Author: newsdesk

  • After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    Veteran actor Rashid Mehmood has opened up about suffering medical setbacks after suffering a stroke. The event has impacted movement in his hands, face and tongue, the actor revealed, adding that he received limited financial assistance from the government upon appealing for help.

    “I don’t need charity,” revealed the former ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ star to Daily Point. “I need respect and dignity.”

    The actor, who had worked in renowned dramas like ‘Saheen’, recalled his disappointment when he received a check of Rs200,000 from the government upon appealing for financial assistance. “After working hard all my life, my worth was only 2 lac rupees.”

    Former Coke Studio singer Asad Abbas has also appealed to his fans and other singers to help fund a surgery as he battles kindey failure. Abbbas, who sang the OST for ‘Raqs-e-Bismil’, revealed to the Daily Pakistan podcast that his family members had spent everything they had on his operation, while most of the public figures he had collaborated with had not inquired after his health or sent any help. He currently needs PKR 50 million in order to fund his treatment in the US.

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui shared a clip of Abbas where he appealed to fans and other public figures to fund his kidney transplant, and shared that he is getting four dialyses sessions per day. In the caption, Siddiqui highlighted Abbas’ achievements as a singer:

    “Asad Abbas has graced our lives with his beautiful voice,capturing our hearts with his soulful performances and musical genius. Sadly, behind the curtain of his immense talent, he is today waging a personal battle that has left him in a state of extreme financial distress.

    He is currently grappling with a critical kidney issue, which has not only taken a toll on his health but has also created significant financial burdens.

    It is in times like these that we, as a community, need to rally together and extend our support to someone who has given us countless moments of joy through his music. As an artist too, it is our responsibility to stand by fellow artists and help them during their times of need.

    I appeal to each and every one of you to contribute whatever you can to assist Asad Abbas in this trying time. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in easing his financial burdens and allowing him to focus on his recovery and return to doing what he loves most – creating beautiful music.

    You can donate here—
    Support Asad Abbas for Kidney Transplant
    PK46HABB0001437900548101.
    Habib Bank Asad Abbas.
    Jazz Cash 03003456490.
    Easy Pesa 03003456490.”

  • FBR faces Rs75 billion shortfall in annual tax collection target

    FBR faces Rs75 billion shortfall in annual tax collection target

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is currently confronted with a shortfall of Rs75 billion in attaining the revised annual tax collection target of Rs7,200 billion for the fiscal year.

    Despite collecting Rs7,125 billion, which falls short of the revised target, the FBR faces a net revenue shortfall of Rs75 billion for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

    Originally, the FBR’s annual tax collection target was established at Rs7,640 billion for the outgoing fiscal year, subsequent to the unveiling of the mini-budget in February 2023.

    To generate additional revenue, the government implemented various measures, including an increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate from 17 per cent to 18 per cent, the application of a higher GST rate of 25 per cent on luxury goods, and a 154 per cent rise in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes.

    However, over the past four months, the FBR failed to generate the anticipated additional revenue, leading to a downward revision of the revenue collection target from Rs7,640 billion to Rs7,200 billion by the end of June 2023.

    Notably, Minister for Finance and Revenues, Ishaq Dar, took to Twitter to highlight the achievement of the highest-ever tax collection for the outgoing fiscal year.

    He stated, FBR has collected Rs7,000 billion in taxes for the first time in the country’s history as of June 26, 2023, and expressed optimism that the revenue collection would further increase by June 30, 2023.

    It is expected that the FBR will issue a formal statement regarding the revenue collection in due course.

  • Javed Latif demands punishment for those who launched ‘Chairman PTI’

    Federal Minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Javed Latif, has demanded punishment for the individuals who launched project “PTI Chairman”, Express Urdu has reported.

    While talking to media personnel in Lahore, Javed Latif said that an institution initiating self-accountability sends a positive message, and other institutions should also follow the line.

    He further added that if the individuals who have launched this project [PTI] are not arrested and punished, a similar incident like May 9 could happen again.

    If the serving members can face a court-martial, then the retired officers should also held accountable, he opined.

    Latif further said that both the facilitators and masterminds of May 9 events, no matter how powerful they may be, should face punishment.

  • No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    Freedom of expression in India is shrinking as the last remaining Chinese reporter has been expelled from New Delhi. The visa extension of the last Chinese reporter, who was associated with the Chinese official News agency Xinhua, was denied by Indian authorities last month.

    The expulsion marks the first instance in history that not a single Chinese journalist is present in India since 1980.

    Critics say that the action reflects that there is no space for journalists in Modi’s government.

    Indian authorities have been accused of taking such steps to hide cruelty against minorities like Muslims, Kashmiris and Dalits.

  • Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    As the country prepares to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29, the residents of Karachi are encountering a pressing issue with the depletion of cash in automated teller machines (ATMs).

    Consumers have expressed their grievances regarding the frequent unavailability of ATM services during the lead-up to Eid festivities.

    “We have made multiple visits to ATMs since this morning, only to find them out of order and devoid of cash,” shared concerned individuals.

    It is not uncommon for consumers to encounter difficulties with ATMs nearing the arrival of Eid. This situation arises due to the heightened demand for cash withdrawals, particularly for the purchase of sacrificial animals.

    Pakistan is set to observe Eid on June 29 (Thursday). The government has declared a four-day holiday for the public, including the Day of Arafah, which falls on June 28.

  • Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on July 4, over lack of facilities provided to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.

    Chairman Noor Alam Khan, while presiding over a PAC meeting, criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, emphasising that being a minister requires effective performance, not just holding the position.

    Noor informed the committee that he had personally witnessed the plight of the pilgrims and had received videos and written complaints highlighting their difficulties.

    Noor Alam said that not a single complaint had been received during the tenure of the pervious minister, late Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who died in a car accident.

    “This year, the situation is totally messed up. The President and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone for Hajj but pilgrims are suffering. The President and the Minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added

  • PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Eid-Ul-Azha is the symbol of sacrifice, equality and compassion.

    In a tweet posted from his official account, the Premier wrote that the occasion “fosters unity by reducing socio-economic inequalities and creates feelings of empathy and complete surrender before Allah Almighty”

    https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1673912422158172162?s=20

    He has also extended Eid-ul-Azha greetings to all Muslims and specifically overseas Pakistani, who are celebrating Eid today (Wednesday).

  • Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    During an appearance on Express News programme Kal Tak, Aleem Khan, the president of newly established Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) Party, has said that Jahangir Tareen would be their candidate for premiership in the next general election.

    “[We] will contest against PTI and PDM in the next election because people are against both these parties. IPP will not make seat adjustments with any party in the polls,” he revealed.

    Aleem also confirmed that he invited Asad Umar to join the party, adding that many lawmakers will join IPP after Eid.

    At present, IPP comprises of more than 100 former legislators and leaders of PTI.

    Tareen himself was once considered one of the key figures in PTI, largely credited for getting independent candidates to join the party in 2018, paving the way for the formation of a coalition government.

  • Indian soldiers accused of forcing Muslim worshippers to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in occupied Kashmir mosque

    Indian soldiers accused of forcing Muslim worshippers to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in occupied Kashmir mosque

    Two former chief ministers of India-held Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, have called for an investigation into an alleged incident where Indian soldiers reportedly forced Muslim worshippers in a mosque in Pulwama to chant Hindu slogans.

    Mufti expressed her concern over the incident and requested a probe into the matter, while Abdullah described the reports as distressing and hoped for a transparent investigation.

    According to Indian media, the soldiers arrived in a village in Pulwama and conducted a nighttime drill, keeping the villagers awake until dawn.

    At sunrise, they allegedly forced the Muezzin to chant “Jai Shree Ram” slogans and detained several villagers, some of whom were subjected to physical assault.

    The incident has drawn attention from senior army officials, who stated that they are assessing the situation and will provide details once they have clarity.

    The army has reportedly apologised to the villagers, and an army major involved in the incident has been removed.