Author: newsdesk

  • Achakzai says protestors fired at army in Bannu incident

    Achakzai says protestors fired at army in Bannu incident

    The chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, recently appeared on a Dawn News programme, expressing solidarity with army in the recent Bannu protests.

    “DG ISPR’s press conference on the Bannu issue was completely correct. People within the protestors opened fire, and rumours were spread that Army killed scores of innocent people,” stated the key ally of PTI.

    Achakzai opined that according to their own investigation, it was found that some people amongst the protestors opened fire, due to which “one person got killed.”

    He also said, “My disagreement with the army is due to our difference of understanding in their constitutional role and I can say, without a doubt, the army did not fire at the protestors. In fact, they pelted stones at the Army.”

  • Over 1,500 booked after crackdown on electricity thieves in Matiari

    Over 1,500 booked after crackdown on electricity thieves in Matiari

    Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) officials have filed 10 cases of electricity theft against over 1,500 individuals during a crackdown on electricity theft in Matiari.

    The cases have been registered at the Hala, New Saeedabad, and Matiari police stations, naming over 1,500 electricity thieves, Geo news reports.

    HESCO officials reveal that approximately 60 per cent of electricity is being stolen across the district. To address this issue, they have initiated a crackdown, registered cases in the first phase, and will begin making arrests in the next phase.

    Many citizens are unaware of the cases filed late at night by HESCO officials, but a significant number of individuals have been named in these cases.

    Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) officials have filed 10 cases of electricity theft against over 1,500 individuals during a crackdown on electricity theft in Matiari.

  • Owner of Next Cola goes ‘missing’ in Karachi

    Owner of Next Cola goes ‘missing’ in Karachi

    ARY News has reported on Thursday that well-known businessman Zulfiqar Ahmed has allegedly gone missing in Karachi.

    Social media is peppered with images of an abandoned BMW car in the middle of a road. The car reportedly belonged to Zulfiqar Ahmed, the owner of Paracha Textiles, Meezan Oil, and Cola Next.

    According to ARY News, armed men forced Ahmed and his partner, Qaiser, into a double cabin vehicle at gunpoint on Mauripur Road in Keamari.

    Interestingly, the eyewitnesses reported that the other person, Qaiser, was released shortly after the capture.

    More importantly, the family of the abducted individual is facing challenges in filing a First Information Report (FIR) at a police station. The police have yet to file the FIR.

  • Sana Javed’s heartwarming meeting with a very special fan

    Sana Javed’s heartwarming meeting with a very special fan

    Actress and model Sana Javed had a touching encounter with a special fan that has captured the hearts of many on social media.
    In the video, Sana Javed is seen standing beside her fan, who is in a wheelchair. Her facial expressions is mix of emotions, sometimes she smiles warmly, and other times she appears a bit anxious as she looks around.
    The fan, while talking to the person who was making the video said, “I also met actress Syra Yousuf in Karachi as well,” before stating that he admired Sana.

    This heartwarming moment is a testament to the actress’s humility and the positive influence she continues to have on her audience.

  • Over 40 cases of kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse reported in Mandi Bahauddin in July

    Over 40 cases of kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse reported in Mandi Bahauddin in July

    In the month of July alone this year, more than 40 separate cases of kidnapping, rape, and sexual exploitation of women have been reported in Mandi Bahauddin district, Punjab province.

    According to 46 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in the district, these incidents occurred between July 1 and July 24.

    The cases involve serious charges, including Sections 376 (rape), 376(iii) (rape of a minor), 365B (kidnapping, abducting, or forcing a woman to marry), and 496-A (enticing, abducting, or unlawfully detaining a woman with malicious intent).

    Seven cases were specifically filed under Section 376(iii), four under Section 376, 13 under Section 365B, and 21 under Section 496-A. Additionally, two cases were registered under Section 511 (offences punishable with life imprisonment or a shorter term), and one under Section 114 (accomplice present during the commission of the crime).

    The FIRs detail incidents of kidnapping, rape, and sexual exploitation involving young girls and teenagers, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 28 years, the majority being between 10 and 18 years old.

    Most incidents occurred within the Police Circle Sadar Mandi Bahauddin, with others in Police Circles Phalia and Malkwal. The cases were reported across various police stations, including Saddar, Civil Line, Kathiala Sheikhan, Gojra, Meana Gondal, Pahrianwali, and Phalia where an estimated 150 known and unknown suspects have been named in FIRs.

    A report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization, violence against women increased in Punjab in 2023, with the highest number of incidents occurring in Lahore and Faisalabad.

    10,201 cases were registered under Sections 354 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code, marking a 14.5% increase from 2022, when 8,787 cases were reported. The report also highlighted that 1,464 cases were reported in Lahore, 1,198 in Sheikhupura, and 877 in Kasur, with an average of 28 women facing violence daily in Punjab.

    Furthermore, 6,624 rape cases were registered in 2023, indicating that a woman was raped every 45 minutes. Faisalabad reported the highest number of cases with 728, followed by Lahore with 721 and Sargodha with 398.

    With Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rahim Yar Khan topping in numbers, an estimated 626 women were kidnapped, 120 were killed in the name of honour, and 20 were trafficked in 2023.

  • Pakistan won’t sacrifice relations with China for US: FO

    Pakistan won’t sacrifice relations with China for US: FO

    Pakistan Foreign Office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has ruled out the possibility of downgrading the country’s relationship with China in order to improve relations with the United States, saying, “For us, relations with the United States and relations with China are both important.”

    China is Pakistan’s all-weather strategic ally, Baloch stated, adding that the country will continue to strengthen this relationship.

    When asked about Pakistan’s relations with the US, she said, “We would like to develop this relationship on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.”

    Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement comes after US diplomat Donald Lu sought a $101 million assistance package for Pakistan from US Congress, saying, “China is the past in terms of investment, and we are the future.”

  • NBA signs $76 billion deal with Walt Disney, Universal and Amazon

    NBA signs $76 billion deal with Walt Disney, Universal and Amazon

    The American Basketball Association (NBA) announced 11-year global media rights deals worth $76 billion with Walt Disney, National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Universal, and Amazon. Spanning from 2025-26 to 2035-36, the deals will increase game coverage for U.S. and global telecast audiences and streaming viewers and increase the value of every NBA team and the salaries of basketball’s top superstars.

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBC Universal and Amazon maximize the reach of NBA games for fans in the United States and worldwide.”

    These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms. The new deals will retain U.S. coverage on Disney-owned media outlets ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Peacock and ship a set of games to Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.

  • Honda Atlas plans to launch hybrid cars as market competition intensifies

    Honda Atlas plans to launch hybrid cars as market competition intensifies

    Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HCAR) has announced plans to enter Pakistan’s hybrid vehicle market, potentially with the HR-V model, as it faces growing competition from rivals like Corolla Cross and Haval. This development was revealed during a briefing on the company’s financial results.

    HCAR disclosed that it intends to invest Rs5 billion in establishing a hybrid vehicle manufacturing plant. However, the company did not provide a specific timeline for this initiative. A similar announcement was made in July of the previous year, but details regarding the vehicle model or its launch date remain undisclosed.

    Analysts have expressed caution regarding the potential success of the new hybrid vehicle. JS Research analyst Wadee Zaman noted that the success of the model will hinge on its features and pricing.

    The company reported that, despite no issues with opening letters of credit, subdued demand and economic challenges have led to a decline in revenues. HCAR also shared localisation levels for its models: Civic at over 60 per cent, City at 73 per cent, and both BR-V and HR-V at less than 50 per cent.

    According to Topline Securities, HCAR benefited from a tax adjustment due to its history of minimum tax payments, which lowered its effective tax rate from 86.9 per cent to 15.2 per cent for FY23-24. Sohail also noted that about 10-15 per cent of the company’s imports come from Japan, with the remainder from Thailand, leading to minor gains from currency devaluation.

    According to Business Recorder, HCAR is also exploring opportunities in spare parts and CPU part exports. The company highlighted that the auto sector has faced significant challenges this year, including a 2 per cent increase in the policy rate, which rose to 22 per cent by March 2024. This contributed to a 45 per cent decline in the overall passenger car market.

    Looking ahead, HCAR anticipates a potential recovery in the industry during MY25, with improvements expected in the lower car segment and hybrids as the policy rate decreases. The sector is projected to regain a reasonable size within two years.

    For the current year, HCAR recorded earnings of Rs1.42 per share, a 40 per cent increase year-on-year but an 85 per cent decrease quarter-on-quarter. Gross margins fell from 8.4 per cent to 6.5 per cent. The company’s management has assured that margins will remain competitive.

  • Vlogger known as ‘most beautiful biker of Russia’ dies in a motorcycle accident

    Vlogger known as ‘most beautiful biker of Russia’ dies in a motorcycle accident

    Tatyana Ozolina, called the most beautiful biker in Russia, died in a motorcycle accident in Turkey.

    The 38-year-old travel vlogger from Russia, known to her fans as Moto Tanya, gained fame for travelling worldwide on a motorcycle. While travelling in Turkey’s Mugla province, her red BMW motorcycle collided with a truck and she died on the spot.

    According to reports, the accident was so severe that she died before the medical team arrived. His co-rider, Onor Obit, survived the crash but is in critical condition, while a third rider with remained unharmed.

    According to ‘The Sun,’ the accident was caused by a mistake by another motorcyclist in her group, forcing her to brake suddenly and lose control of the bike.

    Due to the accident, she suffered severe head injuries and died before the ambulance arrived. She was the mother of a 13-year-old son.

  • Netanyahu appreciates Muslim IDF soldier for killing ‘terrorists’ on October 7

    Netanyahu appreciates Muslim IDF soldier for killing ‘terrorists’ on October 7

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently addressed the US Congress, and during his speech, he mentioned some Israeli soldiers who participated in the assault of Gazans after the October 7 events.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a speech to the US Congress, “Another Israeli is with us here today…this is Master Sergeant Ashraf al Bahiri. Ashraf is a Bedouin soldier from the Israeli-Muslim community of Rahat. On October 7th, Ashraf too killed many terrorists. First, he defended his comrades in the military base, and he then rushed to defend the neighbouring communities, including the devastated community of Kibbutz Be’eri.” Ashraf is of Ethiopian descent.

    Netanyahu continued to say, “Like Ashraf, the Muslim soldiers of the IDF fought alongside their Jewish, Druze, Christian and other comrades in arms with tremendous bravery.”

    More than 39,000 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces over the last 10 months of genocide.