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Author: News Desk

  • 24-karat gold price increases by Rs1,300 per tola

    24-karat gold price increases by Rs1,300 per tola

    In a persistent upward trend, the domestic bullion market showcased further gains, particularly in the value of 24-karat gold, which surged by Rs1,300 per tola to reach Rs212,400 on Friday.

    According to the latest report from the Karachi Sarafa Association, the price of 10-gram 24-karat gold experienced a notable increase, reaching Rs182,099 and reflecting a gain of Rs1,115 compared to the previous session.

    Simultaneously, the price of 10-gram 22-karat gold saw an uptick, settling at Rs166,924.

    Despite the positive momentum in the gold market, silver prices remained steady, with 24-karat silver holding at Rs2,580 per tola and 10-gram silver trading at Rs2,211.93.

    Interestingly, despite today’s substantial rise in gold prices and the prevailing political instability in the country, local gold is on track to record a weekly loss.

    This comes on the heels of hotter-than-anticipated US inflation data released on Wednesday, causing gold to dip below the $2,000 mark for the first time in two months.

    Bloomberg reported that the American Consumer Price Index (CPI) data disappointed investors, reversing recent declines in price pressures and dampening expectations for rate cuts this year.

    However, the international spot gold has rebounded strongly since Wednesday’s decline, currently trading at $2,007.61, reflecting a gain of over $3 day-over-day.

    Amidst these global dynamics, the fluctuation in the domestic currency plays a crucial role in determining the domestic gold rate.

    It’s noteworthy that the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) snapped its 13-week-long and historic winning streak against the US Dollar, experiencing a marginal drop of 8 paisa.

    Given that gold is denominated in US dollars, a depreciation of the PKR against the dollar contributes to the rise in the value of PKR-denominated gold.

    The bullion market’s resilience in the face of global challenges highlights its sensitivity to both local and international economic factors, providing a nuanced perspective for investors and stakeholders.

  • ‘PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,’ says Faisal Karim Kundi

    ‘PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,’ says Faisal Karim Kundi

    As confusion around the formation of the government rages, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi has said that if his party had chosen to sit in opposition, the country would’ve gone towards another election.”The PPP will stay in Parliament for constructive criticism,” he stated.

    While addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Kundi said PPP will contest the seats of Senate Chairman and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), adding that PPP will also help Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) form a government in the centre.

    The politician also urged all political parties to work together for political stability in Pakistan.

  • ‘Main petrol nahin peeta’; Asif Ali takes U-turn

    ‘Main petrol nahin peeta’; Asif Ali takes U-turn

    National cricketer Asif Ali took a U-turn on a previous statement where he had said that he practices 300 sixes daily.

    Ehile talking to the media, Asif Ali said, “Recently I said that I don’t drink petrol to hit 300 sixes a day? During the camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) I practiced hitting sixes, but I was wrong about this statement.”

    Morover, he said “Babar Azam tries to guide all the players on the field, his greatness is that he trusted me and made me a part of his team.

    In August 2022, Asif Ali said that he tries to hit 300 sixes during daily practice so that he can hit sixes during the match. He faced a lot of criticism for his statement after his poor performance in the Asia Cup.

  • First-year students with low scores to be given additional marks

    First-year students with low scores to be given additional marks

    Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has directed the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) to give the students of Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical, and General Science Part-I up to 15 percent additional marks in their exams, reports Geo News.


    The Sindh caretaker CM approved recommendations of a fact-finding committee formed to investigate Intermediate Part-I students’ getting unusually low marks this year.


    The committee submitted its report to the chief minister, following which BIEK’s IT in-charge was removed from his post.


    The CM said it had been decided on the committee’s recommendation that the students of pre-engineering, pre-medical, and general science would be given 15 percent extra marks.


    The committee advised forming paper patterns and a scheme for giving marks before the beginning of the educational year. It also said that the paper pattern and marking scheme would be implemented for three years. The Sindh CM ordered the relevant departments to increase the number of paper inspection centres to 10 in the city. He added that the MCQs papers should be checked with an optical marks recognition system so that there is no mistake.


    CM Baqar ordered that employees including head examiners, examiners, and invigilators should be trained, adding that the rules and regulations of BIEK should be strictly implemented.


    “The controller of examinations, all deputy controllers, and the IT manager are responsible for conducting the examinations in 2023,” he said.
    He also mentioned that notices should be issued against the board officers who do not follow the rules and regulations.


    Background


    On January 23, the BIEK released the results for Part I (first year) of the examination, revealing a concerning decline in the students’ performance.
    The statistics indicated that 80% of candidates failed in Arts (Regular), 72% failed in Arts (Private) and 63% failed in Commerce (Private) groups.
    Earlier in the results released, only 36.51% of candidates were successful in Pre-Medical, 34.79% in Pre-Engineering, and 38.69% in computer science groups.


    Most students who passed their matriculation exams with lower marks faced potential challenges in securing admissions to professional universities and colleges, given that admissions are typically based on Inter Part-I marks.

  • No meetha for people at health ministry in Pakistan

    No meetha for people at health ministry in Pakistan

    The Federal Ministry of Health has imposed a ban on eating sweet items in its subordinate institutions, reports Samaa News.


    According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Health, many diseases are caused by sweet drinks so the Federal Ministry of Health has banned the use of sweet items in its subsidiaries. Eating and drinking sweets are no longer allowed in all institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health.

    An advisory has been issued by the Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan that sugary drinks cause communicable and non-communicable diseases and that is why confectionery of all sorts will not be served in official meetings or functions.

  • Somia Asim charged in Rizwana torture case

    Somia Asim charged in Rizwana torture case

    The district and sessions court Islamabad has on Friday indicted Somia Asim, wife of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez, in the Rizwana torture case.

    The case was heard by civil judge Umar Shabbir. Rizwana’s mother and the suspect Somia Asim appeared in the court with their respective lawyers.

    During the hearing, the court read out the indictment while Somia Asim denied the crime.

    The court has formally started the trial against Somia and adjourned the hearing of the case till March 20, calling the witnesses to record their statements at the next hearing.

    Somia Asim is accused of torturing the young domestic maid Rizwana.

    Case

    Rizwana had been allegedly tortured and abused while working at a civil judge’s home in Islamabad, after she was accused of stealing jewellery. Rizwana’s family revealed that the girl was not paid a single penny by the family for the extensive workload she was doing and was instead subjected to violence.

  • Phir say ‘Ain’; PTI’s obsession with Urdu alphabet continues

    Phir say ‘Ain’; PTI’s obsession with Urdu alphabet continues

    In the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the Urdu letter “Ain” holds immense importance.

    PTI founder Imran Khan has nominated Omar Ayub Khan, whose name starts with “Ain,” as the prime ministerial candidate.

    PTI also nominated Ali Amin Gandapur, whose name also starts with “Ain,” as the party candidate for the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    There are interesting and funny comments about this on social media, reminding us that Imran also begins with Ain, Usman Buzdar with Ain, Arif Alvi, Omar Ayub, and Ali Amin Gandapur all start with Ain.

    During PTI government, speculation was rife that Bushra Bibi asked Iman Khan to appoint a person whose name starts with ‘Ain’ as the chief minister of Punjab. After that, the PTI founder chose Usman Buzdar.

  • Maryam Nawaz briefed on Punjab projects even before CM election

    Maryam Nawaz briefed on Punjab projects even before CM election

    The Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz, received a briefing on development projects in Punjab. The PML-N nominated Maryam Nawaz as their choice for the province’s chief minister.

    Zahid Akhtar Zaman, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, briefed the PML-N leader after she was nominated for the top provincial position.

    According to sources in Geo News, the provincial chief secretary went to Jatti Umrah on Thursday to brief Maryam and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on the current situation in Punjab.

    During a meeting, Zaman explained the ongoing projects as well as the law and order situation in the province.

    Maryam Nawaz won a National Assembly (NA) and a Provincial Assembly seat in the general elections.

    The party’s stalwart was elected by voters on PP-159 and NA-119, respectively.

  • Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed wins gold medal at Taekwondo Championship in Iran

    Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed wins gold medal at Taekwondo Championship in Iran

    Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed has won the gold medal in the 33rd Fajr Open Taekwondo Championship played in Tehran.

    Pakistan Army’s Hamza Saeed won the gold medal by defeating Iran’s Mohammad Ibrahim Hosseini 9-1 and 14-3 in the final of the 87 plus category.

    Shahzaib won the silver medal in the event and Pakistan secured the second position in the championship. Shahzaib Khan was defeated by an Iranian player in the final of 54 category.

    In the Fajr Open Taekwondo Championship, Iran won first spot, Pakistan second and Kazakhstan third. Hamza Saeed from Pakistan Army was declared the best player of Fajr Open.

    The Pakistan team will also participate in the World Taekwondo President’s Asia Cup from February 16 to 19 and the Asian Club Taekwondo Championship from February 21 to 22 in Tehran.

  • Syra Yousuf’s heartwarming Galentine’s Day celebration wins hearts

    Syra Yousuf’s heartwarming Galentine’s Day celebration wins hearts

    Pakistani actor Syra Yousuf did something special for Valentine’s Day. Instead of celebrating with a romantic partner, she celebrated with her favorite girls on ‘Galentine’s Day’. Syra shared pictures on Instagram of her Galentine’s Day celebration with her daughter, Nooreh, her niece, and her step-daughter, Zahra, posting three pictures showing how happy they were together. In the caption, she wrote, “My favorite gals, My Galentine.”

    The pictures got a lot of attention from Syra’s followers. People especially liked how Syra showed love and care for her step-daughter.