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  • Tim Hortons to open soon in DHA Phase 2, Islamabad

    Due to overwhelming support from Lahoris, Tim Hortons is set to open soon in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase 2, Islamabad. 

    The construction of the Tim Hortons building is currently underway and appears to be mostly finished. 

    Anticipated to draw considerable attention from residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the introduction of this renowned Canadian coffee chain to DHA Islamabad is expected to attract a substantial crowd. 

    The peaceful reputation of DHA Islamabad contrasts with the potential influx of visitors, especially from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 

    The ability of DHA to manage this increased activity, particularly in the initial days, remains to be seen. 

    Unlike DHA Lahore, which has numerous entry points, DHA Islamabad has limited gates, posing a potential challenge. 

    The upcoming days will reveal how residents of the twin cities respond to this new addition.

  • Pakistan forms new body led my three-star military general to expand tax base

    Pakistan forms new body led my three-star military general to expand tax base

    The government has established a new committee, led by a three-star military general, to oversee data integration efforts aimed at expanding the tax base.

    This move precedes the imminent arrival of a technical mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tasked with assessing Pakistan’s tax system.

    Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), will head the technical committee, as notified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The newly formed committee will devise proposals for data integration to expand the tax base and formulate an IT infrastructure transformation plan.

    The eight-member committee, consisting of three senior FBR members, has been tasked with crafting a comprehensive plan for data integration. Their primary objective is to significantly increase the number of income tax return filers, aiming to elevate last year’s count of 4.9 million to 6.5 million within the next eight months, as outlined in an official notification.

    As reported by Express Tribune, Pakistan has shared an FBR restructuring plan with the IMF, outlining the integration of 145 entities into the FBR network to expand the tax base. However, the Prime Minister has withheld approval, instructing further refinement to address ambiguities and contradictions in the proposed restructuring plan.

    This strategic initiative aligns with the impending visit of an IMF technical mission to Pakistan, scheduled to commence next week.

    The mission will conduct a thorough review of the country’s tax laws and FBR’s administrative structure, ultimately delivering recommendations within two months. These suggestions may serve as a foundation for the upcoming IMF program.

  • Karachi: Fire in multi-storey mall leaves 10 dead and 22 injured

    Karachi: Fire in multi-storey mall leaves 10 dead and 22 injured

    A fire broke out in Karachi’s RJ shopping mall on Rashid Minhas road, causing the death of 10 people so far. The incident took place early on Saturday.

    Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has confirmed the number of casualties and injured, taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account. He also confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, while the cooling process is underway.

    A statement from the Fire and Rescue spokesperson said they were alerted about the incident at 6:30am, after which eight fire tenders, two snorkels and two bowsers were sent to the location.

    Earlier, police surgeon Summaiya Syed told Dawn that nine bodies have been brought to hospitals — eight at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and one at Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK). Wahab said one was also brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

    She further said that an 18-year-old was currently admitted at CHK.

    District East Deputy Commissioner (DC) Altaf Shaikh, who was personally supervising the rescue operation, said 30 others, including the wounded, were rescued, reported Dawn.

    Experts say around 12,000 to 15,000 people die in hundreds of fire incidents in the country every year. More than 90% of the industries, residential buildings, and structures in Karachi, which is the largest industrial hub of Pakistan, lacked fire safety arrangements as building codes were not being implemented by the authorities concerned, Geo reported citing experts.

  • CDA to receive 30 Chinese electric buses for Islamabad in January 

    CDA to receive 30 Chinese electric buses for Islamabad in January 

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has initiated a transformative move by securing 160 electric buses from China.

    The procurement plan involves the delivery of 30 buses in January, followed by two additional fleets arriving in February and March.

    CDA Chairman Anwarul Haq on Friday chaired a meeting to receive an update on the import of buses, as per sources from Dawn. The chairman directed the concerned wing to expedite the process, ensuring the timely arrival of all buses.

    Commencing in January, the first batch of 30 electric buses is set to play on 13 new routes across the capital city. This strategic deployment is a step towards enhancing sustainable and eco-friendly public transportation.

    The National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has been entrusted with the pivotal role of managing the operation of the buses on the designated 13 routes.

    Under this arrangement, the CDA will be providing financial support to the NRTC, with a reimbursement ranging from Rs306 to Rs331 for every kilometre covered by the electric buses.

    To streamline the operation of these buses, the CDA is planning the construction of a dedicated depot at Zero Point, situated along the Srinagar Highway towards the H-8 side.

    The planning wing of the CDA has already designated a specific piece of land for the construction of this essential facility.

  • Cabinet approves seven MoUs for $10 billion investment deal with Kuwait

    Cabinet approves seven MoUs for $10 billion investment deal with Kuwait

    On Friday, during a session of the caretaker federal cabinet, seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for investments between Pakistan and Kuwait were granted approval.

    These agreements are slated to be formally signed during the upcoming visit of the prime minister to the Gulf country, signifying a commitment to fostering economic cooperation and partnership between the two nations.

    The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.

    As a result of dedicated initiatives by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), both countries will sign MoUs encompassing a range of projects.

    These projects span various sectors, including the expansion of water reservoirs, development of mining facilities, conservation of mangrove forests in coastal areas, advancements in information technology, and initiatives to bolster food security.

    The prime minister, presiding over the session, directed the facilitation of collaboration with the provinces to ensure the prompt and equitable implementation of the projects.

    The caretaker federal cabinet also endorsed the resolutions and actions deliberated upon during the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs (CCLC) meeting held on November 14, 2023.

    Additionally, it gave its approval to the determinations reached in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on November 15, 2023, showcasing a comprehensive review and endorsement of key decisions across various governmental committees.

  • In Pictures, Imam-ul-Haq’s wedding

    In Pictures, Imam-ul-Haq’s wedding

    Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq and Dr. Anmol Mehmood tied the knot in a grand ceremony in Lahore today.

    Pakistan cricket team opener Imam ul Haq and Pakistani-origin Norwegian doctor Anmol Mehmood shared some of the happiest moments of their wedding on social media.

    Groom Imam ul Haq wore a pastel green while bride Anmol wore a beautiful pastel pink dress. Anmol wore a stone-studded saree with silver and gold embroidery and covered her head with a dupatta of the same color.

    The bride was made up by makeup artist Zahra Sarfraz’s salon ‘Glam Jansy’ in Lahore while her dress was made by Zainab Salman Studios.

    The groom Imam ul Haq wore a pastel green sherwani with matching shoes and a turban on his head, the sherwani had delicate embroidery which made the outfit more elegant while the groom also wore double-shade glasses.

    The cricketer and his newlywed bride took to social media to share pictures from the big day of their lives with cute captions. In which he wrote, “Today, we’ve not only become partners for life but have also solidified the bond of best friendship, which has always been the foundation of our love story. Today, I not only married my best friend but also found my forever home in your heart. Keep us in your prayers.”

    Fans and viewers showered their love and best wishes for the newlyweds in the comments sections.

    It should be noted that the wedding celebrations of national team batsman Imam ul Haq started with a grand Qawwali night, the important personalities of the cricket world including Babar Azam, Usman Qadir, Sarfraz Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Inzamam ul Haq also participated in the celebrations.

  • Petition filed for removal of President Arif Alvi

    Petition filed for removal of President Arif Alvi

    A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against President Arif Alvi for misconduct and failing to carry out his constitutional duties by Ghulam Murtaza under Article 184 section 3.

    The President, Secretary, and the Ministry of Law have been made respondents in the petition.

    In the petition, the Supreme Court has been requested to carry out an inquiry into President Arif Alvi’s conduct, summoning him after investigations, and subsequently removing him from office.

    The petitioner argues that Dr Arif Alvi misused his powers as the president and insulted the office of the president. He states that the president belongs to the entire nation and not just one political party.

    The petitioner alleges that Dr Arif Alvi is guilty of unconstitutional action of having misused his office. He contends that the president neglected his constitutional responsibility, adding that it was the president’s job to give the date for the next general elections, but he failed to do so.

    The petitioner argues that the president was also guilty of illegally dissolving the assembly. He contends that Dr Arif Alvi did not ensure the implementation of the Constitution under Article 5 of the Constitution.

    The petitioner has requested the court to stop Dr Arif Alvi from working as the president and action be taken against him for alleged violations of the constitution and law.

  • Sheikh Rashid’s bail gets extended

    Sheikh Rashid’s bail gets extended

    An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has granted an extension to the interim bail of former federal minister Sheikh Rashid in connection with 10 cases related to the May 9 riots.

    The bail has now been extended until December 9, following a hearing presided over by ATC Judge Malik Ejaz Asif.

    During the proceedings, the court adjourned the hearing at the request of the public prosecutor, instructing both sides to present their arguments in the upcoming session.

    Addressing the court, Rashid asserted that although there are a dozen cases against him related to the May 9 riots, he was not personally present at any of the locations in question.

    After the hearing, while speaking to the media, Rashid urged those responsible to focus on the country’s declining economic conditions and added that the people are concerned with inflation and not elections.

    Referring to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return, the Awami Muslim League (AML) leader said that elections are “imminent”.

    On election day, people roaming in Murree “will face the music,” he said.

  • Contestants on Netflix’s ‘Squid Game Challenge’ are suing the show for injuries suffered

    Netflix released a reality television show based on the popular Korean series ‘Squid Games’, featuring contestants competing in a series of games for a coveted prize. However, news reports reveal that contestants are taking legal action against Netflix and the producers by claiming they suffered extensive injuries during filming.

    The players spoke about their experience in shooting some of the popular games from the show including ‘Red Light, Green Light’, in which players must try to reach the finish line without drawing the attention of the robot doll. British law firm Express Solicitors is representing two clients who had taken part in the contest. Both have said they had no idea about the risks they had to take while shooting during cold periods for long months. Filming for the games took place at Cardington Studios in Bedfordshire during a cold winter in Britain. Several participants required medical treatment.

    “Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and those injured did not expect to suffer as they did. Now they have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures,” said the CEO of Express Solicitors Daniel Slade to The Guardian.

    Slade recalled one client who witnessed “seeing someone faint, then people shouting for medics. We have a case where someone complains of hypothermia. One had his hands turn purple from the cold.”

    The reality television series comes after the successful Korean drama, the most-watched show on Netflix, surpassing the popular British period drama “Bridgerton”. It received several Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series, with Lee Jung-Jae winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series, becoming the first Asian actor to do so.

    The series follows broke father Seong Gi-Hun, who decides to enroll in the games in order to provide for his mother, and win custody of his daughter.

  • ‘I don’t regret what I said’: Actress Mehar Bano reflects on controversial 2021 viral video

    ‘I don’t regret what I said’: Actress Mehar Bano reflects on controversial 2021 viral video

    Actress Mehar Bano appeared as a guest on Samaa news’ ‘Had Kar Di’ where she opened up about her viral 2021 video from Aurat March where she was seen defending gay rights. The video led to extensive backlash, with Mehar Bano receiving a lot of hate on social media. She has been open about how she sought therapy to deal with suicidal thoughts.

    Reflecting on the video, Mehar Bano revealed she did not regret what she had said, but feels she could have conveyed her words in a more understandable manner.

    “I don’t regret anything that I said. After the backlash I felt that maybe I should have worded things differently. Maybe the things I had tried to say regarding Aurat March, it wasn’t communicated well to the audience.

    “Whatever happened it was a learning experience for me,” Mehar Bano addded, “and I continued to learn from everything that happens around me and everything that I do.”