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Pakistan’s new social media rules explained

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

On October 13, the government notified new online rules for Pakistani citizens and social media companies operating in Pakistan.

So what exactly do the ‘Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content Rules, 2021’ state?

As per the new ambit of the rules, any content posted online will be removed or blocked if it is against:

  • the “glory of Islam”
  • the “security of Pakistan”
  • “public order”, which means that if online content contains any “fake or false information that threatens public order, public health and public safety”
  • “decency and morality”
  • “integrity and defence of Pakistan”

The aggrieved complaint, who could be an individual or a government agency or department, can file a complaint with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and in some cases, the identity of the complainant will be kept confidential if it may result in “harming, harassing or defaming the complainant.”

On receiving a complaint, the Authority will have 30 days to decide on the matter. After which, the Authority will give the social media company 48 hours to comply, and in case of emergencies only 12 hours.

If the social company fails to comply, it will have to provide a written explanation within 48 hours, otherwise its services will be degrade or the entire online information system blocked or it will be fined a penalty of up to Rs5 million.

Under the new rules, social media companies are required to provide to the investigation agency any information, data and content in “decrypted, readable and [a] comprehensible format”.

Social media companies are also required to set up a mechanism that ensures the immediate blocking of live streaming, particularly if it is related to terrorism, hate speech, pornographic content or if it is detrimental to national security.

The new rules further mandate social media companies register with the PTA within three months and establish an office in Pakistan, with a physical address, preferably located in Islamabad.

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Saba Qamar became police officer for upcoming project ‘Serial Killer’

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DES)

Saba Qamar fans, rejoice!

The multi-talented actor, who is praised for essaying versatile roles, is back with yet another promising project.

Turning to her Instagram on Friday, Saba announced her all-new project after a long hiatus, titled Serial Killer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVCuck5s-lw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

“بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم  I am very elated to announce my new project #Serialkiller Couldn’t say no to another promising script after #Maat, written & offered by our intellectual genius @umeraahmed.official Producer @misbah116,” captioned Saba Qamar alongside a photo of herself channeling the police avatar.

Saba Qamar’s new project is written by none other than Umera Ahmed. Serial Killer comes as her second collaboration with the script writer after Maat.

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Akcent band member Adrian Sina to spend holidays in Hunza

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DES)

Akcent band member Adrian Claudiu Sînă will be arriving in Pakistan where he will be spending holidays in Hunza.

The artist made the announcement of his arrival in a Twitter video for his fans. In his Twitter clip, Akcent said that he wants to prove that Pakistan is a safe place for travel.

“Hello Pakistan,” Sînă said in the clip. “This time I have decided to spend some of my holidays in Hunza Pakistan to show the world that Pakistan is a safe and beautiful country.”

Akcent band’s fans in Pakistan extended their greetings and gave a warm welcome to the award-winning artist.

In past, Romanian band Akcent’s member Adrian Sina met former DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor over a cup of tea.

Court indicts Zahir Jaffer in Noor Mukadam’s murder case

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The prime suspect in the murder of Noor Mukadam, Zahir Jaffer, has been formally charged for the crime by the Islamabad High Court on Thursday.

Besides Jaffer, two of the family’s employees — Jamil and Jan Mohammad — were also indicted, along with the Chief Executive Officer of Therapy Works, Tahir Zahoor.

Additional sessions judge Atta Rabbani indicted a total of six individuals in the case and all the accused were brought to the court from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

Meanwhile, the court has summoned the prosecution witnesses on October 20 and directed that the trial must be commenced immediately and be completed within two months.  

During the hearing, the lawyer of Zahir’s parents, Advocate Rizwan Abbasi, said that the evidence produced in the court had nothing to do with Zakir Jaffer, therefore, he could not be indicted in the murder case.

In response, Shaukat Mukadam’s lawyer said the evidence can be reviewed during the trial. 

“The accused is being charged, but have not been sentenced yet, Shaukat Mukadam’s lawyer said.

During the court’s proceedings, Zahir continued to interject remarks and said that the employees of Therapy Works had entered his house when the murder took place.

Zahir also apologised to Shaukat Mukadam in the courtroom and begged him for forgiveness. 

“My life is in danger, please have mercy on me,” Zahir said to Shaukat Mukadam. 

The murder

Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old woman, was raped and murdered with a sharp instrument on July 20 within the limits of the ​Kohsar police station in Islamabad. A case of murder was later registered at the same police station by Noor’s father, former Pakistani ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam.

Zahir is the prime suspect in Noor Mukadam’s murder case. The grisly murder, in which Mukadam was beheaded, took place on July 20 in Islamabad’s F-7 area.

The Islamabad police had arrested suspect Zahir on the night of July 20 from his house where, according to Noor’s parents, he killed her with a sharp instrument and severed her head.

The gruesome incident sparked a nationwide campaign seeking justice for her, with #JusticeforNoor becoming a top trend on Twitter.

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Gold prices jump by Rs2,300 per tola in Pakistan

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Gold prices in Pakistan skyrocketed on Thursday as a softer rupee and a surge in sales lifted demand for the safe-haven asset.

Gold prices in the local bullion market soared by Rs2,300 per tola and Rs1,972 per 10 gram today to reach Rs119,000 and Rs102,023 amid rising prices in the international markets.

The precious commodity closed at Rs116,700 per tola and Rs100,051 per 10 grams on Wednesday.

Significant fluctuations in the local currency against the US dollar aided the increase in prices of the safe-haven asset.

Speaking to Geo.tv, a gold dealer said that gold prices skyrocketed because of a sudden increase in demand for gold in the local market.

“We have seen a sudden increase in demand because, after the 12th Rabi ul Awal, wedding season will begin in full swing,” he added.

Moreover, the dealer mentioned that speculations that the rupee will further depreciate have added fuel to the already surging price of the yellow metal.

The international gold price rose by $29 per ounce to $1,800 underpinned by a pullback in the US Treasury yields, as investors awaited US inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s path on normalising policy.

“International gold prices, however, are rising at a slower pace due to concerns regarding US monetary policy tightening due in November,” AA Commodities Director Adnan Agar had said on Tuesday, adding that the precious commodity is expected to trade within a range of $1,720-1,800 during the ongoing month.

However, it is pertinent to mention that the gold rates in Pakistan are around Rs1,000 below cost compared to the gold rate in the Dubai market.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market gained Rs30 per tola and Rs25.73 per 10 gram to close at Rs1,430 per tola and Rs1,226 per 10 grams.

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Twitter adds new feature to remove followers without blocking them

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Social media site Twitter has released a “soft block” feature. This allows users to remove a follower without actually blocking them.

As per details, Twitter is making it easier to remove followers.

The removed follower won’t be able to retweet you or see when you tweet. They also won’t be notified that you remove them.

However, this option does give the removed follower a chance to follow you again.

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Mahira Khan’s HKKST scene inspires amusing recreation

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Mahira Khan’s latest play Hum Kahan kay Sachay Thay is mesmerizing the audience completely. The play marked Mahira Khan’s return to television after six years. Makeup artist Shoaib Khan, who has surprised his followers with realistic recreations of iconic names such as Noor Jehan in the past, has something different to offer this time. He has re-enacted an entire scene from HKKST.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CU79OsThR6U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It follows Mahira Khan’s character Mehreen grinding chutney in the kitchen with her maid and talking about Aswad (played by Usman Mukhtar), unaware of him standing right behind her. 

Shoaib nailed Mehreen’s expressions in light makeup, a tight bun and a pink kurti.

The original scene features Kaif Ghaznavi as Mehreen’s maid.

HKKST is based on Umera Ahmed’s novel of the same name and has been directed by Farooq Rind.   

It features Mahira, Usman and Kubra Khan (Mashal) as cousins and explores the themes of love, hate, jealousy, mystery and complex relationships.

 

PCB to reveal T20 World Cup kit soon

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will soon reveal the kit of the national squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the board announced on Wednesday via a tweet. Have a look below.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has changed the team’s training schedule, cancelling today’s scenario match scheduled at the LCCA ground, the board said in a statement Thursday.

The players will now do a two-hour net session at the Gaddafi Stadium later today as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The PCB did not share further details about the change of plan in the schedule.

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Murtaza Hassan releases Akhri Raat!

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)
Following the release of his single “Mahiya” and celebrating 2 decades in music, ex guitarist (Axed the Band) releases new single “Akhri Raat”.

“Akhri Raat is The Uncomfortable Truth about the life we have. We all have lost someone somewhere in our journey and dealt with a lot of pain and grief after that but this song is about the one suffering or heading towards the end, their perspective on leaving this world and loved ones behind and what they go through and what they feel. This song wants people to realize this reality and feel the same things about someone when they are alive and cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. The question we all need to ask ourselves, If we knew that this was our last night on earth, how would we live it? The answer should guide us on how we should live all of our life and cherish every moment” said Murtaza Hassan.

Murtaza Hassan’s journey in music started back in 2001 as a lead guitarist when a couple of college friends, who shared similar passion for music, got together started their own rock band ‘Axed’. For almost a decade ‘Axed’ created its own niche following amongst a very niche market in Lahore. After the band split in 2019, Murtaza continued on his own musical journey and launched his first song ‘Mahiya’ in 2020.

‘Akhri Raat’ is now available on all leading streaming platforms; Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer,  Tidal, Youtube Music and many more.

‘Akhri Raat’ is produced by Erphaan Aly, Video by Ali Jaffer, LYRICS by Murtaza Hasan & Zainab Murtaza, Music by: Aamir Aly

For more information, please visit:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MurtazaHasanOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smmurtazahasan/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnA8H2mYKrM

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PSL franchises accept PCB’s financial model

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have accepted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s new financial model which was presented to them during last month’s Governing Council meeting on October 27.

According to details, some of the salient terms of the offer, which the six franchises have accepted, include Covid-19 relief for PSL 5 and 6, upward revision of Central Pool of Revenue in favor of the franchises for PSL 7–20, locking of Dollar rate with prospective effect

“The longstanding matters between the PCB and the franchises were causing distraction and affecting the reputation of the brand,” PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said.

“I am delighted that all matters have finally been resolved, which is a big step forward in building stronger relationship with the franchise owners as we look forward to working with them to take the HBL PSL to greater and unprecedented heights,” he added.

The franchise owners, in a joint statement, opined that PSL is very close to their hearts as they have worked hard to bring this to where it is today.

“The acceptance of the PCB offer is an indication of our commitment and resolve to making the PSL a bigger and better league that is participated by the best players, commercially supported by the elite companies and watched live by the passionate cricket fans in Pakistan as well as globally.”