Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Will Imran Khan be tried in military court? No decision yet, says Geo

    Will Imran Khan be tried in military court? No decision yet, says Geo

    No final decision has been taken yet on whether Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), will be tried under Army Act in military courts for the May 9 riots, geo.tv has reported.

    A report by Ansar Abbassi of The News says that while a well-connected source says that some federal ministers are convinced of Imran Khan being the mastermind of the May 9 attack on military and civilian installations, a final decision on taking him to military court is yet to be taken.

    The report states that there is a general consensus among civil and military authorities that Imran Khan plotted the May 9 mayhem, however, establishment has yet to directly name him.

    The former Prime Minister is nominated in at least six FIRs in police stations in Mianwali, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala related to May 9 attacks. He is expected to be named in more as rioters record statements with law-enforcing agencies and police gather more evidence.

    According to the numbers presented by the federal government in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, 102 civilians are awaiting trials in military courts. This number does not include any woman or minors.

  • Somy Ali slams ‘King of Bollywood’ for calling Salman Khan, her abuser, a ‘good human’

    Somy Ali slams ‘King of Bollywood’ for calling Salman Khan, her abuser, a ‘good human’

    Pakistani-American actress and former model Somy Ali, once Salman Khan’s girlfriend, has been vocal about the abuse she was subjected to in a now deleted Instagram post, calling it the “worst years” of her life.

    “In addition to tons of affairs and flings he would constantly belittle me by calling me ugly, stupid and dumb. Not a day went by that he wouldn’t make me feel worthless and small. He would not acknowledge me as his girlfriend in public for years and when he finally did he would insult me in front of his friends and berate me nonstop,” she wrote.

    In a Instagram post put up three days ago, the actress revealed that an actor, regarded as the ‘King Of Bollywood’, refused to hold her abuser accountable because of the power he held to make or break their career. Instead he called Salman a “pyaara insaan”. She also made a pointed remark that this man has a lot of respect for women, but when it comes to holding her abuser accountable, “he’s in a bind.”

    “Might I add a very good human being, the king of Bollywood stated that this abuser is a very “pyara insaan” which translates as “a very good human being.” Remember I am quoting a huge actor whom I have the utmost respect for, but I also know that he’s in a bind. Nonetheless it’s sad and ironic that the amount of respect this superstar has for women yet would even look in this abuser’s way baffles me. I wouldn’t let any roadblocks hinder my ability to take a stand more so when he himself has a daughter. Hey, I took many stands publicly for his son when he was accused of drug usage. But I guess to each their own.”

    Social media users believe the post refers to Shah Rukh Khan, who is father to a daughter and whose son was publicly accused of drug usage in what was seen as a witch hunt by the BJP government to target the Muslim superstar.

  • FBR to increase property valuation rates by 13-15% in accordance with World Bank loan conditions

    FBR to increase property valuation rates by 13-15% in accordance with World Bank loan conditions

    In accordance with the loan conditions set by the World Bank, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made the decision to increase property valuation rates in various urban centers across the country. This increase will range from 13 per cent to 15 per cent on average.

    As part of this ongoing exercise, the FBR has also expanded the number of cities covered from 42 to 51. The revised property valuation rates will be officially announced for these cities.

    High-ranking sources within the FBR have confirmed that consultations with provincial authorities are underway to determine the adjusted property valuation rates, which are scheduled to take effect from August 1, 2023.

    Presently, the FBR’s property valuation rates are applicable in over 40 cities and towns, including Abbottabad, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Ghotki, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Gwadar, Hafizabad, Haripur, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jhang, Jhelum, Karachi, Kasur, Khushab, Lahore, Larkana, Lasbela, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Mansehra, Mardan, Mirpurkhas, Multan, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahimyar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Sukkur, and Toba Tek Singh.

    Under the revised valuation tables, all of these cities will experience an increase of 13 per cent to 15 per cent. Additionally, starting from August 1, 2023, nine more cities and towns will be added to the list of covered areas.

    The Punjab Board of Revenue recently communicated to all deputy commissioners and district collectors, informing them of a meeting held under the chairmanship of a senior member of the Board of Revenue, Punjab. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress in preparing the DC Valuation Tables in consultation with FBR representatives.

    During the meeting, the senior member requested that instructions be issued to all Punjab district collectors regarding the preparation of valuation tables for the fiscal year 2023-24.

    To ensure consistency and alignment between the DC valuation tables and the FBR valuation tables, district collectors have been advised to include FBR representatives as members of the committee, as previously stipulated in the Punjab Stamp (Valuation Tables in respect of Immovable Property) Rules of 1999.

    It is recommended that the specified timelines for completing the valuation tables be adhered to. Furthermore, the valuation tables should include the name of the housing society or scheme, as well as the Khasra numbers corresponding to the developed housing society or scheme.

    In determining the rates, consideration should also be given to the brochure value advertised by the housing societies or schemes. This task should be given top priority, as per the order.

    The FBR’s higher authorities are currently reviewing the work conducted by field formations in consultation with the respective provincial authorities.

    According to Geo, the upcoming exercise will result in an average increase of 15 per cent in the valuation tables, effective from August 1, 2023. The aim is to establish the updating of valuation tables as an annual practice, as there is still a disparity between the FBR’s notified rates and the current market rates.

    The revision of property valuation tables is a condition attached to the $400 million World Bank loan known as the ‘Pakistan Raises Revenues (PRR) and RISE-II program’. The adjusted valuation rates will contribute to increased tax collection from immovable properties. However, it is important to note that the FBR’s notified rates still remain lower than the prevailing fair market value.

  • ‘Second green revolution’ promised by PM Shehbaz through Green Pakistan Initiative 

    ‘Second green revolution’ promised by PM Shehbaz through Green Pakistan Initiative 

    After a series of moves aimed to protect Pakistan’s failing economy, including securing a crucial IMF deal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now set his sights on supporting what he calls the backbone of Pakistan’s economy: the agricultural sector.

    Through his Green Pakistan Initiative, inaugurated on Monday, July 10, PM Shehbaz says 4 million jobs will be created in the agricultural sector. He also said the Green Pakistan Initiative would likely attract $50 billion in investments in the next five years.

    According to PM Shehbaz, the newly inaugurated initiative is bound to propel Pakistan into its ‘second green revolution’. In fact, the initiative follows similar schemes as those present in Ayub Khan’s regime, such as incentivising farmers by providing them with more profits for their production and providing standard seeds and fertilizers to farmers, along with equipping them with the latest technology.

    It is true that Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution changed the economic fate of the adolescent country. And a revolution of sorts is very much needed: according to PM Shehbaz, state-owned agricultural enterprises are losing PKR 600 billion annually. He noted that Pakistan imports $4.5 billion worth of palm oil, a burden on the national economy.

    At the inauguration ceremony, PM Shehbaz said that gulf countries were ready to invest in the agriculture sector and export modern machinery to Pakistan, in order to boost the production of crops in the country.

    According to The News, PM Shehbaz stated, “It is [a] demand of our national security that the country’s food security and economic security should be strengthened.”

    The inaugural seminar was attended by federal ministers, provincial chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh, chief secretaries of provincial governments, agricultural experts, and farmers from all the provinces.

    Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir also attended the seminar as the guest of honour. He pledged the Pakistan Army’s full support for all the initiatives that fall under the Special Investment Facili­tation Council, one of which is the Green Pakistan Initiative.

    According to The News, agriculture experts and farmers highly appreciated the landmark initiative, praising the focus on promoting modern technology, the collaboration of public and private sectors, as well as trickling down dividends to local farmers in order to alleviate poverty.

  • Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan trade barbs on Twitter

    Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan trade barbs on Twitter

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Imran Khan engaged in a tweet spat on Twitter that started on Sunday.

    The exchange of barbs directed at each other started with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan responding to a tweet by Shehbaz Sharif where the Premier accused Khan of “using the proxies to threaten the Army Chief of an assassination attempt”.

    Hours later, Imran Khan responded by stating that the Prime Minister’s statement was “nonsensical”.

    He wrote, “You cannot fool anyone by making these nonsensical and ridiculous statements just to drive a wedge between Pakistan’s biggest political party and the establishment only so that you can save billions that you’ve stolen from the people of Pakistan.”

    Not to be outdone, Shehbaz replied to Imran Khan with yet another tweet on Monday night, calling the former Prime Minister someone “who lacks the courage to face courts on charges of corruption, pilfering and crimes against the nation.”

  • How much did Aqsa Afridi’s bridal outfit cost?

    How much did Aqsa Afridi’s bridal outfit cost?

    Former cricketer Shahid Afridi has shared photos of his eldest daughter Aqsa’s barat, writing a lovely note where he declared himself to be the first love of his daughter’s life, and yes we wailed at how moving it was.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1677610611599876096?t=NbyDc8THDgBYE_Ox6P7JwQ&s=19

    But, since viewing the photos on Saturday, the question that has remained on everyone’s mind is how much did the gorgeous outfits cost.

    Aqsa wore a deep red shahrara with gold embroidery. According to Geo, the outfit was from the bridal collection of Republic Women’s Wear by Sana Sikandar Khan and had cost approximately Rs 750,000.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cue4QXZMNwN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Makeup artist Furqan Sheikh shared a picture of Aqsa’s ocean blue valima gown, which reportedly came from the same brand and cost Rs 850,000.

    Shahid Afridi’s second daughter Ansha was married to fast bowler Shaheen Afridi in an intimate nikkah ceremony in February.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1621757937600413699?t=3BByBQxHsibLkLfJphh5iA&s=19

    Obviously the main thing on everyone’s mind is how expensive the wedding clothes were! But it’s Shahid Afridi’s little princess, so she gets the world if she wants it!

  • US dollar surges by Rs1.90, closes at Rs279.80 against Pakistani rupee

    US dollar surges by Rs1.90, closes at Rs279.80 against Pakistani rupee

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the US dollar demonstrated further appreciation against the Pakistani rupee in the interbank market on Monday.

    The American currency gained Rs1.90 against the local currency, closing at a rate of Rs279.80, compared to the previous day’s closing rate of Rs277.90.

    Concurrently, in the open market, the dollar is being traded at Rs283. It is noteworthy that the Pakistani rupee had experienced a gain of Rs10.58 over the course of last week.

    Anticipating future trends, Malik Bostan, the President of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP), expressed his belief that the value of the dollar will continue to decrease in the upcoming days.

    Furthermore, the price of gold in Pakistan also experienced a slight increase at the beginning of the week, corresponding to the devaluation of the rupee against the dollar.

    As per the data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of 24-carat gold rose by Rs800 per tola and Rs686 per 10 grammes, reaching Rs209,000 and Rs179,184 respectively.

  • Gold price increases to Rs209,000 per tola amid depreciation of Pakistani rupee

    Gold price increases to Rs209,000 per tola amid depreciation of Pakistani rupee

    The price of gold in Pakistan experienced a slight increase at the beginning of the week, corresponding to the devaluation of the rupee against the dollar.

    As per the data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of 24-carat gold rose by Rs800 per tola and Rs686 per 10 grammes, reaching Rs209,000 and Rs179,184 respectively.

    In contrast, the international market maintained a stable price for gold at $1,925 per ounce. The gold market in Pakistan has displayed volatility in recent times, influenced by ongoing political and economic uncertainties, as well as high inflation. Consequently, individuals tend to view gold as a secure investment and a hedge during such periods.

    Data provided by the association indicates that the price of silver remained unchanged at Rs2,480 per tola and Rs2,26.20 per 10 grammes. During the previous session on Saturday, the price of gold experienced a decrease of Rs200 per tola.

    Meanwhile, the local currency underwent a marginal depreciation of 0.68 per cent against the US dollar in the interbank market, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The rupee concluded the day at Rs279.80 against the dollar.

  • Benazir Bhutto, Malala Yousafzai in the list of the most influential women’ in the world

    Benazir Bhutto, Malala Yousafzai in the list of the most influential women’ in the world

    Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, and education activist, Malala Yousafzai, have recently been added to the list of ‘most influential women in the world’.

    In the list published recently by Marie Claire, a renowned French magazine, the late Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto and Malala Yousufzai were included in the list of 60 women.

    The women on the list belong to every walk of life, from women’s rights activists and pioneers of racial equality to inventors, scientists, actors, and world leaders.

    Succinctly expressing the achievements of the former Pakistani People’s Party (PPP) leader, the website wrote, “Bhutto became the first woman prime minister of Pakistan in 1988. After a military coup overthrew her father’s government, she inherited the leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party.”

    Moreover, describing Malala’s achievements, it added: “Yousafzai survived a gunshot wound to the face by the Taliban and has since become a spokesperson for human rights, education, and women’s rights. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.”

    Some other prominent names mentioned in the list include Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Gloria Steinem, Jane Austen, Maya Angelou, Queen Elizabeth II and Indira Gandhi.

  • Karachi Mayor warns of action against road defacers

    Karachi Mayor warns of action against road defacers

    The newly elected Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, on Monday said that action will be taken against road defacers who put up banners and advertisements blocking the tidiness and beauty of the area.

    Murtaza Wahab pointed out that the posters culture, the ever popular ‘Mehboob apk Kadmoo may’ and such other ads written on the walls destroy the clean view, making the area look displeasing. He shared his thoughts during the foundation ceremony of beautification and restoration project of Shahrah-e-Faisal.

    Wahab asserted that the condition of Shahrah-e-Faisal was very bad until a few years ago and so the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government decided to improve the drainage with new drains installed at different places, rain water did not accumulate on road in the recent spells.

    Karachi Mayor said the beautification and improvement project of Shahrah-e-Faisal will cost about Rs20 crore and will be completed in one year.
    “You won’t find the flag of any political party on the Shahrah-e-Faisal,” he said and further warned of action against road defacers.