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  • Beware, Biparjoy: our celebs are armed with safety tips and they’re not afraid to use them

    Reports are coming in that 62,000 people have been evacuated from the country’s coastal line, according to Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, and 75 relief camps have been set up at schools and colleges, according to Samaa.

    Celebrities and public figures are taking to social media to send helpful advice and prayers to those who could be affected by the natural disaster, as well as encouraging followers on social media to not listen to misinformation while stocking up on all the necessary things they need incase of emergency.

    Veteran actress Bushra Ansari shared a video of the sea outside her apartment to disseminate the misinformation that the storm had already reached Karachi, and sent her prayers to the resident’s of this city

    Philanthropist and actress Shaniera Akram urged her followers to help the ones living along the coast and whose lifestyle could be harmed due to the floods.

    Founder of ‘Something Haute’ Amina Haider Isani encouraged all her followers to bring their pets inside to a safer enclosure

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui sent well wishes to the people of both Pakistan and India, and prayed that the cyclone passes away soon.

    Actress Mishi Khan urged her followers to keep an emergency bag with them which included medicines, valuables, and cash etc, and to also remain in contact with friends and family members.

    There is no harm in finding some humor in dark times, like actress Ushna Shah can as she makes a funny quip about boarding a plane while a cyclone looms over Karachi

    “My flight to Karachi is taking off and there is a Cyclone warning there. I just want my husband to know that God forbid if the plane crashes & I don’t make it, I hope he finds happiness with someone new one day.. and I hope he knows she will never be as awesome as me. He will have settled. (It’s really sad that I have to give this disclaimer but I do: this is a joke).”

  • Request for including Imran Khan in Arshad Sharif’s Murder Case declared inadmissible

    Request for including Imran Khan in Arshad Sharif’s Murder Case declared inadmissible

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has discarded the petition of slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s mother to add Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, head of ARY Salman Iqbal, former minister Murad Saeed, former minister Faisal Vawda and senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan to the investigation.

    The Supreme Court stated that the request of involving these persons can be made to Joint Investigation Team (JIT) instead.

    The Supreme Court has issued a written order, stating that the lawyer of Arshad Sharif’s mother had requested the court to conduct an investigation involving the aforementioned five people.
    The court dismissed the application, declaring it inadmissible and further stated that the request can be made to the JIT.
    The petition submitted by the lawyer also stated that it is a request to Supreme Court to order the chief of JIT to include these five persons in the investigation.

  • Cyclone Biparjoy: Karachi spared, Keti Bandar on high alert

    Cyclone Biparjoy: Karachi spared, Keti Bandar on high alert

    Karachi may be spared from the worst of Cyclone Biparjoy, the latest trajectories of the tropical storm seem to suggest.

    “The very severe cyclonic system (VSCS) Biparjoy will not directly hit Karachi; however, it will certainly hit Keti Bandar,” Minister of Climate Change Sherry Rehman said on Tuesday.

    Senator Sherry Rehman warned on a private TV show that there is no other option but evacuation for the residents of Keti Bandar.

    She added that Karachi may experience light rainfall today, but heavy rainfall is expected on Thursday and Friday. Karachi is likely to receive 110mm of rainfall, while Thatta, Badin, and Sajawal are expected to receive 330mm of rain.

    Sherry Rehman said panic is natural, pointing out that it is human psychology to panic when danger is near. However, following safety precautions can help us avoid danger.

    The Ministry of Climate Change has issued a High Alert for the residents of Keti Bandar and initiated the evacuation process.

    The senator urged locals to cooperate with the government and emphasized that the government did not want to resort to force, but if residents did not follow the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), necessary action would be taken.

    “We have a red alert in place until June 18 and will issue a new advisory at 11 or 12 o’clock on the day the storm is expected to make landfall,” she added.

    In a separate tweet, she stated: “Panic is understandable, human nature; but it’s important to move with caution and calm.”

    “Evacuations are painful, stressful, and hard to embark on, but we must insist on them in areas where we see #CycloneBiparjoy making landfall. For coastal areas like Keti Bandar, evacuations are not optional.”

    During the same appearance on Geo News’ ‘Aj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath,’ Pakistan Meteorologist Department (PMD) Sindh Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said the storm’s intensity had somewhat decreased.

    “There is no dangerous situation in Karachi; the cyclone will exit from the city’s south,” he said.

    He further added that the storm was heading toward the north.

    “It will then move northeast, where it will hit or pass Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat,” he said, commenting on the cyclone’s trajectory.

  • Shell Pakistan’s parent company to exit ownership, announces sale of stake

    Shell Pakistan’s parent company to exit ownership, announces sale of stake

    Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) announced on Wednesday that its parent company, Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SPCo), has communicated its intention to divest its ownership stake in SPL. The notification was conveyed by SPCo to the Board of Directors of Shell Pakistan Limited during a meeting held on June 14, 2023. The announcement was promptly disseminated to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) by Shell Pakistan.

    The potential sale of shares is contingent upon a targeted sales process, the completion of binding documentation, and obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals. It should be noted that SPL operates as a subsidiary of Shell Petroleum Company Limited, United Kingdom, which is itself a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc—a globally renowned energy and petrochemical conglomerate.

    Shell Pakistan Limited engages in the marketing of petroleum products, compressed natural gas, and a diverse range of lubricating oils. While this development signifies a change in ownership, Shell Pakistan has emphasised that its ongoing business operations will remain unaffected and continue as usual. The company remains fully committed to ensuring the provision of safe and reliable services to its valued customers and partners.

    In the previous month, Shell Pakistan Limited released its financial results for the first quarter of 2023, which were significantly impacted by the prevailing economic crisis in the country. The company reported a substantial loss of Rs4.6 billion, in contrast to a profit after tax of Rs2 billion in the corresponding period last year. This downturn can be attributed to the unprecedented devaluation of the Rupee, escalating inflation, and broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

  • No conflict on chairman PCB’s seat, says Rana Sana Ullah

    No conflict on chairman PCB’s seat, says Rana Sana Ullah

    In a press conference, Rana Sanaullah declared that there is no dispute within the government over the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He mentioned that the Prime Minister always fosters inclusivity, and coalition partner Pakistan People’s Party(PPP) chief Asif Zardari engages in discussions.

    He clarified that any political party can hold different opinions regarding the appointment of the PCB Chairman, but there is no fundamental disagreement.

    Furthermore, Rana Sanaullah emphasized that there is no pressure on former Chairman Nadra, Tariq Malik. He denied any occurrence of a contentious conversation between himself and Tariq Malik’s secretary.

    It is important to note that Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi, recently met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed Najam Sethi to expedite the elections for the PCB Chairman.

    Shahbaz Sharif has nominated Najam Sethi as the candidate for the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Following this nomination, Najam Sethi held a meeting with Sharif, where he briefed the Prime Minister on the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup in India.

    According to sources, Najam Sethi also sought the Prime Minister’s opinion on the Asia Cup and the World Cup, and the Premier expressed complete confidence in Najam Sethi.

    During the briefing, it was announced that the PCB’s 2014 constitution has been fully reinstated. Elections for the PCB districts have been completed in over 90% of the districts, and 80% of the regional elections have also been concluded.

    Additionally, it was disclosed that the Regional Inter-District Under-19 Cricket Tournament will commence on June 15. The one-year cricket calendar has been finalized and will be announced soon. All departments have begun assembling their cricket teams.

  • TikToker Sundal Khattak taken into custody over Hareem Shah nudes case

    TikToker Sundal Khattak taken into custody over Hareem Shah nudes case

    TikToker Sundal Khattak was arrested on Tuesday by the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) in a case pertaining to the Hareem Shah nudes leak scandal. An Islamabad court has also rejected her bail. Express Tribune reported that the court also rejected Khattak’s request to arrest Shah for defamation.

    Khattak has rejected claims that she leaked Shah’s videos, accusing the TikTok star of defamation on social media because of which she was receiving death threats from her followers. She was directed by the court to file an application with the local police station on the complaints.

    Hareem Shah’s nudes were leaked on the internet in March. She released a statement on social media saying that it was her close friends who had made these videos and were responsible for the leak, and she was going to take strict action against them. Shah named her close friends, Khattak and Ayesha Naz, as the ones responsible for this leak, as they would spend a lot of time with the TikTok star.

    Shah went on to reveal that she had filed a complaint with the FIA against Naz, but the organisation did not take any action against her, despite her doubts. “Ayesha had also informed my other friends that she will leak my videos,” added Shah. “But I don’t really care about these videos.”

    Speaking to Geo, her husband Bilal said he will not leave his wife in her hour of need, and revealed that he was furious at the actions of Khattak and Naz, as they had been allowed in their home and even shared their rooms

    Bilal said he was horrified that the women would do such a thing to their close friend. He said they had violated and smeared the character of a woman despite being women themselves.

    “In my eyes, they have done a very ungraceful thing,” the husband spoke: “After we land in Pakistan, we will take every legal action which can be taken.”

  • Could not travel from Lahore to Islamabad on short notice, Bushra Bibi tells NAB

    Could not travel from Lahore to Islamabad on short notice, Bushra Bibi tells NAB

    Former First Lady and wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, did not appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Al-Qadir Trust case on Tuesday, stating that she is unable to travel from Lahore to Islamabad so often on short notice.

    NAB has already called in former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the same case on June 15. It is expected that Imran Khan and his wife both will appear before NAB on the same day.

    Sources within NAB told Dawn that Bushra Bibi sent a letter to Chairman of the bureau in which she said it is difficult for her to appear on Tuesday as she received a notice just three days ago.

    Earlier, Bushra Bibi in a statement submitted to NAB on June 7, said that she is not aware of any “wrongdoings” in the trust’s matters and deal between UK’s National Crime Agency and Malik Riaz, a property tycoon. She further added that she is not involved in the affairs of trust and donations.

    In the same letter Bushra Bibi requested NAB to shift her hearing to a day later, as her husband Imran Khan was also scheduled to appear before the Islamabad High Court and an anti-terrorism court on the same day.
    Bushra Bibi, in her letter also said that she observes strict purdah and that is why she would like to be accompanied by her husband when she travels to Islamabad.

  • Gold price in Pakistan drops by more than Rs5,700 per tola in two days

    Gold price in Pakistan drops by more than Rs5,700 per tola in two days

    On Tuesday, the price of gold in Pakistan continued its downward trend, influenced by post-budget concerns and the impending cyclone Biparjoy, resulting in a deserted market. The All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) provided data indicating a decrease in the price of gold (24 carats) by Rs4,000 per tola and Rs3,430 per 10 grams, reaching Rs221,500 and Rs189,900, respectively.

    Internationally, the price of gold experienced a $2 decline, settling at $1,961 per ounce. Over the past two sessions, the cumulative decline in the prices of this precious commodity amounted to Rs5,750. Moreover, it is worth noting that gold is priced Rs4,000 per tola lower in Pakistan compared to the Dubai market.

    The fluctuating gold rates in Pakistan can be attributed to ongoing political and economic uncertainty, high inflation, and currency depreciation. During such times, individuals tend to consider gold as a safe investment and a hedge. Tuesday’s market witnessed a significant decline due to various factors, including international rates, dollar depreciation, cyclone Biparjoy, and unfavorable weather conditions that deterred buyers from venturing out.

    Data from the association indicated that the price of silver remained unchanged at Rs2,650 per tola and Rs2,271.94 per 10 grams. Furthermore, the local currency experienced a decrease of Rs0.34 or 0.12 per cent against the US dollar, concluding the day at Rs287.97 in the interbank market.

  • ‘Modern-day Goebbels’: Shehbaz Sharif says Imran Khan has perfected art of lying

    ‘Modern-day Goebbels’: Shehbaz Sharif says Imran Khan has perfected art of lying

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has on Wednesday scathingly responded to a tweet by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan referring to the events of May 9, calling him a “modern-day Joseph Goebbels.”

    Goebbels was the chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, largely blamed for creating the narrative that led to World War II and the Holocaust.

    Imran Khan’s tweet, posted on Tuesday, said that the violent events that took place on May 9 were pre-planned.

    “If there is someone who deserves the title of modern-day Joseph Goebbels, chief propagandist for the German Nazi Party, is none other than Imran Khan. He is certainly perfecting the art of lying. How convenient of IK to forget how he incited his cult followers to violence over a span of one year! He called the Army and intelligence leadership names, exploited the people’s emotions through slogans of ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ & use of religious symbols & even administered oath of ‘Jihad’ to them,” wrote PM in the tweet.

    “As the State symbols & military installations came under attack at the hands of his goons, he refused to condemn violence, what to speak of urging the arsonists to stand down. His speeches & Twitter posts have enough evidence to refute his claims & establish a build-up to the events of May 9. As the facts have established so far, the PTI under his watch purposefully deployed violence as a policy. He can lie through his teeth. History doesn’t,” he added

    The National Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution demanding action against May 9 rioters under the Army Act.

    The resolution was moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

    The resolution demanded that all individuals involved in May 9 riots must immediately face legal repercussions, adding that members of the same party and its leaders were separating themselves from May 9 events.

  • Clear roadmap for Pakistan’s World Cup journey to India

    Clear roadmap for Pakistan’s World Cup journey to India

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023. Now, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), in a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other cricketing boards, has approved the model with slight amendments.

    Asia Cup 2023 is all set to be played with PCB’s hybrid model, while Pakistan retains the hosting rights.

    The PCB favors the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue, considering it a smart and effective revenue gateway for Pakistan. However, other boards, including the Indian Cricket Board, argued for an alternative venue. Consequently, the ACC has finalized Sri Lanka as the neutral venue for the tournament. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now co-host the Asia Cup 2023.

    According to the proposed hybrid model, the first four or five matches will be played in Pakistan, with the remainder of the tournament moving to Sri Lanka, where India will have the opportunity to play their group matches.

    The PCB had been ready to show flexibility over a tit-for-tat stance for the World Cup had the Indian board rejected the hybrid model. The former had also expected the Pakistan government to grant approval for the country’s team to travel to India for the 50-over showpiece “much easily” if the proposed model was accepted.

    It is, therefore, understood that Pakistan will feature in India for the first time since 2016. Whether they take on the hosts, their arch-rivals, in Ahmedabad as proposed in a draft schedule sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the boards of the participating sides is also to be decided by the country’s government.

    As per media reports, the PCB, having received the draft schedule as well, has started it’s consultations with the government over the fixture list and a decision is expected to be made in the coming week.

    That would also mean that the official schedule of the World Cup will be released just over three months ahead of the first game of the tournament on October 5.

    According to the draft schedule, Pakistan will kick off their campaign on October 6 against one of the teams coming through from the preceding qualifying round in Hyderabad before taking on another qualifier at the same venue on October 12.

    The Babar Azam-led unit is scheduled to fly out to Ahmedabad for the high-octane clash against India on October 15 before playing Australia five days later in Bengaluru and Afghanistan and South Africa in Chennai on October 23 and 27.

    After locking horns with Bangladesh in Kolkata four days later, Pakistan will return to Bengaluru for their match against New Zealand on November 5 before concluding the league stage with their fixture against England in Kolkata on November 12.

    The dates and venues for the tournament’s semi-finals and final have not been included in the draft schedule