Author: newsdesk

  • PCB dashes hopes of officials hoping to get free American trip during World Cup

    PCB dashes hopes of officials hoping to get free American trip during World Cup

    The dreams of a few officials who wanted to visit America under the guise of the T20 World Cup have been dashed.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have banned unnecessary visits.

    According to Express sources, PCB officials will no longer be able to make unnecessary trips for free after Chairman Mohsin Naqvi banned the practice. This will be applied both internally and abroad.

    The board used to spend a lot of money on travel and stay and also had to bear losses in terms of allowances but when the matter came to the notice of the chairman, he took action.

    On the other hand, sources further claimed that the process of changes in PCB is not over yet but will start again soon. The Chairman now has an idea of the performance of most of the top officials and wants to make appointments based on merit.

    Some officials also came into light who do not work much but apparently it was done as if the board was running on their bill. Preparations have started to send such people home. Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have also complained to the PCB.

  • Lanka’s Dambulla Thunders owner arrested for match fixing

    Lanka’s Dambulla Thunders owner arrested for match fixing

    The owner of Lanka Premier League team Dambulla Thunders Tamim Rahman has been arrested for match fixing.

    Details of the charges against Tamim Rehman have not been released. The Lanka Premier League has canceled the Dambulla team’s ownership contract following the arrest.

    The Lanka Premier League amanagement says that it was necessary to terminate the contract to save the reputation of the league, if the new ownership does not happen, then League management will manage the affairs of the Dambulla team.

    The players auction of Lanka Premier League was held Tuesday. Dambulla Thunders bought Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed and Haider Ali in the Players Auction.

  • Telecom companies block 9,000 SIMs of non-filers under FBR directive

    Telecom companies block 9,000 SIMs of non-filers under FBR directive

    Telecom operators have taken action by blocking the mobile SIMs of approximately 9,000 individuals who have not filed their taxes, following directives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    According to a spokesperson from the FBR, this measure has been expedited, with telecom companies receiving updated data daily for the purpose of blocking SIMs.

    It has been revealed that the FBR has already provided data for around 30,000 individuals whose SIMs are earmarked for blocking.

    However, the spokesperson acknowledged that there is still a substantial number of approximately 506,671 individuals who have not filed their Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2023 but are obligated to do so.

    Initially, telecom operators were hesitant to execute this directive, citing various legal concerns. Nevertheless, they eventually consented to manually block SIMs in smaller batches.

    The FBR had issued an Income Tax General Order (ITGO) in late April, instructing the disabling of mobile phone SIMs belonging to over half a million individuals not appearing on the active taxpayer list.

    At the time of issuance, telecom companies were directed to furnish a compliance report by May 15 regarding this matter.

  • First T20 between Pakistan and England canceled due to rain

    First T20 between Pakistan and England canceled due to rain

    The first T20 match of the four-match series between Pakistan and England has ended without toss due to continuous rain in Headingley, England

    The second T20 match of the series between Pakistan and England will be played at Edgbaston on Saturday.

  • Govt announces establishment of 10 new software technology parks

    Govt announces establishment of 10 new software technology parks

    The government has announced the establishment of 10 new Software Technology Parks across the country by next year.

    This announcement was made during a briefing by the Ministry of Information Technology to a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

    In addition to the new technology parks, the meeting highlighted plans to set up 100 new e-employment centers nationwide by next year. These initiatives are part of the government’s broader strategy to boost the IT sector and create more job opportunities.

    The project for the Islamabad IT Park, which is being developed in cooperation with South Korea, is expected to be completed next year. This state-of-the-art facility will offer a range of amenities, including spaces for startups, incubation centers, banks, restaurants, and other essential services.

    Moreover, South Korea is also collaborating on an information technology park project near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, scheduled for completion by 2027. These projects are part of an ongoing effort to expand the country’s IT infrastructure, which already includes 43 software technology parks established in 29 cities.

  • Gold prices in Pakistan dip marginally amid declining purchasing power

    Gold prices in Pakistan dip marginally amid declining purchasing power

    Gold prices in Pakistan saw a slight decline on Wednesday, with the rate for 24-karat gold falling by Rs300 to Rs248,200 per tola.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported that the price of 24-karat gold also decreased to Rs212,791 per 10 grammes, marking a drop of Rs236. Similarly, the price of 22-karat gold was adjusted to Rs195,059 per 10 grammes.

    This decrease in gold prices can be attributed to a significant reduction in purchasing power, with the current rate maintained at Rs4,000 below its actual cost. 

    In contrast, silver prices remained stable in the domestic market. The price for 24-karat silver was steady at Rs2,850 per tola and Rs2,443.41 per 10 grammes.

    On the global stage, international spot gold traded near $2,418.3 per ounce, down by 0.11 per cent for the day. A notable trend is emerging in China, the world’s largest consumer of gold, where bullion imports have slowed.

    April saw overseas purchases of physical gold fall to 136 tons, a 30 per cent decrease from the previous month and the lowest total for the year, as per the latest customs data.

    Meanwhile, international silver prices held near an 11-year high. The surge in silver prices is driven by increased investor interest, a favourable macroeconomic environment, and a projected fourth annual market deficit. 

    The evolving dynamics in the precious metals market reflect broader economic trends and shifting consumer behaviours globally.

  • Wahaj Ali slams fan page for inappropriate post on Yumna Zaidi

    Wahaj Ali slams fan page for inappropriate post on Yumna Zaidi

    HeartthrobWahaj Ali has slammed a fan page for putting up a disrespectful post on Yumna Zaidi.

    The fan page made a collage which they captioned, “Yumna bhi Aloo ki trha hr ik k sath fit ajati hai.”
    On this Wahaj Ali commented on the post “Please remove this post, if you are my admirer than you should respect my friends/colleagues/Family.”
    The post is removed by the admin.

    Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi won hearts as the lead couple in the hit drama ‘Tere Bin’. With a sequel on the way, Yumna is now winning fans over with her chemistry with Humayun Saeed in ‘Gentleman’.

  • Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government on Tuesday to safely recover Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad.

    During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani accepted Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan’s request to adjourn the hearing for the next four days and give time to the government to utilise resources for Farhad’s recovery.

    Justice Kayani asked the investigative officer about developments in the case. The officer told the court that he went to the spy agency’s office, but the sector commander was not there.

  • Glacial outburst expected in Gilgit Baltistan 

    Glacial outburst expected in Gilgit Baltistan 

    People of Gilgit-Baltistan have been warned of possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (Glof) events and floods this week due to the rising temperature in the region.

    Pakistan Meteorological Department on Monday alerted local authorities that daytime temperatures in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to remain four to six degrees Celsius, higher than normal, between May 21 and 27. 

    Wind and thunderstorms are also expected in this time span, reports Dawn.

    Glof and flash floods are likely to affect vulnerable snow-covered and glaciated areas of Gilgit Baltistan and the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

    Local authorities have asked people living near glaciers should take precautionary measures. Tourists have also been advised to be careful during rain.

    In 2022, flash floods and Glofs hit many villages in the Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, and Gilgit districts of GB.

  • Hasan Ali dropped from T20 World Cup squad

    Hasan Ali dropped from T20 World Cup squad

    Fast bowler Hasan Ali has been dropped from the World Cup T20 squad after his poor performance against Ireland.

    Hasan Ali can resume his county cricket duties, Pakistan Cricket Team management says, having made him a part of the squad as a backup to Haris Rauf who is now fully fit.

    The fast bowler will represent Warwickshire in the English County Championship.

    The announcement of the national team’s World Cup squad is expected during the series against England.

    Earlier, during the series against Ireland, Ali was given a chance, but he could not perform against the weak Irish team.