Latest news with #Bashir
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PTI alleges corruption in bulletproof car purchase
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sharply criticised the Punjab government's decision to allocate Rs730 million for the purchase of bulletproof vehicles, calling it a symbol of extravagant spending amid worsening economic conditions for the general public. In a statement, Shayan Bashir, Head of PTI Punjab's Media Cell, condemned the move as "a blatant display of anti-people governance." He said the government's priorities are misaligned with the needs of the population, who are facing critical shortages of affordable flour, electricity, and medicine. Bashir highlighted that over 35 million people in Punjab live below the poverty line and a 15% tax on medicines has further restricted access to healthcare. He pointed to alarming maternal mortality rates — 165 deaths per 100,000 births — as well as rising costs in the agricultural sector, with farmers grappling with a 25% increase in fertiliser prices, higher water bills, and poor returns on wheat. "Unemployment has crossed 7.5%, yet the government continues to spend lavishly on itself instead of addressing the basic needs of the people," Bashir said, adding that many communities still lack clean drinking water and sufficient food. He also recalled a previous approval of Rs7.5 billion for luxury vehicle procurement, alleging a continued lack of transparency from the Punjab Finance Department. On July 7, Bashir submitted a formal request for records related to the purchase and usage of the vehicles. In its reply, the department denied responsibility and referred the matter to other government bodies.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PTI slams Punjab's Rs730m bulletproof vehicle purchase
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sharply criticised the Punjab government's decision to allocate Rs730 million for the purchase of bulletproof vehicles, calling it a symbol of extravagant spending amid worsening economic conditions for the general public. In a statement, PTI Punjab's Media Cell Head Shayan Bashir condemned the move as 'a blatant display of anti-people governance.' He said the government's priorities are misaligned with the needs of the population, who are facing critical shortages of affordable flour, electricity, and medicine. Bashir highlighted that over 35 million people in Punjab live below the poverty line and a 15% tax on medicines has further restricted access to healthcare. He pointed to alarming maternal mortality rates—165 deaths per 100,000 births—as well as rising costs in the agricultural sector, with farmers grappling with a 25% increase in fertiliser prices, higher water bills, and poor returns on wheat. Read More: PTI won't recontest disqualified seats: Imran 'Unemployment has crossed 7.5%, yet the government continues to spend lavishly on itself instead of addressing the basic needs of the people,' Bashir said, adding that many communities still lack clean drinking water and sufficient food. He also recalled a previous approval of Rs7.5 billion for luxury vehicle procurement, alleging a continued lack of transparency from the Punjab Finance Department. On July 7, Bashir submitted a formal request for records related to the purchase and usage of the vehicles. In its reply, the department denied responsibility and referred the matter to other government bodies. 'This response either reflects dangerous administrative incompetence or a deeply rooted corruption scandal,' he stated. He accused the department of violating the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, which obligates public institutions to disclose such information. Bashir also criticised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, accusing her administration of masking systemic corruption with populist rhetoric. 'This is undeniable evidence of administrative dishonesty,' he said. He vowed that PTI Punjab would pursue legal and constitutional avenues, as well as public protest, to challenge what he termed 'exploitative governance.'
New York Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
A Book About War-Torn Afghanistan That Reads Like a Novel
THE AFGHANS: Three Lives Through War, Love, and Revolt, by Asne Seierstad; translated by Seán Kinsella Afghanistan has largely disappeared from the news since the Taliban took over in August 2021, in a victory that restored the restrictive Islamic movement to power, humiliated the United States and crushed Afghan women who had embraced the Western notion that they could follow their dreams. In light of this neglect, Asne Seierstad's new book, 'The Afghans,' is a valuable addition to the canon of literature on the country. A Norwegian journalist who has published several other books set in war-torn countries, including the best-selling 'The Bookseller of Kabul' (2003), Seierstad writes compellingly, with an eye for the details and dialogue that make her subjects come to life. She manages to achieve a rare intimacy, something that is tough in a book about Afghanistan, a place where outsiders are seldom allowed inside homes and most men don't speak the names of their wives publicly. But her book also raises questions about how she constructs her narrative nonfiction. At nearly 430 pages, 'The Afghans' is a sprawling epic focused largely on three figures whose lives Seierstad recounts with vivid granularity: Jamila, a high-powered women's advocate; Bashir, a Taliban commander; and Ariana, a young law student (Seierstad has changed her name to protect her privacy). Through their stories, the book also traces the country's complicated recent history — from the Soviet invasion of 1979 through an American-backed insurgency, civil war, the initial rise of the Taliban, the return of the United States and its allies after 9/11, and, finally, the restoration of the Taliban after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. For nearly 20 years, between 2001 and 2021, Western intervention created a unique laboratory in Afghanistan's major cities, primarily in Kabul, the capital, for testing what a version of democracy could mean in a country where the Taliban had banned women from the public sphere and required everyone to conform to their vision of a strict Islamic way of life. Women shed burqas and joined the work force. Boys dressed in Western clothes, watched Bollywood movies and hoped to build a new Afghanistan. Girls started school. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
News18
31-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Not Shoaib Bashir! Nathan Lyon Feels 34-Year-Old Star Is England's Best Spinner
Last Updated: Since making his Test debut for England against India in Vizag last year, Shoaib Bashir has dismissed 68 batters in 19 matches played so far. Shoaib Bashir was England's first-choice spin bowler in the ongoing five-match Test series against India. The 21-year-old spinner, who made his Test debut for Poms against India in Visakhapatnam last year, dismissed a total of 10 Indian batters in the first three matches but was ruled out of the last two matches after suffering a finger injury at Lord's. After Bashir was ruled out, England recalled Liam Dawson to the Test squad after more than eight years and he even got a chance to play at Old Trafford. In his first red-ball match for the English team since 2017, Dawson has however only able to take one wicket. England had an option to recall Jack Leach as well but their selectors choose otherwise. But according to legendary Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, the 34-year-old Leach is England's best bet in the Ashes tour later this year. 'In my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner," Lyon was quoted as saying by Indian Express. 'It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven't done it in the past in these conditions," Lyon said of spin bowling in Australia. 'But I'm not going to let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here. Our guys know how to play spin really well in this country. That's probably what helped me produce my skill to where it is at the moment. I know I'll keep trying getting better, and we'll see how their spinners go," he said. 'I obviously played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and they basically said that they're picking Bashir to do what I do. So I took a little bit of pride out of Jimmy respecting a little bit of what I've been able to do in my career. But Bashir has been okay," he said. England are also grooming Jacob Bethell, a batsman who bowls left-arm spin. 'Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match (tonight at The Oval) and he looks like he'll take up the spin bowling from Liam Dawson," he added. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Jack Leach is still England's best spinner, says Nathan Lyon
Australia cricketer Nathan Lyon believes that Jack Leach is still England's best spinner in Tests and that the tweakers will play a key role in the Ashes series set to be played in November later this year. Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Thursday, Lyon said that England's spin bowling stocks are low with Shoaib Bashir nursing an injury, and Liam Dawson and Reham Ahmed being in and out of the set up. 'I obviously played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and he basically said that they're picking Bashir to do what I do,' Lyon said. 'So, I took a little bit of pride out of Jimmy respecting a little bit of what I've been able to do in my career. But Bashir has been OK,' the off spinner said. England is currently playing its fifth Test against India at The Oval with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell set to share the spin bowling duties. England played Dawson in the fourth Test while Bashir was part of the first three games before getting injured. READ: Most runs in a Test series by visiting captain in England: Shubman Gill surpasses Gary Sobers to clinch record 'Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match, and he looks like he'll take up the spin bowling from Liam Dawson. But in my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner.' Lyon has hinted that spin could decide the fate of the series in Australia. 'It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven't done it in the past in these conditions,' Lyon said. 'But I'm not going to let my secrets out, so they come out and perform well out here. Our guys know how to play spin really well in this country. That's probably what helped me produce my skill to where it is at the moment. I know I'll keep trying to get better, and we'll see how their spinners go.'
