Tag: Ramadan

  • 264 shopkeepers arrested in Peshawar for overcharging

    264 shopkeepers arrested in Peshawar for overcharging

    During a three-day crackdown on racketeers in Peshawar, the district administration arrested 264 shopkeepers from various parts of the provincial capital on April 11.

    Officials of the district administration visited bazaars in, Hayatabad, Kohat Road, Interior City, Nauthia, Ring Road, Charsadda Road, Dilzak Road, University Road, GT Road, Pajagee Road, Bara Road, and other localities to examine Ramzan bazaars, along with the availability of vital food products, on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peshawar, Shafiullah Khan.

    They investigated the quality and status of the commodities sold at Mega Malls set up as Ramazan Facilitation Counters and detained 264 profiteers from various areas. Fruit and vegetable vendors, milk vendors, butchers, grocers, and others were among those arrested. The district government has signaled that legal action may be taken against them.

    Read more: SBP determined to curb inflation, improve foreign exchange reserves

    Previously, the Minister for Food, Science, and Information Technology in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Atif Khan had also directed the responsible authorities on April 8 to constantly monitor the relief provided to people by the provincial government in terms of food costs.

  • PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has prohibited its pilots and cabin staff members from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

    As per a recent safety notice released by the national flag carrier, fasting is one of the key factors behind diminished human performance.

    The decision is part of the PIA’s in-flight safety measures, which were recently announced by Aamir Bashir, the PIA’s General Manager (GM) of Flight Services.

    In order to meet the physical and psychological demands of flying, a healthy diet is crucial for pilots. Human errors that result in plane crashes can be minimized by focusing on nutrition due to its strong connection with flying performance.

    On-duty pilots and flying crew members should consider several aspects such as tiredness, performance degradation, and refrain from fasting throughout Ramadan, keeping in view the safety of the innocent lives (passengers and other staff).

    In addition to this, the administration has also allowed pilots and cabin crew members to apply for leave who do not wish to give up fasting during the month of Ramadan.

    Read more: Man hacks airline’s website after he lost his baggage

    Lastly, it also noted that non-compliance with the directive could result in the suspension or cancellation of the flying crew’s licenses.

  • Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    Ramzan likely to start on Sunday

    According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Ramzan moon will be sighted on April 2 and the first Ramadan will be observed on April 3, 2022.

    The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene on April 2 (Saturday) to observe the Ramzan moon. Considering the scientific data, Pakistan will observe the first Ramadan on 3 April and Eid-ul-Fitr on 3 May, according to Secretary-General Khalid Ijaz Mufti.

    Earlier, he predicted that the new moon will be born at 11:24 AM on April 1, and the age of the moon will be at least 19 hours at the sunset of April 2 (29 Shaban).

    Ramzan timings for Banks and Educational Institutions

    After educational institutions and offices, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday issued updated public dealing timings for the banking sector for the holy month of Ramadan.

    Banks will operate Monday to Thursday from 10 AM-1:30 PM (without break). While the bank timing for Friday will be 10 AM-1 PM (without break).

    Read more: Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    The educational institutions in Punjab that operate on a single shift will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM. While institutions that operate on double shifts will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

  • Ramzan Relief Package: Utility Stores Corp announces discount on 1,500 items at 4,000 outlets

    Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC) will sell various food items at prices cheaper than the open market through its country-wide retail outlets as a part of its Ramzan Relief Package.

    The state-owned enterprise is offering discounted prices for 19 food items besides 1,500 total items that will be available at 4,000 stores throughout the holy month of Ramzan.

    Consumers will pay Rs950 for a 20-kilogram wheat flour bag under the package, instead of its original price of Rs1100-1350. Similarly, one kilogramme (kg) of sugar would be offered at Rs85 instead of Rs86-93. One kg of subsidized ghee costs Rs260 at USC, whereas edible ghee costs Rs470 on the open market.

    The price of one liter of cooking oil at USC is Rs407, while the open market is offering the same at Rs500.

    Likewise, one kg of daal channa costs Rs162 at USC, while it is being sold at Rs180-190 on the open market. Similarly, a kg of dal moong (washed) costs Rs170, and the open market sells it for Rs180-200 per kg. Washed daal mash costs Rs268 at USC, as compared to its price of Rs280-320 on the open market.

    Furthermore, one kg of daal masoor costs Rs215 at USC, instead of Rs250-280 in the open market. Sella rice will cost Rs165 per kg, basmati rice Rs155 per kg, and tota rice Rs85 per kg.

    The dates will cost Rs140 per kg, whereas dates on the general market will continue selling for Rs200 and Rs240. The 950gm tea pack costs Rs1,042 at USC, in contrast to its price of Rs1,250 in the open market.

    Read more: FBR records 29.1% growth during July 2021 to March 2022

    Ultra-high temperature (UHT) or pasteurized milk at USC is offered at USC for Rs142, and costs Rs165 in the general market. Squashes are sold for Rs250 instead of Rs290, and squashes and syrups (1,500 ml) are available for Rs437, compared to the original price of Rs495 in the open market.

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approves Rs2.5 billion subsidy under Ramzan package

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet on March 29 okayed a subsidy package of Rs2.5 billion for the upcoming holy month of Ramzan, to ensure an uninterrupted supply of edible items at lesser rates.

    KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan presided over the meeting, which was attended by ministers, chief minister’s advisers, and administrative secretaries.

    Following the meeting, government spokesman Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif revealed that 2,800 points had been set up around the KP to sell 20kg bags of wheat flour for Rs800 instead of the customary Rs1100 during Ramzan, while 10kg bags would be sold for Rs400.

    During Ramzan, the cabinet also decided to set up 83 sasta bazaars, 123 Ramazan facilitation centers, 42 mobile utility stores, and 96 Ramzan dastarkhwans.

    All of these points will be supervised by monitoring units led by respective secretaries and deputy commissioners to prevent price hikes and shortages of vital commodities on the market.

  • ‘We are all the same’: Barcelona church opens doors to Ramzan dinners

    ‘We are all the same’: Barcelona church opens doors to Ramzan dinners

    With COVID-19 limitations holding Barcelona’s Islamic population from celebrating Ramadan at the usual indoor venues, a Catholic church has opened its open-air cloisters for Muslims to eat and pray together.

    As per details, every evening almost 50 to 60 Muslims, many of them homeless, walk into the centuries-old stone passages of the Santa Anna church where they are offered with home-cooked food by the volunteers.

    “We are all the same… If you are Catholic or of another religion and I am Muslim, that’s fine,” said Hafid Oubrahim, a 27-year old Moroccan of Berber descent who attends the dinners.

    “We are all like brothers and we must help each other too.”

    Photo via Reuters
    People eat during a charity Ramazan dinner in the cloister at Santa Anna church during the coronavirus outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain on April 28. — Reuters
    Photo via Reuters

    Faouzia Chati, president of the Catalan Association of Moroccan Women, used to organise Iftar gatherings in the city, but restrictions on indoor dining due to the pandemic made her to find an alternative space with good ventilation and area for distancing.

    Read more – Indian man turns rickshaw into oxygen-equipped ambulance, serves people for free

    “People are very happy that Muslims can do Iftar in a Catholic church, because religions serve to unite us, not to separate us,” said Chati.

    Photo via Reuters

    Sanchez looked on as a man intoned the Muslim evening call to prayer beneath the orange trees of the church’s central courtyard, illuminated by the flames of gas heaters.

    “Even with different cultures, different languages, different religions, we are more capable of sitting down and talking than some politicians,” said the rector.

  • Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana was given permission to break his Ramzan fast during a match of the English Premier League (EPL) on Monday. Fofana later thanked the EPL management and the Crystal Palace FC team for allowing him to do so.

    Halfway through Leicester’s 2-1 win, the Crystal Palace FC goalkeeper waited to take a goal kick to allow Fofana to drink some liquids before returning to play.

    The short in-game delay was agreed upon in the captain’s meeting prior to the game. 

    Thanking the management, Fofana wrote: “Just wanted to thank the Premier League as well as CPFC, Vicente Guaita [and] all the Foxes for allowing me to break my fast tonight in the middle of the game.”

    “That’s what makes football wonderful,” added the French footballer.

    Fofana was able to play the entire game after previously playing 61 minutes in a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion — all while fasting. 

    “He’s a young player in the middle of Ramadan so he’s obviously not eating during the day,” Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers told reporters. “I think it’s absolutely remarkable.”

    Meanwhile, it is believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a game has been paused to allow Muslim players to eat and drink mid-game.

  • Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for husband on being apart is relatable

    Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for husband on being apart is relatable

    Shaniera Akram’s emotional note for Wasim Akram on being away for 145 days is highly relatable if you are someone living away from your family, husband or loved ones.

    Sharing a picture of herself and Wasim, Shaniera said: “145 days we have been apart! The longest ever. Although my heart is breaking everyday I have strength and believe that this world will end its suffering soon as there are those who have lost way more than us. InshAllah we have the love that knows no boundaries.”

    “I pray that everyone stays safe, wears a mask and gets vaccinated as soon as possible so that life can continue as normal,” she said further. “I will do my best to be a good mother, citizen and keep my charity and work to help Pakistan as much as I can from here. My prayers to those during this Holy month of Ramadan who are suffering, struggling, in longing or sadly saying goodbye to loved ones.”

    “Missing you Wasim, more than you could imagine. You are our everything,” added Shaniera.

    Read more – Shaniera Akram heartbroken over plastic mess on the beach

    Shaniera, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, went to her home city in January and due to the coronavirus pandemic, she could not return to Karachi where she lives with her husband and children.

  • Mawra Hocane shares her most beautiful present ever

    Mawra Hocane shares her most beautiful present ever

    Actor Mawra Hocane shared her ‘most beautiful present that anyone has given her’ on Instagram. She shared a short video of a beautiful red Holy Quran, tagging Actor Ameer Gilani, thanking him for the present. She also said in the caption, “The most most beautiful present, one could ever give to someone???
    Ty @ameergilani ?” .

    The actor also added that, “P.s it feels like Ramazan already ✨ #Alhumdullilah”, in a post that was shared two days before Ramzan started.

    Ameer replied to Mawra on her post, saying, “All the guidelines to happiness, peace and success???.

    Ramzan starts in Pakistan this week, with Wednesday 14th April being the first roza.