Tag: Pakistan

  • ‘Censored for being trans’: Transgender rights activist barred from speaking at an event

    ‘Censored for being trans’: Transgender rights activist barred from speaking at an event

    Transgender rights activist Mehrub Moiz Awan was barred from speaking at TEDx International School Lahore (ISL) after some parents of students at the school came forward to complain about a transgender rights activist being included in the panel.

    In a Twitter thread, Moiz wrote how the TEDx ISL admin informed her that she was being removed from the speaker’s panel because certain parents have stated that transgender individuals cannot speak to their children.

    “I was informed that I am being removed from the speaker’s panel because some parents have stated that they can’t allow transgender people to speak to their kids. This is the International School Lahore btw. No objections to the talk, no additional censorship, just flat-out refusal because ‘parents ko aitraaz hai k koi transgender talk day’ were their exact words. Verbatim. Is this even legal? And if it is, is this censorship?” wrote Moiz.

    Designer Maria B is also among those parents who complained about the activist being on the speaker’s panel.

    Twitter is condemning the removal of Mehrub Moiz from the speaker’s panel. In solidarity, some other panelists have also decided to boycott the event.

    Have a look at some of the reactions:

  • Nawaz Sharif will lead the campaign for the next general elections: Rana Sanaullah

    Nawaz Sharif will lead the campaign for the next general elections: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has revealed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will lead the electoral campaign for the next general elections, reports Geo News.

    Addressing a reception ceremony of overseas Pakistanis living in Jeddah, Rana Sanaullah said that the next general elections will be held on time and Nawaz Sharif will be leading the electoral campaign.

    Rana stressed that the government will complete its constitutional term and said that the country cannot afford “Imrani trouble”, corruption and political chaos.

    Rana Sanaullah is currently in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah along with his family.

    Nawaz will return in September

    Federal Minister Javed Latif on August 15 said that the people of Pakistan are wishing for the return of Nawaz Sharif.

    Referring to Nawaz’s supporters as “doctors”, Latif said that “the people are his doctors and doctors change their opinion with time”.

  • Suzuki slashes prices of all locally assembled vehicles

    Suzuki slashes prices of all locally assembled vehicles

    Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) has announced a price cut for all vehicles following Toyota. The latest decline in car prices is attributed to the strengthening of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

    Here’s the latest price list of all Pak Suzuki cars:

    Vehicle Old Price New Prices Reduction
    Alto
    Alto VX Rs1,789,000 Rs1,699,000 Rs90,000
    Alto VXR Rs2,079,000 Rs1,976,000 Rs103,000
    Alto VXL Rs2,399,000 Rs2,223,000 Rs116,000
    Wagon R
    Wagon R VXR Rs2,549,000 Rs2,421,000 Rs128,000
    Wagon R VXL Rs2,699,000 Rs2,564,000 Rs135,000
    Wagon R AGS Rs2,949,000 Rs2,802,000 Rs147,000
    Cultus
    Cultus VXR Rs2,879,000 Rs2,754,000 Rs125,000
    Cultus VXL Rs3,164,000 Rs3,024,000 Rs135,000
    Cultus AGS Rs3,379,000 Rs3,234,000 Rs145,000
    Swift
    Swift GL M/T Rs3,349,000 Rs3,180,000 Rs169,000
    Swift GL CVT Rs3,599,000 Rs3,420,000 Rs179,000
    Swift GLX CVT Rs3,959,000 Rs3,760,000 Rs199,000
    Bolan and Ravi
    Ravi Rs1,499,000 Rs1,349,000 Rs75,000
    Bolan VX Rs1,579,000 Rs1,500,000 Rs79,000
    Bolan Cargo Rs1,566,000 Rs1,487,000 Rs79,000
    Pak Suzuki Latest Car Prices in Pakistan 2022 – 16 August 2022

    Suzuki Swift’s price has decreased significantly by Rs199,000 compared to all other vehicles. The top Suzuki Swift GLX CVT variant will now be sold for Rs3.760 million as compared to its earlier price of Rs3.959 million.

    Read more: Toyota announces price cut for all vehicles

    The Suzuki Ravi Pickup saw the smallest drop in cost, dropping from Rs1.499 million to Rs1.349 million after a tiny reduction of Rs75,000.

  • Civil Awards: Govt honours sports stars on 75th Independence Day

    Civil Awards: Govt honours sports stars on 75th Independence Day

    This year marks the 75th year of independence for Pakistan. To commemorate the occasion, 253 Pakistani citizens from all walks of life, as well as foreign nationals, were awarded the highest honours: the Pakistan Civil Awards by President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, for showing excellent courage and remarkable achievements in their respective fields. A number of prominent Pakistani celebrities, belonging to the field of entertainment and sports were also conferred with the Civil Awards.

    The investiture ceremony of these awards will take place on Pakistan Day — March 23, 2023.

    Read more–Pakistan Civil Awards: List of all the recipients

    14 athletes are also honoured with civil awards.

    Three athletes from the cricketing world have received the awards. Skipper Babar Azam was bestowed with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, women’s cricket team captain Bismah received Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and blind cricketer Masood Jan was honoured with the Pride of Performance award.

    Read more-Winners List: Government honours celebrities with prestigious national awards on 75th Independence Day

    Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt were given the President’s award for Pride of Performance for bagging gold medals for Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.

    Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan has been honoured with Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Mountaineer Sirbaz Khan received President’s award for Pride of Performance.

    Two kabbadi players Ch Shafay Hussain and Shafiq Ahmed Chishti were honoured with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz respectively.

    Ahsan Ramzan (Snooker), Amina Wali (Skiing), Abdul Karim (Mountaineer/Porter), Irfan Mehsood (Martial Arts) and Ms Shahida (Karate) athletes were also awarded with Pride of Performance.

  • Pakistan’s differently abled athlete bags bronze medal at Islamic Solidarity Games

    Pakistan’s differently abled athlete bags bronze medal at Islamic Solidarity Games

    Pakistan’s differently abled athlete Altaf-ur-Rehman has bagged a bronze medal in the Para Table Tennis at the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games. He won bronze after losing in the semi-final.

    “I am very grateful to all those who supported me and prayed for my victory,” said Altaf in a video message.

    The Islamic Solidarity Games are being held in Konya, Turkey.

    This is the second medal for Pakistan in the Islamic Solidarity Games. Earlier, Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Islamic Solidarity Games. The 25-year-old athlete did a record throw of 88.55m to claim the medal.

  • In Pictures: Pakistan unveils its first electric car with 210km range

    In Pictures: Pakistan unveils its first electric car with 210km range

    Except for Pakistan, electric vehicles have gained massive popularity throughout the world. A few imported cars that are available in the local market are pricey and out of the range of the average person.

    Now that Pakistan’s first electric automobile has been launched with some outstanding features, things are set to change.

    NUR-E 75 images – Photos by Pakwheels

    On Independence Day, Pakistan’s first electric vehicle prototype, the NUR-E 75, was displayed on August 14.

    The battery in the car will have a 35kWh capacity with a range of 210 kilometres after being fully charged.

    NUR-E 75 will save a significant amount of fuel, contribute to the fight against climate change, and maintain economic prosperity, claims Dr Khurshid Qureshi, founder and chairperson of the Distinguished Innovation, Collaboration & Entrepreneurship (DICE) Foundation, who developed the prototype.

    It has a maximum speed of 120km/h, tyre size of 16 inches, a ground clearance of 190mm, and a charging capacity of 220V in eight hours, with fast charging also available.

    Dr Qureshi claimed that the production of the car has three stages: the first involved industrial design, production, and launch; the second involved expanding production to include sedans and SUVs, small commercial trucks, and EV platform export; and the third involves exporting the cars.

    Read more: Cheapest new cars to buy in Pakistan

    The completely working prototype, EV NUR-E 75, is ready for testing and regulatory approval, he said, adding that manufacturing started in 2019. Meanwhile, design work on a rolling platform that will be utilised for multiple vehicle segments is in progress.

    The little hatchback’s maximum output is 80 kW (108 horsepower), and its 35 kWh battery can travel 210 km without the air conditioner on.

    He emphasised that the vehicle, given to Pakistan as a gift for its diamond jubilee, would play a significant role in the context of the environment and climate change and help us transition away from the use of non-renewable fuels.

  • PM Shehbaz, Saudi Crown Prince agree on mutual cooperation in investment, energy, and trade

    PM Shehbaz, Saudi Crown Prince agree on mutual cooperation in investment, energy, and trade

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman exchanged views to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries during a telephonic conversation.

    Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to intensify mutual cooperation in the fields of investment, energy, and trade, Radio Pakistan reported.

    According to a Financial Times report, the IMF and Saudi Arabia have also discussed the possibility of Islamabad being able to borrow up to $2.8 billion against Riyadh’s quota of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at the Fund after Saudi Arabia’s decision to renew $3 billion deposit at the State Bank of Pakistan.

    “Once finalised, Pakistan’s extent of borrowing from the IMF during the present financial year (July to June) will increase by $2.8bn. This will be a very important gesture,” read the report.

    On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated the Pakistani nation.

  • Pakistan needs unity more than ever

    Pakistan is celebrating its diamond jubilee, the 75th anniversary of its Independence Day today. A nation that was created in 1947 has come a long way — 75 years of resilience, hard work, commitment, struggle, dedication, and courage to keep fighting the odds. A country that is more than seven decades old sure deserves congratulations but it is high time we introspect because this 75-years-old Pakistan deserves better.

    Look around, what do you see? A nation that was built on unity, faith, and discipline lacks the core of these words. We were founded to have freedoms — the freedom to live, practice our religion, and be who we think and feel. Support whichever notion finds home within us. Have a creative and critical school of thought. Be protective of our fellow Pakistanis. Not judge them for their religious beliefs, political choices, and ethnicities.

    But what are we now? The present day’s 75-year-old Pakistan is far from the idea of its creation. How did we end up forgetting our reason for birth? How did we as a nation fail to stay in discipline and unity? This 75-year-old Pakistan is an amalgamation of extremism, fascism, political polarisation, and pluralistic ignorance. This country has been in the scientific laboratory for a long time now. It is time we find a litmus paper, unanimously to build this country. It is time we come out of this experimental phase and move toward a country that does not discriminate on the basis of gender. Where political leaders stay political and do not misuse religion as they please. Where the sole purpose and work of leaders is towards nation building. We can only hope that the 75-year-old Pakistan becomes strong for its girls and provides them an equal opportunity just like its boys. Where we provide an equal chance at life to the ones who have religious beliefs other than Islam. Where our minorities are not suppressed but rather treated as equals. Where rape, child marriages, abuse, and harassment ends.

    May we all give this country what it truly deserves because all it really takes is unity, faith, discipline, and introspection. Long live Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad!

  • ‘We are no less than anyone in the world’: PM Shehbaz on Independence Day

    Pakistanis all across the world are celebrating the diamond jubilee of Pakistan’s independence. The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute in the provincial headquarters.

    National flags, buntings, portraits of founding fathers, posters, and banners are also seen everywhere as part of the celebration of Independence Day.

    On occasion, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi and other politicians wished the entire nation.

    Addressing a national flag-hoisting and unveiling of re-recording ceremony at Jinnah Convention Centre, PM Shehbaz said that like their forefathers, on this 75th Independence Day, they vowed to transform Pakistan into an economic power.

    “If we can become a nuclear power, we can also become an economic power but for it we have to strive day and night and prove to the world that we are no less than anyone in the world,” he added.

    On Twitter, PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of economic sovereignty. He said, “Time has come for the nation to understand what true freedom means. It is a freedom from want, hunger and poverty. Without economic sovereignty, our freedom is incomplete. Our greatest strength is our people. It is about time we place their welfare at the center of public policy.”

    “While we celebrate our hard-earned independence, Pakistan at 75 calls for deep reflection. We have yet to fully realize the dream that our founding fathers dreamed,” he added.

    The premier went to meet the orphans of the Pakistan Sweet Home in Islamabad. A video shared by PM Office on Twitter showed PM Shehbaz and children cutting the cake.

    https://twitter.com/PMO_PK/status/1558751616773173248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1558751616773173248%7Ctwgr%5E306d44900a005e0c517f096de9b9ea28a4a08c24%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F433640-child-melts-pm-shehbaz-sharifs-heart-at-independence-day-ceremony

    President Dr Arif Alvi urged the nation to remain steadfast and work wholeheartedly for the development and progress and prosperity of the country.

    “We need to remain united to overcome financial, economic and security challenges faced by the country. Let us pledge that we will remain steadfast to render any sacrifice for the dignity and self-respect of our people and greatness and glory of our beloved homeland,” the president said in a message on the 75th anniversary of Independence of Pakistan.

    The president spent his day at Kashana Orphanage. Sharing a picture, he said, “I spent my 75th Independence Day at Kashana Orphanage, a shelter for girls. These happy faces are the real future of my country. I dream of a Pakatan where every girl is educated and becomes a contributor to the national economy.”

    Foriegn Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in his message to the nation also offered his felicitations to the nation. He said, “Pakistan stands tall today as the amalgamation of both ancient and modern. While preserving our historical identity, we are a nation with our eyes on the future.”

    In his messages on the eve of Independence Day, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that the supremacy of elected parliament of the people is essential for a free, independent and dignified Pakistan. “Now the time has come to make sustainable decisions for the country and the nation by fully implementing the Charter of Democracy.”