Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Dar tells PTI that govt has nothing to do with raid at Elahi’s residence

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has talked to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi via telephone, discussing last night’s raid at former Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi’s residence in Lahore.

    Dar distanced the federal government from the incident and blamed the Punjab government for it, while expressing grief over the raid that has been criticised for using excessive force.

    The minister said that he would forward PTI’s reservations to the ruling alliance and would get back to them.

    Meanwhile, Dar’s party fellow and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal criticised the PTI leaders for “using women and children” as a shield to evade arrest.

    Apparently justifying the raid, the minister said both PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Elahi were not arrested when police conducted a raid at their residence.

    The raid has put talks between PTI and the government, to reach a consensus on a date for election, in jeopardy. The final and third round of negotiations will be held on May 2 (Tuesday).

  • Woman hangs herself after husband stops her from going to beauty salon

    Woman hangs herself after husband stops her from going to beauty salon

    Trigger warning: Suicide/Self-harm

    A 34-year-old woman named Reena from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has committed suicide after her husband prevented her from going to a beauty salon, police officials have confirmed.

    The woman hanged herself on Thursday in her home located in Scheme Number 51 of the city.

    The Sub-Inspector in charge of the case stated that the husband told the police that he had stopped her from going to the salon, after which she hanged herself in a fit of anger.

    The case is currently under investigation from all possible angles, while the post-mortem has already been conducted.

    Balram, the husband of the deceased said, “I just asked her not to go to the beauty parlour. I informed the police.”

    As per media reports, family members of the couple stated that the Barlam and Reena were constantly engaging in fights and arguments.

  • Saudi Arabia and Iran to reopen embassies soon

    Saudi Arabia and Iran to reopen embassies soon

    Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced on Friday that Saudi Arabia and his country will soon reopen their embassies in each other’s capitals, Reuters has reported. The minister didn’t provide exact dates for the reopening of the embassies, which have been closed since 2016, during a news conference held in Beirut, Lebanon.

    “During the last phone call between the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Eid al-Fitr, we agreed to work in the coming days on the reopening of the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Tehran and Riyadh,” Amirabdollahian said, according to an official Arabic translation.

    China mediated a deal last month that led to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had deteriorated since 2015.

    The conflict in Yemen began when the Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, overthrew the Saudi-backed government and took control of Sanaa, causing tension between the two countries. This tension has contributed to conflicts in other areas of the region, such as the Syrian civil war.


  • Delayed IMF deal, depreciating rupee push gold price to Rs219,500 per tola

    Delayed IMF deal, depreciating rupee push gold price to Rs219,500 per tola

    As the economic crisis in Pakistan persists and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme remains in limbo, the price of gold has surged to new heights. The All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) reports that the rate of gold (24 carats) has increased by Rs800 per tola and Rs686 per 10 grams, reaching a settlement of Rs219,500 and Rs188,186, respectively. Similarly, the international market witnessed a $6 increase in the price of gold, bringing it to $1,990 per ounce.

    This steady uptrend in gold prices can be attributed to the weakening of economic fundamentals, the depreciation of the rupee, and the record-high inflation rates. During times of economic uncertainty, individuals often turn to precious metals like gold to protect themselves against inflation and currency depreciation.

    The delay in the IMF agreement has further exacerbated the economic crisis, leading to a negative impact on the currency market and increased demand for gold. Without a much-needed economic bailout, the country risks defaulting, adding to the already tense economic situation.

    While the price of silver remains stable at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10 grams, the rise in gold prices highlights the growing economic concerns in Pakistan.

  • First episode of ‘Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri’ receives positive responses

    The first episode of the highly-anticipated Hum TV drama ‘Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri’ released online on Friday. Starring Khushhal Khan and Dananeer as the main leads, the drama opens up to Saim and Zobia who lived next door to each other, and have been best friends since childhood. We learn that the two have remained close despite the disapproval of their families, and both sneak out to go to a party together.

    Viewers have praised the magical chemistry between Dananeer and Khan, pointing out how the two are playing the trope of friends turned lovers incredibly well with well-timed banter and teasing.

    https://twitter.com/birdiiee_/status/1652018965680635906?s=20

    It’s only been the first episode and already twitter users have rave reviews about the performances delivered by both actors, so we can’t wait to see what the next few episodes deliver!

  • UK Court rules that Murtaza Ali Shah was ‘defamed’ through a campaign by PTI leaders

    UK Court rules that Murtaza Ali Shah was ‘defamed’ through a campaign by PTI leaders

    A United Kingdom (UK) High Court Judge has ruled that the words used by three Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders against London-based journalist Murtaza Ali Shah are “defamatory” at common law and that he was defamed through a campaign.

    Murtaza had himself moved the court against PTI leaders Mohammad Imran, Shanaz Hussain (typically known as Shanaz Saddique) and Riaz Hussain after they launched a defamatory social media campaign against him in 2020. Shah’s reporting on Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court after the Assets Recovery Unit paid a spy agency to investigate Justice Isa’s children led to the defamatory campaign against the journalist.

    The former ruling party has distanced itself from the matter. A spokesman of PTI UK said the three were clearly told by PTI leadership that their campaign against the reporter is personal.

    It is pertinent to mention here that one of the PTI leaders—Shanaz Hussain— was found guilty of forging her husband’s signature in 2012.

    In March 2023, at a preliminary trial on the meaning of the defamatory words used by these leaders, a judge said that “these are serious allegations to make against a professional journalist”.

  • Kabhi apnay personal milestone kay liye nahi khella: Babar Azam

    Kabhi apnay personal milestone kay liye nahi khella: Babar Azam

    Babar Azam became the fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 12000 runs in international cricket during the first One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand on Thursday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    When asked about his achievement and how excited he was, Babar Azam humbly replied that he has never focused on individual milestones.

    “I have never focused on individual milestones. My focus has always been to deliver for the team and give such performances that win matches for my team. When you play with that goal, you achieve milestones along the way,” the skipper said.

    Stating that a player’s aim should always be to give impactful performances, Azam credited the milestones as, “byproducts of that mentality.”

    The captain of the team emphasized that he does not have any personal ambitions. “What I want is to strive for the country’s success. I have never focused on achieving one record or the other. These things come with performance. But my main aim has always been to win the matches and tournaments for the country and make my performance count,” he added.

    When asked about Fakhar Zaman’s compliments on his and Mohammad Rizwan’s accomplishments for Pakistan, Azam responded that Zaman’s words were indicative of genuine team camaraderie.

    “What Fakhar has said is a reflection of our team culture. We back and encourage each other. We spend time with each other a lot more than we do with our families and to become a well-bonded unit, it is important to stand by your teammates and enjoy each other’s success. We back each other in an effort to get the best results for the team and for the country,” he said.

    The second ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on Saturday at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

  • After Zaman Park, Punjab police raid Elahi’s house and arrest women

    After Zaman Park, Punjab police raid Elahi’s house and arrest women

    In the late hours of Friday night, a heavy contingent of officials from anti-corruption department and police reached the Gulberg residence of former Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi in Lahore to arrest him in a corruption case.

    According to Elahi’s lawyer, pre-arrest bail had already been taken from a court until May 6 in the particular case. However, the team insisted that they need Elahi in a new case and they would not leave without arresting him.

    Sometime later, the raiding team used an armoured vehicle to break down the main gate of Elahi’s house, arresting multiple staff members. Female police officers also took women into custody.

    The plan was to arrest Elahi too, however, after a thorough search they couldn’t find him.

    They also tried to force their way into the adjoining residence of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, but they were resisted by Shujaat’s sons.

    After the episode, Elahi’s son moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to stop the police. Many politicians, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, strongly condemned the raid.

  • Inflation worsens in Pakistan, affecting purchasing power of millions

    Inflation worsens in Pakistan, affecting purchasing power of millions

    The citizens of Pakistan, a poor country with a population of 220 million, have been struggling with record-high inflation due to the government’s inability to control prices. According to the weekly bulletin released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the weekly inflation increased by 46.82 per cent year-on-year and 0.15 per cent week-on-week, ending on April 27.

    The rise in the sensitive price indicator (SPI) was attributed to the increase in the prices of potatoes, chicken, wheat flour, gur, bread, and rice irri-6/9. On the other hand, there was a decrease in the prices of tomatoes, bananas, onions, sugar, LPG, pulse masoor, and mustard oil during the same period. The SPI for the week under review was recorded at 252.20 points, up from 251.83 points the previous week and 171.78 points recorded during the week ended on April 28, 2022.

    Fahad Rauf, head of research at Ismail Iqbal Securities, attributed the moderate increase in SPI mainly to the rise in the prices of potatoes and mutton. The price trend of perishable food items during the Eid week has been mixed, with the prices of some items going up and some going down. Ismail Iqbal Securities predicted that the CPI for April 2023 would come around 38 per cent, up from 35.4 per cent in March 2023, due to house rent revisions and higher wheat prices.

    The absence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and persistent inflationary pressures may result in another rate hike, as per Ismail Iqbal Securities. An interest rate hike could further discourage businesses, which have already postponed their expansion plans and hiring. Import restrictions have also added to the woes of industries and businesses that have faced frequent shutdowns, resulting in uncertain or no wages for millions of workers.

    The SPI is compiled by PBS by collecting prices of 51 essential items from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country. During the week, prices of 21 items increased by 41 per cent, while prices of seven items decreased by 13.73 per cent, and prices of 23 items remained unchanged, accounting for 45.10 per cent of the total. Various weightages are assigned to different commodities in the SPI basket, with milk, electricity, wheat flour, sugar, firewood, long cloth, and vegetable ghee having the highest weights for the lowest quintile. The price of milk and wheat flour increased, while the price of sugar decreased. The prices of electricity, firewood, long cloth, and vegetable ghee remained unchanged. However, the prices of all these commodities increased on a yearly basis.

  • Naseem Shah reveals he was on medication for a year after mother’s death

    Naseem Shah reveals he was on medication for a year after mother’s death

    Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah has revealed that he suffered from mental stress after the death of his mother and took medication for a year to combat it.

    Shah’s mother passed away a day before he made his international debut in Brisbane, Australia in 2019. The fast bowler was just 16 years of age at the time.

    In an interview given to Samaa, Naseem Shah said that even today he can’t talk about his mother’s memories. The fast bowler further said that he still talks to her in solitude, adding that she was the only person with whom he shared details of his life, whether good or bad.

    Talking about dealing with his mother’s death, Naseem said that it was such a trying time in his life that he had to take medication to relax. The heartthrob said he avoids visiting his home because it reminds him of his mother. Additionally, he revealed that he envisions his mother sitting in front of him.