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  • ‘Interviews have begun for technocratic setup,’ Sheikh Rasheed claims

    ‘Interviews have begun for technocratic setup,’ Sheikh Rasheed claims

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has claimed that a technocratic setup may take over by September 20 this year because “interviews have begun.”

    Rasheed, while talking to the media outside Adiala Jail, lamented, “It has been two years and 14 cases have been filed against me, but I’ve received no challans yet.”

    The former Interior Minister described his feelings saying, “They said I’ve lost 40kg weight. I never thought the Gate No 4 people would pick me up. The police took our women’s jewellery, my watches and shoes too.”

    He requested the people with whom he had a “decades long relation” and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to declare amnesty.

    Sheikh Rasheed further stated, “August 31 is significant; the government is packing its bags. Technocratic government can come by September 20, and whatever happens, it will be bad.”

  • Government to introduce 5-year economic plan under supervision of British economist Stefan Dercon

    Government to introduce 5-year economic plan under supervision of British economist Stefan Dercon

    A five-year economic plan for the development of Pakistan’s struggling economy has been prepared under the supervision of Belgian-British economist Stefan Dercon. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to launch it on August 14.

    Geo News reported that the proposed economic plan has been named the Stefan Dercon plan. It contains target of 6 percent annual economic growth target by 2028.

    The ambitious plan also emphasises on structural reforms to take the export target to $60 billion by 2028.

    The proposed plan prioritises the promotion of private investment and the increase in exports. The successful implementation of reforms is estimated to create one million employment opportunities annually.

    According to the Dercon Plan, the proposed plan’s results would be fairly visible by 2028, one year after the IMF programme ends.

    “The failure of structural reforms for growth in Pakistan is not due to a lack of ideas, but a lack of political will to implement these reforms,” warns the draft report.

    It also warns that Pakistan won’t get chances like this; therefore, the opportunity must not be wasted.

  • Helicopter crashes into hotel roof in Australia

    Helicopter crashes into hotel roof in Australia

    A helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in northeastern Australia on Monday, police said, igniting a blaze atop the building and forcing a mass evacuation.

    Mangled pieces of the helicopter’s propeller landed in the hotel’s pool, said an emergency services official, adding that one man was treated at the scene with life-threatening injuries.

    Hundreds of patrons were evacuated from the DoubleTree by Hilton in the tropical northern city of Cairns after the helicopter crashed around 1:50 a.m. local time.

    Images showed a bright plume of fire blazing on the hotel’s roof.

    “They just flew into that building,” a female voice says in a video shared on social media that captured the aftermath as sirens blared in the background.

    “Madness, man. Shivers. People were living in that. It smashed right in.”

    Queensland Ambulance supervisor Caitlin Denning said the aircraft’s propellers had “dislodged”.

    “One landed on the Cairns Esplanade and there was a second propeller located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor and it was on fire,” she told local media.

    Queensland police said “there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground”.

    Cairns is a popular tourist hub that offers a gateway to Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef.

    A team of government investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have been dispatched to the crash site.

  • Pakistani celebrities pay heartfelt tributes to Haniya Aslam

    Pakistani celebrities pay heartfelt tributes to Haniya Aslam

    Pakistani celebrities are deeply saddened by the passing of renowned musician Haniya Aslam. Many have taken to social media to share heartfelt tributes, remembering her immense talent and the lasting impact she had on the music industry.

    Her legacy, particularly as one-half of the iconic duo Zeb-Haniya, has been fondly recalled by fans and fellow artists alike. The outpouring of love and condolences reflects the deep loss felt by all who knew and admired her.

    Check the tweets below:

  • Pakistani mountaineer who risked his life to save others dies in rescue operation

    Pakistani mountaineer who risked his life to save others dies in rescue operation

    Pakistani mountaineer Murad Sadpara, who saved the lives of others by risking his life, has died in an expedition after being hit on the head eith a rock.

    He succumbed to his injuries on the night between Saturday and Sunday. The Broad Peak Rescue Team confirmed the death. The body will be brought to base camp today.

    He brought down a mountaineer’s body from last week’s summit and was also leading a clean-up campaign. He has climbed four mountains, including K2.

  • Political stability cannot be achieved with rigged elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Political stability cannot be achieved with rigged elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    The Awam Pakistan (AP) party convener, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has stated that political stability cannot be achieved in a country with rigged elections.

    “Every system in the world has been tried in this country, and now it’s time to turn to the Constitution,” the former Prime Minister said during the launch of the ‘Foundation and Vision Document’ event for the (AP) manifesto.

    “The country doesn’t function because no one adheres to their oaths,” he opined.
    While talking about the economy, he noted, “The state of the economy today is the same as it was ten years ago.”
    Abbasi mentioned that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) might be an issue, but the real problem is the economy’s failure.
    Former finance minister Miftah Ismail was also present at the event. He said the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award should be reviewed.

    “The government is providing Rs 109 billion to cover the losses of the railways. We bear these losses because the railways operate for the benefit of its employees and officers, not for the public,” he added

  • Brother kills sister for skipping Class 9 exam

    Brother kills sister for skipping Class 9 exam

    A man from Sahiwal shot his sister dead after she skipped her 9th-class Mathematics board exam.

    Sadia, 16, had taken her 9th class exam conducted by the Sahiwal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, but she skipped the Mathematics paper, as per the FIR.

    Her family came to know about her actions after the result was announced.

    The victim’s brother, Adil Hussain, admonished her over the result, and a severe argument took place. On Saturday night, Sadia was in her room when Adil again shouted at her for failing the exam.

    The argument escalated, leading to the suspect drawing out a weapon and firing six shots at his sister. The suspect escaped while Sadia succumbed to her injuries on her way to the Rural Health Centre, Hujra.

    Sadia and Adil’s father had passed away.

    The local police registered a case on the report of their mother, Sajida Bibi.

  • CJ-led SC bench reinstates three PML-N leaders’ NA membership

    CJ-led SC bench reinstates three PML-N leaders’ NA membership

    A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, restored the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order to recount three Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members constituency results while reinstating them.

    The SC bench declared the Lahore High Court’s decision null and void while hearing the recount petitions of three different polling stations of NA-154, NA-81, and NA-79.

    However, the decision was made with a majority of 2-1, with Justice Aqeel Abbasi issuing a dissenting note.

    The court reinstated the election commission’s decision regarding the recount of votes for three PML-N members: Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Abdul Rehman Kanju, and Zulfiqar Ahmed.

  • Petrol price may be reduced by more than Rs10 per litre this week

    Petrol price may be reduced by more than Rs10 per litre this week

    Pakistan may experience a notable drop in fuel prices in the near future, with reductions of up to Rs12 per litre anticipated for various petroleum products, according to industry sources.

    Initial estimates indicate that the price of petrol could fall by more than Rs9 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) might see a decrease of up to Rs8.50 per litre. Kerosene oil is also expected to become more affordable, with potential price cuts exceeding Rs12 per litre.

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is expected to finalise these pricing adjustments and submit its recommendations to the government by August 15. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, in consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will make the final decision on the new fuel prices.

    If approved, these reductions could offer significant relief to consumers grappling with high inflation and increasing living costs throughout the country. Further updates are anticipated following OGRA’s report submission.

  • Groundbreaking musician Haniya Aslam of Zeb & Haniya passes away

    Groundbreaking musician Haniya Aslam of Zeb & Haniya passes away

    Haniya Aslam, one half of the ground breaking duo Zeb & Haniya, has passed away. Along with her cousin Zeb Bangash, the two created timeless songs like ‘Chal Diay’ and ‘Bibi Sanam Janam’.

    The news of her passing was first shared by Fasi Zaka on X (formerly Twitter) in a tweet that said: “What a talented musician and kind soul. May she Rest in Peace. Truly saddening.”

    Haniya Aslam began her musical journey after studying at the National College of Arts (NCA). She and Zeb Bangash worked on various projects, including three massive hits for Coke Studio, TV dramas, and films. Haniya was known for blending Sufi and modern music in a way that touched many hearts.

    Zeb shared heartfelt memories of her dear cousin, affectionately calling her “Hanini.”

    We extend our deepest condolences to Haniya Aslam’s family and loved ones. May her soul rest in peace.

    Fans reacted with shock and grief, mostly replying to Fasi Zaka’s tweet. Here is what her fans are saying: