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  • Heavy rains: Schools, colleges to remain closed in Sindh on Aug 24 and 25

    Heavy rains: Schools, colleges to remain closed in Sindh on Aug 24 and 25

    The Sindh government has announced the closure of schools and colleges for two days — August 24 and 25 — due to heavy rain forecast.

    Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah announced that due to heavy rains, the government has declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in the province.
    Karachi Board of Intermediate has also postponed all exams scheduled for August 24 and 25. In addition, Deputy Commissioners in Badin and Sukkur districts have issued notifications to keep educational institutes shut for four days till August 27.

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) released an advisory yesterday forecasting more rains in the country during the week. The PMD has warned that heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Jam, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Naushahro Feroz, Larkana, Jacobabad and Sukkur on August 24 and 25.

  • Punjab police launches online FIR registration service

    Punjab police launches online FIR registration service

    The Punjab police on Tuesday introduced two cutting-edge services labelled Punjab Police WhatsApp Services and Online Complaint Management System that are meant to bring police assistance to citizens’ doorsteps as a significant step toward reform.

    According to Dawn, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Faisal Shahkar said the future of police service is linked with IT-based policing, which is why Punjab police expanding the scope of IT-related initiatives so that the citizens can benefit from police services at their doorstep.

    According to IGP, the Punjab police will utilize these services to deliver police assistance to citizens’ homes rather than police stations or offices. This allows citizens to easily file complaints as well as obtain other information, such as a driving license or a registration for a First Information Report, with just a single click.

    He claimed that any citizen, particularly those who are Pakistanis living abroad, can simply file a complaint by using the Punjab police’s WhatsApp number, 0331-7871787, without having to go to a police station.

    The overseas Pakistanis will be able to access information and services using these contemporary services from any location, and more capabilities will be introduced to both the software in the future based on citizen feedback.

    In order to give citizens access to all policing-related facilities in a single app, the Police Department is combining all of its IT-related initiatives into one cutting-edge app along the lines of global corporations.

    He claimed that the complaint management system was also made available online for the benefit of the populace, allowing users to not only file complaints but also obtain an E-tag number.

    A few of the services provided are the following:

    Crime Report, IG Punjab Complaint Cell, Police Service Center Facilities, Helpline Numbers, Gender Harassment Report, Police Offices, Facilities for Overseas Pakistanis, Social Media, Punjab Police Website, Zainab Alert, Most Wanted Criminals, Citizen Portal, details of domestic workers criminal record verification, feedback and suggestions, etc.

    The CPO and the district-level officers will both keep an eye on the citizen complaints, and officials who purposefully delayed taking necessary action will face consequences.

  • Video: Finland’s PM’s leaked party video, takes drug test due to severe backlash

    Video: Finland’s PM’s leaked party video, takes drug test due to severe backlash

    Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on August 19 that she had taken a drug test following the publication of video footage that showed her partying with friends, and vowed she had never used illegal drugs.

    Video clips of Marin partying with well-known Finnish influencers and artists began circulating on social media, leading to severe criticism.

    “These videos are private and filmed in a private space. I resent that these became known to the public,” Marin told the media. She said she did not know who leaked them.

    “In recent days, there have been quite grave public accusations that I was in a space where drugs were used, or that I myself used drugs,” Marin told a news conference.

    “I consider these accusations to be very serious and, though I consider the demand for a drug test unjust, for my own legal protection and to clear up any doubts, I have taken a drug test today, the results of which will come in about a week.”

    However, Marin tested negative after a drug test she took following the publication of video footage that showed her partying with friends.

  • Fuel Cost Adjustment: Consumers protest against inflated electricity bills

    Fuel Cost Adjustment: Consumers protest against inflated electricity bills

    Power consumers protested in major cities against the government and power supply companies due to excessive residential and commercial bills that were issued under the pretext of Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA).

    A number of Lahore residents were seen protesting outside LESCO offices, complaining about the skyrocketing electricity bills, chanting anti-LESCO slogans at Dharam Pura, Begum Kot and Ghazi Road.

    A number of farmers in Jhang also participated in a protest by burning their power bills while obstructing traffic on the Jhang Road. On the other hand, the shopkeepers and locals of Faisalabad organised a sizable protest against FESCO for billing residential and commercial customers for nearly twice the actual cost of electricity.

    PM Shehbaz demands urgent report on inflated electricity bills

    In response to complaints from the public about excessive electricity bills, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the relevant authorities to provide an immediate report to address the issue.

    The premier ordered the concerned officials to present a thorough report with recommendations for resolving consumer complaints against energy bills on an urgent basis.

    What is FCA?

    In addition to criticising the power supply companies, consumers are questioning the FCA charges that take up a significant portion of their monthly bills.

    Understanding the actual fuel cost (the cost of fuel in a month) and the reference fuel cost is crucial for comprehending the fuel price adjustment.

    Simply put, FCA is charged/adjusted in customers’ monthly bills to reflect the actual increase or decrease in fuel prices.

    Based on the price of fuel (such as coal, LNG, or furnace oil) used in the nation’s various energy sources, the total cost of fuel used in the production of electricity in a month (basket fuel cost) is calculated.

    The entire fuel cost for that month is therefore compared to the reference fuel cost at the end of each month, and as a result, the FCA is applied to the power bills after two months.

    The electricity bill will reflect a change in the FCA amount if the total fuel cost for that month exceeds the reference cost, while it will reflect a change in the FCA amount if the total fuel cost is less than the reference cost. We refer to this as a fuel price adjustment.

    How power suppliers calculate FCA?

    Whenever a power plant uses coal, it is possible to estimate how much coal was burnt and at what cost, as well as the total cost of the energy needed to generate the power.

    For instance, if hydel electricity generation has increased, the overall fuel price will reduce; likewise, if gas is consumed more frequently in a month due to its higher price, the fuel price would climb.

    It is also impacted by the rupee’s appreciation or depreciation. This is due to the fact that coal, LNG, and furnace oil are imported, therefore a weakening or strengthening rupee directly affects the cost as a whole.

  • Can a ‘power hungry mad man’ trample the law, asks Zardari

    Can a ‘power hungry mad man’ trample the law, asks Zardari

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is “mad for power” ands said that the judiciary must see “whether this person is above the law”.

    “He is now targeting the judiciary and has threatened a woman judge in Islamabad. The judiciary has to see whether this person is above the law,” said Zardari.

    Zardari said that at the moment, one man’s hunger to be back in power is driving him mad with each passing day.

    “This man is subjecting our army to criticism on a daily basis and the same army is battling terrorists and sacrificing their lives for the country,” the PPP co-chairperson said.

    Zardari called upon the government to establish its writ.

    “Otherwise institutions will continue to be under attack from him,” warned Asif Zardari.

    Addressing a political gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Sunday (August 21), Khan said that according to the reports he had received, the neutrals were responsible for the crackdown against his party.

    Read more: ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    “On May 25, when the police used violence against us, I was told by insiders that the police were ordered from above, which means that neutrals pressurised them to give PTI workers a thrashing,” said Khan. 

  • Islamabad High Court issues show-cause notice to Khan, summons him on Aug 31

    Islamabad High Court issues show-cause notice to Khan, summons him on Aug 31

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday (August 23) issued a show-cause notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and summoned him on August 31 in contempt proceedings for his controversial remarks about Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case.

    During today’s hearing, Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon informed the court that he had filed a miscellaneous application seeking permission to put Imran’s controversial statements against state institutions on record.

    In his application, the advocate general pleaded to the court that he wanted to submit the record of anti-judiciary remarks and speeches made by Imran Khan in the past.

    “I want to put Imran Khan’s video clip on record,” said the applicant.

    “In these circumstances, it is humbly prayed that [the court] allow to display the aforementioned material in this honourable court via USB or other digital gadgets, and consider this material as part of the case,” he said in his application.

    He pleaded with the court to allow the petitioner to play the video showing the anti-judiciary and anti-state institution remarks made by the PTI chairman in the past.

    IHC to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran for controversial remarks regarding sessions judge

    On Monday (August 22), the IHC decided to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran Khan for passing controversial remarks about Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

  • ‘Promise?’: Netizens have a lot to say about Noor Zafar and Adnan Raza Mir’s viral chat

    ‘Promise?’: Netizens have a lot to say about Noor Zafar and Adnan Raza Mir’s viral chat

    Actor Noor Zafar Khan recently garnered praise for her performance in drama serial Main Aisi Kyun Hoon. However Noor is currently being discussed by netizens for her brief digital interaction with Ahad Raza Mir’s younger brother, Adnan.

    Adnan recently commented on the Deewar-e-Shab star, “don’t be scared, you can take up more room on the sofa, I promise.”

    Noor was quick to ask him back, “Pinky promise?”

    It is being reported that the two became friends when their siblings Ahad Raza Mir and Sarah Khan shared screenspace in Hum Tum.

    Ahad Raza Mir, Ramsha Khan and Junaid Khan bid Hum Tum farewell and thank fans who became 'family' - Film & TV - Images
    Hum Tum Episode 2 by Hum Tv (Ahad Raza Mir, Sarah Khan & Ramsha Khan) | ApnaWebPak.com Watch all Pakistani Dramas Online

    Now netizens are giving polarising comments on their digital interaction.

  • US refuses to comment on Imran Khan’s terrorism charges

    US refuses to comment on Imran Khan’s terrorism charges

    The United States (US) refused to comment on the terrorism case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    “This is a matter for the Pakistani legal and judicial system”, said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

    “It is not directly a matter for the US and that’s because we don’t have a position on one political candidate or party versus any other political candidate or party.”

    Ned Price added that the US supports the “peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles in Pakistan and around the world”.

    Read more: Rejected: White House says they have nothing to do with Khan’s allegation of a US-backed ‘foreign conspiracy’

    Imran Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) after he threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior officers of the Islamabad Police. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted transit bail to Khan till August 25.

    The IHC also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman today (August 23) and summoned him on August 31 in a contempt of court case.

  • Twitterati praise Police, Rangers for saving blasphemy-accused from charged mob

    Twitterati praise Police, Rangers for saving blasphemy-accused from charged mob

    The Sindh Police and Rangers dispersed a mob that had gathered outside the home of a Hindu sanitary worker accused of alleged blasphemy on Sunday. The incident took place in Hyderabad, Sindh.

    People on social media are praising the role of the law enforcement agencies for saving the accused from the charged mob.

    Have a look at some reactions:

    https://twitter.com/alysalmaan/status/1561453107803979776

    https://twitter.com/Natsecjeff/status/1561386456739971073
    What happened?

    According to the police, a Hindu sanitary worker was targeted as a result of a personal dispute with a local resident. The accused man has been identified as Ashok Kumar, and he was charged with blasphemy under Section 295-B for allegedly desecrating the Quran.

    The case was registered on the complaint of Bilal, son of Bundo Khan Abbasi.

    After the news spread, a charged mob gathered around an apartment building and demanded that he should be handed over.

    Police then dispersed the violent mob.

  • BYKEA hints at launching a car-hailing service

    BYKEA hints at launching a car-hailing service

    The bike taxi and logistics company BYKEA has recently hinted that it will start offering a car-hailing service. Although the company has not publicly announced its plans or informed its regular users, a recent tweet from its official account suggests what it may be up to in the next weeks or months.

    Since BYKEA offers slightly lower costs than its competitors, such as Uber and Careem, it has experienced tremendous growth and popularity among everyday commuters. However, given that petrol prices are so high and that people would rather take inexpensive transportation than spend money on a car, it does not seem like the ideal time to roll out such a service.

    https://twitter.com/bykeapk/status/1561712052577734658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1561712052577734658%7Ctwgr%5Edd9180fcae0de4b4a46012b47b2b13a878212574%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpropakistani.pk%2F2022%2F08%2F22%2Fbykea-to-launch-a-car-hailing-service-soon%2F

    Although it is too early to speculate about BYKEA’s plans, but it is apparent that the ride-hailing company is growing and wants to expand its operations in the country. Considering its latest tweet, “hum 2 se 4 honay walay hain,” makes it obvious that the company is actively formulating a significant strategy.