Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a downturn on Wednesday, echoing the global market trend.
The precious metal, commonly known as the yellow metal, was priced at Rs228,300 per tola, marking a decrease of Rs1,800 over the course of the day.
Data released by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) revealed that the price of 10 grammes of gold stood at Rs195,730 after a decrease of Rs1,544.
This decline follows a Rs100 reduction in gold prices per tola observed on Tuesday within the country. Internationally, gold was valued at $2,179 per ounce on Wednesday, reflecting a $18 decrease with a premium of $20.
Meanwhile, silver prices remained stable at Rs2,600 per tola during the same period.
On another front, the Pakistani rupee showed a slight improvement against the US dollar, appreciating by 0.11 per cent in the interbank market on Wednesday.
At the close, the local currency settled at 278.79, gaining Re0.29 against the greenback, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
On Monday, the rupee experienced a marginal decline, settling at 279.08 against the US dollar, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, paid an impromptu visit to the Johar Town Model Ramzan Bazaar in Lahore and had a relatable discussion with one of the shoppers.
She examined various stalls and inspected the prices of fruits, vegetables, and other commodities.
She also inquired about price lists and whether they were displayed as per instructions or not.
Engaging with shoppers, Maryam asked about their satisfaction with both prices and the quality of available products, garnering positive responses from the women purchasing goods.
She also asked a shopper what she was planning to make for iftari and then they discussed how deciding on the menu daily is an issue.
Meanwhile, Lahore Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa announced the continuation of relief hamper deliveries as part of the ‘Ramazan Negahban’ package, aimed at assisting beneficiaries during the holy month of Ramadan. Presiding over a meeting, Randhawa disclosed that thus far, over 117,781 eligible individuals in the Lahore division had received food hampers directly at their doorsteps.
With a focus on efficient distribution, the commissioner outlined daily delivery targets for each district, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy towards deviations from these targets. Lahore aims to achieve a daily delivery target ranging from 25,000 to 30,000, with other districts like Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Nankana Sahib also striving to meet their respective goals.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that the ‘Ramazan Negahban’ package had reached approximately 75,000 eligible individuals in Lahore alone, with stringent measures in place to verify beneficiary data using CNIC numbers and household addresses. The ambitious initiative is set to extend its reach to over a million eligible individuals across the division.
A new advisory issued by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has instructed pilots and the cabin crew to not observe fast in the month of Ramzan during flights, reports The Express Tribune.
The directive issued by the manager of the flight safety department at PIA outlined guidelines regarding fasting during the flights.
It said that fasting can potentially decrease alertness and impair decision-making abilities, which could lead to serious consequences in the emergencies. It also said that even though it is technically feasible, this may reduce the margin of safety, as per corporate safety management and the aircrew medical center’s advice.
The official circular emphasised that although fasting is a highly important practice in Islam, it disrupts the normal routine and can lead to dehydration, a drop in glucose level, and other physiological changes.
The directive clearly instructed all fasting cockpit and cabin crew members to abstain from operating flights, highlighting that self-exemptions cannot be claimed even under state law. It emphasised compliance with rules and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
As Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz launched Saaf Suthra Punjab Campaign in Lahore, netizens all over the internet have started posting photos and information about the overflowing drains, sewage spillage, huge piles of garbage, and poor hygiene conditions in their cities.
Newly elected Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is on a mission to transform Punjab. The latest in the series is the ‘Saaf Suthra Punjab drive’. Netizens are quick to remind her of the poor condition of drains and garbage in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.
In Lahore, citizens are struggling with the issues of overflowing drains, sewage water, and the stink emitting from them.
Blogger and activist Riaz Ali Turi posted about the uncovered drains in Lahore causing health risks and nauseating smells in NA-127 of Lahore which include the prominent areas of the city like Township and Green Town.
Urgent call to action: Uncovered drains in Lahore, particularly in NA-127, are posing serious health risks, with nauseating smells affecting residents, especially children. The situation on the ground was dire, as we witnessed. @MaryamNSharifhttps://t.co/uppeHGCyFVpic.twitter.com/II5KjUPwje
Another user with a pseudo name of I M Imran Khan shared the pictures of Shadman area in Lahore where overflowing drains are disturbing life. Adil posted about how the area around Urdu Bazaar is facing sewage issues to which Maryam Nawaz assured him of holistic action. Noman Waseem tagged CM Maryam that even though the initiative is great, nothing has been done in his city of Multan.
The whole shadman area in Lahore is worst than this, with a big sewage/ dirty drain in Shadman, jail rd, n chungi, which have become hallmarks of Lahore city. The moment u enter in Shadman, the unbearable sewer gas smell welcomes u. pic.twitter.com/LQvrbacUbM
In response to Zeeshan Malik’s tweet about the Punjab government’s work in Bahawalpur, a netizen commented that Pindi needs the same attention, and, not just on the roads but in the walled city as well.
Pindi mai kb ho ga zeeshan.just main roads per kaam na ho.asal maza tub hai androon yay saaf sutra punjab hona chew
A resident of Sheikhupura posted a series of littered streets that are disturbing the lives of citizens yet the commissioner was claiming to have started the project.
Dawn’s Khalid Hasnain interviewed a resident of a locality of Pine Avenue near Valencia Town named Aziz who complained, “You see the Sattukatla drain full of waste, which is choking its sewage flow. The water level in the drain is also rising due to the choking caused by the waste piling in it.”
“It is also surprising that though the WASA’s machine meant for desilting or cleaning the drain is parked here but no one has visited the site since long to operate it,” Aziz adds the Sattukatla drain overflows in the monsoon or the unexpected heavy rain while its choking is also spreading a very foul and unbearable smell everywhere.
The Current went to ask the residents near drains at Upper Mall which are especially disturbed by the foul smell which gets unbearable during rains.
Around Walton drains, a resident named Zahid Abbas complained that occasional breaking of the walls of the drain and overflowing of its contents causes many hindrances on daily basis. “When there is rain we become restricted to our homes and transportation via cars become increasingly difficult especially crossing the road,” says Zahid.
Traditionally, the epicentre of PML-N’s politics, Lahore has always been flaunted as the most developed part of the province the drains and heaps of garbage are depicting an opposite story. The situation is no better in other cities where grave problems require immediate action across the Punjab.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Javed has been indicted on Wednesday for inappropriate behaviour with a journalist, ARY News has reported.
The charge sheet against him stated that Faisal Javed attacked a TV reporter and threatened him on August 9, 2022, noting that threatening a journalist is a crime. The indictment ordered to move forward with a case against the PTI leader.
The PTI leader has denied the accusations and said that he didn’t threaten the journalist.
Last month, Faisal Javed came out of months-long hiding and secured transit bail from Peshawar High Court (PHC).
Indian Punjabi film actor Sonam Bajwa has once again stated her desire to visit Pakistan and meet her fans there.
Speaking at the launch of Pakistani fashion designer Mohsin Naveed Ranjha’s new store in London, Sonam Bajwa expressed eagerness to visit Pakistan. She said, “My heart is set on coming to Pakistan. I have many friends there and I really want to visit. Hopefully, soon I will.” She added, “To all those watching and listening, lots of love to you from my end. I am immensely grateful for the love you all shower on me.”
This isn’t the first time Bajwa has expressed her wish to visit Pakistan. During a Q&A session on X (formerly known as Twitter) in 22 feb 2023, she confirmed, “Iss saal aavange (I will come this year).”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is scheduled to meet newly elected prime minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Wednesday) to talk about the replacement of Chief Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chaudhry.
ARY sources have confirmed that Ali Amin Gandapur didn’t attend the oath ceremony while a meeting is scheduled for today to discuss the matter of the CS’s appointment.
A day earlier, chief minister KP send a summary to Shehbaz Sharif for removal of Chief Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chaudhry. Gandapur wanted to appoint Shahab Ali Shah as the new Chief Secretary, expecting him to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the role, thereby contributing to the overall development of the KP province.
Fazila Qazi has been a big part of Pakistani dramas since the PTV days. She’s been in lots of important projects, and even now, people still enjoy seeing her on TV. She’s acted in many different roles, and even after all these years, she’s still just as important as when she began her career.
Fazila Qazi was on a cricket show called ‘Har Lamha Purjosh’ where she said that award shows in Pakistan might be fixed.
During the show, hosted by Najeeb-ul-Husnain on ARY News, Fazila Qazi played fun games and answered questions honestly.
She said, “Social media followers are just a trend.” She also said that people on social media don’t have much purpose. She hinted that Pakistani award shows might be fixed, with the same people winning over and over.
When asked about TV shows, Qazi said they all seem similar, just with a few changes. “It’s the same story with little changes,” she said. Talking about politics in Pakistan, she said it’s a good way to pass time.
At another point in the show, she also said she’s become wiser over the years.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sent a notice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after a petition was filed against him for misleading the commission about a piece of land, The News reported on Wednesday.
Two members of the ECP bench, including Sindh Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani and Balochistan Member Shah Muhammad Jatoi, heard the plea and adjourned the hearing of the case till March 26.
In a short order, the electoral authority decided to send a notification to newly-elected KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who won his provincial seat from Dera Ismail Khan.
In his plea, Muhammad Kafeel — the petitioner — claimed that 735-kanals of land, situated in Mouzah Girah Muhabbat and Muzah Rohri, Kulachi, district DI Khan, was transferred in the name of Gandapur temporarily while Asif Khan was the real owner.
Muhammad Kafeel highlighted that Gandapur is not the actual owner of property and he was supposed to return the property back to actual owner on his demand.
The petitioner said in liabilities forms furnished for the year 2020 and duly published, Gandapur had allegedly shown purchase of a Toyota Land Cruiser, YB-777 from the funds which he received from the sale of 735 kanal land. He also contended that on account of such wrong declaration, Gandapur was not qualified to hold the office of member provincial assembly.
With the signatures of ECP Sindh member, the order said, “We have heard preliminary arguments which need consideration on merits. Office to issue notice to respondent No. 5 (Ali Amin Gandapur) for the date fixed through District Election Commissioner concerned. The service report of DEC shall reach to this office before the date fixed. Case to come up on 26.03.2024.”
Reports have been going around lately about the possible pregnancy of Charan Singh, who is the late singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s mother. However, his father Balkaur Singh, aged 60, has now cleared up the rumors and said it’s not true.
According to Pinkvilla, Singh wrote in Punjabi on his Facebook, “We are thankful to Sidhu’s well-wishers who are worried about our family. But we want to tell you not to believe the many stories being spread about the family.”
In February 2024, it was said that the couple had tried IVF treatment to have another child and were expecting to welcome the baby in March. But Singh has now spoken up and also said in his Facebook post, “If there’s any news, our family will share it with all of you.”
In May 2022, 58-year-old Charan and Balkaur Singh faced a heartbreaking loss when their son, Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, widely known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was shot and killed.
Sidhu, born in June 1993, was their only child. He made a big mark in the Punjabi rap music world, rising to fame in 2017. His songs, including some released after his death, still gather millions of views on YouTube. After their son’s tragic passing, Moose Wala’s parents have been actively seeking justice for him.
