Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Gold price remains steady at Rs214,300 per tola with no fluctuations

    Gold price remains steady at Rs214,300 per tola with no fluctuations

    The cost of 24-karat gold in the local bullion market remained unchanged at Rs214,300 per tola on Tuesday, according to the Karachi Sarafa Association. 

    Similarly, the prices for both 10-gramme 24-karat and 22-karat gold stood at Rs183,728 and Rs168,416, respectively. 

    Last week, a decline in international prices led to a Rs1,700 drop in the domestic market for 24-karat gold per tola.

    Silver prices also maintained stability in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver selling at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10 grammes. Meanwhile, on the global stage, international spot gold traded near $2,025.7 as of 12:50 pm, marking a 0.35 per cent increase for the day.

    Investors are closely watching for the release of crucial US inflation data later today, which may provide further insight into the timing of the Federal Reserve’s potential interest rate adjustments.

  • After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    After less than stellar performance, what is PML-N camp thinking?

    The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.

    But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.

    So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?

    According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.

    However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.

    The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.

    Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”

    He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
    “It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.

    So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.

  • Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slams brands for delaying payments

    Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak slams brands for delaying payments

    Famous actress and model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has slammed Pakistani brands for delaying payments for their advertisement campaigns.

    Taking to Instagram, Khattak wrote, “I’m fed up with these big brands and multi- billion-dollar companies. It’s a recurring nightmare, negotiate low payments, impose a ridiculous 90-120 day payment cycle and then, to top it off, delay payments while boasting about how much work they’ve given us. Enough! Paying for our services isn’t a favor; it’s a transaction. We’re not here to endure your payment delays – we’re the ones selling your brand. Cut the excuses and pay us for our craft.”

    The model went on to stress that regardless of the amount, artists shouldn’t be obliged to justify their financial needs to the brand repeatedly. “What’s owed to me should be paid without constant explanations. It’s exhausting to keep reminding the team that I need my payment to maintain my financial cycle. As an artist, the repeated requests for my own payment feel utterly disrespectful.”

    “I can’t fathom how these mediators, drawing their salaries from these brands, can be so rude. Phrases like “what’s the big deal, wait for the payment” or “we won’t work with you with this attitude” are unacceptable. Their repeated responses like “I’ve told you a hundred times, the purchase team is sorting this” showcase incompetence. Sir and Ma’am, you lack the ability to communicate with someone frustrated due to your own incompetence and shortcomings.”

    Journalist and fashion model Minahil Rehman also shared a post on social media, writing, “Another day, another rant about non-payments and it makes me wonder when it’ll ever end?”

    “Saheefa Jabbar Khattak rants about brands that wrap up campaigns and then consistently delay payments and are rude with models who are only left with no choice but to ask for payment that is rightfully their’s! Unprofessionalism can lead to the ruin of an industry and it doesn’t look like things are getting any better in Pakistan.”

  • New PM’s oath may be administered by Arif Alvi’s successor

    New PM’s oath may be administered by Arif Alvi’s successor

    President Arif Alvi won’t administer the oath to the new prime minister because a successor will be elected before the premier’s election.

    Members of the newly elected National Assembly (NA) might take their oath on February 26, three days before the deadline to convene the house for its first session, with a similar ceremony happening the next day.

    The members, who have been elected for both houses, would no longer be members of the provincial assembly if they took the oath in the national legislature.

    Parliamentary insiders informed The News on Monday evening that they must conduct the election for the Senate’s 53 members, chairman/deputy chairman, and subsequently the president of the country, before March 8. They emphasised the limited time available for organising the presidential poll.

    The sources said that if the election of the president is held a week earlier, incumbent Arif Alvi will not administer the oath but the new president will. The sources pointed out that once the members of the national and provincial assemblies take the oath, they will be eligible to cast their vote first for Senate elections.

  • After a not-so-victory victory, what is Nawaz thinking?

    After a not-so-victory victory, what is Nawaz thinking?

    The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.

    But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.

    So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?

    According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.

    However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.

    The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.

    Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”

    He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
    “It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.

    So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.

    ‘What a joke’; PTI’s Khosa on PMLN’s two PM plan

    PTI’s Latif Khosa, who won in Lahore against PML-N’s Khwaja Saad Rafique, has said that the only party poised to form the government is PTI as they are the clear winners of the February 8 general elections.

    Commenting on PML- N and PPP’s reported plan to ‘share the Prime Minister slot’ if they make an alliance, Khosa said, “What joke is being done with democracy?”

    “Who are they — who have been rejected by the people — to divide among themselves…No Assembly or Parliament can function without Imran Khan.”

    He also added that since PTI was a registered party, the winners should not be called Independents, should be given reserved seats and allowed to make the government with Imran Khan as their leader.

    Khan is currently in jail, serving sentences in three cases.

    Not a good idea to hand over government to another party after three difficult years:  Khawaja Asif

    PML-N senior leader and former defence minister Khawaja Asif has rebutted alleged claims that Nawaz Sharif was despondent after the February 8 election result not adding up in the party’s favour.

    While speaking with Shahzeb Khanzada on a Geo News program on Monday, Asif asserted that “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government. PTI is habitual of crying foul after every election,” adding that PPP has also accepted the results.

    He claimed that independent candidates are joining PML-N by choice and that the party is not offering them any bribes.

    A crucial meeting with MQM, according to Asif, went well. The veteran politician said that while Karachi has problems related to water and terrorism, Nawaz Sharif has solved the problems of the city before.

    He also stated that the party will make Punjab an example as to how the government should be run in the provinces while admitting to the shortcomings and promising to provide service and relief to the people.

    Pointing towards PTI, he said the party has a pattern of delaying every election. PPP, on the other hand, has accepted the election results and PML-N’s seats have started to increase, whereas independent candidates want to come join on their own.

  • Arisha Razi’s shendi dance videos set social media ablaze

    Arisha Razi’s shendi dance videos set social media ablaze

    Arisha Razi has gotten married and a series of events took place to mark the event. She had events like Dholki, Mayun, Dua E Khair, and Game Night. Last night was her Shendi event (a mix of Mehndi and Wedding) in Karachi. Arisha wore opulent and beautiful red clothes.

    Now, videos of her dancing at the wedding are getting popular on Instagram. She danced to famous songs and her fans really liked her moves.

    Allure Salon & Spa did her makeup and hair, making her look beautiful. She wore a stunning outfit from Ali Xeeshan Theater Studio that matched her hair and makeup perfectly. Her jewelry was from Opal by Madiha Ihsan.


    Check the video below:

  • 27 women candidates won in general elections

    27 women candidates won in general elections

    As the general elections are over and results tabulated, 27 women candidates have emerged victorious in the February 8 polls, 11 more than in the 2018 elections.

    This time, 882 women candidates contested for national and provincial assembly seats. Among them, 312 women contested for the NA, and 570 for provincial assemblies. This shows a notable rise in the number of women participating as candidates in the 2024 elections.

    111 political parties had nominated 275 women candidates to contest the elections for general seats, making up 4.6 percent of the total of 6,037 candidates they have fielded.

    In 2018, 183 women ran for seats in the National Assembly (NA), but only eight of them managed to win. Among the winning women, four secured seats in Sindh, three in Punjab, and one in Balochistan. None of the women candidates won a general seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    This time a record 27 women have been elected from all five assemblies — 12 from NA, 11 Punjab Assembly, two from the Sindh Assembly, and one from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

  • Quetta Gladiators to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed from captaincy

    Quetta Gladiators to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed from captaincy

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators has decided to remove captain Sarfaraz Ahmed from the captaincy after eight years.

    Gladiators owner Nadeem Umar said in a special conversation with Geo News that Sarfaraz Ahmed wants to take a break from the captaincy of the team himself. Coach Shane Watson will decide who the new captain will be after consulting team management.

    According to Geo sources, it is believed that Rilley Rossow or Saud Shakeel is being considered to replace him as the captain, and the decision will be taken in the next two to four days.

    Quetta Gladiators have also replaced coach Moin Khan after eight years. He has been made the team director while Shane Watson has been given coaching duties.

    Nadeem Umar added that the old family of Quetta Gladiators has started coming together again, with team mentor Sir Viv Richards joining the team next week. “We wish Kevin Pietersen also comes in some role with Quetta Gladiators,” he said.

    PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators won the 2019 title under the captaincy of Sarfraz Ahmed, while the team has played the final in 2016 and 2017.

  • Biden calls Netanyahu as*hole but does not change stance on Gaza: US media

    Biden calls Netanyahu as*hole but does not change stance on Gaza: US media

    According to a NBC News report, US President Joe Biden has been expressing his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in private conversations. Citing five sources familiar with the matter, NBC News revealed that Biden is seeking to persuade Israel to change its military tactics in Gaza, but Netanyahu is perceived as “an obstacle” in this process.

    The sources stated that Biden has used strong language to convey his frustration, reportedly describing Netanyahu actions as “giving him hell” and expressing a sentiment that “this has to stop.”

    There have been instances where Biden has reportedly referred to Netanyahu with derogatory terms, including “bad fking guy” and “ahole,” according to sources cited by POLITICO and NBC News.

    When questioned about Biden’s remarks, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said, “The president has been clear where he disagrees with Prime Minister Netanyahu, but this is a decades-long relationship that is respectful in public and in private.”

    Despite the outward display of mutual respect, Biden’s private frustrations highlight a stark contrast to the public perception of the relationship between the two leaders.

    Behind closed doors, Biden’s comments suggest a growing impatience with Netanyahu’s handling of Israel’s assault on Gaza, with the president reportedly viewing him as a significant obstacle to achieving desired outcomes.

    A source told NBC about Biden’s view on the Gaza campaign: “He just feels like this is enough. It has to stop.”

    More than 28,000 people are reported to have died since the war broke out on October 7. Israel is planning a ground assault on Rafah city in the south of Gaza – where more than one million displaced Palestinians are. Despite the US’s public opposition to the operation, Netanyahu is said to be pressing ahead with it.

    The reported tensions come amidst ongoing efforts to address the situation in Gaza and calls for a ceasefire. Biden’s private sentiments underscore the complexities and challenges faced in navigating the relationship between the United States and Israel, particularly concerning matters of regional security and diplomacy.

  • Caretaker PM Kakar angrily asks: ‘Are you saying I have cancer and it’s my last press conference?’

    Caretaker PM Kakar angrily asks: ‘Are you saying I have cancer and it’s my last press conference?’

    In a recent press conference, interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly defended the delay in announcing election results, citing security concerns as the primary reason.

    He was asked during the press conference by a journalist, “Probably this is your last press conference, on a lighter note: who told you how long you’ll be Caretaker Prime Minister?”

    To this PM Kakar said, “I am disappointed after giving you a chance. Do I have cancer? As this is my last press conference according to you.”

    While discussing the disruption in mobile services, Kakar emphasized, it was a necessary measure to ensure the safety of voters and prevent terrorist attacks.

    “We could afford delay, but terrorist attacks, we could not […] delay does not mean rigging,” Kakar, whose government was appointed to oversee the country through elections until an elected set-up takes charge, said during a post-election press conference.

    Kakar’s remarks came amidst mounting criticism from various political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), who protested the delay in election results, labeling it as potential rigging.

    More than three days have passed since polling day and the complete election results are still pending, with one seat yet to be decided.

    The prime minister informed journalists that in 2018, the entire result-gathering process took 66 hours; however, in 2024, it was completed in 36 hours. The official Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) deadline is around nine hours.

    The premier compared Pakistan’s election process to that of other countries, citing instances of delayed results in Sweden and Indonesia, suggesting that such delays are not uncommon in large-scale elections.

    In response to criticism from foreign governments, Kakar asserted that Pakistan would conduct its investigation if necessary, rather than succumbing to external pressures.

    “These friendly countries, unfortunately, frame their initial assessment on the fabricated and fractured information available on social media and the digital space,” he said.

    “A responsible government should take time and then have a position; that would have been better. If we have to investigate, we will not do it on the demand of the United States, United Kingdom, or the EU,” he further added.

    Kakar noted that Pakistan has its law and will deal with it accordingly. “We did not ask a judicial inquiry on Capitol Hill riots. It is not for us to demand it and it is not for them. For me, the demand of a PTI individual than the US, UK, and EU combined.”

    Acknowledging the possibility of irregularities, Kakar assured that appropriate forums were available for addressing complaints.

    To a question, PM Kakar said that the upcoming elected parliament would decide about the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections. “There should be an open discussion on EVMS.”

    Two days back, expressing his annoyance over the delayed election results, President Dr Arif Alvi had said that the country would have been spared the ongoing crisis if the EVMs had been used during the February 8 general elections.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP’s new Election Management System (EMS) fell flat despite the commission’s tall claims.
    Taking to his X handle, the president had said: “Had EVMs been there today, my dear beloved Pakistan would have been spared this crisis.”