Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan’s iconic ‘wow grape’ meme to be sold as NFT

    Pakistan’s iconic ‘wow grape’ meme to be sold as NFT

    The “wow grape” meme that won the hearts of many people across the world is due to be auctioned as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) on September 30, 2022, on the digital art marketplace Foundation.

    When a YouTube channel posted a video of a celebration at a Pakistani school in Saudi Arabia, a school teacher, Sehar Kamran’s “wow grape” moment became meme material for netizens.

    Snippets from the video quickly went popular on the internet, becoming a frequent model for the creation of memes that inundated social media.

    The tagline “wow, great” was actually misunderstood as “wow grape” by internet users. Since then, the phrase “wow grape” has appeared regularly in texts, images, gifs, and videos on the internet.

    The auction will be held in partnership with the Sweden/Pakistan-based software business, Maqssoft, with Sehar Kamran’s permission.

    Reportedly, a percentage of the earnings from NFT sales will go toward the rehabilitation of flood victims in Pakistan.

  • ‘Mujhe itna dewaar say mat lagain ke mai sari qaum ke samnay unki shaklain rakh doon’: Imran Khan

    ‘Mujhe itna dewaar say mat lagain ke mai sari qaum ke samnay unki shaklain rakh doon’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan warned his opponents against pushing him against the wall.

    “I have been tolerating all this for the last four months. The more you try to intimidate me, the more I will fight back,” said Khan while addressing a gathering in Sargodha, on September 1.

    “Mujhe itna dewaar say mat lagain ke main sari qoum ke samnay unki shaklain rakh don jinho nay apnay mufaad ke liye mulk ko mushkil main dala [Don’t push me against the wall otherwise I will expose all those faces to the nation who have put the country in trouble for their interest]”, warned Khan.

    Talking about his public support, the former Prime Minister said that he can shut down the federal capital whenever he wants.

    “My nation is standing by me. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is spread all over, from Gilgit Baltistan to Khyber Pakthunwkan. We’re in Punjab and Azad Kashmir. Whenever I want, I can shut down Islamabad,” he said.

    “I am telling you again, don’t push me that much. The more you will try to put pressure, scare me and file FIRs, I will fight back more strongly,” he told his opponents.

    Khan further alleged that conspiracied were hatched to sideline him. “It was decided in closed door meetings to side line me. I thank God I got to know about their plans. I have made a tape and recorded the names of four people who hatched the conspiracy against me. If any thing happens to me I know my country will not spare them,” he told the crowd.

    Responding to Imran Khan’s speech, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that when one loses power they talk in a similar manner as does Imran Khan.

    “He [Imran Khan] must try and block Islamabad. You have provincial governments, you must spend your time making the lives of people better there, rather than claiming to shut down the capital. This is not the way democracy works,” rebuked the former Premier.

    “It is the people who will push Imran Khan to the wall for all the lies he has been telling,” said Khaqan.

  • Video: Young shoe polisher wins hearts by donating half of his earnings to flood victims

    Video: Young shoe polisher wins hearts by donating half of his earnings to flood victims

    A charity organisation, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, posted a video of a young boy donating Rs30 for flood relief efforts.

    The shoe polisher has been donating to the flood relief camp at Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore for the last five days, according to the Alkhidmat Foundation.

    It went on to say that since he did not have any money to donate the day before yesterday, he shined some shoes and donated Rs30 of the Rs60 he had earned.

    In the emotional video, the boy can be seen searching his pockets for money before putting it inside the contribution box.

    The post has been retweeted 8k times and received over 24k likes, with others applauding the noble gesture from a poor youngster. Some netizens stated that it is a lesson for people who earn a lot of money but do not contribute or have a big enough heart to donate enough money in such instances.

  • ‘Heartbreaking’: Bollywood celebs react to the plight of flood victims in Pakistan

    ‘Heartbreaking’: Bollywood celebs react to the plight of flood victims in Pakistan

    Severe flash floods have wreaked havoc in Pakistan; the country’s citizens are suffering from homelessness and many have also lost loved ones.

    Floods triggered by incessant rains have killed more than 1000 people including 300 hundred children. The catastrophic flooding has rendered millions of people homeless during the last few days. People from across the globe are also sending prayers, donations, and supportive words to Pakistani citizens, who are concerned about the flood victims.

    Bollywood actors Ishaan Khatter and Aly Goni took to their Instagram stories to express their concerns and prayers for the plight of flood victims in Pakistan. While Aly made a prayer, Ishaan termed the situation as heartbreaking.

    Even Turkish superstar Engin Altan Duzyatan stated on Instagram that he is praying for Pakistan.

  • Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani honoured on first death anniversary

    Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani honoured on first death anniversary

    People living on both sides of the border and across the globe are observing the first death anniversary of veteran Kashmiri separatist leader and former chief of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

    Marking one year since the great freedom fighter’s passing, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that Geelani “still remains as relevant to the freedom struggle today as he was in life”.

    In a tweet, the premier said, “Syed Ali Geelani personified the very essence of Kashmiris’ struggle. Frail in body but firm in resolve, he powered the resistance movement with belief in the idea of freedom from Indian yoke.”

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said today he has joined the Kashmiri people “in paying rich tribute to the bravest and most ardent advocate of Kashmir’s freedom struggle”.

    “Geelani sb’s memory will continue to inspire Kashmiris in their quest for a future free from Indian occupation”, he added.

    Earlier in the day, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the veteran Kashmiri separatist leader.

    “Pakistan nation pays tribute to brave Syed Ali Shah Geelani for epic resistance and fight against worst Indian oppression/atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK). His lifelong struggle for right to self-determination as per aspirations of people of Kashmir and UN resolutions shall always inspire generations to come,” the tweet said.

    Former Human Rights Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari said, “Today is the death anniversary of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a symbol of Kashmiri’s struggle against India’s illegal occupation of IIOJK. His suffering along with ongoing persecution and torture of Kashmiri leaders by fascist Modi govt should be remembered before imported govt opens trade with India.”

    The government of Pakistan gave a Nishan-e-Pakistan to Geelani to honour his struggle for the freedom of IIOJK. He was placed on house arrest after August 5, 2019 when the Indian government revocated the special constitutional status of Kashmir. He passed away while still confined to his home.

  • Pakistan inflation hits highest level since 1973

    Pakistan inflation hits highest level since 1973

    According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index-based inflation (CPI) climbed by 27.3 per cent on a year-over-year basis in August 2022 as opposed to an increase of 24.9 per cent the previous month and 8.4 per cent in August 2021.

    Inflation has increased by an average of 26.1 per cent in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023 compared to 8.36 per cent in 2022. August’s inflation rate was the highest since November 1973.

    According to brokerage house Arif Habib Limited (AHL) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of Aug’22 clocked in at 27.26 per cent YoY (+2.45 per cent MoM). This takes 2MFY23 average inflation to 26.1 per cent compared to 8.36 per cent in 2MFY22.

    CPI inflation

    Urban

    In August 2022, urban CPI inflation was 26.2 per cent on an annual basis, up from 8.3 per cent in August 2021 and 23.6 per cent the month before.

    It climbed by 2.6 per cent month over month in 2022, compared to 4.5 per cent the month before and 0.5 per cent in August 2021.

    Rural

    In addition, rural CPI inflation reached 28.8 per cent on an annual basis in August 2022, up from 8.4 per cent in August 2021 and 26.9 per cent in the preceding month.

    In August 2022, it climbed by 2.2 per cent month over month, compared to 4.2 per cent the month before and 0.7 per cent in August 2021.

    Further increase expected

    Rising inflation has become a major worry for Pakistan’s economy, which is already experiencing a loss of foreign exchange reserves.

    In the midst of severe flash floods that have resulted in at least 1,100 fatalities, extensive destruction, and millions of displaced people, experts have cautioned that the country will experience additional increases in food costs.

  • Govt spends Rs20 million per month on Khan’s security: IG Islamabad

    In a meeting of the Senate Standing Com­mittee on Interior chaired by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator Mohsin Aziz, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Isla­mabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan revealed that 266 personnel have been deployed for PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s security, which costs the government Rs20 million per month.

    The meeting took place on Wednesday, in which IGP Islamabad also admitted that there are reports of threats to Khan’s life.

    IGP Nasir provided these details in the form of a report sought by Committee Chairman Mohsin Aziz, who took a suo moto notice on reports of withdrawal of Khan’s security.

    He was asked about the reasons for the withdrawal of Khan’s security and revoking of private security companies’ licenses that were deployed for his protection. In reply, the IGP said that besides the two private security companies, 266 personnel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) police, Frontier Consta­bulary and Rangers have been deployed for PTI Chairman’s security.

    He added that the said licenses were revoked by the Interior Ministry, however, they are still performing security duties.

    Chairman Committee Aziz observed that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was invited eight times for this meeting, but he did not come to attend the meeting once.

    Senator Shahadat Awan remarked that instead of calling a meeting, the committee chairman could have directly asked the IGP about the issue.

    “An hour-long meeting costs Rs15 lakh from the national exchequer”, he pointed out.

    Federal Minister of Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, said that despite concerns for flood victims, Imran Khan’s rallies were being held and abuses were being hurled. “This forum is not for discussing such matters,” he said.

    On Thursday, Imran Khan’s counsel, Babar Awan, informed the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) that Khan’s life is under threat.

    “IGP and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations will be responsible if something happens to my client,” warned Babar.

  • Govt to conduct forensic audit of audio call between PTI leaders

    Govt to conduct forensic audit of audio call between PTI leaders

    Federal Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, has confirmed on Wednesday, (August 31) that the government will be conducting a forensic audit of two leaked audio calls between former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Punjab Finance Minister Mohsin Leghari and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra.

    “Tarin did not obey his oath and attempted to prioritise politics over the state. This case falls under the category of rebellion against the state,” said Tarar, referring to the leaked audio call.

    Tarar also said that action will be taken according to the law once the forensic report is released.

    Read more: Leaked audio: PTI’s Shaukat Tarin allegedly advising finance ministers in Punjab, KP to sabotage IMF deal

    It is pertinent to mention here that on August 29, in a leaked audio, Tarin allegedly instructed Leghari and Jhagra in two separate calls, to write letters withdrawing from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) deal. At the time, the federal government was in talks to finalize the terms of a $1.6 billion bailout package for the country from IMF.

    Read more: ‘Yeh ab tai hogaya hai Imran Khan Pakistan aur 22 crore logo se zyada eham hain’: Twitter reacts to leaked audio

    Tarin, while speaking on a political talk show on Express News, said that he wants to tell Pakistanis that now their WhatsApp calls are also being tapped.

    “It was a WhatsApp call. I am disappointed that a WhatsApp call was being recorded. We can take up this matter legally,” said Tarin.

    Read more: ‘WhatsApp calls are being tapped’: Shaukat Tarin

    However, it remains unclear who recorded and released the alleged audio recording.

  • Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain has said on Thursday that the government has decided to provide relief to university students in flood-affected areas by waiving their fees and giving them scholarships.

    In a tweet, he said that he held a meeting with the Chair Higher Education Commission (HEC) and decided to facilitate the university students in calamity-struck zones.

    Under the relief package, the government would defer current/due university fee payments, devise a mechanism/possibility for a fee waiver and announce a special scholarship program (undergraduate and graduation) for students.

    Tanveer stated that in these pressing times the government stands firm with the people and would do whatever it takes for rehabilitation of flood victims.

    “Doing fund-raising, providing food and tents, and setting up medical camps and transitional schools is our top priority,” he added.

    In another tweet, the federal minister said that “Our Government under the able leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is fully committed to provide maximum relief to our people suffering from flood calamity. In these pressing times, we stand firm with our people and will do whatever it takes for rehabilitation.”

    Earlier today, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced that he will not be taking a scheduled official trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to focus on relief and rescue operations. Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also cancelled his scheduled visit in late August to four European countries. Separately, the media wing of the armed forces, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also announced that Defense Day celebrations will be postponed to express solidarity with flood victims.

    Heavy monsoon rains in the country have triggered massive floods that have submerged a third of the country and killed at least 1,191 people. 27 more people died in the previous 24 hours on Thursday.

    Approximately 116 districts across the four provinces have been affected. Infrastructure, including bridges, roads, schools, homes and hospitals. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 888 health facilities have been inundated with flood water.

  • Govt raises petrol price by Rs2.07 to Rs235.98 per litre

    Govt raises petrol price by Rs2.07 to Rs235.98 per litre

    The price of petrol was raised by the government on Wednesday by Rs2.07 per litre, making it Rs235.98 for the upcoming two weeks.

    Additionally, it announced a hike in the costs of kerosene oil by Rs9.79 per litre to Rs201.54, high-speed diesel by Rs2.99 per litre to Rs247.43, and light diesel oil by Rs10.92 per litre to Rs210.32.

    Contrary to what the market anticipated, the decision to raise gasoline prices, even more, was finally made. In the first half of September 2022, the market anticipated a price drop of up to Rs 20 per litre for the two main petroleum products—petrol and high-speed diesel.

    Expectations were sparked by a decline in the average exchange rate for the purchase of Pakistan State Oil (PSO), which fell from Rs227 in the first half of August to Rs217 in the next15 days.

    Similar to this, the premium paid on gasoline and HSD in the first half of August had decreased from $17 and $8.5 per barrel, respectively.