Blog

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet set to take oath today

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet set to take oath today

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet is set to take its oath of office today after Chief Minister of the province Ali Amin Gandapur got approval from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who is currently in Adiala jail serving sentences in multiple cases.

    Ali Amin Gandapur said in a statement that he discussed the formation of the KP cabinet with Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

    “Cabinet members will take oath today,” he confirmed.

    After meeting the founder of PTI, the newly-elected chief minister came back to Peshawar and asked relevant authorities to arrange the oath taking ceremony in the Governor House.

    However, the names of cabinet members have not been revealed yet.

    Interestingly, a majority of those considered and approved as cabinet members by Imran Khan were unaware of their selection. The News learnt from its sources that KP CM Gandapur did not disclose the names of his cabinet members, as he was under pressure by certain factions within the party to accommodate their nominees.

  • Israel says to allow worshippers access to Al-Aqsa in Ramzan as in ‘previous years’

    Israel says to allow worshippers access to Al-Aqsa in Ramzan as in ‘previous years’

    Israel will allow as many Muslim worshippers to access Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem during the first week of Ramzan as in previous years, the prime minister’s office said Tuesday.

    “In the first week of Ramzan, worshippers will be allowed to enter the Temple Mount, in similar numbers to those in previous years,” the statement said, using the Jewish term for the site.

    “Every week there will be a situation assessment in terms of security and safety and a decision will be made accordingly,” it added.

    Every year, tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers perform Ramzan prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

    Ramzan comes this year as Israel wages a genocide in the Gaza Strip in a disproportionate response to Hamas in Israel on October 7.

    Israel has been assessing how to address worship in Jerusalem during Ramzan, the Islamic fasting month due to start on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar.

    Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had recently said that Palestinian residents of the West Bank “should not be allowed” entry to Jerusalem to pray during Ramzan.

    “We cannot take risks,” he said, adding: “We cannot have women and children hostage in Gaza and allow celebrations for Hamas on the Temple Mount.”

    Ben Gvir leads a hard-right party advocating Jewish control of the compound.

    Days later, the United States called on Israel to allow Muslims to worship at Al-Aqsa.

    “It’s not just a matter of granting people religious freedom that they deserve… it’s also a matter that directly is important to Israel’s security,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

    “It is not in Israel’s security interest to inflame tensions in the West Bank or in the broader region.”

    Hamas has called for a mass movement on Al-Aqsa for the start of Ramzan.

    “Ramzan is sacred to Muslims; its sanctity will be upheld this year, as it is every year,” the Israeli government statement said after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting of all security agencies on Tuesday.

  • No more recommendations; team selection to be on merit, says PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi

    No more recommendations; team selection to be on merit, says PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear to the national players that from now, the team will be selected only on merit and no more recommendations will be accommodated.

    Naqvi stressed that he is not stopping any player from earning money but Pakistan should be their first priority.

    In a meeting with national players involved in Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi said, “Whenever the team will be selected after today, it will be on merit. I will not tell anyone that you people should not earn money. Give Pakistan first priority, in any case I am not telling anyone to reduce their earnings. “

    Talking about the practice of adjusting players who do not come on merit, the Chairman stated, “If you see something like this, all you have to do is send me a message and I’m telling you, I’m a very friendly guy and I’m also mean. So mean that if a single complaint is heard, the whole team will go.”

  • Oil prices drop again on concerns over China’s economic changes

    Oil prices drop again on concerns over China’s economic changes

    In the wake of growing apprehensions over reduced oil consumption in China, a key player in the global oil market, oil prices witnessed a consecutive decline for the second day.

    The current market scenario reveals Brent crude trading at $82.16 per barrel, marking a 0.52 per cent decrease, while West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) is trading at $77.9 per barrel, down by 0.6 per cent from the previous close.

    China, a significant oil consumer, declared its commitment to overhaul its economic development model and address industrial overcapacity concerns.

    Alongside these initiatives, China set its economic growth target for 2024 at approximately 5 per cent, a figure consistent with last year’s goal and in alignment with analysts’ predictions, according to Reuters.

    However, achieving this growth target may prove challenging this year, as analysts point out that China’s favourable base effect in 2023, resulting from the pandemic-affected 2022, may not be replicable. This potential hurdle has raised concerns and could impact investor sentiment.

    China, being the world’s largest crude importer, also announced intentions to intensify the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.

    Simultaneously, there is a commitment to tighten control over fossil fuel consumption, reflecting the nation’s dual focus on energy development and environmental responsibility.

    While anxieties regarding China’s demand outlook contributed to the downward pressure on oil prices, other factors provided support.

    Major oil producers’ decisions to reduce output and geopolitical tensions arising from the Israel-Gaza conflict played a role in sustaining crude prices.

    Over the weekend, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) extended their voluntary oil output cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) into the second quarter.

    This decision aimed to bolster prices amidst global growth concerns and increased production outside the OPEC+ alliance.

  • PSL 9: Peshawar Zalmi defeats Multan Sultans by four runs after a thriller match

    PSL 9: Peshawar Zalmi defeats Multan Sultans by four runs after a thriller match

    In the 21st match of Pakistan Super League 9, Peshawar Zalmi defeats Multan Sultans by four runs after a thriller match in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first against Multan Sultans.

    Peshawar Zalmi inning

    Peshawar Zalmi scored 204 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, captain Babar Azam scored 64 runs. Apart from this, Saim Ayub scored 46 runs, Haseebullah scored 31 runs and Asif Ali scored 11 runs. Rovman Powell scored 23 runs and Aamir Jamal scored 12 runs.

    Usama Mir took 3 wickets and Chris Jordan took 2 wickets for Multan Sultans.

    Multan Sultan inning

    Chasing the target of 205 runs, Multan Sultan took aggressive start by hitting 14 runs in first over. Multans captian Muhammad Rizwan scored 32 runs, Chris Jordan 30 while Iftikhar Ahmed scored 60 runs of just 21 balls but could not chase down the total.

    Multan scored 200 runs for the loss of five wickets in alloted 20 overs.

    From Peshawar’s side Aamir Jamal took two while Mehran Mumtaz and Naveen ul Haq took one wicket each.

  • Bitcoin’s price soars close to $69,000, then pulls back to $65,000

    Bitcoin’s price soars close to $69,000, then pulls back to $65,000

    Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market value, surged to a two-year peak, surpassing $68,600 on Tuesday and approaching its all-time high.

    The cryptocurrency has seen a notable 50 per cent surge this year, with a significant portion of the increase occurring in recent weeks, marked by inflows into US-listed bitcoin funds.

    During Asian trading hours on Tuesday, Bitcoin hovered around $68,500, reaching a session high of $68,828, just shy of the record peak of $68,999.99 set in November 2021.

    The approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States earlier this year attracted new significant investors, reigniting enthusiasm reminiscent of the 2021 bull run.

    However, Bitcoin has now retreated to $65,000 as of 9:50 p.m. Kyle Rodda, senior markets analyst at Capital.com, described the current market conditions as “crypto mania 4.0,” suggesting that continued low bond and rate volatility could sustain the momentum, though acknowledging signs of irrational behaviour.

    In the week ending March 1, net flows into the ten largest US spot bitcoin funds totaled $2.17 billion, with over half directed towards BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, according to LSEG data.

    Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG, expressed optimism about Bitcoin’s potential move towards $80,000 despite short-term overbuying.

    The cryptocurrency rally aligns with record-breaking performances in global stock indexes, including Japan’s Nikkei, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq.

    Simultaneously, volatility measures in equities and foreign exchange markets are trending downward.

    Ether, Bitcoin’s smaller rival, also surged over 50 per cent for the year, reaching $3,649. Speculation about exchange-traded funds driving inflows has contributed to Ether’s momentum.

    A regulatory filing on Monday revealed that the US Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed its decision on BlackRock’s application for a spot ethereum exchange-traded fund.

    In a separate development, Tether announced that the number of dollar-pegged stablecoins it issued has surpassed $100 billion, providing stability in the cryptocurrency market.

  • Man, 34, allegedly shot dead by South-African wife in Karachi

    Man, 34, allegedly shot dead by South-African wife in Karachi

    A young man named Jehanzeb Malik, 34, was found shot dead in his apartment in DHA on Monday evening with his wife missing from the premises. It now appears that she fled after allegedly murdering her husband, reports Dawn.

    Jehanzeb’s body was found at the 20th-storey flat in a DHA high-rise apartment complex. He had reportedly been shot in the head from behind. The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre to fulfil medico-legal formalities, as per the police.

    The Crime Scene Unit of the police has collected evidence from the crime scene.

    The DIG briefed the media that the murdered victim lived in the apartment with his South African wife. The couple had tied the knot around five years ago. They had two children who were at their grandfather’s home at the time of the incident.

    He said that investigators came to know that the couple had a fight before the murder. The police have alerted airport authorities to stop her from boarding any flight.

  • Mark your calendars: Aurat March is around the corner!

    Mark your calendars: Aurat March is around the corner!

    March is finally here which means that 8th of the month is Women’s Day around the world and in Pakistan, Aurat March in major cities will walk through the streets to remind the state and the society of the due rights of women and minorities of the country.

    Where and when to join Aurat March?

    Lahore
    Time: 8th March, 2 pm
    Place: Lahore Press Club

    Karachi
    Time: 2:30 pm
    Place: Frere Hall

    Islamabad
    Time: 2 pm
    Place: Islamabad Press Club

    Multan
    Time: 3 pm
    Place: Nawan Shehar Chowk

    What are the demands this year?

    Lahore

    This year, Lahore based its theme on “Siyasat, Muzahamat aur Azadi” which means that the manifesto addresses the electoral politics (in the light of the recent General Elections of Pakistan back in February 8), as well as asserts on the re-envisioning political participation where “oppressed groups and communities on the margin take center stage.”

    Here are the demands by Aurat March Lahore:

    Karachi

    In Karachi, Aurat March will focus on domestic violence, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, land grabbing, state-sponsored poverty, religious extremism, repression of gender and body politics, fascistic capture of politics and everything “the patriarchy subjects us to under its militaristic control of our bodies.”

    Islamabad

    The capital’s theme this year is Resistance and Hope:

    Calling on to end enforced disappearances; promoting “hope and world peace” in light of Israeli genocide in Gaza; end to gender-based violence; to take action against cyber harassment targeting women, minorities, and children with effective legislation; end to period poverty by making period products accessible for all and provind period education in school; economic justice i.e. integrating women’s reproductive labour into country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), formalisation of informal sector to ensure work standards and safe working environment, action against child labour, wage regularisation, right to unionisation, and allocation of funds to rehabilitate women farmers, shopkeepers, small landlords; improved access to universal education and healthcare; political rights of women; as well as rights of religious minorities.

    Read the details on the demands by Islamabad here:

    Multan

    With the main focus on climate justice right and economic liberation, here are the demands by the city of Multan this year:

    1. Education for All: Guarantee education for girls up to the age of 16, ensuring equal access to knowledge and opportunities.
    2. Right to Identity: Ensure that all men, women, and transgender people in Siraiki Wasaib have their identity cards without any hindrance from the state.
    3. Combat Harassment: Form active committees against sexual harassment in educational institutions and workplaces, enforcing strict adherence to anti-harassment laws.
    4. Student Empowerment: Lift the ban on student unions in universities across Pakistan, allowing students to exercise their rights and have a say in their education. Also, Establish new colleges and universities with equitable access for all, fostering an environment of learning and growth.
    5. Inclusive Infrastructure: Implement accessible architecture in schools, government offices, and public spaces, catering to the needs of people with disabilities.
    6. Fair Wages: Enforce inflation-adjusted and gender-conscious minimum wage policies, promoting economic justice for all.
    7. Protect Domestic and Small Industry Workers: Safeguard the rights of domestic workers, particularly young girls, from exploitation and abuse.
    8. End Early Marriage: Enact laws against early marriage and forced religious conversion, setting the legal marriage age to 18.
    9. Transgender Rights: Implement the Transgender Rights Act 2018, ensuring equality and protection for transgender individuals.
    10. Political Victimisation: Stop the unjust targeting and unlawful detention, especially of women, for political reasons.
    11. Women’s Protection: Fully implement the Women Protection Bill and expedite the completion of Women Crisis Centers in Multan.
    12. Holistic Education: Incorporate human rights, climate change, and gender education into the high school curriculum, fostering awareness and understanding.
    13. Healthcare Access: Ensure accessible healthcare and employment opportunities, along with childcare facilities for women in both government and non-government sectors.
    14. Remove Taxes: Eliminate taxes on women’s hygiene products and essential items, relieving financial burdens on women.
    15. Worker Rights: Abolish the exploitation of various marginalized groups, including brick kiln workers, farmers, journalists, and factory workers.
    16. Combat Terrorism: Take legal action against activities that terrorize women, ensuring the rule of law prevails.
    17. Judicial Representation: Increase the number of women judges, particularly in the Lahore High Court, Multan, and Bahawalpur Benches, promoting gender parity in the judiciary.
    18. End Corruption: Eradicate corruption and mistreatment of women in social support programs.
    19. Report Mechanisms: Establish effective portals to report incidents of harassment and violence against women, ensuring swift action and justice.
    20. Religious Freedom: Protect religious places and minorities from desecration and criminal acts, upholding fundamental freedoms for all.
    21. Child Protection: Implement stringent measures to prevent the sexual abuse of children, safeguarding the innocence and well-being of our youth.
    22. Safe Spaces: Ensure the fundamental freedoms and protection of women in Dar ul Aman and working women hostels, providing safe havens for those in need.
    23. Digital Access: Declare internet access as a fundamental right and bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to technology for all.
    24. Combat Stereotypes: Eliminate gender stereotypes in educational materials, electronic media, and social platforms, promoting equality and diversity.
    25. Justice for All: Pay homage to human rights leaders like Rashid Rehman and demand justice for those who have sacrificed for the cause of equality and justice.
  • Gold price soars to Rs223,900 per tola following notable surge

    Gold price soars to Rs223,900 per tola following notable surge

    In a significant turn of events, gold prices experienced a notable surge in Pakistan on Tuesday, aligning with the upward trend in the international market.

    The precious metal, often referred to as “yellow gold,” witnessed a price hike of Rs2,700 per tola, reaching a new valuation of Rs223,900.

    According to the latest data released by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the 10-gramme gold bar was traded at Rs191,958, reflecting an increase of Rs2,315.

    This comes on the heels of a substantial jump of Rs3,500 per tola recorded on Saturday.

    Internationally, the gold rate demonstrated a robust performance, closing at $2,135 per ounce with a $20 premium on Tuesday. This marked a noteworthy uptick of $29 in the global market, as reported by APGJSA.

    In contrast, silver rates remained stable at Rs2,600 per tola during the same period.

    Shifting focus to the currency market, the Pakistani rupee experienced a slight dip against the US dollar, depreciating by 0.02 per cent in the inter-bank market on Tuesday.

    The closing exchange rate, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), stood at 279.31, indicating a marginal loss of Re0.05 against the greenback.

    This follows a similar trend observed on Monday, when the rupee settled at 279.26 against the US dollar.