Author: newsdesk

  • Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    AP — Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla El Mangoush, fled the country after the Libyan Prime Minister suspended her on Monday because she met with her Israeli counterpart.

    In its support for Palestine, Libya does not recognise Israel as a state. Thus, the foreign meeting resulted in public outrage. On the contrary, Israel is working on instituting closer relations with the Arab countries.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called their meeting “historic”, and being “the first step” in establishing relations with Libya.

    Israel’s statement regarding the talks came as a surprise. The Speaker’s Office in the Libyan parliament deemed Najla Mangoush’s meeting as treason, and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has called for an investigation.

    On Monday, an Israeli official told the BBC that the meeting was not a “chance encounter” but planned in advance — contrary to Libya’s foreign ministry portrayal.

    According to the official, the two sides agreed to the focus of the published statement, which was due to be published on Monday but was released on Sunday instead after the story was leaked to the Israeli media.

    Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the Israeli foreign ministry of being “amateurish [and] irresponsible” and having committed “a serious failure of judgement”.

    In Sunday’s statement, Eli Cohen revealed the discussions which held “great potential for the relations” between Israel and Libya. He added that they talked about Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture, water management and the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Libya, including renovating synagogues and cemeteries.

    Libya’s Presidential Council requested “clarification” from the government regarding the matter. The Presidential Council operates as head of state and is in charge of the country’s military.

    A letter from the body stated that the meeting between the two foreign ministers “does not reflect the foreign policy of the Libyan state, does not represent the Libyan national constants and is considered a violation of Libyan laws which criminalise normalisation with the ‘Zionist entity’”.

    It also suggested “to apply the law if the meeting took place”.

  • After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After a sharp hike in electricity bills, an increasing number of cases are being filed against LESCO in courts, as people turn towards legal recourse as a last option.

    More than 400 cases were filed against WAPDA within a week.

    The court, taking immediate action, ordered the department to divide the bills into installments.

    Consumers have said that they do not have any other option but to go to court. They have rejected the increase in electricity bills and appealed to the government to provide immediate relief.

  • High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    In a notable shift, the landscape of automobile financing in Pakistan has undergone a substantial transformation, with figures from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) indicating a significant decline. The data, released by SBP, unveils a marked decrease in car financing, plummeting to Rs285.19 billion in July 2023. This represents a notable 20.90 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decrease and a 2.91 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decrease when compared to the figures from July 2022, which stood at Rs360.55 billion, and June 2023, which registered at Rs293.73 billion.

    The primary contributors to this downward trajectory are multi-faceted. Firstly, the imposition of higher interest rates has played a pivotal role in reshaping the car financing landscape. Additionally, the surge in car prices has also contributed significantly to this downturn. Moreover, regulatory restrictions governing the acquisition of loans have created a notable barrier, further impacting the market. Furthermore, the imposition of elevated taxes on the import of automobiles and their integral parts has compounded the challenges faced by the automobile financing sector.

    Contrastingly, in a separate but related sphere, consumer financing for house building displayed a contrasting narrative. SBP’s data reveals that by the conclusion of July 2023, consumer financing for house building registered at Rs211.11 billion, marking a commendable 4.82 per cent YoY increase. According to Mettis Global, this uptick can largely be attributed to SBP’s proactive measures to stimulate the housing and construction sector within the nation. However, in terms of monthly changes, the figures remained relatively static, with a minor decline of 0.57 per cent.

    Meanwhile, financing for personal use, amounting to Rs250.24 billion, experienced a marginal 0.09 per cent YoY decrease. Similarly, on a monthly basis, financing within this category saw a slight downturn of 0.95 per cent. Consequently, the cumulative credit extended to consumers in various segments reached Rs851.22 billion during the assessment month. This overall credit value reflected a notable 4.70 per cent YoY decline and a 0.99 per cent MoM reduction.

    Furthermore, the credit scenario within the private sector depicted a nuanced picture. Outstanding credit to the private sector encountered a minor 0.06 per cent YoY decrease and a slightly more pronounced 1.12 per cent MoM reduction, resting at Rs8.19 trillion in July 2023. In contrast, loans granted to the manufacturing sector exhibited an encouraging 1.12 per cent YoY increase, amounting to Rs4.48 trillion during the review period. However, on a monthly scale, the loans within the manufacturing sector dipped by 1.44 per cent MoM.

    In summation, the marked decline in car financing, as evidenced by SBP’s recent data, underscores the multifaceted challenges that the automobile financing sector in Pakistan is currently grappling with. While interest rates, car prices, and regulatory curbs have contributed to this downward trend, other sectors such as house building and manufacturing loans have demonstrated distinct trajectories. As the nation navigates through these financial dynamics, stakeholders remain vigilant in monitoring and adapting to these evolving circumstances.

  • ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    Superstar Mahira Khan was a guest on Frieha Altaf’s podcast where she opened up about learning to face her mental health struggles, especially after stepping into Bollywood with the Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Raees’, and the 2017 incident where pictures of her smoking with Ranbir Kapoor emerged online. She also talked about the 2016 Uri attack, after which Pakistani actors were banned from working in Bollywood.

    Reflecting on that time, the actress revealed she dealt with immense backlash, calling it “unexpected”.

    Mahira said she was getting scary calls, hateful messages to the point that she couldn’t travel to India to promote ‘Raees’, which was heartbreaking and it began creating anxiety and depression. The ‘Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay’ actress revealed she was constantly seeing her image on television screens, and getting hateful messages telling her to leave India, and it escalated to the point that her faith broke.

    “I developed severe anxiety to the point that one day I had a panic attack and fainted’ recalled Mahira. “That’s the first time I went for therapy.”

    “But that didn’t work out, as I went to several therapists. But either I was not opening up, or the therapist sitting across me would be looking at me with awe thinking ‘what would she have to complain about’?”

    Raees released in 2017, the same year Mahira’s Pakistani film ‘Verna’ released across Pakistan, and at the same time, the picture scandal happened.

    “I couldn’t sleep, my hands would shake,” the ‘Bin Roye’ actress confessed.

    Mahira said she eventually visited a psychiatric hospital, where she was informed that she had manic depression. The actress said for the past six or seven years she has been on anti-depressants. She once tried quitting the meds in the middle which put her in a dark hole.

    “I did understand that there is something beyond me. Beyond the prayers i will do, beyond the friends that will cheer me up, beyond work and success. There is something not right, and it’s okay.”

    The ‘Superstar’ actress said that by talking about her mental health struggles and breaking the stigma surrounding the topic, she hoped more people would learn to approach others for help rather than treat it with shame.

    “I talk it every chance I get. This is the first time I’m opening up about the fact that I’ve been taking medicine for so many years. And when I tried leaving it like I said it was bad… And I was again in and out of hospitals trying to get help. But yes, everybody has ups and downs, bad times and happy times, but clinical depression is real like any other mental illness or physical illness.”

  • Lahore City Police issues traffic plan for Asia Cup matches

    Lahore City Police have issued a traffic order for the three One-Day International (ODI) matches of the 2023 Asia Cricket Cup, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium from September 3 – 6.

    Lahore traffic police chief officer (CTO) Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz said the three ODI matches in regional capitals have been done with proper road arrangements.

    About 2000 police personnel, 10 deputy superintendents, and 110 traffic officers will execute duties during the matches. Superintendence of Police (SP) Sadar Malik Ikramullah, SP city police Shehzad Khan, and SP Headquarters Sohail Fazil will lead the force.

    These officers will execute their duties at hotels, airport, Gaddafi Stadium, and parking points near the stadium. Additionally, 20 fork lifters will be working to handle wrong parking.

    “Cricket fans can park their vehicles at Govt. Collage Gulberg, Liberty parking, and LDA plaza” Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz added.
    On the arrival of the Afghanistan Cricket team, foolproof security was provided to them from the Airport hotel under the supervision of (CTO) Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz.

    Moreover, arrangements had been made from the hotel to the Gaddafi Stadium and then back to the hotel.
    “Roads will be closed for a short period during the arrival and departure of the teams and then all diversions will be opened,” Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz said.

    Read More: Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 cricket kit unveiled

    Traffic will run as usual on Canal Road, Mall Road, Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, and Main Boulevard Gulberg Road, he added.

    He further stated that the traffic coming from Canal Road, Mall Road, and Jail Road will enter the college’s main gate from Ferozepur Road. They will also be guided by the Rasta App and Rasta FM 88.6 and via Social media.

    The first match of the Asia Cup 2023 will be played on August 30 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between Pakistan and Nepal.

  • PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) asking for general elections to be conducted in Pakistan within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), Geo has reported.

    The petitioner, Omar Ayyub, who is also PTI’s Secretary General, requested the court to direct President of the country Dr Arif Alvi to announce a date for the elections and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue an election schedule accordingly.

    On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has asked the electoral body to issue an election schedule along with the delimitation schedule in order to avoid any confusion. On Monday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supported the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding elections after the delimitation of constituencies.

    According to the ECP’s official statement issued after the meeting, both parties made their stances clear in front of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, who was also part of the meeting.

  • ‘I am upset’ Maryam Nawaz worried about public’s high bijli bills, says father can save everyone

    ‘I am upset’ Maryam Nawaz worried about public’s high bijli bills, says father can save everyone

    Chief Organiser and Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated that just as the country was saved from the risk of default within 16 months, similarly, her party under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, will also lessen public burden of inflation and skyrocketing electricity bills.

    “We saved Pakistan from default within 16 months, and now we will shield the people from inflation. It’s upsetting that the public has to face challenges like inflation and increased electricity charges,” she said during a meeting with leaders and officials of the party’s Punjab Women Youth Wing in Lahore.

    “If the process of development had not been halted, there would not have been any tears in the eyes of the common man today. The issues of today have emanated from the four-year era of project Imran,” she added in reference to arch-rival Imran Khan who was deposed through a Vote of No Confidence in April 2022.

    Maryam stated that only an elected government will be capable of curbing the demon of inflation and of initiating a period of progress and contentment.

    “InshaAllah, just as we eradicated load-shedding, terrorism, and lawlessness in Karachi, we can also control inflation. Nawaz Sharif is the guarantee of Pakistan’s progress, and he alone can liberate us from all these issues,” she said.

    She also reviewed the performance of the women youth wing and said that she feels pride in seeing the active participation of many women in political activities.

    Maryam said that it is her desire that more party tickets should be given to the youth in the next election because the youth have the ability to make Pakistan a strong country.

    She claimed that female students like the PMLN leadership because of their performance, claiming that her party had become the largest youth and women’s party in the country.

    “PMLN leadership has always empowered the youth, they were provided with laptops and interest-free loans for decent employment,” she said.

  • Who are the people using free electricity in Pakistan?

    A sharp hike in electricity bills has led to public protests across the country with consumers burning electricity bills collectively to express their objection to the exorbitant sums. The protesters are demanding that free electricity is not given to WAPDA employees and other officials because it is the general public who has to bear its burden — something they can no longer do.

    We News’ reporter, Bilal Abbasi, has investigated the amount of electricity being used every month by individuals like the Prime Minister, President, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Federal Ministers, Chairman NAB, Governor State Bank, Senior Bureaucrats and senior government officials.

    Here are the details that We News has uncovered:

    During presidency, unlimited power unit; after retirement, 2000 units per month

    According to the President’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges Act 1975, unlimited electricity units will be provided to the President and after their retirement, the President will be able to use 2000 units per month for free.

    After the death of the president, 2000 units of free electricity will be provided to his widowed wife.

    Similarly, the Prime Minister of Pakistan is also provided unlimited free electricity.

    The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other judges have the right to use 2000 units of electricity during and after their service.

    A High Court Judge is provided 800 units of free electricity after retirement.

    22 thousand rupees for utility bills to the Federal Minister

    As per public perception, electricity provided to federal ministers and members of assembly is free of charge; but that isn’t so. Federal Ministers are paid 22,000 rupees in monthly salary to pay all utility bills, while Members of the Assembly are not paid any amount for any utility nor for their official residence ‘Parliament Lodges’.

    Similarly, senior bureaucrats also pay their own electricity bills.

    Chairman NAB 2000 units, Governor State Bank unlimited electricity units

    Chairman NAB is also provided with free electricity units equal to judges of the Supreme Court. They are provided with 2000 units of electricity per month for free.

    The Governor State Bank, however, is provided with unlimited electricity free of cost and the amount is paid by the State Bank. The officers of government institutions are also provided free electricity, but the relevant department/institution pays their bills to WAPDA.

    How many billions of rupees of electricity did WAPDA employees use for free in a year?

    Heavy units are provided free of charge to WAPDA employees and those working in power generation and transmission.

    According to statistics presented by the Ministry of Energy in the Senate Committee, 189,000 WAPDA employees were provided with 34 crore units of electricity for free in a year, using electricity worth 8 billion rupees for free.

    How many electricity units are provided free to WAPDA officers?

    WAPDA earning officers start getting free electricity units from 16th grade onwards. 16th grade officers are provided with 300 units per month, 17th grade officers with 450 units per month, 18th grade officers with 600 units, 19th grade officers with 880 units per month, 20th grade officers with 1100 units while 21st and 22nd scale WAPDA officers are provided with 1300 per month. These power units are provided free of charge. The perks are provided after retirement as well.

  • Petrol and diesel prices expected to surpass Rs300 per litre this week

    As global oil rates surge and the rupee’s value against the US dollar weakens, there are growing indications that petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan could soon breach the significant Rs300 mark. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) is reportedly contemplating recommending a substantial increase in petroleum product prices for the upcoming fortnight, in an attempt to address the challenges posed by these economic dynamics.

    Sources indicate that if the proposal is approved, petrol prices might experience a sharp upswing of around Rs12 per litre, while diesel could see an even more substantial increase of Rs14.83 per litre. These potential hikes, set to take effect from September 1, 2023, have sparked concerns about their impact on the already high inflation rate, which currently stands at 28 per cent.

    A senior official from the Energy Ministry has expressed apprehensions regarding the potential consequences of these price adjustments. Balancing the need to mitigate citizens’ financial burdens with the demands of existing agreements, the government is grappling with a challenging decision. Notably, any attempt to counteract the price hikes could put the caretaker government in a precarious situation, as it might be perceived as a default on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) stipulations tied to a $3 billion standby agreement (SBA) loan.

    The depreciation of the rupee against the dollar has further fueled the need for these adjustments. With the dollar’s value reaching Rs301.75 in the interbank market and around Rs319 in the open market, the impact on petroleum prices is undeniable. The authorities have decided to recalibrate their calculations, opting for a dollar rate of Rs299 to account for the recent Rs12 exchange rate impact.

    Beyond the exchange rate, the recent surge in LC (letter of credit) confirmation charges, marked by a 10 per cent increase, has also played a role in pushing petroleum prices upwards. These charges have contributed to the overall increase in the cost of PSO (Pakistan State Oil) petroleum products. Presently, Mogas (motor gasoline) is priced at Rs290.45 per litre; however, this could rise by Rs12 per litre if the recommendations are greenlit. Similarly, the price of HSD (high-speed diesel) might surge from Rs293.40 per litre to Rs308.23 per litre, assuming the proposed Rs14.83 increase goes into effect.

    According to The News, of particular concern is the potential hike in diesel prices, given its primary use in powering heavy transport vehicles, trains, and various agricultural engines. This ripple effect could raise the cost of essential commodities, putting pressure on consumers’ wallets. 

    On the other hand, a surge in petrol prices would directly affect private transportation, rickshaws, two-wheelers, and small vehicles, disproportionately impacting the budgets of middle and lower-middle-class citizens. The impending decision on petroleum prices presents a delicate challenge for the government, requiring a careful balance between economic realities, inflation concerns, and public sentiment.

  • Son beats father over land dispute; video causes outrage

    Son beats father over land dispute; video causes outrage

    This weekend, a distressing video clip in which a son is brutally beating his father alongside another man in Pakpattan’s Gulshan Farid Colony, was doing the rounds on social media.

    A woman is also seen in the clip, encouraging the son to beat his father.The situation arose due to a property dispute involving four kanals of land.

    Resultantly, Pakpattan Police arrested two suspects, including the son, Fahad Rasool and his ally Zulfikar.According to ARY news, the father, Ghulam Farid, is already bedridden.

    People on X (formerly Twitter) condemned the incident with anger.

    https://twitter.com/InayaAjaz/status/1696159152018526301?s=20

    And while people thanked Pakpattan police for swift action, they criticised the blurring of their faces, stating that the culprits should be made an example.