Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistani team’s wholesome welcome in India is winning the internet

    Pakistani team’s wholesome welcome in India is winning the internet

    The Pakistani cricket team landed in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday to play in World Cup 2023. Videos of the overwhelming crowds that came to greet the team have set the internet on fire. Fans can be seen shouting the names of Babar, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. In some pictures, police men can be seen trying to take selfies with the cricket stars. This display of love for our boys in green on the other side of the border has moved social media to tears.

    Many were happy to witness politics and rivalry being set aside for the love of cricket that had united India and Pakistan. And soon the viral videos got a lot of appreciation from social media users.

  • Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was briefed on a concerning issue whereby a significant number of beggars are being trafficked abroad. Zulfikar Haider, the Secretary of the Overseas Ministry, brought this matter to light during a Senate panel discussion centred on the migration of both skilled and unskilled labourers from Pakistan.

    Haider revealed that an alarming 90 percent of beggars apprehended in foreign countries happen to be Pakistani nationals. This predicament has led to a notable strain on foreign jails, with reports from the ambassadors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia attesting to the overcrowding of their detention facilities due to these arrests.

    During the course of the discussion, Secretary Haider also pointed out a troubling trend where Japan has emerged as a newfound destination for such beggars.

    According to ARY News, Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hasan highlighting the varying demands placed on Japan for skilled workers from different countries, including India, Nepal, and Pakistan, each sending a distinct number of individuals to meet these demands.

    Senator Hasan further raised the issue of unemployment among engineers in Pakistan, highlighting that a staggering 50,000 engineers in the country are currently without employment opportunities.

    In the context of the Middle East, the senator provided statistics, noting that approximately three million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, while another 1.5 million have sought employment in the UAE, with an additional 0.2 million in Qatar.

    It is imperative to underscore that beggar syndicates are also exploiting minors, subjecting them to harsh weather conditions for personal gain. These syndicates have devised new tactics to extract money from people, contributing to a distressing trend whereby the number of beggars has doubled within a mere three-year span, as per recent reports.

  • ‘Sasural mein divorce’: A viral convo about the reason behind Priyanka not attending Parineeti’s wedding has the internet in fits

    ‘Sasural mein divorce’: A viral convo about the reason behind Priyanka not attending Parineeti’s wedding has the internet in fits

    Bollywood star Parineeti Chopra’s wedding to politician Raghav Chadha was the talk of the town all week. However, the absence of the actor’s cousin Priyanka Chopra, raised a lot of eyebrows.

    The ‘Quantico’ actress uploaded a congratulatory post on her Instagram account, gushing about how gorgeous Parineeti Chopra looked on her big day. But, more than the picture, the hilarious convo taking place in the comments grabbed attention. Two desi people were trying to decode why Priyanka had not attended the wedding.

    For context, the ghar kay halat kharab comment is about the divorce battle between Joe Jonas and actress Sophie Turner, who had filed a case against the ‘Jonas Brothers’ band member for wrongfully detaining their two daughters in the US.

    Desi people will never change, chahe koi apna ho ya phir Priyanka Chopra ho. The internet was in fits after watching this hilarious interaction.

  • 21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    21 million more voters registered since 2018: ECP

    Compared to the statistics of the 2018 general elections, the number of voters in Pakistan has increased by 21 million 24 thousand and 863 voters.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the total number of voters has reached 126,980,272, while the total number of voters in the country in the 2018 general elections was 105,955,409.

    The number of male voters in 2023 has increased to 68,508,258; while the number of female voters has increased to 58,472,014.

    This means that the number of male voters is 10,036,244 more than women.

    Province-wise increase in voters

    Punjab

    Voters in Punjab have increased by one crore 16 lakh 37 thousand (11,637,811).

    2018: 60,672,771

    2023: 72,310,582

    Sindh

    In total, an increase of 42 lakh 59 thousand (4,259,917) voters has been recorded in Sindh.

    2018: 22,391,244

    2023: 26,651,161

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    In total, 63 lakh 78 thousand (6,378,212) voters have increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    2018: 15,314,169

    2023: 21,692,381

    Balochistan

    The number of voters in the province has increased by 9 lakh 58 thousand (985,100) voters.

    2018: 4,299,494

    2023: 5,284,594 

    Islamabad

    Number of voters in the federal capital has increased by 2 lakh 76 thousand (276,107) voters.

    2018: 765,447

    2023: 1,041,554

    Age-wise voter statistcis:

  • Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    Over 80,000 errors in medical prescriptions reported

    On World Pharmacists Day 2023 on Tuesday, The News highlighted that 80,000 prescription errors have been reported in the past year at major health centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

    Prescription errors means that doctors either prescribed wrong medicine, incorrect dosage, or did not take into consideration the interaction between drugs, a potentially fatal error.

    “Of these 80,000 prescription errors, 96% errors were accepted and recognized by the prescribing physicians and surgeons and they rectified their prescriptions in consultation with clinical pharmacists to ensure patient safety”, Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, President of Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA), told a ceremony to mark the World Pharmacists Day 2023.

    He also highlighted that prescription error is the sixth leading cause of death in developed countries like America as 7000-9000 people die every year due to this mistake.

    He urged that there is an urgent need to “introduce clinical pharmacy services at all the public and private health facilities to prevent deaths and disabilities due to medication errors and adverse drug reactions”.

    A solution for that, as Shabir Ahmed provided, is pharmacovigilance centers across the country that will keep the prescription procedure in check by detecting, monitoring and preventing “adverse drug reactions” and keep patients safe.

  • PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    PIA to be privatised: assets, debt and staff to be transferred

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has been running at a loss, has unveiled its privatisation plan. Sources indicate that this plan encompasses not only the privatisation of PIA but also the power distribution companies and the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills.

    Furthermore, it has been reported that the process of appointing a financial advisor for PIA’s privatisation is underway. While PIA’s affiliated institution will remain unaffected by privatisation, plans have been solidified to address issues related to PIA’s debt and government guarantees.

    According to ARY News, the Privatisation Commission sources have disclosed that, under the current circumstances, Pakistan Steel Mills cannot be privatised. However, efforts will be made to enhance the mill’s production and capabilities to attract potential investors.

    It’s worth noting that the restructuring plan for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is progressing rapidly. The PIA administration has invited applications from legal and corporate firms for assistance in this restructuring plan. The Department of Contract Management has been instructed to forward these applications by October 6.

    The assets of PIA, including properties, debts, aircraft, and employees, will be transferred to the new company, presenting PIA as a debt-free organisation to potential investors.

  • Pak cricket team’s central contract issue resolved

    Pak cricket team’s central contract issue resolved

    PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) announces central contract for players. Babar Azam, Rizwan, and Shaheen in A category while Imad Wasim gets the contract as well. Zaman Khan, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani included in list of contracted players.

    The issue of the central contract of Pakistani men cricket team was settled by mutual agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national cricket team.

    The issue of the central contract of national cricketers was pending for a few months as cricketers had objections to many clauses of their contracts. However, all reservations of cricketers have now been addressed.

    National team chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq also played an important role in settling the matter.

    The cricketers’ central contracts expired on June 30, after which the contracts were extended by one month.

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    Sources say that the arrears to the cricketers will be paid according to the new contract.
    The PCB will soon announce the central contract.

  • Good news: the gain of the rupee continues, now at Rs288.75

    Good news: the gain of the rupee continues, now at Rs288.75

    The Pakistani rupee continued to exhibit strength against the US dollar, marking a 0.36 per cent gain in the inter-bank market on Wednesday. Remarkably, this marks the rupee’s 16th consecutive appreciation against the greenback.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee settled at Rs288.75, reflecting an increase of Rs1.05 in the inter-bank market. This follows a 0.37 per cent appreciation observed on Tuesday, settling at Rs289.80.

    Over the past days, the rupee has consistently followed an upward trajectory, showcasing a remarkable recovery of over 6 per cent since reaching a historic low of Rs307.1 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on September 5.

    On the global stage, the US dollar maintained its robust position, trading near a 10-month high against major currencies on Wednesday. This situation is underpinned by the persistent elevation of Treasury yields, driven by expectations of sustained higher US interest rates. Concurrently, the yen faced challenges as it edged closer to a critical intervention threshold.

    Recent statements from Federal Reserve officials have hinted at the possibility of further interest rate hikes, despite the central bank’s decision to hold rates steady the previous week. This has led to an ascent in US Treasury yields to levels not seen in several years, as financial markets recalibrate their expectations regarding the potential peak of US rates and the likelihood of a prolonged period of tight monetary conditions.

    The US dollar index, a gauge of its strength, recently stood at 106.20, having reached a 10-month peak of 106.26 in the preceding session. Meanwhile, the euro remained subdued, hovering close to a six-month low and trading at approximately $1.0569.

  • InDrive expands services in five new cities in Pakistan

    InDrive expands services in five new cities in Pakistan

    InDrive, a passenger transportation company, is expanding its services in five new cities in Pakistan, including Larkana, Kamoke, Sheikhopura, Hafizabad and Okara.

    The motive of this process is to provide better, reliable, convenient, and seamless transportation facilities to passengers across the country.

    “The launch of InDrive in these cities represents an important milestone and solidifies the company’s position as the first choice for modern, efficient, and affordable mobility,” the press release issued by the company said.

    Sidra Khan, the company’s public relations manager, said: “Our new service allows city residents to take public transportation from their homes without having to look for public transportation.”

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    She added that ride-hailing offers many benefits to small-town drivers, including flexible opportunities, reduced unemployment, additional income, improved community connectivity, and a positive contribution to the local economy.

    “This expansion builds on InDrive’s mission to connect people and places while contributing to the growth and development of local people,” the press release concludes.

  • Rocket launcher ‘accidentally’ explodes, killing eight in Sindh

    Rocket launcher ‘accidentally’ explodes, killing eight in Sindh

    A rocket launcher shell exploded inside a home in the Kandhkot area of interior Sindh on Wednesday, SAMAA has confirmed. Eight people, including five children, died in the explosion while six others were injured.

    Three individuals are Saif to be in a critical condition.

    The shell of the rocket launcher had been warehoused and suddenly exploded.

    According to the initial investigation, family members found the rocket launcher shell in a nearby farm field, and they took it to the house for safekeeping. However, children in the house started using the shell as a toy.

    Local authorities have been alerted, and police have cordoned off the affected area.