Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • CDWP approves Rs7 billion for advancing Pakistan’s IT sector

    CDWP approves Rs7 billion for advancing Pakistan’s IT sector

    During the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting, chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, five development projects were given approval, totalling Rs13 billion, according to a press release.

    The meeting focused on projects within the information technology, health, and physical planning and housing sectors.

    Under the Ministry of Information, two projects were presented. The first, “Upgradation of Transmission Network & Replacement of Optical Fibre Cable, AJK & Gilgit Baltistan (revised),” with a budget of Rs2 billion, received approval from the CDWP.

    The second project, “Prime Minister’s Initiatives Support for IT Startups, Specialised IT Trainings, and Venture Capital (revised),” with a budget of Rs5 billion, was also granted approval.

    Furthermore, two projects from the Ministry of Law and Justice were considered and approved. The first involves the “Construction of Litigants Facilitation Centre for Litigants and Lawyers in Sector G-10/1, Islamabad,” with a budget of Rs1.86 billion. The executing agency and financing source for this project is the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

    The second project presented was the “Establishment of 93-No District Courts in Mauve Area G-11/4, Islamabad (revised),” with a budget of Rs2.23 billion.

    A project focused on skill development internships, the “Ba-ikhtiyar Naujawan Internship Program Balochistan,” worth Rs1.85 billion, was also approved by the CDWP. Notably, this project is fully funded through a World Bank loan.

  • Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    The Pakistani rupee sustained its upward trajectory against the US dollar for the 11th consecutive session, exhibiting a 0.06 per cent appreciation in the interbank market on Wednesday. 

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee concluded at Rs282.20, reflecting an increment of Re0.17.

    In the preceding session on Tuesday, the rupee had achieved a marginal gain, settling at Rs282.37 in relation to the US dollar. 

    Concurrently, there has been a notable surge of 200 per cent in the cumulative borrowing by the federal and provincial governments for budgetary support from the domestic banking system in the current fiscal year (FY24).

    Internationally, the US dollar encountered continued pressure on Wednesday, while the euro flirted with a four-month pinnacle. 

    This trend emerged as market expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve gained traction. The restrained week, marked by global holiday absences until the New Year, is anticipated to witness subdued trading volumes.

    The dollar index, gauging the US currency against six counterparts, stood at 101.54, just below the five-month low of 101.42 recorded last week. 

    The index is poised for a 1.9 per cent decline in 2023, following two consecutive years of robust gains driven by the Fed’s rate hikes to combat inflation. 

    The recent weakening of the dollar is attributed to market anticipation of forthcoming rate cuts by the Fed in the coming year, diminishing the allure of the greenback.

  • ‘Mannat Murad’ drama takes dramatic turn with unexpected slap exchange

    The uber popular ‘Mannat Murad’ is Geo’s latest hit with a fervent following. People are especially invedted because it stars Iqra Aziz and Talha Chahour together, both firm fan favourites.
    The show is about problems in a big family and how sometimes people end up in marriages they didn’t really want. A preview for the next episode has everyone talking. Murad slaps Mannat to make his mom happy, and then Mannat slaps him back.

    Yes, you read that right.

    The scene has generated a lot of buzz on social media.

    Here is how people are reacting to Murad and Mannat slapping each other:

    Some celebrated Mannat standing up for herself and wished it would happen in real life.

    Violence is sadly a common sight in Pakistani dramas, and often, it’s women who bear the brunt of it. While we don’t endorse violence, it was a relief to witness a woman standing up for herself.
    It’s crucial to understand that violence doesn’t solve problems, and it’s wrong no matter who is involved.
    It will be intriguing to see how ‘Mannat Murad’ addresses this issue and whether Mannat will be treated the same way male characters typically are when they resort to violence against their wives.

  • 24-karat gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs1,000 per tola

    24-karat gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs1,000 per tola

    On Wednesday, the gold price in Pakistan experienced notable gains, with the 24-karat gold increasing by Rs1,000 per tola, reaching Rs220,600. 

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported a gain of Rs857 for the 10-gramme 24-karat gold, priced at Rs189,129, while the 10-gramme 22-karat gold stood at Rs173,369.

    It’s worth mentioning that 24-karat gold had risen by Rs2,500 per tola the previous week. 

    Additionally, silver prices saw an uptick today, with 24-karat silver and 10-gramme 24-karat silver gaining Rs30 and Rs25.72, respectively, being sold at Rs2,680 and Rs2,297.66.

    Internationally, spot gold is currently trading at $2,066.85, marking a 0.04 per cent increase, while spot silver is at $24.13, reflecting a -0.25 per cent change.

    Notably, fluctuations in global prices, coupled with shifts in the interbank exchange rate of the Pakistani rupee, impact the domestic gold market. 

    The PKR is maintaining its winning streak against the US dollar, trading at PKR 281.98/282.37 per USD in its 11th consecutive session.

  • 26 madrassa students brought to hospital after food poisoning

    26 madrassa students brought to hospital after food poisoning

    At least 26 madrassa children lost consciousness after eating stale food in the suburbs of Islamabad.


    According to the police, the children of the Bhara Kahu madrassa had eaten stale food in the night, leading to acute food poisoning.


    Police said that the children were taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital overnight in a critical condition, reports Geo.


    According to hospital sources, the children were sent back to the seminary after medical assistance and gastric lavage.


    Hospital sources further said that all the children are out of danger, while the police said that the management of the madrassa is being interrogated.

  • Punjab is under security threat in upcoming elections, IG Punjab warns

    Punjab is under security threat in upcoming elections, IG Punjab warns

    Punjab Inspector General (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has said that there is a serious threat to the law and order situation in the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, Samma reported on Wednesday.

    The IGP talked to media after the inauguration of an art exhibition at Alhamhra Art Gallery, where he said that the police maintained the law and order situation during the festivities of Muharram and Christmas.

    “Many terrorist activities were foiled due to the conviction of the police,” he said.

    Usman Anwar stated that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is working on threats in Punjab, adding that police arrested 60 per cent of people last year who were involved in the May 9 riots.

    The IGP also claimed that the transfers and postings in the police department are being done at the direction of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

  • Jahangir Tareen faces tough challenges in Lodhran

    Jahangir Tareen faces tough challenges in Lodhran

    As the nation gears up for the upcoming general elections, political tensions have intensified in Lodhran district, specifically between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the newly emerged Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP).

    Failure to reach a seat adjustment formula between the two parties may result in a challenging electoral battle for Jahangir Tareen, the chief of the IPP, in his native district of NA-155.

    Reports from Dawn indicate that Jahangir Tareen, strategically evaluating the situation, has taken preemptive measures by filing nomination papers for NA-149 in Multan as well.

    Tareen has submitted papers for two National Assembly seats and four Punjab Assembly seats, indicating a readiness for multiple contingencies.

    The primary contender against Tareen, PML-N’s Abdul Rehman Kanju, has publicly opposed any seat adjustment with the IPP. Kanju has urged the party leadership not to impose such an arrangement, potentially setting the stage for fierce competition in Lodhran.

    Amid this uncertainty, 14 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for NA-154 (Lodhran), including notable figures such as Abdul Rehman Kanju and Imtiaz Begum.

    Meanwhile, 14 candidates who submitted their nomination papers from NA-154 (Lodhran) include PML-N divisional president and ex-interior state minister Abdul Rehman Kanju, and his mother Imtiaz Begum, PTI leader Akhtar Khan Kanju (an uncle of Abdul Rehman Kanju), ex-MNA Nawab Amanullah Khan, Ajmal Khan Kanju, Rana Faraz Noon, Rana Afzal Noon, Pir Raza Shah, Imdadullah Abbasi of PPP, Sohail Khan Kanju, Muhammad Zubair, Zafar Iqbal, Irfan Ahmed and Ismat Bibi.

    As many as 20 candidates have filed papers from NA-155, including Jahangir Tareen, former MNA Siddique Khan Baloch, ex-MNA of PTI Muhammad Iqbal Shah, his son, ex-MPA Aamir Iqbal Shah, Mudassar Jahanzeb Shah, Rana Muhammad Rafiq of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Shah Nawaz of the PPP, Ziaul Rehman Tamimi of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Sajid Iqbal of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, Saleem Abbas of Saraiki Democratic Alliance, Muhammad Akram Qaiser, Muhammad Qasim, Ghulam Mustafa, Wasim Ahmed, Ahmed Deen Malik, and Nafees Murad Meo.

    A total of 19 candidates have filed papers from provincial assembly constituency PP-225 (Lodhran -1), They include Abdul Rehman Kanju, ex-minister Jail Zawwar Hussain Waraich, ex-MPA Pirzada Jahangir Bhutta, Tahir Hussain Khan, Muhammad Razaq, Muhammad Saleem Akhtar, Ashiq Hussain Baloch, Imran Habib Bhutta, Kaleem Hassan, Ali Hassan, Nadira Hayatullah, Aftab Ali Babar, Muhammad Mubeen, Mumtaz Hussain Baloch, Shazia Hayat Tareen, Intizar Ahmad Attari, Muhammad Yuosuf, Rab Nawaz Khan and Waseem Abbas.

  • The internet thinks Raha Kapoor looks like her famous Aunt

    The internet thinks Raha Kapoor looks like her famous Aunt

    Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s daughter, Raha, made her first public appearance during the Kapoor family’s annual Christmas dinner, enthralling the paparazzi gathered outside.
    The internet went wild in seconds, captivated by Raha’s adorable charm. Her blue-eyed gaze at left everyone enchanted.

    Netizens immediately noticed a strong resemblance between Raha Kapoor and her aunt, Ranbir’s cousin, Kareena Kapoor Khan. Others saw traces of her great-grandfather, Bollywood showman Raj Kapoor and her grandfather Rishi Kapoor, in her face. Yet others pointed out similarities with both her parents.


    One Reddit user shared a post with a collage of Raj Kapoor and Raha’s eyes. The caption read, “Those Raj Kapoor eyes – Raha Kapoor.” Another user of the site shared a collage of Raha and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s childhood photos. The caption read, “Kareena’s childhood pics and Raha!”

    It seems that these opinions crossed over on social media platforms. Even on X, one user shared, “Raha got the eyes of Raj Kapoor.” Yet another X user shared a collage indicating that Raha has grandfather Rishi Kapoor’s eyes and aunt Kareena’s face.

  • Benazir Bhutto left us 16 years ago today

    Benazir Bhutto left us 16 years ago today

    It has been 16 years since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a brutal suicide attack on December 27, 2007.


    Bhutto, daughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was born in Karachi in 1953. Her political career started after the judicial murder of her father. Benazir formally stepped into practical politics by establishing the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). In consequence, she was held in the jail in solitary confinement.


    Post Zia-ul-Haq’s death, Bhutto came back from exile, campaigned for the elections, and became the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim world on December 2, 1988. At 35, she was also the youngest elected Prime Minister in the world. She became Premier for the second time in 1993 and remained in exile during the military regime of Parvez Musharraf.


    In her book “Reconciliation” she wrote, “I suffered the punishment of my father’s arrest, imprisonment, and murder, and I knew that such wounds of the soul never heal. I was ready to do anything to spare my children from the pain I endured at my father’s death. However, this was the only thing I could not do.”


    Upon her arrival back in Pakistan in October 2007, she survived a suicide attack that took the lives of hundreds of supporters but Bibi remained unfazed and went on with her campaign. In every meeting, she used to declare, “I have risked my life for democracy in Pakistan.”


    She became the first high-profile victim of terrorism. The plague of terrorism is rampant again and the controversy around her death stands out as one of the leading factors behind the deficit of trust between the masses and the leaders.


    “With the country facing what is perhaps the most difficult and testing time in its history, the loss of Benazir Bhutto is felt more than ever. The long shadow of despotism is hanging over the country yet again…She had the intellectual capacity to engage with even her strongest critics, a quality rarely found in our political leaders. Her loss is more than that of a political leader. She came to symbolise the unity of an uneasy federation. Her death exacerbated political divisions and polarisation,” senior journalist and author Zahid Hussain sheds light on the contribution of the iconic leader.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo won another big honour in 2023

    Cristiano Ronaldo won another big honour in 2023

    Cristiano Ronaldo, star footballer from Portugal, won another big honour in 2023 by becoming the top goal scorer this year.

    Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe with 53 goals.

    In the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo crossed the milestone by scoring two goals from the penalty spot for Al-Nasr, as Al-Nasr defeated Al-Ittihad by 5-2 to win their third consecutive victory.