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Waqas Dar

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Blog Entries posted by Waqas Dar

  1. Waqas Dar
    The government of the Indian state of Uttar Pradash on Tuesday cancelled 15 public holidays marking the birth or death anniversary of important personalities, including Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH), Jummat-ul-vida (Last Friday of Ramazan), and the Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Muiuddin Chishti.
    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed students would instead be taught about these personalities on these days, India media reported.
    “There should be no holidays in schools on birth anniversaries of great personalities. Instead, a special two- hour programme should be held to teach students about them. The 220-day academic session has been reduced to only 120 days due to such holidays and if this tradition continues, there will be no day left for teaching in schools,” Adityanath said.
    The state has 42 public holidays of which 17 mark the birth anniversaries of eminent personalities in India.


  2. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has received the report of an inquiry committee formed to probe Dawn Leaks, his spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.
    According to PM House spokesperson Musaddik Malik, the report is being reviewed following which a decision will be made on its recommendations.
    Malik did not confirm whether the prime minister had received the report today or earlier.
    When asked when the contents of the report would be made public, he said that a decision regarding this would be taken soon.
    The story, published in the Dawn newspaper on October 6, 2016 by journalist Cyril Almedia, stirred a major controversy last year resulting in Almeida coming under fire from the military and government and being temporarily placed on the Exit Control List.
    The report regarding a meeting of the National Security Committee alleged the existence of a rift between the military and the civilian government on the issue of tackling jihadi outfits.
    Later that month, the Pakistan Army's top commanders expressed serious concern over what they called "feeding of a false and fabricated story of an important security meeting", terming it a breach of national security.
    The government called it a 'fabricated' story and termed the "purported deliberations" during the security meeting as speculative, misleading, factually incorrect, and an "amalgamation of fiction and fabrication".
    Following a preliminary investigation, the government relieved Senator Pervaiz Rasheed of his responsibilities as federal minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage pending a high-level inquiry.
    Subsequently, the government formed a committee headed by Justice (retd) Amir Raza Khan for an inquiry into the issue.
    Last week, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the inquiry report into 'Dawn leaks' would be submitted to his ministry within two or three days.
    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the government would publish the inquiry report, unlike findings of other commissions that have been under wraps in the past.
    Earlier this month, DG ISPR Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor said the army, "like every Pakistani awaits a decision based on justice and merit".


  3. Waqas Dar
    RAWALPINDI: Shortly after former Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan’s confessional video was released, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) tweeted that the former spokesman has exposed the hostile foreign agenda and their designs to destablise Pakistan.
    "Our youth is our strength, shall never fall prey," the DG ISPR further said in the tweet.
    Earlier today in the confessional video statement released by the ISPR, Ehsanullah Ehsan stated that the leadership of the TTP was working with hostile foreign agencies to destablise Pakistan. Ehsan said the TTP was working with India, RAW, NDS and Afghan forces against Pakistan.
    The former TTP spokesman added that youth were being misled and wrong interpretations of Islam were being used to recruit them.
    In the confession, Ehsanullah Ehsan spoke of the TTP choosing a new leader (Mullah Fazlullah) through a lucky draw following the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud. 
    "What can you expect from an organisation whose leader is elected through a lucky draw? And then the leader was a person of questionable character, who married his mentor's daughter by force and took her away. These types of personalities, these types of people, are neither capable of nor are they serving Islam," he says.
    Ehsanullah Ehsan also revealed that links with India and RAW were forged after the TTP fled to Afghanistan following the operation in North Waziristan. He also revealed that the TTP was in contact with NDS and Afghan forces which provided them with safe passage and guided their infiltration into Pakistan.


  4. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: The Home Department, on Wednesday, issued a notification barring the entry of heavy traffic in the city.
    According to the notification, heavy traffic, except passenger buses and coaches, will not be allowed to enter the city limits from 6:00 AM till 11:00 PM for the next three months.
    The restriction was imposed following a court order to curtail the traffic and accidents in the city, the notification stated.
    Water tankers, however, will be allowed to move to hydrants as per the scheduled time.
    Vehicles transporting edible oil, oxygen, medical gases, and life-saving medicines will be exempt from the restriction.
    "The Government of Sindh is satisfied that to overcome the acute traffic congestion in the city and for the safety and protection of citizens from the hazard/risk of road accidents, it is essential to stop the entry of heavy vehicles other than passenger buses and coached between 06:00 AM to 11:00 PM in Karachi," the notification stated.
    The notification was issued after the DIG Traffic Karachi requested the court to order for the restriction to be imposed in the city.
    Read more: DIG Traffic bans entry of heavy vehicles in Karachi 
    Earlier on March 31, a similar ban was imposed by the DIG Traffic on the entry of heavy vehicles in Karachi in the wake of increasing number of casualties due to road accidents.
    "Around 20 people died in traffic incidents in the last 15 months. This is also terrorism," the SHC remarked following which the traffic police imposed the ban. 


  5. Waqas Dar
    LONDON: Scientists in the United States have developed a fluid-filled womb-like bag known as an extra-uterine support device that could transform care for extremely premature babies, significantly improving chances of survival.
    In pre-clinical studies with lambs, the researchers were able to mimic the womb environment and the functions of the placenta, giving premature offspring a crucial opportunity to develop their lungs and other organs.
    Around 30,000 babies in the United States alone are born critically early – at between 23 and 26 weeks of gestation, the researchers told reporters in a telephone briefing.
    At that age, a human baby weighs little more than 500 grammes, its lungs are not able to cope with air and its chances of survival are low. Death rates are up to 70 percent and those who do survive face life-long disability.
    "These infants have an urgent need for a bridge between the mother's womb and the outside world," said Alan Flake, a specialist surgeon at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who led the development of the new device.
    His team's aim, he said, was to develop an extra-uterine system where extremely premature babies can be suspended in fluid-filled chambers for a vital few weeks to bring them over the 28-week threshold when their life chances are dramatically improved.
     

     
    It could take up to another 10 years, but by then he hopes to have a licensed device in which babies born very prematurely are given the chance to develop in fluid-filled chambers, rather than lying in incubators being artificially ventilated.
    "This system is potentially far superior to what hospitals can currently do for a 23-week-old baby born at the cusp of viability," Flake said. "This could establish a new standard of care for this subset of extremely premature infants."
    The team spent three years evolving their system through a series of four prototypes – beginning with a glass incubator tank and progressing to the current fluid-filled bag.
    Six preterm lambs tested in the most recent prototype were physiologically equivalent to a 23- or 24-week-gestation human baby and were able to grow in a temperature-controlled, near-sterile environment, Flake said.
    The scientists made amniotic fluid in their lab and set up the system so that this flowed into and out of the bag.
    Lung development in fetal lambs is very similar in humans, said fetal physiologist Marcus Davey, who worked on the team.
    "Fetal lungs are designed to function in fluid. We simulate that environment ... allowing the lungs and other organs to develop while supplying nutrients and growth factors," he said.
    Flake said the success of the system, details of which were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, was due to its mimicking life in the uterus as closely as possible.
    It has no external pump to drive circulation because even gentle artificial pressure can fatally overload an underdeveloped heart, and there is no ventilator because the immature lungs are not yet ready to breathe air.
    Instead, the baby's heart pumps blood via the umbilical cord into a low-resistance oxygenator that acts as a substitute for the placenta in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
    Flake's team plans to refine the system further and then downsize it for human infants, who are around a third of the size of the lambs used in the study.


  6. Waqas Dar
    People who wait up to nine months to get a colonoscopy after faecal tests show potential tumours are no more likely to be diagnosed with cancer or advanced malignancies than those who get follow-up colonoscopies sooner, a US study suggests.
    Colonoscopy is the most commonly used screening test for colorectal cancers, but it’s invasive, costly, and inconvenient. A growing number of patients are instead using screening kits known as faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) that can detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool that might indicate cancer. Positive FIT results require a follow-up colonoscopy to find any tumours and assess their severity.
    For the study, researchers examined data on how long more than 70,000 patients with positive FIT results waited to get follow-up colonoscopies. When they waited no more than one month, 30 cases out of every 1,000 colonoscopies confirmed cancer and 8 cases per 1,000 showed advanced tumours. Results were similar for patients who waited up to nine months.
    But when patients got colonoscopies 10 to 12 months after positive FIT results, there were 49 cases of cancer confirmed for every 1,000 colonoscopies, or 48 percent higher odds than waiting no more than one month. The odds of advanced cancer were roughly doubled, with 19 cases per 1,000 colonoscopies.
    “Colonoscopy can be a complicated test to schedule, requiring time off from work and someone to accompany the patient home,” said lead study author Dr. Douglas Corley of Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California.
    “This study suggests patients have a little time to make arrangements for the exam around their work or personal schedules,” Corley said by email. “These data confirm that colorectal cancers progress fairly slowly and that it is feasible to get large numbers of patients in for follow-up fairly rapidly.”
    Half of the patients in the study had colonoscopies within 37 days of a positive FIT result, the researchers report in JAMA.
    Almost two-thirds of patients with positive FIT results got follow-up colonoscopies within two months, and 81 percent of them had a colonoscopy within six months, the study found.
    Patients ranged in age from 50 to 75 years old, and half of them were at least 61.
    Overall, there were 2,191 cases of any colorectal cancer and 601 cases of the advanced disease diagnosed.
    Compared to people who got colonoscopies within a month, patients who waited a year or more had more than triple the odds of having advanced malignancies at the time of diagnosis.
    The study isn’t a randomised experiment designed to prove whether or how the time between FIT results and a colonoscopy directly influences the risk of cancer or of advanced tumours, the authors note. It’s also possible the study might not have detected differences between patients who got colonoscopies sooner and people who waited longer for follow-up tests.
    “It could be that people who return for colonoscopy several months after a positive screening test are returning because they have symptoms and so are more likely to have cancer detected,” said Carolyn Rutter, a senior statistician at RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California, and co-author of an accompanying editorial.
    Symptoms can include diarrhoea, constipation, rectal bleeding, cramping, fatigue or weight loss – all of which could also be due to conditions other than cancer.
    “Fecal-based tests are a very effective, inexpensive, and non-invasive approach to screening for colorectal cancer,” Rutter said by email. “But they can only detect cancer when positive tests are followed by colonoscopy, and because they are most sensitive for detection of preclinical cancer, fecal-based tests need to be repeated annually.”
    While it’s not ok to skip that follow-up colonoscopy, the study results suggest it’s fine for patients to wait a little bit to schedule the exam at a time that works best with everything else they have going on in their lives, Rutter said.


  7. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: A video statement of former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan has been released by the Pakistan Army in which the arrested militant confesses to his involvement in activities of the terrorist group.
    The militant spokesman can be seen admitting the terrorist organisation's nexus with Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies and security forces in carrying out subversive activities in Pakistan.
    Earlier this month, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor had announced the that Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesperson of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, had surrendered to the Pakistan Army.
    Ehsan was previously the spokesperson of the TTP but later joined Jamaat-ul-Ahrar splinter faction.
    "My name is Liaquat Ali alias Ehsanullah Ehsan and I am from Mohmand agency. I joined the TTP in 2008. I was a college student back then. I was also the spokesman for the TTP Mohmand agency chapter. After that, I became the central spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and later the spokesman for the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar," Ehsan can be heard saying in the video statement.
    "I have seen a lot in the nine years with the TTP. They recruited people by misleading them in the name of Islam, especially the youth, for their own gains," he says.
    "They (TTP) themselves could not come up to the standards they advocated," he says.
    "A particular group is extorting money from innocent Muslims, killing and kidnapping them. These people carry out bombings in public places, attack schools, colleges and universities. Islam does not teach us this."
     
    'Fazlullah was elected through lucky draw'
    The former TTP and JuA spokesman also reveals details of a battle of succession that ensued between different terrorist leaders after the killing of former TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud in late 2013.
    "When the operation started in the tribal areas, the quest for power intensified in these people and everyone wanted to be the leader of the organisation."
    Ehsanullah says that, after the killing of Hakimullah, the process of succession started in the organization and a sort of electoral campaign started. "During this time Omar Khalid Korasani, Khan Saeed Sajna, Mullah Fazlullah they were all a part of this. Everyone wanted to gain power so the shura decided that names would shortlisted through a lucky draw through which Mullah Fazullah was elected the leader."
    "What can you expect from an organisation whose leader is elected through a lucky draw? And then the leader was a person of questionable character, who married his mentor's daughter by force and took her away."


  8. Waqas Dar
    ANKARA: Turkish authorities arrested more than 1,000 people on Wednesday they said had secretly infiltrated police forces across the country on behalf of a US-based cleric blamed by the government for a failed coup attempt last July.
    The nationwide sweep was one of the largest operations in months against suspected supporters of the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan who is now accused by the government of trying to topple him by force.
    Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the overnight crackdown targeted a Gulen network "that infiltrated our police force, called 'secret imams'".
    "One thousand and nine secret imams have been detained so far in 72 provinces, and the operation is ongoing," he told reporters in Ankara.
    In the aftermath of the failed July coup, authorities arrested 40,000 people and sacked or suspended 120,000 from a wide range of professions including soldiers, police, teachers, and public servants, over alleged links with terrorist groups.
    The latest detentions came 10 days after voters narrowly backed plans to expand Erdogan's already wide powers in a referendum which opposition parties and European election observers said was marred by irregularities.
    The referendum bitterly divided Turkey. Erdogan's critics fear further drift into authoritarianism, with a leader they see as bent on eroding modern Turkey's democracy and secular foundations.
    Erdogan argues that strengthening the presidency will avert instability associated with coalition governments, at a time when Turkey faces multiple challenges, including security threats from extremists and Kurdish militants.
    "In Turkey, there was an attempted coup with a goal of toppling the government and destroying the state," he told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday.
    "We are trying to cleanse members of FETO inside the armed forces, inside the judiciary and inside the police," he said, using an acronym for the label, Gulenist Terrorist Organisation, which the government has given to Gulen's supporters.
    The president compared the struggle against Gulen with the state's battle against Daesh and Kurdish PKK militants, who are designated terrorist organisations by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.
    "We are going to keep up the fight in terms of democracy, fundamental rights and liberties, but at the same time we are going to keep up the fight against PKK, FETO, and other terrorist organisations such as Daesh," he said. "We will continue down this path in a very committed fashion."
    Mass detentions immediately after the attempted coup were supported by many Turks, who agreed with Erdogan when he blamed Gulen for orchestrating the putsch that killed 240 people, mostly civilians. But criticism mounted as the arrests widened.
    Many relatives of those detained or sacked since July say they have nothing to do with the armed attempt to overthrow the government, and are victims of a purge designed to solidify Erdogan's control.


  9. Waqas Dar
    RAWALPINDI: Italy’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Danilo Errico called on Pakistan’s COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Head Quarters (GHQ) today.
    Matters of mutual interest were discussed, during the meeting held in Rawalpindi, with particular reference to enhanced military cooperation in the field of training and counter-terrorism domain.
    The delegation was later on given a detailed briefing on operational and training activities of the Pakistan Army.
    The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad for the elimination of terrorism from Pakistan, and the gains made so far.
    Earlier, on arrival at the GHQ, the Italian COAS laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
    A contingent of the Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.
    Read more: South African defence minister meets COAS Gen Bajwa
    Last month, the South African defence minister met General Bajwa at the GHQ.
    During the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation between both the countries and overall regional security situation.
    The minister expressed her appreciation for Pakistan army’s achievements in the elimination of terrorism from the country.
    The delegation expressed appreciation at the warm welcome and reception and stated that it looks forward to furthering cooperation in the letter and spirit of the signed MoU.
     
     


  10. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday disqualified Sardar Naseem as the mayor of Rawalpindi.
    Naseem was found involved in unfairly influencing the elections for certain seats.
    He was elected as the city's mayor on Pakistan Muslim League - N's ticket.
    A five-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner approved two separate applications of the mayor's disqualification.
    The premise of the requests for Naseem's disqualification was that the accused, as a polling agent, stamped polling papers during the voting process of reserved seats for women.
    The two separate requests for the mayor's disqualification were submitted to the ECP by Tahira Tanvir and Lubna Iqbal.
    Earlier on March 16, the ECP rejected the reference case filed against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Secretary General Jehangir Tareen.
    "The reference isn't worthy of being heard," noted the Chief Election Commissioner in a brief verdict.
    Read more: ECP dismisses disqualification case against Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen
    In an earlier hearing, the Election Commission had decided to announce the verdict on March 16 (today).
    The case was heard by a five-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza.
    In response to ECP's verdict, member National Assembly of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Daniyal Aziz said: "PTI was able to escape from the case on technical grounds."
    Referring to the PTI chief as "somersault Khan" and "allegation Khan," Aziz said that PTI was unable to face ECP's foreign funding inquiry because the party is guilty of wrongdoing.


  11. Waqas Dar
    Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has moved into the top 20 of ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen after gaining six spots following the match against West Indies in Kingston.
    Misbah had an unbeaten 99 and 12 in the match and has previously held a career-best ranking of sixth in October 2013.  
    Younis Khan maintained his eight positions in the ranking after innings of 58 and six.

    Younis became the highest run scorer for Pakistan in Test matches - Photo AFP
    Both Misbah and Younis have announced their decision to retire following the Test series against West Indies. During the first match, Younis reached the milestone of 10,000 runs while Misbah reached 5,000 runs.
    Other notable Pakistani batsman who moved up the rankings are Sarfraz Ahmed who is at 24 and Babar Azan after gaining 14 places cracked the top 100 at 94.
    Pakistani bowlers Yasir Shah and Muhammad Amir also saw their rankings improve after the Test win against West Indies. Shah who was the man of the match moved up one spot to 15 while Amir gained 13 slots to reach 42.

    Yasir Shah was named man of the match in the first Test against West Indies - Photo AFP


  12. Waqas Dar
    The Matric Board’s examination season is upon us, bringing a new wave of unusual activities, including cheating, happening in the classrooms.
    The English exam in Ghotki – conducted by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Sukkur Board – was delayed on Wednesday due to teachers protesting against the detention of two female students detained from an examination centre in Sarhad area a day earlier.
    Protesting teachers also complained about the insulting attitude of the administration adding that adding that each administrator was accompanied by five policemen.
    On the other hand, the Urdu exam paper for grade 12 was leaked from the examination room in Kandhkot’s Tangwani Government Boys High School. However, the Urdu exam in Hyderabad is underway. 
    Students were observed cheating openly during examinations at two government high schools in Sukkur. No proper preparations to control cheating were seen in the exam rooms.
     

     
    Chairman of Sukkur Board has formed a team to monitor such activities in examination rooms. However, the team, which has been assigned four districts over a radius of 350-400 kilometres, is inadequate for the job.
    Chairman of the Sukkur Board has formed a team to monitor such activities in examination rooms. However, the team with limited resources has been tasked to monitor schools over an area of 350-400 kilometres which is beyond their means. 
    Jam Mehtab Dahar, the Minister of Education, Sindh, told Geo News, he had directed the Board Chairman and Deputy Commissioner to resolve the matter immediately, adding that it is currently under discussion. Dahar stated that he has sent the VC to assist in resolving the matter.“We don’t want the students’ year-long education to go to waste just because of a protest causing exams to be delayed,” Dahr said.
    “We don’t want the students’ year-long education to go to waste just because of a protest causing exams to be delayed,” Dahr said.
    In addition, talks with the protesting teachers are underway as well. However, until the issue with the aggrieved teachers is resolved, fresh dates for the already postponed examinations cannot be revealed. 
    A report on recent developments on this issue is due by Wednesday evening. Dahr went on to say that the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) has been transferred and an apology has been issued to the concerned parents.
    Chief Minister Sindh has indicated that standardised education should be provided to the students, Dahr added. Nevertheless, he also mentioned that everyone – from the Board and teachers to parents – are part of the reason such events take place.


  13. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah on Wednesday said that the culprits behind Dawn Leaks had helped Pakistan's enemies by making matters public.
    "The way the State was dragged onto the streets in front of the world, the enemy was helped and provided information," said the Pakistan People's Party politician, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.
    Although the inquiry committee's report has not yet been made public by the government, Shah said his sixth sense told him that "nothing substantial would come out of it".
    "Everybody already knows about the report on Dawn Leaks. I believe all those responsible will be let go. Some small government employee or two will be dragged into this. That is clear to me," he said.
    Shah said those held responsible "would definitely be involved [in Dawn leaks] but they would be made scapegoats and will suffer because they are weak and poor".
    The PPP senior leader's comments come after reports that the inquiry committee has placed blame on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Principal Information Officer at the Press Information Department Rao Tehseen.
    Sources told Geo News on Tuesday that the report, which has been presented to the government, recommends the removal of Tehseen. Fatemi's Foreign Affairs portfolio is likely to be changed following the recommendations in the report.
    According to the sources, the inquiry report could not ascertain who leaked the information to the reporter. However, blame was put on a few people for failing to stop the publishing of the story.
    The report says that the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) would decide on what action would be taken against the concerned newspaper.
    The English-language daily, Dawn, had published the story on October 6 last year in which journalist Cyril Almeida had written about an alleged civil-military rift during the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting over the issue of tackling jihadi outfits.
    The story stirred a major controversy, resulting in Almeida coming under fire from the military and government and being temporarily placed on the Exit Control List, before an inquiry was formed to probe the matter.
    The inquiry committee comprised one member each from the ISI, MI and IB, Secretary Establishment Tahir Shahbaz, Ombudsman Punjab Najam Saeed, and an FIA director.


  14. Waqas Dar
    LAHORE: The chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motto notice of the issue and summon Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan, said Punjab Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah.
    "The chief justice should ask Imran Khan whom he was offered by," Sanaullah said.
    He added if the accusation is proved to be true then the person who offered the amount should be brought before the entire nation. "The person should be punished."
    However, if it is not proved then Imran should be taken to task, Sanaullah suggested.
    "For the last four years Imran has been insulting people," he maintained. "He should be sent a notice and punished."
    The accusations he has hurled should be enquired into, the law minister said.
    The Punjab law minister was referring to Imran's claims that he made on Tuesday, of being offered Rs10 billion to keeping mum on the Panama case.
    However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, responded to Imran's claim. 
    In a tweet, Maryam responded to the accusation and called Imran a 'liar'.
     


  15. Waqas Dar
    Today will be the last day for Hajj applicants to submit their applications under the government scheme to branches of designated banks.
    As per the schedule announced by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, balloting of successful applicants will be held on Friday.
    Successful applicants will be informed through letters and text messages. Results of the balloting for successful candidates will also be available at www.mora.gov.pk and www.hajjinfo.org.
    One hundred, seven thousand five hundred and twenty-six pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government scheme this year, while seventy-one thousand under through private tour operators.
    The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony started receiving Hajj applications under the government scheme through designated branches of select banks from April 17.
    Hajj Policy 2017
    Earlier on April 13, the Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said that under the government scheme of the newly approved Hajj Policy 2017, the expense of pilgrimage would amount to Rs 280,000 (Rs 0.280 million).
    The minister was addressing a press conference, where he disclosed details regarding the new, comprehensive policy for pilgrimage this year, shortly after the Cabinet approved it in a session headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on April 13.
    Read more: Hajj to cost Rs280,000 for Pakistanis under government scheme
    In the current year, 107,526 people would perform Hajj officially, whereas 71,684 people would make the holy journey through private tour groups, Yusuf said.
    “Each individual would be able to perform Hajj once within every seven years, and private applicants will be eligible for the holy journey after five years,” the minister stated.
    The PM, on Wednesday, directed authorities to provide the best possible facilities to pilgrims.
    PM Nawaz directs authorities to improve Hajj 2017 arrangements
    Last month, the PM directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to further improve the arrangements for Hajj 2017 by taking initiatives to ensure better facilities for pilgrims at the minimum possible cost.
    He spoke at a detailed briefing regarding arrangements for Hajj 2017 by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony at the PM House.
    Read more: PM Nawaz directs authorities to improve Hajj 2017 arrangements
    The minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said there was a remarkable improvement in arrangements of Hajj in the last three years, which was in line with the PM's vision.
    The premier appreciated the Ministry and its team led by Yousuf for their commendable work and efforts to facilitate the pilgrims.
     
     


  16. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Chief of Awami Muslim League and member of National Assembly Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, on Wednesday, alleged that the government is playing up the Dawn Leaks issue in the media.
    "Tariq Fatemi, Pervaiz Rashid, and Rao Tehseen have been declared guilty," the former federal minister said while speaking to members of the press outside the Parliament house. "The report will again severe ties between institutions and the government."
    The MNA declared that all political parties stand united on the demand of the Prime Minister's resignation, following the Panama verdict.
    "A detailed meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has already taken place to bring the opposition together," Ahmad said. "Khan agrees with the opposition's unity on the PM's resignation, however, he does not want an electoral alliance."
    Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry committee formed to probe Dawn Leaks in its report placed the blame on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Principal Information Officer at the Press Information Department Rao Tehseen, sources told Geo News.
    The report, which was presented to the government, recommended Tehseen's removal as Principal Information Officer.
    Read more: Dawn Leaks: Publishing of story govt’s failure, says inquiry report
    Sources said that Fatemi's portfolio on foreign affairs is likely to be changed but he would retain his position.
    All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) would decide what action would be taken against the concerned newspaper, according to sources. 
    The inquiry report could not ascertain who leaked the information to the reporter. However, blame was put on few people for failing to stop the publishing of the story.
    The report stated that the publishing of the story was a failure on part of some government institutions including Information Ministry and Foreign Ministry.


  17. Waqas Dar
    It seems that Indian singer Sonu Nigam is finally done with the ongoing Azaan controversy.
    Sonu Nigam sparked outrage among people especially Muslims in India after he criticised the use of loudspeakers in mosques.
    The singer has now asked people to get over the issue and move on.
     
    Earlier this week, the singer shared a recording of the Azaan on his social media account where he captioned the recording with "Good Morning India".
     
    The Kal Ho Naa Ho singer was slammed by various celebrities after he shared a controversial post on his Twitter account and ultimately shaved his head as accepting a challenge.

    The Indian singer has also been talking unfavourably about, in general, the religion-related material being broadcast over microphones and "forced religiousness" in the past weeks.


  18. Waqas Dar
    It seems that Indian singer Sonu Nigam is not done with creating controversies, or maybe he likes the limelight he is receiving through it.
    Sonu Nigam, who sparked outrage among people especially Muslims in India after he criticised the use of loudspeakers in mosques, is now up with another thing.
    Sonu Nigam has now shared a recording of the Azaan on his social media account where he captioned the recording with "Good Morning India".
    The Kal Ho Naa Ho singer was slammed by various celebrities after he shared a controversial post on his Twitter account and ultimately shaved his head as accepting a challenge.

    The Indian singer has been talking unfavourably about, in general, the religion-related material being broadcast over microphones and "forced religiousness" in the past weeks.


  19. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: China helped Pakistan stave off a currency crisis by providing over $1.2 billion in loans during the past one year, the Financial Times claimed in a report on Tuesday.
    According to the publication’s sources, state-backed Chinese banks have twice come to Pakistan’s rescue of Pakistan with $900m in 2016 and $300m in 2017’s first quarter.
    Pakistan’s stocks of foreign currency remained saw volatile activity due to rising imports and a parallel fall in exports and remittances in the recent months.
    The financial help extended from Pakistan’s close neighbour is indicative of increasingly close ties between the two countries at a time when the relationship between Pakistan and the US remains strained.
    “Beijing is preparing to invest at least $52bn in Pakistan to build a highway, energy pipelines, power generation facilities and industrial parks from the western port of Gwadar on the Gulf to the Chinese border to the north,” the Financial Times reported.
    However, despite its expected advantages to Pakistan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project is set to further deplete the foreign currency stocks that are required to pay contractors and suppliers.
    Read more: Chinese confidence, investment lure once shy foreign investors to Pakistan: Bloomberg
    As per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan’s net reserves at the end of February were down to $17.1bn from $18.9bn at the end of October, and a peak of $25bn several years ago. This compelled Pakistan to seek emergency debt from external sources to repay older foreign currency loans.
    Of the $1.2bn loan from China, $600m came from the government-run China Development Bank and $600m from the state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the only mainland bank with a branch in Pakistan, the publication claimed.
    “China keeps a very close eye on our economic trends and they’re happy to come to our help wherever needed,” a Pakistani official told the Financial Times.
    Pakistan cleared the IMF debt incurred in 2013 last year. The repayment led policymakers in Islamabad and abroad to express optimism about prospects for economic stability.
    Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, called it a “moment of opportunity” for the country.


  20. Waqas Dar
    KINGSTON: Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was hopeful that the win against West Indies would boost the team’s confidence.
    Backed by a brilliant bowling performance by Yasir Shah, Pakistan achieved a comfortable seven-wicket victory against the West Indies on Tuesday.
    During a news conference, Misbah stressed that after six Test match defeats, winning this match was necessary.
    The skipper said that the team’s batting and bowling were satisfactory.
    Speaking on scoring 99, Misbah told reporters he was used to the nervous nineties.
    He also showered praise on Younis Khan, saying that scoring 10,000 runs was a major accomplishment, adding that Younis was a role model for youngsters.
    Misbah who will retire from international cricket after the West Indies series termed these wins special and the match as a gift from his team. With the win, Misbah completed silver jubilee of victories as Test captain. 


  21. Waqas Dar
    If you're Star Wars fan, this news is must be for you.
    Disney has announced that Star Wars: Episode IX would fly in the theaters on May 24, 2019. 

    So there will be no Star Wars for Christmas in 2018 and 2019.
    It'll be the first main trilogy Star Wars film to debut at that time of year, which marks the beginning of the America's summer box office season.

    Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the film will close out the third Star Wars trilogy.
    No cast members have been announced for this Star Wars sequel up till now.
    The announcement on StarWars.com didn't come with any official details about the sci-fi sequel quite yet, but we may be getting some more on this project quite soon.


  22. Waqas Dar
    Want some free money from the government? Move to Canada!
    No, It's not a joke!
    Canada is actually going to experiment with a universal basic income, offering up to $24,000 to eligible Canadian households.

    The province of Ontario has announced plans to study basic income through a three-year pilot project, where it will provide the funding to 4,000 households selected at random.
    Ontario's experiment will involve 4,000 low-income citizens between the ages of 18 and 64 selected at random from three cities — Hamilton, Thunder Bay, and Lindsay.
    The plan calls for single persons to receive up to $17,000, minus half of any income earned.
    Couples could be eligible for up to $24,000, and persons with disabilities could receive $6,000 more.
    The last time the theory was put to the test in North America was a program in the Canadian province of Manitoba in the late 1970s.
     
     
     


  23. Waqas Dar
    VANCOUVER: Superstar athlete Serena Williams late Tuesday promised she would be back on the court after becoming a mom, with her baby hopefully cheering her on.
    Williams spoke playfully and candidly about family, competition, and her accidently unveiled pregnancy during an on-stage chat with journalist Gayle King at the TED Conference in Vancouver.
    Williams said she had made a practice of taking a photo of herself each week, to document the progress of her pregnancy, when she accidentally posted a picture of herself in a swimsuit on social media.
    She had shared the news with only a few people until the now widely seen image.
    "You know how social media is; you press the wrong button and there it is," Williams said with a laugh.
    "I had been so good about it and this one time I slipped."
    Williams said she learned she was pregnant just two days before the Australian Open, which she went on to win.
    She told of being nervous about playing, uncertain whether it would be too dangerous for her or the baby.
    Read more: No time to relax for king of the world Murray
    Williams said she played differently, shutting out fatigue and stress. Everyone expected her to win the tournament, and few knew she was a mom-to-be.
    "I had to take any negative emotions, bottle them up and figure out what the next step was," Williams said.
    She won her record-setting 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January -- where she beat her elder sister Venus in the final.
    "Playing Venus is like playing myself; she is my toughest opponent," Williams said.
    "On the court, we are mortal enemies, but the moment we shake hands we are best friends again. It might be a day later for me if I lose."
    In champion form, she admitted to loathing losing and loving victory.
    But, if you do lose, learn from it and improve don´t make the same mistakes in the future, she advised.
    Kelly Bush Novak, Williams´ publicist, had said this week that the US star "looks forward to returning in 2018" and that was echoed by her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
    Williams is due to give birth in September, the month she turns 36 years old.
    "I definitely plan on coming back," Williams said of her tennis future.


  24. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: A case for the Rangers encounter with terrorists in the Urdu Bazaar vicinity in Karachi was registered on Wednesday.
    Four terrorists, including a woman, were killed and four paramilitary personnel injured in an hours-long gunfight between Rangers and militants holed up inside a residential building in the Karachi's Urdu Bazar vicinity late Monday. In fresh raids on Tuesday, law enforcers detained abettors of the terrorists as well. 
    Rangers' inspector Muhammad Umar, in the case, elaborated that the terrorists, seated in a taxi, opened fire on the paramilitary force upon its arrival at Mariam Center located on Rattan Talao road.
    The terrorists took off on foot following the exchange of fire. The escapees include Fazal Gani AKA Shafee, Abdullah, Mansoor AKA Bilal, and Rafeeq AKA Abdullah.
    According to the Rangers' officer, the accused threw hand grenades from the window after the security force climbed the stairs.
    Six people including four Rangers personnel were injured due to the attack.
    Read more: Rangers foil massive terror bid in Karachi
    Three of the terrorists, who Rangers said were heavily-armed, blew themselves up while a fourth was shot dead while trying to escape during the gunbattle which lasted for over seven hours in a busy, congested area of the city.
    A three-month-old girl who was with the terrorists was also killed in the operation, Rangers said.
    Terrorists Identified
    According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the terrorists belonged to Jundullah. Terrorists killed include Zahid Afridi aka Faheem aka Hameed, Muhammad Hafeez Ullah Quettawala, Mama and a lady facilitator Afshan.
    They were involved in terrorist activities that include:
    Remote control blast on Special Security Unit bus on 15 March 2015 resulted in the martyrdom of two Policemen and 15 injured.Hand grenade attack and firing on Karachi City Court for escaping of four terrorists. Hand grenade attack and firing on Karachi City Court for escaping of four terrorists. Killing of 15 to 20 people in 2013 belonging to Shia community. Attack on Rangers mobile at Masjid Abu Huraira resulted in the martyrdom of four Rangers soldiers.Bank dacoity of Rs5.2 million at Summit Bank Nazimabad on 30 November 2011. Bank dacoity of Rs5.2 million at Summit Bank Nazimabad on 30 November 2011.Bank dacoity of Rs5.6 million and killing of two employees at Muslim Commercial Bank Maripur on 14th November 2008. Bank dacoity of Rs5.6 million and killing of two employees at Muslim Commercial Bank Maripur on 14th November 2008.Kidnapping for ransom of ANP worker Ajab Khan on August 2014 after paying 10.5 million he was released. Kidnapping for ransom of ANP worker Ajab Khan on August 2014 after paying 10.5 million he was released.Digging of Karachi Central Jail and planning of attack on 2015. Digging of Karachi Central Jail and planning of attack on 2015.Intelligence Based Operation  Intelligence Based Operation  The operation was launched Monday evening against members of banned outfits, who were believed to be present in the building located in the Urdu Bazar area. According to Rangers, a militant, believed to belong to the Lashkar-e-Jhanvi banned outfit, who was earlier arrested from Ittehad Town had given information related to Bazar where his accomplices were present.
    The miscreants attacked paramilitary personnel with hand grenades and opened fire on them as soon as they arrived at the location.
    The exchange of fire continued for nearly seven hours, during which the terrorists carried out at least three explosions and lobbed several hand grenades on the paramilitary soldiers.
    Three of the terrorists blew themselves up while one was killed by the Rangers while he was trying to escape. The dead included a woman and a three-month-old child, who the Rangers spokesperson said were present inside the house with terrorists.
    Three of the deceased have been identified as Muhammad Zahid, Naeem Achakzai and Hameed, between the ages of 30 and 45. Naeem belonged to Peshawar and was driving a taxi in the city. Hameed was living in the apartment with his wife and daughter, both of whom were also killed during the operation. 
    Four Rangers personnel were also wounded in the episode.

    The building, where the miscreants had taken refuge, and nearby properties were evacuated as the exchange of fire began between the two sides.
    Read: Sindh Cabinet extends Rangers' special powers
    Officials also recovered a huge cache of explosives, weapons and hand grenades from the flat, where the terrorists had been staying, sources added.
    The residential building lies besieged, while nearby streets have also been sealed off as the paramilitary personnel and police have been searching the vicinity for any other miscreants left.
    The deceased terrorists could not be immediately identified. However, later, the incharge of counter-terrorism department, Raja Umer Khitab, said the terrorists likely belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Jundallah group.
    Sources informed Geo News the miscreants had been planning a major terror attack in the city.
    The operation went on for around seven hours, after which Rangers cleared the apartment and handed it over to the police. 
    When asked, residents of the area told Geo News the terrorists were living in the building for the past two to three months. It was learnt that the apartment belonged to a tea man who had given the place to his relatives. 
     
    Note: An earlier version of this story reported the child as a five-year-old girl. The error is regretted.  
     


  25. Waqas Dar
    All the fans in the world go crazy over their favourite celebrities.
    Most of the times, they idealize how they look, dress up and interact. 
    But celebrities have not been the same always nor their style. Thus, they change with time.
    We are here with some of the most surprising transformations of Bollywood stars that will shock you for sure.
    Check it out!
     
    1. Amitabh Bachchan
     
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    2. Shah Rukh Khan
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    3. Salman Khan
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    4. Amir Khan
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    5. Ajay Devgan
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    6. Abhishek Bachchan 
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    7. Akshay Kumar 
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    8. Saif Ali Khan 
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    9. Sanjay Dutt 
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    10. Anil Kapoor 
    Then:

     
    Now:

     
    Just don't lose hope!
     


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