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  • Pakistan raises plane ticket prices for foreign trips

    Pakistan raises plane ticket prices for foreign trips

    Today, the National Assembly of Pakistan has approved the Finance Bill 2024-25, introducing significant changes to taxation on foreign travel.

    Effective July 1, 2024, travelers will encounter increased excise duties when purchasing international flight tickets.

    Under the new regulations, economy and economy plus class tickets will now incur an excise duty of Rs12,500. Business and club class tickets face higher taxation rates, particularly for destinations such as the United States and Canada, where travelers will pay Rs350,000 in excise duty.

    For European destinations, this duty rises to Rs210,000, marking an increase of Rs60,000. Similarly, flights to New Zealand, Australia, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia will also see a standard excise duty of Rs210,000 on business and club class tickets.

    Furthermore, flights to the Middle East and Africa, including popular routes like Dubai and Saudi Arabia, will experience a significant increase in excise duty, climbing from Rs30,000 to Rs105,000 for business and club class tickets.

    These taxes are part of the government’s efforts to boost revenue under the new fiscal year’s budget, which has been set at Rs18,870 billion.

    Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Finance Bill, 2024 in the National Assembly, which was subsequently passed after thorough deliberation and voting. Amendments proposed by opposition members were not adopted, ensuring the bill’s passage in its original form.

    Travelers are advised to factor in these additional costs when planning their international trips starting July 1, 2024, as the excise duties will be levied at the time of ticket purchase.

  • Packaged milk prices set to rise with 18% GST implementation from July 1

    Packaged milk prices set to rise with 18% GST implementation from July 1

    The prices of packaged milk and other essential items in Pakistan are set to rise following the government’s decision to impose an 18 per cent General Sales Tax (GST) in the Budget 2024-25, effective from July 1.

    The National Assembly (NA) approved the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 today, which includes this new tax measure.

    Along with packaged milk, the 18 per cent GST will also be applied to herbal and homeopathic medicines, and food items such as branded flour, packaged rice, and lentils. The sales tax will additionally extend to charitable and welfare hospitals.

    Despite the Senate Standing Committee on Finance rejecting the proposal, the government has moved forward with the decision. This move is anticipated to increase the cost of living, particularly affecting low-income families who rely on these essential goods.

    The approval of the Federal Budget comes amidst rising concerns over inflation. Reports indicate that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistan to further reduce sales tax exemptions, which is likely to contribute to the inflationary trend in the coming fiscal year. Consequently, the prices of milk, tea, sugar, rice, and flour are expected to rise.

    The National Assembly passed the Finance Bill, 2024, following a clause-by-clause reading and amendments process.

    All amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected. Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the motion for the consideration of the Finance Bill, which was passed by a majority vote.

    The budget has a total outlay of Rs18,870 billion and aims to address various economic challenges facing the country.

    However, the imposition of the 18 per cent GST on essential items is likely to put additional financial pressure on the population, raising concerns about the affordability of basic necessities for many Pakistanis.

  • Pakistan stock market posts largest annual gain since 2003

    Pakistan stock market posts largest annual gain since 2003

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has reported its most impressive annual return in over twenty years, driven by optimism over improved economic conditions, attractive valuations, and a shift to monetary easing by the central bank.

    The KSE-100 Index surged by 89.2 per cent, adding 36,992 points to reach 78,444.9 in the fiscal year ending June 2024. This represents the largest yearly gain since FY 2003. In USD terms, the index rose by 94.4 per cent, the highest increase since FY 2003.

    According to Mettis Global, this historic bull run commenced when Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign debt default, thanks to a rescue package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards the end of the last fiscal year.

    The IMF’s $3 billion loan programme also facilitated additional multilateral and bilateral funding, boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves by 99 per cent to $8.9 billion.

    The benchmark index reached its first record high in seven years in November 2023 and continued to set new highs throughout the year without significant pullbacks.

    Market participation remained robust in FY24, with the average traded volume on the PSX surging by 140 per cent to 272.5 million shares.

    Traded value in PKR terms increased by 154 per cent to 15.6 billion. In USD terms, the volume was recorded at $55.2 million, a gain of 118 per cent compared to the previous year.

    The strong performance of the PSX reflects investor confidence in Pakistan’s economic recovery and the positive impact of the IMF’s support programme.

  • Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs241,700 per tola

    Gold price increases by Rs700 to Rs241,700 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan have risen for the second consecutive session, mirroring an upward trend in the international market.

    On Friday, the price of gold per tola reached Rs241,700, marking a single-day increase of Rs700.

    Similarly, the price of 10-gram gold rose by Rs600, bringing it to Rs207,219, according to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    This follows a Rs400 increase on Thursday, when the price per tola reached Rs241,000.

    Internationally, gold prices climbed on Friday. According to the APGJSA, the international rate stood at $2,326 per ounce, including a $20 premium, after a $22 increase during the day.

    Meanwhile, silver prices remained stable at Rs2,850 per tola.

    In April, gold prices in the local market hit an all-time high of Rs252,200 per tola.

  • Install two ACs instead of one, Nawaz Sharif says about Khan’s jail condition

    Install two ACs instead of one, Nawaz Sharif says about Khan’s jail condition

    Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, addressed a budget session in the provincial assembly today, saying, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government was busy setting records of incompetence; they were busy removing people’s air conditioners.”

    She clarified, “The Punjab government has never done anything to remove the facilities of opposition, and neither have we used power against them.”

    The opposition shouted slogans against Maryam Nawaz, to which she responded with assertiveness, “Sit down, don’t be too loud or your throats will be damaged.”

    She also stated, “Nawaz Sharif has said to provide him [Imran Khan] with two ACs instead of one.”

    The Chief Minister addressed the assembly saying, “For the first time, a tax-free budget has been created in Punjab.”

  • Go behind the scenes with Sanam Saeed on ‘Barzakh’

    Go behind the scenes with Sanam Saeed on ‘Barzakh’

    Pakistani actress Sanam Saeed delighted her fans by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set of the upcoming web series ‘Barzakh.’


    She posted nine photos on Instagram showing the scenic beauty and challenges of filming ‘Barzakh.’ The pictures feature Sanam Saeed against rugged mountains and masked women in red abayas, capturing the essence of the series. She shared her experience of shooting, describing it as magical, challenging, and exhilarating.


    “A peek from the Barzakh sets—a magical, challenging, and thrilling experience,” Sanam Saeed wrote.


    Check the scenes below:


    She talked about the challenges faced during filming, like balancing on cliffs and enduring extreme temperatures, witnessing mountain falls and hinted at the series having a deep story, describing it as a journey from one life to the next.


    Directed by Pakistani director Asim Abbas and produced by ZEE5, ‘Barzakh’ stars Sanam Saeed alongside renowned actor Fawad Khan.

  • 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off Peru, tsunami threat over: USGS

    7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off Peru, tsunami threat over: USGS

    A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of central Peru on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, but a tsunami threat from the tremor has passed.

    The USGS said the tremor hit 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) from Atiquipa district.

    The quake was felt in Lima and a large part of the southern and central coast of Peru.

    The mayor of Yauca, Juan Aranguren, told local media that walls came down in his town.

    A major highway running through the area also suffered cracks, he said.

    “The children were crying, the earthquake was felt strongly,” said a villager from the area.

    Speaking to RPP radio, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen: “I want to convey tranquility. The earthquake has passed, we are making the first evaluations, and so far there are no fatalities to lament.”

    The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre had earlier said “hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts” but later said the threat had passed.

    Peru, with some 33 million inhabitants, lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast area of intense seismic activity that runs along the west coast of the Americas.

    Peru is hit by hundreds of detectable quakes every year.

  • Sindh Chief Minister is going to solarise govt institutions

    Sindh Chief Minister is going to solarise govt institutions

    Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting on energy where he instructed the Energy Minister to initiate the process of solarising government institutions.

    According to a spokesperson, Shah emphasised that solarising government buildings would reduce electricity bills.

    Energy Minister Nasir Shah pledged to expedite solarisation efforts in the new financial year.

    The Chief Minister then ordered that electricity supply should be disconnected in government’s residential buildings where bills are not being paid.

    Additionally, he instructed officials to settle HESCO, SEPCO, and K Electric bills in August.

  • Muhammad Zubair wants to join PTI, says Rauf Hassan

    Muhammad Zubair wants to join PTI, says Rauf Hassan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Rauf Hassan has said that former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and ex-Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair is interested in joining PTI, ARY News reported on Thursday.

    Rauf claimed that former president Arif Alvi had sent a message that Muhammad Zubair wanted to join the party.

    “If Muhammad Zubair is interested in joining PTI, Imran Khan will take the final decision,” saidRauf Hassan. However, he also stated that PTI will not accept those who left the party in difficult times.

    Rauf Hassan also confirmed that there is no possibility of a forward bloc in the party.

    “The PTI is a big party, and there might be groups of people,” Rauf Hassan added.

  • Japanese scientists make smiling robot with ‘living’ skin

    Japanese scientists make smiling robot with ‘living’ skin

    Japanese scientists make smiling robot with ‘living’ skin have used human cells to develop an equivalent to living skin that can be attached to robotic surfaces to flash a realistic — if creepy — smile.

    The University of Tokyo researchers published their findings this week along with a video of the gooey-looking pink material being stretched into an unsettling grin.

    They used a “skin-forming cell-laden gel” to create a “robot covered with living skin”, their study in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science said.

    The biohybrid robot specialists hope the technology will one day play a role in the invention of androids with human-like appearances and abilities.

    “We also hope this will help shed better light on wrinkle formations and the physiology of facial expressions,” and help to develop transplant materials and cosmetics, the team led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi said.

    The new material could signal a departure from traditional humanoid robots covered with genuine-looking skin often made of silicone rubber, which cannot sweat or heal itself.

    The scientists’ goal is “to endow robots with the self-healing capabilities inherent in biological skin”, but they are not there yet. In previous studies, they grafted collagen onto a cut on lab-grown skin covering a robotic finger to demonstrate how it could be repaired.

    But they said conducting similar repair tests on their smiling robotic skin “is a future challenge”.

    To create what they described as a “natural smile” that moves fluidly, they gelatinised the skin-like tissue and fixed it inside the robot’s holes, a method inspired by real human skin ligaments.