Author: newsdesk

  • Sri Lanka to reduce army by a third as financial crunch tightens

    Sri Lanka to reduce army by a third as financial crunch tightens

    In response to criticism that military spending exceeded the budgetary allotments for healthcare and education in 2023, Sri Lanka on Friday announced a plan to cut the size of its military in half by 2030 in order to create a technically and tactically sound and well-balanced defence force.

    The country will slash its army by a third to 135,000 personnel by next year and to 100,000 by 2030. “The overall aim of the strategic blueprint is to broach a technically and tactically sound and well-balanced defence force by the year 2030 in order to meet upcoming security challenges,” the statement quoting the state minister of defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said.

    The share of the defence sector in Sri Lanka’s total expenditure peaked in 2021, at 2.31 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), but fell to 2.03 per cent last year, according to Colombo-based think tank Verite Research.

    In early December, Sri Lankan media outlets announced that the Sri Lankan Army had decided to reduce troop numbers by 16,000.

  • Update: Apartment where Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide finally gets a tenant

    Update: Apartment where Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide finally gets a tenant

    Late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s sea-facing Mumbai home located at Carter Road gets its first tenant after almost a gap of three years, reports. The apartment now belongs to an NRI who will be renting it out at the cost of INR 5 lakh per month along with a security deposit of INR 30 lakh.

    The sources revealed that a broker named Rafique Merchant confirmed that the house is finally renting out. He revealed that the owner of the house contacted him regarding the matter a few months back. “We have found somebody (a tenant). We are in the final stage of talks with the family to finalize things. People are now relaxed about it (Sushant’s death) because they say it has been a while.”

    Rafique talked about the process of finding tenants for the apartment, and said: “People are scared to move into this flat. When prospective tenants would hear that this is the same apartment where he died, they would not even visit. Nowadays, people are at least visiting the flat as the news of his death has become old. Yet, the deal is not getting finalized.”

    “The owner is also very particular and doesn’t want to come down on the rent. If he does, it’ll be sold quickly. Since he’s selling it at the market price, tenants prefer buying some other flat of a similar size in the same area since it would come without the baggage of controversy that this flat is associated with, revealed the broker.”

    Sushant Singh Rajput's Sea-Facing Bandra Home is Up for Rent at Rs 4 Lakh Per Month

    Merchant further disclosed: “The clients are informed in advance that this is where Sushant used to stay. Some people don’t mind the history and want to go for it. But their friends and family members discourage them from going ahead with the deal. Now, the owner is very clear that he doesn’t want to rent out the flat to a film celeb, no matter who or how big he or she is. He wants to hand over the flat to a corporate person.”

    As per Pinkvilla, Sushant Singh Rajput moved into this four-bedroom apartment in 2019, he was living there on a rent of INR 4.5 lakh per month. 

  • ‘Kacha kaam nahin karna chaahiye tha’: Nawaz Sharif called Rana Sanaullah 3 times

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif called Interior Minister President Rana Sanaullah three times to discuss the Vote of Confidence that his party initiated in the Punjab Assembly.

    According to a news report, Nawaz said to Sanaullah that the Punjab Parliamentary Committee should have shown responsibility, those who took responsibility should not have done a poor job.

    The report further states that Rana Sanaullah said that on the assurance of the members of the parliamentary committee, the party changed their position, and was adamant about its position that the Punjab assembly should be dissolved.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi took a vote of confidence from the House, after which Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman withdrew the notification to suspend Elahi.

    Last night, Elahi signed the summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly. He advised Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman to dissolve the assembly.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry announced the CM’s decision and said that if governor Punjab fails to dissolve the assembly within 48 hours, it will be dissolved automatically.

    Fawad also said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly would be dissolved “day after tomorrow”.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    CM KP has prepared summary for dissolution of assembly: Fawad Chaudhry
    
			
    CM KP has prepared summary for dissolution of assembly: Fawad Chaudhry
    
			
    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice-President Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has prepared a summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly..
    

    Talking to the media, Fawad revealed that Khan and his cabinet were scheduled to visit the PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Lahore but were unable to do so due to bad weather
    

    “We spoke to them on the phone,” he said. “They have prepared the advice to dissolve the KP assembly”.
    

    About the dissolution matter of the Punjab Assembly, the PTI leader asked the Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman not to wait for “48 hours” and urged him to dissolve the assembly immediately so that the process for the formation of an interim set up in Punjab be initiated.
    

    Earlier, it was reported that CM KP is expected to meet Khan today (Friday) in Lahore.
    

    The chief minister along with his cabinet was set to arrive in Lahore at the directions of his party chief.
    

    According to ARY News, Imran Khan would announce that the assembly will be dissolved by tonight. 
    

    However, Special Assistant to CM Mahmood Khan on Information Barrister, Muhammad Ali Saif, said that the dissolution of the KP Assembly will take place after the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly.
    

    He said that a summary will be sent to KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali to dissolve the assembly. According to him, there is no problem in KP, but they would wait for the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly first.
    

    He added that after the dissolution of the KP Assembly, a letter will also be written to the Leader of the Opposition— Akram Khan Durrani— for the appointment of a caretaker chief minister.
    

    On the other hand, KP Governor Ali has said that he still stood by his stance that assemblies should not be broken.
    

    On Thursday, Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi signed the summary for the dissolution of the provincial assembly.
    

    In a brief one-line advice addressed to Governor Rehman, Elahi said: “I Pervaiz Elahi, chief minister of Punjab, hereby advise you to dissolve the provincial assembly.”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Speaking to the media after Elahi’s meeting with Imran, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said that “if the governor does not accept the advice then, the assembly is automatically dissolved after 48 hours.”
    

    He said that a letter would be sent to former Punjab CM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Hamza Shehbaz in the next two days for finalising an interim government in Punjab, adding that elections would take place in the next 90 days.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Sanjay Dutt reveals why he preferred death over cancer treatment
    
			
    Sanjay Dutt reveals why he preferred death over cancer treatment
    
			
    Actor Sanjay Dutt, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 has shared in an interview that he refused to get proper treatment for the disease and rather preferred dying.
    

    Recently at an event, Dutt revealed that after his diagnosis he told his sister Priya that he do not want to get chemotherapy and that he would like to choose death over treatment.
    

    Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt 'diagnosed with lung cancer' after announcing  break from work - Irish Mirror Online
    

    He further recalled that his family has had a history of cancer as his mother Nargis and wife Richa Sharma died due to the same.
    

    The Munna Bhai MBBS actor quoted saying: “My first reaction was that, once you hear something like this, your whole life reflects back at you. I have a history of cancer in my family. My mom died of pancreatic cancer, and my wife died of brain cancer. So, the first thing I said was that I don’t want to take chemotherapy. If I’m supposed to die, I will just die but I don’t want any treatment.”
    

    Sanjay Dutt on his family shifting to Dubai: 'They love it there' |  Entertainment News,The Indian Express
    

    Previously back in the days when he was shooting for Shamshera in 2020, Sanjay was diagnosed with severe lung cancer. The actor resumed the shoot after his recovery.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Ali Tariq to hold all girls public gig
    
			
    Ali Tariq to hold all girls public gig
    
			
    After the backlash to the Karachi Eat Festvial’s poor management and security, that couldn’t stags from gate crashing the event, many young women took to social media to share instances of harassment and groping. It also started a public conversation about banning men from entering public events, since it would make it harder for young women and families to enjoy their nights out.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    

    


    

    

    

    But it seems like many musicians are now agreeing with the idea. Singer Ali Tariq uploaded a screenshot on his Instagram on Friday where he said that he eill hold a public, girls only event and asked for sponsors to cover the band, venue and production cost.
    

    ‘After reading the messages from you guys, I want to put out a public gig, all girls only! This is to cater to all the girls who came out on Sunday but weren’t able to enjoy their day to the fullest. I’ll pledge my performance, need sponsors/ donors to cover my band, venue and production cost.”
    

    


    

     
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Sherry Rehman, Ayesha Malik get featured in Forbes 50 Over 50
    
			
    Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman and the first female judge of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik have been featured in the prestigious Forbes’ ’50 Over 50: Asia 2023′ list.
    

    Featuring Malik, Forbes detailed her achievement as part of Pakistan’s judiciary.
    

    The magazine wrote: “In 2022, at age 56, Malik became the first woman to serve as a justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, in the country’s 75-year history. Malik issued a seminal judgement outlawing the use of virginity tests in rape cases. She also served on the board of the Punjab Judicial Academy and as chair of the Judicial Officers Female Supervisory Committee.”
    

    Highlighting Rehman’s achievements Forbes stated, “At the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), Rehman made global news, suggesting a new deal to channel money from rich countries to poor ones that have suffered climate-related disasters”.
    

    “She was the first female to hold office as Leader of Opposition in the Senate in 2018,” added the magazine.
    

    The magazine includes names of 50 women over the age of 50 from Asia-Pacific, who are reaching new heights in their industries and inspiring the region’s next generation.
    

    Apart from Rehman and Malik, Forbes included the names of Malaysian biologist Asma Ismail, Indian novelist Geetanjali Shree and Australian businesswoman Vicki Brady and other superwomen who are making headlines globally.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Riz Ahmed joins ‘Joyland’ as Executive Producer
    
			
    Academy and Emmy award winner Riz Ahmed announced on social media yesterday that he had joined the Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ as an Executive Producer.
    Calling the film ‘ground breaking’, Ahmed praised Saim Sadiq’s writing and direction and also the performances of the actors in the movie.
    

    Calling the film ‘ground breaking’ Ahmed praised Saim Sadiq’s writing and direction and also praised the performances done by actors in the movie
    

    “Saim Sadiq’s filmmaking is both understated and gut-wrenching. His writing is consistently unexpected, and every scene is so elegantly composed but still bursting with raw performances. JOYLAND is one of the best films of the year, and against all odds of resources and marketing budgets, it’s been amazing to see festival juries, audiences, and critics shouting that from the rooftops.
    

    You can read his full statement below:
    

    


    

     
    

    Sadiq also shared the news on his social media account, saying he was proud to have Ahmed on board with the team
    

    “We are so very excited to have @rizahmed on board for the  ”
    

    


    

     
    

    The Current reached out to Saim Sadiq for a statement and his response was:
    “Very grateful yar and very humbled. We are all just trying to do our best by this film of ours.”
    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Rs19bn of Benazir Income support programme allegedly distributed  among Govt officials: report
    
			
    The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) on Thursday that 143,000 government officials had received an illegal distribution of Rs19 billion from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Dawn has reported.
    

    Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, a member of the PAC, asked BISP secretary Yousuf Khan about the status of the investigation into the distribution of monies among government officials in 2020 during the examination of the audit report of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division.
    

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was asked to look into the issue of the distribution of BISP payments to underserving beneficiaries when it first came to light in 2020.
    

    In answer to Senator Syed’s inquiry, BISP secretary Yousuf Khan informed the committee that 2,500 of the 143,000 ineligible beneficiaries who were employed by the government were doing so at the BS-17 level or higher.
    

    He claimed that these officials had been using their own names to withdraw money from the BISP which was intended for those in need.
    The BISP secretary stated he was unsure of the precise amount paid to these unlawful beneficiaries when asked about it by PAC chairman Noor Alam Khan.
    The committee was informed by the audit officials that Rs19 billion had been given to those who weren’t deserving.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    SBP-held foreign exchange reserves dropped to 9-year low of $4.34 billion
    
			
    SBP-held foreign exchange reserves dropped to 9-year low of $4.34 billion
    
			
    The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves fell to $4.34 billion, its lowest level since February 2014, due to a lack of dollar inflows from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or friendly nations.
    

    The SBP disclosed on Thursday that due to the repayment of external debt, its reserves fell by $1.23 billion during the week ended January 6.
    

    The country has been experiencing a severe dollar shortage, which is having a negative impact on the capacity to import even food and industrial raw supplies. The country doesn’t have enough dollars, according to the most recent status of foreign exchange reserves, to pay for even one month’s worth of routine imports.
    

    Data showed that commercial banks held $5.84 billion in net foreign currency reserves, while the overall amount of liquid foreign exchange reserves was $10.18 billion.
    

    Ever since the beginning of 2022–2023, reserves have been rapidly decreasing. In the upcoming months, analysts predict rising inflation and limited industrial output as manufacturing is constrained by the scarcity of imported raw materials.
    

    

    

    

    

    According to Geo, United Arab Emirates (UAE) will roll over the existing loan of $2 billion and give an additional $1 billion loan, which should stabilise the reserve position in the coming days.
    

    As the government strives to reduce imports amid a dollar shortage, the reserves, which fell to their lowest level since February 2014, would now only provide import coverage of 0.82 month.