Author: newsdesk

  • German Embassy issues student visa application schedule

    German Embassy issues student visa application schedule

    The schedule of applications for student visas has been announced by the German Embassy in Pakistan.

    Student visa registration for the winter semester 2024-25 starts from May 21.

    According to the embassy, appointments for students with an admission letter for the 2024 summer semester will not be offered by the end of MA, while any admission letter for the 2024 summer semester after May 15 will automatically be cancelled.

    Affected students will be notified via email.

    The move is being taken to streamline the visa process and address the high volume of applications received by the embassy.

    Preference will be given to applicants and PhD students with scholarships from German institutions, while there is a special online registration category for students who have achieved a CGPA of 3.7 or above.

    Applicants must prepare a comprehensive set of documents for their visa application, including various forms, copies of passports and IDs, educational records, proof of financial means and health insurance.

  • Ali Muhammad Khan will move IHC against Adiala jail officials

    Ali Muhammad Khan will move IHC against Adiala jail officials

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan said on Friday that he will file a plea against the Adiala jail administration in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for not allowing him to meet incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    “I am going to the high court against the jail administration. We were not allowed to meet Imran Khan during the previous appearance, and we are not allowed to meet now,” the politician said, expressing displeasure.

    The senior PTI leader stated while talking to journalists outside Adiala jail that he will file a contempt of court petition against Adiala jail officials.

    He recalled that when he was imprisoned in Adiala, jail officials treated him badly. He also said that they are doing the same thing again by not allowing him to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    However, the politician expressed confidence in the country’s security agencies to ensure Khan’s safety during his appearances in cases at the Supreme Court.

  • Weekly inflation eases as tomato and onion prices drop

    Weekly inflation eases as tomato and onion prices drop

    According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the SPI for the week ending on May 16, 2024, showed a decline of -1.06 per cent compared to the previous week. However, in a year-on-year comparison, the SPI surged by 21.22 per cent compared to the same period last year.

    The Combined Index, a key metric monitored by economists and consumers alike, stood at 309.25, indicating a decrease from 312.56 recorded a week earlier. This contrasts with the index of 255.12 registered during the corresponding period last year.

    Among the 51 items tracked, prices exhibited mixed trends, with 39.22 per cent of items experiencing an increase, 31.37 per cent witnessing a decrease, and 29.41 per cent remaining stable.

    Notable decreases were observed in the prices of tomatoes (31.18 per cent), onions (21.84 per cent), garlic (7.76 per cent), wheat (5.48 per cent), and petrol (5.32 per cent). Conversely, significant increases were noted in the prices of cooked daal (1.96 per cent), shirting (1.74 per cent), potatoes (1.46 per cent), beef (1.11 per cent), and mutton (1.04 per cent).

    Analysis of the weekly SPI percentage change across income groups revealed a uniform decrease, ranging between -1.02 per cent and -1.17 per cent. The lowest income group experienced the most significant weekly fall at 1.17 per cent, while the highest income group recorded a decline of 1.06 per cent.

    On an annual basis, SPI trends across income segments indicated increases ranging between 14.54 per cent and 24.58 per cent. The lowest income group saw a 14.54 per cent increase in the yearly SPI, while the highest income group experienced a 19.07 per cent rise.

  • Pakistan’s stock market closes above 75,000 mark for the first time

    Pakistan’s stock market closes above 75,000 mark for the first time

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) KSE-100 index achieved a historic milestone on Friday, closing above 75,000 points for the first time ever. This marked the seventh consecutive session of gains, reflecting a strong buying momentum in the market.

    The trading session opened on a positive note, with bullish investors driving the market upward throughout the day. The KSE-100 Index ultimately settled at 75,342.35 points, an increase of 411.65 points or 0.55 per cent from the previous close.

    Significant buying activity was observed across various sectors, including oil and gas exploration, fertilisers, refineries, pharmaceuticals, cement, and chemicals, contributing to the robust market performance.

    The surge follows Thursday’s session, where the index gained 267 points to close just shy of the 75,000 mark, fueled by positive market sentiments.

    Market experts attribute this unprecedented rise to several favorable factors. These include the commencement of discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan programme and anticipations of a potential interest rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy meeting.

    Such developments have bolstered investor confidence, leading to increased market activity and record-high levels at the PSX.

  • Pakistan won Central Asian Volleyball Championship by defeating Turkmenistan

    Pakistan won Central Asian Volleyball Championship by defeating Turkmenistan

    Pakistan has won the Central Asian Volleyball Championship by defeating Turkmenistan in final match.

    In the final, Pakistan defeated Turkmenistan 1-3, Pakistan’s winning scores were 25-21, 25-19, 25-20 and 14-25.

    Pakistan remained unbeaten in the event, winning 6 matches in a row, the national team won a total of 18 sets and lost 3.

  • 24-karat gold price declines to Rs245,000 per tola

    24-karat gold price declines to Rs245,000 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan saw a downturn on Friday, marking a loss of Rs600 for 24-karat gold, now priced at Rs245,000 per tola. Notably, this adjustment places the current price at a significant Rs4,000 below its actual value.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association highlighted the rationale behind this pricing strategy, citing a noteworthy decline in purchasing power. Accordingly, the decision was made to reduce the price by Rs4,000 to better align with market dynamics.

    Last week, 24-karat gold experienced an upward trend, witnessing an increase of Rs5,500 per tola. However, the latest figures indicate a reversal in this trajectory, with the price now standing at Rs210,048 per 10-gramme, down Rs514. Similarly, the price of 22-karat gold was marked lower at Rs192,544 per 10-gramme.

    Meanwhile, silver prices remained stable in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver holding steady at Rs2,730 per tola and Rs2,340.53 per 10-gramme.

    Internationally, the spot gold market witnessed a modest increase, hovering around $2,388.8 an ounce, marking a 0.5 per cent rise for the day. This upward movement contributes to a weekly gain of 1.2 per cent for the yellow metal.

  • Sana Javed, Shoaib Malik enjoy New York trip

    Sana Javed, Shoaib Malik enjoy New York trip

    Sana Javed and Shoaib Malik are currently enjoying a trip to the USA. They’ve been sharing beautiful pictures and stories on Instagram from New York. Sana shared stories of rain, while Shoaib posted many solo pictures. The couple also shared a photo together.

    Here, we’ve gathered all their pictures from the trip.

  • ‘Squid Game’ season 2 is coming to Netflix soon

    ‘Squid Game’ season 2 is coming to Netflix soon

    Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae, known for his role as Gi-hun in the hit series ‘Squid Game,’ has announced the release date for Season 2.
    Fans are excited to dive back into the intense storyline created by Hwang Dong-hyuk.

    Lee Jung-Jae confirmed to Business Insider that ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 will premiere in December this year.

    This supports Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos’ earlier comments about the new season arriving in the latter half of 2024, as reported by Screenrant.

    Season 2 will follow Gi-hun’s quest for revenge as he tries to take down the organization behind the deadly games.

    The season will continue exploring the struggles of contestants fighting for a huge cash prize, with Gi-hun’s transformation adding an exciting twist.
    Returning and new faces

    Lee Jung-jae will return in his iconic role, alongside Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, and Wi Ha-jun.
    Fans eagerly await December to see Gi-hun’s journey and how new characters impact the game’s stakes.

  • What’s keeping Alizeh Shah away from social media?

    What’s keeping Alizeh Shah away from social media?

    Actress and model Alizeh Shah has revealed the reason why she isn’t as active on social media these days

    Shah recently participated in HUM Style Awards 2024, held in Karachi, where a journalist said that she had been missing on social media.
    Alizeh Shah said, “I don’t post much on social media. I only use it for work stuff. Otherwise not.”

  • KP government rises up to help Punjab farmers

    KP government rises up to help Punjab farmers

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday started the process of buying wheat from Punjabi farmers at the rate of Rs 3900 per 40 kgs as the wheat crisis ensues in Punjab, according to Geo News.

    An official from the Food Department told Geo that the KP government intends to buy up to 2 lac 86 thousand ton wheat crop till June 30 from Punjab farmers at the rate of Rs 3900 Kg.

    KP government has also bought 14 thousand tons of wheat from its own province’s farmers. According to official sources, up to 500,000 tons of crop can be stocked.

    The government is currently buying crops from KP cities like Peshawar, Kohat and Haripur, Geo News reported.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier ordered an inquiry committee to investigate the import of wheat last year under caretaker setup despite abundant harvest.

    Farmers in Punjab have staged protests because the government is not buying wheat crops from them at the agreed-upon rates.