Author: newsdesk

  • We have not invested enough in education, health and infrastructure: PM Shehbaz

    In an interview to The Economist on Pakistan’s Independence Day, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the root problems of the economic crisis gripping the nation nowadays.

    Titled “Pakistan’s prime minister on his drive to modernise the country“, PM Shehbaz mainly talked about critical structural flaws that hindered the state’s economy. According to him, the first reason is that Pakistan’s political environment has become increasingly polarised.

    “Instead of debating how to run Pakistan better and rid the country of poverty, political parties have been at each other’s throats,” he pointed out.

    “We have not invested enough in the nuts and bolts of development: education, health and infrastructure. This is in part due to an abysmally low tax take, but it also reflects our priorities in public spending.”

    PM Shehbaz further highlighted the fact that Pakistan has not enjoyed the benefits of globalisation.

    “Today, we hardly make anything that the world wants and our companies remain very comfortable only operating within our borders, often protected by barriers to competition,” he stressed.

    He pointed out that Pakistan’s exports are just 10 per cent. Shehbaz said that where “two out of every three people are below the age of 30 and full of aspirations and where every third person lives on less than $3.20 a day and less than a quarter of our women work outside the home,” it is a moment that merits “serious introspection”.

    ‘Pakistan was one of the biggest victims of state-sponsored terrorism’: PM Shehbaz

    In an interview with Newsweek’s senior foreign policy writer Tom O’Connor, PM Shehbaz said it was no secret that Pakistan was “one of the biggest victims of state-sponsored terrorism that is planned, supported and financed by hostile intelligence agencies”.

    He went on to say that terrorist attacks against Chinese nationals were “aided and abetted by forces inimical to the Pakistan-China strategic partnership”.

    Talking about friction between the US and China, the premier said: “While the Pakistan-China relationship is very special, Pakistan and the US have also maintained a long-standing historic bilateral relationship which covers all issues of mutual interest.”

    He was of the view that the world cannot afford to go back into another “era of Cold War or bloc politics”.

    The premier called for all parties to agree to the “minimum rules of the game in which the welfare of the people remains paramount”.

    “Systematic problems can be fixed through engagement and consultations among all political stakeholders. This course may take time, but is the only way forward for the system to become strong, resilient and efficient.”

     

  • Civil Awards: Govt honours sports stars on 75th Independence Day

    Civil Awards: Govt honours sports stars on 75th Independence Day

    This year marks the 75th year of independence for Pakistan. To commemorate the occasion, 253 Pakistani citizens from all walks of life, as well as foreign nationals, were awarded the highest honours: the Pakistan Civil Awards by President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, for showing excellent courage and remarkable achievements in their respective fields. A number of prominent Pakistani celebrities, belonging to the field of entertainment and sports were also conferred with the Civil Awards.

    The investiture ceremony of these awards will take place on Pakistan Day — March 23, 2023.

    Read more–Pakistan Civil Awards: List of all the recipients

    14 athletes are also honoured with civil awards.

    Three athletes from the cricketing world have received the awards. Skipper Babar Azam was bestowed with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, women’s cricket team captain Bismah received Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and blind cricketer Masood Jan was honoured with the Pride of Performance award.

    Read more-Winners List: Government honours celebrities with prestigious national awards on 75th Independence Day

    Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt were given the President’s award for Pride of Performance for bagging gold medals for Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.

    Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan has been honoured with Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan received President’s award for Pride of Performance.

    Two kabbadi players Ch Shafay Hussain and Shafiq Ahmed Chishti were honoured with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz respectively.

    Ahsan Ramzan (Snooker), Amina Wali (Skiing), Abdul Karim (Mountaineer/Porter), Irfan Mehsood (Martial Arts) and Ms Shahida (Karate) athletes were also awarded with Pride of Performance.

  • ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    ‘I am an easy target’: Miftah Ismail reacts to criticism after another petroleum hike

    Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail once again explained how the petrol prices are calculated after receiving criticism for the increase in petroleum prices.

    Responding to senior journalist Hamid Mir on Twitter, he said the government has not imposed any tax on petroleum products.

    Clarifying his position, the minister said that he did not say that the price will not be increased.

    “Mir sahib I said I will not add one penny of new taxes or levies to the price. And I have not. But you know Hamid sahib that the fuel price summary is moved by OGRA and sent to Finance division through the Petroleum division. We get it only a few hours before prices are set.”

    “I am an easy target. Which is fine. But this price change only reflects the change in PSO costs and doesn’t have any new taxes,” said Miftah Ismail.

    The finance minister added that people are welcome to critique or criticise him.

    “I know I am sincere to my country and have saved it from default and working to the best of my ability.”

    Zardari unhappy with govt’s decision to increase petrol prices

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari distanced himself from the recent increase in the petroleum prices by the government.

    Zardari said the PPP is a part of the government and supports it, but there must be consultations on such decisions.

    “We are all here in this government to give relief to the people and that should be our top priority. We are with the prime minister and will meet him soon and talk about the economic team,” he added.

    ‘I am not involved in this decision’: Nawaz Sharif leaves party meeting over increase in petrol prices

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was unhappy with the government increasing the petrol prices and as a result left the meeting.

    “Mian Sahib strongly opposed this decision and even said that I cannot burden the people with one more penny. And if there is any compulsion of the government, I am not involved in this decision and he left the meeting,” tweeted Maryam.

    She further tweeted, “I stand with the people. Cannot support this decision.”

    The government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre and decreased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.51 and kerosene oil by Rs1.67 per litre.

    Read more: Govt raises petrol price by Rs6.72 to Rs233.91 per litre

    The price of light diesel oil (LDO) was raised by Rs0.43 per litre by the government.

    Prior to this, the coalition administration had decreased the cost of petrol and LDO starting on August 1 by Rs3.05 and Rs0.12, respectively.

  • Man arrested for making videos of women in park without their permission

    Man arrested for making videos of women in park without their permission

    A man in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was arrested on Monday for filming women in a recreational park without their consent

    According to the park’s administration, the man recorded videos of burqa-clad women when they were getting on to a ride in the recreational zone.

    The park has a separate area for females. The ride was restricted to men at the time the women were boarding and taking the ride.

    According to the local police, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the suspect. They further stated that other individuals verbally abused the women while the man was filming them.

    Read more- Foreign tourists allegedly harassed during Independence Day celebrations at Pakistan Monument

    In a separate incident, three foreigners, including two women and a man, were harassed by a mob in Shakarparian in Islamabad on Independence Day. In videos that have gone viral on social media, some men could be seen surrounding and harassing the tourists.

  • Toyota announces price cut for all vehicles

    Toyota announces price cut for all vehicles

    Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) has announced a reduction in car prices after the Pakistani rupee’s spectacular comeback against the US dollar.

    It is worth mentioning that Toyota had increased car prices up to Rs3.16 million less than two weeks ago.

    The latest car prices for Toyota’s Completely Knocked Down (CKD) units are listed below:

    Vehicle Old Price New Price Reduction
    Toyota Yaris
    Yaris 1.3 Gli M/T Rs3,799,000 Rs3,539,000 Rs260,000
    Yaris 1.3 Gli CVT Rs4,039,000 Rs3,769,000 Rs270,000
    Yaris 1.3 ATIV M/T Rs3,999,000 Rs3,729,000 Rs270,000
    Yaris 1.3 ATIV CVT Rs4,209,000 Rs3,929,000 Rs280,000
    Yaris 1.5 ATIV X M/T Rs4,309,000 Rs4,009,000 Rs300,000
    Yaris 1.5 ATIV X CVT Rs4,569,000 Rs4,259,000 Rs310,000
    Toyota Corolla
    Corolla Altis 1.6 M/T Rs4,899,000 Rs4,569,000 Rs330,000
    Corolla Altis 1.6 A/T Rs5,139,000 Rs4,789,000 Rs350,000
    Corolla Altis SE 1.6 A/T Rs5,639,000 Rs5,279,000 Rs360,000
    Corolla Altis 1.8 CVT Rs5,679,000 Rs5,269,000 Rs410,000
    Corolla Altis 1.8 Grande CVT Beige Interior Rs6,149,000 Rs5,709,000 Rs440,000
    Corolla Altis 1.8 Grande CVT Black Interior Rs6,189,000 Rs5,749,000 Rs440,000
    Toyota Hilux Revo
    Hilux Revo G 2.8 M/T Rs9,819,000 Rs9,169,000 Rs650,000
    Hilux Revo G 2.8 A/T Rs10,299,000 Rs9,609,000 Rs690,000
    Hilux Revo V 2.8 A/T Rs11,349,000 Rs10,599,000 Rs750,000
    Hilux Revo Rocco Rs11,999,000 Rs11,179,000 Rs820,000
    Toyota Fortuner
    Fortuner G A/T Rs12,489,000 Rs11,579,000 Rs910,000
    Fortuner V A/T Rs14,279,000 Rs13,259,000 Rs1,020,000
    Fortuner Sigma 4 A/T Rs15,069,000 Rs13,969,000 Rs1,100,000
    Fortuner Legender Rs15,839,000 Rs14,699,000 Rs1,140,000
    Toyota cars latest price list effective from 16 August 2022

    The automaker decreased the price of Corolla variants by Rs330,000-Rs440,000. The price of the Corolla 1.6 manual model was reduced by Rs330,000, from Rs4.899 million to Rs4.569 million. After a reduction of Rs350,000, the Corolla 1.6 automatic model is now priced at Rs4.789 million.

    Similar reductions were made in the price of Yaris variants, which were reduced between Rs260,000 and Rs310,000. The Yaris 1.5 CVT received the largest price reduction in the aforementioned category, falling by Rs310,000 to a new price of Rs4.259 million from its previous price of Rs4.569 million.

    The price of Hilux Revo was reduced between Rs650,000 to Rs820,000. While the invoice of Revo V AT Rocco dropped from Rs11.999 million to Rs11.179 million, the cost of Revo G MT reduced from Rs9.819 million to Rs9.169 million.

    Read more: Cheapest new cars to buy in Pakistan

    IMC also reduced the prices for the Fortuner models between Rs910,000 and Rs1.14 million.

    After a drop of Rs910,000, the Toyota Fortuner Lo Petrol variant is now offered for Rs11.579 million. The Fortuner Diesel Legender model witnessed a major price decrease, dropping from Rs15.839 million to Rs14.69 million.

  • Bushra Bibi has no jewellery: Khan provides asset details to ECP

    Bushra Bibi has no jewellery: Khan provides asset details to ECP

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday, August 15, declared his wife Bushra Bibi’s and all his assets in the nomination papers to contest the by-elections from Faisalabad constituency NA-108, reports Geo News.

    Providing details to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Khan revealed that his assets are more than Rs304.2 million.

    According to the news outlet, Khan declared two inherited houses and 228 kanals of land in the Bhakkar district. He also owns a flat and a commercial plot on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad from which he is receiving Rs1.4 million as rent. He has four bank accounts, but no investment in any company. He showed Rs11.22 million cash in hand. Khan has four goats worth Rs0.2 million.

    Declaring his wife Bushra Bibi’s assets, he revealed that she has 698 kanals of land in Pakpattan and Okara. As per the nomination papers, a three-kanal house in Bani Gala is in the name of his wife, and that she has no jewellery.

    Khan declared that he spent Rs48.66 million on the construction of the Zaman Park house, and spent Rs4.9 million on additional constructions in Bani Gala. In the nomination papers, Khan did not mention details of his children.

  • Yashma Gill lauds ‘queen’ Hania Aamir for her latest ‘philanthropic’ gesture

    Yashma Gill lauds ‘queen’ Hania Aamir for her latest ‘philanthropic’ gesture

    Actor Yashma Gill took to her Instagram stories to appreciate fellow actress Hania Aamir for her latest charity work. The Pyaar Ke Sadqay star recently asked her friends and followers to donate money for an underprivileged women’s surgery on social media. The needy lady required 4 lac rupees more.

    However Hania, who is currently riding high on the success of her blockbuster drama Mere Hamsafar, donated the entire amount in one go.

    Yashma acknowledged her special gesture and termed Hania as a ‘queen’ for her charity work.

    Earlier this year Gill, appeared on Geo’s Jashan-e-Cricket during PSL 7, on which she expressed her fondness for cricketer Shaheen Shah Afridi and his dimples.

    The Amanat star stated that she is rooting for Shaheen’s Lahore Qalandars and she believes that Shaheen’s dimples will take away the match.

    Lahore Qalandars later won the PSL 7 series under Shaheen’s captaincy.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeRM7rqSXs

    The talented actress earlier opened up on her battle with depression and said though that she has talked about this before, she will “keep talking about it till it doesn’t become normal”.

    “As someone who has had first-hand experience of depression, panic attacks and anxiety so severe that it sometimes became derealisation, I can’t stress enough at the importance of reaching out and seeking help,” wrote the actor.

    She continued: “Please stop labelling someone’s depression as just a phase or sadness. Sadness and depression are two different emotional states with depression being way more difficult to carry your life with, it’s dark, hollow, emotionally debilitating and can take a toll on your logical thinking leaving u feeling hopeless.”

    Gill further said that there were times when she felt that the pain was so severe that she felt like giving up. However, her belief and faith kept her going and with that belief in Allah, she decided not to give up and reached out for help.

    “Despite the fear of being called mentally challenged, a psycho or someone that can just not be labelled normal (which are all such shameful terms to give to anyone suffering from the illness of an organ called brain just like other organs can get infected it can too) I started taking therapy,” shared the actor, adding that when therapy hit a wall for her, she opted for medication which helped her recover from depression.

    Yashma asserted that “just like other organs in our body that can get infected, the brain is an organ too and can get infected so there is nothing abnormal in that. What’s abnormal is for anyone to not worry about taking care of it or getting it treated like the rest of the organs.”

    She concluded by requesting her followers and those reading her note to be kind and empathetic towards each other and not to hurt anyone.

  • ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has revealed that his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill was stripped naked and beaten up in custody.

    Gill was arrested for inciting the public against the state institutions.

    ‘He should not have said that,’ Khan on Gill’s remarks

    “Yes, he should not have said what he did. It seems like he is inciting rebellion in the armed forces. It was wrong. We want to see a strong military,” said Khan when asked if he condemns Gill’s remarks.

    “Gill was beaten and asked how many times did General Faiz meet Imran Khan and what does Imran Khan eat,” revealed Khan.

    ‘I am a professor, not a criminal’: Shahbaz Gill

    On August 12, Gill told a court in Islamabad that he is being subjected to extreme torture in custody. He added that he is not permitted to sleep and not even allowed to meet his lawyers. He alleged that no medical examination was conducted as claimed by the authorities. The Islamabad Police had earlier claimed that Gill underwent medical examination at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the medical report revealed that he was not tortured.

    Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    Read more- ’Aqal hai tumhaaray mein,’ CM Punjab Pervaiz Elahi to Shahbaz Gill

    ‘PTI stands with Gill’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Fawad Chaudhry said recently the party is standing with Gill, adding that PTI chief Imran Khan had also raised the issue during Saturday’s rally in Lahore.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    High court adjourned hearing over his physical remand extension

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and adjourned the hearing on the matter of an extension in Gill’s physical remand today (August 15).

    The court adjourned the hearing after seeking a reply from Gill by tomorrow (Tuesday, August 16).

    On August 13, a judicial magistrate rejected the police’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand and sent him to jail on judicial remand. The same day, the prosecution filed an appeal in a sessions court, which was also dismissed. Subsequently, the government filed a petition in the IHC for Gill’s physical custody, arguing that the ongoing investigation against him and collection of evidence could not be completed without it.

    While hearing arguments from the prosecution today, Acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq questioned why authorities are seeking PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s physical custody.

    “You are saying that an extension in the suspect’s physical remand is necessary? What will you do after getting the extension?” Justice Farooq questioned.

    The prosecution maintained that the ongoing investigation against Gill and the collection of evidence cannot be completed without an extension of his remand in police custody.

    Islamabad Advocate General Jadoon informed the judge of the lower courts’ decisions regarding the PTI leader’s physical remand. He added that the government had taken “serious notice” of Gill’s comments on television that “targeted the country’s institutions” and registered a case against him.

    Court seeks Shahbaz Gill’s bail plea matter

    Shahbaz Gill filed a petition before an Islamabad district and sessions judge seeking post-arrest bail on Sunday, August 14, in the sedition case against him.

    On Monday, the court sought arguments on the bail plea. Gill’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry requested the court to issue a verdict on the plea, maintaining that his arguments are ready.

    At this, the judge responded that a similar case is under trial in the IHC as well. Faisal answered that the matter under trial in the IHC is related to the order of the judicial magistrate and, therefore, this court can hear the case regardless of the case in the high court.

    During the hearing, Gill’s lawyer stated, “It is a declared law that no one can be kept in jail for a single minute without reason.”

    At this, the court directed the investigation officer to appear in court with records at 11am. It also ordered the lawyer to submit a power of attorney on Gill’s behalf, and sought arguments from the parties upon resumption of the hearing at 11am.

    However, the hearing was further adjourned till 2pm. Meanwhile, the prosecution has requested the court to keep the case adjourned.

  • Foreign tourists allegedly harassed during Independence Day celebrations at Pakistan Monument

    Three foreigners, including two women and a man, were harassed by a mob in Shakarparian in Islamabad on Independence Day. In videos that have gone viral on social media, some men could be seen surrounding and harassing the tourists.

    According to the Islamabad Police, the incident took place at the Pakistan Monument.

    “No one complained to the administration present at the site of the incident,” the police said.

    The Islamabad Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and have sent the videos to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the identification of the suspects.

  • Man criticised for wearing T-shirt and jeans at his own wedding

    Man criticised for wearing T-shirt and jeans at his own wedding

    Marriage is an auspicious occasion, which is celebrated in fancy dresses across the world. Couples usually wear formal or sometimes specially dressed up clothes at their wedding and people are not used to seeing casually dressed up bride and groom.

    A video went viral on TikTok in which a groom showed up in a T-shirt and jeans at his own wedding.

    Social media users could not digest a groom dressed up casually on his wedding day. Netizens advocating individual’s choice roasted him on TikTok as the video went viral and got more than two million views.

    In the video, the groom could be seen wearing grey skinny jeans with a black palm angel T-shirt while the bride is dressed up in a white wedding gown.

    The video has stoked up a bit of controversy in the comments section.

    “When you’re getting married at 4 but lads night down the pub is at 6,” someone commented under the video.

    Another user wrote: “That is sad look how beautiful she looks he couldn’t even be bothered changing from the night before.”

    Some called it a potential red flag and an indicator of how the marriage would turn out.

    A person asked, “Did he know he was getting married?”

    While an overwhelming majority was flooding the comments section with negative comments, a user named Voilet, who actually posted the video, made it to comment section and wrote, “For god’s sake stop she’s married & very happy. She’s not bothered wat way he dressed she’s married & that’s all that matters.”