Tag: Pakistan

  • Channel faces ridicule for blurring Imran Khan in IMF meeting coverage

    Channel faces ridicule for blurring Imran Khan in IMF meeting coverage

    ARY News is facing criticism and ridicule for blurring Prime Minister Imran Khan in footage and photos captured during a meeting held between International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    #ShameonAry started trending on Twitter soon after screenshots of the coverage were shared on social media.

    PTI supports from all over the country called out ARY news for their coverage.
    One tweep wrote:

    “Everyone must boycott and unsubscribe their YouTube channel and also unfollow them on Twitter, Facebook etc.”
    Another user on twitter blurred the pictures of all the journalists of ARY except the late Arshad Sharif.

  • ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved plans for the construction of the world’s biggest aviary in Islamabad’s F-9 Park. The structure has been planned to span over an area of at least 10 acres.

    The decision was taken during a meeting of the CDA board, chaired by the authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, on Tuesday, Dawn reports.

    The decision was announced on CDA’s official Twitter account. In their announcement, they said birds from all over the world will be bred in the aviary, and it will be built through an ‘open auction’ pertaining to design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT). 

    Using this strategy, the project is said to be carried out to the highest standards, while putting a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term operation. 

    The CDA has yet to release further details about the project, including the expected completion date and the species of bird that are to be housed in the aviary.

    The announcement has generated significant interest on social media, with many users expressing their excitement and anticipation for the completion of the project.

    The project is reportedly one of CDA’s initiatives to support biodiversity and develop distinctive public leisure areas. However, users on Twitter called out CDA’s failed bird zoo in Lake View Park, another big project CDA hired a contractor to invest in.

    According to one Twitter user, the birds are kept in dismal conditions, with larger species such as eagles and owls being kept in cramped cages. He also points to how the contractor CDA hired is now “occupying the facility and generating revenue without any formal contract”, as stated in the report by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

    Considering Pakistan’s general history with keeping animals in enclosures (read: tales often ending in misery and death), one can’t help but wonder: is this the right step towards biodiversity and sustainability?

    As one Twitter user put it:

  • Bride-to-be drowns while crossing River Indus

    Bride-to-be drowns while crossing River Indus

    A girl passed away after falling into River Indus during a boat ride. The girl was accompanied by her husband-to-be who also fell into the water with her.

    According to Dunya News, the boat accidently capsized, throwing the couple into the river. The police have reported that the boy managed to survive.

    The accident took place two days ago, according to officials, and the girl has been buried by her family members. The family has, however, accused her betrothed of kidnapping and murdering her.

    Police are investigating the case.

  • Pakistan’s weekly inflation reaches lowest point at 28.6% since October 2022

    Pakistan’s weekly inflation reaches lowest point at 28.6% since October 2022

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) recorded a weekly inflation increase of 0.70 per cent, reaching 28.55 per cent on a year-on-year basis for the week ending June 6.

    This represents the lowest rate since October 20, 2022, when SPI inflation stood at 27.1 per cent. Furthermore, short-term inflation surged to an all-time high of 48.35 per cent for the period ending on May 4.

    During the week, a total of 51 items were monitored, and their price movements were analysed. Out of these items, 24 (47.06 per cent) experienced price increases, 10 (19.61 per cent) witnessed price decreases, and 17 (33.33 per cent) remained stable.

    This table showcases the items that recorded either an increase or decrease in their average prices during the specified week:

    Item Increase/Decrease
    Tomatoes Increase (42.25%)
    Onions Increase (8.70%)
    Potatoes Increase (4.79%)
    Wheat flour bag 20 kg Increase (4.05%)
    Gur Increase (4.01%)
    Sugar Increase (3.48%)
    Shirting Increase (3.02%)
    Hi-speed diesel Increase (2.95%)
    Garlic Increase (1.90%)
    Matchbox each Increase (1.66%)
    Curd Increase (1.43%)
    Pulse mash Increase (1.29%)
    Fresh milk Increase (1.20%)
    Rice irri-6/9 Increase (0.74%)
    Rice basmati broken Increase (0.67%)
    Mustard oil Increase (0.59%)
    Prepared tea Increase (0.56%)
    Long cloth 57″ Gul Ahmed/Al Karam Increase (0.51%)
    Mutton Increase (0.40%)
    Beef with bone Increase (0.39%)
    Toilet soap Increase (0.24%)
    Powdered milk Nido 390 gm polybag each Increase (0.13%)
    Georgette Increase (0.08%)
    Cooked daal Increase (0.04%)
    Bananas Decrease (7.51%)
    Chicken Decrease (2.80%)
    Eggs Decrease (1.17%)
    LPG Decrease (0.96%)
    Vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib 2.5 kg tin each Decrease (0.74%)
    Cooking oil Dalda or other similar brands, 5L Decrease (0.72%)
    Vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib or other superior quality, 1 kg pouch each Decrease (0.81%)
    Pulse masoor Decrease (0.47%)
    Pulse moong Decrease (0.31%)
    Pulse gram Decrease (0.24%)
  • PTI leader Abdul Basit Chaudhary arrested while fleeing to Afghanistan

    PTI leader Abdul Basit Chaudhary arrested while fleeing to Afghanistan

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdul Basit Chaudhry while he was attempting to flee to Afghanistan.

    The PTI leader got arrested at the Torkhum border as he was trying to cross the border.

    According to an FIA report, the accused is on the Exit Control List (ECL), and he had a plan to move from Afghanistan to Europe.

    Last month, in an interview, the caretaker information minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) said that there is a possibility that the leaders of PTI Swat are hiding in Afghanistan.

  • ‘I am giving laptops, not Kalashnikovs to youth’: PM addresses distribution ceremony

    ‘I am giving laptops, not Kalashnikovs to youth’: PM addresses distribution ceremony

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif relaunched the programme for distribution of laptops among outstanding students on Friday.

    During his address at the distribution ceremony amongst the students of various universities in Islamabad , the Prime Minister reminisced about his tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab and highlighted his efforts for the youth of the province. Addressing the youth directly, the Prime Minister said that the future of the country relies on them.

    While talking about the laptop scheme, the PM said, “I am giving laptops, not Kalashnikovs to youth”.

    He further added that while some may view these laptops as machines, for him, they represent a mission.

    Referring to the steps being taken for uplift, he said five billion rupees have been allocated in the budget for provision of agriculture loans to the youth. He said five billion rupees have also been earmarked to provide vocational training to them.

  • Pak-US relations back to normal: PM Shehbaz

    Pak-US relations back to normal: PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan wants to improve its mutual relations with the US in multiple fields. He further added that the relations between the nations are “back to normal” now.

    Addressing a ceremony of celebration of the 247th Independence Day of the US, Sharif said that Pakistan and the US made many efforts to make their relations better by putting aside any misgivings and misunderstandings.

    “Over the last 75 years, our relations have had ups and downs, but on the whole, we have been very good friends,” he stated.

    He said that the US was the largest trading partner of Pakistan, and both countries have played a major role in the war against terrorism.

    The prime minister also appreciated US support for 2022 flood victims. “We value the support of the US, which had been the biggest donor and very helpful in providing relief to millions of flood-affected people,” he observed.

    The US ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, said in his remarks that the economic partnership between the countries is expanding.

    Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated US President Joe Biden and the people of the United States on their 247th Independence Day.

  • PAC orders investigation into data leak of military officials

    PAC orders investigation into data leak of military officials

    The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has on Thursday expressed apprehensions over the data leak of citizens and of military officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    PAC ordered the Ministry of Interior to conduct a joint investigation into the data leak. Pakistan Tele-communication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Military Intelligence (MI) should be included in the investigation team, PAC Chairman Noor Alam Khan said.

    Noor Alam Khan also asked PTA to block the data online, stating, “Everyone’s personal data is available on the internet. Data of military authorities has also been leaked. How was it leaked from NADRA?”

  • Justice Musarrat Hilali becomes second woman to take oath as Supreme Court Judge

    Justice Musarrat Hilali becomes second woman to take oath as Supreme Court Judge

    Justice Musarrat Hilali on Friday took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, with Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial administering the oath to the former Peshawar High Court head.

    She has become the second female judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court. After Hilali’s appointment the SC now has 16 judges in total.

    Earlier, a parliamentary committee had approved Justice Musarrat Hilali’s appointment as a justice of the apex court.

    Justice Ayesha Malik, appointed in January 2022 to the apex court, was the first female to become a judge of the Supreme Court. Mussarat Hilali was also the first female Chief Justice of PHC. She is the only woman on the bench since 2013.

    Justice Hilali also holds the honour of getting elected as the first woman executive member of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) from 2007-2009.

  • Gold market bounces back with second consecutive price increase of Rs1,800 to Rs207,800 per tola

    Gold market bounces back with second consecutive price increase of Rs1,800 to Rs207,800 per tola

    The price of gold in Pakistan has experienced a notable increase for the second consecutive session, following a prolonged period of decline subsequent to the $3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Data provided by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) reveals that the price of 24-carat gold rose by Rs1,800 per tola and Rs1,543 per 10 grammes, reaching Rs207,800 and Rs178,155 respectively.

    Simultaneously, the international market witnessed a decrease in the price of gold by $23, resulting in a settlement at $1,905 per ounce.

    The gold market in Pakistan has exhibited volatility recently due to persistent political and economic uncertainty, along with high inflation. Consequently, individuals seek to invest in this valuable commodity as a means of safeguarding their assets and hedging against market fluctuations.

    The APSGJA’s data also indicates that the price of silver has remained unchanged at Rs2,380 per tola and Rs2,126.20 per 10 grammes. Notably, the previous day witnessed a Rs1,000 increase in the price of gold.

    Furthermore, the Pakistani rupee displayed a marginal recovery of 0.13 per cent against the US dollar on Thursday. The interbank market, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), recorded the local currency closing at Rs277.04 in relation to the greenback.