Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan’s mobile phone imports skyrocket, surpassing $987 million in first half of FY 23-24

    Pakistan’s mobile phone imports skyrocket, surpassing $987 million in first half of FY 23-24

    Pakistan has witnessed a remarkable surge in mobile phone imports, reaching $987.539 million during the first half (July–January) of the fiscal year 2023–24. 

    This marks a substantial growth of 138.08 per cent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, where imports totaled $414.800 million.

    The data, released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), underscores the country’s increasing reliance on imported mobile devices.

    In January 2024 alone, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports rose by 10.70 per cent on a month-on-month basis, totaling $194.928 million, compared to $176.093 million in December 2023. 

    Year-on-year comparisons reveal an even more staggering growth of 275.15 per cent in January 2024, compared to $51.960 million in January 2023.

    The overall telecom imports into Pakistan during July–January 2023–24 amounted to $1.243 billion, showcasing a robust 93.06 per cent growth compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. 

    Year-on-year, the growth in overall telecom imports stood at an impressive 197.07 per cent, reaching $232.709 million in January 2024, compared to $78.336 million in January 2023.

    Despite challenges faced by the local manufacturing sector, including a decline of around four per cent in local manufacturing and assembling of mobile handsets during the calendar year 2023, commercial imports of mobile handsets increased. 

    Official data revealed that local manufacturing plants produced 21.28 million mobile handsets in 2023, compared to 21.94 million in 2022 and 24.66 million in 2021. However, commercial imports rose from 1.53 million in 2022 to 1.58 million in 2023.

    Moreover, of the locally manufactured and assembled mobile handsets in 2023, 13 million were 2G devices, and 8.28 million were smartphones. 

    According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), 59 per cent of mobile devices in Pakistan are smartphones, while 41 per cent are 2G devices.

    Despite the challenges faced by the local manufacturing sector, the significant growth in mobile phone imports underscores Pakistan’s increasing reliance on imported devices, contributing to the country’s evolving telecom landscape.

  • PSL 9: Quetta Gladiators defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 16 runs

    In the second match of the ninth edition of Pakistan Super League, Quetta Gladiators easily defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 16 runs.

    Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam invited Quetta Gladiators to bat in the match played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Quetta Gladiator’s inning

    Gladiators’ openers gave the team a brilliant start and scored 206 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Jason Roy 75, Saud Shakeel 74.

    Apart from this, captain Riley Rossow scored 13 runs, Sherfan Rutherford scored 20 runs and Mohammad Wasim scored 4 runs.

    On behalf of Peshawar, Salman Irshad took 3 wickets, Luke Wood and Mohammad Zeeshan dismissed one player each.

    Peshawar Zalmi’s inning

    Chasing a target of 207 runs, Peshawar Zalmi got off to an aggressive start, with a 91-run partnership between openers Babar Azam and Saim Ayub.

    Then Saeem Ayub was unfortunately run out after scoring 42 runs off 26 balls. After that Muhammad Haris scored 7, Tom Koehler 18, Powell 17 and Mosley 11 runs. Zalmi’s captain Babar Azam played an innings of 68 runs off 42.

    In pursuit of the target, the Peshawar team scored 190 runs for 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs and thus Quetta won the match by 16 runs.

  • Babar Azam created a new history in PSL

    Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam created a new history in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Babar became the first batsman to score 3000 runs in PSL history, scoring 3004 runs in 80 innings.

    On Sunday, the teams of Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators competed against each other at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    In this match, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam invited Quetta Gladiators to bat. Gladiators’ openers gave the team a brilliant start and scored 206 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Jason Roy 75, Saud Shakeel 74.

    In pursuit of the target, Babar Azam crossed the milestone of 3000 runs in PSL while batting. Second in this list is Fakhar Zaman of Lahore Qalandars who has scored a total of 2381 runs in PSL so far.

  • X (Twitter) down in Pakistan since last night

    X (Twitter) down in Pakistan since last night

    Social media site X, formerly Twitter, is down across Pakistan, causing problems for millions of users of the micro blogging app.

    According to real-time internet and social media outage and monitoring service Downdetector.pk, X is down in Pakistan since 9 PM Saturday night, with users complaining that they are having trouble viewing tweets and new posts.

    But users can acces itvby using VPN.

    Cyber security watchdog, NetBlocks has also confirmed the shutdown of X in Pakistan. In the last few days, internet services including social media sites have been blocked several times across Pakistan.

  • Authorities confiscate smuggled cigarettes worth Rs14 crore

    Authorities confiscate smuggled cigarettes worth Rs14 crore

    In a substantial crackdown on the illicit trade of non-duty-paid cigarettes, the Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN) successfully seized over 679,000 packerites (15,580,000 sticks) of smuggled cigarettes during a two-day operation.

    The confiscated cigarettes, representing various local and foreign brands, including Business Royal, H&P, Platinum, Milano, and Olympic, have an estimated value exceeding PKR 140 Million.

    The enforcement teams targeted local shops in Peshawar, Multan, and Sialkot, where the availability of non-duty paid cigarettes had seen a concerning surge.

    This operation was initiated under the directive of Mir Badshah Khan Wazir, Member (IR-Operations), who emphasized the need to curb the illegal trade of tobacco products.

    Criminal proceedings have been set in motion against both manufacturers and transporters involved in this illicit trade.

    One of the key factors contributing to the rise in the popularity of smuggled cigarettes is the substantial price difference compared to duty-paid alternatives.

    While the cost of a pack of 20 duty-paid cigarettes starts at Rs600, the non-duty paid counterparts can be obtained for as low as Rs200. Some reports even suggest that certain brands are being sold at an even more economical rate.

    The increasing prevalence of non-duty paid cigarettes poses a serious concern, not only in terms of lost revenue for the government but also due to health implications.

    Smokers in Pakistan, attracted by the affordability of these illicit products, have contributed to the surge in sales of non-duty paid cigarettes.

    The IREN’s recent operation sends a clear message that the authorities are actively addressing this issue to safeguard public health and financial interests.

    As investigations unfold, it remains to be seen how this crackdown will impact the illicit trade of cigarettes and discourage individuals from opting for non-duty paid alternatives.

  • PSL 9: Islamabad United defeats Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets in first match of event

    PSL 9: Islamabad United defeats Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets in first match of event

    In the opening match of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, Islamabad United defeated Lahore Qalandars by 8 wickets.

    In the match played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and invited Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi to bat.

    Playing first, Lahore Qalandars scored 195 runs for 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan played an innings of 57 and Abdullah Shafiq scored 28 runs, David Wesa scored 14 runs and Fakhzaman scored 13 runs. Van der Dusen remained unbeaten with 71 off 41 balls.

    Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan took one wicket each while Tymal Mills dismissed 2 players.

    Islamabad United achieved the target of 196 runs at the loss of 2 wickets in the 19th over. United captain Shadab Khan remained unbeaten with 74 runs off 41 balls with 5 sixes and 6 fours.

    Agha Salman was not out with 64 runs off 31 balls, Agha Salman’s innings included 3 sixes and 7 fours. Apart from them, Alex Hales scored 36 runs and Colin Munro scored 5 runs.

    Zaman Khan and Salman Fayaz took one wicket each for Lahore Qalandars.

  • 24 karat gold price surges by Rs800 per tola, silver takes a dip

    24 karat gold price surges by Rs800 per tola, silver takes a dip

    In a notable shift in the precious metals market, the per-tola price of 24 karat gold in Pakistan witnessed an increase of Rs800, reaching Rs213,200 on Saturday. This rise is compared to its previous sale at Rs212,400 on the last trading day.

    Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of 24 karat gold experienced an uptick, climbing by Rs686 to Rs182,785 from Rs182,099.  The All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported that the prices of 10 grammes of 22 karat gold also saw an increase, reaching Rs167,553 from Rs166,924.

    On the other hand, the price of per tola silver exhibited a decrease of Rs30, settling at Rs2,550. Simultaneously, the price of ten grammes of silver witnessed a decline of Rs25.72, reaching Rs2,186.21.

    Internationally, the price of gold ascended by $9, reaching $2,034 from $2,025, as reported by the Association. These fluctuations in the precious metals market reflect the dynamic nature of global economic conditions, influencing prices both domestically and internationally.

  • Boy with slit throat was killed by teenage cousin

    Boy with slit throat was killed by teenage cousin

    The killer of seven-year-old Abaan Mazhar has been arrested in the Federal B area of Karachi and in a shocking turn of events, he is the cousin of the victim.

    According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Central Zeeshan Siddiqui, the arrested suspect Sufyan is between 14 and 15 years old and he is the cousin of the deceased Abaan and lived with him.

    The police informed Geo News that the suspect said that Abaan used to complain to his father about him, leading to the older boy getting scolded many times.

    The accused killer said in his statement, “I made a mistake”.

    On the day of the incident, he took Abaan to the park from a back street and killed him inside the bushes at Dhobi Ghat.

    Sufyan then washed the knife and kept it in the kitchen.

    The police are still investigating the matter.

    In an exclusive footage obtained by Geo News, it can be seen that the cousin was taking Abaan along with him while the little boy was strolling totally at ease holding his hand.

    Regarding this, SSP Central Zeeshan Siddiqui said that two teams were working on this high-profile case. The accused was put on the suspect list on the first day, but being a family member, it was difficult to arrest him immediately.

    Previously, the body of a seven-year-old boy, Abaan Mazhar, was found in bushes in the Federal B Area in Karachi on Wednesday afternoon.

    The boy, whose throat had been slit with a sharp instrument, was found within the limits of the Yousuf Plaza police station near the Cardio Hospital Federal B Area Block 16. Station House Officer (SHO) Shahid Rao told The News that around 3:30 pm, a call was received by Madadgar-15 about an injured boy found in bushes.

    A police team rushed to the location in Federal B Area Block-16 and shifted Abaan Mazhar to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. SHO Rao said the boy was alive when he was found and when people heard him screaming, they immediately contacted the Madadgar-15 hotline.

    Witnesses saw the child lying injured, trying to speak but was unable to do so. They added that they had not seen any suspect near the boy when they found him.

    Abhan was a resident of Federal B Area Block 16. He was a student of second grade and the second of three brothers. According to his family, he had left home two hours ago. They maintained that the family had no enmity with anyone.

    SHO Rao said they had talked to Mazhar, the aggrieved father, who said his son studied in a private school in the area and as he worked in a private firm, he had hired a private person to pick up and drop his son from school.

    The father also said that as per the daily routine, Abaan had returned from school at 2 pm but after a few minutes, someone knocked on the door of his residence and the boy again left the house. It was at around 3:30 pm, the family received the information about the boy’s death. The father told the police that he had no enmity with anyone and he did not know who had killed his son.

    The post-mortem report revealed that the throat of the minor boy was slit with a sharp weapon, while no evidence of abuse was found, reports ARY News.

    Samanabad DSP Asghar Mehdi told the media that the child died on his way to the hospital. He added that a woman living in a nearby flat first saw the child and shouted for help.

    The police has been making efforts to obtain CCTV footage. A case has been registered and investigations are underway.

  • Here is traffic advisory plan for Lahore during PSL 9

    Lahore Traffic Police has issued an advisory plan for the first phase of the ninth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to the details, PSL season 9 festival will be held today, the opening match will be played between Islamabad United and the defending champions Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

    For this, the City Traffic Police (CTO) has issued a traffic plan for effective flow of traffic and awareness of cricket fans, during which four SPs, 12 DSPs, 90 inspectors will perform their duties. CTO Lahore Amara Athar said that more than 900 wardens will be deployed at Gaddafi Stadium, teams’ routes, alternative routes, while 20 forklifts, five breakdowns will also be deployed to eliminate wrong parking.

    Amara Athar has said that three parking stands have been allocated for the convenience of cricket fans and easy access to the stadium, no road will be closed for traffic during the match, Mall Road, Canal Road, Jail Road, Main Boulevard. Gulbarga Road will remain open for traffic. The city traffic police will welcome the cricket fans in a traditional manner.

    It should be noted that according to the PSL schedule, this season of PSL will continue till March 17. In the first phase, the matches will be played in Lahore and Multan, while the second phase matches will be played in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

  • Zargat forests in Balochistan still on fire after three days

    Zargat forests in Balochistan still on fire after three days

    It has been three days since the forest fire in Zargat mountain in Balochistan’s Musa Khel district started spreading but local authorities have failed to control it.

    On Thursday, fire ignited in the forests of the mountains. The fire is reportedly so intense that its flames can be seen 18 kilometers away from the city of Musa Khel, affecting olive groves and wildlife.

    The caretaker chief minister of Balochistan had given instructions for emergency measures to extinguish the fire on Thursday, but the residents of the area say that the fire could not be controlled till now.