The United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in violent protests and arrests following the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport. A teenager has been charged with the heinous crime, sparking widespread outrage and demonstrations across the country.In London, protests turned violent as right-wing groups clashed with police and pro-Palestinian marchers. The Metropolitan Police condemned the “extreme violence” displayed by the right-wing protesters, who hurled objects and attacked officers. Nine police officers were injured during the clashes, and 145 people were arrested.
The protests began as a peaceful demonstration against the murders, but soon escalated into chaos as extremist groups hijacked the event. The police were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, leading to a prolonged and intense confrontation.The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism for its handling of the protests, with some accusing the force of being too lenient on the right-wing groups. However, the police have maintained that they took necessary measures to prevent further violence and protect public safety.The UK government has condemned the violent protests, urging calm and restraint. The Home Secretary has vowed to take action against those who engage in violent behavior, stating that “there is no place for hate and extremism in our society.”As the investigation into the murders continues, the community remains in shock and grief.
The arrests and violent protests have only added to the sense of unease and fear, highlighting the need for unity and calm in these difficult times.The UK’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding. As the country navigates this challenging period, it is essential to prioritize community cohesion and reject hate in all its forms.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a high-level alert for flash floods in the hill torrents of Balochistan and DG Khan, as heavy monsoon rains continue to lash the region. The alert, which was issued on August 4, 2024, warns of high to very high levels of flash flooding in the Zhob, Kalat, Nasirabad, and Sibbi divisions of Balochistan, as well as the hill torrents of DG Khan and Rajanpur.The NDMA has instructed all relevant departments, including the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the District Administration, and the Emergency Services, to take necessary precautions to mitigate the possible effects of flooding and extreme weather.
The authority has also advised populations at risk to avoid flood waters, evacuate to a safe location away from flood-prone areas, and use alternative routes to avoid areas prone to flooding.The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted heavy rains with strong winds in various areas of Balochistan, including Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur, Barkhan, Musa Khail, Harnai, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti, Quetta, Ziarat, Killa Abdullah, Killa Saifullah, and Kalat. The PMD has also warned of a high risk of flash flooding in the tributaries of the Kabul River and its tributaries in Nowshera.The NDMA’s alert is a timely reminder of the need for preparedness and vigilance in the face of extreme weather events. Flash floods can be deadly and destructive, and it is essential that communities at risk take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties.
The authority’s instructions to evacuate to safe locations and avoid flood-prone areas are particularly important, as flash floods can strike with little warning.In addition to the alert, the NDMA has also activated its emergency response mechanisms to respond to any potential disasters. The authority is working closely with provincial and district authorities to ensure that all necessary resources are in place to respond to any emergencies.
Bangladesh has been plunged into chaos as dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes between protesters and security forces. The unrest, which began last month, has escalated into a full-blown crisis, prompting the government to declare an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm local time on August 4, 2024.The protests, which started with students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, have since escalated into a broader movement against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Demonstrators are calling for her resignation, citing corruption, mismanagement, and authoritarianism.The government’s response to the protests has been heavy-handed, with security forces using tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse crowds. The crackdown has only fueled the anger and determination of the protesters, who are demanding an end to the government’s repressive tactics.The situation has been further exacerbated by the government’s shutdown of high-speed internet services, making it difficult for people to communicate and access information.
Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are also unavailable, adding to the sense of isolation and frustration.The curfew, which was declared on August 4, 2024, is a desperate attempt by the government to restore order and quell the protests. However, many fear that it will only lead to further violence and unrest, as protesters are likely to defy the curfew and continue their demonstrations.The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Bangladesh, with human rights groups and diplomats calling for restraint and dialogue.
The United Nations has urged the government to respect the rights of protesters and to engage in peaceful negotiations to resolve the crisis.As the situation continues to deteriorate, there are fears that Bangladesh is on the brink of a major political upheaval. The government’s authoritarian tactics and refusal to listen to the demands of protesters have created a powder keg of discontent that could ignite at any moment.In the midst of this chaos, it is the ordinary people of Bangladesh who are suffering the most.
They are caught in the middle of a political struggle that seems to have no end in sight, and are paying the price with their lives, livelihoods, and freedoms. As the world watches, it is imperative that the international community acts to pressure the government to respect human rights and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve this crisis.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has allocated a total budget of $70 million for the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan. This significant investment underscores the ICC’s commitment to delivering a world-class tournament that showcases the best of international cricket.The budget, which was prepared by ICC Chief Finance Officer Ankur Khanna and PCB Chief Finance Officer Javed Murtaza, covers all expenses incurred during the support period, including warm-up matches, media activities, and promotional events.
The ICC has also set aside an additional $4.5 million for unexpected expenses, ensuring that the tournament is delivered without any financial hiccups.The budget was approved by the ICC’s financial and commerce committee, chaired by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. This committee is responsible for overseeing the ICC’s financial affairs and ensuring that the organization’s resources are allocated efficiently.The ICC’s investment in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a testament to the organization’s confidence in Pakistan’s ability to host a successful tournament.
Despite security concerns in the past, Pakistan has made significant strides in recent years to improve its security situation, and the ICC is confident that the country can deliver a safe and successful tournament.The Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be a major spectacle, with the world’s top eight teams competing for the coveted title. The tournament will feature a total of 15 matches, including the final, which will be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.The ICC’s budget allocation will cover a range of expenses, including:- Venue preparation and maintenance- Team and official travel and accommodation- Security and crowd management- Media and broadcasting rights- Marketing and promotional activitiesThe ICC has also allocated funds for the development of cricket infrastructure in Pakistan, including the upgrading of stadiums and training facilities.
This investment will leave a lasting legacy for cricket in Pakistan, long after the tournament is over.Overall, the ICC’s budget for the Champions Trophy 2025 is a significant investment in the future of international cricket. By allocating $70 million for the tournament, the ICC is demonstrating its commitment to delivering a world-class event that showcases the best of cricket.
Torrential rains have brought devastation to various parts of Pakistan, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. At least 22 people have lost their lives due to the heavy downpours, which have affected several plain and hilly areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab.
The rains have caused widespread flooding in streams and rivers, triggering landslides in mountainous regions and inundating homes and businesses.The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of high to very high levels of flash flooding in Balochistan and south-western Punjab, prompting concerns about further loss of life and property.
The authorities are struggling to cope with the scale of the disaster, with rescue efforts hampered by the remote location of many affected areas and the sheer volume of rainfall.The rains have also caused extensive damage to properties, with homes and businesses destroyed or partially damaged. Scores of people have been wounded, and many more are without shelter or access to basic necessities.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is working to provide relief and support to those affected by the disaster.The torrential rains have exposed the weaknesses of Pakistan’s infrastructure, with many areas experiencing flooding due to inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management.
The country’s residents have been complaining about the lack of proper planning and preparedness for natural disasters, despite repeated warnings from meteorological authorities.In Balochistan, the heavy rains have caused widespread destruction, with entire villages inundated by floodwaters.
The provincial government has declared a state of emergency and is working to evacuate stranded residents and provide relief supplies. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the rains have triggered landslides and flooding, blocking roads and disrupting communication links.In Sindh, the heavy rains have caused flooding in urban areas, including Karachi, where residents are struggling to cope with the deluge.
The provincial government has directed the authorities to take necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the rains, including evacuating residents from low-lying areas and providing relief supplies.The torrential rains have also disrupted normal life, with schools and businesses closed and transportation links disrupted.
The authorities are working to restore normalcy, but the situation remains challenging.In the long term, the government needs to take a comprehensive approach to address the issue of flooding in Pakistan, including investing in proper drainage systems, improving waste management, and implementing measures to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall. The country’s residents deserve better, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their safety and well-being.
Novak Djokovic has made history by winning his first Olympic gold medal in the men’s tennis singles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in Djokovic’s illustrious career, as he completes the career Golden Slam. The Serbian tennis superstar defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling match that lasted 2 hours and 50 minutes, winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).Djokovic’s victory was met with an outpouring of emotion, as he knelt on the court and waved a Serbian flag in triumph.
This momentous occasion was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and Djokovic was visibly moved by the magnitude of his achievement. His win is a testament to his enduring talent, determination, and passion for the sport.The match itself was a nail-biting encounter, with both players pushing each other to their limits.
Alcaraz, the young Spanish sensation, proved to be a formidable opponent, but Djokovic’s experience and skill ultimately paid off. Despite facing stiff competition, Djokovic remained focused and composed, drawing on his vast reservoir of mental toughness to emerge victorious.Djokovic’s praise for his opponent was gracious and heartfelt, acknowledging the significant challenge posed by Alcaraz.
This sporting gesture underscored the respect and admiration between the two players, and highlighted the spirit of friendly rivalry that defines the world of tennis.At 37, Djokovic’s win is a remarkable achievement, making him the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport since 1908. This historic feat is a testament to his remarkable longevity and continued dominance in the world of tennis.
Djokovic’s dedication to his craft, combined with his innovative approach to training and nutrition, has enabled him to maintain an elite level of performance well into his 30s.The significance of Djokovic’s Olympic gold medal win extends beyond the tennis world, inspiring countless fans and admirers around the globe.
His achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and determination in achieving success. As Djokovic celebrates this momentous occasion, he continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
A fresh spell of monsoon rain has brought heavy downpours to parts of Karachi, causing widespread flooding and disruption to daily life. The rain, which began overnight and intensified throughout the day, has inundated several areas including Nazimabad, Orangi Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and Malir, with reports of vehicles stranded on flooded roads, residents wading through knee-deep water, and homes and businesses affected by the rising waters.
The Sindh government has swung into action, directing the city administration to initiate dewatering activities with all available resources, including heavy machinery and emergency services. The authorities are working to clear choked drains and remove obstacles to ensure smooth flow of water, but the scale of the flooding has overwhelmed their efforts. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that Karachi is likely to receive heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms, with 85% humidity in the air, for the next few days, raising concerns about further flooding and waterlogging.One or two spells of heavy showers are expected tonight and tomorrow, with a possibility of further flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and stay indoors during heavy rainfall to avoid any potential risks. The government has also issued warnings about the possibility of electrocution and structural damage to buildings due to the heavy rainfall.The monsoon rains have exposed the weaknesses of Karachi’s infrastructure, with many areas experiencing flooding due to clogged drains and poor waste management.
The city’s residents have been complaining about the lack of proper drainage systems and the government’s failure to address the issue despite repeated promises.The flooding has also disrupted traffic, with many roads closed due to waterlogging. Commuters are facing difficulties in reaching their destinations, and the traffic congestion is adding to the misery of the residents. The authorities are trying to restore normalcy, but the situation remains challenging.In addition to the immediate challenges posed by the flooding, there are also concerns about the long-term impact of the monsoon rains on Karachi’s infrastructure and residents.
The repeated flooding can cause structural damage to buildings, roads, and bridges, and can also lead to health issues due to the accumulation of stagnant water.The government needs to take a long-term approach to address the issue of flooding in Karachi, including investing in proper drainage systems, improving waste management, and implementing measures to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall. The residents of Karachi deserve better, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their safety and well-being.
As the confusion prevails over Sher Afzal Marwat’s status as a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has offered the firebrand politician to join its ranks.
A spokesperson of PPP MNA Makhdoom Jameel uz Zaman said that the politician, who is a lawyer by vocation, has been invited to join Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s party.
The Imran Khan-founded party has reportedly cancelled the basic party membership of Marwat for “gross violation/ breach” of discipline.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denied the reports while terming the notification attributed to the party “fake”.
Amid this confusion, the spokesperson of PPP’s Makhdoom said that they have invited the PTI leader to become a PPP member.
“PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is determined to transform Pakistan into a modern country. Makhdoom Jameel uz Zaman will meet Sher Afzal Marwat in Islamabad soon,” he added.
Marwat, who remains in the limelight due to his blunt and controversial remarks, once again hit the headlines after a PTI notification stated that the maverick politician was on notice and was asked to “restrict himself, and his statements to within the limitation as outlined in the letter.
Gohar’s statement in this regard showed that the PTI leadership was divided over the party membership of Marwat, who has been warned earlier as well by the party to watch his words.
Meanwhile, jailed PTI founder Imran also shunned questions on the matter during interaction with journalists at Adiala jail during a hearing earlier today. When repeatedly asked about Marwat’s party membership status, the incarcerated premier said “we will talk about this later”.
It may be noted that the PTI leader had landed himself in hot water after he had claimed that Saudi Arabia was also allegedly involved in the toppling of the Khan-led government in 2022.
The top leadership of the former ruling party not only distanced itself from Marwat’s statement about Riyadh but also served a show-cause notice on the beleaguered senior leader of the PTI.
The show-cause notice, issued by PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan, had said Marwat’s “irresponsible statements harmed the party’s reputation and interests despite being given clear instructions by founding chairman Imran Khan not to violate the party’s known and stated positions”.
According to the notice, the politico had “damaged relations” with fellow party members and stakeholders through his actions and words.
On May 9, Ayub had said the PTI expelled Marwat from its core and political committees on the directives of Khan. He had said that the politician was warned time and again against violating the party’s policies.
Every month brings along a full moon — sometimes two — for skywatchers to fiest their eyes on the celestial phenomenon that turns the night sky alight.
But, when there are two full moons expected in a single calendar month, the second one is called a “Blue Moon”. As much as Earthlings would love it, the name does not have any link to the colour of the moon.
This year, August’s full moon is expected to rise on the 19th of the month and it is being called the “Blue Moon” by experts, sparking confusion around its name.
People have been questioning why it is being called a “Blue Moon” if it is the first and the only full moon to grace August’s night sky this year.
It is a “Blue” moon but only because of one rule. In fact, the current “two full moons in one month” rule has superseded the rule that would allows to call this month’s full moon ‘blue’, Space reported.
According to Space, Lawrence J Lafleur, in a question-and-answer column from July 1943 issue of “Sky & Telescope” magazine, made a reference to the term “Blue Moon” from a copy of the 1937 edition of the now-defunct Maine Farmers’ Almanac, not “The Farmers’ Almanac”.
On the almanac page for August 1937, the calendrical meaning for the term “Blue Moon” explained that occasionally “… one of the four seasons would contain four full moons instead of the usual three.”
“There are seven Blue Moons in a Lunar Cycle of nineteen years,” continued the Almanac, ending on the comment that, “In olden times the almanac makers had much difficulty calculating the occurrence of the Blue Moon and this uncertainty gave rise to the expression ‘Once in a Blue Moon.'”
Floods brought by torrential rains in Pakistan caused damage that killed at least 30 people this week, authorities said on Friday, as the second-largest city of Lahore was drenched in the most rainfall it has received in more than four decades.
The arrival of the monsoon season has sparked floods and landslides across South Asia in the past week, with at least 195 killed and almost 200 missing in one disaster in neighbouring India.
Rain pummelled Pakistan’s north, causing floods, building collapses and heightening the risk of electrocution.
“The 44-year-old rainfall record was broken in Lahore once again,” said utilities officials in Punjab, where authorities tallied six deaths and warned that flash floods were expected in the country’s southern part including Karachi this week.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 children were among the two dozen people who died in the last three days of rains and floods, Anwar Shehzad, a spokesman for KP’s disaster management agency, told Reuters.
Global organisations, such as the United Nations, see Pakistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change, with floods wreaking havoc in 2022, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing millions.
Pakistan’s rising squash player Nasir Iqbal qualified to the finals of the ongoing Bega Open Squash tournament being held in Australia.
Nasir, who demonstrated his exceptional skill and determination, defeated Switzerland’s Robin Gadola 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final match.
The Pakistani player managed to clinch the first game but faced a challenge when his opponent Gadola levelled the match in the second game.
However, Nasir showcased his prowess by dominating the next two games, securing a victory with scores of 6-11, 11-4, 2-11, and 3-11.
The squash player has been in tremendous form this year, climbing consistently in his PSA rankings. He has won three tournaments in Australia this season.
As he gears up for the Bega Open final, he aims to add yet another feather to his cap.
The Pakistani ace has a tally of 16 titles in his PSA career and is poised to continue his winning streak.
The Bega Open, with a prize fund of $12,000, is currently underway in New South Wales.
In the final, Nasir Iqbal will face second-seed Matthew Lai from Hong Kong.
Amid continuing scrutiny over the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances, Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb has said that the prime minister and his cabinet are responsible for any person that goes “missing”.
“The ultimate responsibility is on the shoulders of the personages at the helm of affairs in the government, which under our Constitution are the prime minister and the [federal] cabinet,” Justice Aurangzeb said in an order issued on Friday in a case involving the disappearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s brother Ghulam Shabbir.
The issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances has come under the spotlight on various occasions with various sections of society and human rights organisations expressing their concerns.
A day earlier, the incumbent government announced a package worth Rs5 million for each family as part of its efforts to provide legal and financial assistance to the heirs of missing persons.
Briefing the media on the decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar revealed that the cabinet also approved the constitution of a special committee to examine genuine cases of families in need of support after reviewing the final report of the committees.
Last month, Tarar had claimed that “only 23% of missing persons’ cases are pending”, adding that 10,200 cases of missing persons were registered in the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED) out of which around 8,000 were duly addressed.
In its report presented in January this year, the Missing Persons Inquiry Commission said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 3,485 cases of missing persons, making it the highest number in the country. Causalities in drone attacks and the spike in militancy were the key reasons behind the disappearances, as per the report.
In Balochistan, 2,752 cases related to enforced disappearance were lodged, the commission had said, adding that besides other reasons, fleeing abroad without informing their families, due to the prevailing situation in the province, was among the causes of these cases.
Even now, the protesters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) are staging demonstrations in various areas across the country’s largest province.
No knowledge of detainee’s whereabouts
The case at hand involves Shabbir, who as per the court order, went missing between the night of June 8 and 9 while he was on his way to Islamabad from Lahore.
A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking his recovery but was later withdrawn on information that he was in fact present in Islamabad instead. Later, another plea, seeking Shabbir’s recovery, was filed in the IHC last month.
“Now if we give a strict order, action starts against judges. Earlier, the SHO was asked to pick up someone, now it is done according to the policy of the Government of Pakistan,” Justice Aurangzeb had remarked while hearing the case on Friday as reported by The News.
In his order, the judge recalled that the assistant attorney-general along with representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and others, said that government officials have expressed their lack of knowledge of the detainee’s whereabouts in their submission.
“This court has consistently expressed its grave concern over the disappearance of citizens [in Pakistan].
Such occurrences are detrimental to the development of democracy and fundamentally contradict the injunctions of Islam They instil fear among the general public and create the impression of a Gestapo state, particularly when the victims are political opponents of the Government in power,” he said.
He also said that the state’s lack of knowledge of a person coupled with the absence of steps taken for his recovery means that “it is a case of enforced disappearance”.
The IHC judge also highlighted that the LHC order seeking a report on Shabbir’s disappearance from the Punjab AG and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was not adhered to and fulfilled.
The order has directed the court’s registrar to send a copy of it to the principal secretary of the PM, whereas the secretary of the Interior Ministry has been told to take all necessary measures to ensure that the detainee is produced before the IHC on August 6.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said that he is open to talks but only within the ambit provisioned by the Constitution.
“I will hold talks while staying within the Constitution, ” the PTI founder said while speaking to reporters in the Adia jail where he has been incarcerated for nearly a year.
The former prime minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of his willingness to hold negotiations with the military where he has even called on the latter to nominate a representative to hold parleys.
“We are ready to hold talks with the military. The army should nominate their representative [for negotiations],” Khan had said during a case hearing in the Adiala facility earlier this week.
The former ruling party’s founder and other senior leaders including the likes of Shah Mahmood Qureshi and a large number of workers, have been embroiled in various cases related to the May 9 riots triggered after Khan’s arrest in a graft case last year.
The riots saw military installations including Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ), Lahore’s Corps Commander’s House and others being vandalised by mobs which was followed by a nationwide crackdown against the PTI.
Since then, the ex-PM has multiple times expressed willingness to prefer to hold talks with the military over the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led incumbent government.
The PTI founder’s move has garnered a strong response from the government which has accused Khan of trying to “politicise” the military and has also offered the party to come to the table.
The party also faces a potential ban, which, as per Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will be implemented once the institutions decide on it.
“The PTI should review their behaviour and seek apology from the [state] institutions and the masses [and then] maybe a way forward can emerge for them,” the minister noted, adding that the incarcerated premier was inviting the military to intervene in politics while simultaneously claiming to be advocating for civilian supremacy.
‘Vote ko izzat do biggest U-turn’
Continuing on the prospects of negotiations, Khan reiterated the party’s longtime demand for their allegedly stolen mandate to be returned.
He also said that how can he talk with the incumbent government which will collapse if even the electoral results of four constituencies are opened and looked into?
Responding to a question that Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman and Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has allegedly refused to talk with the army, the PTI founder clarified that he has, in fact, asked the veteran politician to negotiate with political parties.
“Achakzai will only [hold] talk with political parties,” he said.
When asked if he was taking a U-turn on his earlier statement where he took Achakzai’s name for talks with the military, the PTI founder took a jibe at the PML-N for going back on its “vote ko izzat do” narrative for restoring the sanctity of the people’s vote.
The biggest U-turn taken by a person is the one who demanded respect for the vote but instead, himself gave respect to the “boot”.
On a question regarding the reason behind the termination of Sher Afzal Marwat’s party membership, the former prime minister initially gave no response.
However, when pressed on the matter, he said that he would discuss the issue at some other time.
It is to be noted that the former ruling party, on Friday, decided to cancel the basic party membership of Sher Afzal Marwat for “gross violation/ breach” of discipline.
However, the PTI leadership has been at odds over the matter with Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, terming the notification “fake”, whereas Naeem Panjutha has in fact affirmed it instead.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) supremo Imran Khan has not yet applied to contest for the position of chancellor at Oxford University but his advisor Zulfi Bukhari has said that Khan has approved the contest plan.
Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, Imran Khan’s advisor on International Affairs, told Geo News that the PTI founder has confirmed that he will stand to contest for the position of chancellor at Oxford University, a nominal position, but there are several issues involved including the accessibility issue due to the fact that he is in Adiala Jail and serving a jail term.
A spokesman at the University of Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor’s office confirmed Khan has not yet applied but several other candidates have put in their papers. The office said in a statement: “Candidates for the election of the Chancellor will be made public in early October.”
If Khan wins the contest then it will mark a new chapter in Oxford’s history as only last month Oxford University student from Balochistan Israr Kakar won the Oxford Union Presidency, making history as the third Pakistani and the first person from Balochistan to achieve this honour. The application deadline is August 18, the University confirmed.
Bukhari said that he has instructed the lawyers to start the paperwork to apply for the seat at Oxford University which has become vacant following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten, who stepped down after 21 years in the role.
Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson are also among the candidates to become the university’s chancellor.
Khan studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972, and also captained the university’s cricket team. He debuted for Pakistan’s Test cricket team in 1971 and served as the chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.
Oxford University describes the chancellor’s role as a ceremonial head, typically an eminent public figure elected for life, presiding over all major ceremonies. The election process for the new chancellor will be conducted online for the first time in the University’s history.
This will be the first time the chancellor elections will be held online, instead of the traditional process requiring graduates to attend in full academic dress. The position typically goes to university graduates, often politicians. The electorate consists of approximately 250,000 eligible voters.
Khan faces competition from former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, making the competition tough.
Those eligible to vote in the Chancellor’s election will be limited only to members of Convocation, comprising: graduates of Oxford who have had their degree conferred; members of congregation; and retired members of staff who were members of Congregation on their date of retirement.
The University is seeking candidates who can demonstrate: outstanding achievements in their field and the ability to command respect beyond it; a deep appreciation for the University’s research and academic mission, its global community, and its ambition to remain a world-class research and teaching university; and the ability and willingness to enhance the reputation of the University locally, nationally and abroad.
Israr Kakar, the Oxford Union President, told Geo News: “This is a great opportunity for prominent Pakistani alumni to engage with the University and bring Pakistan into the spotlight. While the competition will be tough, it would be a great honour for Pakistan to have such representation.”
At least 32 civilians were killed and 63 injured in an explosion on a popular beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu late on Friday evening, police said, an attack blamed by Somali state media on the militant group al Shabaab.
It was the deadliest attack in the Horn of Africa country since twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, killing at least 100 people and wounding 300 others.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which has claimed similar attacks in the past, including the car bomb attack in 2022.
Police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden gave the death toll in Friday evening’s explosion at a beach restaurant.
In addition to the civilians killed, Aden said that one of the attackers had blown himself up while three others had been killed by security forces. One attacker was captured alive while one soldier was killed during the assault.
State news agency SONNA had earlier said five al Shabaab attackers had been killed by security forces while a sixth had blown himself up during the assault.
Hassan Farah, a survivor, described the shock as the explosion shattered a peaceful evening.
“I was in the restaurant sipping coffee and having a good chat with friends when I saw a big man running, in a second there was something like lightening and a huge blast,” he told Reuters.
“We were covered with smoke. Inside and outside the restaurant many people were lying on the floor while others were bleeding and crying.”
Videos posted on X showed bodies lying on the beach in the dark, and people running to safety.
Al Shabaab controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back in government counteroffensives since 2022. However, the militants remain capable of launching significant attacks on government, commercial, and military targets.
“The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people,” former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said on his X account.
Former prime minister and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) National Assembly lawmaker Syed Ali Qasim Gilani has said he and his family are on a private visit to London, paying their own expenses and not costing a penny to Pakistani taxpayers.
PPP’s Member of National Assembly (MNA) from NA-148 (Multan-I) told Geo News he and his family have been targeted with fake news with claims that the whole family is in London at the government’s expense and that Yousaf chose to take his two MNA sons — Ali Qasim Gilani and Abdul Qadir Gilani as well as daughter Fiza Batool Gilani — to London on the govt expense.
Gilanis have made history as Yousaf is now a senator of PPP and his three sons are MNAs and the fourth son Ali Haider Gilani is a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA).
Ali regretted that media persons targeted his family through fake and unverified news.
He said: “My wife is a British national and my in-laws live in London. I studied here 10 years ago and have been visiting London every year for over 15 years, whether in government or opposition. We have a history of international travel for decades. We have never used govt money for our private travel.”
He said he will resign if its proven that he is holidaying in London at the govt expense. “I will resign from my seat if it’s proven I took the government money.”
Ali alleged that her opponent Mehr Bano Qureshi made false allegations against him during a PTI event in the House of Lords last week with Zulfi Bukhari.
“Mehr Bano alleged she lost because of rigging. She has forgotten that her father lost to us in 2018 but won through fraud. She campaigned against me; her brother heavily invested against us but the people of Multan voted for us because they trust us. Mehr Bano sat with anti-Pakistan MPs and slandered Pakistan. This is unacceptable.”
Yousaf’s daughter Fiza said she was in London for her son’s graduation. She wrote on X: “Today, my heart swells with pride as my son Mohammad Asfandyar graduates from King’s College, Alhamdolillah! Your hard work & perseverance have culminated in this incredible achievement. As a single mother, witnessing your success is a profound joy. Congratulations, my son!”
— X/@Fiza_Gilani
Meanwhile, the Senate chairman said that Pakistan greatly values its bilateral relations with the United Kingdom (UK) and desires to further expand the bilateral relations to new levels for mutual benefit. He expressed these views in a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons HE Lindsay Hoyle during his visit to the UK.
Senate Chairman Yousaf was accompanied by Senators Agha Shahzeb Durrani, Faisal Salim Rehman, Ashraf Ali Jatoi and Members of the National Assembly, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani and Syed Qasim Ali Gilani.
During the meeting, in his opening remarks, Yousaf highlighted the historical and cultural ties that both sides have enjoyed since long and said that the historical bond between the two has paved the way for deepening political, diplomatic, economic ties and people to people contacts.
He further observed that these ties were further strengthened by the Pakistani diaspora, which was acting as a bridge between Pakistan and UK, thus providing a solid foundation for a dynamic and prosperous partnership.
The Senate chairman also highlighted the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He said that Pakistan valued British MPs’ role in highlighting human right abuses in the occupied valley in the UK Parliament.
A video of Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah went vial on social media which showed him enjoying a boat ride along with his wife in Paris.
The video surfaced on TikTok during Sanaullah’s foreign visit to attend the 11th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Conference and the Paris Olympics.
As the video went viral, it drew criticism from his political opponents who criticised that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader for “enjoying family vacations” in Paris on taxpayers’ money while he was sent to attend official events.
The PM’s aide, who is also holding the portfolio of Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, flew to the France capital on an official visit last month to attend the opening ceremony of the international multi-sports event along with the Pakistani athletes.
He had also represented the country in the 11 Commonwealth sports ministers’ huddle on July 24-25.
During his visit, the federal minister also attended the “Change The Game” Ministerial Forum at UNESCO and participated in the discussion focused on “leveraging quality physical education and sport for sustainable social legacies”, state broadcaster PTV reported.
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi attempted to give 10 million dollars to former president Donald Trump to boost his 2016 presidential campaign, according to an investigation by the Washington Post.
“The investigation referenced found no wrongdoing and was closed,” Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Washington Post which published the investigation on Friday.
“None of the allegations or insinuations being reported on have any basis in fact. The Washington Post is consistently played for suckers by Deep State Trump-haters and bad faith actors peddling hoaxes and shams,” Cheung added.
Trump’s current spokesperson also called the Post’s report “textbook fake news.”
The Washington Post reported that five days before Trump took over the White House in January 2017, 10 million dollars were withdrawn from a Cairo bank by a group linked to the General Intelligence Service — the Egyptian intelligence agency.
The Post stated in the report that the US federal investigators learned of the exchange in 2019 and they had been investigating CIA’s lead for two years which stipulated that Sisi planned to give Trump $10 million.
The Post’s report comes in after a Democratic senator from New Jersey, Robert Menendez, was convicted of bribery as he took gold bars and cash from Egyptian sources. He faces a maximum sentence of 222 years.
In 2019, Trump’s praise for Sisi overflowed despite human rights abuse claims against the Egyptian ruler.
“Every American should be concerned about how this case ended. The justice department is supposed to follow the evidence wherever it leads – it does so all the time to determine if a crime occurred or not,” an anonymous source from the government told the Washington Post.
An avid giant vegetable grower from southern Iowa set a world record by growing an eggplant that weighed 8.33 pounds.
Additionally, Dave Bennett from Davis County had his eggplant checked by Inspector Ivan Hankins from the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Bureau, UPI reported.
According to sources, Hankins confirmed that the new discovery, weighing 8.33 pounds, is the largest in the world.
Speaking to Radio Iowa, Bennett opened up about his journey to growing this record-breaking piece.
“I’ve been growing eggplants for probably five years now,” Bennett told Radio Iowa. “Two years ago I set the state record at 5.6 pounds.”
The vegetable enthusiast further stated that the individual was contacted by Guinness World Records and that the application for the record was approved.
Earlier in 2022, an eggplant weighing 7.21 pounds was grown in England. This new record of 8.33 pounds has surpassed the previous record.
“Eventually I will have a plaque that says I grew the world’s largest eggplant,” Bennett said.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest eggplant is in Bennett’s refrigerator right now, in hopes of entering the Iowa State Fair, Radio Iowa reported.
“I’m going to see what it looks like next week and I might make arrangements about bringing it up (to Des Moines). I don’t know yet,” Bennett said. “It might start wrinkling up and spoiling.”
After remaining silent for months after Kendrick Lamar beef, Drake is coming out forward with a major announcement of making an album with PartyNexDoor.
Appearing at the Her Way rapper show in Toronto, the Grammy winner said, “I know all you girls are outside and when it gets a little chilly, PartyNextDoor and Drake album will be right there for you.”
Besides the announcement, the One Dance hitmaker performed a set of different songs at the concert, according to Variety.
The announcement came months after his rap battle with Kendrick which saw the duo launch diss tracks at each other.
But, in the end, the Not Like Us rapper was declared a winner by many, including Joe Budden.
Dishing on his thoughts at the beef, the media personality said on his podcast, “I think he won this off skill. He was much better than Drake the whole way.”
“If I’m battling you, I need to have my options ready for all the variables; Drake didn’t. And if you feel that way, then when I was telling you to stop saying that I’m outside looking for the ***** that saying he been outside,” he continued.
Adding, “All that **** he was feeding to [Akademiks], talking about, ‘Oh, it’s been 10 years.’ Nah, nah, nah — you follow it through. Don’t sound like a ***** that’s trying to fight a losing battle!”
“He went from, ‘Nah, nah, nah’ to, ‘I’m going on vacation’ to, ‘I’m not replying no more.’ That was the fastest change of tone,” he noted.
Student leaders rallied Bangladeshis on Saturday for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government weathered a worsening backlash over a deadly police crackdown on protesters.
Rallies against civil service job quotas sparked days of mayhem last month that killed more than 200 people in some of the worst unrest of Hasina’s 15-year tenure.
Troop deployments briefly restored order but crowds hit the streets in huge numbers after Friday prayers in the Muslim-majority nation, heeding a call by student leaders to press the government for more concessions.
Students Against Discrimination, the group responsible for organising the initial protests, urged their compatriots to launch an all-out non-cooperation movement from Sunday.
“This includes non-payment of taxes and utility bills, strikes by government workers and a halt to overseas remittance payments through banks,” the group’s Asif Mahmud told AFP.
Students are demanding a public apology from Hasina for last month’s violence and the dismissal of several of her ministers.
They have also insisted that the government reopens schools and universities around the country, all of which were shuttered at the height of the unrest.
Crowds on the street have gone further, insisting Hasina leave office altogether.
“She must go because we don’t need this authoritarian government,” Nijhum Yasmin, 20, told AFP from one of many protests staged around the capital Dhaka on Saturday.
The premier had on Saturday offered “unconditional dialogue” with the students to address their demands, her press secretary Nayeemul Islam Khan told AFP.
“She is ready to sit with them. She does not want conflict any more,” he added.
Mahmud told AFP that students had rejected the overture.
32 children killed
Hasina, 76, has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.
Her government is accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.
Demonstrations began in early July over the reintroduction of a quota scheme — since scaled back by Bangladesh’s top court — that reserved more than half of all government jobs for certain groups.
With around 18 million young Bangladeshis out of work, according to government figures, the move upset graduates facing an acute employment crisis.
The protests had remained largely peaceful until attacks on demonstrators by police and pro-government student groups.
Hasina’s government eventually imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed troops and shut down the nation’s mobile internet network for 11 days to restore order.
Foreign governments condemned the clampdown, with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell this week calling for an international probe into the “excessive and lethal force against protesters”.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters last weekend that security forces had operated with restraint but were “forced to open fire” to defend government buildings.
At least 32 children were among those killed last month, the United Nations said Friday.
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari has shared an adorable interaction between her brother, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and her son Mir Hakim Mehmood Chaudhry.
In an endearing Instagram reel, Bilawal can be seen spending quality time with his nephew, with whom he apparently shares a special bond.
Sitting close to each other on a table, the young politician participated in a creative activity with the little one as they filled colours to the scribbles on a paper.
“Mamu [uncle] and Mir Hakim,” the caption of the heartwarming Instagram reel shared on Bakhtawar and Hakim’s Instgaram accounts read.
Hakim was born to the eldest child of President Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on October 10, 2021. A year later, Bakhtawar was blessed by a second baby boy on October 5, 2022.
However, the first born of Bakhtawar and Mahmood Choudhary has a special place in his uncle Bilawal’s heart.
The former foreign minister seems to share a very affectionate and warm relationship with Hakim as he has shared pictures with him time and again since his birth.
The picture shared a few months after Hakim came into this world showed Bilawal looking lovingly at the new born while closely holding him in his arms.
The picture was captioned “my heart” was widely adored by his admirers.
A year after this in 2022, the former foreign minister gave a sneak peak into his Eid day, which he spent with his nephew. The Bhutto-family’s scions celebrated Eid ul Fitr together that year in Dubai.
After raising questions on the Supreme Court’s majority verdict in the reserved seats case, two judges of the top court stated in their dissenting note on Saturday that relief cannot be granted to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the opposition party “was not before the Court nor tried to become a party before the ECP”.
The two SC judges — Amin-Ud-Din Khan and Naeem Akhtar Afghan — issued 29-page dissenting note in the majority judgment announced by the apex court’s full bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on July 12 this year.
The majority 8:5 landmark verdict declared the PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities in the assemblies after overturning the decisions of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The detailed dissenting note pointed out that the SIC did not contest the February 8 nationwide polls as a political party, whereas, its chairman had also taken part as an independent candidate in the electoral event.
“We are also of the firm view that any other constitutional body cannot be asked to take any steps or decisions which are not permissible under the Constitution,” read the judges’ note.
Moreover, the dissenting judges said for creating and carving out relief in these proceedings for PTI, the court “would have to travel beyond the jurisdiction conferred by Articles 175 and 185 of the Constitution and would also have to suspend Articles 51, 106 and 63 of the Constitution and section 104 of the Elections Act, 2017 along with the relevant rules”.
“We would also have to insert instead of Articles 51, 106 and section 104 (mentioned supra). Such articles and sections therein in substitution and in consonance with the relief granted through the majority judgment.”
The jurists also raised questions over a delay in releasing of the SC’s detailed verdict despite the expiry of 15 days. “The delay may render infructuous, the review petition filed against the order of the court,” it read.
“Therefore, on the basis of the short order we have been compelled to record our findings, which are in two parts. The first part states why we are unable to agree with the majority decision and the second part states our decision on the appeals based on the merits of the case.”
Highlighting a point relating to the independent candidates, they observed: “None has ever disputed the joining to SIC of the 39 and 41 persons mentioned in Annexure A & B of the majority short order within three days, as prescribed by the Constitution.”
“The other contesting political parties, who were parties before the ECP as well as the High Court and before this Court also did not dispute their joining SIC. SIC does not dispute their joining SIC.”
On query by some members of the bench, whether the reserved seats can be given to PTI in the peculiar circumstances of this case, none of the counsels agreed to this, though the suggestion was made by some of the members of the bench repeatedly to the learned counsel for the appellant as well as to Salman Akram Raja — counsel for Kanwal Shauzab.
“I recall that Salman Akram Raja replied that he will not press that the seats be given to PTI, but the Court has the power to do so,” it read.
Reserved seats judgment
In a major legal victory for the PTI and a setback for the rulers, the apex court had on July 12 ruled that PTI was and is a political party that won general seats in the national and provincial assemblies in the February 8 elections, thus, is entitled to reserved seats.
The court, by a majority of 8:5, set aside the PHC’s judgement of March 25 and declared the ECP order of March 1 to be ultra vires the Constitution, without lawful authority and of no legal effect.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the SC’s full bench announced the 8-5 majority verdict, nullifying the PHC’s order wherein it had upheld the ECP’s decision denying the reserved seats to the PTI-backed SIC.
The full bench led by CJP Isa also comprises Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
The ruling parties PML-N and PPP filed a review petition in the apex court against the verdict, which came as an unexpected legal victory for the main opposition party.
This not only paved the way for the PTI’s return to parliament, which was kicked out of the February 8 polls owing to the ECP’s December 2023 ruling but has also increased the pressure on the coalition alliance by changing the composition of the National Assembly.
The election watchdog had partially implemented the top court’s ruling by notifying 39 out of 80 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) as PTI members last month
Additionally, the ECP also notified 93 lawmakers in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh assemblies as “returned candidates” of the Imran-founded party earlier this week, resurrecting the embattled party in parliament.
After the fragmentary implementation, the commission approached the apex court two weeks ago, seeking legal and constitutional guidance on the matter of the remaining PTI lawmakers in the national and provincial assemblies.
The electoral body submitted a plea to the top court’s registrar via its secretary Omar Hamid Khan to seek an elaborated version of its July 12 order regarding the PTI-backed independent candidates.
The ECP raised some queries before the top court despite receiving the relevant party association particulars from the PTI-backed independent legislators.
In its civil miscellaneous application related to the SC order, the commission stated it was facing difficulty in implementing the order as the “PTI at the moment has no organisational structure for confirmation of the statements of MNAs and MPAs, purportedly belong to PTI”.
The poll organising body solicited the SC’s guidance on the legal points to implement the top court’s order in its true spirit.
Kim Kardashian is reportedly battling a very painful skin condition called psoriasis.
For those unversed, Psoriasis is an uncurable pro-longed, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly patches on skin.
Sharing the beauty mogul’s struggles with the skin condition, an insider recently shared with Life & Style, “Kim opened up about how much her psoriasis troubled her during the Met Gala, but there’ve been plenty of other times it’s flared up and made her life miserable.”
“Anytime she’s stressed or upset she can pretty well count on having to cope with a bad bout of it and it does a real number on her self-esteem,” they also added.
Spilling the beans on the potential trigger for Kim’s uncurable disease, the source addressed, “When she has a break-up, not only is she left heartbroken, she also has to cope with feeling the pain and embarrassment of a bad psoriasis flare up.”
To make things worse, the episode “can be really painful and itchy on top of the way it impacts how she feels about her skin.”
These findings come after In Touch Weekly’s report that Kim’s breakup with Odell Beckham Jr. has severely affected her confidence.
“Where she used to get her self-esteem from looking good, now she seems to think it’s her money that makes her valuable, which is just as shallow, but that’s Kim for you,” a tipster revealed at that time.
Sofía Vergara has finally found love again after divorce with Joe Manganiello.
Vergara is “in love” with Justin Saliman according to Life & Style report.
Sources have revealed that the actress’ relationship with Saliman was initially as a way to move on from her divorce, however, it has now turned into something more meaningful.”Her intention going into this with Justin [Saliman] was that it was simply going to be a bit of fun to get her over Joe. It’s turned into way more than that,” source stated.Adding, “Sofía is a romantic at heart and still believes in marriage and she’s in love. The way she’s talking they could easily be engaged by the end of this year.”Vergara and Manganiello ended their relationship last year because of differing views on having children.However, Manganiello has clarified that the desire for kids was not the only issue in their relationship.Now, the actress is very happy with Saliman as source stated, “He’s handsome, independent, smart, and makes Sofía feel safe.”
The Egyptian women’s beach volleyball team criticised the host of the Olympics 2024 for banning hijab after competing in one of the fixtures in the tournament.
Egyptian representatives, Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy, were at the Paris Olympics wearing hijabs, long black sleeved shirts, and black ankle-length leggings in a women’s beach volleyball match against Spain, CNN reported.
However, if they had been playing for France, they would not have been allowed to observe hijabs.
France has banned its athletes from wearing any “ostensible religious symbols” while competing.
Speaking to CNN‘s Swedish affiliate, Expressen, Abdelhady criticised France for banning the hijab for French athletes.
Moreover, Elghobashy expressed disappointment at not giving the French athletes freedom to wear whatever they wanted.
“I want to play in my hijab, she wants to play in a bikini,” Expressen reported Elghobashy as saying. “Everything is OK, if you want to be naked or wear a hijab. Just respect all different cultures and religions,” she said.
“I don’t tell you to wear a hijab and you don’t tell me to wear a bikini. No one can tell me how to dress. It’s a free country, everyone should be allowed to do what they want,” she added.
Earlier in January 2022, the French senate cast their vote in favour of banning the wearing of hijab and other “ostensible religious symbols” in sports competitions.
Previously, in September, it was confirmed that this ban would also apply to French athletes competing in the Paris Olympics, when French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said that the country would favour “a strict regime of secularism, applied rigorously in the field of sport.”
In this respect, Elghobashy initiated playing beach volleyball in modest attire.
The 26-year-old made her debut back in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro after the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) gave her last-minute permission to wear the head covering while playing.
Additionally, speaking in an interview with CNN Sport last year, the athlete said that “the hijab is part of me”.
Better Future, Pakistan’s U15 team, lost the final to Norway’s KFUM-Kam Oslo Bla in a penalty shootout in the Norway Cup 2024 U15 category.
After the end of 60 minutes of normal time, Shahbaz Ali and Salman scored for the Pakistani youth team as the match ended 2-2.
Then the match went to a penalty shootout where Pakistan failed to convert one of their chances during the end and KFUM-Kam Oslo Bla then scored the winning penalty and won the title.
Better Future Pakistan scored 35 goals and conceded just four goals in nine matches as they performed impressively in the tournament.
Earlier on Friday, the Pakistan Street Child Football Team, playing under the name of Muslim Hands FC, lost the semi-final to Forde IL after a penalty shootout in the Norway Cup U17 category.
Pakistan conceded an early goal in the game but they came back and scored later in the second half as the match ended 1-1 after the end of 60 minutes of normal time.
The match then went to a penalty shootout where Pakistan failed to convert one of their chances from the spot. Forde IL converted the winning penalty and made their way to the final.
Muslim Hands FC performed greatly throughout the tournament as they scored 26 goals in the tournament and conceded just five.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regime (2008-2013) remains the leading borrower from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to date, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government (2018-2022) paid the highest interest on its loans to the same lender, an official document showed.
As per the document presented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, the PPP government secured loans amounting to 5.23 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), equivalent to over $7.72 billion.
The document further reveals that over $3 billion in loans were repaid to the IMF between 2008 and 2013. Additionally, the PPP paid more than $484 million in interest to the IMF.
On the other hand, the PML-N is not far behind the PPP in adding to the country’s indebtedness as the Nawas Sharif-led government borrowed 4.39 billion in SDRs from 2013 to 2018. This amount translates to over $6.48 billion over the five years.
The PML-N-led regime repaid loans of more than 4 billion in SDRs, or $5.92 billion in currency terms, and paid over $317 million in interest during their tenure.
The PTI government secured a loan totalling over 4.5 billion in SDRs or $6 billion from the IMF, the document shows. The PTI government repaid over $4.02 billion or 2.72 billion in SDRs on top of $791 million in interest to the IMF during this period.
Interestingly, the PTI regime emerges as the borrower that paid the highest interest on the IMF loans, surpassing the interest payments made by both the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in their respective tenures.
Last month, the ruling PML-N-led coalition and the IMF reached an agreement for a $7 billion, 37-month loan programme with tough measures such as raising tax on farm income.
The staff-level agreement caps negotiations that started in May after Islamabad completed a short-term, $3 billion programme that helped stabilise the economy, avert a sovereign debt default, and set challenging revenue targets in its budget to get IMF approval.
Pakistan has been struggling with boom-and-bust cycles for decades, leading to 22 IMF bailouts since 1958. Currently, the IMF is the fifth-largest debtor, owing $6.28 billion as of July 11, according to the lender’s data.
The latest economic crisis has been the most prolonged and has seen the highest-ever levels of inflation, pushing the country to the brink of a sovereign default last summer before an IMF bailout.
The conditions of the programme have become tougher. The latest bailout is aimed at cementing stability and inclusive growth in the crisis-plagued South Asian country, the IMF said.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan’s one-day physical remand to the counter-terrorism department in a terrorism case.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra announced the reserved verdict after hearing Hasan’s petition seeking bail in the case.
The judge said that the PTI information secretary will be produced before the court tomorrow. He was present in the court today after the completion of his two-day physical remand.
Hasan was taken into custody by the CTD on July 31.
Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the court for another seven-day physical remand of the PTI leader, saying that they have to find out the names of other co-accused.
“Raoof Hasan’s custody is required to gain access to the suspects,” the prosecutor apprised the court.
Hasan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari told the court that gunpowder was not recovered from his client. “CTD launched a raid and kept Raoof Hasan in custody for two days,” he said.
Bukhari reiterated that nothing was recovered from the PTI leader. He demanded to bring forth the statement of the complainant.
The lawyer said that Raoof Hasan is unable to climb stairs and he would die if he doesn’t take medicine for two days. He then requested the court to release Hasan.
In another hearing, Supra also rejected party’s coordinator for international media Ahmad Waqas Janjua’s bail petition.
A day earlier, a court granted bail to Hasan in the anti-state propaganda case against bail bonds worth Rs50,000.
The PTI information secretary and others, on July 22, were taken into custody by the Islamabad Police and subsequently handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that it is the coalition government’s agenda to reduce electricity bills, stressing that it should not be politicised as protests continue in different parts of the country against high cost of power.
The premier, while chairing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Friday, said that politics on electricity issue was tantamount to insulting people.
“We do not believe in politics for the sake of politics,” he added.
The prime minister’s remarks came amid protests led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against the high cost of electricity which prompted the shutting down of a major road to Islamabad, while protests were held in several other cities as well by traders.
Protesters, who have taken to the streets, are demanding the government to withdraw taxes imposed on power consumption which have triggered a massive hike in bills, exacerbating the suffering of consumers, particularly those from the low- and middle-income class.
While the Shehbaz-led government has held negotiations with the protest leaders, no indication has been given with regard to their demand being accepted.
According to JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, the party is prepared to continue protesting on the streets with the aim of standing firm against the government’s decision on the rising cost of power.
During the last fiscal year that ended on June 30, the federal government approved a 26% increase in the cost of electricity. On July 13, the public, which was already bearing the brunt of rising inflation, suffered another blow after the Shehbaz administration tacked on another 20% hike.
It is also important to note that experts — during a panel discussion in Karachi — did not indicate any reduction in electricity prices owing to the government’s decision to make petroleum products and power “sources of revenue generation”.
In the cabinet meeting today, the premier said the government is aware of the tax on the salaried class.
“We have provided Rs50 billion for July, August and September,” he said, adding that the government has reduced per unit electricity cost by Rs8.5 for industries.
He maintained that his administration protected consumers using up to 200 electricity units, following its concern for the salaried class.
PM Shehbaz added that while some taxes are perfectly legitimate, it is not right to impose more taxes on taxpayers.
