Uncategorized – Paki Holic https://pakiholic.com Viral News and Happenings From Pakistan Fri, 06 Jul 2018 13:59:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.6 https://pakiholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-pakiholic-fevicon2-32x32.jpg Uncategorized – Paki Holic https://pakiholic.com 32 32 117741320 Here’s How Ads Are Specifically Tailored For You: SECRET REVEALED https://pakiholic.com/heres-how-ads-are-specifically-tailored-for-you-secret-revealed/ Sat, 09 Jun 2018 20:33:43 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7563 By M.R. 

I kept hearing that Facebook/Google stores all our information whenever we search something and show us ads based on that information but I never really knew how that worked until I came across this Twitter thread by who perfectly explained how these ads are tailored according to the choices we make on the internet.

Here’s an easy read for you if you are wondering how those adverts manage to keep on finding you – even when you go incognito, switch devices, or never actually searched for the product in the first place?

Re-marketing/re-targeting through cookies:

You visit a website and it stores a cookie in your web browser. You return later on, the cookie identifies you and the site shows you products you were looking at earlier. Old hat (unless you live in the 1990s), but important to understand for what’s coming next.

You visit a website and it stores a cookie from a third-party ad network. Later on you visit a different site that carries ads from the same network. They see the cookie and display ads based on what you were looking at earlier.

Through grouped audiences:

You open Google and search for a product or website, which helps Google build up a profile of you and your interests. Later on you use your Google account to sign in somewhere else, and you see ads based on this profile (not that you can turn ads personalisation off if you want to).

You’re logged in to Facebook. You visit a website and it has Facebook’s tracking pixel (or like button) installed, which lets Facebook know you’re there. Later on you visit Facebook, and your newsfeed contains adverts based on what you were looking at earlier.

Facebook doesn’t let website owners single you out for these adverts (nor does it sell your data to them). Ads are targeted at groups e.g. people who visited a site in the last 30 days. These groups are called “audiences”.

You visit a website and create an account with them. They upload a list of customer email addresses to Google / Facebook / Twitter etc. to target a campaign. Later on you visit one of these sites, and you see adverts based on what you were looking at earlier.

Through fingerprinting:

You turn on incognito mode (aka “private browsing”), which limits things like cookies. The ad network records other information about your system instead, e.g. web browser, IP address, operating system, screen size, time zone etc.

Later on you visit a site where this network displays ads. They recognise your browser fingerprint (albeit with varying degrees of accuracy) and you see adverts based on what you were looking at earlier, even though you were using incognito mode.

You log into the same online account on more than one browser or device. The provider of the account associates the different fingerprints with your account. Adverts targeted at your account can now follow you from one browser / device to another.

You carry more than one device and you never log into the same account on both, but you do connect them to the same WiFi networks at the same times, and you use both devices to visit sites that contain trackers from the same ad network. Boom, your devices are associated.

Through device ID: 

You install an app on your phone. Apps don’t use cookies, but your phone sends a unique device ID to the app creator instead. Later on you open a different app and see ads based on the app you were using earlier.

You install an app on your phone, and then sign in to it using one of your online accounts. You guessed it: your device ID is now associated with that account. Later on you see ads based on your apps when you’re using the account on your computer.

Lookalike Audience:

You never actually visited a particular site, but other people did. You go on Facebook and see ads for it, because your profile is similar to those other people, and the whole group is being targeted. The group you belong to is called a “lookalike audience”.

You never actually visited a particular site, but you share an IP address with people who did, e.g. you and your flatmates are all using the same broadband router. Later on you see ads from that site, because you are all being targeted at your (shared) IP address.

You never actually visited a particular site, but you were in close proximity to other people who did, and you were all signed in to a service with access to your location data. Later on you see ads from that site, because the whole group is being targeted.

After all this, it may surprise you to hear that personalised ads are anything like the problem they are sometimes made out to be.

]]> 7563 PROUD MOMENT FOR PAKISTAN: Desi Author Wins UK’s Women’s Prize For Fiction https://pakiholic.com/proud-moment-for-pakistan-desi-author-wins-uks-womens-prize-for-fiction/ Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:00:50 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7549 By M.R.

When it comes to literature, there’s no doubt that some of the finest work is being produced in Pakistan. Not only are our writers and their books appreciated and recognized in Pakistan, but internationally as well.

Some of the biggest names like Mohsin Hamid, Saba Imtiaz, Mohammad Hanif, Bapsi Sidhwa have bagged several international literary awards over the years.

This time around, Kamila Shamsie, a British-Pakistani author has made Pakistan proud by winning the international Women’s Prize for Fiction with “Home Fire,” a novel about love, radicalism and conflicting loyalties in the post-9/11 era.

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious literary prizes. It is awarded annually to a female author of any nationality for the best original full-length novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom in the preceding year.

This was the third time Shamsie has been nominated for this award. She beat five other finalists that included American writer Jesmyn Ward, who had been bookies’ favorite for her National Book Award-winning novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing.”

She was awarded the 30,000 pound ($40,000) prize at a ceremony in London. Loosely based on Sophocles’ ancient Greek tragedy “Antigone,” her novel centers on three British Muslim siblings torn apart when one joins the Islamic State group.

Home Fire is a remarkable book and is about identity, conflicting loyalties, love and politics. And it sustains mastery of its themes and its form.

Previously, the book Home Fire had also been longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker prize and shortlisted for the Costa novel award.

It is indeed a very proud moment for all Pakistanis to see our writer’s work get acknowledged by international platforms.

 

 

]]> 7549 You’d Be Horrified To Hear What This Invigilator Did To The Girls Of Bahria College https://pakiholic.com/youd-be-horrified-to-hear-what-this-invigilator-did-to-the-girls-of-bahria-college/ Tue, 29 May 2018 18:14:43 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7363 By M.R.

TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL HARASSMENT 

Saba Ali, currently a student of Bahria College Islamabad, accused an invigilator of harassing more than 80 students who appeared for their biology practical exam through a Facebook status.

Saadat Bashir, a biology professor at IMCB, was sent to Bahria College by Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education to invigilate the practical exam.

According to Saba, the invigilator groped and passed sleazy comments at almost 80 girls who were present in the lab and threatened to deduct their marks if they lodged a complaint about it.

The status she posted is as follows:

Soon after Saba’s status, a lot of other girls stepped up anonymously and shared their experience with the same invigilator.

It was later revealed that it was not only the students who he harassed, but he didn’t leave the teachers alone either.

The girls tried to make a formal complaint to the concerned authorities but to no avail. They were told to keep their silence for the sake of their grades.

These statuses took the internet by storm and a lot of influencers and celebrities stepped up to support the girls.

Osman Khalid Butt, an actor/model and feminist, supported the cause and asked his followers to lodge a complaint against this sexual predator.

Meesha Shafi supported and appreciated the girls for coming forward.

Mawra Hocane, an Ex-Bahrian, showed her support to the victims.

On the other hand, Saadat Bashir denied the allegations, saying that he had been mentally tortured and even threatened since the issue had gone viral.

He told The Express Tribune, “I might have bumped into someone in the lab where many students were performing dissection but that does not mean it was deliberate or I wanted to harass students”.

It’s inspiring to see how women are no longer afraid to come forward and breaking the silence. It’s about time some action is taken against such monsters.

]]> 7363 No More FATA Or PATA – It’s All KPK Now https://pakiholic.com/no-more-fata-or-pata-its-all-kpk-now/ Sun, 27 May 2018 18:57:57 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7280 By M.R.

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), a tribal region consisting of seven tribal agencies, that borders with Pakistan’s provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to the east and south, no longer exists as a separate entity and has been merged with KPK on Sunday, May 27th, 2018.

KP-Fata Merger Bill, a bill to merge Federally Administered Tribal Areas with KPK, was passed today with two-thirds majority. 

The bill had already been approved from the upper and lower chambers of the Parliament. In order to be approved, the bill required 83 votes to secure a two-thirds majority – a Constitutional prerequisite for the proposed merger.

According to the vote count, 92 members of the 124-seat provincial assembly voted in favour of the bill while 7 members were against it.

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas represent seven agencies – Bajaur, Dir, Khyber, Mohmand, Peiwar Kotal in Kurram Agency, the Bolan Pass and Gomal in South Waziristan.

A resolution was also approved in the assembly to exempt Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) from taxes for a time period of 10 years.

The resolution demanded a development package of rs 100 billion for the PATA, same as the FATA region. It also demanded subsidy on electricity.

The resolution also asked for continuation of Sharia justice system in the Malakand Division.

Earlier, party workers including those from FATA, gathered outside the KP assembly to protest against the bill. They threatened to to put padlocks on the assembly gates so that no one could make it inside the premises. 

JUI-F protesters. PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

“We will not let the Fata merger bill be approved,” the protesters chanted as they started burning tires on the road leading to the assembly.

K-P Police monitors situation. PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

In the end, the police had to resort to tear gas shelling and baton-charge to control the crowd.

]]> 7280 Junaid Jamshed Mosque Opens Its Doors to Public – PICTURES REVEALED https://pakiholic.com/junaid-jamshed-mosque-opens-its-doors-to-public-pictures-revealed/ Wed, 23 May 2018 20:51:57 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7222 By M.R.

Junaid Jamshed Mosque, a Karachi mosque built in the memory of late religious scholar, Junaid Jamshed, that had been under-construction for a while now, finally opened its doors to general public on Wednesday, 23rd May 2018.

Source: Twitter.com/SanamBalochfans

Singer Chowrangi in Korangi’s J. Unit Two area, the mosque has been built to commemorate the life of late singer-turned-evangelist, Junaid Jamshed.

Source: Express Tribune

The news of this mosque’s opening was shared by Sanam Baloch, a TV show anchor.

“The Junaid Jamshed Masjid’ has been inaugurated today at Singer Chowrangi, Korangi at J. Unit 2, Karachi. Such a beautiful mosque. It has been named in loving memory of our beloved and dearest JJ. Please do remember Junaid Bhai in your prayers,” she tweeted. 

On December 7, 2016, flight PK-661 crashed near Havelian KPK after one of its two turboprop engines reportedly failed while travelling from Chitral to Islamabad, killing 47 people on board, including our beloved scholar, Junaid Jamshed.

Source: Twitter.com/SanamBalochfans

Before turning towards religion, Junaid Jamshed was the lead vocalist of a popular boy band named Vital Signs. He changed his route at the climax of his singing career to follow religion actively which is why everyone respected him even more.

Source: Twitter.com/SanamBalochfans

In one of his interviews with the Express Tribune, he was asked what compelled him to change his path towards religion. He stated, “When I saw Muslims the world over suffering in one form or another, it started to play on my mind.”

Source: Express Tribune

“I started interacting with religious scholars busy finding ways of arresting the ummah‘s decline. The very thought that they were thinking about my family, the ummah and I was very noble.”

Source: Express Tribune

“Here, I was living in a very selfish world; all we did was think about ourselves and not care about anyone else. All that affected me,” he added.

Source: Twitter.com/SanamBalochfans

Junaid Jamshed left a legacy behind him that continues to inspire hundreds every day.

 

]]> 7222 Naeem Ul Haq Slaps Danyal Aziz On-Screen: FULL VIDEO! https://pakiholic.com/naeem-ul-haq-slaps-danyal-aziz-on-screen-full-video/ Wed, 23 May 2018 07:55:47 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7212 By M.R.

Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaaf Leader, Naeem Ul Haq, and Minister of Privatization, Danyal Aziz, made an appearance together yesterday on Tuesday, 23rd May at “Aapas Ki Baat”, a live show on GEO News.

Danyal Aziz made some inappropriate comments that resulted in a heated argument between the two and Naeem Ul Haq ended up slapping him.

According to the details, Aziz called him a “thief” which was when he lost his temper and became violent.

Muneeb Farooq, the anchorperson of the show, kept trying to cool the two down, but it didn’t help. Pakistan People’s Party’s representative Nafeesa Shah, also a guest speaker at the show, left the show following the incident.

This was, however, not the first time this PTI leader has thrown a fit on-screen. Earlier in 2011, he threw a glass of water at a Pakistan People’s Party leader, Jamil Somro, during a live show and left the set.

People on Twitter have mixed ideas about the incident.

Some pointed out that this is no way to behave in a live television show. 

Others requested Imran Khan to take disciplinary action against him.  

Some even applauded and praised Naeem Ul Haq for what he did!

This person pointed out that resorting to physical violence is not the solution no matter what!

]]> 7212 Get Rid Of Your Cell Phone Addiction In 5 Easy Steps https://pakiholic.com/get-rid-of-your-cell-phone-addiction-in-5-easy-steps/ Tue, 22 May 2018 20:12:48 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7192 By M.R.

While the advancement in technology and development of smartphones has brought everyone closer by easing out the communication channel and provided everyone with the ability to access the entirety of the internet on-the-go, it has also given us an addiction to our mobile devices.

According to a research from the media analytics company comScore, an average adult spent approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes on their smartphone every single day in 2017 which is 36% more time any of us spend eating or drinking. 

As the functionality of cell phones is constantly improving and expanding, the likelihood of mobile dependence is also increasing.

Not only does this obsession cause several physical and psychological damages such as eye strain and sleep disorders but is also partially to blame for the distracted driving that kills an estimated nine people each day and injures more than 1,000.

Do you think that you have cell phone addiction? Do you have a habit of checking your phone even when it didn’t vibrate or ring?

Well, no problem because here are some 5 easy steps you can follow to get rid of this obsession.

1. Turn off notifications: 

The first step towards getting over your mobile phone obsession is to turn off notifications for all irrelevant applications. Customize your notifications for important things so your phone only vibrates or beeps for something significant.

2. Keep it in a separate room while studying or working: 

In order to stop being tempted to check your phone every ten minutes, make sure to keep it in another room while you’re doing something important. This will help you prevent getting trapped in the viscous circle of texts, emails and phone calls.

3. Keep a low charge:

One important thing to physically restrain yourself from using your smartphone for extended periods is to keep it at a low charge. If you know that you don’t have much battery left in your device, you will only use it for emergencies.

4. Delete all gaming and addictive applications:

Get rid of all the applications you are addicted to, be it Facebook, Twitter or Temple Run. By eliminating such time-wasting and attention-seeking apps, you can free yourself from the urdge to draw your phone out from your pocket every five minutes.

5. Do not use your phone as a watch or an alarm clock:

The moment we wake up, we go straight to browsing Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Distance yourself from tech in a meaningful way by cutting back on using your phone as an alarm clock or a watch. It’s best to resort to wearing wrist watches and relying on them to check the time.

 

]]> 7192 Here’s Why People Are Infuriated Over The Paid Twitter Trend #ILoveBahriaTown https://pakiholic.com/tweeps-are-so-not-handling-the-ilovebahriatown-twitter-trend-well/ Mon, 21 May 2018 19:10:57 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7169 By M.R.

Earlier today, an official investigation was launched by Chairman NAB against Malik Riaz and Bahria Town for land grabbing and corruption.

Soon after this order was released, a paid hashtag #ILoveBahriaTown surfaced on Twitter that meant to promote the positive aspects of one of the biggest housing societies in Pakistan.

People made sure to highlight the scenic views and extravagant infrastructure the society offers.

Some pointed out that the real state empire has everything when it comes to entertainment, adventure and knowledge.

Buuut like any paid trend, instead of doing any good, it backfired and infuriated people over the injustices the society has been carrying out in the last few decades.

Some used this hashtag to raise some very important and valid issues.

Others mocked digital marketing companies for supporting such land mafias.

What really happened was that Chairman NAB, Javed Iqbal, formally initiated the investigation against Bahria town Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and asked all the relevant director generals of NAB to logically conclude the inquiry against Bahria Town in accordance with law in three months time frame given by the apex court.

Chairman explained Bahria Town’s situation as “rob Peter to Pay Paul.” His exact words as mentioned in his statement are as follows:

]]> 7169 Thousands Gather To Honor Sabika Sheikh https://pakiholic.com/thousands-gather-to-honor-sabika-sheikh/ Mon, 21 May 2018 07:12:07 +0000 http://pakiholic.com/?p=7133 By M.R.

Sabika Sheikh, an exchange student from Pakistan studying in the US through a program funded by the State Department was killed in a school shooting at Santa Fe, Texas on Friday, 18th May.

Houston’s Muslim community gathered at an Islamic Center in Texas to honour the 17 year old killed in a mass shooting.

Members of the community pray during a funeral prayer service for Sabika Sheikh at the Brand Lane Islamic Center in Stafford, Texas, US, May 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachma

The funeral service was fully packed with people of Texas including officials of the Pakistani Consulate in Houston, local members of the United States Congress, members of the Pakistani diaspora and students of Santa Fe High School.

The coffin of Santa Fe High School shooting victim Sabika Sheikh, 17, is carried during her funeral service in Stafford, Texas, on May, 20, 2018. PHOTO: AFP

The young woman, with a bright future ahead of herself, was described by her family as an excellent student who had dreamed of working for Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry later in her life.

She was due to return to Karachi just in time for Eid Ul Fitr after spending the holy month of Ramadan in the United States.

Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, tweeted, “She’s a child of the Sheikh family but she is also one of our children, including all who lost their lives.”

Congressman AL Green presented the US flag as a mark of honor for Sabika and her family from the US House of Representatives.

Towards the end of the funeral service, Turner said, “At the end of the day, we are all one. We may be of different faiths and nationalities, but we all bleed the same color. We all bleed red.”

The body was originally slated for arrival in Karachi early Tuesday morning via a foreign airline, but bad weather conditions have forced a delay of two hours at the Houston airport.

 

 

 

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