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  • Have a SIM and don’t use it? PTA will charge Rs. 200 on disowned sims

    Have a SIM and don’t use it? PTA will charge Rs. 200 on disowned sims

    In an effort to ensure the responsible usage of mobile SIMs, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that citizens looking to disown their SIM cards will be charged Rs. 200 apiece from next year.

    The new charge will be applicable from January 1 across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. It will be levied on all SIM cards under a customer’s use for less than six months. The service to return or disown the unused SIM cards is available till December 31.

    In a statement, PTA said, “With this decision, the PTA stays committed to national safety and security while ensuring uninterrupted quality services to all telecom consumers”.

    The step has been taken in light of an initiative that started in 2016, addressing the concerns of rampant distribution of free SIM cards by mobile operators and their potential misuse.

    A survey from PTA highlights that some users knowingly or unknowingly hand over their SIMs to unauthorized people, for monetary benefits. These SIMs, once abandoned by the user, lead to disconnection. Such users then frequently acquire new SIMs from different operators, hence the cycle continues.

    Mobile users can verify the status of SIMs registered under their Comput­erised National Identity Card (CNIC) by going to the web address “cnic.sims.pk” or by SMSing their CNIC number to 668.

    A one-time wai­ver will apply in cases where illegal SIMs are iss­ued without the knowledge or consent of consumers.

    PTA believes fraudsters exploit the practice of free SIM disowning, as they conveniently get new ones after disowning the old ones.

    However, PTA also stressed that mobile firms should develop a mechanism to address the concerns of consumers with illegally issued SIMs registered under their CNICs, as these customers should not bear the cost of disowning such SIMs.

  • Tariff hike of Rs1.72 per unit approved for K-Electric consumers 

    Tariff hike of Rs1.72 per unit approved for K-Electric consumers 

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has granted approval for quarterly tariff adjustments of Rs1.72 per unit for K-Electric, alongside government guarantees of Rs100 billion for Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and a Rs20 billion credit facility for Punjab’s Green Cooperative Initiative. 

    The ECC session, presided over by Federal Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar and attended by other federal ministers and senior officials, addressed various summaries submitted by ministries such as Interior, Maritime Affairs, Energy (Power Division), Energy (Petroleum Division), Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, and Defence. 

    The decision to adjust the tariff for K-Electric was reached after careful consideration of a summary presented by the Ministry of Energy regarding “Uniform Quarterly Tariff Adjustments for K-Electric Consumers on a par with XWDISCOs 2nd and 3rd Quarterly FY 2023.” 

    Following in-depth discussions, the ECC concluded that the tariff rationalisation through adjustments for K-Electric, aligning with the uniform Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA) guidelines already issued to NEPRA, will be applicable to the consumption of July, August, and September 2023.  

    According to The News, these adjustments are set to be recovered from K-Electric consumers in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, respectively. 

  • Here’s why KIA Pakistan is teasing ‘Yasir and Alvin’ 

    Here’s why KIA Pakistan is teasing ‘Yasir and Alvin’ 

    KIA Motors Pakistan recently stirred curiosity on social media by mentioning “Yasir and Alvin” in a post, leaving some oblivious while surprising others.  

    Clarifying the mystery, KIA Lucky Motor Corporation is hinting at the introduction of a sedan resembling the Toyota Yaris and Changan Alsvin.  

    This serves as a clear indication of the automaker’s intent to enter this segment. The upcoming car is expected to match the size of the Toyota Yaris and Changan Alsvin, eliminating the possibility of it being an entirely different model.  

    This move suggests that, for the time being, the Corolla and Civic segments remain unthreatened by a new entrant.  

    While the brand has not disclosed the car’s details or its name, it is apparent that a new vehicle is on the verge of being launched. 

    Considering the current economic challenges in Pakistan, with soaring car prices, launching a new vehicle seems like a risky decision.  

    The nation is already grappling with high petrol costs and escalating inflation, making the timing of this introduction noteworthy. 

  • World Cup 2023: England defeats Pakistan by 93 runs

    World Cup 2023: England defeats Pakistan by 93 runs

    England defeated Pakistan by 93 runs in the 44th match of the World Cup 2023 played at Eden Garden, Kolkata.

    England’s inning:

    England won the toss and decided to bat against Pakistan. The English team scored 337 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

    England’s first wicket fell on 82 runs, Iftikhar Ahmed dismissed David Mullan for 31 runs, and then Haris Rauf sent Jonny Bairstow back to the pavilion for 59 runs.

    Ben Stokes played an inning of 84 runs, but he was bowled by Shaheen Afridi, Jurot got out after scoring 60 runs, Harry Brook scored 30 runs, Jos Buttler scored 27 runs and Moeen Ali scored eight runs.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Haris Rauf and Muhammad Wasim got three wickets, Shaheen Afridi got two wickets and Iftikhar Ahmed got one wicket.

    Pakistan’s inning:

    In pursuit of England’s 338 runs, the Pakistan team was bowled out for 244 runs in 43.3 overs.

    Opener Abdullah Shafiq was dismissed on zero on the second ball of the inning by David Willy while Fakhar Zaman was for 1 run. Captain Babar Azam scored 36, Muhammad Rizwan 38, Salman Ali Agha 51, Shaheen Afridi 25, Wasim Jr. 16, and Haris Rauf scored 35 runs.

    On behalf of England, David Wily took 3 while Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Gus Atkinson took two wickets each.

    The national cricket team will leave for home from India tomorrow:

    Pakistan team will fly out of India in two groups.

    First batch of 11 members of the team will depart from Kolkota at 8:55 am tomorrow November 12 via Emirates flight EK571. Remaining members will fly from Kolkota at 08:20 pm tomorrow November 12 via Emirates flight EK573

    Players from Sialkot will be landing to their respective city from Emirates flight EK618 on November 13.

    Player and members from team management from KPK, Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be landing in Islamabad via EK612 on November 13

    Players from Lahore and team management will be landing from two different flights. EK622 and EK624 on November 13

    Hasan Ali will stay back in India. He will return back to Pakistan on November 22.

    Team director Mickey Arthur will stay in Dubai from November 13 to 16 before departing for Lahore on November 16.

  • Al-Shifa under attack; several at risk of dying: What we know about day 36

    On Saturday, Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 39 children, including babies in incubators in the ICU of Al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza are at risk of dying at any moment as there is no oxygen to keep them alive. Simultaneously, hospital premises has been targeted with heavy air and artillery bombardment by Israeli forces.

    Al Jazeera spoke to Gaza Deputy Health Minister Dr. Youssef Abu Alreesh who was inside al-Shifa Hospital while Israeli forces surrounded the facility.

    “No one is able to move around the compound, snipers are stationed all over the place in addition to the drones that target and kill any moving person.

    Part of the hospital was shelled and part of the building caught fire, we fear it will engulf the whole compound,” he said.

    He also said that when some families tried to leave, they were targeted by Israeli forces, resulting in their bodies lying outside the hospital that staff have not been able to retrieve.

    Israeli army used white phosphorus on al-Shifa: Palestine health minister

    Palestinian health minister, Mai al-Kaila, claims that Israel used white phosphorus shelling on Al -Shifa.

    “This is an internationally banned weapon. We are wondering who is responsible for holding Israel to account for shelling al-Shifa Hospital with white phosphorus,” she told a news conference in Ramallah, adding that Israeli forces were committing a “genocide” in Gaza.

    “Inevitable death has become the fate of patients in Gaza hospitals – and we hold Israel, the United Nations and the international community responsible for that.”

    Internally displaced Gazans

    In conversation with Al Jazeera, the communications director of the UN’s Palestine relief agency UNRWA, Juliette Touma, said between 50,000 and 80,000 have left their homes since November 4, fleeing from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip.

  • Pakistani polio survivor wins medal in Mr. Olympia competition

    Pakistani polio survivor wins medal in Mr. Olympia competition

    Naveed Butt, a young Pakistani survivor of polio, has won the gold medal in the Mr. Olympia competition held in America.

    The Mr. Olympia competition, taking place in Las Vegas, USA, saw Naveed Butt of Pakistan win the gold medal in the physical challenge category.

    Naveed Butt suffered from polio as a child, but he did not let his disability stop him, earning a name by working hard in bodybuilding.

    Naveed said “I have won a medal in Mr. Olympia for the fifth time,” Butt said, adding that he worked hard as an individual to bring honour to his country. “I am very happy about, I will continue to make the name of the country bright in the future.”

  • France’s Macron calls for ceasefire

    France’s Macron calls for ceasefire

    French President Emmanuel Macron has become the first Western leader to call on Israel to cease attacks on Gaza and killing civilians.

    In an interview with the BBC, Macron said, “These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed,” he said. “So there is no reason for that,” he added. “So we do urge Israel to stop,” he added

    He stressed that France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas and recognises Israel’s right to protect itself, however, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza.

    “I hope they will,” the French president said when asked if he wanted other leaders – including in the United States and Britain – to join his calls for a ceasefire.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Macron’s comments with a swift rebuke, asserting that world leaders should condemn Hamas, not Israel.

    “These crimes that Hamas [is] committing today in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, New York and anywhere in the world,” Netanyahu said.

    Referring to the humanitarian conference on Gaza held in Paris, Macron said that all governments and agencies present at that summit had a clear conclusion that, “there is no other solution than first a humanitarian pause, going to a ceasefire to protect all civilians having nothing to do with terrorists”.

    Macron also remarked that “De facto – today, civilians are bombed – de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop,” he said.

  • TikTok influencer Megan Rice converts to Islam after starting Quran Book Club during Gaza genocide

    TikTok influencer Megan Rice converts to Islam after starting Quran Book Club during Gaza genocide

    TikTok influencer and writer Megan Rice went viral on social media when she began a World Religon book club to read the Holy Quran in light of the ongoing genocide of Gaza. In a video, the activist explained the purpose of the club was to combat Islamophobia, racism and understand the significance behind why Palestinian people hold the Quran and its teachings so close to them. This book club included celebrities like rapper Kehlani.

    @megan_b_rice Replying to @Sabrina #quran #discord #theworldreligionbookclub #islam ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

    Now Megan Rice uploaded a video announcing she had converted to Islam after a viral video showed her taking the Shahada.

    In a recent video uploaded on her TikTok account, Megan slammed the users telling her to be mindful about her decision because embracing Islam would mean more conservatives would come after her. In her video, Megan criticised such users and shared the purpose of her club was to educate everyone about Islam as well as other religions. She only chose to convert to Islam after she found its teachings resonating with her own personal beliefs.

    @megan_b_rice

    Y’all I’m just trying to get everyone to love eachother! DASSIT!!!

    ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

  • ‘For every Hamas member killed, how many have you created’: Elon Musk’s take on Gaza has left Twitter dumbfounded

    ‘For every Hamas member killed, how many have you created’: Elon Musk’s take on Gaza has left Twitter dumbfounded

    If Elon Musk has understood it, no one has any excuse to ‘both sides’ what is happening in Gaza.

    It seems the glitch in the matrix finally happened when an interview clip of Elon Musk went viral where he was seen discussing the situation in Gaza. The CEO of X (formerly Twitter) started by saying that Hamas committed the atrocities of October 7 to initiate an aggressive response from the Israeli military, and also rally the cause of Muslims worldwide. He further goes on to say Israel shouldn’t fuel hatred by citing that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”, stressing that Israeli forces should provide facilities to the people in Gaza like medical aid, food, water to ensure that the violence ends.

    “For every Hamas member you killed how many did you create?” Elon questioned”…And it’s safe to say that if you killed somebody’s child in Gaza, you’ve made at least a few Hamas members.”

    We’re not going to applaud Elon, who has a history of problematic behavior, over a small statement, but we have to say that the crisis in Gaza isn’t so complex or confusing that even someone like Elon can understand. Never did we think there would come a day when social media users would agree with Elon Musk.

  • Arooj Aftab bags two nominations at the Grammy Awards

    Arooj Aftab bags two nominations at the Grammy Awards

    The nominations for this year’s Grammy awards were announced on Friday night and among the nominees was Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab. Aftab was nominated under ‘Best Alternative Jazz Album” for her album ‘Love In Exile’ as well as for the category ‘Best Collaborative Music Performance’ for her single ‘Shadow Forces’.

    Arooj shared a screenshot of the nominations on her Instagram stories.

    She shared another picture with singers Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily and wrote: “Congratulations on the Grammy nomination! Here we go again.”

    In 2022, Arooj became the first ever Pakistani to win the Grammy award under the category of ‘Best Global Performance’.