hajj applications digital
| |

Hajj applications go digital as Pakistan lets pilg…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has announced that Pakistan’s Hajj application process has been fully digitized, allowing prospective pilgrims to apply from the comfort of their homes without visiting offices or standing in long queues.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said the digital system had been introduced to make the Hajj registration process easier and more convenient for pilgrims. Around 400,000 registered applicants will be able to submit their applications online.

Under the new system, applicants will have several options for paying their Hajj expenses. Payments can be made through credit cards or PSID, while those wishing to pay in cash can print a challan and deposit the required amount.

Yousaf said 107,526 pilgrims are eligible to perform Hajj under the government scheme. The collection of the first installment of Hajj expenses will begin on August 17, while the second installment is scheduled to be collected in October.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration closing once the government’s allocated quota is reached.

The minister also said pilgrims opting for the private Hajj scheme would be able to select a private operator through the Pak Hajj application. However, he cautioned pilgrims against making direct payments to private Hajj operators.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    New team formed to probe Mir Raza Ali’s death

    ByJustpaste.in

    The investigation into the death of 25-year-old businessman Mir Raza Ali has taken a new turn after police added a murder charge to the case and reconstituted the team handling the probe. Ali’s body was discovered in bushes in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar on July 29, a day after he was reported missing. His family has maintained from the outset that he was abducted, subjected to torture and killed, while the initial police investigation had considered the possibility of suicide. The latest development came after a second post-mortem examination produced findings that differed from the initial medical report. According to an order issued by the Sindh Inspector General of Police’s office, the investigation team has been reorganised following the findings of the second autopsy. The first information report (FIR), initially registered under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code for kidnapping, now also includes Sections 302 and 201. Section 302 deals with murder, while Section 201 relates to causing evidence of an offence to disappear or providing false information to protect an offender. A five-member team has now been assigned responsibility for the investigation. It is headed by Sindh Deputy Inspector General (Crime and Investigation) Amir Farooqui and includes senior police officers from different investigative units. The new team has been directed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and examine the case from every relevant angle. Police have also been instructed to identify, secure and analyse any new evidence, including physical, forensic, technical and circumstantial material. The team has been asked to make every effort to determine what happened to Ali and submit its findings to the relevant court within the required timeframe. Investigators will also provide daily updates on the progress of the case. The development follows demands from Ali’s family for a change in the investigation. Family lawyer Jibran Nasir had called for the original probe to be replaced after the businessman’s body was exhumed for a second post-mortem examination. According to the family’s legal representative, the fresh examination found evidence indicating that Ali had been shot in the back. He argued that the finding contradicted the earlier possibility of suicide and supported the family’s allegation that Ali had been murdered. Nasir has further alleged that Ali was tortured before his death, describing him as a young and ambitious businessman whose death had left his family seeking answers. The lawyer has also criticised the handling of the case by senior police officials, claiming that the family faced harassment and pressure instead of receiving a satisfactory investigation.

  • | |

    Pakistan envoy Saadia Altaf Qazi honors Sahara Wel…

    ByJustpaste.in

    OSLO: In a heartfelt ceremony marking the end of her diplomatic tenure in Norway, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Norway, Saadia Altaf Qazi presented a certificate of appreciation to Hafiz Muhammad Aslam Haq, chairman of the Sahara Welfare Foundation, in recognition of his longstanding humanitarian services and commitment to social welfare. The ambassador acknowledged Hafiz Aslam Haq’s contributions to supporting underprivileged communities across Pakistan, including assistance for poor families, orphans, widows and victims of devastating floods. She praised the foundation’s welfare initiatives, describing them as a valuable example of community service and compassion that reflects the true spirit of humanity. During the ceremony, Hafiz Aslam Haq paid tribute to Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi for her dedicated service to the Pakistani community in Norway and her efforts to strengthen diplomatic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Norway. He commended her leadership throughout her diplomatic assignment and wished her continued success in her future responsibilities. Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Hafiz Aslam Haq thanked the ambassador for honoring his organization’s humanitarian work. He also extended his best wishes and prayers for her health, prosperity and continued achievements in representing Pakistan abroad. The event came as Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi concluded her diplomatic mission in Norway. Following the completion of her tenure, she is departing Oslo to assume her new assignment as Pakistan’s ambassador to Thailand. Her tenure in Norway has been widely recognized for promoting stronger bilateral relations, engaging with the Pakistani diaspora and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. The farewell recognition ceremony served not only as a tribute to humanitarian service but also as a celebration of the enduring partnership between Pakistan and Norway, highlighting the important role played by both diplomats and community leaders in strengthening international goodwill and supporting those most in need.

  • |

    Trump’s former lawyer Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general

    ByJustpaste.in

    Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the country’s attorney general after a closely contested Senate vote. Blanche secured confirmation by 50 votes to 49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposing his nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the crucial Republican vote in Blanche’s favour after saying he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate. The vote ended a prolonged dispute between the Trump administration and Senate Republicans over Blanche’s appointment. He had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Pam Bondi was removed from the position. All Senate Democrats voted against Blanche’s confirmation. Several Republican lawmakers had questioned Blanche’s record and raised concerns about his involvement in a number of controversial matters. Among them was his handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his role in developing Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The proposed fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been politically targeted or persecuted by the government. However, critics, including Murkowski, warned that the scheme could potentially benefit people prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. During his confirmation process, Blanche promised to abandon the proposed fund following opposition from Republican senators. Questions remain over whether that commitment would prevent the administration from introducing a similar programme under a different structure in the future. Murkowski said she opposed Blanche because she lacked confidence that he would be willing to challenge what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. She also expressed concern about the increasing politicisation of the Justice Department. Collins raised separate concerns over Blanche’s involvement in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Despite those reservations, she ultimately did not support his confirmation. Cassidy, meanwhile, said he trusted Blanche to provide Trump with independent and candid legal advice. He acknowledged that the president ultimately determines the direction of the Justice Department but argued that Senate confirmation would give Blanche greater authority to advise the administration and push back when necessary. Cassidy also said he did not want political disagreements to prevent the Justice Department from carrying out its responsibilities, particularly in combating violent crime. Blanche’s confirmation marks a significant development for the Trump administration, given his previous role as Trump’s personal lawyer. He was serving as deputy attorney general when he assumed the department’s temporary leadership in April.

  • | | | |

    Iran ready to resist pressure as Hormuz talks near…

    ByJustpaste.in

    TEHRAN: Iran is prepared to continue resisting mounting pressure, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, as Tehran and Oman move closer to an agreement on managing navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said Iran would not forget what it described as the unjust bloodshed of its martyrs and would not forgive those responsible. His remarks come amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington and uncertainty over the future of negotiations. The Iranian foreign minister also warned that talks with the United States would not resume if Washington continued to violate the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. According to Araghchi, Iran and the United States are currently not engaged in direct negotiations. However, messages are being exchanged through intermediaries, keeping a narrow diplomatic channel open despite the broader standoff. The most immediate development concerns the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for international energy shipments. Araghchi said negotiations between Iran and Oman over a new arrangement for maritime traffic were in their final stages. He stressed, however, that reaching an agreement with Oman would not automatically mean the strait would be fully reopened. Instead, the proposed arrangement would establish new maritime routes between Iran and Oman. The two countries have previously agreed to work together on future navigation management, shipping services and related arrangements while emphasizing safe passage and their sovereign rights over their territorial waters. The issue has become a major point of contention in wider diplomatic efforts, with Tehran insisting that US actions under the memorandum must be addressed before normal negotiations can resume. For now, the emerging Iran-Oman arrangement could offer a potential pathway for maritime traffic, but significant political hurdles remain. With Tehran maintaining its tough stance toward Washington, the next stage of diplomacy could determine whether the strategic waterway moves toward greater stability or remains at the center of regional tensions.

  • |

    Farhan Akhtar exits Aamir Khan’s Lalkaara, Sidhant Gupta joins cast

    ByJustpaste.in

    A major casting change has taken place in Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker’s upcoming sports drama Lalkaara, with Farhan Akhtar stepping away from the project and actor Sidhant Gupta coming on board as his replacement. Farhan was initially expected to play a key role in the film, but he has reportedly withdrawn because of scheduling conflicts with another ambitious project. The actor is preparing for a biographical film based on the life of legendary music composer R.D. Burman, a role that requires significant preparation and a long production schedule. At the same time, Lalkaara is expected to demand extensive cricket training from its cast, along with a lengthy shooting schedule. Balancing both productions reportedly proved difficult, leading Farhan to prioritize the R.D. Burman biopic and step away from his acting commitment in the sports drama. Despite his exit from the cast, Farhan remains closely associated with Lalkaara in his capacity as a producer. The film is being backed by Excel Entertainment, led by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, in collaboration with Rajkumar Hirani Films. His continued involvement ensures that he remains an important part of the project behind the scenes. Following Farhan’s departure, the filmmakers finalized Sidhant Gupta for the role. The actor has steadily built a strong reputation through performances in acclaimed projects such as Inside Edge, Jubilee, Black Warrant, and Freedom at Midnight. His addition to Lalkaara is expected to bring fresh energy to the ensemble cast. Sidhant will reportedly portray one of the close friends of Aamir Khan’s character in the film. While details about his role have been kept under wraps, his casting marks another significant milestone in his growing career, as he joins one of the most anticipated Bollywood projects currently in development. Lalkaara is based on the historic 1952 India-Pakistan Test cricket series, a landmark chapter in the history of cricket between the two neighbouring nations. The film aims to blend sports, history and drama, revisiting a defining moment in Indian cricket through a cinematic narrative. The project is also notable for reuniting Aamir Khan with director Ashutosh Gowariker after their iconic collaboration on Lagaan, the Oscar-nominated sports drama that remains one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated films. Their reunion has generated considerable excitement among fans, who are eager to see the duo work together again after more than two decades. The screenplay has been written by Piyush Gupta, known for his work on Dangal and Chhichhore, alongside Neeraj Singh, who co-wrote Nil Battey Sannata. With an experienced writing team and a story rooted in cricket history, the film has already attracted significant attention. Aamir Khan is set to portray Lala Amarnath, India’s first Test cricket captain after the country gained independence. The role is expected to showcase the legendary cricketer’s leadership and contribution to Indian cricket during its formative years. Production on Lalkaara is scheduled to begin on October 1 in Mumbai. With a refreshed cast, a celebrated filmmaker at the helm, and a story inspired by one of cricket’s most memorable eras, the film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sports dramas in the coming years.

  • |

    Escalating clashes in northern Ethiopia spark mass displacement across Sudanese border

    ByJustpaste.in

    Hundreds of displaced Ethiopian citizens from the Tigray region have fled into neighboring Sudan following intense military engagements between regional forces and the Ethiopian national army, raising international concerns over a potential resurgence of full-scale civil war. The recent outbreak of violence centered around Shererina, a strategically sensitive locality near the border with Sudan, marking the most severe military confrontation in the region since the conclusion of the 2020–2022 conflict. Eyewitnesses and regional representatives reported sustained exchanges involving heavy artillery shelling and aerial drone strikes across the weekend. The renewed hostilites follow growing instability surrounding the incomplete execution of the 2022 African Union-mediated peace agreement, alongside the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regaining control over regional administrative institutions. Regional analysts have also expressed concern that the border area could become entangled in the wider Sudanese conflict through external proxy alignments. Both sides have traded blame for initiating the offensive. Officials representing the Tigray regional administration accused federal forces of launching an unprovoked military assault aimed at suppressing the region. Conversely, federal minister Abraham Belay accused TPLF leadership of instigating the skirmishes, warning of severe repercussions while urging both parties to seek a negotiated diplomatic resolution to prevent further devastation. While formal casualty figures remain unconfirmed, Sudanese medical teams and local authorities verified that civilians alongside wounded combatants continue to seek asylum across the border.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *