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  • ADB approves $400 million loan to rebuild Sindh’s flood-damaged homes, infrastructure

    ADB approves $400 million loan to rebuild Sindh’s flood-damaged homes, infrastructure

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted Pakistan a $400 million concessional loan to aid in the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure in Sindh province, heavily impacted by the 2022 floods.

    The funds will be used for the Sindh Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project, which aims to repair flood-damaged houses and community facilities while boosting livelihood recovery and enhancing resilience to climate change.

    The project is part of ADB’s broader response to Pakistan’s flood crisis and contributes to the bank’s pledge of $1.5 billion in aid from 2023 to 2025. Yevgeniy Zhukov, ADB’s Director General for Central and West Asia, emphasised that the initiative will help rebuild homes and restore essential services in Sindh, the province most affected by the floods. The disaster impacted 33 million people and caused extensive damage nationwide.

    Sindh sustained about 83% of the total housing damage from the floods, with roughly 2.1 million homes either destroyed or severely damaged. Two years later, many survivors are still living in inadequate temporary shelters lacking basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity.

    The ADB’s project will support the reconstruction of 250,000 homes with designs that are resilient to multiple hazards and environmentally friendly. Additionally, it will fund the construction of community infrastructure such as drinking water and sanitation facilities, covered drainage, and renewable energy solutions for 100,000 households in approximately 1,000 flood-affected villages.

    The project also includes conditional cash grants for livestock, agriculture, small businesses, and e-commerce. A $500,000 technical assistance grant will be provided to support the government’s capabilities in procurement, compliance, and management.

    Srinivas Sampath, ADB’s Director for Water and Urban Development, noted that the project not only aims to rebuild Pakistan effectively but also to promote community-driven climate resilience and disaster risk management strategies, better preparing the country for future hazards.

  • SBP expected to lower interest rates on Monday as inflation stabilises

    SBP expected to lower interest rates on Monday as inflation stabilises

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is anticipated to reduce its key interest rate once more during its upcoming policy meeting on Monday.

    This will be the first meeting following the recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the announcement of a new state budget, according to analysts.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan and the IMF reached an agreement on a 37-month loan programme. The deal has introduced stringent measures, including increased taxes on agricultural incomes and higher electricity prices, which have sparked concerns among lower and middle-income citizens already struggling with inflation and the potential for increased taxes.

    In June, the SBP lowered its key interest rate by 150 basis points, reducing it from a historic high of 22 per cent. This marked the central bank’s first rate cut in nearly four years, aimed at stimulating economic growth amid a significant decrease in retail inflation. Inflation had dropped to 12.6 per cent in June, down from 38 per cent in May 2023.

    Out of 14 analysts surveyed, only one predicted that the SBP would maintain the current rate of 20.5 per cent. The majority forecast a rate cut, with seven analysts expecting a reduction of 100 basis points, five anticipating a 150 basis points cut, and one predicting a 200 basis points decrease.

    Mustafa Pasha, Chief Investment Officer at Lakson Investments, noted that the anticipated inflationary surge following the budget has not occurred. The central bank had previously cautioned about potential inflationary pressures from the budget, citing insufficient progress on structural reforms to expand the tax base.

    To compensate, the government set a demanding tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion ($47 billion) for the current fiscal year, representing a nearly 40 per cent increase from the previous year, and aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to 5.9 per cent of GDP from 7.4 per cent in the previous year to secure essential IMF funding.

    Pasha added that the clarity on the IMF programme, currency market stability, and steady foreign inflows into domestic debt and equities provide “ample comfort to the SBP to continue easing the policy rate in July and beyond.”

  • Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura may headline Paris Olympics opening ceremony

    Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura may headline Paris Olympics opening ceremony

    World-famous stars are in line to perform at Friday’s opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which will take place along the Seine River. The exact line-up is a tightly guarded secret, but here are three performers strongly rumoured to be appearing:

    Lady Gaga

    One of the world’s biggest-selling artists, pop queen Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – brings extravagant showmanship and costumes to the stage, along with her infectious electropop beats. She won an Oscar for Shallow, a song she co-wrote for the 2018 film remake A Star is Born. In that film, she sang the classic La Vie en rose by French legend Edith Piaf – whose songs are expected to feature in the Olympics extravaganza.

    Lady Gaga was seen arriving at a hotel in the French capital days ahead of the opening bash. Her anticipated Olympic turn comes during a busy year for the Oscar-winning US songwriter, 38. Earlier this month she announced she was back in the studio at work on a new album. She also appears as love-interest Harley Quinn in the new Joker movie, screening at the Venice Film Festival that starts in late August.

    “Music is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer,” she said prior to her electrifying 2017 Super Bowl halftime show performance. “No matter what race or religion or nationality or sexual orientation or gender that you are, it has the power to unite us.”

    Celine Dion

    Canadian superstar singer Dion is set to return to the spotlight after her fight against a rare illness was laid bare in a recent documentary. She has been posing for selfies with fans around Paris since the start of the week. Sources have indicated she may sing Piaf’s stirring love anthem Hymne A l’Amour at the ceremony. If she performs it will be the 56-year-old Dion’s second time at the Games, after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  Last month, she vowed she would fight her way back from the debilitating rare neurological condition that has kept her off stage.

    Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder. But she told US network NBC in June: “I’m going to go back onstage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will.” She has sold more than 250 million albums during a career spanning decades and picked up two Grammys for her rendition of My Heart Will Go On, the hit song from the 1997 epic Titanic.

    Aya Nakamura

    Franco-Malian R&B superstar Aya Nakamura, 29, is the most listened-to French-speaking singer in the world, with seven billion streams online. She is known for hits such as Djadja, which has close to a billion streams on YouTube alone, and Pookie. She faced down a wave of abuse from right-wing activists over her mooted Olympics appearance. The backlash came after media reports suggested she had discussed performing a song by Piaf at a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. Neither party confirmed the claim but Macron publicly backed the singer for the Olympics ceremony. Far-right politicians and conservatives have accused her of “vulgarity” and disrespecting the French language in her lyrics.

    Born Aya Danioko in the Malian capital Bamako in 1995 into a family of traditional musicians, she moved with her parents to the Paris suburbs as a child. She told AFP in an interview in 2020 her music was about “feelings of love in all their aspects”.

    “I have made my own musical universe and that is what I am most proud of. I make the music I like, even if people try to pigeon-hole me.”

  • Hum Dono: Will Wafa and Asad’s love story defy the odds?

    Hum Dono: Will Wafa and Asad’s love story defy the odds?

    Wafa and Asad are deeply in love. Wafa, full of life and ready to marry her hero Asad, is adventurous and carefree. Asad, in contrast, is practical and thoughtful, always considering the consequences of Wafa’s wild ideas. Their main obstacle is Wafa’s wealthy family. Her father, Ejaz Durrani (played by Nauman Ejaz), has chosen Shehroz (Zaviyar Naumaan) as a potential husband for her.

    Adding to the drama, Wafa’s cousin Sumbul (Rabya Kulsoom) also has feelings for Shehroz, but his feelings for her remain unclear. The standout character in this episode is Samar Abbas. His humor and charm make the show enjoyable, and we look forward to seeing more of him in future episodes.

    The drama starts with beautiful rooftop scenes where Wafa and Asad meet. Director Aabis Raza enhances the visuals with creative details, like shots of the hero and heroine climbing a ladder to the rooftop. Azaan Sami Khan’s pairing with Kinza Hashmi is fresh and promising. Both actors have a strong presence on screen. Zaviyaar Naumaan Ejaz joins the cast, adding to the potential love triangle. Rabya Kulsoom, as Sumbul, watches from the sidelines. Naumaan Ijaz plays Wafa’s calculating father, hinting at interesting family dynamics.

    Wafa’s carefree attitude sometimes seems unrealistic, especially when she talks about eloping so casually. This might be to highlight the contrast with Asad, who is practical and deeply in love. While we hoped for a story beyond the typical love triangle, writer Bee Gul always adds depth to her characters, so there’s hope for more complexity.

    The first episode showed a lot of romance between Wafa and Asad. It would have been better with more backstory to make their relationship more relatable. But it’s just the beginning, and there’s plenty of time for the story to develop.

    Let’s see what happens in the next episodes of ‘Hum Dono’

  • Dilip Kumar’s renovated bungalow sells for a jaw dropping sum

    Dilip Kumar’s renovated bungalow sells for a jaw dropping sum

    A sea-facing bungalow on Pali Hill, Mumbai, belonging to the late Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar, has been sold for Indian 175 crores. What was previously his sea-facing residence has now turned into an opulent triplex apartment.

    Apco Infratech Private Limited has purchased a triplex apartment spanning the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors of a newly redeveloped building. All in all, the flat has a huge carpet area of 9,527 square feet, which was bought at a premium price of Indians INR1.62 lakh per square foot. The sale was even costlier with a registration cost of INR 30,000 and a whopping stamp duty of 9.3 crore.
    In 1966, after he married Saira Banu, Dilip Kumar moved out of the house he had bought in September 1953.

  • Mastaani: Affan Waheed’s perfect mix of love and laughter

    Mastaani: Affan Waheed’s perfect mix of love and laughter

    Pakistani cinema is always trying to bring something new and different to the screen. This year, films like ‘Na Baligh Afraad,’ ‘Abhi,’ and ‘Umro Ayyar’ offered unique stories. But let’s face it, we all love a good rom-com, and Mastaani is here to give us just that!

    ‘Mastaani’ centers around Aaliya and Shakil, and it’s Affan Waheed’s big-screen debut!

    Aaliya, played by Amna Ilyas, is a brave and spirited young woman who wants to make a difference in society. However, she faces many challenges and tough situations along the way. Her journey is the heart of the movie. On the other hand, Shakil, played by Affan Waheed, is a simple, kind-hearted man whose life changes when he falls in love with Aaliya. Their contrasting personalities create an interesting dynamic that drives the story forward. The film blends romance, fun moments, and a touching mystery, promising a rollercoaster of emotions.

    The trailer starts with a classic enemies-to-lovers storyline. Aaliya is fierce and strong-willed, while Shakil doesn’t make a great first impression. Aaliya isn’t going to fall for him easily.

    At first, the plot seems like a typical romance with lots of sweet moments. But there’s a hint of mystery as Aadi Adeal Amjad and Hira Khan’s characters are investigating something. The trailer doesn’t reveal much, keeping you guessing about what’s really going on.
    Could the film be highlighting a hidden issue in society? The mystery element adds depth, making it more than just a simple romance.
    Hira Khan and Aadi Adeal Amjad also join the cast, adding extra excitement. With Aadi Adeel Amjad, we can expect lots of fun moments. Plus, veteran actors Perveen Akbar and Shahnawaz Zaidi add to the anticipation for the film.

    The film is written and directed by Usman Rizvi and produced by Daniya Nizami.

    Watch the trailer here:

  • Big names likely to be ruled out from Bangladesh series

    Big names likely to be ruled out from Bangladesh series

    Many big names from the Pakistan Test squad are likely to be ruled out of the Bangladesh series due to fitness, Sama has reported.

    Muhammad Huraira is expected to join the squad, while Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali may remain in it.

    Imam-ul-Haq and Sahibzada Farhan will be included, while a decision about Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali will be made after their fitness test.

    The final decision for the squad will be made next week.

  • Khan urges General Asim Munir to stay ‘neutral’

    Khan urges General Asim Munir to stay ‘neutral’

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, recently talked with journalists saying that she has a message for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir from Imran Khan.

    “The two parties (PPP and PML-N) have completely lost in every aspect; therefore, they want to bring the people of Pakistan up against the army,” said Aleema, delivering Khan’s message to the Chief of Army.

    According to Aleema, Khan stated, “Army is the backbone of our country and we must honor our army because it protects our country.”

    She said that Khan condemned the lack of rule of law in the country and the degradation of democracy, blaming it for causing “brain drain and loss of confidence in businesses in Pakistan.”

    She finally stated that Khan had asked General Asim Munir to stay “neutral” for the sake of the country.

  • Woman gang-raped in front of family while police argued over jurisdiction

    Woman gang-raped in front of family while police argued over jurisdiction

    A woman was allegedly gang-raped in front of her husband and three-year-old daughter in district Hafizabad of Punjab while police argued over jurisdiction.

    Dawn reports that robbers took the woman on gunpoint to nearby fields and sexually assaulted her in front of her husband and daughter.

    Originally a resident of Chiniot, the family was reportedly going back to the city via motorcycle after meeting a relative when it was stopped by three robbers near Sukheke around 11:30 pm, Dawn has reported.

    Arguing over jurisdiction

    Reports say that instead of helping the victim family, police officials of the Hafizabad and Nankana Sahib clashed over jurisdiction, a violation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued in the wake of the Lahore-Sialkot motorway gang-rape incident [2020] to respond to sexual assaults on women.

    For an hour or so, the victim and her family remained unattended while the gangsters fled the spot.

    The incident was reported to 15 Nankana police, who then diverted the call to the Hafizabad police, claiming that it was not their jurisdiction.

    The Hafizabad police sent a team to the crime scene and, after a brief investigation, announced that the crime spot is in the jurisdiction of Nankana police.

    An official told Dawn that DPO Hafizabad directed the police to reach the spot and lodge a case.

    Sukheke police registered a rape case against the unknown suspects and took into custody a suspected robber, recovering from his custody two pistols.
    Later, the police of both districts again entered into yet another dispute over jurisdiction.

    Nankana police again rejected the claim that the incident took place in their area. The matter remained under discussion all day on Thursday, bringing the investigation to a halt. To establish jurisdiction rights, Hafizabad police took a tehsildar and staff from the Board of Revenue to the crime scene.

    Hafizabad DPO Faisal Gulzar asserted that even though the incident took place in Nankana Sahib, he ordered an FIR be registered in his district’s police station.

    “We arrested one of the three criminals who looted the family and raped the woman”, he told Dawn, adding that during the investigation, the arrested suspect told the police that his accomplices fled towards Rawalpindi.

    A team has been sent to trace the other men and investigate the incident.

    The DPO also claimed that the woman was raped by one criminal.

  • Shahnawaz Dahani ruled out of Pakistan Shaheens

    Fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has once again suffered an injury and has been ruled out of the second tour match of Pakistan Shaheens in Darwin, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed.

    PCB says that the medical panel will assess the nature of his injury on his return to Pakistan. All-rounder Mubasar Khan has been included in the white ball squad instead.

    Pakistan Shaheens won the first match by 148 runs against Bangladesh.