Tag: state

  • Pakistani rupee strengthens by Rs2.82 against dollar, closes at Rs270.51

    Pakistani rupee strengthens by Rs2.82 against dollar, closes at Rs270.51

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) experienced an upward trend against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Thursday, appreciating by 1.04 per cent due to expectations surrounding the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the currency closed at Rs270.51 against the US dollar, reflecting an increase of Rs2.82. Despite this improvement, the currency has depreciated by 23.7 per cent during the current fiscal year against the US dollar.

    On Wednesday, the PKR also saw significant gains against the US dollar, closing at Rs273.33, reflecting an appreciation of Rs2.95 or 1.08 per cent.

    In a key development, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF are “on track” and “we will announce good news soon”.

    Speaking to the media, Dar said talks between the two sides had entered the final round, progress has been “satisfactory” and he hopes discussions will conclude today.

    The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was 0.029 per cent higher on Thursday at 103.460, having dropped nearly 0.3 per cent in the previous session.

    Gold prices, rose for a fourth straight session as the dollar faltered, although bullion’s outlook remained cloudy amid the comments made by Fed officials.

    Meanwhile, oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, were broadly steady on Thursday as the prospect of higher fuel demand in China as it reopens post-COVID curbs were offset by fears that US crude stocks hitting their highest for months may signal weakening demand in the world’s number one economy.

  • IN PICTURES: Queen’s funeral

    IN PICTURES: Queen’s funeral

    On Monday, the United Kingdom celebrated the life of Queen Elizabeth II with a state funeral steeped in tradition.

    The site of the funeral service was Westminster Abbey in London. The Queen was crowned here 69 years ago and it was also where she married Prince Philip 75 years ago.

    Leaders from around the world attended the state funeral of Britain’s longest serving monarch. Kings and Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers, celebrities and friends from across the globe were among the 2,000 guests at the Queen’s funeral service

    The Queen’s coffin was then taken to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor where after a committal ceremony, she was to be laid to rest with her parents, her sister and her late husband.

    Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on September 8 in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.

  • Wake up State, yeh hum sub ka masla hai

    Data has revealed that 2,211 children were sexually abused in Pakistan in 2022 from January to June. This horrifying number comes to approximately 12 children who are abused each day according to Sahil, an NGO that works against child sexual abuse. At least 1,207 girls and 1,004 boys were reported to be victims of sexual abuse according to the report.

    Earlier this week, a 10-year-old boy was allegedly raped by the Imam of a mosque in Lahore. As per media reports, the child had gone to offer Fajr prayers in the mosque where the accused, Abbas, took him to the basement and allegedly raped him. Then there was a case where a 16-year-old girl, a grade 9 student, was working as a translator for a Chinese national on a monthly pay of Rs15,000 since May 2021. She was raped by a man for months, who threatened her with dire consequences if she resisted.

    Statistics reveal how bad and ugly it is but what is being done? Answer: nothing. These are just the official numbers or cases that have been reported. There is a growing concern that most cases of rape, sexual abuse, and other such forms of violent abuse against children and young girls are not reported due to societal taboos. Despite laws in place that address these issues, not many victims have found justice. And the way our society reacts to such crimes, by blaming the survivors makes it all the more difficult for people to come forward and report these crimes. With each passing day, a child is raped, a minor girl somewhere in Pakistan is forced to get married, and somewhere someone gets abducted. The silence of the state on matters that need the most attention is rather appalling. For how long will people keep suffering? What are our policymakers doing to make the lives of people in Pakistan better? With all the abuse, harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and rapes being reported, where are we headed as a society? Has humanity died completely? Imagine the pain of the children and the families who have been victims and survivors of these horrific crimes. This needs to stop and the state needs to wake up from its slumber.

    For our part, The Current has been following up on rape cases for almost two years since the Motorway rape incident which happened in October 2020. As of yet, a total of 1584 cases have been recorded from what we found in news outlets. The number is likely way more than this since these are only the ones we found in the news.

    The state also needs to raise more awareness about such crimes. We need to teach our children from a very young age about these sensitive issues. We cannot hide away from these crimes that take place on a regular basis just because our society casts aspersions. If there is justice for the survivors, then more people will find the courage to report these crimes. We cannot let our children down.

  • State files appeal against acquittal of Qandeel Baloch’s brother

    State files appeal against acquittal of Qandeel Baloch’s brother

    The state has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the acquittal of Qandeel Baloch’s brother Waseem Azeem, Parliamentary Secretary for Law Maleeka Bokhari said in a tweet. Waseem Azeem was convicted of Qadeel’s murder in 2016.

    “The state has filed an appeal against the acquittal in the Qandeel Baloch case. The Hon Supreme Court of Pakistan has an opport [opportunity] to set an imp precedent in cases of such brutal murders. The PTI Government led by PM Imran Khan continues to stand for the protection of the rights of women & girls,” the tweet read.

    The Multan Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) acquitted Waseem Azeem on Feburary 14. The verdict was announced on the basis of an agreement between the parties and on retraction of statements recorded by the witnesses.