Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Govt to collect Hajj fees in three installments

Hajj

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to receive Hajj  package fees  from intending pilgrims in three installments.

The good news for the pilgrims who wish to go to Hajj Baitullah through the government scheme is that it has been decided to introduce a scheme for receiving the Hajj package in installments in the Hajj Policy.

According to Ministry of Religious Affairs sources, Hajj package fees will be collected in three installments instead of one lump sum. Initially Rs 200,000 will be collected along with Hajj request.

After getting the name in the Hajj balloting,  it will be mandatory to pay another Rs 400,000 , while the remaining amount will be received in the second week of February, however, people suffering from various serious diseases will not be able to go for Hajj.

Ministry of Religious Affairs will receive Hajj applications for the government scheme under the new Hajj policy in mid-November.

Under the government scheme, 89,605 pilgrims will go for Hajj, 5,000 of them will go under the sponsorship scheme and the rest will go under the regular scheme.

Minister of Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain will formally announce the Hajj policy next week.

A health policy was prepared for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims according to the conditions of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Saudi Arabia, according to which people undergoing dialysis will be banned from going to Hajj this year.

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Donald Trump announces Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff

Susie Wiles

President-elect Donald J. Trump announced Thursday that Susie Wiles, a veteran Florida strategist who has managed his political operation for nearly four years, will be his White House chief of staff in the incoming administration.

This marks Trump’s first significant appointment following his election victory and comes as advisers push him to begin finalizing his top government picks.

Wiles, who is well-known within Trump’s inner circle, will make history as the first woman to hold the chief of staff position. Mr. Trump praised her abilities in a statement, saying, “Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected,” adding, “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Susie Wiles has long been a trusted figure in Trump’s political world, managing his campaigns in 2016 and 2020, and running his political operations since 2021. She has also played a crucial role in handling Trump’s legal battles. Notably, Wiles was the only campaign manager to stay throughout an entire election cycle under Trump.

Her appointment is a departure from Trump’s 2016 choice of Reince Priebus, with whom he had little prior history. Wiles is closely connected to Trump’s family, including his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Wiles’ leadership will be pivotal in guiding the transition and filling key government roles. Her unique ability to bridge the gap between MAGA supporters and establishment Republicans has earned her praise from figures across the party, including Jeb Bush and Charlie Kirk.

It is important to note that in the presidential election, Donald Trump was re-elected as the 47th President of the United States.

Trump won in 29 states, including Eastern Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, while Kamala Harris claimed victory in 20 states.

In the U.S. presidential election, out of 538 electoral votes, Republican candidate Donald Trump secured 295 votes, while Democratic candidate Kamala Harris received 226 electoral votes. Any candidate needed at least 270 electoral votes out of the total of 538 to win the presidency.

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Liam Payne’s close friend speaks out regarding his connection to singer’s death

Liam Payne's death
  • Three individuals are arrested in connection with Liam Payne’s death.
  • His manager is accused of leaving Payne shortly before his fatal fall.
  • However, his manger has denied all the claims and accusations.

Three individuals, including a close friend of Liam Payne, a hotel employee, and an alleged drug dealer, have been arrested in connection to the late One Direction star’s death.

Argentine prosecutors revealed on November 7, 2024, that Payne, 31, consumed alcohol, cocaine, and an antidepressant in the 72 hours before falling to his death from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony on October 16.

Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, described as Payne’s “self-proclaimed manager,” has been charged with “abandoning a person followed by death.” He is accused of leaving Payne shortly before his fatal fall and failing to inform the singer’s family about his drug relapse.

However, Nores has denied these claims, asserting in a statement, “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.” He further explained, “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.”

Nores also refuted reports that he was Payne’s manager, stating, “I wasn’t Liam Payne’s manager he was just my very dear friend.” Two hotel employees have also been charged in the case, which has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Payne’s tragic death.

Payne’s family has since arranged for his body to be returned to the UK, where a funeral date has been set. Former bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson are expected to attend.

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UN panel adopts Pakistani resolutions on strengthening regional, world peace

UN panel

UNITED NATIONS: A key committee of the UN General Assembly has adopted Pakistan’s four annual disarmament-related resolutions that are aimed at underpinning regional as well as international peace and security, reflecting Islamabad’s commitment to achieving those goals.

Three of these resolutions, adopted by the 193-nation Assembly’s First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), received overwhelming support from member states even as the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime is facing challenges. The texts are expected to come up for endorsement by the General Assembly next month.

The resolutions deal with regional disarmament, conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels as well as Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the regional and subregional context.

The resolutions titled, “Regional disarmament” and “Confidence-building Measures in the regional and sub-regional context” were adopted by consensus.

The text titled, “Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional level” received 179 votes in favour, with India voting against, the only country to do so, and its ally — Israel — abstained.

The overwhelming support for the resolution reflected the international community’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s advocacy for conventional arms control, restraint and balance in defence capabilities of States located in the same region or sub-region.

Diplomats at the UN have expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s initiatives, over the years, to promote the goals of regional disarmament, conventional arms control, and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

The resolutions, they noted, recognize the significance of and complementarity between regional and global approaches to arms control, disarmament and confidence building to promote international peace, security and stability

The resolution on conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels acknowledges that the preservation of a balance in States’ defence capabilities strengthens peace and stability.

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Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor share sweet moments from Son Rayan’s 7th Birthday bash

Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor share sweet moments from Son Rayan's 7th Birthday bash

Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor are successful Pakistani actors with large social media followings. They have two children, Hoorain and Rayan. They shared Instagram reels and pictures to celebrate Rayan’s 7th birthday. Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor are highly talented and successful Pakistani actors enjoying peak moments in their careers. Both actors have large social … Read more

Areej Chaudhary reacts to comparisons with Bollywood actresses

Areej Chaudhary reacts to comparisons with Bollywood actresses

Areej Chaudhary gained fame through the drama series “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum”. She participated in international beauty pageants. Discussed comparisons with Indian actors on Nadir Ali’s podcast. Areej Chaudhary, a talented and beautiful Pakistani model, and actress, recently gained fame through the popular drama serial “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum”. Her other notable dramas include “Gentleman”, … Read more

Actress Naeema Butt trolled after revealing why she didn’t pursue MBBS

Actress Naeema Butt trolled after revealing why she didn't pursue MBBS

Naeema Butt is known for her roles in “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum” and “Daasi”. She is single and focused on her career. Recently appeared on various digital media shows. Naeema Butt, a talented emerging Pakistani mainstream actor, recently gained fame for her outstanding performance in the hit drama “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum”. Known for her … Read more