Tag: Top News

  • Audit report reveals illegal hiring in PTA causing over Rs45 million loss

    Audit report reveals illegal hiring in PTA causing over Rs45 million loss

    The Auditor General of Pakistan’s annual audit report for 2023-2024 has revealed significant irregularities in the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), leading to a loss of over Rs 45million, Samaa reported.

    The report stated that illegal recruitment in the PTA during financial year 2022-23, including two assistant directors and one IT officer, took place without the presence of any relevant job posts.

    Generally, government job vacancies appear as advertisements in the newspapers but most recruitments in the PTA did not adhere to established criteria.

    The audit report highlighted that the PTA has paid Rs 45.9 million in salaries and perks to these alleged illegal recruitments.

  • Students ‘inciting violence’ can face cancellation of their identity cards, passports

    Students ‘inciting violence’ can face cancellation of their identity cards, passports

    The Interior Ministry has announced that strict measures will be taken against students involved in or promoting violent activities, including their names being added to the Fourth Schedule.

    According to Section 11EE of the ATA, the Fourth Schedule is to include “any person who is an activist, office-bearer or an associate of an organisation kept under observation … or proscribed … or … affiliated with any group or organisation suspected to be involved in terrorism or sectarianism.”

    If an individual’s name is added to the Fourth Schedule, many of his/her constitutional rights are suspended, such as the cancellation of the identity cards and passports, prohibition from leaving their city, and denial of character certificates from any educational institution.

    The notification issued by the Interior Ministry emphasised that departments should be ready for action against potential troublemakers, The News reported.

    Last week, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that it would launch a movement for the restoration of the Constitution and revival of the student unions in the country.

  • Pakistan will get $500 million from Islamic Bank to purchase crude oil

    Pakistan will get $500 million from Islamic Bank to purchase crude oil

    Pakistan has secured a $500 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to purchase crude oil from the international market. The loan will be provided in installments throughout the fiscal year 2024-25.

    The Nation has reported that Pakistan will receive $100 million from the IDB in the first quarter of FY2024-25, followed by $150 million in the second quarter. The remaining $25 million will be distributed equally in the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year.

    It may be recalled that Pakistan was assured of $3.6 billion by the IDB at the Geneva Donor Conference held last year.

    Meanwhile, oil prices rose for a fifth consecutive session on Monday, extending gains from last week’s more than 3 percent rise, as US recession fears eased while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East supported prices.

    Brent crude futures climbed 28 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $79.94 a barrel by 0635 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $77.26.

    IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore said that the rise in oil prices to improve US economic data from last week, which raised concerns about a potential US recession. Additionally, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have contributed to the rising pressure on oil prices.

  • Heartbroken Indian Fans Pay Tribute to Haniya Aslam

    Heartbroken Indian Fans Pay Tribute to Haniya Aslam

    Indian fans are expressing deep sorrow and paying heartfelt tributes to renowned musician Haniya Aslam, who recently passed away. The news of her death has resonated deeply across borders, touching the hearts of many in India who admired her work.

    Aslam, best known for her role in the iconic duo Zeb-Haniya, had a significant impact on music lovers worldwide. In India, her unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds won her many admirers. Fans have taken to social media to share their condolences and celebrate her remarkable contributions to music.

    Messages from Indian fans highlight their grief and admiration, reflecting the profound influence Haniya had on the music scene. Her legacy continues to inspire, and her loss is felt deeply by those who followed her career and cherished her artistry.

    Check the tweet below:

  • Government to introduce 5-year economic plan under supervision of British economist Stefan Dercon

    Government to introduce 5-year economic plan under supervision of British economist Stefan Dercon

    A five-year economic plan for the development of Pakistan’s struggling economy has been prepared under the supervision of Belgian-British economist Stefan Dercon. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to launch it on August 14.

    Geo News reported that the proposed economic plan has been named the Stefan Dercon plan. It contains target of 6 percent annual economic growth target by 2028.

    The ambitious plan also emphasises on structural reforms to take the export target to $60 billion by 2028.

    The proposed plan prioritises the promotion of private investment and the increase in exports. The successful implementation of reforms is estimated to create one million employment opportunities annually.

    According to the Dercon Plan, the proposed plan’s results would be fairly visible by 2028, one year after the IMF programme ends.

    “The failure of structural reforms for growth in Pakistan is not due to a lack of ideas, but a lack of political will to implement these reforms,” warns the draft report.

    It also warns that Pakistan won’t get chances like this; therefore, the opportunity must not be wasted.

  • Helicopter crashes into hotel roof in Australia

    Helicopter crashes into hotel roof in Australia

    A helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in northeastern Australia on Monday, police said, igniting a blaze atop the building and forcing a mass evacuation.

    Mangled pieces of the helicopter’s propeller landed in the hotel’s pool, said an emergency services official, adding that one man was treated at the scene with life-threatening injuries.

    Hundreds of patrons were evacuated from the DoubleTree by Hilton in the tropical northern city of Cairns after the helicopter crashed around 1:50 a.m. local time.

    Images showed a bright plume of fire blazing on the hotel’s roof.

    “They just flew into that building,” a female voice says in a video shared on social media that captured the aftermath as sirens blared in the background.

    “Madness, man. Shivers. People were living in that. It smashed right in.”

    Queensland Ambulance supervisor Caitlin Denning said the aircraft’s propellers had “dislodged”.

    “One landed on the Cairns Esplanade and there was a second propeller located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor and it was on fire,” she told local media.

    Queensland police said “there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground”.

    Cairns is a popular tourist hub that offers a gateway to Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef.

    A team of government investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have been dispatched to the crash site.

  • Pakistani celebrities pay heartfelt tributes to Haniya Aslam

    Pakistani celebrities pay heartfelt tributes to Haniya Aslam

    Pakistani celebrities are deeply saddened by the passing of renowned musician Haniya Aslam. Many have taken to social media to share heartfelt tributes, remembering her immense talent and the lasting impact she had on the music industry.

    Her legacy, particularly as one-half of the iconic duo Zeb-Haniya, has been fondly recalled by fans and fellow artists alike. The outpouring of love and condolences reflects the deep loss felt by all who knew and admired her.

    Check the tweets below:

  • Political stability cannot be achieved with rigged elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Political stability cannot be achieved with rigged elections, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    The Awam Pakistan (AP) party convener, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has stated that political stability cannot be achieved in a country with rigged elections.

    “Every system in the world has been tried in this country, and now it’s time to turn to the Constitution,” the former Prime Minister said during the launch of the ‘Foundation and Vision Document’ event for the (AP) manifesto.

    “The country doesn’t function because no one adheres to their oaths,” he opined.
    While talking about the economy, he noted, “The state of the economy today is the same as it was ten years ago.”
    Abbasi mentioned that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) might be an issue, but the real problem is the economy’s failure.
    Former finance minister Miftah Ismail was also present at the event. He said the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award should be reviewed.

    “The government is providing Rs 109 billion to cover the losses of the railways. We bear these losses because the railways operate for the benefit of its employees and officers, not for the public,” he added

  • Brother kills sister for skipping Class 9 exam

    Brother kills sister for skipping Class 9 exam

    A man from Sahiwal shot his sister dead after she skipped her 9th-class Mathematics board exam.

    Sadia, 16, had taken her 9th class exam conducted by the Sahiwal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, but she skipped the Mathematics paper, as per the FIR.

    Her family came to know about her actions after the result was announced.

    The victim’s brother, Adil Hussain, admonished her over the result, and a severe argument took place. On Saturday night, Sadia was in her room when Adil again shouted at her for failing the exam.

    The argument escalated, leading to the suspect drawing out a weapon and firing six shots at his sister. The suspect escaped while Sadia succumbed to her injuries on her way to the Rural Health Centre, Hujra.

    Sadia and Adil’s father had passed away.

    The local police registered a case on the report of their mother, Sajida Bibi.

  • Bajay na bajao; Loud Baja banned in capital on August 14

    Bajay na bajao; Loud Baja banned in capital on August 14

    The infamous August 14 ‘Bajas’ have been banned in the federal capital territory during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

    Samaa News has reported that Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz imposed a ban on the sale and use of “Baja” to ensure order and the peaceful observance of Independence Day.

    The DC requested the public to refrain from using these items, “In light of recent observations and to ensure a safe and orderly Independence Day celebration, we are enforcing a complete ban on the sale and use of bajas,” he stated.

    “We request all residents to cooperate by avoiding the use of these items,” the notification added.

    The DC has also instructed stall owners to stop the sale of ‘baja’ immediately. He warned that legal action would be pursued against anyone found violating this directive.

    However, Samaa reported that the baja is being sold openly at various stalls across Islamabad.