'Don't lie to Khan'
PTI’s Gandapur said he “folded his hands” before Khan’s three sisters.
Iftar tonight: 5:54PM
Sehri tomorrow: 5:17AM
Happy first Ramzan everyone and I hope all those who are fasting had a good sehri. I love how discussing menus for sehris and iftars becomes a ‘thing’ right before Ramzan starts. I always try to have extra protein and fibre at sehri so boiled eggs and a sourdough toast (with butter, of course) are a go-to. What is yours?
PM Shehbaz is going to find out what exactly will Pakistani troops do in Gaza if we send them, the PTI-Imran release situation is getting more complicated (and full on masala if you ask me) with talks of almost deals and now, an IK release force, and 5G is coming!
I’ll start listing out the timings for iftar and sehri as well and follow through with the fasting days so it’s easy for everyone to keep up. See you all tomorrow!
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar told the United Nation there can be no peace without justice for Palestinians, asked Israel to halt West Bank expansion, and said it’s ready to back all diplomatic efforts, including Trump’s new Board of Peace (BoP), as PM Shehbaz landed in Washington. The BoP meeting is today, and the plan envisions a stabilisation force from Muslim nations to oversee Gaza’s transition, but Pakistan has concerns. PM Shehbaz wants to make it clear that before committing troops, any role must be strictly peacekeeping and not for disarming Hamas and is concerned about the chain of command for the troops. Meanwhile, the BoP is expected to announce around $5bn for Gaza’s reconstruction (far short of the estimated $70bn needed).
PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah says two serious attempts were made to strike a deal with Imran Khan: one before November 26 led by Mohsin Naqvi and Ali Amin Gandapur, and another by people from abroad, but both fell through. He claims Khan initially agreed and then backed out, calling him unwilling to find a solution and saying Khan’s conditions were unacceptable. Sanaullah also accused PTI of politicising Khan’s medical treatment and creating disorder, especially over road blockages in KP. Meanwhile, PTI’s Ali Amin Gandapur has criticised internal party divisions and even said he “folded his hands” before Khan’s three sisters, pleading with them not to lie to Khan about how many people were actually coming out to protest for him and to help secure Khan’s release. Also, KP CM Sohail Afridi has announced the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” a dedicated unit which will be advocate for Imran Khan and will take ‘oath’ after Eid.
The Federal Board of Revenue has given shops, hotels, clinics, salons, schools, gyms and even clubs just one week to link their operations to its digital tax system and install POS machines, making electronic transaction reporting mandatory. Big names like Karachi Gymkhana and Lahore Gymkhana are included, and under the new rules FBR can even demand up to a month of CCTV footage to see economic activity.
PTA says Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, (where telecom companies bid to buy the airwaves needed to run next-gen mobile networks) is set for March 10, with rollout starting in federal and provincial capitals before expanding nationwide as part of the “Digital Pakistan” push. Operators have already ordered equipment, local 5G phones are being manufactured (500,000+ units so far), right-of-way fees have been scrapped to speed up fibre work, and affordable 5G devices will be offered on installments.
PM Shehbaz has reportedly sacked the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s top management after an inquiry into the Australia tour fiasco, where Pakistan’s players were left in poor living conditions and hotel bookings were cancelled over non-payment. Players were reportedly housed far from the city, crammed four to five in a room, and the local Pakistani community had to step in to arrange food and accommodation.
Angry and overworked? Taking out your anger on something productive might be better than lashing out. Try walking, running or a game of padel.
Every Ramzan, Imam Omar Suleiman does an amazing, reflective Ramzan Series and this year it is on the Names of Allah. With a short episode released everyday, it is a series to follow through with during Ramzan.
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