Virgin Atlantic Airways to handle its Passenger and Cargo operations in Pakistan

Karachi, 10th December 2020 – Gerry’s dnata, a joint venture of Ground Handling Services between dnata Dubai and Gerry’s Group Pakistan, today announces its partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways by becoming the airline’s preferred Ground Services Provider (GSP) for Lahore-London and Islamabad-London/Manchester flight operations in Pakistan.

Virgin Atlantic Airways is scheduled to operate this week from Lahore and Islamabad with direct flights to London. In its extended plans, Manchester route will be opened for direct flights from Islamabad. Whereas, Virgin Atlantic Cargo had stepped into Pakistani territory on 8th December 2020.

Haris Raza, CEO, Gerry’s dnata said “We have a firm commitment to delivering high-quality and safe ground-handling services in Pakistan which is fundamental to our success in this market. We have proudly played an integral part in keeping the global supply chain going during 2020 and are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Atlantic Cargo to Gerry’s dnata family in Pakistan with our full suite of ground handling and cargo services.”

At the onset of COVID-19, several airlines with well-established operations in Pakistan made a strategically benefitting decision to switch to Gerry’s dnata services. These airlines include Etihad Airways which previously worked with a small local player, Azerbaijan Airlines which resumed operations through charter services after a strategic move out of Pakistani market and Pegasus Airline, the second carrier operating out of Turkey.

Gerry’s dnata’s trajectory over the last seven years tells a compelling story of transformation, making it an uncontested leader in the ground handling services market of Pakistan. With a clientele base of 13 scheduled passenger airlines, 10 cargo airlines and more than 30 charter operators as partners, the ground handling services landscape is dominantly secured by Gerry’s dnata. Currently, it provides its services to 07 stations across Pakistan and holds the accolade of being the only transformational market player with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning backed cargo warehouse operation system.

Babar Azam gets ruled out of T20 series

Karachi: After suffering a fracture in his right thumb during the practice session on Sunday morning, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was omitted from the New Zealand T20Is.

Babar will not be able to engage in nets for at least 12 days, as per the information, therefore, he will not be eligible for the T20Is which are soon going to be played in Auckland, Hamilton, and Napier, respectively, for the 18, 20, and 22 December.

In the meantime, Vice-Captain Shadab Khan of Pakistan T20I is also carrying a groin niggle, which reduced him to batting only in net sessions on Sunday.

The day after Imam-ul-Haq had also broken his left thumb during a throw-down session, the Pakistani skipper sustained the wound.

Pakistani head coach Misbah-ul-Haq also shared his opinions on the new developments, saying, “Injuries are part of sports but it is incredibly frustrating to lose a remarkable player like Babar Azam for the T20Is”, “yet this opens up an opportunity for the other talented players to play their part.” he added.

The squad for T20Is New Zealand includes: 

Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Musa Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan (Captain), Abdullah Shafique. Babar Azam Azam (withdrawn due to injury)

Pakistan Shaheens for the four-day New Zealand ‘A’ match: 

Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar, and Zeeshan Malik. Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Imam-ul-Haq (withdrawn due to injury)

Google outage, a rude awakening

On Monday Google users experienced a brief service outage which prevented them from using google applications like Google Docs, Youtube, and email. 

The ‘Google outage’ as BBC calls it, lasted for less than an hour. The breakdown of applications was not just faced by users in the UK but also across the globe as many complained about the problem accessing Google Drive, Gmail, Maps, Android Play Store, and other frequently used applications.

A plethora of workers who are dependent on Google mobile and desktop applications, notably suffered due to the outage.

Some of them took social media to complain about the issue they just faced saying “I’m sitting here in the dark… because the light is controlled by @Google Home. Rethinking a lot right now”

https://twitter.com/joemfbrown/status/1338452107419148290

While others who replied on the same post said, 

“Time to get some Google Candles”.

https://twitter.com/rynprry/status/1338461501401731072

A user took the opportunity to joke about Google having so much access to our personal data said, 

“And just think about how Google must feel, not being able to know what room you’re in right now, or what you are listening to, or what you are watching.”

https://twitter.com/kiptw/status/1338472352879931399

Another commented,

https://twitter.com/cri/status/1338466844366303234

Although the outage lasted only for a few minutes, it was a rude awakening of how millions of people are relying on Google for everything.

 

UNICEF and PSDF to create Job Opportunities to the Youth

Karachi: Today, as part of the ‘Age Limitless’ collaboration in Pakistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) have signed a partnership agreement to undertake a research and development project in support of youth education, skills development and job placement.

In order to develop the capabilities and employability of the most marginalized and culturally, socially deprived teens and youth, the agreement will support study, build, and pre-test an accelerated and cost-effective ‘Non-Formal School to Work Placement’ model. It serves young people and youth who have never completed formal education or who have aged out of the formal education system without attaining primary education skills and who do not have access to education and economic opportunities.

PSDF will work with UNICEF, federal and provincial governments, and partners from civil society organisations and the private sector to establish and pre-test the ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model in Punjab.

It seeks to provide a special, comprehensive approach by (1) concurrently offering options for youth and young adults aged 10-19 who are outside the formal school system to participate in an Advanced Learning Programme.

Through this they will acquire essential literacy and numeracy skills at primary school; (2) empower those who have attained grade 5 skill level with employment and entrepreneurship skills through preparation to improve their capacity to access generational prospects for non-hazardous income; and (3) connect young people who have successfully graduated from the programme to the labor market.

“We are proud that UNICEF has partnered in Pakistan with PSDF for this landmark initiative to educate and empower out-of-school teenagers,” said Mr Jawad Khan, PSDF CEO.

“This is recognition of PSDF as the most innovative and progressive development sector organization in Pakistan. PSDF has deep knowledge in skills training gained through managing large evidence-based and demand-driven programs, operational excellence achieved through working with largest international donors, and unmatched ability to deliver results as PSDF graduates generate annual incomes of PKR 20 Billion.”

The project is part of the ‘Generation Limitless’ (GenU) collaboration in Pakistan, which aims to establish a movement to help young people gain the education and skills training needed to access job opportunities, particularly teenage girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 19.

The multi-sector partnership forum of GenU brings together government, private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners and forges creative partnerships with young people to extend and connect formal education and skills development.

UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Ms Aida Girma, said “Pakistan has the largest generation of young people in its history, which provides unique challenges as well as opportunities,”

It embraces the ‘Age Infinite’ vision of putting together public and private partners to engage in young people in order to help them fulfill their potential whilst fostering economic and social growth.

As a first step, the model will be built and pre-tested in Punjab. In the future, the aim is to introduce parallel projects in other provinces to attract millions of young people who lack resources.

The last Solar eclipse of 2020 to Occur on Monday

Karachi: On Saturday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) informed that the last 2020 solar eclipse will occur on Monday.

However, this solar eclipse in the country and the South Asian region will be invisible to the naked eye.

The eclipse will begin at 6:34 pm and end at 11:53 pm, according to the PMD. 

This eclipse will only be visible in totality from the southern end of South America and regions of the Atlantic and Pacific. However, it will be possible to catch the sight of this amazing event from anywhere through Livestream. 

The last phenomenal solar eclipse of 2020 will last for a few minutes.

Fuel Delivery Ship targeted in Saudi Arabia

The fuel delivery ship was targeted on Monday by an explosive-charged boat in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom.

The Singapore-flagged owner of the oil tanker reported that he had been hit by a blast in the Jeddah fuel terminal during a “terrorist” strike.

In a statement, shipping company Hafnia said on Monday that all 22 sailors on board the BW Rhine had survived without damage. The company cautioned that any oil might spill from the blast site while the company said, adding parts of the ship’s hull had been destroyed.

A ministry spokesman said that the assault ensued a small fire which was extinguished quickly. Luckily no casualties occurred as a result of the incident, neither was there any harm done to the unloading facilities, nor any supplies.

If Yemen’s Houthi mutineers were the perpetrators, this would mark a paradigm change in both targeting capabilities and purpose, Some analysts have concluded.

 

Imran Khan visits Sialkot to Inaugurate Air Sial

Karachi: PM Imran khan cut the ribbon on Wednesday to inaugurate a private airline of Pakistan which Sialkot’s business community unveiled.

While speaking on the occasion, the Prime minister applauded the airline, saying it is an “excellent initiative”, which will be rewarding for the business community in Sialkot.

Khan also mentioned that he had no doubt the airline would be beneficial for Pakistan in every way.

The PM also congratulated the community for establishing an airport and expressed his heartfelt hope in the business community to run the airline competently.

Furthermore, he resentfully mentioned that the entire world’s economy has met with a great challenge due to the pandemic, and Pakistan was no exception, but the government tactfully managed to guard the livelihoods of the people even with so much pressure to impose a lockdown.

Air Sial is the brainchild of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has a fleet of three Airbus A320-200s that will operate flights to and from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Sialkot. 

The vice-chairman of Air Sial, Fazal Jilani, said that the airline had received the Aviation Division’s permission in 2017 to run its operations and aims to start its flights to foreign countries.

The Sialkot businessmen community received a collection of funds from the city to build an airport.

Social Media Mocks Boris Johnson For Confusing Indian Farmers’ Protest with Pakistan

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent confusing comments about Indian Farmers’ protest revealed the leader’s lack of knowledge on the issue.

He said, “Our view is that of course, we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan. 

He continued, “But these are pre-eminently matters between those two governments to settle, and I know he appreciates this point.”

Johnson was responding to Sikh Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who highlighted the “massive” problem in India.

Singh asked the British Prime Minister, “will the prime minister convey to the Indian prime minister our heartfelt anxieties and our hopes for a speedy resolution to the current deadlock, and does he agree that everyone has a fundamental right to peaceful protest?”

Johnson appeared “absolutely clueless” over Delhi’s protest and mistook the matter with the continuing conflict between India and Pakistan. 

After his comments, Johnson met with mocking remarks on social media on Wednesday. Afzal Khan, a British member of Parliament, tweeted, “The PM responded with a rehearsed  & unrelated answer about India & Pakistan”.

He added, “The issue has nothing to do with India and Pakistan. Incredible,”

Zahra Sultana, another Member Parliament, remarked in her tweet, “Is it too much to ask for a PM who knows the difference between Kashmir and Punjab?”

The protests are taking place in India since Modi’s government passed three Farm Laws that will advantage large organizations and undermine thousands of farmers’ livelihoods.

Ertugrul falls in love with Pakistan and is ready to work here

Karachi: Diriliş: Ertuğrul’s hardcore fans were excited as they heard the news of Engin Altan Duzyatan, the main lead of the historical Turkish series, arriving in Lahore on Thursday.

The lead actor arrived in Pakistan for two days at the invitation of a private organization. 

In a press conference held on Thursday, the famous Turkish drama celebrity thanked the Prime Minister for suggesting the TV series. He also thanked the ardent viewers of the Ertugrul Drama for loving his character and praising his acting.

The star was awe-inspired to see so much love and adoration for him in Pakistan as fans sprayed him with affection and greeted the Ertugrul star with open arms.

When asked about acting in the Pakistani industry, Altan showed his interest in working here saying, “if you have a good story for me, why not?” and his zealots couldn’t be more excited.

According to the sources, the star has expressed excitement about seeing Pakistan and meeting all his fans too.

During his media talk, the Turkish star said that he knew Pakistani people love me but “I did not expect this” he exclaimed, while pointing at the large crowd, “I hope this Turkish and Pakistani brotherhood will be continued” he added. He left the crowd in awe as he spoke some Urdu words like, “Lahore, Lahore hai”.

Altan is a protagonist of the ongoing Turkish series who took the Pakistani audience by storm through his remarkable acting and good looks.

Watch Total Solar Eclipse via Livestream

The total solar eclipse of 2020 has started at 6:34 pm according to Pakistan’s standard time. Millions of people are relishing the moment through online platforms like youtube and Facebook.

This spectacular scene is partially visible from the Pacific, Atlantic, Antarctica,  most of South America, southern parts of Africa, and the Indian Ocean while people from Chile and a few parts of Argentina are able to witness a complete eclipse.

The last eclipse of 2020 will end at 11:53 pm. 

Solar eclipses take place as the moon begins to move as seen from Earth in front of the sun. When the moon blocks the whole sun and causes a complete eclipse, while it often covers half of the sun in a partial eclipse. 

Solar eclipses don’t occur every month since the orbit of the moon is rotated with respect to the sun and is not always lined up with the star.

For skywatchers here is the video from CosmoSapiens youtube channel.

A mistake is treated like a sin on social media, Mawra Hocane

In a recent interview, a renowned Pakistani actress, Mawra Hocane divulged that there was a time when she was so dispirited by trolls and animosity on social media that she was on the brink of quitting her acting career entirely. 

She mentioned that an artist’s success is determined, In the contemporary world, by their following social networking sites. But five years ago, this was not the case. Unlike other fellow stars, Hocane was already using Instagram and attracting plenty of followers while others were just getting to know about it.

The 28-year-old star recalled how little she knew about Instagram saying “I didn’t know a thing about Instagram” and that she used that platform only for the sake of enjoyment where she’d post her pictures. 

She recounted that her co-stars would always get excited about what she was doing to which she would tell them about the app called ‘Instagram’. They used to get confused because no one in their wildest dream had ever imagined it was going to be so big,” 

People began to ask Hocane to use the ‘forum’ to teach other actors and individuals to which she always said, “social media is nothing without us.”

The Sabaat actor alluded to the ridicule she had to face and still faces occasionally, she said, “I’m coming to terms with all these negative remarks made on social media, but six years ago it was very difficult.” Like, right now if I’m giving an interview, it’s likely I could say something wrong. But I learned that when it hits social media, something bad that comes out of your mouth is no longer wrong, it becomes a sin.

Meesha in hot water over false accusations against Ali Zafar

Meesha Shafi and eight others are in hot water over defaming singer Ali Zafar on social media and as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has declared the singer guilty asked the trial court to take action.

FIA, after getting done with the investigation, ​​completed the challan on December 15 and submitted it to the prosecution.

relevant: Meesha Shafi shares her picture of “not going to jail”

In the legal document it is said that Mesha Shafi and eight others falsely accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment on social media yet we’re unable to provide any evidence in this regard. Eight accused including Meesha Shafi, actress Effat Umar, Ali Gul Pir, Mahim Javed and Lena Ghani have been found guilty.

The guilty star, Meesha Shafi in 2018, took to Twitter to censure the co-singer Ali Zafar of physically harassing her on more than one occasion. In response to the erroneous, Ali Zafar filed a defamation suit against Mesha.

Despite being innocent, Ali Zafar claimed that the Coke studio singer used her Twitter account on April 19, 2018 to publish derogatory words and erroneous accusations against him.

related: Harassment case: The Supreme Court grants singer Mesha Shafi’s appeal for a preliminary hearing

The accused were given numerous chances to defend themselves but could not give sufficient justification and proof.

In the weeks before Mesha Shafi’s allegations of sexual harassment, a vicious campaign was initiated against Zafar by different fake accounts.

Modi’s Office is Available on OLX for Sale

Karachi: Is there a buyer because Modi’s office is available on OLX for sale.

An advertisement has been put up, according to media reports, an attempt has been made to sell the office of Indian Prime Minister Modi.

India’s PM office, in Varanasi constituency, was asked to be sold on OLX and the price of the office was set at Rs 75 million. After the advertisement on OLX, many people expressed their desire to buy Modi’s office. When the case came to light, the police arrested four people on the charge and are now investigating why they did it.

The news caused panic among the security agencies and the Modi government. Indian security agencies, cybercrime, sold Modi’s office on OLX. Investigate the advertisement, after which the security agencies have arrested some people.

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