Author: newsdesk

  • Will we have elections? Chief Justice gives his opinion

    Will we have elections? Chief Justice gives his opinion

    During a seminar on the rights of minorities, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, on Sunday emphasised the importance of implementing the constitution, stating that it is their duty to hold elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution as outlined in the constitution.

    He was speaking at a conference named after the late CJP AR Cornelius on the issues faced by minorities.

    “When it comes to constitutional enforcement we [SC judges] must not blink our eyes. If it says 90 days for holding the polls, it is our duty to say that and not our choice,” said the CJP.

    The top judge further stated that protecting the constitution is their fundamental duty, and that he had been informed about ongoing negotiations among political parties.

    “There is a need to follow the constitution without looking for any excuses,” remarked the chief justice.“You may call it a dispute, but I will not.”
    The CJP also said that courts cannot pass executive orders.

  • Sonam Kapoor’s mother on cloud nine after daughter performs at coronation concert

    Sonam Kapoor’s mother on cloud nine after daughter performs at coronation concert

    Sunita Kapoor, mother of Bollywood actres Sonam Kapoor, took to Instagram to express her happiness as her daughter delivered a “spoken word performance” at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert.

    The concert was organised to celebrate the monarch a day after the historic coronation held at Westminster Abbey. Sonam Kapoor introduced various choir performers from the Commonwealth and took the center stage at the event. Sunita Kapoor shared a video of her daughter’s speech on Instagram along with a note, “So proud! Such an honour.”

    Sonam Kapoor began her speech with “Namaste”. She said that the Commonwealth is a union. “Together we are one-third of the world’s people. One-third of the world’s ocean. One-quarter of the world’s land. Each of our countries is unique, and each of our people is special, but we choose to stand as one, learning from our history. Blessed by our diversity, driven by our values, and determined to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous future for everyone, where every voice is heard.”

    Sonam Kapoor’s dress was designed by Anamika Khanna and Emilia Wickstead.

  • IMF asks for more effort from Pakistan, loan programme in jeopardy

    IMF asks for more effort from Pakistan, loan programme in jeopardy

    Despite assurances from friendly countries regarding external funds for Pakistan, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains unconvinced and is asking Islamabad to make additional efforts to unlock a loan programme.

    According to sources, Pakistan has been requested to present a repayment plan for a $3.7 billion loan to the IMF in June and to demonstrate stronger support from friendly nations to fulfill this obligation.

    However, the IMF has not yet accepted a proposal to exchange reserves worth between $11 to $12 billion, equivalent to two months’ revenues. The Ministry of Finance has stated that the government has imposed Rs170 billion in taxes through a mini-budget to secure a staff-level agreement with the IMF, which was initially scheduled for February 9th.

    It is noteworthy that the IMF has not included Pakistan in any agenda until May 17th. The budget-making process may also be affected if transactions with the IMF are not concluded, as funding will not be available from international financial institutions without a staff-level agreement.

    Last month, the staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund was postponed due to the lender’s new demand.

    Finance Secretary Hamid Yakoob’s meeting with the International Monetary Fund in the United States did not yield positive results as the lender requested the arrangement of $1 billion from commercial banks to unlock the loan program.

    The staff-level agreement, originally scheduled for February 9th, was delayed due to the IMF’s demands.

  • Babar Azam opens up on teammates’ blunt and angry statements

    Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has cleared his stance on the comments and tweet made by his teammates, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam ul Haq, during the recently completed five-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand, which has been won by the Pakistan 4-1.

    In the post-match press conference after the fifth ODI in Karachi, Babar shared his opinion on his teammates’ statements and clarified the team’s stance on the matter.

    Prior to the third One-Day against New Zealand, wicket keeper Muhammad Rizwan showed concerns on batting at number 5, stating, “Personally I am not happy with this position.

    I want to play at number 4, that is completely my wish I am not demanding neither I am imposing my wish on any anyone. I can perform better in the number 4 position that’s totally my thinking.” He concluded.

    The Pakistan captain, however, took a more measured approach to the situation and said that Rizwan shared his wish to bat up in the order but also emphasized that the players were well aware of the team’s requirements and priorities.

    “Rizwan said it’s my wish to play at four but we will have to keep the team’s requirement in mind and that’s how we will communicate with the players. This is a team where no player says I want to play at this specific number,” Babar said.

    “Everyone is playing for Pakistan and Rizwan has performed at both batting positions. Every player is striving for the team’s win and Rizwan is one of the best players…he has won us many games,” he added.

    On the other hand, Imam posted a cryptic tweet on Sunday morning, which garnered a lot of attention from fans, who thought that the opener is disappointed after being dropped in the fourth and fifth ODI match against the Kiwis.

    Babar said that the level of unity within the team was good and they have a culture of resolving any internal conflicts within the team itself, rather than taking them public.

    “I haven’t checked my mobile and don’t know what Imam has tweeted. There are no disgruntled players in our team and the unity is good. We try to resolve our matters within ourselves and not take them out,” Babar replied to a question about Imam’s aforementioned tweet.

    “We are like a family and our trust level is very good. I don’t think Imam’s tweet would be related to him being excluded from final two ODIs,” he added.

  • Man kills wife, two-sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law over domestic dispute

    Man kills wife, two-sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law over domestic dispute

    A man in Abbottabad killed his wife, two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law over a domestic dispute, ARY ha reported. As per details, the man hailing from Lari Banota, Abbottabad opened fire on his wife and two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law. 

    According to the police officials, the four family members died instantly, and one person was taken to the hospital due to injuries.

    The suspect fled the scene after killing his four family members. Police are investigating the case and raids are being conducted to arrest the suspect.

  • ADB recommends targeted subsidies and tax reforms for Pakistan’s economic recovery

    ADB recommends targeted subsidies and tax reforms for Pakistan’s economic recovery

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recommended that Pakistan implement targeted subsidies to alleviate inflationary pressures and improve the tax-to-GDP ratio in order to emerge from the current state of economic uncertainty.

    Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General of the Central and West Asia Department, and Yong Ye, Country Director of the Pakistan Resident Mission, emphasised the significance of targeted subsidies to help the most vulnerable segments of society, as well as the mobilization of domestic resources to bolster the national economy. They also suggested strengthening the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and improving its verification process to ensure that the assistance reaches only those who require it.

    Zhukov noted that the ADB has been providing financial assistance to the government to strengthen social security through the BISP programme since 2016. The ADB has provided $600 million in conditional cash transfers for health and education since 2021, and an additional $1.5 billion under the Countercyclical Support Facility.

    A significant portion of this funding will be directed to the BISP to provide necessary assistance to those most affected by ongoing difficulties. Zhukov further suggested that Pakistan should improve its revenue collection, as its tax-to-GDP ratio of 10 per cent is one of the lowest in the region. He cautioned that if the government is only collecting 10 per cent, it may not have adequate resources to provide support and boost income.

    Yong Ye indicated that the ADB, World Bank, European Union, and United Nations had pledged assistance to Pakistan after devastating floods last year, and a second meeting of the Geneva conference was scheduled to take place soon to discuss progress. Zhukov expressed sympathies for flood victims and stated that the ADB had approved a $1.5 billion programme for Pakistan before the floods to address the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the country’s economy, which was then repurposed to provide social protection for the flood-affected people.

    The ADB has approved additional emergency assistance, including a $175 million loan and $5 million in grants, to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and develop a stronger infrastructure that can withstand future floods. The bank is working with Pakistan and other partners, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to introduce important structural reforms in public finance management, domestic resource mobilization, and energy sector reforms. The ADB is committed to collaborating with its partners and the Pakistani government to ensure that the reform agenda is advanced.

  • Windows 10 nearing end of life: Microsoft recommends users to switch to Windows 11

    Windows 10 nearing end of life: Microsoft recommends users to switch to Windows 11

    Microsoft has announced that it has completed major updates to Windows 10 and is now recommending users to upgrade to Windows 11.

    Windows 10 version 22H2 is the latest and last version of the operating system, and Microsoft will provide monthly security updates for all Windows 10 editions until the end of support on 14th October 2025.

    However, the company clarified that existing long-term servicing channel (LTSC) releases will continue to receive updates beyond the end-of-support date.

    If you choose to stay with Windows 10 after the end-of-support date, your PC will remain functional, but without security updates, it will become more vulnerable to various security risks.

    This move by Microsoft is intended to encourage users to make the transition to Windows 11, which was rolled out in October 2021 and deployed to all eligible devices in May 2022.

    Windows 11, the latest operating system by Microsoft, includes new design elements and additional features and productivity tools that are available on the best Windows laptops.

  • Bye bye Buzdar? Elahi says Khan has promised him the CM seat

    Bye bye Buzdar? Elahi says Khan has promised him the CM seat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Pervaiz Elahi has claimed that party chief Imran Khan has “promised” to give him the chief minister’s post once again if their party wins the election in Punjab.

    Discussing the current political crisis, Elahi said that when he agreed to dissolve the assembly, Khan offered him the post of the central president of the party and promised him that he or his son Moonis Elahi would be the next CM of the province.

    When asked that Imran has said that Punjab dissolution took place on former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s directives, Elahi said that he had “no discussion with him over this issue.”

    He clarfied that PTI respects the real establishment, however, there are some intruders, so the party cannot side with them.

    He admitted that Khan’s fight was with Bajwa, adding that now that the former army chief is gone, new people had come in, so Khan doesn’t want more fights.

    About the raid at his homes in Lahore and Gujrat last week, the PTI leader chose not to name who he thinks are responsible, saying “Everyone knows who they are”.

    Last month, PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said that the senior leadership of the party, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Hammad Azhar, and himself didn’t get party tickets for the upcoming Punjab election although it was widely speculated that they wanted one for the CM seat. Meanwhile, both former CMs of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi and Usman Buzdar were given a ticket.

  • Female wrestlers in India are protesting on roads, but why?

    Female wrestlers in India are protesting on roads, but why?

    Top female wrestlers in India are protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, an influential politician who has been accused of sexually harassing and intimidating female athletes, calling for him to be held responsible.

    Singh has been accused of harassing seven female wrestlers and one minor.

    Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?

    Singh, who has been heading the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) since 2011, is a six-time member of parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    No action against harassment:

    Following accusations of sexual harassments, a panel was formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in January to investigate the matter. The Sports Minister of India, Anurag Singh Thakur, had stated that the investigation would be concluded within four weeks. Although the inquiry report was prepared in April, the conclusions were not disclosed to the public.

    Despite mounting pressure for his resignation as President of the WFI, Singh has chosen to disregard these demands He has refuted the accusations, stating that they are part of a scheme to tarnish his image.

    The wrestlers in India have claimed that the government has not acted quickly enough in response to allegations of sexual harassment, despite the sport ministry’s January announcement that it would investigate the matter. This complaint comes three months after the ministry’s statement.

    Singh was booked by the Delhi Police on April 28, but has escaped further action thus far.

    Background of female wrestlers in India:

    Wrestling in India is plagued by sexual harassment, with many wrestlers hailing from humble backgrounds in the northern state of Haryana, which can make them vulnerable to intimidation by powerful officials.

    This problem is not limited to wrestling, as other sports in India have also seen incidents of sexual harassment, including the national cycling team and the women’s under-17 football team. The Sports Authority of India received 30 complaints of sexual harassment in the past five years, according to the sports minister’s response to a parliamentary query.

  • Fact Check: Did Bilawal visit graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war?

    Fact Check: Did Bilawal visit graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war?

    Claim: A tweet is being circulated on social media, stating that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war against Pakistan. Along with the tweet is a photo of the Foreign Minister wearing a heavy black coat as he stands before a wreath placed at a memorial.

    The tweet has been shared more than 4093 times.

    https://twitter.com/p4pakipower1/status/1654573262955839488

    Fact: The picture is from foreign minister’s visit to Lithuania earlier this year. During the visit, Bilawal laid a wreath at the monument of Lithuanian martyred freedom fighters.

    Verdict: The claim is false.

    Verdict: The claim is false