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  • PKR closed at 184.09 against USD, the lowest level in history

    PKR closed at 184.09 against USD, the lowest level in history

    A substantial decline in foreign exchange reserves, persistent political instability, and hefty petroleum costs dragged Pakistan’s currency (PKR) to new lows on Friday, with the rupee closing over the 184 level for the first time against the US dollar following a 0.33 per cent drop in the interbank market. 

    After a day-on-day devaluation of 61 paisas, the PKR closed at 184.09, its lowest level recorded, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    Since its most recent peak in May of last year, the PKR has lost over 17 per cent, while the local currency has devalued by over 14 per cent in the fiscal year to date (FYTD).

    The last time the PKR rose versus the US dollar (during its most recent weakening run) was on March 11. It has dropped in 13 sessions since that while staying stable in the remaining.

    Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves also fell by $2.915 billion, to $12.05 billion, according to figures issued by the central bank on Thursday.

  • Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Ramzan moon will be sighted on April 2 and the first Ramadan will be observed on April 3, 2022.

    The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene on April 2 (Saturday) to observe the Ramzan moon. Considering the scientific data, Pakistan will observe the first Ramadan on 3 April and Eid-ul-Fitr on 3 May, according to Secretary-General Khalid Ijaz Mufti.

    Earlier, he predicted that the new moon will be born at 11:24 AM on April 1, and the age of the moon will be at least 19 hours at the sunset of April 2 (29 Shaban).

    Ramzan timings for Banks and Educational Institutions

    After educational institutions and offices, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday issued updated public dealing timings for the banking sector for the holy month of Ramadan.

    Banks will operate Monday to Thursday from 10 AM-1:30 PM (without break). While the bank timing for Friday will be 10 AM-1 PM (without break).

    Read more: Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    The educational institutions in Punjab that operate on a single shift will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM. While institutions that operate on double shifts will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

  • MQM’s wishlist: Sindh govt decides to remove PPP’s Murtaza Wahab as Karachi administrator

    MQM’s wishlist: Sindh govt decides to remove PPP’s Murtaza Wahab as Karachi administrator

    The Sindh government has reportedly decided to remove their party member Murtaza Wahab as Karachi administrator following a Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) deal, states ARY News’ sources.

    The sources further state that the new administrator of Karachi would be nominated in light of the deal between these two parties.

    It has been reported that MQM-P will be part of the Sindh government as two ministers from the provincial cabinet will resign in the next few days.

    The 18-point-agreement between the MQM-P and PPP, known as the ‘Charter of Rights’, was signed on March 30.

    The agreement was signed in the presence of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, while Shehbaz Sharif, Fazlur Rehman, Akhtar Mengal and Khalid Magsi have signed the agreement as guarantor.

  • ‘Giranay ki koshish? Har ghar se Imran Khan niklega’: Aiman, Farhan and Zara are team PTI

    ‘Giranay ki koshish? Har ghar se Imran Khan niklega’: Aiman, Farhan and Zara are team PTI

    After the opposition submitted the no-trust motion against the PM on March 8, many of the premier’s celebrity supporters professed their loyalty towards him.

    You can get exclusive details in our new show, Maslay Aur Masala:

    While most took to Instagram and Twitter to share their views, others like actors Haroon Shahid and Ahmed Ali Butt showed their support on-ground at Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) mega rally that was held in Islamabad on March 27.

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui took to Twitter to call Khan a “mass leader”, saying that people’s love for him was proof of this. He also requested those playing “dirty politics” to let Khan complete his term before writing him off.

    Actor Mahira Khan tweeted in favour of the present PM.

    Actor Humayun Saeed shared he has been a fan of Khan since his cricketing days and he still “admires his leadership”. Like Siddiqui, Saeed too wants Khan to have the chance to complete his tenure.

    “He made one call and they came running and this is not even 1 per cent of the turn out. You cannot dispute the trust, love and faith this nation has for Imran Khan,” wrote pop singer Annie Khalid.

    Actor Saba Qamar also tweeted in support of PM Imran and said that “this is not about one person, this is about Pakistan”.

    Lollywood star Shaan Shahid shared a throwback photo with the premier and wrote, “Pakistan has spoken. [T]hey want only one leader to lead them to a brighter future of Pakistan,” referencing those who attended the Islamabad rally in support of Khan.

    Earlier Aiman shared photo of the PM on Instagram and wrote “we stand with you” with the hashtag “say no to corruption”.

    Actor Muneeb Butt reshared his wife Aiman’s post on Instagram.

    Actor and host Samina Peerzada also showed support for the PM and wrote, “Kuch bhi na kaha aur keh bhi gaye,” referencing Madam Noor Jehan’s song of the same title.

  • ‘All is fair in Jihad’, Audio leak of CM KPK inciting violence on orders of PM Khan leaked

    ‘All is fair in Jihad’, Audio leak of CM KPK inciting violence on orders of PM Khan leaked

    An alleged voice note of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has been leaked. In the voice note sent to PTI ministers in KP, Mahmood Khan can be heard inciting violence, saying that they should call the MNAs who have left PTI ‘traitors’. The audio is in Pashto.

    “PM Imran Khan has ordered that all ministers take out rallies today in their constituencies with pictures of defecting MNAs, chant murdabad, call them traitors, and celebrate success in local elections.,” digital rights activist Usama Khilji translated the audio.

    In the audio message, he can be also heard saying that videos of the rallies should be recorded so that they can be published on social media. He said that PM Khan called him.

    As per Geo News, CM KP has admitted that the audio leak saying “Everything is fair in Jihad.”

    Twitter users are criticising CM KP for inciting the violence.

  • ‘Mai, mera, mujhe’: How many times did PM Khan talk about himself in his hour-long speech?

    ‘Mai, mera, mujhe’: How many times did PM Khan talk about himself in his hour-long speech?

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan addressed the nation on Thursday. During his live speech, the premier talked about the war on terror, criticised the Opposition, and the threatening memo.

    In an apparent slip of the tongue during the live speech, he named the United States but quickly moved on and stated that “a foreign country” had sent a threatening memo, which was against the Pakistani nation.

    During the live speech, the premier referred to himself about 143 times. This makes it three times on average per minute, reports Geo News.

    His speech had repetitive references to the “Mai (me)”, “Mujhe (me)”, “Meri (my)”, “Mera” (my), and “Imran Khan”.

    The most used word PM Imran Khan used in his speech was “Mai” (me), which was about 88 times.

    The second most used word was “Mujhe” (me), which was used 17 times.

    The premier used his name “Imran Khan” about 14 times.

    He used “meri” (my) 13 times in the speech and “mera” (my) about 11 times.

  • ‘Make-up kam kia karo’: Aiman Khan schools TikToker Jannat Mirza in viral video

    ‘Make-up kam kia karo’: Aiman Khan schools TikToker Jannat Mirza in viral video

    Actor Aiman Khan appeared on Wajahat Rauf’s digital show, on being asked to give an advice to her fellow celebrities, the Ishq Tamasha star got candid.

    When the host asked her to advice something to TikTok star Jannat Mirza, Aiman said that she should use less make-up.

    The Baandi diva also mentioned that she is planning to launch a salon soon.

    Aiman Khan Surprised Fiance Muneeb Butt With a Surprised Birthday

    Earlier in June Jannat Mirza blasted veteran actress, Bushra Ansari for calling her ‘Jahil’, after a post of hers disrespecting the Christianity symbol circulated on the web.

    Jannat uploaded a video where she was wearing an accessory that she received in a PR package. According to Jannat, the package consisted of a piece that had a cross sign and butterflies on it. According to her, when she shot her videos, she didn’t notice it. However, once she uploaded the video, she found out about it through the comment section.

    This incident was noticed by senior actress Bushra Ansari who expressed her opinion regarding the entire issue, saying: “Aik dur fitty mun to banta hay in jahil stars par. Afsos Islam ka pata na kisi aur religion ka.“

    As soon as she realised the seriousness of the matter, she removed the videos and apologised for her unintentional mistake on her Instagram handle.

    “To my Christian fans & friends, I am really sorry i didn’t notice the chain at all. I heartedly apologise to all of you. Please accept it,” said Jannat in her Instagram story.

  • Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC) will sell various food items at prices cheaper than the open market through its country-wide retail outlets as a part of its Ramzan Relief Package.

    The state-owned enterprise is offering discounted prices for 19 food items besides 1,500 total items that will be available at 4,000 stores throughout the holy month of Ramzan.

    Consumers will pay Rs950 for a 20-kilogram wheat flour bag under the package, instead of its original price of Rs1100-1350. Similarly, one kilogramme (kg) of sugar would be offered at Rs85 instead of Rs86-93. One kg of subsidized ghee costs Rs260 at USC, whereas edible ghee costs Rs470 on the open market.

    The price of one liter of cooking oil at USC is Rs407, while the open market is offering the same at Rs500.

    Likewise, one kg of daal channa costs Rs162 at USC, while it is being sold at Rs180-190 on the open market. Similarly, a kg of dal moong (washed) costs Rs170, and the open market sells it for Rs180-200 per kg. Washed daal mash costs Rs268 at USC, as compared to its price of Rs280-320 on the open market.

    Furthermore, one kg of daal masoor costs Rs215 at USC, instead of Rs250-280 in the open market. Sella rice will cost Rs165 per kg, basmati rice Rs155 per kg, and tota rice Rs85 per kg.

    The dates will cost Rs140 per kg, whereas dates on the general market will continue selling for Rs200 and Rs240. The 950gm tea pack costs Rs1,042 at USC, in contrast to its price of Rs1,250 in the open market.

    Read more: FBR records 29.1% growth during July 2021 to March 2022

    Ultra-high temperature (UHT) or pasteurized milk at USC is offered at USC for Rs142, and costs Rs165 in the general market. Squashes are sold for Rs250 instead of Rs290, and squashes and syrups (1,500 ml) are available for Rs437, compared to the original price of Rs495 in the open market.

  • ‘Can anyone disappear without the govt’s will?’ IHC questions state of enforced disappearances

    ‘Can anyone disappear without the govt’s will?’ IHC questions state of enforced disappearances

    During a case hearing of missing Lahore journalist, Mudassar Naro at Islamabad High Court (IHC), Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah said that enforced disappearances are ‘treason’.

    He said that such disappearances are not acceptable in a country that follows the Constitution. In the hearing, the additional attorney-general and judicial assistant appeared before the court.

    “Can anyone be disappeared without federal and provincial governments will? No,” the judge said. The judge then said that sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act are applied in such cases.

    The CJ asked if the inability to recover Naro is the failure of state agencies. He added that both governments should have looked into this matter.

    According to Geo News, Mudassar Naro has been missing since August 20, 2018. The disappearance occurred when he went to the northern areas with his wife and child. His wife and child returned but Naro has been missing ever since.

    His activist wife Saddaf Chughtai passed away last year due to a sudden cardiac arrest, leaving behind their four-year-old son.

    The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has shown serious concern over the situation. They have also called upon Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari to look into the case. However, after almost four years since his disappearance, his recovery hasn’t been made yet.

  • Six-month long Dubai expo ends with a grand closing ceremony

    Six-month long Dubai expo ends with a grand closing ceremony

    Expo 2020 Dubai has ended with a grand closing ceremony. Fireworks and different performances took place on in the closing ceremony.

    Dubai expo started on October 1, 2021, and ended on March 31, 2022. It was originally scheduled for October 2020 to April 2021 but was postponed due to COVID-19. The UAE relaxed most COVID restrictions for the event. The expo registered at least 20 million visits.

    Read more- Pakistan wins best Pavilion award at Expo Dubai

    The Pakistan Pavilion has been awarded the best exterior award given by the Burj Ceo. After winning the award for the best pavilion exterior design, a statement was issued by the Pakistani pavilion stating that “we are happy to win the award for the best pavilion exterior design at the Dubai Expo”.