Category: World

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s most popular singer, Rahat Ali Khan enthralled his fans at Manchester by singing an all-time favorite title track ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’. His power-packed vocals created waves amongst fans.

The music maestro recently performed in Manchester, UK, leaving audiences wanting more after crooning to the iconic ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ OST.

Rahat was also joined by Adnan Siddiqui for his special performance. The actor set the stage on fire with his energetic presence. Watch the video here.

Adnan Siddiqui played antagonist Shehwar in Mere Paas Tum Ho. The drama also starred prominent actors including Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Hira Mani.

*********

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has awarded a grant of USD 300,000 to provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons impacted by the recent crisis in Afghanistan. This relief is awarded to USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with a specific focus on women and children. According to UNHCR, the impact of the conflict on women and girls has been particularly devastating – almost 80 percent of newly displaced Afghans are women and children.

“This is a multi-faceted crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Saadia Madsbjerg, president, The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We hope this grant will be meaningful in providing displaced Afghan families in Pakistan with critical support.”

The support by The Coca-Cola Foundation provides immediate assistance for Afghans seeking safety in Pakistan. UNHCR’s activities in Pakistan support ongoing efforts with the government who has for decades generously hosted and provided protection to Afghan refugees. UNHCR will use the grant funding to provide over 3,000 displaced individuals, shelter and core relief items – including tents, thermal blankets for the upcoming harsh winter, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, cooking sets, jerry cans, buckets, solar lamps and hygiene products to address maternal and child health needs.

“I am so pleased The Coca-Cola Foundation has continued its enduring commitment to women and girls at this critically important time. Humanitarian aid is not simply the delivery of lifesaving care, it is an investment in the future of individuals, of local communities and in our shared global humanity.” – Anne-Marie Grey, USA for UNHCR Executive Director and CEO.

The Coca-Cola Foundation chose to work with UNHCR because the organisation is engaging with the host government at all levels to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Afghan refugees.

Although this is not the first humanitarian relief grant by The Foundation to the region, this funding is now focusing on the displaced Afghans for the first time.

Since the start of the year, UNHCR has provided lifesaving support to some 332,000 newly internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country, with some 115,000 assisted from the start of August to 7 September.

Including this grant to USA for UNHCR, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants totaling USD 1 million to nonprofit organizations providing relief to communities impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Malala Yousafzai is all praise for Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie whose youth guide Know Your Rights and Claim Them has been published by Amnesty International.

“I’m proud of my friend Angelina Jolie and Amnesty for writing Know Your Rights, a book to give children the knowledge they need to stand up to injustice in their own lives around the world,” Malala wrote, sharing a photo of her with the actor.

Angelina opened up on the guide two weeks ago, saying she was humbled to meet people who have been working for a cause.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CT4f0N_LGNv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Children have rights just as adults do and they should have the power and agency to claim them,” she said. “Over the last couple of years, I have been working with Amnesty and Geraldine Van Bueren [British human rights lawyer] on a book that aims to help young people do just this.”

Angelina hoped that the book and her online series with Amnesty will help young people understand their rights.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTUk2ter3j9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“To the children and young people who are reading this: You have rights that are equal in status to that of any adult,” said Malala. “No one has the right to harm you, to silence you, to tell you what to think or believe, to treat you as if you don’t matter, or to prevent you from participating fully in society.”

Malala’s post has received over 300,000 likes in just hours.

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Iran and Pakistan have great scope to enhance mutual trade relations and should consider setting up digital markets to boost bilateral trade up to the potential of both countries.

This was stated by Syed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Ambassador of Iran while interacting with the business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) along with Qadyanlo Commercial Attaché and Beheshti Secretary.

Hosseini said that Iran-Pakistan bilateral trade was around USD 1.5 billion before Covid-19, which has now come down to less than USD 1 billion. He said that foreign sanctions on Iran were a problem for trade promotion, therefore, establishment of Pak-Iran digital markets and joint border markets could be the better options to improve two-way trade volume.

Hosseini said that Iran and Pakistan have agreed to set up 3 border crossing points that would help increase bilateral trade. However, he said, that facilitation and exemptions by the Government of Pakistan for border markets would support the Pakistani business community to further enhance trade with Iranian counterparts.

The Iranian Envoy said that lack of better connectivity between the private sectors of Iran and Pakistan was one of the factors for low trade volume and stressed the need of close cooperation between Iran-Pakistan chambers of commerce to develop strong business linkages between the private sectors of both countries.

He said that by implementing the TIR Convention, Pakistan can promote its exports through Iran to Russia and other regional countries. He also highlighted the need for exchange of trade delegations for trade promotion and assured that Iranian Embassy was ready to help in introducing more Pakistani products in Iranian market.

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistani actor and comedian Umer Sharif’s wife Zareen Umer has expressed hope a visa will be issued at the earliest to shift her ailing husband to the US, as every single minute is crucial for him.

Speaking to the local News channel, Zareen said she received a call from PM office that efforts were being made to grant a visa and make other arrangements, including an air ambulance.

Zareen said they need an air ambulance because Umer cannot travel on a regular flight.

All arrangements have been made for Umer’s treatment at George Washington University Hospital in the US, she said and added that the only thing they need is an air ambulance and visa immediately. She also urged Umer’s fans for prayers.

Earlier PM’s spokesperson Shahbaz Gill took notice of Sharif’s request. After expressing sorrow at the actor’s predicament, he assured the government would support him in any capacity he required.

Similarly the Sindh Culture Department has announced to take responsibility for Sharif’s treatment. The Sindh Minister for Culture, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, has sent his regards to the renowned television personality, who has served Pakistan’s entertainment industry for decades but Legend comedian is still in distress and passionately awaiting US flight and visa.