Bollywood blockbuster ‘Airlift’ irks Indian government

NEW DELHI: A hit Bollywood movie about the evacuation of more than 170,000 Indians from Kuwait in 1990 has angered the government with its portrayal of the country’s diplomats as selfish and unfeeling.

The foreign ministry took the unusual step of issuing a statement on “Airlift”, a fictionalised account of the real-life rescue mission that was released last week to rave reviews.

It shows Indian diplomats leaving Kuwait soon after the Iraqi invasion that sparked the first Gulf war, and portrays the foreign ministry in New Delhi as apathetic to the desperate pleas of Indian migrant workers stuck there.

“@AirliftFilm: Great entertainment but rather short on facts,” foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted late Thursday.

Amir likely to get PCB central contract

Amir likely to get PCB

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to give central contract to Mohammad Amir who has made a comeback to international cricket following a five-year ban for spot fixing.

The left-arm Pakistani pacer is under PCB consideration for a central contract, sources said, adding that Chairman Shaharyar Khan has decided to give Amir category C in the contracts....

Pakistan’s oldest test cricketer Israr dies

Pakistan’s oldest test cricketer Israr dies at 88

ISLAMABAD: Former all-rounder Israr Ali, who was a member of Pakistan’s first Test team that played against India in 1952-53, died in his hometown of Okara on February 1 at the age of 88.

Israr was Pakistan’s oldest living Test cricketer and had played four Tests for the country between 1952 and 1959. Israr, played 40 first-class games, taking 114 wickets at 22.63 and scoring 1130 runs at 20.54.

Uzair Baloch worked for Iran’s spy agency

Uzair Baloch worked for Iran’s spy agency

KARACHI: Lyari’s main gang lord Uzair Jan Baloch said he had been working for the intelligence of a neighboring country, Iran that utilized him to bring about a deterioration in Balochistan.

SAMAA received the report of interrogations with Lyari’s gang-man.

According to the report, Baloch said he traveled to Dubai with Iranian passport, adding, “PPP leadership contacted me while I was in Dubai.”

Ghani wants FIRs lodged against federal ministers

Ghani wants FIRs lodged against federal ministers

Senior PPP leader Saeed Ghani, while speaking to Samaa, condemned the use of force against PIA protestors .........

Veteran fiction writer Intizar Hussain dies at 92

Veteran fiction writer Intizar Hussain dies at 92

LAHORE: Intizar Hussain, a renowned Pakistani fiction writer, passed away in Lahore on Tuesday at the age of 92, Samaa reported.

He was under treatment in a private hospital in Lahore.

Hussain wrote short stories and novels in Urdu, and also columns in both English and Urdu newspapers.

The Seventh Door and Leaves are among his books translated into English. He has translated works from English to Urdu. His writings include “Basti”, “Hindustan Se Aakhri Khat”, “Agay Samander hai”, “Shehr-e-Afsos”, “Jataka Tales”, “Janam Kahanian” and “Wo Jo Kho Gaye”.

Bilawal asks PM to shun ‘dictatorial tactics’ against PIA staffers

KARACHI: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman, Tuesday condemned the use of “brutal force” against protesting employees of Pakistan International Airlines.

“(Bilawal) asked PM Nawaz Sharif to desist from adopting dictatorial tactics to silence democratic rights of protest of PIA employees,” PPP’s media cell wrote on its official Twitter account.

His statement came a few hours after the protesting workers of PIA clashed with the Rangers and the police while marching towards Jinnah International airport.

Bilawal asks PM to shun