Author: newsdesk

  • A shameful verdict

    A shameful verdict

    Last week, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were handed a seven-year sentence each by a trial court in the iddat or ‘un-Islamic nikah’ case. Senior civil judge Qudratullah pronounced the verdict during proceedings at Adiala jail, on a petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s former husband Khawar Maneka, against the couple’s marriage. The verdict has been termed shameful and an assault on women’s rights by legal experts and civil society.

    From The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Women’s Action Forum (WAF) to Aurat March and legal experts, many have condemned the verdict vociferously. WAF Lahore in its statement said that the verdict “is an assault on women’s autonomy over their bodies, dignity and privacy, setting dangerous precedent for state’s intrusion into the private lives of citizens”. HRCP said that the verdict “could also set a precedent for Section 496 to be weaponised for political purposes”.

    Lawyer Reema Omer made a pertinent point that by making a woman’s menstrual cycle the subject of criminal inquiry, “this case has cast a blow to women’s freedom to make decisions about divorce and marriage without fear of being dragged in court”. Aurat March Islamabad will hold a protest tomorrow against this unjust verdict, which has made a mockery of the legal system in Pakistan. This is not the first time that frivolous cases have been made against politicians but it is the first time that a disgusting and vindictive accusation by an ex-husband of a former first lady was levelled and the courts actually gave a verdict in favour of the shameless man while humiliating a woman in the process by taking away her agency.
    It was good to see that Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took a firm stand against the verdict and said that we should not stoop to this level in politics.

    He also highlighted how this verdict can impact the efforts made in the past to safeguard women’s rights. Mr. Bhutto is not wrong in his assertion. The low level to which the state has stooped in order to humiliate a politician who has fallen out of favour is a blot on the justice system as well as score-settling. The verdict has set a precedent that judges and courts can now monitor women’s menstrual cycles, with some saying that the country might as well let all gynaecologists go and let the judges and courts give their expertise in this department.

    From Fatima Jinnah to Benazir Bhutto to Bushra Bibi, we have seen how men hold the power to slander women for their personal gains and get away with it. No Pakistani citizen should remain silent on this shameful verdict and we all must register our protest at how this has taken our entire struggle and progress years back. It is not the state’s business to declare a marriage null and void in this shameless manner. At the end of the day, this verdict can impact each and every woman with a vindictive ex-husband. We hope that this sham of a verdict will be overturned as soon as possible in a high court. No woman will forgive the trial court that gave this verdict and no woman should ever trust the justice system again if this is not overturned and an apology issued not just to Bushra Bibi but all women of Pakistan.

  • Pakistani celebrities urge fans to vote on election day

    Pakistani celebrities urge fans to vote on election day

    As February 8, the date set for general elections in the country, approaches,
    Pakistani celebrities are using social media to tell their followers to vote. They say it’s super important for everyone to join in and choose who leads the country next, especially with all the economic and political challenges.
    Pakistani stars like TV’s veteran actress Bushra Ansari and actor Haroon Shahid talked to fans about why voting is important. Check out some of our favorite celebrities talking about why you should vote:

  • Rain in Karachi takes life of father of five

    Rain in Karachi takes life of father of five

    A Karachi resident, missing since the rains last weekend, was found dead in the storm drain near Baldia Town Factory.

    The police said that the dead body found in the rain drain was that of Fakhar Alam, a resident of Baldia town. He left the factory where he worked after finishing his shift, but along the way, he slipped in the drain.

    Fakhar was the father of five children. His body has been shifted to the morgue by the police.

    The streets of Karachi got flooded after the sudden downpour while water was still standing in different places. However, the discharge of rainwater from the Korangi Causeway is underway.

    Meanwhile, electricity was also suspended in several areas of the city

  • ECP completes printing of 260 million ballot papers

    ECP completes printing of 260 million ballot papers

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Monday that it finished printing 260 million ballot papers for all 859 constituencies across the country, as reported by The News.

    The spokesperson of the electoral body stated that they also completed the reprinting of some ballot papers for a few constituencies on time, as ordered by the Supreme Court (SC).

    He also explained that after printing, the process of delivering ballot papers across the country is in progress and will be completed today.

    The spokesman highlighted that for the 2018 general elections, they printed 220 million ballot papers using 800 tonnes of special security paper. However, for the 2024 general election, they printed 260 million ballot papers, requiring 2,170 tonnes of paper.

    According to the spokesperson, the electoral body faced many challenges during the printing process, but ECP fulfilled its responsibility with honesty and completed the printing of ballot papers on time.

  • Which wish of Javed Sheikh’s was promptly granted by Shah Rukh Khan?

    Which wish of Javed Sheikh’s was promptly granted by Shah Rukh Khan?

    We knew Shah Rukh is the badshah of Bollywood but did you know, even Lollywood actors love him?

    Veteran actor Javed Sheikh recently shared that on the set of the movie ‘Om Shanti Om,’ he made a request to Shah Rukh Khan, which was promptly fulfilled.

    Discussing his collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan, Javed Sheikh said, “Shah Rukh Khan was my ‘smoking buddy’ during the filming.”
    He explained that during the shoot of ‘Om Shanti Om,’ there were two rules on the set – no photography and no smoking. Special arrangements were made for Shah Rukh Khan, with a table and an ashtray for cigarettes.
    Recalling his interaction with the Bollywood king on set, Javed Sheikh said, “When I met Shah Rukh Khan during the film shoot, he hugged me and offered assistance, saying, ‘If you need anything on the set, let me know.’ I expressed my preference for smoking and explained that I have to go out for it. Upon my request, Shah Rukh Khan immediately arranged for a table and placed an ashtray.”

    ‘Om Shanti Om’ was released in 2007, featuring actress Deepika Padukone alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

  • Heavy smog blocks motorway again

    Heavy smog blocks motorway again

    Thick fog in the plains of Punjab has severely affected inter-city travel. Due to heavy fog, Lahore-Sialkot Motorway is closed, while M-2 Motorway from Lahore to Farooqabad, M4, Shurkot Interchange to Gojra and Multan-Sukkur Motorway are also suspended.

    Rain and snowfall are likely in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjoining hilly areas today.

    Many regions of the country are in the grip of severe cold and during the last 24 hours, Kalam was the coldest region of the country with a temperature of minus 9 degree Celsius recorded.

    On the other hand, cold weather has returned to Karachi after heavy showers spread out over two days. However, the air in Karachi and Lahore is still polluted, while the air quality is relatively better.

  • Govt surpasses petroleum levy collection targets despite declining sales

    Govt surpasses petroleum levy collection targets despite declining sales

    In the first six months of fiscal year 2023–24, the federal government has exceeded expectations by collecting Rs472.77 billion in petroleum levy (PL), constituting an impressive 54 per cent of the total budgetary estimates for PL on petroleum products for the current fiscal year.

    This collection marks a significant uptick, registering a remarkable 166 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. The government achieved a substantial PL collection of Rs222 billion in the initial three months of the current fiscal year.

    Originally budgeted at Rs869 billion for PL collection in the fiscal year 2023–24, the government revised its target to Rs918 billion following an increase in PL from Rs50 to Rs60 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD). This adjustment aligns with the government’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    However, against this backdrop of successful revenue generation, the country witnessed a notable 15 per cent decline in the sales of petroleum products in the first six months of the current financial year.

    According to the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), petroleum product sales dropped to 7.68 million tonnes, a considerable decrease from the 9.03 million tonnes recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year (July to December).

  • Gold price sees Rs1,700 per tola dip on last trading day

    Gold price sees Rs1,700 per tola dip on last trading day

    In the final trading session of the week, the per-tola price of 24 karat gold in Pakistan witnessed a notable decrease, sliding by Rs1,700. The precious metal was traded at Rs216,000, compared to its previous rate of Rs217,700.

    Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of 24 karat gold experienced a decline of Rs1,458, settling at Rs185, as opposed to its earlier value of Rs186,643.

    Meanwhile, the prices of 10 grammes of 22-karat gold also observed a dip, reaching Rs169,753 from Rs171,089, according to a report by the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

    The per-tola and ten-gramme silver prices remained unchanged, standing at Rs2,600 and Rs2,229.08, respectively.

    On the global front, the price of gold faced a decrease of $15 in the international market, falling to $2,059 from its previous value of $2,074, as reported by the Association.

    These fluctuations in the precious metals market highlight the dynamic nature of the economic landscape, influencing both domestic and international trade.

    Investors and consumers alike are keeping a close eye on these developments as they navigate the ever-changing market conditions.

  • U19 World Cup: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by 5 runs in a thriller

    U19 World Cup: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by 5 runs in a thriller

    Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team defeats Bangladesh by five runs in a thriller in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 cricket World Cup.

    Pakistan team returned to the pavilion by scoring only 155 runs in 40.4 overs. Shahzaib Khan scored 26 runs, Arfat Minhas 34 while Shamyl Husain and Ali Asfand scored 19 runs each.

    Chasing the target of 155 runs, the Bangladesh team bowled out for 150 runs in 35.5 overs. From Pakistan’s side, Ubiad Shah dismissed 5 players, Ali Raza took three wickets while Muhammad Zeshan took one but final wicket.

  • Pakistan Stock Exchange to halt trading activity on February 8

    Pakistan Stock Exchange to halt trading activity on February 8

    In an official notice sent to all Trading Rights Entitlement (TRE) certificate holders, the Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) has announced the closure of the exchange on Thursday, February 8, 2024. 

    This decision is attributed to the upcoming general election scheduled to take place on that day, as declared by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

    All TRE certificate Holders, along with the staff and concerned parties, are duly informed about the closure on February 8, 2024, which has been declared a public holiday by the Election Commission of Pakistan in conjunction with the national general election, PSX noted.

    Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that the PSX will also remain closed on Monday, February 5, 2024, in observance of Kashmir Day.

    Investors and market participants are urged to plan their activities accordingly, considering the temporary closure of the Pakistan Stock Exchange on these specified dates.