Author: newsdesk

  • In 11 hours, Khan followed by 18k, Shehbaz Sharif by 417 followers on new social platform Threads

    In 11 hours, Khan followed by 18k, Shehbaz Sharif by 417 followers on new social platform Threads

    Threads, Meta’s rival to Twitter, has gained at least 10 million users since its launch on Thursday. Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan are also among the newly joined users.

    The PTI chairman has 18,000 followers in the first eleven hours of the launch whereas the PM’s following list was limited to 417.

    The app went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries at 7:00 pm EDT and 4:00 am Pakistan time.

    PM shared a picture of himself working out in his first post on Threads.

    Read more: Twitter’s worst nightmare: Facebook to launch Threads on Thursday as a rival to Musk’s platform

    In response to the growing popularity of Snapchat, Instagram introduced a feature called “stories” in 2016, allowing user posts to disappear after a certain period. More recently, Instagram’s “Reels” feature has aimed to compete with the rising prominence of TikTok.

    The launch of Threads poses a credible threat to Twitter under Musk’s leadership. His attempts to boost revenues and reshape the platform in his own image have faced significant criticism. Following the acquisition last year, Musk downsized the company by approximately 80 per cent and reinstated several banned accounts, including those of former US President Donald Trump and the conservative satirical news site Babylon Bee.

  • Pakistan’s pharma industry exports soar to record-breaking $713 million in FY2022-23

    Pakistan’s pharma industry exports soar to record-breaking $713 million in FY2022-23

    Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has experienced an impressive surge in exports, reaching an all-time high of $713 million during the fiscal year 2022-23. The remarkable boost in exports can be attributed to the increased demand for surgical and medical equipment, as well as pharmaceutical products.

    The data reveals that surgical and medical equipment exports accounted for $407 million, while drugs and pharmaceutical products contributed $306 million to the export value. Surgical equipment exports witnessed a notable increase of 6.03 per cent, while there was a substantial growth of 25.16 per cent in pharmaceutical product exports.

    Sources indicate that the volume of pharmaceutical exports witnessed a remarkable rise of 98.6 per cent during the fiscal year 2022-23. Approximately 51,964 metric tons of medicines and medical devices were exported, demonstrating the industry’s expanding reach.

    In terms of specific quantities, Pakistan exported 26,054 metric tons of medicines and medical equipment, contributing significantly to the impressive growth in the pharmaceutical sector’s export value. The notable growth of 25.3 per cent in pharma export value further highlights the industry’s success in the international market.

    Looking ahead, sources report that the pharma industry has set an ambitious export target of $1 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, indicating the industry’s determination to continue its upward trajectory.

    According to ARY News, industry insiders attribute this substantial increase in exports to the incentives provided to the pharmaceutical sector. The government’s support and facilitation have played a crucial role in boosting the industry’s growth and enabling it to compete effectively on the global stage.

    Furthermore, sources highlight the noteworthy surge in exports of Pakistani medical equipment, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for locally produced ventilators witnessed a significant rise as Pakistan began manufacturing its own ventilators to address critical needs during the health crisis.

    The thriving pharmaceutical industry and its impressive export performance signify Pakistan’s growing influence in the global healthcare market. With continued support from the government and a commitment to innovation and quality, the country’s pharma sector is poised for further growth and success in the years to come.

  • 2013 elections were better than 2008, 2018: EU Parliaments head of Election Observation Mission

    2013 elections were better than 2008, 2018: EU Parliaments head of Election Observation Mission

    Michael Gahler, the head of the Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the European Union (EU) Parliament has said while talking to a group of journalists that the EU will not send its election observer mission to Pakistan for the upcoming elections.
    When asked which elections were better, Gahler said 2013 was better than 2008 and 2018.

    Gahler said he had established 30 recommendations after observing the last few elections.

    “Military doesn’t want to take over because they’d be blamed but they still want to control their areas of interest to ensure they’re not touched,” he commented, adding that media and press was more vivid in 2008 and 2013 but it was to the contrary in 2018.

    He wished that for the next elections, every candidate can stand/contest elections without any influence of a third force. “People deserve proper elections.”

    European External Action Service (EEAS) does annual work plans to decide which countries to send EOMs to. Criteria to take into account: previous quality of elections, political significance, follow-up on past EOMs and its recommendations, logistics (costs, security etc).

    Pakistan elections of 2018 has been one of the largest, most complex and expensive EOMs of the EU.

    For 2023, HRVP decided to send only an expert mission (EMM) to Pakistan.

  • Five Pakistanis arrested for ‘suspicious’ remittances in Israel

    Five Pakistanis arrested for ‘suspicious’ remittances in Israel

    Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five Pakistanis for working in Israel. They were sending ‘suspicious’ remittances to Pakistan, the BBC has reported.

    It is notable that no one can travel to Israel on a Pakistani Passport because the country has never diplomatically recognised Israel.

    Investigation officer Muhammad Iqbal told the BBC that the FIA received information from official sources about the ‘suspicious’ transactions in remittances to Pakistan from Israel. He further added that these transactions took place between 2016 and 2021.

    The FIA has detained five people, and raids are being conducted to arrest another three. According to the FIA, the arrested people belong to religious organisations. However, these religious organisations are not banned.

    The people who have been arrested are from the Mirpur Khas area of Sindh. Among the arrested people, four had ‘Schengen’ visas, which means they can travel to 27 countries in Europe.

  • River Chenab likely to experience ‘exceptionally high’ level flood, warns FFD

    River Chenab likely to experience ‘exceptionally high’ level flood, warns FFD

    The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has issued a warning that heavy rainfall may cause an exceptionally high level flood in River Chenab on Thursday.

    Weather conditions indicate of “very high to exceptionally high level flooding” in River Chenab from July 8 till July 10, FFD said, adding that there is also a high to very high level of flooding expected in the nullahs of rivers Ravi and Chenab.

    The flood alert stated that, “A deep trough of westerly wave along with strong incursion of monsoon currents from both sources and approaching upper air circulation, widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at scattered places is expected over the upper catchments of rivers Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab and up to some extent over River Jhelum.”

    Furthermore, the flood situation in rivers Ravi and Sutlej will depend upon releases from India.

  • Lucky Motor Corporation increases Kia car prices by up to Rs4 lakh

    Lucky Motor Corporation increases Kia car prices by up to Rs4 lakh

    Lucky Motor Corporation Limited (LMCL) has implemented price increases across all Kia car models, with the exception of Picanto Manual, Stonic EX, and Carnival. The company has not provided a specific justification for this price surge.

    It is worth noting that, in contrast to the previous price adjustment, the company has also raised the price of the Picanto. As of July 5, the revised prices for the various models are outlined in the following table:

    Model Old price (Rs) New price (Rs) Hike (Rs)
    Picanto Automatic 3,625,000 3,825,000 200,000
    Stonic EX+ 5,930,000 6,050,000 120,000
    Sportage Alpha 7,050,000 7,300,000 250,000
    Sportage FWD 7,940,000 8,190,000 250,000
    Sportage AWD 8,570,000 8,820,000 250,000
    Sportage Black Edition 9,050,000 9,300,000 250,000
    Sorento FWD 10,400,000 10,800,000 400,000
    Sorento AWD 11,300,000 11,700,000 400,000
    Sorento V6 11,390,000 11,790,000 400,000

    Previously, the company held a notable market share and was mentioned alongside Pakistan’s leading car manufacturers until mid-2022. However, currently, Kia’s car sales have dwindled to merely a few hundred units.

    Although there was a slight increase in sales for the company last month, it was not substantial enough to make a significant impact. Given the prevailing circumstances, it is understandable that all automakers in Pakistan are focused on survival.

  • ‘Pasoori’ virtuoso Sheema Kermani says she’s against remakes amid Bollywood controversy

    ‘Pasoori’ virtuoso Sheema Kermani says she’s against remakes amid Bollywood controversy

    The dancing virtuoso Sheema Kermani has thoughts about remakes after Bollywood remade the Coke Studio hit ‘Pasoori’ in which the dancing legend made an appearance.

    In the past few days, the internet became a battlefield after Bollywood music giant T-Series adapted the massive Ali Sethi and Shae Gill hit, with Ajit Singh for ‘Satyaprem Ka Katha’.

    It was a blazing hellscape, with Indian and Pakistani fans of the original track calling the remake distateful. Shae Gill had to step in to implore to fans to stop sending hate to the singers in a video:

    “And if it’s something you don’t like at all then I would say don’t listen to it. Instead of sending hate, don’t listen to it because not liking something and talking about it in your home is still fine but if you are publicly humiliating and insulting someone then it’s not very nice, is it,” she requested fans of the Pakistani hit.

    Now Kermani has given her two cents on the topic while speaking to Aaj Tak. The feminist activist said she has not watched ‘Pasoori Nu’, and is not a fan of remakes:

    “I haven’t even seen it, so I can’t comment. My feeling about remake songs has always been mixed. The toppers that are popular are remade. First of all, my reaction is that no brother, the original, is the best. The composition is so beautiful, so what is the need to remake it? I don’t like remake culture too much. Although seen in a way, the advantage is that young people are also listening to the old iconic songs. It’s a good thing. Personally, I am against it.”

    During the ‘Pasoori Nu’ controversy, an old video of Ali Sethi singing Arijit Singh’s ‘Aayat’ from the film Bajirao Mastani during an Instagram Live session went viral on the internet, where he praised the singer as one of the best ones from Bollywood:

    “Aapke mulk ke jo sabse zabardast singer he, sabse versatile… I have said this many times, but you know I feel like the sign of a great singer as opposed to say the sign of a very gifted singer, is that they can make it feel effortless and this is what Arijit Singh does with the song Aayat, which I am obsessed with. Which I think is one of the most beautiful songs to emerge from the Indian movie scene in years.”

  • Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Actor Imran Ashraf and his former wife Kiran Ashfaque announced their divorce in October 2022, after being married for four years. Recently, Kiran created a stir on her Instagram account where she wrote that she deeply regretted changing herself for a man, and vowed to never take such a step again.

    “I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
    Do not change ur personality or anything for anyone ❤️
    I did it and i regret it.”

    While it may or may not have been a direct reference to her ex, many Instagram users lauded the influencer’s brave stand on embracing your own body and learning never to change to make others happy

    Previously, Kiran did a Q & A on Instagram with her followers where, after months of silence, she finally opened up about why she chose to divorce the actor. Some of her responses made users feel like that not everything was glamorous behind the scenes as it is in front of the cameras.

    When a user asked Kiran why she had divorced her husband, she snapped back “Go and ask him why did he divorce me.”

    When another user asked Kiran on whether she got a divorce because of her bold nature, her response was:

    “I was always a bold person, but I had changed myself for someone. My advice to everyone is to never change yourself for someone else. Check my old photos on Google babe.”

  • Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan illegal marriage case: Revision appeal filed against Imran Khan

    Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan illegal marriage case: Revision appeal filed against Imran Khan

    A petitioner has filed a revision appeal in an illegal marriage case against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in a district and session courts in Islamabad.

    Petitioner Muhammad Hanif filed the revision appeal against the decision of Civil Judge Nasrmanullah. Session Judge Azam Khan will hear the revision appeal on July 13.

    Session Judge Azam Khan has also issued a notice to Imran Khan and the petitioner.

    It has been stated in the petition that Bushra Manika got separated from her husband, Khawar Manika, without any reason and married Imran Khan. After nikkah with Khan, they remained in Bani Gala.

    The petitioner has requested in the petition that the decision of the civil judge regarding Imran Khan’s marriage be annulled.

  • Court releases ADC after rape survivor deviates from accusation

    Court releases ADC after rape survivor deviates from accusation

    Trigger warning: Rape

    A rape survivor retracted her statement before the Additional Sessions Judge in the case she had filed against the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) in Mianwali.

    A hearing was held on the rape case in a Mianwali court on Thursday, in which the petitioner appeared before the judge and deviated from her statement.

    She told the court that no rape had taken place.

    After the woman’s statement, the court dismissed the case and the ADC was released.

    A day earlier, the government official was arrested after a woman from Lahore mentioned in the FIR that the ADC raped her on the pretense of job, as reported by Geo News.