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  • ‘Socho thorda sa’: Indian singer Shaan reacts to backlash over Eid post

    On Saturday, Bollywood playback singer Shaan Mukherjee wished Eid Mubarak to his Muslim fans by posting a picture of himself wearing a white shalwar kameez and prayer cap. However, the picture got backlash from extremist Indian trolls, to the point that the singer decided to restrict comments on his post.

    Now, the ‘It’s The Time To Disco’ singer has addressed the reaction, calling for his audience to be more empathetic and kind towards each other as both Muslims and Hindus celebrated their religious festivals on the same day this year.

    Fans in Pakistan and India have applauded Mukherjee’s empathetic and sensible post, a rare move in the time when religious extremism is rising in India, as the BJP continues to marginalise Muslims.

    Twitter users praised Shaan for calling for his followers to respect all religions.

  • Real or reel? Internet divided over whether Ranbir Kapoor’s gesture towards Alia was staged or sweet

    Real or reel? Internet divided over whether Ranbir Kapoor’s gesture towards Alia was staged or sweet

    On Saturday, a clip of the Bollywood power couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor went viral over social media in which they were spotted arriving at the house of late screenwriter Pamela Chopra, who had passed away recently. A clip posted by Indian entertainment page Viral Bhayani showed Kapoor picking up Bhatt’s sandals and placing them inside the doorway, a gesture which has divided the internet.

    This simple but moving gesture did win over some parts of the internet, who felt that the ‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makkar’ actor was being a gentleman by taking care of his wife’s shoes.

    However, not everyone agrees, with some users slamming Kapoor for insulting religious beliefs by placing Bhatt’s sandals right in front of the mandir, rather than leaving them outside.

    Others trolled Kapoor for staging such a move in an attempt to stop the backlash to his recent comments about his wife. During a press conference, Kapoor had received criticism for complaining that the ‘Gangubai’ actress talks a lot.

  • Audio leak: Is Saqib Nisar discussing contempt of court case against Shehbaz Sharif?

    Audio leak: Is Saqib Nisar discussing contempt of court case against Shehbaz Sharif?

    The season of audio leaks continues as a new one has hit the interwebs on Tuesday, involving an alleged conversation between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim and former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar.

    The former head of the apex court can be heard speaking about the judgement of a seven-member bench on a “suo moto” notice taken by the apex court in 2010 to Rahim and asking him to look into the matter.

    Moreover, Nisar also refers to the ouster of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Tanveer Ilyas as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister over contempt of court.

    At this, the senior lawyer said that they were planning to file another contempt case.

    Here is the content of the audio leak:

    Nisar: Khawaja Sahab, I wanted to tell you something.

    Khawaja Tariq: Yes.

    Nisar: A judgement, please look into that. This is a seven-member judgement.

    Khawaja Tariq: By whom?

    Nisar: This is the sou moto (notice) number 4 of 2010, sir. This seven-member judgement, 2012, has been reported on page number 553 of the Supreme Court.

    Khawaja Tariq: Okay

    Nisar: This is okay, right?

    Khawaja Tariq: I will look into it.

    Nisar: Whoever is your lawyer, tell him to check it out. It states that if… never mind, you’ll know when you will read it.

    Khawaja Tariq: I will read. I have seen the seven-member bench judgement. They have stated in it that until the act is not formulated… if you read it carefully, clause three has it…

    Nisar: Yeah, yeah.

    Khawaja Tariq: They have given a way in it as well. Just see that.

    Nisar: Yes sir, I have seen that. That is the way out for you.

    Khawaja Tariq: That is the way out.

    Nisar: That is the way out or else there is no case.

    Khawaja Tariq: Yes exactly. I will see that as well.

    Nisar: And secondly Khawaja sahab, if someone is ready from your side, then use Muneer Ahmed Khan’s [case] as well. It is a very clear case of contempt of court.

    Khawaja Tariq: We are working on it.

    Nisar: Whatever happened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, after that any…

    Khawaja Tariq: We are only waiting for the three-member bench’s verdict. It can take another half an hour. After that, we are filing another contempt of court case.

    Nisar: Okay then. Thank you, sir, thank you. 

    The leaked conversation has prompted online speculation that the former Chief Justice is discussing a contempt of court charge against current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    In March, another alleged audio clip of Nisar and Rahim surfaced online in which the two talked about formulating a case against Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

  • Swat twin bombing: death toll rises to 16

    Swat twin bombing: death toll rises to 16

    The death toll of Monday’s blasts at Kabal police station in Swat, has increased to 16 now. The cause of the explosions has not been determined yet.
    According to reports, the blasts took place within the premises of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) office.

    As per a report released by the Deputy Commissioner Swat’s office, two back-to-back explosions occurred at 8:29 pm inside the CTD police station situated at Kabal Police Lines, causing significant damage to the roof of the police station, main office and a mosque located within the premises. The explosions were followed by a fire. The report stated that the dead include nine police officers and six civilians, while the identification of other victims was still underway.
    KP police have reported that there were a total of 15 fatalities in the incident, comprising of nine police officers and six civilians, while the identities of the others are still being processed.

    The victims have been identified as sub-inspector (SI) Abdullah Khan, SI Ashraf Ali, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) CTD Sher Alam, and constables Taj Muhammad, Asmat Ali, Khalilur Rahman, Bakht Rokhan, Fazal Raziq, Nahid and two-year-old Azan.

    Additionally, 63 individuals were injured in the explosions, with eight of them in critical condition.

  • PSX asks companies to explain significant changes in share prices

    PSX asks companies to explain significant changes in share prices

    The compliance department of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has contacted five listed companies seeking clarification on a “substantial” change in their share prices between March 16 and April 13. One of the companies contacted is Pakistan Services Ltd (PSEL), which owns and manages the chain of Pearl Continental hotels in Pakistan. PSEL has a free-float of 60 per cent, with the company’s sponsors controlling only 40 per cent of the shareholding while the rest is available to the public for trading.

    PSX Head of Listed Companies Compliance, Hafiz Maqsood Munshi, sent a letter to PSEL on April 20 stating that “The PSX has observed that the price in the shares of PSEL has decreased substantially during the period from March 16 and April 13”. According to the prevailing Securities Act, listed companies are required to promptly disclose any unusual movement in the price or volume of its traded securities to the general public. If the company observes any such matter or development, it must share the details with the public. Otherwise, the company should issue a statement of the fact that it’s not aware of any such matter or development.

    The share price of PSEL was Rs1,720.50 at the close of the March 15 session, dropping to Rs800.10 apiece by the end of the April 13 session, showing a decrease of 53.5 per cent in less than a month. The PSX has directed PSEL to provide, “at the earliest”, the reason or any material information that may have resulted in the substantial decrease in its price during the period under consideration.

    Capital market regulators across the world keep an eye on any sudden share price movements to protect small investors from fraud. Listed companies are required to share any new development that may have a material impact on its stock price with the public immediately. This regulatory requirement is aimed at preventing insider trading, which involves buying and selling of shares by someone with non-public but material information about the stock undergoing a sharp change in its price or trading volume.

    The PSX also contacted Tandlianwala Sugar Mills Ltd (TSML), a producer and seller of white crystalline sugar and ethanol with a free-float of only 5 per cent, to explain the substantial increase in its share price between March 16 and April 13. TSML had no trading on March 15 or 16, with a closing price of Rs67.03 apiece on March 17. Its share price rose 50.3 per cent to Rs100.79 a share by the end of April 13.

    According to Dawn, the PSX compliance department contacted Towellers Ltd, a manufacturer and exporter of textile make-ups, garments and towels, which saw its share price rise from Rs183 on March 15 to Rs291.16 on April 13, up 59.1 per cent in the period under review. The PSX asked Khairpur Sugar Mills Ltd, a seller of sugar and by-products with just 5 per cent of free-float, to explain why its share price rose from Rs46.22 on March 15 to Rs72 on April 13, reflecting an increase of 55.7 per cent in about a month.

    Lastly, the stock exchange sought an explanation for the substantial share price increase from Metropolitan Steel Corporation Ltd, which makes ribbed bars, wire rods, bailing hoops, wires, transmission towers and cold profiles. The steel maker’s share had no trading on March 15, with a closing rate of Rs22.19 on March 16. Its closing rate on April 12 was Rs35 apiece, which shows the increase in the stock rate was 57.7 per cent over the period under review. The shares of the company were not traded on April 13.

  • Apple may cut off iPhone X and older iPad models from iOS 17 compatibility list

    Apple may cut off iPhone X and older iPad models from iOS 17 compatibility list

    According to French tech website iPhoneSoft, Apple’s upcoming operating system iPadOS 17 will no longer support the first-generation 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, as well as the fifth-generation iPad. This news corroborates earlier reports from a source with a reliable track record for predicting upcoming software updates. If the information is accurate, only the following devices will be compatible with iPadOS 17 when it is released in the fall: iPad Pro (2017 and later), iPad Air (third generation and later), iPad (sixth generation and later), and iPad mini (fifth generation and later).

    It’s important to note, however, that being on Apple’s compatibility list doesn’t guarantee that the device will fully support all features of the software. For instance, iOS 15 is compatible with all devices that can run iOS 14, but not all features will be available on older iPhones.

    In terms of iPhone compatibility, there are conflicting reports. The same source that leaked information about the iPad models that will be dropped from iPadOS 17 claimed that iOS 17 will also drop support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. However, another anonymous leaker, who has shared accurate information in the past, disputed this claim. According to this second source, all iPhones that support iOS 16 will also support iOS 17, including devices powered by A11 chipsets like the iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus.

    Last year, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 discontinued support for several devices, including the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, original iPhone SE, final iPod touch, second-generation iPad Air, and fourth-generation iPad mini. Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 during its WWDC keynote on June 5th.

  • Supply of free flour for underprivileged cannot be questioned, says Lahore High Court

    Supply of free flour for underprivileged cannot be questioned, says Lahore High Court

    Lahore High Court has ruled that the government is responsible for providing free flour to those living below the poverty line and unable to purchase it themselves, and therefore the supply of free flour cannot be challenged in court. The court also stated that the supply of free flour under the government’s “Ramzan package” is a policy decision that cannot be interfered with by the court. This ruling came in response to a petition filed by a bar member challenging the government’s fixation of the wheat price at Rs3,900 per 40 kg.

    LHC dismissed the petition, stating that the government has the authority to fix prices and take necessary measures to cater to the needs of the people. The court also observed that the fixation of prices of commodities such as wheat by the government falls within the policy-making domain of the government and that this function must be performed keeping in mind various factors such as the availability of stocks and demand and supply.

    The court further noted that the government’s power to fix prices cannot be ordinarily interfered with by the court in its constitutional jurisdiction and that in the absence of any law or policy, the court cannot issue directions to respondents to provide flour or wheat to consumers at subsidised rates. The court also stated that the government’s purchase and sale of wheat, provision of wheat to flour mills, subsidised value, and framing of policy to provide flour at a particular rate or free of cost to deserving people of the society are all within the policy-making domain of the government.

    The court held that the government’s fixation of the wheat price was within its jurisdiction and powers, and that the government’s decision to fix the price was made after considering various factors, including regulating market forces. According to Brecorder, the court observed that the government’s power to fix prices cannot be challenged by petitioners who do not have access to the relevant data or the capability to determine various aspects of the price-fixing criteria.

    In conclusion, the court ruled that the government has the authority to fix the price of wheat and that the supply of free flour to those in need is a policy decision that cannot be challenged in court. The court also noted that the fixation of prices of commodities falls within the policy-making domain of the government and must be performed in consideration of various factors and that the court cannot interfere with the government’s power to fix prices in its constitutional jurisdiction.

  • Online theft: FIA busts gang pretending to be bank officials on phone

    Online theft: FIA busts gang pretending to be bank officials on phone

    On Monday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended a group of fraudulent online criminals who had been involved in a series of online theft cases.

    The FIA’s Cyber Crimes Circle Rawalpindi reported that six individuals were taken into custody for their involvement in the scams, which used advanced technology and modern gadgets.

    Six individuals by the names of Mohammad Farooq, Umar Usman, Mohammad Noman, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Adnan were arrested for posing as bank officials and stealing money from commercial bank account holders.

    One of the victims reported to the Cyber Crimes Circle Rawalpindi that Rs1.95 million had been fraudulently taken from their bank account through online theft.

    The victim reported that the suspects were able to obtain his personal information, access his bank accounts, and transfer the money. The FIA has seized seven mobile phones from the suspects and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against all six individuals. The investigation is ongoing, according to an FIA spokesperson.

    An official from the FIA stated that these types of gangs usually make calls from official commercial bank numbers and ask questions about ATM cards or pose as law enforcement officials to obtain bank account details. The official also mentioned that due to limited resources, the investigation agency was unable to address all of the complaints.

  • Pakistan sees sharp increase in Malaria cases

    Pakistan sees sharp increase in Malaria cases

    The incidence of malaria has significantly increased in Pakistan and Malawi, due to extreme weather conditions, leading to a surge in both infections and fatality according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The organisation has reported that in Pakistan, the number of cases rose to 1.6 million, which is four times higher than the previous year, after devastating floods submerged a third of the country. These alarming figures were released ahead of World Malaria Day, which falls on April 25.

    “What we’ve seen in places like Pakistan and Malawi is real evidence of the impact that climate change is having on malaria,”  said, Peter Sands, head of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    “So you have these extreme weather events, whether flooding in Pakistan, or the cyclone in Malawi, leaving lots of stagnant water around the place.
    He further stated that the surge in cases resulting from weather calamities triggered by climate change highlights the urgency to take proactive measures immediately.

  • In a first, Minneapolis City Council passes ordinance allowing public broadcast of Azaan

    In a first, Minneapolis City Council passes ordinance allowing public broadcast of Azaan

    The Minneapolis City Council has passed an ordinance permitting the public broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer five times a day throughout the year. Previously, mosques were only allowed to broadcast the call to prayer three to four times a day to comply with city noise ordinances.

    The new ordinance allows for the call to prayer to be broadcasted during the early mornings and evenings, which were previously prohibited. The decision was unanimous among the city council members.

    “It is really important for us at the city to approach all issues from a lens of ensuring equal access for all people, and that’s what we’ve really done here,” Council Member Aisha Chughtai said Thursday. “This is an item that benefits people of all faiths.”

    Under the old rules, azaan could only be broadcasted at a volume no higher than 70 decibels and within specific time limits. However, the new ordinance allows mosques to broadcast the call as early as 3:30am. and as late as 11 pm., which expands the time frame during which the call can be played. Additionally, the call was previously limited to three or four times a day, but with the new rules, it can be played five times a day.