Author: newsdesk

  • iOS 17 leak: Customisable Lock Screen and revamped Control Center to be featured in new update

    iOS 17 leak: Customisable Lock Screen and revamped Control Center to be featured in new update

    As the date for Apple’s WWDC23 event draws near, speculation about what to expect from the company’s upcoming software releases is growing. While little has been confirmed, it is widely anticipated that iOS will take centre stage once again, with iOS 17 making its debut alongside updates for iPadOS and macOS.

    Setsuna Digital, a source that has accurately leaked information in the past, has recently shared some early insights into iOS 17 via Weibo. It is important to note, however, that while the information may be accurate at present, software plans are fluid and subject to change.

    According to Setsuna Digital, iOS 17 will feature some minor but interesting updates. For instance, there will be changes to the flashlight toggle, allowing for more granular control over brightness. Users will also enjoy more options for customising the Lock Screen, including font size and the use of emoji wallpaper, as well as the ability to share custom configurations.

    There will also be changes to Apple Music, with the app moving towards a more graphics-led interface and the possible addition of on-screen lyrics on the Lock Screen. Finally, it seems likely that users will be able to customise and organise the App Library.

    While some had predicted a major overhaul of the operating system, the company’s focus on developing a mixed-reality headset may mean that iOS 17 will instead focus on quality-of-life improvements. One such change could be the introduction of sideloading, which would allow users to install apps outside of the App Store.

    Another potential change is a revamped Control Center, which has been a staple feature for iPhone users for several years. While the details of any updates are unknown at present, even small changes such as the ability to customise shortcuts would be welcome.

    Until Apple officially announces its plans, however, it remains to be seen what iOS 17 will actually entail.

  • Smuggled phones flood AJK and GB as device identification system remains unimplemented

    Smuggled phones flood AJK and GB as device identification system remains unimplemented

    According to a source in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the non-implementation of the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) has led to an increase in the use of smuggled mobile phones in the Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan region. Unlike the rest of the country, the Special Communications Organisation (SCOM) is the main mobile phone operator in this region, and the DIRBS does not apply to its connections.

    The purpose of the DIRBS is to identify non-compliant devices operating on local mobile networks and eventually block them while registering compliant ones. Despite a halt in local manufacturing and import of mobile phones, around 100,000 mobile phones are being smuggled into the region every month.

    Industry experts have confirmed that non-duty paid mobile phones smuggled from Dubai have made their way to the region. Zeeshan Mianoor, Deputy Vice Chairman of Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, stated that the monthly sales of local mobile sets were around 2 million devices, with around 8-10% of them sold in the AJK and GB region.

    According to Dawn, Muhammad Ishaq Jalal, a Skardu-based journalist, explained that unregistered phones do not work in mainland Pakistan, but they operate on SCOM, and the same connection works in mainland Pakistan on the Ufone network due to the agreement between SCOM and Ufone. Jalal also noted that expensive, used smartphones are available at reasonable prices in the GB region because many of them are blocked in mainland Pakistan either because they were not registered with PTA or stolen, and their IMEI has been blocked.

    The spokesperson of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stated that both the PTA and the Ministry of IT and Telecom have requested the Cabinet Division to ensure the implementation of DIRBS on SCOM. The spokesperson added that the system would be extended to the SCOM connections once the Cabinet Division approves the request. The DIRBS was introduced to protect local mobile device manufacturing by imposing duties on imports of mobile phones, as well as those brought by travellers coming from abroad. However, this system also helped to reduce mobile phone smuggling.

  • ‘Propaganda’: DG ISPR dismisses social media reports of possible martial law

    ‘Propaganda’: DG ISPR dismisses social media reports of possible martial law

    Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Tuesday, held a press conference solely to brief the media on terrorist attacks that have recently taken place in the country.

    However, a journalist asked the DG about social media reports that claimed that martial law is going to be imposed in the country.

    Terming the reports as “baseless”, the general said that every day and night there are accounts on social media with or without names that spread this kind of this propaganda.

    Pointing out that every person is entitled to have an opinion, he stated, “we think the talks on social media against the army, institutions and their officeholders are not only irresponsible and unwise but unconstitutional.”

    “Our discipline doesn’t give us permission to respond to each and every speculation”, he stated at one point.

    He also reaffirmed that the army doesn’t support any particular political party. “All political parties and all leaders are respectable for us”, the Major General said.

    He was also of the view that it is not in the best interest of the country that the army should be involved in political matters.

    Talking about India, Sharif said New Delhi’s “aggressive designs and baseless accusations and claims” would not change history or occupied Kashmir’s internationally recognised status.

    “If need be, we can take this battle into the enemy’s territory. I also feel it is important to say that if India thinks of any misadventure due to any miscalculation or misunderstanding, then let there be no doubt that the army would give a befitting response with national support.”

  • First case of monkeypox detected in Pakistan

    First case of monkeypox detected in Pakistan

    The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination on Tuesday has confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the country, Geo news has reported.

    The infected person was deported from Saudi Arabia and arrived in Pakistan on April 17 with symptoms of monkeypox, said health ministry authorities while speaking to Geo News.

    The individual’s samples were subsequently forwarded to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, where the facility had previously confirmed that he was a carrier of the contagious virus.

    Following the discovery of the virus, airports all around the nation have been placed on high alert, with the ministry sending samples from suspicious cases to the NIH.
    Monkeypox is a viral disease brought on by the monkeypox virus, a germ from the orthopox virus genus.

    Humans can contract the monkey pox virus through coming into personal contact with an infected person, contaminated objects or infected animals.

  • Hold my halwa: tweet dissing Pakistani desserts ki band bajadi Pakistani Twitter nay

    Did y’all think you have seen everything? Well, the bird app will keep proving you all wrong. After the Manchurian war, the Ali Sethi peshwa conflict, now it is time to take a swipe at Pakistani desserts.

    A tweet has gone viral for all the wrong reasons, deciding to comment on something that made us clutch our third plate of sawaiyaan, because how dare you say that Pakistani deserts aren’t good.

    Did you really not grow up in Pakistan? How can one say Pakistani deserts are not good while growing up eating gulaab jamun, jalebi or kulfi?

    If ever there was a time for Pakistani Twitter do it’s thing, it was now. And it delivered beautifully.

    Saying Pakistani desserts aren’t good and apparently cookies can outshine jalebi is a crime against humanity

    https://twitter.com/superhbics/status/1650759755634462720?s=20
    https://twitter.com/fagittarius_jd/status/1650655889131708416?s=20

    Pakistani desserts aren’t bad, your taste is.

  • ‘Socho thorda sa’: Indian singer Shaan reacts to backlash over Eid post

    On Saturday, Bollywood playback singer Shaan Mukherjee wished Eid Mubarak to his Muslim fans by posting a picture of himself wearing a white shalwar kameez and prayer cap. However, the picture got backlash from extremist Indian trolls, to the point that the singer decided to restrict comments on his post.

    Now, the ‘It’s The Time To Disco’ singer has addressed the reaction, calling for his audience to be more empathetic and kind towards each other as both Muslims and Hindus celebrated their religious festivals on the same day this year.

    Fans in Pakistan and India have applauded Mukherjee’s empathetic and sensible post, a rare move in the time when religious extremism is rising in India, as the BJP continues to marginalise Muslims.

    Twitter users praised Shaan for calling for his followers to respect all religions.

  • Real or reel? Internet divided over whether Ranbir Kapoor’s gesture towards Alia was staged or sweet

    Real or reel? Internet divided over whether Ranbir Kapoor’s gesture towards Alia was staged or sweet

    On Saturday, a clip of the Bollywood power couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor went viral over social media in which they were spotted arriving at the house of late screenwriter Pamela Chopra, who had passed away recently. A clip posted by Indian entertainment page Viral Bhayani showed Kapoor picking up Bhatt’s sandals and placing them inside the doorway, a gesture which has divided the internet.

    This simple but moving gesture did win over some parts of the internet, who felt that the ‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makkar’ actor was being a gentleman by taking care of his wife’s shoes.

    However, not everyone agrees, with some users slamming Kapoor for insulting religious beliefs by placing Bhatt’s sandals right in front of the mandir, rather than leaving them outside.

    Others trolled Kapoor for staging such a move in an attempt to stop the backlash to his recent comments about his wife. During a press conference, Kapoor had received criticism for complaining that the ‘Gangubai’ actress talks a lot.

  • Audio leak: Is Saqib Nisar discussing contempt of court case against Shehbaz Sharif?

    Audio leak: Is Saqib Nisar discussing contempt of court case against Shehbaz Sharif?

    The season of audio leaks continues as a new one has hit the interwebs on Tuesday, involving an alleged conversation between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim and former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar.

    The former head of the apex court can be heard speaking about the judgement of a seven-member bench on a “suo moto” notice taken by the apex court in 2010 to Rahim and asking him to look into the matter.

    Moreover, Nisar also refers to the ouster of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Tanveer Ilyas as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister over contempt of court.

    At this, the senior lawyer said that they were planning to file another contempt case.

    Here is the content of the audio leak:

    Nisar: Khawaja Sahab, I wanted to tell you something.

    Khawaja Tariq: Yes.

    Nisar: A judgement, please look into that. This is a seven-member judgement.

    Khawaja Tariq: By whom?

    Nisar: This is the sou moto (notice) number 4 of 2010, sir. This seven-member judgement, 2012, has been reported on page number 553 of the Supreme Court.

    Khawaja Tariq: Okay

    Nisar: This is okay, right?

    Khawaja Tariq: I will look into it.

    Nisar: Whoever is your lawyer, tell him to check it out. It states that if… never mind, you’ll know when you will read it.

    Khawaja Tariq: I will read. I have seen the seven-member bench judgement. They have stated in it that until the act is not formulated… if you read it carefully, clause three has it…

    Nisar: Yeah, yeah.

    Khawaja Tariq: They have given a way in it as well. Just see that.

    Nisar: Yes sir, I have seen that. That is the way out for you.

    Khawaja Tariq: That is the way out.

    Nisar: That is the way out or else there is no case.

    Khawaja Tariq: Yes exactly. I will see that as well.

    Nisar: And secondly Khawaja sahab, if someone is ready from your side, then use Muneer Ahmed Khan’s [case] as well. It is a very clear case of contempt of court.

    Khawaja Tariq: We are working on it.

    Nisar: Whatever happened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, after that any…

    Khawaja Tariq: We are only waiting for the three-member bench’s verdict. It can take another half an hour. After that, we are filing another contempt of court case.

    Nisar: Okay then. Thank you, sir, thank you. 

    The leaked conversation has prompted online speculation that the former Chief Justice is discussing a contempt of court charge against current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    In March, another alleged audio clip of Nisar and Rahim surfaced online in which the two talked about formulating a case against Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

  • Swat twin bombing: death toll rises to 16

    Swat twin bombing: death toll rises to 16

    The death toll of Monday’s blasts at Kabal police station in Swat, has increased to 16 now. The cause of the explosions has not been determined yet.
    According to reports, the blasts took place within the premises of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) office.

    As per a report released by the Deputy Commissioner Swat’s office, two back-to-back explosions occurred at 8:29 pm inside the CTD police station situated at Kabal Police Lines, causing significant damage to the roof of the police station, main office and a mosque located within the premises. The explosions were followed by a fire. The report stated that the dead include nine police officers and six civilians, while the identification of other victims was still underway.
    KP police have reported that there were a total of 15 fatalities in the incident, comprising of nine police officers and six civilians, while the identities of the others are still being processed.

    The victims have been identified as sub-inspector (SI) Abdullah Khan, SI Ashraf Ali, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) CTD Sher Alam, and constables Taj Muhammad, Asmat Ali, Khalilur Rahman, Bakht Rokhan, Fazal Raziq, Nahid and two-year-old Azan.

    Additionally, 63 individuals were injured in the explosions, with eight of them in critical condition.

  • PSX asks companies to explain significant changes in share prices

    PSX asks companies to explain significant changes in share prices

    The compliance department of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has contacted five listed companies seeking clarification on a “substantial” change in their share prices between March 16 and April 13. One of the companies contacted is Pakistan Services Ltd (PSEL), which owns and manages the chain of Pearl Continental hotels in Pakistan. PSEL has a free-float of 60 per cent, with the company’s sponsors controlling only 40 per cent of the shareholding while the rest is available to the public for trading.

    PSX Head of Listed Companies Compliance, Hafiz Maqsood Munshi, sent a letter to PSEL on April 20 stating that “The PSX has observed that the price in the shares of PSEL has decreased substantially during the period from March 16 and April 13”. According to the prevailing Securities Act, listed companies are required to promptly disclose any unusual movement in the price or volume of its traded securities to the general public. If the company observes any such matter or development, it must share the details with the public. Otherwise, the company should issue a statement of the fact that it’s not aware of any such matter or development.

    The share price of PSEL was Rs1,720.50 at the close of the March 15 session, dropping to Rs800.10 apiece by the end of the April 13 session, showing a decrease of 53.5 per cent in less than a month. The PSX has directed PSEL to provide, “at the earliest”, the reason or any material information that may have resulted in the substantial decrease in its price during the period under consideration.

    Capital market regulators across the world keep an eye on any sudden share price movements to protect small investors from fraud. Listed companies are required to share any new development that may have a material impact on its stock price with the public immediately. This regulatory requirement is aimed at preventing insider trading, which involves buying and selling of shares by someone with non-public but material information about the stock undergoing a sharp change in its price or trading volume.

    The PSX also contacted Tandlianwala Sugar Mills Ltd (TSML), a producer and seller of white crystalline sugar and ethanol with a free-float of only 5 per cent, to explain the substantial increase in its share price between March 16 and April 13. TSML had no trading on March 15 or 16, with a closing price of Rs67.03 apiece on March 17. Its share price rose 50.3 per cent to Rs100.79 a share by the end of April 13.

    According to Dawn, the PSX compliance department contacted Towellers Ltd, a manufacturer and exporter of textile make-ups, garments and towels, which saw its share price rise from Rs183 on March 15 to Rs291.16 on April 13, up 59.1 per cent in the period under review. The PSX asked Khairpur Sugar Mills Ltd, a seller of sugar and by-products with just 5 per cent of free-float, to explain why its share price rose from Rs46.22 on March 15 to Rs72 on April 13, reflecting an increase of 55.7 per cent in about a month.

    Lastly, the stock exchange sought an explanation for the substantial share price increase from Metropolitan Steel Corporation Ltd, which makes ribbed bars, wire rods, bailing hoops, wires, transmission towers and cold profiles. The steel maker’s share had no trading on March 15, with a closing rate of Rs22.19 on March 16. Its closing rate on April 12 was Rs35 apiece, which shows the increase in the stock rate was 57.7 per cent over the period under review. The shares of the company were not traded on April 13.