Author: newsdesk

  • Record high: Overseas workers’ remittances hit $3.24 billion in May 2024

    Record high: Overseas workers’ remittances hit $3.24 billion in May 2024

    In May, overseas workers’ remittances soared by 54.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.24 billion, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    This significant increase from $2.1 billion in May last year indicates a substantial boost in remittances.

    Month-on-month, there was a notable 15.3 per cent increase in remittances, totaling $2.81 billion in the previous month.

    Cumulatively, in the 11 months of the fiscal year 2023-24, total remittances amounted to $27.09 billion, showing a 7.75 per cent increase from $25.15 billion received in the same period last fiscal year.

    Saudi Arabia retained its position as the leading contributor, with remittances amounting to $819.28 million, marking a 56.4 per cent increase from the previous year. The UAE followed closely, with remittances of $668.48 million, showing a staggering 99.0 per cent year-on-year increase.

    Remittances from Pakistani workers in the UK surged to $473.22 million, a significant 54.4 per cent increase from the same month last year. Meanwhile, inflows from the USA amounted to $359.55 million, up by 39.8 per cent year-on-year.

    Additionally, remittances from Pakistanis working in EU countries witnessed a substantial 36.4 per cent year-on-year increase, reaching $339.99 million, according to the data provided by SBP.

  • Weekly inflation rises as prices of essential food items increase

    Weekly inflation rises as prices of essential food items increase

    The Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group witnessed a 0.45 per cent increase week over week (WoW) during the week ending June 6, 2024.

    This surge marks a significant 21.69 per cent rise YoY compared to the corresponding period last year, as per data unveiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    The Combined Index stood at 309.91, showcasing a slight uptick from 308.52 the previous week, and a notable increase from 254.67 recorded a year ago.

    Among the 51 items monitored, the week saw prices of 19 items (37.26 per cent) soar, 14 items (27.45 per cent) witness a decline, while prices of 18 items (35.29 per cent) remained stable. Notable increases were observed in the prices of Onions (33.21 per cent), Tomatoes (15.34 per cent), Bananas (4.93 per cent), Pulse Gram (3.69 per cent), and Potatoes (2.62 per cent).

    Conversely, significant decreases were noted in the prices of Bread (3.02 per cent), Garlic (2.00 per cent), Wheat (-1.99 per cent), Petrol (1.74 per cent), and Pulse Masoor (1.43 per cent).

    The weekly SPI percentage change across income groups revealed a universal uptick, ranging between 0.33 per cent and 0.81 per cent. The lowest income group experienced the steepest weekly rise of 0.81 per cent, contrasting with a 0.33 per cent rise in the highest income group.

    On an annual basis, analysis of SPI changes across income segments indicated a consistent increase, ranging from 15.26 per cent to 25.04 per cent. Yearly SPI for the Lowest Income Group surged by 15.26 per cent, while the highest income group recorded a 19.45 per cent increase.

    In terms of specific commodities, the average price of Sona urea stood at Rs4,746 per 50 kg bag, marking a marginal 1.04 per cent decline from the previous week, yet reflecting a substantial 56.01 per cent increase compared to last year’s prices.

    Meanwhile, the average Cement price reached Rs1,255 per 50 kg bag, showing a 1.40 per cent increase from the prior week and a noteworthy 9.82 per cent surge compared to last year’s prices.

  • ‘I’m looking for a partner who accepts me and my daughter’: Fiza Ali has clear priorities

    ‘I’m looking for a partner who accepts me and my daughter’: Fiza Ali has clear priorities

    Television host Fiza Ali has been open about struggles with marriage. Despite trying, her plans for a third marriage haven’t worked out as yet. In a viral clip shared on social media, she talks about her past two marriages and what she’s looking for in a partner.

    Fiza said, “My ex-partners never hit me, raised their hands against me, never fought with me, and never used abusive language. However, we just couldn’t align mentally or in our way of living.”
    She went on to say thet she wasn’t raised in a manner that prioritized social connections. “Whereas my first husband insisted that I should be visible at every party and event, and I didn’t like being so social.”

    She revealed that her family made the decision to end her marriage to ex-husband Fawad.
    When questioned about her third marriage, she disclosed that plans had been made multiple times, but unfortunately, they fell through.
    “I’m looking for a partner who will accept me along with my daughter Faral and won’t stop me from working.”
    Currently she is hosting ‘Morning With Fiza’ on Channel 24.

  • Ahsan Iqbal was imprisoned in the same cell as Imran Khan

    Ahsan Iqbal was imprisoned in the same cell as Imran Khan

    An interesting revelation popped up on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday night when journalist Shama Junejo posted an old image of Federal Minister of Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal behind bars with the caption, “Neither did he cry, nor was he afraid. Ahsan Iqbal also stayed in the same jail and cell but see the satisfaction.”

    Ahsan was imprisoned by the Imran Khan-led PTI govt in cases that he was later cleared off.

    A user commented under the post, “This is not a jail or a cell, it is a reference to the police station. No one in this outfit is jailed, but the politicians get ready from home and go out to protest and call the policeman to arrest them quickly so that the photo session can be done and they don’t have to endure too much heat and cold on the streets. This photo is also from that time. Get your record straight.”

    However, the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader himself quoted the reply on Friday morning and said, “This is the same cell of Adiala Jail in which the captain [Imran Khan] is currently residing.”

    The cell looks very different from what it is today. While it is now equipped with an air cooler, racks and a table plus chair for Imran Khan, it looks like a dark and empty cell when Ahsan Iqbal was incarcerated there.

  • Three judges recommended for promotion to Supreme Court

    Three judges recommended for promotion to Supreme Court

    The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has sent the names of three high court judges on Friday to a parliamentary committee for approval for promotion to the Supreme Court (SC), Geo has reported.

    During the JCP meeting, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) recommended the names of three judges: Lahore High Court Chief (LHC) Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad, Sindh High Court Chief (SHC) Justice Aqeel Abbasi, and LHC Justice Shahid Bilal.

    JCP was established under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to select judges for top courts.

    Nine JCP members, including Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahaya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice (retd) Manzoor Ahmed Malik, Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, and Pakistan Bar Council representative advocate Akhtar Hussain, attended the meeting.

    The total strength of judges in the SC is 17, but currently, only 14 judges are working, and three seats need to be filled.

  • Indomitable Chahat hints at ‘Bado Badi 2’

    Indomitable Chahat hints at ‘Bado Badi 2’

    Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, the internet star, has captured hearts worldwide with his viral track ‘Bado Badi.’ Known for his quirky singing and comedic flair, the Pakistani-British artist has garnered a massive following across the country. However, his recent hit ‘Bado Badi,’ with a whopping 28 million views, faced copyright issues and was taken down from the site.

    In a recent YouTube video, Chahat expressed gratitude to his fans from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. He hinted at an exciting lineup of upcoming projects, including a film, songs, and ‘Bado Badi 2’.

    Regarding “Bado Badi 2,” he stated, “I have several projects ready to go. I’m making a movie called ‘Sabaq,’ which you can watch on my YouTube channel. Alongside that, I’ll be dropping six new songs, and yes, ‘Bado Badi 2’ is in the works. You’ll spot a new and stunning model in it. I’ll also be collaborating with new talent; many people are eager to work with me now. Thanks, everyone.”

    You can check out the video here:

  • ‘Undisputed queen of everything’: Hania Aamir applauds Ayeza Khan’s work

    ‘Undisputed queen of everything’: Hania Aamir applauds Ayeza Khan’s work

    From one queen to another, Ayeza Khan and Hania Aamir have exchanged a series of compliments as the latter becomes the most-followed Pakistani female actor on Instagram.

    Aamir recently dethroned Ayeza Khan as the most-followed female celebrity on Instagram, with more than 14.1 million followers compared to Ayeza Khan’s 14 million.

    There is no jealousy between the two as Ayeza congratulated Hania on her achievement. In return, responded warmly, calling Ayeza her inspiration.
    “You deserve this babes,” Ayeza wrote with a series of emojis.

    Hania responded by calling her the “Undisputed queen of absolutely everything”. and added, “Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’ll continue to do for this industry, and for inspiring everyone, including me, who wants to be a brilliant actress like you.”

    “And a big, big thank you for being your amazing positive self,” she added, to which Khan replied, “Just stay the way you are always.”

  • Nine months of genocide: Israel attacks UN school as US gives it ‘every right to attack’

    Nine months of genocide: Israel attacks UN school as US gives it ‘every right to attack’

    Israeli strikes hammered a Gaza refugee camp on Friday after a deadly strike on a UN-run school, as the genocide entered its ninth month. Meanwhile, the US White House spokesperson, Mathew Miller, in a slip of the tongue, said, “Israel has a right to try and target those civilians” in response to questions about an attack on a UN school in central Gaza that killed dozens of people. 

    Asked by Anadolu about the spokesperson’s remarks, the State Department said Miller misspoke and that he intended to say “Hamas” rather than “civilians.” A footnote with the correction is expected to be added to the official department transcript of Thursday’s briefing.

    Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza said at least 37 people were killed in Thursday’s Israeli strike on the UN-run school in Nuseirat camp.

    The Israeli army said its fighter jets killed nine “terrorists” in three classrooms where about 30 militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad had been hiding.

    The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said hundreds of displaced Palestinians had been sheltering at the school which was “hit without prior warning”.

    UN Secretary-General chief Antonio Guterres described the strike as “another horrific example of the price that civilians are paying”.

    Strikes across Gaza

    The United States, which provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid, urged its ally to be “fully” transparent about the strike.

    “The government of Israel has said that they are going to release more information about this strike, including the names of those who died in it. We expect them to be fully transparent in making that information public,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

    Journalist Hind Khoudary reported that Israel attacked the school late in the night when the people were asleep.

    On Friday, strikes targeted various areas across the Gaza Strip.

    A day after the school was hit, the Nuseirat refugee camp faced renewed Israeli artillery shelling and air strikes, reported AFP.

    A medical source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said the Isa family home near a medical centre in the Bureij refugee camp was targeted, leaving several wounded.

    Witnesses also confirmed Israeli strikes in the east of Deir al-Balah, as well as intensive fire from Israeli army vehicles east of the Bureij camp, where a blaze raged at a roundabout.

    In Gaza City, casualties were reported from an Israeli missile strike on the Ashram family home near Al-Salam mosque, according to a medical source at Baptist Hospital.

    Six people were killed and several wounded in an Israeli strike on the Wafati home in Maghazi camp, said a medical source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

    Air force jets also targeted the Al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah, sources in the city on the southern border with Egypt said.

    Gaza also came under fire from the sea, with Israeli warships bombarding homes in the fishermen’s port area, among others, west of Gaza City, an AFP correspondent said.

  • UK court orders Adil Raja to pay even more fine

    UK court orders Adil Raja to pay even more fine

    A UK court has dismissed PTI-affiliated controversial YouTuber Major (retd) Adil Raja’s appeal to waive a £10,000 fine along with imposing an additional fine of 3,000 pounds.

    Raja was originally fined for defamation by the UK court following a complaint by Brigadier (retd) Rashid Nasir. Raja had appealed for the waiving of the fine on April 16, 2024, just a day before the original deadline for payment.

    Moreover, Adil Raja has also started a fundraiser for himself at GoFundMe with the title “Fight Against Fascism” which has already collected over £45,000.

    In the past, Raja has claimed financial troubles to cover his fines and legal fees however the court’s ruling indicates that the plea did not convince the judges.

    Brigadier Nasir’s legal action was initiated on August 11, 2022, following a campaign against him by Raja that began on June 14, 2022.

  • Imran Khan ready to reduce political tension, directs party to hold talks

    Imran Khan ready to reduce political tension, directs party to hold talks

    Incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to take a “step back” from his firm position of holding no talks with political powers, directing his party to build contacts with politicians to reduce tension in the country, Geo reported on Friday.
    The party’s leadership will hold dialogues with other political parties within and outside the parliament, and PTI will try to improve its relations with the parties in the coalition government.

    The former prime minister decided to move back from his rigid stance after interacting with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa during the hearing on Thursday.

    During the hearing on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments, CJP Isa suggested that Khan go to the Parliament to help resolve Pakistan’s problems “as the country needs to move forward.”

    Imran Khan told the court during his appearance via video link that he is facing “political victimization” since his removal from office in April 2022.