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  • Powered by Facebook, Pakistani media group holds South Asia’s first social media awards 


Powered by Facebook, Pakistani media group holds South Asia’s first social media awards 

Ayesha Omar and Wajahat Rauf at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited)
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Updated 03 October 2020
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Powered by Facebook, Pakistani media group holds South Asia’s first social media awards 

  • HUM Social Media Awards 2020 ceremony was hosted by Yasir Hussain and Mooroo, and livestreamed on HUM’s official Facebook page 
  • Nominations were based on content creation and interaction achievements across social media platforms 
Updated 03 October 2020
Kaukab Jahan

KARACHI: Pakistani media group Hum Network Limited held South Asia’s first social media awards in an online ceremony on Friday to recognize individuals who have marked their digital presence in the fields of music, entertainment, fashion, sports and content creation.
Sponsored by Facebook, HUM Social Media Awards 2020 was live streamed on HUM’s official Facebook page. The show, which featured a special performance by Asim Azhar, was hosted by screenwriter Yasir Hussain and social media star Mooroo.




Asim Azhar performing at Pakistan’s first social media award ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

Sixteen awards were handed to social media stars in eight categories: entertainment, music, fashion, sports, most popular TV host, most popular web show, most popular content creator, most popular social media portal. Winners attended the ceremony virtually — through audio and video calls.
The complete list of awards with categories is as follow:
ENTERTAINMENT
The award of “Most Popular Actor – Male” was given to Ahad Raza Mir. The actor thanked his fans, saying he considered them as his family since they supported him like close family members.
Sajal Ali got the award of “Most Popular Actor – Female,” who promised to be back on the screen after her wedding with her co-star, Ahad Raza Mir.
Ali and Mir also got two more awards in the categories of “Most Popular On-Screen Couple” and “Most Popular Off-Screen Couple.”
MUSIC
The “Most Popular Music Artist – Male” award went to Atif Aslam while Aima Baig got “Most Popular Music Artist – Female” award.
FASHION
Five awards were given in the Fashion category. Shahzad Noor became the most popular male model and Sadia Khan was declared the most popular female model.
The “Most Popular Designer” award went to Zainub Chotani, the honor of being the “Most Popular Brand” was received by Junaid Jamshed’s J., and Kashif Aslam of Kashees was declared the “Most Popular Makeup Artist.”
SPORTS
The “Most Popular Sports Personality” award was given to cricketer Shahid Afridi.
OTHER CATEGORIES
There were four special awards, three of them for platforms and personalities who got fame and popularity through social media networks.
Fahad Mustafa got the award of the “Most Popular Television Host – Entertainment” while the award of “Most Popular Web Show” went to Voice Over Man.
Zaid Ali T became the “Most Popular Content Creator” and Galaxy Lollywood was declared the “Most Popular Social Media Portal – Entertainment.”
Those who received the awards addressed the audience through prerecorded or live messages. The stage was designed in a retro style of black and yellow, with only a dais and two chairs on it.




Ayesha Omar and Wajahat Rauf at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

We started working on the idea of holding Social Media Awards as people were consuming these platforms more in lockdown,” Hum Network Limited President Sultana Siddiqui told Arab News.
“I feel proud as this is the first time that a TV channel in Pakistan has collaborated with Facebook to recognize the potential of social media,” she said, adding that the awards were a first for the whole region, and even in India an event of this kind had not been organized.
Hassan Salahuddin, head of Facebook Pakistan media partnerships, also expressed excitement about the country’s first-ever social media awards.
“Pakistan’s digital landscape has evolved over the past few years, and content creators have built a unique place in our day-to-day lives by entertaining, inspiring and educating us,” he said. “It is heartening to see them receive acknowledgement and appreciation for their hard work. We will keep extending this support in future as well.”
Nominations were based on achievements across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, social media followership, interaction rate and content created between July 2019 and June 2020.




Hosts with Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

Many famous Pakistani entertainment stars were not taken into account in the nomination process, Siddiqui said, as the criteria of social media presence were strictly followed.
“Facebook was also cross-checking the whole process,” she added.
Winners were selected through votes cast by HUM’s local and international audience on the network’s website between Sept. 10 and Sept. 22.
Organizers, Siddiqui said, see the awards as a “steppingstone” in encouraging and inspiring young and emerging content creators to “utilize their platforms and their abilities to create meaningful and impactful content.”




Hosts Yasir Hussain and Mooroo can be seen at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

But they also recognize the increasing significance of social media.
“Social media is the most efficient medium particularly in the post-COVID-19 scenario,” Hassan Jawed, head HUM’s digital team, said.
“We believe that this is the right time to introduce Pakistan’s first digital awards show to celebrate and honor creative content creators, individuals and businesses who have proved their mettle in the social media landscape of the country.”

Topics: Social Media Awards Pakistan showbiz

Father accused of killing daughter tells UK jury wife told him to confess

Updated 7 sec ago
AFP
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Father accused of killing daughter tells UK jury wife told him to confess

  • Urfan Sharif is accused of murdering Sara Sharif last year, alongside her stepmother and uncle
  • Police found the girl’s body with multiple fractures, bruises, burns and bite marks at her home
Updated 7 sec ago
AFP

LONDON: The father of a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl on trial in London for her murder on Friday said his wife told him to confess to killing his daughter.
Urfan Sharif, 42, is accused of murdering Sara Sharif on August 8 last year, alongside her stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29.
All three deny the charge and of causing or allowing her death.
A jury at the Old Bailey court was told that all three left the family home in Woking, southwest of London, the day after Sara died and flew to Pakistan.
Sara’s body, which had multiple fractures, bruises, burns and bite marks, was found by police after a tip-off from Sharif in Islamabad.
Giving evidence for a fourth day, he said he was devastated by her death but agreed to leave because Batool had told him Sara had been beaten by another of his children, and he feared the consequences for them.
Before leaving, he wrote a note taking the blame. “Whoever sees this note, it’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating,” it read.
But Sharif told the jury that the confession was dictated by his wife.
“I was merely writing, the wording was not mine,” he said, insisting he took the blame to protect his other children.
Before leaving on August 9, 2023, Sharif left the house keys under the doormat, so the police would not have to break through the door, and had resolved to tell the authorities about Sara when he was out of the country.
A recording was played in court of Sharif’s garbled phone call to police in the UK after arriving in Islamabad.
“I killed my daughter, I killed my daughter,” he said.
Instructing police to the house, he said he “left in a panic” and added: “I promise I’ll come back.”
One month later, Sharif, Batool and Malik returned to the UK and were arrested.

Topics: Urfan Sharif

Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

Updated 28 min 51 sec ago
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Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says the initiative will alleviate financial pressure on consumers, stimulate economic activity
  • Relief package will reduce tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial users for three months starting December
Updated 28 min 51 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday a three-month electricity relief package starting in December, aimed at reducing tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers.

The announcement comes after the government faced widespread protests earlier this year over rising inflation and high electricity costs following the presentation of its first budget in June. Political parties urged the Sharif administration to renegotiate agreements with independent power producers to lower tariffs.

Pakistan’s manufacturing sector has also expressed concerns over the years due to the rising cost of electricity, saying the elevated power tariffs render national exports uncompetitive in the global market.

“The government has decided to offer an electricity relief package for the three winter months of December, January and February, providing substantial reductions in electricity prices for additional usage,” the prime minister said during a ceremony in Islamabad.

“Under this package, domestic consumers will pay a flat rate of Rs26.07 per unit for incremental electricity usage, resulting in savings of Rs11.42 to Rs26 per unit for household users,” he continued. “The package will apply across Pakistan.”

Electricity consumers in the country pay their bills according to the number of units that fall into various slabs, each with its own tariff rates.

Under the new winter package, industrial consumers will benefit from savings ranging between Rs5.72 and Rs15 per unit, according to Sharif, translating to an 18 percent to 37 percent reduction in electricity costs.

Commercial consumers are set to save between Rs13.46 and Rs22 per unit, equating to overall savings of 34 percent to 47 percent.

Sharif also emphasized the broader economic benefits of the initiative, saying it would alleviate financial pressures on consumers and stimulate economic activity in the country.

“With reduced electricity costs, industries will grow across Pakistan, agriculture will flourish, business and exports will expand, production will increase and Pakistan’s economy will strengthen further,” he said.

Topics: Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif electricity relief package

No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

Updated 08 November 2024
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No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

  • Mohsin Naqvi’s statement comes amid Indian media reports their team may not play the tournament
  • PCB chief maintains sports should be free from politics, says Pakistan’s preparations are continuing
Updated 08 November 2024
Falak Mahmood Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday there has been no official communication from Indian cricket authorities regarding their national team’s participation in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year, despite recent reports in the Indian media suggesting otherwise.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean the two South Asian rivals only face each other at international tournaments. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the 50-over Asia Cup.
India’s refusal to play on Pakistani soil since then forced the PCB to settle for a “hybrid model” during last year’s Asia Cup, in which only four of the 13 matches were held in Pakistan, with the remaining nine played in Sri Lanka.
“For the past two months, there have been reports in Indian media that the Indian team is not coming [to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy],” Naqvi said during a news conference in Lahore.
“As far as what Indian media is reporting, if the Indian media is reporting this, then with that there must also be a letter that the ICC will give us [Pakistan] or the Indian [cricket] board must have announced [this decision] somewhere,” he continued. “So far, no such letter has reached me or the PCB.”
The ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, marks Pakistan’s first time hosting this prestigious tournament. The PCB has been preparing extensively, investing in stadium upgrades and infrastructure improvements to meet international standards.
Naqvi emphasized the need to keep sports free from political influence, adding the preparations for the Champions Trophy would continue as planned with hopes for a successful event.
The ICC has previously expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s preparations, signaling that the tournament remains on track.
The PCB chief said during his media talk he was in contact with the cricket authorities in other countries, saying they were all excited about the upcoming event and wanted to play the tournament in Pakistan.

Topics: Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan vs India Pakistan India Cricket

Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

  • UAE minister of state for foreign trade calls on Pakistani PM Sharif
  • In May, Pakistan said UAE had committed $10 billion in investments
Updated 08 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the UAE on Friday signed four MoUs in the sectors of customs, rail and airport infrastructure, maritime shipping and logistics, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office in Islamabad said in a statement.
The MoUs were signed between the Pakistani ministries of maritime affairs, aviation and railways and the Federal Board of Revenue with the Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group.
“As per these MoUs, Pakistan and AD Ports Group would explore potential collaboration in customs, rail, airport infrastructure and maritime shipping and logistics sectors,” the PM’s office said after Sharif met a delegation of UAE investors led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade.
“These MoUs are aimed at improving digital customs controls, developing dedicated freight rail corridors, upgrading Pakistan’s maritime fleet and marine services, as well as Pakistan’s international airports.”
Sharif said the delegation’s visit demonstrated that the UAE government wanted to enhance its “investment footprint” in Pakistan and continue to play a “crucial role” in boosting Pakistan’s economy.
“The Prime Minister highlighted the comprehensive economic partnership between the two nations across sectors such as trade, energy, and investment, which has contributed to growth and prosperity in both countries.”
The UAE delegation’s visit to Pakistan comes as Islamabad is seeking to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations. 
In May this, Pakistan said the UAE had committed $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan.
Riyadh has also promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Pakistan desperately needs to shore up its dwindling foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion last month.

Topics: Abu Dhabi Ports Karachi port Pakistan UAE ties

UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail

Updated 08 November 2024
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UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail

  • The UN body asks the government to release all civilians detained under the jurisdiction of military courts
  • It expressed concern over ‘increasing trend of enforced disappearances,’ as well as torture, other rights issues
Updated 08 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Thursday expressed concerns over Pakistan’s use of military courts to prosecute civilians, calling for immediate reforms to safeguard due process and fair trial standards in the country.
The committee, an expert body established under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, one of the core international human rights treaties, primarily monitors its implementation by member states.
Pakistan first expanded military courts’ jurisdiction in recent years to include civilians in terrorism-related cases and lifted its moratorium on the death penalty following the killings of over 100 school children in an attack in Peshawar carried out by militants in 2014.
It has also tried supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in these courts following the May 9, 2023, riots, in which people carrying PTI flags targeted government buildings and military installations after the ex-premier was briefly detained on corruption charges.
“The Committee remains concerned about the use of the Pakistan Army Act 1952 to prosecute civilians in military courts,” said the review document prepared by the UN body. “It is also concerned about reports that indicate a very high rate of convictions handed down by military courts and that those convicted have been sentenced to death in the majority of cases between 2015 and 2019.”
“It is further concerned that military courts lack independence and that civilians tried in military courts do not benefit from the same due process guarantees as those provided for in the civilian judicial system,” it added.
The UN body noted that Pakistan’s Supreme Court had declared the military trial of civilians unconstitutional and contrary to international human rights standards last year in October, though it added that the ruling was suspended, and expressed concern that civilians could remain under military court jurisdiction until the top court issues a final verdict.
“The State party should take prompt measures to review the legislation on military courts, abrogate their jurisdiction over civilians and their authority to impose the death penalty, and bring their proceedings into full conformity with articles 14 and 15 of the Covenant in order to ensure a fair trial,” the document said. “The State party should also release on bail all civilians detained under the jurisdiction of military courts.”
Additionally, the UN body raised broader human rights concerns in the country, noting “the increasing trend of enforced disappearances,” as well as torture and extrajudicial executions.
It particularly mentioned “arbitrary restrictions, in law and in practice, on freedom of expression online and offline, including the broad and alarmingly frequent use of Internet shutdowns,” pointing out that the overall environment in the country makes it difficult to exercise freedom of expression by journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
The UN rights body’s findings and recommendations are not legally binding on member states. However, they carry significant weight and can be used to inform advocacy efforts and to apply diplomatic pressure on countries to adhere to human rights obligations.

Topics: military trial Pakistan Army Pakistan Humanitarian Forum

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