Tag: Top News

  • PM Imran’s US trip cost taxpayers Rs11 million

    PM Imran’s US trip cost taxpayers Rs11 million

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s visit to the United States (US) has cost the national treasury around Rs11 million ($67,180), it was revealed Thursday.

    According to the breakdown of expenses released by the government, Rs1.35 million were spent on accommodation for PM’s 27-member delegation, while the PM chose to stay at Pakistan Embassy.

    An amount of Rs92,120 were incurred on transport, Rs142,000 on gifts, Rs6,075,800 on airfare, miscellaneous expenditures stood at Rs1,287,460, tips at Rs706,001 and meals at Rs1,389,077.

    There was no TA/DA for any official and the ministers accompanying PM Imran.

    WAY LESS THAN NAWAZ, ZARDARI’S EXPENSES:

    The premier set an example of simplicity and austerity by saving millions of rupees of the national exchequer as he spent much less than the visits of former PM Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari.

    His spendings were 11 times less than Zardari and eight times less than Nawaz, who spent $752,688 and $549,853 on their visits to the US, respectively.

    Earlier, PM Imran travelled to the US on a commercial flight instead of a special aircraft. He stayed at the residence of Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington DC instead of a 7-star hotel, while he bore his family’s expenditure himself.

    His visit was termed a success owing to the mammoth crowd he pulled at Washington’s Capital One Arena and his meeting with President Donald Trump wherein the two leaders forged good chemistry.

  • Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Extremism is no joke. Pakistan has suffered for the larger part of its history because of extremists. It’s something every single Pakistani is aware of and it’s nothing new. But using it as a casual term in a soft drink advertisement is.

    On July 28, after the Ad was released in a big social media and television campaign, singer and politician Jawad Ahmad tweeted: “The new #Coke Ad is an ugly interpretation of the word ‘Extremism’. It shows how low can marketing of a brand stoop to, just to make more money.

    It is dumb & immature of marketing team of Coke to use such a highly socially sensitive word so non-seriously just to sell their bottles.”

    Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority also found the advertisement to be problematic and has ordered that the Ad not be run on television or the radio until they review it. The Authority stated in their notice that they had gotten many complaints against the Ad and that, “the content of the advertisement is not only offensive but also tantamount to demeaning Pakistanis, as a nation.”

    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed
    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed

    It’s not clear what clause PEMRA has used to ban the Ad. The Authority will make it clear when the Ad is reviewed and the controversial content is omitted (which might be difficult in this case). Until then, judge for yourself.

    Watch the Ad here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIuU_kKWYZs
  • Everything we know about Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz’s engagement

    Everything we know about Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz’s engagement

    Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain’s very public engagement at the Lux Style Awards had created quite a stir when it happened. A few weeks later, people finally got over it and moved on. Magar hua kuch yoon, keh eik aur twist aagaya. Turns out, the couple had been formally betrothed a long time ago and pictures from the event have finally surfaced on social media, sending fans into a frenzy once again.

    It all started when Iqra’s sister, Sidra shared a photo of the couple from what appears to be an intimate engagement ceremony. Fans began to speculate that the engagement happened in February because Iqra had posted pictures of herself in the same dress and styling as in the picture below. Yasir also sported a beard, which he had removed for his play Naach Na Jaane.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0iXvblA1HW/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BtvwAZWHRF0/

    Needless to say, that led people to comment that the LSA engagement was staged by the couple as a publicity stunt. And it turns out that the fans were right. About the February part, not the engagement or publicity one.

    Because a few hours later, Yasir took to Instagram to share that the pictures were from the couple “baat paaki” ceremony which was an intimate family affair. He said that according to him the engagement happens when rings are exchanged and those were exchanged in front of the whole world at LSA 2019. He said Iqra had no idea about the proposal and that he doesn’t care what the world has to say because he’s happy and in love.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lCEgmDMiZ/

    Here are some more pictures from the baat pakki event.

    Following Yasir’s post, best man Asad Siddiqui also shared a picture with the couple from a private event they did to celebrate. Asad’s post also came with a note in which he requested everyone to think before passing comments on someone’s special moment.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lSJJbHaeh/
  • Condition of brown bear in Islamabad Zoo sparks furor

    Condition of brown bear in Islamabad Zoo sparks furor

    As government agencies in Islamabad tussle over who is responsible for Islamabad Zoo’s management, animals are suffering and being neglected, with many falling sick. Though activists have been actively campaigning for the animals’ plight, little to none is being done to help the animals who are suffering in the hot, humid Pakistani summer.

    Recently, a video of the Himalayan Brown Bear caged in Islamabad Zoo has sparked outrage and furor among activists and people alike.

    The video, shared by HWO Animal Rescue, shows the bear in a deplorable condition. It is having trouble breathing and is lying listlessly in its enclosure, which doesn’t even have water.

    HWO Animal Rescue also shared a side by side picture of a healthy brown Himalayan Bear and the one lying in the enclosure and the difference is horrifying.

    Several people, including journalists and actors, voiced their concern for the bear and tweeted to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to take some action.

    However, the DC informed that the zoo does not come under his jurisdiction. Despite that, he broke into the zoo with the police and had the bear examined by a private vet who said that the bear was fine.

    Meanwhile, Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that a team has been constituted by her for the complete tests, profiling, medical treatment and nutritional requirements of this bear and all other animals.

    It is pertinent to mention here that there is an ongoing tussle between the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation and the Ministry of Climate Change over the management of the zoo. After a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court against the zoo’s management, the court had handed over management of the city’s zoo to the climate change ministry till August 29. However, the director of Marghazar Zoo is resisting the transfer and is not cooperative. He locked the gates when officials of climate change ministry went to take over control of the zoo.

  • Tareen’s Multan Sultans played PSL 4 without depositing franchise fee

    Tareen’s Multan Sultans played PSL 4 without depositing franchise fee

    Ali Khan Tareen’s Multan Sultans participated in the fourth edition of the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) without depositing the mandatory franchise fee, Cricket Pakistan reported.

    Tareen-led Multan Consortium had won the franchise rights for the sixth team of the cricketing tournament, however, reports claim that the annual franchise fee of $6.35 million has not yet been paid to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    According to PSL rules and regulations, every franchise is required to deposit the fee before the start of the season. But despite the passage of over four months since the league’s final match, Sultans have not yet cleared the dues.

    “Multan Sultans is in compliance of their franchise agreement,” the report quoted PCB as saying while neither confirming nor denying the news.

    Meanwhile, Tareen tweeted:

    PCB had previously terminated the franchise agreement of the Multan Sultans franchise ahead of the fourth season. The termination was brought about due to the franchise’s inability to meet its financial obligations under the agreement.

    In the new bidding process, the PCB had set the reserve price at $5.21 million per annum for a period of seven years. This reserve price had been exceeded by the Ali Tareen-led group.

    The new owners had decided to continue with the same name for the franchise.

  • PIA is offering up to 20% discounts for certain destinations

    PIA is offering up to 20% discounts for certain destinations

    The Eid Al Adha 2019 holidays are just around the corner,
    and Pakistan International Airlines has made sure that you get Eid bonus.

    PIA is offering a 10% discount to all the customers traveling from Pakistan to London till 10th August. For people traveling to the UAE, there is a 20% discount till 12th August.

    From September 24th to 30th November, PIA will be offering its passengers a 10% discount for London to Sialkot flights.

    Senior citizens will also get a special discount of up to 10% and school students will receive a 10% discount on international and domestic flights.

  • ‘Pakistan Post entering $34.2bn logistics market, expecting investment up to $1.5bn’

    ‘Pakistan Post entering $34.2bn logistics market, expecting investment up to $1.5bn’

    Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed has said that Pakistan Post was entering the country’s logistics market, which at present is worth $34.2 billion and is growing at a rate of more than 18 per cent per year.

    “Pakistan Post is expecting up to $1.5 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on public-private partnership model for its capacity building in the logistic sector,” Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted the minister as saying.

    FDI is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country.

    Within past one year, Pakistan Post has introduced revolutionary initiatives, including Electronic Money Order (EMO) at doorstep, Mobile App, E-Commerce and Same Day Delivery services, to improve efficiency and expand its network across the globe.

    According to Pakistan Post Director General (DG) Dr Naseer Ahmed Khan, the national postal operator is adopting new communication and information technologies to move further.

    He said that on the special directives of the federal minister, Pakistan Post has initiated inclusive measures to develop a better perception of its services among the public by ensuring timely delivery of mail, money and other articles.

  • Is Sheheryar Munawar secretly in ‘love’ with Mahira Khan?

    Is Sheheryar Munawar secretly in ‘love’ with Mahira Khan?

    Shehryar Munawar may be doing a film with Maya Ali, but it appears that his favourite co-star will always be Mahira Khan.

    In a note posted to social media, Sheheryar expressed his love for Mahira and called her his “super nova.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ip5SfnN5P/

    Here’s what Mahira had to say:

    We’re not saying that they aren’t best friends but it looks like there’s more to than what meets the eye because this is not the first time, Sheheryar has expressed his love for Mahira.

    On the Lux Style Awards Red Carpet, Sheheryar was caught on camera giving Mahira a kiss.

    Sheheryar-Munawar-Kissed-on-Mahira-Khan-Face-Lux-Style-Award-2019

    Then, before the release of their second film, 7 Din Mohabbat In, Sheheryar had penned an emotional note for his leading lady.

    “I’m so glad it’s you that I get to share this experience with and not anyone else,” he had written.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BkDeGncnmpy/

    And Mahira’s response:

    Sheheryar and Mahira have shared the screen in two films together, Ho Mann Jahaan and 7 Din Mohabbat In.

  • Two men murder teenager over chicken karahi bet in Lahore

    Two men murder teenager over chicken karahi bet in Lahore

    Two men were arrested for killing a
    16-year-old in Lahore over personal enmity.

    As per details, the teen went missing from his area in Kot Lakhpat eight months back. His family said that he went to buy his father’s medicine but never came back.

    According to the police, the suspects, identified as Rizwan and Osama, were recently arrested for theft and robbery. During the inquiry, Osama told the police that he murdered the teen because his friend Rizwan had promised to buy him chicken karahi if he killed him. Osama told the police that he choked the boy to death and with Rizwan’s help, threw his body into a canal.

    The deceased’s mother said that the suspects had even pretended to search for her son when he was missing, even though they were behind his death.

    SP (Superintendent) Asim Saifullah also revealed that Rizwan was in a relationship with the teenage boy’s sister.

    The police have registered a murder case against Osama and Rizwan.

  • PTI govt excludes ‘most corrupt govt of last 19 years’ from its investigation: report

    PTI govt excludes ‘most corrupt govt of last 19 years’ from its investigation: report

    The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has excluded from its probe the country’s “most corrupt government of the past 19 years” as it investigates foreign loans obtained by previous governments, The News reported.

    As per the details, the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led government has formed a high-powered commission to probe Rs24,000 billion loans acquired during the past 10 years.

    While the PTI is only focusing on the last 10 years of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) governments, last 19 annual reports of Transparency International (TI) — a Berlin-based global watchdog — show that corruption was at its peak in Pakistan during General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s military rule.

    According to The News, TI, which publishes annual Global Corruption Barometer and Corruption Perception Index (CPI) to give a comparative listing of corruption worldwide, shows more corruption in Musharraf’s tenure as compared to the latest of the two former ruling parties.

    The least corruption in terms of the best CPI score was attained by Pakistan in 2018, the year which was shared by the rule of the outgoing PML-N, caretaker setup and the PTI.

    Although the last tenure of the PPP was generally dubbed the most corrupt in the country’s history, the TI annual reports record shows that the lowest score during the last PPP regime has been 24 out of 100 (2.4/10) in 2009 as against 21 under Musharraf.

    It means that the last PPP tenure’s lowest score is three points better than Musharraf’s lowest score.

    HIGH-POWERED COMMISSION:

    The ruling PTI recently formed a high-powered commission, headed by National Accountancy Bureau (NAB) Deputy Chairman Hussain Asghar, to probe the soaring loans piled up over the past 10 years.

    The 12-member commission includes officials from NAB, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Military Intelligence (MI), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    According to a government notification, the federal government would hire national and international experts to conduct forensic audits of investment and expenditure of the past governments during the last 10 years.

    The commission will have to submit interim reports of progress every month and a final report within six months.

    It would also probe all development projects, kickbacks and contracts during 2008-2018. Embezzlement of government funds and alleged corruption in the development projects would also be investigated.