Category: Uncategorized

  • Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Imaan Z Hazir Mazari, the lawyer of the woman who was raped in F- 9 Park, has said that Islamabad Police’s claim of killing the two main suspects in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint is false.

    She further said that the suspects have been found to be involved in 50-rape cases.

    On Thursday, the Islamabad Police said that the two main suspects in the F-9 Park girl rape case were killed in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint.

    In a series of tweets, the police had claimed that the suspects opened fire on them. In retaliatory firing, the suspects were injured and later succumbed to their injuries.

    The police said that they were not only involved in the F-9 rape incident but other “serious crimes”. One of the suspects was involved in a deadly mugging, it added.

    ‘Don’t leave home after sunset’: Rapists tell survivor after raping her, give her Rs1000

    On February 4, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by two unidentified armed men in a public park located in Islamabad’s F-9 area.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), two armed men approached the rape survivor while she was with her male coworker in a park in F-9.

    According to the FIR, the men separated the woman from her colleague and took them to a neighbouring bush at gunpoint. The suspects beat the young woman up after she pleaded with them to let her go and even offered them money in exchange for her safety.

    The rape survivor in the FIR said that after raping her the rapists told her not to leave home after the sunset and also gave her Rs1000.

    She further said that the suspects asked her about her relationship with her colleague and slapped her.

    Islamabad Police in a tweet said that DNA samples of all the suspects are being collected.

  • Rev up your budget: Atlas Honda hikes motorcycle prices by up to Rs35,000 amid economic crisis

    Rev up your budget: Atlas Honda hikes motorcycle prices by up to Rs35,000 amid economic crisis

    The two-wheeler segment’s largest player in Pakistan, Atlas Honda, has raised motorcycle prices following a significant hike in car prices.

    This marks the company’s second rate hike in February, as they already increased the prices of their motorcycles by an amount ranging between Rs7,400 and Rs30,000 earlier this month.

    The new prices became effective on February 15.

    Model Old Prices (Rs) New Prices (Rs) Hike (Rs)
    CD 70 128,900 137,900 9,000
    CD 70 Dream 137,900 147,500 9,600
    Pridor 170,900 181,500 10,600
    CG 125 194,900 205,900 11,000
    CG 125 Special Edition 230,900 243,900 13,000
    CB 125 F 303,900 330,900 25,000
    CB 150 F 383,900 418,900 35,000
    CB 150 F SE 387,900 422,900 35,000
    Latest Honda Bike Price Feb 2023

    During the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced a rise in the general sales tax (GST) rate to 18%, which is expected to lead to price hikes for various industries and sectors.

    Amidst Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis, the automobile sector has been significantly impacted due to the depletion of foreign exchange reserves and a weakening rupee, leading to issues with opening letters of credit.

  • Leopard finally captured in Islamabad

    Leopard finally captured in Islamabad

    In the late hours of Thursday, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) confirmed that a leopard that was on the loose in a private housing society in Islamabad was contained.

    A total of total injuries has been reported so far by the officials.

    Leopard on the loose in DHA Islamabad

    On Thursday, a leopard injured people by entering DHA Islamabad who tried to capture it.

    The wild animal entered an under-construction house in Phase II of the society late on Thursday afternoon. Videos filmed by residents on social media show the animal evading attempts to capture it and jumping on walls.

    The Islamabad Wildlife Board and Assistant Commissioner Zukhruf Fida Malik issued instructions to residents to stay indoors till the animal is captured.

    The Wildlife Board also specified that they are using a trapper to try and capture the big cat.

    Leopards are indigenous to parts of Islamabad and neighbouring areas including Murree and Nathiagali. They are a protected species in the Margalla Hills.

  • From soap to air tickets: What’s getting costlier after mini-budget?

    From soap to air tickets: What’s getting costlier after mini-budget?

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued an SRO to increase the standard 17 per cent general sales tax (GST) to 18 per cent, which will collect taxes worth Rs115 billion. The remaining Rs55 billion will be generated through other measures mentioned in the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023.

    The top tax collection authority stated in the notification that the 18 per cent GST would be applicable to consumer packaged goods, which include various items used in everyday life.

    Following the increase in GST, the following items will experience a hike in their prices:

    • Biscuits
    • Jam
    • Jelly
    • Noodles
    • Edible oil
    • Coffee
    • Chocolates
    • Make-up
    • Shampoos
    • Creams
    • Lotion
    • Soap
    • Toothpaste
    • Hair colour
    • Hair removal cream
    • Hair gel
    • Shaving foam
    • Shaving gel
    • Shaving cream
    • Shaving blades
    • Computers
    • Laptops
    • Electronic gadgets
    • Smartphones
    • iPods
    • TVs
    • LEDs
    • LCDs
    • Juicers
    • Blenders
    • Other electronic machinery
    • Car shampoos
    • Car polishes
    • Perfumes
    • Children’s toys

    In addition to the aforementioned actions, the government intends to raise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on luxury items from 17 per cent to 25 per cent. The Federal Excise Duty (FED) on first and business class air tickets will be increased to either Rs20,000 or 50 per cent, whichever amount is higher.

    Marriage halls will be subject to a ten percent withholding adjustable advance income tax, and the FED on soft drinks, sugary drinks, and cement will also be increased.

  • Saying ‘qabool hai’ just got more expensive: Mini-budget proposes increased tax rates on weddings, related events

    Saying ‘qabool hai’ just got more expensive: Mini-budget proposes increased tax rates on weddings, related events

    The Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2023 proposes to reintroduce advance tax on functions and gatherings, requiring a tax withholding of 10 per cent for filers and 20 per cent for non-filers.

    The tax rate will be applied to the total amount of the bill from the individual or entity hosting the function, whether it is in a marriage hall, marquee, hotel, restaurant, commercial lawn, club, community place, or any other location used for such purposes.

    If the food, service, or any other facility is provided by another person, the host must also collect advance tax on the payment for such items at a rate of 10 per cent for filers and 20 per cent for non-filers. This tax will be adjustable against income subject to the normal tax regime and refundable if it cannot be adjusted.

    The proposed supplementary finance bill has introduced advanced tax on air tickets, marriage halls, hotels, commercial lawns, marquees, and clubs. Additionally, a 10 per cent advance tax will be levied on wedding ceremonies. Duty on business and first-class air travel has also been increased.

    The bill also suggests a 10 per cent hike in the tax on the retail price of beverages. Furthermore, the FED on cement will increase from Rs1.5 to Rs2 per kg after a proposed rise of 50 paisas per kg.

    The supplementary finance bill has also proposed an increase in the FED on cigarettes.

    • The proposed supplementary finance bill suggests a tax of Rs16,500 per 1,000 cigarettes for the tier 1 category, and Rs5,050 per 1,000 cigarettes for the tier 2 category.
    • The bill proposes a 10 per cent tax on sugary juices, syrups, squashes, and artificial sweeteners, and an 18 per cent GST on the retail prices of all items.
    • Imported mobile phones worth more than $500 will see an increase in GST from 17 per cent to 25 per cent.
    • The same 25 per cent rate will be applicable to all luxury goods.
    • The bill proposes a levy of 20 per cent or Rs50,000 FED for air tickets.
    • No additional tax will be applied to wheat, rice, milk, pulses, vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs, meat, or poultry.
    • Real estate or property will not be subject to any tax in the mini budget.
    • The document proposes an increase in the monthly stipend for beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program, with the program’s budget increased by 40 per cent.
  • ‘Ye kya chal raha hai’: social media curious after Urvashi Rautela wishes Naseem Shah ‘happy birthday’

    ‘Ye kya chal raha hai’: social media curious after Urvashi Rautela wishes Naseem Shah ‘happy birthday’

    Yesterday social media lit up once more on speculations on what exactly is going on between Urvashi Rautela and Pakistan cricket pacer Naseem Shah. Sparks flew in September 2022 when the Bollywood actor shared an edited video of her and the 19 year old cricket player. When asked about the video by the media, Rautela responded by saying that the video was made by her fans, and she didn’t know the other person in it.
    Now this time, fans are convinced daal main kuch kaala hai when under a post where Shah had sent good wishes to Shadab Khan for his wedding, Rautela posted a birthday wish to the cricket player.

    “Happy birthday @inaseemshah congratulations on being conferred with honorary DSP rank”

    This smol but meaningful interaction has fans scratching their heads regarding the bond between Naseem Shah and Rautela.

    https://twitter.com/WarisKh73892101/status/1625883223145459713?s=20

  • Man murders girlfriend, marries another woman on the same day

    New Delhi police has arrested arrested 24-year-old Sahil Gahlot on February 14 for murdering his longtime girlfriend Nikki Yadav and stuffing her body in a refrigerator inside his restaurant.
    Gahlot had killed the deceased between February 9 and 10, by strangling her with the phone data cable he kept in his car.
    The murderer and Yadav had been in a relationship since 2018. After the covid-19 lockdown, they began living together in Greater Noida in a rented house. However, Gahlot’s parents were not aware of this relationship, and were pressurizing him to marry another woman. Around December 2022, Gahlot got engaged but did not inform Yadav.
    According to the police, Yadav asked Gahlot to come to her flat in Uttam Nagar where she pleaded with him not to get married to the other woman, and threatened to tell the family if he refused to listen to her.
    “She had already planned to go with him to Goa and had booked tickets for February 9. She asked him to accompany her to Goa but he refused. This led to an argument and in anger, he killed her inside his car,” the officer told Deccan Herald.
    Gahlot tied the knot with the other woman on the same day.
    Special Commissioner of Police Ravindra Singh was able to arrest Gahlot when on February 14, they received a secret tip that Sahil Gahlot murdered his girlfriend and married another woman on the same day.
    When the mobile number of the accused was found to be switched off, a police team arrived at Mitraon village, where the accused lived, but he was there. After an intensive search of the village and other areas, Gahlot was arrested at Kair Village in Delhi.
    During interogation, the officer told Deccan Herald that Gahlot had tried to mislead the police, but then later revealed to them that he had murdered Yadav.

  • Govt increases petrol price by Rs22 to a historic high of Rs272 per litre

    Govt increases petrol price by Rs22 to a historic high of Rs272 per litre

    In an effort to satisfy the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and secure a crucial loan tranche, the federal government has raised the price of petrol to a historic high. This move comes mere hours after the introduction of a tax-laden “mini-budget”.

    Petroleum division confirmed that the price of petrol has increased by Rs22.20 to reach Rs272 per litre, citing the devaluation of the rupee relative to the dollar as the primary reason for the surge.

    The revised petrol prices are effective from 12 am tonight.

    Following an increase of Rs17.20, the cost of high-speed diesel has risen to Rs280 per litre. Similarly, kerosene oil is now priced at Rs202.73 per litre after a hike of Rs12.90, while light diesel oil is available at Rs196.68 per litre after an increase of Rs9.68.

    It is noteworthy that the surge in the prices of petroleum products was a requirement set by the lending organization based in Washington, which could result in a further escalation of the already record-high inflation. This development is compounded by the recent implementation of new fiscal measures via the ‘mini-budget’.

  • Sar-e-Rah empowers the way independent women inspire each other

    Sar-e-Rah empowers the way independent women inspire each other

    If the first episode of Sar-e-Rah was about the impact one woman makes when she stands up for herself, the next episode shows us how she can keep on inspiring women from different backgrounds to take a stand for themselves.

    In this episode, our protagonist Rabia meets Dr Muzna, a woman who has longed for a child has kept her husband’s infertility a secret from the rest of their family. Muzna faces the burden of this secret because of the taunts her mother-in-law gives her for not being able to give the family a child, and because she decides to go back to her job and refuses to abandon her practice.

    In this episode, Sar-e-Rah explores how empowered women who broke away from the shackles of patriarchy are able to recognize the burden society puts on women who chose alternative paths towards motherhood. In one scene, when a grandmother and her child scold Muzna in a cafe for bringing her newborn child along with her, Rabia takes a stand by telling them that Muzna did a noble thing by choosing to give shelter to a child that had been abandoned.

    In the rest of the episode, we watch the two women find solace in one another as Muzna faces opposition from her husband and mother-in-law for choosing to adopt a baby with taunts telling her that bringing home another woman’s child won’t make her a mother, but Razia keeps reminding her that what she is doing is quite noble. Their wholesome bond remains steady as Rabia helps Muzna in facing her husband and the rest of the family, and also to search for the mother’s child.

    https://twitter.com/lattedeprresso/status/1625468993975853062?s=20&t=winx6AlTJw6UDtjZu27pYA

    At a time when triggering topics like domestic violence, child abuse and forced marriages are not treated with the sensitivity and depth they deserve, it is heartening that a show like Sar-e-Rah isn’t shying away from exploring such tabooed topics and reminding women that they can find the strength they needed in each other.

  • Nida Yasir can’t remember what year the ’92 world cup took place in this viral interview

    Nida Yasir can’t remember what year the ’92 world cup took place in this viral interview

    Nida Yasir surely knows how to make an interview memorable. She went viral last year for not knowing how Formulae 1 cars work but this time, her gaffe is even more hilarious.

    In an interview on ‘The Shoaib Akhtar Show’ on Urduflix, host Shoaib Akhtar conducted a round where he asked quick questions from guests Nida Yasir and Shahista Lodhi. When it was Yasir’s turn, she was asked: “What year did Pakistan win the ’92 world cup?” And Yasir’s reaction went viral

    Soon a string of memes launched after Twitter got hold of this clip.

    https://twitter.com/humatabassum/status/1625782121926098946?s=20&t=UJM6goprUS9TFzEndmeqxQ