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Before this no-confidence move, there was another one (Part 2)

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When we last met, magic had been successfully woven in Balochistan. Quddus Bizenjo, victor in the general elections with just 600 votes, had toppled a secure government and become Chief Minister.

Yasir Ilyas Profile Yasir Ilyas

The 600 votes interestingly became an instrument to taunt him with. With the success of that no confidence move, the mist hanging over the upcoming senate elections in 2018 lifted, leaving the situation crystal clear. Today, 2021, all speculation about senate elections has become crystal clear too. All it took was talk of a no-confidence move by the one player who was part of the motion game.

What happened later in the senate elections is still fresh in our memory. Despite all services rendered, PPP had to make do with a deputy chairman seat. Asif Ali Zardari also had to join hands with Imran Khan, a sight we thought we would perhaps never see.

They did, however, score a joint goal for a third party.

On March 12, 2018, I watched Sadiq Sanjrani defeat Raja Zafarul Haq with 57 votes to his 46. He was an independent candidate but right after his win, the gallery in senate rang out with slogans in facor of Bhutto and Zardari. An older mentor seated there with me said, “Nature has adopted a reverse pattern. Had Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto been Zardari’s son-in-law instead of his father-in-law, he would have been saved from hanging.”

Was this movement a cause or an effect? Those that supervise Islamabad’s proceedings from Rawalpindi know that it was an effect, not a cause.

And that is my hypothesis. If it comes to happen, the new no-confidence move will also be an effect, a result.

Before the APS tragedy took place, government and establishment were not on the same page. Deep mistrust had taken root after 2014’s dharna. Nor was there a single unified opinion on action against terrorists and extremism. Post the tragedy, National Action Plan was formulated and the power equation bent heavily in favour of the then Army Chief, General Raheel Shareef.

For the first and perhaps last time, Asif Ali Zardari decided to trust Nawaz Sharif and at his request, spoke out against the establishment in his speech. Realizing that the speech was harsher than they had imagined, PML-N backed off, leaving Zardari hanging in the middle. Chaudhry Nisar accused Zardari of speaking out against the establishment to hide his corruption while Khwaja Asif, then quite close to Nawaz Sharif, also spoke up against the PPP co-chairman.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, was the cause whose effect we saw take shape in the Balochistan no-confidence move and in the subsequent elections.

Left alone and in exile, Zardari went through a phase that could lead to a thousand movements.

The only difference now is the Maulana Fazlur Rehman factor. A man who refuses to leave the match empty handed. Will Maulana be left alone in the arena while the other players leave the stadium? Perhaps it is time for him to listen for the umpire’s whistle. It may blow any time now

By Yasir Ilyas

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Sports

The 10 most impactful offseason moves

After a busy couple of months in the NFL, Liz Loza lists the moves that meant the most in the fantasy world this offseason.

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Change: It's inevitable. And in the NFL, it's constant. From roster shakeups to coaching carousels to offensive overhauls, the churn is real. Let's catch you up on the most impactful fantasy football news of the offseason.

Jerod Mayo will have an opportunity to redefine the "Patriot Way," replacing Bill Belichick as the team's head coach after 24 years. Mayo will look to new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye to reinvigorate the offense. New England's depth chart is far from stacked, though rookie WR Ja'Lynn Polk projects as a later-round investment and could provide fantasy value down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson remains the team's primary ball carrier. With Van Pelt likely to install a run-heavy scheme (similar to the one he ran in Cleveland), Stevenson figures to touch the ball 15 to 17 times per game, offering managers top-20 positional appeal.

Pete Carroll served as the Seahawks' head coach for 14 seasons. In his stead, the organization tapped Mike Macdonald to captain the squad while calling up former Washington Huskies OC Ryan Grubb to design an offensive playbook. On the heels of such a substantial change, it was assumed the new regime would implement a number of roster tweaks. Instead, the fresh-faced coaching staff chose to run it back with many of Seattle's most-tenured players.

DK Metcalf returns as the most valuable fantasy asset, capable of delivering high-end WR2 numbers. Second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba presents breakout appeal, though he'll compete for looks with Tyler Lockett and TE Noah Fant. JSN and Lockett figure to teeter on the WR3/WR4 bubble with the younger player's upside being baked into his slightly higher ADP. Finally, Kenneth Walker III could cede touches to Zach Charbonnet, but remains a decent RB2 option for fantasy purposes.

Los Angeles hit the restart button at head coach for the fourth time in just over 10 years, signing Harbaugh to a five-year contract worth an estimated $16 million annually. Upon coming to terms with Harbaugh, the Bolts cleaned house, forcing the exits of WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett.

The team spent an early second-round pick on WR Ladd McConkey while bolstering the backfield with the likes of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards and adding depth at TE with Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst via free agency. L.A.'s revamped offensive line should help buy Justin Herbert time in the pocket. However, between a dearth of tested pass-catching options and noting OC Greg Roman's run-heavy approach, Herbert's days as a top-10 fantasy QB appear (momentarily) in the rearview.

The "Monsters of the Midway" will always remain synonymous with Chicago. But general manager Ryan Poles appears to be dragging the team into the future and attempting to "Push for the Pass." Promptly closing the chapter on the Justin Fields era, Chicago spent early-first-round selections on QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze.

It's not the first time the Bears have used a first-round pick on a burgeoning signal-caller. It could be argued, however, this the first time (in a long time) the Bears have attempted to actually build around said quarterback. Prior to the draft, the organization also utilized the free-agency period, adding WR Keenan Allen, RB D'Andre Swift and TE Gerald Everett. While the success of these efforts and additions has yet to be tested, at least on paper, the Bears are in possession of the team's most potent passing attack in 50-plus years.

If all goes well (and that is a big if, given the club's history), Williams could deliver top-15 fantasy numbers in his rookie campaign. DJ Moore figures to remain the corps' target leader, likely to deliver a second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving effort. Allen should draw a similar number of looks to Moore, potentially flirting with 80 grabs in his Windy City debut. Odunze will round out the trio of receivers, offering mid-round upside and oodles of flex potential. Swift's volume seems more murky, however, as he'll join Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the backfield. Coming off a career season, the former Eagle's numbers figure to regress, but Swift's ability as a pass-catcher keeps him on the RB2/3 bubble.

The Commanders spent 2023 seeing what they had in Sam Howell ... and decided it wasn't enough. After registering a 4-13 record, the new front office continued house cleaning, revamping the coaching staff and anointing a new face of the franchise.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose playing style is similar to Kyler Murray's, is an intriguing fit for Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Expect the Commanders' OC to employ plenty of spread passing elements, which should help the 23-year-old's transition to the pros. With Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson leading the receiving corps and Austin Ekeler catching passes out of the backfield, Daniels slides into a sneaky-productive situation. Add in his elite rushing instincts and the rookie could potentially thrive as a QB2 in superflex formats as early as Year 1.

While Daniels lands in a favorable situation, his surrounding talent may not be so lucky, at least initially. McLaurin has been saddled with instability under center for the bulk of his career. Regardless, he's cleared 1,000 receiving yards for four consecutive campaigns and should draw upwards of 130 looks again in 2024. Dotson is expected to function as the team's No. 2 receiver and could manage the breakout he failed to post last season, but he is largely ranked outside of the top-60 fantasy wideouts. Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. figure to share snaps, working in a complementary fashion. Both backs offer managers high-end RB3 potential.

The Bills made a number of decisive moves this offseason, sometimes leaving fans a bit baffled. While Gabe Davis' departure and Damien Harris' retirement weren't terribly surprising, the Stefon Diggs trade created considerable consternation. This anxiety only seemed to increase after the Bills traded down twice in the first round of April's draft, passing on buzzy receiving talent in the process. Ultimately, the Bills selected WR Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick.

A former basketball standout who played briefly for Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Coleman is in possession of size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) and hops. He has incredible ball skills, and he regularly climbed the ladder to make circus catches during his college career. An X receiver with downfield ability, Coleman figures to emerge as Josh Allen's primary target, likely drawing upwards of 100 targets in his first pro season.

Kirk Cousins averaged just north of 20 fantasy points per game during the first month of the 2023 season, before Justin Jefferson was sidelined (hamstring). His productivity dipped slightly over the next four weeks (17.3 points per game) before he tore an Achilles in Week 8. The 35-year-old tested the free-agent market, ultimately securing a four-year deal worth an eye-popping $180 million with the Falcons. Cousins' celebration was cut short, however, when Atlanta reportedly "blindsided" the QB by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in April's draft.

Assuming a full recovery, Cousins remains atop the Falcons' depth chart and should start the season as the team's QB1. There exists considerable optimism that the four-time Pro Bowler -- along with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who gained experience under Sean McVay in Los Angeles -- will unlock the first-round potential of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Both pass-catchers project as low-end fantasy starters at their respective positions (WR13 and TE9). Bijan Robinson rounds out the trio of young stars and is expected to begin his sophomore season as a late-first-round pick in fantasy drafts.

Henry addressed Titans fans in early January, transparent about his relationship with the club and plans for the future. Fantasy's favorite anomaly inked a two-year deal with Baltimore just two months later. While a player of Henry's stature doesn't normally fly, he absolutely could as a member of the Ravens Flock.

A perennial top-10 producer who has cleared at least 12 fantasy points per game every year since 2018, Henry has continued to evade tackles and rip off big runs. At 30 years old and with more than 2,000 carries to his name, durability is an obvious concern. Still, Todd Monken's run-aggressive offense and the Ravens' solid O-line should both work in the vet's favor. Assuming he stays healthy, Henry is in line for double-digit scores and top-12 RB consideration in Baltimore.

Barkley served as the Giants' offensive engine, motoring his way to 1,489 total touches during his six seasons in New York. That volume buoyed Barkley's fantasy stock, as he managed nearly 16 fantasy points per game (RB13) despite averaging 3.9 yards per carry in 2023.

While the 27-year-old may be entering a new phase of his career, Barkley should continue to rip off long runs (he was tied for sixth among RBs with seven rushes of 20-plus yards in 2023) and evade tackles while working behind a much better offensive line in Philadelphia. With D'Andre Swift now in Chicago, Barkley's work in the passing game is likely to remain stable as he figures to (once again) average around three catches per contest. Any potential hit to Barkley's overall workload will be outweighed by an increase in efficiency given the explosiveness of the Eagles' offense. He remains a solid RB1 for fantasy purposes in 2024.

Arguably the most sought-after wide receiver in this year's free-agent class, Ridley opted to leave Jacksonville, landing in Tennessee on a four-year deal reportedly worth $92 million. The 29-year-old, who returned to the field after missing the 2022 season due to a suspension, put together an up-and-down effort in 2023, managing six games of more than 20 fantasy points and nine outings below 10 fantasy points. Interestingly, two of his best showings (in which he recorded at least six catches and cleared 100 yards) came against his new team.

Ridley figures to work as a complement to DeAndre Hopkins, who is likely to find himself open more regularly next season. The new addition also puts a lid on the idea of a Treylon Burks breakout. The length and cost of Ridley's contract (along with the Tony Pollard signing) does, however, signal an investment in second-year QB Will Levis. Led by new head coach Brian Callahan, the new-look Titans appear to be taking an aerial approach to the offense. That should further work in Ridley's favor. He should be considered a low-end WR2 in fantasy with plenty of upside.
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Suit: Bad Bunny's agency hit with 'death penalty'

Rimas Sports, the agency founded by recording artist Bad Bunny, is accusing Major League Baseball's Players Association of "placing a death penalty" on the agency, according to a federal lawsuit the company filed Thursday.

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Rimas Sports, the agency founded by recording artist Bad Bunny, has accused the Major League Baseball Players Association of "placing a death penalty" on the agency through "a discriminatory, biased, and pre-determined investigation" into Rimas' business practices, according to a federal lawsuit the company filed Thursday.

On April 10, the MLBPA decertified Rimas agent William Arroyo and prevented Rimas executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda from seeking certification after accusing the agency of providing improper benefits to players. Additionally, Rimas' other MLBPA-certified agent, Michael Velasquez, was threatened with decertification and quit the company, according to the lawsuit.

In a 27-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico, Rimas sought a temporary restraining order and injunction against the penalties levied by the union, which the company argued were "designed to put Rimas Sports permanently out of business." The suit alleged that the MLBPA had "exceeded the scope of its statutory authority under the National Labor Relations Act" by extending sanctions on individuals to what amounts to the whole of the company. Rimas employees were previously denied a temporary restraining order to continue doing business, and, the complaint said, relief is warranted from overreach by the MLBPA that extends to the entire company.

"By blanketly prohibiting any MLBPA certified agents from affiliating with Rimas Sports and Rimas Entertainment in any capacity," the complaint said, "the MLBPA has effectively placed a death-penalty sanction on Rimas Sports as an agency and prohibited Rimas Entertainment, which is not in the sports agency business and has never had a MLBPA Certified Agent, from contracting with clients who may wish to secure branding, sponsorship or endorsement deals. These restrictions extend well beyond the scope of the MLBPA's authority to regulate its agents."

The MLBPA declined comment through a spokesperson.

Rimas previously sought relief from the sanctions on Arroyo, Assad and Miranda through an arbitrator, who denied the effort. The American Arbitration Association will determine the appeal of their individual penalties, which were filed before a May 10 deadline.

The effect on Rimas as a whole, the complaint argued, goes far deeper. Rimas argued that the sanctions have caused the company "irreparable harm," citing the union's prevention of certified agents from working with Rimas; a note sent from MLB to teams warning them not to deal with Rimas employees; and the unwillingness of third parties to engage with the company.

As examples, Rimas cited an inability to continue negotiating a contract extension for New York Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez as well as losing the opportunity to sign reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. as a client due to the penalties. Topps, the baseball card brand owned by Fanatics -- in which the MLBPA has invested -- "notified Rimas Sports that because of the MLBPA's prohibitions that they cannot speak with Rimas Sports marketing, endorsement, and sponsorship deals, such as one for Ronald Acuña," according to the complaint.

Rimas Sports, which was started in 2021 by Assad, Miranda and Benito Martínez Ocasio -- the international recording superstar known as Bad Bunny -- aimed to cater to players from Latin America and quickly built a list of clients that included Álvarez, Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio and Colorado shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, for whom the agency negotiated a seven-year, $63.5 million contract extension. Other agents accused Rimas of paying players to join the agency, which would run afoul of MLBPA regulations. While Assad and Miranda sought MLBPA certification, Martínez, according to the complaint, remains "a semi-passive investor."

While the lawsuit does not address the substance of the MLBPA's disciplinary action against Rimas employees, it suggests that the union and others believed "these Puerto Rican 'outsiders' were disrupting baseball sports agency order too much, too fast. This was something that the MLBPA and Rimas Sports' competitors would not allow."

About a year before the completion of the MLBPA's investigation and its decision, entertainment attorneys Oswaldo Rossi, John Baldivia and Jimmy Barnes sought union certification, according to the complaint. In a letter from an MLBPA lawyer, the complaint said, they were told their "certifications will be conditioned on your agreement not to work for or with Rimas Sports, represent Rimas Sports clients" -- an "unprecedented condition imposed on them [that] is not part of the MLBPA Regulations."

"The MLBPA knew, or should have known, that such actions have caused and will continue to cause severe and agency-killing harm to the Rimas Companies," the complaint continued. "In fact, the intended effect of the MLBPA's actions was precisely to eliminate the Rimas Companies from participating altogether in the sports agency market for MLB and MiLB players."
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Pakistan

Kyrgyz authorities contacted to ensure Pakistani students’ safety: Dar

Pakistan’s Embassy says that foreign students living in Bishkek including those from Pakistan, were subjected to violence by locals in the aftermath of their brawl with Egyptian nationals a few days ago

Published by Hussnain Bhutta

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Lahore: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday said that the government had established contact with the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure the protection of Pakistani students in Bishkek, amidst the incidents of mob violence.

The deputy prime minister was addressing a joint press conference with Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Minister Amir Muqam at party's Model Town office in Lahore on Sunday.

According to Pakistan’s Embassy, foreign students living in Bishkek including those from Pakistan, were subjected to violence by locals in the aftermath of their brawl with Egyptian nationals a few days ago. Some hostels of medical universities in Bishkek and private residences of international students including Pakistanis were attacked.

The deputy prime minister calling the reports of mob attacks on students “extremely concerning” instructed the Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan to fully facilitate them.

The embassy has already shared the helpline numbers +996555554476 and +996507567667, and had responded to a hundreds of calls from the students and their families.

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