Author: newsdesk

  • Indian PM Narendra Modi congratulates Shehbaz Sharif

    Indian PM Narendra Modi congratulates Shehbaz Sharif

    Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on taking oath as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan.

    “Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan,” read a short statement on the Indian prime minister’s official X handle.

    On Monday, President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath to Shehbaz Sharif after he was elected as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan on Sunday by receiving 201 votes in the National Assembly (NA).

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif will serve the country as the Premier for the second time, after remaining the PM of Pakistan from April 2022 to August 2023.

    Various world leaders and diplomats, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, and others have also congratulated Shehbaz on taking the helm as the country’s chief executive.

  • Mohsin Naqvi’s appointment as PCB chairman challenged in Islamabad High Court

    Mohsin Naqvi’s appointment as PCB chairman challenged in Islamabad High Court

    The appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which has made the plea admissible.

    The court issued secretarial notices to Mohsin Naqvi and the Prime Minister. After hearing the preliminary arguments, the court reserved its decision on the admissibility of the petition.

    Earlier, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Amir Farooq had reserved the decision on the petition being admissible. The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court had asked the petitioner’s lawyer why he thought the appointment was wrong?

    The petitioner’s lawyer had said that according to the constitution there is a difference between the elected and the caretaker prime minister, the former cannot appoint chairman PCB as that role rests with the prime minister.

    Justice Amir Farooq got angry when the petitioner’s lawyer spoke while writing the order, asking him to wait.

    Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi was elected as the new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on February 7. Naqvi has been elected as the 37th chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board unopposed.

    In this regard, a special meeting of the PCB Governing Board was held on Tuesday, February 6 at the National Cricket Academy, a special meeting of the PCB Governing Board was called by Election Commissioner Shah Khawar.

  • Notices issued to PTA and Information Ministry on closure of X

    Notices issued to PTA and Information Ministry on closure of X

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken a significant step in response to the closure of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in Pakistan. The court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) concerning the shutdown of the said platform within the country.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition challenging the closure of X, which has been mostly inaccessible in Pakistan since February 17, with users resorting to VPNs for access.

    During the hearing on the plea today, the IHC CJ asked: “Is X closed?”

    At this, the petitioner’s lawyer replied that X had been closed in Pakistan since February 17.

    “This matter was also before the Sindh High Court (SHC), what happened to it?” asked Justice Farooq.

    The lawyer disclosed that a similar matter is pending before SHC where a petition related to contempt of court is scheduled for a hearing today.

    Following these discussions, Justice Farooq announced the issuance of notices for the next week, indicating a significant development in the legal pursuit to address the closure of X in Pakistan.

    SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued orders on a plea filed by multiple petitioners including Zarrar Khuhro, Amber Shamsi, Zebunnisa Burki, and others against intermittent disruptions faced by users in accessing the renowned social media platform which has witnessed various “unannounced” sporadic suspensions in recent weeks.

    The disruptions in accessing the platform have been a cause of distress for users, especially in the aftermath of the February 8 general elections, during which several social media sites were rendered inaccessible.

    While authorities attributed these disruptions to technical errors and security concerns during the polling day, users continued to experience intermittent suspensions in accessing X post-election.

    In a recent statement to a local media outlet, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi clarified that the caretaker government had no involvement in the shutdown of X in Pakistan.

    Solangi emphasized that the caretaker cabinet had not deliberated or decided on the closure of the microblogging website. He suggested directing inquiries regarding the matter to the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

    With the legal proceedings underway in both the Islamabad High Court and the Sindh High Court, the fate of X in Pakistan hangs in the balance, while users await a resolution to ensure uninterrupted access to the popular social media platform.

  • Bollywood’s ‘Copy Master’ complains to Police about Social Media trolls

    Bollywood’s ‘Copy Master’ complains to Police about Social Media trolls

    Bollywood’s “Copy Master” singer Jubin Nautiyal has taken legal action against social media trolls at a police station.
    As per Indian media reports, Jubin Nautiyal’s manager Rachit Garg lodged a complaint at the local police station against unidentified social media trolls for posting misleading and obscene content targeting him and his family.
    Inspector Arvind Choudhary stated that Jubin Nautiyal’s manager gathered copies of the online posts, after which the complaint accused unknown individuals of sharing misleading and obscene content on social media using Jubin Nautiyal and his family’s name and images.
    The police also confirmed that in addition to filing the complaint, they have collected evidence pertaining to offensive posts and identified nine Instagram accounts.
    Jubin Nautiyal is widely recognized as one of the top singers in India, with hit songs such as “Lut Gaye,” “Tum Hi Aana,” “Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata,” “Meri Aashiqui,” and “Dil Galti Kar Betha Hai.”

  • ASP Sheharbano leads #NeverAgain walk in Lahore

    ASP Sheharbano leads #NeverAgain walk in Lahore

    Punjab Police organised a walkathon titled ‘Never Again’ to raise awareness about violence against women in the backdrop of the Ichra bazaar incident.

    The walk was joined by ASP Shehrbano Naqvi along with seniors of the police department including IG Punjab Police Dr. Usman Anwar. ASP Sheharbano questioned the people present at Ichhra Bazar for not coming forward to help the woman – who was harassed and attacked by a mob for wearing a shirt inscribed in Arabic. “Sure, the police is there to protect the citizens but society needs to take responsibility of making sure that its women are protected.”

    While explaining the importance of ‘Never Again’, the police officer shared that the walk was organised in an effort to raise awareness and ensure that violence against women will be curbed. She stressed that society really needs to progress in an inclusive way.

    The campaign is now being run all over Punjab province under the patronage of the provincial government and the police department.

  • Meet little Alia Bhatt, the baby guest at Ambani pre-wedding

    Meet little Alia Bhatt, the baby guest at Ambani pre-wedding

    Alia Bhatt recently returned home from the glamorous pre-wedding celebrations hosted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani for his son Anant. Her first move was to share photos from the events, including one very precious moment: the first-ever Insta photo of her daughter, Raha.
    Among other snapshots, the award-winning star also posted pictures with her husband Ranbhir’s cousin Kareena Kapoor Khan, putting makeup on together, which she described as “wholesome.”
    Alia and Ranbir Kapoor had initially refrained from allowing paparazzi to take photos of Raha. However, last year, the couple decided to unveil her face to the public as she turned one year old.

  • ‘Cracks in the glass’; What does the US think about Maryam Nawaz as CM Punjab?

    ‘Cracks in the glass’; What does the US think about Maryam Nawaz as CM Punjab?

    The United States (US) state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said on Monday that the selection of Maryam Nawaz as the first woman chief minister of an important province Punjab is a “milestone in Pakistani politics.”

    “We look forward to cooperating with Pakistan more broadly on integrating women more fully into the country’s political life and economy, including through the US Pakistan Women’s Council, civil society, and other decision-making spaces,” Mathew Miller said in response to a question at his daily news briefing.

    “An inclusive Pakistan makes for a strong, prosperous country, which all Pakistanis benefit from, and so we are always pleased when we see cracks in the glass ceiling anywhere in the world,”  Miller stated.

    Maryam Nawaz was elected the first female Chief Minister of Punjab on the previous Monday.

  • Declining sales: KIA slashes Sportage prices by up to Rs300,000

    Declining sales: KIA slashes Sportage prices by up to Rs300,000

    In a strategic move to stimulate demand, Lucky Motor Corporation, formerly known as Kia Lucky Motors Pakistan, has announced a significant reduction in the prices of its popular compact SUV, the Sportage.

    The revised prices, effective from March 4, have been lowered by up to Rs300,000.

    The basic variant, Alpha, has witnessed a substantial decrease of Rs250,000, now priced at Rs7.3 million.

    Additionally, the prices of Sportage’s FWD, AWD, and limited black edition variants have all been reduced by Rs300,000. Consequently, the new prices stand at Rs7.74 million, Rs8.47 million, and Rs9 million, respectively.

    This move comes amid challenging times for the automobile sector in Pakistan, which experienced a significant 50% year-on-year decline in sales during the first half of fiscal year 2024.

    Experts anticipate that Lucky Motor Corporation’s decision to lower Sportage prices could contribute to a resurgence in its sales.

    It’s important to note that while Sportage undergoes a price adjustment, other models such as Picanto and Stonic will maintain their current pricing.

    Kia had already implemented several promotional offers, including installment plans, cashback, and free registration, to entice potential buyers.

    This latest price reduction aligns with the industry trend, as competitors like Chery Tiggo and Changan Oshan have also lowered their prices by Rs300,000.

    Industry observers attribute Sportage’s recent sales challenges to intensified competition, particularly with the introduction of the Corolla Cross in the same price range.

    Although the latter is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), it has further heightened the competition in the market.

    Despite Lucky Motor Corporation’s efforts, reports suggest that the previously offered interest-free loan policy and other incentives haven’t generated substantial demand.

    Furthermore, a cashback offer of Rs150,000 on booking across all Sportage variants, which was in place before the price adjustment, failed to attract significant attention from potential buyers.

  • Gold price increases to Rs221,200 per tola in Pakistan

    Gold price increases to Rs221,200 per tola in Pakistan

    In a significant turn of events on the first trading day of the week, gold prices in Pakistan continued their upward trajectory, witnessing a surge of Rs900 per tola to reach Rs221,200.

    According to the latest data from the Karachi Sarafa Association, the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold experienced a notable increase, rising to Rs189,643 per tola, reflecting a gain of Rs771.

    Similarly, the 10-gramme 22-karat gold was noted at Rs173,840 per tola.

    In contrast, silver prices remained unchanged today, with 24-karat silver holding steady at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229 per 10-gramme.

    Last week, the local market experienced a substantial boost in gold prices, witnessing a surge of Rs5,200 per tola for 24-karat gold.

    This surge is closely linked to the international market rally, with international spot gold reaching a two-month peak on Friday.

    The boost in international spot gold was attributed to strengthened expectations of a rate cut by June, driven by economic data from the United States.

    The data indicated a slump in manufacturing activity, while price data aligned with market expectations. This led to a decline in the dollar, resulting in gains for the safe-haven asset.

    Presently, international spot gold is trading at $2,086.62, reflecting a gain of $3.76, or 0.2 per cent, day-on-day, further impacting the domestic gold market positively.

    In parallel with economic developments, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) saw a marginal depreciation of 7 paisa against the US dollar in Monday’s interbank session.

    The currency settled the trade at PKR 279.26, compared to the previous day’s closing of PKR 279.19 per USD.

    During the intraday session, the local unit reached a high (bid) of 279.6 and a low (ask) of 278.95. In the open market, exchange companies quoted the dollar at 279.41 for buying and 282.05 for selling.

    It is noteworthy that the Pakistani rupee closed last week with a gain of 17 paisa week-on-week against the US dollar, showcasing some resilience in the face of external economic fluctuations.

  • ‘Sexually assaulted in 7th grade,’ Adeel Hashmi reveals traumatic childhood incident

    ‘Sexually assaulted in 7th grade,’ Adeel Hashmi reveals traumatic childhood incident

    In a sincere moment on Masarrat Misbah’s show, Pakistani actor and television host Adeel Hashmi bravely shared his personal story of being a victim of sexual assault during childhood.

    Hashmi recounted the distressing incident where he was targeted by older students.
    “The smile you see now is after facing many challenges in life,” he said ruefully. He admitted that the trauma had left lasting scars on him.

    He revealed that the traumatic events happened when he was in 7th grade, causing him emotional distress as a younger and smaller student facing bullying from older peers. Describing the difficult times, Adeel mentioned, “It was the 1980s. I was in 7th or 8th grade. Since I was in a public school, many students were older due to failing grades. They had been in the same class for years while I had just moved up from 6th grade.”
    He went on to recount that he was not big or tall at that point. “Even my behavior was timid, like a cat or a mouse. These eight or 10 students would bully me.” Adeel bravely disclosed a distressing incident from those years, saying, “I can share one incident from that time. I might not tell everything as it’s hard for me. I was sexually assaulted in 7th grade. This happened in an all-boys school where no one could help me.”
    Seeking guidance, he turned to his elder brother at the time, unsure of how to handle the situation. Unfortunately, his brother, unaware of the gravity of the bullying and assault, advised him to deal with it on his own. This left Adeel feeling isolated and without a support system.

    “I would stutter and I knew if I told my teachers, these kids would bully me more. Only one time I said to my brother that these hostel kids tease me and whether I should tell our father. And he said no, you can resolve that on your own.”
    Despite the challenges, Adeel chose not to confide in his parents due to fears of their reaction and the difficulty of explaining his painful experiences. This conversation on the show marked the first time he openly discussed these difficult memories with the public.
    His mother would hear about these traumatic experiences through the show. Adeel stressed the importance of creating a safe space for survivors to speak out about child sexual abuse and its long-term effects on individuals’ lives.