On Thursday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthened by Rs2 or 0.90 per cent against the dollar to close at Rs221.94.
According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FPA), the local currency was trading at Rs221.75 per $1 at 9:46 am, up 0.98 per cent from yesterday’s close of Rs223.94.
The rupee has been strengthening since September 22, when it nearly hit an all-time low of Rs239.71. In the last nine sessions, it has increased by Rs15.77 or 6.58 per cent.
The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) and finance ministry’s joint investigation into banks making obscene profits from their dollar sales, according to Mettis Global Director Saad bin Naseer, has calmed the interbank market.
SBP On Tuesday, Governor Jameel Ahmad told a National Assembly committee that eight banks were under investigation for the initial round of currency rate manipulation. In the following stage, the other banks would be looked into.
He said that a smaller trade deficit in September and the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) pledge of approximately $2.3–2.5 billion in aid were the key reasons for the rupee’s recovery on the open market.
FAP Chairman Malik Bostan listed the ADB announcement and hopes of a sustained drop in imports as the factors that contributed to the rupee’s rise.
A sessions court in Islamabad has approved till October 13 the interim bail plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a case pertaining to his controversial remarks against a female judge during a rally in Islamabad.
Sessions court judge Kamran Basharat Mufti approved Khan’s interim bail plea, filed by Babar Awan, after a short hearing. Khan has been asked to pay surety bonds of Rs50,000.
Awan, while speaking to media after the hearing, said that all the cases against Khan are false.
“PTI is returning [to power] with two-third majority. If there is anyone who can bring change, it is Imran Khan,” he said. The lawyer said that the PTI chair has never ever given the excuse of being ill.
Awan went on to say that the infamous cypher that Imran Khan blames for the toppling if his government, was an “interference and conspiracy.”
“We don’t accept anyone who talks against Pakistan,” he said.
Earlier, on September 19, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) cancelled the terror charges against the former Prime Minister and ordered that the case be transferred to a relevant court under the remaining sections in the FIR.
Following the order the anti-terrorism court, on September 20, transferred the case to a sessions court and removed the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) section from the case.
On September 22, during a hearing of a contempt case in IHC, Imran Khan also requested the court to allow him to apologise to Additional District and Session Judge Zeba Chaudhry in person.
Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have shut down speculation regarding their alleged split with affectionate comments on Instagram.
Laying all separation rumours to rest for good, DeepVeer decided to engage in a bit of online flirting. Deepika commented “edible” under Ranveer’s latest Instagram picture.
The Befikre star replied with a kiss emoji.
Following this, Celebrity astrologer, Pandit Jagannath Guruji addressed the controversy with his authentic astrological readings.
Pandit Jagannath Guruji says, “Some news leave you astonished and Ranveer-Deepika’s rumoured separation tale was indeed one of them. Even when I scrolled down the internet, I could see hundreds of people awestruck, eagerly waiting for official information on the couple’s viral news. But let me tell you, the rumour is completely baseless, very far from being true. The couple is not going to get separated. Rather, they’re meant to last forever, uplifting each other on every path they travel together.”
He adds, “They have worked upon their relationship, turning it into concrete as cement. The sense of understanding and empathy both contain for each other ensures positivity and happiness around, eliminating the chance of anything coming between them and hampering their relationship. Rather, this news can turn out to be a PR or publicity stunt that we might get to know in near future”.
Predictions
“Witnessing as the things are going, you might have to wait a bit to hear Ranveer-Deepika announcing their pregnancy. The couple has been planning and talking about the kids for a long time now, but one might have to wait till 2024 to hear news on the same.
Furthermore, he highlighted, “Both Ranveer and Deepika are workaholic souls who even believe in providing space to each other in their personal life. That could be one major mantra of this powerful duo to outshine and influence other couples to date, even after being married together for four years now”.
Earlier this year, Padukone responded to a fan’s questions in an interview while promoting her film Gehraiyaan. The film’s trailer featured Deepika and her co-actors in a few intimate scenes that led many trolls to ask if she had sought husband Ranveer Singh’s permission. Deepika was asked for her reaction to the query.
Deepika shared that it was “stupid” that they were even reacting to it. “It’s stupid that we are even reacting to it. I don’t read comments. I’m pretty certain he doesn’t,” she said. The actor added, “I think yuck, it’s so stupid.” Deepika shared that Ranveer recently watched the film and he was “extremely proud of my performance.”
Ranveer and Deepika dated for more than six years before getting married in 2018. They have worked together in various films and were last seen in Kabir Khan’s 83.
Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has revealed that the process for the appointment of a new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will either start by the end of this month or the beginning of the next and that it will be done in line with the law and constitution.
In a press conference on Wednesday (today), the minister stressed that it is the discretion of the sitting prime minister to pick any name which has been recommended by GHQ (General Headquarters).
He stated that anyone from among the five nominated names could be appointed as the next chief of army staff. However, he pointed out that in the past, names other than the five suggested have also been chosen for the military chief’s position.
Speaking about the appointment of the army chief on the basis of seniority, the defence minister said: “All three-star generals are eligible for this post”.
During the conference, the minister said that the army is currently fighting against terrorism and the nation should support it.
Taking a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s apprehension over the appointment of COAS, Asif said that he is anxious as November is approaching.
The present COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, will be completing his extended term in November this year. He was appointed to this position in 2016.
Recently, COAS Bajwa — who is currently in the US— reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second three-year term in November.
Former Director-General (DG) Federal Investigations Agency (FIA), Bashir Memon, has confirmed the claims made by a hacker that he was locked in a washroom on then-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s orders.
The hacker, in a series of tweets which have now been deleted, shared details of the meeting between Memon and Khan on Monday. The hacker tweeted that Memon was locked in the washroom on Khan’s orders.
Memon, responding to the claims, confirmed the details on Channel 24, saying the former premier used abusive language, and insulted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz which made him angry and he responded harshly.
سابق ڈی جی ایف آئی اے بشیر میمن نے آج ہیکر کی جانب سے شئیر کی جانے والی خبروں کی تصدیق کر دی ۔ pic.twitter.com/eBaMXw6ayN
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march will not be allowed to enter the federal capital under any circumstances, revealing that the federal government has devised a comprehensive strategy to deal with any scenario.
Taunting PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Sanaullah tweeted, “If you come, don’t hide. Try and storm Islamabad. I also promise you.”
تم آو تو سہی؛ چھپ کر نہ بھیٹھ جانا، اسلام آباد پر چڑھائی کر کے دکھاؤ۔ میرا بھی تم سے وعدہ ہے❗️
On October 4, Khan asked his party leaders and workers to take an oath that they will participate in the long march, terming it a “jihad” for the country. However, he did not specify any date for the march.
It was decided that the Pakistan Army, under Article 245 of the Constitution, will secure public buildings and the Diplomatic Enclave in the Red Zone.
Sanaullah said the long march would not be allowed to enter the federal capital at any cost. He also authorised relevant departments to take action against individuals and organisations providing logistical and financial support to the PTI for the march.
On September 30, PIC filed the report to Inspector General of Prisons, Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig, after conducting a covert investigation into the operations of the district jail.
“A girl who visits the jail to see one of the inmates supplies drugs to the prisoners. A pack of charas worth Rs500 outside is sold for Rs3,000 to Rs3,500 inside the prison,” the report has stated.
“Powerful mafias of drug peddlers have deep roots inside the jail with the support of jail administration and are making unchecked profit by selling contraband. And they also pay due share to the jail management,” the report said, adding that influential visitors are frequently given permission to meet face-to-face in the DSP’s (Deputy Superintendent of Police) room in exchange for a bribe of up to Rs. 10,000. Additionally, after paying bribes, inmates are permitted to order food from outside.
The report recommended that jail workers who had been found guilty of breaking the rules of the jail manual or of engaging in acts of sexual harassment, corruption, or torture be disciplined.
The damning report also suggested that female staff members should be the only ones in charge of handling female visitors to the jail in order to protect their privacy and dignity.
“This is quite disturbing and can lead to a scandal that will reflect poorly on the Punjab administration,” read the report. PIC has ordered a high-level investigation into this matter.
Putting months of speculation to rest, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second three-year term in November, adding that he would fulfil the pledge he made earlier.
The army chief made these remarks at a lunch at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
The COAS also stated that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and want to stay out of it in the future as well.
“There can be no diplomacy without a strong economy,” said the army chief stressing that restoration of the ailing economy of the country should be the priority of every stakeholder of the society.
After the lunch, Gen Bajwa went to the Pentagon for a meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
According to the ISPR, Gen Bajwa called on retired General Lloyd James Austin III, Secretary of Defence; Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan, National Security Adviser; and Wendy Ruth Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State.
The army chief arrived in the US on September 30 and met with UN officials in New York.
General Bajwa is heading a delegation that will stay in the US for another couple of days, diplomatic sources said, terming the visit an important one that portrayed “robust relations” between the two countries.
A women-only, free-of-cost bus service has been launched in Gilgit-Baltistan. It was inaugurated by Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed. The bus service will initially be run on four routes.
“Pink buses for women have been inaugurated today by Chief Minister GB. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, free buses for women have been launched. Three buses each have been made operational in Gilgit and Skardu city, with the government planning to expand it to further areas of the province,” a tweet by Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan read.
4 routes have been earmarked where buses will operate at two times i.e. 6am to 9am and 1pm to 3pm. Female students, doctors, teachers, lawyers and other professionals will benefit from this initiative. Traffic police have been instructed to facilitate these buses on roads,” It added.
Pink buses for women have been inaugurated today by CM GB. First time in Pakistan’s history, free buses for women have been started. 3 buses each are made operational in Gilgit and Skardu city, with the government planning to expand it to further areas of the province. 1/n pic.twitter.com/c4G4EQ7YwV
— Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan (@csgbpk) October 4, 2022
Free-of-cost bus service launched in Gilgit-Baltistan for women.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz hinted that her father, PML-N supremo and former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, might soon return to Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Maryam said, “Nawaz Sharif ka rasta ab saaf hai, sirf ab aik application deni hai court mei.” (The path to his return is clear now. All we have to do is submit an application in court.)
The PML-N leader also revealed that now that she had received her passport, she would soon visit her father in London.
“I am happy today that I have received my passport, but I would like to ask why I was deprived of my fundamental right for three years,” the PML-N leader asked.
Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Maryam told the judiciary that it should not be lenient with a person like him who thinks like “satan” and whose only job is to blame people and launch smear campaigns.
The PML-N leader said Khan went to the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry to apologise as he was aware that if he didnt do it, then he could be disqualified.
“Was Zeba asked whether she wants to forgive him or not? Do you [courts] know what kind of precedent are you setting?” she said.
Maryam noted that since Khan has been forgiven, the contempt cases against PML-N party leaders Talal Chaudhry, Daniyal Aziz, and Nehal Hashmi should also be disposed of.
Referring to the misplacement of US cipher allegedly linked to Khan’s ouster, Maryam said that she is “At a loss of words” at the PTI chairman’s carelessness.
“This wasn’t a record of a diamond ring that you misplaced or the record of the dollars that you took in the foreign funding case. It was Pakistan’s property,” she lashed out.
