Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan’s credit rating maintained by Fitch at ‘CCC’ amidst financing challenges

    Pakistan’s credit rating maintained by Fitch at ‘CCC’ amidst financing challenges

    Fitch Ratings, a US-based credit rating agency, has maintained Pakistan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘CCC,’ according to a statement released on Wednesday.

    The ‘CCC’ rating indicates significant external funding risks due to elevated medium-term financing requirements, notwithstanding some stabilisation and Pakistan’s commendable performance on its current standby arrangement (SBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as explained by Fitch.

    While anticipating scheduled elections in February and prompt negotiation for a subsequent IMF programme after the SBA concludes in March 2024, Fitch cautioned about potential delays and uncertainties regarding Pakistan’s ability to achieve this.

    Fitch emphasised the potential vulnerability of recent reforms and the prospect of renewed political volatility in the wake of the upcoming elections. Regarding the ongoing IMF programme, Fitch expressed confidence in the unproblematic approval of the recent staff-level agreement (SLA) by the IMF board.

    Fitch’s assessment highlighted the positive outcomes of the programme review, including sustained fiscal consolidation, energy price reforms despite public backlash, and strides towards adopting a more market-driven exchange rate regime.

    However, Fitch also pointed out risks associated with policy implementation, citing a historical pattern of parties across the political spectrum in Pakistan failing to implement or reversing reforms agreed upon with the IMF.

  • BTS’ Jungkook dominates Billboard Music Awards 2023

    BTS’ Jungkook dominates Billboard Music Awards 2023

    Jungkook from BTS just achieved a HUGE milestone in the music world! His new solo song, ‘Standing Next To You’ is now at the top of the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart in the United States.

    Jungkook has been making waves as a solo artist since 2023, proving himself to be a major player in the industry. His debut album, “GOLDEN,” dropped on November 3, and the lead track from that album snagged the number one spot on the Billboard chart. It’s a big deal because last week, Taylor Swift was holding the top position with her song “You’re Losing Me.”

    Jungkook’s solo success is making headlines as he surpasses well-known artists and establishes himself as a major force in the music industry.

  • Can the US Veto in UN be bypassed to end Gaza genocide? Here’s how you can help

    Can the US Veto in UN be bypassed to end Gaza genocide? Here’s how you can help

    The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution on Friday, December 8, backed by almost all other Security Council members and dozens of other nations, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. In this emergency meeting, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99, a rare move to force a vote on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where two million people are displaced and more than 18,000 people have been killed.


    The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.


    The US is facing criticism from all over the world and domestic backlash, but there is a way to sign a petition to appeal to the respective ambassador to the UN asking them to invoke article 377 A to get around the US Veto and call for a permanent ceasefire.

    What is Article 377 A?

    The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 377 A is known as the ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution’ states that in any case where the Security Council, because of a lack of unanimity among its five permanent members (P5) fails to act as required to maintain international security and peace, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately and may issue appropriate recommendations to the UN members for collective measures, including the use of armed forces when necessary, to maintain or restore international security and peace.

    How is this done?


    Using social media is effective but there are other concrete ways to invoke Article 377 A.


    This can be done by writing to the UN Ambassador to demand they invoke UNGA’s resolution 377A.


    A copy of the email needs to be sent to the undesa@un.org and inquiries2@un.org


    The petition has to be signed and available on the @call2actionnow page.

    Here’s the link to the petition for Pakistan: https://chng.it/qdb9VVqtwt

  • Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi indicted in cipher case again

    Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi indicted in cipher case again

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) former chairman Imran Khan and the party’s vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were indicted again in the cipher case on Wednesday.

    A special court established under the Official Secret Act 2023 indicted both PTI leaders with Judge Abdul Hasnat Zulqarnain announcing the decision.

    Both leaders were found guilty of misusing a diplomatic cable issued by the Pakistan embassy in Washington DC for political purposes.

    During the hearing, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutors Shah Khawar and Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi appeared in court, while Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were represented by their lawyers.

    The regular trial of the cipher case against the former prime minister and ex-foreign minister will begin in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

    A hearing was also held on Tuesday, where family members of PTI leaders were also present. Some journalists were also present to witness the proceedings.

    Earlier, after Khan and Qureshi challenged their indictment in the case, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared their jail trial “null and void” while allowing intra-court appeals in the case.

  • Shaheen Afridi appointed vice-captain of national Test team

    Shaheen Afridi appointed vice-captain of national Test team

    Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as the vice-captain of Pakistan’s Test cricket team.

    The first Test match between Pakistan and Australia will start tomorrow in Perth. Shaan Masood will lead the national test team, and Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as the vice-captain of the national Test team. The Pakistan Cricket Board has said that Shaheen Shah Afridi will serve as the vice-captain of the national team in the Test series against Australia.

    This test series is a part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship.

  • Shaan Masood becomes captain of Karachi Kings

    Shaan Masood becomes captain of Karachi Kings

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings has appointed national test team captain Shan Masood as the captain of their franchise.

    Talking during an event in Lahore on Wednesday, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal said, “Shaan Masood will be the captain of the Karachi team. I think Shaan is a good leader. I request the Karachi fans to come to the stadium and support the team this year. They will try to win more matches and try to pick good players in the draft.”

    Karachi Kings congratulated Shaan Masood for taking over the leadership of the team on the social media platform ‘X’.

    The drafting ceremony of the players for edition 9 of the Pakistan Super League will be held today.

  • Lahore High Court sets free convicts of life imprisonment in Kasur child abuse scandal

    Lahore High Court sets free convicts of life imprisonment in Kasur child abuse scandal

    Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday acquitted three convicts serving life imprisonment in the Kasur child abuse scandal of 2015.

    The scandal came to light eight years ago when a gang was arrested for involvement in making videos of the sexual abuse of at least 280 children. The criminals were accused of blackmailing the families of the kids, threatening them to leak the videos unless they paid ransom.

    The acquittal of the convicts was announced by a bench of two judges, led by Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry.

    One of the counsels, Abid Hussain Khichi while speaking to Dawn, said that the court had released his clients after accepting their pleas.

    According to the council, a total of six primary suspects had been implicated in the case, with three having been released earlier, while the remaining three were acquitted today.


    Khichi further explained that his clients (convicts) serving in jail have not been identified in the video examination conducted by the authorities. He also contended that certain sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act applied to the accused were not truly applicable, and the medical reports did not substantiate the presented evidence.


    The present order by the court substantiates the narrative of the lawyer.


    The three men — Haseem Amir, Wasim Sindhi, and Aleem Asif — were handed punishments in one of the nine cases police had registered against them. ATC judge Chaudhry Muhammad Ilyas had also imposed a fine of Rs300,000 on each of the three convicts.


    Ganda Singhwala police had registered a first information report against the three convicts on charges of abducting and sexually assaulting children in Kasur.


    It was reported that the men had also been blackmailing the families of the boys since 2009 and even sold video clips of the assault. In 2018, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore sentenced the three men to life in prison after finding them guilty.


    Kasur is a district plagued by such incidents. According to a report by Pakistan Observer Kasur stood first in child sexual abuse and pornography with 298 cases out of 2275 across the country during the year 2021.

  • When will merit list of aspiring MBBS and BDS students be released?

    When will merit list of aspiring MBBS and BDS students be released?

    The final list for admission to MBBS and BDS in Punjab has been released by the University of Health Sciences on its website.

    A spokesperson for the UHS has stated that a merit list has been put up on the website, comprising 4485 candidates, reports Geo.


    UHS released a provisional merit list on December 8, after which two days were given to candidates to register any complaint via the online portal. 1159 complaints were received in 48 hours and after reviewing all of them, a final list has been released.

    A total of 3389 students will be given admission to seats available all over the province. The first merit list will be released on December 15.

  • No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Wednesday that a delay of a few days in the general election will not make any difference. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also made the same statement a few days earlier.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman said in an interview that there is no issue if the delay of a few days in the election can help in conducting free and fair polls.

    Earlier this week, the PPP co-chairman also said that there is no issue with a delay of about 10 days.

    The JUI-F head also said that he is not backing any political agenda while demanding a delay in the polls, asking that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should consider all the concerns, including the weather conditions in high-altitude regions.

    Postponement of elections also occurred after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and it’s a valid reason for people to accept a delay in polls, he added.

    Maulana also warned that his party would come out on the streets and protest if the election were postponed indefinitely.

  • Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced that the application submission deadline for Hajj 2024 has been extended by 10 days as the previously announced December 12 deadline expired on Tuesday (today). Now the last day is December 22, reports Geo.

    A five-year restriction on Hajj-e-Badal, the Hajj performed by a person on account of another, has been removed.

    Pilgrims who have performed Hajj in the last five years are also eligible to apply for Hajj 2024.

    The statement said that Hajj applications in the sponsorship scheme are being received on a “first come first served” basis.

    In the wake of lessening foreign exchange reserves, the government has announced that those paying their dues in dollars from abroad will be declared as “winners” without the need for balloting.

    Pakistan has secured 179,000 Hajj seats, with half reserved for private Hajj operators.


    The announcement comes after the government decided to reduce Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 with the next year’s pilgrimage set to cost Rs1,075,000 to around 89,605 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme.


    Pilgrims can choose between both long and short-term packages spanning over 38 to 42 and 20 to 25 days, respectively.


    It is important to note that the extension is made as the number of applicants for government hajj scheme 2024 has been unusually low which the ministry pronounced to be “disappointing”.