Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan Stock Exchange may surpass 60,000 level soon

    Pakistan Stock Exchange may surpass 60,000 level soon

    The benchmark index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) marked a record-breaking bullish run on Monday, closing just shy of the 60,000 mark without surpassing it. 

    There is an anticipation that, given the current pace, the stock market might breach the 60,000 level soon. 

    According to the PSX website, the KSE-100 index showed marginal gains until noon. However, at 1:11 pm, it experienced a sudden surge that persisted until closing time, reaching 59,811.34, up by 724.99 points (1.23%) from the previous day’s 59,086.35.

    In the preceding Friday session, the KSE-100 index had set a new record at 59,100 points, attributed to strong corporate profits, reduced economic volatility, the successful conclusion of an IMF staff-level deal, expectations of a stable post-poll government, and optimism about an early reversal of monetary tightening. This led to a rapid increase in share prices over the last three months.

    Regarding the current rally, Raza Jafri, head of equity at Intermarket Securities, noted, “The banking sector is driving the rally, aligning with the improving economic outlook.” He emphasised that banks, offering a combination of high dividend yields and attractive valuations, have consistently been favoured by foreign investors.

    Shahbaz Ashraf, chief investment officer at FRIM Ventures, a Karachi-based investment company, attributed the rally to “cheap valuations and an influx of liquidity.”

  • Smart lockdown fails as Lahore remains on top in Air Quality Index

    Smart lockdown fails as Lahore remains on top in Air Quality Index

    Despite the efforts of the caretaker government of Punjab to curb smog, Lahore is still one of the most polluted cities in the world.

    After three days of holidays and a smart or soft lockdown, Lahore’s hazardous smog has barely dissipated.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi posted an update on Saturday about the trend of smog tending towards healthier.

    The average air quality index (AQI) of Lahore was recorded at 356 (hazardous) on Sunday while the maximum was 444 at 3 am.

    The government completely closed vehicular traffic on Mall Road for a day but the effort seemed futile as the AQI around the road was 458 in the morning while AQI in the DHA Phase 8 was 437, in Gulberg it was 412 and in Johar Town, it stood at 402, reports Dawn.

    As of today, the air quality index of Lahore was recorded at 415 (extremely hazardous) around 10 a.m. and by the evening, when this report is being filed, it is standing at 305 (hazardous).

    While Mall Road was totally barricaded, some markets and shops were found open despite restrictions till 4 pm on Sunday and people were thronging food points in Liberty Market, Ichhra and Anarkali Bazaar.

    Netizens criticised the Punjab government for a lack of effective steps to counter smog.

    A user posted about it being attributed to the endless construction in the city while others complained about it being lethal for citizens.

  • Blind man calls for help for three days while stuck in manhole

    Blind man calls for help for three days while stuck in manhole

    Muhammad Naveed, a blind man from Ali Husssainabad in Maraka, Multan Road fell in an open manhole. He reportedly went missing three days ago after saying he was going to the nearby stop. On his return, he fell in the open manhole, a 10 feet deep sewer, and remained there for three days.

    Yesterday, passersby heard his cries and informed the shopkeepers on the street. They took immediate action, trying to pull Naveed out of the hole with the help of ropes. Meanwhile, the rescue team also arrived and helped speed up the process.

    The sewage drain was right in front of the office of the National Highway and Motorway Police, reports Jang.
    Naveed was injured and was given first aid upon recovery.

  • Imran Khan wants 14 kg dumbbells

    Imran Khan wants 14 kg dumbbells

    Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi revealed that Imran Khan is worried about his biceps while in jail.

    He took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “A lot of people are asking me whether this is true or not. Let me narrate what actually happened. As I and @BarristrUKNiazi were waiting for khan sb to come and see us on Thursday. As soon as he came, when we asked him if he is facing any problem in Jail. He said I am not affected by anything, even i can sleep on floor. But I can’t comprise on my muscles.”

    He further stated that Khan said his biceps are getting a little out of shape due to the non-availability of dumbbells.

    He explained that he had requested many times for the provision of the same but was denied for no apparent reason.

    Due to security issues, Khan can’t go to Gym like other poisoners.

    He further stated, “All I have asked for is pair of heavy dumbles from my own expense which has been denied. In nutshell, jail has made Khan sab more determined and strong. All machinations of Govt to Pester him are counter productive and making him stronger.”

    The Cases

    The former prime minister is currently being held in Adiala Jail after his arrest from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on August 5.

    He was moved to the prison on September 26 from Attock Jail where he was initially kept after his arrest.

    Khan was first convicted by a lower court in the Toshakhana case in August and sentenced to three years of imprisonment. The IHC suspended his sentence the same month.

    The Islamabad accountability court issued arrest warrants for PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana and 190 million Al-Qadir Trust cases.

    Khan was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9 for the first time.

    The 190 million (approximately Rs60 billion) settlement case pertains to the money of property tycoon, Malik Riaz, being laundered and caught by the UK authorities during Imran’s government in 2019.

    The UK government had informed the Pakistani authorities regarding the money being caught.

    The former premier is already in prison as he was subsequently booked in the ‘cipher’ case.

    In the cipher case, Khan, along with his close aide and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has been accused of leaking state secrets.

  • Pakistan’s Anita Karim wins two MMA gold medals in Thailand

    Pakistani female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Anita Karim has won two gold medals at the Siam Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Anita Karim won medals in the 55 kg/lightweight category as well as in the ‘Absolute’ category. In the lightweight category, she won against Japan’s Mayo Suzuki, Thailand’s Chutima Sala, and Sefa Phatidi.

    She won the first two bouts by submission and the last by one point. In the absolute category, Anita Karim defeated Thailand’s Chautima Sala Sasethun Yahi and Tanyapuran Mangkalkeri. The first and third fights were won by submission while the second was won on points. Anita Karim is Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter to compete internationally.

    Her brother Uloomi Kareem himself is an MMA fighter who recently fought on November 25, 2023, against Mohammad Mahdi of Iran on the same day as his sister.

    Anita Karim’s six wins also resulted in her promotion to purple belt. She fought these fights as a blue belt but was promoted to purple after winning. 27-year-old Anita Karim has come a long way for a country like Pakistan where women’s participation in sports is minimal.

  • Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) head Shahzad Akbar has revealed in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) that an unidentified man threw acid on his face at the front door of his home in the United Kingdom.

    The incident took place in an area near London outside the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader’s residence.

    He wrote, “Last evening I was attacked at my address in England (where I am living in exile with my family) by unknown assailant/s who threw acidic liquid at me. Thankfully my wife and children are safe, however I got some injuries but nothing life-threatening. Police and emergency services arrived instantly and house being protected now. I will not be intimidated nor bow down to those who are doing this.”

    Speaking to Geo News, Akbar said a delivery person came to his house and threw acid on him as soon as he opened the door. However, he said, most of the acid landed on the door and only a small amount landed on him.

    “My wife and children remained unharmed, only I got some injuries,” said the former PTI leader.

    Akbar told Geo News that he is currently living in a small village outside of London where he shifted about 1.5 months ago. He said that his new address had been leaked.

    The politician, who has been in self-exile in the UK, said that he was at home with his kids on Sunday when a delivery man wearing a helmet rang the doorbell.

    He said that as soon as he opened the door, the man threw acid on him from a bottle, adding that one side of his face and body were injured.

    He said that the suspect was dressed as a delivery boy and was traveling on a bike.

  • Israel continues arresting Palestinians: What we know about day 52

    Israel continues arresting Palestinians: What we know about day 52

    3,200 arrested by Israel in West Bank since October 7

    Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs has released a report revealing that 3,200 Palestinians have been arrested by Israel since October 7 in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

    Among the arrested are 41 journalists, 29 of whom are in detention.

    This means that the total number of arrested Palestinians has crossed 7,000 since October 7.

    The total includes more than 200 children, about 78 female prisoners plus “hundreds” of sick and wounded people, some of whom need “urgent medical intervention”, the report added.

    The recent arrests are also said to have been accompanied by “widespread raids and abuse, in addition to vandalising and destroying of citizens’ homes, and severe beatings of the families of detainees” as well as the shooting of unarmed Palestinians, resulting in deaths.”

    How many prisoners and captives have been released?

    A four-day long truce between Israel and Hamas started on Friday and so far, three captives exchanges have taken place.

    Al Jazeera reports that 175 people have been released which includes:

    • 39 Israeli citizens released by Hamas, in three groups of 13
    • 117 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel, in three groups of 39
    • 17 Thais released by Hamas
    • One Filipino released by Hamas
    • One Israeli-Russian released by Hamas
    • Hamas said that in total, 50 women and children are to be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails under the truce deal.

    Netanyahu has stated that the extension of truce can be considered if more captives are released at a rate of 10 per day.

    Two-kilometre long lines for cooking gas in Gaza: UN

    The UN humanitarian agency in Palestine (UNOCHA) has said that people in Gaza are lining up through the night in a line that stretches for two kilometres (1.2 miles) to refill cooking gas canisters.

    These ques were outside a filling station in Khan Younis in southern Gaza after Israel allowed aid supplies – including cooking gas – into Gaza Strip for the first time since October 7.

    The UN, however, claims that the “amounts fall well below the needs” and that people are reportedly “burning doors and window frames to cook”.

  • Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Pakistan cricket team fans have expressed anger on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over fining Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat during a match of National T20 tournament in Karachi on Sunday.

    Azam Khan was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for beaching the clothing and equipment regulation (Displaying unapproved logo/political message).

    According to GEO, Azam was summoned by match referee Muhammad Javaid, but Azam replied that all of his bats have same stickers.

    Before this, Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan was criticized by the Indian media and fans for dedicating his performance during Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka to Gaza during the ODI World Cup 2023. International Cricket Council (ICC) said at the time, “It is outside of the field of play and not in our domain”

    PCB said in a statement that, “This is their (players) personal decision, the board is responsible for the on-field activities not out-field.”

    Journalist Faizan Lakahni wrote on social media platform ‘X’, “We all are hating PCB for its action against Azam Khan, but I think they opted for this being a signatory to ICC regulations (which apply on all official cricket) because the game was live broadcast on TV. Azam displayed the same flag in previous games (non-broadcast), nobody said anything earlier.”

    However social media users continue slamming the Board for taking action against Azam Khan. Here are some reactions:

  • Arrest orders issued for PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Arrest orders issued for PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb

    An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday issued arrest orders for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb in a hate speech case, directing authorities to produce the former federal minister in court on December 9.

    ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan issued the arrest warrant for the PML-N leader and ordered the concerned station house officer (SHO) to execute the orders of her arrest.

    The non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against the former information minister for not appearing before the court.

    A terrorism case had been registered against Aurangzeb, PML-N stalwart Mian Javed Latif, state-run Pakistan Television’s Managing Director Sohail Khan and others for allegedly trying to incite hatred by using the religion card against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    In the previous hearing, the ATC judge canceled the non-bailable arrest warrant against Latif after he appeared before the court.
    On November 25, Advocate Farhad Ali Shah representing Javed Latif and Marriyum Aurangzeb appeared before the court.

    During the hearing, Judge Khan inquired about the whereabouts of the PML-N leaders and was informed that Latif had appeared while Aurangzeb had not.

    Consequently, the judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the former information minister and directed all suspects named in the case to appear before the court on December 9.

    The case, registered on September 19, 2022, implicated both Aurangzeb and senior PML-N leader Javed Latif for allegedly “using religion to instill and spread hatred” against Imran Khan, the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and former prime minister.

    According to the FIR, the complainant had said Latif accused the PTI chief of “attacking the basic principles of Islam” by “supporting” the Ahmadiyya community during his tenure.

    “When Imran made the Naya Pakistan, units of Qadianis became active in Karachi […] Did Imran not give interviews to the foreign media in which he said that Qadianis will be given religious freedom,” Latif had said.

    The FIR had said Latif made the controversial remarks at the behest of the party leadership as well as Aurangzeb in order to spread religious hatred against Imran.

    The complainant had said he watched another presser by Latif a day later wherein he insisted that he stood by his earlier statement.
    The complainant said, “The world knows Imran Khan for his welfare work. He is a true Muslim, a Prophet (PBUH) lover and a patriotic Pakistani.

    “He (Imran) made Quranic teachings in schools compulsory and also constituted Rehmatullil Alameen Authority. He also made it clear before the world through his speech at the United Nations that we will not tolerate blasphemy at any cost and raised his voice against Islamophobia which is matchless.

    “In his news conference, Latif declared Imran a non-Muslim and deliberately used words to incite his followers to create a law and order situation.”

    The FIR added that the PTI chief’s followers and supporters were enraged by the derogatory remarks of the PML-N leader.
    “Latif made the controversial remarks at the behest of his party leadership as well as Marriyum in order to spread religious hatred against Imran.”

    Complainant Rehman said that he had watched another news conference a day later in which Latif said that he stood by his earlier statement.

    He demanded action be taken against the PML-N leaders and others nominated in the complaint under the law.

  • Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar wants to rejoin PTI

    Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar wants to rejoin PTI

    Senior politician Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar is reportedly seeking a return to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as per Geo News.

    Having previously been associated with the PTI, Sarwar, currently the chief organizer of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), parted ways with Imran Khan’s party during last year’s no-confidence motion in April, leaving when Imran Khan was ousted from the prime minister’s office.

    In March this year, Sarwar joined the PML-Q in the presence of its president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
    In December 2021, Sarwar slammed Khan’s government by saying that the PTI had handed over everything to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    During the no-confidence motion, Sarwar, as the chief organizer of the PML-Q, defied Khan’s orders and explored the possibility of joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    However, this idea was rejected by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, citing Sarwar’s earlier defection to the PTI after the failed 2014 sit-in led by Khan and Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri.

    Sarwar joined the PML-Q in March of the current year, assuming the role of chief organizer.

    However, he has been residing in Scotland since several months, showing little interest in party affairs.

    Despite initial hopes of the PML-Q gaining prominence, especially without Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi, it appears that Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan’s Istehekam Pakistan Party (IPP) is currently the frontrunner.

    Sources reveal that Sarwar, for the past two weeks, has been reaching out to PTI leaders directly and indirectly, discussing his potential return to the party from his base in Scotland.

    A senior PTI leader disclosed that Sarwar had expressed a desire to rejoin the party, but the PTI has not responded to the overtures thus far.

    “The only person who can allow re-entry of Chaudhary Sarwar is Imran Khan but he has made it clear he will not forgive and forget those dozens of leaders who let him down in difficult times. Those who lobbied against Imran Khan and the PTI are not acceptable.”

    Chaudhary Sarwar wants to join the PTI again because his family members want to run for elections on the party’s tickets in Faisalabad, as there are no seats vacant in PML-N ranks and no other option, said a source close to Sarwar.

    The source also said that the senior politician’s son Anas, the Scottish Labour leader, also has an election coming up in Glasgow and there is a considerable Pakistani vote in the local constituency.

    Another source said that so far the PTI had not shown any interest in the offer and it had no time to even consider it given the circumstances the PTI was facing in Pakistan.

    When asked about efforts to rejoin the PTI, Sarwar didn’t deny it.

    He said: “All options are on the table. Discussions at various levels are ongoing. I have not made a final decision yet. I will make the final decision soon.”

    Sarwar joined PTI in 2015 after criticising Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, days after resigning as the Punjab governor. However, he was appointed to the post for a second time once the PTI came to power in 2018.

    Sarwar’s allies said he was not happy as Punjab governor and didn’t like Usman Buzdar. He was sacked from the post around the no-confidence vote by the PTI government, with Omer Sarfraz Cheema being appointed as his replacement.