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  • With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    After a hilarious season one, Ahmed Sarym has announced that his web series ‘Midsummer Chaos’ is set to return once more on September 9 for the second season. This time, the show will feature a whole new cast. The short series revolves around the lives of teenagers in high school dealing with mental health, depression, parental relationships and social media influence. The trailer for the second season released online yesterday and already has 1.9k likes on YouTube.

    But since some of y’all might need to recall all of the hilarious moments from the previous season before sitting down to binge a new one, you must remember how the internet broke when the series was released in 2021

    We’ll take charge and share some of our favorite moments from the previous season, which featured actors like Khushhal Khan, Meher Bano and Mamia Shahjaffer.

    1 Episode One will remain iconic in Pakistani pop culture history because of the hilarious phadda between Harris and Sameer.

    2. Gossip girl but set in Islamabad’s upper class circles.

    3. Everyone, even your five year old brother, was quoting ‘Alyna I love you’ after this episode.

    4. This entire dance sequence in the end of episode 2 was memed to infinity the second the internet got a hold of it.

  • Toshakhana case: Bushra Bibi gets bail till September 12

    Toshakhana case: Bushra Bibi gets bail till September 12

    An accountability court has granted bail to former First Lady Bushra Bibi until September 12 in the Toshakhana case, in exchange for surety bonds of Rs500,000.

    Bushra Bibi has been accused of keeping a locket, chain, earrings, two rings, and a bracelet from Toshakhana state gifts.

    According to a report in Samma News, she is also accused of keeping a gold and diamond necklace and bracelet, as well as gold and diamond ring, earrings, and bracelet.

    According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the gifts were not given to the Toshakhana for fair price calculation.

  • Imran Khan rearrested in cypher case

    Imran Khan rearrested in cypher case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has on Tuesday suspended PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s conviction and three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.

    Imran Khan was rearrested again in the cypher case right after getting bail in the Toshakhana case.
    According to the judgment of Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, Khan will remain in police custody until August 30.

    Imran Khan was sentenced to jail for three years on August 5 in the Toshakhana Case. As a result of the sentence, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also banned Imran Khan for five years from contesting elections.

    Imran Khan has to sumbit a surety bond of Rs 100,000 to get bail, as per Geo.

    The former Prime Minister had challenged his sentence in the high court, with today’s verdict coming as a major legal victory.

    Earlier, Judge Humayun Dilawar of a sessions court in Islamabad found former Prime Minister Imran Khan guilty in the Toshakhana case.

    Khan had been disqualified for five years and given a prison sentence of three years.

    He had also been fined Rs 100,000. The judgement also said that if the fine is not paid, the imprisonment can be increased by six months.

  • KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) and reacted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision suspending Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.”‘Laadla’s’ sentence has been suspended, not terminated,” Sharif wrote, adding that Chief Justice’s message of “Good to see you” and “Wishing you good luck” has reached Islamabad High Court.

    He tweeted, “Before the decision comes, everyone knows what the decision will be, so it should be a momentary concern for the justice system. If a clear message is received from the higher judiciary, then what else should the subordinate court do?”

    He further stated that a monitoring judge was appointed to ensure Nawaz Sharif’s punishment, and the then Chief Justice himself became a monitoring judge to save “Laadla”.

    He added, “This role of the justice system will be written in the dark chapter of history. Scales tilted to one side and a justice system that undermines justice are not acceptable. The law is powerless before the one who sold watch. Thieves and state terrorists will be facilitated, then where will the common man get justice in the country?”

    He also stated that be it May 9, be it an attack on the judicial complex, be it throwing petrol bombs on the police, everything is forgiven.

    READ MORE: Imran Khan’s Toshakhana conviction suspended by Islamabad High Court

  • Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    In a strategic move aimed at addressing the protests triggered by soaring electricity bills and alleviating the burden on citizens, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan, Chief Executive of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), has issued a comprehensive directive. This directive mandates all IESCO offices to introduce installment plans tailored to assist customers who are facing challenges in paying their electricity bills in full.

    Against the backdrop of mounting public outcry, Dr Khan’s proactive step aims to alleviate the financial burden on power consumers. These installment plans are envisioned to provide customers with a respite, allowing them to manage their electricity bill payments more effectively while maintaining their financial stability.

    To further enhance customer convenience, IESCO has also taken the initiative to extend the due dates for electricity bill payments. This calculated move underscores the company’s commitment to accommodating the unique challenges faced by its customers.

    Dr Amjad Khan underscored the importance of open communication, urging IESCO’s patrons to engage with the relevant Sub-Divisional Offices, Revenue Offices, or Customer Service Centers for any concerns related to their bills. This approach underscores IESCO’s dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction and resolving any uncertainties promptly.

    Nevertheless, this considerate move coincides with ongoing protests across the nation, ignited by grievances against inflated electricity bills. Demonstrators, who have congregated outside the IESCO office in Rawalpindi for the past four days, have now rallied in various cities, including Sargodha, Hafizabad, Vehari, and Hyderabad.

    In response to the heightened tensions, IESCO officials have taken precautions by involving the local police to bolster security measures. This step is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of both the demonstrators and IESCO’s employees.

    The protestors have been resolute in their demands, seeking a reduction in the substantial charges or even pledging to withhold bill payments until their concerns are heard. These demonstrations, set against a backdrop of broader economic challenges and escalating inflation, reflect the mounting frustrations of citizens grappling with financial hardships.

    The protestors hail from diverse backgrounds, encompassing members of civil society, men and women alike, traders, farmers, and representatives from legal and business sectors. This broad participation underscores the pervasive concern and unified front against economic difficulties and price hikes.

    As electricity prices continue their upward trajectory and taxes weigh heavily on citizens, these widespread demonstrations emphasise the pressing need to address economic grievances.

  • Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    A woman, suffering from depression and forgetfulness, has had an 8cm-long parasitic live roundworm removed from her brain.

    The 64-year-old of age resident of New South Wales in Australia was referred to the hospital in January 2021 after three weeks of diarrhoea and abdominal pain followed by night sweats and dry cough.

    In 2022 her symptoms, including depression and forgetfulness, increased with medical professionals referring her to Canberra Hospital.

    During an MRI scan of her brain, it was revealed that a living parasite, motilehelminth, was embedded in the right frontal lobe lesion of her brain, the first such instance seen in the world.

    Surgical intervention was deemed necessary. After that, doctors successfully removed the 8 cm (80mm) long 1mm wide worm from her brain.
    The parasite was identified as a third-stage larva of the Ophidascaris Roberts nematode species.

    Usually, this species lives in the digestive tract of pythons, indigenous to New South Wales in Australia. This is the first-ever discovery of that type of parasite in the human brain.

    Read More: Petrol and diesel prices expected to surpass Rs300 per liter this week

    According to medical professionals, the lady may have inadvertently eaten the worm’s eggs while eating edible grass. They suspect that eggs may have hatched in her body and then larvae made their way to her brain.

    They also believe that the larvae may be affected by the medication that she was taking. However, the actual cause of the case is still not confirmed.

  • Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    An anti-terrorism court has handed over Imaan Mazari, the daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, to the police on a three-day physical remand.

    Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasanat heard the case against Imaan Mazari in which prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared in court while Zainab Janjua appeared on behalf of Iman Mazari.

    During the hearing, prosecutor Raja Naveed argued that a case had been registered against Imaan Mazari in Bara Kahu police station. The plaintiff accused Imaan Mazari of inciting the youth and instigating them against the state, alleging that he received threats when he broke away from Imaan Mazari’s party.

    Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the physical remand, which was opposed by her lawyer, saying that a new case was made on the same day that Imaan was supposed to get bail. He asked how can three cases be registered on the same incident.

    She said that a drama is being constructed against Imaan Mazari, while the real purpose of the prosecution against her is something else.

    Imaan’s lawyers requested to discharge her from the case.

    After listening to the arguments of the parties, ATC judge Abual Hasnat reserved the decision, after which she was handed over to the police on a three-day physical remand.

  • Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    AP — Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla El Mangoush, fled the country after the Libyan Prime Minister suspended her on Monday because she met with her Israeli counterpart.

    In its support for Palestine, Libya does not recognise Israel as a state. Thus, the foreign meeting resulted in public outrage. On the contrary, Israel is working on instituting closer relations with the Arab countries.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called their meeting “historic”, and being “the first step” in establishing relations with Libya.

    Israel’s statement regarding the talks came as a surprise. The Speaker’s Office in the Libyan parliament deemed Najla Mangoush’s meeting as treason, and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has called for an investigation.

    On Monday, an Israeli official told the BBC that the meeting was not a “chance encounter” but planned in advance — contrary to Libya’s foreign ministry portrayal.

    According to the official, the two sides agreed to the focus of the published statement, which was due to be published on Monday but was released on Sunday instead after the story was leaked to the Israeli media.

    Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the Israeli foreign ministry of being “amateurish [and] irresponsible” and having committed “a serious failure of judgement”.

    In Sunday’s statement, Eli Cohen revealed the discussions which held “great potential for the relations” between Israel and Libya. He added that they talked about Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture, water management and the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Libya, including renovating synagogues and cemeteries.

    Libya’s Presidential Council requested “clarification” from the government regarding the matter. The Presidential Council operates as head of state and is in charge of the country’s military.

    A letter from the body stated that the meeting between the two foreign ministers “does not reflect the foreign policy of the Libyan state, does not represent the Libyan national constants and is considered a violation of Libyan laws which criminalise normalisation with the ‘Zionist entity’”.

    It also suggested “to apply the law if the meeting took place”.

  • After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After a sharp hike in electricity bills, an increasing number of cases are being filed against LESCO in courts, as people turn towards legal recourse as a last option.

    More than 400 cases were filed against WAPDA within a week.

    The court, taking immediate action, ordered the department to divide the bills into installments.

    Consumers have said that they do not have any other option but to go to court. They have rejected the increase in electricity bills and appealed to the government to provide immediate relief.

  • High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    In a notable shift, the landscape of automobile financing in Pakistan has undergone a substantial transformation, with figures from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) indicating a significant decline. The data, released by SBP, unveils a marked decrease in car financing, plummeting to Rs285.19 billion in July 2023. This represents a notable 20.90 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decrease and a 2.91 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decrease when compared to the figures from July 2022, which stood at Rs360.55 billion, and June 2023, which registered at Rs293.73 billion.

    The primary contributors to this downward trajectory are multi-faceted. Firstly, the imposition of higher interest rates has played a pivotal role in reshaping the car financing landscape. Additionally, the surge in car prices has also contributed significantly to this downturn. Moreover, regulatory restrictions governing the acquisition of loans have created a notable barrier, further impacting the market. Furthermore, the imposition of elevated taxes on the import of automobiles and their integral parts has compounded the challenges faced by the automobile financing sector.

    Contrastingly, in a separate but related sphere, consumer financing for house building displayed a contrasting narrative. SBP’s data reveals that by the conclusion of July 2023, consumer financing for house building registered at Rs211.11 billion, marking a commendable 4.82 per cent YoY increase. According to Mettis Global, this uptick can largely be attributed to SBP’s proactive measures to stimulate the housing and construction sector within the nation. However, in terms of monthly changes, the figures remained relatively static, with a minor decline of 0.57 per cent.

    Meanwhile, financing for personal use, amounting to Rs250.24 billion, experienced a marginal 0.09 per cent YoY decrease. Similarly, on a monthly basis, financing within this category saw a slight downturn of 0.95 per cent. Consequently, the cumulative credit extended to consumers in various segments reached Rs851.22 billion during the assessment month. This overall credit value reflected a notable 4.70 per cent YoY decline and a 0.99 per cent MoM reduction.

    Furthermore, the credit scenario within the private sector depicted a nuanced picture. Outstanding credit to the private sector encountered a minor 0.06 per cent YoY decrease and a slightly more pronounced 1.12 per cent MoM reduction, resting at Rs8.19 trillion in July 2023. In contrast, loans granted to the manufacturing sector exhibited an encouraging 1.12 per cent YoY increase, amounting to Rs4.48 trillion during the review period. However, on a monthly scale, the loans within the manufacturing sector dipped by 1.44 per cent MoM.

    In summation, the marked decline in car financing, as evidenced by SBP’s recent data, underscores the multifaceted challenges that the automobile financing sector in Pakistan is currently grappling with. While interest rates, car prices, and regulatory curbs have contributed to this downward trend, other sectors such as house building and manufacturing loans have demonstrated distinct trajectories. As the nation navigates through these financial dynamics, stakeholders remain vigilant in monitoring and adapting to these evolving circumstances.