Current Final

Category: Lifestyle

  • Will there be tax on graves in Punjab?

    Will there be tax on graves in Punjab?

    In a bid to clear the air around tax being imposed on graves in Punjab, the government has said that no ‘grave tax’ has been levied in Punjab and no proposal for such a tax is under consideration.


    Recently, a widely shared clip from Samaa News in 2019 resurfaced, which claimed that the government is imposing a tax for about 1500 rupees on the graves of adults and children in the budget for the next year.

    Asia Gul, Special Secretary for Local Government and Community Development in Lahore, told Geo Fact Check that the news is “fake”.


    “The local government department has neither initiated any such proposal nor has the government approved any such proposal,” she said.

    Aslam Nadeem, director of administration and finance at the Punjab Shahr Khumshan Authority, who is responsible for establishing model cemeteries across the province, also confirmed that he has not seen any such proposal and was unaware of any tax on graves in the province.

    The Punjab budget for 2024-25 also has no mention of a tax on graves.

  • Pakistan extends stay of registered Afghan refugees by one year

    Pakistan extends stay of registered Afghan refugees by one year

    The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) issued a notification to extend the period that card holding Afghan refugees can stay in Pakistan.

    According to the notification, the extension will be applicable from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The extension of POR will be applicable to registered Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan.

    Sources said that the registration card for registered Afghan refugees had expired on June 30, 2024 and the number of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan is about 1.45 lakh.

  • All passport problems to be resolved by September

    All passport problems to be resolved by September

    Director General (DG) Passport and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi has announced that all passport-related issues will be fully resolved by September.

    During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, DG Passport mentioned that there have been complaints regarding delays in passport printing due to inactive machinery. Approval has been granted to procure e-passport machinery, and six new printers will also be installed for passport printing.

    DG Passport assured that steps are being taken to control the delay in the passport printing process, with a commitment to resolving all passport-related issues by September.

    He further stated that additional counters have been established in passport offices. The existing passport system, which is 20 years old, currently has 20 printers, out of which only 13 are operational. The issue of lamination papers, affected by the dollar rate, has been addressed.

  • Tram for Lahore approved, routes and dates announced

    Tram for Lahore approved, routes and dates announced

    The Punjab government has approved launching a tram service in Lahore, ARY reported.


    The project was approved by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif during her recent visit to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) headquarters.


    The project will spread around 11 kilometers and include 10 stops, approximately 1 to 1.5 kilometers apart. The LDA has been asked to draw inspiration from modern tram models in Finland and China, with an estimated cost of Rs27 billion for the project.

    The tram route will include prominent localities such as Main Boulevard from Kalma Chowk, Liberty, Main Market, Mini Market, and Hali Road.
    With Maryam Nawaz’s approval, MM Alam Road is expected to be converted into a one-way street to accommodate the tram route, as part of the re-modeling.


    The tram service will also have a special stop within Gaddafi Stadium, making it a convenient option for sports enthusiasts and even-goers.
    However, ticket prices for the tram service will be determined after the launch.

  • Evidence-based, modern traffic challan system introduced in Punjab

    Evidence-based, modern traffic challan system introduced in Punjab

    A modern system of traffic challans has been introduced in Punjab, where challans will now be issued with proof.

    The announcement by the Punjab Safe City Authority states that heavy fines will be imposed for traffic rule violations, and challans will include evidence of the infractions.

    According to the announcement, Punjab has implemented artificial intelligence and a modern electronic traffic policing system similar to developed countries. The system includes the use of modern cameras to monitor every smoke-emitting vehicle.

    The statement emphasises that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the issuance of electronic challans for traffic and environmental law violations continues through Safe City cameras in Lahore. Monitoring of vehicle emissions, including motorcycles and auto-rickshaws, is ongoing using modern cameras.

    The declaration further notes that, similar to practices in developed nations, photos and videos of vehicles emitting smoke are captured in Lahore, and these are included as evidence in electronic tickets.

    Senior Minister Punjab Maryam Aurangzeb commented on the changing culture of traffic policing under the Chief Minister’s supervision, highlighting efforts to ensure environmental protection and enforcement of traffic laws through modern technology.

    Maryam Aurangzeb added that a phased implementation of a modern electronic traffic policing system will extend to every city in Punjab. With citizen cooperation, Punjab aims to become an exemplary province with both smog-free air and modern policing capabilities.

  • Govt reverses decision on passport suspension for asylum seekers abroad

    Govt reverses decision on passport suspension for asylum seekers abroad

    The federal government has decided to withdraw a circular suspending the passports of asylum seekers abroad.

    According to details, a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar discussed various issues related to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, DG Immigration and Passport, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.

    The participants were briefed about the timely issuance of passports to Pakistanis living abroad.

    It was decided to immediately withdraw the circular suspending the passports of Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.

    The Deputy Prime Minister was informed by the concerned authorities that passports for overseas Pakistanis will be issued within 60 days.

    Previously, on June 11, the Federal Ministry of Interior had decided not to issue passports to Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad.

  • Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    The meteorological department has predicted rain in different cities today.


    Rain may occur in some parts of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, as per the weather department.

    Battered with heat, Karachi is expected to receive rain this evening. Drizzling is expected in other areas of Sindh, such as Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, and Sjawal are also likely.


    The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded yesterday (Sunday)at Old Airport, around 20 mm, while 11 mm was recorded at Sarjani Town and 9.4 mm at Jinnah Terminal. Ten mm of rain was recorded on University Road, 7 mm on Shaara Faisal, 6.5 mm on Hassan Square, 2.5 mm on PAF Base Masrur, and 0.8 mm on North Karachi.

    Rain is also likely to descend in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir today.


    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has predicted the fourth spell of monsoon to start in Punjab from today, while south Punjab is likely to experience cloudy skies from tomorrow.

  • Fight breaks out in wedding over who will sit near the cooler

    Fight breaks out in wedding over who will sit near the cooler

    A unique fight broke out in an Indian wedding where guests quarreled with each other over the seat beside the air cooler.


    The bride refused to get married after the argument, according to Indian media.


    The incident took place in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. The groom, Hukumchandra Jaiswal, narrated that everything was fine until a dispute erupted among guests. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the bride refused to proceed with the ceremony. She was of the view that if the beginning of the marriage is like this, then what will happen to her after going to live with the in-laws.

    Later this matter went to the panchayat but no decision could be taken.

    On the other hand, the bridegroom filed a complaint with the police and requested that he be married. He demanded the return of his belongings and the money given.

  • Elon Musk congratulates Modi for most followers; social media says he’s wrong

    Elon Musk congratulates Modi for most followers; social media says he’s wrong

    Elon Musk, the controversial CEO of Tesla and social networking site X (formerly known as Twitter), recently congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the most followed world leader.


    Modi has 100.2 million followers on X, which are far less than Musk himself, who has 190.2 million.


    While Modi’s followers along with Indian Media celebrated the tweet as an honour, many netizens reminded Musk of Barack Obama, former American President, who is far ahead of Modi with his 131.7 million followers on X.


    National President of Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas tagged Elon Musk and wrote, “Is Barack Obama from another planet?”

  • More than 200 Balochistan Police personnel dismissed

    More than 200 Balochistan Police personnel dismissed

    IG Police Balochistan issued a notification revealing that more than 200 police personnel were terminated due to negligence and frequent absenteeism.

    The dismissed officials include constables, head constables, and ASIs, and they hail from various districts, including Loralai, Sabi, Kalat, Zhob, Naseerabad, Makran, and Quetta.