Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • WhatsApp Business will now let you create ads directly without Facebook account

    WhatsApp Business will now let you create ads directly without Facebook account

    Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, announced a significant milestone today as WhatsApp Business, its application tailored for small businesses, surpassed 200 million monthly active users.

    This noteworthy achievement marks a substantial increase from the 50 million users recorded in 2020. As Meta remains focused on its “year of efficiency” strategy, it has introduced new features aimed at enhancing the user experience for WhatsApp Business, including simplified ad creation and a personalised messaging service.

    Recognising the need to offset the substantial investment in developing a metaverse, Meta is intensifying its efforts to generate revenue through alternate channels such as WhatsApp. In line with this objective, WhatsApp Business users will now have the ability to create “click-to-WhatsApp” ads without requiring a Facebook account.

    This new feature enables sellers to conveniently create, purchase, and publish ads for Facebook and Instagram directly within the WhatsApp Business app.

    During Meta’s Q3 earnings call last year, Mark Zuckerberg revealed that “click-to-WhatsApp” ads had surpassed an impressive annual revenue run rate of $1.5 billion, exhibiting a remarkable 80 per cent year-on-year growth.

    Building upon this success, WhatsApp Business is introducing an additional paid feature that automates the process of sending personalised messages to customers. While specific pricing details were not disclosed, WhatsApp plans to commence testing this feature in the near future.

    Demonstrated screenshots shared by the company illustrate that businesses will have the ability to send distinct messages to different customer segments. For example, a seller can transmit a unique discount code to new customers, complete with a convenient purchase button.

    In recent months, Meta has taken substantial steps towards augmenting revenue through paid messaging services. In February, the company announced adjustments to the pricing structure and messaging categories on WhatsApp. These categories encompass utility, authentication (for one-time passcodes), marketing, and user-initiated service conversations.

    These strategic initiatives reflect Meta’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the WhatsApp Business platform and driving increased monetisation opportunities.

  • Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    As the country prepares to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29, the residents of Karachi are encountering a pressing issue with the depletion of cash in automated teller machines (ATMs).

    Consumers have expressed their grievances regarding the frequent unavailability of ATM services during the lead-up to Eid festivities.

    “We have made multiple visits to ATMs since this morning, only to find them out of order and devoid of cash,” shared concerned individuals.

    It is not uncommon for consumers to encounter difficulties with ATMs nearing the arrival of Eid. This situation arises due to the heightened demand for cash withdrawals, particularly for the purchase of sacrificial animals.

    Pakistan is set to observe Eid on June 29 (Thursday). The government has declared a four-day holiday for the public, including the Day of Arafah, which falls on June 28.

  • Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on July 4, over lack of facilities provided to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.

    Chairman Noor Alam Khan, while presiding over a PAC meeting, criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, emphasising that being a minister requires effective performance, not just holding the position.

    Noor informed the committee that he had personally witnessed the plight of the pilgrims and had received videos and written complaints highlighting their difficulties.

    Noor Alam said that not a single complaint had been received during the tenure of the pervious minister, late Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who died in a car accident.

    “This year, the situation is totally messed up. The President and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone for Hajj but pilgrims are suffering. The President and the Minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added

  • PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Eid-Ul-Azha is the symbol of sacrifice, equality and compassion.

    In a tweet posted from his official account, the Premier wrote that the occasion “fosters unity by reducing socio-economic inequalities and creates feelings of empathy and complete surrender before Allah Almighty”


    https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1673912422158172162?s=20


    He has also extended Eid-ul-Azha greetings to all Muslims and specifically overseas Pakistani, who are celebrating Eid today (Wednesday).

  • Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    During an appearance on Express News programme Kal Tak, Aleem Khan, the president of newly established Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) Party, has said that Jahangir Tareen would be their candidate for premiership in the next general election.

    “[We] will contest against PTI and PDM in the next election because people are against both these parties. IPP will not make seat adjustments with any party in the polls,” he revealed.

    Aleem also confirmed that he invited Asad Umar to join the party, adding that many lawmakers will join IPP after Eid.

    At present, IPP comprises of more than 100 former legislators and leaders of PTI.


    Tareen himself was once considered one of the key figures in PTI, largely credited for getting independent candidates to join the party in 2018, paving the way for the formation of a coalition government.

  • Indian soldiers accused of forcing Muslim worshippers to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in occupied Kashmir mosque

    Indian soldiers accused of forcing Muslim worshippers to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in occupied Kashmir mosque

    Two former chief ministers of India-held Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, have called for an investigation into an alleged incident where Indian soldiers reportedly forced Muslim worshippers in a mosque in Pulwama to chant Hindu slogans.

    Mufti expressed her concern over the incident and requested a probe into the matter, while Abdullah described the reports as distressing and hoped for a transparent investigation.

    According to Indian media, the soldiers arrived in a village in Pulwama and conducted a nighttime drill, keeping the villagers awake until dawn.

    At sunrise, they allegedly forced the Muezzin to chant “Jai Shree Ram” slogans and detained several villagers, some of whom were subjected to physical assault.

    The incident has drawn attention from senior army officials, who stated that they are assessing the situation and will provide details once they have clarity.

    The army has reportedly apologised to the villagers, and an army major involved in the incident has been removed.

  • Pakistani rupee records slight increase against US dollar, settles at Rs285.99

    Pakistani rupee records slight increase against US dollar, settles at Rs285.99

    The State Bank of Pakistan reported that the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) maintained an upward trajectory against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market on Tuesday.

    The PKR experienced a gain of Rs0.072 against the greenback, resulting in a closing rate of Rs285.99. This marks an improvement from the previous day’s closing rate of Rs286.71.

    Experts attribute the rise in the dollar’s value to the government’s successful fulfillment of all conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently engaged in his fourth communication with the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, within a span of six days.

    It is worth noting that Pakistan’s ninth review by the IMF under the 2019 Extended Fund Facility, which aims to secure the release of $1.2 billion in funds, is still pending. With only three days remaining until the programme’s expiry on June 30, there is a pressing need to conclude the review process promptly.

  • Will Pakistan secure IMF’s bailout? Decision expected within 48 hours

    Will Pakistan secure IMF’s bailout? Decision expected within 48 hours

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a telephonic conversation with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Tuesday.

    During the discussion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his optimistic outlook, anticipating that a decision regarding the bailout programme would be reached within the next day or two.

    In an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), it was highlighted that the premier and IMF MD delved into various matters pertaining to the IMF programme. The statement further indicated that the efforts of the finance minister and his team were duly acknowledged by the IMF MD.

    The statement continued to convey the Prime Minister’s expectation that the coordination efforts on finer details would culminate in an IMF decision in the coming days. Additionally, Shehbaz reiterated his commitment to achieving the shared goal of improving the economic situation through collaborative endeavors.

    Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Georgieva during the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris, wherein he provided a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s economic outlook. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the critical funds would be disbursed as a result.

    Pakistan is currently engaged in a race against time to revive its halted bailout programme, which is set to conclude on June 30. Experts emphasise the significance of resuming the IMF bailout, which has been at a standstill since November of the previous year.

    The cash-strapped South Asian economy is grappling with a balance of payment crisis, making the expected funding of $1.1 billion from the international lender crucial. This funding would also pave the way for additional inflows from Pakistan’s multilateral and bilateral partners, effectively reducing the risks associated with a potential default, as per expert opinion.

  • Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, has released a statement announcing that Pakistan’s first music policy is being designed to help boost the industry and address issues like copyrights, pirating as well as artist rights.

    According to Aaj news, Aurangzeb pointed out how Pakistani artists have suffered from theft of intellectual rights because of weak policy planning.

    “Since the 1970s, no policy parameters, including legislative and administrative, for the music industry have been introduced,” the PMLN politician lamented in a statement. “The new policy will fully protect the copyright, which [will] help compose quality music for masses.”

    Aurangzeb revealed that the music policy has been prepared according to international music law standards, and will address issues like piracy, copy rights as well as artists’ public performance, production , adaptation, duration and communication rights.

    The rights of Pakistani singers, song writers, composers and producers will fall under this policy as Aurangzeb said that all issues and demands of music stakeholders, especially copyrights will be resolved.

    Aurangzeb also stressed that the policy will work to protect classical musicians, as well as set up initiatives to promote more regional musicians by providing incentives. The policy will address how Pakistan’s musical legacy can be preserved as it is, “rich, being a unique combination of Sufi poetry, with classic and modern music”.

  • ‘He is my home’: Kiara Advani opens up about marriage to Sidharth Malhotra

    ‘He is my home’: Kiara Advani opens up about marriage to Sidharth Malhotra

    Everyone remembers how the world’s axis shifted when Bollywood actors Kiara Advani and Siddharth Malhotra announced their marriage on social media, along with a gorgeous video that included a lovely rendition of Ranjha that made fans cry buckets of tears?

    Now, speaking to Mirchi Plus, Advani, who is currently doing promotion interviews for her upcoming film ‘Satyaprem Ka Katha’, spoke about what being married to the ‘Kapoor And Sons’ actor is like, gushing that she regards Malhotra not only as her best friend, but also her home.

    “I got married recently, and it was a love marriage. So naturally, I believe in true love. A home is made by two people and I feel incredibly lucky that my partner, the man I have chosen, my husband is also my best friend. He is my everything, my home. Wherever I am, he is my family, my home.”

    Seriously we’re not crying, we’re sweating because of the heat.

    Kiara and Sidharth met in 2018 during the wrap up party for Netflix’s Lust Stories which is when Advani acknowledged she began liking him.

    “I’ll never forget that night,” confessed the actress on a talk show.

    In February 2023, the pair set hearts racing when they got married in a star-studded wedding in Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer.