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  • Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Man who killed police officer in Karachi arrested in Sweden

    Abdul Rehman in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V in 2022, has been arrested in Sweden. The breakthrough was confirmed by a senior police official on Monday.

    According to Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) South Asad Raza, Nisar was apprehended by Swedish authorities.

    “A Swedish police delegation has also arrived in Karachi,” the SSP said. He further said that the suspect will be transferred to Karachi in ten to fifteen days after the completion of all legal formalities.

    Karachi police also made contact with Interpol to request their assistance in arresting the suspect.

    According to the police, Nisar came to Karachi last year from Sweden in November. He lives there with his wife and two children.

    Murder:

    A heated exchange between Khurram Nisar and the police officer came to light in CCTV footage last year, in which the accused was seen pulling out his gun after getting out of a black car.

    Khurram is the son of a former Deputy Commissioner. According to the authorities, he had arrived in Karachi on November 5, 2021 from Sweden, before flying back in November the next year.

  • Crisis on wheels: Pakistan’s automotive industry grapples with mass layoffs and 70% sales drop

    Crisis on wheels: Pakistan’s automotive industry grapples with mass layoffs and 70% sales drop

    The automotive industry in Pakistan is facing a severe setback as thousands of workers were laid off due to a decline in vehicle and spare parts sales. The government’s ban on raw material imports, coupled with the depreciation of the rupee and soaring inflation, has caused a significant strain on the industry. With foreign exchange reserves dwindling and the local currency hitting historic lows against the US dollar, the economic crisis has reached unprecedented levels.

    Pakistan finds itself in the midst of its most formidable economic crisis to date, as the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have plummeted to a mere $4 billion. This amount is barely sufficient to cover three weeks of imports, raising concerns about the country’s economic stability. The ban on raw material imports, implemented to prevent the outflow of US dollars, has caused a sharp decline in industrial output and triggered widespread layoffs and unemployment.

    Dollar crunch and inflation

    In the midst of the worsening dollar crunch, commercial banks have also halted the opening of letters of credit (LCs), leaving importers in a state of uncertainty regarding the provision of the necessary funds for already placed orders. This further exacerbates the challenges faced by the automotive industry, hindering its ability to procure essential raw materials and sustain production.

    The country is grappling with soaring inflation rates, which surpassed 36 per cent in April, the highest recorded since 1964. As a result, consumer purchasing power has diminished significantly, leading to a sharp decline in vehicle sales. Munir Karim Bana, Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), laments the dire situation, stating that thousands of workers have been laid off, and production has ground to a halt. The closure of auto manufacturing plants has further exacerbated the industry’s challenges.

    Auto parts manufacturers are grappling with demurrage charges as raw materials worth billions of rupees remain stuck at the Karachi port. PAAPAM, responsible for supplying approximately 90 per cent of local vehicle parts, is bearing the burden of these charges. Furthermore, with production units closed, income streams have dried up, exacerbating the financial strain on the industry.

    Rana Ihsan Afzal, the coordinator to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on commerce and industry, acknowledges that the automotive industry’s full efficiency may not be restored until the revival of the IMF bailout program. As a sector heavily reliant on imports and foreign currency, the automotive industry is particularly vulnerable to the country’s economic challenges. The delay in the staff-level agreement on the ninth review of the IMF bailout deal signed in 2019 has further hampered the industry’s prospects.

    Revival prospects and government assurance

    Amid the decline in sales and mass layoffs, the coordinator to the Prime Minister expressed his concern but assured that the government is tirelessly working to revive the economy. The coordinator acknowledges the temporary phase that necessitates import restrictions on the automotive industry to protect foreign exchange reserves. However, he remains optimistic that once reserves are replenished, the industry will experience a significant upturn.

    Pakistan’s automotive industry is facing a dire crisis, with plummeting sales, layoffs, and manufacturing plant closures. The ban on raw material imports, along with the economic challenges of soaring inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, has pushed the industry to the brink. Despite the difficulties, the government is committed to revitalizing the sector and assuaging the concerns of manufacturers.

  • Sindh lawyers team up against a female judge for exposing water scam

    Sindh lawyers team up against a female judge for exposing water scam

    Sadaf Khokhar, a female jurist posted as a District and Sessions Judge at the Malir court in Karachi, has exposed a scam in which water from Karachi court’s RO filter plant was being illegally sold for profit.

    After she exposed the scam, lawyers from different groups of the province pitted themselves against the female judge.

    She had a sign displayed at the court’s RO filter plant last week on Thursday, May 11, prohibiting the sale of the water.

    Given the lack of access to clean drinking water for those who visit this court, the Malir Bar Association requested authorisation to establish a RO plant in 2021.

    However, when senior civil judge and supervisory officer Khurram Amin Khan paid a surprise visit to the RO facility last week, he discovered that a man by the name of Hajan Ali was peddling packed bottles of water from it.

    Hajan Ali informed the civil judge that he had a contract in place to sell the water with the current elected Malir Bar Association board.

    At the plant, the civil judge discovered bottles and packing materials.

    Justice Khokhar was then informed by the civil judge about the scam. “[D]istilled water is being sold commercially,” Khokhar said in a letter she wrote to the registrar of the Sindh High Court on May 13.

    “The RO plant is donated and being maintained at the [cost of] court/public exchequer (electricity etc).”

    The District Bar Association then promptly organised a strike, scheduled for the following day.

    The lawyers accused the female judge of harassing and humiliating the lawyers of the Malir Bar and stopping the service of drinking water.

    According to the Malir Bar lawyers, the female judge had violated the law,and they had declared a strike that would last until Monday, May 15.

    The case then moved on to further courts, with the Sindh Bar Council bringing it before the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court by May 18.

    The Chief Justice Ahmad Ali M Sheikh was informed about the judge’s behaviour by the Sindh Bar Council, the Sindh High Court Bar Association, the Karachi Bar Association, and the Malir Bar Association.

    However, they were dissatisfied with the judge’s response.

    Amir Saleem, the president of the Karachi Bar, said on May 20, they will go on strike in protest of the Chief Justice’s and District and Sessions Judge Sadaf Khokhar’s lack of cooperation.

    On Monday, May 22, the strike was still in effect. Her transfer out is what the solicitors desire.

  • Transgender activist Shehzadi Rai, Twitter users criticise ‘Guru’ for hiring cis man to play intersex character

    Express Entertainment has recently released the teaser trailer of the upcoming drama ‘Guru’ about an intersex character, with the main character to be played by Ali Rehman Khan.

    The announcement has received backlash on social media, with transgender activists like Shehzadi Rai taking to Twitter to criticise how such castings prevent opportunities for members of the khwajasira community to tell their own stories:

    “Cisgender men taking opportunities in acting roles that intended for transgender individuals. It is important to promote diversity and inclusivity in all fields, including acting. Kuch tu chor do.”

    Speaking to The Current on the use of ‘intersex’ to describe the khwajasira community, as well as giving third gender roles to men, Rai said:

    “People who do not want to declare themselves as intersex, why are you pushing the label on them? And roles that are about the third gender, you should give them to people who identify under it. A man’s role would be played by a man, while a woman’s role would be played by a woman.”

    Other Twitter users have slammed the announcement as a disservice to the khwajasira community, by profitting of their stories but refusing to lift up members of the community. One user added:

    “Most Pakistani celebrities will never utter a word in support of the khawajasira community when their rights are being taken away but would be the first ones to accept roles to portray khawajasira characters in dramas. Token inclusion at its finest.”

    Another user compared the response of this casting to the backlash the film ‘Joyland’ had received, for which the transgender actress Alina Khan had been cast, and how the backlash began because an actual person from the marginalized community had stepped forward to tell their own story:

    “This is hypocrisy. When Joyland featured an actual khwajasira person, the entire country is up in arms. But we seem to be totally okay with basing our movies and shows on their lives as long as we’re not actually giving them opportunities in the process.”

    Many also criticised Express Entertainment for representing a marginalised community with someone who does not belong to it.

    “Express tv really think they are making difference by representing marginalised community featuring a cis man in mainstream media & capitalising from it? when u could hire someone from the community because Im sure there are talented trans people who deserve this opportunity.”

  • Imran removed Asim Munir from DG ISI post in 2019 when Bushra Bibi’s corruption got exposed, PM Shehbaz

    Imran removed Asim Munir from DG ISI post in 2019 when Bushra Bibi’s corruption got exposed, PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing National Assembly (NA) on Monday, said that the then-PM Imran Khan transferred incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir from the post of Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in 2019 because he had told Imran that his wife Bushra Bibi was involved in corruption.

    “I say this with full responsibility that incumbent army chief Gen Asim Munir when he was DG ISI, told PM Imran, that his wife was involved in corruption”, Sharif said.

    “But obviously Imran got furious about it and did not like it. And the rest is history,” the premier added.

    “Today I would like to say that Imran Khan has betrayed the nation by sprouting a lie. This is the reason why the former DG ISI was transferred … it was because he confronted the then-PM that his family members were involved in corruption.”

    On May 21, Khan categorically termed “completely false” the rumours regarding him removing COAS Munir from the post of DG ISI in 2019 because the then-spymaster wanted to investigate corruption cases involving Bushra Bibi.

    The PTI chief’s denial on Twitter comes after a Telegraph report stated: “It was as ISI chief that he is reported to have first clashed with Mr Khan, who was then prime minister. Gen Munir is reported to have informed Mr Khan he wanted to investigate allegations of corruption around his wife and her circle. Then, in June 2019, he was removed from his post only eight months into what was meant to be a three-year term.”

    In a tweet, Imran said: “This is completely false. Neither did Gen Asim show me any proof of my wife’s corruption nor did I make him resign because of that.”

    In his speech in NA today, Shehbaz claimed that he was not aware of the arrest warrants issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for Khan.

    He also clarified that the rioters of the May 9 events will be tried under existing laws, asserting that “no new laws are being introduced”.

  • Gold price in Pakistan is currently Rs5,000 higher than global market rate

    Gold price in Pakistan is currently Rs5,000 higher than global market rate

    The price of gold continued to increase in Pakistan on Monday, following the gains of last week. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the rate of 24-carat gold rose by Rs2,000 per tola and Rs1,714 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs237,300 and Rs203,446, respectively.

    In the international market, the gold rate declined by $5, reaching $1,972 per ounce. Throughout last week, the rate of gold experienced fluctuations in both the domestic and international markets, amidst uncertainty surrounding the raising of the US debt limit.

    If the US debt limit, which is currently capped at $31.4 trillion, is not raised, it could trigger the first-ever US default.

    According to Geo, recent volatility in the domestic gold market can be attributed to various factors, including economic and political turmoil, high inflation, and currency depreciation. In such times, people tend to prefer buying yellow metal as a safe investment and a hedge.

    On May 10, the safe-haven bullion reached an all-time high of Rs240,000 per tola, driven by increased political uncertainty following the arrest of Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, it subsequently dropped in line with the decline in the international rate.

    Pakistan’s gold price peaks above global market levels

    The jewellers’ body also highlighted that local gold in Pakistan is currently overpriced by Rs5,000 per tola compared to the Dubai bullion market. Consequently, the Pakistani gold market is presently more expensive than the world market.

    Data shared by the association revealed a significant jump in the price of silver, with an increase of Rs50 per tola and Rs42.87 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs2,900 and Rs2,486.28, respectively.

  • Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Wajahat withdraws his support in aftermath of May 9

    Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Wajahat withdraws his support in aftermath of May 9

    Former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s cousin Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain has announced that he is withdrawing support for his Elahi over the May 9 episode in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegedly attacked military installations and government buildings.

    In a press conference in Lahore, Hussain condemned the violent protests of May 9, saying that some people in his family took poor decisions. “They will soon realise their mistakes,” he said.

    Referring to the patriarch of the clan, Wajahat said that Chaudhry Shujaat will welcome whoever wants to come back to Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), adding that the coming time would unite the Chaudhry family. “It is possible that whoever created misunderstandings is the one fixing them,” he said cryptically.

    Wajahat Hussain also advised Elahi’s son Moonis Elahi, a vocal proponent of PTI, to return to the PML-Q.

    Earlier this year, Wajahat Hussain, who is also the younger brother of PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, had sworn allegiance to Elahi when the latter left the PML-Q and joined PTI.

    A day earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif went to the PML-Q chief’s home to meet him. Reportedly, Pervez Elahi left the house on the premier’s arrival. Both cousins live in adjacent houses in the same compound.

    According to Geo News, Elahi isn’t in contact with anyone since last night.

  • Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Younis Khan to represent Pakistan at Over-40s World Cup

    Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Younis Khan to represent Pakistan at Over-40s World Cup

    ‘Boom Boom’ Shahid Afridi will don the national colours once again along with multiple former superstars of cricket to represent Pakistan at the Over 40s World Cup, set to take place in September-October this year.

    The country’s veteran cricketers association has announced.

    Afridi, who represented Pakistan from 1996 to 2016, agreed to feature for the team after a meeting with Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan and other officials on Thursday, said a PVCA press release.

    The former all-rounder currently runs a social welfare foundation in his own name which will be the “CSR Partner” for the tournament, according to the association.

    The Over 40s World Cup will see eight teams from Australia, West Indies, Canada, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the US vie for the honours at the National Bank Stadium here from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

    Along with Pakistan’s most famous cricket star Shahid Afridi, former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan will be the part of the emerging tournament.

  • Mockery of Princess Kate in ‘Citadel’, ‘The Little Mermaid’ enrages Twitter

    Recently, a few clips from ‘Citadel’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ which appear to be making crude jokes about Princess Kate Middleton, have surfaced on Twitter and enraged users who have assumed that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is the mastermind behind them.

    In ‘Citadel’, which stars Priyanka Chopra, a friend of Markle’s, a sexist joke was made about Middleton. In a scene from the third episode, a line says, “The chief of armed forces? You might as well have asked me how to get between the legs of the Duchess of Cambridge!”

    Middleton was formerly recognized as the Duchess of Cambridge, before her role was elevated after the death of Queen Elizabeth.

    According to Page Six, Priyanka Chopra, who is the main lead on the show, was present on set when this line was delivered, and was reportedly aware of it.

    Chopra and Markle were close friends before the Duchess’ marriage to Prince Harry, and Chopra attended their wedding in the UK, later writing a gushing note about her.

    In ‘The Little Mermaid’ a scene has been interpreted by fans as a dig at Middleton.

    In this scene, as Page Six reported, Prince Eric and Ariel meet after she sacrifices her voice to come on land. Eric is trying to guess what is her name, and his first guess is Diana, then Catharine. To which Arial makes a disgusted reaction to which Eric responds “OK, definitely not Catherine.”

    Since these two clips went viral on social media, fans have criticised Chopra’s actions as classless and slammed the makers behind ‘Citadel’ for allowing such a tasteless and sexist joke.

  • Meta slapped with record-breaking $1.3 billion fine for EU-US data transfer breach

    Meta slapped with record-breaking $1.3 billion fine for EU-US data transfer breach

    Meta has received a record-breaking fine of 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) from European privacy regulators due to the transfer of European Union (EU) user data to the United States (US).

    The decision stems from a case initiated by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems, who argued that the existing framework for transferring EU citizen data to the US did not adequately protect Europeans from US surveillance.

    There have been several legal disputes surrounding mechanisms for transferring personal data between the US and the EU. The most recent arrangement, known as Privacy Shield, was invalidated by the European Court of Justice in 2020, which is the highest court in the EU.

    The Irish Data Protection Commission, responsible for overseeing Meta’s operations in the EU, accused the company of violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the EU. Despite the 2020 ruling by the European court, Meta continued to transfer the personal data of EU citizens to the US. GDPR is a significant data protection regulation that governs companies operating within the EU, and it has been in effect since 2018.

    Meta utilized a mechanism called standard contractual clauses to facilitate the transfer of personal data between the EU and the US. This method had not been blocked by any EU court. However, the Irish data regulator stated that these clauses, along with other measures implemented by Meta in conjunction with the European Commission, did not adequately address the risks to the fundamental rights and freedoms of data subjects as highlighted by the European Court of Justice.

    The Irish Data Protection Commission also instructed Meta to halt any future transfer of personal data to the US within a five-month period following the decision.

    The 1.2 billion euro fine imposed on Meta is the largest ever penalty issued for breaching GDPR. Previously, the highest fine of 746 million euros had been levied against e-commerce giant Amazon for GDPR violations in 2021.

    Meta has announced its intention to appeal the decision and the fine. In a blog post on Monday, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, and Chief Legal Officer, Jennifer Newstead, stated that they would seek a stay from the courts to pause the implementation deadlines due to the potential harm caused by the orders, particularly to the millions of Facebook users.

    This case involving Meta has once again brought attention to the efforts of the EU and Washington to establish a new data transfer mechanism. Although the US and EU reached a preliminary agreement on a new framework for cross-border data transfers last year, it has not yet come into effect.

    Meta is hopeful that the EU-US data privacy agreement will be established before the Irish regulator’s deadlines take effect. If the new framework is implemented within the expiration of the implementation deadlines, Meta’s services can continue without disruption or impact on users, as stated by Clegg and Newstead.