Blog

  • Imran warns of protests if Chief Justice Pakistan given extension

    Imran warns of protests if Chief Justice Pakistan given extension

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has warned of a nationwide protest if the government attempts to extend the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faiz Isa.

    The former Prime Minister has said that protests will be held if the CJP-led bench fails to implement the verdict on reserved seats.
    The former premier alleged that the CJP and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) worked together, with the military supporting them, while talking to the media in Adiala jail.

    Mr Khan further said: “All these things have been witnessed in Pakistan as well. Before elections, a crackdown was launched against the PTI on the pretext of May 9 violence”, while terming the situation in Pakistan worse than Bangladesh.

  • FBR registers 58000 traders against 3.2 million target

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has so far registered over 58,000 small traders or new shopkeepers under the Tajir Dost Scheme against the target of 3.2 million.

    Business Recorder has reported that monthly tax payments from traders will start from the ongoing month.
    Chief Coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme Naeem Mir said that the Board has projected total collection Rs 50 billion under this head in the current year.

    Mir said that it is an ambitious target and would require full cooperation of the traders to voluntarily deposit monthly tax payment installments.
    FBR has chalked out monthly advance income tax table for traders in 42 major cities of the country.
    Based on location of shops, the FBR has issued market or area wise indicative income, indicative income tax and Monthly Advance Tax to be paid by small traders.

    Under the monthly tax payment plan, the traders and shopkeepers in 78 percent of the markets would be required to pay monthly advance income tax of Rs 5,000.

    The monthly tax payment would be Rs 10,000 per month for traders covered in 14 percent markets of the country. The tax payment would be Rs 20,000 per month in five percent areas. Traders will pay Rs 30,000 per month as tax installment in two percent areas and Rs 45,000 monthly payment in 0.6 percent areas and traders would pay monthly advance income tax of Rs 60,000 per month in 0.40 percent markets of the country.

  • ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    The arrest of former spy master General (retd) Faiz Hameed came as a surprising development on Monday evening, taking most analysts by surprise. Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada asked the Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, whether Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid sent messages to Mian Nawaz Sharif about his ambitions of becoming the army chief. In reply, Asif revealed, “He offered numerous assurances to Mian sb and was constantly sending messages in a bid to gain power.”

    “I cannot even tell you what kind of promises and oaths he undertook to assure them [Nawaz Sharif] – all in the lust of power and ambition,” said Asif.

    Asif lamented that when “people become blind in a bid to get power, it always ends badly,” referring to the detention of the former spymaster and court martial proceedings against him for misuse of authority.

    “They [General Bajwa & General Faiz] resisted till the last moment when the government appointed General Asim Munir. General Bajwa presented many options for the next COAS while General Faiz was campaigning for himself. Bajwa had abandoned Faiz in the last days,” revealed the defence minister.

    Khawaja Asif also stated that Faiz Hameed was involved in political events following his retirement in 2022.

    “Knowing him a little bit, he never refrains from muddling the waters. Especially [in Faiz’s case] a person who has exercised unlimited power and he has to take the back seat,” he said.

    “We can say he [Faiz] had the role of strategic adviser in the May 9 events. I can’t say that with certainty but the events and circumstances are pointing towards him,” he added.

  • Pakistan cricket team about to get new manager

    Pakistan cricket team about to get new manager

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint Naveed Akram Cheema as the manager of the Pakistan Cricket Team.

    Cheema was the team manager during the tour of Australia and New Zealand. Before this, Wahab Riaz was the senior manager, and Mansoor Rana was the manager until the T20 World Cup, but they were removed after the team’s poor performance.

    The announcement of the Pakistan team management is expected in a couple of days.

  • Bangladesh cricket team reaches Lahore for Test series

    Bangladesh cricket team reaches Lahore for Test series

    Bangladesh cricket team has reached Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport to play two Test matches against Pakistan.

    They have been taken to a private hotel under tight security; per the schedule, the visiting team will rest today.

    The Bangladesh team will have their first training session at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on August 14. After three training days, they will leave for Islamabad on August 17.

    The first match of the series will start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, while the second test will begin on August 30 in Karachi.

  • Honda leads motorcycle sales, selling over 70,000 bikes in a month despite high prices

    Honda leads motorcycle sales, selling over 70,000 bikes in a month despite high prices

    Sales of motorcycles and three-wheelers in Pakistan rose by 15.5 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, reaching 84,993 units.

    This compares to 73,588 units sold during the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA).

    However, on a month-on-month basis, sales declined by 5.45 per cent, down from 89,895 units in June 2024.

    Production figures for motorcycles and three-wheelers showed a total of 85,516 units in July, marking an 11.55 per cent increase from 76,661 units produced in July 2023. Conversely, production fell by 2.65 per cent compared to the 87,844 units manufactured in June 2024.

    Honda remained the market leader with 70,255 units sold in July, capturing an 82.66 per cent market share. This represents a 12.4 per cent decrease from the previous month but a 13.29 per cent increase compared to July 2023.

    United Auto Motorcycle and Suzuki ranked second and third, with sales of 9,202 and 1,643 units, respectively.

    Sazgar Three Wheeler sold 1,624 units in July, reflecting a 10.67 per cent decrease from the previous month but a significant 113.4 per cent increase compared to July 2023.

  • Shehbaz Sharif announces one million smartphones for students on merit

    Shehbaz Sharif announces one million smartphones for students on merit

    Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has announced to give smartphones to one million students on merit.

    According to Sama, Shehbaz Sharif, while giving the good news, said, “The students will be given smartphones and laptops. We will send students to China for higher education in agriculture. Immediately after August 14, I will announce a five-year program, 2 lakh youth will be given annual free Information Technology (IT) training.”

    He also clapped for Arshad Nadeem from the Prime Minister Youth Program.

  • Defiance in Hijab: Olympian Sifan covers head to receive gold medal

    Defiance in Hijab: Olympian Sifan covers head to receive gold medal

    Marathon gold medalist Sifan Hassan, a Dutch of Ethiopian descent, accepted her Olympic gold medal wearing a hijab.

    It was Sifan’s third medal in Paris. She was competing in the 5,000m, the 10,000m and the marathon – the last two events just two days apart.

    On Friday, Hassan took bronze in the 10,000m in the Stade de France after coming away with a bronze in the 5,000m.

    “It was not easy,” said Hassan, 31. “It was so hot, but I was feeling OK. I’ve never pushed myself through to the finish line as I did today,” Sifan said.

    France has been criticised during the Olympics for prohibiting athletes from wearing hijab while competing.

    Athletes from other countries, like Egypt, have worn hijabs while playing. For several years, apparel makers have designed hijabs that function well for competition, which has eliminated one argument that had been used by some detractors.

    Hassan’s presence at the ceremony was not a direct reaction to the French rule, but it is a reminder of a position taken by France that has been widely criticised.

  • A Pakistan First: Secure Construction-Linked Property Payment Plan in DHA Islamabad

    A Pakistan First: Secure Construction-Linked Property Payment Plan in DHA Islamabad

    Islamabad — One Homes, a leading British investment group that builds tailor-made luxury properties for overseas Pakistanis has announced another Pakistan first: the first-ever construction-linked payment plan.

    The construction-linked payment plan addresses the specific pain points of overseas Pakistani property investors, providing greater transparency and security. By implementing these measures, One Homes plans to empower clients to confidently make property investments in their Motherland, assuring their financial interests are protected.

    On this occasion, Aqib Hassan, Chief Commercial Officer of One Homes, commented on the new offering and its purpose, “We understand the hesitation many overseas buyers experience when purchasing property in Pakistan. Over the years, our sole focus and our company ethos have been to cater to their requirements, from our five-star branded hotel apartments in Islamabad to our luxurious resort-style destinations.”

    He added, “The introduction of Pakistan’s first construction-linked payment plan is a testament to our commitment to providing safe and secure property investment in Pakistan. This latest initiative is meant to create a trustworthy environment where investors feel their financial interests are secure as they establish a deeper connection with their Motherland.”

    Another feature of the smart homes tailor-made for overseas buyers is the single suites with ensuite bedrooms and multifunctional spaces, catering to the dynamic needs of modern families. Both features are industry firsts in Pakistan’s property market, offering overseas investors upscale properties that combine the charm of Pakistan with contemporary facilities.

    Located in DHA Phase 3 an area which is benefitting from major infrastructure investments including the Islamabad Expressway and DHA interchange that have halved travel times to the city centre. Property prices in the area have increased by over 153.87% in the last 4 years according to official data released. 

    The development is adjacent to the newly established Roots Ivy International University and minutes away from the soon-to-be-opened Dolmen Mall City, Pakistan’s premier shopping destination, and a championship golf course. Along with that, it is bordered by the Takht Pari National Forest, giving it a touch of natural beauty and tranquillity.

    One Homes is committed to upholding international standards in services, amenities, and living, a hallmark across their projects. They each feature state-of-the-art fitness centres, infinity pools, and bespoke concierge services.With projects valued at $435 million in Pakistan, including developments like One Canal Road in Lahore and the recently launched Amaya Panoramas in Islamabad, One Homes is poised to put Pakistan’s real estate on the map.