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  • IMF team engages in talks with Pakistan for new $8 billion programme

    IMF team engages in talks with Pakistan for new $8 billion programme

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that it is in discussions with Pakistan regarding a 24th bailout programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), signalling a significant development in the country’s ongoing economic negotiations.

    IMF Communication Director Julie Kozack, during a press briefing, refrained from commenting directly on the status of a staff-level agreement, suggesting that the talks are still in progress.

    She stated, “A mission team led by Nathan Porter is currently meeting with Pakistani authorities to discuss the next phase of our engagement.”

    Kozack elaborated on recent IMF activities in Pakistan, noting that on April 29th, the IMF Executive Board completed the second review of the stand-by arrangement for Pakistan, enabling a disbursement of approximately $1.1 billion.

    “The completion of this review reflects the authorities’ robust policy efforts during the stand-by arrangement, which contributed to stabilising the economy,” she explained.

    Addressing further queries, Kozack indicated that the mission is actively working on the ground and that their findings would be communicated upon the mission’s completion. 

    Pakistan is seeking a substantial $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the IMF over a three- to four-year period to address its financial difficulties.

    The IMF’s technical team arrived in Pakistan on May 10 to engage in discussions regarding the new loan programme and budget preparations.

    These talks come at a critical time for Pakistan, which is grappling with considerable economic challenges, including the failure of a tax amnesty scheme proposed by the IMF. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal in determining Pakistan’s economic stability and future financial policies.

  • Napkin with Messi’s first contract sold at auction for 26 crore 70 lakh

    Napkin with Messi’s first contract sold at auction for 26 crore 70 lakh

    A napkin inscribed with the first contract of Argentina’s famous footballer Lionel Messi has been auctioned for a whopping $965,000 (approximate 26 crore and 70 lakh rupees), with bidding starting at $326,835 approximate 9 crore and 5 lakh).

    Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona on December 14, 2000 when he was just 13 years old.

    The napkin, inscribed in blue ink, is also signed by then-Barcelona director Carles Rexach, the club’s transfer adviser Josef Manguela and Messi’s first agent Oracho Guijoli.

    The napkin was put up for online auction by London-based auction house Bonmus. Messi made his first team debut at the age of 16 and scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for the Barcelona club.

    Proud agent Guijoli said in an interview, “when I was invited by Barcelona director Carles Rexach to sign the contract, due to lack of time, instead of signing a contract formally, we hurriedly wrote the contract on a napkin signed by all parties.”

    Messi holds the record of scoring most goals ever in La Liga (474), the UEFA Super Cup (3) and Supercopa de España (14). He also holds the record for the most assists in football history (372).

  • Shahroz Sabzwari’s credits wife Sadaf for style transformation

    Shahroz Sabzwari’s credits wife Sadaf for style transformation

    Actor Shahroz Sabzwari has credited his newfound style to his wife, Sadaf Kanwal.

    Sabwari recently participated in the HUM Style Award where he received the Best Style Hero of the Year award.When a journalist asked Sadaf if she was surprised when Shahroz Sabzwari was nominated for Style Hero of the Year,

    she replied: “I wasn’t surprised; I hoped he would win the award and I’m very happy about it.”Meanwhile, Shehroz further said ,”I wasn’t stylish at all until my wife came into my life. She taught me how to dress and style myself. I owe my stylish looks to her.”

  • Muneeb Butt meets Indian Actor Manoj Bajpayee in Dubai

    Muneeb Butt meets Indian Actor Manoj Bajpayee in Dubai

    Muneeb Butt, a beloved actor in Pakistan known for his versatile roles and self-made journey, recently had a memorable meeting with renowned Bollywood star Manoj Bajpayee in Dubai.

    The younger actor expressed his long-standing admiration for Manoj’s craft and his desire to meet him. Manoj responded warmly, and they both had a pleasant interaction.


    Here is the meetup video :

  • Sanaullah says KP CM Gandapur can only do ‘hawai firing’

    Sanaullah says KP CM Gandapur can only do ‘hawai firing’

    Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Rana Sanaullah has stated that Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur considers himself a “Tees Mar Khan but he fires only empty shots.”

    Talking to the media in Lahore, Prime Minister’s advisor Rana Sanaullah said that if it (PTI) wants to talk to the establishment or the establishment wants to talk to them, then absolutely do it.

    The PML-N stalwart said that when the establishment did not support Imran, he said that it is Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq. “Their dispute is that the establishment should interfere in politics and the system of the country,” he opined.

    Talking about the founder PTI, the leader of Muslim League-N said that Imran Khan is getting everything in jail.

  • Austria to resume aid to UN agency for Palestinians

    Austria to resume aid to UN agency for Palestinians

    Austria said on Saturday that it will restore its funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after suspending it over allegations that staff were involved with the Hamas.

    Israel alleged in January that some United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employees may have participated in the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 that triggered the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

    In the weeks that followed, numerous donor states, including Austria, suspended or paused some $450 million in funding.

    Many, including Germany, Sweden, Canada and Japan, had since resumed funding, while others have continued to hold out.

    “After analysing the action plan in detail” submitted by UNRWA “to improve the functioning of the organization,” Austria has decided to “release the funds,” its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

    A total of 3.4 million euros ($3.7 million) in funds have been budgeted for 2024, and the first payment is expected to be made in the summer, the statement said. 

    An UNRWA staff member checks a burned area at a school housing displaced Palestinians that was hit during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 17, 2024. (Credit: AFP)

    “Some of the Austrian funds will be used in the future to improve internal control mechanisms at UNRWA,” it added.

    Austria said it will “closely monitor” the implementation of the action plan with other international partners, noting that “a lot of trust had been squandered.”

    The Alpine country said it has substantially increased support for the suffering Palestinian population in Gaza and the region since Oct. 7, making 32 million euros ($34.8 million) in humanitarian aid available to other international aid organizations.

    Israel’s has massacred at least 35,303 people, mostly civilians, according to data provided by the health ministry in the Gaza territory.

  • Pakistan likely to play against England with World Cup combination

    Pakistan likely to play against England with World Cup combination

    Pakistan team management has decided to enter the field with full strength and use its World Cup combination in the upcoming series against England.

    Haris Rauf and Usman Khan are strong candidates for inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad in place of Hassan Ali and Saim Ayub respectively.

    Fast bowler Naseem Shah will also make a place in the playing eleven, while the option of adding a spinner is also being considered.

    The final decision will be taken in consultation with Gary Kirsten, who is scheduled to join the squad tomorrow. The first T20 between Pakistan and England will be played in Leeds on May 22.

    Haris Rauf and Usman Khan did not get a chance in the series against Ireland.

  • Gold prices rebound, increase by Rs3,100 per tola

    Gold prices rebound, increase by Rs3,100 per tola

    On Saturday, gold prices in Pakistan saw a significant rise, mirroring the upward trend in the international market.

    According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola reached Rs248,100, marking a single-day increase of Rs3,100.

    Similarly, the price of 10-gramme gold surged to Rs212,706, reflecting a gain of Rs2,658.

    This spike in local gold prices is in line with the international gold rate, which rose to $2,414 per ounce, inclusive of a $20 premium, after a $30 increase during the day.

    Silver prices also experienced an uptick, with rates reaching Rs2,850 per tola, an increase of Rs120.

    It is noteworthy that last month, gold prices in the local market hit a record high of Rs252,200 per tola. Despite this recent surge, gold prices showed a decline of Rs600 per tola on Friday.

    These fluctuations highlight the volatile nature of the precious metals market, influenced heavily by global economic trends and investor sentiment.

  • Talat Hussain’s daughter opens up about father’s dementia diagnosis

    Talat Hussain’s daughter opens up about father’s dementia diagnosis

    Tazeen Hussain, the daughter of veteran actor Talat Hussain, has opened up about the family’s struggle with her esteemed father’s dementia.

    During an appearance on ‘Gup Shup with FUCHSIA’ she shared that her father is suffering from dementia now and asked for prayers.

    She talked about the difficulties her mother had to go through after her father’s diagnosis. Her mother used to be a full-time professor and a highly independent woman, but she is now the celebrated actor’s primary caregiver, with help from the entire family.

    She said that, “My father’s doctor advised me to care for my mother too and ask her how she is feeling as well.”

    Talking about how our behaviours towards medical conditions have changed, Tazeen said “When I was a kid, I saw older family members with dementia, but back then, people didn’t know what it was called. They were treated normally, and families just adjusted to their condition. Nowadays, people become more clinical when diagnosing this, and we need to return to some of the old ways of dealing with it.”

  • IG Police Azad Kashmir removed from post days after protests ended

    IG Police Azad Kashmir removed from post days after protests ended

    Inspector General Police Azad Kashmir Sohail Habib Tajik has been removed from the post and directed to report to the Establishment Division days after violent protests ended in AJK.


    The Establishment Division announced in a notification that Abdul Jabbar has been appointed IG Azad Kashmir Police in place of Sohail Habib Tajik, reported Geo News.


    Abdul Jabbar, an officer of Grade 20, was previously posted in FIA.

    Earlier in the week, during protests against expensive electricity and taxes in Azad Kashmir, several protesters and police personnel were injured in clashes while a sub-inspector was also killed in firing.