Author: newsdesk

  • What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    As per official data, last year Canada issued nearly one million study permits, about three times that of a decade ago, and now they are changing their policy.

    In response to a housing shortage aggravated by explosive growth in foreign student numbers, Canada has announced a temporary two-year cap on the intake of international students.

    Last year, the country issued nearly one million study permits, triple the figures from a decade ago, according to government data. The new proposal aims to reduce the intake by almost a third.

    Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, revealed that the Liberal government will implement a two-year cap on student visas, resulting in the issuance of approximately 364,000 visas in 2024.

    The plan also includes limitations on post-graduate work permits for foreign students, potentially encouraging them to return to their home countries.

    Previously viewed as a straightforward path to permanent residency, these permits will now be subject to stricter regulations.

    However, those pursuing master’s or post-doctorate programs will still be eligible for a three-year work permit.

    Additionally, spouses of international students enrolled in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for permits, Miller stated.

    The acceptance of new study permit applications in 2025 will be reassessed at the end of the current year.

    The government’s decision comes in response to the surge in international students, creating a housing crisis and driving up rents across the country.

    December 2023 saw a 7.7 per cent year-on-year increase in rents nationwide, according to Statscan. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity has been dented mainly due to the affordability crisis, and opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a commanding lead over Trudeau in opinion polls ahead of an election next year.

    Concerns about the quality of education provided by some institutions have also prompted the government to reevaluate its immigration policies.

    The move will not only affect the housing market but will also have economic implications. International students contribute approximately C$22 billion ($16.4 billion) annually to the Canadian economy.

    This decision will likely impact educational institutions that expanded their campuses in anticipation of a continuous influx of students.

    Ontario, the most populous province, has been the primary recipient of international students. Some businesses, including restaurants and the retail sector, have warned of potential labor shortages due to the cap on foreign students.

    Canada’s move will have repercussions for Canadian banks, as international students are required to have Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) of over C$20,000, covering living expenses.

    Most foreign students, approximately 40%, hail from India, with China coming in second at around 12%, based on official data from 2022.

    In response to these changes, the University of Toronto has expressed its readiness to collaborate with all levels of government to ensure that the allocation of study permits considers institutions like U of T and addresses challenges in the system.

  • Palestinian faith gives rise to Islamic belief system around the globe

    Palestinian faith gives rise to Islamic belief system around the globe

    It has been more than 100 days since Israel began the genocide in Gaza. Not just for people in the West but also for Muslims at large, this period has been a time of self-realization and a strengthening of their beliefs. Yakeen Institute for Islamic Research, surveyed 1800+ English-speaking Muslims to gauge the change of attitude in their religiosity and the results are astounding.

    Demographics of the Yakeen sample include 74 per cent female; 61 per cent live in North America, 13 per cent live in Europe, 18 per cent live in Asia, and 6 per cent live in Africa; 41 per cent are under 35 years of age; 50 per cent were South Asian, 17 per cent Arab, and 10 per cent black/African.

    70 per cent of people in Yakeen’s sample believe that the liberation of Palestine is a religious issue. Consequently, 93 per cent believe that Palestine is ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to them personally, and 97 per cent believe its liberation is a high priority for the Muslim world, with 70 per cent saying it is the highest priority for the Muslim world. The people are also in agreement that Muslim nations should not normalize relations with Israel, with 96 per cent stating they are opposed to normalization and feel that it would cause additional harm to the people of Palestine.

    78 per cent of those surveyed reported that their relationship with Allah has improved since the assault on Gaza began. Yakeen Institute said that this is likely because people were reminded of death but the most important factor is the unshakeable faith of the people of Gaza, elevating the ummah’s religiosity and consciousness.

    There are many videos from the besieged strip but one, of a little boy thanking Allah Almighty even in the most dire circumstances where 8 of his family members have been martyred, is particularly hard-hitting.

    Witnessing this has caused 91 per cent of respondents to state that the people of Gaza have given them ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot’ of religious inspiration, with 97 per cent reporting being ‘quite’ or ‘extremely’ proud of the people of Gaza.

    Many have started opening the Qur’an to understand the divine message that instills messages of resilience in the people of Gaza. Famous TikToker Meghan B Rice is one such example. 85 per cent of Muslims reported feeling ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot’ of comfort in the Qur’an, and 80 per cent found similar levels of comfort in the biography (seerah) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an has come to life in new ways for Muslims.

    The details of the afterlife found in the Qur’an and Sunnah have also brought tremendous comfort and clarity to Muslims worldwide. For example, 96 per cent reported that knowing that our brothers and sisters who were martyred are alive in paradise brought ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot’ of comfort.

    Almost 30 Australian women accepted Islam seeing the steadfastness of Gazans.

    TikTok is the budding platform promoting such voices as the famous pro-Palestine Instagram account palestineonaplate posted, “The faith of the Palestinians in Gaza has woken up the world. Not just in support against the genocide that is happening but also towards Islam. Atheists, Christians, non-believers, reverts, everyone has been inspired by the faith the Gazans have in Allah and more and more people are converting to Islam because of this.”

  • Why shouldn’t court try Qasim Suri for violating Constitution, asks CJP Isa.

    Why shouldn’t court try Qasim Suri for violating Constitution, asks CJP Isa.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has asked why the Supreme Court (SC) should not proceed against former National Assembly (NA) deputy speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Qasim Suri for violating the Constitution.

    “Qasim Suri did not hold [voting] on the no-confidence motion. He became the cause of the constitutional crisis in the country,” the CJP remarked while referring to the 2022 crisis related to the ouster of then-prime minister Imran Khan via parliamentary vote.

    The CJP also stated that it was suggested that a former NA deputy speaker should be tried under Article 6 for treason. “Then tell us, why we should not proceed against you on abrogation of the Constitution?”

    The CJP passed the remarks during the hearing of Suri’s 2019 petition challenging the election tribunal’s decision to declare his election from NA-265 (Quetta-II) unlawful on September 27, that same year.

    In 2019, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Umar Ata Bandial rejected the petition of the election tribunal and restored Qasim Suri’s membership.

    Baloch leader Lashkari Raisani had challenged Suri’s victory in the Quetta constituency during the 2018 elections.

  • Baloch protestors call off Islamabad sit-in after a month

    Baloch protestors call off Islamabad sit-in after a month

    The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) led by Dr Mahrang Baloch, has on Tuesday called off their over 30 day-long sit-in outside the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad, Geo News has reported.

    Baloch protesters had been protesting in the federal capital since December 20, 2023, against “enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings”.
    Activist Dr Mahrang Baloch said they are returning to Balochistan from Islamabad.

    “We will hold a rally in Balochistan on January 27,” she added.

    The development comes a day after NPC Islamabad on Monday lodged a complaint with the Kohsar Police Station requesting to remove the Baloch protesters from the open park in front of the NPC.

    According to The News, the club’s administration, in its complaint, felt a security threat due to certain reasons as many political and social personalities of national stature visit the NPC to attend different functions.

    The NPC administration said that the protesters’ sit-in had been going on for over two months, causing financial loss as the people belonging to political and social sectors, avoided holding press conferences and other political and social functions at the NPC. However, it is also important to note that the security situation in Islamabad raised concerns when several educational institutes located in Islamabad reportedly were closed until further notice amid security concerns.

    Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had ordered local authorities and police to refrain from creating any hindrance or using force to remove the Baloch marchers.

    Moreover, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had issued orders on a petition filed by a Baloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch, who was also among the protesting families in Islamabad, against harassment and attempts to remove marchers by force.

  • Is Ali Hamza PCB’s choice for PSL 9 anthem?

    Is Ali Hamza PCB’s choice for PSL 9 anthem?

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has on Monday approached singer Ali Hamza for the anthem of Pakistan Super League 9, Urdupoint sources say.

    Ali Hamza was one of the producers of season 11 of Coke Studio. The singer is part of the band Noori, formed with his brother Ali Noor, and is best known for his song “Par Chana De” in Coke Studio Season 9.

    PCB had earlier roped in singer Ali Zafar who is known for his blockbuster PSL anthems.

    In an official statement, Zafar said, “I had hired choreographers, singers, and producers to create the second PSL anthem and proposed three different anthems for the brand and the PSL franchise. One of the female officials was shocked and pointed out that my association with PSL would damage its brand and integrity”.

    “After working on it for two months, hiring musicians and music producers at my own expense, I came up with three different versions of the anthem for PCB to choose from. After planning to finalize and release one of them, I was told by PCB that I could not go ahead with the anthem for this reason but I would not like to disclose it at this time”.

    The anthem will now be produced by another singer and now it seems Ali Hamza’s magical voice will be the hallmark of the ninth season, but it remains to be seen if PCB signs a deal with the singer. Earlier, Fawad Khan, Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig, Young Stunners, Asim Azhar, Arif Lohar, Shae Gill and many others have also come up with great anthems for the league.

  • Real lion at PML-N rally makes Nawaz Sharif angry

    Real lion at PML-N rally makes Nawaz Sharif angry

    A real lion brought on Tuesday to a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rally in Lahore angered party head Nawaz Sharif. The big cat, brought to the gathering by a party worker, was “returned immediately on Nawaz’s instruction,” PML-N leader Marrium Aurangzeb confirmed.

    A lion and a tiger were brought to the rally conducted in NA-130 Lahore constituency, the area from where Nawaz Sharif is also contesting the election set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    The wild animals were locked in iron cages while PML-N workers and supporters were taking selfies with them.

    PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb said that a real lion has been returned home on the instructions of the former prime minister.

    “Nawaz Sharif has instructed that no real lion or any other animal should be brought in any rally in Pakistan,” she said in a tweet.

    Marrium Aurangzeb also said that PML-N supremo was not happy.

    Nawaz Sharif will lead a public rally in NA-130 today, and senior vice president PML-N, Maryam Nawaz, will also join it.

  • Gold price rebounds in Pakistan, registers Rs500 gain

    Gold price rebounds in Pakistan, registers Rs500 gain

    In a notable recovery, the gold price in Pakistan rebounded from yesterday’s losses, marking an upward trend in the market. 

    The latest figures from the Karachi Sarafa Association indicate that 24-karat gold is now fetching Rs215,200 per tola, showcasing a gain of Rs500. 

    Additionally, the 10-gramme 24-karat gold stands at Rs184,500, reflecting a significant increase of Rs429 day-on-day. 

    Meanwhile, the price of 10-gramme 22-karat gold is reported at Rs169,124.

    Contrastingly, silver maintains stability in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver priced at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme. 

    On the global front, the international spot gold market is currently trading at $2,026.87 [03:24 p.m. PST], marking a gain of $6.29 or 0.31 per cent for the day.

    It’s worth noting that the domestic gold market experienced a substantial setback last week, witnessing a drop of Rs2,150 per tola. 

    Analysts attribute this decline to the overall downturn in international gold prices and the continuous strengthening of the home currency. 

  • Faysal Quraishi reveals touching story about Shaan Shahid

    Faysal Quraishi reveals touching story about Shaan Shahid

    Faysal Quraishi recently talked about a very touching incident involving Shaan Shahid.

    During an appearance on ARY’s ‘The Knock Knock Show’, the actor said that there was a time when he was going through a tough phase and didn’t have much money. Even though things were getting better, managing his wardrobe was still a challenge. During the shooting of a film song, he met superstar Shaan Shahid.

    The megastar noticed Faysal’s clothes and advised him to wear something classy, suggesting a leather jacket with a good T-shirt. When Faysal asked how he could afford it, Shaan generously gave him his own leather jacket and T-shirt, putting on the shirt Faysal was wearing. Faysal expressed gratitude to Shaan for his kindness during a difficult time.

  • Pakistani rupee gains 6 paisa against US dollar, closes at Rs279.79

    Pakistani rupee gains 6 paisa against US dollar, closes at Rs279.79

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) continued its upward trend against the US dollar (USD) for the fifth consecutive session, appreciating by 0.02 per cent in the interbank market on Tuesday.

    Closing at Rs279.79, the local unit gained Re0.06 against the greenback.

    This follows Monday’s positive performance, where the rupee settled at 279.85 against the US dollar.

    A notable development on the economic front is the government’s active pursuit of a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for upfront foreign currency repatriation against future workers’ remittances. 

    Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE hold significant importance as countries contributing to foreign exchange through remittances from Pakistani workers. 

    Meanwhile, on the global stage, the US dollar experienced a slight easing, resulting in a 0.07 per cent increase in sterling, reaching $1.2720.

    Compared to major currencies, the Pakistani currency depreciated by 18.84 paisa against the Euro, closing at Rs305.03, as opposed to the previous value of Rs304.84.

    The British Pound strengthened, increasing by 1.02 rupees and closing at Rs356.34, compared to Rs355.33 from the previous day.

    The Swiss Franc exhibited gains of 54.58 paisa, concluding at Rs322.62, in contrast to the previous session’s value of Rs322.08.

    Against the Japanese Yen, PKR experienced a decrease of 0.98 paisa, closing at Rs1.8993 compared to Rs1.8895 a day ago.

    Conversely, the Chinese Yuan appreciated by 13.91 paisa, closing at Rs39.03 against the previous session’s Rs38.89.

  • PTA warns of possible internet disruption in next 90 days

    PTA warns of possible internet disruption in next 90 days

    Pakistani internet users experienced disrupted internet once again on January 20 — previously disrupted on December 17 and January 7. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) claimed that the internet disruption was caused by technical reasons — system upgrades.

    Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi has on Tuesday reiterated the claims of technical issues while also warning of the possibility of further hiccups.

    These frequent and dubiously timed blackouts have brought PTA under public scrutiny.

    Samaa news writes that “Pakistan’s tech-savvy populace expressed palpable outrage at the apparent lack of transparency and the extended timeframe for resolution”.