Tag: trending

  • Multinational companies plan to leave Pakistan as internet disruptions continue, says PBC

    Multinational companies plan to leave Pakistan as internet disruptions continue, says PBC

    The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) warned on Friday that numerous multinational companies are planning to relocate their offices from Pakistan, with many having already left the country, due to severe internet disruptions.

    “Many multinational companies (MNCs) are either planning to relocate their back offices from Pakistan or have already done so, as the reported imposition of a firewall causes widespread internet disruptions across the country,” the PBC stated.

    Alarm bells went off when the Dubai Chamber of Commerce released a report highlighting that 3,968 Pakistani companies were registered in Dubai between January and June 2024.

    Pakistan ranked second among the top countries whose companies registered in Dubai, signalling an exodus of businesses from Pakistan.

    Hundreds of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers already exist in the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

    “While we struggle with the costs of idle capacity in power generation leading to unemployment and loss of exports and tax revenue, we now have to contend with the threat of idle capacity in the emerging software sector due to poor firewall execution,” lamented the body.

    The tech industry has expressed serious concerns about the internet slowdown, warning that it could cost the debt-ridden nation up to $300 million.

  • No resumption of trade with India: Pakistan Foreign Office

    No resumption of trade with India: Pakistan Foreign Office

    The Foreign Office (FO) in Islamabad confirmed on Friday that no talks about the resumption of trade between India and Pakistan are taking place, citing India’s illegal steps taken in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 2019.

    FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, addressing a weekly press briefing, recalled that the decision to suspend trade with India was taken after 2019, saying, “This situation remains intact.”

    She also condemned the killing of four Kashmiri youths by Indian occupation forces in the Doda district, emphasising that the brutal act was yet another example of India’s oppression of the Kashmiri people.

    The FO spokesperson also spoke on Afghan border issues, condemned the recent clash of both forces on August 12 and called on Afghanistan to avoid unprovoked acts.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur, Shakil Khan accused each other of corruption on WhatsApp

    Ali Amin Gandapur, Shakil Khan accused each other of corruption on WhatsApp

    Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Ali Amin Gandapur and former KPK Minister of Communication and Works Shakil Khan exchange bitter words in the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) parliamentarian Whatsapp group.

    Both exchanged harsh words for an hour and accused each other of corruption at midnight around 1 PM, sources have told Geo News.

    Shakil Khan derided the CM for his perceived lack of authority and promptly resigned from the ministry in the WhatsApp group. Gandapur responded equally swiftly, stating, ”I had already dismissed you.”

    Both deleted their messages after advise from assembly members and ministers.

    Shakil Khan resigned from the ministry while Gandapur termed his performance unsatisfactory.

  • Justice still pending as Jaranwala incident marks one year

    Justice still pending as Jaranwala incident marks one year

    The Christian community in Jaranwala is still awaiting justice one year after the mob attack on their community. The government of Pakistan had promised to provide justice to the victims of the vandalized Christian community and to punish those involved in the violence, but their efforts appear to have been ineffective.

    On August 16, 2023, two Christian residents were allegedly accused of blasphemy, a charge that was later disproved. Despite this, a large mob went on to vandalize 20 churches and around 80 Christian homes.

    Amnesty International has reported that more than 40 percent of the affected Christian families are still awaiting government compensation.

    Out of the 5,213 suspects, 380 were arrested, but 305 individuals were released on court orders.

    Only 85 out of 146 families have received compensation so far, while 61 are still waiting for their due.

    ‘’We saw our houses in complete shambles as the building would soon collapse. To date, we have received no support. My husband is unemployed for a year because no one hires him (due to stigma). Many people received the promised compensation of 2 million rupees (US$7,200), but we did not receive it’’ said Jaranwala resident Christian Khalida Bano.

    The apex court disapproved the police report on the Jaranwala incident in February 2024, stating that it lacked the required information.

    One year later, trials against the culprits have yet to commence.

  • ‘Our govt said goodbye to IMF, who approached it later?’ — Nawaz Sharif

    ‘Our govt said goodbye to IMF, who approached it later?’ — Nawaz Sharif

    Former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif claimed during a press conference in Lahore that some judges removed him from office because he refused to accept a salary of 10,000 dirhams from his son, Hassan Nawaz.

    He pointed out that a household’s electricity bill was only 1,600 rupees under his administration, which has now increased to 18,000 rupees. He also noted that the dollar was valued at PKR 104 during his tenure, and that the cost of flour has now surged, affecting the cost of living.

    Sharif mentioned that “Rs 14 per electricity unit will be credited to the August and September bills for consumption ranging from 0 to 500 units. The Punjab government has also introduced solar panel schemes, budgeting Rs 7,000 billion for the middle and lower-middle classes.”

    He added, “I said goodbye to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during my time in office, but who approached the IMF afterward?”

    “The current condition of my country pains me, and we should not forgive those who brought us to this point,” concluded the PML-N supremo

  • Indian actress Dolly Singh’s bold Independence Day video gets support from Hania Aamir

    Indian actress Dolly Singh’s bold Independence Day video gets support from Hania Aamir

    Famous actress Hania Aamir is receiving high praise from Indian social media users.

    Hania recently uploaded a video by renowned Indian content creator and actress Dolly Singh on her instagram account.

    In the caption, the Pakistani star praised the Indian actor for her powerful message.

    Dolly Singh, known for humorous content on social media, addressed women’s protection in her video.

    Singh expressed anger on the gang rape of a 31-year-old female doctor in the Indian state of Kolkata.

    “Women are given a lot of advice to take care of themselves,” began Dolly before emphasizing that when a woman or girl is mistreated, the blame often falls on the victim.

    At the end of the video, a visibly emotional Dolly remarked that no matter how much a woman takes care of herself, something still happens to her in the end.

    On India’s 78th Independence Day, Singh deliberately congratulated only men for their freedom, saying, “Only men are free in our country; women have not been freed yet.”

    After Hania Aamir shared the video on her account, Indian online users have praised her and questioned the silence of their own actresses.
    Viewers have remarked that, in this case, Hania Aamir has spoken up for women’s rights and praised Dolly Singh’s message, while their own actresses keep silent.

  • PTI MNA’s sexist outburst targets female K-Electric employee in National Assembly

    PTI MNA’s sexist outburst targets female K-Electric employee in National Assembly

    In a shocking development, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, Iqbal Afridi, went on a sexist rant against a female employee of K-Electric during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Energy meeting of the National Assembly on Friday.

    “Mr Chairman, the K-Electric’s female employee’s dress code isn’t appropriate. There should be proper SOPs for dress code in National Assembly,” said the PTI MNA to Chairman Muhammad Idrees.

    Geo News reported that the agenda of the meeting revolved around K-Electric’s performance.

    As the meeting concluded and the team left, the PTI MNA considered it essential to discuss a woman’s attire in the meeting.

    The Chairman of the committee, Muhammad Idrees, apologised in front of journalists, remarking that a woman’s dress code shouldn’t have been discussed in the first place.

    Afridi, however, was undeterred and spoke with journalists, saying, “If this kind of people come into a civilized society, then what will our kids say? You saw the woman who was here; her clothes weren’t appropriate.”

  • ‘My BP did go from 80-200 but it wasn’t a heart attack’, Aima Baig reveals details about her scary run in with exhaustion

    ‘My BP did go from 80-200 but it wasn’t a heart attack’, Aima Baig reveals details about her scary run in with exhaustion

    Renowned singer Aima Baig, who recently said that she had a heart attack, has clarified to her fans that she did not actually have a cardiac problem.

    In her Instagram stories, she updated her followers about her health and thanked her fans and fellow artists for their prayers.

    She wrote, “I had no idea that I have so many fans, so many people praying for me. My respect for all of you has increased.”

    She added, “It was my own fault. For 2-3 weeks, I was continuously traveling, which made it difficult to take care of my health, and as a result, I fell ill. Due to neglecting my health, I became so ill that I had to be admitted to the hospital.”

    She emphasized the importance of taking care of oneself, saying, “We are all human beings and should prioritize our well-being because health is paramount.”

    She further clarified, “I did not suffer from a mini heart attack but was dehydrated due to not drinking enough water and neglecting my diet.”

    She stated, “My blood pressure had risen from 88 to 200, which necessitated emergency hospitalization.”

    Finally, she thanked all of her followers for their prayers and well wishes, and encouraged everyone to take excellent care of their health.

  • Amitabh Bachchan shares advice for married couples amid Abhishek-Aishwarya divorce rumors

    Amitabh Bachchan shares advice for married couples amid Abhishek-Aishwarya divorce rumors

    Amitabh Bachchan, the king of Bollywood, has shared some interesting advice for married couples on how to keep the romance alive.

    For the past year, rumors of a divorce between his son, Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya have been circulating online, as the two have been seen attending events separately. Their silence on the matter also raised concerns.

    However, a few days ago, a Times of India report claimed that Abhishek Bachchan gave an interview to Bollywood UK media, where he was asked about the persistent divorce rumors.

    Abhishek responded, “I don’t have much to say in this regard. You guys just give a different spin to the news, which I understand.”

    He then showed off his wedding ring and added, “See, I’m still married.”

    On his show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ Amitabh offered advice to husbands and wives around the world for a happy married life.

    A couple on the show mentioned that they had been married for 25 years and still loved each other deeply. They shared that they make short videos (reels) wherever they go.

    Bachchan responded, “You’ve given a very good idea. I also suggest that to keep the romance alive, husbands and wives should make videos wherever they go. Whether it’s a walk or a trip, make it a point to create a video together.”

  • Evidence discovered of collaboration between Raoof Hasan and Ryan Grim: ARY News

    ARY News has reported that the law enforcement agencies have discovered alleged evidence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including its secretary information Raoof Hasan, contacts with international journalists.

    The alleged evidences were discovered after authorities raided the PTI secretariat office on July 22.

    A Whatsapp chat conversations purportedly between Raoof Hasan and American journalist Ryan Grim, who has extensively reported on Imran Khan since his ouster from power, have been discovered.

    ARY News also reported that the first contact between Hasan and Grim occurred in January 2024.

    In 2023, The Intercept published an article titled “Secret Pakistan Cable Documents U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan,” authored by Ryan Grim and Murtaza Hussain. The article blamed the state institution of Pakistan for the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan.