Author: newsdesk

  • WATCH: Babar Azam hugs a cute fan in stadium

    WATCH: Babar Azam hugs a cute fan in stadium

    Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam signed an autograph for a little fan girl and hugs her.

    The little fan was delighted when Babar signed an autograph for her.

  • Why did Wasim Akram, Misbah ul Haq and Azhar Ali not watch the PSL match in Karachi?

    Why did Wasim Akram, Misbah ul Haq and Azhar Ali not watch the PSL match in Karachi?

    Former captains Wasim Akram, Misbah ul Haq and former player Azhar Ali could not reach the stadium to watch Pakistan Super League (PSL) match on Thursday after getting stuck in traffic in Karachi.

    Wasim Akram has said that after being stuck in the traffic for 1.5 hours, “Today I understand why people are not coming to watch the match.”

    Wasim Akram has asked that when he could not even reach near the stadium, how will people come to watch. “Containers are not the solution to everything, we have to solve these problems.”

    Karachi fans are noticeably absent from the stadium.

  • Petrol price increased by Rs4.13 to Rs279.75 per litre

    Petrol price increased by Rs4.13 to Rs279.75 per litre

    The outgoing caretaker government announced on Thursday an increase in the price of petrol by Rs4.13 per litre while maintaining the current price of diesel.

    According to a notification from the Finance Division, the new price of petrol will be Rs279.75 per litre and will remain in effect for the upcoming fortnight.

    This marks the third consecutive hike by the interim government, and it is expected to be the last under their administration, as an elected prime minister is set to take office by the end of this week.

    The recent surge in petrol prices was anticipated, given the rise in global oil prices amid a recovery in demand and persistent tensions in the Middle East.

    The caretaker government had previously increased the price of petrol by Rs2.73 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs8.37 per litre in the last review.

  • PSL 9: Quetta Gladiators defeats Karachi Kings by 5 wickets after a thriller match

    PSL 9: Quetta Gladiators defeats Karachi Kings by 5 wickets after a thriller match

    Quetta Gladiators defeats Karachi Kings by 5 wickets after a thriller match played at Karachi International Stadium.

    Karachi Kings inning

    Anwar Ali played a fast innings of 25 runs off 14 balls, James Vince was outstanding with 37 runs, Muhammad Nawaz returned to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs. Tim Seifert scored 21 runs, Shoaib Malik scored 12 runs and Kieron Pollard was dismissed for 13 runs.

    On behalf of Quetta Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed took three wickets, Aqeel Hussain and Usman Tariq took two wickets each.

    Quetta Gladiators inning

    Chasing the target of 166 runs, Jason Roy scored 52 runs on 31 balls, his inning include 4 sixes and 2 fours. Saud Shakeel scored 24 runs. Quetta was in trouble after losing their 5 wickets on the total of 89 runs, but Sherfane Rutherford and Akeel Husain lead the team to victory.

    In the last over Quetta needed 16 runs, Rutherford hits 2 sixes to the Anwar Ali but on the next two balls Anwar make good comeback and delivered two back to back dot balls. On the 5th ball Rutherford hit the ball to the off side and scored 2 runs and manage to led the team to victory.

  • Gold price rises to Rs215,700 per tola with Rs900 surge

    Gold price rises to Rs215,700 per tola with Rs900 surge

    The 24-karat gold price in Pakistan has once again surged, rebounding from a previous drop of Rs1,100 per tola in the last trading session.

    The latest market data reveals a noteworthy increase of Rs900 per tola, closing at Rs215,700 per tola on Thursday.

    On the preceding day, gold prices had recorded a dip to Rs214,800 per tola, experiencing a decline of Rs1,100. However, the recent spike has brought the values back on an upward trajectory.

    The local market also witnessed a rise in the price of 10 grammes of 24-karat gold, marking an increase of Rs772 to reach Rs184,928 from Rs184,156.

    Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 22-karat gold climbed to Rs169,517 from Rs168,810, as reported by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

    The association suggests that these fluctuations are closely tied to the fluctuations in the value of the US dollar.

    This correlation emphasises the intricate relationship between currency values and gold prices, highlighting the impact of global economic factors on local gold markets.

    In contrast, the price of 24-karat silver remained stable at Rs2,570. Internationally, the global gold price experienced a minor uptick of $9, reaching $2,057 per ounce.

    This stability in silver prices locally and the marginal increase in global gold prices indicate the complex dynamics at play in the precious metals market.

    Investors and market analysts continue to monitor these shifts closely, recognising the interplay between global economic variables and the valuation of precious metals in the local market.

    The resilience of gold prices, despite recent fluctuations, underscores the ongoing influence of international factors on Pakistan’s gold market.

  • Sindh govt declares rain emergency, announces half-day in Karachi

    Sindh govt declares rain emergency, announces half-day in Karachi

    Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh, has on Thursday imposed rain emergency in the province and declared that tomorrow (Friday) will be a half-day for all government and private offices in the megacity.

    On Wednesday, the Sindh Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a notice warning of the possibility of urban flooding in the province with expected heavy rainfall, directing deputy commissioners and all concerned officials to take required measures, reports Dawn.

    According to the advisory issued by the Meteorological Department, rain/thunderstorms with scattered heavy rainfall is expected in northern parts of the province from Feb 29 till March 2.

    “Heavy falls may generate urban flooding in low-lying areas. Fishermen of Balochistan are advised not to venture into deep sea till March 1 while those of Sindh are advised to remain careful during the forecast period,” it said.

    Today, the Sindh chief minister chaired a meeting to discuss the matter, deciding to declare a rain emergency in the province and put local institutions, the administration, and hospitals on high alert, a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

    The statement also said that Murad decided that tomorrow would be a half-day at all public and private offices in Karachi and urged the people to not leave their houses unnecessarily.

    “After 2 pm tomorrow, three to four spells of rainfall have been predicted in different areas of Karachi,” he said.

    Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also confirmed the same. In a post on X, he said: “Though preparations have been made, as a matter of abundant precaution, it has been decided in the meeting presided by CM that tomorrow will be a half-day for offices in Karachi division from 2 pm.

    “Citizens are requested to also avoid unnecessary movement to avoid any inconvenience,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the meeting chaired by the Sindh CM was informed by PDMA Director General Salman Shah that rainfall had been predicted in the northern areas of the province from tonight till March 2 (Saturday).

    He said that rainfall was expected in the central areas of the province from March 1 (tomorrow), adding that rains were expected in the province from today.
    “Rains are expected to begin in Karachi on Friday afternoon, with 13mm to 16mm expected in a 12-hour timespan,” the official informed the meeting.

    Over the possibility of rainwater entering the province from the mountainous areas in Balochistan’s Jhal Magsi and Khuzdar, CM Murad directed the Larkana commissioner to make the necessary arrangements in this regard.

    Meanwhile, the provincial irrigation department assured Murad that Manchhar Lake would be able to withstand the inflow of rainwater.

    The Karachi mayor acknowledged that there were drainage issues after last month’s rainfall. However, he assured that these were being resolved, adding that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) had 53 vehicles with suction machines available.

    PDMA’s Shah also vowed to provide the necessary machinery to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for draining rainwater, noting that Karachi’s main artery Sharea Faisal comes under water pressure during the rains.

  • Pakistan Customs officials foil attempt to smuggle PKR 1.5 crore in gold and cash

    Pakistan Customs officials foil attempt to smuggle PKR 1.5 crore in gold and cash

    Customs officials made a significant seizure of gold and cash at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Tuesday. 

    Acting on a tip-off, the officials intercepted a passenger scheduled to depart for Hong Kong on Thai Airways flight TG-342, suspected of carrying a substantial amount of undeclared valuables.

    Following the tip-off, Customs personnel conducted a thorough search of the passenger’s belongings, uncovering over $40,000 (PKR 11 million) in assorted foreign currencies, along with 21 tolas of gold coins and jewelry. 

    The combined value of the confiscated items is estimated to be approximately $56,000 (PKR 15 million).

    The detained passenger failed to declare the cash and gold, a requirement for amounts exceeding $10,000 (PKR 2.78 million), when leaving Pakistan, leading to allegations of money laundering and smuggling. An FIR has been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

  • After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Maryam Nawaz was given the charge of Chief Minister in Punjab, other provinces are also stepping up and recognizing the position of women in politics. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have also elected women for the post of deputy speakers in their respective assemblies.

    PTI-backed member from Chitral, Suraiya Bibi has been elected as the Deputy Speaker in KP Assembly after securing 87 votes.

    Suraiya Bibi is from the constituency of PK-1 Chitral, representing the Banu, Chitral, and Lower Dir regions. She has served as the Vice President of the Malakand Women’s Wing of the Tehreek-e-Insaf. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology. However, it is important to note that she is the second woman in the province to have been elected for this post. The first was Mehr Taj Roghani from Mardan, who is now a senator.

    In Balochistan, Ghazala Gola has been elected unopposed as the deputy speaker of the Balochistan Assembly.

    She belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and according to her Twitter bio has served as a provincial minister on women’s development in Balochistan.

    Additionally, Sindh Assembly has elected Anthony Naveed from PPP as the deputy speaker. Naveed is from a minority community and is a former Special Assistant To Chief Minister Sindh – Pakistan on Interfaith & Harmony.

  • Who does Sarah Khan want to work with in Bollywood?

    Who does Sarah Khan want to work with in Bollywood?

    Actress Sara Khan has recently talked about the possibility of working in Bollywood, stating, “I have also grown up watching Bollywood so I will feel good if I get to work in another industry as working in any other industry is a good opportunity for any actor.”

    She also revealed that Salman Khan is her favorite actor and she would love to work with him.

    During an interview with India Today, Sara weighed in on Indo-Pak political tensions affecting the projects artists have done or signed up for. She mentioned that people in India love to watch Pakistani stars, and it saddens her when projects get stalled because of these tensions.’ She told India Today that after her drama Sabaat, she started receiving many messages from India, and many Indians follow her on Instagram. That’s when she realized she was famous in India.

    When asked about her viewing habits regarding Indian dramas, Sara admitted not watching them herself but shared that her husband is an avid viewer of Indian shows. She emphasized the mutual admiration between Pakistani and Indian audiences for each other’s films, indicating a shared cultural bond despite political tensions.

  • Won’t vote for top positions in National Assembly: JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman says about five party seats

    Won’t vote for top positions in National Assembly: JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman says about five party seats

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced that his party will not take part in the electoral process for the top political slots, including president, prime minister, and National Assembly (NA) speaker. It is important to note that JUIF has five national assembly seats.

    The senior politician told journalists in Islamabad on Thursday that his party will sit in opposition and party members will not vote in forthcoming polls in the National Assembly (NA).

    In response to a question regarding JUI-F’s strategy for a protest movement, he said, “Wait for it. We will represent the nation soon.”

    “I haven’t met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) quaid Nawaz Sharif so far. A delegation arrived yesterday which comprises representatives of the PML-N, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).”

    “We had a pleasant conservation as we were already very frank with them,” the senior politician said, regarding dialogues with major parties that formed a strong coalition to rule the country.