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  • Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    A local watch dealer has requested that an inquiry of fraud be opened against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and others, Samaa has reported.

    Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi have all been named in the complaint filed at Kohsaar Police Station, under the provisions of fraudulent receipt and deceit.

    As per the First Information Report (FIR) the former Prime Minister and others nominated in the complaint, presented fake receipts for buying Toshakhana gifts and fraudulently used the watch dealer’s forged signature for the alleged deal.

    “We never bought or sold such things, so legal action should be taken,” claimed the watch dealer.

    Separately, on Tuesday Bushra Bibi, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court — seeking blanket cover in all cases registered against her across the country.

  • PM Shehbaz urges Finance Ministry to ensure strict adherence to IMF guidelines in upcoming budget

    PM Shehbaz urges Finance Ministry to ensure strict adherence to IMF guidelines in upcoming budget

    In a meeting held between Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday, it was emphasized that the upcoming budget, scheduled to be presented on June 9, should strictly adhere to the parameters set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    PM Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his optimism about reaching an agreement with the IMF, dispelling media reports suggesting a populist budget typically seen in election years.

    An informed source, who was present during the meeting, highlighted that Pakistan cannot afford to deviate from the IMF’s prescribed principles in the budget. The PM’s resolve to adhere to these guidelines was reinforced after his recent telephonic conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. It was during this conversation that PM Shehbaz Sharif personally appealed to Georgieva to revive the stalled $6.5 billion bailout package.

    The discussion between the PM and the IMF Managing Director took place due to the finance ministry’s inability to break the deadlock over loan talks in the past four months. However, the source disclosed that PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction after his conversation with Georgieva, leading to an agreement to share the budget details with the IMF.

    Furthermore, the IMF Managing Director indicated the possibility of a revival of the programme. This positive development prompted PM Shehbaz Sharif to inform the Turkish media during his visit to Ankara that Pakistan remains hopeful of finalising a deal with the IMF this month. He assured that Pakistan had met all the required conditions and that the upcoming budget would align with the terms and conditions set forth by the IMF.

    “We are still very hopeful that the IMF programme will materialise. Our ninth review by the IMF will match all terms and conditions, and hopefully, we’ll have some good news this month,” PM Shehbaz Sharif stated during an interview with Anadolu in Ankara, where he was present for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inauguration ceremony.

    According to Geo, the PM further clarified that while some actions are typically met after the board’s approval, this time, the IMF insisted on meeting those actions before granting approval. He affirmed that Pakistan has fulfilled these requirements as specified by the IMF.

    As the budget presentation approaches, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Finance, which has been tasked with ensuring strict compliance with IMF parameters. With the PM’s renewed optimism and the positive signals received from the IMF, there is a growing sense of hope that Pakistan will be able to secure the much-needed financial support to address its economic challenges.

    It remains to be seen how the upcoming budget will reflect the government’s commitment to IMF compliance and whether it will lead to a successful conclusion of negotiations with the international financial institution.

  • Gender-based discrimination is also harassment, rules Supreme Court

    Gender-based discrimination is also harassment, rules Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court, while allowing review petitions against its July 5, 2021 judgment, said on Tuesday that harassment law does not apply just to sexual harassment but also addresses gender-based discrimination at the workplace.

    Justice Ayesha A. Malik issued a 14-page judgment in the harassment cases involving Pakistan Television (PTV) employee Nadia Naz. A three judge SC bench in 2021, passed the judgement that the petitioner failed to establish the case of sexual harassment within the contemplation of the Act.
    SC in its Tuesday judgment wrote, “Both the president [of the country] and the Islamabad High Court decided the case of [complainant] Nadia Naz on the understanding that harassment means sexual harassment having a sexual nature and form and did not examine the facts in the context of Nadia Naz’s perspective and her understanding of the injury caused.”
    “It includes a broad range of conduct and behaviour which results in workplace problems with serious consequences, one of the main being gender inequality.”

    “Being an issue grounded in equal opportunity and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment, sexual harassment in any form violates the dignity of a person as it is a demeaning practice that aims to reduce the dignity of an employee who has been forced to endure such conduct,” read the judgment.

    “Sexual harassment as gender-based discrimination is gender-based hostility, which creates a hostile work environment. It is a reflection of the unequal power relations between men and women which translates into a form of abuse, exploitation and intimidation at the workplace which makes it a violation of a basic human right.”

  • Kissi haal may khush nahi: why Gen Z is not happy with anything?

    Kissi haal may khush nahi: why Gen Z is not happy with anything?

    It’s unfair to generalize an entire generation as being “not happy with anything.” The experiences and attitudes of individuals within a generation can vary greatly. However, there are some potential reasons why some members of Generation Z may appear to be unhappy or dissatisfied.

    One possible reason is the current state of the world. Gen Z has grown up during a time of great social and political upheaval, including economic uncertainty, climate change and political polarization. These issues can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.

    Another factor is the prevalence of social media in Gen Z’s lives. Social media can create a constant pressure to present a perfect image and compare oneself to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Additionally, social media can expose Gen Z to a constant stream of negative news and information, which can contribute to feelings of pessimism and despair.

    Finally, there may be a perception that previous generations have left Gen Z with a world that is in worse shape than it was before. This can lead to feelings of resentment and disillusionment, as well as a belief that the current systems and structures are not working for them.

    Overall, it’s important to recognize that every generation has its own unique challenges and struggles, and it’s unfair to characterize an entire group as being uniformly unhappy or dissatisfied.

  • See Prime’s ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is Pakistan’s biggest creative ensemble with three directors

    See Prime’s ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is Pakistan’s biggest creative ensemble with three directors

    The upcoming anthology film ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is bringing together a star-studded cast with some of the biggest directors and actors for three short films which will be directed by Nadeem Baig, Nabeel Qureshi and Marina Khan.

    The film will feature diverse tales from the minds of storytellers like Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Abbas Naqvi and Basit Naqvi. Pakistan’s biggest stars like Wahaj Ali, Mehwish Hayat, Shehryar Munawar, Ramsha Khan, Hira and Mani are cast in lead roles, making it one of Pakistan’s biggest creative collaborations.

    The Current spoke to veteran actress, director and producer Marina Khan, one of the directors helming the project. We asked her how this collaboration came into being, and she revealed that originally, Qureshi had made a short film for See Prime. But the production house decided to expand it into an anthology film by reaching out to Baig and then her:

    “Nabeel had been making a short film for See Prime, which turned out nicely, and they did not want to only upload it on YouTube. So the team of See Prime approached Nadeem for the second film, who reached out to me for the third film.”

    The film features three unique stories with a different cast. Nadeem Baig will be narrating a classical love story “Aik Sau Taeswaan” written by Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, which will star Mehwish Hayat and Wahaj Ali. Nabeel Qureshi will helm a ghost story “Jin Mahal” which will feature celebrity couple Hira and Mani, while Khan will be directing a modern love story “Pasoori” which will star Ramsha Khan and Sheheryar Munawar. Speaking on what her short film is about, the ‘Dhoop Kinare’ actress revealed:

    “It is the story of a girl whose childhood dream has come true. But, she now has to make a choice between the dream or her wedding day.”

    Nadeem Baig was also contacted by See Prime for the idea of an anthology film. Speaking to The Current, he said he was also looking forward to watch it in the theatre.

    Discussing the casting choice behind his short film, which will feature a classical love story between the main leads, the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ director revealed that he felt that there would be good chemistry between Mehwish and Wahaj:

    “I thought Wahaj would suit the character and I thought he and Mehwish would have quite interesting chemistry, and I hope it works for the audience as well.”

    The film will release on Eid-ul-Azha in theatres across Pakistan. Watch the complete trailer below:

  • Russian crude oil shipment faces delay, expected to reach Pakistan on June 11

    Russian crude oil shipment faces delay, expected to reach Pakistan on June 11

    In a recent development, a Russian cargo vessel carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil has experienced delays and is now expected to reach the Omani port of Duqm on June 7. This delay has caused a setback in Pakistan’s plans as the oil was initially scheduled to arrive in Oman on May 27-28.

    According to an official, the crude oil will be transported to Pakistan via smaller ships from the Omani port, which will take approximately two weeks to reach Port Qasim in Karachi. The Russian vessel, loaded with Ural crude on April 21 at a Russian port, encountered a delay of 10 days due to technical issues. Subsequently, it arrived at Egypt’s Suez Canal on May 17, where it faced a lengthy 12-day wait in a queue to cross the canal.

    Following its journey across the Red Sea, the vessel is anticipated to reach Duqm on Tuesday. Upon arrival, the crude oil will be unloaded onto a smaller vessel with a capacity of 50,000 tons. This smaller vessel is expected to reach Port Qasim on June 11. The remaining 50,000 tons of Russian crude will be transported separately and is scheduled to arrive at Port Qasim on June 20.

    According to The News, authorities have assured the safe and smooth arrival of the Russian crude, despite the logistical challenges that caused the delay. The official stated that the transportation cost has already been settled with the Russians, so the delay will not result in additional expenses. However, there is a concern that if the price of crude oil decreases during this period, it could have detrimental effects on the country.

    Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has been entrusted with the responsibility of refining the test cargo of Russian crude oil. PRL will blend this oil with crude imported from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Aramco. The test cargo will provide valuable data to the government regarding the quality, yields, and commercial viability of the Russian oil. Additionally, it will assist the government in assessing transportation costs, refining expenses, and refining margins for the country’s refineries.

    The government is eagerly awaiting PRL’s test report, which will aid in making informed decisions about future oil imports and refining processes.

  • Rising inflation forces over 80% of Pakistanis to reduce monthly expenses

    Rising inflation forces over 80% of Pakistanis to reduce monthly expenses

    A recent survey conducted by PulseConsultant in the month of May has shed light on the significant increase in downtrading among urban Pakistanis, attributed to the high inflation rate. The study surveyed more than 1,360 respondents across the top 12 cities of Pakistan.

    The findings of the study reveal a notable shift in consumer behavior and attitude towards purchasing and consumption patterns in light of the current inflation wave. As prices continue to soar, many respondents have altered their buying preferences to cope with the economic challenges.

    According to the study, 55 per cent of respondents reported that they have switched from expensive brands to more affordable ones. This percentage represents a considerable increase from the previous month of April, where the trend stood at 45 per cent. This shift highlights the growing financial strain faced by consumers, prompting them to seek cost-effective alternatives.

    Moreover, the data indicates a decline in the phenomenon of purchasing the same brands but reducing the quantity. In April, 46 per cent of respondents claimed to be adopting this strategy, whereas in May, the number dropped significantly to 38 per cent, showing an 8 per cent decrease. This suggests that consumers are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their previous consumption habits.

    In terms of monthly home purchases, the study reveals that 81 per cent of respondents reported a reduction in May, marking a 3 per cent increase compared to April when the figure was 78 per cent. This indicates that consumers are actively curtailing their household expenses in response to the inflationary pressures.

    To gain a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and attitudes towards the current inflation wave, PulseConsultant invites individuals to join their syndicated research initiative. The study aims to gauge the impact of inflation on purchasing and consumption behaviors across 40+ categories, focusing on five parameters: consumption increase/decrease, brand switching, quantity reduction while retaining the brand, changing the stock keeping unit (SKU) while retaining the brand, and category consumption drop.

    The research methodology involves face-to-face interviews with a sample size of 1,704 individuals across the top 17 cities in Pakistan. The gender distribution comprises 30 per cent males and 70 per cent females, while the age group considered is 22-55 years. The socioeconomic classes targeted range from SEC A-D. The research is scheduled to take place over a period of four weeks.

    As inflation continues to affect the purchasing power of consumers in urban Pakistan, the study by PulseConsultant aims to shed light on the evolving trends and behaviors within the market. The findings will help businesses and policymakers make informed decisions to navigate the challenging economic landscape and cater to the changing needs of consumers.

  • Markets nationwide to close at 8 pm to save energy

    Markets nationwide to close at 8 pm to save energy

    The National Economic Council has decided to close shops across the country at 8 pm.

    The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the participation of the Chief Ministers of Sindh, Punjab, and KP.

    The Balochistan Minister of Planning also participated in the meeting. During the meeting, it was decided to close shops across the country at 8 pm.

    In a press conference held after the meeting, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal stated that the decision to close shops at 8 pm was made to save energy.

    He further mentioned that commercial areas will be closed at eight o’clock, green energy will be promoted, and LED bulbs will be installed.

  • WhatsApp introduces user-friendly picture tool for editing

    WhatsApp introduces user-friendly picture tool for editing

    WhatsApp has rolled out a highly anticipated feature on the app, showing its commitment to improving user experience.

    The latest feature on the instant messaging platform is the picture editing tool, which has been introduced for the Desktop version of the app, as reported by WABetainfo.

    An article published on the website stated that the recently added feature is a “crop tool” for the drawing editor that allows users to trim images as required.

    “This addition has been eagerly awaited, as previous versions didn’t have this functionality. With this update, WhatsApp beta users on Windows can now enjoy the convenience of cropping their images within the app itself, making it easier for users to edit media,” it said.

    The “crop tool” also saves time for users as they no longer have to crop pictures using external image editing tools before sending them via the Desktop version.

    The built-in crop tool lets users easily crop their images without leaving the WhatsApp interface.

    However, not all users currently have access to the new feature as it has initially been released to some beta testers. It will be made available to more users soon.

  • This Twitter user is leaking audios of judiciary, politicians and the big judge wants to find him

    This Twitter user is leaking audios of judiciary, politicians and the big judge wants to find him

    Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday asked authorities to track a Twitter account, which had been responsible for leaking audio conversations linked to judiciary.

    The CJP mentioned the Twitter account which goes by the username @indibell_.

    “Check out Indibell’s Twitter handle, is it operating from outside the country or inside the country?” The CJP directed the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan.

    Here is the Twitter account:

    Justice Bandial made the remark while hearing petitions against the audio leaks inquiry commission. The five-judge bench conducted the hearing is led by CJP Bandial, and includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.

    The federal government set up the Commission on May 20 in exercise of its power under Section 3 of the Pakistan Commissions of the Inquiry Act, 2017, to inquire about the audio leaks.