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  • Ex-Air Force Officer says U.S. govt collects UFOs

    Ex-Air Force Officer says U.S. govt collects UFOs

    An ex-Air Force intelligence officer, while testifying to Congress, claimed that the U.S. has been secretly operating a long-term program to recover unidentified flying objects. However, these allegations have been refuted by the Pentagon, reported AP.

    During his testimony before Congress, a former Air Force intelligence officer asserted that the U.S. is clandestinely running a program to collect unidentified flying objects, with the U.S. government currently in possession of these retrieved objects. When he was probed further, he confidently stated, “Absolutely, based on interviewing over 40 witnesses over four years.”

    In response to inquiries about the location of these objects, he claimed to be aware of the exact storage sites, which he had reported to the Inspector General. When asked about the nature of activities related to these unidentified objects, he acknowledged that several of his colleagues had suffered physical injuries.

    Upon further questioning to ascertain if the harmful activities were attributed to the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) or the federal government, he indicated that both were responsible. Despite these statements, the Pentagon has vehemently denied his allegations.

  • Gold price drops by Rs2,000 per tola as Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar

    Gold price drops by Rs2,000 per tola as Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar

    The gold price in Pakistan experienced a significant decline of more than Rs2,000 per tola following the appreciation of the local currency against the US dollar in the interbank market.

    According to the data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) on Wednesday, the price of 24-carat gold witnessed a decrease of Rs2,400 per tola and Rs2,058 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs222,100 and Rs190,415, respectively.

    Conversely, the international market recorded a $12 increase in the price of gold, bringing it to $1,972.

    The fluctuating gold rate in Pakistan can be attributed to ongoing political and economic uncertainties and high inflation, prompting individuals to seek gold as a safe investment and hedge during such times.

    As per the data provided by the association, the price of silver remained constant at Rs2,750 per tola and Rs2,357.68 per 10 grammes.

    In parallel, the local currency demonstrated a positive trend against the US dollar in the interbank market today, appreciating by Rs1.48 or 0.52 per cent. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported that the rupee closed at Rs287.04 against the dollar.

  • Pakistan’s inflation forecasted to remain between 25-27% for July, says Finance Ministry

    Pakistan’s inflation forecasted to remain between 25-27% for July, says Finance Ministry

    The Ministry of Finance anticipates a decline in inflation for the month of July compared to the previous month, with expectations of it remaining within the range of 25-27 per cent. The ministry’s ‘Monthly Economic Update & Outlook’ for July attributes this anticipated decrease to the recent reduction in administered prices of petrol and diesel, which is expected to lower domestic prices of essential goods by impacting transportation costs.

    The headline inflation in Pakistan slowed to 29.4 per cent in June, marking the lowest reading since January. The report explains that the recent decline in international commodity prices is likely to counteract the inflationary pressures caused by domestic supply shocks. Notably, the benchmark index of international food commodity prices experienced a downturn in June 2023, primarily driven by price decreases in major cereals and various vegetable oils.

    The government’s timely efforts to boost the agriculture sector through the Kisan Package are expected to result in a better crop outlook and smoother domestic supplies. Additionally, anticipated political stability and a stable exchange rate are deemed as factors that would contribute to achieving price stability.

    Regarding the fiscal outlook, the Ministry of Finance expects both exports and imports to gradually increase in the upcoming months of FY2024. Despite other factors, the report projects that the current account deficit will remain sustainable during this period.

    To enhance revenue collection in FY2024, the government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for all sectors of the economy, aiming to revive economic growth and foster a higher inclusive and sustainable growth trajectory. Various administrative and policy measures have been introduced to increase tax collection, while the State Bank of Pakistan’s withdrawal of import restrictions is expected to stimulate demand and support revenue improvement.

    The report acknowledges the success of the government in ensuring the sustainability of the external and fiscal sectors during FY2023, achieved through the implementation of tough decisions and stabilisation measures. Looking ahead to FY2024, the government aims to achieve higher economic growth of 3.5 per cent through measures such as the Kisan package, industrial support, export promotion, encouragement of the IT sector, and resource mobilisation.

    In conclusion, the Ministry of Finance emphasises that prudent and effective economic decisions, political and economic certainty, and the continuation of friendly economic policies, along with sufficient foreign exchange financing, will be crucial to attaining higher and sustainable economic growth. The recent approval of the Stand-By Arrangement by the International Monetary Fund and other bilateral and multilateral inflows are expected to further improve the macroeconomic environment and enhance the confidence of economic agents.

  • Pakistan ranks 99th in Global Hunger Index 2022, faces serious hunger levels

    Pakistan ranks 99th in Global Hunger Index 2022, faces serious hunger levels

    In the recently published Global Hunger Index (GHI-2022), Pakistan has been ranked 99th out of 121 countries assessed for their hunger levels.

    The GHI report, launched in Islamabad on Tuesday, revealed a drop in Pakistan’s score from 38.1 in 2006 to 26.1 in 2022, but the hunger level is still considered serious, reported Dawn.

    The Global Hunger Index is an annual pre-reviewed report jointly published by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. Its primary objective is to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced in the fight against hunger worldwide.

    According to the report, the combination of armed conflicts, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated hunger issues, forcing approximately 828 million people into hunger globally. Moreover, it highlights that 46 countries are not on track to achieve even a low level of hunger by 2030, signaling the need for urgent action.

    The regions most affected by hunger are Africa, specifically South of the Sahara, and South Asia, with the latter being the worst-hit. Notably, South Asia has the highest child stunting rate and the highest child wasting rate among all world regions.

    Pakistan, with a serious level of hunger, faces significant challenges in eradicating this issue. As the nation strives to address this pressing problem, stakeholders are urged to collaborate and implement solutions that involve local communities and diverse voices in shaping effective policies for food security.

    The Global Hunger Index serves as a vital tool in identifying and tackling hunger-related problems, and it is hoped that with collective efforts, progress will be made towards achieving a hunger-free world.

  • Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority implements Rs10 per kg hike in LPG prices

    Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority implements Rs10 per kg hike in LPG prices

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced a revision in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), raising it by Rs10 per kilogramme. As per the notification, the new price for LPG will be Rs240 per kilogramme.

    Additionally, the domestic cylinder rate will be increased to Rs2,830, while the commercial cylinder prices will soar to Rs10,900.

    In remote and mountainous regions, the LPG price will be set at Rs370 per kg, with the home LPG cylinder costing Rs4,130.

    The Chairman of the LPG Association, Irfan Khokar, expressed his concern over the government and OGRA’s lack of action against the illegal sale of LPG across the country.

    Furthermore, LPG sellers have called for a countrywide strike to protest against the high prices of the commodity.

    According to reports, LPG is not being sold anywhere in the country at the fixed official price due to black marketeering.

  • PML-N convinces allies to grant extra powers to caretaker PM

    PML-N convinces allies to grant extra powers to caretaker PM

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has convinced other allies in the government on the matter of granting extra powers to the caretaker set-up.

    The matter was discussed during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, headed by PML-N’s Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Article 230, which relates to the functions of the caretaker government, also came under discussion.

    According to the proposed bill, the caretaker government will be given unrestricted powers, but allied parties opposed the bill, and the matter was deferred.

    After the discussion in today’s meeting, PML-N agreed to make minor changes to the bill. After these changes, the caretaker government will only engage with bilateral donors and multilateral institutions.

    After the new changes, the caretaker government will have the powers under clause 2A of Section 230. The caretaker government will not be able to reach a new agreement after these changes in the bill. But the caretaker government can use its powers on ongoing projects.

    Ahmed Bilal Mehboob also told The Current that “Unelected Prime Minister should not have extra powers, and it is totally opposite to the democratic system”.

  • Indian bride Anju’s cross-border love story earns her a year-long stay in Pakistan

    Indian bride Anju’s cross-border love story earns her a year-long stay in Pakistan

    Anju, now known as Fatime, a 35-year-old Indian woman, has been granted a one-year visa extension by Pakistani authorities to stay in the country, reported Geo News on Wednesday.

    Anju made waves both domestically and internationally for her decision to cross borders out of love, converting from Hinduism to Islam, and marrying Nasrullah, a resident of Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The couple’s union took place last month in a local court overseen by a district and sessions judge.

    In a recent statement, Nasrullah expressed gratitude towards the interior ministry for the one-year visa extension granted to his wife. He confirmed that all necessary documentation has been shared with the relevant authorities and appreciated the cooperation and assistance they’ve received from various Pakistani departments and institutions.

    Anju’s decision to cross borders for love has not only captured hearts but also led to heartwarming gestures of hospitality from the Pakistani community. Last month, Anju was presented with a parcel of land and monetary gifts as an appreciation of her embracing Islam.

    Mohsin Khan Abbasi, the CEO of a prominent real estate company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gifted Fatima Rs50,000 and a 10 marla housing plot. A video circulated on social media showed Abbasi visiting the newlywed couple, Anju and Nasrullah, at their home.

    He expressed his intentions during this visit, emphasizing that such gifts were to ensure Anju felt welcome and at home in her new country.

    Anju’s heartwarming journey began on July 22 when she entered Pakistan through the Wagah border, with her beloved Nasrullah waiting for her in Rawalpindi. Originally granted a month-long visa, that have now been extended to one year.

    Under strict security measures, the couple was brought to the district courts, where a judge recorded Anju’s statement and performed the nikkah ceremony. In her statement, Anju asserted that her visit to Nasrullah, aged 29, was entirely of her own free will, and she expressed happiness in marrying him.

    After the nikah, the couple swiftly departed the court premises without interacting with the media, as reported by locals. They later visited the picturesque Lowari Top area, capturing moments of their journey in a video that subsequently went viral on social media.

    According to Indian media reports, Anju was previously married to Arvind Kumar in 2007. The couple are parents to a 15-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.

    A day prior to her court marriage, Anju released a 40-second video message, urging the media not to disturb or harass her relatives and children in India, as she was in the process of returning home, which she expected to complete within two or three days.

    Anju clarified that her travel to Pakistan was entirely legal and well-planned, emphasizing that she had taken time to make the decision.

    In an interview with Indian media, Anju’s father announced that he was breaking all ties with his daughter. He told media that the family had no idea that Anju was planning to travel to the neighbouring country and marry a Pakistani man.

    In answer to a question, he said that Nasrullah, who is now his son-in-law, had messaged him and shared videos of the engagement, to which he told Nasrullah that he has nothing to do with it. He was very clear that if his daughter was getting married to someone by her own will, what could he have done about it. It’s her choice, he said.

  • ‘Our tolerance is much higher’: Adnan Siddiqui thinks Pakistanis are more accepting than Indian audiences

    ‘Our tolerance is much higher’: Adnan Siddiqui thinks Pakistanis are more accepting than Indian audiences

    Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui spoke with The Indian Express about his 2019 hit drama ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ which is set to appear on the Indian channel ‘Zee Zindagi’ which has also aired previous Pakistani dramas like ‘Qissa MeherBano Ka’ and ‘Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay’.

    Touching upon the topic of the ban on Pakistani music and films in India and vice versa, the actor said that there should be a healthy cultural exchange between the two countries as he feels Pakistanis are more tolerant in comparison to Indian audiences:

    “Art has no boundaries, but artistes have a certain boundary, which shouldn’t be there. There should be healthy cultural exchange. I believe that the kind of tolerance–pardon me for being so blunt–but our tolerance, in comparison to Indian audience is much higher. We accept Indian artistes, Indian cricketers, we accept everything good about India. But when this thing goes across the border, it becomes very political. I don’t know why.”

    Adnan, who starred in Bollywood film ‘Mom’ in 2017 which starred the late veteran Bollywood actress Sri Devi and our very own Sajal Aly, and was met with applause by audiences both in India and Pakistan. But the actor recalled how after the Fawad Khan controversy, the filming had to be kept quiet.

    “I remember when I was filming Mom, it was kept very hush-hush, because the whole Fawad Khan controversy had happened. Boney was saying that we can’t do interviews, public appearances. This shouldn’t be happening; the responsibility should be taken by both the governments and the political parties, to at least be a little lenient when there is art involved somewhere.”

    Speaking further on the ban and his dissapointment on not being able to establish a career in Bollywood, Siddiqui revealed that it was actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s manager who reached out to him with some jobs, but it eventually didn’t work out.

    “I was thinking to have my career over there, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s manager was in touch with me, he was offering me some work over there and I was looking at those also, but then it didn’t happen. No regrets, really.”

  • SC refuses Khan’s plea to pause trial court proceedings in the Toshakhana case

    SC refuses Khan’s plea to pause trial court proceedings in the Toshakhana case

    The Supreme Court (SC) rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s petition on Wednesday to pause trial court proceedings in the Toshakhana case.

    The former prime minister went to the apex court when he didn’t get relief from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Toshakhana case.

    Last year, on October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case for making “false statements and incorrect declarations.”

    The trial court said on July 8 that ECP’s plea is defensible and further proceeded against the former Prime Minister Imran Khan. After that, Imran Khan approached the SC for relief.

    A two-member SC bench heard the case today. Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that the SC will not interfere in the matters of the trial court.

    He further said that it’s not within the SC’s jurisdiction to hear the petition while the case is already in the IHC.

    “Court’s jurisdiction is a major issue, it should be decided first,” the justice remarked.

  • ‘What even’: Sahir Lodhi’s philosophy has people scratching their heads

    ‘What even’: Sahir Lodhi’s philosophy has people scratching their heads

    Recently, a Sahir Lodhi quote featured in Tribune Lifestyle has left people scratching their head. The website quoted Lodhi’s interview with Cinevision Youtube channel where he said: “‘Sahir’ and ‘Sahir Lodhi’ are two different people. Sahir is somebody that I know. Sahir Lodhi is somebody that everyone knows. Everyone has access to Sahir Lodhi. But only Sahir Lodhi has access to Sahir.”

    Is this the plot to Inception? When the quote went viral on Twitter, users took their best shot at trying to decipher what Sahir meant. We’ll share some of the hilarious responses to Lodhi’s philosophy.