Blog

  • Toyota car prices reduced by up to Rs1.3 million in Pakistan

    Toyota car prices reduced by up to Rs1.3 million in Pakistan

    Indus Motor Company, the leading assembler of Toyota-brand vehicles in Pakistan, has made a significant move to benefit its customers. 

    In a recent announcement sent to its dealers on Tuesday, the company revealed a substantial reduction in car prices, effective October 24. This decision was prompted by the recent strengthening of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

    Following this development, the basic Yaris model 1.3MT LO is now more affordable, with a price decrease of Rs100,000, or 2.2 per cent, bringing its new price to Rs4.399 million. 

    Similarly, the top variant, 1.5 CVT Aero, will now be available at Rs5.849 million after a reduction of Rs120,000. 

    The Toyota Corolla’s variant prices have been reduced between Rs200,000 and Rs250,000. Furthermore, Toyota’s pickup Revotrucks are now more budget-friendly, with price reductions ranging from Rs450,000 to Rs790,000.

    One of the most notable changes is seen in the Fortuner G4x2 Petrol STD, which will now be priced at Rs14.499 million after a substantial reduction of Rs1.31 million, or 8.3 per cent.

    This price adjustment follows the footsteps of other major players in the industry, including MG Motors and Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC), both of which have also announced price reductions for their vehicles.

    The automobile sector in Pakistan has faced challenges recently, mainly due to fluctuating exchange rates and restrictions on imports. 

    The rupee experienced a significant depreciation against the dollar, reaching a record low of Rs307.1 on September 5. 

    However, it has since recovered, stabilising around the Rs279–280 level. This positive trend aligns with the efforts of the caretaker government, which took measures against smugglers and hoarders, contributing to the currency’s recovery.

    Apart from currency fluctuations, the auto sector was affected by previous government policies, including import restrictions aimed at preserving foreign exchange reserves. 

    Additionally, higher finance costs and a considerable rise in car prices led to a decrease in consumer demand. In the first quarter of FY24, car sales in Pakistan plummeted to 20,983 units, marking a 40 per cent decline compared to the same period the previous year.

    Here are the latest prices of all Toyota cars in Pakistan:

    Car Model Variant Old Price (Rs.) New Price (Rs.) Price Reduction (Rs.)
    Yaris 1.3 MT LO 4,499,000 4,399,000 100,000
      1.3 CVT LO 4,789,000 4,689,000 100,000
      1.3 MT Hi 4,759,000 4,659,000 100,000
      1.3 CVT Hi 4,999,000 4,899,000 100,000
      1.3 CVT Aero 5,199,000 5,099,000 100,000
      1.5 MT 5,429,000 5,309,000 120,000
      1.5 CVT 5,769,000 5,649,000 120,000
      1.5 CVT Aero 5,969,000 5,849,000 120,000
    Corolla 1.6 MT 6,169,000 5,969,000 200,000
      1.6 CVT 6,769,000 6,559,000 210,000
      1.6 CVT SR 7,429,000 7,189,000 240,000
      1.8 CVT 7,119,000 6,889,000 230,000
      1.8 CVT SR 7,759,000 7,509,000 250,000
      1.8 CVT SR BLK 7,799,000 7,549,000 250,000
    Hilux Revo E 11,439,000 11,039,000 400,000
      G 12,409,000 11,959,000 450,000
      G 13,019,000 12,549,000 470,000
      V AT 2.8 14,389,000 13,849,000 540,000
      V AT Rocco 15,179,000 14,419,000 760,000
      GR S 16,149,000 15,359,000 790,000
    Fortuner 2.7 G Petrol 15,809,000 14,499,000 1,310,000
      2.7 V Petrol 18,099,000 16,999,000 1,100,000
      2.8 Sigma 5 Diesel 19,079,000 17,999,000 1,080,000
      Legender Diesel 20,129,000 18,999,000 1,130,000
      GRS 21,089,000 19,899,000 1,190,000
  • More than 2,000 children have been killed in Israeli air strikes since Oct 7: What do we know about day 18

    More than 2,000 children have been killed in Israeli air strikes since Oct 7: What do we know about day 18

    704 Palestinians killed in last 24 hours

    The health ministry in the besieged enclave reports that Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours have killed 704 in Gaza.

    More than 19,000 displaced in Lebanon after border clashes

    The Israel-Palestine escalation has spread beyond borders. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the displacement of 19,646 people while the United Nations has also estimated that more than 19,000 have been internally displaced in Lebanon after October 7 amid cross-border attacks.

    Friction between Hezbollah and the Israeli military is also feared to escalate.

    Killing of children

    Among the 5,087 people killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, more than 2,000 of them are children, the health ministry in the besieged enclave states.

    Between Sunday and Monday alone, 182 children were killed among the total of 436 Palestinians.

    Six more UN staff killed in Israeli bombing

    The UN Relief and Works Agency has lost six more staff members in Israeli bombing of Gaza, taking the death toll to 35.

    Occupied West Bank

    96 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces since October 7 and settlers while at least 1,800 have been wounded.

    Israel claims to have detained 500 Palestinians, allegedly linked to Hamas.

    Similarly, almost 1,500 people are trapped under the rubble in Gaza and rescue teams are unable to rescue all as Israel continues to target medical teams while authorities lack necessary equipment.

    Gaza not receiving enough relief supplies

    According to the UN, only 54 trucks with relief supplies have been allowed into Gaza since Saturday.

    Tamara al-Rifai, communications chief of the United Nations Palestine refugee relief agency UNRWA, deemed it as a drop in the ocean.

    He also highlights that fuel for generators has not been sent in the shipments whereas rice and lentils delivered cannot be cooked without the water and gas which are needed for cooking.

    Obama on Israel

    Former President Obama issued a new statement on Israel-Palestine escalation.

    In his statement, Obama condemns the October 7 attacks launched by Hamas, calling it an “unspeakable brutality” and supports Israel’s right to defend itself but under “international law.”

    “But even as we support Israel, we should also be clear that how Israel prosecutes this fight against Hamas matters. In particular, it matters — as President Biden has repeatedly emphasized — that Israel’s military strategy abides by international law, including those laws that seek to avoid, to every extent possible, the death or suffering of civilian populations,” Obama wrote.

    Obama also warns that blocking supplies into Gaza can put support for Israel at risk.

    “The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” he wrote.

    Obama further stresses on dismissing antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian narratives. And while he believes that Israel has “every right to exist,” he also notes that Palestinians have “also lived in disputed territories for generations.”

    “But if we care about keeping open the possibility of peace, security and dignity for future generations of Israeli and Palestinian children — as well as for our own children — then it falls upon all of us to at least make the effort to model, in our own words and actions, the kind of world we want them to inherit,” he concluded.

    Macron arrives in Israel on ‘solidarity’ visit

    The French president Emmaneul Macron also paid a visit to Tel Aviv to “express” France’s “solidarity” with Israel.

    Referring to October 7 attacks by Hamas, the President stated that “what happened will never be forgotten.”

    On the other hand, Israeli President Isaac Herzog asserts that his country is committed to “destroying” its adversaries, adding that, “We demand the immediate release of all our citizens,”

    Shedding light on Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, he stated that “We are following very closely the situation,”, adding that Lebanon was “playing with fire”.

    “If Hezbollah drags us into a war it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price”.

    Credits: Al Jazeera

  • Pakistan’s struggle continues on World Polio Day with four cases in 2023

    Pakistan’s struggle continues on World Polio Day with four cases in 2023

    October 23 marks the date when the world celebrates World Polio Day. Unfortunately, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries which have not been able to get rid of the virus completely.

    This year, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has pledged to “Make Polio History”.

    Sadly, the news of sewer samples being found in different cities of the world keep surfacing more often than usual. Statistics reveal that a total of four cases have been reported in the year 2023 while 11 new samples have been detected in seven new cities of Pakistan.

    The most recent is the discovery of a two-year-old infected with the virus in the union council of Gujro, North-East Karachi. It’s the first case reported in the city since June this year. Before that, a case was confirmed in Landhi.

    Head of the Polio Eradication Programme in Punjab, Khizer Afzaal, on Monday pronounced Punjab-the country’s biggest province-to be polio-free for the last three years. He simultaneously cautioned about the looming threat that is evident after the identification of genomic samples of virus in different districts of Rawalpindi and Lahore.

    It is important to understand that along with immunisation, sanitation is equally a part of thwarting the paralysis of children from polio. Experts have stressed the absolute need of a proper sewage system which serves as the breeding ground of this virus and impair the kids for life.

    Aggressive measures, awareness campaigns and prioritisation can clear out the black spot from Pakistan’s name.

  • All ‘good news’ for Nawaz Sharif

    All ‘good news’ for Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s legal battles continued as the accountability court in Islamabad undertook the hearing of the Toshakhana reference today. The proceedings, overseen by Judge Muhammad Bashir, saw significant developments and stringent security measures.

    Rana Muhammad Irfan, the designated pleader, was present at the court. The lawyer representing Nawaz assured the court of his client’s compliance with any orders issued by the court. The judge subsequently postponed the Toshakhana reference hearing until November 20, calling for arguments on the appeal concerning property confiscation.

    Additionally, the judge honored the request made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor to suspend Nawaz’s warrant in the case.

    The court made it clear that copies of relevant documents would be distributed during the upcoming session, while also issuing a notice to the NAB regarding the property confiscation request.

    Ahead of the hearing, strict security protocols were observed, with a bomb disposal squad conducting a thorough sweep of the courtroom premises. The Federal Judicial Complex in Islamabad was heavily guarded by police, allowing only relevant legal representatives and journalists to access the accountability court.

    Notably, the case also involves Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Zardari and former Prime Minister, Senator Yusuf Raza, Gilani as co-accused.

    Nawaz’s legal representative, Qazi Misbah, filed several applications on his behalf, including the restoration of annexed property, the appointment of a pleader, and the submission of bail bonds.

    Meanwhile, Asif Zardari’s lawyer and senior PPP leader Farooq H Naek sought an exemption from attending the hearing on his client’s behalf.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended Nawaz’s bail pleas in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references till October 26 (Thursday), after issuing notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over the pleas seeking restoration of appeals in the graft cases.

    A special bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb had taken up the pleas seeking restoration of appeals against the accountability courts’ verdicts in the graft cases.

    The high court had granted protective bail to the three-time prime minister — who returned to Pakistan after four-years-long self-imposed exile on Saturday — prohibiting his arrest in the case.

    The anti-graft body had not objected to Nawaz getting the security bond.

    His counsel filed the petitions, requesting the court to hear the appeals on merit as earlier they were discarded for non-compliance when the PML-N supremo did not return from London after he was granted permission by the court in November 2019 to go abroad for medical treatment.

  • Court rejects Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial

    Court rejects Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial in the cipher case got rejected by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.

    A two-member IHC bench heard the case.

    PTI chief’s counsel Salman Akram Raja contended before the bench that the federal government did not have the authority to issue a notification for holding Khan’s trial in prison.
    Raja told the court that the federal government has no power to issue a notification for conducting Imran Khan’s trial in jail.

    The lawyer further stated before the court that issuing a notification is the responsibility of Islamabad commissioner, adding that a single bench of IHC had decided in favour of the federal government that it could appoint a judge of its choice.

    “They are judicial officers. The federal government does not have any authority to ‘pick and choose’ [judges],” he added.

  • COAS Gen Asim Munir meets Ambassador of Palestine

    COAS Gen Asim Munir meets Ambassador of Palestine

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir met the Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Ahmad Jawad Rabei, at General Headquarters today.

    COAS offered his condolences on the loss of Palestinian lives in the ongoing war Israel has declared on Gaza.

    According to the official statement, “COAS expressed grave concern over unabated violence and willful, indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians by the Israeli Defence Forces in the war. Incessant attacks on civilian population, schools, universities, aid workers, hospitals and the forced exodus of Palestinians from Gaza are manifest crimes against humanity.”

    He also reasserted the need to call for immediate cessation of hostilities, open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, protect civilians and adhere to the International Humanitarian Law.

    COAS also highlighted Pakistan’s “principled support for an independent, viable and contiguous state of Palestine established on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital”.

    “Pakistan believes that the fresh spate of violence in Gaza is the result of unabated repression, continued human rights violations and state-sponsored sacrilege of Al Aqsa mosque. Conflating this war with terrorism would be naïve; taking a narrow and self-serving view of the issue as an isolated attack, obscures brutal oppression spanning decades that has led to this outcome” he said.

    “At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the international community mobilizes to put an early end to unfolding human tragedy due to disproportionate and unlawful use of force by Israeli Defence Forces and desist from encouraging them to continue perpetrating atrocities in manifest violation of all norms of civility and humane conduct”.

  • Pakistan’s World Cup woe — what’s gone wrong?

    Pakistan’s World Cup woe — what’s gone wrong?

    Pakistan’s chances of making the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup are on a knife-edge after their eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan.

    AFP Sport looks at three problem areas for Babar Azam’s falterinordinary

    World class bowling looks ordinary

    Pakistan’s bowling was touted as world class before the Asia Cup and when they restricted a strong India side to 266 all out in a washed out game at Pallekele, commentators saw it as a major warning to World Cup rivals.

    But two weeks before the showpiece event, key fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

    Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has 10 wickets in five games in India but has failed to make an early impact — his 2-36 against India and 5-54 facing Australia came in losing causes. In the opening wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka, he managed two wickets at a combined cost of 103 runs.

    Haris Rauf has leaked runs, conceding 286 in five games for eight wickets while the spinners have lacked bite on the slow and turning pitches of India. Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed have just six wickets in five matches between them, conceding 502 runs.

    Captaincy in question

    Babar Azam is one of the top batsmen in white ball cricket — he has two fifties at the World Cup — but his captaincy has been questioned and he has faced accusations of lacking aggression in field settings.

    Pakistan media have consistently accused him of favouring his friends in selection.

    “As far as captaincy is concerned, I don’t have much pressure on me or on my batting. I try to give my best in batting,” Babar said after Monday’s loss to Afghanistan.

    “During fielding, I think about captaincy and during batting I just think about the batting.”

    Babar has won some sympathy in India for his team having to play in front of crowds where Pakistan fans have been effectively banned.

    Tight security has also meant that the squad is virtually confined to their hotels once their playing and training commitments are completed.

    Lack of planning

    There have been frequent, unsettling changes in the the Pakistan Cricket Board set-up — three chairmen in the past year — which hurt planning for the World Cup.

    Former chairman Najam Sethi brought in Mickey Arthur as team director but he also kept his Derbyshire county job in England.

    Directing the team from the UK, he was criticised in some media as a “Zoom coach.”

    Pakistan officials have also been accused of failing to manage the workload of their fast bowlers with Naseem and Shaheen playing all three formats.

    Naseem’s most obvious replacements, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Hasnain were also unfit, forcing Pakistan to recall Hasan Ali.

    “You were not able to find a coach and since you liked foreign ones you hired an online coach. We change our system frequently and that is showing in our performance in the World Cup,” said former Pakistan great Wasim Akram.

  • Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari gave an interview to BBC Urdu titled “How to deal with body shaming and negative comments during pregnancy” which featured interviews from several women on how they dealt with bullying during pregnancy.

    The actress opened up about the backlash she recieved for her a pregnancy photoshoot. Ansari and her husband did a photoshoot to reveal the birth of their baby daughter Amaya Khan. Trolls then shamed her for openly displaying her baby bump. Mariam shut down the comments in a video clip posted on Instagram stories by expressing her outrage:

    “It’s my profile; my choice. I’ve even had my child. It’s my choice whatever I post. If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t follow me. I don’t understand, since when is being pregnant some sort of badtameezi or behayai. You too were born just like this, so what?”

    READ MORE: Mariam Ansari is not okay with holier-than-thou comments on her pregnancy shoot

    Ansari told BBC Urdu the comments demoralised her:

    “There are a lot of comments slamming me by saying this was western culture, to which I responded don’t Muslim women have babies..it felt like the happiest moment of my life was turned into something shameful.”

    She eventually had to deactivate her Instagram account because of hateful comments she recieved.

    “I broke down emotionally. I became very vulnerable,” the actress recalled.

  • Imam-ul-Haq set to tie the knot after World Cup

    Imam-ul-Haq set to tie the knot after World Cup

    Cricketer Imam-ul-Haq is set to tie the knot soon.

    The Pakistani batsman is going to marry a Norwegian girl on November 25, according to Geo Super. The wedding festivities will begin in Lahore on November 23 and will include a Qawwali night. The Nikkah will take place on November 25, while the Valima will be held on the next day.

    Prominent members of the cricket team including Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan will attend the wedding.

    Pakistan currently is facing a series of defeats in the World Cup after losing to Afghanistan in Chennai, and previously to India and Australia.

  • ‘No Comments’ by PM Kakar on ‘extraordinary protocol’ for Nawaz Sharif

    ‘No Comments’ by PM Kakar on ‘extraordinary protocol’ for Nawaz Sharif

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar didn’t comment on the extraordinary protocol given to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif on his return to Pakistan. 

    He was addressing a news conference three days after returning from China, where he attended the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) conference on the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

    The Pakistani high commissioner in the UK was at the airport to see Nawaz Sharif off, however, Mr Kakar didn’t comment on that either.

    When asked why the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) had to take a biometrics machine to the Islamabad airport to scan Mr Sharif’s fingerprints, the PM said being a citizen of the country, Mr Sharif has a right to undergo biometrics at the airport.

    He then added: “If someone thinks that an atmosphere of level playing field should be created for a particular party, which many want, this I can’t do. If Mian Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani citizen, which I think he is, then he has a right to have biometric scans.” 

    “So what extra steps the government has taken in this regard. If NADRA facilitated him, has he gained any political advantage through this process? A normal database procedure was portrayed in a way that level playing field is not available. Do you remember what level playing field was given in 2018?” he asked. 

    PM Kakar also said that he did not believe in giving government ads to print media.

    At one point, Mr Kakar lamented that ghee manufacturers and real estate dealers had opened media houses and thus they did not follow the norms of journalism.