After experiencing a decline in the previous session, gold prices in Pakistan saw a significant increase on Friday, mirroring the upward trend in international markets.
The local market price for gold per tola rose by Rs500, settling at Rs241,700, according to the latest figures released by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).
The price of 10 grammes of gold also climbed, increasing by Rs429 to reach Rs207,219. This comes after a notable drop on Thursday, when the price per tola had decreased by Rs1,500.
On the international front, the gold rate saw an upward adjustment. The APGJSA reported that the international gold price was set at $2,342 per ounce, including a $20 premium, following a $7 increase during the day.
In contrast, silver prices in the local market remained stable, with rates holding steady at Rs2,900 per tola.
Last month, gold prices in Pakistan reached an all-time high of Rs252,200 per tola, reflecting significant volatility in the market.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) agriculture minister Major (ret) Sajjad Khattak has said that the provincial government has imposed a tax on tobacco used in Naswar, adding that the usage of Naswar is neither a sin nor a reward.
The provincial agriculture minister told the provincial assembly that Naswar is the drug of the poor and it is not even forbidden in Sharia.
Opposition members of the KP assembly, including Sobia Shahid and Ahmad Kundi, tabled a bill demanding more tax on Naswar and cigarettes, as they are luxuries, and that the tax on private schools should be abolished.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sobia Shahid said that the tax on tobacco exports should be increased, and that it should be abolished in schools and colleges.
Several players of the Ugandan cricket team have made a long journey from the dirt roads of Kampala to the T20 World Cup 2024.
About 60 percent of the population in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, lives in slums. Fast bowler Juma Miyagi is an inspiration to youth living in the tightly packed areas. Because of them, the people here who are very fond of football, now watch cricket with interest and the debut of the Ugandan cricket team in the T20 World Cup is no less than a dream for them.
Miyagi grew up in the Naguru Jagi shacks on the outskirts of Kampala. After playing for Uganda’s under-19 team for two years, he will now take charge of the senior team’s bowling in the T20 World Cup in West Indies and America from June 1. Uganda qualified for the Cricket World Cup for the first time in November last year.
Miyagi has taken 34 wickets in 21 T20 matches so far. He grew up in slums and still lives there with his family. T20 World Cup participant Simon Ssesazi also hail from slums that do not have clean drinking water, sewage system and health facilities.
The story of thier struggles has also impressed Uganda’s Indian coach Abhay Sharma. It’s not that Sharma has never seen a slum, but Kampala’s slums are different from Mumbai’s Dharavi. After spending time with the players, Sharma’s respect for them increased manifold.
Pakistani film ‘Nayab’ has won the ‘Best Foreign Film’ award at World Film Festival in Cannes. The film, directed by Umair Nasir Ali, also won the Best First Time Film Maker award in the feature film category. The film is written by Basit Naqvi, Ali Abbas Naqvi
The story of the film is centered around a young woman determined to break stereotypes by playing cricket for Pakistan’s national team. Her brother, who was once a rising star himself, struggles with his past.
The director posted a picture on Instagram with the caption, “Happy to share our film “Nayab” won Best Foreign Film and Best First Time Filmmaker (Feature) at the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future! April 2024 -Despite limited festival opportunities after commercial theatrical release locally and globally, these awards bring us great joy. Thanks to the entire Nayab Team for making “Nayab” possible! Specially @rumina_umair @aliabbasnaqvi88 & @m.basit.naqvi for being there since the inception of the idea which we started in 2019.”
Yumna Zaidi who played the character of Nayab also posted a picture on her Instagram with the caption, “Nayab” my real star ”
Note: The prestigious Cannes Film Festival ended on May 25. Don’t confuse it with the World Film Festival in Cannes, a separate monthly competition held in the same city.
Pakistan has been ranked 101 out of 119 countries, classified as a lower-middle-income economy and is part of the Asia-Pacific regional group.
The top 30 countries in the TTDI accounted for over 75 percent of the travel and tourism industry GDP in 2022, and 70 percent of GDP growth between 2020 and 2022.
However, the lower half of the list consisted of African countries.
Ranking among South Asia
In South-East Asia, Pakistan ranks slightly above Nepal (105) and Bangladesh (109), but far below India (39) and Sri Lanka (76).
Ranking among Middle Eastern Countries
Within the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates topped the rankings at 18, followed by Saudi Arabia (41), Qatar, (53) and Bahrain (18). The United States topped the overall list, followed by Spain, Japan, and France. The remainder of the top ten list comprised Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy, and Switzerland.
WEF report highlighted challenges being faced within the industry. Global inflation, global conflict, and environmental issues such as wildfires in tourist destinations, have generated additional pressure.
However, the report predicts that in the coming years, the travel and tourism industry will bear the brunt of geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty, and possible challenges brought on by artificial intelligence.
Whilst developing economies like Pakistan have shown improvement in TTDI scores, many areas still need investment in enabling tourism conditions.
PTI in confusion: Who is running Khan’s social media?
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Makhdoomzada Muhammad Zain Hussain Qureshi recently gave an interview to journalist Asma Shirazi on Hum News where he backtracked from his party’s recent narrative and clarified that Khan’s social media account is, indeed, not being operated from abroad.
Qureshi stated, “There is no such thing as [someone] from outside the country handling Khan’s social media but is being operated according to Imran Khan’s instructions and party policy.”
Zain clarified, “It is obvious that he [Imran Khan] can’t use his own account because he is imprisoned so the party has the responsibility and it is done on his instructions.”
Qureshi’s contrasting statement clashes with PTI leader Raoof Hasan’s claim that Imran Khan’s social media accounts were being handled from America.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Rauf Hassan revealed on Thursday to Kashif Abbasi on ARY News, that PTI founder Imran Khan’s official X (formerly Twitter) account was being handled from abroad. The head of PTI’s official social media team is based in the USA, Hassan confirmed.
Rauf Hassan also stated that he will investigate who uploaded the video about former Bangladesh president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the PTI founder’s official X account. PTI workers shared the video from Khan’s account in their personnel capacity, Rauf Hassan added.
The PTI spokesperson also said that he didn’t even see the video.
The development came when the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) started an investigation into the circulation of the video.
However, sources in Adiala jail confirmed to Aaj News that the former prime minister refused to meet the FIA team in Adiala jail.
The excitement surrounding the wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest man, has reached new heights as their second round of pre-wedding celebrations kicked off with a stellar performance by the American band Backstreet Boys on a cruise in Italy.
Joining the couple for the extravagant affair were Bollywood A-listers such as Shahrukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar, and others, who have flown to Italy to partake in the four-day festivities aboard the cruise.
A video from the festivities shows the Backstreet Boys performing their song ‘I Wanna Be With You’ for the guests, dressed in all-white outfits.
Another video from the extravagant cruise is gaining attention, filmed bear Palermo, Sicily in Italy. According to reports, the cruise began yesterday and will end in France on Friday. It’s expected to include performances by American rapper Pitbull, Latin popstar Shakira, and Indian Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa.
Get ready for a summer filled with compelling storytelling, as Pakistani dramas cover family dynamics, politics, mental health, and education. These themes deeply resonate with viewers, drawing them into the characters’ experiences.
Let’s find out what exciting new stories these upcoming dramas have for us!
Danish Taimoor and Laiba Khurram Star in ‘Teri Chhaon Mein’
Danish Taimoor and Laiba Khurram team up for ‘Teri Chhaon Mein.’ Despite its old-fashioned title, the characters are fresh. Danish plays a soft, loving boy, while Laiba plays a family-oriented girl who lacks confidence and independence. The teasers suggest their relationship will face challenges, adding suspense. Danish’s character might show unexpected traits, keeping viewers curious. Let’s see how their story unfolds in this new drama.
Written by Radain Shah and directed by Abdullah Badini, ‘Teri Chhaon Mein’ is produced by Momina Duraid Productions.
Asad Siddiqui, Nawal Saeed, Yashma Gill, and Aagha Ali star in a new drama
Asad Siddiqui, Nawal Saeed, Yashma Gill, and Aagha Ali come together for the first time in this star-studded drama. The teasers suggest a love triangle involving two brothers. Aagha Ali plays the controlling brother, while Asad Siddiqui is the innocent one overshadowed by his sibling. Nawal Saeed plays a character focused on wealth, a departure from her previous roles. Yashma Gill’s character remains a mystery, adding intrigue.
Written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Aabis Raza, this drama is produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under 7th Sky Entertainment.
‘Ishq Hua’: A Love Story featuring Haroon Kadwani and Komal Meer
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as Haroon Kadwani and Komal Meer star in ‘Ishq Hua,’ an intense love story. With cutting-edge visuals and a gripping plot, this drama promises more than just romance. It explores the extreme consequences of passionate love, with every moment full of emotion. The cast also includes Sahar Hashmi, Fazila Qazi, and Sohail Sameer.
Written by Nooran Makhdoom and directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain, ‘Ishq Hua’ is produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under 7th Sky Entertainment.
British football club Chelsea has appointed Leicester’s Enzo Maresca as its new head coach.
According to British media, Chelsea has agreed to a five-year contract with Renzo. Italy’s Enzo Maresca will replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at English Premier League (EPL) champions Manchester City until last year. He made an immediate return to the Premier League for Leicester after relegation 12 months ago.
Renzo Maresca’s work style has also impressed Chelsea chiefs, which has led to his signing. Chelsea Football Club has been looking for a new manager after parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino. At the time of Mauricio Pochettino’s departure and at the end of this year’s EPL season, Chelsea finished sixth in the table but qualify for the Europa League.
