Author: newsdesk

  • Justice Munib Akhtar recuses himself from bench in Article 63A case

    Justice Munib Akhtar recuses himself from bench in Article 63A case

    The Supreme Court (SC) Justice Munib Akhtar has refused to join the five-member bench hearing the petition seeking a review of the previous apex court ruling on the defection clause under Article 63A of the Constitution.

    Chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, the bench was supposed to comprise Justices Munib Akhtar, Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.

    Following the absence of Justice Munib Akhtar, however, the bench did not hear the case on Monday.

    Justice Akhtar’s decision comes against the backdrop of his removal from the three-judge committee established under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, after the promulgation of an amendment ordinance granting the CJP the authority to select any judge as the committee’s third member.

    Qazi Faez Isa stated that according to the Practice and Procedure Act, a three-member committee of the Supreme Court would again discuss and make a decision on the formation of a new bench if Justice Munib Akhtar does not join it.

    Earlier, after the amendments to the Practice and Procedure Act, CJP Qazi Faez Isa prioritised the fifth senior judge, Justice Aminuddin Khan, over the third senior judge, Justice Munib Akhtar, in the three-member committee.

  • Hassan Nasrallah’s body found intact; suffocated from toxic fumes

    Hassan Nasrallah’s body found intact; suffocated from toxic fumes

    Newsweek reveals that, according to a report released by Israeli media, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s death was caused by suffocation from toxic fumes after an Israeli airstrike hit the bunker he was hiding in.

    The report states that the deceased leader’s body was believed to have been pulled from the rubble after the building around him exploded.

    There were no visible wounds on his body, suggesting it remained intact and that he died from suffocation due to the fumes.

    Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Saturday confirmed its leader Hassan Nasrallah had been killed, after Israel said it had “eliminated” him in an air strike a day earlier.

    “Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary General of Hezbollah, has joined his great, immortal martyr comrades whom he led for about 30 years,” Hezbollah said in a statement.

    The statement confirmed he was killed with other group members “following the treacherous Zionist strike on the southern suburbs” of Beirut.

    In the Lebanese capital Beirut, AFP journalists heard a passerby screaming, “Oh my God”, while women wept in the streets right after Hezbollah announced the news.

    Gunfire could also be heard in Beirut, a gesture to mourn the fallen leader, a charismatic religious figure who is idolised by supporters.

    An AFP correspondent saw a woman wearing a black veil on the street who yelled: “Don’t believe them, they’re lying, Sayyed is well” — a reference to Nasrallah.

    Israeli jets pounded Beirut’s south and its outskirts throughout the night into Saturday in the most intense attacks on the Hezbollah stronghold since the group and Israel last went to war in 2006.

    Nasrallah had rarely been seen in public since 2006.

    He was elected secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992, aged 32, after an Israeli helicopter gunship killed his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi.

  • Yo Yo kar raha hai mera dil: Honey Singh hints at coming to Pakistan

    Yo Yo kar raha hai mera dil: Honey Singh hints at coming to Pakistan

    Indian Punjabi rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh has expressed a desire to come to Pakistan.

    At the colorful ceremony IIFA Awards 2024 in Dubai,the Indian Punjabi rapper, who recently collaborated with famous Pakistani singer Wahab Bugti and Sindhi folk singer Sahib, was asked what he wanted to say to his Pakistani fans.

    On the journalist’s question, Honey Singh said, “My message for them is to pray that I come to Pakistan to perform soon.”

    Answering another question, the Indian Punjabi rapper listed off his favorite Pakistani artists.

    He said, “Khan Sahib likes Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Butt Sahib, Ali Azmat, Atif Aslam, Mehwish Hayat, Sanam Marvi, Mansoor Malangi, Allah Dita etc.”

    He said, “I have been doing concerts in Dubai for 12 years, which are attended by a large number of Pakistani fans, who say that ‘we have money, so we buy tickets.’ They come to the concert in Dubai, but there are many fans in Pakistan who cannot come here. I will come to Pakistan for them.”

    On the journalist’s question, he confirmed, “I am touring England for the first time next year, and after that, if I get time and Pakistan calls me, I will definitely come.”

  • Stock market witnesses decline: Investor confidence plummets amidst political turmoil

    The trading floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) buzzed with worried whispers today as traders witnessed a slump in the KSE-100. A drop of 177.93 points (or 0.22 per cent) in the Karachi Stock Exchange – KSE-100 – reflected the bearish sentiments gripping investors, causing them to prefer selling their shares over holding them.

    Meanwhile, the secondary benchmark for the PSX, the All Share Index (ALLSHR), fared even worse. It dropped by 163.78 points, equivalent to an alarming 0.32 per cent drop.

    What’s especially worrying is the dip in the KSE-30. This index, which monitors the performance of the shares of the largest and most traded companies, witnessed a decline of 0.13 per cent.

    Moreover, the day spelt bad news for individuals who had invested in KMI30 (Meezan index), as it experienced a sharp plummet of 543.59 points, which translates into a 0.44 percent drop.

    Local companies, such as PIA holding company B, saw a massive share value decrease of PKR 67.29, translating into an ugly 7.28 per cent decrease in share value. Some companies, such as Siemens Pak and Shell, however, stayed in the green.

    Could this result in a diversion of investments from local to multinational companies?

    What is certain, though, is that the drop in these indexes and the fall in prices of local companies reflect falling investor confidence in the local economy. This can safely be attributed to the recent political instability, with KPK’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur calling for a revolution and stating that they will adopt a “bullet for bullet” modus operandi.

    If this bearish trend persists, the hysteria could spread overseas to foreign investors with vested interests in the PSX, thus triggering panic selling. This can be detrimental as, according to the PSX financial highlights, 14.49 per cent of all outstanding shares are currently held by foreign investors.

    Companies will surely look towards the SBP (State Bank of Pakistan) to lower interest rates. The new rates would enable companies to raise capital by incurring debt instead of giving up equity to shareholders.

    While this is a good answer to curbing the PSX’s decline by encouraging greater investment levels supported by borrowing, the question now arises: Will this be the answer for the SBP, too?

  • Hiba Ali Khan reveals major flashbacks expected in ending of ‘Jaan Nisar’

    Hiba Ali Khan reveals major flashbacks expected in ending of ‘Jaan Nisar’

    Actress Hiba Ali Khan gave an interview to Independent Urdu where she talked about the last few episodes of the drama serial Jaan Nisar which will include major flashbacks to reveals why her character is so obsessive and negative.

    Hiba Ali said, “Kashmala can’t be justified, but at least I can give 20 percent justification for the hatred you all have towards her. In the end, in the last few episodes, you’ll get a complete flashback that will reveal why Kashmala became the way she is, and that she too has been wronged in a way. I am not defending Kashmala, she is indeed a wrong person.”

    “All your curses for her are justified, and bad people should face consequences in the end. But still, Kashmala has a side that made her this way. So, nobody is a born criminal; circumstances and situations can turn people into something else. I feel that this aspect is totally ignored, and she is completely misunderstood, as if her side of the story doesn’t even exist,” the actress added.

  • Atif Aslam stops concert to fulfill fan’s request, video goes viral

    Atif Aslam stops concert to fulfill fan’s request, video goes viral

    Singer Atif Aslam stopped in the middle of a concert to fulfill a fan’s request. A video of the interaction went viral on social media.

    In the viral video, it can be seen that during a concert in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a female fan approached the stage to take a selfie with the singer, but security personnel pushed her back, preventing her from moving forward. She stumbled after losing her balance.

    Arif saw the scene unfolding while performing on stage. He paused the concert to say, “Be gentle with the fans.”

    At that point, a security official told Atif Aslam, “These fans are coming forward to take a selfie with you.”

    After listening to the security guard, he invited the fan on stage to take a selfie with him.

    Check the video below:

  • Schools shut down as Kurram tribal clashes continue

    Schools shut down as Kurram tribal clashes continue

    A clash between tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)”s district Kurram has affected people’s livelihood amidst relentless fighting.

    Different roads have been blocked, including the Peshawar Parachinar road, police officials told Geo News.

    Chairman of Private Schools Management Muhammad Hayat Khan said that educational institutions have been closed for one week following the tense situation in Kurram.

    Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javed Ullah Mehsud stated that efforts are underway, in collaboration with advisors and a jirga, to stop the active lethal disputes.

    According to local people, the Afghan Kharlachi border has been closed for nine consecutive days as the situation deteriorated.

    They further claimed that residents are facing severe difficulties including acute shortages of commodities, medicine, fuel and other basic facilities.

    Earlier, clashes erupted between rival tribes of Bushehra and Ahmadzai following the construction of trenches on disputed land.

  • Latest IMF bailout: Temporary relief?

    Latest IMF bailout: Temporary relief?

    Whispers of the latest disbursement of the IMF package to Pakistan can be heard in Islamabad as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to release $1.1 billion to the cash-strapped nation on September 30.

    But what does this mean for the economy and, more importantly, the Rupee?

    To figure that out, we must consider the historical relationship between IMF loan programs and the value of the PKR alongside other economic indicators.

    The release of IMF funds signals the commitment of the country to IMF-stipulated reforms and financial stability. This will boost investor confidence as they will know Pakistan is committed to maintaining fiscal discipline and policy stability. The PKR, as a result, will appreciate as financial capital inflows to the country will rise.

    With the availability of these funds, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) can partake in open market operations to artificially increase the value of the PKR. The SBP can buy PKR in circulation using the freshly gained foreign exchange reserves.

    This move is likely to reduce inflation in the short term as well, leading to everyone breathing a much-needed sigh of relief because, as per the Finance Division of the Government of Pakistan, the Consumer Price Index inflation rate sits at an uneasy 26 per cent for July-April FY 2024.

    As far as inflation is concerned, the IMF-mandated fiscal discipline will lead the government to take austerity measures. To put it simply, government expenditures will be slashed while taxation will increase.

    The government is likely to want to retain the IMF’s goodwill to guarantee the disbursement of the remaining $5.9 Billion. These austerity measures will reduce consumer demand for goods and services, resulting in a decline in the inflation rate, thus easing inflationary pressures plaguing the economy.

    While reduced government expenditure will result in a fall in the GDP growth rate initially, it’s not all doom and gloom.  

    The fall in government expenditures should help private investors, as the financial scale of Government projects will shrink, causing interest rates to decline.

    This is true for two reasons.

    Firstly, the government often borrows money from local banks at exorbitant rates, putting upward pressure on the interest rates. This crowds out private investments as investors are not keen to borrow money at high interest rates. If the government ceases to borrow money from local banks, interest rates are expected to decline.

    Secondly, the decline in government expenditures will reduce inflation that was previously caused by expansionary fiscal policy. This will allow the SBP to target a lower interest rate, as inflation will be lower.

    The main question for the curious reader, however, should be whether Pakistan is likely to ever get out of its debt problems.

    Having spent the past 22 out of 30 years in bailout programs, Nadeem ul Haque doesn’t think so, as he called Pakistan an IMF addict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has, nonetheless, expressed hope and enthusiasm despite the quagmire the economy finds itself in.

    “God willing, this will be Pakistan’s last IMF Programme,” he has claimed.

  • Missing superintendent of Adiala Jail returns home

    Missing superintendent of Adiala Jail returns home

    Former Superintendent of Adiala jail Rawalpindi Muhammad Akram, who had been missing since the night of August 13, reached his home on September 25.

    After allegedly facilitating founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in jail, Muhammad Akram was reportedly missing for multiple weeks, Tribune reported.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Office Assistant Nazim Shah, who was also missing beside Akram, also returned home.

    Muhammad Akram’s case came to the light after the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) sought clarity on the matter.

    Responding to the court, the Additional Attorney General informed the court that the Superintendent Adiala jail was not in the custody of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) and the same was stated by the Ministry of Defence in a written statement to the court.

    Earlier, as per the police report submitted before LHC, the last known location of Muhammad Akram was in G-13 Islamabad. The court declared the police report substandard.

    Later, the Chief Police Officer (CPO) of Rawalpindi requested a 14-day extension from the LHC to recover Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram.

    However, a further hearing was adjourned to September 30.

  • Ushna Shah was not Musaddiq Malek’s first choice in ‘Habs’

    Ushna Shah was not Musaddiq Malek’s first choice in ‘Habs’

     
    In an exclusive interview with The Current Life, actor and director Musaddiq Malek opened up about his casting choices for the drama serial ‘Habs’. 
     
    When we asked, “Ushna Shah was not your first choice,” Musaddiq Malek replied,  “No. Ushna Shah was not my first choice, and whenever she gave me a good take in every shoot, she said ‘Dekh lou’.”
     
    We then asked if he had ever said sorry to her.
     
    “No. I think I believe in destiny, and I think every project which is written from imagination to creation has its destiny and I think you don’t need to put in a lot of effort. God has given you an understanding and you should follow it and it has its own destiny, which Allah directs towards and mehnat kabhi raigah nhi jati,” the Noor Jahan director added.

     
    He didn’t disclose who his original choice was for Habs, stating, 
     
    “I think I’m not going to say it because she is no longer here. I really wanted to work with her with all my heart and soul, but there were some date issues. Then, a different actor came into the picture, and because of their dates, we couldn’t work together.”
     
    Musaddiq Malek has worked as an actor in dramas such as Alif, Meray Paas Tum, and Noor Jahan. He also worked as a director in Habs, written by Aliya Makhdoom, and Noor Jahan, written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah.