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Author: News Desk

  • Pakistani rupee snaps 10-day depreciation streak against US dollar with 0.02% gain

    Pakistani rupee snaps 10-day depreciation streak against US dollar with 0.02% gain

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) finally terminated its ten-session depreciation streak against the US dollar on Friday as the local currency concluded trading at Rs305.47 versus the greenback. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported a modest appreciation of Re0.07, or 0.02 per cent, when compared to the previous day’s closing rate.

    Thursday had marked a historic low for the PKR, with a closing rate of Rs305.54 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market. This decline had raised concerns about the currency’s stability and its impact on the nation’s economy.

    However, the SBP made a significant announcement on Friday. It categorically rejected reports circulating in the media about an emergency meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The central bank termed these reports as completely baseless and emphasized that it would be premature to forecast the future policy rate.

    According to the central bank, only the MPC, an independent statutory body, holds the authority to make decisions regarding the policy rate. The next scheduled meeting of the MPC is set for September 14, 2023.

    Internationally, the US dollar has faced challenges as it attempts to maintain its winning streak against major currencies. Traders are closely monitoring the pivotal monthly US jobs report, which is expected to shape Federal Reserve policy in the coming months.

    The US dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of six developed-market peers including the euro, sterling, and yen, saw a slight decline of 0.05 per cent to 103.58 on Friday. This marks a cumulative decline of 0.53 per cent for the week.

    Additionally, oil prices, a significant indicator of currency parity, remained above $87 a barrel. Crude prices are showing signs of snapping a two-week losing streak, driven by expectations of tightening supplies.

    The Pakistani economy remains closely tied to global economic developments, making these currency fluctuations and international economic indicators crucial for policymakers and market participants. The nation will continue to monitor these trends closely in the days and weeks ahead.

  • Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President and former Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has been arrested again after his brief release today.

    Islamabad Police arrested Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from Canal Road in Lahore, leaving with him for the federal capital. Earlier today, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release Parvez Elahi, after the accountability watchdog’s decision to arrest the former chief minister of Punjab was challenged in court through a petition.

    After Elahi was brought before the court, LHC Justice Amjad Rafiq announced the decision, telling NAB at the hearing today that if Elahi is not produced today, the court will issue a warrant against the director-general of the accountability body.

    On the NAB prosecutor’s reply, Justice Amjad Rafiq said that there will be a complete inquiry, ordering Parvez Elahi’s immediate release.

    It should be noted that when Parvez Elahi first filed an application in the Lahore High Court, the court granted him bail in all cases. But against the decision of the single bench of the court, the Punjab government filed an appeal before a two-member bench, which suspended the decision of the single-member bench.

  • Advanced bag search machine installed at Karachi Airport

    Advanced bag search machine installed at Karachi Airport

    An advanced bag search machine has been installed at Karachi Airport. The installation of the machine was inaugurated by British high commissioner Jane Marriott.

    https://youtu.be/mct79A3MomU


    DGCA Khaqaan Murtaza and senior officials of Karachi Airport ASF were also present. Thr machine will additional security on flights to the UK and the rest of the world.

    Read More: Petrol price increased to historic high of Rs305.36 per litre


    The same machine will be installed at Lahore airport after Karachi. “This machine has been installed at the price of 60 million,” said the British High Commissioner.

  • Pakistan extradites man to Italy for daughter’s murder

    Pakistan extradites man to Italy for daughter’s murder

    A Pakistani-Italian man wanted for murdering his daughter has been arrested from his native village in Pakistan and extradited to Italy for trial.

    Geo reports that according to the Italian justice minister, Shabbar Abbas was arrested in November 2022 on suspicion of killing his 18-year-old daughter, Saman Abbas.

    Saman went missing in April 2021 after she refused to travel to Pakistan for an arranged marriage.

    The father’s arrest is considered as a “step forward to allow justice to run its full course after a horrific crime” , says Carlo Nordio, the Italian justice minister, in a statement.

    According to Geo News, teenage Saman was identified by dental records after human remains were found near her family home in the northern Italian town of Novellara more than a year after her disappearance.

    Prosecutors suspect Saman having a boyfriend angered her parents.

    They further allege she was killed when she visited her home to collect some documents after living nearby under the care of social services.

    The father, however, denies the murdering his daughter. Her uncle has also been extradited from France for the trial, along with two of her cousins.

  • PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    Interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar recently gave a statement that only Wapda’s employees, including retired ones, get free electricity and there is no such facility available for anyone else including judges. This statement is factually incorrect.

    Truth is that not only utility bills (including electricity bills) of the serving judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are paid by the government, but the retired ones also get free electricity of up to 2000 units a month in case of an ex-SC judge and 800 units a month in case of a former high court judge, as per Ansar Abbasi’s report for Geo news.

    Not only this, the president and prime minister also enjoy free utilities including free electricity without any limits but in the case of the ex-president, he is provided 2000 units a month of electricity at the cost of taxpayers’ money.

    President’s Salary, Allowance and Privileges Act, 1975 as amended in 2018 says in Section 7 that the actual charges for electricity and gas consumption shall be paid in each year to the president. After retirement, the president also gets gas to the extent of monthly consumption of 10 HM3 and water, all paid by taxpayers.

    Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also enjoys similar facilities as those of a Supreme Court judge, including free electricity. There is no confirmation of what the prime minister has claimed about services’ chiefs.

    In October 2020, Justice Faez Isa and his wife released income tax and asset details in which it was clearly written that post-retirement benefits of a Supreme Court judge include 2000 units of electricity, 25 HM of gas, water and 300 litres of petrol per month.

    High Court Judges (Leave, pension, privileges) order 1997 not only talks about the payment by government for provision of electricity gas and water but also says in Section 28 that a judge on retirement and after his death, the spouse shall be entitled to certain benefits including 800 units of electricity per month as well as 25 HM3 of gas per month.

    All those quasi-judicial public offices including the offices of NAB chairman, federal ombudsman etc where retired judges, or retired civil servants are appointed, the residence utility bills are also paid from the public funds.


    According to a NAB document, “i) Chairman NAB shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of a residence provided by the Government throughout his term of office maintained at Government expenses with all utilities to be paid on actual basis by the Government. ii) In case of non-availability of Government accommodation or the Chairman chooses to reside in a private residence, the expenses on maintenance and all utilities as per actual, will be paid by the Government, in addition to house rent allowance.”

  • Suspects granted bail in yet another housemaid torture case

    Suspects granted bail in yet another housemaid torture case

    A Rawalpindi court has granted bail to a husband and wife on Thursday, both of whom were charged with torturing their minor housemaid. The father of the eight-year-old told the judge that the case was filed over a “misunderstanding.”

    The couple, Bakhtawar and Alisher, were arrested after the child maid escaped their house and informed her family about the beating. According to The Express Tribune, the case registered by police included sections pertaining to cruelty to children and uprooting hair, attempted murder, illegal confinement and trafficking not included.

    However, on Thursday, when the accused appeared before Judge Meharun Nisa, a document of a ‘compromise’ between the two parties was also presented. It contained the thumb impression of the complainant, a labourer from Rahim Yar Khan.

    Additionally, the investigation officer (IO) presented a statement of the girl’s father who no longer wants to pursue the case.

    The Express Tribune reports that the girl and her father appeared in the court teary-eyed. The girl’s head was covered in a dupatta.

    The court concluded the case with the release of the couple against surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each.

    Victim under pressure

    Initially, before the arrest, the girl’s family admitted that she had been repeatedly tortured. Her medical reports also revealed bruises, dislocations and fractures.

    The couple allegedly even tried killing her by placing a polythene bag on the girl’s face.

    However, the family back tracking within the span of 24 hours of the couple’s arrest indicates pressure from the accused as well as the family.

    The Express Tribune highlights that according to sources within the police department, the accused bribed the Investigation Officer who then deemed the argument as weak. Additionally, the IO pressured the complainant ‘in a sweet way’ while also threatening him with arrest for letting his under-age daughter work.

    He also urged for an out-of-court settlement.

    He stated in the court that the case was based on a misunderstanding, and that the family no longer wanted to pursue the case.

    According to people present in the courtroom, as reported by The Express Tribune, the father clutched his daughter’s hand throughout the proceedings. “Now I am going back to Rahim Yar Khan with my daughter and we are never coming back,” he told The Express Tribune.

    The accused and the investigating officer, reportedly, came out of the court smiling.

  • Free electricity extended to President, judges, and NAB chairman, contrary to PM’s claims

    Free electricity extended to President, judges, and NAB chairman, contrary to PM’s claims

    Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar’s recent statement regarding free electricity for judges in Pakistan has sparked controversy, as it appears to be at odds with existing policies and practices.

    In a recent address, the Prime Minister asserted that only Wapda’s employees, including retirees, are entitled to free electricity, and this privilege is not extended to judges or other officials. However, a closer examination of the facts suggests that the Prime Minister may have been misinformed., according to Geo.

    Contrary to the Prime Minister’s statement, serving judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts in Pakistan enjoy the benefit of having their utility bills, including electricity, covered by the government. This includes both current and retired judges.

    For retired Supreme Court judges, the provision of free electricity extends up to 2000 units per month, while retired High Court judges receive 800 units per month without incurring any charges. The President and Prime Minister, whether in office or after retirement, are also entitled to free utilities, including electricity, without any specified limits.

    It’s worth noting that even former President’s receive a monthly allowance of 2000 units of electricity, with the costs borne by taxpayers’ funds.

    Additionally, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman enjoys similar privileges to those of a Supreme Court judge, which includes the provision of free electricity. However, there is no official confirmation regarding the entitlements of services’ chiefs as claimed by the Prime Minister.

    The President’s Salary, Allowance and Privileges Act of 1975, amended in 2018, specifies in Section 7 that the actual charges for electricity and gas consumption shall be covered each year for the President. Similarly, the President’s Pension Act outlines provisions for electricity, gas, and water supplies.

    The transparency of these policies was underscored in October 2020 when Justice Faez Isa and his wife disclosed their income tax and asset details. These documents clearly indicated that post-retirement benefits for a Supreme Court judge include 2000 units of electricity, 25 HM3 of gas, water, and 300 litres of petrol per month.

    Furthermore, the High Court Judges (Leave, Pension, Privileges) Order of 1997 not only addresses the payment by the government for electricity, gas, and water but also states in Section 28 that retired judges and their spouses are entitled to certain benefits, including 800 units of electricity per month and 25 HM3 of gas per month.

  • Another child dies after falling into a manhole

    Another child dies after falling into a manhole

    A four-year-old girl, Umra Baloch, died after falling in an open manhole in Mowach Goth in Karachi on Thursday.

    According to Moachko SHO Shahid Chaudhry, Baloch was playing outside her home in Ghazi Khan Wara when she fell and drowned in the gutter which was uncovered.

    Her body was retrieved by Edhi divers.

    The police said that the family does not want any legal proceedings.

    Previously on August 14, a three-year-old boy fell in an uncovered manhole in Memon Goth and died. According to Dawn News, the chief executive officer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation had put the number of uncovered manholes in the city at 20,000.

  • PCB offers special tickets for the PAK-IND match

    PCB offers special tickets for the PAK-IND match

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered special tickets for the most anticipated match of Asia Cup 2023 between Pakistan and India.


    PCB has started selling additional tickets for cricket fans for the Pak-India clash, giving fans the opportunity to sit on the grass and watch the match.
    Fans will be able to watch the match on the grass hill with a scoreboard for 1500 Lankan Rupees while they can watch the match between India and Nepal at 2560 Lankan rupees.

    Read More: Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka defeats Bangladesh by five wickets


    Fans will be able to buy the tickets from Abitha ground box office in Kandy.


    The match between Pakistan and India will be played on September 2, Saturday.

  • Court orders release of PTI’s Parvez Elahi

    Court orders release of PTI’s Parvez Elahi

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release the president of Pakistan Tehrrek-e-Insaf (PTI), Parvez Elahi, on Friday, after the accountability watchdog’s decision to arrest the former chief minister of Punjab was challenged in court through a petition.

    After Elahi was brought before the court, LHC Justice Amjad Rafiq announced the decision, telling NAB at the hearing today that if Elahi is not produced today, the court will issue a warrant against the director-general of the accountability body.

    On the NAB prosecutor’s reply, Justice Amjad Rafiq said that there will be a complete inquiry, ordering Parvez Elahi’s immediate release.

    It should be noted that when Parvez Elahi first filed an application in the Lahore High Court, the court granted him bail in all cases. But against the decision of the single bench of the court, the Punjab government filed an appeal before a two-member bench, which suspended the decision of the single-member bench.