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  • Pakistan’s forex reserves expected to reach $9-10 billion by year-end

    Pakistan’s forex reserves expected to reach $9-10 billion by year-end

    The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) are expected to close the fiscal year at around $9-10 billion mark.

    This news comes amid growing optimism about the country’s financial stability and the potential for a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Speaking at the 7th Leaders In Islamabad Business Summit, themed “Collaborating for Growth,” Minister Aurangzeb outlined several positive developments in Pakistan’s economic landscape.

    The country’s central bank currently holds just over $8 billion in reserves, despite a recent $1-billion bond payment.

    Aurangzeb highlighted the dramatic increase from last year’s reserves of $3.4 billion, which covered just 15 days of imports, to over $8 billion.

    The finance minister indicated that once the IMF disburses its final tranche by the end of this week, the foreign exchange reserves would exceed $9 billion.

    He projected that by the end of June, the reserves could reach between $9-10 billion, offering about two months’ worth of import coverage.

    In his address, Minister Aurangzeb also addressed concerns about the IMF’s involvement in Pakistan’s economic recovery.

    He said that the current IMF programme is not solely driven by the international body, but is also a reflection of Pakistan’s own strategies for overcoming economic challenges.

    “This is our requirement as a country if we want to get out of the trap we are in,” he said, adding that the government had productive discussions with the IMF in Washington, D.C., to establish a broader and longer-term programme.

    The IMF mission is set to visit Pakistan in mid-May, with staff-level agreements expected by June or early July, contingent on progress with the country’s privatisation plans.

    Aurangzeb stressed that the IMF should be seen as a means to an end, rather than the end itself, emphasising that Pakistan’s long-term economic stability requires a commitment to market-driven reforms and sustainable growth opportunities.

    The summit’s inaugural session provided a platform for the finance minister to discuss the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy, promote growth, and attract international investment.

    The anticipated agreement with the IMF and a more robust foreign exchange reserve position signal a hopeful outlook for Pakistan’s economic recovery.

  • Gold prices plunge, falling by Rs7,800 per tola in a single day

    Gold prices plunge, falling by Rs7,800 per tola in a single day

    Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a significant downturn on Tuesday, following the global trend of declining gold rates.

    In the local market, the price of gold per tola dropped to Rs240,900 after a sharp single-day reduction of Rs7,800, according to rates shared by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    Simultaneously, the price for 10 grammes of gold experienced a similar decrease, settling at Rs206,533, a drop of Rs6,687 from the previous day’s trading. This marks a substantial reduction after Monday’s decline, when gold per tola fell by Rs3,500.

    The international market also saw a downward trend in gold prices, which further impacted local rates.

    According to APGJSA, the international rate for gold was set at $2,309 per ounce, with a premium of $20, following a significant decline of $72 during the day. This indicates a continuing bearish outlook for the precious metal.

    In addition to the falling gold prices, silver rates also experienced a reduction. The price per tola for silver decreased by Rs100, settling at Rs2,780.

    This reflects a broader downward trend in precious metals, driven by fluctuating global market dynamics and investor sentiment.

    The cumulative effect of these decreases over just two trading sessions has led to a total decline of Rs11,300 per tola in the local market, mirroring an over $100 per ounce drop in the international rate.

    This sharp decline in gold prices comes just days after the metal hit an all-time high of Rs252,200 per tola in Pakistan on Saturday.

    The record surge in gold prices had been attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with central banks increasing their gold reserves, factors that typically drive demand for safe-haven assets like gold.

    However, the recent downward trend indicates a shift in market sentiment, with possible impacts on local and international investment strategies.

    Traders and investors will be closely monitoring the fluctuations in the gold market, looking for signs of stabilisation or further volatility as international and local factors continue to evolve.

  • Abducted student from Karachi married forcefully in Rahim Yar Khan

    Abducted student from Karachi married forcefully in Rahim Yar Khan

    A video has emerged online showing a girl who got abducted from Karachi getting forcefully married in Rahim Yar Khan.

    The girl, named Asma, allegedly stated her age as 19 in the marriage certificate issued in Rahim Yar Khan, reported the Nikahkhawan. The nikah ceremony took place at his house and he told ARY News that he asked the girl to go back but she declined stating her mother will sell her to an old man if she goes back.

    On the other hand, the girl’s mother, asserted her daughter’s age to be between 14 and 15 years old. She disclosed that the man, who allegedly lured her daughter into marriage, won’t let her talk with Asma in person nor over the phone.

    Karachi police authorities are currently in the process of seeking permission from the Home Department to initiate necessary actions, stressing that only the statement of the girl can confirm whether the marriage occurred with her consent or under compulsion.


    However, the police authorities of Rahim Yar Khan have asserted that the girl provided a statement affirming that the marriage was entered into of her own free will.

  • ‘A woman does not have to stay’, Sanam Saeed highlights the importance of financial independence

    ‘A woman does not have to stay’, Sanam Saeed highlights the importance of financial independence

    In an interview with journalist Aamna Haider Isani, Actor Sanam Saeed spoke about changing times and factors leading to increased divorces in the country.
    She said, “Today, women are more financially independent and aware of their rights, in the past, they mostly depended on men for financial support and often lacked other sources of support, even in toxic relationships. Now, women stand up for themselves, they don’t need to stay, if the marriage is not working.” Saeed is married to actor Mohib Mirza.

  • Are you ready for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2?

    Are you ready for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2?


    The script is ready and Producer Radha Mohan has confirmed that it is ready to be presented to Bollywood’s Salman Khan.

    Mohan is currently in Hyderabad promoting Ayush Sharma’s upcoming film, ‘Ruslaan’.
    He said, “Scriptwiter Vijayendra Prasad has written two stories for me, including ‘Vikram Rokkudu 2’, the sequel to ‘Rowdy Rathore’ in Hindi. The story is complete, and now we are searching for a good cast.”
    However, it is uncertain if Akshay Kumar will take part in the sequel of Rowdy Rathore.

    Bajrani Bhaijaan was released in 2015 and starred Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

    The movie is about a man who helps a girl return to Pakistan. Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi, a devotee of the Hindu deity Hanuman, embarks on a journey to take a mute six-year-old Pakistani Muslim girl, Shahida, separated in India from her mother, back to her hometown.

  • Fake videos of Bollywood stars stir up election worries in India

    Fake videos of Bollywood stars stir up election worries in India

    In some fake videos spreading widely on the internet, two top Bollywood actors from India are shown speaking out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They’re asking people to support the opposition Congress party in the current general election. In one video, Aamir Khan talks for about 30 seconds, and in another, Ranveer Singh speaks for about 41 seconds. They say Modi didn’t fulfill his promises during his time as prime minister and didn’t solve important economic problems.

    The fake videos made by artificial intelligence show the symbol and slogan of the Congress party at the end. The slogan is “Vote for Justice, Vote for Congress.” These videos have been watched more than half a million times on social media since last week, according to Reuters.

    The spread of these videos shows how AI-generated content could affect the huge Indian election that began last Friday and will go on until June. AI, or artificial intelligence, creating fake videos, called deepfakes, are becoming more common in elections worldwide.


    Since 2019, in India, there’s been a big shift towards using WhatsApp and Facebook for campaigning. This year’s general election, where Modi is likely to win a third term, marks the first time AI is being used in Indian elections.


    A spokesperson for the Congress party named Sujata Paul shared actor Ranveer Singh’s video with her 16,000 followers on a platform called X on April 17. By Saturday afternoon, her post had been shared 2,900 times, liked 8,700 times, and viewed 438,000 times. Paul told Reuters on the phone that she knew the video was labeled as “manipulated media” by X, but she didn’t want to remove it. When she posted it, she thought the person in the video looked like Singh, and she thought it was ‘creative’.

    The post disappeared from X on Sunday, shortly after Reuters asked Congress’ social media head for comments, but received no response. Both actors have said the videos are fake. Facebook, X, and at least eight fact-checking websites have also confirmed they’re altered or manipulated, which Reuters verified too.


    Aamir Khan was worried about the viral “fake” video, and Ranveer Singh is planning to sue the account that originally released the video. Singh’s team is investigating, said a spokesperson for both actors. Singh warned on X on Friday: “Be careful of deepfakes, friends.”

  • Dutch Actor Donny Roelvink embraces Islam

    Dutch Actor Donny Roelvink embraces Islam

    Dutch model and singer Donny Roelvink has embraced Islam, joining the growing number of people converting to the faith. Donny’s journey towards Islam began after a series of life-altering experiences, starting with a severe accident during a shoot that left him with broken ribs and a punctured lung. Following this ordeal, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment.


    These challenging experiences led Donny to seek spirituality, ultimately leading him to Islam. He observed Ramzan this year and recently took his Shahadah, marking his official entry into the Muslim community. Pictures of Donny taking his Shahadah in the mosque circulated on social media platforms, garnering widespread attention.

  • Hardly see any good acting on Pakistani TV anymore: Yasir Hussain

    Hardly see any good acting on Pakistani TV anymore: Yasir Hussain

    Yasir Hussain, a host, actor, comedian, and director, gained instant fame with his debut film ‘Karachi Say Lahore,’ his dramas and also marriage to Pakistan’s sweetheart Iqra Aziz.
    Recently, Hussain appeared on Iffat Omar’s YouTube show ‘Say It All with Iffat Omar.’ During the show, he shared his disappointment with today’s Pakistani TV creators and actors.


    Yasir Hussain, discussing TV show, said, “I hardly see good acting in Pakistani TV shows. I’m a big TV fan, watched a lot in my childhood. We grew up on shows like ‘Ankahi’, with actors like Shehnaz Sheikh, Javaid Sheikh, Saleem Nasir, and Qavi Khan. We haven’t seen anyone like Qavi Khan since. In India, they’ve had actors like Irfan Khan and Manoj Vajpai, who paved the way for stars like SRK, Salman Khan, and now Ranveer Singh. They create their own success.”


    Speaking about the roles he’s offered, he said, “I receive less roles because I decline many offers, so producers assume I’ll reject theirs too. Most drama makers don’t approach me because of this. I’m selective in my choices. However, if friends propose a role that interests me, I consider it. Additionally, I enjoy theater and film. Hosting also provides a good income.”


    Watch the video here:

  • Who designed the iconic Geo News logo?

    Who designed the iconic Geo News logo?


    Actor Shahzad Nawaz, who actively promotes arts and culture in Pakistan, has stated that the Geo News logo is his creation.
    Nawaz was a guest on Geo’s Hasna Mana Hai and when host Tabish Hashmi asked him about his work in graphic designing, Nawaz said that he used to make a lot of logo designs. Hashmi said that he had heard that Nawaz had designed the iconic geo news, blue and orange logo.


    Shahzad Nawaz replied, “I produced it,” further explaining that, “I conceptualized how the overall persona of Geo News would stand out and how it would appear on the screen.”

    Geo News began airing in October 2002 as part of Geo TV. Later, in 2004, Geo TV decided to establish Geo News as its standalone news channel.

  • ‘All cricketers are like brothers to me’: Nazish Jahangir responds to supposed Babar Azam proposal

    ‘All cricketers are like brothers to me’: Nazish Jahangir responds to supposed Babar Azam proposal

    Actress Nazish Jahangir landed herself in an unintended hot mess when she was asked on Instagram about a possible marriage to Babar Azam. She was asked that if the top-order batsman proposed to her what would she do. She said she wouldn’t want to marry Azam.

    After receiving criticism from the cricket player’s devoted fanbase on social media, the ‘Berukhi’ actor explained in the following statement, “Babar bhai hum sab k bhai hain but un k fans MA dil khol k negativity phila rahy hain’ (Babar is like a brother to us but his fans are spreading this negativity). I have nothing to do with cricketers, all are bros to me tbh [to be honest],” she added.

    “I have no problem with cricketers, and I don’t make any comments or judgments about them, so please keep your negativity to yourself,” she wrote on her Instagram account.

    The recent controversy came up a few days after Jahangir stated that she wouldn’t marry anyone from the entertainment industry. She emphasised that she would prefer from someone from outside Pakistan. She mentioned, “I’ve never really thought about it, but if I have the choice, I’d like to settle abroad after marriage, whether it’s in the USA, Dubai, Canada, or even London.”