Author: newsdesk

  • LEAs stop TTP from establishing footprint in Balochistan

    LEAs stop TTP from establishing footprint in Balochistan

    Law enforcement agencies have foiled a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attempt to establish a foothold in Balochistan by arresting a most wanted commander and several other members of the banned outfit in different areas of the province.

    The security situation in Pakistan has been deteriorating since the past few months, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

    “With the arrest of the TTP commander and other terrorists, their efforts to establish centres in the province have been foiled,” stated a spokesman for the Counter Terrorism Department on Thursday.

    The CTD, along with other law enforcement agencies, conducted operations and arrested several militants, including the wanted TTP commander.

    He also said, “The arrested commander was involved in various terrorist activities in different areas of the country.”

  • Govt expected to reduce petrol price again for second half of June

    Govt expected to reduce petrol price again for second half of June

    The government is expected to reduce petrol price by an additional Rs9 per liter for the latter half of June 2024, offering some relief to the public amidst soaring inflation.

    This anticipated reduction marks the fourth consecutive decrease, accumulating to a total relief of over Rs34 per litre.

    In tandem with the petrol price cut, the government is also likely to lower the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by approximately Rs5 per liter, reflecting the downturn in international market prices.

    It is important to highlight that one more session remains before the final pricing update, which means that the exact figures will depend on fluctuations in global markets and the prevailing exchange rate.

    The new prices will be officially announced at midnight on 15th June 2024 and will be effective for the subsequent 15 days.

    In the most recent fortnightly adjustment, the government had reduced petrol and HSD prices for the third consecutive time by Rs4.74 and Rs3.86 respectively, bringing their prices to Rs268.36 and Rs270.22 per liter.

    This series of price reductions aims to provide some economic respite to consumers amid a challenging economic environment.

  • Bollywood’s Lalit Pandit admits 90s smash hit music was plagiarized from Pakistan

    Bollywood’s Lalit Pandit admits 90s smash hit music was plagiarized from Pakistan

    In a shocking revelation, renowned Bollywood composer Lalit Pandit admitted that the iconic soundtrack of the 1990s film ‘Aashiqui’ was plagiarized from Pakistani songs.
    Recently he gave an interview to Bollywood Hungama, where he discussed Bollywood’s music culture, how important it was for him to stay true to their beats, and how Nadeem and Sharavan, the composers of ‘Aashqui’ copied Pakistani music.

    “The film industry is well aware that many Pakistani songs were adapted and used in the 1990s hit film “Aashiqui,” which made Nadeem and Shravan extremely popular,” he revealed.

    He also said, “Nadeem and Shravan would travel to Dubai, buy Pakistani cassettes, and then reproduce the music as their own. This was an open secret in the industry, and ‘Aashiqui’ s’ music was no exception. The whole industry knew about this practice, but nobody spoke out against it.”

    Lalit Pandit composed many famous songs along with his brother Jatin Pandit. Here are some of their most popular ones:
    Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaise Kaise (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)
    Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar Sajna” (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)
    Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai).

  • PSX witnesses largest single-day jump with gain of 3,410 points

    PSX witnesses largest single-day jump with gain of 3,410 points

    Pakistan’s benchmark stock index (PSX), the KSE-100, experienced an unprecedented surge on Thursday, marking its most significant gain in a year.

    This rally follows the government’s announcement of the 2024-25 budget, which alleviated concerns regarding potential increases in capital gains and dividend taxes.

    The KSE-100 index soared by 3,410.7 points, or 4.7 per cent, reaching 76,208 points. This increase represents the largest single-day jump in point terms.

    In the index’s history and the highest percentage rise since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package was introduced last year.

    Investor sentiment remained overwhelmingly positive throughout the trading session. The index hit an intraday high of 76,338.15 points, an increase of 3,540.72 points, and a low of 73,329.80 points, still up by 532.37 points.

    By the end of the day, the total volume traded on the KSE-100 index was 344.98 million shares.

    Out of the 100 companies listed on the index, 87 saw their shares close higher, nine experienced declines, and four remained unchanged.

    The government’s decision to set the capital gains tax at a flat rate of 15 per cent for filers on the sale of securities acquired on or after July 1, 2024, was a significant factor contributing to the market’s positive performance.

    For non-filers, capital gains will be taxed at normal rates, with a minimum rate of 15 per cent and a maximum rate of 45 per cent.

    This decisive move by the government has been well-received by investors, bringing clarity and stability to the market and fostering an environment of confidence and growth.

  • ‘Weight doesn’t define a person’s worth’: Hina Rizvi speaks out against body shaming

    ‘Weight doesn’t define a person’s worth’: Hina Rizvi speaks out against body shaming

    Actress Hina Rizvi recently appeared as a guest along with her husband Ammar Ahmed on morning show ‘Subh Ka Samaa Madeha Kay Sath.’ where she talked about body shaming.
    Hina said, “I have been made to feel like a sinner due to my weight. I have faced criticism and trolling for my weight multiple times, and it’s been an ongoing issue.”

    “Weight doesn’t matter if one is healthy, and people should not judge others based on their appearance,” she added.
    The couple recently got married on April 21, 2024. Despite the beautiful wedding, Hina Rizvi had to deal with trolls making nasty comments about appearances and age gaps.

  • Gold price drops by Rs1,200 per tola to Rs240,700

    Gold price drops by Rs1,200 per tola to Rs240,700

    In a significant shift on Thursday, gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a notable decrease. The price of 24-karat gold fell by Rs1,200 per tola, bringing it to Rs240,700 per tola.

    This reduction reflects the ongoing challenges in purchasing power, with the price being set Rs1,500 below its actual market value.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported that the price for 24-karat gold was Rs206,361 per 10 grammes, a decrease of Rs1,029. Meanwhile, 22-karat gold was quoted at Rs189,165 per 10 grammes, reflecting a similar downward trend.

    In contrast, silver prices remained stable in the domestic market. The price of 24-karat silver held steady at Rs2,750 per tola and Rs2,358 per 10 grammes, indicating no change from previous rates.

    Globally, the gold market also experienced a decline. Spot gold was traded near $2,305 an ounce, marking a decrease of $15.5 or 0.67 per cent from the previous session. This downturn follows a report indicating that the US core consumer price index fell to its lowest level in over three years, suggesting a potential for faster policy easing.

    Bloomberg reported that the Federal Reserve has adjusted its expectations, now projecting just one quarter-point interest rate cut this year, down from the three cuts anticipated in March.

    Swap traders are currently pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut by November, with a 75 per cent probability of a similar reduction by year-end.

    This is a shift from the 50 per cent chance of a second cut that was forecasted two days prior. US producer prices, expected to be released later on Thursday, may provide further indications of market trends.

    Overall, the drop in gold prices reflects both domestic economic pressures and global market adjustments, offering a complex landscape for investors and consumers alike.

  • Indian customer shocked by human finger in ice cream

    Indian customer shocked by human finger in ice cream

    An online ice cream delivery took a macabre turn in India when a doctor received an order with a human finger in the dessert.

    The incident happened in Mumbai when Brandon, a 26-year-old MBBS doctor, ordered a butterscotch ice cream cone from Yumno’s app.

    In a video statement shared by Dr Brandon on Indian media, he says that when he ate half of the ice cream, he felt something hard in his mouth, which he took out instead of swallowing.

    Brandon says that being a doctor, he soon realized that the hard object coming out of the mouth was a severed human finger with visible fingernails rather than a culinary addition to the ice cream.

    The doctor asserted that instead of throwing the ice cream away, he stored it in the freezer to give it to the police as evidence.

    An FIR has been registered against the company, while the 1.5 cm long piece of the finger recovered from the ice cream cone has been sent for forensics.

  • Arrest warrants issued for Khawar Maneka and son

    Arrest warrants issued for Khawar Maneka and son

    An anti-corruption court has issued arrest warrants for Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and his son Musa Maneka, for not appearing in court in a land grab and tax evasion case.

    Special Judge Asif Bashir directed the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Okara to arrest both suspects and present them in court on July 9.

    Khawar and his son both failed to appear in two court hearings, after which the judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for them.

    Per the prosecution, Maneka had allegedly illegally constructed 26 shops and a marriage hall on a four-kanal piece of land meant for Pir Islam Graveyard in Haveli Lakha without map approval.

    Tax evasion allegations have also been levelled against Khawar Maneka , and after the registration of the case, Khawar Maneka tried to flee the country from Lahore airport.

  • Fahad, Hania and Emaad? Can’t wait for ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’

    Fahad, Hania and Emaad? Can’t wait for ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’

    The first teaser of the new drama ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ is out now, showing a story of love, passion, and heartache. Fans are excited to see Fahad Mustafa back on TV after a very long break and co-starring with Hania Aamir. The drama is written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Badar Mehmood and produced by Big Bang Entertainment. It will premiere soon on ARY Digital.

    The drama promises to be a hit since director Badar Mehmood has also directed hits drama like ‘Dunk’, ‘Cheekh’, ‘Balaa’, ‘Ishqiya’, ‘Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha’ and ‘Mein.’

  • Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh as actors forced to apologize

    Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh as actors forced to apologize

    A 60-second-long Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh has caused a storm of criticism for the brand over its attempt to distance itself from Israel amid the genocide in Gaza.

    A report by Al-Jazeera says that Coca-Cola sales have declined by about 23 per cent in Bangladesh since the genocide in Gaza started.

    Consequently, the beverage brand’s advertising campaign in the country has moved from full-page newspaper advertisements to prominent placements on news websites in order to convince people otherwise.

    On Sunday, the company released an advertisement on television and social media to dispel the “misinformation” that Coca-Cola is an Israeli product.

    The advertisement argued that the beverage “has been enjoyed for 138 years by people in 190 countries.

    The advertisement opens on a hot day in a market, with a young man approaching a middle-aged shopkeeper as the latter is watching a song from Coke Studio.

    “How are you, Sohail? Should I give you a [bottle of] Coke?” asks the shopkeeper, turning a table fan towards his sweaty customer.
    The man replies: “No, Bablu bhai [brother], I am not drinking this stuff anymore.”

    When the shopkeeper asks about the reason, the young man says: “This stuff is from ‘that place’.” He does not name the “place” — but it soon becomes clear that he is referring to Israel.

    Through a conversation with the man and his friends, the shopkeeper explains that Coca-Cola is not from “that place” and that claims linking it to “that place” are misinformation.

    The shopkeeper tells them: “Listen, guys, Coke is not at all from ‘that place.’ For the past 138 years, people in 190 countries have been drinking Coke.
    They drink it in Turkey, Spain, and Dubai. Even Palestine has a Coke factory.”

    In the end, relieved Sohail asks for a bottle of Coke.

    The ad, which featured famous Bengali actors Saraf Ahmed Zibon and Shimul Sharma, drew intense criticism and threats of boycott, forcing the two of them to issue apologies.

    In an opinion piece for The Daily Star, authors Nahalay Nafisa Khan and Azmim Azran called it the “power of boycott.”