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  • ‘Shameful, apologise to the whole country’: Indian Supreme Court to Nupur Sharma

    ‘Shameful, apologise to the whole country’: Indian Supreme Court to Nupur Sharma

    The Indian Supreme Court on Friday reprimanded the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma, and asked her to “apologise to the whole country”. Sharma was suspended by the BJP after she made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) last month.

    “We saw the debate … the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer, is shameful. She should apologise to the whole country,” reports NDTV.

    “She is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country,” reports The Hindustan Times.

    According to India Today, the court noted that Sharma’s comments were made either for “cheap publicity, a political agenda or for some nefarious activities”. The court also said that she had “threatened the security of the nation”.

    “A spokesperson can’t make such statements. Sometimes power goes into the heads of people and they think they are everything,” the Indian SC bench said.

    Last month, after hashtags calling for the boycott of Indian products began trending on Twitter in Arab countries over derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, India’s ruling party suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal.

    Muslims took to the streets across Asia, including India, where protesters faced a crackdown by the Indian authorities.

    Meanwhile, multiple cases were registered against Sharma in different cities, following which she moved the Indian SC to transfer all cases against her to Delhi.

  • Accountants are the best, Civil servants are the worst kissers: Survey

    Accountants are the best, Civil servants are the worst kissers: Survey

    A survey conducted by a dating site in Britain has revealed that accountants are the best kissers, reports Daily Mail.

    A 37-year-old woman who is married to an accountant said, “I remember dancing with Chris and then going off for a snog. It was definitely the best kiss of my life, and I’ve not stopped kissing him since.”

    Accountants are the best with 23 per cent of the votes and Civil servants worst with 2 per cent of the votes. The poll was conducted by the dating site Plenty of Fish, and 2,000 people participated in the survey.

    According to 55 per cent of the voters, their current partner is not the finest kisser they have ever experienced. 11per cent of people indicated that their most recent ex-partner was the best.

    Top Five best kissers:

    1 – Accountants – 23 per cent

    2 – Doctors/nurses – 19 per cent

    3 – Engineers – 14 per cent

    4 – Teachers – 11 per cent

    5 – Waiters/chefs – 10 per cent

    Worst kissers:

    1 – Civil servants – 2 per cent

    2 – Bankers – 3 per cent

    3 – Lawyers – 5 per cent

    4 – Estate agents – 6 per cent

    5 – IT workers – 7 per cent

  • Punjab Food Authority seizes thousands of liters of unhygienic cooking oil

    Punjab Food Authority seizes thousands of liters of unhygienic cooking oil

    The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) filed an FIR against the factory owner after seizing 1,900 liters of inferior and unhygienic cooking oil.

    An estimated 1,900 liters of subpar cooking oil made from animal fats and intestines were seized during a PFA team raid on the Rawat oil facility in the Potohar Town neighbourhood, according to the PFA spokesman.

    He claimed some well-known cooking oil brands were packaging this subpar, unhygienic oil. The oil was sold to neighbourhood fast food restaurants and hotels, the spokesman said.

    He further stated that strict action was being taken against offenders to ensure that residents were receiving hygienic food and that those who were endangering the health of the populace would not receive compensation.

    In another raid at Potohar Town in Lahore, PFA discovered a facility producing fake edible oil. While the authorities also stopped a car carrying 400 liters of dangerous oil. The food authority filed cases against both defendants due to adulteration and violations of the provincial food law, according to PFA Director General Shoaib Khan Jadoon.

    He claimed that after receiving a tip, the authority raided Rawat Oil Mill and issued an emergency prohibition order to halt production until further orders (EPO).

  • First Black woman becomes US Supreme Court justice

    First Black woman becomes US Supreme Court justice

    Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman in the history of the United States (US) to become a justice of the country’s top court. She was sworn in to the US Supreme Court on Thursday by Chief Justice John Roberts and her mentor, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer.

    Ms Jackson, 51, will replace Justice Stephen Breyer, joining the court’s three-member liberal minority.

    “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great nation,” said Jackson.

    Jackson served eight years as a federal trial court judge. She earned two degrees from Harvard University and had worked as the Harvard Law Review’s editor. Prior to her judicial assignments, she served as a public defender in Washington before starting a private practice.

  • Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge Lahore High Court’s verdict to recount the votes cast in the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) elections excluding the votes that were cast by 25 dissident PTI lawmakers.

    The SC accepted PTI’s plea for an immediate hearing earlier in the day and formed a three-member bench. The hearing is currently underway by the bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

    During the hearing, PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan requested to wait for seven days for the election process. To this, the court questioned, “Do you want Punjab to remain without a Chief Minister for seven days?”

    Moreover, the apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to send notice to five reserved seats. As in the petition, PTI pointed out that lawmakers on five reserved seats in the Punjab Assembly had still not been notified in accordance with the LHC’s earlier directives.

    PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry announced the development on his Twitter handle. He said, “An appeal has been filed in the SC against the decision of the LHC. It is hoped that the SC will hold a hearing today in view of this crisis and the session of the Punjab Assembly will be adjourned.”

    The petitioners urged the court to remove Hamza as CM and requested to issue directives for holding a “free and fair” election for the post of the province’s chief executive. Moreover, they requested the court to suspend the election process till the pendency of their petition.

    In the petition, the party also said that some of their Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) are currently not in Pakistan as they have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. The party also argued that many PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) members are busy with political campaign in their constituencies for the upcoming by-elections in Punjab.

    The magic number required to show the majority is 186. According to the verdict of the LHC, after recounting the votes today (Friday), the tally of the incumbent CM Hamza Shehbaz will come down to 172 votes after the exclusion of 25 votes of PTI dissident MPAs. The session will take place today at 4pm as per the LHC order.

    ‘Going to Supreme Court over LHC decision on Punjab CM polls’: Imran Khan

    On Thursday, LHC accepted the appeals of PTI filed against the election of CM Hamza and ordered a recount of votes with the exclusion of the 25 defecting party members who voted for him.

    A five-member larger bench of the LHC headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan announced the verdict.

    After the verdict, Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the party would be going to the apex court tomorrow (Friday) and challenge the verdict.

    Verdict:

    As per the verdict, the votes will be recounted and the candidate securing a majority of votes will be declared the chief minister of Punjab.

    Article 130(4) of the Constitution of Pakistan governs the election of chief ministers, under which there is an obligation of a majority of 186 votes.

    Hamza will no longer be the chief minister if he doesn’t retain the required majority after the exclusion of 25 votes, while the second round of polls will be held as per Article 130(4) in case no one gets the majority after a recount.

    Reactions:

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar said that the PML-N is happy and content because it has the required numbers. He said that the PML-N has 177 votes, which means a majority of nine votes even if the dissidents’ votes are not counted.

    “The court neither nullified the previous elections nor ordered fresh elections,” Tarar said.

    The politician said that PTI is unable to understand what the verdict states “in English”.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The decision of the High Court has further aggravated the political crisis in Punjab. There are many flaws in this decision.”

    Hamza Shehbaz was elected CM Punjab on April 16 with 197 votes, while PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate Pervaiz Elahi received no votes.

  • FIFA lifts ban on Pakistan Football Federation

    FIFA lifts ban on Pakistan Football Federation

    The ban on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has finally been lifted by FIFA, according to a statement from the Normalisation Committee.

    Pakistan now returns to the international football circuit and will also be able to host its leagues and other events thanks to financial support from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation after FIFA made the decision following the fulfilment of all necessary requirements by Pakistan (AFC).

    According to a press release from the FIFA Council’s Bureau, the suspension against the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) that was imposed in April 2021 as a result of excessive third-party interference will be lifted on June 29, 2022.

    The choice was made after FIFA was informed that the PFF’s normalisation committee had reclaimed full control of its facilities and was capable of handling its finances.

    The normalisation committee’s mandate would now be unachievable to complete by the original deadline of today, the statement continued, so the bureau decided to extend the committee’s authority until June 30, 2023.

    According to FIFA, “this will allow the latter to finally carry out the tasks assigned to it in full.”

    Haroon Malik, the chairman of the Normalization Committee, congratulated the entire country on the development and said his team had worked incredibly hard to lift the ban that had plagued both football players and fans in the nation.

    With the ban lifted, the Pakistani football team will once again be able to play in international competitions and friendly matches, and after more than a year of absence, regular football activities will once again be conducted in the nation.

    After the Ashfaq group unlawfully occupied the PFF headquarters in April of last year, Pakistan was placed under a travel ban. The Normalization Committee’s authority has now been extended by a year, and it has been given the responsibility of holding elections, starting up football activities, and taking control of PFF’s property.

  • PM Shehbaz meets COAS Gen Bajwa

    PM Shehbaz meets COAS Gen Bajwa

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa today (July 1), reports Geo News.

    In the meeting, the prime minister and army chief discussed the internal and external security situation of the country.

    Earlier, federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan revealed that the appointment of the next COAS will be made by PM Shehbaz after consulting with leaders of the coalition parties. The consultation process will begin in September.

    “The new army chief will be appointed in November. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after consulting with other coalition leaders, will decide on the army chief. This consultation will start in September,” said Dastgir.

  • Govt increases petrol price by Rs14.85 to Rs248.74 per liter

    Govt increases petrol price by Rs14.85 to Rs248.74 per liter

    The price of petroleum products has been increased by the federal government on Thursday for the upcoming two weeks, costing the general public nearly Rs15–18 per liter.

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to the Finance Division’s formal notice, the government has concluded to partially adopt a petroleum levy and revise the current prices of petroleum products “as agreed with the development partners” due to the price fluctuation of oil on the global market and changes in exchange rates.

    As of today (July 1), the cost of gasoline will be Rs248.74 per liter, diesel will be Rs276.54 per liter, kerosene will cost Rs230.26 per liter, and light diesel oil will cost Rs226.15 per liter.

    Starting from July 1, 2022, the new prices will be in effect.

    Product Old prices New prices Increase
    Petrol  Rs233.89 Rs248.74 Rs14.85
    Diesel  Rs263.31 Rs276.54 Rs13.23
    Kerosene oil Rs211.43 Rs230.26 Rs18.83
    Light diesel oil Rs207.47 Rs226.15 Rs18.68
    Latest prices
  • Yamaha YBR125G now costs Rs292,000 after Rs26,000 hike

    Yamaha YBR125G now costs Rs292,000 after Rs26,000 hike

    The prices of Yamaha’s motorcycle lineup have increased, with the hike reaching as high as Rs26,500 and the new pricing taking effect from July 1st.

    According to Brecorder, the development comes a day after Atlas Honda raised the prices of its lineup.

    Yamaha’s YB125Z has seen a price hike of Rs23,500, bringing the current cost to Rs255,000. The cost of the YB125Z DX also increased by Rs25,000. The updated cost is Rs273,500.

    After a Rs25,500 price increase, the YBR125 will now be available for Rs280,500. The cost of the YBR125G rose from Rs26,500 to Rs292,000. The cost of the YBR125G (Matte Dark Gray) has also gone up by Rs26,500 and will now be available for Rs295,000.

    Last month, the company similarly raised the price of bikes by between Rs21,000 and Rs23,000. Motorcycle producers at the time cited rising raw material costs, rising international freight charges, and the ongoing depreciation of the rupee as causes.

    Sabir Sheikh, Chairman of the Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers (APMA), stated that the recently enacted super tax of 10 per cent and the weakening rupee are to blame for the increase.

  • Govt to introduce Pakistan’s first animal welfare law, hotline to report animal abuse

    Govt to introduce Pakistan’s first animal welfare law, hotline to report animal abuse

    Head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms Unit Salman Sufi has announced that the government is working on Pakistan’s first animal welfare law. He made the announcement while giving details of reforms launched by PM Shehbaz Sharif at a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

    He added that a hotline has been established to report animal cruelty. Citizens can call 1819 to report animal abuse.

    An animal ethics committee will be established. Abusers will have to face penalties for violations of the law; shooting and poisoning of animals has also been banned. In addition, the testing of animals in universities has been banned. The pet market will also be regulated.

    The law will be implemented in Islamabad and will then be extended to the entire country, said Salman Sufi while talking to The Current. He added that all the provinces are on board.

    Read more- Dogs being abducted, tortured for medical experiments

    In June, videos and pictures from Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAUR) in Rawalpindi went viral on social media in which dogs were seen in inhumane conditions.

    According to media reports, veterinarian students were snatching healthy dogs and experimented on them in brutal, immoral, and terrifying ways.