Tag: Pakistan

  • PTI gets permission to hold jalsa on July 6

    PTI gets permission to hold jalsa on July 6

     The Islamabad district administration has allowed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public rally at Tarnol Chowk in Islamabad on July 6, ARY News has reported.

    After the issuance of the NOC, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed the plea filed by PTI leader Amir Masood Mughal.

    Justice Babar Sattar heard the petition and remarked that the Islamabad district administration allowed PTI to hold a power show, and the party should stop creating more problems now.

    PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen said that the party needed more time to arrange the public rally. Justice Babar Sattar said the party is big enough to organise everything within a few hours.

    Earlier, the capital city’s administration rejected PTI’s request to hold a public rally in Islamabad against rigging in the February 8 general elections amid security concerns.

  • How many Afghans have left Pakistan till now?

    How many Afghans have left Pakistan till now?

    The repatriation of illegal Afghans is under way. As of July 3, 2024, a total of 637,427 illegal Afghans have returned from Pakistan.

    Between June 1 and July 3 alone, 7,345 men, 4,732 women, and 4,369 children returned, with 432 families repatriated using 496 vehicles.

    Aaj News reports that a significant number of illegal Afghans chose to return to Afghanistan from Pakistan to avoid arrest even before the federal government’s announcement of expelling illegal foreigners.

  • Another shock for the masses; electricity prices increased

    Another shock for the masses; electricity prices increased

    In another shock to the people, the federal government on Wednesday approved up to 51 percent or Rs 7.12 increase in the per-unit price of electricity from July, The Tribune reported.

    With immediate effect, a whopping 32.5 million consumers, predominantly households, will be compelled to spend an additional at least Rs580 billion in this fiscal year.

    Furthermore, among these 32.5 million consumers, around 26 million households fall in the poorest to low-middle-income groups category. The burden of this price increase will fall on these households.

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had set many conditions for the government to qualify for the next bailout package, including increasing the power tariff.

    For the first time, the government has also imposed fixed monthly charges on residential electricity consumers, ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per unit.

  • Petrol pumps going on nationwide strike from July 5

    Petrol pumps going on nationwide strike from July 5

    The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has decided to close petrol pumps across the country starting from 6 am on Friday, July 5.

    The strike was announced after negotiations between the Association and the government fell apart.

    A delegation from the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association held meetings with the Finance Minister, Chairman of FBR, and Chairman of OGRA.

    Abdul Sami Khan, President of the Petroleum Dealers Association, stated that the strike may last for more than one day, according to an Aaj News report.

    People have been advised to keep petrol tanks filled until July 4, as pumps across the country will begin to run dry tomorrow night.

    He also mentioned that negotiations will not resume until the government reverses its decision. Fourteen thousand dealers across the country will shut down their pumps starting July 5.

    On the other hand, the Pakistan Oil Tankers Association has declared that it will not be part of the strike.

    Shams Shahwani, Chairman of the Oil Tankers Association, stated that petrol and diesel supplies will continue uninterrupted throughout the country. He believes that given the current circumstances, stopping the supply is not an option, and he wants to prevent inconvenience to customers.

  • PTI leadership contacts Fawad Chaudhry

    PTI leadership contacts Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) current leadership has contacted former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry to hold talks for his return to the party, ARY News reported on Wednesday, reportedly also asking him to stop criticizing them.

    PTI representatives stressed the need for unity among opposition parties in the current political scenario.

    As per ARY News, PTI leaders agreed to work together to achieve their goals, welcoming the positive suggestions presented by Fawad Chaudhry.

    Sources within the ARY News confirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser are in contact with Fawad Chaudhry.

    However, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was denied any contact with the former information minister. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan will take the final decision to take Fawad Chaudhry back to the party or not.

  • Sick baby boy replaced with dead girl in Children’s Hospital Lahore

    Sick baby boy replaced with dead girl in Children’s Hospital Lahore

    The staff of Lahore Children’s Hospital replaced an unwell baby boy with a dead baby girl.

    The hospital then handed over the body to the parents.

    Irfan Akram, a citizen of Gujranwala, said that his son was born four days ago, and he brought him to Children’s Hospital Lahore for treatment. “The hospital staff declared the child dead after 6 hours and handed him over to me,” he recalled.

    Upon reaching home, Irfan found out that there was a dead girl in his baby’s clothes.

    The police say a kidnapping case has been registered in the Naseerabad police station, and investigations have started with the help of CCTV footage, while the statements of the child’s family and hospital administration have also been recorded.

  • Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    On Wednesday, senior journalists filed a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the controversial Punjab Defamation Act 2024 after the bill was approved in May of this year.

    Earlier, on May 20, the Punjab Assembly passed the defamation bill despite strong protests by the opposition, journalists, and civil rights organisations.

    “The controversial Punjab Act is repugnant to the Defamation Ordinance 2002, which has been provided protection under Article 270AA under the 18th Amendment to the constitution,” read the petition.

    The petitioners argued in their petition that the Act violated fundamental rights guaranteed in Articles 10A, 18, 19, 19A, and 25 of the Constitution.

    The petition also stated that the Act aims to stifle freedom of speech and dissent, as it has affected the work of journalists due to egregious punishments.

  • ‘Auto-tune’: Shiraz Uppal’s comments on Hira Mani’s singing

    ‘Auto-tune’: Shiraz Uppal’s comments on Hira Mani’s singing

    Veteran musician Shiraz Uppal has stirred up buzz by claiming that actress Hira Mani uses auto-tune in her singing. Shiraz was invited as a guest on ‘Mind Na Karna’ hosted by Ahmed Butt. The host asked about Hira Mani singing abilities.
    Shiraz Uppal said, “I think she’s a fantastic actress, but as for her singing skills, I can make anyone sound like her using auto-tune in my studio.”

    Taking about Hira Mani vocal abilities, he said, “Being a composer and singer, I would judge her seeing that performance.”
    Uppal recently found himself in controversy after he said he trained Atif Aslam and Aima Baig. However, he clarified that he had guided A-list performers like Atif Aslam and Aima Baig to enhance their vocals and tonality, assessing their potential as singers.

    Shiraz said, “I never said I taught them how to sing. People misunderstood me. They are very talented singers. I discussed that as a music producer and singer, I understand the expression I need from vocalists for my compositions. So, I guide them on pronunciation, tone of voice, and expression. However, this doesn’t mean I mentored them in singing.”

  • Curious about Hania Aamir’s marriage plans? Here’s the scoop

    Curious about Hania Aamir’s marriage plans? Here’s the scoop

    Hania Aamir, a popular figure in Pakistani entertainment known as the “dimple queen,” recently discussed marriage in an Instagram Q&A session. She emphasized that while marriage is important, she currently has no plans to tie the knot.

    During the session, Hania shared her admiration for singer Falak Shabir and actress Sarah Khan, naming them as her favorite celebrity couple. When asked about her own relationship status by a fan, she revealed, “I am happily single right now and not actively seeking a romantic partner.”

  • Pakistan aims for more than $6 billion IMF bailout, targets agreement this month

    Pakistan aims for more than $6 billion IMF bailout, targets agreement this month

    Pakistan is on track to finalise a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout exceeding $6 billion by the end of this month, announced Junior Finance Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Wednesday.

    The country, grappling with escalating domestic dissent over new tax measures, has set ambitious revenue targets in its latest budget, aimed at securing IMF approval to avert an economic crisis.

    “We hope to conclude this IMF process within the next three to four weeks,” Malik stated, highlighting the urgency to reach a staff-level agreement before the IMF board’s recess. While estimating the bailout package to exceed $6 billion, Malik underscored that the IMF’s endorsement remains paramount at this juncture.

    Pakistan’s fiscal blueprint for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes a daunting tax revenue target of 13 trillion rupees ($47 billion), marking a nearly 40 per cent surge from the previous year.

    Concurrently, the government aims to slash the fiscal deficit to 5.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 7.4 per cent in the preceding year.

    Malik defended the stringent budgetary measures, asserting that they were essential to pave the way for an IMF programme, which he claimed the lender had acknowledged positively during discussions. However, the anticipated budget approval from the IMF could exacerbate public discontent, analysts warn.

    “While these budget reforms may strain the local economy, the IMF programme prioritises economic stabilisation,” Malik affirmed.

    Economist Sakib Sherani, from the private firm Macro Economic Insights, highlighted the urgency of sealing a swift deal with the IMF to mitigate pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and currency, given impending debt repayments and the unwinding effects of earlier capital and import controls.

    “If delays persist, the central bank may need to temporarily reinstate import and capital controls, leading to a period of uncertainty with potential implications for equity markets,” Sherani cautioned.

    In conclusion, Pakistan’s pursuit of an IMF bailout underscores its efforts to stabilise its economy amidst mounting challenges, balancing economic imperatives with public sentiment.