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  • Arshad Sharif’s mother wants Imran Khan to be included in murder investigation

    Slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder case took a surprising twist on Thursday when the anchor’s mother filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to include Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the investigation into her son’s murder.

    Other than the former Prime Minister, Arshad Sharif’s mother has requested that Faisal Vawda, Murad Saeed, Salman Iqbal and Imran Riaz Khan be made part of the investigation into Sharif’s killing.

    A five-member bench headed by the Chief Justice will hear the case. The Attorney General, Ministry of External Affairs, and special JIT have received notifications from the Supreme Court.

    Arshad Sharif was shot dead by Kenyan police on Oct 23, 2022, in what was described as a case of mistaken identity.

  • ‘Paratha weds pancakes’ is how Vicky Kaushal describes his marriage to Katrina Kaif

    ‘Paratha weds pancakes’ is how Vicky Kaushal describes his marriage to Katrina Kaif

    Truly a man written by a woman.

    Vicky Kaushal is a treasure – a good looking and extremely talented man who knows that with a wife like Katrina Kaif, the proper thing to do is worship the ground she walks on.

    Recently speaking to News Tak for the promotion of his upcoming film ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’, the actor opened up about what his marriage to the Bollywood diva is like, describing it as “paratha weds pancakes”:

    “She loves pancakes, I love parathas,” he revealed, adding that Kaif loves parathas too. “She loves mom ke haath ke paranthe.”

    When Kaushal was asked about whether he would encourage people to have an arranged or love marriage, the ‘Raazi’ revealed that the most important thing is that the couple learn to accept differences and develop an understanding with each other.

    “Love is important, marriage could be love or arranged. Understanding and compassion are important. It is important to understand that they are a different person, you are a different person and you have to come to an understanding as a couple. She doesn’t have to agree with me fully, and I don’t have to agree with her always. If that understanding exists, it doesn’t matter if the marriage is arranged or love. It should give happiness to the family, and to them most importantly.”

    Humare tissues kidhar hain? Yaar ye bohat ziada hai.

    Kaushal also said in the interview that despite having a committed acting career, Kaif is equally involved in household chores and how budget is planned:

    “The most fun experience is when she (Katrina) holds a meeting in the house every week or every other week. She gets the entire staff together and discusses the budget of the house. She takes account of how the money is being spent, the expenses, and it’s a great thing. But when that discussion happens, I enjoy it. I’m an audience and I sit with popcorn.”

  • ‘Used to wish that my name was normal and English like Hannah’: Dua Lipa

    ‘Used to wish that my name was normal and English like Hannah’: Dua Lipa

    Dua Lipa is one of the biggest stars in the music industry today with her iconic looks as well as bops like ‘Levitating’ and the Barbie soundtrack ‘Dance the night’. The BBC reports that the Albanian-English pop star has revealed she wasn’t always so sure she would end up working in the entertainment industry because of her heritage, as well as her name.

    “From a young age, I had the dream to be a pop star but it never seemed like something that was actually possible,” the ‘New Rules’ singer shared. “I’ve been a new girl all my life.”

    “There was always the idea of being from two places at once,” the ‘Barbie’ actress continued. “I understood the duality of my heritage from an early age. People would always ask where my name is from. I was really proud of it, but when I was younger I wished my name was, say, Hannah — something ‘normal’ and English.”

    But these insecurities didn’t hold the superstar back, making her more determined to pursue a career in music, and influencing her decision to move back to London at the age of 15 to give her GCSE’s while her family moved to Kosovo, and shared a flat with the daughter of family friends:

    “I was quite determined,” recalled Dua. “I didn’t feel I had the same opportunities in music as I had in London. I was driven. My dad says I’m very hard to say no to!”

    She revealed how at the age of 17, after finishing her studies she set her mind on making it in the music industry:

    “I was really persistent. I just started writing a lot, worked with a producer. I was 17. I was offered a publishing deal but [producer] Felix told me to go to a lawyer, who said, ‘Don’t sign that deal!’ They then helped me get into the studio.”

    Dua Lipa is set to star in the upcoming Greta Gerwig film ‘Barbie’ which has Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in main roles.

  • Employee at King Edward Medical University caught making video of female student in washroom

    Employee at King Edward Medical University caught making video of female student in washroom

    An employee of King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has been caught making a video of a female student in a washroom.

    The incident took place at Maqbool Block of the university. The female, a MBBS Part-I student, caught the man filming her, and took the phone from him which contained objectionable clips.

    According to a university source, MBBS students had previously protested to the KEMU administration on several occasions about male staff members moving around in the restrooms reserved for women.

    “The most worrying part of the development was the fear of the medical students that a nexus was behind the crime,” the source claimed.

    The parents of the student reprimanded university administration for not taking serious action against the employee who recorded the video..

  • Smith, Babar, Kohli ‘once in a lifetime’ trio, says Mathew Hayden

    Smith, Babar, Kohli ‘once in a lifetime’ trio, says Mathew Hayden

    In the build-up leading to World Test Championship final between India and Australia, former left-hand test great Mathew Hyden opened up about the strength of both teams.

    When asked about the advantage Australia might have over India, Hayden highlighted the importance of putting runs on the board, and in doing so, he praised the batting prowess of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, and Babar Azam, whom he considers modern-day greats.

    Hyden praised the techniques of Babar Azam, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, describing them as “once in a lifetime and once in a generation cricketers,” indicating that their abilities and achievements set them apart from their peers.

    Hayden also acknowledged the significance of Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins in the Australian team. Labuschagne’s emergence as a reliable batsman and Cummins’ dual role as a captain and a potent fast bowler add further strength to the Australian lineup.

    “In a big game, it is about runs on the board. Steve Smith is a maestro. When you think about the modern-day greats, Smith, Kohli, Babar Azam, these are once in a lifetime and once in a generation cricketers. So obviously in combination with Labuschagne, those two are extremely critical for Australian batting line-up. And then Pat Cummins as a captain and as a bowler as well,” Hayden said.

    Smith, known for his unorthodox yet effective batting style, has been a key figure in Australia’s batting line-up for several years. His ability to consistently score runs and dominate opposition bowlers has earned him a reputation as one of the best batsmen of his generation.

    Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has been a dominant force in world cricket for over a decade. Known for his aggressive and passionate style of play, Kohli is regarded as one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket.

    Babar, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has risen through the ranks to become one of the most exciting batsmen in international cricket. His elegant strokeplay, impeccable timing, and ability to play long innings make him a delight to watch. Babar’s impressive statistics and consistent performances have cemented his place among the top batsmen in the world.

  • ‘Encourages those suffering to cope’: PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi praises ‘Jhoom’ for talking about mental health

    ‘Encourages those suffering to cope’: PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi praises ‘Jhoom’ for talking about mental health

    Drama serial ‘Jhoom’ has been praised by audiences for its storyline about an older and financially independent woman and her love interest. Eight episodes in, the drama, starring Zara Noor Abbas and Haroon Kadwani, has been praised by for its empowered female characters, the electrifying chemistry between the leads, and for tackling mental health issues in a sensitive manner, especially refusing to depict being admitted in a psychiatric hospital in a negative way.

    In the drama, Aryaan (Haroon Kadwani) suffers from anger issues and depression, which stem from his mother abandoning their family. In a recent episode, he is informed that reports were discovered proving he was admitted in a mental rehabilitation center for some time. But instead of denying it, Aryaan candidly speaks about depression, and reminds the authorities that they should never stigmatise those suffering from mental health issues, especially when they work hard to overcome it.

    Politician Sharmila Faruqi shared the scene in an Instagram post, highlighting how important it is now more than ever that television shows learn to portray mental health issues in a sensitive and empathic manner:

    “Talking openly about mental health can reduce the misconception and stigma and can encourage those suffering from it to cope, seek help and find a support network. It helps communities to be more acceptable towards those who need help. With the right treatment most people recover from depression and anxiety and can lead a normal, productive life. But is the society compassionate about this ? All forgiving ? This scene from the current drama serial “Jhoom” talks about this very important human right.. our mental health. How we feel and think is central to the way we live our lives… Suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths globally.. Alarming isn’t it? Yes.. support those around you who need help. Every 1 person in 5 experiences a mental health condition. Urgent action is needed to strengthen mental health systems across the globe. Be a part of this.. Thank you to the makers of “Jhoom” for bringing this in the forefront. Very aptly portrayed by @haroonkadwani  ”

    We are in awe of how Pakistani dramas are branching out from the typical saas-bahu narratives, and are daring to tackle topics like these and executing them brilliantly!

  • Countdown to Pakistan’s budget unveiling: Last IMF review holds the key

    Countdown to Pakistan’s budget unveiling: Last IMF review holds the key

    Pakistan is heading towards a crucial phase as it prepares to unveil its budget on June 9, following an arduous bailout negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A Fund official revealed that only one board review remains under the current IMF bailout package, which is seen as a step towards a successful review.

    Esther Perez Ruiz, the resident representative for Pakistan at the IMF, emphasised the need to restore the proper functioning of the foreign exchange market to pave the way for the final review.

    Ruiz outlined additional prerequisites, including passing a budget that aligns with the program objectives for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and securing credible financing commitments to address a $6 billion shortfall.

    Experts suggest that the coalition government is striving to strike a delicate balance between satisfying the demands of the IMF and winning over voters in the upcoming general election. Analysts expect the government to announce populist measures in the budget to appease the electorate while aiming to meet IMF prescriptions.

    The IMF program, which concludes this month, has approximately $2.5 billion in funds yet to be released due to ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the lender. Pakistan’s economy is grappling with severe challenges, including high inflation, fiscal imbalances, and low reserves.

    The government is hoping that the general election scheduled for November will help alleviate the turmoil stemming from a protest campaign led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman after his removal in a no-confidence vote last year.

    Former finance minister Miftah Ismail stressed the importance of securing IMF funding, highlighting the difficulties Pakistan would face without it. Ismail expressed confidence that the government would present a budget in line with IMF prescriptions to ensure the country’s survival in the next fiscal year.

    A staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the IMF to release $1.1 billion from a $6.5 billion package has been delayed since November, further intensifying the country’s need for funds to avert a balance of payments crisis. Experts believe that even after the current program expires, Pakistan will likely seek another bailout in the upcoming fiscal year to avoid defaulting on its debt obligations.

    Pakistan’s central bank reserves can cover imports for only about a month, underscoring the urgency of securing financial assistance. Inflation in the country, home to 220 million people, has reached a staggering 37.97 per cent in May, marking a record high for the second consecutive month and making it the highest rate in South Asia.

    The planning minister recently announced that development spending targets in the new fiscal year would be set at 1,150 billion rupees ($4.02 billion), while projecting an inflation rate of 21 per cent for the same period. With the general election looming, some analysts anticipate that the government will announce vote-winning measures, even if they have to be scaled back later.

    Pakistan’s budget unveiling tomorrow will be closely watched by the nation, as it not only sets the course for the fiscal year but also represents a crucial step in the ongoing negotiations with the IMF and the government’s efforts to regain stability and boost economic growth.

  • 12 robbers killed, 51 arrested in Katcha operation

    12 robbers killed, 51 arrested in Katcha operation

    A massive police operation against hardened criminals and terrorists in Katcha area in Punjab has entered its 60th day today as police claim more achievements.

    According to a spokesman of the Punjab Police, 12 bandits have been killed in the past two months, more than eight have been injured, 26 have surrendered and 51 have been arrested.

    Policeman Muhammad Qasim was martyred while fighting the criminals, while three officials were injured. Around 60,000 acres of land considered as no-go area was cleared in the operation. Three police community schools and two dispensaries have been established in the areas cleared by the police, the spokesman added.

    The police destroyed and burnt dozens of secret hideouts and bunkers of criminals. The gangs have been wiped out and the writ of the government has been established in areas including Katcha Moro, Katcha Jamal, Katcha Imrani, Chak Kapra, Chak Chirag Shah, Jungo Thandi, Khairpur Bambili, Chak Chandia, Rakh Shahwali and Katcha Razi.

    The spokesman further said criminals with head money and gangs including Bangiani, Sukhani, Imrani, Lund, Dalani, Pitt and Sadani have been forced to flee. Police pickets have been established at several spots.

    Weapons recovered from the robbers include 12.7 machine guns (anti-aircraft), rocket launchers, G3, SMG, LMGs, Kalashnikovs, repeaters, hand grenades and hundreds of bullets.

    Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar, D G Khan RPO and Rajanpur RPO are present along with the police personnel on the front line in the Katcha area and are commanding the operation.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi advises Imran Khan to leave the country

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday met with party Chairman Imran Khan at Zaman Park in Lahore. This was the first meeting between the top two leaders of PTI since the events of May 9.

    As per The News, both leaders exchanged heated words during the meeting.
    As per sources, Qureshi asked Imran Khan to leave the country temporarily. He also suggested that Khan should stay quiet if he doesn’t want to leave the country.

    The PTI vice chairman requested Imran Khan to let him and others resolve the problems the party is facing, adding that he can take over the party later.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi also suggested to Khan that he should refrain from making ’emotional decisions’. He also told him that retired people who are misleading him are of no help.

    After the meeting, Qureshi did not talk to the media gathered outside Zaman Park.

    Qureshi was released from Adiala Jail on Tuesday after the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench ordered his immediate release.

  • Non-filers beware: Proposed increase in advance taxes on vehicles and utility bills

    Non-filers beware: Proposed increase in advance taxes on vehicles and utility bills

    In an attempt to boost tax revenue and increase non-tax income, the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has proposed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to impose higher advance taxes on various sectors. The council’s recommendations primarily target non-filers and aim to generate additional funds for the government’s development initiatives.

    One of the key proposals put forth by the PBC is to increase the annual advance income tax amount for owners of vehicles with an engine capacity of 2000cc and above who are non-filers. The council suggests raising the amount to Rs250,000 per year.

    Additionally, the PBC argues for an increase in advance income tax levied on non-filers for the purchase of cars, as outlined in section 231B.

    The proposed changes in advance income tax for different engine capacities are as follows:

    Engine capacity: 1800cc – 2000cc

    Existing tax: Rs600,000

    Proposed increased tax: Rs2,000,000

    Engine capacity: 2001cc – 2500cc

    Existing tax: Rs900,000

    Proposed increased tax: Rs2,500,000

    Engine capacity: 2501cc – 3000cc

    Existing tax: Rs1,200,000

    Proposed increased tax: Rs3,000,000

    Engine capacity: Above 3000cc

    Existing tax: Rs1,500,000

    Proposed increased tax: Rs4,000,000

    Furthermore, the PBC suggests raising the advance income tax from Rs1,200,000 to Rs2,400,000 on the sale of vehicles with an engine capacity of 2001cc and above by non-filers before registration.

    In addition to the proposed changes in vehicle-related taxes, the PBC recommends increasing the advance tax collected from domestic connections in the name of non-filers.

    Currently, non-filers with monthly utility bills of Rs25,000 or more are subject to a 7.5 per cent advance tax. The council suggests continuing this practice and exploring the possibility of imposing withholding tax on withdrawals exceeding Rs50,000 in a single day from non-filer bank accounts.

    According to sources within the FBR, the board has decided to increase the petroleum development levy from Rs50 to Rs60 per unit, which is expected to generate revenue of Rs870 billion. The government aims to increase non-tax income to Rs2.9 trillion through such measures.

    It is worth mentioning that the proposed measures are intended to create additional funds for various government initiatives. One such initiative involves increasing pensions by up to 30 per cent, which would require Rs780 billion in funding.

    The PBC’s recommendations, if implemented, would significantly impact non-filers and luxury expenditures. These proposed changes seek to address the revenue deficit and support the government’s efforts to strengthen the economy and promote sustainable development in Pakistan.