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  • 2 out of 3 Pakistani marriages are between cousins

    Chakor, an Instagram-based platform providing data-driven insights, recently compiled statistics on cousin-marriages in Pakistan

    According to Chakor’s data, nearly 2 out of every 3 Pakistani marriages are between cousins. The organisation claims that Pakistan has one of the highest rates of marriages between cousins in the world.

    They further highlighted medical evidence about how detrimental cousin-marriages can be for women’s reproductive health, adding that such marriages can cause serious health complications for the child.

  • Pakistan’s textile exports dip 6% in August 2023, posing economic challenges

    Pakistan’s textile exports dip 6% in August 2023, posing economic challenges

    Pakistan’s textile sector has experienced a continued decline in exports, with provisional data released by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) indicating that in August, exports reached $1.48 billion, down by 6 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year when they stood at $1.58 billion.

    Moreover, the data reveals that Pakistan’s textile exports for the first eight months of the calendar year 2023 have seen a significant drop of 19 per cent, totaling $10.58 billion, as opposed to the $13 billion recorded during the equivalent period in 2022. This year-on-year decline raises concerns for Pakistan’s economy, especially in light of its foreign exchange shortage, which has already led to a depreciation of the rupee by more than 25 per cent in the inter-bank market since the beginning of 2023.

    However, there is a glimmer of optimism as monthly figures indicate a 13 per cent improvement in textile exports, rising to $1.48 billion in August compared to $1.31 billion recorded in July.

  • Pakistani legendary singer honoured with Queen Elizabeth award

    Pakistan’s celebrated singer Shazia Manzoor has been honored in Ontario, Canada on Friday with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin. The award was presented by Canadian politician Shafqat Ali, who praised the veteran singer for her contribution to arts and culture.

    “It was such an honour to host Shazia Manzoor, a recognized and renowned Pakistani singer, and to recognize her for her contribution to art and culture and her commitment to bringing South Asian communities together through her song It was such a blessing to meet the acclaimed Pride of Performance of Pakistan and to award her with Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin Thank you for visiting and we hope to see you again soon.”

    The singer thanked this dedication by writing in the comments section: “Thank you so much shafqat bhai ❤”

    Shazia Manzoor was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and rose to fame with song like ‘Chan Mere Makhna’, ‘Tu Badal Gaya Sajna’ and ‘Dil Mod De’.

  • ‘We have full confidence in Election Commission and all its members’, says Asif Zardari

    ‘We have full confidence in Election Commission and all its members’, says Asif Zardari

    Asif Ali Zardari, former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), defended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday, saying that since the new census was announced, a new delimitation is now required.

    The PPP’s leader expressed complete trust in Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and other ECP members in a statement posted on the party’s social media platforms. The statement further stated that the commission will conduct elections in accordance with the Constitution.
    After several PPP leaders, including party chairman Bilawal Bhutto, urged the ECP to declare an election date within 90 days in accordance with the Constitution, Zardari came to the defence of the constitutional body.

    “The stance we adopted today is that the PPP wants the ECP to announce a new election date and the schedule for it. There is restlessness in the nation, and it is very important that a new election date and schedule is announced,” PPP’s Nayyar Bukhari said after the meeting on August 29.
    Asif Zardari urged the caretaker administration to complete the projects started under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), an apex body set up by the previous administration to draw in foreign investment.

    “The country should be put on the path of development by completing these projects,” he added.

  • Apple is not replacing iPhone 15 Pro Max with iPhone 15 Ultra: Leaks

    Apple is not replacing iPhone 15 Pro Max with iPhone 15 Ultra: Leaks

    According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s flagship smartphone for this year is expected to be named the iPhone 15 Pro Max rather than the previously speculated iPhone 15 Ultra. The upcoming iPhone lineup will also comprise the standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro models.

    Gurman had previously hinted at the possibility of Apple using the Ultra branding for its highest-tier iPhone, akin to the Apple Watch Ultra. However, this nomenclature shift is more likely to be reserved for the anticipated iPhone 16 Ultra, featuring a larger 6.9-inch display, slated for next year. 

    For the time being, it seems that the Pro Max branding will persist for at least another year.

    As for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it is rumoured to introduce several notable enhancements, including an advanced telephoto lens offering up to 6x optical zoom, a substantial upgrade from the 3x limit seen in the iPhone 14 Pro models. 

    Additionally, the device is expected to feature a titanium frame, a customizable action button, a speedier A17 Bionic chip, slimmer bezels, support for Wi-Fi 6E, and more. Pricing for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumoured to begin at $1,199 in the United States, marking a $100 increase compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

    Apple is scheduled to unveil its iPhone 15 series during the “Wonderlust” event on Tuesday, September 12, commencing at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of Apple’s announcements, including on-site reporting from the iconic Steve Jobs Theatre.

  • ‘Let the people make their own decision’; Bilawal takes swipe at establishment

    ‘Let the people make their own decision’; Bilawal takes swipe at establishment

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has criticized the establishment for “making puppets” in a conversation with members of the media.

    “The people of Pakistan have warned you that stop conducting such experiments on us. Let the people make their own decisions,” he said, calling it a message for those who make, search for or impose puppets on the country.

    “If the people of Pakistan choose Mian Shehbaz Sharif sahib or Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif sahib then we should all accept it. If the people choose PPP, then all should accept it. And maybe I may not like this, but if the people choose PTI, then we will have to accept it,” he stated on Friday in Karachi.

    The former Foreign Minister asked Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct polls as soon as possible and within the 90 days constitutional limit.

    “Through its performance, the PPP has always proven that it does people-friendly politics and governance. And that is why the PPP still says that elections should be held as soon as possible, according to the Constitution and within 90 days so that we can win the polls and serve the people of the country and take them out of these difficult economic times,” the PPP head stated.

    In response to a question, Bilawal said that his father, ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, had spent the longest time behind bars.

    “And today we are hearing that those politicians who have to go through this ordeal are facing difficulties,” he said about Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    “We are trying to tell them that ghabrana nahi hai (do not worry). It is time for you and politicians like you to learn. You are being given experience and training and you are now being made a politician.”

  • Wasim Akram’s hilarious response to question about his 90’s haircut has internet in hysterics

    Wasim Akram’s hilarious response to question about his 90’s haircut has internet in hysterics

    A clip from the sports podcast Batta Fast is going viral on Twitter where left-arn great Wasim Akram finally addresses an important question: How he led the burger haircut wave throughout Pakistan because of his hairstyle in the 90’s.

    “I suppose 90’s mein I do feel responsible’ cackled the Sultan of Swing. “I don’t know mera kis ne karwaya tha because when I look at it and think, what the hell was I doing,” Akram said as hosts Osman Samiuddin and Ahmer Naqvi burst into laughter.

    “I didn’t have any idea about fashion, whatever the nai in Lahore used to say I had done it. ‘Sir ye naya fashion aya hai Lahore mein’.”

    The tweet since then has gone viral and has social media in fits.

    https://twitter.com/faizanusuf/status/1699964150435213633?s=20

  • Fear of further delay in Fatima case after police officers transferred

    Fear of further delay in Fatima case after police officers transferred

    There are fears of further delay in 10-year-old Fatima’s case as police officers working on the child’s mysterious death have been reappointed.

    Currently, the new SSP Khairpur, Samiullah Soomro, has taken charge of his post.

    Pir Asad Shah, the main suspect, and compounder Imtiaz Merasi, are on physical remand while accused Hina Shah and her father could not be arrested.

    Police say that Asad Shah’s recovered DNA samples have been sent to Lahore, adding that it will take more time to receive relevant reports.

    According to police sources, the final post-mortem report of the girl has not been received yet.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur city, District Khairpur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters are also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of torture were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the child had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis wrote letters in favor of star sentenced for 2 rapes

    Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis wrote letters in favor of star sentenced for 2 rapes

    Hollywood stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were among the 50 people writing letters in favor of actor Danny Masterson, who has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of raping two women in 2003. The husband -wife duo had worked with Masterson for the sitcom “The ’70’s show” which ran from 1998 till 2006.

    In his letter, Ashton Kutcher wrote about Masterson being a ‘role model’:

    “While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”

    While Mila Kunis commented on Danny’s drug-free lifestyle, prosecutors said Danny had drugged the two women in his Hollywood Hills home and raped them.

    “One of the most remarkable aspects of Danny’s character is his unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs. His influence on my in this regard has been invaluable. In an industry where the pressures and temptations of substance use can be overwhelming, Danny played a pivotal role in guiding me away from such destructive paths. His dedication to avoiding all substances has inspired not only me but also countless others in our circle. Danny’s steadfastness in promoting a drug-free lifestyle has been a guiding light in my journey through the entertainment world and has helped me prioritize my well-being and focus on make responsible choices.”

    At the sentencing, the two women Danny was convicted of raping in 2003, spoke about the trauma the ordeal had inflicted upon them:

    “When you raped me, you stole from me,” said Jane Doe 1 “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

    “You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison.”

    Jane Doe 2 spoke about how Danny “had not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.” She told the judge, “I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with. I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.”

    At the trial held on Thursday morning in Los Angeles, Judge Charlaine Olmedo gave a speech before sentencing Masterson to 30 years in prison:

    “I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you. But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences.”

  • SPI index surges to three-week high at 26.41%: Food and energy prices drive inflation

    SPI index surges to three-week high at 26.41%: Food and energy prices drive inflation

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) index recorded a notable surge, reaching 26.41 per cent for the week ending on September 7, 2023, marking a three-week high. This increase was primarily propelled by the persistent rise in food and energy prices when compared to the same week in the previous year, putting added strain on households’ purchasing power and disposable income.

    Within this week, data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that out of 51 items, 32 (62.75 per cent) experienced price increases, 5 (9.80 per cent) saw decreases, while 14 (27.45 per cent) remained unchanged, in contrast to the previous week.

    Food items saw significant price hikes, including a 17 per cent increase in tomato prices, a 10.87 per cent uptick in pulse masoor prices, a 6.73 per cent rise in sugar prices, a 4.66 per cent surge in garlic prices, and a 3.62 per cent uptick in gur prices. Pulse moong prices rose by 3.55 per cent, onions by 3.43 per cent, and pulse gram by 3.25 per cent. Among non-food items, diesel prices soared by 6.28 per cent, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) increased by 5.19 per cent, and petrol prices rose by 5.12 per cent.

    Conversely, there was a decline in the prices of certain items, including chicken by 3.20 per cent, 5-liter cooking oil by 1.03 per cent, 2.5 kg vegetable ghee by 0.47 per cent, Lipton tea by 0.43 per cent, and 1 kg vegetable ghee by 0.14 per cent, compared to the previous week.

    Looking at the bigger picture, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed that monthly inflation has remained persistently high, averaging 27.8 per cent in the first two months (Jul-Aug) of the current fiscal year 2023-24. This was primarily attributed to recent rupee depreciation, imported inflation, and the continuous ascent of power and petroleum product prices.

    It is anticipated that September’s monthly inflation reading will reach its peak, with experts also suggesting the possibility of the government raising gas prices, further exacerbating inflationary pressures on the economy.

    To combat inflation, the Pakistan central bank is expected to raise its key policy rate by 1.5 to 2 percentage points during its upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on September 14. The current policy rate stands at a record high of 22 per cent.

    Topline Research highlighted significant developments since the last MPC meeting on July 31, 2023, including Pakistan posting a current account deficit of $809 million in July after four consecutive months of current account surplus. 

    Additionally, local fuel prices have increased by around 19 per cent, international oil prices in US dollars have risen by 6 per cent, and the rupee has depreciated by 6 per cent against the US dollar. These factors are expected to weigh heavily on the central bank committee’s decision during the upcoming MPC meeting.