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  • Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    In a bid to protect expatriates from fraud, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has announced the launch of a property transfer service tailored for overseas Pakistanis.

    Chairing a special meeting of the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) focusing on reform, the chief minister outlined key features of the service.

    The newly introduced property transfer service aims to streamline the process for Pakistani diaspora, offering facilities such as mutation, e-filing, and land registration.

    CM Maryam ordered launching the service at the earliest for Pakistanis residing in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries.

    Asserting strict adherence to timelines in property transfer services, CM Maryam urged for meticulous record-keeping of government land across the province. The meeting also delved into discussions regarding the Punjab Land Record Authority, with the chief minister directing measures to establish roadside small gyms and parks on government land, alongside the setup of land facilitation centers in every district.

    Plans were unveiled to establish land facilitation centers in 11 divisions by June 30, with the online availability of land records for 5,798 Mauza anticipated by December 2024.

    Additionally, the initiative intends to kickstart online land record projects in 10 districts of the province, utilizing 811,044 acres of government land for corporate farming.

    Maryam directed to take measures for building roadside small gyms and parks on the government land. She also ordered the establishing of land facilitation centers in every district.
    The meeting was told the land facilitation centers would be set up in 11 divisions by June 30. The participants were also told that land records of 5,798 Mauza would be available online till December 2024.
    Earlier engagements saw CM Maryam presiding over a meeting on the Urban Unit in Lahore, where she emphasized the importance of comprehensive planning for the Regional Economic Corridor in Punjab. Directives were issued to draft a mapping plan for industrial zones, with a focus on assisting small industrialists and controlling smog through data-driven strategies.

    Maryam Nawaz affirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investors, highlighting the dedication to fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and development in Punjab.

  • Pakistan will host a Tri-Series ahead of Champion trophy 2025

    Pakistan will host a Tri-Series ahead of Champion trophy 2025

    Pakistan will host a Tri-Series ahead of International Cricket Council (ICC) Champion Trophy 2025. This series will include New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan.

    Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi met the chairman of South Africa and New Zealand Cricket Board in Dubai, in the meeting the final shape of the tri-nation cricket tournament in Pakistan in February was finalized.

    The cricket teams of South Africa and New Zealand will come to Pakistan at the end of January 2025 to play the tri-series cricket tournament, while the series will be played in February.

    Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi also invited the chairmen of South Africa and New Zealand Cricket Boards to visit Pakistan.

    Last time Pakistan hosted a tri-series in 2004 in which Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe participated.

  • PSL Eliminator 1: Islamabad United defeats Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs

    PSL Eliminator 1: Islamabad United defeats Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs

    In the first eliminator of Pakistan Super League 9, Islamabad United defeats Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs in National Stadium Karachi.

    Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and elected to bat against Quetta Gladiators.

    Islamabad United’s inning

    Against Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United scored 174 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    Martin Guptill scored 56 runs and Agha Salman scored 31 runs, Alex Hales, Shadab Khan scored 23 runs each and Azam Khan scored 18 runs while Faheem Ashraf and Hyder Ali scored one run each.

    Apart from this, Naseem Shah was not out with 7 runs while Imad Wasim also scored 4 runs.

    On behalf of Quetta, Muhammad Amir and Akeel Hosein dismissed 2 players each while Muhammad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel took one wicket each.

    Quetta Gladiators inning

    Chasing the target of 175, Quetta lost their first five wickets within just 16 runs. At this point Akeel Hosein and Omair Yousuf made a partnership of 52 runs but Akeel was dismissed on 31 runs, Wasim Jr was also dismissed by Faheem Ashraf on 6 runs. Apart from this Muhammad Amir scored 23 runs and Omair scored 50 runs.

    Quetta Gladiators whole team returned to the pavilion on runs in overs.

    From Islamabad United Imad Wasim took 3 wickets, Naseem Shah took 2 while McCoy, Hunain and Faheem took one wicket each.

    Islamabad will face Peshawar Zalmi on March 16 for the finals race.

  • Govt keeps petrol price unchanged at Rs279.75 per litre

    Govt keeps petrol price unchanged at Rs279.75 per litre

    The newly elected government, in its inaugural fortnightly review following assumption of power, has opted to keep the price of petrol unchanged for the upcoming fortnight at Rs279.75 per litre.

    According to a statement released by the Finance Division, the price of diesel has been revised downwards by Rs1.77 per litre, resulting in a new price of Rs285.56 per litre.

    In the previous review, the interim government at the time maintained the diesel price at its existing level while raising the petrol price by Rs4.13 per litre.

    Petrol price in Pakistan from March 16, 2024
  • Honda City CVT is now only Rs50,000 more expensive than manual variant

    Honda City CVT is now only Rs50,000 more expensive than manual variant

    In a development likely to spark interest among sedan enthusiasts across Pakistan, Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HACL) has announced significant price reductions for its highly sought-after Honda City models.

    Effective March 15, 2024, the automobile manufacturer has implemented noteworthy price cuts on two of its City variants, signalling a strategic move amidst a dynamic market landscape.

    This decision follows a similar initiative by the Indus Motor Company, which recently reduced prices for its Toyota Yaris lineup.

    Under the revised pricing structure, the Honda City MT 1.2L now boasts a new price tag of Rs4.649 million, reflecting a reduction of Rs50,000.

    Meanwhile, the City CVT 1.2L has seen a substantial price drop of Rs140,000, bringing its revised cost to Rs4.689 million.

    Of particular interest is the narrowing price gap between the manual and automatic variants, with a mere Rs50,000 difference observed between the two models.

    This adjustment is anticipated to significantly influence consumer preferences, potentially tilting the scale in favour of the automatic transmission option.

    The decision to revise prices comes in response to the recent imposition of a 25 per cent sales tax on automobiles priced above Rs4 million.

    This tax hike has prompted various automotive giants to recalibrate their pricing strategies to remain competitive in the market.

    Notably, Toyota also initiated price reductions for its Yaris sedan lineup, ranging from Rs73,000 to Rs133,000, in alignment with the prevailing market dynamics.

    However, it’s worth mentioning that while sedan manufacturers have navigated the tax increase by implementing price adjustments, SUV manufacturers producing vehicles below 1400 cc were unable to circumvent the tax hike.

    Advocating for the inclusion of a Rs4 million price cap, these manufacturers have found themselves subject to the augmented sales tax regime, impacting certain Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki models.

    With these strategic manoeuvres, Honda Atlas Cars Limited aims to not only cater to evolving consumer demands but also maintain its competitive edge in the dynamic automotive market of Pakistan.

  • Gold prices remain unchanged in Pakistan amid global market stability

    Gold prices remain unchanged in Pakistan amid global market stability

    Gold prices in Pakistan remained steady on Friday, in line with the unchanged trend witnessed in the global market for the precious metal.

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), there were no fluctuations in the local market’s gold prices.

    The price per tola remained firm at Rs228,550, while the rate for 10 grammes stayed constant at Rs195,945.

    This stability followed a minor increase in gold rates noted on Thursday, with a rise of Rs250 per tola reported.

    Similarly, the international gold price held its ground on Friday, standing at $2,188 per ounce with a $20 premium, as verified by APGJSA.

    Silver prices also maintained their stability, remaining unchanged at Rs2,600 per tola.

  • SBP gears up for monetary policy meeting amid rate cut speculations

    SBP gears up for monetary policy meeting amid rate cut speculations

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has scheduled a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for Monday, March 18, 2024, to deliberate on the nation’s monetary policy, as announced by the central bank on Friday.

    The SBP intends to release the Monetary Policy Statement on the same day, providing insights into its decision-making process.

    Anticipation looms as a prominent brokerage house foresees a noteworthy chance of the SBP reducing the key policy rate by 100 basis points (bps).

    Currently, the key policy rate stands at a historic high of 22 per cent.

    Arif Habib Limited (AHL) outlined in its recent report the likelihood of the SBP initiating a 100-bps cut in the upcoming policy, potentially marking the commencement of an interest rate reversal cycle.

    Despite Pakistan witnessing a decrease in headline inflation to 23.1 per cent year-on-year in February, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), down from 28.3 per cent in January, there are calls for cautious action.

  • Syria war death toll over 507,000, 13 years on

    Syria war death toll over 507,000, 13 years on

    Syria’s war has killed more than 507,000 people, a war monitor said Thursday ahead of the 13th anniversary of the conflict which has displaced millions at home and abroad.

    The government’s brutal suppression of an uprising that erupted on March 15, 2011, triggered a full-scale civil war that drew in foreign armies and international jihadists.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said more than 164,000 civilians, including more than 15,000 women and 25,000 children, have been killed.

    More than 343,000 combatants, including army soldiers, fighters from pro-Iran groups, Kurdish-led forces and Islamic State group jihadists, are also among the dead, added the Observatory, which has a network of sources across the country.

    The overall figure has risen from around 503,000 last March, with the frontlines mostly quietening in recent years.

    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has gradually clawed back territory lost early in the fighting with help from allies Iran and Russia, but large swathes of the north remain outside government control.

    The United Nations has said that this year, 16.7 million people in Syria require some type of humanitarian assistance or protection, “the largest number since the beginning of the crisis in 2011”.

    The war has ravaged Syria’s economy, infrastructure and industry, while Western sanctions have added to the country’s woes.

    Syria is home to around 7.2 million internally displaced people, the UN says, with a devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February last year compounding the problem.

    Ninety percent of the population is living in poverty, but UN humanitarian official David Carden said last week that funding challenges could affect aid deliveries and services.

    Suhair Zakkout, Damascus-based spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said 13 years of war have had “devastating consequences” on Syrians across the country, causing “unimaginable pain”.

    “Syria has a full generation… who has only witnessed the loss, the displacement, the war, and they know nothing but these things,” Zakkout said.

    Humanitarian organisations are working “to sustain the minimum level of the basic services” such as water and health so that “they don’t collapse”, Zakkout said.

    UN-facilitated efforts towards a political process remain stalled.

    Special envoy Geir Pedersen said last month that Moscow and Damascus had rejected holding talks in Geneva, the venue for previous negotiations aimed at forging a new constitution for Syria.

    Last year, Syria returned to the Arab League, marking Assad’s return to the regional fold after a suspension of more than a decade.

  • Soldier killed in central Israel stabbing: Army

    An Israeli soldier was killed in a stabbing attack in central Israel on Thursday, the military said, and a police official said the assailant was shot dead.

    The Israeli military identified the victim as 51-year-old Uri Moyal, a command sergeant major, and said on its website he “was killed during an attack at the intersection of Beit Kama”, a kibbutz roughly 55 kilometres (35 miles) southwest of Jerusalem.

    Israeli police commissioner Yaakov Shabtai told reporters at the scene of the attack that the perpetrator was a 23-year-old man who grew up in Gaza until he was 18 but had moved to Israel four years ago and “got married here”.

    Police “immediately arrived at the scene and the initial investigation revealed that a terrorist entered the restaurant on the spot, stabbed a soldier who returned fire at the terrorist and neutralised him,” a police statement said.

    A police official later told AFP that the assailant was killed.

    The Magen David Adom emergency service treated the soldier and transported him to a hospital in Beersheba, in southern Israel, the statement said.

    “We arrived at the scene in large numbers, we saw a great commotion, and next to one of the stores a man in his 50s was lying unconscious and suffering from stab wounds to his body,” Kalman Ginzburg, a senior paramedic with MDA, said in a statement.

    “We immediately put him on mobile ICU and took him to hospital in critical condition while performing resuscitation.”

    The attack came one day after police said two Israeli security personnel were wounded in a stabbing carried out by a 15-year-old Palestinian boy on a bicycle.

    That attack occurred at the Tunnels checkpoint south of Jerusalem, and police later pronounced the assailant dead.

    Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed 31,341 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry.

  • Which Bollywood actress likes Wahaj Ali?

    Which Bollywood actress likes Wahaj Ali?

    Who doesn’t have a crush on Wahaj Ali? Well, maybe your neighbour’s grandmother who doesn’t watch TV and perhaps your professor who thinks watching TV is a waste of time.
    The rest of the country definitely has a crush on the breakthrough star and that includes admirers from across the border.

    During an Instagram question and answer session, famous Indian actress Reem Shaikh shared her admiration for Pakistani actor Wahaj Ali. She revealed that she fell in love with him as soon as she saw him.
    When asked about her first impression of Wahaj Ali, Reem blushed and said, “I’m not joking, it was love at first sight.”
    Wahaj is known for charming people not only in Pakistan but also in India. His drama series ‘Tere Bin’ was a huge hit, earning him lots of fans. He’s becoming a big star in the entertainment world.

    Reem Sameer Shaikh is also a well-known actress in India. She’s worked on many TV shows and movies like ‘Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha’, ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’, ‘Tujhse Hai Raabta’.

    If Wahaj Ali ever decides to work in India, Reem Shaikh would probably love to act alongside him.