Tag: Pakistan

  • ‘Your wife is not your cleaner’: Washing powder brand’s new commercial has enraged Twitter users

    Ever thought that Pakistani commercials couldn’t go lower than they already are? Welp, Brite decided to hit rock bottom with an advertisement that has enraged social media on its blatant display of misogyny.

    The commercial shows a woman opening her husband’s suitcase and finding his clothes covered with food stains. But below the clothes is a package and a card which tells the mother to not worry, because Brite can wipe away all kinds of food stains.

    First of all, how is it possible that a grown working man dribbles this much food down his clothes? And is this woman his wife, or a walking talking robot who is now responsible for all of his chores? Twitter had the same questions when they caught hold of the ad.

    A user slammed it as a failed marketing strategy, which is once more highlighting the fact that women weren’t equal members of the households, but they were subservient to the men around them.

    Others began joining in, sharing other sexist advertisements that they have disagreed with.

    Women are not your domestic helpers. They don’t exist to clean and cook around you. Especially if you’re a grown man who is capable of travelling but can’t seem to clean himself.

  • Strengthening economic ties: Pakistan expects substantial benefits from trade agreement with Russia

    Strengthening economic ties: Pakistan expects substantial benefits from trade agreement with Russia

    Pakistan and Russia have successfully concluded a bilateral trade agreement during a three-day economic conference in Kazan, Russia. The deal aims to streamline trade operations and reduce costs between the two nations, strengthening economic ties.

    The agreement includes provisions that benefit Pakistan’s economy. It facilitates the smooth movement of goods and offers Pakistani products a customs duty discount upon entering the Russian market. This tariff reduction presents an opportunity for Pakistani exporters to enhance their competitiveness and expand their presence in Russia.

    The protocol also establishes administrative cooperation and information exchange within the framework of the unified Tariff Preferences of the Eurasian Economic Union. This approach will promote efficient customs procedures and create a conducive business environment, bolstering trade relations between Pakistan and Russia.

    Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Naveed Qamar, represented the country at the conference and engaged in discussions and negotiations. He met with Rustam Minnikhanov, the leader of Tatarstan, Russia, to strategize measures for enhancing trade and economic relations. The minister also networked with influential business figures, strengthening Pakistan’s outreach in the global business community.

    According to Dawn, the signing of this landmark protocol signifies a vital step forward in establishing the necessary legal framework for commercial relations between Pakistan and Russia. Minister Qamar expressed satisfaction with the improvement in trade and political relations between the two nations. Both countries have made substantial strides in enhancing their trade and political ties, particularly in the oil and gas trade sector.

    With the bilateral trade agreement in place, Pakistan stands to reap substantial economic benefits. The provisions, including customs duty discounts and streamlined procedures, offer new opportunities for Pakistani businesses to expand their market presence and capitalize on the growing demand in Russia. This agreement also paves the way for stronger political and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Russia, fostering long-term economic growth and cooperation.

  • Lahore High court orders release of 123 PTI workers

    Lahore High court orders release of 123 PTI workers

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the release of 123 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who were arrested in connection with May 9 protests following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan.

    Justice Anwarul Haq heard PTI leader Farrukh Habib’s plea who sought the release of detained party activists.

    The PTI leader’s lawyer told the court that all of the prisoners are political activists.

    The court directed the government to release them without delay.
    The workers were arrested from Faisalabad and are currently detained in different jails throughout Punjab.

  • China will not attend G20 meeting to be held in Indian-Occupied Kashmir

    China will not attend G20 meeting to be held in Indian-Occupied Kashmir

    China has said that it is opposed to a G20 tourism meeting next week in the disputed Himalayan territory in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, confirming that it will not attend, handing a significant diplomatic victory to Pakistan.

    “China is firmly opposed to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory, and will not attend such meetings,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

    India, which holds the chair of G20 this year, has organised a series of meetings across the country in the run-up to the summit in New Delhi in September.

    Srinagar, the capital of the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, will host a meeting of the tourism working group for G20 members on May 22-24.

    Despite backlash for holding the meeting in disputed territory, the Modi-led government has not backed off from its plans to do so.

  • No evidence of corruption against Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana housing scheme case: NAB

    No evidence of corruption against Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana housing scheme case: NAB

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has found no evidence against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in a case pertaining to Ashiana
    Housing scheme.

    The NAB report highlighted that Shehbaz Sharif did not derive any personal benefits from the Ashiana Housing project.

    The watchdog’s report also cleared Kamran Kiyani, brother of former army chief General (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, of any wrongdoing in government treasury accounts.

    The report concluded that the accountability court should decide on Shehbaz Sharif’s plea for acquittal according to the law.

  • Fact-check: Is the First Lady of Pakistan ill?

    Fact-check: Is the First Lady of Pakistan ill?

    Claim: A screen grab of a news channel apparently airing news that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s wife Tehmina Durrani is experiencing heart trouble is doing the rounds on social media.

    The screenshot says that Tehmina Durrani is experiencing heart complications.

    Fact: Taking to Twitter, Durrani clarified that she is doing very well.

    She wrote, “A country that makes falsehood it’s national language needs to recognise that TRUTH is Islam. By the grace of God, I am very well.”

    VERDICT: The news is false.

  • Modi says want normal and neighbourly relations with Pakistan

    In an interview with a Japanese news media outlet, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he wants “normal and neighbourly relations” with Pakistan.

    “However, it is incumbent upon them to create a conducive environment free from terrorism and hostilities. The onus is on Pakistan,” he added.

    While talking about Indian’s relation with China, Modi said, “Peace and tranquility in the border areas are essential for normal bilateral ties with China”.

    He said that future development of India-China relationship can only be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests.

    He added that “normalising” the ties would benefit the wider region and the world.

  • Weekly inflation in Pakistan remains stubbornly high at 45.72%

    Weekly inflation in Pakistan remains stubbornly high at 45.72%

    Despite coming down marginally, weekly inflation remains above 45 per cent and stood at 45.72 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for the week ended on 18th May 2023, showed data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PSB) on Friday.

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation for the week ended 11th May 2023, recorded a decrease of 0.16 per cent over the previous week due to a decrease in the prices of food and non-food items.

    The year-on-year trend posted an increase due to an increase in the prices of Cigarettes (138.50 per cent), Tea Lipton (114.93 per cent), Potatoes (114.69 per cent), Gas Charges for Q1 (108.38 per cent), Bananas (104.44 per cent), Gents Sponge Chappal (100.33 per cent), Wheat Flour (90.77 per cent), Rice Basmati Broken (86.30 per cent), Eggs (85.86 per cent), Rice Irri-6/9 (80.44 per cent), Petrol (79.85 per cent), Diesel (78.68 per cent), Pulse Moong (66.79 per cent), Bread (63.17 per cent), and Pulse Mash (57.06 per cent), while a decrease was observed in the prices of Tomatoes (38.30 per cent), Onions (30.18 per cent), and Chilies Powdered (6.48 per cent).

    A decrease was observed in the prices of food items: Onions (9.04 per cent), Garlic (1.76 per cent), Sugar (1.42 per cent), Wheat Flour (1.40 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 2.5kg (0.63 per cent), Mustard Oil (0.48 per cent), Pulse Masoor (0.40 per cent), Pulse Gram (0.12 per cent), and Vegetable Ghee 1kg (0.11 per cent); and non-food items: Diesel (10.38 per cent), Petrol (4.24 per cent), LPG (3.02 per cent), and Firewood (0.89 per cent).

    On the other hand, an increase was observed in the prices of Chicken (7.51 per cent), Tea Lipton (4.53 per cent), Gur (2.79 per cent), Eggs (2.29 per cent), Energy Saver (2.22 per cent), Tomatoes (2.11 per cent), Tea Prepared (1.09 per cent), and Curd (1.08 per cent).

    During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 23 (45.10 per cent) items increased, 13 (25.49 per cent) items decreased, and 15 (29.41 per cent) items remained stable.

  • Fact-Check: Have Imran Khan’s sons joined Twitter?

    Fact-Check: Have Imran Khan’s sons joined Twitter?

    Claim:

    Twitter accounts of both the sons of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan have emerged on the micro-blogging site with usernames @SulemanIsaKhan and @kasimkhanreal. Many people are sharing tweets from the accounts, believing them to be Qasim and Suleman Khan.

    Fact:

    However, the screenshots of the accounts are fake, as are the accounts themselves.

    Imran Khan’s ex-wife and mother of his sons, Jemima Goldsmith, has confirmed that both accounts are imposters.
    “Fake accounts pretending to be my children, created by imposters with a political agenda in Pakistan. This is exactly what I feared would happen when you took away Twitter’s verification blue ticks. FYI my children are not on social media & have no plans to be,” she wrote in a tweet.

    Verdict: The verdict is false.

  • Renowned PCB official sacked, some in the line of fire

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee has seen immense changes after the arrival of Chairman Najam Sethi.

    Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Najeeb Soomro, has been sacked by the Board, and it is being said that he was unable to play his role in saving several players from injuries.

    Despite a power show of performance by the players in the New Zealand series, many players are playing without proper rest and recovery which caused problems for the management committee. Several players, including Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shahawaz Dahani, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and Imam-ul-Haq have suffered injuries. Despite not being fully fit, some players were given the go ahead to play, which not only aggravated their injuries but also affected the team.
    Meanwhile, PCB has given an advertisement for the post of Director Sports Medicine.

    Senior General Manager Finance and Accounts, Ateeq Rashid, was also recently asked to hand in his resignation. Another official was sacked due to apparent irregularities regarding honorary match tickets.

    Another director is now also on the hit list. Board officials are not satisfied with his work. Sethi is currently in England, therefore a decision is expected after his return to Pakistan.