Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lahore, Imran Kishwar, has said in an interview that after receiving the order to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan, when police reached Zaman Park, the doors were locked, thus requiring the need to break them down.

    The DIG told Geo News that while searching the premises, he found ash and taweez in a box. He further said that when I touched them, Imran Khan’s wife, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, resisted and said, “You should not touch them; they are sacred things”. 

    Bushra Bibi misbehaved with the police officials and said, “Police walay hain, Paisy lainy aye hoon gay,” [They are policemen. Must have come to take money], the DIG narrated. 

    Imran Khan got arrested in the Toshakhana case on August 5 and was transferred to Attock jail for a 3-year sentence on the same day.

  • England’s Ben Stokes takes back retirement ahead of ODI Cricket World Cup 2023

    England’s Ben Stokes takes back retirement ahead of ODI Cricket World Cup 2023

    England’s Test Cricket team captain Ben Stokes has taken back his announcement of retiring from ODIs to defend the title of World Cup champions. He will also play in the upcoming home series against New Zealand.
    He announced his retirement from ODI during the series against South Africa last year.
    As Ben Stokes takes back his retirement, the England Cricket team selection panel announced the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand starting from August 30.
    Ben Stokes played a magnificent role in the last World Cup in 2019. He scored an unbeaten 84 runs to pull the team to the super over where Jofra Archer defended against New Zealand.
    “The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again,” England Men’s National Selector, Luke Wright said.

  • Pakistani rupee drops to Rs295 against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee drops to Rs295 against US dollar

    It appears that the Pakistani rupee is poised to shatter previous records and reach an new all-time low, as the local currency continued its decline against the US dollar on Wednesday, decreasing by 1.16 per cent in the inter-bank market.

    By the end of the day, the rupee settled at Rs294.93 against the US dollar, marking a decline of Rs3.42, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    This represents its lowest point since May 11 of this year, when it hovered near Rs299.

    Just one day prior, on Tuesday, the rupee also experienced a setback against the US dollar, concluding at Rs291.51.

  • CNN has exacerbated my ‘pain and suffering’, says Saima Mohsin

    British-Pakistani journalist Saima Mohsin, has won the right to take her former employee, CNN, to a full tribunal at the London Central Employment Tribunal. As per her claims, she was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against following an injury she sustained on an assignment in Israel.

    Previously, CNN claimed that Mohsin cannot bring the matter into a court in London under her contract but following a preliminary hearing last month, Judge Klimov ruled in Mohsin’s favour, allowing her to proceed with her case to sue CNN for negligence.

    Saima Mohsin currently works with Sky News on a freelance basis and has a programme on ITV about living with invisible disabilities.

    In 2014, Mohsin was reporting on the Israel-Palestine conflict from Jerusalem when her cameraman ran over her foot. This damaged her tissue, resulting in chronic pain, forcing her to walk with a stick and reducing her to work part-time only. Mohsin suffered from depression as a consequence. In 2017, CNN terminated her contract. As per a Guardian report, Saima had requested CNN if she could switch to a presenting role in order to reduce the amount of time spent travelling but she was told “You don’t have the look we are looking for”.

    Later, according to Deadline.com, Mohsin “repeatedly indicated her willingness to settle outside of legal proceedings, but CNN has so far declined to do so”. She also said that the news network has exacerbated her “pain and suffering” by continuing with the legal action.

    In her statement, Saima Mohsin said, “I have constantly offered reinstatement or mediation and negotiations. I didn’t ask for this battle while learning to deal with an invisible disability and rebuild my life. But it was important I take a stand.”

  • Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and the Leader of the Opposition, Malik Sikandar, have mutually decided to appoint Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki as the caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Geo News has reported. 

    Balochistan Assembly was dissolved on August 12 when Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar signed the summary of dissolution.

    Ali Mardan Domki is the son of Mir Hazor Bakhsh Domki, who served as senator from 1975 to 1977. The interim CM belongs to the Lahri area of Balochistan.

    After the dissolution of the Sindh and National Assembly, the Balochistan Assembly was the last one to be dissolved.

    Governer Sindh, Kamran Tessori, signed the summary of dissolution moved by CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah on August 11, a day before the completion of the assembly’s constitutional term.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is expected to announce the federal interim cabinet in the next few days.

  • Zulfikar Jr forms Sindh’s first locally initiated wildlife foundation

    Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr., grandson of former Pakistani President and Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, has taken a step forward with advocacy for wildlife and climate justice. In his latest Instagram post, he has announced the launch of Bulhan Foundation.

    Bulhan Foundation aims to “foster a culture of care and compassion for all living beings”. Further details have been given on the foundation’s official Instagram page where they highlight their vision. Their goal is to “operationalize and implement pro-nature and pro-people laws”. Under this ambit, they look forward to the preservation of wildlife as well as indigenous visual cultures.

    Acknowledging that Pakistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, the foundation also intends to be one of the “first responders providing on-the-ground relief” to humans and animals during natural calamities like floods, drought, possible economic-induced famine etc.

    With a solutions-oriented approach, Bulhan Foundation will be Sindh’s first locally initiated wildlife foundation. Bhutto’s sister, author Fatima Bhutto and friend, Menaal Munshey, are the co-founders.

    The mascot for the foundation is the Indus River Dolphin, known locally as Bulhan.

    Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has been working for wildlife protection for a long time now, especially when it comes to dolphins. Earlier this year, at his art exhibition at Como Museum Lahore, he dedicated an entire section to the blind dolphins of river Indus.

  • Output of Pakistan’s main industries declines by over 10%

    Output of Pakistan’s main industries declines by over 10%

    The economic landscape of Pakistan has faced a notable setback, with the Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) output experiencing a decline of 10.26 per cent during the fiscal year 2022–23 when compared to the same period in 2021–22. This concerning information has been revealed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), shedding light on the current state of the country’s industrial sector.

    The provisional Quantum Index numbers of the large-scale manufacturing industries (QIM) further underscore this decline. Specifically, the LSMI output took a significant hit in June 2023, plummeting by 14.96 per cent compared to June 2022. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as the output experienced a slight uptick of 0.98 per cent in comparison to May 2023.

    Diving into the specifics, the LSMI Quantum Index Number (QIM) for June 2023 has been estimated at 112.21, while the QIM for the period of July–June 2022–23 stands at 114.83. These numbers provide a quantitative overview of the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector during this time frame.

    The foundation for these indices lies in data provided by several key agencies, including the OCAC, Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Commerce, and Provincial Bureau of Statistics (BoS). Their collaboration has enabled the creation of the provisional quantum indices of LSMI for June 2023, based on the 2015–16 base year.

    Various industries have played a role in shaping this decline, with notable contributors including food (-1.14 per cent), tobacco (-0.65 per cent), textiles (-3.65 per cent), garments (2.79 per cent), petroleum products (-0.89 per cent), chemicals (-0.52 per cent), pharmaceuticals (-1.85 per cent), cement (-0.86 per cent), iron and steel products (-0.24 per cent), electrical equipment (-0.54 per cent), and automobiles (-2.21 per cent).

    Analysing the production trends over a larger period, July–June 2022–23, as compared to July–June 2021–22, reveals a mixed picture. While there have been increases in production for wearing apparel, furniture, and other manufacturing (football), there have also been notable decreases in food, tobacco, textile, coke, and petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, non-metallic mineral products, machinery and equipment, automobiles, and other transport equipment.

    Industries that demonstrated growth during the July-June period include wearing apparel (27.16 per cent), leather products (1.29 per cent), furniture (35.51 per cent), and other manufacturing (football) (28.99 per cent). However, sectors such as food (6.90 per cent), beverages (6.43 per cent), tobacco (28.36 per cent), textiles (18.68 per cent), and many others have faced declines, indicating a complex and multifaceted economic situation.

    In particular, the petroleum products industry has witnessed a substantial decline of 13.39 per cent during July–June 2022–23. High-speed diesel and furnace oil also experienced negative growth, with decreases of 17.09 per cent and 14.65 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, jet fuel oil managed to buck the trend with a growth rate of 6.63 per cent, suggesting a nuanced narrative within the energy sector.

    Cement production, a crucial indicator of construction and infrastructure activity, also faced a decline of 13.67 per cent during July–June 2022–23, highlighting potential challenges in these sectors.

    As Pakistan navigates through these economic fluctuations, stakeholders and policymakers will need to closely analyse the contributing factors to these declines and strategize effectively to bolster the country’s manufacturing sector, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience in the face of challenges.

  • ‘PCB should delete the video and apologise,’ Wasim Akram shocked at cricket tribute video ‘minus the great Imran Khan’

    On Pakistan’s Independence Day, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), paying tribute to Pakistan cricket over the years. “Making history isn’t just about one day, it’s about the legends we create and the tales we script…Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time,” tweeted PCB with the video.

    https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1691091543350771712

    Interestingly, the video did not show former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan except for a short glimpse. You’d probably miss him if you blinked. Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani noticed this “bareek kaam”.

    PCB has come under fire since posting the video.

    Former cricket captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram, slammed PCB in a tweet.

    “After long flights and hours of transit before reaching Sri Lanka, I got the shock of my life when I watched PCB’s short clip on the history of Pakistan cricket minus the great Imran Khan… political differences apart but Imran Khan is an icon of world cricket and developed Pakistan into a strong unit in his time and gave us a pathway… PCB should delete the video and apologise,” tweeted Wasim Akram on X (former Twitter).

    Caretaker Sports Minister and former pacer Wahab Riaz also criticised the PCB in a press conference.

    “We can never forget the ’92 World Cup. We can never forget the captain. We have always idealised him [Khan] and Insha’Allah, I believe the young generation will also idealise their stars,” said Wahab Riaz.

    Imran Khan is considered to be one of the best and most iconic players in Pakistan’s cricket history. Khan played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan. Khan also led Pakistan to its first series victory in England in 1987 and under his captaincy, Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup.

    Former Captain Pakistan Women’s Cricket Urooj Mumtaz Khan took a dig at PCB and posted, “Imran Khan will go down in history as one of the greats of the global game!”

    Here are some other reactions from users on X (former Twitter):

  • CIE students continue to demand justice

    On August 10, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) announced the results for this year’s May/June A Level examinations, leading to a loud uproar from students who believed that the marking was unjustified. Students have said that their devastation stems from the fact that only a few students have achieved A or B grades while many only managed to get Cs, Ds, Es, and Us.

    This year, Cambridge examinations were disrupted in Pakistan following the May 9 and 12 riot, leading to a shut down across many areas and cities. The riots also resulted in the cancellation of three whole days of examinations.

    While students believe that the CIE grading criteria has been unfair and that the papers should be taken again, Cambridge International on August 13, published an official statement to address the controversy.

    Responding to students, the CIE stated that this year’s marking has returned to the pre-pandemic 2019 standard. This means achieving, for example, an A grade, would mean getting an A grade in 2023. “Students all around the world have seen this return to the 2019 standard,” the statement said.

    The grading has been done on the basis of the components given. CIE has acknowledged the disappointment of students in Pakistan but it has also offered reassurances of its fairness and reliability of grading for the missed exams.

    The anger, however, has refused to cool down. On Tuesday, several students went out on the streets of Lahore and Karachi to protest against the “unfairness”.

    The students demanded retakes so they could improve their grades.

    Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has taken into consideration that many students have not been able to achieve the grade they could have otherwise. According to IBA’s Registrar Dr Asad Ilyas, the number of students who cannot meet their usual admission standards is more than double this time. Henceforth, the university will also reconsider their admission requirements for this year to be fair to the students.

    Nonetheless, A Level students apply to universities across Pakistan and around the globe, and with the grade they have been granted this year, their chances of getting into prestigious universities have lowered.

  • President Alvi returns 13 bills

    President Alvi returns 13 bills

    President Dr. Arif Alvi has returned over a dozen bills for reconsideration by the parliament, resulting in an indefinite delay in their progression since a new assembly will be formed after the general elections, to be held later this year. The bills were approved by both houses of the parliament towards the end of the PML-N-led government’s term.

    Among these bills is the recently proposed amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, aimed at increasing penalties for those found guilty of showing disrespect to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his companions, and other revered religious figures.

    Additional bills that have been sent back include the amendment to the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books Registration legislation, which seeks to change the term ‘federal government’ with ‘Prime Minister’ wherever mentioned in the law.

    Similarly, the Bill for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals aims to shift the jurisdiction over journalist protection from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Information. The National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill is also among the returned bills, proposing revisions to the functions of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and changes in its administrative structure to enhance efficiency and facilitate business operations.

    Furthermore, a returned bill linked to the 2023 amendment of the Imports and Exports (Control) Bill.
    This measure addresses instances of economic difficulty and has been prompted by appeals from the business community and other sectors, seeking temporary relief from import/export-related restrictions.

    President Alvi also returned the bill related to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which seeks to extend the term of the HEC chairman to four years.

    The remaining bills that have been sent back include amendments to the Public Sector Commission legislation, the Institute of Management Sciences Bill, the Horizon University Bill, the Federal University Bill, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Bill, and the National Institute for Technology Bill.