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  • Elections delay inevitable as ECP announces delimitation schedule

    Elections delay inevitable as ECP announces delimitation schedule

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule of delimitation of constituencies as required by Article 51 of the constitution of Pakistan and section 17(2) of the Elections Act 2017, in accordance with the official results of the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023. The schedule makes it almost impossible to conduct elections in the next 90 days, as per constitutional requirements.

    According to the given schedule, the final publication of the delimitation will be on December 14th, 2023.

    As per the schedule, boundaries of administrative units across the country will stand frozen from today (August 17) and delimitation committees for all the provinces and the federal capital will be formed by Aug 21.

    In another notification, the ECP has directed its provincial chief secretaries, chief commissioner, the federal government, and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to provide assistance in the process.

  • ‘Best of luck’: Celebrities rally behind Imran Ashraf as he begins hosting Mazaaq Raat

    ‘Best of luck’: Celebrities rally behind Imran Ashraf as he begins hosting Mazaaq Raat

    TV fans were left heartbroken when popular actor, screenwriter and host of the late night comedy show ‘Mazaaq Raat’ Vasay Chaudhry left the show. There was a lot of anticipation about who would be the next person to fill Chaudhry’s shows. Last week it was revealed that the next host would be none other than Imran Ashraf.

    A week ago, Ashraf officially began his stint as a television host, requested fans for their love and prayers in an Instagram post.

    “Apki muhabbat aur dua ki hamaisha ki tarah zaroorat hai.”

    Celebrities like Humayun Saeed, Yasir Hussain and Hira Mani flooded the comments section with positive accolades, and sending their prayers to the ‘Ranjha Ranjha Kardi’ actor for his show.

    In a recent post, Imran thanked his fans and everyone else for the love and support he was receiving.

  • PDMA warns of medium to high-level flood in Sutlej

    PDMA warns of medium to high-level flood in Sutlej

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported that River Sutlej’s water level has surged, resulting in minor flooding at Ganda Singh Wala. The current water discharge at the Ganda Singh Point is 73,000 cusecs, according to the PDMA website.

    Authorities from the PDMA have issued a statement stating that water levels at Ganda Singh Wala might increase to the level of moderate to high floods. The spokesperson further added that India might release more water into the river by August 20.
    PDMA shared that Indian authorities released 141,000 cusec water from Pong Dam and 83,703 cusec from Bhakra Dam in the Sutlej. Expectedly 125,000 cusec waters would enter Pakistani territory from Hari-ke-Pattan and a high-level flood is predicted at Ganda Singh.

    The PDMA has issued instructions to the deputy commissioners of Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, and Vehari to prepare in case an emergency arises.

    India released a significant amount of water in July and early August which destroyed thousands of acres of crops. The water level in the Sutlej River has been fluctuating at a low-level flood since last month resulting in the destruction of houses and forcing the villagers living near the border area to evacuate.

  • 1124: The helpline you should know about for assistance during emergencies, accidents

    1124: The helpline you should know about for assistance during emergencies, accidents

    Bringing attention to a little-known emergency lifeline, popular TikToker Jannat Mirza and her father, a police officer, have teamed up to spread awareness about the significance of dialling 1124 during accidents—an alternative to the widely recognised 1122 emergency number.

    Jannat Mirza, celebrated for her engaging content and impactful messages on social media, is stepping up her influence to highlight the importance of the 1124 emergency helpline. In a recent video, she shared her personal experiment evaluating the responsiveness of the 1124 service.

    “I put the 1124 helpline to the test,” Jannat Mirza revealed to her followers. “I was genuinely surprised by the quick response I received.” She recounted a simulation where she mimicked an accident scenario and dialled 1124. Almost instantly, a responsive team was dispatched and promptly arrived at the specified location.

    Emphasising the critical role of the 1124 helpline, Jannat Mirza’s father, an experienced police officer, stated, “While many are familiar with 1122, being aware of 1124 is equally crucial. The goal is to offer timely assistance, and this helpline allows us to do precisely that.”

    The collaborative video by Jannat Mirza and her father aims to bridge the information gap surrounding emergency services.

    Given that accidents can occur unexpectedly, knowing the appropriate channels to seek help is imperative. Jannat Mirza’s firsthand encounter and her father’s professional insights collectively underscore the efficiency of the 1124 emergency helpline. By sharing their experience, they aspire to motivate individuals across Pakistan to familiarise themselves with this vital service, potentially safeguarding lives.

    About 1124 service

    In 2007, a centralised 24/7 call centre helpline, 1124, was established to receive calls from citizens all across Punjab. These incoming calls trigger a rapid response mechanism from Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) posts, and, in areas without PHP presence, Punjab Police is dispatched to assist the individual in need. This comprehensive service encompasses immediate assistance in cases of vehicle breakdowns, other emergencies, crimes against oneself or reported by a third party, traffic regulation and management concerns, accident response, and facilitating rescue and evacuation to nearby medical facilities.

    Moreover, this helpline serves as a vital platform for registering inputs in various domains and subsequently relaying the data to relevant authorities. One notable application is reporting fire hazards within residential areas. The call centre incorporates advanced features, including call recording, routing, interactive voice response (IVR), and other cutting-edge functionalities, to efficiently manage calls from citizens throughout Punjab. Importantly, this helpline can be dialled without the need for an area code, streamlining access to timely assistance.

  • Another case of domestic staff torture surfaces in Islamabad

    Another case of domestic staff torture surfaces in Islamabad

    Islamabad police have arrested a woman after yet another case of torture on a minor working as domestic help in a house.

    Andaleeb Fatima, 13 was named as the victim in the FIR, filed by her mother, Khalida Bibi, a resident of Chiniot in Punjab. Andaleeb had been working for the accused woman since July of this year and according to her mother, she was unable to talk to her daughter since was not allowed to do so by her employer.

    It was only when Khalida Bibi visited Fatima after several unanswered calls that she found out about the torture inflicted upon her daughter. She found bruises on different parts of her daughter’s body. Fatima told her mother that her employer routinely beat her and tormented her with a hot spoon. She also locked her up and did not feed her food.

    On Khalida’s arrival, the employer locked mother and daughter in a room so that they are unable to speak against her. However, later, she released them from confinement and sent them off without Andaleeb’s salary.

    Andaleeb has been admitted in a hospital for medical examination while investigation into the case has been initiated. The registered case is based on the charges of 328-A (cruelty to a child), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).According to Dawn.com, the accused was presented before a magistrate’s court and was later sent to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on judicial remand.

  • Pakistani team heads to Sri Lanka for Afghanistan ODI series

    Pakistani team heads to Sri Lanka for Afghanistan ODI series

    Pakistan cricket team is heading towards Sri Lanka to play 3 ODIs in a series with Afghanistan.
    PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has shared a video on X (formerly known as Twitter). In which players can be seen meeting with fans before taking off for Sri Lanka.

    Nine Pakistani players took off from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport this afternoon. These players were Abdullah Shafiq, Tayab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Saudi Shakir,

    M. Wasim Jnr, Fahim Ashraf, M. Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.
    Vice-captain Shadab Khan will fly from Karachi to Sri Lanka to join the team, while leg-turner Osama Mir, who competes in the Hundreds, will join the team from the UK.

    Players participating in this edition of the Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL), including captain Babar Azam, will join the team in Hambantota today.
    Pakistani team will play their first two matches on August 22 and 24 in Hambantota. While the last match will be played in Colombo.
    After that, the Paksitani team will play their first match of Asia Cup 2023 with Nepal on August 30 in Multan.

    Pakistan Cricket Squad for Afghanistan series:
    Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi

  • ‘You’ve done so well’: Shah Rukh Khan’s tribute to working mom Gauri is making Twitter wail

    ‘You’ve done so well’: Shah Rukh Khan’s tribute to working mom Gauri is making Twitter wail

    Kitni baar humara dil jeeto gay, Shah Rukh?

    Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan knows how to make his fans cry a river with moving words. On Wednesday, his daughter Suhana, who is making her debut in the Netflix film ‘The Archies’, gave an interview to India Today, where she was applauded for her grace and poise. Gauri Khan shared a clip on her Twitter account, writing that it was emotional to witness life come full circle, first attending events with her husband, and now watching Suhana at events.

    “The first event I ever attended with @iamsrk was a book launch… and now watching Suhana speak at another such event has made me feel like life has come full circle!”

    Shah Rukh shared the tweet, writing how proud he was of the way Gauri groomed their three children and raised them to become what they are. We aren’t crying, its the sweat.

    “Yeah the circle of life is closing in for us with our babies helping us complete it. You’ve done so well with the three of them…educated them, taught them dignity & desire to share love…& Suhana is so articulate but the dimple is mine!!”

    Aur kya reh gaya hai, SRK? Twitter was just wailing at the moving tweet, watching the actor shower praises upon his wife.

    https://twitter.com/SandraC69740420/status/1691828212723003741?s=20
    https://twitter.com/khudajaaneee/status/1691825635931689117?s=20

  • Rawalpindi man lists nearly 30-year-old Honda Civic for sale at Rs1.5 million, says ‘it’s worth it’

    Rawalpindi man lists nearly 30-year-old Honda Civic for sale at Rs1.5 million, says ‘it’s worth it’

    With the rising prices of new cars rendering them unaffordable for many, even owners of older vehicles have begun to demand surprisingly high prices for their decades-old vehicles. In Rawalpindi, a seller recently posted an advertisement on the online buying and selling platform OLX Pakistan, listing a basic 1995 manual Honda Civic EXI at a staggering price of Rs1.5 million.

    The Current contacted him to ask if the price was a mistake. He confidently said it wasn’t and truly thinks his well-kept car is worth the Rs1.5 million price. He’s received many offers and a lot of interest in his nearly 30-year-old car. He also mentioned that he’s the third owner of this 1995 Honda Civic.

    It is noteworthy that a mere two years ago, cars of the same model year were being listed on online marketplaces for a significantly lower price, less than Rs600,000. However, the present scenario witnesses a surge in the asking price for these vehicles.

    This trend is not exclusive to a particular model but rather extends to nearly all used cars, given that even the cheapest car from Pak Suzuki Motors, the Suzuki Alto, now commands a price of nearly Rs3 million. Consequently, a considerable number of individuals, constrained by budgetary limitations, opt for pre-owned cars.

    While the price might raise eyebrows for a car of this kind, die-hard Honda Civic enthusiasts might willingly pay this hefty amount. That’s especially true if the car’s condition lives up to the seller’s claims.

    Given its popularity among Pakistan’s racing community and its appeal to those wanting to build a car from scratch, the price could find its justified niche.

  • SECP strikes down 120 illegal personal loan apps

    SECP strikes down 120 illegal personal loan apps

    Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken measures to protect the public from falling into debt traps of illegal loan apps. Collaborating with Google, Apple and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SECP has succeeded in removal of 120 illegal loan apps that were previously available online.

    The largely ignored scam of illegal personal loan apps came to light recently when last month, a resident of Rawalpindi, died by suicide after being threatened by a lender who gave him loan through one such app. This incident raised serious concerns about misuse of data privacy violations, and coercive recovery practices by the illegal loan apps. The SECP has not only tightened its regulatory framework for licensed Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) but has also initiated effective steps with the relevant authorities to shut down unauthorized and illegal loan apps.

    SECP has also referred the 120 blocked apps to the FIA for further action in accordance with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016. SECP regularly checks the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for the presence of any illegal apps.

    Recently Google has introduced Pakistan’s Personal Loan App Policy, according to which Google only allows SECP-approved Personal Loan Apps for placement on its Google Play Store.

    Personal loan borrowers have been advised by SECP to obtain loans only from licensed NBFCs. The SECP’s regulatory framework for approved Apps requires transparent disclosure of fees, loan duration, instalments, and charges. Moreover, SECP has also initiated inspections of licensed NBFCs providing loans through Apps to verify that these are not engaged in miss-selling, breaches of data privacy, or coercive recovery practices etc.

  • ‘We have received the guarantee on this issue’: Rana Sanaullah on Nawaz Sharif’s return

    ‘We have received the guarantee on this issue’: Rana Sanaullah on Nawaz Sharif’s return

    Former federal interior minister and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Rana Sanaullah, has said on Wednesday that his party has obtained a “guarantee” now, paving the way for the return of PML-N head Nawaz Sharif.

    Talking about his leader’s return on Express News’ ‘Hashtag Siyasat’, Sanaullah said that Nawaz Sharif’s innocence as declared by a court is indicates that the former Prime Minister will return.

    “We have received the guarantee on this issue [Nawaz Sharif’s return home]. So now there is zero risk for the party,” the former minister said on the show. “Nawaz Sharif’s acquittal has also been almost certain,” he added.

    Rana Sanaullah’s comments came after a consultative meeting of party leaders, chaired by party president Shehbaz Sharif. Senior leadership reportedly remained divided on the matter of Nawaz’s return.

    While some leaders said that September is a good time for the party head to return, others thought that October would be more suitable.

    A few party leaders reportedly expressed the opinion that Nawaz shouldn’t return until all of the legal challenges standing in his way have been resolved. They emphasised that they didn’t want to take any risks.

    PML-N leaders revealed on Wednesday that the party is working on two plans: one is about Nawaz Sharif’s arrival in Islamabad, and the other is him landing in Lahore.

    According to PML-N sources, a bail application will be filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) before Nawaz Sharif arrives in Pakistan, while plans are underway that he will be given a warm welcome upon his arrival in Islamabad or Lahore.

    “If Nawaz Sharif reaches Islamabad from London, he would be warmly welcomed, and a big rally would be held in the Parade Ground,” a source said, adding that the former prime minister would proceed to Lahore from Islamabad via GT Road.

    “On the way home, in the form of a big procession, the PML-N Quaid will also address supporters at various places on GT Road. And a historic public gathering will be held in Lahore,” the source added.