Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan’s export market takes a hit: Textile group exports down 14.83% in January

    Pakistan’s export market takes a hit: Textile group exports down 14.83% in January

    According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country’s textile group exports declined by approximately 8.17 per cent during the first seven months (July-January) of fiscal year 2022-23, totaling $10.039 billion as compared to $10.933 billion during the same period of the previous year.

    The data also showed that textile group exports witnessed a year-on-year decline of 14.83 per cent in January 2023, amounting to $1.321 billion, compared to $1.551 billion during the same month in the previous year. Additionally, on a month-on-month basis, the textile group registered a negative growth of 2.53 per cent compared to $1.356 billion in December 2022.

    Cotton yarn exports experienced a negative growth of 34.66 per cent during July-January, totaling $449.419 million compared to $687.857 million during the same period in the previous year. On a year-on-year basis, cotton yarn exports registered a negative growth of 12.34 per cent, while on a month-on-month basis, it registered a growth of 27.22 per cent.

    Rice exports declined by 15.82 per cent during the first seven months of fiscal year 2022-23, totaling $1.083 billion compared to $1.286 billion during the same period in the previous fiscal year. Overall, the country’s exports during July-January 2022-23 totaled $16.499 billion (provisional) compared to $17.739 billion during the corresponding period of the previous year, showing a decrease of 6.99 per cent.

    In January 2023, the country’s exports amounted to $2.244 billion (provisional) compared to $2.313 billion in December 2022, reflecting a decrease of 2.98 per cent and a decline of 14.15 per cent compared to $2.614 billion in January 2022. The primary commodities of exports during January 2023 were knitwear, readymade garments, bed wear, cotton cloth, rice others, towels, cotton yarn, made-up articles (excluding towels and bedwear), rice basmati, and surgical goods and medical instruments.

  • Honda Atlas passes on sales tax burden to customers with another massive price hike

    Honda Atlas passes on sales tax burden to customers with another massive price hike

    Honda Atlas Cars announced on Friday that it would be increasing the prices of its completely knocked down (CKD) models in response to a rise in sales tax.

    The car manufacturer cited several reasons for this decision, including the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, a volatile business environment, and the increase in sales tax.

    As a result, the company will raise the prices of its CKD models by up to Rs550,000, marking the third hike.

    The new retail sale price (RSP) will be effective for all new orders placed from February 18 onwards.

    Here are the new prices of all Honda cars:

    Model Od price New price Hike
    City MT 1.2L Rs4,329,000 Rs4,579,000 Rs250,000
    City CVT 1.2L  Rs4,469,000 Rs4,729,000 Rs260,000
    City CVT 1.5L  Rs4,739,000 Rs5,019,000 Rs280,000
    City Asp MT 1.5L Rs4,939,000 Rs5,229,000 Rs290,000
    City Asp CVT 1.5L Rs5,119,000 Rs5,419,000 Rs300,000
    BR-V CVT S Rs5,649,000 Rs5,949,000 Rs300,000
    HR-V VTI Rs6,799,000 Rs7,199,000 Rs400,000
    HR-V-VTI S Rs6,999,000 Rs7,399,000 Rs400,000
    Civic 1.5L M CVT Rs7,299,000 Rs7,779,000 Rs480,000
    Civic 1.5L Oriel M CVT Rs7,599,000 Rs8,099,000 Rs500,000
    Civic RS 1.5LL CVT Rs8,649,000 Rs9,199,000 Rs550,000
    Honda Cars Latest Prices in Pakistan – February 18, 2023

    Customers who have existing back orders as of February 17 will also be subject to the new retail sale price. Additionally, a 1 per cent additional sales tax will be applied to all back orders that have been paid in full as of the previous price increase letter, dated February 6.

    Honda Atlas Cars stated that any unclear back orders, with the exception of the Civic model, that are due up until March 23 can be invoiced if full payment (February 6 price + 1 per cent additional sales tax) is received by February 27 (with an instrument date of February 27). However, the automaker noted that the prices are subject to change and that the prices prevailing at the time of delivery will be final. Any changes in government levies or taxes will be borne by the customers.

    Furthermore, Honda Atlas announced an increase in the rates of its motorcycles the day before.

  • ‘I don’t feel comfortable with slapping scenes’: Bushra Ansari

    ‘I don’t feel comfortable with slapping scenes’: Bushra Ansari

    Bushra Ansari’s currently winning hearts as the strict mother-in-law on the ARY drama ‘Tere Bin’, however it seems like the actor isn’t too comfortable with the character’s cold, selfish nature. Especially in a particular scene where her character Maa Begum slaps Meerab for dancing.
    In a behind the scenes interiew, Ansari confessed that she finds slapping scenes quite difficult to perform:
    “The one thing that I don’t like is slapping people, and I get incredibly upset over it. Not just girls, but with boys as well I have to give a lot of re-takes. In a lot of previous dramas I had to slap actors like my own son. I slapped Wahaj, Ahsan Khan and then Mikaal Zulfiqar…Just one thing I would change about her character is how much she slaps people. Because it breaks my heart. Allah karay I never have to come across such a situation.”
    Ansari also explained the mindset and personality of Maa Begam, and elaborated on how when Meerab began dancing at her wedding, she challenged this mindset which is why she was slapped.
    “I (my character) have a set of rules like ‘this is my house, this is my family and these are my rules, and this isn’t right that my daughter-in-law is dancing at wedding. But no one would find this to be proper, as this is a part of our own culture… I see women now days are dancing at their wedding and wearing full makeup. Back in our days we had a tradition that a bride would wear no makeup so that her face would glow.”

    You can watch the complete interview here:

  • Female and male students can’t sit together at KP’s Gomal University

    Female and male students can’t sit together at KP’s Gomal University

    Gomal University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Dera Ismail Khan has implemented a total ban on joint gatherings of male and female students on campus “in any ground or roads”.

    The university also issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday which reads: “gathering/coupling (male and female) is totally banned in any ground, roads etc. beyond the premises of department.”

    The university also directed female students to “be careful” and limit themselves just to their classrooms and department common rooms.

    Moreover, it also warned of strict action against those students found violating the rules.

    Interestingly, the notification was issued the day after Valentine’s Day (February 14).

  • Sanam Jung debunks rumor’s about wearing fat-suit for ‘Pyari Mona’

    Sanam Jung has told iBBC Urdu that she does not wear a fat-suit in her latest drama on Hum TV ‘Pyari Mona’ in which she plays the role of a plus-sized woman.

    In the interview, Jung addressed the backlash the show was receiving that she wore a fat suit in some episodes.

    “When I first went over, they told me that I didn’t have the right look and I had to gain 20kg in order to be perfect for the role. At first I had refused, but then when I started falling in love with Mona then I thought ‘okay we have to do this’. Because we had made a body suit for Mona which was stuffed with cotton and was quite heavy, like a thick blanket. It completely covered me, and I had to shoot in the summers. So we did multiple trials, and when I wore it, my face looked small and my body looked big. Then we decided that I have to eat more for this role. At first I gained five kilos, that was not enough. Then I gained around 7 to 8 kilos, then my director was happy. He said ‘Now you are looking just like Mona!’ I stopped going to the gym because I had to stay in a character as long as the shoots were going on, so I pushed my diet plans to the side. I ate all sorts of food, because my character was even eating on set, and I couldn’t pretend like I was eating and then spit it out from the other side. I really enjoyed the process of becoming Mona.”

    Jung also opened up about the reason why she chose to do ‘Pyaari Mona’, revealing that she had also faced the same struggles that her character did. Originally, Jung had rejected the drama, but when a year later she again offered the role, she decided to do it.

    “This is my story. I have been through it. As in not literally with her family. But with society, and the people, I have gone through all of it. Other than that, I also thought there are so many people who are going through the same issue. So for them, and for myself I have found such an important story to tell… I felt it was an important message because we will keep doing ordinary plays with the boy and girl and they fall in love. But this was a different, message-oriented play. So I read it and I fell in love with Mona.”

    You can watch the full interview here:

  • ‘I have never pressurized Ayeza to spend her own money’: Danish Taimoor

    ‘I have never pressurized Ayeza to spend her own money’: Danish Taimoor

    Actor Danish Taimoor was a guest on “The Talk Talk Show” where among many things, he opened up about his relationship with wife Ayeza Khan , who is also an actor. The two have been married since 2014 and have two children.
    In the interview, Taimoor revealed that he always made sure that the couple’s household expenses would remain his responsibility, and that whatever Ayeza had earned in her career would solely belong to her, leaving her free she to do whatever she liked with it.

    “I do this because even in Islam, this is what we’ve been told to do,” said the actor. “What ever earnings your spouse makes, these are her own and for me to even use Rs1 from it is haram. If its her intention, then she may give it to me if she wishes. But anything regarding grocery or household, I tell her that it is solely my responsiblity,” he categorically said.

    Taimoor also talked about those roles that attracted a lot of public criticism in dramas like Deewangi and Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi. He said that it was not his responsibility to become a teacher, as he was an entertainer:
    “Do not connect these characters with myself…I don’t take responsibility for all of this. I am here to entertain public, otherwise I would have become a teacher.”

    You can watch the complete interview below:

  • Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Imaan Z Hazir Mazari, the lawyer of the woman who was raped in F- 9 Park, has said that Islamabad Police’s claim of killing the two main suspects in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint is false.

    She further said that the suspects have been found to be involved in 50-rape cases.

    On Thursday, the Islamabad Police said that the two main suspects in the F-9 Park girl rape case were killed in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint.

    In a series of tweets, the police had claimed that the suspects opened fire on them. In retaliatory firing, the suspects were injured and later succumbed to their injuries.

    The police said that they were not only involved in the F-9 rape incident but other “serious crimes”. One of the suspects was involved in a deadly mugging, it added.

    ‘Don’t leave home after sunset’: Rapists tell survivor after raping her, give her Rs1000

    On February 4, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by two unidentified armed men in a public park located in Islamabad’s F-9 area.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), two armed men approached the rape survivor while she was with her male coworker in a park in F-9.

    According to the FIR, the men separated the woman from her colleague and took them to a neighbouring bush at gunpoint. The suspects beat the young woman up after she pleaded with them to let her go and even offered them money in exchange for her safety.

    The rape survivor in the FIR said that after raping her the rapists told her not to leave home after the sunset and also gave her Rs1000.

    She further said that the suspects asked her about her relationship with her colleague and slapped her.

    Islamabad Police in a tweet said that DNA samples of all the suspects are being collected.

  • Fact check: No one died from the leopard attack in Islamabad

    Fact check: No one died from the leopard attack in Islamabad

    Claim: In an unusual incident, a leopard on Thursday was found on the loose in well-known private housing— Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Islamabad, attacking the people who tried to capture it. The wild animal was captured by the Wildlife Board in the evening.

    However, speculation was rife on social media that one person had died of the leopard attack.

    Fact: To address and clarify the different stories, the Chair of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Rina Khan Satti took to Twitter on Thursday, stating that the leopard injured a total of four people including two members of the wildlife board who suffered minor injuries.

    She also urged the people to stop spreading rumours and stated that both the animal and the injured people are safe.

    Earlier today, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman also addressed the attack, sharing a video of the leopard.

    For now, the Islamabad Police has opened a criminal investigation against an unknown person for “domesticating” a leopard.

    The animal was being kept as a pet in an unknown person’s home, the police alleged on Friday in a tweet. “The suspect endangered the lives of citizens by keeping dangerous animals,” it said, adding that legal action will be taken after arresting him soon.

  • Latest gas price hike will hit the rich, not the poor: Petroleum Minister

    Latest gas price hike will hit the rich, not the poor: Petroleum Minister

    Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik stated that the latest hike in gas tariff was implemented without imposing a burden on the low-income segment. In a media briefing, he added that the government separated the poor and rich segments to protect low-income individuals from its impact.

    However, Malik admitted that the low-income segment in Pakistan is facing tough times. He also shared that 60 per cent of the Pakistani public will remain unaffected by the gas price hike, and the low-income segment might even see a decrease in their bills.

    Malik agreed with former finance minister Miftah Ismail that Pakistan is experiencing elite capture. He emphasized that Pakistan is different for the high-income and low-income segments, and the gas tariff has mostly increased for the high-income segment.

    During the speech, Malik criticised the developed countries for fancying development and progress, which he believed have put most of the world’s population – nearly 5 billion – at peripheries.

    According to Dawn, the minister said that the development has not been inclusive and countries like Pakistan were paying the price despite having “zero” contribution in carbon emissions and lately, it became the third most affected country from global warming.

    He made these comments after the government raised gas prices in line with the International Monetary Fund’s recommendation. As a result, the weighted average cost of gas has increased by 43 per cent from Rs620 to Rs885 per million British thermal units.

  • Pakistan impresses IMF with speedy implementation of agreed measures

    Pakistan impresses IMF with speedy implementation of agreed measures

    During a press conference at the Parliament House on Thursday, Aisha Ghaus Pasha, the Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, announced that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not only satisfied with the Pakistani government’s measures to generate an additional Rs170 billion in revenue through the supplementary finance bill, but is also surprised by the speedy implementation of the agreed measures.

    The revenue measures, which were agreed upon with the IMF, have already been put in place. Pasha added that the IMF is also engaged with Pakistan’s friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China, with respect to the country’s external financing needs and will update the Executive Board accordingly.

    The minister further stated that discussions with friendly countries on external financing are ongoing, and progress is being made. Virtual talks with the IMF are expected to be held late Thursday night to discuss the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), and the government has submitted further clarification to the draft of the MEFP. Pasha noted that the finalization of the MEFP would not take a long time.

    Pasha had earlier briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and shared that the culture of giving subsidies in Pakistan is an old one that needs to end.

    Senator Mohsin Aziz suggested that instead of increasing taxes on luxury items, a ban should be imposed on their import to prevent smuggling. Pasha explained that the government had first considered a total ban on luxury item imports, but the WTO, the IMF, and other international agencies were against it.

    While agriculture income tax is a provincial matter, Pasha emphasized that the sector needs to contribute to the economy. She also stated that, as part of the austerity measures, a scheme is under consideration to enforce the manufacturing of electric vehicles, and the government is deliberating on the financing mode to bridge the gap. Overall, the government has worked quickly on implementing prior actions and commitments to the IMF program.