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  • SBP lowers policy rate to 19.5%, citing improved inflation trends

    SBP lowers policy rate to 19.5%, citing improved inflation trends

    In a move aimed at stimulating economic activity, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has lowered its key policy rate by 100 basis points, bringing it down to 19.5 per cent.

    SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad announced the rate cut during a press conference on Monday, highlighting that June 2024 inflation figures were slightly better than expected. He noted that the inflationary effects of the Federal Budget for FY25 aligned with earlier predictions.

    Furthermore, Ahmad pointed to an improvement in the external account, evidenced by an increase in the SBP’s foreign exchange reserves despite substantial debt repayments.

    The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) justified the rate reduction by emphasising the room for easing monetary policy while maintaining control over inflation. The MPC believes that despite this reduction, the policy stance remains sufficiently stringent to steer inflation towards the medium-term target of 5–7 per cent.

    This policy adjustment comes after Pakistan’s recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the announcement of the federal budget.

    Market sentiment, as reported by Arif Habib Limited (AHL), anticipated the rate cut, with a poll indicating that 55.7 per cent of respondents expected a reduction. AHL’s report predicted the rate would drop to 19.5 per cent, a level not seen since March 2023.

    Additionally, Topline Securities also forecasted a similar reduction, attributing it to receding inflationary pressures.

    The decision follows key events including the entry into a new $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with the IMF and the latest federal budget.

    These developments, along with recent improvements in macroeconomic indicators, have influenced the central bank’s move to lower the policy rate.

  • Mahira Khan dazzles with old-school dance moves in a throwback video

    Mahira Khan dazzles with old-school dance moves in a throwback video

    Famous actress Mahira Khan, known for her talent and beauty, recently delighted fans with a throwback dance video. The video, taken on the set of the movie ‘Neelofer,’ shows Mahira’s graceful dance moves, charming her followers.


    In the video, Mahira is dancing with joy, showing her love for music. ‘Neelofer,’ a touching story about a writer and a blind woman falling in love, stars Mahira alongside Fawad Khan. Directed by Ammar Rassol, the film was released earlier this year.


    Mahira shared her thoughts on music, saying, “I realized recently that nothing helps me escape as quickly as music does.” She mentioned that while looking through old videos, she remembered how dancing always makes her happy, even during tough times. “Even on days when my heart is breaking or I’m feeling sad… a song can take me somewhere else and make me happy for that moment,” she revealed.


    She also said that her spontaneous dance moments are sometimes recorded by her makeup artist, friends, or husband because they find it sweet or funny.

  • TLP’s Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah arrested for inciting violence against CJP Isa

    TLP’s Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah arrested for inciting violence against CJP Isa

    Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Vice Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah was arrested on Monday for inciting violence against the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Geo News reported.

    His arrest came after a case was filed against him for an inflammatory speech targeting the CJP outside the Lahore Press Club during a protest against the SC verdict in the Mubarak Sani case.

    In February 2024, in the Mubarak Sani case the Supreme Court ruled that Ahmadis, while declared non-Muslims, retain the right to profess and proliferate their religion.

    TLP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S), Mili Yakjehti Council Pakistan (MYC) and Wafaqul Madaris-ul-Arabiya (WMA) voiced severe opposition to the court’s verdict in this case.

    Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah had gone in hiding in Okara but he was arrested, while his FIR includes provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act amongst others.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “The state will not allow anyone to issue a fatwa calling for someone’s murder.”

    “There has been malicious propaganda about the chief justice and he has been targeted for a long time,” said the federal minister.

  • Lies? Shafqat Mahmood says the ‘US conspiracy’ against Khan was ‘politics, not true’

    Lies? Shafqat Mahmood says the ‘US conspiracy’ against Khan was ‘politics, not true’

    Former Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood recently appeared on senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan’s podcast where Mahmood stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) narrative about US conspiracy in Khan’s ouster from power in 2022 was “not true at all.”

    Khan asked the PTI leader whether the US was behind PTI’s removal from government, to which Mahmood replied, “They didn’t do anything at all. In politics, you have to make a lot of narratives; not all of them are hundred per cent true.”

    Shocked at his reply, the journalist said, “Sir, this is a lie you told.” Shafqat Mahmood replied, “You can call it a lie or it’s just politics.”

    In 2022, the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, alleged that the US conspired against his government in the infamous “cipher”, which, according to Khan, was the evidence of the conspiracy.

  • These roads in Karachi will be closed off for bus project

    These roads in Karachi will be closed off for bus project

    Karachi traffic police announced on Monday that two tracks of the main University Road will remain closed for traffic from Safura to Samama. As a result, traffic police have provided alternative routes for commuters.


    Geo’s Suleiman Saadat reported that traffic will be diverted from NIPA onto the Dow University (Ojha Campus) turning, directed on to Safura via Sachal.

    However, traffic from Safura is being diverted onto the Jauhar Chowrangi, and traffic from Samama is being directed to NIPA.


    Notably, to ensure the flow of traffic and guide travellers, police are present at the location.


    The closure of these roads comes amid the development of the Karachi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.

  • Do Fans Like Anil Kapoor as Bigg Boss Host? Surprising reaction to evergreen star

    Do Fans Like Anil Kapoor as Bigg Boss Host? Surprising reaction to evergreen star

    Fans of Bigg Boss have shown mixed feelings about Anil Kapoor taking over as the host from Salman Khan. The recent switch has sparked a flurry of reactions, particularly on social media platforms like Reddit.


    On May 31, JioCinema announced that Anil Kapoor would replace Salman Khan as the host of Bigg Boss OTT 3.


    However, the fan response to Kapoor’s new role has been far from positive. On Reddit, many users have expressed dissatisfaction with Kapoor’s performance. Comments have been harsh, with some users calling him the “worst ever host.” They criticized his presentation style, including his perceived fake laugh and overall personality.


    Others agreed, saying Kapoor was not suited for hosting Bigg Boss. Comments included, “Fake anger on point” and “MAKE HIM STOP.”


    The reaction highlights the challenges of replacing a popular host like Salman Khan, who has been a staple of the show for many seasons. As the show continues, it will be interesting to see if Kapoor can win over the fans or if the criticism will persist.

  • Sheheryar Munawar talks about why men turn violent

    Sheheryar Munawar talks about why men turn violent

    Sheheryar Munawar, known for his powerful performances in dramas like Pehli Si Muhabbat and Kuch Ankahi, talked about domestic violence and the man-angle.
    During an interview with Fuchsia Magazine,
    Sheheryar said, “Parents teach children to be brave, not to cry, and never to show weakness. But after marriage, wives often don’t let husbands express their emotions. They say things like, If you lose your job, just start another business quickly. When men are told not to feel pain or cry, they become very harsh, leading to domestic violence.”
     


    Talking about the psychological effects of societal pressure on men
    Radd actor said, “When men are burdened with numerous responsibilities and aren’t given the chance to express their emotions, it leads to issues in their personalities. In our society, there are many women who inflict forms of oppression on men that we can’t even imagine.”
    Sheheryar Munwar is currently starring in Radd, which comes on  ARY Digital.

  • 65-year-old woman commits suicide after receiving high electricity bill

    65-year-old woman commits suicide after receiving high electricity bill

    A 65-year-old woman, Razia Bibi, suffering from a hernia, jumped into a drain after her family received a high electricity bill.

    CCTV footage shows Razia Bibi jumping into a sewage drain. ARY News reported that her children had saved money for her surgery, but the money was used to pay the Rs 10,000 electricity bill.

    Footage shows that Razia Bibi’s daughter tries to stop her but cannot succeed. Her son told the media, “My mother was suffering a lot of pain, and the apprehension of not getting surgery was taking a toll on her, and that is why she jumped.”

    Previously, a man killed his brother during a fight over their electricity bill in Gujranwala.

  • Olympics commentator sent home after sexist comments about Australian swimmers

    Olympics commentator sent home after sexist comments about Australian swimmers

    Veteran sports commentator Bob Ballard has been fired from his Olympics job after making a sexist comment about Australian female swimmers who won a gold medal.

    During the 4x100m freestyle relay in Paris, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack left the pool deck after their victory. Ballard commented, “You know how women are… always hanging around, doing their makeup.”

    His co-commentator, British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds, immediately called the remark “outrageous,” making Ballard laugh.

    “Last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment during our coverage. Because of this, he has been removed from our commentary team immediately,” Eurosport has reported.

    He has worked for the BBC for a long time and has not publicly stated about the incident.

    Ballard has been a well-known figure in sports coverage since the 1980s. He has commentated on many Olympic Games and World Championships, covering sports like water polo, ice hockey, and wheelchair tennis.

  • More than a dozen people injured in firing in Balochistan

    More than a dozen people injured in firing in Balochistan

    More than a dozen protestors were injured on Sunday in violence in Mastung when a group headed to a planned protest in Gawadar came under fire.

    Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) had scheduled a protest in Gawadar against alleged human rights abuses in the province.

    The BYC has accused the security forces of opening fire at their supporters, while the administration emphasised that the participants attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung.

    “At least 14 people were injured in the firing,” said a BYC leader, Bebarg Baloch, alleging that law enforcement agencies opened fire at their supporters.

    Meanwhile, the area’s internet, mobile phones, and broadband services have been shut down.

    Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog, said, “Amnesty is alarmed at the use of unlawful and unnecessary force against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering by security forces yesterday.”