Author: newsdesk

  • Motion to expel illegal immigrants from Sindh passes unanimously

    Motion to expel illegal immigrants from Sindh passes unanimously

    The Sindh Provincial Assembly on Tuesday passed the “substantive motion” unanimously demanding that authorities expel illegal immigrants of other countries from the province.

    The motion tabled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Heer Soho read, “This Assembly is of the opinion that illegal immigrants residing in the Province Of Sindh belonging to other countries be extradited to their original countries.”

    However, the Sindh Assembly atmosphere heated up after Soho’s discriminatory comments on the Bihari community, terming them alien.

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leadership strongly condemned Soho’s remarks, which were ultimately expunged from the proceeding at the request of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Lanjar.

    A member of MQM-P from Orangi town responded to Soho’s speech by stating that the Bihari community migrated twice to their homeland, Pakistan.

    “I am proud of being Bihari, and we cannot be termed illegal immigrants,” he concluded.

  • BISE Lahore 12th class Gazette Download PDF

    BISE Lahore 12th class Gazette Download PDF

    The Lahore Board has announced the 12th class results on September 4th at 10:00 AM. Students can check their results online Here.

    You can find your BISE Lahore Intermediate Part II Result 2024 on the board’s official website. The board usually posts this online after they announce the results. You can search for your roll number or name in the Gazette to check your result.

    Download gazette from the download button.

  • Did Babar Azam take retirement from Test cricket?

    Did Babar Azam take retirement from Test cricket?

    A post about Babar Azam’s retirement from Test cricket after individual scores of 31 and 11 in both innings in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, has gained immense attention on X (formerly Twitter).

    A slightly detailed retirement announcement post is circulating on social media with the message ‘Khuda Hafiz Test Cricket’ and a thumbprint from Babar Azam’s parody account. Two such posts on Monday surprised cricket fans, but both posts had nothing to do with reality.

    Pakistan cricket team’s batting star, Babar Azam, is under heavy criticism on social media platforms after poor performances in international cricket.

    Moreover, his batting last year failed to produce any victories for Pakistan. As a result, social media users have been targeting him with often offensive memes, and now fake posts related to his retirement have gone viral.

    Babar Azam stepped down as captain after ODI World Cup 2023 but was reinstated for the T20 World Cup 2024.

    His recent form in Test cricket has been disappointing. He has scored just 190 runs at an average of 19 in his last 10 innings, while his average in the 50-over format has dropped to 34 a year earlier. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old cricketer has maintained an average of 38 in T20 cricket.

    Under Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan exited from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage after losing against the USA and India.

  • Wahab Bugti and Saibaan’s latest song with Honey Singh out now

    Wahab Bugti and Saibaan’s latest song with Honey Singh out now

    Songs by Coke Studio Pakistan’s famed Balochi folk singer Wahab Bugti and Sindhi folk artist Saibaan have been released in collaboration with Indian singer and rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh.

    This marks the first time Wahab Bugti and Saibaan have collaborated with an Indian or any foreign singer.

    Both artists have entertained global music fans with their unique voices in Honey Singh’s songs.

    Wahab Bugti collaborated with Honey Singh on the song ‘Beeba,’ which also features an Italian singer. ‘Beeba’ is a mix of English, Hindi, French, and Balochi, blending folk singing with rapping. Similarly, Sindhi folk singer Saibaan, who gained fame with the Coke Studio song ‘Aayi Aayi,’ collaborated with Honey Singh on the song ‘Rap God.’ ‘Rap God’ is a mix of Hindi, Punjabi, English, and Sindhi, among other languages, with Saibaan singing folk verses in Sindhi.

    Both Pakistani singers contributed to Honey Singh’s music album ‘Glory.’ The album features 18 songs, with artists from around the world singing alongside him. However, no music videos were released immediately.

    The audio of the album, released under the T-Series label, has been well received.

    Wahab Bugti, who hails from the city of Sibi in Balochistan province, rose to fame with the Balochi song ‘Kana Yaari’ from Coke Studio Season 14.

    Similarly, Saibaan, who is from Thar, a desert region of Sindh province, gained recognition for singing the Sindhi song ‘Aayi Aayi’ in Coke Studio Season 15.

  • Exchange rates: Pakistani rupee falls 5.69 paisa against US dollar, 37 paisa against Pound

    Exchange rates: Pakistani rupee falls 5.69 paisa against US dollar, 37 paisa against Pound

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) edged down by 5.69 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the US dollar (USD) in Tuesday’s interbank market, closing the day at PKR 278.70 per USD, slightly lower than the previous close of 278.64.

    Throughout the day, the currency exhibited minimal movement, with an intraday high of 278.90 and a low of 278.65.

    In the open market, exchange companies quoted the dollar at PKR 278.97 for buying and PKR 279.75 for selling, according to forex dealers.

    The PKR’s performance against other major currencies was mixed on Tuesday:

    Currency Previous Rate Today’s Rate Change
    Chinese Yuan 39.20 39.16 3.91 paisa
    British Pound 366.10 365.72 37.11 paisa
    Euro 308.44 308.19 25.75 paisa
    Saudi Riyal 74.25 74.27 1.32 paisa
    Swiss Franc 328.10 326.67 1.43 rupees
    Japanese Yen 1.9019 1.9091 0.72 paisa
    UAE Dirham 75.88 75.86 1.55 paisa
    Exchange rates for Tuesday

    – The Chinese Yuan fell by 3.91 paisa, closing at 39.16 from the previous session’s 39.20.

    – The British Pound declined by 37.11 paisa, ending at 365.72 compared to 366.10 the day before.

    – The PKR gained 25.75 paisa against the Euro, closing at 308.19 from 308.44.

    – The Saudi Riyal strengthened by 1.32 paisa, closing at 74.27 from 74.25.

    – The Swiss Franc dropped by 1.43 rupees, closing at 326.67 compared to 328.10 previously.

    – Against the Japanese Yen, the PKR slipped by 0.72 paisa, ending at 1.9091 versus 1.9019.

    – The U.A.E Dirham saw a slight increase of 1.55 paisa, closing at 75.86 from 75.88.

    So far this financial year, the PKR has depreciated against the dollar by 35.88 paisa, or 0.13 per cent. However, on a calendar-year basis, the rupee has appreciated by 3.16 rupees, or 1.13 per cent.

  • Gold price slips to Rs261,500 per tola in Pakistan amid global weakness

    Gold price slips to Rs261,500 per tola in Pakistan amid global weakness

    Gold prices in Pakistan fell on Tuesday, mirroring a decrease in international rates. In the local market, the price of gold per tola dropped by Rs1,000, bringing it down to Rs261,500, according to figures from the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    The price of 10-gramme gold also decreased, shedding Rs857 to settle at Rs224,194. This decline follows a period of stability, as gold prices remained unchanged at Rs262,500 per tola on Monday.

    Last month, gold prices in Pakistan reached an all-time high of Rs263,700 per tola, causing concern among non-investors, potential buyers, and individuals purchasing the precious metal for weddings or as a safeguard for their earnings.

    On the international front, gold prices also saw a reduction on Tuesday. APGJSA reported that the international rate stood at $2,498 per ounce (including a $20 premium), marking a decrease of $5 for the day.

    Meanwhile, silver prices remained stable at Rs2,950 per tola.

  • Get ready, Lahoris! ‘The White Plague’ is coming

    Get ready, Lahoris! ‘The White Plague’ is coming

    As the hot weather enters its last month, theater starts gearing up for a hectic season.Lahore should prepare for a theatrical experience that will leave you questioning the true cost of power and politics, as ‘The White Plague’ hits the stages of Lahore’s Al Hamra Hall from September 4 to 8.

    Director Meher Jafri held a press conference along with the cast of the play and Chairman of Alhamra Arts Council, Razi Ahmed.

    “That this play was written in 1937 by a playwright of the Czech Republic, in which the desire for peace has been expressed in the days of war and famine,” she said.

     

     
    Actor Fawad Khan said, “We have become artists with the support of the public, this play makes us think and understand a lot and laugh and smile.”

    The plot continues against the backdrop of the events leading up to World War II, showing how populist leaders convinced people to support their violent exploits.

    The cast of the play includes Kashif Hussain Fawad Khan, Saad Zameer, and Samhan Ghazi.

  • Bill tabled in Senate to increase number of Supreme Court judges to 21

    Bill tabled in Senate to increase number of Supreme Court judges to 21

    Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir has introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill in the Senate, proposing to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 21.

    Lawmaker Qadir explained that the purpose of the amendment is to ensure quicker justice and to address the fifty-three thousand pending cases in the apex court. He emphasized that the amendment would significantly improve the judicial system’s efficiency.

    He also noted that billions of rupees in cases have remained unresolved due to the shortage of judges in the superior court and the lack of available time.

    The opposition, however, expressed concerns over the proposed amendment, arguing that it would favour the incumbent government and called it a “judiciary coup.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar advised the government to focus on reforming the lower judiciary rather than increasing the number of judges in the apex court.

    Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said, “Massive reforms are being introduced in the criminal procedure code, from registration of FIR to manner of arrest and discharge, and timelines in the material and sessions trial to the use of the modern device in the law of evidence,”

  • Pakistan on verge of finalising $7 billion IMF loan deal, FinMin updates on progress

    Pakistan on verge of finalising $7 billion IMF loan deal, FinMin updates on progress

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced on Tuesday that the government is nearing the finalisation of external financing assurances, a crucial step toward securing the $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Speaking at a briefing, Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the IMF’s Executive Board would approve the programme soon, acknowledging the support from provincial governments.

    Aurangzeb reiterated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that this would be Pakistan’s last programme with the IMF, underlining the necessity of implementing structural reforms to ensure long-term economic stability.

    In July, Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) worth around $7 billion. However, the programme’s approval by the IMF’s Executive Board is contingent on Pakistan securing financing assurances from its development partners, a process that is still ongoing.

    Pakistan is actively working to secure a rollover of $12 billion in loans from key allies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Additionally, the country has requested an extra $1.2 billion loan from Saudi Arabia to address a $2 billion financing gap.

    Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in economic indicators, noting that the government has cleared all pending payments, including import letters of credit and profit remittances.

    He pointed out that inflation has decreased to 9.6 per cent in August 2024 from 23.7 per cent in the same period last year, leading to a gradual reduction in the policy rate, which is providing relief to the industrial sector.

    The Minister also cited improvements in Pakistan’s credit ratings by agencies like Fitch and Moody’s as evidence of the economy’s positive trajectory.

    On tax collection, Aurangzeb emphasised the government’s determination to increase revenue, noting that a significant portion of the economy contributes minimally to the tax base. He stressed the need for broader tax compliance and assured that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has simplified the tax filing process.

    Despite a shortfall of Rs 98 billion in tax collection during the first two months of the fiscal year, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to not delay necessary processes.

    Aurangzeb also addressed rightsizing the federal government and introduced plans for a new subsidy mechanism aimed at enhancing transparency.

    He reassured stakeholders that any decisions regarding the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) would be made with employee and stakeholder interests in mind, emphasising the government’s commitment to protecting jobs and well-being.

  • Faisal Kapadia reveals close bond with Junaid Jamshed

    Faisal Kapadia reveals close bond with Junaid Jamshed

    One half of the legendary band Strings, Faisal Kapadia, is one of the most well-known and honored musicians in the industry. With his debut solo album, he begins a new journey. Recently, Faisal appeared as a guest on ‘After Hours with Ushna Shah’. During the show, the host asked, “Singing your songs for the first time you performed live on stage in front of an audience, what was that feeling like? Do you remember that?”

    Faisal replied, “A big crowd was there, so big that I would say Strings ran through our show. It was in Islamabad, the first concert, in July 1990. And due to nervousness, my voice gave out, so during the sound check, Junaid Jamshed came to see us. We didn’t know him, he was like Vital Signs. They released the album in November 1989, December, and we released ours. We saw them and got inspired when the music program ’89 came. So we recorded our album too, not knowing Vital Signs.”

    Kapadia recalled the surprise and encouragement they received from late Junaid Jamshed saying, “Then Junaid just shows up at a sound check, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ And he said, ‘You know, I have heard your music, and you guys are great.’ Junaid’s presence was a big relief.”

    Faisal Kapadia talked about the teachers he and Junaid Jamshed had.

    “Junaid was very close to me. We used to share the same teacher, Ustaad Chahat Hussain Khan Sahib, who taught me and Junaid. Junaid was my only partner, and sometimes every two or three months, we would sit together and listen to pure classical music. You usually don’t get a chance to listen to 30-minute classical pieces with friends, but Junaid and I would often sit and listen to something like Raga Darbari or Adana Raga, which he really liked. So he was my classical music listening partner,” Faisal Kapadia added.

    Strings was formed in Karachi in 1988 by Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia, Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy.