Pakistan
Truth must come out
From the cradle to the grave we are instructed by society to speak truth. Yet the practice carries more penalties than speaking an outright lie does.
A controversial skill, then, to be truthful. If ever we decide to stand by the truth, then we are asked to consider the doctrine of (particular) necessity, self-made social norms and even national security. The majority among us refuse to engage with such complications and instead take either to keeping silent or even lying. This social duplicity has kept us back as a people and as a country.
I have no qualms in saying that this social conditioning, this belief that one cannot disagree with obsolete traditions and norms, with your elders, with those who hold senior positions to you and with state policies is absolutely wrong. Had this been wrong then would our religious figures, our revolutionary leaders, our reformists have brought about the change that they did?
I do not say that in our disagreement we let go of our manners when talking to our elders or that we do not consider the state when giving an honest opinion. But I do insist that we realize that there is a difference between loyalty and slavery. Speaking the truth, listening to the truth and self-accountability does not harm us, belief in black and white narratives does. Suppressing facts leads to the promotion of distortion. In simple words, a point comes when it is becomes difficult to differentiate between a truth and a lie. From that point onwards, social chaos is always close by.
Restricting the truth also leads to an atmosphere of suppression, one that has the potential to turn into lava. There is nothing more painful than observing injustice but not being able to comment on it or write about it. The anger turns into resentment and eventually anger. When young people are asked to perform this impossible task, they turn their resentment towards the state. Lets hope such a point does not arise in the country or else our system will collapse and we will have to build, from scratch, a new one.
For those who are paying attention, the clues point towards our society marching towards this threshold. From our political class, to our religious leaders, to the analysts who appear on TV daily, almost all have abandoned the truth in favor of advantageous versions of facts. Where else can this road go, on which are being marched, but towards a society full of cruelty and barbarism?
There is a faction that believes this system will keep on moving ahead despite this glaring threat. History is not their forte or else they would know how misplaced their belief is. This system can be changed and will be changed, the road to that change has been determined since eternity. It is simply, holding high the banners of truth even when all else around you degenerates into misinformation. If we wish to change the luck of this country than we must follow this path, stopping for nothing till we have achieved our goal.
Yes, there are many obstacles ahead. But if we are being asked to put on blindfolds, our hands are being bound to stop them from putting truth on paper, and our tongues are being locked up, then we have been left with no choice. Freedom does not come without sacrifice.
Sports
Porto coach accuses Arteta of insulting his family
Porto coach Sergio Conceicao accused Mikel Arteta of insulting his family during Arsenal's shootout win over the Portuguese side that booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
Asked to elaborate on what had happened, Conceicao said through a UEFA interpreter: " During the game, he turned to the bench and in Spanish -- it must be a Spanish coach thing because the same thing with (Pep) Guardiola -- he insulted my family.
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"I told him that the person he insulted is no longer with us. Let him worry about training his team, which has more than enough quality to play a lot better."
Sources at Arsenal have told ESPN that Arteta strongly denied the accusation.
Arsenal edged the fiery contest 4-2 on penalties after Leandro Trossard's 41st-minute strike levelled the round-of-16 tie at 1-1 on aggregate and forced extra time.
Wendell and Galeno had their spot kicks saved by David Raya to spark jubilant scenes at full time, but the two managers, who had been booked in separate incidents during the game, clashed again at the final whistle.
After the match, though, Arsenal and Arteta were keen to focus on a historic night when they finally ended a run of seven consecutive defeats at this stage of the competition.
"For [the team] to do it when the club hasn't managed to do it for 14 years, I tell you it will be a boost," said Arteta. "The margins are so small. You find a way to do it again. I see how much they want it, how much they try and they are able to sacrifice anything to win. When you play like this at the end good things are going to come your way.
"Now I'm going to sit at home, I'm going to look at the other teams we have to play and start another big mountain to climb."
This wasn't the first time Conceicao had taken issue with his opposite number in the Champions League. He accused then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel of insulting him when the Blues knocked Porto out at the quarterfinal stage in April 2021.
Conceicao also made a similar claim about Man City boss Guardiola following a group stage game at Etihad Stadium in October 2020.
"I've got a lot to learn from Pep Guardiola, in the way he pressures referees, talks to opposition players and the opposition dugout," the Porto coach said at the time. "He's a fantastic example. I have to learn this. We were angels compared to the other dugout. He spoke about our country using ugly words. Guardiola's attitude was extremely unpleasant."
Arsenal join Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain in the pot for Friday's quarterfinal draw, with the winners of the remaining two last-16 games -- Borussia Dortmund hosting PSV Eindhoven and Internazionale away to Atletico Madrid -- rounding out the final eight teams.
Regional
Imran Khan discharges in two cases
However, the plea has been rejected regarding Imran Khan’s appearance in court.
Islamabad: Judicial magistrate Islamabad has approved the discharge plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) founder Imran Khan in long march vandalism case.
According to the details, judicial magistrate Shaista Kundi heard the pleas regarding appearance in court and discharge.
Shaisata Kundi discharged Imran Khan in two cases.
PTI’s lawyer Naeem Panjutha pleaded that the court summon Imran Khan.
Shaista Kundi stated that at first give arguments on the discharge plea of Imran Khan. She asked that who will be responsible if something happens on the way while bringing Imran Khan to court.
Naeem Panjutha said that earlier Imran Khan has been appearing in courts by himself when Zaman park operation was conducted, warrants were issued, government's job is to provide security, He said that he wants to give arguments in PTI's founder presence.
Judge Shaista said that attendance on bail would have been necessary but not on application production.
However, the plea has been rejected regarding Imran Khan’s appearance in court.
On PTI's plea of acquittal, lawyer Naeem Panjutha argued that it has been only one kind of role in all the cases against Imran Khan while multiple cases were registered in a single day.
He said that at that time the notification did not issue neither told to anyone member of the party regarding the implementation of section-144.
Naeem Panjutha remarked that the plaintiff is the station house officer (SHO) who has no authority to file the case, not even the statements of witnesses in the cases filed against Imran Khan.
Shaista Kundi questioned that whether Imran Khan has been acquitted in cases before.
Lawyer Naeem replied the court that earlier Imran Khan had been acquitted in several cases.
It should be noted that cases were registered against the PTI’s founder in the Sahala and Lohi Bhir police stations.
Regional
Saima Farooq appointed as personal secretary of CM Punjab
He will be dealing now all the political matters from Maryam Nawaz’s side.
Lahore: A lady who has been associated with Sharif trust for 13 years named Saima Farooq has been appointed as personal secretary of chief minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.
According to the details, Saima’s notification has been issued by the officials. There is another appointment of special assistant for Maryam Nawaz.
However, Zeeshan Ashiq Malik has been appointed as special assistant for political matters. He will be dealing now all the political matters from Maryam Nawaz’s side.
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