Tag: Pakistan

  • Ayesha Omar recovering well from surgery with new bone plate

    Ayesha Omar recovering well from surgery with new bone plate

    Ayesha Omer,best known for her role as Khubsoorat in the sitcom ‘Bulbulay’ is one of the most popular stars in the industry. The girl can model, act, sing and is perhaps the best-dressed actress on the screen.

    Ayesha Omar recently shared a personal update on her Instagram account. She revealed that on the first day of Ramzan, March 12, 2024, she underwent surgery to repair her collarbone, which was injured in a car accident eight years ago.
    The surgery, lasting three hours, involved inserting a titanium plate, taking bone from her hip, and using screws to stabilize the fracture. The surgery was tough because her bones were entangled in tissue and muscle, but Ayesha stayed determined to heal herself.

    She thanked everyone for their support during her hospital stay but asked for no visitors so she could rest.

    Ayesha expressed gratitude to Dr. Imran Shah, emphasizing her trust in his expertise and thanking him for his role in her healing journey. “He is a superstar. I would’ve trusted no one else to do this.”
    Despite experiencing pain, Ayesha finds strength in her faith and support. She knows recovery will take time but remains positive about the next four months. During this period, she plans to focus on music, creative work, and her personal projects.

  • US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    The Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been asked to appear before a congress panel to testify whether the February 8 polls in Pakistan were fair or not.  

    Lu will testify during a hearing on March 20 as the former prime minister Imran Khan accused him of playing a part in overthrowing his government in 2022.

    The subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia will hold a hearing called “Pakistan After the Elections: Analysing the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.”

    State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a press briefing on Thursday, responded to a query, saying that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.

    “We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective,” said Miller. 

    He stated that the State Department eagerly anticipates engaging in both informal and formal discussions with Congress, as well as the actual testimony provided by officials.

  • France interested in Pakistan’s energy sector

    France interested in Pakistan’s energy sector

    A French delegation, led by its Deputy Head of Mission Guillaume Dabouis, showed keeness in investing in Pakistan’s energy sector in a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of Energy, Musadik Malik in Islamabad, ARY news has reported.

    The French officials showed interest in investing in a number of domains of Pakistan’s energy sector, including LNG cargo provision, energy resource exploration, and projects aimed at improving energy trading, distribution, and transmission within the country.

    They also indicated interest in initiatives focused on lowering line losses and reviving Pakistan’s energy sector overall.

    The energy minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the nation’s longstanding energy challenges. He emphasized the shift from piecemeal strategies and assured that the new government would present a thoroughly prepared plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI’s core committee has barred party leaders from taking part in political talk shows hosted by five news anchors belonging to four different media channels in the country.

    According to a circular issued by PTI’s central media department, party leaders have been instructed to boycott the following anchors and shows:

    Kamran Shahid, Dunya News (Off The Front)

    Adil Shahzeb, Dawn News (Live with Adil Shahzeb)

    Muneeb Farooq, Samaa TV (Mera Sawaal with Muneeb Farooq)

    Shahzab Khanzada, Geo News (Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath)

    Saleem Safi, Geo News (Jirga)

  • PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat has said the party is paying the cost of two wrong decisions.

    Speaking on Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, he said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani.

    He said the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave a sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.

    Later, Marwat said, the PTI suddenly decided to join the Sunni Ittehad Council.

    “These are two wrong decisions and their culprits should be determined because we lost more than 80 seats due to them.”

  • IMF mission holds crucial talks with FinMin Aurangzeb on $3 billion SBA

    IMF mission holds crucial talks with FinMin Aurangzeb on $3 billion SBA

    In a pivotal meeting held on Thursday, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, engaged in discussions regarding structural reforms and the viability of the energy sector with the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission.

    The mission’s visit is part of the second review process of the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) established between Pakistan and the international lender.

    Key points of deliberation encompassed various facets of Pakistan’s macroeconomic landscape, including fiscal consolidation efforts by the government, structural reforms, energy sector sustainability, and governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

    Expressing a warm reception, the finance minister underscored the government’s steadfast commitment to collaborating with the IMF to drive forward the reform agenda, aimed at fostering economic growth and bolstering stability across Pakistan.

    During the meeting, Nathan Porter, head of the IMF mission, extended congratulations to Muhammad Aurangzeb on his appointment as the finance minister.

    Anticipations are high that the IMF mission’s visit could culminate in a staff-level agreement regarding the second review of the SBA.

    Since its inception in July 2023, Pakistan has received $1.9 billion out of the allocated $3 billion under the nine-month programme.

    Aurangzeb, articulating the government’s stance, outlined intentions to explore the possibility of acquiring a more extensive and prolonged Extended Fund Facility (EFF) within the IMF framework, with the overarching objective of attaining macroeconomic stability.

    Officials from Pakistan, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Energy Minister Musadik Malik, apprised the IMF team of the concerted efforts undertaken to implement the prescribed reforms, including the adjustment of energy tariffs.

    An official from the Finance Division, speaking on anonymity, disclosed the IMF’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s strides in meeting quarterly programmeme targets under the SBA.

    Simultaneously, discussions are underway to chart the trajectory of the subsequent programmeme, with deliberations leaning towards a more extensive endeavour valued at approximately $8 billion.

    Minister Malik elaborated on the government’s energy reform agenda, highlighting recent adjustments in electricity and gas prices aligned with the stipulated schedule.

    The recent levy hike on petrol and diesel, coupled with the augmentation of gas tariffs for domestic consumers, underscores Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling key conditions outlined in the IMF’s final review.

    Economic analysts anticipate a seamless final review process, citing Pakistan’s commendable adherence to the IMF’s performance targets as a harbinger of success.

  • Olivia Munn got all clear mammogram before being diagnosed with breast cancer two months later

    Olivia Munn got all clear mammogram before being diagnosed with breast cancer two months later

    Actor Olivia Munn revealed Wednesday that she had undergone a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The X-Men: Apocalypse and The Newsroom performer took to Instagram to tell followers her news, just days after she attended the Oscars ceremony with her partner, comedian John Mulaney.

    The 43-year-old said the cancer had been discovered almost a year ago after her doctor noted she was at elevated risk for the disease and suggested she undergo an additional scan, 12 months before a routine screening.

    “I wouldn’t have found my cancer for another year -– at my next scheduled mammogram,” she told followers. After initial tests, a biopsy was ordered. “The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast-moving cancer,” she wrote, adding that the double mastectomy was performed 30 days later.

    “I went from feeling completely fine one day to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next,” she wrote in a post, with photos taken apparently during her treatment. “I’m lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day.”

    Munn walked the red carpet at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, where Mulaney presented an Oscar, and later attended the celebrity-filled Vanity Fair after-party. 

    Munn’s small screen credits include The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as well as a role in Aaron Sorkin’s HBO drama The Newsroom. Her movie credits have included Magic Mike, The Predator and Office Christmas Party.

  • Toyota Yaris prices reduced by up to Rs133,000

    Toyota Yaris prices reduced by up to Rs133,000

    Indus Motor Company, the manufacturer of Toyota vehicles in Pakistan, has announced a significant price adjustment for its Yaris sedan range.

    This adjustment, effective from Thursday, reflects a reduction in prices ranging from Rs73,000 to Rs133,000.

    The revised pricing structure for the Yaris lineup is as follows: the 1.3 MT LO, 1.3 CVT LO, and 1.3 MT Hi variants will now be priced at Rs4.326 million, Rs4.616 million, and Rs4.586 million, respectively, representing a reduction of Rs73,000 for each model.

    Additionally, the price of the Yaris CVT Hi has been lowered by Rs133,000 and is now priced at Rs4.766 million.

    According to Business Recorder, this decision comes in response to the recent imposition of a 25 per cent sales tax on vehicles priced above Rs4 million.

    By implementing these price cuts, Indus Motor Company aims to ensure that the Yaris remains within the 18 per cent sales tax bracket.

    Initially, the government’s decision to raise the sales tax was targeted at vehicles with engine sizes of 1,400 cc and above, as well as those priced above Rs4 million.

    However, it later extended to include SUVs below the 1,400cc threshold, prompting manufacturers to advocate for a Rs4 million price cap.

    As a consequence of this tax adjustment, certain models from Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki are now subject to the increased sales tax regime.

  • Gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs250 to Rs228,550 per tola

    Gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs250 to Rs228,550 per tola

    The local bullion market exhibited stability on Thursday, with 24-karat gold fetching Rs228,550 per tola, marking an increase of Rs250 compared to the previous session.

    This pricing trend persists near its historical highs, fueled by anticipations of US interest rate adjustments, heightened Chinese purchasing activity, and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

    According to the Karachi Sarafa Association, the cost of 10-gramme 24-karat gold rose to Rs195,945 per tola, reflecting a gain of Rs215.

     Similarly, the price of 10-gramme 22-karat gold experienced a marginal uptick, reaching Rs179,616.

    Contrarily, silver rates remained unchanged today, with 24-karat silver trading at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme.

    Internationally, spot gold hovered around $2,169 per ounce, following a $16.8 or 0.78% increase yesterday.

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. identifies gold as the top preference in commodities markets, projecting a potential price surge to $2,500 per ounce this year.

  • Minor improvement in human development ranking for Pakistan: Report

    Minor improvement in human development ranking for Pakistan: Report

    Pakistan has been ranked 161st out of 191 countries on the UN Human Development Index, scoring 0.544 points. This marks a slight improvement from 2023, when Pakistan was ranked 164th with 0.540 points, three places below its 2022 ranking.

    The report also highlights that Pakistan’s HDI rank remained steady at 161st globally from 2019 to 2021. The index comprises health, education, and income indicators, each ranging from 0 to 1.

    In South Asia, Sri Lanka leads at 73rd place with 0.782 points, followed by Bangladesh at 129th with 0.661 points, and India at 132nd with 0.633 points. Nepal ranks 143rd, while Afghanistan trails at 180th with 0.478 points, although it’s slightly above the bottom 10.

    Globally, South Sudan ranks last at 191st with 0.385 points, while Switzerland tops the list at 0.962 points, followed by Norway at 0.961 points.

    The report observes that while global development has returned to pre-pandemic levels, a growing gap between rich and poor countries persists. This rebound follows two years of decline, primarily due to the COVID-19 crisis which reversed five years of progress.

    Despite overall positive trends, inequality persists, with the poorest nations falling behind, exacerbating global polarisation.

    “The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action,” the United Nations warned in a post on social media.

    The report also recognizes that “rich countries experienced unprecedented development, yet half of the world’s poorest nations continue to languish.”

    The United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI) combines economic and non-economic factors to measure a country’s prosperity, including life expectancy, educational attainment, and gross national income per capita.

    The report underscores a reversal in the trend of reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations, emphasising the need for collective action to address shared challenges and ensure people’s aspirations are met.

    Additionally, the report identifies a “democracy paradox,” wherein support for democracy coexists with endorsement of leaders who may sabotage democratic principles, increasing political polarisation and inward-looking policy approaches.