Author: newsdesk

  • 6 things to know about Hamza Sohail, the internet’s new boyfriend

    You’ve probably heard this name to death on the internet: Hamza Sohail. Women are fangirling over the ‘Fairy Tale’ alum, sharing clips from his recent dramas, while the actor’s Instagram following soared from 60K to 251K in a matter of weeks. A lot of us are shocked because a Pakistani man being thirsted over by women is a rare thing. That there is a man out there without a problematic past, is actually humble, respectful and is also an incredibly good actor?

    We found it difficult to believe as well but Hamza Sohail is currently the leading man of our hearts. With his limited but stellar performances in rom-coms like ‘Fairy Tale’ thrillers like ‘Badshah Begum’ and ‘Raqeeb Se’, he has cemented himself as a star to look out for, and we want our audiences to remember his name.

    So if you have likely woken up from under a rock and are taken aback by this sudden take over of Hamza Sohail on the internet, let us guide you through a brief introduction of who he is and what he has done in his career so far.

    1 He’s the son of renowned comedian, Sohail Ahmed

    Being a Nepo Baby is not exactly something that would strike well with an audience that is longing for fresh faces, especially when it is clear how the entertainment industry tends to sideline people who are not from a well-connected background. But Hamza spoke about this issue in an interview with Fuchsia Magazine, sharing that he wanted to become an actor not because of his father, but of his own interests. He also shared that his parents were quite strict, hoping that he would complete CSS and go into the civil service like his grandfather, which is why they often shielded him from the spotlight and urged him to work hard in school. But Sohail developed a passion for acting from participating in theatre and school plays.

    2 He made his debut in ‘Raqeeb Se’

    His first drama was ‘Raqeeb Se’ where he played Abdul Rehman, the love interest of Insha (played by Faryal Mehmood).

    3 He also played the dashing and sensitive Shahmir in ‘Badshah Begum’, which has now reincarnated on the internet despite airing almost two years ago.

    ‘Badshah Begum’ was a gripping story about politics and rivalry among siblings to claim the throne. It had a star-studded cast including Farhaan Saeed, Zara Noor Abbas and Yasir Hussain. Sohail played the youngest member of the Pir clan, Shahmir. A year later, fans are still in awe of his performance and the tragic love story between Shahmir and Gulnar (played by Hiba Aziz). We’re definitely joining in on the re-watch!

    4 He’s a gym-rat. Do what you will with this info.

    5 He is still close friends with former co-stars Zara Noor Abbas and Ali Rehman from Badshah Begum, with whom he shared a reunion picture.

    6 Don’t go by his good looks! It turns out Sohail has a knack for poetry, as he often shares his musings on his Instagram account.

  • Future of Jobs Report: 83 million jobs to be eliminated globally by 2027

    Future of Jobs Report: 83 million jobs to be eliminated globally by 2027

    The World Economic Forum (WEF) has published its Future of Jobs Report 2023, which examines how global trends and technologies may impact the job market, including in Pakistan. The report predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) and big data will be vital for companies’ skills strategies worldwide. The report also warns that 83 million jobs may disappear in the next five years across the world, with some jobs becoming obsolete.

    The report indicates that 23 per cent of jobs are expected to change by 2027, with 69 million new jobs created and 83 million eliminated. The green transition and localisation of supply chains are expected to generate a net increase in jobs. Cognitive skills, such as analytical and creative thinking, will be the most crucial skills for workers in the next five years, with companies focusing on AI and big data in particular.

    The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Pakistan’s performance related to the Future of Jobs in 2023 and predicts how the job market will unfold in the next 5-7 years. Pakistan has the most negative outlook globally, with a lower skill stability than the global average. The report identifies several global trends and technologies that will affect Pakistan’s job market, such as digital platforms and apps, big-data analytics, and education and workforce development technologies. These trends and technologies will play a crucial role in creating new employment opportunities and driving industry transformation.

    WEF’s report suggests that while reskilling and upskilling towards green skills is growing, it is not keeping pace with climate targets. The working-age population in Pakistan is 85.78 million, indicating a vast pool of potential talent. The country’s labor force participation rate is 57 per cent, with 55 per cent of the workforce in vulnerable employment. However, the unemployment rate remains relatively low at 5 per cent. It also highlights that 82 per cent of companies plan to adopt education and workforce development technologies in the next five years.

    Mishal Pakistan, the Country Partner Institute of the Center for New Economy and Societies Platform, World Economic Forum, has announced plans to develop a comprehensive report on the Future of Jobs for Pakistan in the third quarter of 2023.

    Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of Mishal Pakistan, believes that by strengthening the education system, investing in vocational and technical training, and fostering a culture of innovation, Pakistan can better equip its population to excel in the global job market. Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, emphasises that investing in education, reskilling, and social support structures will ensure individuals are at the heart of the future of work.

  • Raid pe raid: Police reach Elahi’s Gujrat residence to find him

    Raid pe raid: Police reach Elahi’s Gujrat residence to find him

    Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi’s residence in Gujrat was searched thoroughly by the Punjab police and anti-corruption officials in the late hours of Monday.

    Pervaiz’s son Moonis Elahi alleged that although the police did not have a search warrant to conduct the raid, he allowed them access to the premises.

    According to media reports, police forcefully entered the premises when their knocking at the doors went unanswered.

    After the episode, Elahi moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to prevent his arrest, however, the court rejected his plea.

    Prior to this, on Friday, the same officials’ squad used an armoured vehicle to break down the main gate of Elahi’s Gulberg residence in Lahore and entered the house.

    Officials are trying to arrest Elahi in a corruption case, however, according to his lawyers, pre-arrest bail has already been taken from a court until May 6 in the particular case.

  • Man kills wife after she refuses to go home with him

    Man kills wife after she refuses to go home with him

    Trigger warning: Murder/violence 

    A man named Yamin killed his wife by gunfire after she refused to go home with him from her mother’s house in Muzzafargarh, Daily Jang has reported.

    The mother of the deceased woman was also injured in firing.

    According to the police, the wife had left her husband’s house following a quarrel between the couple some time ago.

    The accused attempted to persuade his wife to return, but when his efforts failed, he opened fire on both his wife and mother-in-law.

    Local police are investigating the case.

  • BCCI takes strict action against Kohli, Haq, Gambhir for ugly fight in IPL

    BCCI takes strict action against Kohli, Haq, Gambhir for ugly fight in IPL

    A heated argument took place between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs in a low-scoring thriller at the Ekana Stadium during Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Now Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Naveen-ul-Haq have been fined for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq was also spotted arguing with Kohli and that did not go down well with the IPL management.

    “Mr Gambhir admitted to the Level 2 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct and has been fined 100 per cent of his match fee. Similarly, Mr Kohli admitted to the Level 2 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct and has been fined 100 per cent of his match fee. Mr Naveen-ul-Haq, on the other hand, has been fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore,” read a statement from the IPL.

    This is not the first time that Virat and Gautam have locked horns with each other. Whenever these two face each other, fans have seen aggression from both sides.

    Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has crafted a bad image in the cricket world by showing abusive aggression. A gesture he made while he aggressively shook hands with Kohli left cricketing fans aghast.

    Match Highlights: Royal Challengers Bangalore 126/9 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 44, Virat Kohli 31; Naveen-ul-Haq 3-30, Ravi Bishnoi 2-21) beat Lucknow Super Giants 108 all out in 19.5 overs (K. Gowtham 23, Amit Mishra 19; Josh Hazlewood 2-15, Karn Sharma 2-20) by 18 runs

  • US could default by next month unless debt ceiling is raised

    US could default by next month unless debt ceiling is raised

    Janet Yellen, the United States Treasury Secretary, has written to Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, warning that the federal government may exceed its spending limit by June 1 if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling. Yellen’s letter, which was published on Monday, noted that available data suggests that the government will no longer be able to cover its expenses in early June if Congress does not raise the limit before then.

    Yellen emphasised the importance of Congress taking action to increase or suspend the debt limit as soon as possible, to ensure that the government can continue to make its payments. While Yellen’s letter indicates the US could enter default as early as June 1, she also noted that it is impossible to predict the exact date when Treasury will be unable to pay the government’s bills.

    The potential for a default has raised concerns among experts about its possible impact on the US economy. It could lead to a fall in the US credit rating, resulting in higher interest rates and a possible recession. The process of raising the US spending limits is typically routine, but it has become increasingly contentious in recent years. Republicans in Congress are pushing for steep cuts to social programs in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling this year. In contrast, the Biden administration has called for an increase to the debt ceiling without conditions, stating that debates over various programs can be hashed out during negotiations on the yearly budget.

    Last week, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill that agreed to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for $4.5 trillion in spending cuts for programs like healthcare for low-income communities, renewable energy and transportation. The bill is considered dead on arrival in the Democrat-controlled US Senate, and Biden has stated that he would veto it. However, its passage in the House is considered a victory for McCarthy, who has since called for Democrats to approve the bill and avoid a default.

    Democrats have called for a “clean” debt limit increase without haggling or addendums. Virginia Senator Mark Warner tweeted on Monday that the US has about a month until it defaults on paying its debt and emphasised that this is not new spending, but about paying bills already incurred. On May 9, US President Joe Biden reportedly called for a meeting with Democratic and Republican leaders to discuss spending and the debt limit. The Congressional Budget Office has also stated that it sees an increased risk of the government running out of funds by early June due to tax receipts that were lower than expected.

  • Pakistan’s IMF bailout programme revival delayed: blame game between Pakistani authorities and IMF

    Pakistan’s IMF bailout programme revival delayed: blame game between Pakistani authorities and IMF

    Pakistani authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are blaming each other for the delay in reviving the IMF bailout programme. The IMF approved a $6.5 billion bailout package for Pakistan in 2019, of which $1.1 billion is still outstanding.

    However, issues related to fiscal policy adjustments have delayed the release of the funds since November. The delay has raised concerns as Pakistan has less than a month’s worth of foreign exchange reserves and needs the IMF package to avert defaulting on external payment obligations.

    With the expiry of the existing IMF programme on June 30, 2023, Pakistan’s options for reviving the IMF programme are shrinking with every passing day.

    While Pakistani authorities argue that the IMF is playing politics, IMF sources say they are still waiting for confirmation on the remaining $2 billion from the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, as well as seeking commercial loans from banks.

    According to Geo, Dr Khaqan Najeeb, former adviser Ministry of Finance, has called for short-term measures, such as funding from friendly countries, the revival of the IMF programme, clarity on programme completion dates, and work on the budget for 2023-24 to be undertaken to avoid Pakistan being near the brink of default.

  • Karachi may face flour shortage this week

    Karachi may face flour shortage this week

    Karachi is experiencing a crisis in flour supply as a disagreement between the flour mills association and the Sindh Food Department shows no sign of abating, ARY has reported.

    The chairman of the association stated that 70 per cent of the city’s flour mills have run out of wheat, accusing Sindh government of not reaching out to them. He added that the remaining 30 per cent of mills have only 3,000 to 4,000 bags of wheat, which is insufficient to meet even 5 per cent of the metropolis’s demand for flour.

    The Chairman of the flour mills association also stated that if wheat is not made available by Tuesday, all flour mills in Karachi will be closed until a new shipment arrives, as almost all mills would have run out of wheat by then.

    The shortage of wheat has led to a flour crisis, according to the head of the Sindh Food Department. The Sindh government had aimed to buy 1.4 million tons of wheat, but despite purchases made since March, the target has not been met. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has already purchased 40 per cent of its required wheat.

    The Sindh Food Department disclosed that the cost of flour in Karachi could rise to Rs200 per kg, as only 10 per cent of the city’s flour supply can be sustained while all flour mills are closed due to the unavailability of wheat to the millers.

  • Throwback: Asif Zardari threatened to replace Naseem Asharaf as chairman PCB, if ban on Shoaib Akhtar not lifted

    Throwback: Asif Zardari threatened to replace Naseem Asharaf as chairman PCB, if ban on Shoaib Akhtar not lifted

    An old interview of former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has surfacted on the internet in which he has claimed that former President Asif Zardari helped him to temporarily lift a five-year ban imposed on him by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    Shoaib Akhtar praised Asif Zardari in the old interiew and recounted how, when he was banned for five years, his friend Faisal Butt took him to meet the former President. According to Akhtar, Zardari then called the Chairman of the Cricket Board, Naseem Ashraf, and said, “Shoaib is our child, he has to play in the IPL. You must lift the ban on him, or else we will install a new chairman.”

    Aakhtar was banned for five years in April 2008 by a disciplinary committee of the PCB for violating the players’ code of conduct. However, the ban was lifted temporarily in May 2008 so that Akhar could play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    During the same interview Akhtar stated that after being banned for two years, he called an influential person in Rawalpindi (a Federal Minister) who invited him to his house. However, instead of helping him, the minister did not let Akhtar enter the house and closed the gate.

  • Father kills daughter in the name of honour

    Father kills daughter in the name of honour

    A father has killed his own daughter and her alleged friend in Sindh in the name of honour.

    The police in Jamshoro has arrested two suspects in connection with the incident and a heavy contingent of forces have been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident.

    In 2022, a report stated that at least 217 people, including 152 women, have been killed in so-called honour-related crimes across Sindh.

    Hundreds of women are killed each year in Pakistan by family members over perceived loss of “honour”.

    Many human rights activists have raised alarms over the issue and while numerous laws have been passed to prevent honour killing, the numbers continue to get higher which each passing year.