The International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup has been shifted from Bangladesh to UAE as the South Asian country grapples with its political crisis.
“The event was not possible in Bangladesh due to the travel advisories of some countries,” ICC has said. Bangladesh would have memorably organized the event, the Council maintained, but they regret moving it. “Now World Cup matches will be held in Dubai and Sharjah.”
The tournament will be played from October 3 to 20.
Pakistan’s much-anticipated $7 billion bailout package has not yet been scheduled for review by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board, with the agenda extending only until August 30, according to the IMF’s recently released calendar.
In July, Pakistani authorities and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement, potentially paving the way for a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) valued at SDR 5,320 million (approximately $7 billion).
However, this agreement hinges on the approval of the IMF Executive Board, which is contingent upon Pakistan securing necessary financing assurances from its development and bilateral partners.
The proposed programme is designed to build on the hard-won macroeconomic stability achieved in the past year. It aims to strengthen public finances, reduce inflation, rebuild external reserves, and eliminate economic distortions to foster private sector-led growth.
Despite five weeks having passed since the staff-level agreement, Pakistan has yet to bridge an external financing gap of up to $5 billion.
This delay has prevented the country from signing the Letter of Intent (LoI) required to formally request the IMF executive board’s approval of the $7 billion package under the EFF programme.
The LoI is a critical step in requesting the IMF’s endorsement of the 37-month, $7 billion EFF programme. Without this approval, Pakistan cannot proceed with the much-needed financial support.
Gold prices in Pakistan surged to new record highs on Tuesday, following an upward trend in international markets.
The price per tola of gold in the local market increased by Rs700, reaching an all-time high of Rs260,700.
This latest figure surpasses the previous record of Rs260,200 per tola set just last week, marking a Rs500 increase from the last historic high.
The price of 10-gramme gold also saw a rise, selling at Rs223,508 after an increase of Rs600, according to data from the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).
On Monday, the gold price had dipped slightly to Rs260,000, a Rs200 decrease. However, the international gold rate edged higher on Tuesday, with prices reaching $2,512 per ounce, including a $20 premium, reflecting a $10 gain during the day.
Meanwhile, silver prices remained stable at Rs2,950 per tola.
The wait is almost over for Indian fans of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan as their smash hit film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ is set to release in cinemas across India on September 20, 2024.
The Legend of Maula Jatt, released in October 2022, is a remake of the 1979 film Maula Jatt.
The original film’s famous characters were Maula Jatt and Noori Natt, played by Sultan Rahi and Mustafa Qureshi. The first Maula Jatt was written by seasoned writer Nasir Adeeb and directed by Yunus Malik.
The Legend of Maula Jatt cast includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick, Ali Azmat, Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi, Nayyar Ejaz, and Shafqat Cheema.
Two Pakistani films have been released theatrically in India in recent years. Both were written and directed by renowned director Shoaib Mansoor: Khuda Kay Liye in 2007 and Bol in 2011.
Read more:‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ set to release in India?
The Legend of Maula Jatt, the most feared warrior in Punjab, is portrayed as the legendary fighter with a troubled past who seeks revenge on him.
The story takes place in a land where honour and vengeance determine their fates as they clash. The film was written by Nasir Adeeb and Bilal Lashari and directed by Bilal Lashari. In this film, Fawad Khan played the character of Maula Jatt, and Hamza Ali Abbasi played the character of Noori Natt.
Power Minister Awais Leghari has presented the unique logic of load shedding, saying that if power cuts are tolerated for two hours a day, PKR 50 billion can be saved.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, the minister said, “There is no doubt that we are providing the most expensive electricity in the region, but we are providing cheap electricity to poor consumers who bear the burden of expensive electricity. Due to the industry shutting down, the government has borne the burden of providing electricity to the industry at a low cost.”
He explained the unique logic for saving money, “50 billion rupees can be saved if load shedding is tolerated for two hours. One important measure to save electricity is to switch fans to low wattage, while the government has installed new plants to end load shedding.”
The energy minister said, “The burden on the consumer was 10 rupees per unit, which increased due to the increase in the dollar price. Currently, the average price of electricity is 44 rupees per unit. We had started working on Independent Power Producers (IPPs) quietly. Still, the ministry leaked that something related to IPPs would happen, and we got help, maybe they did what the ministry was not doing openly. We will give good news regarding IPPs, and Pakistan will move forward.”
He also hinted at positive developments in the energy sector that could help reduce costs and improve electricity supply.
Pakistan has successfully conducted a training launch of the surface-to-surface Shaheen-II ballistic missile, Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.
The military media wing stated that it aimed at performance evaluation of different subsystems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.
The training launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations. ISPR noted
Moreover, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and the three services chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on this accomplishment.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has strongly criticised Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah’s remarks against the Punjab government’s decision to raise electricity prices, calling it “foolish.”
On Monday, while addressing a ceremony, Murad Ali Shah said that such “strange announcements” put them (Sindh govt) in a fix. “We (Sindh government) find it difficult how to respond to these foolish statements. But I don’t want to get into politics,” he added.
Likewise, another Sindh minister, Saeed Ghani, also questioned the Punjab government’s policy, asking, “What will happen after two months of relief to the people of Punjab?”
However, Maryam Nawaz expressed disbelief at the Sindh CM’s comments, remarking, “I laughed when I heard someone say it’s foolish to reduce electricity prices. Isn’t it foolish to pocket money from corruption and spend it on protocol, planes, helicopters, and convoys while denying relief to the public?”
Last week, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif announced a relief package for the people of Punjab: Rs 14 per unit of electricity will be reduced for two months.
Actress and model Sajal Aly is making a highly anticipated comeback in Bollywood after a seven-year gap. Her new film ‘Fauji,’ will be directed by the acclaimed Hanu Raghavapudi, known for his beautiful storytelling in films like ‘Sita Rama.’
Sajal will star opposite South Indian superstar Prabhas. As per Filmfare, the shooting of the film is scheduled to start in Hyderabad on August 24.
Raghavapudi has said ‘Fauji’ will be a historical action drama. The love story will be set during a war before India and Pakistan gained their independence. There are rumors that Prabhas might play a British soldier in the film. The team is thinking about casting an actress from Asia, and Sajal Aly is one of the names under consideration.
Read this also: Sajal Aly to star opposite Prabhas in Bollywood?
Sajal Aly started her Bollywood career with 2017’s ‘Mom,’ where she played Sridevi’s daughter. Prabhas is doing well with his latest movie, ‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ which is about a future world and inspired by Hindu stories.
As reported by Pinkvilla, the action-packed drama will take place during the pre-independence era.
Pakistani celebrities are furious over a viral video clip showing a recent harassment incident in North Karachi. A video uploaded by actress Zara Noor Abbas depicts a man on a motorbike groping a woman wearing a headscarf during the daytime. A child is sitting on the bike with the man.
In an Instagram post, Zara angrily wrote: “Another generation of harassers is being nurtured on motorcycles.”
She highlighted the impact of such actions on children, writing, “Children are like puppets; they imitate what they see, and this man on the bike is setting an example for the child with him.”
She added, “I wish I had the right to kill.”
Other celebrities, including Sajal Aly and Maryam Nafees, have also condemned the incident.
Sajal re-shared a news report circulating on social media on her Instagram account: “I am losing faith in this nation and in the country, it is more frightening to see how common it has become for men to harass women and children.”
She also wrote, “I can’t help it, but I am very disappointed with where we are going.”
The incident occurred on August 12, just before Independence Day. Police have yet to apprehend the suspect.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has responded to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat’s claim of holding a rally on August 22 in Islamabad, saying that there are low chances that the opposition will be granted permission for the rally.
Talking on Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Tarar stated, “Considering their violent track record, I don’t think they will be allowed to rally in the federal capital.”
Tarar also blamed PTI for not holding a peaceful protest, citing the context of the May 9 riots. He added, “One has to prove that they are peaceful.”
“They also came here when Pervaiz Khattak was Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with heavy machinery aiming to remove obstacles,” the minister concluded.
Earlier, Marwat said, ‘’We will show the High Court’s permission if the police file a case against us after the August 22 power show.”