Author: newsdesk

  • Asad Qaider arrested again in May 9 riots case

    Asad Qaider arrested again in May 9 riots case

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Asad Qaiser, got arrested again from Swabi jail on Thursday in a case related to May 9 riots after getting bail in a corruption case, Geo News has reported.

    Charsadda police arrested the PTI leader from inside Swabi jail and shifted him to an unidentified location.

    The May 9 riots were triggered after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the £190 million UK settlement case. Hundreds of PTI workers and leaders have been put behind bars for their involvement in violent protests and attacks on military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 a ‘Black Day’ and decided to try protesters under the Army Act.

    During the PTI leader’s re-arrest, he said in a video message, “We will continue our struggle to win the upcoming election next year on February 8.”

    “Neither we are afraid, nor will we backtrack.”

    Asad Qaiser also claimed that his party will win elections with a huge majority if a level playing field is provided to all political parties.

    Without naming anyone, the PTI leader accused: “They have already declared a person prime minister.”

  • ‘Bollywood films should be screened in Pakistan’: Humayun Saeed

    ‘Bollywood films should be screened in Pakistan’: Humayun Saeed

    Pakistani actor and producer Humayun Saeed was a guest on Samaa TV’s ‘Gup Shab’ where he was asked about his opinion on whether Bollywood films should screen in Pakistani cinemas by a member of the studio audience. The actor responded:

    “They should screen in our cinemas. I have never been against this decision. Bollywood produces a lot of films and releases four films every week, while we release less films. But a cinema should always screen more films regardless of which country they’re from. Whether they’re from Hollywood, Turkey, we should keep screening films in our cinemas, so that people keep going to cinemas.”

    Humayun previously spoke in favour of strengthening ties between Bollywood and Pakistani actors. In August, during an interview with Bollywood Hungama, the ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ actor recalled meeting Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan telling him in 2005 that Pakistani films should play in India.

    READ MORE: Humayun Saeed reveals Shah Rukh Khan once told him Pakistani films should release in India

    “There was a lot of excitement when I met Shah Rukh. He was very sweet to me. We were in his room and he made me sit with him and discussed Indian and Pakistan films with me. That time there was a Mehreen Jabbar and a Shaan film in the theatres and SRK was talking about them. He said that Pakistani films should be released in India and vice versa. He made me comfortable. Since I had just come the previous day to the sets, I did not know exactly what to do. Shah Rukh said ‘main sambhal lunga.’ The overall moment was very special.”

  • Imam-ul-Haq’s qawwali night turns into star-studded affair

    Imam-ul-Haq’s qawwali night turns into star-studded affair

    Pakistan cricket team’s opening batter Imamul Haq’s wedding celebrations are in full swing. A qawwali night was held on Thursday, just two days before he is scheduled to get married on November 25.

    Former captain Azhar Ali along with Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Chief Selector Wahab Riaz also participated in the musical evening while relatives and friends of the cricketer also attended the ceremony.

    On the other hand, Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s mehndi ceremony was held in Phulnagar, three days before his wedding on November 26.

    Here are some pictures and videos from the qawwali night event:

  • Four-day Israel-Gaza truce: What to expect on day one?

    A four-day pause between Israel and Gaza is now in progress.

    The first group of Israeli hostages, reportedly including 13 women and children, are to be released today. They will be escorted by the Red Cross to the Rafah border crossing where the Israeli military will take them in and carry out the identification process.

    The hostages will then be taken to Tel Aviv for physical and psychological tests.

    On the other hand, 39 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israel in exchange for the first day. They will be taken from two Israeli prisons in the southeast of Haifa and will be driven to the Ofer prison, south of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. They are then to be taken to the nearby crossing where their families will receive them.

    Humanitarian aid is also expected to be sent into Gaza from Egypt. Hamas has claimed that 200 aid trucks and additional fuel trucks will enter Gaza daily.

  • Will Naseem Shah be able to join Australia tour?

    Will Naseem Shah be able to join Australia tour?

    Good news may be on the horizon for fans of Pakistan fast bowling sensation Naseem Shah. The pacer, who was forced to drop out of the World Cup squad after a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, will start practicing in the nets in the next few days.

    According to the details, sources within Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have said that it is likely that Shah will start practice before the start of the tour of Australia, however, the chances of Naseem Shah’s participation are even now, quite slim.

    Naseem Shah has recovered rapidly after undergoing a shoulder operation in the United Kingdom (UK) a few weeks ago, and will soon start bowling practice along with running. It is expected that if the bowler manages to attain required fitness levels, he may soon be seen in action in international cricket.

    Pakistan team’s fast bowling coach Umar Gul said, “Naseem Shah is our main bowler and his rehab is going on, we will miss him in the Australia tour.’

  • BYD, global electric vehicle leader, explores investment in Pakistan’s EV sector

    BYD, global electric vehicle leader, explores investment in Pakistan’s EV sector

    BYD, the prominent Chinese automotive conglomerate renowned as the world’s foremost electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, engaged in discussions regarding the potential of Pakistan’s EV sector.

    This revelation surfaced through a modified series of posts released by the Board of Investment (BoI) on Thursday. Initial posts hinted at BYD’s enthusiastic interest in investing in Pakistan’s EV sector, but these posts have since been removed.

    The development follows a meeting between a delegation from BYD Company China, featuring Cai Xiao Xu, Head of the Dealer Division (South Asia), Lei Jian, Country Head (Pakistan), and Sohail Rajput, Secretary at BoI.

    In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the Fortune 500 company and global EV manufacturing leader BYD Company highlighted its substantial presence in key industries, including automobiles, rail transit, new energy, and electronics.

    The ongoing exploratory visit to Pakistan by the BYD delegation, facilitated by BoI, includes pivotal discussions with potential local partners.

    Secretary BOI, during the meeting, warmly welcomed the company’s interest, underscoring the significance of EVs in Pakistan.

    He reassured the BYD delegation of the Government of Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to facilitating foreign investors.

    BYD, recognised as the world’s largest EV manufacturer, produces a diverse range of vehicles, including battery-electric and hybrid cars, buses, and trucks, as well as battery-powered bicycles, forklifts, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries.

    In the previous month, Dr Gohar Ejaz, the Caretaker Minister for Commerce and Industries, disclosed that BYD is actively considering investment opportunities in Pakistan.

    During this period, the caretaker minister briefed the BYD delegation on government policies and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), offering unequivocal support for their new ventures.

    This move aligns with Pakistan’s strategic goal to expand its presence in the renewable energy sector, curtail its energy import expenditure, and fulfil climate change objectives.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has separately extended an invitation to Chinese businesses to invest in Pakistan’s solar parks.

  • SBP reports second consecutive weekly decline in forex reserves

    SBP reports second consecutive weekly decline in forex reserves

    During the week ending on November 17, 2023, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) experienced a decline of $217 million in its foreign exchange reserves, settling at $7,180.0 million, as revealed by data released on Thursday.

    The total liquid foreign reserves for the country amounted to $12.3 billion, with commercial banks holding net foreign reserves of $5.1 billion.

    The central bank attributed this reduction in reserves to debt repayments. In a statement, the SBP explained, “During the week ended on November 17, 2023, the SBP’s reserves decreased by US$ 217 million to US$ 7,180.0 million due to debt repayments.”

    This marks the second consecutive week of a decline in the dollar stockpile, following a $115 million decrease in the previous week.

    It’s noteworthy that in July of this year, the central bank’s reserves received a significant boost as Pakistan received the initial tranche of approximately $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    This followed the approval of a new $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA). Additional inflows were received from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    However, the SBP’s reserves have been facing pressures due to ongoing debt repayments, increased import payments following the relaxation of restrictions, and a lack of fresh inflows.

    In a positive development, the IMF announced last week that its staff and Pakistani authorities had reached an agreement on the first review of the SBA.
    The staff-level agreement is pending approval by the IMF Executive Board.

    The IMF stated, “The IMF team has reached a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the Pakistani authorities on the first review of their stabilisation programme supported by the IMF’s US$3 billion (SDR2,250 million) SBA.”

    Upon approval, approximately US$700 million (SDR 528 million) will become available, bringing the total disbursements under the programme to nearly US$1.9 billion.

    Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, speaking to the media after the SLA with the IMF, expressed confidence that external financing would not be an issue, anticipating increased inflows in December 2023, which would contribute to boosting the foreign exchange reserves.

  • IMF recommends gas price hike, subsidy cuts for Pakistan

    IMF recommends gas price hike, subsidy cuts for Pakistan

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reportedly urged Pakistan to address the growing concerns surrounding the power sector’s circular debt, which now stands at 4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

    Despite initial targets for debt reduction not being met, the IMF has not yet made a final decision on its recommendations.

    Sources suggest that the IMF is advocating for an additional hike in gas prices and a reduction in energy sector subsidies, aligning with its persistent calls for such measures.

    It’s noteworthy that no official decision has been reached on these proposals. Simultaneously, Pakistan and the IMF have collaborated on a comprehensive privatisation plan, focusing on state-owned entities (SOEs) that have incurred significant losses.

    This strategic move aims to address the financial challenges faced by these institutions. The Central Monitoring Unit will meticulously evaluate the extent of losses, with findings submitted to the IMF.

    A crucial aspect of the privatization plan involves transferring control of power distribution companies to the private sector. This shift is expected to mitigate losses and improve efficiency in the power sector, aligning with the IMF’s overarching demand for comprehensive reforms in the energy sector.

  • NEPRA greenlights Rs1.52 per unit hike in power tariff for Karachi residents

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has granted approval for an increase in the electricity tariff by Rs1.52 per unit for consumers of K-Electric.

    In accordance with the directive from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in June 2023, NEPRA has issued a notification officially declaring a rise of Rs1.52 per unit in electricity charges, according to a press release.

    These adjustments will be reflected in the monthly electricity bills spanning from December 2023 to November 2024.

    A spokesperson for K-Electric clarified that NEPRA’s notification aligns with a previous ECC decision related to charges from the preceding tenure.

    In a statement, the spokesperson mentioned, “The prolonged duration in finalising KE’s tariff has contributed to the current circumstances, resulting in lower charges from Karachi compared to other regions in the country. Operating within the regulated framework of Pakistan’s power sector, KE, like other DISCOS, adheres to decisions made by the government of Pakistan and NEPRA concerning power tariffs.”

    It is noteworthy that lifeline consumers are exempted from the recent increase in charges, providing relief to this specific consumer group, the statement added.

    In a previous development this month, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) made a decision regarding the uniform quarterly tariff adjustments for K-Electric consumers, approving a hike of Rs1.72 per unit.

    The decision entails that the tariff rationalization guidelines previously issued to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) shall be applicable to the consumption of July, August, and September 2023, to be recovered from K-Electric consumers in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, respectively.

    Subsequent to this decision, the electricity tariff for K-Electric consumers will experience an increase of Rs1.72 per unit.

    Sources indicate that there will be a hike of Rs1.25 per unit in terms of quarterly adjustment from January to March 2023, while Rs0.47 per unit will be increased in terms of quarterly adjustment from October to December 2023.

    These measures are taken to ensure uniform electricity tariffs across the country, as per sources familiar with the matter.

  • Israel-Gaza conflict: Young American TikTokers turn to Quran for understanding and empathy

    Israel-Gaza conflict: Young American TikTokers turn to Quran for understanding and empathy

    TikTok is becoming a platform for the propagation of Islamic values amidst the Israel-Gaza Conflict as so many young Americans are picking up the Qur’an to understand the resilience of Muslim Palestinians. The Guardian‘s article showcases the growing reach of the platform and how the understanding of Islam-once a vilified religion in the West-has started growing because of it.

    Videos under the hashtag “quranbookclub” – which has a modest 1.9 million views on the app – show users holding up their newly purchased texts and reading verses for the first time. Others are finding free versions online, or listening to someone sing the verses while they drive to work. Not all the people reading the Qur’an on TikTok are women, but interest overlaps with the #BookTok space, a subcommunity where mostly female users gather to discuss books.

    @megan_b_rice #freepalestine ❤️ ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

    Megan B Rice, a 34-year-old book enthusiast from Chicago, recently found a new passion – reading the Quran. After speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, she organized a “World Religion Book Club” on Discord to explore the Islamic faith. Rice, who wasn’t religious before, discovered alignment between the Holy Book’s content and her core beliefs, leading her to convert to Islam.

    This trend isn’t unique to Rice; on TikTok, under the hashtag “quranbookclub,” young people are delving into the Book to better comprehend a religion often misunderstood in the West. With themes like anti-consumerism, feminism, and environmentalism, the Quran resonates with the values of many young, left-leaning Americans.

    @megan_b_rice Welcome to The World Religion Book Club! I’m looking forward to learning from each and every one of you. ♥️ #thequran #bookclub #whatsapp ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

    Nefertari Moonn, a 35-year-old from Florida, also turned to the Quran to understand what inspires people facing adversity. Her emotional connection to the text led her to take the shahada, becoming a Muslim revert.

    @nefertarimoonn It’s been a great journey so far, the Qur’an is so beautiful. #quran #islam #alternative #fyp ♬ so What now – ugh

    Misha Euceph, a Pakistani American writer, and podcast host notes that the Quran’s themes align with progressive values, embracing science and advocating for equality between men and women.

    @meuceph Who is a believer, a disbeliever and a hypocrite in the Quran? #quran #muslim #islam #quranbookclub #palestine #freepalestine #qurantok ♬ original sound – Misha Euceph

    In the aftermath of 9/11, the Quran became a bestseller, but this time around, people are turning to it not to confirm biases but to understand the resilience and faith of Muslim Palestinians. As readers like Rice express empathy for those in Gaza, the Qur’an takes on a new role in their lives, bridging gaps in understanding and fostering connections across different backgrounds.

    For Rice, the experience has been transformative, challenging preconceptions and internalized misconceptions about Islam. She emphasizes that regardless of one’s religious background, learning about someone’s faith can foster empathy, making it a powerful tool for building connections.

    @megan_b_rice #quran #quranreading #islam ♬ original sound – Megan Rice