Author: newsdesk

  • 7th consecutive gain: Pakistani rupee closes at Rs282.9 against US dollar

    7th consecutive gain: Pakistani rupee closes at Rs282.9 against US dollar

    In a persistent surge, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) continued its upward trend against the US dollar (USD) for the seventh consecutive session, appreciating by 0.04 per cent in the inter-bank market on Wednesday.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the PKR concluded at Rs282.9, marking an increase of Rs0.11.

    In the open market scenario, the PKR experienced a decline of 25 paisa for both buying and selling against the USD, settling at Rs281.50 and Rs284.50, respectively.

    Conversely, against the Euro, the PKR maintained stability for both buying and selling, closing at Rs307.00 and Rs310.00, respectively.

    Against the UAE dirham, the PKR held steady for both buying and selling, concluding at Rs77.30 and Rs78.00, respectively.

    In comparison, against the Saudi Riyal, the PKR saw a gain of 10 paisa for both buying and selling, closing at Rs75.20 and Rs75.90, respectively.

    This positive trend follows Tuesday’s marginal gain, where the rupee settled at Rs283.01 against the US dollar.

    The dollar index, which experienced a slight dip on Tuesday, maintaining a mostly flat position at 102.20, had previously reached a four-month low of 101.76 last week.

    In the backdrop of global trade concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces conducting attacks on ships in the Red Sea, oil prices surged past $80 a barrel on Wednesday.

    Brent crude futures observed an 89-cent increase, or 1.1 per cent, reaching $80.12 a barrel by 1101 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 93 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to $74.87 a barrel.

  • Mjhe kiyon nikala now in USA: Court declares Donald Trump ineligible to contest elections

    Mjhe kiyon nikala now in USA: Court declares Donald Trump ineligible to contest elections

    Colorado’s Supreme Court has issued a verdict so sting that former United States President Donald Trump is ineligible to run for the White House because of his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by his supporters, and should be removed from the state’s primary ballot.

    While the ruling only applies to Colorado, it is the first time in US history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars from public office anyone who “engaged in insurrection”, has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. It comes as courts in other states consider similar legal actions.

    “A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United State’s Constitution,” the Colorado high court wrote in its four-three majority decision.

    “Because he is disqualified, it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot.

    “We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” they added.

    Trump has claimed he is the victim of political persecution.

    “We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us,” the Colorado justices said. “We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.”

    A lower court earlier found that while Trump incited an insurrection, he could not be barred from the ballot because it was unclear that the 14th Amendment was intended to cover the presidency.

  • Shadab Khan appointed brand ambassador of Punjab Police

    Shadab Khan appointed brand ambassador of Punjab Police

    Punjab Police has appointed Shadab Khan, the all-rounder of the Pakistan Cricket Team, as its brand ambassador.

    Shadab Khan met Inspector General (IG) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, on this occasion the national cricketer was given the rank of honorary Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Shadab saluted and thanked IG Punjab for appointing an honorary DSP.

    While stating on social media, Shadab Khan said “I am happy that he is becoming a part of the Punjab Police, IG Punjab and police department made me honorary DSP. I am proud of it, I encourage my future generation to join government departments and serve the country.”

  • World Bank greenlights $350 million for Pakistan’s fiscal reforms

    World Bank greenlights $350 million for Pakistan’s fiscal reforms

    The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank gave its approval on Wednesday for a financing package of $350 million to support Pakistan’s fiscal and competitiveness reforms.

    This funding is allocated for the Second Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (RISE-II) Operation, with the primary goal of strengthening fiscal management and promoting competitiveness for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, according to a statement from the World Bank.

    Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, stressed the urgent need for fiscal and structural reforms in Pakistan to restore macroeconomic balance and establish the groundwork for sustainable growth.

    He highlighted that RISE-II builds upon previous phases of tax, energy, and business climate reforms, aiming to generate additional revenues, improve expenditure targeting, and stimulate competition and investment.

    The RISE-II Operation is designed to enhance fiscal management by improving fiscal policy coordination, increasing debt transparency and management, strengthening property taxation, and enhancing the financial viability of the power sector.

    Additionally, the operation seeks to boost growth and competitiveness by reducing the cost of tax compliance, improving financial sector transparency, promoting digital payments, and facilitating exports through reduced import tariffs.

    Derek H. C. Chen, Task Team Leader of the operation, emphasised the crucial opportunity for Pakistan to address long-standing structural distortions in its economy after the upcoming general elections.

    Failing to seize this opportunity, he warned, could lead the country back into stop-and-go economic cycles.

    Recently, the World Bank projected a decrease in remittance flows to Pakistan, estimating a decline to $24 billion in 2023 and a further drop below $22 billion with a 10 per cent decline in 2024.

    The report attributed this trend to growing economic turmoil, a balance of payment crisis, and high debt, resulting in a loss of public confidence and a shift of remittances from formal to informal channels.

    Addressing Pakistan’s economic challenges, Martin Raiser, the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for South Asia, noted difficult situations, floods, and climate change.

    He highlighted that the country is trapped in a low-growth scenario with poor human development outcomes and increasing poverty. Raiser urged Pakistan to make crucial decisions for a brighter future, emphasising the need for difficult but necessary steps.

    In its October report, ‘South Asia Development Update Towards faster, cleaner growth,’ the World Bank projected positive growth for Pakistan in fiscal years 2023–24, albeit at a modest rate of 1.7 per cent.

    The report underscored the country’s dependence on capital inflows to finance substantial fiscal and current account deficits.

  • Kiran Ashfaque opens up about life after divorce and finding happiness again

    Model and actress Kiran Ashfaque has opened up about the reason for her divorce from ex-husband actor Imran Ashraf.

    During an episode of the podcast Non Stop, Kiran Ashfaque discussed his marriage with actor Imran Ashraf and revealed that there were many issues in the marriage.

    Kiran Ashfaque said, “My mother used to tell me only one thing: to bear it all. She did not tell anything to Abu because she knew that the day he finds out, he will not be able to bear it and that is exactly what happened. As soon as my father found out, he was admitted to the hospital for five or six days, suffering from mental agony due to the divorce and I did not have the courage to talk to my brothers.”
    The actress further said, “In this country, only girls get divorced, not boys. People ask me why didn’t I leave earlier. Because my mother did not let me leave, she told me to bear it. I was not allowed to go to any kind of events. I got divorced at the end of August this year and we announced our separation on social media in October.”

    Regarding her second marriage, the model said, “I didn’t want to go to Malaysia. my mother and father came to Pakistan and they took me along. I got married to Hamza, I am happy with him and Hamza supports me in every way.”

    She also acknowledged Imran Ashraf as a good father who takes excellent care of their son, Roham.

  • Aakhir kaun kar raha hai audio recordings?

    Aakhir kaun kar raha hai audio recordings?

    During a court hearing, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) reported its inability to trace the source of audio leaks.

    The court was addressing pleas filed by Saqib Nisar’s son and Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, concerning leaked audio conversations.

    Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) questioned why the ISI filed its report through the Ministry of Defence, prompting Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to suggest that the intelligence agency should have submitted the report through the Prime Minister’s Office.

    The ISI report indicated that the investigation required assistance from social media platforms.

    “Any government agency conducting such recordings is doing so unlawfully,” AGP Mansoor Usman Awan said as he submitted a report on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    Awan emphasized that no intelligence agency, including the ISI, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Intelligence Bureau (IB), was authorized by the federal government to tap audio conversations.

    Presiding over the single-member bench, Justice Babar Sattar remarked that it was now the federal government’s responsibility to decide how they want to proceed with the case. “If the government does not disclose [who is tapping the calls], then we may seek assistance from national and international judicial bodies.”

    The FIA needs to review the case first to determine who conducted the call recording. “After court orders, the FIA is sending notices to telecommunication companies,” AGP Awan told the court.

    “The FIA needs access to IP addresses. If any government agency is conducting these recordings, it is doing so unlawfully,” he reiterated.

    The court was informed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) lawyer that TV channels were prohibited from broadcasting private audio leaks.

    Addressing senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan during the hearing, Justice Sattar said: “There is a balance between freedom of information and privacy. How should this case be moved forward?”

    Aitzaz suggested that self-regulation should be in place, as the Constitution is not being followed here. “The Constitution has not been implemented in 90 days, despite the election announcement.”

    The court instructed the AGP to check if there was any news that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was given the authority to record priviate conversations. To which he said he would check and report back.

    The court directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) , FIA, and other parties to re-file their responses for the next hearing.

    The court directed the Attorney General to investigate whether the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had the authority to record calls, and the AGP committed to providing the court with the necessary information.

    Additionally, the IHC instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit a detailed report at the next hearing.

    If the government failed to provide the required information, the court expressed its intention to appoint national and international amici curiae for the investigation.

    It was also decided that senior journalists would be appointed as amici curiae to provide insights into the matter related to the code of conduct for TV channels.

  • Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Wednesday that imprisoned founding chairman Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies on February 8 next year.

    PTI senator Ali Zafar told journalists that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will soon announce its decision regarding the ToshaKhana case against Imran Khan, as the election schedule has already been released.

    “We want to inform you that Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies, and we hope that the IHC will announce its judgement soon in the Toshakhana case, as the election schedule has been issued,” he added.

    PTI’s petition requests the temporary halt of the former PM’s conviction in the Toshakhana case.

    The senator also encouraged party workers to submit their nomination papers, stating that the party will prioritise imprisoned workers.

    “Those [workers] who rendered sacrifices for the party, facing cases and braving difficulties will be allotted [party] tickets 100 per cent,” the PTI senator said.

    The PTI leader clarified that the final decision on ticket allocation will be made by the incarcerated party founder.

  • Hassaan Niazi is up for contesting elections

    Hassaan Niazi is up for contesting elections

    Hassaan Niazi, prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s nephew, has officially declared his intention to participate in the upcoming general elections.

    The decision was revealed as his mother filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, seeking approval for his nomination papers.

    The petition argued that, with the Election Commission having announced the election schedule, Hassan Niazi remains eligible, having neither faced disqualification nor conviction; he is presently in custody.

    The legal plea urged the court to grant permission for the completion of Hassan Niazi’s nomination paper for the submission process.

    It further proposes a meeting between the court commissioner and Hassan Niazi to facilitate the verification or rejection of the nomination papers.

    The move sets the stage for a potentially dynamic political scenario, with Hassan Niazi’s candidacy poised to shape the unfolding electoral landscape.

    The Case

    A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted the police two-day transit remand of the focal person of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassaan Niazi.

    The police had produced Niazi in the court seeking his transit remand to take him to Karachi, where he is wanted in connection with sedition charges registered against him.

    The case against Niazi was registered on the complaint of a citizen named Muhammad Iqbal at the Jamshaid Quarters police station.

    According to the first information report (FIR), Niazi was involved in inciting people to revolt against national institutions and attempting to provoke disharmony in a video on social media.

    The statement had allegedly created anger and distress among the masses.

    During the hearing, the prosecution argued that Niazi’s presence was required in Karachi for further legal proceedings.

    Therefore, the court approved the request for a two-day transit remand, allowing the police to take Niazi to Karachi for progress in the case.

  • ‘Judges ligitimise the rule of military dictators,’ Nawaz Sharif

    ‘Judges ligitimise the rule of military dictators,’ Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday lashed out at judges for legitimising military dictators and taking action against elected prime ministers.

    “Judges garland the ones (military dictators) who break the constitution, rather they legitimise their rule. When the parliament is dissolved and the prime minister is sent to jail, they (judges) endorse these actions,” Sharif said while addressing ticket aspirants from Faisalabad at the party secretariat in Model Town.

    Sharif specifically pointed to instances where judges allowed military dictators to amend the constitution, attributing such decisions to the current challenges faced by Pakistan.

    He asserted that responsibility for the country’s predicament lies with the nation itself, dismissing external factors such as India, the United States, or Afghanistan.

    Without directly naming him, Sharif indirectly referred to former ISI chief Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid, suggesting interference in the judicial process to deny post-arrest bail to himself and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. He claimed that pressure from certain quarters jeopardized their legal proceedings.

  • Usman Mukhtar’s film ‘Chikkad’ gets a captivating boost from wife Zunaira Inam

    Usman Mukhtar’s film ‘Chikkad’ gets a captivating boost from wife Zunaira Inam

    The highly anticipated crime thriller movie, ‘Chikkar’, starring Usman Mukhtar and Ushna Shah, is coming up for release.

    Renowned actor and filmmaker Usman Mukhtar dropped a teaser trailer for the film on Instagram. The actor gave fans a sneak peek into his latest project with a cryptic post: “Chikkar is us. It’s the oppressed, and the oppressor. It’s those who raise their voices, those who suppress them, and those who are silent – all sludging through the same mud. ‘Chikkar’ is also the hope in our society. The hope that there will be more of those who break their silence, more of those who speak up, and of those who question and criticise. ‘Chikkar’ is that hope in all of us.”

    Zanaira Inam has shared a picture of herself along with Usman Mukhtar on Instagram, writing: “Janu’s film ‘Chikkar’ is releasing on 22nd December”.

    She wrote at the end of her post, “Don’t forget to watch, the boy works with heart”.