Tag: Pakistan

  • Is McDonald’s closing operations in Pakistan? We have the real story

    Is McDonald’s closing operations in Pakistan? We have the real story

    McDonald’s Pakistan’s recent social media posts triggered rumors of the company shutting down its operations in the country.

    The first post in question read: “It’s time to pause for a while.”

    The Second post which was done 20 hours after first post read, “Pause to indulge.”

    Here’s how social media reacted to the possible shutdown of McDonald’s:

    https://twitter.com/daactarrsaab/status/1676922233393156097

    However, The Current’s sources have revealed that McDonald’s is not shutting its operations in Pakistan and the posts are a part of an upcoming campaign.

  • Accountability court acquits Nawaz Sharif in plot allotment case

    Accountability court acquits Nawaz Sharif in plot allotment case

    An accountability court has acquitted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday in a case pertaining to a reference on illegal plot allotment.

    The judgement said that the record shows that Nawaz Sharif was subjected to political revenge, blaming the government of the time for forcing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials to destroy the political career of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head.

    The accountability court has declared that the role of Nawaz Sharif in the allegations of the reference is less than that of his co-accused.

    The court has ordered the restoration of the Sharif’s properties and those of 27 shareholders, while emphasising that NAB should release the property after the time of appeal expires.

    The accountability court has also said in the decision that the court cannot be a silent spectator.

  • In 11 hours, Khan followed by 18k, Shehbaz Sharif by 417 followers on new social platform Threads

    In 11 hours, Khan followed by 18k, Shehbaz Sharif by 417 followers on new social platform Threads

    Threads, Meta’s rival to Twitter, has gained at least 10 million users since its launch on Thursday. Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan are also among the newly joined users.

    The PTI chairman has 18,000 followers in the first eleven hours of the launch whereas the PM’s following list was limited to 417.

    The app went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries at 7:00 pm EDT and 4:00 am Pakistan time.

    PM shared a picture of himself working out in his first post on Threads.

    Read more: Twitter’s worst nightmare: Facebook to launch Threads on Thursday as a rival to Musk’s platform

    In response to the growing popularity of Snapchat, Instagram introduced a feature called “stories” in 2016, allowing user posts to disappear after a certain period. More recently, Instagram’s “Reels” feature has aimed to compete with the rising prominence of TikTok.

    The launch of Threads poses a credible threat to Twitter under Musk’s leadership. His attempts to boost revenues and reshape the platform in his own image have faced significant criticism. Following the acquisition last year, Musk downsized the company by approximately 80 per cent and reinstated several banned accounts, including those of former US President Donald Trump and the conservative satirical news site Babylon Bee.

  • Pakistan’s pharma industry exports soar to record-breaking $713 million in FY2022-23

    Pakistan’s pharma industry exports soar to record-breaking $713 million in FY2022-23

    Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has experienced an impressive surge in exports, reaching an all-time high of $713 million during the fiscal year 2022-23. The remarkable boost in exports can be attributed to the increased demand for surgical and medical equipment, as well as pharmaceutical products.

    The data reveals that surgical and medical equipment exports accounted for $407 million, while drugs and pharmaceutical products contributed $306 million to the export value. Surgical equipment exports witnessed a notable increase of 6.03 per cent, while there was a substantial growth of 25.16 per cent in pharmaceutical product exports.

    Sources indicate that the volume of pharmaceutical exports witnessed a remarkable rise of 98.6 per cent during the fiscal year 2022-23. Approximately 51,964 metric tons of medicines and medical devices were exported, demonstrating the industry’s expanding reach.

    In terms of specific quantities, Pakistan exported 26,054 metric tons of medicines and medical equipment, contributing significantly to the impressive growth in the pharmaceutical sector’s export value. The notable growth of 25.3 per cent in pharma export value further highlights the industry’s success in the international market.

    Looking ahead, sources report that the pharma industry has set an ambitious export target of $1 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, indicating the industry’s determination to continue its upward trajectory.

    According to ARY News, industry insiders attribute this substantial increase in exports to the incentives provided to the pharmaceutical sector. The government’s support and facilitation have played a crucial role in boosting the industry’s growth and enabling it to compete effectively on the global stage.

    Furthermore, sources highlight the noteworthy surge in exports of Pakistani medical equipment, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for locally produced ventilators witnessed a significant rise as Pakistan began manufacturing its own ventilators to address critical needs during the health crisis.

    The thriving pharmaceutical industry and its impressive export performance signify Pakistan’s growing influence in the global healthcare market. With continued support from the government and a commitment to innovation and quality, the country’s pharma sector is poised for further growth and success in the years to come.

  • 2013 elections were better than 2008, 2018: EU Parliaments head of Election Observation Mission

    2013 elections were better than 2008, 2018: EU Parliaments head of Election Observation Mission

    Michael Gahler, the head of the Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the European Union (EU) Parliament has said while talking to a group of journalists that the EU will not send its election observer mission to Pakistan for the upcoming elections.
    When asked which elections were better, Gahler said 2013 was better than 2008 and 2018.

    Gahler said he had established 30 recommendations after observing the last few elections.

    “Military doesn’t want to take over because they’d be blamed but they still want to control their areas of interest to ensure they’re not touched,” he commented, adding that media and press was more vivid in 2008 and 2013 but it was to the contrary in 2018.

    He wished that for the next elections, every candidate can stand/contest elections without any influence of a third force. “People deserve proper elections.”

    European External Action Service (EEAS) does annual work plans to decide which countries to send EOMs to. Criteria to take into account: previous quality of elections, political significance, follow-up on past EOMs and its recommendations, logistics (costs, security etc).

    Pakistan elections of 2018 has been one of the largest, most complex and expensive EOMs of the EU.

    For 2023, HRVP decided to send only an expert mission (EMM) to Pakistan.

  • Five Pakistanis arrested for ‘suspicious’ remittances in Israel

    Five Pakistanis arrested for ‘suspicious’ remittances in Israel

    Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five Pakistanis for working in Israel. They were sending ‘suspicious’ remittances to Pakistan, the BBC has reported.

    It is notable that no one can travel to Israel on a Pakistani Passport because the country has never diplomatically recognised Israel.

    Investigation officer Muhammad Iqbal told the BBC that the FIA received information from official sources about the ‘suspicious’ transactions in remittances to Pakistan from Israel. He further added that these transactions took place between 2016 and 2021.

    The FIA has detained five people, and raids are being conducted to arrest another three. According to the FIA, the arrested people belong to religious organisations. However, these religious organisations are not banned.

    The people who have been arrested are from the Mirpur Khas area of Sindh. Among the arrested people, four had ‘Schengen’ visas, which means they can travel to 27 countries in Europe.

  • Lucky Motor Corporation increases Kia car prices by up to Rs4 lakh

    Lucky Motor Corporation increases Kia car prices by up to Rs4 lakh

    Lucky Motor Corporation Limited (LMCL) has implemented price increases across all Kia car models, with the exception of Picanto Manual, Stonic EX, and Carnival. The company has not provided a specific justification for this price surge.

    It is worth noting that, in contrast to the previous price adjustment, the company has also raised the price of the Picanto. As of July 5, the revised prices for the various models are outlined in the following table:

    Model Old price (Rs) New price (Rs) Hike (Rs)
    Picanto Automatic 3,625,000 3,825,000 200,000
    Stonic EX+ 5,930,000 6,050,000 120,000
    Sportage Alpha 7,050,000 7,300,000 250,000
    Sportage FWD 7,940,000 8,190,000 250,000
    Sportage AWD 8,570,000 8,820,000 250,000
    Sportage Black Edition 9,050,000 9,300,000 250,000
    Sorento FWD 10,400,000 10,800,000 400,000
    Sorento AWD 11,300,000 11,700,000 400,000
    Sorento V6 11,390,000 11,790,000 400,000

    Previously, the company held a notable market share and was mentioned alongside Pakistan’s leading car manufacturers until mid-2022. However, currently, Kia’s car sales have dwindled to merely a few hundred units.

    Although there was a slight increase in sales for the company last month, it was not substantial enough to make a significant impact. Given the prevailing circumstances, it is understandable that all automakers in Pakistan are focused on survival.

  • Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Actor Imran Ashraf and his former wife Kiran Ashfaque announced their divorce in October 2022, after being married for four years. Recently, Kiran created a stir on her Instagram account where she wrote that she deeply regretted changing herself for a man, and vowed to never take such a step again.

    “I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
    Do not change ur personality or anything for anyone ❤️
    I did it and i regret it.”

    While it may or may not have been a direct reference to her ex, many Instagram users lauded the influencer’s brave stand on embracing your own body and learning never to change to make others happy

    Previously, Kiran did a Q & A on Instagram with her followers where, after months of silence, she finally opened up about why she chose to divorce the actor. Some of her responses made users feel like that not everything was glamorous behind the scenes as it is in front of the cameras.

    When a user asked Kiran why she had divorced her husband, she snapped back “Go and ask him why did he divorce me.”

    When another user asked Kiran on whether she got a divorce because of her bold nature, her response was:

    “I was always a bold person, but I had changed myself for someone. My advice to everyone is to never change yourself for someone else. Check my old photos on Google babe.”

  • Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan illegal marriage case: Revision appeal filed against Imran Khan

    Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan illegal marriage case: Revision appeal filed against Imran Khan

    A petitioner has filed a revision appeal in an illegal marriage case against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in a district and session courts in Islamabad.

    Petitioner Muhammad Hanif filed the revision appeal against the decision of Civil Judge Nasrmanullah. Session Judge Azam Khan will hear the revision appeal on July 13.

    Session Judge Azam Khan has also issued a notice to Imran Khan and the petitioner.

    It has been stated in the petition that Bushra Manika got separated from her husband, Khawar Manika, without any reason and married Imran Khan. After nikkah with Khan, they remained in Bani Gala.

    The petitioner has requested in the petition that the decision of the civil judge regarding Imran Khan’s marriage be annulled.

  • Jail reforms: Bakeries to be established in Punjab prisons

    Jail reforms: Bakeries to be established in Punjab prisons

    The Punjab care-taker government has decided to decision has been made to establish bakeries in prisons across Punjab to enroll the inmates in different courses.

    The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi.

    During the meeting, it was decided to initiate a program for setting up bakeries in prisons with the cooperation of volunteers.

    During the meeting, it was decided that in the initial phase, a bakery will be established in Lahore’s Camp Jail.

    According to the decisions made in the meeting, the duration of monthly telephone calls for prisoners has been increased to 300 minutes.

    Modern kitchens, laundry rooms, meeting rooms, and facilities will be built in 16 jails.

    Toyota and the Jail Department have also reached an agreement to provide technical courses to prisoners in 10 more jails.

    Chief Operating Officer of Toyota, Ahmed Khawar, and Inspector General of Prisons, Farooq Nazir, have signed the agreement.

    Under this agreement, prisoners in 10 additional jails in Punjab will undergo 16 Toyota courses.

    Upon completion of the courses lasting from 3 to 6 months, prisoners will be awarded certificates, and leniency may be granted in their sentences.