Author: newsdesk

  • Number of railway passengers increases after hike in bus fares

    Number of railway passengers increases after hike in bus fares

    The number of train passengers has enhanced as the cost of travelling by bus or private vehicle has elevated owing to skyrocketing fuel costs.

    Despite a slight increase in railway fares, a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways said that there was no comparison between train fares and bus or other forms of road transportation.

    According to AFP, Pakistan Railways had to jack up ticket prices by 10 per cent on some trains, but train travel was still affordable and convenient.

    On the other hand, due to an increase in petroleum prices throughout the country, bus fares have soared in the last month.

    Sardar Nasir, a passenger at the Lahore railway station, told this scribe that taking a bus with his family was too expensive, so he decided to take the train to Rawalpindi instead.

    Another passenger on the Allama Iqbal Express train to Bahawalpur with her family, explained that the pricing for Bahawalpur by bus was nearly doubled, so she chose to commute by train.

    The booking receptionist at the Faisalabad train station validated that train ticket sales had surged following the increase in petroleum product prices.

  • French President Emmanuel Macron loses majority in parliament

    French President Emmanuel Macron loses majority in parliament

    In legislative parliamentary elections, French President Emmanuel Macron lost his legislative majority on Monday.

    Interim results show that Macron’s coalition (ENS) won 245 of the 577 seats in the National Assembly, the French Interior Ministry announced Monday morning after the vote count ended.

    He fell short of 289 seats to get an absolute majority.

    Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said in a televised statement: “This situation constitutes a risk for our country, given the challenges that we have to confront.” She also stated, “We will work from tomorrow to build a working majority.”

    Macron, 44, is now at risk of domestic troubles as he seeks to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and play a key role as an important figure in the European Union.
    The last time a newly elected president failed to win a clear majority in France was in the 1988 parliamentary elections.

  • US agrees to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with IMF

    US agrees to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with IMF

    The United States (US) has agreed to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    According to media reports, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan met Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia Christopher Wilson to discuss expanding trade relations between the two countries and encouraging US investments in Pakistan.

    Pakistan has not yet received the first draft of a memorandum of financial and economic policies (MEFP) from the IMF as targeted earlier because certain matters remained unsettled. “We are working very closely with the IMF and will soon reach some conclusion,” a top finance ministry official told Dawn.

    Pak govt asks US to help with IMF deal

    Last week, Pakistan asked for the support of the US for the revival of the IMF programme, reports Shahbaz Rana for The Express Tribune.

    The Shehbaz-led government’s economic team met with US Ambassador Donald Blome and sought Washington’s support and acknowledgement of the actions taken.

    According to the news outlet, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha met with the US envoy. 

    The government is making all-out efforts to revive the programme and has taken many unpopular steps, but still remains short of the IMF’s expectations.

    The IMF not only wants a reversal of the cut in the income tax rates for the salaried class but is seeking to pass on an additional burden of Rs125 billion on the salaried people. The government has now worked out a new proposal that entails reversing Rs47 billion tax relief and then passing on an additional burden of Rs18 billion to the salaried class, reports Shahbaz Rana.

    The Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led- government had committed to increasing the taxes on the salaried class with effect from July and also agreed to share the draft of the personal income tax reforms with the IMF by end of February 2022. However, PTI did not fulfil its commitments.

    Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha said that there was now more clarity to the IMF on the new budget, hoping to sign a deal very soon.

    On Wednesday, the federal government increased the price of all petroleum products, including Rs24 per litre for petrol and Rs59.16 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD). In less than a month, this is the third hike.

    Miftah Ismail criticised the previous PTI government for reaching an erroneous agreement with the IMF, which tied the incumbent’s hands and forced it to raise oil prices to get the economy back on track.

  • Pakistani rupee remains volatile as US dollar surpasses Rs211

    Pakistani rupee remains volatile as US dollar surpasses Rs211

    On Monday, the Pakistani rupee dropped sharply to a record low of over Rs211 against the US dollar in the interbank market, indicating that the currency remains highly volatile.

    The rupee’s latest devaluation against the US dollar is the result of panic buying by traders in response to reports that some financial institutions were out of foreign currency.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the US dollar was available at Rs211.21 at 11:03 AM and had closed at Rs208.75 on Friday.

    It is worth noting that the Pakistani rupee has fallen for the seventh working day in a row, losing nearly Rs6, or more than 3 per cent, to date.

    Experts predict that the Pakistan rupee will continue to fall against the US dollar and other major currencies owing to concerns regarding the IMF’s $6 billion program’s restoration, the country’s expanding current account deficit, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

    The PKR which lost 32.5 per cent of its value in the current financial year 2021-22 is forecasted to remain under stress as the dollar is in high demand in the market due to economic crises.

    SBP appears helpless to stem the rupee’s speculative fall, as demand for the US dollar continues to rise due to quarter-end payment strain.

    Monetary specialists attribute the depreciation of the local currency to a widening trade deficit, political instability, and a drop in foreign direct investment. The currency expert believes that the positive news from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will help attract foreign investment, increasing the availability of the dollar.

    Traders expect the rupee to settle in a range of 195-200 per dollar until the end of the current fiscal year 2021-22 if the IMF deal is finalised.

    According to data compiled by Ismail Iqbal Securities, Pakistan’s currency has depreciated by 14.57 per cent against the dollar this year, making it one of the worst performers in the world.

    The worst-performing currency was the Sri Lankan rupee, which fell 43.9 per cent, followed by the Laotian Kip, which fell 24 per cent, the Turkish Lira, which fell 23.18 per cent, and the Ghana Cedi, which fell 22.33 per cent, according to the data.

  • Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday that the Punjab government will declare an emergency following an increase in rape and sodomy cases in the province.

    Tarar said that the increase in rape cases is a cause of concern for both society and government officials.

    “Four to five cases of rape are being reported daily in Punjab due to which the government is considering special measures to deal with the cases of sexual harassment, abuse and coercion.”

    Read more: Pakistan Railways will help train gang-rape survivor get a job

    Tarar said that to combat these issues, stricter legislation would be introduced along with a separate helpline dedicated to victims seeking out help. The number of DNA samples on a fast-track will also be increased. The Punjab Home Minister added that academia, women’s rights organisations, lawyers, and civil society will be consulted regarding this issue and the process will be completed within a fortnight.

    He also urged parents to not leave their children at home unattended, as perpetrators of most sexual abuse cases were close relatives and neighbours. An awareness campaign will also be run in schools about sexual harassment, added Tarar. 

    The Current records the tally of rape cases that are reported in news outlets on a daily basis to highlight the alarming situation. We have used many different sources as listed. When will it stop?

  • Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    The latest data from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that the number of 3G and 4G users grew by 1.14 million from 112.75 million in April 2022 to 113.89 million in May 2022.

    Pakistan’s cellular subscriber base grew by 0.25 million to 193 million by the end of May 2022, up from 192.75 million at the end of April, according to Brecorder.

    By the end of May, cellular mobile teledensity had risen from 87.6 per cent to 87.67 per cent. By the end of May, the total teledensity had risen to 88.81 per cent, up from 88.74 per cent in April.

    The monthly penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) at the end of April had risen to 51.73 per cent, up from 51.24 per cent.

    Network providers

    The total number of 3G users on Jazz fell from 6.222 million at the end of April to 6.068 million at the end of May, a reduction of 0.154 million. By the end of May, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 36.567 million to 37.168 million.

    Zong 3G subscribers fell from 3.357 million at the end of April to 3.272 million at the end of May, while 4G users grew from 27.952 million at the end of April to 28.317 million at the end of May.

    Telenor 3G subscribers fell from 3.696 million at the end of April to 3.613 million at the end of May, whereas Telenor 4G users enhanced from 21.216 million at the end of April to 21.494 million at the end of May.

    By the end of May, there were 3.576 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.673 million at the end of April. Ufone’s 4G users increased from 8.761 million at the end of April to 9.052 million at the end of May, a 0.291 million increase over the previous month.

  • ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Sunday demanded free and fair election and revealed that he expects match-fixing in Punjab by-elections.

    PTI took out countrywide protests against rising inflation at Khan’s call on Sunday. Khan addressed his supporters via video-link.

    On Monday, Khan thanked his supporters for coming out across Pakistan yesterday, especially those “who braved difficulties & in some cities rain, to join our protest against massive inflation & clearly reject Imported Govt of crooks imposed by US regime change conspiracy”.

    No free lunch, warns Khan

    Imran Khan warned that Pakistan can become the next Sri Lanka. He said that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has asked for the support of the United States (US) for the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. “I want to tell Miftah Ismail and Shehbaz Sharif that the Americans have a philosophy, which is that there is no free lunch. Everything has a price. The US will extract our sovereignty as a price.” Khan said that the new government seems ready to pay this price.

    Recognising Israel part of foreign conspiracy agenda: Khan

    Khan also mentioned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s statement on the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel. “This is part of the same agenda due to which there was a regime change. The agenda is to follow what Israel, India and the US want,” said Khan.

    However, Mandviwalla clarified on Sunday that his words were being taken out of context. “I never wanted Pakistan to further ties with Israel or indulge in trade with it,” said Mandviwalla, adding that recognising Israel was not in Pakistan’s interests.

    Match-fixing in Punjab by-polls on the cards

    “We have to struggle together. Get ready. I will soon give another call for protest, which will continue until we are given a date for free and fair elections. Not just elections but free and fair elections,” said Khan.

    He reiterated that there is a plan of rigging by-elections in Punjab through ‘match-fixing’. By-polls in Punjab are set to take place next month in July.

    Imran Khan’s full address can be seen here:

  • IN PICTURES: Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation with family

    IN PICTURES: Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation with family

    Pakistani cricketer Hassan Ali is currently on vacation with his wife Samiya and their daughter Helena.

    The all-rounder has lately been sharing pictures of his trip to Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Have a look at the pictures from Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation.

    Sharing a picture with his wife, Hassan wrote: “There is never a dull moment when Samiya Khan is around me.”

  • WhatsApp now lets you hide profile photo, last seen from specific contacts

    WhatsApp now lets you hide profile photo, last seen from specific contacts

    Last year, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp began developing a new privacy setting that would allow users to hide their profile photos, last seen, and about information from specific people in their contact lists.

    It was only available for beta version users, but the company has now announced that it will be accessible to all iPhone and Android users worldwide.

    Users can now show their WhatsApp profile photo, last seen, and About information to anyone in their contacts list except those they choose to keep out.

    Previously, users could choose between three privacy settings for their profile photo, last seen, and About information: Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody. According to GSM Arena, these are met by a third alternative named ‘My contacts except…,’ which can also be used for Status privacy.

    However, just like read receipts, if someone doesn’t share their last seen with others, they won’t be able to see others. The only difference is that the latter will always remain operational for group chats, even if they’ve turned it off.

    To test this new privacy control, users can go to WhatsApp’s Settings > Account > Privacy menu on an iPhone or Android device.

    WhatsApp also announced some group calling features, including the ability to mute others during a group call and send messages to particular users, in addition to new privacy control. When someone joins a group call off-screen, a banner appears.

    The latest WhatsApp beta update also includes an admin approval feature, which allows group admins to accept or deny requests from people who want to join via hyperlink.

  • Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the commencement of a countrywide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programme in order to save lives in situations where medical help is unavailable.

    “National movement on CPR Training. CPR has saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance is limited. Let’s learn & be a responsible citizen,” tweeted Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi.

    A comprehensive strategy would be announced later.

    The development came after a video of a female doctor and her husband went viral on social media in which they administered CPR to save the life of a kid who was recovered from the Nultar River near Gilgit.