pmln wins top
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PML-N wins top AJK Assembly posts with clear major…

ByJustpaste.in

MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured both key parliamentary positions in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, with Chaudhry Tariq Farooq elected speaker and Ahmed Raza Qadri chosen as deputy speaker.

Both PML-N nominees secured 32 votes each in the 53-member assembly during separate elections held on Tuesday.

For the speaker’s position, PML-N Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq faced Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) nominee Qasim Majeed. A total of 46 lawmakers participated in the voting.

Farooq received 32 votes, while Majeed secured 13. One vote was declared invalid.

Following the result, outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar administered the oath to Farooq. He subsequently handed over charge of the assembly to the newly elected speaker.

Farooq then chaired the election for the deputy speaker’s office. The PML-N nominated Ahmed Raza Qadri, while the PPP fielded Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone.

The voting pattern remained unchanged, with 46 lawmakers casting ballots. Qadri secured 32 votes against Lone’s 13, while one vote was declared invalid.

Farooq administered the oath of office to the newly elected deputy speaker after the announcement of the result.

The successful elections give the PML-N control of the two most important parliamentary offices in the AJK Assembly.

The party emerged as the largest political force in the recent AJK elections. Polling was held in three phases between July 27 and August 10.

The PML-N won 25 of the 38 directly contested seats, while the PPP secured 12. The lone elected member of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu later joined the PML-N, further strengthening its position in the assembly.

Members of the newly formed assembly congratulated Farooq and Qadri after they took charge of their respective offices. They expressed hope that the new leadership would ensure effective parliamentary proceedings and strengthen the functioning of the legislative institution.

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    Google slapped with $1bn EU fine, holds talks to dodge further penalties

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    The European Union has fined Google about €890 million, or $1 billion. The fine punishes Google for breaking EU rules meant to control the power of big tech companies. But regulators also hinted that no more fines are coming soon, because Google is making good progress toward following the rules. The fine has two parts. The first part, €460 million, is for Google favoring its own products. When people search for things like shopping, hotels, flights, or sports scores, Google often showed its own results first instead of treating competitors fairly. The second part, €430 million, is about the Google Play app store. Google had stopped app makers from telling users about cheaper deals outside the app store. This is the first time Google has been fined under this specific EU law, called the Digital Markets Act. But counting older cases, Google has now paid six fines for unfair business practices. In total, the company has paid more than €10 billion in EU fines over about twenty years. EU officials said they are just enforcing the law. “Our job is to make sure the rules are followed,” said Teresa Ribera, the EU’s top antitrust official. Another official, Henna Virkkunen, said the goal is fair competition. Google now has 60 days to fix its practices. Google is not happy. A company spokesperson said the changes will hurt features people like, such as quick pricing for hotels and flights. He said the ruling is not really about fair competition, it is making Google’s products worse to please a small number of complainers. Even so, there is good news for Google too. The EU said Google has already started testing new ways of showing search results more fairly. It called this real progress. The EU may also apply the same rules to Google’s AI tools, like AI Overviews. Talks about this are still ongoing. Google’s changes to its app store rules were also seen as a step in the right direction. This fight is happening while tensions rise between the US and EU. The Trump administration says Europe is unfairly targeting American companies and has threatened tariffs in response. Some US lawmakers agree. Google’s fine comes after the EU already fined Apple and Meta last year under the same law. It shows the EU is serious about controlling big tech, even as pressure grows from the US side.

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    Cortis urges fans to put phones down

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    SEOUL: K-pop boy band Cortis is challenging a growing concert habit by asking fans to put their phones away and experience performances without constantly recording them. The group made the message central to its ongoing global tour, which is also titled “Put Your Phone Down.” The tour began in Incheon on July 18 and is scheduled to travel to several international cities before returning to Seoul later this month. During the opening show, one of the members repeatedly called on the audience to put their phones down. While some fans followed the request, thousands continued filming the performance on their devices. The band’s message has sparked debate among fans, particularly within K-pop culture, where concert videos and fancams play an important role. Fans frequently record their favourite artists and share the footage online, where clips are used to revisit performances, study choreography and capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Some concertgoers said recording was important because live shows can be rare and expensive experiences. One 22-year-old fan said she had even rented a high-end smartphone specifically to capture Cortis’s performances. She explained that she records concerts because memories of the event can fade quickly once the show ends. Others welcomed the group’s approach. A 25-year-old concertgoer said she noticed fans dancing and enjoying themselves more freely when they were not focused on their screens. The debate reflects a wider discussion in the global music industry. Several international artists have introduced restrictions on phone use during concerts, including systems that place devices inside locked pouches for the duration of performances. Cortis, however, appears to be taking a less restrictive approach. Rather than completely banning phones, the group has encouraged fans to treat putting their devices away as a way of being more present during the show. The band’s message also softened during its second concert. According to fans who attended, the members acknowledged that people naturally wanted to record the performances but urged them to maintain a balance between filming and enjoying the experience. The group has rapidly gained attention since making its debut under BigHit Music. Its members are mostly teenagers, while the oldest member, James, is 20. Cortis has also expanded its international profile, recently performing at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. The band’s name comes from the phrase “colour outside the lines,” reflecting its stated image of challenging conventions. Its campaign against excessive phone use appears to follow that same spirit. Rather than treating concert filming as simply right or wrong, Cortis is encouraging fans to remember that a live performance is also about direct interaction between artists and their audience.

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    JI secretary general Ameerul Azeem laid to rest af…

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    Dee Wallace reflects on her healing journey after …

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    More than four decades after captivating audiences as Mary in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, actress Dee Wallace is reflecting on the personal transformation that followed one of Hollywood’s most beloved films. While the 1982 Steven Spielberg classic brought her worldwide recognition, Wallace says the greatest changes in her life happened away from the cameras, as she focused on emotional healing and self-discovery. (people.com⁠) Speaking in a recent interview with People magazine, the 77-year-old actress explained that success alone did not bring lasting happiness. Instead, she realized that meaningful change required looking inward and addressing the emotional patterns that had shaped her life for years. Wallace said that healing became a priority, allowing her to move forward with greater confidence and a healthier outlook. According to Wallace, one of the biggest shifts she made was changing the way she viewed herself. She explained that she stopped defining her worth through other people’s opinions and began focusing on self-love, personal responsibility, and emotional growth. The actress believes that this mindset helped her build stronger relationships and approach both life and work with a renewed sense of purpose. (people.com⁠) Wallace has long spoken about the connection between emotional well-being and overall happiness. Over the years, she has become an advocate for positive thinking and personal empowerment, often sharing her experiences through workshops, books, and public appearances. She says that learning to let go of fear and embrace forgiveness played a significant role in her healing journey. The actress is best remembered for portraying Mary, the caring single mother in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film starred Henry Thomas as Elliott, a young boy who forms an unforgettable friendship with a stranded alien. Upon its release in 1982, the movie became a global phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of its era. Its heartfelt story continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Although E.T. remains a defining moment in Wallace’s career, she says her personal evolution has been equally meaningful. Looking back, she believes that fame offered opportunities, but healing gave her peace. That perspective has shaped the choices she has made throughout the decades, both professionally and personally. Today, Wallace continues acting while also inspiring others through motivational speaking and writing. Her message is simple yet powerful: lasting fulfillment comes from working on yourself, not just celebrating external achievements. She hopes her own experiences encourage others to embrace healing and believe that positive change is always possible. As fans continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Wallace’s reflections offer a reminder that some of life’s most important victories happen behind the scenes. Her journey from Hollywood success to personal healing shows that true transformation begins from within. (people.com⁠)

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    FinMin Aurangzeb seeks US backing for global marke…

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    Pakistan has sought stronger support from the United States to improve its access to international capital markets, strengthen foreign exchange reserves and enhance its sovereign credit ratings as part of its broader strategy to accelerate economic growth and attract foreign investment. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed these priorities during a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. The meeting focused on Pakistan’s economic progress, financial reforms and opportunities to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries. During the talks, Aurangzeb briefed the US treasury secretary on Pakistan’s improving economic outlook. He said the country has successfully moved beyond the phase of macroeconomic stabilization and is now entering a period focused on sustainable, export-led growth. He noted that ongoing structural reforms and prudent fiscal management have helped improve economic stability and restore investor confidence. The finance minister also highlighted the challenges posed by regional geopolitical tensions. He said instability in the region has affected Pakistan’s economy and continues to create uncertainty for trade, investment and financial markets. He emphasized that stronger international cooperation would help Pakistan maintain economic stability despite these external challenges. Aurangzeb requested greater US support to help Pakistan improve access to international capital markets. He said easier access to global financing would strengthen the country’s financial position, increase foreign exchange reserves and improve sovereign credit ratings, making Pakistan more attractive to international investors. The two sides also discussed ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation. They reviewed opportunities to increase US investment in Pakistan and explored prospects for advancing strategic development and investment projects that could strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic relations, promoting investment and supporting initiatives aimed at expanding trade and long-term financial cooperation. Separately, Aurangzeb held a virtual meeting from Washington with senior representatives of international banking consortia participating in Pakistan’s Global Medium-Term Note Programme and International Sukuk Programme. The meeting marked the beginning of a strategic partnership with selected international financial institutions that will assist Pakistan in raising funds from global capital markets through both conventional bonds and Islamic financing instruments. The banking consortia have been appointed for a three-year period and will support future sovereign bond and Sukuk issuances whenever the government decides to enter international financial markets in line with its financing strategy. Officials said Pakistan’s return to international capital markets has become more feasible due to significant improvements in the country’s macroeconomic environment. Continued fiscal discipline, stronger external financial buffers, better debt management and ongoing structural reforms have improved investor confidence and strengthened Pakistan’s economic credibility. Government officials believe these improvements have also contributed to better market sentiment, with international investors showing growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic reforms and long-term growth prospects.

  • Nikahnama rules face review, registrars could face jail

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    Islamabad: Pakistan’s marriage law could face a major review after a parliamentary committee questioned the existing legal provision dealing with second marriage, while a separate proposal seeks jail time and a fine for Nikah registrars who fail to complete a Nikahnama properly. The Council of Islamic Ideology also agreed that the second marriage issue required reconsideration and said it would work towards a new legal framework based on the Quran and Sunnah. The discussion took place during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. One main issue was a proposed amendment to the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance. The proposal seeks to make it compulsory for every Nikah registrar or Nikah Khawan to accurately fill all columns of the Nikahnama using information given by the bride and groom under oath. Under the proposed law, failure to properly complete the Nikahnama could lead to simple imprisonment of up to one month and a fine of Rs 25,001. The punishment has only been proposed and has not yet become law. The Council of Islamic Ideology supported the proposal requiring Nikah registrars to correctly complete the Nikahnama. However, the council raised objections to some other proposed changes in the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, particularly amendments involving Sections 6 and 7. The CII said those proposed provisions were inconsistent with its understanding of Islamic injunctions. The discussion then moved to one of the most sensitive parts of Pakistan’s marriage law: the existing provision dealing with a second marriage. The committee chairman questioned whether the current legal requirement should continue in its present form and said the provision should be reconsidered according to Shariah principles. The Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology agreed that the matter required another review. He told the committee that the council would work towards proposing a new legal framework based on the Quran and Sunnah. No final change to the second marriage law was approved during the meeting. The issue will require further consideration before any new legal framework can become law. Another major part of the discussion concerned the Nikahnama itself. Senator Sarmad Ali proposed changes to make the Nikahnama easier for people to understand. The proposal aims to remove unclear wording from the headings of different columns so that brides, grooms and Nikah registrars are less likely to misunderstand what information is required. The committee was informed that the government had already discussed implementation of updated Nikahnama forms with the Ministry of Interior and the Islamabad administration. The concerned department was expected to print and circulate the revised Nikahnama forms in Islamabad and provide a report on implementation. However, the committee was told that a response from the concerned authorities was still awaited. The proposed reforms could make the Nikahnama more important than simply being a marriage registration document. If the proposed amendment is approved, Nikah registrars would carry a clear legal responsibility to ensure that every required column is filled correctly according to the information provided by both the bride and groom. The proposed punishment is intended to discourage incomplete forms and incorrect entries. Supporters of the change believe clearer Nikahnama forms could reduce confusion and disputes that may arise when important marriage conditions are left blank or written unclearly. At the same time, the debate over second marriage could become a much larger legal and religious issue. The committee has not recommended the removal or replacement of the existing provision at this stage. Instead, the matter is expected to be examined further with input from the Council of Islamic Ideology. The committee also decided that relevant provisions of the proposed marriage law amendments would be reconsidered after reviewing the CII recommendations. For now, the two major Nikah related developments are clear. Lawmakers are considering stronger responsibility and possible punishment for Nikah registrars who fail to properly complete marriage documents, while the existing law governing second marriage has also been opened for possible review under a new framework based on Islamic principles.

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