts of Pakistan. Two died in Kotli in firing. Apart from this, political heat was also seen in Muzaffarabad, Hatian Bala and Bagh, Gujranwala, Karachi, and Peshawar.
The first time the Chinese-owned popular video-sharing app was banned in Pakistan was in October 2020. According to the PTA, the decision was taken over complaints regarding indecent and immoral content.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday again blocked access to TikTok, a popular video-sharing platform, for its failure to take down inappropriate content.
“In light of relevant provisions of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, PTA has blocked access to TikTok app and website in the country,” the authority said in a brief statement.
Press Release: In the light of relevant provisions of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, PTA has blocked access to TikTok App and website in the country.
“The action has been taken due to [the] continuous presence of inappropriate content on the platform and its failure to take such content down,” the statement said.
The action has been taken due to continuous presence of inappropriate content on the platform and its failure to take such content down.
Last month, the app said that more than six million videos were removed from TikTok in Pakistan in three months.
“In the Pakistani market, TikTok removed 6,495,992 videos making it the second market to get the most videos removed after the USA, where 8,540,088 videos were removed,” TikTok Pakistan’s latest transparency report said, covering January to March.
Muslims in other countries, including India and Pakistan, are celebrating Eid al-Adha today. Solidarity of the Muslim Ummah after the Eid prayers, Special prayers were offered for the security, development, prosperity and eradication of the Corona pandemic.
Due to the Corona pandemic, Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated in a limited way in some countries, including Pakistan and India. People also gathered for Eid prayers at the Jama Masjid in Delhi, India
The temperature of many people was also checked on arrival at the Eid Gah to help determine if a person was infected by corona. In such cases, these people are told to return home and isolate. Under normal circumstances, Muslim families meet their relatives and friends on the occasion of Eid and offer Eid prayers together, but the Corona pandemic disrupted traditional Eid celebrations.
Eid prayers were held in all cities, districts and villages of Pakistan, scholars highlighted the importance of the philosophy of sacrifice. After Eid prayers, special supplications were offered for the unity of the Muslim Ummah, security of the homeland, development, prosperity and eradication of the Corona pandemic.
Supplications were also offered for the liberation of occupied Kashmir and Palestine and for the end of the ongoing strife in Muslim world. Animals are being sacrificed following the Abrahamic tradition after the prayers.
On the occasion, special security arrangements have been made across the country under which a heavy contingent of police has been deployed outside mosques and Eid venues.
This important festival of Eid-ul-Adha lasts for three days and for animals sacrificial.
The Pakistan cricket team offered Eid prayers in Manchester. Former skipper Sarfraz Ahmed led the Eid-ul-Azha prayers and also delivered the Eid sermon after which the players greeted each other with Eid wishes.
The cricket team and PCB officials also took group photos and selfies as well.
The national team prayed for the integrity and prosperity of the country.
Eid prayers were offered by Captain Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhr Zaman, coach Misbah-ul-Haq, Hassan Ali, Muhammad Hafeez, Shaheen Afridi, Emad Wasim and others.
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