Blog

  • Rising petrol prices and rupee devaluation push inflation to 47.23% in Pakistan ahead of Eid

    Rising petrol prices and rupee devaluation push inflation to 47.23% in Pakistan ahead of Eid

    According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), a steep increase in the prices of essential food items such as chicken and petrol has pushed weekly inflation to 47.23 per cent year-on-year for the week ending on April 19. Inflation has risen 0.51 per cent week-on-week, compared to a 0.60 per cent decrease in the previous week.

    The rising inflation has been attributed to the increase in sensitive price indicators such as LPG, potatoes, petrol, tea, gur, matchbox, bread, chicken, bananas, broken basmati rice, and rice irri-6/9. However, a major decrease was observed in the prices of tomatoes, onions, garlic, sugar, wheat flour, mustard oil, cigarettes, and pulse gram.

    For the week under review, the SPI (Sensitive Price Index) was recorded at 251.83 points, against 250.56 points registered last week and 171.05 points recorded during the week ended April 21, 2022. Fahad Rauf, head of research at Ismail Iqbal Securities, said that SPI experienced an increase mainly driven by a 4 per cent and 2 per cent increase in the prices of petrol and chicken, respectively.

    During the week, the government raised petrol prices by Rs10 per litre, bringing the new price to Rs282 per litre, due to the impact of rising international oil prices and rupee devaluation. Chicken prices have also risen mainly due to increased seasonal demand in Ramadan and the arrival of Eid.

    Prices of commodities have risen significantly over the last year on account of devaluation as well as the massive floods that devastated food crops across most of the fertile plains of the country. Different weights are assigned to various commodities in the SPI basket, and prices of commodities have risen on a year-on-year basis. The PBS compiles the SPI by collecting prices of 51 essential items from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country.

    During the week under review, out of 51 items, prices of 29 (56.86 per cent) items increased, eight (15.69 per cent) items decreased, and prices of 14 (27.45 per cent) items remained unchanged. The PBS data attributed the year-on-year rise in SPI to the jump in the prices of goods such as cigarettes, wheat flour, gas charges for Q1, tea, diesel, potatoes, bananas, eggs, petrol, broken basmati rice, rice irri-6/9, pulse moong, and plain bread. However, a decrease was observed in the prices of tomatoes and chilli powder.

  • Indian court acquits 69 people of murder of 11 Muslims in Gujarat massacre trial

    Indian court acquits 69 people of murder of 11 Muslims in Gujarat massacre trial

    A court in India has declared 69 people, which includes a former minister from the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), not guilty of the killing of 11 Muslims during communal riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002.

    The case pertains to the killing of 11 Muslims who died in February 2002 during communal riots in Ahmedabad, when Hindu mobs set their homes on fire and rampaged through the city. An investigation into the attack found that the Muslims received no assistance from the police and were left at the mercy of the attackers.

    The Gujarat riots erupted after a train carriage carrying Hindu pilgrims being set on fire. Suspecting that Muslims had carried out the attack, Hindu groups started retaliatory attacks, and the incident soon turned into one of the most severe outbreaks of religious violence in India’s history after independence. While the official death toll of the violence was approximately 1,000 people, with most of the victims being Muslims, non-governmental organizations argue that the actual number of casualties was much greate

  • ‘ELITE ordered from Daraz’: Trailer for ‘College Gate’ has the internet divided

    On Wednesday, Green Entertainment has released the trailer for ‘College Gate’, an upcoming series about a group of students. Starring Instagram influencers like Mamia Shajaffar and Khaqan Shahnawaz, the series explores the lives of a group of students and how they tackle parental pressure, love, dating and learn to rely on their friends during the tough moments of their lives.

    However, the trailer has divided the internet, with many users thinking that the series is just plagarised from hit Netflix shows like ‘Elite’ and ‘Class’.

    TBH we have the same question on our mind.

    Others pointed out that despite the fact that the trailer seemed a direct copy of a show about the lives of privileged kids, it did seem like a progressive step that Pakistani dramas were starting to focus on the lives of teenagers!

    We can also agree that it’s good for Pakistani dramas to tackle societal pressure and the anxieties of students growing up in this stage, rather than churn out another series focusing on saas bahu conflicts and the satti vs slutty savitri trope.

    So while we can agree with some folks on Twitter here that the storyline is completely unoriginal but lets not drop the ball so quickly? Pakistani dramas are in desperate need of some revival right now, and its good that some people with logical minds had actually thought about discussing what issues students are facing today.

  • Inflation hits Pakistanis hard as they prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr festivities

    Inflation hits Pakistanis hard as they prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr festivities

    Eid-ul-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

    During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and abstain from food, drink, and vices like gossip and lying. It is a period of self-reflection and a reminder to be charitable to the less fortunate.

    Observed first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends to offer prayers, exchange gifts, and share meals. It is also a way for Muslims to show their gratitude to Allah for giving them the strength to fast and to seek forgiveness for any sins committed during the year.

    However, in Pakistan, small shops and businesses are struggling to make ends meet during this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. The high levels of inflation, which have hit their highest levels in decades, have left many businesses unable to make enough money to cover their monthly expenses, including rent and utility bills.

    For many small shops and businesses in Pakistan, the last days of Ramadan or before Eid-ul-Fitr used to be a guaranteed earner—a big-spending week that could match the take from the rest of the year. However, this year, many worry they will not even make enough to pay for their monthly expenses.

    A tailor in Canal Bank, Lahore, stated that each year, he was fully booked and had so many orders that he couldn’t take orders after the middle of the month of Ramzan. However, this year, he said, “For the first time, we are accepting orders in the last week of Ramzan as there is not much work.”

    Tailors in Lahore who used to charge Rs1,500 are now charging Rs2,500 or Rs2,200. Even well-known brands or shops are charging more, which is leaving consumers with no option but to go for cheap ready-made clothes or clothes that are available on sale.

    The South Asian country of more than 220 million people saw year-on-year inflation hit 35.4 per cent in March. Food prices surged more than 47 per cent in 12 months, with transport costs rising by 55 per cent.

    Pakistan is deeply in debt and needs to introduce tough reforms to unlock a tranche of a $6.5 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in order to avoid default. The economy has been wrecked by years of financial mismanagement and political instability—a situation exacerbated by a global energy crisis and devastating floods that left a third of the country under water last year.

    An artificial jewelry shop owner in Anarkali, Lahore, Zaryab, said, “There is a significant difference between last year’s sales and this year’s. People come to our stall, see 3-4 necklaces or bangles, ask the price, and then leave.”

    The high inflation has significantly reduced the purchasing power of Pakistanis, and people are mostly focusing on fulfilling their essential needs. Noman Khan, an electrical engineer at ACE Pakistan, stated that this Eid, he has not been able to buy clothes for himself as he had to buy clothes for his two kids and wife. He added that “From artificial jewelry to kids’ clothes, everything is so expensive this year that I have no option but to wear old clothes. Although, I made sure that my kids and wife at least get what they want to wear this Eid.”

    In conclusion, the struggle for small businesses in Pakistan during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations is a stark reminder of the country’s economic challenges. While many Pakistanis are still managing to celebrate the holiday, the high levels of inflation have made it difficult for many to enjoy the festivities.

  • PTI govt in Azad Kashmir gone, as region gets PDM-backed PM

    PTI govt in Azad Kashmir gone, as region gets PDM-backed PM

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-backed Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has been elected unopposed as the 15th Prime Minister (PM) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

    Haq won with a comfortable majority of 31 votes in the 52-strong Legislative Assembly in the wee hours of Thursday.

    Initially, the session was convened at 2pm on Wednesday, however, it got delayed amid hectic political manoeuvring. Consequently, a new election schedule was issued by the speaker late in the night with proceedings starting at 12:40am on Thursday.

    The election of the prime minister was triggered by the disqualification of Tanveer Ilyas of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by the AJK High Court on April 11. Later, the decision was upheld by the region’s Supreme Court.

    After Imran, another PTI prime minister removed from power

    Earlier, PM of AJK Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified by a full bench of the region’s High Court on contempt of court charges.

    Ilyas is associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He assumed the office of PM in April 2022 and has been removed a year later, making him the first premier of the region to be removed in such a manner.

    Almost exactly a year ago, on April 10, his party chief and then-PM Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion.

    Ilyas had indirectly blamed the judiciary for affecting the functioning of his government and interfering in the domain of the executive through the grant of stay orders at an event in Islamabad.

    On April 14, 2022, AJK PM Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi tendered his resignation even before voting on the no-confidence motion against him could be held. Later, Ilyas was elected unopposed by the Assembly.

  • Filipino TikToker embraces Islam with the help of Pakistani friend

    Filipino TikToker embraces Islam with the help of Pakistani friend

    Famous TikToker Fiona James, who is based in Dubai and originally from the Philippines, has converted to Islam during the holy month of Ramadan. With almost 800,000 followers on TikTok, Fiona changed her name to Zainab after accepting Islam at the Islamic Information Centre in Satwa, Dubai. She had been living in the UAE for over eight years and had always been fascinated by the call to prayer from the mosques. Hearing the azan made her feel calm and curious about the religion, and she even memorized parts of it. Zainab shared her story in an interview with Khaleej Times.

    According to reports, Zainab, the TikTok influencer who recently converted to Islam, is currently taking online classes from the Islamic Information Centre to deepen her understanding of the religion. She aims to complete the course within a month while also studying and memorizing smaller chapters of the Holy Quran. Zainab’s family is said to be happy and supportive of her decision to embrace Islam.

    “I feel very nice and very calm inside me. I embraced Islam on my own. No one forced me to accept this religion,” she added.

    Zainab’s Pakistani friend Salman, who is also a TikToker with two million followers, helped her learn about Islam. The two friends have created several videos together for the social media platform.

    “We are friends for five years. In Islam, one cannot be forced to embrace religion. Instead, it’s all about getting the right information and meeting the right people. Sometimes we used to discuss it also as she used to ask me questions time and again. I believe this encouraged her to come into the fold of Islam,” said Salman.

  • ‘Judiciary cannot re-write Constitution’; PM Shehbaz remains defiant

    ‘Judiciary cannot re-write Constitution’; PM Shehbaz remains defiant

    A defiant Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the judiciary can only interpret the law, but cannot re-write it.

    “There is no example in the world where the parliament’s law — which has not even come into existence right now and has not taken its applicable shape — was subjected to a stay order,” said PM Shehbaz while addressing the launch ceremony of the constitution’s mobile app in Islamabad.

    “The Constitution has taken birth from the cradle of the parliament. The judiciary can interpret the Constitution — that is their right — but the judiciary cannot rewrite the Constitution,” said the Premier as his government faces off with the Supreme Court.

    “This (rewriting Constitution) is only the parliament’s authority,” he added, warning that the “parliament will use its constitutional and legal rights on this” matter.

    Shehbaz said the country was “standing at crossroads today” and that politicians, including him, had committed numerous mistakes.

    “The ones who stand above others are those who move forward after learning from their mistakes and subordinate themselves to the national interest for the nation’s supreme aim,” he said.

    The prime minister said the government was “working day and night to improve Pakistan’s difficult conditions and will keep doing so”.

  • BBZ is going to India next month for the Shanghai Cooperation Org

    BBZ is going to India next month for the Shanghai Cooperation Org

    In a major diplomatic development, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be visiting India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which is set to take place on May 4-5 in Goa, India, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has confirmed.

    The minister is going to India at the invitation of the country’s External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

    Pakistan is currently preparing for the meeting.

    It is pertinent to mention that Bilawal’s visit to India will be the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in nearly 12 years. In 2011, the then-top Pakistani diplomat, Hina Rabbani Khar, now Bhutto-Zardari’s deputy in the foreign ministry, visited India.

    If Bilawal’s visit goes as per plan, it is likely that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit India too for the summit, reports Express Tribune.

    ​Bilawal also attended the last meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in July last year in Tashkent.

    The SCO is a regional political and security bloc whose members include Russia, China, India and Pakistan.

  • Pakistan places first order for discounted Russian crude oil

    Pakistan places first order for discounted Russian crude oil

    Pakistan has placed its first order for discounted Russian crude oil under a new deal negotiated between Pakistan and Russia, following months of discussions.

    State Minister for Petroleum, Musadik Malik, confirmed that one cargo will dock at Karachi port in May.

    Pakistan will only purchase crude oil, not refined oil, and imports are expected to reach 100,000 barrels per day if the initial transaction goes smoothly. Pakistan’s Refinery Limited (PRL) will initially refine the Russian crude, with other refineries to be included after a trial run.

    A delegation from Russia arrived in Pakistan earlier this month to discuss the payment mode. During these talks, the Russian side requested that the deal with Moscow be kept secret as they do not want the disclosure to other Russian crude buyer countries.

    Consequently, Pakistan’s top officials decided not to disclose the mode of payment and the exact discount. Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov led a delegation to Islamabad in January to hold talks on the deal, after which he said oil exports to Pakistan could begin after March.

  • Boycott? PML-N decides not to give tickets for Punjab election

    Boycott? PML-N decides not to give tickets for Punjab election

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided not to issue tickets to any candidate for the general elections in Punjab.

    According to news reports, PML-N leadership has decided that the nomination papers of the party candidates will not be withdrawn for now. The party will give tickets after the Supreme Court gives its verdict. For now, it has been decided not to issue party tickets till the court decision is announced.

    It is also reported that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will decide whether his party will participate in the upcoming elections or not.

    In the light of the court decision, there is a possibility of calling an important consultative meeting after Eid ul Fitr.

    According to the election schedule, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has to allot party symbols to the candidates today.